Disclaimer: J.K. p'wns all...
Maybe. Such a simple word, but one that can mean so many things.
Ron sat in the Common Room in front of the fire. He was forced to sit there and be calm by his younger sister Ginny. He was waiting, waiting for news about the survivors of the final battle. Or more accurately, he was waiting for news about one survivor.
He thought of her as a survivor even though he did not know if she was alive or if she was- but he killed that thought before it had even finished forming in his mind. He heard the creak of the portrait hole opening. Ron turned around so quickly, he fell out of the armchair, but it was only Ginny. She looked worried.
"Where's Hermione?" He asked. Ginny closed her eyes slowly, a single tear trailing silently down her cheek
"Ginny, where is Hermione?" Ron repeated. Ginny looked at him. "Is she ali-,"
"Maybe. I don't know," she replied, " I couldn't find her on the grounds. I'm afraid to go to the Great Hall, in case-," But Ron was already past her, going out of the portrait hole, his mind blind with panic.
She's not dead, she couldn't be dead.
He walked quickly and was soon out on the grounds. The celebration of Voldemort's final defeat was just getting started, but Ron didn't care. He searched frantically, pushing people aside, calling out her name.
And then there she was. Standing in between celebrants, she looked just as frantic as he felt. A wave of relief washed over him. He stared at her for a moment, and then he was running for her, just as she did the same thing. They met each other halfway and held on to each other for dear life.
Ron broke away from the embrace to look at her, to tell her how much he loved her, but Hermione stood up on tiptoe and kissed him softly. He felt a thrill of desire rush through him. He gripped the back of her neck firmly and pulled her more deeply into the kiss. After awhile, Ron pulled away, and said, "Hermione, I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?"
"Ron, we need to get jobs and thing first," She replied softly. Ron felt another bolt of desire shoot though him as he heard the sultry tone of her voice.
"Yeah, but after that?"
Hermione looked at him for a moment, and then smiled slightly.
"Yeah. Maybe after that."
Ron gave her his famous lopsided Ronald Weasly grin before he leaned in to kiss her passionately.
Maybe. That's good enough for me.