Talk To Me

by facelesswriting

While finishing their education, the 8th years are picking up the pieces of their lives, but Harry's world is still crashing down around his ears. As he spirals apart, even the most unlikely people are banding together to keep him sane, but will he ever recover? And will he ever find his voice again? (TW for self-harm, panic attacks, and depression)

14. Chapter 14

14- Ron POV

"I worry about him."

"I know. I don't feel like we should have left him, but he wanted to be alone," Hermione drifted off, thinking.

I kissed her nose to bring her back to me. "He'll be okay, 'Mione. He's had a rough few months, with the end of the war, the press, the trials."

"Ron, he's had a rough life. I can't imagine what growing up must have been like for him-"

"We're lucky to have families like we do. The most we can do is share that with him, but we can't force it on him."

"When did you get so smart?"

"Always the tone of surprise," I chuckled as she kissed my cheek. We were curled up on her couch facing each other, and I ran a thumb over her knee. "And you know, I think he's getting better."

"Better or worse? I can't tell. But I think being around here was good for him. He'd have somewhere away from prying eyes to just relax."

"Except Malfoy's here," I could feel my nose scrunch up even though I knew she'd say it was mean.

"I think Draco's good for him."

"Draco now, is it?"

"Hush, you. He even showed him a dream."

"I thought he didn't do that with anyone but us? Does he even talk to Ginny in her head?"

"Nope, nor Neville. But get this, after the dream, he fell asleep on the couch with Draco."

I started to laugh, imagining the git's face, but stopped quickly, "Wait! Do you mean that's why he won't come down here? If Malfoy was a prat to him, I swear-"

"He wasn't! He wasn't! He was a perfect gentleman about the whole thing, seemed rather embarrassed about me seeing it. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd think Draco liked-"

I heard the portrait click open, and suddenly Hermione's lips were on mine. I knew she was trying to cover that we'd been talking about Malfoy when he walked in, but when she guided my hand to her chest, I forgot all about what she'd been about to say.