AN: Thanks to everyone who read/reviewed/favorited the first chapter.

Everything was chaotic in the Entrance Hall. People were dueling all around her, spells flying everywhere. Hermione felt one whoosh past her head. She was looking around frantically for Ron, she couldn't find him. She was running and dodging spells. The Hall was a cacophony of sounds, chunks of castle walls falling to the ground, screams, and most horrifying of all, laughter. Through the din she heard him yelling her name.

She spun towards the sound and ran towards him. He wrapped her in his arms. Her fingers tangled themselves through his wonderful, red hair. Their lips crashed together, Hermione and Ron were finally kissing, and properly kissing too, hot and passionate.

Suddenly, there was a flash of green light and Ron went limp in her arms, his lips breaking away from hers. Hermione couldn't hold his dead weight and he crumpled to the floor. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Hermione looked down at his lifeless body, he was staring up at her, his blue eyes wide open. Hermione opened her mouth and screamed but it didn't drown out the unmistakable high-pitched laughter of Bellatrix Lestrange echoing in the background.

Ron was awoken abruptly from his own nightmares by a scream echoing through the dormitory. He sat up, wand drawn before realizing it was Hermione screaming. She was thrashing violently next to him in the bed, blankets tangled around her legs. Ron shook her gently saying, "Hermione, Hermione, wake up, it was only a dream, wake up."

Hermione's eyes flew open, she couldn't breathe. It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She was looking up into Ron's blue eyes, they were full of concern. She felt the air whoosh painfully back into her lungs. She sat up and pulled him into an embrace.

She began sobbing into his shoulder. "Ron, thank God you're ok, thank God you're alive," she managed to gasp between sobs.

Ron held her tightly and whispered, "Shh, Hermione, it was only a bad dream, it's ok" repeatedly as he stroked her hair.

Sobs wracked Hermione's body. She couldn't forget Ron's lifeless eyes staring up at her, nor Bellatrix's maniacal laugh. She was shaking again and she couldn't stop. The realization of how close she came to losing everyone she loved came crashing down on her.

Ron continued his attempts to comfort Hermione, pulling away from her just enough to pull the blanket around her shoulders in a vain attempt to stop her shivering.

Eventually the sobs subsided, Ron pulled back to look at her. Her face was red and wet, her hair was plastered to her face with tears. Ron carefully pushed her hair off of her face and tucked it behind her ears. Then he pulled his pajama sleeve down over his hand and used it to gently dry her cheeks and nose not really caring at the moment if he got snot all over his sleeve.

Hermione tried to smile at him but her teeth were chattering too violently and she couldn't stop them. Her body was shaking so violently Ron was worried she was having a fit or something. He readjusted the blanket and ran his hands quickly up and down her arms attempting trying to warm her up.

"Hermione, what did you dream about? Do you want to talk about it?" Ron asked gently, when he felt she had calmed down enough to talk.

Hermione bit her lip and nodded, she took a deep breath in and let it slowly whoosh out. "It was the battle...and...and...you were kissing me...and." She couldn't finish the sentence. New tears started rolling down her face.

Ron's heart clenched, was kissing him really that bad?

Hermione saw the hurt look in his eyes and realized what he must be thinking. "No! Ron! No...you...you were killed, right in my arms...it...it was all my fault, I...I...distracted you and you died," she managed to choke out.

Ron chastised himself for being so bloody selfish. What did it matter what she thought of his kissing when she was sitting right across from him crying. "I'm such a stupid git," he thought bitterly as he bundled Hermione up in his arms again.

"It's ok, 'Mione, I'm ok, I'm alive."

Her stomach flip flopped, he had shortened her name again. No one had ever done that, not even her parents. Well, unless you counted Grawp, which she certainly didn't.

Ron thought Hermione was looking at him as though she had just realized he weren't dead after all. Her cheeks were still red from crying, her hair was a mess as if she'd been out in the wind and her eyes were wild and shining. He wanted to kiss her, Merlin did he want to kiss her, but he knew now wasn't the time. He wasn't sure if it would ever be the time ever again, so he settled for leaning forward and kissing her gently on the forehead.

