It had been just after summer term started. The Easter holidays were approaching and as usual, Hermione was spending them drawing up study schedules for each of them...
"Here, Harry" she said, handing him a piece of parchment with different days flashing colors.
She held Ron's out to him. Ron took it grudgingly, "Ah, Mione, there's still ages to go until exams."
We were strangers
"Not as long as you think," Hermione answered, looking at her watch, "Well, I'll be in the library."
Ron watched as she walked out of the portrait hole, before turning his attention back to his homework.
Harry got to his feet, sighing heavily, "Well, I've got to get to Occulmency lessons. See you at dinner."
"See ya," Ron answered, his attention now on the schedule that Hermione made. He worked for about an hour in silence before he heard the portrait hole open again. He glanced up, thinking it was Hermione back, and was surprised to see Professor McGonagall climb in. Professor McGonagall always had a strict look about her, but now she looked upset, almost worried. Ron had only seen the Professor in the common room a handful of times, none of which were good, and wondered what the bad news was now.
On a crazy adventure
She made her way over to him, "Mr. Weasley, have you seen Miss Granger?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Ron began to get worried, "She said she was going to library. Is she ok?" he immediately asked, standing.
Professor McGonagall placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure she's fine. I just need to talk to her," she said, noticing the look of relief that washed the young man's face.
"Oh," Ron said, relaxing, "well, that was about an hour ago, but she might still be there."
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Perhaps we should go and find her?" she suggested.
Ron nodded dumbly, now extremely worried. Something had to be horribly wrong if she wanted him to accompany her. Ron dared to speak, "Professor," he started, "What's wrong?"
She set off toward the library and for a moment Ron wondered if she had even heard him. When she finally did speak, her voice was low, "I'm afraid that I have bad news for Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. I feel she will need support. Am I wrong in assuming that you will be there for her?" she asked.
Never dreaming
"No, ma'am," Ron answered, a little taken aback, "What's happened?"
She shot him a look, then her face softened as she saw the worry on his face, "Miss Granger's parents have been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
Ron's face drained of all color. They had arrived at the library. Through the doors, Ron could see Hermione's head bent over a book. This was going to devastate her. He looked back at Professor McGonagall, "I'll go get her," he said.
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Ok, I'll wait here," he opened the door, "Mr. Weasley," she continued, "let me tell her."
Ron nodded and walked through the door. He slowly made his way to the table where she was sitting. She looked up when his shadow fell across her book, "Hey, Ron," she said, glancing up at him. Then she did a doubletake, "Ron, what's wrong?"
Ron ran a hand through his hair, "Professor McGonagall needs to see you," he whispered, "she's waiting outside."
Hermione could tell by the look on his face that something was wrong. She stood up, nodding, "Why, what's wrong?"
"Please, Mione," he said, his voice breaking, "just come."
Hermione was speechless. She followed him helplessly back to where Professor McGonagall was waiting on them.
Our dreams would come true
As they left the library, Professor McGonagall stopped Dennis Creevy as he was coming in, "Mr. Creevy, would you be so kind as to go to Professor Snape's office and fetch Mr. Potter for me. Tell him I'm afraid it's an emergency. We will be in my office."
Although obviously terrified at being sent to see Snape, Dennis nodded and set off at once. Professor McGonagall beckoned for Ron and Hermione to follow her and they set off toward her office in silence.
Ron kept glancing sideways at Hermione, wondering how she was going to take the news. She looked scared to death. Remembering his word to help support her, he reached over and intertwined their fingers. Hermione's head shot up, but she didn't pull away he noticed. He tried to smile reassuringly, but failed immensely.
Now here we stand
Once inside her office Professor McGonagall leaned back against her desk, "Miss Granger," she said gently, "I'm afraid I have horrible news."
Hermione glanced from Professor McGonagall to Ron, feeling tears spring to her eyes, "What's wrong?" she whispered, turning back to Professor McGonagall.
"I don't know an easy way to put this, so I'm just going to say it ok. Please don't think me harsh, but sugarcoating it is not going to help you now," Professor McGonagall said.
Hermione nodded, squeezing Ron's hand that was still clasped firmly in hers.
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, "We received word this morning that your parents were murdered last night in their home. By He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
Hermione looked from Professor McGonagall to Ron, "No, no, it can't be." The tears were falling freely down her face unchecked. She put her face in her hands, "but I just got a letter from them. They were fine."
Professor McGonagall looked out the window, "I'm sorry, Miss Granger."
Still shaking her head, Hermione collapsed to the floor on her knees. Ron knelt next to her and put his arms around her, silent tears running down his cheeks, "I'm sorry, Hermione, so sorry," he whispered in her ear.
She pulled her hands from her face and threw them around his neck, crying into his shoulder.
Unafraid of the future
Ron held her tightly, not daring to let her go. Professor McGonagall leaned down to him, "I'm going to head Mr. Potter off."
Ron nodded, turning his attention back to Hermione. He gently rocked her back and forth, whispering words in her ear. He looked up when the door opened and saw Harry standing there, white as a sheet. He came and sat down next to them and gently began rubbing Hermione's back, "I'm sorry, Mione," he whispered.
Hermione pulled back to look at him, but didn't let go of Ron. She laid her head down on his shoulder and looked at Harry. "It'll be ok," Ron whispered.
She turned to look up at him, "How can it be ok? I'm all alone now."
"Hey, you are not," Ron answered, "I'm not going anywhere, and I'm sure neither is Harry. I'll always be here for you, Mione, always."
At the beginning with you
How long they sat on the floor in Professor McGonagall office none of them could remember. But after that, Hermione and Ron slowly began a relationship. To both of them, they had finally confronted their feelings that day on that cold, hard floor.