They left Dumbledore's office and saw Harry walk away. They stared in each other eyes, not knowing if it was better to be the first to speak or to hear what the other had to say.
- I…
- Do you…?
They both laughed nervously.
He took her hand and was about to start saying something when Percy appeared walking through the corridor.
- Ron! I was looking for you. Family meeting. Mum and George went finally to have some sleep, and Dad wants to speak to the rest of us.
Ron nodded to his brother and looked back to Hermione, but she spoke first.
- Just go and take all the time you need. I'll be in the Common Room, - then she raised her other hand to his face - please, wake me up if I fall sleep. I really want to talk to you.
He smiled slightly squeezed her hand and followed Percy down the corridor.
-------------
It was past midnight when he entered in the Common Room. At first sight it wasn't anybody there, but he knew she had to be in that room. She was, sleeping in the sofa, half seated, her legs covered with a blanket.
He didn't want to wake her up, she looked very peaceful, but he was dying to talk to her, to be hugged and comforted. He sat on the sofa and rested his head on her lap. Just the feeling of her so close and warm made it impossible for him to repress his feelings anymore. It was like opening the door to his heart: all his love came out but also did all the sorrow and the anger of his lost. And he felt like they grew like a rock in his heart and a knot in his throat. Before he could stop himself he started crying so loudly she woke up.
He felt how she bended and tried to pull him up to her arms. He sat up and forgot that he was ashamed to cry in front of her. He let her hug him. For a long time they just hugged and cried; without saying a word.
When he caught his breath he pulled back and looked at her face. He couldn't speak. And again she was the first to talk, holding both of his hands this time.
- I am so sorry, Ron.
He nodded feeling the tears falling down his face.
- I know.
- Can I do something for you?... Anything.
- Already have. I feel like I haven't breathed since yesterday- He smiled weakly and added- You have so much power over me, all you needed to do was touching me, and you made me cry like a baby and just gave me my breath back.
She smiled too and just managed to say
- Anytime.
He pulled her against him and half-laid on the sofa.
- Please, stay with me until tomorrow. I don't think I can sleep by my self tonight.
She didn't say anything, just pulled the blanket over both of them and locked her head between his neck and shoulder. They laid in silence for some minutes, and she thought he was already sleeping, when suddenly, in a very sure voice he said:
- I love you, Hermione. I never thought I could feel something so strong. You are in my mind and in my heart every second of every day.
Now she was the one who couldn't speak. So after a short silence he continued, although this time his voice wasn't as sure as before.
- I just feel so very sorry for so many things, for so many times I hurt …
He felt her fingers against his lips.
- You don't need to do this.
- I do! I need to
- No, at least not now, Ron. If you really need to, we can talk about all this later. But I don't care about the past. I mean I do, but I don't resent you for any of it anymore. All I want right now is to be here for you and help you through this, because I love you too.
Almost in a whisper, as he couldn't believe it, he said:
- You do!?
She gave him a sweet little kiss on the lips and whispered in his ear
- Hell I do.
He sighed deeply, as he was letting out years of doubts and fear. He hugged her tight and she rested her head against his neck again and they fall sleep.