It had been hours since they saw Dumbledore killed. It had been hours since Harry ordered Ron and Hermione to stay in the Room of Requirement. Since Harry told Hagrid to make sure the two wouldn't leave.

Hermione and Ron sat in the room looking at each other. They had heard an explosion and a loud thump over an hour ago, but Hagrid had told them to stay put and left to check what had happened.

That was over an hour ago. He had still not returned.

Ron had seen Hermione start to cry a few times, but she would bury her face into her lap and quickly compose herself. In the past hour it was taking longer for her to calm herself, and she had started chewing her lip to the point where it was raw.

For the past few hours he wondered why she was crying. Was she scared? Crying for the muggle world? Crying for their safety? And most importantly was she crying for Harry? Whatever the reason, he hated to see her cry.

"I'm going to see what happened." Ron announced when he saw that her face had once again disappeared into her lap.

"What? Ron no! Hagrid and Harry both said to stay here!" Hermione's head quickly popped from her knees. Ron saw her wet face and quickly got up. Anything to not see her cry.

"Well we have to find out what happened. It's been over an hour." Ron said.

"Ron! Please! It's not safe out there!" Hermione walked over and blocked the entrance.

"We won't find out unless one of us leaves." Ron tried to walk past Hermione but she grabbed onto the sleeve of his robe.

"And if it isn't safe?" she whispered. The tears were returning. Ron looked away.

"If it isn't safe, then at least you are."

"Ron, please don't."

"Hermione, you're muggleborn. They will torture you before they let you die. Me? I'm pure-blooded. They may show some mercy."

"You know they won't show you any mercy."

"They'll show me more then they would show you."

"Ron, please..."

"It's been hours since Harry told Hagrid to watch us. Since we've been locked up here. It's been over an hour since Hagrid left. I have to make sure they're okay." Hermione tightened her grip on Ron's sleeve.

"And what about me?"

"I want you to stay here."

"I'm coming with you if you go."

"Hermione it's not safe for you out there."

"NEITHER IS IT FOR YOU!"

"Hermione, I have to go..."

"No you don't!" she said loudly.

"We have to know if Harry is okay..."

Hermione started crying harder and Ron took this moment to get to the door.

"Ron wait!"

"I'm leaving Hermione. I have to."

"Please be careful." she whispered.

"Am I ever not?" Ron smiled weakly and Hermione grabbed the front of his robe and kissed him.

"Don't go..."

"You know I have to."

"Stay. Please."

"You know I can't."

"This is what I was afraid of."

"What?"

"That you would leave."

And then Ron started to cry. 'So it was me she was worried about...' he thought as he kissed her again.

A/N- One-shot inspired by a picture by madoldmrsfigg on LJ.