The sun was shining up in the sky outside but only a fraction of it made it through the curtains surrounding Ron's bed where Hermione lay, slowing waking up and remembering the events of the past few days.

'It's over." She thought to herself as she rolled over to kiss Ron good morning. In front of her were just hours previously Ron lay, was a folded piece of parchment and Ron was nowhere to be found. Pulling the curtains from around the bed Hermione sat up and scanned the room, there was nobody else but her and a pile of what looked like Ginny's clothes at the foot of her bed. Looking curiously at the piece of parchment for a moment she picked it up and unfolded it, recognising Ron's handwriting as she began to read.

Hermione,
You looked so peaceful sleeping we simply couldn't wake you.
Hopefully you slept in, Harry and I are in the Great Hall, meet us there for lunch.
Ginny leant you some of her clothes, don't worry she picked them, underneath them is a towel.
See you soon, don't rush,
love Ron.

Smiling she reread the message, her body filling up with happiness as she reached the end again.

Half an hour later she was stepping out of the portrait and heading down to the Great Hall, her hair clean and brushed, the dried blood and mud and debris all went down the drain with the water. She quickly tended to some of the more serious looking cuts, the minor ones already partly healed on their own.

Ginny's jeans and singlet were perfect size so as she walked down the steps in a fresh pair of socks and her newly cleaned shoes she couldn't help but feel better, despite the rubble that was left surrounding her. As Hermione reached the doors, she noticed that the blood that had covered the floors less than 15 hours ago was all gone, and the Great Hall seemed to be slightly repaired.

The tables were out but people were scattered all around, no one stuck to a certain table, people were milling back and forth swapping hugs and stories and condolences. Scanning the room Hermione spotted a large group with red hair blazing at the top. As she approached Molly jumped up from her seat and ran at Hermione her arms out wide.

"My dear!" Molly exclaimed as she pulled Hermione into a hug, squashing the air out of Hermione momentarily. Letting go she kissed Hermione on the cheek and looked her up and down before embracing her again.

Once she had finally let go, Hermione opened her mouth to speak but Ginny pulled her into a hug, and whispered into her ear, "Sleep well then?"

"Yes." Hermione said as they separated.

"Ron and you looked super cute last night." Ginny replied smiling. "Took your time though." She added as Hermione smiled and blushed simultaneously.

Hermione eyes swept the table, Harry sat devouring a chicken leg, an empty seat next to him where Ginny had just stood up from. Bill, Fleur, Arthur, Charlie, Percy and George all sat on either side of the table, quietly eating, George staring into space. All washed and newly clothed, but the expressions on their faces had not changed since the last time she had seen them all. Turning back to look at Ginny her question was answered before she had uttered it.

"He's over there." Ginny said, pointing to the far end of the hall. "He won't be long."

"Ok, morning Harry." Hermione said sitting down on the other side of Harry as Charlie rose from his seat and headed towards Hagrid.

"Mo-rgning" Harry muttered in reply his mouth full of food.

Hermione filled her plate with pastries and fruit as Ginny sat back down next to Harry slipping her hand into his and resumed eating her sandwich. Hermione joined in the silent routine as she slowly ate keeping her eyes on the touch of red hair protruding from behind the far table, wondering what on earth he could be doing.

An attempt at chatter was made as Hermione filled her plate again, George stood up and made his way out of the hall closely followed by Bill and Fleur who headed in the opposite direction.

"I must be off." Arthur said rising from the table and kissing his wife on the cheek. "Stay here tonight again, they need our help."

"I'll go help Madam Pomfrey, you kids will be fine won't you?" Molly said as she stood up took and step forward and then turned back. Nodding to herself she strode off out the Great Hall after her husband, flicking her wand as she went.

Harry, Ginny and Hermione sat in silence for a moment, eating silently, all lost in thought. Finally Ron's head emerged for the behind the table, a smile evident on his face, and his lips moving. Turning he saw Hermione, Ginny and Harry and his smile broadened as he strode towards him. Hermione smiled in return, and noticed Kreacher walking out from behind the table that Ron had just emerged from underneath and wandered out through a side door.

"Did you sleep well?" Ron asked as soon as he was in earshot.

"Yes, but I missed you when I woke up." Hermione answered standing up as Ron approached. Ron said nothing in reply but wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist, pulled her towards her and then kissed her, just as passionately as he had last night.

"Lucky Mum wasn't here to see that." Ginny said when they finally broke apart, all four of them smiling.

"Speaking of which, where is everyone?" Ron asked as he sat down next to Hermione, kissing her lightly on the lips before he took a sip from Bill's half empty butter beer bottle.

"Dad went to work and Mum went to help Madam Pomfrey." Ginny answered before taking another mouthful of cereal.

"Charlie's with Hagrid and Bill and Fleur went somewhere." Harry said his eyes sweeping the Great Hall looking for something.

Ron nodded, remaining silent, thinking. "Harry where's your map?" he asked after a moment.

"Here." Harry said, pulling the marauders map out of his jacket pocket and handing it to Ron.

Taking it, Ron pulled out of his wand and tapped the paper, thinking the spell in his head. As the ink began to spread he opened it, pushing away the clean plate in front him and flattening the map out of the table and leaning over it to examine it.

Hermione, Ginny and Harry all shared silent quizzical looks as Ron stared intently at the map, scanning it fast, squinting at certain parts. They remained silent as they ate and he poured over the map for a few minutes.

"Got him!" Ron exclaimed grinning and standing up abruptly. Turning to Ginny he asked, "Did he eat anything?"

"He.. who? Oh." Ginny replied, looking confused but then realising. "Not really, just kind of stared of in the distant."

"Ok. I'll be back in a few hours, I'll keep this," Ron waved the map in his hand, "So I can find you." He grabbed a few pastries and wrapped them in a napkin as he scanned the table, checking for anything he had forgotten.

"Where are.. of course." Hermione said as she swung around to face him, watching him closely. "I can come…" She continued preparing to stand up.

"No, I have to do this alone." Ron said, his eyes misting over, he blinked to clear them, "I'll be back before dinner." He leant down and kissed Hermione again, in a casual way, like it was something he had being doing for years, the way that they always said their quick goodbyes. He smiled at Ginny and Harry before turning and striding off towards the door.

"Ron!" Hermione yelled after him causing him to spin around to face them, "What were you and Kreacher talking about?"

"Patience." Ron yelled back with a smile before hurrying out the gym.

Sighing Hermione slumped down on the bench beside Ginny, her eyes on Ron as he paused at a group of people by the door for a minute before glancing down at the map and exiting the hall.

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