Lurking Out Of Sight
Chapter 3
A tear ran down his cheek and landed on Hermione's lips.
"Hermione, at least I'll never leave you."
Hermione was fighting a battle inside of herself. She had no clue who this stranger was, but she really felt like she knew him.
Ron gently pulled her close to his body in an attempt to make her warm and Hermione's mental 'eyes' bulged and a jolt passed through her body. She was on top of this stranger. She didn't know who he was and it was starting to drive her crazy. Visions of some deranged and psychotic Death Eater flashed infront of her eyes.
Or…maybe none of this could be real…
"Sleep Hermione, I wont let anything happen...rest and I hope you wake up soon. It's weird not having you here to nag at me all the time."
Ron? It's Ron...he...I'm on top of Ron? What is happening in this world? I really hope Harry is alright...Harry and everyone else. Ron?
Hermione's mental battle turned from 'shrieks' to barley whispers when she felt Ron's hand find hers. The jolt passed through her again and her cheeks grew hot. She had always had a crush on Ron. But…he was acting like he liked her too. He was holding her, he was holding her hand too. She had never been so close to him and she was beginning to like it.
Slowly she drifted off into a pleasant sleep. No nightmares, no confusing dreams, just blissful painless, empty, and dreamless sleep to look forward to.
Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and really wished she were back. He would give anything to have his nagging, controlling, obsessive, and perfect Hermione back. For what felt like hours of sitting there simply holding her, Ron began to slowly drift into slumber.
He dreamt of Hermione. They were on a hill next to a large lake. He was holding her hand and they were sitting there so close to each other and it felt so right. Ron felt so perfect and wonderful with her in his arms. He knew that was what he wanted but he never knew how to get it.
His dreams changed slowly, showing images and scenes of a life next to Hermione. The more Ron saw the more his heart ached with longing and despair. The Hermione he knew would never settle down with him. She was too ambitious. She would never want to have a large family, a home to care after. She wanted independence and nothing to hold her back from her dreams. On and on the dreams came each presenting themselves to Ron, each silently dying away to the darkness. There they sat asleep in each other's arms for what seemed like eternity, two friends or maybe more than friends possibly, Ron hoped.
The hours crawled by and still Ron held her. Ginny and Luna Slept soundly in the opposite corner of the room; Harry and Neville far, far away. Possibly even dead for all the four knew.