Title: A Breath of Fresh Air

Rating: PG

Summery: Hermione takes a break from researching and gets a nice surprise.

Warnings: Smoking!Ron. Unbetad. Ummm het?

Ship: Ron/Hermione

Words: 445

Disclaimer: Trust me I do not own anything from Harry Potter. I do not intend to make money off of this etc.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Hermione walks outside and leans up against the cold brick wall. She appreciates its firmness and pretends it wraps around her as she prepares herself for the tears she knows will come.

"Hermione," a voice interrupts.

She almost screams as she turns to her side. "Ron," she gasps, "you scared me."

"Sorry, I always forget that whole walking loudly to avoid being sneaky thing. What are you doing out here?"

"I just came out for a breath a fresh air," she raises her eyebrows at Ron's cigarette.

Ron puts out his cigarette.

"It's a—"

"Vile habit," Ron finishes making his voice shrill, "I know. You're not wearing a coat."

"I like the cold."

"Your shivering body tells me otherwise." He wraps an arm around her.

"Thanks," Hermione says almost under her breath.

"You're all tense. What are you worried or something?"

"Only about saving the world, Harry, my family, your family, surviving to the next day, the fate of everyone I love, you… oh and those chairs are starting to get uncomfortable after seven hours. Oh Lord, I'm sick of research."

"I never thought I'd hear those words come from your mouth."

They stand in silence for a while, and the mood starts to sink into seriousness.

"Ron," Hermione squeaks, "we aren't going to win are we? There's no way."

"C'mere," Ron sits on the stone ground pulling Hermione with him. "The way I look at it is the good guys have to win the majority of the time. Otherwise, there would be no heroes to write about. There are so many stories about heroes. The way I see it, we still at least have a chance."

"We don't live in a book though—"

"Very observant."

"If we did I'd be a princess, and you would be a prince," Hermione yawns.

"No, I'd be the toad you turned into a prince," Ron leans down and kisses the top of Hermione's nose, "see I don't need muggle studies."

Hermione smiles with her eyes closed. "No, you see the toad is a prince before he's a toad." She yawns again.

"Alright, I guess I'll have to settle with the peasant boy the princess has an affair with."

Hermione smiles.

"It's late you deserve a nap."

Hermione is already asleep. Ron smiles and carries her inside. He will go back to researching, because all the reason he needs to win this war is lying warm in his arms. She is lying her hair is a mess, her mouth open, there is drool sliding down her chin, and the nervousness on her face even when asleep is all the motivation he needs.

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