Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in anyway, shape or form.

Sorry if my spelling and grammar is not the best I am looking for a Beta if anyone wants' the job.

This story takes place directly after the final battle.

Thank you so much for all the lovely, kind reviews. It has really pushed me on to get the next chapter up so thank you all.

Chapter 2.

When she woke the sun was streaming in through the partially opened curtains.

The sun was so strong it was hurting her eyes to open them. Her limbs felt as if they had been pulled every which way, but she also felt comfortable and content still in Ron's arms. They hadn't moved an inch since they fell asleep the previous night, she had never felt more protected than she did now.

The feel of his light breathing on her neck, was sending shivers down her spine.

She pulled her arm from under the warm blankets to check her watch, 6am, she could still have another hour before Mrs Weasley was up. The thoughts of anyone walking in on this private moment of theirs worried her, so maybe just another half an hour.

When she awoke again it was 8am.

"Oh no" she thought, she could smell bacon frying downstairs, anyone could walk in at any moment.

"Ron, RON, we need to get up".

Ron started to stir, but in doing so snuggled more closely to Hermione burying is face in her curls.

He breathlessly said "Mione" with this he snapped awake and jumped out of the bed.

"Morning, better go ….." trailing off.

Hermione couldn't help herself, even though she knew they had to get up, she felt empty without his touch.

"I'll be down in a minute I'm just going to wash and dress"

When Hermione got to the kitchen everyone was up and eating, but not talking. Now this was something she found odd, as this was a rare occasion at the Burrow. After breakfast was finished with, no one knew what to do with themselves. George locked himself in his room, much to everyone's concern. Molly and Arthur wandered aimlessly around the house, whilst Harry and Ginny talked in hush tones by the fire in the sitting room.

"Ron, do you maybe fancy going for a walk"

"We can't leave the Burrow, you know that Hermione"

"I know, but, we could go out to the garden"

"Yeah Mione, some walk that"

"Okay it was only a suggestion Ron" with this Ron ran upstairs and slammed his bedroom door.

"Hermione" Hermione turned her face to look at Ginny now.

"He doesn't mean to talk like that; he's just having a tough time is all"

"I know, I shouldn't have snapped, I'll go and apologize"

"You will do nothing of the sort" in just that moment she saw a lot of Mrs Weasley on her face, Harry should be very afraid.

"And besides, he would see your apology as a sign of weakness and you know how that turns us Weasley's off"

"Ginny, let's get one thing straight, I am not in any way, shape or form interested in turning on or off your brother. For heavens sakes Ginny" with this both Ginny and Harry continued into peels of laughter.

"Oh well that's just great" said Hermione storming off into the garden. Hermione wandered through the tall grass until she came to a small pond at the bottom of the garden. She loved it out here; it was so peaceful she often came out here to read when she stayed over the holidays. She and Ron had had some lovely long chats about everything and nothing, dipping their toes in the cool water whiling away hours at a time.

Oh how she wished things were as simple as they had been.

She knew it was natural for things to change, but she hated how things were at the moment, disturbed and uncomfortable. She felt like Ron was distancing himself because of Fred, she just hoped she would be able to break down that barrier and help him heal.

She also knew that when things died down she needed to talk to him about the kiss, she knew what she wanted, but what did Ron.

The more she thought about it, it really could have been a heat of the moment type of thing. "Why on earth would he want me" she thought

"There will be time for all that" she told herself you need to get through the next few days first. She felt a surge of guilt then, how selfish was she being.

Ron would be burying his brother in a few days and "I'm thinking of my love life" she thought.

She could hear someone approaching

"Hermione dear, what are you doing out here by yourself"

"I just wanted a bit of a think" she lied to the surrogate mother before her.

"Oh okay, would you like me to go"

"No, no stay"

Molly sat down next to Hermione and hitched up her skirt and apron dipping her now bare feet into the cool water of the pond.

"Ah, that's lovely, I see why you kids like it here. How are you feeling then dear, your wounds seem to be healing nicely"

"Yeah there not too bad, the ointment you gave me is working wonders"

"Hermione have you had much of a chance to speak to Ron"

"Not really Mrs Weasley"

"Molly dear" said Molly interrupting

"But to be honest he's been quite clear that he really doesn't want to talk about it"

"Oh you know he doesn't mean to get snappy with you"

"I know it's just his way of dealing with things, I won't stop trying to get him to talk though. I need him to know that I'm always here for him" at this confession she blushed and looked away.

"Don't be embarrassed, we all know how deeply you care for each other, even if you don't know yourselves"

"He's my best friend"

"I think we both know he's more than that, the wars over Hermione, there's no need to be afraid anymore"

"Mrs Weasley, I really don't think you should be talking like that, if Ronald thought that he would have told me himself by now. I'm going to go and try to talk to him again, can we please keep this conversation between the two of us"

"Of course dear, your secrets safe with me"

Ron was lying on his back when she opened his bedroom door.

"Hi Ron"

"Hey Mione"

Hermione sat on the other bed and pulled the book from the bedside table, she was pretending to read the book, just staring at the pages, when it was totally obvious she was staring at Ron.

"Dad said the funeral will be the day after tomorrow"

"Oh" was all she could think of to say

"Yeah and mum wanted George to do a bit of a speech, but he said he wasn't up to it, so I think I will, what do you think?" he finished filling up.

"I think it's a lovely idea, I think it's what he would have wanted"

They didn't speak for a while after that, Hermione placed her book on the table and just looked at Ron. She wanted to run to him and hug him and tell him it would all be okay, but it wouldn't, she couldn't bring Fred back. She resigned herself to just being there to help him through the rough spots.

"Hermione"

"Yeah"

"On the day, do you think you could like maybe stay with me, for support I mean.."

At this Hermione ran to Ron and knowing this was a bit forward but not really caring, lay down next to him and took him in a tight embrace.

Ron was slightly taken back at first but soon reciprocated the hug.

"Oh Ron, of course I'll be there with you, I wont leave your side for a single second you didn't have to ask. I love…….your mum and dad too I'll be there for them if they need me also".

"I know Mione, thank you" Ron snuggled closer to her and she could tell he was getting sleepy by the way his breathing was getting deeper.

She thought to herself "I can't believe I almost told him I loved him, I have no control when it comes to him"

She lifted her head so she was looking at him, he had his eyes closed and was sleeping soundly. She reached up and pushed some stray pieces of soft red hair out of his eyes, placing a kiss on his forehead she whispered " I'll always be here for you, I'll never leave you" she said tiredly before letting sleep take hold once again.

About an hour later Molly came up the stairs, listening outside Ron's room she could hear his snoring and popped open the door. To her surprise she found Ron and Hermione locked in a tight embrace both sound asleep.

Normally she wouldn't allow this sort of thing, but she knew this was a need of comfort and not desire.

"They really do suit each other" she thought "Not long now though"

"Now time to go sort out my Georgie" she said under her breath.

Hey guys that's it for chapter 2

Please let me know what you think I'm really in two minds about it.

Please leave me a review it's the only way to know if I should continue…