Hello readers! I apologise a million times for the length of time it has been for me to update. I went away on holiday, then university started and I got a new job and assignments it's been crazy! Hope you're all well and here's another update for Sorry.

Sorry

Chapter 6

I woke up, my nose itching as I felt something brush up against it. What the bloody-

Oh.

Hermione.

I felt stunned as I turned my head to the right slightly, to see her sleeping peacefully, something that I hadn't seen in a really long time. I felt like even a flicker of my eyelash would wake her up, but she stayed still, her breathing deep and calm. It was things like this that made me grateful that she came with me in the end, to see her safe, and slumbered. Whether it be in my arms or not- she was here, alive and that was all that mattered. I could see every freckle on her nose, I could feel her heartbeat against mine, and her chest rising and falling. It was these small things that made me grateful we were safe, away from everything. As hard as it was to admit, it also meant being away from Harry.

Harry.

I huffed and looked up at the ceiling as I tried unsuccessfully to control my emotions, but there was no denying it now, the guilt was hitting me in waves. I felt how warm my toes were under the blankets, and I knew that Harry would most definitely be shivering, wet and cold, hungry and lonely, and more than anything, angry and feeling betrayed. And that was what hurt the most. I remembered back to when we were twelve years old "I'll take the knight". I took on danger for him more than I've had hot dinners, and I don't regret it one bit. Harry was like my brother, and according to the second task in third year, I was the one that meant the most to him. And I had betrayed him. I had walked away, and I had taken Hermione with me.

My only hope was that he was safe, and that he would understand. He would understand my rationale and he would understand that I am sorry for the things I said, especially since I never meant any of them.

My eyes flicked back to Hermione, and I told myself I had my reasons. I remember being quite surprised when I found out that I was Harry's 'most treasured possession' back in fourth year, but also guilty at the same time. There was no way, after seeing Hermione in her dress robes, that I could have said truthfully that Harry was mine, because this was not the case. She meant everything to me, truly everything and after this war is over and done with I'm going to make sure she knows it. She came with me right? That must count for something.

Harry will hate me for a while, that's obvious, but I'm hoping that he will understand. If it was Ginny, and he had to make sure she was safe and if he loved her as much as I love Hermione, well then he'd understand. He has to.

My heart beat picked up as Hermione turned over, exhaled, and shuffled closer to me, her nose nudging my neck and nuzzling into me until she got comfortable. I swallowed, trying to calm my heartbeat but I still couldn't grasp that this was happening. I was in bed with Hermione. This wasn't happening. I blushed as I recalled Bill and Fleur's conversation the night before. They must have thought we were asleep but it was obvious that both of us heard every word. They obviously thought something was going on between us. Truth is though, I honestly didn't care. Who gave a kneazle's nut what anyone thought really? I mean, Hermione's here, she's still my friend, she chose me.

She chose me.

I blinked rapidly. I never thought I'd be saying those words to myself. But there was still that part of me that doubted it, that doubted everything really. What if she chose me because she didn't think I'd cope on my own? Poor old defenceless Ron, unable to even do a quick non-verbal spell, how would he cope in the big bad world on his own? I bet that's one of the contributing factors. "I'll be the knight". Yes, yes, it was all a good plan, made you look like the hero but what happened then? Hermione had to stay behind and look after you; Harry had to go it alone. Third year, I managed to break my leg whilst trying to help on a very vital mission towards the Whomping Willow. Fifth year, do we even need to mention the brains? It's all rather embarrassing to look back on. It all adds up now doesn't it? She's here because she thinks she needs to protect you. Harry has shown to everyone he can cope on his own, he can destroy Voldemort and only he can do that so Hermione thought she'd keep a close eye on me. Yeah...that must be it.

But she's said she wanted company.

I felt Hermione's toes rub against my knees. Last night she told me I could stay, she said it was okay. Would she have said this to Harry too? Would anyone else be allowed into her bed as willingly as she allowed me? There were so many questions that I had swimming around in my head, too scared to find out the answers. We talked about all sorts of things last night, and she brought up girls. She actually seemed fascinated and slightly annoyed when we approached the Lavender topic. Though she and Lavender never did get on, in any other situation, say this girl wasn't Hermione, I'd say she was jealous, and her emotions had gotten the better of her.

