Harry sat in his room. The curtains were drawn around his bed. Another harsh word spoken about Sirius had forced him into leaving the common room before he lashed out at the most recent assailant. Sirius was just recently killed. How could anyone say another thing like that about a dead man? He quickly excused himself and then slowly went to his room. As soon as he was out of sight, he broke into a run.
Now inside the safety of his bed, he let out quiet sobs as he remembered Sirius not for the last time. A knock on the door told him that one of his friends had sensed something was off. Most likely Hermione. He wished it was Ginny. How he loved to talk to Ginny. She was a young girl who was still just a little beneath him, but he found she could talk all day about the things he was interested in. It all had to do with growing up with six older brothers and a father who worked at the ministry.
When he didn't say anything, the visitor entered the room and rapped on the post of his bed.
"Go away." Harry said as strongly as he could.
"No." It was Hermione. Why not Ginny? But Hermione did know what to say to help cheer him up. It had been her letters over the summer that had helped him the most. Well, her's and Dumbledor's. But he was sure the Headmaster had better things to worry about than whether or not Harry was upset over a crack against Sirius.
"Go away, Hermione."
"Not until I found out if you're okay."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
"How would you know?"
She ripped the curtain back. She looked at Harry's face and sat down beside him. She pulled him into her arms and held him as his tears fell fresh. She held him as he cried for several minutes. Then he pulled back. She caught his eyes.
They kissed. It was short and sweet. Hermione jumped up from the bed.
"I am so sorry, Harry." she said as she turned to leave.
"Please don't be." he said softly.
She turned back to him.
"You have no idea how you've helped me these last months. Thank you."
She walked back over to him and pulled him to her again. And then she kissed him deeply.
"Bloody hell!" It was Ron from the doorway.
They sprang apart. Ron went over to his bed and picked up his pillow and a blanket.
"Ron, I can explain." Harry said.
"Don't even bother." He brushed past a stunned Hermione who had not moved.
They followed him out of the room talking at once about the events that had preceded his entrance. But he refused to listen.
"Leave me alone, the two of you. I don't care how it happened or why. Just leave me the hell alone!"
They stood there stunned. Hermione stayed for a few moments. She usually had something to say, but she was at a loss for words. She hadn't realized Ron had such strong feelings. She was red from embarrassment. She ran up to her room.
Harry stood there and would not budge. "I'm sorry, Ron."
"I thought I told you to go away." Ron said as he set up his bed on one of the common room couches.
"Please let me explain."
He looked Harry dead in the eye and gave him a stare of death. "You knew I liked her. And you still kissed her. How could you?"
"She kissed me."
"I don't care who kissed who first. You know I like her and you were in there snogging her."
Harry looked at Ron. He would not budge from his position. Harry took a deep breath to suppress his anger. Count to ten. Ron rested on his new bed.
Hermione walked back down from her room.
"Ronald Weasley, don't be such a stupid git." She pulled him to his feet. Then she pressed her lips to his. When she pulled away, Ron fainted.
Then he woke up. It had been years since he'd been at Hogwarts. He looked over at his wife sleeping peacefully beside him. He kissed her soft curly hair and pulled her close once again.
"You okay, Ron?"
"Just fine, Hermione. An odd dream is all. Go back to sleep."
