It's midnight. I'm so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open but I'm not planning to go to sleep just yet. I want Harry to know that I'm here. He hasn't closed the door and I know it's because he wants to feel my presence in the next room, and I want him to fall asleep before to retire. I'll probably wait another hour just to make sure it has happened.
But then quite suddenly I hear a knock at the door. A steadfast knock followed very soon by another one as energic as the first.
I sprang up and with the wand in my hand I amble over it cautious. Harry is awake too I hear him getting out of bed while I'm walking through the corridor.
'Who is it?' I ask my voice steady and suspicious. Not many people know this address and amid those I cannot imagine any that would knock at this hour.
'Open the fucking door'
I recognise with a sudden horror the owner of that voice.
This is the last thing I wanted to happen.
'Go away, Ron' I order uselessly.
'Open the fucking door or I'll tear it down'
Aghast, I look enquiringly behind my shoulder to Harry who nods slightly at me.
I don't think we have much of a choice. It is not as Ron will desist only because I refuse to open the door. He'll get in with or without my help.
As soon as the door is open, Ron darts inside furiously.
He pauses only briefly to shot me a murderous look but, seeing Harry just behind me, it's there he lunges pushing me out of the way. I know he'll struck him as I know Harry won't try to dodge him or fight back.
In two strides he is on him, yanks him by the t-shirt and rise his fist ready to hit him.
'No!' I scream and as fast as I can I'm in the middle of them, my arms outstretched in front of Harry. They are both so tall I disappear between them 'You won't touch him!' I yell to Ron trying to push him away.
'Did you sleep with her?' he growls with a hoarse voice, his fist raised ready to hit.
'I didn't' Harry answers quietly not attempting in any way to free himself from Ron's grasp.
I don't quite know if it's denial or presence of mind. Being one or the other I thank god for this ready lie.
'I don't believe you.' His eyes become two slid as he hisses these words suspicious.
'Ron, stop! This is madness! Leave him alone!' I interject trying to lower his fist still menacingly against him.
'She slept the whole time in James' room, you can check yourself. All her stuff is in there. I would never touch her. She is like a sister to me'
'I heard that before' he snarls 'and it turned out to be not so truthful'
Harry doesn't answer, their eyes locked to each other as though I'm not there at all.
I manage to lower his fist 'Drop it Ron, this is out of place' but they are still glowering at each other.
'She is my wife, remember that. Not yours. You had one, my sister and you have it killed. You won't get her too. Too many members of my family are already dead because of you! I won't let you close to any of them if I can help it'
'Ron!' I shout scandalised 'This is a horrible thing to say! And it's not true!'
But he doesn't take any notice of me, he keeps talking ominously 'You won't see her anymore. I won't allow you to get close. And if I find out you slept with her, I swear to god I'll kill you with my hands.'
'Ron! How dare you?! I'll see him whenever I want to' I burst out at the top of my lungs, angrily. I turn to Harry frantic 'Harry, don't worry, he is talking nonsense' but he is not looking at me, his expression is stern fixed on Ron's face contorted with spite.
'Take your stuff. We are going home' Ron orders me as he roughly release Harry from his grasp.
'I don't go anywhere! I stay here!' I fire back, outraged.
'You are coming with me' he hisses through clenched teeth 'I'll drag you if I must'
'Drag me then' I answer challenging bursting fire. I want to see him trying.
But then Harry interjects 'Hermione, Ron is right. You should go with him. I'm fine, really. It doesn't matter'
I'm taken aback by these words quite not knowing what to say.
'It's fine.' He repeats seeing my hesitation 'Go on. You staid here long enough, you must take care of your family'
Ron is clearly getting annoyed by this exchange that seems to suggest that Harry has that power over my decisions he totally lacks; he fidgets and shots aggressive glances. More to avoid a scrape between the two than anything else, I decide to submit. I gather all my things by magic as I don't trust them alone and without speaking, I follow Ron already marching out of the door.
While we are walking, I glimpse behind my shoulder, and I catch Harry expression before he closes the door. And I know how wrong I was thinking my presence unimportant. There is so much uneasiness there, so much anguish seeing me going that breaks my heart. I would run back to him if all of this wouldn't be the work of a moment.
The door is soon closed however, and Ron's hand is clenched around my arm as he drags me roughly in a side apparition.