A/N: So embarrassed that I forgot to write Hermione destroying the cup in the last chapter! I took the liberty of having her destroy it outside of the chamber in the bathroom instead; it didn't make sense for them to go back in. I hope I have done justice with the rest of the story!
Chapter 14: The Circle Complete
"Ron, wait!" Hermione shouted. Ron was almost out the bathroom door and turned to look at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked impatiently.
"Don't you think we should destroy the cup before we go out there and face whatever is happening?"
Ron did a mental slap in his head. She was right; they needed to destroy the horcrux. He dropped the broomstick saying, "You should do it."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "Me! Why? You should do it, you've done it already!"
Ron shook his head emphatically. "No, I think it's got to be you this time. Here, let's put it on the floor. Just take one of the fangs and stab it."
Ron produced the golden cup and put it on the ground between them. At that moment, the school gave another shake. If she was going to do it, she was going to have to do it quickly. Hermione put down all of the fangs but one, cradling it in her hands.
Ron looked over at her. He wasn't sure what was going to happen. Harry had told him what happened when he had destroyed Tom Riddle's diary. His own experience with the locket was one that would live with him for a long time. He looked down at the golden cup, noticing for the first time the odd shine that was emitting from it. Ron had a feeling that if they had been able to wear it, they would have suffered in the same way as they had from the locket.
Hermione was raising the fang above her head, ready to strike the cup when it appeared. It seemed like a ghost oozing up from the center of the cup but it wasn't one of the ghosts from Hogwarts. Instead it was a grotesquely fat woman, wearing pink flowing robes and a ginger wig. She looked down at Hermione saying the same words that Ron had heard from the locket.
"I have seen your heart, and it is mine. I have seen your dreams, Hermione Granger, and I have seen your fears. All you desire is possible, but all that you dread is also possible…"
Ron's eyes widened as he listened, shouting to Hermione, "Just stab it Hermione! Don't listen to her!"
Hermione's eyes had also gone wide. She was mesmerized by the image of Hepzibah Smith floating before her. Her arms lowered the fang slightly as she listened to the ghost.
"Never on the inside, always on the outside looking in. Rejected by the world you were born into, never fitting into the one you have joined, seen as an oddity by both. Used by the Boy Who Lived for your intellect and played for a fool by the one you have come to love. Foolish girl, thinking a noble Pureblood would ever stoop so low as to truly love a Mudblood."
Ron could just make out two shapes emerging from the cup, shapes he knew would turn into himself and Harry. He shouted at Hermione again, "Don't listen to her Hermione! She is lying! Stab it! Stab it now!"
Hermione turned her gaze on Ron and he was frightened by its intensity and the tiny flecks of red he could see in the depths of her brown eyes. She turned her attention back to the cup and the images coming from it. Before she could let them take shape, she raised the fang above her head, bringing it crashing down into the bottom of the cup. Hepzibah Smith let out a strangled scream and then disappeared leaving nothing behind but a smoking relic from her ancestor.
Hermione was on her knees, breathing heavy. Ron went to her, dropping down onto the bathroom floor at her side. She turned to look at him and he could see the unshed tears in her eyes. He pulled her to him in a crushing hug.
"It was all lies, all of it. You know that, right?" he asked, his voice muffled by her hair.
Hermione nodded in his arms, not sure if she was able to speak yet. She now fully understood what that locket must have done to Ron when he destroyed it. She was embarrassed that all of her fears had been laid out before him. They were things that she had never wanted him to hear.
Ron pulled back, looking down at her. He held her face in his hands, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears that were now falling freely down her cheeks. "You are mad if you think for one moment that I care at all that you are Muggle-born. I am the lucky one here. Lucky that you even let me hold you or touch you at all. And besides, I am a Weasley for Christ's sake! You know we are the poorest lot around! We reproduce like rabbits and live in a ramshackle house! It's not like we're the bloody royal family you know!"
