This is a bit of a short nothing too exciting happening chapter, but it fills in some gaps and sets up some future chapters. Enjoy! :-)

Ron's phone clattered on the side of the bed. He groaned as the noise stopped for a bit but then carried on. With a sigh, he stretched his arm out and grasped for it, eventually finding it. He slid his thumb across the screen to accept the call without even opening his eyes. As only Hermione had his number, he didn't even need to check who was ringing.

"Whattimeisit?" he grunted into the phone.

"It's half past two..." Hermione sniffled into the phone.

Ron sighed and sat up, trying to shake the sleepy fog from his head. "More nightmares?"

Hermione nodded her head then realised she was on the phone and Ron wouldn't be able to see her.

"Yeah..." She answered in a small voice, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her pyjamas. "I've been okay for the past month or so but today I walked past the Room of Requirement. I didn't even realise I was up there..." She let out a shaky breath. "Do you know they've put the Portable Swamp up there in memory of Fred..." Hermione laughed slightly.

"Yeah George said they'd asked him to help. Do you remember the nightmare?"

"It was completely unrelated, for the most part. I dreamt we were back in the Lestrange vault, but instead of being burnt there was a swamp and every time we touched something, the swamp grew bigger and it was pulling us in to drown. I was trying to get to you and Harry, but I just couldn't. Then you two just left me there..."

"Merlin Hermione, that sounds rough..." Ron sighed and swung his legs out of bed. He shoved his feet into his slippers and trudged out into the kitchen to get himself a drink. He flipped the kettle on and leaned against the counter, resting his head in his spare hand. "But you know it's not real, love..."

"I know," Hermione yawned against the phone. "I know we escaped. But it doesn't stop the nightmares. They feel so real and then I wake up and I'm alone and I just..." She sighed, fighting back the tears. "I just want you..."

"Please don't cry..." Ron whispered into the phone, his heart feeling heavy. "I can get Mum to send you some dreamless sleep potion..." He took his drink and settled on the sofa. "Or you know, being the brilliant witch you are, you can just make up your own batch..." He rubbed a hand against his stubble, smiling as she let out a soft laugh.

"I might ask if I can move into the 7th year dormitory... Ginny said there's a spare bed..."

"It makes sense sweetheart. It's pointless you being alone if you're feeling so bad..." Ron glanced up as Harry poked his head out of his bedroom door, a concerned look on his face. Ron gave him an apologetic look and mouthed 'Hermione, more nightmares' at him. Harry pulled a face but retreated to give him some space.

"I think I just woke Harry up; you've just got me into trouble..." Ron laughed slightly and downed the rest of his coffee before stretching out on the sofa.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have called you. You've been busy with the shop..."

"Hermione..." Ron interrupted kindly. "Don't be silly. We have these 'phones for a reason. I'm just glad they work!"

"It's not the same though, is it? Not that hearing your voice doesn't help..."

"No I know. I wish you were here sleeping next to me in my bed; it's so comfortable and cosy. That feather charm you told me about worked a treat!"

"Mmmm I can't wait..." Hermione stretched and started to settle down a bit. "There's only two weeks until Halloween - are you still coming up?"

"You try and stop me! I had to fight to have the day off, it's probably George's busiest day but I think Lee is going to help instead. I'll have to do some serious sucking up, but it'll be worth it..."

"And then after that it's only 1 month and 20 days until the Christmas holiday..."

"I never thought I'd see the day when you started counting down the days until you're not in school Hermione Granger..." Ron chuckled softly.

"You've changed me, Ron Weasley!" Hermione yawned again. "Are you sure your parents are okay with us staying at the flat this year?"

"Yeah... I double checked like you asked. With Fleur being pregnant, I think Mum is looking forward to travelling with them to France and staying with the Delacours. They need to not remember this year..."

Hermione sighed. "I promise I'll help distract you..."

"You better had!" Ron grinned "Mum is still sending us over a Christmas dinner, she said she wouldn't see the 4 of us starve!"

"I can cook!" Hermione laughed.

"Hardly! I'd rather trust Ginny with it than you!" Ron laughed as well. "So tell me more about your classes; how's Advanced Arithmancy?" Ron eased her back into talking about her favourite topics, and he had a list as long as his arm (which was pretty long) of things that could distract her from whatever was going through that brain of hers. He smiled as she fell into a familiar conversation.

A few hours later, Ron woke himself up with a loud snore. He rubbed his eyes and lifted the phone back up to his head. It was still connected to Hermione's call, but he could hear her gentle breathing down the line. He hung up then wearily got up off the sofa, trudging back to his room in the hope of catching a few more hours sleep before he had to go back to the shop.