Author's Note: It started out as a fluff fic and ended up angst. Oh, well.
You never know what these plot bunnies are going to do next. By the way,
most of the "he's" and "she's" in the fic refer to Ron and Hermione, in
case you're wondering.
In His Arms
By like a falling star
Summary: She has never felt rightness like this. Ron&Hermione.
They're not known for their physical intimacy.
She is, by nature and upbringing, somewhat prudish, and doesn't believe in public displays of affection. When she had been Head Girl of Hogwarts she had felt that it wouldn't be 'appropriate behaviour' and that they shouldn't set a bad example for the younger students.
He gets embarrassed 'doing things' in front of his 'little sister', even if she isn't so little anymore and even if she goes about 'doing things' with one Harry Potter.
He kisses her, sometimes, when he thinks no one is looking. He gathers her into his arms the way Ginny gathers daisies in spring, and kisses her. A light peck on the cheek, a tender brush across her temple, or on her lips. Although she claims that she can read him like Hogwarts, A History, she is always pleasantly surprised by such gestures.
She remembers the way he held her that evening in the beginning of their seventh year. They had been bickering as usual, nothing much in retrospect; a trivial little squabble, really, but it had been their first quarrel as a couple and she had stormed up to the girls' dormitories in a fit of frustration. And then the news about Percy had arrived, and as she'd opened the door just a little to try and find out what the commotion was all about, she'd heard it, a plead, plaintive and weak with effort, "Hermione."
She remembers clambering down the stairs, she remembers demanding to know what was going on, the memory of her voice, shrill and bossy, still etched in her mind, a painful reminder of what had happened. He had gone to her then, his eyes glassy and unfocused, not really seeing, and held her, the back of her head resting against his chest. It occurred to her that it should have been the other way around; she should have been the one with her arms around him, warm and comforting, protecting him from harm. But he clung onto her, a life float in stormy weather, and she had let him. It was the most intimate of actions without meaning to be, and the Gryffindors, who had been kept in the dark about the nature of Ron and Hermione's relationship, begun their questioning as soon as it was socially ethical to speak of such 'frivolous' matters in the wake of Percy's death.
She never tires of this, this feeling of being held by him. It's frightening sometimes, the way all he has to do is take her into his arms to make her feel so overwhelmingly safe and loved and in love.
As she feels his arms tighten around her, she knows with a sad certainty that this will be the last time they're together like this. In her mind's eye she can see the final battle taking place, Harry defeating Voldemort. She smiles. She always knew Harry would emerge alive, and not just because good always triumphs over evil. They have won, and she feels glad for this one thing, at least. Ginny will have her happy ending.
She remembers the Cruciatus curse with startlingly painful intensity, remembers Ron's screams mingled with her own. She knows their minds were strong enough to withstand it. She also knows that their bodies weren't. She feels cheated of a life without worry. So many have died. And they will be the next to go.
As she takes her last breath, knowing that he will soon follow her into the unknown abyss beyond, she has her last happy thought: she is dying in his arms.
*
In His Arms
By like a falling star
Summary: She has never felt rightness like this. Ron&Hermione.
They're not known for their physical intimacy.
She is, by nature and upbringing, somewhat prudish, and doesn't believe in public displays of affection. When she had been Head Girl of Hogwarts she had felt that it wouldn't be 'appropriate behaviour' and that they shouldn't set a bad example for the younger students.
He gets embarrassed 'doing things' in front of his 'little sister', even if she isn't so little anymore and even if she goes about 'doing things' with one Harry Potter.
He kisses her, sometimes, when he thinks no one is looking. He gathers her into his arms the way Ginny gathers daisies in spring, and kisses her. A light peck on the cheek, a tender brush across her temple, or on her lips. Although she claims that she can read him like Hogwarts, A History, she is always pleasantly surprised by such gestures.
She remembers the way he held her that evening in the beginning of their seventh year. They had been bickering as usual, nothing much in retrospect; a trivial little squabble, really, but it had been their first quarrel as a couple and she had stormed up to the girls' dormitories in a fit of frustration. And then the news about Percy had arrived, and as she'd opened the door just a little to try and find out what the commotion was all about, she'd heard it, a plead, plaintive and weak with effort, "Hermione."
She remembers clambering down the stairs, she remembers demanding to know what was going on, the memory of her voice, shrill and bossy, still etched in her mind, a painful reminder of what had happened. He had gone to her then, his eyes glassy and unfocused, not really seeing, and held her, the back of her head resting against his chest. It occurred to her that it should have been the other way around; she should have been the one with her arms around him, warm and comforting, protecting him from harm. But he clung onto her, a life float in stormy weather, and she had let him. It was the most intimate of actions without meaning to be, and the Gryffindors, who had been kept in the dark about the nature of Ron and Hermione's relationship, begun their questioning as soon as it was socially ethical to speak of such 'frivolous' matters in the wake of Percy's death.
She never tires of this, this feeling of being held by him. It's frightening sometimes, the way all he has to do is take her into his arms to make her feel so overwhelmingly safe and loved and in love.
As she feels his arms tighten around her, she knows with a sad certainty that this will be the last time they're together like this. In her mind's eye she can see the final battle taking place, Harry defeating Voldemort. She smiles. She always knew Harry would emerge alive, and not just because good always triumphs over evil. They have won, and she feels glad for this one thing, at least. Ginny will have her happy ending.
She remembers the Cruciatus curse with startlingly painful intensity, remembers Ron's screams mingled with her own. She knows their minds were strong enough to withstand it. She also knows that their bodies weren't. She feels cheated of a life without worry. So many have died. And they will be the next to go.
As she takes her last breath, knowing that he will soon follow her into the unknown abyss beyond, she has her last happy thought: she is dying in his arms.
*
