Hearts
"Will our story begin with 'Once upon a time'?" She asked him, unsure for a change.
"It already has." He replied, reaching one finger out to touch the solitary tear that lingered on her cheek.
Hermione looked at Ron as she had never before. He was dirty, bloodstained and his stance was dejected where it should have been triumphant. But who could blame him? They had lost so much overnight … yet for all they had lost they had gained each other.
"And 'happily ever after'? What of that?" Hermione continued, her voice trembling with fatigue. Ron looked at her for a moment without answering.
"I don't know," he replied honestly. She turned away, disappointment in radiating from every part of her.
"Life isn't fair, is it, Ron." Hermione said over her shoulder as she surveyed the battlefield. Bodies were strewed haphazardly across the ground. "They were all young and ready to live."
"They were ready to die too, Hermione." Ron said quietly. "They knew what they were getting themselves into."
She turned on him furiously.
"It's easy for you to say!" Hermione snapped. "You're alive, you're standing there and they're dead!" She spread her hands out to acknowledge the dead. "Bill, Lupin, Flitwick…" Their best friend's name lingered between them, unspoken. "Where are they? Do you think they wanted to die?"
"No." Ron answered, turning her around to face him. "No, they didn't."
And somehow, that was better than all the clumsy words he could offer her. Hermione collapsed against him, tears falling freely. He put his arms awkwardly around her, and let her cry.
"I didn't want Harry to go, Ron." She sobbed. "I want him back."
"So do I, 'Mione." He whispered.
They separated and stood watching each other.
"He was my best friend." Ron told her matter-of-factly. "He gave all he had for the wizarding world. For us to be happy."
"You were often jealous of him." Hermione pointed out. Somehow, the way she said it didn't make it sound like an accusation.
"I know."
"Not without cause."
"I know."
Ron sighed and turned away. He was halfway across the field before she came to her senses.
"Where are you going?" She called after him.
"Home." He called back.
Home. That word echoed in the air, tugging at her heartstrings as she watched his lanky figure continue across the field. Where was home now?
She ran after him.
"Will your mother be there?" Hermione asked.
Ron nodded.
"Will she fuss?"
Ron nodded.
"Will she cry for H…Harry?"
Ron nodded, lip quivering.
"Then I'm coming."
He stopped in his tracks and looked at her.
"You're amazing." Ron told her quietly. He leant down and brushed his lips quickly across hers. Hermione looked at him steadily.
"We've won, haven't we, Ron?" What should have been a statement became a question, as it was lost to the cold, cold air. The town had not woken up yet. But when it did … what surprises lay in store at their doorstep.
"We've won." He confirmed shakily. Then he paused. "And yet, we've lost."
They stood, watching each other in contemplative silence. As the sun spread it's rays over the bloodstained horizon, Hermione smiled tentatively.
"It's morning." She noted.
"A new day." He agreed.
"We've won." Hermione said softly.
"Yes…" Ron murmured. "Yes… we've won."
And they walked away from the bloodshed and the misery.
Together.