Ron found her out near the pond. She was sitting with her legs drawn up into her jumper and her arms wrapped tight around them. The worst part was the rocking.
Merlin, she'd been through so much with the war. They all had, but he could see that her sanity was a near thing. She was holding on by the thinnest thread. The doctors had mentioned uncontrollable and repetitive actions soothed victims of the cruciatus curse, but Hermione hated them. She'd relax and begin to rock only to see the furtive pity in some fool's eyes.
He knew she frequently caught him at it. He'd tried to be the man she needed, but he wasn't. Being stupid and hurting her more was not quidditch.
He walked back toward his childhood home. It was a safe place for him, but Hermione had no safe place. She had no place at all really. He bent his head down and let his hair hide the world from his view.
She needed a place to be safe. She needed someone that wouldn't pity her. He hated it, but she didn't need him.
He took a deep breath.
As fool ideas went, this one was king, but something told him it was the right thing to do. He took a deep breath to fortify himself and let himself flash through the night to the place where his nightmares lived. Malfoy Manor rose stark into the night sky. There was no welcoming glow of light from the windows, but he knew they were there. He could sense their magic irritating his skin.
It felt like hers did now.
He pushed open the gate and stepped onto the grounds.
Author's Note
I've written a good Ron. It's time for silly dancing. I'm going to finish up some chapters on my older stories and some newer ones, so there will be fewer of these for a bit.
I love reading what you think about these fragmented stories, but I miss some of my more stable universes. I will be back here because this is such fun.
Thank you for making my day with your reviews.
-Anna