A/N: I'll be updating this fic every Wednesday from now onwards :)

Please, Don't Leave Me

Ron's POV

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in a circle out in the Orchard. Ron pulled at the random sprites of grass around his knees as the trio sat in silence.

"I have to tell you both something", Hermione suddenly spoke. Ron's eyes instantly met hers, even though she had addressed them both. She let out a deep sigh before letting her eyes meet the floor. "I'm going to Australia in the morning", she told them.

"What?", Ron said, his eyes widening at the thought of her leaving him. From the moment the war had ended, Hermione had been by Ron's side every second of every single day and that's just how he preferred. He could only imagine the crumbling mess he would turn into without her.

"I have to find my parents, Ron", she told him, placing the palm of her hand on his knee.

"Then- I'll go with you!", he announced. Hermione smiled softly at him.

"Kingsley's going to come with me. You can't, Ron. You're needed here and- and this is something I have to do. I'll be back before you even know it", she reassured him. Ron's eyes met her hand that was still on his knee. Harry suddenly cleared his throat.

"You two clearly need to talk so I'm going to see if Ginny's okay", he told them before getting up and heading back to The Burrow.

"How long have you been planning this?", Ron asked.

"About a week", Hermione admitted.

"A week? Why didn't you tell me?", he asked, furrowing his brow. Hermione sighed softly as she took her hand from his knee and took his hand within her own.

"Ron, you've needed me this week more than ever. I couldn't just say 'by the way, I'm making plans to go to Australia'. I was only thinking of you", she blushed a little. Ron let out a defeated sigh as he squeezed her hand ever so slightly.

"Are- are you going to be back for Fred's-?", he said, almost in a shy whisper, unable to finish the sentence.

"Of course I will, Ron", she told him, taking hold of his chin and raising it up so he'd look at her.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you", he told her honestly.

"You'll be absolutely fine. I know you will. Besides, once I'm back we can start our lives as a normal couple", she said. This had been the first time since their kiss that Hermione had referred to them as a 'couple'. Ron couldn't help but blush as his cheeks flushed as red as his hair.

"A couple ay?", he said, a cheeky grin growing on his face. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well, what else would we be?", she smiled brightly at him. Their foreheads met as Ron just enjoyed feeling Hermione's breath against his face. But he hated the timing. He hated that the day he finally got the girl he had been longing for for what felt like forever was the same day his brother, and so many others, had died. He wanted, more than anything, to solely enjoy being with Hermione, being able to call her his girlfriend, being able to hold her hand and hold her in his arms whenever he wanted to. But when he would, the sadness would always be there, in the back of his mind and in the core of his heart. He knew Fred and George had always joked and made bets on he and Hermione becoming more than just friends and he was utterly heartbroken that Fred couldn't be there to see it for himself. Ron laid out flat against the soft grass as Hermione nervously rested her head against his chest, curled up at his side as he dared to run his fingers through her bushy brunette locks. The pair of them laid their in silence for what felt like days as Ron enjoyed the feel of Hermione's hair between his fingers. "You're so brave, Ron", Hermione suddenly spoke.

"Me? Nah. You're the brave one. I'm not the one who sent my parents to the other side of the world to protect them and I'm not the one heading off to find them. You're bloody amazing you are", he told her, his eyes firmly on the clouds above as he tried to pretend that everything was okay. Hermione suddenly reached up and planted the softest kiss on Ron's cheek. He could feel himself burning up as his cheeks flushed red once again.

"I'm going to miss you", she told him.

"I'm going to miss you too. Its going to be so weird not having you around everyday. I've gotten used to it", he said. Hermione nodded in agreement. "Hermione?", he spoke. Hermione looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. "Fred's funeral. Will you- will you stay here? With me?", he asked nervously.

"Yes, Ron", she said, smiling softly as she settled her head back on his chest. "I wont be going anywhere". Ron kissed the top of her head as he let out a long sigh, continuing to stare at the clouds above, wondering if Fred could see him. Wondering if he was watching. He hoped he was proud. He hoped he was over the moon to see that his little brother had finally "manned up" and got the girl. He thought about all of the Muggle religion stuff Hermione had sometimes spoken about over the years and wondered if there were pearly white gates up there, with a heaven and angels, where Fred would be happy and safe. A big part of him hoped that there was. He'd hate to think that Fred had succumbed to darkness and nothingness. He wanted there to be some sort of life after death for his older brother. He couldn't help but think that George would want that too.