Hermione looked down, letting out a chuckle. She looked back up at him and saw nothing but truth shining in his blue eyes. He began to lower his face towards hers and suddenly the castle gave a more terrifying shake than it had done previously.
Ron looked up at the ceiling, shaking his fists saying, "Can't we just have one effin' moment to ourselves please!"
Hermione laughed outright now. She stood up saying, "Let's go find Harry. He is probably in a state over our disappearance."
Ron sighed and stood up. Hermione gathered the fangs she had dropped, Ron picking some up as well. Holding the broomstick in one hand he held out the other to Hermione who grabbed it, both of them making a mad dash out the door and back to the Room of Requirement.
The hallways of Hogwarts were a scene of barely controlled chaos. Students were being led by prefects to their houses, some of the first years crying from fear. Through the windows Ron and Hermione could see flashes of red and green light an indication that the fighting had begun in earnest. Ron tightened his hand around Hermione's as he felt the first wave of fear wash over him. It had truly begun. He looked down at Hermione and saw fear in her eyes as well as something else: resolve. It made him feel stronger. They were doing this together, himself, Hermione, and Harry. They were fighting for a better world for themselves, a better world for their children. As quickly as the fear had come, Ron could feel it being replaced by determination. They would get through this, he was sure of it.
Why was she looking at him like that? He was being honest; he really didn't want any house elves to die for them. He had felt tremendous guilt at Shell Cottage after they had lowered Dobby's tiny body into the grave. It wasn't fair for them to fight for a way of life that did nothing but reinforce their inferior position in society.
Hermione couldn't believe the words that had just come out of Ron's mouth. He truly looked concerned. Could it be that he finally understood what she had been saying these past years? She kept waiting for some joke to follow, for some punch line but nothing came. He just kept looking back and forth between her and Harry, waiting for them to say something in response. In fact, he looked a little irritated that they weren't saying anything at all or making any suggestions as to what they should do about the house elves. Something clicked inside Hermione. Every moment they had shared came into perfect clarity: the soft words spoken only moments before in the bathroom, the comfort he brought to her at Shell Cottage, and even further back to his fierce protectiveness of her in their second year when Malfoy had called her Mudblood and the dozens of other things he had done over the past years. Before she could stop herself, Hermione dropped the fangs and ran across the room throwing herself into Ron's arms. She reached up, putting her hands behind his head and pulled his face down until his lips were on hers at last.
For a moment, Ron thought she was going to hit him. She must think I am kidding he thought. But instead of hard punches all he felt was a warm soft body melting into him. He felt her hands go behind his head, pulling his face down to meet hers. He crushed his lips against hers and his body was instantly set on fire. Somewhere he heard Harry say something but he couldn't be sure. All he was aware of was Hermione pressed into him, her soft yielding lips moving with need on his. He gripped her tighter feeling that he needed to be closer to her. Ron lifted her up, his hands around her waist, knowing that he would never get enough of her body pressed against his. They had spent so many nights holding one another but yet he felt as if he were feeling her for the first time. Ron felt her lips part slightly and almost groaned when he felt just the barest touch of her tongue on his. He was sure they swayed or maybe the building had just shaken again.
Hermione felt lighter than air. She had been in Ron's arms so many times over the past few months but not like this. She could feel his urgency, his need to express all of his emotions in this one embrace and she responded just as eagerly. His lips were soft and hard at the same time. She gasped slightly as she felt him lift her up, bringing their bodies in closer contact with one another. By some instinct, her mouth parted under his and her tongue gently skimmed his lips making the slightest contact with his tongue as well. It was like an electric shock had coursed through her body. She suddenly became aware of Harry yelling at them and they broke apart. She opened her eyes to see Ron smiling down at her and felt her own face smile in return. Hermione felt her feet touch the ground but Ron hadn't taken his hands off her instead pulling her close into his side as he responded to Harry. With a jolt she remembered where they were and what they were about do and with much regret, she turned to start gathering up the basilisk fangs she had dropped so hastily.
