A/N: Please read and review. I redid a lot on this chapter. hopefully the additions make it better. FYI: there wont be another update until after Christmas.

Thank you (Gracias) to the guest reviewer.

Chapter 5:

Hermione paced the kitchen nervously, staring at the clock every few minutes. It said a quarter to six now and her heart pounded so wildly in her chest that she was starting to get a migraine. She felt her stomach tie in knots and felt like she would be sick at any moment. The revelation a few hours earlier from Evelyn, pointing at a picture of Harry and calling him 'Daddy' had really thrown her. She tried questioning the little girl again, trying to get more information out of her but Evelyn didn't seem to have any or wanted to answer. She was only four. She didn't know anything past that he was her father. It aggravated her to no end, but what did she really expect?

After going through some more pictures with Evelyn, the little girl decided she wanted to go back downstairs and watch more TV with Mikey. She had groaned to herself in frustration, starting to think she's not cut out to be a parent. Children just didn't have a long attention span or heads for details, and it frustrated her.

After sending Evelyn back downstairs to watch TV with Mikey, Hermione stayed on the floor in her room staring at the picture that Evelyn had pointed at. It was one that had been taken by Colin Creevey in their third year on Christmas day. They had sat in the Great Hall, remnants of the evening feast surrounding them as Ron and Harry sat across from each other playing chess. Hermione had been sitting next to Harry going over the book he had given her that morning as her present. It was an empty journal with her name embossed upon it that she could write in indefinitely. He had learned a charm that would make the pages appear blank to anyone who tries to read it without permission, so it would always keep her secrets. She had used it well during school, but it had somehow turned into an outlet for her to talk to Harry over the past eight years, the entries becoming letters of sort to him. Things she wished she could have shared with him but couldn't. Things she wished she could have told him but didn't. Her venting her frustration at his continued absence.

Hermione looked at the clock again. It was almost six now. She had attempted to get hold of Ron, but he was too far out, and nobody could reach him. She didn't even leave any messages, afraid of anyone else finding out just yet. She could probably have apparated to where he was, but she couldn't risk leaving the children alone. Her nerves seemed worse by not having him there and she wished that he was.

She had thought about contacting someone else to come over and be with her, but she couldn't think of who. Any of the Weasleys were out of the question. They were just as desperate to find Harry even if at times they appeared to have given up long ago. Hermione didn't want to overwhelm Harry and frighten him back into hiding. She couldn't call any of their school friends, not knowing how they would react either. But the main reason for her doing this alone was simply Hermione didn't want to risk freaking out Harry and she wasn't sure how others would react if she said, "hey come over, Harry will be here soon to pick up his four year old daughter."

If she were really honest with herself, which is something she just couldn't be at the moment or the fear and anxiety would eat her alive, she was actually afraid of Harry. She was afraid that he would show up at the door, see her, and then take Evelyn and run. This was the moment of truth, the defining moment and it all hung on Harry's reaction. She didn't like that at all. She didn't like feeling the dread and unknowing if he would panic and disappear. She knew if he did that then that was the end. There would be no finding him after that. Harry Potter would be well and good gone from their lives forever.

'But maybe he'll stay.' A tiny voice in her head said quietly to her.

She looked at the clock again. It was just past six now. Harry will be here any minute. Taking a deep breath, she moved to the living room and sat down heavily on the couch trying to keep calm and not pass out from anxiety.

She thought more about all the possible reactions Harry would have. She knows her worst fear is that he'll see her, freak out, grab the kids, and leave and she'll never see him again. She wasn't sure why she was driving herself crazy with these thoughts. They all used to be the best of friends. Closer than friends they were like siblings. Always there for each other no matter what was happening. But suddenly she was as scared as she could ever be.

She really wished Ron was with her.

The doorbell rang then, and Hermione froze. She couldn't move as her heart stopped and no breath could exit her lungs. She knew it was Harry. The bell rang again, and she continued to sit there, eyes frozen wide in fear in the direction of the door until Evelyn turned to look at her, expecting her to get up and answer it.

A third ring sounded.

"Miney? Is that dad?" The little girl asked then, prompting her what to do. Hermione shook her head slightly, clearing her thoughts before looking at Evelyn. She couldn't think of anything to say as she peered into those green eyes that were exactly the same as her missing friends. She just stood up woodenly and walked to the door. The bell rang a fourth time. She paused on the other side, taking a deep breath, and tugged it open.

