Fix You

Ron's POV

They were in the same marquee they had been for Bill and Fleur's wedding as Ron sat in a corner on his own, reflecting on the day and how it had made him feel. He had felt sad since Fred had died, but now he just felt empty. A pain lingered around his heart that he couldn't seem to shake as he thought about his brother laying cold and alone in the ground. His eyes wandered over to George as he wondered whether he'd ever play a joke on him again, without Fred. He had thought that funerals were meant as a chance to say goodbye and make peace with someone's passing, but Ron only felt worse. He felt like the whole event made it final; that Fred was gone and he was never coming back. He watched on as guests upon guests greeted his parents and siblings and gave their condolences as his family thanked them, their heartbreak plastered across each of their faces. He would rather vomit slugs for the rest of his life than hear the words "I'm sorry for your loss" again. He couldn't take it. He got up from his chair and made his way out of the marquee and into the Orchard. He walked for what seemed like forever until he could walk no more and his knees collapsed to the ground. He hung his head in despair, fighting the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. The pain that lingered in his chest worsening with every passing minute.

"Ron?", a comforting voice came from behind. Ron kept his head down, losing the fight against his tears as they began to stream freely down his face. Hermione knelt down behind him, her arms snaking around his waist and coming together at his stomach as she placed her head softly against his back. "Its alright to cry, you know?", she told him.

"I cant- not in front of-", he struggled to speak, his voice shaking with emotion.

"Well, you can in front of me", she told him. Ron lifted his head up as he turned his body around to face her. His eyes were red from the emotions he had been holding back. "Its okay", Hermione smiled sympathetically, taking his cheek in the palm of her hand as she wiped away a single tear with her thumb. In that moment, Ron lost all ability to fight the emotions that had built up inside of him as floods of tears began to leave his eyes. His whole body shuddered with grief as he collapsed into her, his head resting against her heart as he held on to her cardigan. Hermione wrapped her arms around him, shushing him soothingly as he sobbed his heart out. The pain Ron had felt in his heart began to lessen with each tear that fell. The release was overwhelming which only made him cry harder. After ten minutes, Ron's sobbing came to a slow stop as he just held on to Hermione, enjoying her touch and being grateful for her presence and comfort.

"I bet you think I'm a bloody prat", he sniffed, chuckling slightly.

"Not in the slightest", she said simply, running her fingers through his flaming red hair. Ron sat up to look her in the eyes. Those beautiful big brown eyes he had grown so fond of over the years. Hermione lightly touched his lips with her own, taking part in the gentlest of kisses before smiling warmly at him. "He's right you know. You're going to be okay, Ron. Its all going to be okay in the end. I promise", she said, their foreheads meeting.

"I need to use that Time Turner of yours", he suddenly said.

"What for?", she asked, raising her eyebrow suspiciously as she pulled her forehead away from his.

"So I can go back in time and hex the younger version of me for being a complete arse to you", he chuckled. Hermione smiled sweetly at him, chuckling softly before kissing him on the cheek.

"We should go back", she suggested.

"No. Can we- can we just go back to The Burrow? Please?", he asked. Hermione sighed before nodding and the pair got up and made their way towards The Burrow.

"Are you alright, son?", Arthur asked as Ron and Hermione walked through the front door to find him sitting at the kitchen table. Ron nodded.

"Just needed to get away", he admitted. Arthur let out a large sigh as he stood up and walked towards his son.

"Me too", he smiled softly. There was a moment of silence before Arthur wrapped his arms around Ron's shoulders, hugging him tightly as Ron hugged back. "I'm so proud of you, Ron", he said.

"Thanks, dad", Ron whispered, hiding his face slightly in his father's shoulder. "We're just going to sit upstairs for a while", he said, pulling away from the embrace. Arthur nodded slightly before Ron took Hermione's hand within her own and lead her up to his bedroom. Hermione laid across Ron's bed before gesturing for him to come and lay with her. He laid down by her side, nervously resting his head against her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm still getting used to this", he chuckled nervously.