Hermione saw it happen before anyone else knew it was going to. It was like it was in slow motion, the wall of the castle crumbling, allowing green and red light to burst forth. She could just make out Fred as she saw the green light coming toward him. There was a smile on his face as he laughed at Percy's attempt at humor. Then, a massive explosion rocked the very ground they were standing on and Hermione saw him fall to the ground. In the same instant, she was struck by debris, falling flat on the castle floor while covering her head with her arms for protection. It was Harry who pulled her up and her eyes immediately searched for Ron, finding him kneeling over the body of his dead brother.
And now, here they were in the Great Hall, and all of the Weasley's were gathered around Fred's body which had been laid out on a table along with so many others. She couldn't bear to look around because every time she did, she saw a familiar face: Tonks, Lupin, Colin Creevy. If she didn't have to see the bodies, it wasn't real. Foolish, she thought, it was real. Ginny was leaning up against her, Hermione's arm around her trying to whisper words of comfort that really had no meaning. She glanced at Ron, who was being held up by Percy. His face was streaked with tears and grime. It took her several minutes to drag her eyes away from him to look down at George, who was kneeling on the floor holding the hand of his best friend: his brother. Hermione's eyes filled with tears. Why this family? Why did they have to be the ones to suffer?
Mrs. Weasley looked up then, catching Ginny's eye. Ginny went to her immediately, dropping on her knees and putting her head on her Mrs. Weasley's lap while her she absently stroked her youngest child's hair. Fleur was holding Bill, whispering words of comfort in his ear as tears streamed freely down his face. Hermione couldn't bear to look at Mr. Weasley, standing behind his seated wife, wearing a look of disbelief, as if he couldn't believe that it was one of his children lying dead on the table.
Hermione didn't know what to do, she felt like she didn't belong, like she was intruding on a family moment. She backed up slowly, turning carefully and trying to keep her head level so she wouldn't have to see anymore grieving people. She got to the entrance of the Great Hall, stepping out of the doorway and immediately sinking down to the ground. She let the sobs overtake her, crying for Ron and his family, crying for Teddy Lupin who was now parentless, and for the countless others laid out on the tables.
Ron hadn't seen Hermione walk out. He only had eyes for Fred. He felt as if a piece of his heart had been carved out and that it would never be filled in. He couldn't bear to look at the rest of his family, especially his parents. But as he looked up he realized she was gone. He was seized by momentary panic. He knew she had walked in with him and the fighting had ceased so she must be here, safe. Ron looked towards the door then and was sure he saw a flash of her curly hair. He glanced around realizing he hadn't seen Harry either. Maybe Hermione had gone to find him.
Ron moved away from his family walking to the place where he had last seen Hermione. He stepped out the door of the Great Hall and almost didn't see her on the floor next to where he was standing. She hadn't seen him yet due to the fact that her face was in her hands, her whole body shaking with sobs. He knelt down beside her, gently pulling her hands away from her face. She gave a cry as she saw him then wrapped her arms around him.
"I am so sorry Ron," she cried into his shoulder. He couldn't respond to her. Instead, he just held her tighter to him.
"Why did you leave?" he asked. Hermione pulled back to see the tears in his eyes which brought fresh ones to her own.
"You need to be with your family now," she said, "I didn't want to intrude." She looked down at her lap, not being able to look him in the eyes.
Ron lifted up her chin so that she had no choice but to look at him. "You are part of my family Hermione. I need you as much as I need them." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead then stood, pulling her up with him. "My mother will be asking for you. C'mon."
Ron put his arm around her as they walked back into the Great Hall where his family was still gathered around the body of Fred. Mrs. Weasley turned and saw them, opening her arms. Ron gave Hermione a small push as she walked into his mother's embrace.
"I am so sorry Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione, not sure of what else she should say. Mrs. Weasley rocked her slightly in her arms before pulling back.
