First chapter, here we go. Had a bit of trouble with uploading the first chapter, forgive me. I don't own any of the characters in the story, they were created by J.K. Rowling as everyone should know by now.

Anyways just really felt like writing a bit recently with quarantine and all and Harry/Hermione fic really just got me into the mood. Will be posting frequently for as long as I can write and hopefully get a decent ending in.

The first few chapters will be a bit short with set up and such but hopefully will be able to get out some longer chapters later this week.

If you are here and reading this, thanks for taking the time to read, I hope you enjoy and are staying safe and healthy! :)

"AGHHH"

Harry jolted upright, cold sweat covering his body. Carefully he peeled the sheets from himself, feeling them peel off like a second skin. He had thought once Voldemort had been defeated his dreams would no longer be haunted by the ghostly visage of the past. That he, Harry, would be free.

"Another nightmare Harry?"

Harry nodded slowly to the girl laying next to him.

"Harry?" Ginny repeated, clearly still half asleep.

Harry pulled himself to the edge of the bed.

"What else." he replied curtly as he ran his hands over his face. "Sorry to wake you."

Ginny muttered something incoherent as she rolled back over falling back asleep almost immediately.

Harry pulled himself off the bed grabbing a shirt and pants that lay strewn on the floor. He walked down the twisting stairs of the Burrow, through the living room and out the door. Harry stood at the edge of the water that bordered the land around the house. Pale moonlight broke through the clouds dancing across the water. He fought the tears he felt welling in his eyes as he stared out across the empty lake.

It had been three months since the war. They had defeated Voldemort but the cost had been high. Much higher than anyone had imagined. Remus, Tonks, poor little Colin Creevey, Lavander Brown, just to name a few, but the loss that had hit everyone the hardest. Ron.

Harry felt his knees buckle, falling to the ground, as he the scene played out in his head for the thousandth time.

—

"AVADA KEDAVRA"

"EXPELLIARMUS"

Harry and Voldemort exchanged spell after spell. They danced through the great hall spells and curses flying every which way.

Harry clenched his teeth as he continued to hold off the Dark Lord. Behind him Neville, Ron, and Hermione had finally cornered Nagini and were slowly advancing towards the large snake - and the last Horcrux.

"EXPELLIARUMS" Harry yelled again as another green bolt flew towards the duo behind him.

"Just a little bit more" Harry thought.

Ron inched closer to the giant serpent with his wand raised. Neville was holding Gryffindor's Sword tightly as he prepared to destroy the creature. Hermione held a strong Protego charm in front of them which she had used to drive Nagini to a corner of the Great Hall.

"EXPEL-"

Harry's spell was cut short as he felt his foot catch on some fallen debris. His stomach dropped, he felt as though he was falling in slow motion.

"HERMIONE! NO!" Harry screamed.

He could barely hear his own scream as he continued falling. It felt as if layers and layers of dirt had been pushed inside his ears.

Voldemort wore a hideous smile as he flicked his wand towards Hermione.

"AVADA KEDAVARA!" Voldemort howled.

Harry had seen no fear on Hermione's face as the curse flew towards her. She had closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.

He had closed his eyes also as he felt his body hit the cold stone floor. He heard Neville's cry as he swung the sword down onto Nagini. The sound of the blade meeting flesh. Voldemort's howl. Ron's screams. A thud, and then silence.

Harry felt a knot in his throat as he opened his eyes. Had Neville killed the snake? Had that stopped Voldemort's Curse form hitting Hermione?

Tears began to roll down his cheeks as he pushed himself from the ground. His vision blurry from the tears and from his head slamming into the stone.

"Hermione..? Neville..? Ron..?" his voice was weak and raspy as he stumbled over towards where his friends had been.

"Ron… oh Ron." Hermione sobbed, her head buried in the young Weasley's chest.

Neville sat slumped on both knees beside them, Gryffindor's Sword laying limply from his hands. Tear tracks cut through the dirt and grime built up on his face.

Harry dropped down beside them with a blank look on his face. His tears now flowing freely. He grabbed Ron's hand shaking it gently.

"We did it Ron… We won… Voldemort's…"

Ron's hands were ice cold, his arm heavy, as Harry shook it up and down.

"C'mon Ron… we did it, it's over… please…"

Harry began shaking his best friends lifeless hand more violently.

"Ron… no… please… Ron…"

He began to sob uncontrollably as the reality set in. Ron Weasley was dead.

Short A/N - The italicized section is Harry reliving what happened at the end of the war incase that wasn't clear :o Thanks for reading and will be back soon with more chapters! :) If you enjoyed this short chapter/want to see more please consider leaving a review or dropping a fav/follow, it's never required but always appreciated as it lets me know people are wanting more of the story!