Ron's lips were burning on Hermione's forehead even after he pulled away. She loved being this close to him. They had never been this close before. There was always space in between them even when they were doing something as innocent as sitting next to each other on the sofa. If their knees or hands would accidentally knock together they would jump back as if they had been electrocuted. She had wanted this for so long and now that it was happening, it felt bitter sweet.

"Fancy a cuppa?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded looking a bit perplexed. Where was Ron planning on getting tea at this time of night, when had Ron ever made tea before?

Ron pointed his wand at Hermione's beaded bag again and two mugs and two tea bags flew out. He walked to the bathroom and filled the mugs with water, pointing his wand at them to make them boil. He carried to two steaming mugs of tea back to bed. Hermione was sitting cross legged with the scarlet blanked wrapped around herself. She had stopped crying except for the occasional sniffle.

Ron handed her one of the mugs and kept the other for himself. He sat down facing her. He watched her blow on her tea to cool it. He knew tea didn't really fix anything, but it's what his mum had always done when he or any of his siblings had been upset. He sighed, there wasn't enough tea in the world to make this better. He thought of Fred laying cold and alone down in the Great Hall. Tears threatened as he took a sip of tea.

Hermione noticed his eyes become watery. "Are you alright?" She asked concerned.

Ron nodded. " 'S just a bit hot s'all," Ron mumbled indicating the tea.

Hermione knew it was a lie but didn't push it. Ron had never been the kind of guy to wear his emotions on his sleeve. She supposed she knew that better than anyone. He would bottle it all up until he erupted. It had happened to them so many times she couldn't even count.

They sat in silence drinking their tea. When Ron had finished his he sat the empty mug on the bedside table. He watched as Hermione finished hers. She was staring off into the darkness.

When she placed her empty mug next to Ron's on the table, she said, "I don't want to go back to sleep. I don't want anymore nightmares." Her voice sounded thin and strained as if she were fighting off tears.

"That's ok, I don't feel much like sleeping either, we can just sit here and talk...or not. Whatever you want," Ron replied.

Hermione nodded.

Ron propped the pillows up against the headboard. Hermione scooted into place and began to unwind the blanket from herself. Ron shook his head and pulled the blanket back over her shoulders. Then he grabbed a matching scarlet blanked from a neighboring bed, situated himself next to Hermione and pulled it over their legs.

Hermione let her head fall onto Ron's shoulder, he wrapped his arm around her hugged her closer. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until memories of the battle invaded Hermione's thoughts. She needed something to distract her.

"That first day, on the Hogwarts express, did you ever think we'd end up here?" She asked. Ron could tell by her inflection that she meant together in bed, rather than surviving a battle.

"Yes" Ron said before he even knew what he was saying, the words had just slipped out. Hermione looked up at him shocked. Ron blushed scarlet.

"I thought you thought I was a know it all," Hermione countered.

"To be fair I still think you're a know it all," Ron joked. Hermione elbowed him playfully, secretly pleased by the hint of a smile on his otherwise serious face.

"You were always teasing me." Why was she pushing this, tonight of all nights Hermione wondered. Talking about their relationship was the last thing Ron needed after losing his brother.

The smile that had briefly tugged at the corners of his mouth was gone. Hermione felt guilty for putting a damper on their light conversation. She opened her mouth to say never mind. But Ron began to say something.

"Yea, cause I was eleven and it liked you Hermione. That's what eleven year old boys do, they tease girls they like. You were smart, confident, really pretty and most importantly you were interested in me, you talked to me before Harry and after you told him about all those books he was in, you weren't in awe of him like everyone else and before you left...well, you looked back at me and I thought..." Ron trailed off rubbing the back of his neck again. What had he thought? That somehow that know-it-all with the bushy hair would fall for the kid in hand-me-down clothes and lame attempts at magic.

Hermione was gobsmacked. Ron had never said any of this before. He wasn't one to leave himself vulnerable like that. He liked her even back then.

"You were right," Hermione said quietly, "I liked you, even on that first day, you were funny."

