A/N: You know I don't own Harry Potter. Just a little drabble. I hope that it presents its place in the novel pretty well without me telling you. Let me know your thoughts xo
It was silent in the tent. Ron rolled over, unable to get to sleep. Somehow the silence was deafening. A small light was coming from the front of the tent; Harry on his watch had lit Ron's spare wand gently, but it had not given out the full flare his spell was normally capable of.
Ron sighed, returning to lying on his back, staring aimlessly at Harry's empty bunk above him. Another attempt to get comfortable, he turned onto his side, facing away from the entrance of the tent. He heard a slight noise behind him – probably Hermione too adjusting her position in bed.
He'd been so stupid when it came to Hermione. In such a ridiculous flare he'd left them, left her, alone and vulnerable. He'd never be able to convey his regret in a way that would truly express it to the extent of which he felt. He'd simply let his temper take over sense, and that was fair on nobody, least of all Hermione.
The noise again.
He closed his eyes momentarily, hoping that tomorrows efforts would be better.
He felt a hand on his back and turned over to see Hermione standing over his bed. She pulled the covers away from Ron and slid silently into his bed beside him. He saw in the half-light that her eyes were stained with tears. Risking it, he put his arm around her. At once he knew this had been the right thing to do. Her body crumpled into his, as though she was hoping to hold him down by being there.
"I'm so, so sorry Hermione." Ron murmured into her hair.
"I know," she whispered so softly, he just caught it. She looked up and locked her eyes on his. "Don't ever leave again. Please." She let the last word hang, it dripping with desperation.
"I won't. I promise."
"I was so, so scared Ron." Her voice broke into sobs once more. "I came after you, I waited, I ran, I-I-" she faltered, her voice catching.
"I know, I know." He repeated, stroking her hair delicately. "It's okay," he held her close to his body. "I won't ever leave you again; I'm here til the end, I promise you Hermione. It's going to be okay."
"You think?" She hesitated,
"I know." Ron confirmed, "Because I will always protect you."
"Don't ever leave again." Hermione repeated, swallowing thickly.
"I won't." And he held her in his arms, comforting and cuddling her, reassuring and relaxing her until she fell asleep and he was left resuming his stare, vowing to spend the rest of his life shielding her from any harm and any pain, if it was the last thing he did.