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Chapter 2

Ron rolled over in his bed, stiff from sleeping. Warm soft breath hit his face and his leg grazed something smooth and hard. He slowly realized it was Hermione's leg. His eyes drifted open to see Hermione laying with a comfortable smile on her face facing him wrapped up in the covers that were also covering him. The events from the previous day hit him in the stomach. Fred was dead, the war was over, and he brashly stood in front of Hermione pulling her close to his body kissing her. Had she only let him because of the adrenaline pupping through her after the battle? Would she regret letting him do that? She was everything perfect in the world and he was just Ron. Boring, poor, stupid Ronald Weasley. He watched her face, waiting for her to open her eyes and realize what kind of mistake she had made. She remained asleep though, happy in her calm slumber, which she needed desperately.

Hermione's mind slowly pulled her out of her sleep, still too relaxed to open her eyes she reached forward lightly desperately needing physical contact with Ron. Her hand touched Rons shirt and she stretched her fingers along his chest. He had lost weight during the past year, but his chest was firm and broad. The muscles there lean and developed. Ron tensed under her touch not having realized she was awake, then slowly relaxed under her hand. She pushed her hand along his chest and moved her head into the crook of his neck with her arm slung over him. He felt warm and inviting. She could stay in his arms forever. Hermione wasn't one to play the damsel in distress. She tending to be her own white knight, saving herself from danger before someone else could swoop in and possibly get hurt. Ron respected that about her, he encouraged that about her personality even. She loved that about him, but she found something comforting in being wrapped up so safely in his embrace. She would let him be her white knight if he asked. She would let him protect her from any monsters still left out there. She relished in the feeling of finally feeling safe, and secure while her eyes were closed. She hummed her contentedness near his ear and he shivered.

"Can we stay like this for a while longer?" She asked in a hushed tone, her voice heavy with sleep

"I'll stay here forever if you let me" Ron replied and then blushed. Ron had not meant to be so forward, but he couldn't bring himself to care. She needed to know that this was it, she was it for him. His heart was pounding out of his chest and he wrapped his arms around her tightly trying to squeeze all that he was feeling into her somehow. This was right. This was his home. Sure, he was still devastated over Fred and worried sick over the rest of his family but in this moment, it was all okay. Nothing in life could comfort him like Hermione.

Hermione smiled into his shirt and inhaled deeply. Rons smell invaded her nostrils, he still somehow managed to smell like his soap, fresh cut grass, and baked goods even though he hadn't been around two of those in months. His smell grounded her in the moment.

It reminded her of the late nights the two of the hand spent sitting in front of the common room fire, while Harry was off alone with Dumbledore, or in detention. The peaceful moments that had developed the close bond they shared. Hermione smiled at the memories floating around her head. Fifth year was the first time he accidently touched his hand to her leg. They had been sitting on the couch doing homework, him sitting with his legs crossed and her sitting close by as the shared a book. Ron went to pick the book up but accidently grazed his fingers along the bare patch of skin between her knee highs and skirt. He turned red and looked away mumbling an apology. He then began to nervously run his hand through his hair and pull on the front of his shirt seemingly trying to cool himself down. That's when she realized how incredible he smelled. Over the year little moments like they kept happening more and more frequently, until sixth year and the whole Lavander situation. The night Ron had kissed Lavander, Hermione had gone up to bed wrapped in one of Rons old Weasley sweaters his mon had made for him, and cried. The sweater had stilled smelled like him, she hadn't washed it after stealing it from his room at the burrow. Even when he was making her miserable his smell still calmed her nerves. It was intoxicating and reassuring to her.

Rons stomach growled loudly and she laughed. The sound of his laughter made his heart vibrate uncontrollably. It was so sweet and gentle, like windchimes at the burrow on a spring day. He was starving, having not eaten in what seemed like a few days, and not having consistent proper meals in a year. He couldn't convince himself to unravel himself from her though. He wouldn't leave her for all the food in the world in this moment. He needed to hold on to his tranquil slice of the castle for just a while longer. He knew what was waiting for him in the great hall. His family, sorrow, and a ruined castle would be his main focus for the next few months. He wanted to be selfish for just a little while longer.