Ron's heart swelled. This was the most magnificent news he'd ever heard. He'd been so awful to her so many times since that day on the train. Yet here she was, after all these years, she was his best friend and he hoped maybe something more. He had promised himself after he left them last fall that if he got this last chance with her, he would never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her ever again. He had failed the last part so many times since then, but tonight he had redoubled his resolve.

He was so quiet, Hermione wondered if she had said the wrong thing. Maybe he didn't feel that way about her any more, but if he didn't why did he kiss her back. Maybe he didn't kiss her back, she panicked, maybe he was just being polite. Her mind was circling around and around; did he like her did he not? She was too afraid to ask him, because she was too afraid the answer would tear her into a million pieces.

Ron swallowed the urge to tell her how much he cared for her, instead he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. This gesture seemed so small. He really wanted to kiss her like their lives had nearly ended and they were alive. He wanted to show her in all this misery there could be something beautiful. The problem was he wasn't sure if that was true.

Hermione loved when he kissed her. She found his hand and laced her fingers through his.

They held each other in silence until the sun came up. Neither of them fell back to sleep, but the night felt like a dream. Their admissions were so surreal in the cold light of day both would swear that conversation had never happened and neither of them would bring it up

Eventually they couldn't avoid reality anymore. Ron got out of bed first, everything ached and he had never been so tired in his whole life. He grabbed clothes out of Hermione's bag and went to the bathroom to change. Hermione watched him go, trying to work up the courage to say anything wondering if she would never have another chance.

When Ron emerged from the bathroom he was wearing jeans and a t shirt. His hair was messy and his normally pale skin looked almost translucent except for the dark purple circles etched under his eyes. His eyes looked unfocused and his mouth was set in a grim line. Hermione had the urge to hold him and try to kiss away all the pain, but she didn't. Without saying anything he began to take down the protection enchantments. Hermione went to change.

When she came back Ron was standing by the door waiting for her. The room had been tidied and all of their things were back in the beaded bag. Ron handed Hermione the bag and she stuffed her pajamas inside.

As they left the room Hermione looked back at the dormitory wondering if she'd ever see it again. The common room had a breakfast spread on one of the tables and a fire roaring in the fireplace. Mr. Weasley had his arms around Mrs. Weasley, who had her head cradled in her hands. George was standing off to the side looking positively spectral. No one looked up or acknowledged the two entering.

"Go sit down, I'll bring you some breakfast." Ron said quietly. Hermione was not really hungry but she nodded and found two chairs next to each other some distance away from the rest of the Weasleys.

Ron returned with a paper cup of tea and a plate of toast. He handed them both to Hermione and sat in the chair next to her.

"You don't want anything?" Hermione asked.

" 'M not hungry," Ron muttered.

Hermione nibbled at the toast to be polite but it tasted like sawdust. Over the next hour the remaining Weaslys as well as Fleur, Harry, Luna, Neville, Dean, and Seamus tricked down from various common rooms. No one said anything, the silence was only broken by Mrs. Weasley's sobs. A few people picked at the breakfast spread but no one ate much. Ron sat protectively close to Hermione, but he never touched her. His hand clutched his wand at all times.

After everyone had finished breakfast, Mr. Weasley stood and said with a forced smile, "Well Weasleys back to The Burrow, Harry and Hermione you too of course." He held out a small pouch of floo powder. Mrs. Weasley took the first pinch and disappeared into a swirl of green flames.

Hermione was thankful she had been included in the group going to The Burrow, she didn't know where she would have gone otherwise.

Ron was having an internal debate whether it was safer to send Hermione first or have her follow him. Ron decided on going first, in case The Burrow was under attack. He looked behind him and Bill, Charlie and Harry were all still waiting. He was confident if anything happened after he left, they would keep her safe.

Percy was in front of him taking a pinch of floo powder from his father. Ron leaned down and whispered into Hermione's ear, "I'm going to go first, follow me directly. Don't let anyone else go before you, ok?"