"I know my dear," she said. She leaned over whispering in Hermione's ear. "Please take care of Ron for me, he needs you now." She gave Hermione's arm a squeeze before walking over to her husband, stepping into his open arms.
Ron watched as his mother and Hermione embraced. The sight of them filled him with emotion. He didn't know what to do next. He only knew that he had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Constant motion and a sense of purpose would get him through this.
Ron suddenly realized he had not seen Harry since they returned from the Shrieking Shack. He looked around the room but Harry was nowhere to be found.
"What's wrong," Hermione asked as she saw the look of concern on his face.
"Harry. Have you seen him?"
Hermione shook her head, "No, not since we came into the Great Hall. I assumed that he followed us in here. He must have taken Snape's memory to the Pensieve in Dumbledore's office." Some part of her still had a problem recognizing that the office was no longer Dumbledore's, was even no longer Snape's.
Ron grabbed her hand, pulling her out the door, "Let's' go up and find him. I have a bad feeling."
They ran at great speed to get to Dumbledore's office only to find disappointment: no Harry.
"Maybe he is up in the Gryffindor Common Room. Let's try there," said Ron. He grasped Hermione's hand once again as they took off down the stairs and through the passageways. They could barely register the amount of destruction that had occurred. Chunks of wall were missing and glass was everywhere. Portraits were empty, their inhabitants seeking shelter in other parts of the castle. Every so often they would trip over a shoe or some other odd piece of clothing, like a torn robe, indication that fighting had taken place in the spot they were running through. The minutes were ticking down towards the hour deadline that Voldemort had set and they were both filled with dread that they might not see Harry alive again.
They burst through the empty portrait doorway into the common room. There was very little damage done to this part of the castle, only a few fallen portraits and overturned knick-knacks were evidence that something violent had taken place. Ron raced up the small stairway leading to the boy's dormitory, bursting into the room that he had shared with Harry and their friends for six years. Empty. He sat down on the bed that had once belonged to him, putting his head in his hands.
Hermione stood in the middle of the room. She wasn't sure of what they should do next. She was terrified for Harry. She had a sneaking suspicion that his sense of courage and honor were going to put him in danger. She sat down on the bed next to Ron, putting her arm around his shoulders.
He looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "Stupid git is doing something brave and noble isn't he?"
Hermione nodded her head, tears coming to her eyes as well. "Probably. I think he will truly be on his own now. His whole life has been leading up to this moment, hasn't it?"
They sat for several minutes in silence. It dawned on both of them that this was the first time they had been by themselves since their kiss in the Room of Requirement. Ron turned to look at Hermione, seeing for the first time her singed hair and burns from the Fiendfyre that Crabbe had conjured. He looked down at his own hands and saw similar injuries. They both were a mess and could use medical treatment. She still looked beautiful though and Ron couldn't help but think back to the moment when she had thrown herself into his arms.
Hermione turned to see Ron staring at her, knowing that he was thinking about their kiss. She felt herself flush under his gaze. She still couldn't believe she had thrown herself at him like that. Under different circumstances, she would be mortified to be so close to him now. Instead, mustering all the courage she could, she said, "What? Is something wrong?"
A sad smile came to Ron's lips as he replied, "You're a bit of mess you know." He moved a singed piece of hair off of her forehead to reveal an ugly looking gash. "We should probably go back down to the Great Hall and see if Madam Pomfrey can patch you up a bit."
Hermione shook her head, "I think she has bigger worries than a couple of cuts and burns. Do you have any Dittany here? In the girls lavatory we have an emergency kit." Before he could answer, she was off the bed and through the door to the bathroom. Sure enough, under the row of sinks was a small box containing Dittany and other related items. She looked up in the mirror then, catching sight of her reflection. Her hair was coated in dust and various pieces of the castle that had come down around her. It had escaped the rubber band she had used to fasten it into a pony tail instead frizzing and curling all around her face. She examined the cut on her forehead, noticing that it was no longer bleeding but was dirty. She caught a movement in the mirror and saw that Ron had appeared in the doorway.