Hermione could tell Ron was stalling. She at least could hold off for a while longer on facing her family, but Ron would have to look George in the eye soon. She tightened her arm around him trying to give him every ounce of her support and love.

"I'm here for you Ron. I'll be right next to you the whole time, I promise. I won't leave you to deal with this alone. " She whispered to him.

" I Know" was all he replied as tears slid down his face.

She sat up reluctantly and stretched her body. She was sore all over, but war is pretty rough on the body she surmised. Swinging her legs to the side of the bed she looked back at Ron. He was staring at the deep red curtain that was above the bed letting tears roll down his cheeks and staining the gold pillow cases darker than normal. She reached out and squeezed his hand. Ron looked into her eyes and gave a soft smile. He would be okay as long as she was there. He could survive anything with Hermione.

She stepped into the bathroom to change her clothes. She brushed her teeth and let her hair fall around her shoulders because she knew how much Ron liked her hair down. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was skinnier than she had realized, having lost a massive amount of weight. She looked at her face, slightly flushed from the warmth of the castle. She sighed, she had such a long road ahead of her. Funerals, and Australia, fixing the situation with her parents. She wasn't ready to face all of that. She looked back at the door leading to the dormitory. Ron was facing much, much more than she was and he was somehow still holding himself together. She could do this as long as she had Ron with her she though. Ron could help her get through anything. She shook her head, clearing her mind of any doubts that had bubbled to the surface. She squared her shoulders and walked to the door.

When she came out of the bathroom she saw Ron holding Ginny. She was sobbing into the front of his shirt, and shaking. The scene made Hermione's heart ache. Harry sat on his bed looking down at his feet. Hermione knew that Ginny had taken care of Harry after the battle, pushing her emotional needs far back in her mind. Now she was leaning on the person she had for her entire life. Ginny was close to all of her brothers, but it was different with Ron. They were only a year apart in age and had always been forced to play together. The twins were only a few years older but they had each other to entertain themselves. As much as the siblings fought, they loved each other dearly. During the summer when Harry, and Hermione were back living in the muggle world, Ron and Ginny would spend the summer in the pond by the burrow. They would play quidditch in the clearing, play exploding snaps in the sun, and race on brooms. At night Ron would build a fire, and they would sit and talk about everything. She would tease him about Hermione and he would tease her about Harry. They would smile and joke and laugh like friends, because that's what they are.

Ron held onto Ginny tighter. She was shaking uncontrollably, and breathing heavily. Ron thought back to all the times he had seen Ginny tearful. It was only a handful of times, mostly in anger, and a few times over Harry but he could only think of a few times he had actually, seen her cry. Never like this though. He had never seen her gasping, letting large sobs leak out of her withering body. He had never had to support her weight because the tears were sucking all the life out of her body. Ginny was one of the absolute strongest people he knew and it tore him apart to see her like this. Something was hurting his baby sister and he wasn't able to protect her from it. The same thing was twisting his guts around his body like hot magma, but he had to stay strong. He had to be there for Ginny, and the rest of the Weasleys.

Ginny's cries slowed to silent tears, and Harry put his hands on her shoulders slowly pulling her into him and off of Ron. She looked at Ron sheepishly as though she was embarrassed by her outburst.

"-'s alright Gin. I understand, and I'm here for you I hope you know" Ron said

"Thanks, Ronniekins" Ginny said letting her smirk brighten her face marginally.

Ron looked over at Hermione and smiled, jerking his head at the door to the common room.

"'Spose we should head down, get some food that sort of thing" He said

Hermione nodded and followed him down the stairs, out into the corridor, and from the tower to the great hall. The castle was destroyed, glass, stone, and rubble lay in heaps around the floor and a fine coating of dust and dirt covered every visible surface. Hermione started to feel sick to her stomach as she saw large pools of coagulated blood on the floor that had yet to be tended to. Ron wrapped his arm securely around her trying to shield her from the horrors of the castle. They walked into the Great hall slowly, and immediately saw a large group of red heads sitting at the head of the gryffindor house table. Ron let his arm slip from Hermione and went directly to his mother.