Hermione opened her mouth to protest this precaution, but Ron looked at her so desperately and whispered, "please Hermione." Hermione nodded and Ron took the floo powder from his dad and was soon spinning towards The Burrow. Hermione wondered where this new protective streak from Ron had come from.

Once in the living room Ron stared intently at the fireplace for what seemed like hours.

Finally Hermione tumbled forward into the living room. Ron rushed forward and caught her before she stumbled to the floor. Hermione's hands were on his chest and Ron's arms were wrapped around her. She had a smudge of soot on her nose.

Ron straightened her up and stepped away from her. He cleared his throat loudly. "Alright Hermione?" He asked

Hermione's voice was lost, so she just nodded. Why did he let go so quickly? Why was he acting so embarrassed? She wanted more than anything for his arms to be around her again, but he clearly didn't want that.

Harry staggered into the living room next followed by Fleur, Bill and finally Mr. Weasley. "George and Charlie are staying behind to make some...erm...arrangements" said Mr. Weasley.

Fred's name was left unspoken but it lingered in the air around them like some noxious gas.

Ginny sniffled and screwed up her face before storming upstairs. She stomped as if the stairs were personally responsible for Fred's death. Harry looked after her helplessly and he moved to follow her. Percy caught his eye and gave him a quick deterring shake of the head. Harry plopped loudly into a chair and buried his face in his hands.

Percy was right though, Ron thought. Ginny had always masked sadness with anger and going upstairs to comfort her would only serve to make it worse.

Mrs. Weasley had gone to the kitchen to make tea for everyone. Ron rushed to her side, "No mum, I can do it, why don't you go sit." Ron took the tea kettle from her hands and began filling it with water.

Mrs. Weasley have a half-hearted smile and sat on the sofa between Percy and Mr. Weasley grasping each of their hands.

Hermione watched in awe as Ron prepared the tea. She had been coming to The Burrow for years and she had never once seen Ron offer to make tea. Ron carried the tea tray into the living room and made a mug for his mother. After Mrs. Weasley had a mug cradled in her hands, Ron made a second mug for Hermione. Everyone else helped themselves.

Once everyone else had a mug, Ron made one for himself and sat on the arm of Hermione's chair. Hermione noticed he was careful to keep a few inches between his leg and her arm. Their safety buffer. She knew if she reached out to touch him he would recoil as if she's shocked him. After last night she had hoped things would be different, she had hoped he would hold her hand or put an arm around her. Perhaps that was naive, she thought bitterly. People don't just change like that, but Ron surely seemed to have changed.

Everyone sat in silence, there didn't seem to be anything to say. No one had ever heard The Burrow this quiet before. Eventually Ginny came back downstairs with puffy red eyes. She poured herself a mug of lukewarm tea and sat on the floor leaning her head against her mothers knees like she had so many times when she was younger. Molly let go of her husbands hand and stroked Ginny's shiny red hair.

They passed the afternoon much the same way. Occasionally someone would clear their throat to say something, but no one ever followed through. Several times a different member of the Weasley family would leave the room and return some time later with puffy red eyes. Ron never left his protective position at Hermione's side.

As the sun began to sink low in the sky, Mrs. Weasley stood abruptly and said, "Well I best get dinner started," in a forced cheery voice. "Ginny dear, why don't you help me in the kitchen."

Ron made to follow them, but he was quickly forced out of the kitchen.

Dinner was a somber affair, made worse by the return of George and Charlie. "Everything is sorted, the funeral will be the day after tomorrow," Charlie announced grimly.

George looked awful. Only his missing ear convinced everyone he wasn't actually Fred's ghost floating around. He didn't say anything and he didn't join them for dinner. He just drifted upstairs to his bedroom.

Ron didn't taste his dinner. Every time he swallowed he felt like his stomach would reject it. He only ate to make his mum happy. Everyone ate just enough to make a show of it, pushing away half empty plates that hadn't been very full to begin with.

Mrs. Weasley began clearing the table. Ron hurried to the sink and began doing dishes. Hermione moved to follow him but he shook his head at her. Hermione felt utterly rejected as she followed the rest of the family into the living room.

