Harry walked silently along Hogwarts corridors. The war was finally over, but somehow it seemed to him the clean up was going to take time. Ron and Hermione walked beside him, hand in hand, but neither saying anything – no words would be enough to describe the intense happiness and the intense sorrow that had overcome them. They came to a halt when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, who smiled at Harry. "There comes the hero! Thank you. You have saved all of us. I knew you'd do it, you know. You're a Gryffindor after all." Harry raised his eyebrowns, surprised by the speech, and he felt his face heating, but just smiled and passed through the opened door. The common room was hectic, pieces of furniture scattered around, shattered glass and blood spots. The war seemed do have reached every corner of the castle as well as every corner of their lives. They didn't bother to clean up, though - there'd be time for that latter. Harry immediately started climbing the stairs that would lead them to the boys dormitories. Ron followed, taking a moment to look at Hermione, who didn't hesitate in going with them – boys and girls distinctions seemed ridiculous at the moment.
Blessedly, the dormitories were quite unharmed. They entered their old bedroom and Harry took off his sneakers and laid in his old bed. "Hum…I never knew my bed to be so good!"
"I totally agree, mate", said Ron, throwing himself in his. Hermione sat on the tip Ron's bed. Harry called for Kreacher and asked him for sandwiches and pumpkin juice, as well as a basin filled with water, soap and a towel – for Hermione insisted that they were filthy and that she wanted to wash. They washed and ate in silence, their thoughts too fast and too deep to be shared. When they finished, Harry once again laid down and was asleep almost instantly. Ron closed the curtains and laid down on his side, facing Hermione, who now was laying in Neville's old bed. She looked at him and smiled, which made him blush and smile back, then close his eyes. He could feel his eyelashes heavy and couldn't suppress a yawn. They were all very tired.
When he woke up, it was to the sound of his name. It took him a second to realize Hermione was the one who had said it. He opened his eyes wide and knelt beside her bed. She was tossing and turning and once again called for him. "Ron…"
"Shush, 'm here, it's alright."
"Ron…please…" Her face was anguished and he knew she was recalling hurtful events.
He stroked her hair gently and held her hand. "Mione, wake up, it's alright, it's just a dream…"
He bent a little to kiss her forehead. She woke abruptly, then sighed. She sat up in bed and Ron sat beside her, holding her as close to him as he could master. He would have for her to melt within him, so that she'd be forever protected and close tom him. She buried her head in his shoulder, sobbing, while he stroked her hair and made soothing sounds. Finally, she calmed herself enough to look at him. They locked eyes and Ron lowered his head slowly, not wanting to startle her. He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose and her cheeks. Finally, he gently touched her lips with his, then caught her lower lip between his and sucked on it, making her sigh. Taking that as an agreement sign, he deepened the kiss, putting both his arms around her waist and pressing her body against his. Her hands where in his hair, and the touch made him shiver with delight. After a while they parted, both breathless, but smiling. Ron rearranged the pillows and Hermione laid back again. She held his hand in hers and pulled him beside her. They laid side by side, his hand in her waist, making sure she was safe, close, warm. They smiled at each other until they fell asleep again.
When Harry woke up, he was not surprise to find Ron and Hermione in each others arms. That was exactly where they belonged.