Ron hadn't wanted to cry in front of her. He really hadn't. He liked to believe he wasn't the type of person to make other people feel sorry for him. But when he'd come up behind her, she was so...afraid. He didn't think he would see her so afraid now. They'd all been scared before. This was war. They'd all almost died. More than once. But the war was over. And somehow it seemed like nothing was going to change because in their heads they would always be running from something. It felt like he would always have something to prove.
Meeting her out here hadn't been his plan. He'd merely been tired of staring at his brother's dead body and thinking about all the ways he could've saved him. The rest of his family looked like they just wanted to lie down right there beside him. The light in their eyes was gone. So was his. He'd known some would perish in this battle. But somehow he hoped it would be himself instead of someone like Fred who deserved more in his life. Or Remus. Tonks. They had a child. God knows, Harry would find a way to make sure Teddy knew about his parents' bravery but...it seemed like their lives had been cut too short.
His wandering mind was brought down to Earth when he looked at Hermione. Her shivering form stilled as her hand moved up and down his back, fingertips grazing his spine. She almost gave him chills. His other hand moved to rest on her knee as he tried to stop the tears from falling. There had been too many. He didn't want to think about it now.
"'Mione?" He tried to keep his voice from shaking, but he was sure she would notice. She always did.
"Yeah?"
"Remember in fourth year when Mcgonagall asked us to go into the lake for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament?"
"Yeah, I remember." She chuckled lightly at the thought. It felt good to think of something like that. Something they'd done that wasn't...she couldn't really think of a word to describe it.
"Remember how freaked out Cho was that we were going to drown? And Mcgonagall kept having to reassure her that we'd be fine, and then she almost had a panic attack in the middle of the Transfiguration room?" He was laughing lightly now. It was so funny. Mcgonagall looked like she-
"Mcgonagall looked like she wanted to just turn into an owl and never see us again." Hermione laughed at the thought, not knowing that Ron had just been thinking the same thing.
Slowly, their laughter died down. The mood was lighter. Hermione's pants were still wet from falling in the Lake. As was Ron's shirt from his tears. But it was warmer between them now as if their moment of happiness had made everything a little bit brighter.
Suddenly, Hermione's throat began to tingle, and, before she knew it, she was coughing again. Each time let off a soft echo against the castle walls in the distance. She bent over, Ron's hands falling away from her as her chest heaved and she struggled to breathe. Ron's eyebrows raised as he watched her, not knowing what to do.
After about ninety seconds, it stopped. Hermione's breath was unsteady. Her throat ached, screaming for a relief that she didn't know how to give. "I'm sorry." She croaked, her vocal chords scratchy.
"No, no, don't apologize. Are you okay?" His voice carried a genuine tone of worry that Hermione almost smiled at. It was hard to recognize him as the boy from first year who told her she was a know-it-all. But that boy was in there and somehow he was almost...endearing.
"I'm fine." She said, but her throat seemed to think otherwise as it sputtered into another round of coughing. It was shorter this time, only about fifteen seconds, but it hurt nonetheless. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes, seeing he was smiling?
"It's almost like I gave you mono-" he stopped himself. Why did he have to say that? Why did he have to bring it up? He felt his ears get warm and no doubt take on a red tint. Damn it, damn it, damn it-
"You don't get mono from someone who doesn't have mono, Ron. And I don't believe at any point while we were saving the Wizarding World that you had mono. Correct me if I'm wrong." She spoke quickly as she tried to hide the shade of red she was turning. Why did he have to bring that up? Now they were thinking about it. Now they'd have to have the conversation. Now she was going to have a mental breakdown in the middle of the Hogwarts grounds in front of the last person she ever wanted to have a mental breakdown in front of.
"You never know," he'd meant it as a joke but his voice was shaking just the same. He couldn't tell her. He just couldn't. He had everything to lose. It was too soon. She'd just kissed him in the Chamber a few hours ago. She'd probably already realized it was a mistake. She had to. Of course she did. Brightest Witch of Her Age, of course she realized kissing Harry Potter's second in command was a bloody mistake.
Seconds passed. Minutes. It felt like hours, but she knew it couldn't be. The sun had barely moved. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she became aware of the hand he had placed on her arm. When had he put it there? Why? She stood quickly. She couldn't do this. She just couldn't. Not today. Not ever.
"I have to go."
"Where? No one's expecting you back there, Hermione." He realized how that must've sounded and quickly added. "You've done enough already. They wouldn't accept it even if you offered to help. Seven years of fighting is enough."
"I know, but I really should just get back-"
"Please," He looked down, "I...I, uh, need to talk to you."
Hermione felt her blood run cold.
