A/N: Sorry this is a few days late guys! Its been a crazy week xD enjoy anyway :)

Without Words

Hermione's POV

"Oh, Hermione, dear!", Molly allowed joyful tears to fall from her eyes she pulled Hermione down to her height for a tight embrace. "Its so wonderful to see you".

"Its wonderful to see you too, Molly", Hermione smiled as she hugged her back.

"Ron and Harry have just popped into town to get some things for tomorrow, they shouldn't be long now. They'll be so happy to see you", Molly gave her a watery smile. Hermione smiled back at her before greeting Arthur with a friendly hug.

"How are your parents?", he asked.

"They're very well, thank you. Glad to be home", Hermione smiled.

"Will they be joining us tomorrow?", Molly asked. Hermione nodded, unsure of how to reply to Molly's question with actual words. "Lovely", Molly sighed. "Now, why don't you get yourself settled in Ginny's room?", she grinned.

"Oh, that's alright, I think I'll wait outside for a while", Hermione smiled brightly. Molly nodded, needing no further explanation to know that she wanted to wait for Ron to arrive. Hermione set her beaded bag down on the kitchen counter before making her way into the Orchard to wait for Ron and Harry. She could feel butterflies fluttering excitedly in her stomach as looked out into the distance. Fidgeting with the ends of her sleeves as she bit her bottom lip in anticipation. And then, with a single pop!, she saw him. That unmistakable flash of red hair coming towards her in the distance. His smile as bright as the afternoon sun in the sky as he laughed with Harry. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest as he stopped and just stared at her, taking in her presence before he dropped the shopping bags he had in his hands and raced towards her as she, in turn, raced towards him. Happy tears began to rim her eyes as she ran as fast as she could, her feet beginning to burn and the short run to him feeling like she had ran for miles. He reached her, and without a second thought he had lifted her up to him, her tip toes barely touching the floor as his arms snaked around her waist tightly. She buried her face in his shoulder as he did the same, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. She could hear his heartbeat thumping through his shirt as he caught his breath. Her eyes were shut tightly, enjoying the touch and the smell of him. How she had longed for this moment. She had been excited to see her parents again and to spend time with them, but in her heart she just couldn't wait to be with Ron. So much had changed in the last year, and Hermione was adjusting to the biggest change in her life quite well. Ron slowly allowed her feet to meet the floor as he removed his face from her shoulder so he could smile down at her, moving her hair out of her eyes.

"Hey", he said simply.

"Hi", she smiled. Harry suddenly cleared his throat and Hermione chuckled as she graced Ron's cheek with her hand before making her way towards Harry and giving him a hug.

"Thank Merlin! I thought you were going to jump me too", Harry joked.

"Oh stop it", Hermione blushed. She instantly found herself with Ron's arm snaked around her waist as the trio made their way back to The Burrow. Hermione's day was full of welcoming hugs and talks of Australia and her parents, but when the moon set in the sky, she and Ron sat alone out in the Orchard. They laid side by side, their fingers entwined as they looked up at the stars. "How have you been?", she suddenly asked.

"Alright", Ron replied simply. Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"You know what I meant, Ron", she told him. Ron only sighed before turning on his side so he could face her.

"I'm dreading this whole week. They're already calling it 'The week of Hogwarts' fallen heroes' in the Prophet", he told her. Hermione knew it was a hard week ahead. Fred's would be the first funeral of many. Before Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin's on Monday, Colin Creevey's on Wednesday and the Battle memorial on Friday. She turned on her side so, she too, could face Ron. His eyes looked glossy, as if he were about to cry. And she would never blame him if he wanted to. She suddenly found herself caressing his cheek gently with the palm of her hand as she scanned every inch of his face, sighing softly.

"I missed you so much", she half laughed. Ron grinned softly at her before moving her hair our of her eyes.

"Not as much as I missed you", he admitted, his cheeks flushing red adorably in embarrassment. Hermione found herself moving in towards him, their eyes locked on one another as their lips met. This had been the first time they had kissed since the battle, and Hermione thought it was magical. She thought about the stars shining above them as Ron ran his fingers through her larger than life hair, his lips moving softly over hers and his other hand resting against her waist as she cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand. The pair slowly parted lips, their faces still mere inches apart as Hermione looked deep into those bright blue eyes she admired so much. "I should probably get my stuff ready for tomorrow", he suddenly told her. Hermione nodded as the pair sat up together, walking hand in hand back to The Burrow. They walked into the living room to finding it, surprisingly, quiet with just Ginny sitting on her own with a Quidditch magazine in her lap. "Where is everyone?", Ron asked.

"Harry's upstairs trying to get the creases out of his suit and mum and dad went to bed early. I think they want to be ready for tomorrow", she sighed sadly as her eyes returned to the magazine in her lap. Ron suddenly let go of Hermione's as he walked over towards Ginny and put his arms around her.

"It'll be okay, Ginny", he told her softly. Hermione could feel her heart swell in her chest as she watched Ron comfort his baby sister. Ginny smiled up at Ron before he returned to Hermione and the pair of them made their way upstairs. Hermione stopped outside Ginny's room, where she would be spending the night as she looked down at her hand within Ron's.

"You should get some sleep", she told him, sighing softly. Ron nodded before planting a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, Hermione", he spoke softly.

"Goodnight, Ron", she smiled warmly before disappearing into Ginny's room.