This chapter was the hardest out of the last couple to write, surprisingly. I needed to get H&R back on track without ignoring everything that happened. I wanted them to be strengthened by their experience. I've literally spent the last 6 hours writing and re-writing it. I hope it's okay!
When Mrs. Weasley found out that Hermione was home from school for the week because she wasn't feeling well, she stepped into Mum Overdrive. Both Hermione and Harry had become surrogate children to her and she had always tried her best to look after them; what was two more when there was already 7 after all?! Every morning, once she'd packed Arthur off to work, she'd filled her basket full of cakes or pastries and emptied her potions cupboard before flooing to Harry and Ron's flat.
Hermione had found it endearing and she could steadily feel herself gaining the pounds she had lost the last few weeks. Ron, on the other hand, just felt put out. He wanted to be the one to look after Hermione and he felt Molly's regular appearance were a sign of her lack of faith in him.
But he could. Despite not being a morning person, he made sure to wake up earlier than Hermione to make her breakfast in bed. He then helped her shower, even though she was adamant she could do it herself. he made sure she was settled on the sofa with a book before Molly could appear.
Molly had gone out of her way to rearrange Ron's birthday meal to the Sunday so that Hermione could celebrate with them before she went back to school.
Sunday morning came around quick enough and Hermione was so excited for the big family meal that she found herself awake before Ron for the first time that week. Her cramps and bleeding had stopped a few days before and since she had spent most of the week sleeping, eating or reading on the sofa; she was full of energy.
Hermione took her time to wake properly, shivering slightly in the cold morning air. Ron had yet again stolen her half off the duvet from her while they slept and she was grateful for the thick pyjamas she was wearing; even though Ron had called them the 'unsexiest things ever'. She rolled over slowly, smiling as Ron came into view. He was sprawled across the bed on his back, the duvet pooled at his waist and snoring softly. She bit her lip as her eyes travelled down his chest and to the light line of ginger hair that led from his belly and under the waistband of his pyjama bottoms. She let out a soft moan; she was definitely feeling more like herself.
Grinning, she propped herself up on one elbow and leaned over him to press a kiss against his lips. He started to smile in his sleep so she moved the kisses from his lips to his jaw, kissing softly along the line of it before moving to his neck. Ron stirred slightly as she pressed her tongue against one of his nipples. She gave both nipples equal attention before carrying on kissing down his body.
Eventually, she pushed down his pyjama bottoms and took him into her mouth before waiting to check if he was awake or not.
Ron woke with a groan and the feel of Hermione's warm mouth on him. He couldn't help but lace his fingers into her hair, trying to resist the urge to push her closer. Instead, he massaged her scalp softly and was rewarded with her soft moan vibrating against him. He opened his eyes as Hermione picked up the pace, adding her hand and doing everything that drove him crazy. He fought hard to hold on for as long as he could, but eventually he pushed his hips towards her; letting out a loud groan as he came.
Hermione tasted him briefly before pulling away and lying back on the bed with a satisfied smirk. Ron immediately rolled towards her, his lips seeking out hers. She wrapped her arms around him, letting out a moan when he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She always found it such a turn-on if he kissed her when she still had the taste of his come in her mouth.
She melted into the bed and under his weight. Her hands stroked his spine as he started to slow down the kisses and pull away.
"Good morning." He grinned breathlessly down at her. "That was a nice way to be woken up!"
Hermione grinned back up at him. "Well I thought since we're celebrating your birthday early, you should get your first birthday treat." She lifted her head for a quick kiss. Settling her head back on the pillow, she smiled softly up at him. "I know I said we were never having sex ever again; but I think I'm ready to give it a try..."
Ron raised his hand to stroke her cheek. "You sure? I mean, it would be nice to before you go back to school but there's no pressure..."
Hermione untangled her arms from around him and started to unbutton her pyjama top. "Let's just see how it goes... but you have to do the charm!"
Ron laughed and pulled her hands from her top, taking responsibility for undressing her in between kisses. When they were finally both naked, he made a massive show of performing the contraceptive charm, which made Hermione burst into a fit of giggles.