"Me too", she replied.

"This is it now, isn't it? Me and you. Being- being together", he asked.

"What makes you ask that?", Hermione asked in return.

"Well, something always comes along to mess things up doesn't it?", he sighed.

"Not anymore, Ron. Not anymore", she said softly, kissing the top of his head. Ron couldn't recall the exact moment he had fallen asleep but he woke up hours later feeling like he had slept for days. The bright sun that had lit up his bedroom had now gone as the moon and stars lit up the night sky. He was laid alone on his bed as he took in his surroundings. He sighed sadly as he figured Hermione must have gone home with her parents when all of a sudden, she crept in silently through his bedroom door. "Oh good, you're up", she smiled sweetly.

"I thought you might have gone", he said. Hermione shook her head.

"I'm going to spend the night. I was just letting my parents know", she told him as she sat beside him on the bed. Ron smiled sweetly at her before giving her a tender kiss on the cheek.

"Would- I mean if you want to! Its okay if you don't but- could you- stay in here? With me? Tonight?", he asked nervously, his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.

"I don't think your mum would be too happy about that, Ron", she sighed sadly.

"I'll talk to her. Please. I just- I just really don't want to be alone tonight", he admitted. Hermione smiled softly at him before nodding. "Are people still here?", he asked. Hermione nodded once more.

"Hagrid's having a drink with your dad and Charlie and there's a few others still here", she told him.

"I should probably show my face", he said. Hermione nodded in agreement as they joined hands and made their way downstairs.

"Oh there you are! I was starting to think you'd ran away", Molly chuckled as she hugged him.

"Just went for a nap. Mum, can I ask you something?", he asked, swallowing the nervous lump that had formed in his throat. Molly nodded as she smiled softly at him. Hermione unhooked their hands as she wandered off to talk to Harry so Ron and his mother could talk alone. "Would it be okay if Hermione stayed in my room tonight? I just- I don't want to be alone. I can leave the door open all night if you want me to!", he tried to persuade her. Molly stayed silent for a moment as Ron waited nervously for a response. She looked at him sadly, seeing the genuine neediness in his face as he continued to look her in the eyes.

"Of course she can. And- you don't have to keep the door open. I trust you, Ron, you've grown into such a smart young man. You're old enough to make your own choices even though- you'll always be my little boy", she told him as she became teary-eyed. Ron wrapped his arms around her shoulders, kissing her on the cheek.

"Thanks, mum", he spoke softly. He spotted Hermione stood with Harry over his mother's shoulder and smiled softly at her as she smiled back at him. The night grew old and all the guests had left as Ron and Hermione prepared to get ready for bed.

"I'm wide awake after our nap earlier", Hermione chuckled as she made her way back into the bedroom from getting changed into her pyjamas. She was a little startled to see Ron laid on top of the covers in nothing but his boxers.

"Oh- I'm sorry- does- does this bother you?", he asked nervously. "I just- I normally sleep in my boxers when its warm out".

"No, its fine- I was just a little surprised is all", she told him, blushing slightly.

"At how pale I really am?", he joked. Hermione giggled as she joined him on the bed, laying her head against his bare chest as she began to draw lazy circles above his heart with her finger. Ron shuddered under her touch. The only time Hermione had ever seen him shirtless was when he and Harry would make a quick change of clothes whilst they were on the run. He had never felt her fingertips against his bare skin like this. It made him feel relaxed in a way he hadn't felt in many years. He didn't have his school exams to worry about. He didn't have to worry about Voldemort and whether they'd defeat him or not. All that mattered to him in that moment was Hermione, and how calm and happy she made him feel. And he began to feel the shattered pieces of his heart slowly coming together again. And as the night moved on, Ron and Hermione never slept a wink as they just laid with each other, enjoying the moment.