Title: Unilateral
Pairing: Ron/Hermione
Rating: K
Summary: Hermione wants to look for her parents. Alone. Ron wants to help.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to JK and the publishers and no offense is intended by this piece. Non-profit fun.
"Ron, its fine you don't need to worry," Hermione said, flicking her wand before her things piled into her bag.
"Of course I'm going to worry Hermione," Ron complained, standing in front of her to gain her attention. "Let me come with you."
Hermione sighed and looked at him frowning, "Ron, you have enough dealing with right now. What with-"
He grabbed her shoulders and lowered his head so that he could look directly at her. "Hermione, it's been a month since- I've had time to mourn Fred. Even with all the trials going on. I've had time to be around my family."
"Ron, this my-" she said, pulling away.
"And you've been there for me every bloody step of the way. Why can't I be there for you? I want to be."
"Ron, I'm not going to ask you to leave your family for Merlin knows how long and this is my problem. I did it. I'm going to amend it." She shook him off and grabbed her bag.
"This isn't a unilateral problem 'Mione, it affects me too. Let me help you look for your folks. I want to be there for you. I left you once during the war and I'm not doing that again."
"Ron, that isn't-"
"Don't tell me it's not the same thing. There might not be Horcruxes involved, or a Dark Lord or whatever but this is going to be difficult Hermione. You don't know how long it'll take and I know you, the longer it takes the more frustrated you'll get and you'll need someone, 'Mione. Let me come with you. Please. You aren't asking me to leave my family, I am."
There was a long silence before either of them did or said anything and then in a flurry of movement Hermione flung herself at Ron, tears making their way down her cheeks as she whispered her consent.