Once Ron and his mother were alone in the kitchen, Ron screws up his courage to ask what he's wanted to ask all day. He takes a deep breath and clears his throat,"Erm, mum?"

Mrs. Weasley jumps and looks at Ron surprised. No one had said anything all day and the sound of his voice sounded foreign to both of them.

"What is it dear?" She says once she regains composure.

"I need to ask you something," Ron starts before he can chicken out. "I was wondering if ...if Hermione could stay in my room. It's not like that," Ron adds hastily when he sees his mother's raised eyebrow. "I just want to keep an eye on her, make sure she's ok. She's been having nightmares...and...and I guess I need her too."

Mrs. Weasleys eyes brim with tears.

"And I want you to know...that my intentions are to...what I mean to say is I never want to...I've hurt enough for ten lifetimes and...well I plan on being with her forever. If she'll have me," Ron finished lamely running a hand through his hair and down his neck. His heart was lodged in his throat and beating wildly.

Mrs. Weasley gave a watery smile, the first real smile since before the battle. She pulled Ron into a hug. "Ron, your father and I are so proud of the man you've become and everything you've done. I know you feel like you're always in second place first to your brothers and then to your best friend, but Ronald Weasley you have a lot to offer this world and to that girl out there," she said nodding towards the living room. "Don't let it go to waste," she finished with a kiss on the forehead.

Ron felt like he was on the verge of tears, this blessing from his mother meant more to him than anything, except, well, her. His eyes flashed to the living room where he could see her talking in low whispers with Harry. She looked lovely in the dim candlelight in the living room.

Molly returned to the living room, "Well, I'm going to turn in." She announced and she went around and kissed all of her children goodnight. "Harry dear, Percy is going to be returning to his flat for the night so you can take his room," she said before giving him a kiss on the forehead.

Harry found this quite odd, Percy hadn't slept in his room for a long time, but Harry had always slept in Ron's room on a cot. He was about to say he didn't mind the cot but Mrs. Weasley had already moved on.

She pulled Hermione into a tight hug, when she pulled back Mrs. Weasley had a strange teary look in her eyes. She gave Hermione a quick peck on the cheek and went upstairs. Mr. Weasley followed.

Soon after, Percy, Bill, and Fleur all left for their respective homes promising to return in time for breakfast. Charlie went upstairs to his room shortly after them. Leaving Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron alone in the living room.

"Weird about me staying in Percy's room, eh mate?" Harry asked Ron. Ron just shrugged, not divulging how pleased he was to have his room alone with Hermione.

Ginny looked up shyly and asked, "Um, Harry, would you care to go for a walk with me"

"Yea sure Ginny," Harry replied sounding someway skeptical.

Ron shot Harry a warning look as he got up to spend quality time alone with his baby sister. Harry gave him a reassuring look that did not reassure Ron at all.

"Let's go to bed," Ron said grabbing Hermione's hand. His touch felt electric, she had been craving it all day. They started up the stairs. Hermione stopped at Ginny's door and turned to say goodnight. She wanted to draw out their goodbyes as long as possible, wanting to spend a few more minutes with Ron.

"Um actually, I was hoping you'd sleep in my room, if you want that is," Ron said quickly looking down at his trainers. He couldn't bear to look her in the eyes. "I asked my mum, and she said it's ok."

"Yea" Hermione breathed. Not believing it. Not believing she would get to spent another night curled up in Ron's arms.

Ron tugged Hermione's hand and they continued up the stairs. From Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's room they could hear crying but all the other rooms were silent. Finally they reached Ron's attic room, it looked exactly the same as it had when they left last summer.

Ron rummaged through the beaded bag and handed Hermione her pajamas. Hermione went downstairs to the bathroom to change. It took all of Ron's will power not to follow, just to make sure she was ok. He changed quickly into his own pajamas. Hermione returned in a light blue top and matching pinstripe bottoms.

Hermione hesitantly crawled into Ron's bed. It felt strange pulling his orange Cannons quilt over her legs. Not that she hadn't thought about it a million times before, it just felt strange now that it was actually happening. Ron began putting protection charms around the room.

