41. Crash

He's shaking for days after they arrive at his brother's, and not because he's cold. They came so close of dying, she even more. And fuck! Hermione was tortured and he knows he'll forever wish that it had been him instead.

He observes her. Daily. Constantly. He tries to see if she's different, if what happened to her changed her.

If she's damaged goods.

She surprises him, like always. Hermione is strong and brave and intelligent. And every time he looks at her and she catches him, he gets out of breath.

How long until the words blurt out of his mouth?

She's quieter though, and that scares him.

After a few days of dancing around each other, he realises that he's afraid she'll fall apart at any moment. He's been waiting for it. And so is she.

Surely she'll reach a breaking point, a final blow that will send her over the edge and he'll lose her forever.

One morning, she makes tea and her hands shakes as she pours him a cup. He puts his hand above her and startles her. The cup explodes. Wild magic. He sees her clench her jaw, and her eyes narrow. She doesn't seem surprised. It's new to him and the words damaged goods twirl in his head again.

"It's- it's okay," he stutters, I'll repair it."

Ron lets go of her hand and with a flick of his wand the cup comes back to it's initial state. Will she?

Hermione takes a deep breath next to him, closes her eyes, holding back tears. His heart is in his throat.

She raises the kettle up again, her movements steady, and he can't hold back his admiration to her. She blushes, he sees it. He smiles, thanking her. For the tea, for being strong, for being alive.