And there stood Harry.

All she could do was stare at him. She saw his smile fall quickly but she was too busy drinking him all in. He was slightly taller than her still and his body had filled out some, probably from eating regularly. Her mind reeled back remembering the last she saw him, he had been painfully thin, emaciated with heavy bags under his eyes. But the man standing before her was filled out and healthy though still very thin, but she figured he'd always be so due to the years of malnourishment from the Dursleys. His face was still dreadfully pale as always but didn't seem to have as many shadows as before. His hair was also the same as it always was, extremely messy and jet black, but she noticed it now had a touch of white in some parts.

The thing that's changed the most was his eyes. They were still the same stunning green that everyone always pointed out. Always saying they were just like his mothers. But instead of the insecure little boy, or the angry misunderstood teenager, or the exhausted world on his shoulders seen too much death young man that she grown up looking in, they were now happy and peaceful. For the most part. And at this very moment they looked very shocked and confused.

"Harry." she breathed out his name. It barely came out as a whisper. Harry stood there staring back at her for a few moments, frozen in place. Then he did something totally unexpected and extremely un-Harry like, and the last thing she expected of him. He stepped forward towards her and wrapped his arms tightly around her in a tight embrace, holding on to her for dear life.

It surprised Hermione. Harry was never one to seek out any sort of physical affection, though She knew he had secretly liked it. After hugging him at the end of second year, the way he had clung on to her for longer than was strictly necessary had told her more about him than he had ever verbalized to that point. The poor kid was starved for any sort of affection, and so it was, even being very young and not fully understanding it, Hermione had always made a point of hugging him, of touching his arm, or anything that would show him she cared. But right now, it felt so good.

They stood there for what seemed like eternity, arms wrapped tightly around each other, just lost in the moment. Hermione held him tight, afraid of letting him go. Afraid that if she did, he would walk away and disappear again. She wanted to stay there like that forever. To just freeze time and stay like that. Hermione took a deep breath, turning her face into the curve of Harry's neck. He smelled just as she remembered him. Clean with a bit of spice and like a fresh breeze from the sky on a cool day. She could feel her eyes becoming prickly and tried her hardest to hold back the tears.

"Daddy!" Evelyn shouted from behind them. They quickly broke apart and Hermione reached up to wipe away the few stray tears coming down her eyes, not wanting the little girl to see she had been crying. Harry smiled at her and reached up to brush a stray hair out of her face before turning his attention to the little girl standing behind Hermione.

He held his arms open and hugged her like there was no tomorrow while placing kisses on the side of her head. Hermione smiled, watching the display, heart still pounding as the little girl giggled loudly.

"How was class daddy?" She asked him pulling back so she could see his face. Harry smiled brightly at her. Hermione could easily see the love he held for the child, and it made her feel like crying again at how beautiful it was.

"Class was fine sweetie. Did you have fun here with Hermione?" He looked at Hermione and smiled at her again, she returned it feeling a slight blush stinging her cheeks.

"It was fun!" Evelyn proclaimed, but she leaned over to him in an attempt to whisper "but I don't think she has any kids" Harry laughed at that. The sound sent butterflies through Hermione. It had been a long time, even before he had left, before the war was even half over since she had heard him laugh. Probably not since before Dumbledore died. A real laugh like the sound he just made. She wished with all her heart that Ron could be here to witness it or in the very least bottle it up and keep it for times in need.

"Would you like to come in for some tea Harry?" She asked him, wanting him to stay. Harry turned to look at Evelyn again.

"What do you think sweetheart, think we can stay for a cup of tea?" He asked her. Evelyn put her hand on her chin pretending to think. "Come on. it could be fun!" He said. She thought a little bit longer.

"Fun for who?" She asked him. "I do not drink tea. Somebody, and I won't say who, daddy, won't let me." Hermione choked on a laugh at the girl's cheek.

"Alright, fair enough. It would be fun for me." He conceded, causing Hermione to laugh at their antics.

"Well, ok. But remember it's a school night." She said. He squeezed her closer and gave her more kisses on her cheek saying, 'thank you thank you" She squealed in delight as he put her down where she ran back into the living room to Michael.

Hermione led the way to the kitchen. The tension was very thick, and she was unsure of how to break it, so she went about boiling the water and grabbing a couple mugs. Harry sat down on a stool at the breakfast nook watching as she rushed around the kitchen starting to make tea.

