"HERMIONE!" Ron bellowed. "HERMIONE!" His throat was raw from screaming her name. Out of his mind with worry, his only thought was that he needed to get to her, now. "HERMIONE!"
Running up the stairs, Ron burst into the room where they held Hermione captive. He froze momentarily when he saw her limp body lying on the ground, before launching himself across the room to her side. Gathering her up in his arms, he looked down at her unconscious face, willing her to open her eyes.
"Hermione?" he asked, voice breaking on the word.
Ron grasped her more tightly to him, her body feeling heavy and lifeless. 'No, not lifeless,' he immediately told himself, 'She's just unconscious. She's sleeping. She's asleep and she's going to wake up.' He felt frantically for a pulse, but could find none. His heart was frozen in panic and he was finding it hard to breathe.
"Hermione!" he tried again to rouse her. Unresponsive, she continued to lie still in his arms.
He heard a mocking laugh and looked up to see Bellatrix towering over him. "You're too late," she told him with a malicious grin, "The filthy little mudblood is dead."
"NO!" roared Ron, as he pulled out his wand and aimed it straight at her heart. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" he cried.
But as the sound of that same mocking laughter filled his ears, he realized his efforts were futile. Looking back down at Hermione's lifeless form, the truth finally set in. He really was too late. He had failed her. She was gone.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Ron suddenly awoke with a start, covered in a cold sweat. His heart beating rapidly, wide eyes darting frantically around the room, he felt anxious and disoriented. Gradually, he began to calm as he slowly realized where he was. Shell Cottage. He was sitting in an armchair next to the bed where Hermione lay recovering, asleep. He took a deep breath, gulping in air, as he silently willed his heart rate to slow down.
Standing up, Ron stretched stiffly, his body aching from the position he had fallen asleep in. He massaged a crick in his neck as he quietly approached the bed. Looking down on Hermione, he watched her sleep, his vision blurring a bit as tears rose unbidden to his eyes. He blinked them away and sat down carefully on the edge of the bed. Gently, he grasped Hermione's hand which lay on the coverlet, slowly bringing it up and touching it to his lips, placing a soft kiss against her fingers. She sighed and stirred in her sleep. Anxious, Ron watched her for a moment, but she settled down again, her breathing deep and even.
Ron carefully released her hand as he stood once more, moving back to the armchair beside her bed. Flopping down into the chair, he rested his arms on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He had almost lost her, he thought to himself. He had almost lost Hermione and there had been nothing he could do to help her. The only reason she was even lying here now was because of Dobby, the house elf. He wished he could take back every callous thing he had ever said about house elves. He felt nothing but immense gratitude now for the sacrifice that had been made. If it wasn't for Dobby, that nightmare would have been his reality. He shuddered and took a shaky breath, uncovering his eyes to look over at the bed.
Ron sat like this for a while, his tired eyes regarding the sleeping girl before him. After some time, he noticed her eyelids fluttering, her face twitching. He saw her clench her fists as her body curled and she let out a whimper. Ron stood and approached the bed again.
"No," he heard her mutter softly, "please."
As Hermione's face contorted in an expression of pain, Ron placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and called softly, "Hermione."
He saw a tear slip from beneath her lashes as he sat down beside her on the bed. Her chest heaved with a sob as he placed his hand against her cheek, calling a little more loudly this time, "Hermione."
Suddenly, with a gasp, her eyes flew open and met his. Ron's heart broke at the terror he saw there. "It's ok," he mumbled, his hand still resting against her cheek, his thumb now gently stroking back and forth.
He watched as the tears began to fill her eyes. He fought the urge to break down at the sight of this, instead gathering her to him and holding her as she sobbed.
"It's ok..." he continued to murmur softly to her, "It's over…you're safe…I'm here…"
Gradually quieting, Hermione eventually lifted her head and raised her eyes to meet his once again. "I'm sorry," she said in a tremulous voice.
Ron shook his head once. "Don't," he told her gruffly. "Please."
Taking a shaky breath, she gave him a watery smile. Ron leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Hermione lay back against the pillows, her eyelids now beginning to droop. Ron straightened her blankets, covering her tenderly.
"Get some rest," he told her.
Thinking to give her some space, Ron began to return to the chair once again, moving slowly to stand. As he did so, Hermione reached out to him, her hand on his arm making him pause and look at her.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked pleadingly.
Ron's eyes widened and he said quickly, "Of course."
Settling back down on the bed, Ron prepared to sit beside her as she fell asleep. However, he realized Hermione had different ideas as she pulled back the blankets and scooted over to the side, making room for him. He gazed at her warmly before kicking his shoes off and sliding in next to her, wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled in close to him. He felt her body begin to relax against him, tense muscles unwinding, as his hand gently rubbed circles against her back.
After lying quietly for a while, Ron heard Hermione's soft voice murmur, "Thank you."
Ron stroked Hermione's hair and placed a gentle kiss on top of her head before saying, "Get some sleep, 'Mione."
Ron listened to the rhythmic sound of Hermione's breath moving in and out, her breathing growing deeper as her body relaxed into sleep. Lulled by the sound, he began to drift off as well. Feeling her warm body in his arms, her heart beating reassuringly against his own, his last thought before succumbing to sleep was that he wouldn't be having any more nightmares tonight.
A/N: Ron's POV after the escape from Malfoy manor. Chapter 2 will be Hermione's POV. All feedback appreciated!
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.