He walked toward her, taking the Dittany out of her hands, wondering how many more times he was going to have to tend to her wounds. He had hoped that the last time would be it.
"I do look a fright, don't I?" she asked.
"You look like you have been to hell and back," he said, "which isn't too far from the truth." He dabbed the Dittany on her cut and burns and then allowed her to do the same to him. They had used the whole bottle between them and that had only covered what had been done to their hands and faces. Now that they had time to rest, his whole body seemed to be screaming out in pain. But the pain was a reminder that they were still alive. Before he could stop himself, the image of Fred lying dead on the table in the Great Hall came into his head. Ron sank to the floor, letting the tears of grief wash over him, not caring that Hermione was there to witness his break down.
Hermione knelt down in front of him, gathering him in her arms like she would a small child. She held him for what seemed like hours but was only minutes as the sobs worked their way through his body. She stroked his hair and rubbed his back but she knew it offered no consolation. The only thing that would heal Ron was time and it was something that they did not have at the moment.
As she felt his sobs subside, Hermione pulled back to see his face, wiping away his tears. "I wish I can say something to make you stop hurting. I want you to know that I am here for you and I always will be, whenever you need me."
Looking into her eyes brought a sense of calm over Ron. He let her words wash over him and knew them to be true. He wondered what he had done to deserve her and wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life proving that he was worthy of her love. There was no doubt that it was love that existed between them even if they had not yet spoken the words. He knew though, that now was not the time for those words. There was much that needed to be done.
Ron leaned over and brushed his lips gently across hers. "I know. You always have been." They both stood, embracing again. When they pulled apart, he looked down at her saying, "Let's get back to the Great Hall. They are going to need our help."
They walked out of the bathroom and back through the boy's dormitories until they stood once again in the Gryffindor Common Room. The ghosts of happier times surrounded them: playing wizard chess by the fire, celebrating winning the House cup, studying on the couch. It had all changed now and there was no going back.
There was a sense of impending doom as they returned to the Great Hall to stand with the rest of the Weasley clan. People were clustered in groups around loved ones who had passed or were assisting one another with injuries. Ron and Hermione caught sight of Neville who was carrying yet another lifeless body inside. Hermione averted her eyes, not wanting to see a familiar face in his arms. Ron looked around, wondering where they should begin, what they should do to help. He saw that Madame Pomfrey had setup a makeshift triage unit in the corner of the Great Hall and was just about to suggest to Hermione that maybe they could help her when they heard the voice: Voldemort telling them that Harry was dead.
A hush fell over the Great Hall. People stared at one another in disbelief, including Ron and Hermione. It couldn't be true. They gripped each other and let themselves be carried out on the wave of people moving out of the Great Hall. The scene that greeted them was one that would be burned in their minds for a longtime to come.
Harry lay limp in Hagrid's arms. Ron heard Hermione scream, could feel her drop to the ground. He didn't recognize the sound coming from his own mouth but realized he was screaming as well. Ron could barely focus on what Voldemort was saying, his eyes on Harry's still form. It couldn't be real, he thought. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't supposed to end this way. He looked down at Hermione and felt a surge of fear. Would he be able to protect her? He glanced at the Death Eaters lined up next to Voldemort. There were so many of them; the defenders of Hogwarts were greatly outnumbered.
Hermione could not stop her body from trembling. Ginny was next to her, tears falling freely from her eyes. She looked up at Ron, could hear his screams for Harry as well. She could hear Voldemort speaking too but couldn't register what he was saying. Ron looked down at her and she could see fierce determination in his eyes. He wasn't ready to give up, not yet. Seeing him look at her like that made Hermione's own resolve harden. They weren't going to give up without a fight. She looked up again to see Voldemort forcing the Sorting Hat onto Neville's head. Then all hell broke loose.
