Learn
Author's Note: Originally published on February 21, 2017
She was worried about him.
He was up early, again. Three days in a row, since Fred's funeral. She was also having trouble sleeping, which is why she'd heard him sneak downstairs.
Hermione was finding it difficult not to just confront him about it, now that they were together.
This won't do.
After searching through the house, by the pond, and the Quidditch pitch, she was stumped—until she spotted the ramshackle shed behind the Burrow.
She quietly entered. Ron's outline was visible in the dawn light, his shoulders slumped, facing away from her. He seemed to be tinkering with something.
Hermione stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on his back, causing him to flinch.
"Ron?"
Her voice broke the silence, which seemed to disrupt his thoughts.
"What are you doing up, Hermione? You need your rest."
"I'm worried about you."
Ron shrugged. "I have a lot on my mind."
She rubbed his back, up and down for a moment. He closed his eyes and she could feel him relax.
"That's nice."
"Is it helping, coming out here?"
"Yeah," he mumbled. "It's one of the few places I don't associate with Fred, and it's helping me learn…"
He quieted down, but she could see the familiar, telltale blush around his ears. After a moment, she couldn't take it any longer.
"Learn?"
He dropped whatever he was holding and spun to face her, his hands reaching for hers. Their fingers entwined and he gave them a squeeze.
"You know."
Her face was a picture of puzzlement, and he looked surprised. He seemed to think it was obvious.
"I don't, Ron. Tell me."
He shuffled over and she could finally see what he'd been fiddling with on his dad's workbench. There sat a torch, with its batteries removed.
"I'm trying to learn about Muggle things, so I don't make a fool of myself in front of your parents."
If she didn't already love Ron Weasley, that certainly would have done it.
"Oh, Ron."
She reached up and pulled him down into a kiss. He seemed surprised, but his arms quickly wrapped around her waist and he enthusiastically returned her affections.
As they deepened their kiss, Hermione tried to pour everything she was feeling into it. She was already shaky about the trip to Australia and finding her parents, and the fact that he was so confident they'd find them, and was even figuring out how to impress them, put her heart at ease.
They finally had to pause and catch their breath.
"I love you," Hermione professed, before resuming the kiss.
The door suddenly swung open and Arthur strode in, catching them in mid-embrace.
"Oh! Er, good morning, Hermione. I came to tell Ron that breakfast was ready… and uh, of course, that goes for you, as well."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley."
"Right, then. I'll see you two inside."
As he closed the door, Hermione couldn't help but start giggling.
"He didn't seem phased at all."
"Have you met my siblings?"