The battle was becoming less raging. People were getting exhausted, including Death Eaters. Most everyone were mourning over the dead, there were less people fighting anymore.
Hermione looked around the Great Hall at everyone who had fought. She was sitting with the Weasley family, most of whom were grieving over the body of Fred. There were bodies sprawled all over the Great Hall, and most families had formed their own circles around their losses. Her eyes traveled back to the Weasley family. Bill was embracing his mother, who was crying over Fred's body. Mr. Weasley was looking sadly at his son's body. George was staring at his twin's body, all hope was lost from his eyes, and Hermione's heart went out for him. Percy was sobbing hysterically, crying that it was all his fault, and Charlie was trying to calm him down. Her eyes landed on Ron, who was embracing Ginny.
It was amazing that with all the madness that was happening around them, Hermione had found time to kiss Ron for the first time. But she needed to do it. She needed Ron to know that she had forgiven him, and that she loved him more than anything else because she knew that the end was near, and she might not have another opportunity.
Ron's eyes met hers, and she saw immense sadness in them.
He had lost hope.
Hermione got up and started walking away, not fully aware of where she was going, but knowing that Ron was going to follow her. Harry had gone to watch Snape's memory, but he had been gone much too long. She knew what he was thinking, and she couldn't bare it.
She began to run, fully aware that Ron was behind her. She suddenly stopped. She hadn't lost hope yet, but she knew she was very close.
Ron had caught up to her. "Hermione, where are you going?"
Hermione blinked and stared at him. "I – I had to get away from all this." They were in the middle of an empty corridor, but they still could see people in the Great Hall.
"Where is he?"
Hermione knew Ron was talking about Harry, but she was determined to keep her head for once. "Ron, he's fine, he's just looking at Snape's memory…"
"Don't lie," he snarled at her. "We both know he's turned himself in."
"You don't know that, Ron…"
"Yeah, I do!" Ron suddenly exploded. "D'you think I don't know my best mate at all? He's gone to turn himself in because he thinks that'll save us! He thinks by letting himself die, that'll save all these people, even though that makes no sense and is bloody STUPID!"
Hermione was quiet; her eyes were sparkling with tears. She had only seen Ron explode like this a few times, but he had never sounded so serious.
"Ron, I'm sure –"
"No, you're NOT!" Ron had lost all hope, and was now screaming at the top of his lungs. "HOW CAN YOU BE SURE, HERMIONE? YOU CAN'T! HARRY'S DEAD, WE'RE ALL DONE FOR, AND VOLDEMORT'S WON! I'VE HAD IT! I'M DONE! I'M TIRED OF FIGHTING, AND I'M TIRED OF WAR! THE WORLD IS OVER, AND FRED IS DEAD!"
He put the last of his energy into the last word, and pounded the nearest wall with his fist. He slid down onto the floor and despite his efforts to stop it; the tears started falling faster than ever.
Hermione knew Ron enough that crying was his last sign of surrender and vulnerability. She kneeled down next to him and put his head against her chest, just as he had done for her on several occasions. She started stroking his hair as he sobbed hysterically. She knew everything that had built up in him for the last few months was finally coming out.
After what seemed like forever, Ron escaped from Hermione's embrace and wiped his eyes. Hermione sighed. She knew it was useless to apologize to him about Fred. "It's not over, Ron."
Ron looked like he wanted to retort, but he simply nodded. He needed reassurance. Hermione turned his face so he was looking at her. She kissed him slowly on the lips, a much more decent kiss than the first, less hurried and forced. He was just as eager to return the kiss, despite the mood he was in; Hermione's kiss was just what he needed to indulge in.
Hermione broke the kiss after what seemed like forever. She smiled for the first time in months. Ron gave her forced smile. "I needed that."
"I know you did," Hermione said back.
He put an arm around her and together they waited for their best friend to return home.