But that's crazy isn't it? Look at her! Just bloody look at this gorgeous girl I'm sharing a bed with! The amount of times I've fantasised about this, just lying here, peacefully, with her in my arms. The thought of her being in someone else's arms, it sickens me. No-one could ever give her as much as I could. Maybe in value, they could provide her with a big house and nice brooms and everything a girl could want, but I could give so much more. I'd put every ounce of my being into her if I had the chance. If only she'd wake up one day and realize it. Or if only I matched up to her level.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and the sunrise seeping in through the curtains told me it wasn't as early as I previously thought. I heard a slight tap on the door, and moving Hermione gently and placing the cover back over her, I tip toed over to the door and cracked it open an inch. There was Fleur looking radiant carrying a tray of tea and toast. I put my finger tips to my lips, signalling to her that Hermione was still asleep. She gave me a look telling me that she clearly disapproved but I shrugged it off, thanked her and shut the door.

When I turned back round I nearly dropped the tray in shock as Hermione was sitting up in bed, looking at me in amusement, but her eyes were still filled with worry and anguish from the previous day's events.

"Oh. You're awake"

"I am".

"You er- you sleep well?" I felt myself blushing and cursing myself for bringing up such an awkward topic. This was Hermione and she might be regretting it now. She needed time to think about it and let me down gently if she was.

"Fine. You're really warm to sleep next to. Could have come in handy in the tent".

I stood in the doorway shocked, holding the tray of tea and toast and she looked at me expectantly.

"Oh. Want some?"

"Well you're not going to eat it all yourself".

"I could" I grinned.

"Doesn't mean I'm going to let you", she raised her eyebrows warningly.

I placed the tray on the bed and munching and sips of tea filled the room for the next few minutes.

"So Fleur thought we were up to no good, apparently. I can't see why she'd think that at all".

My stomach dropped to the floor. I knew it was always going to go this way, just look at your tea and say nothing. Hermione's a friend, and nothing more and getting your hopes up was always going to end badly, you should have known that by now, stupid really.

"Nor me".

"I mean, we've been away from Harry for barely a day and a half. We've more pressing matters" she took another sip of her tea and tucked some hair behind her ears "...plus I think neither of us have that sort of energy at the moment. Barely keeping this food down as it is".

I nearly choked on my toast as I heard her words. Energy. Pressing matters. That wasn't a no.

It wasn't a no!

"So...share your bed with any old Tom, Dick or …..Harry?" I grinned, letting her know that I was joking but I knew that she knew I wanted answers. Bit of a push really, we hadn't properly sorted things out yet and I knew she was still mad about us apparating away. I was mad. I wondered if I'd ever not feel mad towards the subject.

"Ron! What on earth are you implying?" I could tell she was trying to joke, but really we both knew that there were unanswered questions.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Just curious is all. If it wasn't me here-"

"Then I wouldn't be either".

"What?"

"If you weren't here, then why would I be here?"

She said it in the simplest of voices, small and weak, and yet it struck to the very bottom of my heart. I don't know if she meant it in the way I took it, but I had never heard anything so capturing.

"I mean-" she began to explain, her cheeks reddening "If you wouldn't have left-" her voice grew smaller, it was obvious she was trying not to make me feel bad "- then I wouldn't have left because there would have been no reason to. It's just logical really".

"Right. Logical"

"And no"

"No?"

"I don't know what you think of me Ron Weasley, but you are the first".

"The first" my voice cracked.

She raised her eyebrows at me in a 'don't make me explain it' sort of way and I nodded, gulping and trying not to grin like the fool that I was. We sipped our tea once more and I tried to ignore the fact that Hermione was still in her nightgown, one bare leg hanging out of the blankets and swinging freely over the side of the bed. I gulped down the last of my tea and she was looking at me expectantly once more.

"So" I started. "What's the plan for today?"

"Well. I think our ultimate aim is to try and find Harry again correct? "

"I-"

I've been thinking about it and I've decided there's no more moping, no more fighting or blaming, we need to find Harry again and that's that. Whatever's done is done as long as we put it right".

"So, you want to go on a hunt of our own? Won't we just be in more danger, if we can't find Harry since he will have put up the protective enchantments?"

"There are always ways around things Ron… stop being so negative. Now, go and get dressed and when you come back, I want to go over the plan I have in mind for us. Go!"

I looked towards the door, the ever uninviting door, which would enter me into a corridor away from Hermione. A cold, empty corridor, with no Hermione-ness. I decided I didn't like that door.

"But-"

"We need a plan of action" she pushed her plate to the end of the bed and flung back the covers. Two very smooth knee caps and calves made their appearance and I decided going out of the room might be a very good idea actually. These sights were not good for one's state of mind.

"We need to find our way back to Harry and- ouch" she pulled at the bandage on her hand, from where the glass had cut her previously. "We don't have all the time in the world".

xoxoxoxo

Again, sorry for the long time for this update. Things are now more back on track.Also, introducing Rhmac12 as my new Beta, so a huge thanks to them. Wish to read more? You know what to do!

GP99 x