Ron's house felt eerie from her position on the pavement when she approached it. Because it was usually so full of life, the absence of activity was noticeable. A shiver ran up and down Hermione's spine. Her earlier fears of a partner being complicated no longer seemed important. She wished she wasn't alone. Knowing that she'd come so far that she couldn't back down, she snuck around to the back of the house to make certain Ron was home. Almost tripping on discarded children's toys in the back garden gave her the added boost of courage that she needed to continue. This wasn't just for Ron. It was for the seven children who called him "daddy" and their future.