Well, today the trick comes this way: the Trio has just escaped from Malfoy Manor; Hermione victim of the Cruciatus curse, inconscious, and Ron mad trying to save her from Greyback's filthy teeth. Harry, holding a dead Dobby. Ron takes Hermione inside Shell Cottage. This is about their brief moment alone. Enjoy it!

Dess

Lyrics: I'll be waiting ─ Lenny Kravitz

Shared Moments Eight: Spoiled Thanks

I'm the one who really love ya, baby
I've been knockin' at your door

The shape of a person carrying a girl appeared with a loud crack in the darkness, a few feet away. Bill approach them, half worried, half relieved: about twenty minutes ago, a house-elf, called Dobby, old Lovegood's daughter and a fugitive Muggle-born, had knocked at the door, spluttering stuff with no sense for him, like 'Help', 'Ron told us to come here', 'Harry said', 'Sorry', and 'They are coming'. But after that, the elf had Disaparated again, the kids had been lead inside the cottage by Fleur to give them warm, clean clothes, and the only thing Bill knew was that Harry, Ron and Hermione were about to come too, at this late, from somewhere, for some reason, and that the minutes went by and he and the others were gathered waiting for them outside the little cottage.

'Ron, is it you? What happened to her? What's all this? Where's Harry ─?'

'Please just tell me where can I place her,' panted Ron, trying to stride forwards with Hermione, apparently unconscious, in his arms.

Bill let Fleur to show him the small sofa in the living room, while he kept on watch. According to the others, Harry had to Apparate as well in any moment, but he might drag undesirable guests …

And as long as I'm livin' I'll be waitin'
As long as I'm breathin' I'll be there
Whenever you call me I'll be waitin'
Whenever you need me I'll be there

''Ere. Do you reckon you can bringb 'er upstairs to ze smallest bedroom? I 'ave to wait 'til she eez conscious to mend 'er bones. Then it will be easier to 'eal. All I can do now is put some dittany zere …'

'I'll do it, don't worry. You better go with Bill and I'll call you when she is awake,' said Ron, hoisting her again carefully, trying not to hurt her more. His voice was a bit cracked for too much shouting, his whole face was swollen and bruised and covered in blood, but nothing mattered more than Hermione in that moment. He didn't know whether she was going to be all right; in his despair he could not even feel her weak breathing.

Ron reached the tiny landing, and hurried towards the last door. He could manage to place Hermione upon one of the twin beds, then he knelt beside it and uncorked the bottle of dittany. And looked at her. She was pale, her pretty face strained by the pain, and in her white throat, a scarlet blot showed the spot where the knife nearly slit her to death. His sight blurred for a second. What if she would had died in that house, killed by Bellatrix, or, yet worse, been Greyback's dinner?

I've seen ya cry into the night
I feel your pain, can I make it right?
I realize there's no end in sight
Yet still I wait for you to see the light

'Terego,' he whispered, pointing the wand he had stolen in the manor so as to siphon the blood. Then he dropped some of the potion on the wound, and stroke softly the regenerating skin.

A hand reacted at this second touch and grasp his own, and with a gasp, Hermione opened her eyes.

'Hermione,' moaned Ron, a bit relieved. 'You're fine! Did I hurt you? What do you need? Do you feel sick?'

But she shut her eyes again and shook her head.

'It's not that,' she said at last. There was a lump inside her throat, a lump of gratitude, grief and love tears, struggling to overflow. How could she tell him that she had heard his shouts, calling her name from the cellar, and that these had been the reason for which she was still alive? 'You're here again.'

I'm the one who really loves ya, baby
I can't take it anymore

Ron was confused now. Was she delirious, remembering the night he returned at Forest of Dean, or just asking him to let her alone?

'If you want me to leave, just ─'

'No, please!'

Ron had made attempt to get to his feet, but with a supreme effort, Hermione caught him by one arm again, causing him to lose balance and fall backwards upon her stretched legs.

'Sorry,' she breathed, looking down at him. Her face was so close, so close … just one little lift, and something unexpected could happen …

'Ron, eez she awake? I'm coming, I 'ave to mend 'er bones now.'

Ron looked away and stood up, this time definitely.

'Well, I ─ I'm going ─ Harry ─ you know, erm …'

And as he went through the doorway and towards the stairs, Ron had to ask himself, 'Does it always have to be like this?'

You are the only one I've ever known
That makes me feel this way, couldn't on my own
I wanna be with you until we're old
You've got the love you need right in front of you,
please come home