Ron saw Grawp being attacked by the giants Voldemort had recruited and then the centaurs thundering toward the school, their arrows aimed at the Death Eaters. The ground was shaking with the steps of the giants and centaurs combined. He could also seem hundreds of Voldemort's reinforcements emerging from the woods, ready to do battle. Hermione's gaze was still fixed on Neville who was suddenly free from his Binding Curse. She watched in amazement as he pulled the sword of Gryffindor from the still smoking Sorting Hat, using it to slice Nagini's head off. Voldemort issued a horrible cry then, knowing that his soul was one step closer to being destroyed.
Ron pulled Hermione off of the ground and turned to run back into the Great Hall. Someone ran between them splitting them apart. Ron searched for a glimpse of Hermione but she was nowhere to be found. House elves had stormed up from the kitchens and were turning their knives on any Death Eater they could. The centaurs had also thundered into the building and were striking down enemies with both their hooves and arrows. Ron saw a flash of fur speed by him, seeing that it was Greyback and he was heading straight for where Hermione was dueling Bellatrix with the help of Luna and his sister.
Hermione had lost her grip on Ron's hand as they had headed back into Hogwarts. As she had searched for him her eyes locked on Lestrange's. She had a maniacal glint to her eyes, reveling in all of the destruction that had been caused. She gave a high-pitch cackle saying to Hermione, "You still alive deary? Let's see what we can do about that!"
Suddenly Hermione was no longer alone, Luna and Ginny having joined her in the fight against Voldemort's most trusted champion. They dueled, moving in a sick dance around Bellatrix, doing their best to subdue her, to bring her down but she was more skilled than the three of them combined. Hermione caught a flash of fur out of the corner of her eye and turned slightly to see Greyback heading straight for her. He apparently hadn't forgotten the softness of her skin and was angry that she hadn't been handed over to him after all.
Ron went stone cold as he saw Greyback thundering towards her. Before he could even lift his wand up, however, Neville was there and had stunned Greyback. Ron caught Neville's eye and they both descended on the massive form that had started stirring. Hermione saw the flash of red hair and was relieved to see that Ron was alright but fear replaced that relief instantly as she saw Greyback move and start to fight back against Ron and Neville.
She was torn between wanting to help them and continuing her own fight against Bellatrix when she heard Mrs. Weasley scream. Hermione turned to see her, stripping off her cloak and advancing on them, shooing the girls aside as she looked at Bellatrix with an expression of pure hate, so unlike the matriarch that Hermione had come to love like her own mother. Hermione backed off, realizing that Ron was suddenly next to her, both of them transfixed on the sight of Molly Weasley dueling Bellatrix Lestrange.
Ron had never seen his mother look so fierce. He hadn't known she was such a skilled witch when it came to dueling. Judging by the surprised look on her face neither did Bellatrix. That didn't seem to stop her, however, from taunting Molly and that was her one fatal error. Her cackle still echoed around the Great Hall as Molly's Killing Curse struck her directly in the chest.
Time seemed to slow for Ron. He could see the look of rage on Voldemort's face, could see McGonagall, Kingsley, and Slughorn get blasted backwards. It took him a moment to realize that Voldemort was turning his anger on his mother, the woman who had killed his best soldier. Ron recognized that he was too late; he wouldn't be able to do anything when a chorus of screams erupted and he turned to see his best friend emerge from the Invisibility Cloak, casting a Shield Charm between Molly and Voldemort.
Relief coursed through Ron as well as Hermione, who was now standing next to him. They watched Voldemort and Harry move around one another, listened, enthralled, as Harry described to him how he had been able to survive, how all of the horcruxes were destroyed, and how after all of these years, Snape had never been his.
What happened next would be burned in Hermione's mind as long as she drew breath in this world. Harry, so noble and courageous, trying to disarm instead of destroy, and Voldemort so evil and full of hatred, casting what would be his own death blow. There was a moment of incredible silence as everyone watched Voldemort hit the ground then nothing but thunderous cheering.
