A/N: I mean, honestly, this could've been added to the last chapter, but I already uploaded that and wanted to focus a bit on Hermione's anxiety, as I suffer with the same thing myself, like many people. I'm fine, though, I'm not trying to seek attention or anything, just trying to justify why I made this a separate chapter hehe.

Any words or phrases written in italic come straight from the film/book, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', which I do not own.

Chapter 14 - Saving a friend

Hermione hadn't been able to sleep all night, as she expected. This evening was the very evening that she, Ron and other members of the Order would go and rescue Harry. The plan was very clever and very well planned out but that didn't quite cease Hermione's anxieties. A whole number of things could go wrong, beginning with the fact that more sure than not that a group of Death Eaters would be expecting them to arrive at Harry's to go get him. They could only hope that they didn't suspect they were planning to save him a few days before his seventeenth birthday and not literally the day of.

The fact that Harry was still yet to even turn seventeen played on Hermione's mind, he was barely of age in the wizarding world let alone in the Muggle one and he had, quite literally as it was only he who could save it, the world on his shoulders. Yes, her and Ron would be there to help him for as far as they could but Hermione knew that there would be a part of this mission that Harry would have to do alone. She tossed and turned in her bed, looking over to where Ginny was asleep. Ginny. Hermione knew that she was still grieving over her and Harry's break up. Yes, they had only been together for a matter of weeks but Hermione knew that Ginny had liked Harry for far longer. She knew that Ginny was confused as to why Harry couldn't explain why he did what he did, which only made her more upset, but then again, what was Harry supposed to do? If he told her, he would only cause more trouble for her and Hermione knew that was the last thing on earth he wanted to do. She sighed at their situation.

Thinking of Ginny and Harry's relationship only made her think of her and Ron's. Hermione could feel herself blush as she replayed the last day's events in her mind as if it was a sacred tape that would get her through this. Hermione smiled at the fact that they were just acting like careless teenagers for once, even though that would have to stop when they began their hunt. It wasn't supportive for Harry and Hermione knew she would only upset Ron and herself by trying to maintain a relationship as well as search for Horcruxes. They would just have to stay friends, which is definitely not how she had acted in the lake. But when she was with Ron, Hermione lost absolutely all control over herself and her body. It was infuriating yet madly enticing at the same time. But no, it wasn't fair on her or Ron, especially Ron. He must be so confused. Hermione sighed inwardly, she would have to talk to him about it, she couldn't let them both get too carried away.

She let out a sigh of relief as she and Kingsley reached the ground. Hopping off of the thestral, Hermione scanned the front garden. The specific order in which each 'Harry' would arrive with an older member of the Order meant that Ron and Tonks should've already arrived. Her nerves began to creep up as she realised that he wasn't in the front garden, but that was fine, he would surely be in the house. As she walked towards the Burrow, however, her ex-professor, Lupin, stormed outside and hurled his wand at Kingsley. Hermione watched in awe as they asked each other specific questions to confirm their identity.

After the confirmation, Hermione walked urgently towards the house, for some reason a sudden doubt reigned over her the closer she got to the house. Hermione tried to stifle a gasp as she realised that George was lying on the sofa, half of his face soaked in blood. Walking tentatively over to where Mrs Weasley was sat beside him, taking a washcloth and dabbing his wound, Hermione noted that Harry and Hagrid had arrived, much to her relief, but her anxiety rose as she realised that Ron wasn't here.

Mrs Weasley turned slowly at the sound of Hermione's footsteps. "Hermione! Oh I'm so glad you are here safe." She whispered.

Hermione smiled softly and knelt beside her. "Is he okay?" She whispered in response as she took in George's injured face.

"He will be. Yes." Mrs Weasley said with a sad voice.

"Is anyone else back yet?" Hermione asked, praying that Ron would walk through the front door any second.

"I was going to ask you the same question, I'm afraid." Mrs Weasley sighed. "Tonks and Ron should've been one of the first to arrive."

Hermione tried to steady her quickening breath. "Who is meant to arrive next?" She asked.

"Arthur and Fred. Bill and Fleur shouldn't be long after them, then it should be Alastor and Mundungus Fletcher to return last."

Hermione nodded and arose off of the floor. "Is there anything I can do, Mrs Weasley?"

"No, dear. If you like, you can wait outside, the protective enchantments are up." Mrs Weasley suggested as if she could read Hermione's mind.

"Thank you." Hermione replied gratefully before heading outside to be met by her old Professor pacing around the front lawn himself as he watched the sky, clearly experiencing the same worries for his wife. Hermione sat down on the bench, closing her eyes as she tried to ground herself. She was never heavily religious, but was for sure repeating prayers of hope in her mind. Professor Lupin's distressed expression only heightened her nerves.

Hermione tried her best to restrain herself from heading down the path of panic that her mind seemed to be able to travel down for miles. He's fine, there's a perfectly logical reason to why he's late, she repeated internally about a hundred times. Finally, a noise of a broomstick landing and people dismounting snapped Hermione's eyes open. Her relieved smile quickly faded, though, as she realised it was Mr Weasley and Fred who had returned instead. As happy as she was to see them both safe and apparently well, Hermione couldn't help but feel her worry mount higher as she realised yet another pair had arrived before Ron and Tonks.

