A/N: After reading a ton of RHr fic, the plot bunnies began to surface, and my first Harry Potter fic was born. Read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Only in my dreams am I J.K. Rowling. I do not, and never will, own Harry Potter or make money from writing fanfiction.

Hermione held Ron close to her with one arm, his forehead resting against her shoulder, as she brushed some of the steadily flowing tears from his cheek with her free hand, looking blankly at the empty cemetery.

Molly had left just as soon as the casket was lowered, the sounds of her quiet sobbing vanishing as she Apparated back home with her husband. Charlie had been next, needing to return to work as soon as possible, drying his eyes as covertly as he could with shirt sleeve just as he disappeared from sight. Bill and Fleur had left a few minutes after that, both of them with tearstained faces, and Ginny and Harry followed suit, hand in hand.

George stood next to the gravesite for quite a long time, staring down at the dirt. Percy waited patiently a few feet behind him, staring at his shoes, unable to step forward and offer the words of comfort the lone twin needed to hear. There were two loud cracks, one after the other, as the two Disapparated in quick succession.

And that left Hermione and Ron, standing off to the side, him crying silently into her jacket.

She had no idea where he found the strength for it all. Every time she'd shed a single tear in at least the past few months, he'd been at her side faster than anyone else. And she hadn't quite realized the incredible willpower it took to hold someone when they were in such a state until that very moment.

Hermione fought back tears of her own as she moved her hand in soothing circles against his back, the worn material of his coat soft under her fingertips. She had no idea what else to do, and wondered where he'd always found the right words to ease some of her pain. It was oddly unsettling for her, the clever one, not knowing what to say.

She moved her head to the side and gently pressed a kiss to his temple, letting her lips linger there for a short moment as she once again wiped away some of his tears with her thumb. He lifted his head then, looking at her with red-rimmed blue eyes, and she knew she must look like she was about to cry.

"Thank you." His voice was a hoarse whisper, but steady and unwavering.

"Don't mention it." The corners of her mouth raised just the slightest bit, the ghost of a smile on her face.

Ron gestured at the wet patch his tears had left on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about -"

She put her fingertips to his lips and shook her head, and he silenced obediently. "It's alright, Ron."

Hermione lowered her hand and her gaze, staring at the ground between them, speechless once more. It was a surprise when he wrapped an arm around her waist, and she looked up into his eyes for a moment before he kissed her.

It wasn't as passionate or frenzied as in the Hogwarts hall, nor as chaste as in front of Mrs. Weasley. It wasn't playful as if they'd been laughing, nor apologetic as if they'd just had a row.

It was long and slow and loving, and when he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, his voice had regained some of its strength. "I'm glad you're here."

She reached up and brushed away one last tear off of his freckled cheek, her ghost of a smile glowing a little brighter now. "I'm glad I'm here, too."

End