A/N: Hello all, thank you for reading thus far! This chapter turns into a bit of a lighthearted one. I wanted these two to have a couple of carefree moments before the storm that is the next eight months of their life happens, hehe.

Thank you so much for each of your reviews! They are very, greatly appreciated.

Chapter 13 - Support

Her hands were shaking. Her tears were streaming freely down her face. Hermione was slumped on the pavement outside her Henley townhouse that was now vacant. Vacant the three sources of life that inhabited it just half an hour ago. Now, it was just an empty townhouse, not for sale, not in use. Hermione shook with the chill of the night along with the break in her heart. Her parents would never forgive her for this, even if they ever remembered her again, even if she ever saw them again. Sobs broke through as her stomach twisted with the thoughts.

There was a logical, rational part of Hermione's brain that was battling to remind her that what she had done was for the best, her parents would never be safe if there was an existing link between them and Hermione. She had to do what she thought would best keep them safe. But the other part of her brain which was still struggling to comprehend the fact her parents' memories had just been wiped by their own daughter. She let the tears flow for more time before trying to steady her breathing. Hermione had promised Ron that she would arrive that very evening and she knew that the whole Weasley family would be worried if she didn't come. Times were uncertain and, more importantly, unsafe and everyone was on tender hooks, to say the least. It was important that people stayed together, protecting each other as much as possible.

Mustering all of the strength she could to stand up properly and focus her mind, Hermione took a deep, shuddering breath and with a 'pop' she landed at the bottom of the familiar lane. And that was it, she had no idea how long it would be before she visited that house again, or her parents. The thought caused a whole new wave of tears to emerge but she tried her best to stop them. She couldn't let the Weasleys know of what she had done, they probably would never speak to her again, but also because Ron hadn't told his mother of his, Harry and Hermione's plan to go hunt Horcruxes. Mrs Weasley would surely throw a fit, and Hermione couldn't say she would blame her. But nevertheless, they needed to do this and she was not about to dampen the whole plan by confiding in the Weasleys about what she had done.

Walking up the lane, Hermione took deep breaths trying to make her appearance as normal as she could. She was sure that a single question about her family would send her upset into overdrive again. To her surprise, the front door opened and a source of light from the inside was cast over the path. Hermione's heart warmed as she established which particular Weasley had emerged from the home.

Ron beamed at Hermione as she walked up the lane, but his face quickly fell as he realised something was obviously wrong. He quickened his pace toward her and noted how tears had succumbed to her eyes which were puffy and red rimmed. He threw her arms around her almost instinctively. Her sobs were muffled by his chest and he held her like that for a while before thinking about retreating.

Hermione felt her resolve crumble to nothing as Ron approached her, she had no idea why but suspected it was because of how comfortable she felt around him. Her sobs commenced again and she essentially dove into Ron's chest. He stroked her hair soothingly as she let out her emotion. Reluctantly, Hermione stepped back but not far enough that she wasn't in his hold anymore.

"What's happened?" He whispered, lifting her chin delicately with his finger.

"M-my parents." Hermione sniffed. Ron's face turned from concern to utter panic and Hermione shook her head. "No, no, they're fine. Well, they ought to be fine. I had to...send them into hiding of sorts."

"Okay. Well, they're safe then." Ron smiled weakly.

"I erased their memories, Ron." She cried. Ron pulled her in for a hug again as he processed what she had told him. "I erased their memories and sent them to...to...Australia." Hermione admitted guiltily.

"Hermione." Ron sighed as he pulled away from her, lifting her chin again. "You are so brilliant. They're safe. There's nothing more you can do."

Hermione looked up at him adoringly. "What if I never see them again?" She said sadly and quietly.

"You will." Ron maintained. "I promise." Hermione gave him a watery smile and he kissed her forehead. "You've missed dinner but I'll make something for you, if y'want." Ron offered. Hermione arched her eyebrow up in disbelief. "Some people! So ungrateful!" Ron feigned offence which made Hermione chuckle, he took her hand and she smiled as he led her to the house.

Hermione was decidedly unhungry, sickened by her own actions. Convincing herself that it was for the best was proving more difficult. She sat down on the long sofa of the warming living room.

Ron brought over two mugs of tea and handed one to Hermione. She smiled weakly as she accepted the tea. Ron sat beside her, putting an arm around her. Hermione sighed and nestled into him, hugging him around the waist.

