Voldemort was dead. She had to keep reminding herself of that. She was having trouble remembering why all the deaths were worth it.

"They died for freedom," she whispered staring into the dancing flames. That was the only thing that kept her from crying. She had not cried yet. She had no business crying. She had to be strong for the Weasley family, Harry, and Ron. Oh, Ron. A few tears escaped, but she quickly wiped them away.

"No," she told herself aloud.

"No, what?"

The sudden voice made her jump out of the chair. She pointed her wand at the dark figure in the shadows, but relaxed when she saw who it was.

"Oh Ron, You scared me," she said sitting back down.

"Sorry," he murmured taken a seat on the arm of Hermione's chair. He sat in silence, and she watched him carefully. In a few seconds, tears began pouring down Ron's face.

"Come here," Hermione said. She got up from the chair and helped him into it. Then, she positioned her self on his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He gripped her back tightly and cried into her shoulder.

Hermione kept silent, knowing Ron didn't need words. After a few minutes, Ron's sobs subsided, and he leaned back slightly. She gave him a sad smile and tried to get up. He hadn't taken his hands from her back yet. She turned around to face him again, and he kissed her. It wasn't full of the urgency and fear their last kiss had had. It was loving, passionate, and too much for Hermione to take.

"No," she said backing up. Ron let go of her in surprise, she fell to the floor. "This is wrong," she scrambling up and backing away."
"Wrong? I don't think anything has ever felt more right to me," Ron said standing up and taking a step toward Hermione. "I love you, and I know you love me."

Hermione was taken of guard by the confidence in his voice, so her next words came out breathy and shaky.

"How-how do you know I love you?"

"You kissed me."

"I thought we were going to die," she said still backing up. If he got much closer, her resolve would break completely.

"You didn't kiss Harry. Just admit it. You love me." His voice was almost pleading, and he continued to walked forward. Hermione was now pressed against the wall.

"I don't want to love you."

"Why not?" If Ron was hurt by this statement, he didn't show it.

"It's too easy." As she said this, she felt the truth in those words. "I don't want to get hurt."

"Hermione, I will never hurt you." He was very close to her now, and she could see the love, the sadness, and the truth in his eyes. He put his hands on either side of her, trapping her in front of him.

"I can't do this," Hermione almost sobbed.

"Hermione, I need you. Please, let me be with you." Ron was pleading now, and he was crying.

"What are you doing?" she asked. She truly didn't understand. This was a side of Ron that was new to her.

He looked at her fiercely. "I'm doing what I should have been doing since the day I met you. I'm fighting for you."

With that, he kissed her again. He put every thing into that kiss. Every emotion he had in him was channeled into her soul, and this time she didn't pull away.