"Oh Ron, my boy! You're finally awake" his mother cooed at him "I hope you lot slept well. You were out for nearly 30 hours! Here, here eat! You must be famished."

"Mum... are you okay" Ron asked perplexed at her emotional state

Molly faltered for just a moment.

"Ronald.. I have lost family before. Granted never a son, but still I have lost loved ones. Yes I am grieving, and in an extreme amount of pain over losing Fred. I am first and foremost a mother though. Loving and caring for the children I have left is what is going to keep me afloat. I miss Fred with every fiber of my being, but it will do you lot no good to lose a brother and a mother at the same time" She placed her hand on his cheek. "I will survive this devastation, just like a have survived all the others."

Ron hugged her tightly and sat down at the table letting her fill his plate to her heart content. He shoved the food into his mouth without tasting it. He was to hungry to care what he was eating, or what it tasted like. When he finally lifted his head from the plate he saw his father for the first time. He was pale and his eyes red from crying. His face seemed to be gray and his cheeks sunken in. He had his hand on Georges back, neither of them speaking to one another. George didn't look any better. He had the same gray tone and red eyes as his father, but his face was twisted into a pained grimace. It looked like he was trying to cry, but didn't have the tears or energy to do it. Ron immediately felt sick. He dropped his fork and turned around, ready to run from the great hall and find the nearest toilet. Before he could bolt, he felt Hermione's hand on his arm. He stopped and looked at her, she had always been so strong, and it was time for him to show her that he could be strong too.

Ron stood up and walked over to his brother and father. He could tell his dad was not handling losing Fred as gracefully as his mum. It hurt to see a man that he had always looked up to look so broken and defeated.

"Why don't you go and have a lie down Dad" Ron said

Arthur looked up startled and then looked at George.

"I have it Dad... you go. We will be okay" Ron said.

Arthur nodded and got up melting into Molly's waiting arms. Ron sat next to George, not speaking or looking at him. George didn't need to be told everything was going to be okay. He didn't need someone holding his hand or cotilting him right now. He just needed to know that someone was there, that someone cared for him and had a shoulder and ear to lend if he needed. Ron didn't push people to share emotionally, he bloody hated when people tried to force that onto him. So, he sat and he comforted from afar. Eventually George looked at him. Ron could see the ghost and the person George had been reflecting in his eyes.

"Thanks" George said simply.

Ron nodded and patted George on the back.

Hermione walked up to the two brothers, and hugged George. He accepted without hesitation. She pulled back and smiled at him. She smiled back as Ron got up from his seat and took her hand. He could tell she was having a hard time holding back. She wanted to comfort, and talk through everything with George. She had spent enough time with the Weasleys to know this was not the time though. Ron smiled at her.

"about bloody time" George said looking at their hands.

George joking again already. That fact made Ron smile a little.

"Yeah, about bloody time" Ron agreed with a light chuckle.

George got up from his seat also following the two over to the rest of the family. Molly put plates of food back in front of everyone. Hermione was in total awe of Molly. She had just lost a son, but her personality still shined through brightly over the pain. She tended to her family, helped nurse the injured and dying and comforted those who had lost loved ones right after the war. She was now flitting around the great hall making sure the other families had everything they needed before they returned home, and speaking with professors about remolding the castle.

Molly Weasley, mother, nurse, and above all else badass.

Molly returned to the table and Hermione couldn't help herself. She stood up and ran into Molly's always open arms. Molly squeezed her tightly and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

"Hermione dear, I need to speak with you about your parents" Molly said.

Harry and Ron looked up immediately. Molly had said it slowly and evenly. The kind of voice she used to use on her kids when she had bad news. Rons stomach dropped into his feet.

"I sent them to live in Australia before coming to live with you at the burrow. " Hermione looked down and whispered "I erased their memories, they don't know who I am"

"I know all about that dear" Molly said slowly

Hermione looked at Molly her hands starting to shake.

Molly took a deep breath "You see dear, the death eaters had ties all over the world. They figured it out. They knew where your parents went"