"Oh that's sexy..." She snorted as she laughed, trying to calm herself down as she pulled him back to her, wrapping her arms and legs around him.
It was awkward at first. Hermione was very obviously nervous and quite tense but once she'd gotten over the initial discomfort, they very easily found their rhythm again. True to his word, Ron took his time and made sure to pay extra attention to Hermione. Where before sex had often been frenzied and passionate, he made sure this was slow and loving and he tried to put everything he felt for her into it. Their lips barely left each other's skin and they clung to each other as they rode out their pleasure together.
Eventually, Hermione pulled away from Ron and rubbed her nose against his.
"Thank you for everything you've done this week..."
"You mean my mum's done..." Ron pulled a face, which made Hermione erupt in another fit of giggles.
"No what you've done. Your mum fed me up; you're the one who looked after me." She played with his fingers. "After I got the results from the test I was so scared it would drive us apart but if anything, I feel so much closer to you..."
"Did you think I would leave?" Ron sat up slightly, concern on his face.
"A little, I guess. One of my first thoughts was to run away, so I wouldn't judge you if you'd thought about it too..."
"Yeah well... I promised you I would never run away again and I meant it..." Ron flopped back down in bed. He picked up her right hand and played with the ring he gave her at Christmas. "You're stuck with me now..."
"Oh whatever will I do?" Hermione laughed and leaned over him to kiss him again. "We should go shower; but first... presents!"
Lunch at the Burrow had been delightful. All attention was on Ron as the family showered him with presents and made a huge fuss of him. After lunch, the majority of the younger Weasleys had set out for a pick-up game of Quidditch. Hermione had settled in a garden chair under a blanket to watch them. She was soon joined by a pregnant Fleur. Hermione had been trying to avoid her all afternoon, especially as the conversation seemed to always be about her growing baby bump.
Fleur had given her a friendly smile and passed her a cup of tea. "Molly said you have not been well," Fleur broke the silence as she took the seat next to Hermione, her accent a little less French than the last time she saw her.
"Yeah, she's been feeding me well..." Hermione laughed slightly then chewed her lip as she tried to think of something else to talk to the blond about. She felt her eyes gravitate towards Fleur's swollen tummy.
"The baby loves Molly's cooking... here, feel this..." Fleur grabbed Hermione's hand and pressed it against the side of her tummy before she could protest. "Right by there..."
Hermione went to pull her hand away but then her eyes widened as she felt the kick. "Oh..." She gasped as the baby kicked again.
"Molly said the baby is a true Weasley. All seven of them were big kickers..."
Hermione smiled, forgetting about the game of Quidditch she had been watching and turned her attention to Fleur, keeping her hand on her bump as she discovered a new bond with the French Witch. She was so into the conversation that she hadn't even notice the sky was starting to grow dark, until Ron appeared from seemingly nowhere.
"You need to make a move if you want to get back before curfew 'Mione..." Ron smiled and held out his hand for her.
Hermione stood up and said a quick goodbye to Fleur before hurrying into the Burrow to say her goodbye to everyone else. She picked up her school bag and shrunk it down before taking Ron's hand and letting him lead her down the lane away from the Burrow.
Ron stopped as they got to the end of the lane. "I saw your hand on Fleur's bump, were you okay?" He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
She buried her head against his chest. "Yeah, I didn't get much choice. She kind of just grabbed my hand and before I knew it I was feeling the baby kick! It was okay though. I think I underestimated Fleur before but she's actually great to talk to..."
"That's good..." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to miss you so much..."
"No goodbyes Ron, remember?" Hermione lifted her head for a soft kiss, her hand gripping hold of the back of his jumper. He smelt of earth and sweat and it was comforting to her. They carried on kissing until they ran out of breath. Ron grumbled as he let go of Hermione. He held out his wand arm and sighed as the purple bus appeared at the end of the lane.
"Go on then..." He stole one last kiss from Hermione then pushed her towards the bus.