Her breathing became shorter and faster as time ticked by as what felt like years. Hermione suggested to herself that she returned to the bench but she knew she wouldn't be able to sit still. Instead, she joined Lupin in pacing around the garden. Neither said anything to one another, although both seemed to have an unspoken understanding of what the other was experiencing. Hermione shut her eyes again and felt a lump form in her throat. He had to come back, he had to be safe. There was no way Hermione would be able to carry on, be able to live if something had happened to him. She knew it was a selfish thought but she needed him, loved him, something he didn't even know. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to calm herself, but it was no use. If there was no Ron, there was no her. She loved him with every fibre of her body, even if he did infuriate her at times. She would relive their whole sixth year, all of the pain of not having him close, if only he would return safely home to her now. She would give anything just to hear the familiar sound of the broom coming through the air.

And as if summoned by her mind, the same familiar sound played again and Hermione stopped in her tracks, every fragment of her heart hoping that it was him who had returned.

And it was.

Hermione felt a new wave of tears cascade, but this time from pure relief. She flung herself at him. He had tried to ask what was wrong but was soon cut off by her hugging him at full force. Ron hugged her back with a squeeze. "You okay?" He asked, moving backwards slightly so he could lift her chin gently.

Hermione nodded before burying her face in his chest. "I was so worried, Ron. I thought you were - I thought that -"

"Hey, don't worry. It's fine, I'm fine." He assured her.

"Brilliant, he was. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him." Tonks announced as she hugged Lupin.

"Really?" Hermione smiled up at Ron admiringly.

"Always the tone of surprise." Ron rolled his eyes sarcastically. Hermione just smiled and pulled him closer until she remembered with a start. George.

"You need to come inside." She said bracingly, her face, worried.

Ron said nothing but took her hand and went inside. Hermione released his hand as he took in his brother's appearance. He knelt beside him and asked how he was feeling. Hermione smiled as she watched them chuckle together at a joke Fred had told. This was all so surreal. But just as if it couldn't get any worse, Bill and Fleur walked in and Bill's face was enough for the whole room's atmosphere to turn sullen.

Hermione wasn't the only one who gasped at the announcement. Mad-Eye, the toughest looking Auror Hermione had ever seen, dead. It was only further proof that no one was safe. No one was safe, no one was special, anything could happen to anyone. The thought made Hermione want to hug Ron and never let him go.

After a toast to Mad-Eye and an outburst from Harry, which made Hermione's heart hurt for him and the mounting pressure he would've been feeling, Order members started to leave and Weasleys disappeared off to bed. Hermione went up alone, her mind heavy with the evening's events. She was making her way out of the bathroom, heading across the landing to Ginny's bedroom when she crossed paths with Ron who was coming down the stairs from his attic bedroom.

"Hey." He said, grabbing Hermione's hands. "You alright? Y'know...after everything?" Ron asked, drawing circles with his thumb on Hermione's hands.

Hermione couldn't stop herself before she wrapped her arms around his torso, sighing as she buried her face in his chest. Ron returned the hug, encasing her in his strong arms. "It's just so real now." She said quietly.

"I know." He sighed. "Who knew Mundungus was that much of a bloody traitorous git?"

"I bet he'd feel awful if he knew what had happened after he left." Hermione mused, still in his embrace.

"Oh yeah, bet Mad-Eye would really appreciate his bloody guilt now, wouldn't he?" Ron asked incredulously. Hermione just sighed in response but still didn't let him go. "Think you're gonna be alright tonight, y'know, to get to sleep?" Ron asked, his voice soft with concern.

Hermione nodded against him, inhaling as much of his scent as she could before he went back upstairs. He eventually pulled apart from her slightly, whilst still holding her. He looked down at Hermione and she could only think of how grateful she was to be looking up at his so far, unharmed form. Ron cleared some of the hair away from her face. "I thought I lost you." She blurted out in a whisper.

"You'll never lose me." He whispered back.

"You can't promise that, Ron." Hermione shook her head, looking away from him.

He caressed her cheek and she turned back to look at him. He looked at her intently, brushing a tear away from her face. "Well thanks for the belief. How long do I last in your head then, can I at least make it to the wedding please?" He feigned offence.

Hermione chuckled, this was just one of the many reasons she loved him so much; even in the darkest times he could make her laugh. He pulled her closer, squeezing her once. "Sure you're gonna be okay tonight?" He whispered.

"I will. I'm shattered, truthfully." Hermione replied.

"I'll see you in the morning." He said softly.

"Good night." She sighed, turning to Ginny's door before she was stopped by Ron clearing his throat pointedly. Hermione turned around with her brow arched but rolled her eyes as she realised what he was angling for. Walking back up to him, she stood on the tips of her toes, flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"Night." He grinned and walked back upstairs. Hermione shook her head in mock disapproval but she was still wearing a smile.