Disclaimer: This fanfic writer does not own Harry Potter.
Hermione was jolted awake by an elbow to her side. She grunted in pain, frantically trying to get a grip on her surroundings. She had her wand out and pointed at the offender before her brain recognized that it was Ron. He was tossing and turning, sweat pouring off of him. "No." He moaned, and Hermione realized what was happening.
She shook his arm but he just flailed it at her and continued tossing and turning. He shouted and Hermione jumped off the bed, narrowly avoiding his leg. She tossed her wand on the bed side table and jumped on him, straddling him and pinning his thrashing limbs.
"Ron. RON." She said, slapping him in the face. He woke with a shuddering gasp and stared at her incredulously. His eyes didn't appear to be seeing her for a second, and she knew that memory of his vacant eyes would haunt her own dreams. He seemed to snap back into himself as he did recognize her.
"Hermione." He whispered, and she rolled off of him, smoothing his hair and laying next to him, just holding him in comfort.
"It's okay. You're alright." She soothed.
"I wasn't dreaming about me." He said roughly, rubbing her back gently as if to assure himself she was real.
"I'm okay." She whispered, kissing him quickly. He relaxed in her arms and, somehow, they both drifted back to sleep.
Hermione was back at Malfoy Manor. But this time there was no one there to save her. No Harry being dragged to the dungeons, ashen-faced and gaping at her, no Ron to scream her name and offer to take her place. There was only her and Draco Malfoy's tortured silver eyes. All she felt was pain, excruciating pain. She just wanted it to be over. Tears were running down her face as she screamed.
But then Ron was there. She could hear him begging for them to stop torturing her. "Hermione, Hermione." He pleaded, and her own eyes shot open. "Hermione." He whispered. "It was just a dream."
"You saved me." She murmured, before falling straight back into sleep.
The next morning found her tired and sore, face dry and tongue fuzzy. It had been like that every night so far. They would take turns waking each other up from nightmares the entire night. All of that nonsense about someone you loved sleeping next to you being able to stop your nightmares was just that, nonsense. She got more sleep than she would have alone, but only because of his reassurances after she woke up. She wondered if the nightmares would ever go away.
She was pinned under Ron's arm, his shoulder pressing into her chest. His head was turned towards her and she giggled as he snored. The sound made his eyes pop open. His bright blue gaze narrowed in on her.
"Think my snoring's funny, do you?" He hoisted himself up and tickled her sides mercilessly.
"Okay, okay." She gasped. "I'm sorry. It's sweet, really." He gave her an unimpressed look as he let her go and rolled into a sitting position on his side of the bed. He was wearing only bright orange Chudley Cannons pajama pants, and Hermione took a moment to admire the muscles in his back, how they shifted under his skin.
The moment was ruined by the topic of conversation he chose. "You said I saved you." He said softly, turning to face her. "What did you mean?"
She swallowed. "Your screams…that night. They tethered me to reality, made me know someone cared. They saved me. And then, in my dream you and Harry weren't there and no one was coming to rescue me. But you said my name and it bled into my dream and you saved me again."
He was speechless, he came around the bed and Hermione stood up so he could hug her. "You…you were so brave. You didn't tell them anything. Not even when she…" He trailed off and pulled back to trace the mudblood scar etched into her skin. "If I ever meet a dementor again, that's what I'll hear. Your screams. That's my worst memory. Everything that happened, nothing hurt as much as when she tortured you."
Hermione stared at him for a moment in wonder. She wondered if she would ever deserve him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "How did I get so lucky?" She breathed before kissing him. She tried to convey every emotion she felt through it, because there was really no way to say it. Well…maybe one way. She deepened the kiss, tugging him so she was laying down and his hand dropped to her waist and she was running her hand down his chest…knock knock knock!
Hermione cursed into his mouth and Ron chuckled. The sound was music to her ears, despite the annoyance of being interrupted. "Ron! Hermione! Breakfast!" Ginny's voice shouted through the door.
"Later." He promised, turning to put on a t-shirt, and if she hadn't been laying on the bed Hermione was sure she would have swooned.
"So, there's been word from Kingsley." Mr. Weasley informed them. "Order of Merlin's for everyone in the Order, including you four." He motioned to Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. Hermione was taken aback as she realized that they were technically not Order members and never had been.
"Are they giving posthumous ones?" Harry asked quietly, gaze locked intently on Mr. Weasley.
"Yes." Was all he responded. "We're to receive them at Hogwarts at noon, so be ready by ten to." He stood from the table after barely touching his eggs and left the room. Hermione exchanged a glance with Ron. Neither of his parents had been eating much lately.
"Morning youngsters." Charlie said as he ambled into the kitchen. Ginny glared at the term.
"You're still here, are you?" She teased. Charlie raised his eyebrows.
"Gin-gin I am deeply wounded. You used to beg me to come 'round." Hermione bit her lip in amusement at the nickname.
"Mmm." She agreed noncommittally. "That was before I knew how much of a wanker you are."
He gasped and sprinted at her, but she was much too fast. She made a beeline for the garden and Hermione watched Charlie chase her around and around the property. Harry and Hermione exchanged a baffled look. Siblings are barmy, she decided. Ron further confirmed this theory, as he hadn't batted an eye during this entire exchange, continuing to shovel eggs into his mouth without a care in the world.