"I know you feel guilty, but you really shouldn't, Hermione. You did the best thing." Ron spoke in a soft, reassuring voice.

"I lied to them for so long, Ron. And look where my lies left me. If I ever speak to them again-"

"You will speak to them again." Ron interjected but Hermione carried on as if he hadn't.

"Then they will never forgive me for this. I wouldn't even blame them." She finished sadly.

"Hermione, all you'll have to do is explain to them what you did. They're your parents! They'll obviously forgive you."

Hermione didn't reply, she wasn't nearly as confident as Ron, but she doubted that he would let her carry on so negatively. Although, Hermione didn't view it as being negative, but being realistic. She admired Ron's constant positivity, she wished she had his confidence. Why couldn't he use this confidence in other areas of his life? Hermione wondered, like with his schoolwork or Qudditch. She sighed inwardly at herself, she had already forgotten the fact that only about an hour ago she had wiped her own parents' memories. Tears threatened again, so Hermione nestled her face into Ron's chest. He didn't need to see her upset again this evening.

Hermione assumed it was about seven o'clock when her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the sunlight that shone through Ginny's window. The events of last night still on her mind, she sighed with the guilt that she still felt. Last night, however, she had never felt more comforted and supported in all of her life, despite how awful she felt about obliviating her parents. Ron had assured her many times that she shouldn't feel guilty and that there would be a time where she would meet her parents again. Hermione believed him to a degree, but there was still a part of her nagging anxiety threatening the worst. The only time this anxiety would slightly distinguish was when Ron held her in his arms. She needed him more than she even thought.

With the knowledge that Ron had dropped a note in the kitchen for Mrs Weasley last night announcing Hermione's arrival, she dressed quickly before heading down the few flights of stairs to reach the kitchen that smelt of delicious breakfast foods.

"Hermione, dear! How wonderful it is to see you!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed as she ran over and embraced Hermione.

Hermione felt her eyes sting with tears at how loving a mother Mrs Weasley was. It only reminded her painfully of what she had done to her parents not twenty four hours before. "Mrs Weasley, it's lovely to see you. I'm sorry that I arrived so late last night. Ron and I thought it best not to wake you."

"Don't be silly! I'm just happy to see you here safe. Merlin knows what's going on. I've had the Order here most of this week discussing how we're going to rescue that best friend of yours." Mrs Weasley rambled as she resumed breakfast making.

"Oh, have they planned anything, then?" Hermione asked as she headed to the cutlery draw, eager to help in any way she could when she was here.

"No, Kingsley and Alastor are split on what's the safest way to go get him." Mrs Weasley informed. "You don't have to do that, darling, please just make yourself at home." She added when she noticed Hermione setting up the table.

"Oh no, it's fine, really. I'm just happy to be here." Hermione said truthfully, Mrs Weasley beamed at her and touched her cheek softly.

Hermione and Mrs Weasley finished setting up breakfast and Molly asked if she would go and wake up the rest of the house. Hermione of course did so, but she was especially happy that she had another chance to speak to Ron, even if it was only briefly. She had a feeling that Mrs Weasley would probably try her best to keep them apart, especially when Harry arrived.

She woke up each Weasley with a bright smile before reaching the final staircase that led up to the particular Weasley's room. Hermione tip toed up, suddenly shy and nervous as she reached the attic floor. After a few tentative knocks, she assessed that he was still asleep. Rolling her eyes, she opened the door and let herself in. And there he was, asleep as ever, sprawled across his bed. Hermione walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. She shook him lightly.

"Ron." She called softly. He groaned in response. "Come on." She giggled.

"What time is it?" Ron asked groggily.

"About eight." Hermione replied, returning the smile that he gave her. She picked up the t-shirt off the floor that looked as though he had thrown off throughout the night. "Got a bit warm last night, did we?"

"Yeah." He muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"Well, cover yourself up." She instructed, standing up. Ron shot up and grabbed her waist which made her gasp. "Ron!" She said scandalously.

"Just wanted to make sure you're alright." He said softly, turning her so she was facing him.

"Thank you." She smiled up at him appreciatively. She tidied his hair up, revelling in how soft it felt. He was gazing down at her, and Hermione didn't think she would be able to breathe in the tense, thick air any longer until an abrupt knock at his door made them both jump back.

