Chapter 2

This time when Hermione woke she could see the pink light of dawn creeping through Ron's window. As her eyes adjusted she saw George's cot was empty and bed made. Ron was finally sleeping so she let her mind wander while she lay there listening to his shallow breaths. They smelled of ash, sweat, smoke, and earth but their clean pajamas still smelled like fresh laundry at the Weasley's. This brought her great comfort. She was relieved to be in Ron's fresh clothes and not the same outfits she'd been pulling out of her beaded purse, washing in rivers, and cleaning with sloppy enchantments. She'd taught herself a few spells but it wasn't the same as Molly's honed magic. Hermione wondered if Harry and Ginny were wrapped up like her and Ron. She couldn't hear any of the usual bustling downstairs. She wondered what time it was and why George left so early - did he even sleep at all? Perhaps facing everyone's sympathetic looks was too much to bear. Very few sentiments were exchanged last night. What was there to say? They had only shared their sorrow through actions, touches embraces, and looks. The words hadn't come yet.

As the dark thoughts consumed her mind again Hermione rolled further back into Ron's sleeping embrace knowing his warmth would make her feel safe again. She felt something against her leg that pushed away all other thoughts quickened her heartbeat. She was not embarrassed or afraid. She knew how they felt about each other and the time for their games had ended. She found the sensation exhilarating. She considered that she and Ron were likely to use this newfound lust as a crutch to move through the pain they were experiencing. Ron began to stir. Hermione knew the exact moment Ron realized the position he found himself in. His body tensed and he began to pull away. Hermione locked on to him to keep him in place and wriggled back into him - wordlessly giving him permission to stay as they were. He wrapped his arm around her torso and pulled her in close. They drifted in and out of sleep for another hour or so before Hermione turned to him.

"I think I need to shower, and maybe eat something. You probably should too" she muttered mid stretch

"Can't we just stay here forever?" Ron moaned

"We should get up anyways before your mom comes around"

"Fair point" Ron answered

Hermione shivered at the cold air when she finally left the warm cocoon of their bed. She grabbed a random towel off a hook and shuffled out of the room - checking to see if the coast was clear. She only passed Dean in the hallway. He was also holding a towel but offered the shower to Hermione first.

Hermione jumped at her own reflection. Eyes sunken, grime in the creases of her face and neck, hair chalky and tangled. This shower was long overdue. She used the toilet while she waited for the water to get hot. She looked at the various potions and soaps lining the shelves smelling various concoctions putting aside ones she might use. She used her series of spells to detangle her hair before jumping in the steamy shower. She was still letting hot water pour over her when there was a knock at the door and some muffled words coming from the other side -it sounded like Ron.

"I can't hear you - open the door" she shouted

"Mione I've got a clean towel and some clothes from Ginny here if you need it I'll just leave them here" he leaned in the bathroom to drop the bundle on the counter

"Ron?"

"Yea…?" He answered one foot still in the hallway eyes averted

"Stay?" She spoke plainly peeking around the curtain catching Ron's bewildered expression.

He pulled himself into the bathroom and closed the door behind him after doing a thorough check over his shoulder.

He leaned against the door and cleared his throat awkwardly using his toe to straighten the tassels on the bathmat. She pulled the curtain back only slightly to reveal her wet steaming arm. She grabbed Ron's hand and drew him to her. She ran her wet hand through his hair dampening it. She brought her lips down to his gently. This had been their first kiss since Hogwarts. This one was more tender. Less urgent.

"Do you want to come in?"

"Bloody hell Hermione. What's gotten into you?"

"Life is short and fragile Ron. Don't you just want to feel good? Just for a moment?"

"yeah...I do" Ron stared at her wet shape through the patterned shower curtain as he stamped his pajama pants to the ground and she lifted his shirt over his head. She stepped back into the shower as he removed his boxers and joined her in the cramped space. They stood facing each other for a moment to take it all in. They had shared everything, seen everything, knew every quirk the other had - but this was new.

"I suppose there is no going back from this" Ron nearly grinned as he ran his hand through his hair.

They took turns under the showerhead, watching the grime run down the drain as they washed clean from the battle. They started off a little clumsy, conscious of their exposed bodies in the small tub, but as they got more comfortable in the cramped space they were less hesitant to brush up against each other under the hot water until, eventually, they sought out eachothers touch caressing a hand, bruise or scrape. Hermione traced Ron's lacerations on his shoulder. Ron kissed the scar etched in Hermione's arm. When they had scrubbed themselves clean Ron, emboldened, grabbed Hermione by the waist and pushed her against the slippery tile, and kissed her deeply and passionately. She let her hands roam around his body. They were both skinny and gaunt from their months of hiding and running. Their ribs and hips protruding more than usual. She let her hand wrap around him stroking him gently. Ron held back a gasp. He steadied himself on the tile behind her. After gathering himself he pressed his lips to Hermione's and slipped his fingers into her and she moaned into his mouth. Hermione's mind felt unburdened as thoughts blurred together and all her horrid feelings washed away; replaced by the intensity of this moment. They explored for a short while until they were interrupted by Dean tapping on the door. "Hermione? Are you almost done?" Ron cursed under his breath and pulled away.