After franticly getting read, all eight of the Weasley's plus Harry, Hermione, and Fleur, trudged up the stairs into Hogwarts. It was already back to somewhat normal, there was certainly less rubble than Hermione had remembered. The Great Hall had been completely restored and redecorated, and it was filled with important people, ministry officials, and reporters.
Hermione cringed. She wanted to avoid being the topic of headlines for as long as possible. A goal that was apparently ending today. She laced her fingers through Ron's and marched chin up to her seat in-between him and Harry. Ginny sat on the other side of Harry, the rest of the Weasley's on her other side. Ron extended a long leg into the aisle.
Hermione watched as good people, her friends and family, were awarded for the good they had done in the war. She had a sudden recollection of when she was young and her mother explaining it wasn't always easy to be the hero. She had idolized the heroes of stories, but now she knew that these people, while they were heroes, had simply been doing what was right at the time, against all odds. They had started with those who had died, Ron's hand gripped hers tightly at mention of his brother, and Harry's as they mentioned Sirius, Remus, and Tonks.
The way they were handing them out was bizarre. They were doing sections of people in alphabetical order by first name. Eventually only the three of them were left. Ron went up first, she squeezed his hand before he left. He accepted the Order of Merlin First Class graciously and she whistled as he walked off of the stage. He stayed put next to it, and she knew he was waiting for her and Harry.
"Receiving the Order of Merlin, First Class, for her efforts and extreme bravery in the war, Miss Hermione Jean Granger." Ron winked at her from the opposite side of the stage as she bowed her head and accepted the award. She walked down he stairs and stood beside him, hands almost touching but not quite. She could feel the room take a collective breath as Kingsley paused before announcing the last one.
"I am honoured, to be giving this Order of Merlin, First Class, to one of the bravest men I have ever known. Without his efforts in the war, none of us would be standing here today. I am proud to give this award to Mr. Harry James Potter. The room erupted, but Hermione knew the only people that mattered to Harry were those closest to him. She beamed up at him as she clapped and he joined the two of them beside the stage. He nodded at them, and Ron led them out of the room. They emerged into the corridor outside and all three of them took a deep breath.
"Is this going to happen all the time now, the fame?" Ron asked, and Harry grinned, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Finally, he gets it." Harry quipped and Hermione grinned, bumping Harry with her shoulder.
"Um, Hermione?" A voice called cautiously from behind them. Hermione spun around and smiled at her old dormmate.
"Hey Parvati, what's up?" Hermione could feel but not see Harry and Ron exchange a look behind her back in confusion.
"She's awake." Parvati said softly, and Hermione nodded her head firmly.
"I'll meet you guys back home." Her eyes rested on Ron as she said home, and he smiled at her. With no further explanation, she set off back to the Hospital Wing. Luckily, the bodies had been moved; Hermione didn't want to know to where. She walked quickly and with a purpose, not wanting to allow her mind to rest too long on what had happened in these halls. She made her way to the back of the infirmary, nodding to Madame Pomfrey, and stopped outside Lavender's bed.
"Lavender?" She called softly.
"Come in." A quiet voice responded. Lavender's scars had begun to heal, but not entirely. Hermione wondered if she would have them her whole life. "Thank you for the magazines." She whispered.
Hermione sat down next to the bed. "I'm sorry." She said quietly. "For every mean thing I said and did to you. I was jealous, and I didn't know how to control that feeling. I was stupid and petty and mean, and if you never forgive me I understand. But I needed to apologize. I am not that person anymore."
"Neither am I." Lavender responded, just as quietly. "I was not blameless Hermione. And I'm sorry too, for what it's worth." They say there in silence for a moment. "I forgive you. Because we were young, well I guess it was only a year ago, Merlin." She laughed. "But the war, it did things to us and we lost…all of our innocence." Her eyes met Hermione's. "I think it's time for a new start." She held out her hand, and Hermione was reminded of Malfoy offering Harry his friendship. Godric that felt like decades ago. She grasped the other woman's hand with her own and pulled her into a hug.
"You look great." Lavender told her with a smile. "I wish I'd come out of this looking as good."
"As if." Hermione scoffed. "You look badass. Do you know Bill Weasley?" Lavender startled at the seemingly abrupt change in conversation.
Lavender nodded. I saw him at the Triwizard Tournament, I guess that's where he saw Fleur for the first time."
"Yes." Hermione agreed.
"He was also extremely handsome." Lavender admitted, and Hermione chuckled.
"That's exactly what I was getting at. He was scratched by Greyback too. But now he's even more handsome, just rugged. Trust me when I say you won't be able to keep the boys off of you once those heal. It adds a little bit of dangerous to your attractiveness."
Lavender giggled. "Thank you. But you're not my type." She winked flirtatiously at Hermione. "And don't you have a boyfriend?"
Hermione's eyes shot to Lavenders. "Yes." Was all she said.
"He may have been my first boyfriend, but he wasn't my first love. I'm happy for you guys."
"Thank you."
"I expect to see more of you now that we're friends, Hermione."
"It's a deal, Lavender."
Hermione walked out of the hospital wing feeling a little lighter than she had before. She was beginning to build a life again. There were going to be good days and bad days, she just had to meet the day as it was. She walked up to a thoroughly dishevelled Harry and Ginny next to a slightly disturbed looking Ron and beamed at them all, sliding her hand through Ron's. A lot of people don't realize how bad the after effects of a war are on those who fight in them. They assume the fighting is the worst of it. But there was a glimmer of hope among the gloom. They would just keep having to find that silver lining in each and every moment, in each and every day. Together.