Ron and Hermione surged forward, the first to reach Harry. They all embraced, crying and laughing, saying anything and everything but nothing making sense. Hermione kissed Harry and Ron, now sobbing outright with happiness. Ron crushed Harry to him in a hug, not trusting himself to say anything because he knew he would be reduced to state worse than what Hermione was in. Harry's eyes shone with happiness and tears as well, overcome by the emotions he was feeling. He was relieved that his two friends had survived and felt that it would be a longtime before he felt comfortable not having them directly in his line of sight.
Ron and Hermione were pulled from Harry as more people moved forward wanting to be with the hero of the hour. They shrunk back, watching their best friend shake hands and receive kisses. Ron turned to see his mother, running into her outstretched arms. She widened her embrace to include Hermione, kissing them both on the head. Mr. Weasley encircled them as well, not being able to speak, just smiling as tears streamed down his face. They stood like that for a moment until Molly caught sight of Charlie, and moved to embrace him as well. Ron seized Hermione's hand, and pulled her towards one of the benches that had been pushed up against the wall. He watched in amazement as Kingsley and his brother Percy herded together some Death Eaters who weren't fast enough to escape, a Binding Curse put on them.
Hermione put her head on Ron's shoulder and instantly she felt his arms go around her.
"It's over," he whispered, "it's finally over."
Hermione nodded against him. It was over but so much was different. Although they had been fighting to preserve the world they knew, that very world had changed so much the past twenty-four hours. So many deaths, so many lives altered. There was much to be done. Death Eaters would have to be rounded up; the government would have to be re-established. It would be a daunting task. Hermione looked around the Great Hall, her eyes locking on the Malfoys. What would become of them, she thought.
Before she had time to ponder, Harry was before them, leading them up to Dumbledore's office. He revealed everything to them: Snape's memory, the Elder Wand. Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes as Ron eyed the wand, the faintest trace of desire in his voice as he questioned Harry. Hermione knew, though, that Harry was making the right decision. Hopefully the wand would never return, no one committing violence to be the commander of its awesome power. She looked at the portrait of Dumbledore and saw the love in his eyes as he gazed down on Harry. It had all come full circle.
Much later, Ron and Hermione sat on Harry's bed, watching as his eyes eventually closed. Kreacher had indeed brought him a sandwich, rejoicing in Harry's victory over Voldemort. They had watched as Harry ate, not saying anything, just concerned that their friend should eat and get a much needed rest. When he started to snore lightly, Hermione tapped Ron's hand so he looked at her, putting a finger over her lips so he knew not to say anything. She stood, smoothing the blankets over Harry, taking off his glasses and putting them on the table by his bedside. Ron stood as well, closing the curtains on Harry's bed so no one would disturb him. He followed Hermione out the dormitory and down the stairs leading to the common room. It was still empty. Ron led Hermione to the couch and they both dropped down in exhaustion.
Ron put his arms around her shoulders and Hermione snuggled against his chest. He could feel his heart pounding at her nearness and was sure that Hermione heard it as well. He let his hands play with her hair, not caring about the amount of dust and dirt that were nestled within its curls. There was so much that needed to be said, so much that needed to be done but he didn't have the energy to do either. His body felt broken and he was certain that Hermione felt the same. He thought she might have dozed off and gave a start when he heard her voice.
"So," she whispered, "what next?"
He knew there was a deeper meaning to that question. He thought about all of the healing, both physical and emotional, that the two of them had to face. He thought about his family, probably gathered around Fred at this very moment. He thought about the Burrow and felt a surge of happiness at the thought of being able to return home. Ron also thought about Hermione's parents, knowing that she would want to fetch them as soon as possible. There were so many answers to give to her but he could only think of one.
"We will have a lifetime to figure that out, won't we," he responded, lowering his face to hers.
Yes, I am planning to continue the story although I am not sure how far I will take it.