"Errrr...Yeah just one minute" Just as quickly as her thoughts dissipated they came flooding back.

"Aparate into your bedroom" she whispered to him

"No way. It will wake the house." He whispered back

"What choice do you have?"

"It's only Dean, what does he care? " Ron offered.

Hermione chewed on her lip for a moment. "Fine, but let me step out first to make sure no one is hanging about. If you hear me mention "clean clothes" the coast is clear. "Dirty clothes" - stay put"

"Huh?" Ron's face twisted into the familiar expression he made right before he called her "mad"

"Just do as I say" she huffed turning off the tap and stepping out to towel off she ran the sink tap to muffle the sounds of two people clamoring around in the cramped bathroom. Once dried she threw the towel to Ron and pulled on the clean clothes he had brought her. She turned to look at Ron, hair disheveled, towel around his neck and his pajamas hastily thrown on. She smirked at him. His cheeks flushed.

"We should really make a habit of this" he smirked back. She rolled her eyes nudged him playfully. Hermoine turned off the tap and peeked out of the door "No one is here, go quick" she whispered over her shoulder. Ron slid out behind her to run up the stairs and she stepped into Ginny's room causally.

Ginny was alone in her room and looked relieved to be rescued from her solitude. Ginny filled her in on the morning updates. It was earlier than she'd realized. Molly and Arthur had only just returned and the rest of the house was still asleep. Ginny said Harry was already in Ron's room getting dressed in hopes of hiding the room swap from any early risers. Hermione's mind wandered thinking of the damp haired Ron currently explaining himself to Harry .

Ginny and Hermione shared their worries. Their concern for George and his sudden absence, about Molly and Arthur and Teddy. Both girls avoided the names of those who were gone. Harry interrupted them.

"Hey - I'm going to make some tea and toast? Would you like some?"

"Sure, thanks Harry" Hermione agreed.

"I'll come help" Ginny offered, wiping her eyes on her sleeve taking a deep breath, and swallowing the rest of the tears waiting to be shed

"I'll get Ron" Hermione suggested. Harry held Hermione's gaze for a second and she caught a cheeky knowingness buried beneath his weathered expression and concern for the girls' apparent distress

When she entered the room Ron was on his back staring at the ceiling. He'd yet to change out of the damp pajamas. He'd conjoured a small flame to stave off the draft in his room

"Harry and Ginny are making breakfast" Hermione offered

"What are we supposed to do without Fred?" Ron responded after a long pause.

Hermione's heart stopped. Hearing his name startled Hermione. She hadn't heard anyone say it out loud since they left Hogwarts. Like everyone else, it had been playing on repeat in her mind.

"You know I can't even remember the last thing I said to him" Ron added voice catching… "probably something stupid… I spent all night trying to remember. Like if fell asleep the memory would be gone."

" I wish I had an answer for you but I don't. There was so much chaos."

"I don't even know who George is without Fred...He feels like a stranger to me now."

"He's still George - he's still your brother" she sat on the bed next to him placing a hand on his leg tears escaping out of the corners of her eyes.

"I don't know how to walk down there and talk to my own family. I don't know who we are anymore. Do we smile anymore? Do we laugh? Can we talk about him?" Ron sobbed digging the heels of his palms into his eyes

"Think of how disappointed Fred would be if we stopped laughing and talking about him. His two favorite things" Hermione swallowed her tears - she wanted to be strong in this moment.

Ron repositioned his head to lay Hermione's lap. "Can't we stay here? Just us? I don't have the energy to be with anyone else"

"We can stay here a little bit - but we can't stay here forever. The longer we stay the harder it will be to leave"

"5 minutes then" Ron agreed. Hermione leaned back against the headboard and stared out the window absent-mindedly running her fingers through his hair. Ron was recounting a few memories from the night before trying to nail down the last moments he spent with his brother. Hermione offered any details she could, filling in the gaps in his memory.

A few minutes passed when a familiar owl landed at Ron's window with a note.

"Why do I know that owl?" Hermione commented lifting Ron's head and making her way to the window.

She detached and unrolled the parchment. Scribbled across it read:

George is at mine. He's safe

AJ

"AJ?" Hermione questioned

"Angelina Johnson" Ron spoke with certainty as he pulled on some jeans and a jumper.

"Ahhhh. Of course"

"Everything is about to get real messy I reckon" Ron scoffed

"Probably" Hermione responded closing the door behind them as they made their way downstairs.