Hermione was sat nervously, tapping her longish nails on the kitchen table.

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Monica was preparing a special dinner at the kitchen side while Wendell sat reading the paper. It had just ticked passed 4PM. A radio in the kitchen played a muggle news report:

"...Scientists and government officials are still no closer to explaining the bizarre worldwide weather from last week. The United Nations today declared a humanitarian crisis as global food prices continue to soar as a result of substantial crop loses around the world. Australia and the United States today joined Russia, China and the Ukraine in temporarily banning grain exports as food riots increased across the Middle East, with states of emergency being declared in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Oman and Sau-"

The radio cut out as Monica switched it off and said to no one in particular:

"I think we can do without some negativity for a few minutes."

Hermione sat, her legs crossed, her foot in the air shaking in frustration as she continued tapping her nails on the table...

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"Hermione darling, please. That's really getting on my nerves" Wendell asked, pleading for the eighth time for Hermione to stop tapping. Hermione was oblivious to her father speaking as she huffed loudly, looking at her watch for the six thousandth, five hundredth and ninety third time today.

"What is taking so long? He was supposed to be here hours ago! He should be here. Why isn't he? What if something went wrong? What if he's not ok?"

The longer Hermione spoke the more panicked she got. Monica quickly wiped her hands and rushed over to her daughter, hugging her before leaning back and saying reassuringly:

"Hermione breathe. Y/N will be here as soon as he can, who knows what kind of paperwork is involved, the carriage could have been held up, he could be stuck in a Penny hug, who knows?"

Hermione giggled at the last comment and her mother smiled at her. They suddenly heard a small pop from the living room and Hermione gasped, her eyes lighting up as she was up from her seat and off in an instant. She bolted into the lounge and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Y/N. She muttered "baby" with a huge smile then rushed him, wrapping him up in a bone crunching hug.

Y/N returned the hug, and the young couple just stood there in the embrace. Both had missed the other's touch, embrace, scent, very presence.

Hermione started to sob quietly as Y/N held her. He whispered into her ear.

"Shhh...it's ok baby. I'm home now... shhh... I'm here my love. I'm sorry I had to leave you."

Hermione squeezed tighter, relieved to hear Y/N's deep baritone voice again, but there was a clear strain behind his words. Her ears picked up the pain he was in.

After a couple of minutes they released the hug and looked into each other's eye before kissing passionately. Merlin they had missed each other.

As they parted breathless Y/N's legs started to buckle causing him to grip Hermione tightly.

"Are you ok, baby?" she asked, instantly worried.

Y/N gave Hermione a reassuring smile. It wasn't fake, but it wasn't strong either. It was the best he could manage with the little strength he had in him.

"I will be, love. Just haven't eaten or slept properly in, uh- a while. Just tired is all."

Hermione gripped Y/N's arm and gently led him to the kitchen where her parents were waiting.

"Just wanted to give you two space. It's so good to see you, Y/N" Monica said with a smile before hugging him tightly.

"You too" he replied into the hug. Wendell stood as his wife and 'son-in-law' separated, saying:

"Glad you're here son, glad you're ok."

"Thanks Wendell" Y/N replied, holding out his hand to shake. He was surprised as it was ignored, Wendell hugging him tight instead.

Hermione smiled at the sight before growing concerned as Y/N's legs buckled again. She rushed over and helped Y/N sit at the kitchen table before planting herself  right next to him. She wrapped her arms around Y/N's waist, squeezing tightly. Y/N did the same with his arm around her shoulder. He held her like he was afraid to let her go.

"So... how are you? All things considered"
Wendell asked apprehensively. Monica noticed the bruising on Y/N's face and subtlety pointed it out to Wendell.

"Alive, Wendell... alive. As long as my baby is safe that's all that matters" Y/N smiled, attempting to hide the mental and physical anguish he was in. He noticed a look of concern on Hermione's face and leant down to kiss her, attempting to reassure her he was fine.

"You look... tired" Wendell answered, unsure what to say to the boy. Y/N chuckled.

"I look like shit Wendell. But I'm ok. I just need to rest and recover. I'm out now... I think..."

Y/N looked around the room, a look of worry and puzzlement on his face as Hermione leant into him and cuddled him more after sharing a concerned look with her mother. Hermione tried to change the subject, speaking excitedly:

"We're staying here tonight and then spending the next week with Harry and Lavender at the Leaky Cauldron if that is ok with you love?"

Hermione asked looking up at Y/N with wide hopeful eyes that made him melt.

"As long as I'm with you I'm fine wherever baby" Y/N smiled, slightly blushing at his girlfriend. She smiled back, firstly that he was happy with her plans and secondly that she could still make him blush.

Monica interrupted the adorable stare off with a chuckle, announcing:

"Dinner's still an hour or so away, did you want to go upstairs and rest, sweetie?"

"Yes please, if that's ok" Y/N said with a tired smile.

"Of course it is darling. Whatever you need" Monica smiled back.