"You know Ron, I don't think that's really necessary," Hermione said softly, wanting him to just come to bed.

"Yes, it is Hermione. We have no idea how many bloody Death Eaters there are out there looking for us," Ron said more sharply than he meant. His face softened when he saw the hurt look in Hermione's eyes, "I'm done anyway," he said crawling into bed with her. It was only just past 8 o'clock and neither of them felt much like sleeping, although their bodies were screaming with exhaustion.

She looked so sad, Ron thought. He wanted to kiss her so hard she forgot all of the awful things in the world. More importantly, Ron wanted that for himself, he wanted to lose himself in her. Ron fought the urge to kiss her, pulling her into a tight hug instead he breathed in the sweet smell of her hair.

Hermione's ear was pressed against his chest, she could hear his heart beating erratically. She was so confused, last night they had been so wonderfully close, and today he had hardly left her side, but had never touched her. There had always been that careful buffer between them. Now, here he was holding her tightly again. What exactly was he playing at? It had been exactly 24 hours since their last kiss, and he hadn't tried to kiss her again.

"Why am I here, Ron, and not in Ginny's room?" Hermione asked pulling away from him, regretfully disentangling their limbs.

"Well, I suppose because I need to make sure you're safe," Ron replies sheepishly.

For some reason this makes anger flare up in Hermione's stomach. She's angry because Ron just refuses to admit he has feelings for her, or worse that he doesn't have feelings for her and he's just stringing her along. And now he's putting on this bloody White Knight charade for her. But rather than saying any of that she snaps, "I don't need to be taken care of Ronald," despite the fact that that's exactly what she needs.

Ron replies just as harshly, "Yes you do Hermione! What if I lost you? I've come so close so many times and to lose you now...it would just kill me." Angry tears burned Ron's eyes but he blinked them away.

Hermione's face shifted from anger to shock.

Ron chastised himself for yelling at her and for putting all of that out there when he wasn't sure if that was even what she wanted.

Hermione scooted a little closer to him looking contrite. "I...I didn't know," Hermione stuttered lamely.

Ron pulled her into his lap. "Well now you do," Ron said gruffly.

Hermione searched for a lighter topic, "I never thought, I'd be in your bed like this. I've thought about it so many times..." Hermione saw Ron's eyes go dark, maybe that wasn't as light a topic as she thought it was.

Ron felt like an animal was clawing at his chest. Here was the most beautiful girl in the world telling him she had thought about being in bed with him. Had she thought about more than sleeping? He felt a primal urge to kiss her and never stop. To pull off that blue top that clung to her curves in all the right places. He felt his pants tighten uncomfortably, it wasn't helping that Hermione was squirming on his lap like that, looking up at him with those beautiful brown eyes.

Before Hermione knew what was happening she was off of Ron's lap and thrown onto the bed. One of Ron's hands placed on either side of her head, his knees holding her thighs together. Hermione recognized the look in his eyes now, it was desire, desire for her. Hermione's stomach felt like it were on fire. She wanted to reach up and pull Ron down on top of her and feel the lengths of their bodies pressed together. The eye contact was maddening, she wanted him now more than she'd ever wanted anything. His forehead was pressed against hers. She wanted to reach up and kiss him, their lips were so close.

Ron squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath, Hermione's forehead still pressed against his. Now wasn't the time. He felt a pang of guilt for his brother, for his family, for taking advantage of the situation, and most importantly for letting his guard down. It took all of his will power to pull back and kiss her forehead.

Hermione was shocked when he rolled over onto the bed next to her. She rolled over to face him, searching his expression for some explanation.

Ron pulled the blankets over them and took Hermione's hand in his. He looked into her dark brown eyes feeling like he could drown in their depths. What he really wanted to say was, I love you Hermione Granger, but instead he said, "Now isn't the right time." He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed the fingers that were intertwined with his own.

Hermione wanted to roll onto her stomach and scream into the pillow in frustration and excitement. Instead she cuddled closer to Ron, kissing his chest right where his heart was.

AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave reviews. Criticism and ideas are always welcome. Thanks for reading.