"Shush Mione" He said suddenly, leaning in and pressing his finger gently against her lips. She stopped in her enthusiastic rant about the state of the ministry.

"Why are you smiling?" She managed from behind his finger.

"Because you're the most beautiful thing in the world and I just needed to tell you that." He moved his hand to her back and pulled her closer to him, kissing her passionately. He caressed her back, sending shivers down her spine, then pulled away, just a fraction, so that he could look at her.

He stared in to her eyes and breathed, "I love you." Her heart reeled every time he said it. She could hear it a million times over and never get tired. She raised her pale hand and gently stroked the side of his face. He closed his eyes but when he opened them again, Hermione was crying.

"Sweetheart, What's wrong?"

"I love you too Ron, so much. But I can't bear the thought of ever losing you. It would kill me."

To her surprise, Ron smiled. "You're never getting rid of me Miss. Granger. You're stuck with me forever. We still have so much to do. We have to get married and have hundreds of beautiful children. We have to watch them grow up together. You have to hold my hand when I have to get a real job. We have to get old and wrinkly together, so you can nag me and I can love you more and more and more. No one is going to take that away from us."

She raised her eyebrows, jokingly. "Is that right?" She giggled, and he rolled on top of her, tickling her until she was laughing so much it hurt. She was so happy, it was her and Ron against the world, she believed him in that moment, nothing could separate them.

---

She woke up. And for those precious moments she lingered in the happy memories. Then the reality of what had happened washed over her once again and she tried not to scream out as the pain struck her. He'd been gone for exactly two weeks now and the pain didn't get any less. Just when she thought she had cried all she could, fresh waves of tears would grip her. The pain of loss wound around her heart and physically hurt her from the inside out. Food or drink or sleep no longer happened easily or held any pleasure. The world had lost its colour to her. Everything Hermione ever wanted for her future revolved around Ron. Did he even know how much she loved him? She had taken on that mission with Voldemort in order to try and stop the war so that they could be together. Instead, she had destroyed him and she was left to live.

She rolled over on to her side and saw a picture of them both together on a beach, smiling like maniacs. They can't have been very old. Ron kissed the Hermione in the picture who looked coy for a moment and then jumped on Ron. She turned away. She couldn't look; it was too painful. She would never speak to him again, she would never touch him, hear his voice, watch him come into a room and light her world up. She would never be able to hug him and bury her face in his shoulder, breathe his smell and feel like nothing could ever hurt her.

She tried to push those thoughts to the back of her mind. The only way she could survive this was to keep as busy as possible. Today, there was much to be done as it was Ron's funeral, but she didn't know how she would be able to take it, if she finally had to say goodbye.

---

Everyone filed in to the church, greeting the Weasley family, Harry and Hermione in hushed voices. They were all touched by how many people had decided to come. There were many old Hogwarts students and teachers, family, family friends, ministry workers, members of the order and many other people who Ron had had some impact on. Looking around, Hermione saw that the war had taken its effect on everyone, they all looked worn and tired, each trying to survive the weight of their own sorrows, as they rebuilt their lives.

When everyone was in, the Weasley family, Hermione and Harry went and took their places at the front. A minister started to speak, but Hermione didn't hear him, she was concentrating on keeping together. She figured if she sat utterly still she could refrain from screaming out, and control the urge to shout at people and throw things.

However, when Harry got up to speak, she looked up. She had not wanted to say anything in fear of breaking down in front of everyone.

"I have never had to do something so difficult as this, as saying goodbye to Ron, my best friend. I would never be able to explain how much Ron meant to me and to us all. How much he brightened up all of our lives and how much we shall miss him until the day we die. I'm afraid there simply aren't words for that.

I met Ron on my first day at Hogwarts, and you've never seen such a couple of misfits in your life. Since that day we never looked back. Ron was the best friend anyone could ever wish for. He wasn't just my best friend; he was the brother I never had. If I ever needed a hand, Ron was there. When I needed someone to back me up, Ron would always be right behind me. Without Ron, I think I would have given up and packed it all in a long time ago. He was my rock. We never were a very sentimental pair, but I regret more than anything not telling him I loved him enough.

