Chapter 6-Tears

Disclaimer: *checks mail* huh! *gasps* I got sued! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL U! I'M NOT J/K ROWLING! If I was, I wouldn't be here now would I? I'd be working on the 6th/7th book! Sheesh!

Hermione awoke to see Harry at her side clutching her hand. She smiled at this but made no attempt to move it. She also saw Dumbledore at the end of her bed smiling at the scene with a twinkle in his eye. Hermione sat up, blushed slightly, and said. "I don't mind."

As she could see Dumbledore looking at Harry holding her hand. When Hermione sat up, it awoke Harry and he yawned as he lifted his head. "Oh hi Professor." Harry said and quickly pulled his hand away from Hermione's.

"It's quite all right." said Dumbledore. "I know love when I see it. I should leave you two alone." Both Harry and Hermione looked at each other blushing furiously. Harry then remembered when Professor McGonagall had asked Professor Dumbledore 'Who will tell them?' and turned to ask Dumbledore what she meant, but he was gone.

"'Mionie. You O.K.?" Hermione saw a look of concern in Harry's eyes.

"I'm all right. But where's Ron?"

"I dunno." He said, stumped. "I hope he's O.K."

"Me too." Hermione added in a very worried tone.

"Well, when I asked Dumbledore about Ron, he just said, 'Ron was truly a great friend and those are hard to come by these days.' No more, no less."

Dumbledore walked back in and Harry asked him about Ron. He sighed and replied, "Well Harry, I'm just going to make it straight to the point." He paused and looked into Harry's and Hermione's eyes.

"Ron's…..dead."

Due to the fact that he couldn't remember it, he was crying (once again). "He risked his life for you like a true friend would do." Harry fell to the ground and wept. Just wept. Hermione was silently crying in shock. 'How could this happen to me? US? This only happens to other people. Never us!' Hermione tried to deny it but she knew the horrible truth.

She saw Harry crying and her shock grew more. 'Harry is crying?' She had never seen Harry cry before and it came to Hermione that it wasn't that big of a shock. After all, he just found out his best friend is dead. She got out of bed and knelt beside him. She pulled him up close to her and comforted him.

Dumbledore left the room. Hermione was saying, "Ssshhh. It's gonna be ok. It'll be alright," while stroking his hair gently. His sobs came to sniffles and she tilted his head up and looked into his eyes. They no longer held that spark. They had no life within them. There was just nothing. He weakly smiled and wiped a tear from her soft cheek with his thumb. "Thanks 'Mione." Hermione didn't know what to say. This was the first time she had ever seen Harry cry.

"You know, if it weren't for you I'd see no reason to live." Harry said sadly.

"Why?"

Harry burst out talking like he had been waiting to say this for a long time. "Because of me three people I loved are dead. My Mum, Dad, and now Ron. All because they risked their lives for mine. All to keep me alive. If I were dead, it'd be much better off for everyone else. I wouldn't be putting everyone in danger."

He paused for a minute then continued. "But knowing that I have you Hermione Granger, I don't want to die. I want to spend every waking moment with you." Silence. "'Mione? I love you."

"I love you too." Their faces were inches apart and slowly closing in. Then their lips touched in a soft, passionate, beautiful kiss. They stood up and Harry gave her his 'million dollar smile.' She went weak in the knees like she does every time.

A/N: I finally added some romance for those of you who like fluff. (there's more to come) *hint hint*