"So, how's Ron?" He asked her.

"He's fine, doing well." She replied vaguely. She wasn't sure now would be a good time to broach the subject of where Ron was currently. She set down the two teacups on the counter before grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"You two are still together then?" She smiled at him, feeling a blush on her cheeks.

"Yeah, actually, we're currently engaged." She showed Harry the ring on her left hand. It was a simple ring of white gold, and a small diamond surrounded by sapphires. She loved it dearly. He had said he picked one with a diamond because his brothers in their advice warned him how much girls loved the stone, but he had seen this one with sapphires and knowing it was Hermione's birthstone thought she'd like it. The fact he remembered her birth month on his own was what made the ring so special to her.

"That's very beautiful." He commented holding her hand to get a better look. He looked up from her hand and directly at her. Hermione felt herself blush again. His hands were a lot softer than she remembered. "How long have you been engaged?" She took her hand back then and went back to busying herself with the tea.

"About five years actually." She said offhandedly as she grabbed the kettle as it started boiling and poured it in the teapot.

"Five years is a bit long don't you think? I didn't even know Ron had that much patience." He laughed softly at the joke. Hermione however didn't. His smile faded. "Where is Ron anyways? Is he at work?"

"No, he's taken the week off. He's a manager now at George's main store, though he does manage all the other ones too. He's doing very well there. George has been talking to him about making him a partner in the company." She was positively beaming with pride. She was so proud of Ron and how well he's been doing in business.

"That's brilliant!" He exclaimed, taking a sip of the tea Hermione had placed in front of him. She had hoped he would take it the same way as he used to. It didn't occur to her until after she started that his tastes might have changed. Hermione watched as he went through the same ritual as Evelyn had earlier with her milk. Taking it in both hands slowly and bringing it to his lips and taking a small sip. He smacked his lips quietly and slowly set his cup back down. "But where is he now?" He looked back up at her.

"He's out, he should be back soon. in a day, or so, possibly." His eyebrows raised at that but didn't question her further.

"Ok, well why have you guys waited so long to get married? Five years is a long time." He asked again. drinking more tea. This was not turning out well. She didn't want to tell him right off the reason they weren't married and why Ron was gone or where he went was because of him. She didn't know Harry as well now as she used to, but she was pretty sure he would still feel as guilty as he always had if he found out they put their lives on hold for him.

"Oh, you know, timing. Tell me about you. Any spouse in your life?" She asked him nervously. But Harry just gave a sad smile and shook his head.

"No, its just me and Evelyn." He said sadly and looked away from her. She wanted to know more but figured, like many topics, that would be one for another day, hopefully.

"Oh, well, what do you do for a job now?" Harry looked at her suspiciously. She knew from the look he was giving her that he was aware she was avoiding talking about some things and there was more to her and Ron than what she was currently saying. Somehow Harry always knew when she wasn't being straightforward with him. Hermione took a drink from her own tea though, trying to look casual and knowing she was failing. But Harry seemed to get the hint and moved on.

"I'm a teacher" She nearly spit her tea out at that.

"Really? Of what?" She asked curiously.

"I teach kindergarten at the local school." She thought back to the conversation a few weeks ago at the Burrow, Victoire telling them all about Mr. Potter and his kindergarten class visiting.

"You're Mr. Potter!" She exclaimed out loud, causing Harry to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why yes, Hermione. I am. Harry Potter. We've met, you know." He replied with a chuckle.

"Yes…No…I mean, Victorie, a few weeks ago, she was telling us about her school. She mentioned her teacher had to leave early that day and you came to mind them. She said you were doing magic tricks." She watched as Harry thought back on what she said, trying to piece it together himself before he nodded in understanding.

"Oh yes. Blonde girl. Last name Weasley. I didn't even think about connecting her to Ron's family. I'm guessing from the blonde it must be Bill and Fleurs daughter?"

"Yes! They moved here not too long ago."

"She was a sweet kid. I just performed some basic muggle card tricks I had learned from a former roommate. She wasn't very impressed if I recall."

"I never thought you would be teaching young children. Why would you choose that?" She asked as she reached into the cupboard behind her and grabbed a package of cookies and offered some to him.

"It felt right." Harry replied simply. "Did you go back to Hogwarts?"

