Disclaimer: The wonderful world, creatures, and characters of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling

Fan Fiction

74. Dark

Hermione felt as though she had suddenly gained forty years on her life. Everything about her was slow and achy. Her hands felt brittle and her mind was still back in the battle. She felt so jumpy and uncontrollable.

The bathroom door clicked open and the sound of wet footsteps padded across the room. She jumped and whirled around to find Ron dripping wet and only standing in his towel.

His face was pure scarlet. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I-I just forgot my clothes." He gave her a weak smile, picked up his clothes, and quickly darted back into the bathroom.

Hermione secretly smiled to herself as she tried to catch her breath. Truthfully, she didn't mind sharing a hotel room with Ron. They had been in Canberra for just two days. Kingsley and the Australia Ministry were fervently working to find her parents. Secretly, she felt so useless. Hermione wasn't use to not being able to work or help. She hated just sitting in the hotel room or walking around the city as beautiful as it was. She wanted to find her parents. Her mind was already planning the speeches.

Ron did make it better though. He had been a bit quiet in the beginning and the Muggle aeroplane ride had definitely freaked him out, but otherwise he was sweet.

She snapped out of her stupor as he made as much noise as possible while stepping out of the bathroom.

She desperately needed another distraction from the ominous thoughts of tomorrow. "Ron, come out here." She called.

Hermione unlatched the porch window and slipped outside as Ron followed. Ron leaned over the railing and impulsively grabbed him.

He grinned. "A little high up, aren't we?"

"You were higher in the aeroplane." She remarked.

He shuttered. "Don't remind me."

Hermione leaned a little further and looked out to the twinkling lights of the city. It truly looked like a light show outside. The storefronts beamed neon and the building lights flickered across the water. The darkness was so peacefully and calming. It surrounded them. The laughter of friends on a street corner echoed to their floor. A cool breeze ruffled Ron's hair. She felt a bit calmer now.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Hermione asked.

He nodded and stepped a bit closer to her. Ron leaned down and gently captured her lips in his.

"Getting braver, aren't we?" She asked though she hadn't fully pulled away.

He pouted. "That hurt, Miss Granger."

She giggled softly and tangled her hands in his. "It's getting easier, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. I don't feel so heavy anymore, you know? I felt like everything was on top of me. But I feel a bit lighter now that I'm here and I'm away. It's lucky I came with you."

"Yes, I understand. Those two weeks were longest days of my life. But I'm scared for tomorrow, Ron."

He looked down at her and asked, "why?"

"You have such a luxury. Your parents are so understanding and…"

"What are you talking about?" Ron chuckled.

"You know what I mean! You fight, but you love each other. I know that."

"Are you saying your parents don't love you?"

"It's not that, I just worry what they're going to say. I mean at eleven I was practically taken away from them, gone the whole year, and when I arrived home all I could talk about was a world they didn't understand. It's different for me.

"They might be pissed for a second or two, but when it comes down to it they love you and they'll understand. You did it out of love! I promise."

She hugged him tightly and said, "Well, then, if you promise."