I'm not saying we didn't have our rough times, and hell, we got into trouble a lot more than most. But the adventures we have ended up in, we always fought together, side by side. Without Ron I wouldn't be here today and our world would be a lot different. The war would inevitably still be taking place. He has spared a lot of lives and for that alone we must salute him. He is possibly the bravest man I have met. For example, as some of you may know, Ron's biggest fear was spiders. In our second year, Ron and me ventured into the forbidden forest to 'follow the spiders'. You should have seen the look on our faces when the spiders turned out to be enormous man eating buggers. I can tell you, I've never seen Ron so scared and he has always said he would never go back in there. But I know that if he had to for the sake of Hermione, his family or me, he would go back in there like a shot.

We've had some fun times even when I thought there was no fun to be had left in the world, Ron was able to come along and make me laugh. He had a fantastic sense of humour, part of what made him such an easy person to get on with. As you can see by how many people turned up today, Ron was the best of friends. He made everyone feel at their ease, he made everyone laugh, even when he didn't realise it. To see Ron after a long summer was the best thing in the world and just knowing he was there, made everything seem possible.

To me, Ron is the hero of this war; he is my hero at least. He never once questioned what was right, even when I felt I could not continue and it was hopeless. Ron was full of a fantastic optimism, a powerful love for what is good and true in this world. If I could be one tenth of the man that Ron had become I would be happy. He was not just a hero, but he was a son, a brother, a life partner and he was a friend. He was the best damn friend I could ever have asked for. So, I ask us to be grateful that we had Ron in our lives; we were blessed to know him, and must hold onto his memory with both hands. Goodbye Ron."

Hermione felt the tears slide down her face. She saw the emotion in Harry. She knew how much he loved Ron. She felt Mrs.Weasley on her one side sob quietly into her handkerchief as Mr.Weasley gripped her hand tightly. Ginny was staring straight at Harry, forcing herself not to cry. Charlie, Bill, George and Fred were pale and shaking. "Here here!" called Fred and George.

Behind Hermione, she could hear Hagrid sobbing loudly. Mr.Weasley then squeezed Mrs.Weasley's hand and stood up.

"I am not going to say much. Because as Harry said, there is nothing that could describe how much we loved Ron and how dearly we miss him. A parent should never have to bury their child. We should not have to bury Ron. Ron died standing up for what he believed him, standing by those who he loved. He is our hero as well and we shall always remember him as that. Ron was our son, and of course we loved him dearly, whatever mess he got in. But, we came to love him as a friend, as someone we admired. He was strong, likeable, brave, kind and a pretty damn good Qudditch player! We never told him how proud we were of him. And still are. Thank you, Ron."

The rest of the funeral passed for Hermione in a blur of tears. She watched Fred and George's breathtaking firework tribute to Ron and listened to the music they played. Afterwards, Molly turned to her and took her in her arms. The only comfort Hermione had had since that day two weeks ago. She felt Molly's sorrow as she felt her own, and some how this gave her strength, as they cried unrestrainedly together.

Later, when Hermione was in bed, going over the day and as usual, talking aloud to Ron, she remembered a song she had read long ago in a muggle book:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and the muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East, my West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.

For nothing now can ever come to good.

"Goodbye Ron." She whispered into the darkness.

---

(Song by W.H.Auden, I don't own it!)

I would like to dedicate this chapter to my best friend, Laura-Jo. She is the best friend I could ever have asked for. I am so lucky to have her, so I would just like to say to her: Thank you, I love you and I am proud of you. Three things I can never say enough.

Hope this chapter is OK. I know it took a long time to write, but I couldn't face it. I'm working on a new story. So please review for advice and support!

Love Lorna, xx