"I didn't go to school no, but Professor Mcgonagall allowed me to complete it via correspondence. I did go back for the end of year tests. I got 12 NEWTS. I can't begin to tell you what a relief it was to be done with that finally" Harry burst out laughing at that causing Hermione to jump in surprise. His laugh was infectious. She found herself smiling again and trying hard to contain her own laughter.

"I knew it all along, it was a front. you just wanted out of school the whole time" He stated when he could finally talk again. She huffed at him and stuck her nose up.

"Harry Potter, how dare you say that." They stared at each other for a moment. Tension thick again before they both burst into fits of laughter. It felt good to laugh with him again. After a few minutes Hermione was able to catch her breath again and took another sip of her tea, ignoring that it had grown cold. "What about you? Laura said you came from a class. While you weren't terrible in school, I didn't think you would continue on and do more."

"Ah, yes. Well. I'm currently working on my bachelor's in early childhood development" That stumped Hermione as she stared at him impressed. "I haven't decided if I want to stop there or move on to obtain my PHD." She didn't know what to say to that. She knew Harry wasn't stupid, far from it. He was very intelligent, but he always seemed to hold it back. Hermione had known all through Hogwarts that Harry could, if he had applied himself, given her some serious competition at being top of their class. But he always toed some invisible line between exceeding expectations and being slightly above average.

She wondered if the Dursleys had anything to do with that.

"Wow, Harry. That takes some dedication. I never knew you were interested in that sort of thing." Harry smiled, taking another drink of his tea instead of answering. "What brought this interest on?" She continued. Harry set the cup down then and looked at the watch on his wrist before standing up, quickly finishing his tea.

"That story will have to wait till another time unfortunately. I need to get Evelyn home." Hermione's heart pounded in her chest in panic. She didn't want him to go. If he left, would she ever see him again? Would he run off into the night like he did before? Harry, however, seemed to have read the thoughts in her head as he walked around the breakfast nook to her and embraced her again, holding on tightly to her. She could feel the tears swelling up in her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair as she clung onto him for dear life.

"I'm not running off Hermione." He pulled back so he could look into her eyes. "I have a life here, and I found you again. I'm not leaving permanently. Just for the night. I promise." He then kissed her on her forehead gently and separated from her. Harry grabbed the nearest sheet of paper and a pen on the counter and started writing down his number and address.

"I only live a couple blocks away, come visit me tomorrow afternoon for tea, ok? Bring Ron if he comes home." Harry handed her the paper and kissed her again on the side of her head before walking off and calling for Evelyn and Mikey.

Hermione watched with a heavy heart as Harry gathered his daughter in his arms, lifting her up before taking Mikey's hand. He told the children to say goodbye and thank you, with a watery smile she had just given a gentle pat to each of them telling them they were welcome. She stared out the front window long after they had left, as if expecting to suddenly see them again, but of course they didn't come back. She would have to wait until tomorrow to see Harry again and prove to herself it wasn't just some fantasy her bored lonely brain made up.

Hermione lay in bed fully awake later that night. No matter how hard she tried she just couldn't shut her brain off and go to sleep. So, she spent her time tossing and trying to get comfortable in the bed she shared with Ron.

The implications of Harry coming back were enormous. They had put their lives on hold for so long while waiting and searching for him, that now that they had found him, they could move on with their lives. And that thought scared her. She wasn't sure what to do now. They had spent so much time in limbo at this point that she couldn't even imagine what the other side would look like. Would they get married now? Would they have kids now? What will Harry's role be in their lives now? But the more important question, what would their role be in Harry's life.

Harry had a full life of his own now, one that didn't involve Ron and Hermione or any other person in the wizarding world. He had a career, he was going to school, and he had his own little family and friends. Would there be a place for them in Harry's new life?

Hermione stirred out of her musings as she felt the bed dip lower on Rons side a bit as arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer. She looked up into Ron's tired blue eyes and smiled. She was so distracted by her own thoughts that she apparently didn't hear him come home and come upstairs.

"Sorry to have woken you" He whispered, kissing the side of her neck, and bringing her closer to him.

"It's alright, I was awake." She whispered back. "I was just thinking." He stopped his ministrations on her neck and laid his head right next to hers on the pillow looking at her with concern.

"And what could be so important that you have to think about it while you're supposed to be sleeping?"

