Title: Goodbye Ron
Author: Floaw
Pairing: Astoria/Hermione from Astoria's POV.
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JKR
Summary: I heard once that JKR had thought about killing Ron in her books. But then, what would have happened?
Ronald Weasley was indubitably a great wizard. He was a good man, the way he cared for others kept surprising me during the few month I spent looking after him. I felt a little unnerved by those thoughts : not even a year ago, he was this insufferable ginger weasel, almost too good to be true. But I changed my mind - he made me change my mind. Even if he died, I'm glad I got the chance to know him better, I'm glad he spent the last months of his life joking with me, and making me see that deep down, I too was a good person.
I don't know if he was aware of the way he changed my life, but it doesn't matter, because I know he did. He was a valuable friend, maybe the most precious one I have had in my life.
A sad smile grazed my lips, as I watched the coffin of Ron being buried deep in the ground. Silent tears started falling from my eyes, blending with the raindrops that managed to avoid my umbrella. With a shaky hand, I replaced my sunglasses on my nose and wiped the salty droplets.
I seemed silly to wear those glasses with that kind of weather, but I was a Slytherin, a coward, and I didn't want people to recognize me. After all, almost all of them hated me : the Weasley, Hermione... Hermione. My gaze lifted from the casket and rested on the young widow's face. She was so beautiful, despite her red puffy eyes, her tears stained cheeks and the despondent expression of her face. I bit my lips as guilt started to creep through my veins. How could I have those thoughts about Ron's wife? How could I think of such things, especially during his funeral? Ron was a very good friend, but I definitely wasn't. I bit harder, tasting the metallic flavor of blood, mixing with the bitterness of my own silent reproaches.
One by one, people left the cemetery - Mrs Weasley and her heavy sobs broke my heart - and soon, I was staring at the grave, alone... well, almost alone. Hermione was standing there too, straight like a rod, not bothered at all by the rain that kept falling heavily, soaking her to the skin. I had planed to wait until everyone was gone to say my farewells to Ron, but it came to my mind that Hermione needed time alone with him more than I did.
I took a few steps forward, feeling a little weak in my knees, nevertheless, I forbade myself to break down in front of the brunette. How could I? My pain didn't compare one least with hers, and to be honest, yes, what happened to Ron was unfair and made me feel sorry for him, but the sorrow I saw on her face was the real reason my heart ache so much at this moment.
I closed the distance that separated me from the grave and let out a heavy sight. Hermione's gaze left the tombstone, and she watched me silently, with those empty eyes. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything was going to be alright, that the pain would go away. But I didn't. It felt inappropriate, and I convinced myself that it was not meHermione needed comfort from.
I handed her my umbrella, and gave her a sad smile as she took it. Her face stayed blank for a moment, and then I saw her lips twitching a bit before she returned me my smile.
My heart skipped a beat, bringing me back to reality, reminding me that I should go and leave her alone
"Goodbye Ron" It was a small whisper, barely perceptible, but I knew he would be able to hear it nonetheless.
And I left.
