A Never-Ending Cycle
Summary: Ron and Hermione are left in the common room alone the night before the funeral and contemplate the cycle that is their relationship. HBP Spoilers, obviously…
Disclaimer- I totally own Harry Potter, my name is J.K.Rowling and I am one of the richest women in Britain. (It's at this stage that the people from the crazy house come and get me and put me in a straight jacket… In other words, I'm crazy to think I own Harry Potter…or are you for thinking that I could?)
It was late. So late in fact that everyone had departed from the common room and the only people left were Harry, Ron and Hermione. The trio was positioned on the sofas next to the fire, Ron and Hermione next to each other and Harry opposite them.
They were silent, but their thoughts were visibly on their faces; Dumbledore was gone.
Staring into the fire, Harry shifted in his chair. "I'm going to bed. 'Night." said Harry, getting up and holding up his hand.
"Night." replied Ron, looking up at him as he walked up the staircase.
Ron and Hermione sat in silence for several minutes. "Do you think he's going to be ok?" asked Hermione quietly, looking at her hands.
"I guess so. Once the initial shock kicks in. I don't think he has really accepted it yet," replied Ron.
Hermione's eyes welled up. She sniffed as a tear trickled down her cheek. Ron looked at her. "It's going to be ok." He said, shifting over so he was right next to her. Hermione looked up at him, her big brown eyes glittering with tears. "How do you know?"
Ron looked at his feet, not quite sure how to answer the question.
"It's strange, thinking we might not come back." Hermione said quietly. Ron nodded, "Yeah, it is." Hermione sniffed. "This place is my home. It has been for the past 6 years. I don't want to say goodbye." She replied, her eyes welling up again and tears spilling down her cheeks. Ron embraced her, as she sobbed into his shoulder.
They stayed in that position for quit a few moments before Hermione shifted. Ron let go slowly, as she put her hand on his knee. They sat in silence for a couple of minutes before Hermione sniffed again, but sat up straight. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah." replied Ron, uncertainly. "Do you like me?" she replied.
Ron blushed, "What? I- I, uh – um." He stuttered. Hermione smiled, her face still blotchy. "We always end up at the same place. It's a never-ending cycle. I like you, you like me. You get jealous, I get mad, we don't talk and then we make up and end up in exactly the same place that we began at. Why do we do it? Why don't we just go screw it and – " Hermione was cut off when Ron placed his lips gently on hers.
It was short but when they broke away, they both grinned at each other. Resting her forehead on his, Hermione smiled. "That's more like it." She said before placing her lips on Ron's again. It was more passionate this time, as Ron placed his arms around her waist and Hermione climbed onto his lap.
When they finally broke away, Hermione smiled. "So I guess that's the end of the cycle." Ron said, grinning. Hermione nodded as Ron kissed her forehead.
"We better get to bed. Tomorrows going to be difficult enough as it is without being sleepy." Hermione said softly, getting up and reaching for Ron's hand. She led him over to the staircase. "Goodnight." Hermione said quietly, standing on tiptoe and kissing him. Ron reciprocated by placing his arms around her waist.
They reluctantly broke away and stared into each other's eyes. "Goodnight." Ron replied, as Hermione squeezed his hand and walked up the staircase.
Ron sighed and smiled softly. Even after all the bad that had occurred over the past year, he felt that they cycle had finally come to rest at a place they both agreed on.