I am, so very sorry about how long it took to update. I began to write this chapter months ago and the amount of times I've re-written it now is beyond me. I kept trying to make it so complex, so cluttered, and it never seemed right. I only just realized that in my mind, this moment wouldn't have been all that. It would have been simple, and sincere and nothing plot-changing and dramatic. So despite the shortness of this chapter, I really hope you enjoy it.

Ron entered the Gryffindor common room tired and cold. It seemed that the night's events finally seemed to be catching up with him, but he knew that with everything that was on his mind, sleeping was not something he would be able to do. He made his way to Hermione, who was sitting in their usual spot near the fireplace, watching the dancing flames- hypnotized. As he approached she did not turn around. She had apparently not noticed him enter, undoubtedly occupied with her own feelings. 'Hey.' He said quietly, taking a seat next to her. She seemed to have come out of her trance.

'Hey, you.' She smiled sadly.

She stared at him for a moment then. That look that he often saw when she was searching for something much deeper than anything that could be put into words. This look held pity and understanding, as well as sense of unmistakable melancholy. Against all logic, Ron swore he could feel her warmth transfer to him immediately as the striking cold he felt only seconds ago began to subside. He held his arms outstretched, and Hermione welcomed them easily.

'How are you?' she finally asked, as she snuggled closer against his chest.

'I don't know.' He answered seriously. 'How about you?'

'Neither do I.' she took his hand. 'You're freezing.'

'Much better now though, to be honest.' He said, and though she was smiling, her eyes were starting to water.

'What is it?' he asked, stroking her hair.

'You look terrible.' She whispered.

Ron smirked, 'Well thank you for that.'

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. 'Don't worry. I can only imagine as to what I resemble at the moment. And I couldn't care less.'

Ron smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 'You look beautiful Hermione.' He paused for a moment, then added, 'and alive.' She closed her eyes and inhaled as if she had taken this statement as a blow to her stomach.

'Ron,' she looked solemn, 'If you want to talk about what happened, you know that-'

'I know.' He interrupted. 'I- I don't want to talk about it now. But I will… Eventually and I know you're there for me.' He sighed. 'You always have been.'

She nodded. 'Okay. Good.'

'And vise versa.' He murmured as an afterthought.

'Hmm?'

'If you ever need anything- I know I've messed things up before-'

'Ron,' she began to interject,

'No Hermione, I have, there's no denying it. But I promise things will be different now. You can count on me, okay?'

'Okay.' She agreed. 'I've always counted on you.'

There was another silence in which Ron simply took in every one of Hermione's breaths against his body reflecting on how far they had come.

He saw that Hermione's eyes were closed and her grip on his hand slackened.

'Let me take you upstairs,' he whispered to her.

'No,' she muttered sleepily, 'can we just, stay here?'

Ron wasn't going to argue with that request. He had only just wrapped his arm around her waist before he too, succumbed to sleep.

Well, there you go, short and sweet. Though Ron and Hermione were quite affectionate in this chapter, I feel like that's the way it would have been. Ron was always a bit of a scardy-cat but once Hermione made the first move to kiss him, he would no longer be terrified of rejection. What do you think?

Only one last chapter to go until this story is complete! :O

Or will it be complete…..