"Ron! Mum wants you down for breakfast!" Ginny called from the other side of the door.

"Coming now." Ron replied with a voice of irritation. Hermione giggled and kissed his cheek.

"I'll see you down there. Thank you for last night by the way."

"S'alright. Just me being the noble hero I always am." He said, overly arrogant.

Hermione rolled her eyes before leaving him to get dressed. She really didn't know how long this just-being-friends thing would last for, they were already stretching the line as absolutely far as it could go.

They had a plan. It was set. They would go and collect Harry tomorrow evening, all fourteen of them. They had the Polyjuice Potion. They had the broomsticks and thestrals to complete it. All they had to do now was go and get him. But only if anything in their lives were that easy. Ron scanned the room, faces of determination surrounded him. He reached Hermione's face. She looked as determined as the rest of them but slightly nervous all the same. Ron glanced around him as the circle of Order members dispersed. He snaked his way around to Hermione, grabbing her hand. "Wanna go to the lake?" He whispered.

She jumped slightly as Ron snuck up on her but smiled instinctively at his offer. Hermione nodded and then followed him outside, her hand still in his. They wandered to the Orchard, talking about how surreal everything was now that they had some sort of plan in action.

"You sure you're not better off staying here with Mum and Ginny?" Ron asked for the umpteenth time.

"Seriously, Ron, it is going to be a very long hunt if every time we have something to do you try and lock me away." Hermione said sternly.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, I'm just wor-"

"Worried? So am I, Ron. Don't you think I have the same thoughts about everyone. About you?" She said exasperatedly.

Ron considered her as they both looked at each other, brows furrowed. "I know." He sighed. "I'm sorry. I really am."

"I know." Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his neck and embracing him. She felt every ounce of her body set alight as he kissed her lightly on the cheek, then the jaw, then about as close as he could get to her lips without actually touching them. Hermione shuddered and her eyes fluttered the shut. "Rrron." She moaned.

"Sorry." He said, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Got carried away."

"No. Please don't apologise." She said firmly, offering a small shy smile.

Ron looked around awkwardly, blushing. "Wanna jump in the lake?"

Hermione finally looked away from Ron to assess the lake. "No. It must be freezing!" She chortled.

"Afraid?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Afraid?" Hermione scoffed incredulously.

"You heard me." Ron grinned cheekily as he took off his top, leaving him in his shorts. Hermione's mouth went dry as she drank in his appearance. Wow, she had never felt so..alive in odd places. Places that she didn't think it possible. "Well, coming in then?" He asked.

Hermione shook her head to bring herself back to reality. "Oh - uh, I'll get my clothes soaked!" The last part of her sentence was a lot more structured and composed.

"So?" Ron asked as if it wasn't an issue at all. She rolled her eyes and clucked at him before perching beside the lake, her legs dangling into the cold water. "What would you do if I pulled you in?" He asked mischievously.

"I'd kill you!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ron watched her, steadying his hands on the banks of the lake. She was in a t- shirt and shorts that accentuated her figure very nicely, especially according to Ron. Despite her warning, Ron grabbed her waist and pulled her in, holding on to her so she wouldn't fall completely under. "Ron!" She shouted.

"You're fine!" He tried to convince her.

More than fine, Hermione thought. Being held up by his strong arms as she wrapped her own around his topless torso. She readjusted herself so her arms were circling his neck. He weighed them in further and Hermione tightened her grip on him. "Cold, are you?" He laughed.

"I said it would be f-freezing!" Hermione exclaimed, her top becoming drenched and Ron thought he would die out of how attracted he was to her. They stopped in the middle of the lake and Hermione looked up at him. "This really isn't keeping in the bounds of friendship, is it?" She asked guiltily, referring to their closeness.

"I'd say it is." Ron mused. "Just right up there, nearly hitting the borders of 'not just friendship'"

"Right." Hermione said with a grin. Her whole body tingled as the heat around them considerably increased to the point where the icy water couldn't even bother her. "Race you back?" She whispered, pushing off of him and swimming as fast as she could to the shore.

It took Ron a moment to gauge what she had said, he was so lost in the trance that was her body so close to his own. The teasing was too much although he would never ever want it to stop. Once he realised exactly what she was doing, he shook his head in disbelief mixed with admiration. "Oi!" He called and swam as fast as he could to beat her.