And They Lived

A/N: I've never done a HARRY/HERMIONE story before, so here it is. I have no idea where it came from, which seems to be a recurring issue with my stories. Oh well.

Disclaimer: See my profile :) AND! I don't do canon. So. There. *sticks tounge out* That means a lot of yummy characters are still alive and some yuckier ones are not. We will sacrifice Ginny so that Forge and Gred may be whole, and Remus can stick around, but you know, Tonks...she was always annoying. Sorry. Harry and Andy are in no shape to raise Teddy so Remus will just have to live and do it. And...Sirius might be alive...somewhere...and you know...Snape can't really die. Cause that tore my heart out when I read that garbage.

Summary: What if JK had killed Ron off like she wanted too? She's said numerous times that she wished Harry and Hermione had gotten together. That Ron just wasn't right for Hermione. Hermione is the smart one. Harry is the Hero. Ron is just the side kick. Well, now he's tired of it.

Chapter One: Where In The World Is Ron?

"Take the horcrux and find Harry. There's something I have to do. I'll meet you in the Great Hall."

Those were the last words Ron Weasley ever uttered to his two best friends. If he said anything after that, no one living heard. Harry and Hermione waited in the Great Hall for hours after the final battle was over. Hundreds of injured wizards and dead bodies were being carried into the room from the Hogwarts grounds, and Hermione was becoming more frantic by the moment.

"Harry. Something's wrong. He should have been back by now. Where did he go?" she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm sure he's fine. He's probably out there helping get everyone in. You know how Ron is. If there's adventure to be had, that's where Ron is," Harry said, trying to reassure his friend.

"Maybe...maybe I should go and look for him, or try to help, or...something?" said Hermione, at a complete loss as to what to do.

"If it would make you feel better, then go. I'm not going anyway," said Harry ruefully.

"Oh Harry! I didn't mean-"

"It's okay. I know. I didn't even take it that way. Go and find him, 'Mione. And smack him upside the head for the worry when you do."

"Thank you, Harry. I'll be back to check on you soon. And don't worry. This is temporary I'm sure. We'll find a cure. We always do," she smiled.

"You'll find a cure. I'll just sit and read a Quidditch book or something."

Hermione searched high and low for her redheaded friend, but to no avail. No one she asked remembered seeing Ron, and as the light began to fade, her desperation grew. Having searched everywhere she could think of, she grudgingly made her way back to the Great Hall.

"Any luck?" asked Neville as she passed.

"No," she exhaled. "I've looked everywhere. The Common Room. The Dorms. The dungeons. The third floor. The Charms corridor. Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The Astronomy Tower. By the lake. At the edge of the forest. Hagrid's. He's nowhere!"

"I'm sure he'll show up. You should really go and try for some rest. You look like you're about to pass out."

Hermione just nodded in agreement and returned to the Hall.

"Any luck in here Harry?" she asked.

"No. I'm pretty much stuck where I'm at, but I haven't seen any red heads. Maybe they're all together somewhere?" asked Harry doubtfully.

Hermione worried her bottom lip for a few minutes.

"I dunno."

"Well. You really need to try and get some sleep, 'Mione. I'm good for a while. I'll keep a look out."

"Are you sure? I mean-"

"Come on," said Harry, patting a spot on the bed beside him. "Magical exhaustion can be even more dangerous than physical injury. You should know that."

"O-O.K."

And with that Hermione lay down and let sleep take her.