Hermione isn't sure what's forced her to wake up, but all of a sudden, her eyes are open, and she is no longer asleep.

It takes a moment for her to get her bearings. She's not in a tent in the middle of a windy forest. Instead, the walls surrounding her are orange, and she's snuggled up in a comfortable, old bed, under layers of blankets and duvets, despite the heat of the mid-summer night.

She's in Ron's bed, in his bedroom, at the Burrow.

The room is usually full of snores, but tonight, it's quiet. Hermione yawns and stretches before cuddling up to Ron's warm body, determined to drift back off.

"Are you awake?" He mumbles, his voice still laced with sleep.

"Yeah. Why are you up? Can you not sleep?"

Ron rolls over, being careful not to squash her in the single bed. His face coming into view makes her heart flip; his blue eyes shine bright despite the darkness of the room.

"They're shagging."

"I beg your pardon?" She whispers, but as soon as she stops, Hermione hears a muted groan and the creak of bedsprings.

"Oh, Harry!"

A voice floats up the stairs, heating Hermione's cheeks. She doesn't want to think of Harry being sexual. He's practically her brother, for Merlin's sake, and the thought of him having sex with anyone, let alone Ginny, makes her cringe.

Which means it's probably ten times worse for Ron.

"Maybe I should go and put a stop to it." He proclaims.

Hermione eyes him. He doesn't look like he's going to leave the bed, but she wouldn't put it past him. After all, there was nothing she could to do stop Ron from interrupting Harry's birthday gift from Ginny this time last year.

"Ron, don't. They've had a hard ye—"

"They've had a hard year? She's been in school, and we've spent the year following that git around the country. You and I have had a hard year. I almost lost you. But we're not shagging!"

The heat in Hermione's cheeks doubles in intensity. Sure, there's been a lot of touching and kissing in the few weeks that have passed since the war, but nothing serious. Not yet. They've only been a couple for a month, after all.

"Do you want to?" Her quiet voice surprises her, but she's trying to be brave. She's a Gryffindor, after all.

"Bloody hell, Hermione. Right now? With the soundtrack of my best friend fucking my sister?" His eyes and mouth are wide O's, and his face is even paler than usual, making his delightful freckles stand out more.

She tuts. "Don't be so crude. I don't mean right now. We're in the Burrow, and the house is full. Anyone could walk in on us. But...maybe soon?"

"Do you mean that?" Ron's eyes light up, finally distracted from what's going on a few floors beneath them.

"I think so." Hermione maintains her gaze with his deep, blue orbs. They are like pools of cool water, making her feel like she could fall right into them. Usually, she stops herself, but this time, she wills herself to let go. "Not here at the Burrow, though. We can find somewhere else to go. We deserve a night away—but not in a tent."

The chuckle that escapes Ron's lips is deep, stirring a new feeling low in Hermione's belly. "I'm done with tents for a long while."

"Then that's settled. We'll look for somewhere to go tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, but not tomorrow. Maybe in a week or so. Once I know Mum is going to be okay."

Over and over, Ron gives Hermione even more reasons to fall in love with him. Despite knowing him for almost eight years, he surprises her every day.

"Whenever you're ready." She smiles. "We'll get it done."

"Why not here at the Burrow, if you don't mind me asking? There are charms we can use, and it's comfortable here."

"Mistakes happen. If we can hear Harry and Ginny, even though we're up on the seventh floor, then so can the rest of the house."

The realisation hits him, and a grin appears on Ron's face. "Oh, Harry's screwed. Bill is staying over for the night. He was helping Dad with some of Fred—"

Their conversation is interrupted by heavy footsteps stomping across old floorboards. A door swings open, and muffled shouting fills the house. Harry yelps and Ginny curses before the door shuts again and the footsteps retreat.

Finally, the house is silent.

A laugh escapes Ron's lips, sending tingles pulsing all over Hermione's body. It's infectious, and soon she's joining him, burrowing her head against the crook of his neck to suppress the noise. The last thing she wants is Bill up here to shout at them too.

Her boyfriend smells of cinnamon, grass and sweat. The combination is intoxicating, sending Hermione's mind freewheeling in all the things she wants to do to him, should they finally get the chance.

"Alright, deal. Not here." Calloused fingers tangle in the mess of curls on her head, holding her close to his body. Warmth radiates through Hermione's body, not helping the flush of desire she's currently struggling with.

What has she done to deserve such a wonderful, understanding boyfriend?

"Ron?" Emotion washes over her, and she lifts her head to peer at him.

"Yes, 'Mione?" His eyelids already look heavy, and she can tell that sleep is already threatening to steal Him away from her.

"I love you."

The tips of his ears glow in the darkness, and the smile on Ron's face grows even wider. "I love you too."

Their lips press together in the darkness in a slow and loving kiss. Fingers and hands graze over skin as the young couple explore each other's bodies. It's short-lived. They know not to let themselves get too carried away, and the anticipation of what's to come soon helps them keep control.

Finally, they part, and Ron's head drops to his pillow. Letting a soft sigh escape her lips, Hermione joins him.

She contemplates their conversation as the inhabitants of the Burrow drifts back off to sleep. She doesn't feel nervous about having sex with Ron for the first time, despite her inexperience. And that's just a testament to how amazing her boyfriend is.