A/n. leiselmae: thanks for reviewing again! You're welcome for writing. Mona: I think you're right about Harry, but he is sixteen and at the epicenter of the Second War. So, I think he might gravitate towards Ginny in the next two books. Also, wine is one of those things that you think won't get you drunk because its classy...and I think that's something you learn when you're sixteen. But you make a good point! Skkygirl: Thanks for the compliment. I'm a girl by the way.
CHAPTER SIX: EXPECTO PATRONUM
The Dementor glided toward Ron and Hermione standing there, clutching hands. Ron let go of her and pulled out his wand from his back pocket. He could feel her eyes of terror burning into his face, but he couldn't look away from his foe. Hermione was a true Gryffindor, very brave indeed, but ever since their third year, when Dementors had roamed the grounds of Hogwarts, she had developed a fear worse than Ron's arachnophobia.
Ron pushed Hermione in back of him and they both drifted away from the Dementor, all the while knowing they'd heard one come in through the front door. Ron couldn't see any other way out of it. He had to at least try the Patronus. If it didn't work, he'd just have to call to Harry at the top of his lungs and hope he'd wake up sober. Was there any way to "accio" Harry?
They drifted farther back as the Dementor leaned forward. Ron could feel his happy memories seeping from his mind.
"Duck down, Hermione!" Ron heard his father's voice whisper to Hermione. A flash of relief swept through him. There were only two. It was his father who'd come in through the kitchen.
Another happy memory left him. Replaced by the image of her petrified body lying in the hospital wing in their second year. The happiness drained...he could see Hermione with Krum at the Yule Ball together. More pain...he could hear the fear in his voice when he felt like he'd never hold her again...'I love you and don't you fucking forget it!' he remembered.
He could hear the panicked voice of his father trying to think of a happy memory, but none came.
'I love you and don't fucking forget it!' he remembered.
"I love you." Ron heard himself say the words and smiled. A surge of energy pounded through his body. He pointed his wand at the Dementor, a dumb smile still stuck on his face and exclaimed, "EXPECTO...PATRONUM!"
The words echoed through the house. A white beam flooded from Ron's wand and took the shape of a petite female figure. She was regal, yet earthly. Powerful, yet calming. Strong, yet tender. She pushed the Dementors back and expelled them into the night.
The room was motionless and black as night.
"Ron!" Hermione jumped up and through her arms around him. They were both shaking.
A small cluster of people began to form on the stairs. Most looked bewildered, but Mrs. Weasley was looking very worried.
Hermione let go of him and fixed her eyes on the body Mr. Weasley was now silently dragging in through the back door. The twins, Harry, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley flooded into the living room.
"He's been kissed, this man 'as," Mr. Weasley stated coldly. "We knew there'd be casualties. Best inform the order. And I'll get this man to St. Mungo's tonight. You stay with the children, dear. Contact the Order. I don't know where the other two guards are. Their brooms are gone...could they have fled? That's rather cowardly...of course I wasn't exactly at my bravest a minute a go...look at this poor fellow..." Mr. Weasley had worked himself into a tizzy of incoherent speech, which one of the twins finally broke.
"We're coming with you, dad," said Fred, who still looked rather groggy.
"No. I'm to be going alone." With that, Mr. Weasley pulled the guard into the fireplace and flooed them both to St. Mungo's.
Moments later, everyone shuffled into the living room, except for Hermione and Ron, who were anchored to the spot where Ron had saved them.
"How did we sleep through that?" Harry asked quietly.
"We had too much to drink," answered George plainly.
"It's fine," Ron said, staring blankly towards the back door.
"No, it's not fine...I should have been here." Harry's voice was heavy and dry.
"Really, Harry. We're fine," Hermione said, staring up at Ron. "He did just fine." Ron looked down upon her as she smiled weakly. They were still both very shaken and although Ron could understand why the others were so relaxed, not having witnessed any of what had happened just minutes ago, he couldn't help feeling like he and Hermione were trapped in a bubble. It was as if they were the only people who could understand how each other felt. In some ways, Ron thought, it had been that way for years.
"Why don't you lie down for a second?" Hermione suggested, motioning towards the couch.
Ron stretched out on the sofa as Hermione came and sat beside him. He placed his hands around her waist and pulled her down next to him. The room was dark. Mrs. Weasley was making sleepy time tea in the kitchen. He could hear her greet members of the Order as they Apparated outside to keep watch over the house. Fred and George were dosing in oversized armchairs. Harry was trying his best to convince Ginny that her father was going to be fine taking the guard to St. Mungo's alone.
Hermione pulled Ron's arm over her stomach. She pressed her forehead against his cheek. She kissed the corner of his mouth. He felt her smile. Turning slowly, her mouth met his and for a moment he could feel the energy of the Patronus. He could feel it inside of him.
"I love you," she whispered. "And don't you fucking forget it." She laughed a little to herself and he flashed her a knowing smile.
After about an hour or so, Mrs. Weasley was still buzzing around the kitchen, fetching blankets and tea for everyone. Fred and George were fast asleep in their armchairs and were covered in way too many homemade blankets. Ginny was lying on the floor next to near Harry. In between the two blankets that covered them, Ron could see their hands clasped together. He looked contentedly at the twins and then down at Ginny and Harry. Then he looked down at the girl in his arms. He had loved her forever and he would continue loving her for the rest of his life. The war was coming, but he and Hermione would be by Harry's side no matter what. That's where they were meant to be, ever since the first day on the train. They were meant to fight for Harry ...together.
He kissed her forehead and, feeling the weight of her body comfortably sleeping against him, slowly drifted off into a deep slumber.
A/n. Gypsy the Centaur really hopes you enjoyed this tale. The idea has been kicking around for ages and finally finally finally it is in "print" for all to see. REVIEW. Please, really, it would mean the absolute world to me to know what you think. Remember, fantasy sometimes morphs into reality- so be ready!