Y/N got up slowly, assisted by Hermione and they left to go upstairs, hand in hand.

When they were out of earshot Monica looked at Wendell concerned and asked:

"Did you see his face, the bruises? Looks like he was beaten pretty badly."

Wendell nodded and replied:

"I know but I'm more worried about his eyes. He looks... broken. God knows what those animals did to him in there."

—~—

Hermione and Y/N came up to her bedroom door. She smiled as she opened it and led him over to her bed.

"Do you mind if I change into shorts love?" Y/N asked. It was a warm muggy summer day, much warmer than he had become accustomed to.

Hermione smiled at her boyfriend

"Not at all. Mind if I admire the view?" Hermione asked with a blush and a giggle.

Y/N chuckled and replied sheepishly: "Not at all."

He took off his shirt and laid it on the dresser. Hermione instantly noticed a large purple bruise on his ribcage.

"Are you ok love?" Hermione asked, motioning towards the bruise.

"Yeah... it's healing bab-"

Y/N was interrupted by a coughing fit. It was bad and he managed to asked for a tissue between coughs. Hermione ran to the bathroom, pulling a length of toilet paper and handing it to Y/N. She panicked when his coughing finally finished to see he had coughed up blood.

"Oh my god Y/N, we've got to get you to the hospital. Why are you coughing up blood? Are you ok?"

Hermione spoke a mile a minute, panicking badly. Y/N dropped the bloody toilet paper in the bin next to her desk and rushed to her as quick as he could. He sat next to her on the bed, taking Hermione's hands and smiled through the pain in his lungs:

"It's ok baby. It's only newmatic. Chiara's going to be coming over each night at 7:00 to give me potions, or something. Don't worry about it love. Ok? Please?"

Hermione looked at her boyfriend momentarily confused before realisation kicked in.

"You mean pneumonia? You have pneumonia?"

Her mouth dropped open as Y/N replied:

"Yeah, I think so. I should be ok in a few days. Do you mind if I brush my teeth quickly though? As much as I'm used to it I hate the taste of blood in my mouth."

Hermione shook her head as Y/N gingerly walked topless to the bathroom. Hermione closed her eyes as the meaning behind Y/N's words sunk in. She whispered to herself:

"Be strong Hermione. Be strong for Y/N."

Y/N re-entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him, relieved Hermione's worry had seemingly disappeared, judging by the smile on her face.

He removed his shoes and socks, took off his Moke pouch and both wand holsters, placing them both on the dresser. Finally Y/N dropped his jeans. Hermione 'looked away' but at the same time not so subtly looked at the bulge in his underpants as he changed. Y/N noticed her stare but didn't say anything as he grunted, bending over to pull his shorts up. When did everything start hurting so much?

Hermione smiled before moving back and laying down on her bed, closest to the wall.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, smiling.

"I'd love it if you did. I don't ever want to be apart from you again" Y/N answered honestly.

He laid down and instantly sunk into the bed. He'd been on a cold stone floor for who knows how long. This was heaven. He felt a sharp stabbing pain in his chest as he laid, closing his eyes and blocking it out as Hermione smiled at Y/N. She leant over and kissed his cheek.

He opened his eyes and looked up at his beautiful girl. She leant down again with a smile and gently kissed his lips.

The kiss started at a slow and gentle pace but quickly increased in both pace and intensity. Their lips moved together in synch as they both let out the frustrations of the past two weeks and being apart from each other. Y/N's hand slid along Hermione's waist and under her shirt, resting on her hips, Hermione's hand rubbed Y/N's chest and abdomen... God she missed his abs.

As they broke apart to catch their breath Hermione kissed Y/N's neck and he moaned loudly in pleasure, stammering:

"M-Merlin I missed you, baby"

Hermione smiled and giggled:

"You taste of spearmint" as she moved back to his mouth, kissing him passionately. She instinctively licked his lips, asking permission to enter. Y/N was surprised, but happy, if Hermione was ready to move forward he was more than willing.

He opened his mouth and her tongue entered, exploring, fighting with his tongue passionately. She felt his hips moving and she lifted one of her legs on top of his, their bodies being pulled towards each other. Y/N fought for dominance with his tongue and won, he entered her mouth and explored, Hermione moaned into his mouth as he did.

The two finally parted, breathless, as a trail of saliva joined their lips as they separated.

Hermione smiled blushing at her boyfriend, saying quickly and shyly:

"I needed that!"

Y/N kissed her lips tenderly again and replied: "So did I beautiful. So did I."

The pain in his chest returned as he laid back and closed his eyes. Hermione rested her head in her comfortable old position, on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"You ok? You're beating pretty hard there love" she said with a giggle.

Y/N smiled and answered without opening his eyes "It's what you do to me baby, I can't help it."

Hermione giggled sweetly at this.

Within five minutes Y/N had fallen asleep, finally feeling safe and not needing to be on edge. For the first time in two weeks he rested comfortably.