Chapter Four: Hands of Time

Ron had watched Hermione jump up excitedly and begin to look through every book she had with her. It shocked him greatly to know that someone would even think of going back in time to save him. Fear and love both bubbled in his heart.

Love for Hermione and her bravery; fear for Hermione's safety. He knew, right from the first second he realized her plan that he would go back with her and try to help any way he knew how.

He had been just as disappointed as Hermione when the books didn't help. Ron didn't lose all hope – he had hope in Hermione – and wasn't surprised to see her face light up with a new idea. He had followed her to Ginny's room, where he wanted desperately to hug Ginny and tell his baby sister that he was okay.

He wanted to tell Harry that he had always been a brother to him, and that, deep – very deep – down, he approved of Harry and Ginny's relationship. He had expected them all to cry.

What he hadn't expected was to hear how he had died. He had actually – dare he say it – died bravely? Protecting the only woman he'd ever loved – other than family, of course. He had watched Hermione in a slight awe as she told the story. He had never doubted that he would die for Hermione, but to hear that it had actually happened was an odd feeling. Perhaps she knew just how much he loved her, then…even if he only got to say it quickly before the battle.

Ron had been caught slightly off guard when Hermione had closed the door and Apparated, but it wasn't hard to follow her. He merely thought about her – let her every aspect cloud his mind's eye – and suddenly he was where she was. At her home.

Ron ran up the stairs behind her and entered her room. He smiled brightly, "I'm in Hermione's room!" After recovering from that exciting fact, he focused on what Hermione was doing, and was confused when she pulled out a box of pictures.

But then he understood. He took a moment to appreciate Hermione's brilliance and expert talent, and then watched her slip a Time Turner around her neck. Not wanting to be left behind, he held – or as close to holding as he could get – her hand. He saw her shudder as he did so, and smiled to himself. Their bond must be extremely strong, if on some unconscious level she could feel him.

"This is for you, Ron." He heard her say. A lump formed in his throat at her words. Bloody hell, he loved her. Ron watched as Hermione turned it twenty-four times, and then concentrated on only her and staying with her.

When he finally felt as though he had stopped moving, he found he was scared to open his eyes. He slowly did, and found that he had stayed with Hermione. He watched as she threw on the invisibility cloak – although he could still see her – and then followed her as she walked to where she knew they'd be.

Ron and Hermione entered the room just in time to hear Ron give his speech about the house-elves. Ron watched as the Past Hermione dropped everything she was holding and ran at the Past Ron, kissing him.

Ron looked over at the Hermione under the cloak to find that she had her eyes closed, and two fingers resting on her slightly parted lips. With a gush of affection, Ron realized she was remembering their kiss, and found that he couldn't look away from her.

Only when Ron said, "I know, mate, so it's now or never isn't it?" did Hermione open her eyes. Ron saw that she had tears in her eyes and a small smile on her face.

The trio suddenly began to move again, and the cloaked Hermione and the ghost Ron followed from a distance. "You're bloody brilliant, you know that?" he said to Hermione. They followed the trio through every obstacle – although they simply waited while they actually grabbed the diadem – and eventually they were drawn closer to the battle. He wondered then why she had gone ahead of the battle this much, as opposed to simply getting to where he died.

As soon as they turned down one hallway, he saw why.

She was saving Fred.

Ron felt, now more than he had yet, the insane urge to hug Hermione and kiss her repeatedly until the world ended. He watched the cloaked Hermione run up and whisper in Fred's ear that he needed to move – fast. If Fred found it strange that he heard a voice, he didn't show it, but merely moved as was instructed.

The cloaked Hermione moved too, but this time towards where they were going. Ron felt the distance – of maybe ten feet, if that – was way too far, and moved closer to her, so that he was nearly touching her. Seconds later, the explosion happened, and Ron was thrilled to see that everyone on their side survived.

Fred looked like he had seen a ghost. He turned to look at the Hermione who was now climbing out of the rubble, and rushing over, he gave her a hug. "Thank you," he said loudly. The Past Hermione looked positively baffled, but the Hermione next to Ron, whispered back, "You're welcome."

Ron watched as they all ran down the passageway, and followed along beside the cloaked Hermione. Instead of following the trio to where Snape died, the cloaked Hermione and ghost Ron stayed on the edge of the battle, watching over everyone. When the trio finally came back, Hermione had met them where they entered. As soon as they neared the main battle, Hermione stopped. Ron at first wondered why, until he remembered that this was where he told Hermione that he loved her.

What perfect bloody timing he had.

Ron waited with the cloaked Hermione, and although his first instinct was to follow the Past Hermione when she split from Ron, the cloaked Hermione had other plans.

She followed after him, muttering jinxes and protective spells as death eaters that Ron hadn't even realized were there shouted curses at him. He was slightly unnerved by the fact that he could have died about five times before he actually did.

Suddenly a shrill laugh echoed around the hall. The cloaked Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, as did the Past Ron. They both turned simultaneously, and the Past Ron began to weave his way through the battle. When they were almost there, they heard Bellatrix scream Crucio. Hermione's screams followed.

The Past Ron stopped abruptly. "Hermione!" He yelled. Ron took a look at the cloaked Hermione, who seemed to be having trouble breathing. He was instantly worried, and made to reach a hand out, but both the Past Ron and the cloaked Hermione broke out into a full run, the Past Ron jinxing everything that came at him.

Not wanting to be left behind, Ron chased after them. He came to a stop beside the cloaked Hermione, who stood at the head of the Hermione on the floor.

"Stay away from her," the Past Ron shouted at Bellatrix.

Bellatrix laughed, "I forgot about that – your little Mudblood girlfriend!"

He watched as the cloaked Hermione pulled out her wand. Bellatrix's face twisted with rage as she began to yell, "Av–"