Authors Note: Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that this chapter has taken so long! So much for having it up within two weeks. Thank you so much to all of you who reviewed, followed, and favourited. It's appreciated! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think, R&R!
Hermione's POV:
I sat in my usual seat next to Ron at dinner. My appetite was still off, but I tried to eat anyways. I just couldn't get the ringing of Bellatrix's voice out of my head. Sometimes I wondered if I ever would. I grasped Ron's hand a little tighter at the alarming thought, and he traced calming circles on the back of my hand.
"Alright everyone, tuck in!" Mrs. Weasley said once everyone was seated.
"Well, no need to tell us twice." George chuckled "Right Ron?" He said as Ron stuffed his mouth full of food.
"Shuff ush George." Ron said with his mouth full.
"I believe Ron is telling you to shut up, George. If I have my translations correct that is." I said across the table. Everyone began to chuckle, and Ron nodded at me enthusiastically, ensuring me that I had translated correctly
"She's a keeper Ron. It's not often that anyone can understand you with your mouth full." Charlie chuckled. Ron grinned at me and I blushed.
"Fred, could you pass the potatoes, please?" Arthur asked. At first no one really noticed what he said. But we all quickly realized his mistake. George looked at his father with tears in his eyes, the bowl of potatoes still in his hand. Everyone was still for a moment.
"Oh George! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..." Arthur began
"It's fine dad." He said with the tears rolling down his cheeks faster and faster. Georges breathing became more labored, and a few tears turned from little hiccups, to heavy sobs in a matter of moments.
"He's gone! He's gone!" George sobbed "It's not fair! Mum why did he have to leave?" Molly went to his side, enveloping him in a hug, tears streaming down her own face.
"I don't know, dear. I just don't know." she said softly through her own tears.
Suddenly Ginny leapt from her chair and ran for the stairs, slamming her door with a loud bang that made me jump. Harry was quick to leap up after her.
"Ron..." I whispered nodding towards the door, suggesting we give George and Molly some privacy. The rest of the Weasley's were slowly getting up as well. He nodded and led me to the stair case.
"Are you okay?" I asked
"No. But I'll be fine again someday. It's George and Mum that I'm worried about." He said
"They're strong, Ron. They will be fine."
He nodded with a few tears dampening his cheeks, and he pulled me into a hug. Slowly he brushed his lips against mine, in a tender kiss. He held me for a moment, and I melted into his arms, all of my worries slowly just slipping away.
"This is how I know that I'll be okay again." Ron said. "Without you, I don't think I ever would be." I burrowed my head into his chest smiling a little, placing a small kiss on his neck.
"I couldn't ever be okay again without you either, Ron."
For the longest time we just stayed like that, in the middle of the staircase, wrapped in each other's arms, with no desire to move.
"Should we go check on Ginny and Harry?" I asked after a while longer.
"Yeah, that might be a good idea." He said. Ron and I walked towards Ginny's room hand in hand. We stopped at her closed door and listened for a moment, and all we heard was silence.
"Ginny, are you alright?" I asked knocking lightly on the door.
"Yeah, you guys can come in if you want." She replied softly. I gently opened the door. Ron and I entered to find Ginny lying on her bed, with her head on Harrys lap. Her face was wet and flushed from crying, and Harry gently stroked her hair and rubbed her back. Harry's hair was standing up on all angles, and his lips were drawn in a thin line. I immediately went to sit down on the bed, next to Ginny.
"How are you doing?" I asked her
"Okay, I guess." She said sitting up on the bed "I think it was just seeing George like that. It just made everything come rushing back."
"You alright mate?" Harry asked Ron
"Yeah, I reckon I'll be fine so long as I've got Hermione." Ron said grinning over at me.
"Alright, well Ron and I will leave you two alone then; we just wanted to make sure you were alright, Ginny."
"Thank you guys, but I'll be okay." She said.
We continued up the stairs towards Ron's room, until Ron stopped suddenly in front of Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys room. Which caused me to walk straight into his back.
"Ron what are you…?"
"Shh! Listen." I paused and listened for a moment. Arthur and Molly were in there. Outside their door you could hear Molly crying.
"My boy, my boy! My baby!" She wailed "Arthur our baby's gone!"
"Ron, just keep going." I said nudging him forwards until he finally started to walk again. When we reached his room Ron sat on his bed with his head between his hands, his elbows rested on his knees. I closed the door behind me gently and sat beside him. I put my arm around his waist and my head on his shoulder.
"It's going to be alright, Ron. You're Mum will be okay again."
"I know, but how long will that take?" He asked leaning on me.
"I don't know. But she has your Dad, and they will get through this. Just like we will, and Harry and Ginny will, and Bill and Fleur will. Everyone will help each other through this." I said
"And this is why you're the brightest witch of our age." Ron said smiling as he gave me a kiss. I kissed him back and playfully slapped his shoulder.
He kissed me again, longer this time, and much slower, as if he were trying to seek some sort of comfort though that one kiss. I entwined my fingers in his hair pulling myself closer to him. He ran his hands up and down my sides and back, sending little jolts of electricity everywhere.
All of the sudden Harry burst through the door looking half crazed muttering a series of summoning spells under his breath, with his wand flying everywhere. Ron and I jumped apart.
"What the bloody hell are you doing mate?" Ron asked him as he summoned his bag and started shoving things in at random.
"I have to go." He said "I'm sorry, I just can't do this anymore."
"What do you mean Harry?" I asked compleatly stunned "Where are you going?"
"I don't know, but I don't think I can stay here anymore." He said gathering his bag and running out the door.
"What in the name of Merlin!?" Ron exclaimed "Harry where the bloody hell do you think you're going?"
Harry didn't stop though. He just continued down the stairs. Ron and I looked at each other with slack jaws for a moment, and then bolted after him.
A/N: R&R please! Another chapter will hopefully be coming soon J