"What did you find?" She asked instead, changing the subject. She knew she was going to have to tell him about Harry, that was a given, but she hadn't decided if she would do it tonight or in the morning.

Ron sighed and pushed a little away from her laying on his back. He ran his hands through his hair, looking exhausted. She already knew the answer of course, but she wanted to hear him.

"I found nothing. As always, nothing." He sighed again and turned back towards her. "I don't think we're ever going to find him." He buried his face in her bushy hair again. Hermione could hear the sadness in his voice at that admission and it broke her heart.

Losing Harry had been hard on everybody, but she alone knew exactly how hard it was on Ron. While he had grown up with five brothers and a sister, he never really felt like he had a real friend until he met Harry. Harry was so much different than his family. And with everything they had been through with Harry, it had built a bond closer than any of them had thought possible. She knew that Ron had taken Harry's disappearance harder than anybody else, including Ginny.

It also didn't help that Harry had a way of just drawing you in. He was a sullen boy who grew up without love and affection, with always being hated on. Horrible things just continued to happen to him no matter what he did, and those who were close to him couldn't help but feel protective. None more than Ron. Even when they fought and weren't speaking to each other, Ron still watched out for Harry. Especially after their spat in fourth year. Hermione could still recall the quiet conversation between herself and Ron after Harry had gone to bed once the party died after the first task. She remembered how Ron had told her that they needed to watch out for him, because there was no way Harry would watch out for himself. And that was in essence what the two of them, along with others, had done.

And because of that determination to watch out for him, Harry's deterioration after the war and subsequent disappearance had hit those closest to him the hardest. Because they had failed. They failed to protect Harry even if it was from himself.

Hermione lay there for a few more minutes, comforted by Ron's warm body next to hers. She could feel him slightly tense and knew how upset it made him that he didn't find anything again. She debated a few more minutes to herself about telling him, but as the silence stretched on, she knew she had to.

"Ron," She whispered. Turning her head to look into his eyes. She stared at them for a few moments. She wasn't sure what to say, but just let whatever came out speak. He looked at her curiously.

"Harry, lives a few blocks away." She said simply and then stopped, unsure of what else to say. Ron just continued to stare at her, her words seemingly not penetrating him. They stayed silent for a few minutes, the tension growing. Ron continued to stay silent, staring at her still as if waiting for her to say something else, and she wasn't sure what to say to break it. The tension was so thick at this point that after a few more minutes of this she decided she needed to say something else.

"He's invited us over to tea tomorrow afternoon." Still silent. He didn't even blink. If it weren't for the twittering of his fingers in her hair and the feeling of his breath on her cheek, she would be sure he had died or something just as dramatic.

"Ron?" She said as she brushed her hand gently over the side of his face. He blinked then and just looked at her. His face a complete mask not showing any feelings. "Say something, please" She pleaded worriedly. He just turned away from her and got out of bed.

"Ron, please, say something." She pleaded again as she watched him grab and pull on the shirt he had discarded off the chair in the corner and then walked out of the room. Hermione took a shuddering breath, finally letting out the air she didn't know she was holding in. She didn't know what to do. She had expected many responses from Ron, but not this. He was never the silent one to just walk away. He was the fighter one, always trying to cause and then win arguments.

She lay there, thinking, wondering if she should go after him or just lay there and let him cool off a bit. If he needed to cool off. She wasn't quite sure what exactly had happened. She decided on the first and got out of bed and put on some slippers.

Hermione went down the stairs searching for him and finding him sitting on the couch in the living room with the lights still off. She turned on the lamp next to the recliner and sat down on the edge of the seat staring at Ron. They sat in silence again for what seemed like hours, but which was more likely only minutes before she attempted to say something again.

"Ron? Talk to me." She requested simply. This silent Ron Weasley scared her a bit. He turned his face to stare at her again, this time with a slightly angry expression on his face.

"I don't understand. He invited us for tea? You've seen him? You've talked to him? You've FOUND HIM? And you are just mentioning it now? After all the time and effort, I put into finding him?" His voice was rising as he spoke. This was more like Ron. While she didn't like him yelling at her, at least she knew how to deal with this version.

"Ronald, you just got home. Don't yell at me about just mentioning it." She got up from her seat and sat next to Ron on the couch taking his hand in her own. "You were right, about Evelyn. She's Harry's." Her voice was barely a whisper, but he had heard her. He swallowed hard before turning his full body towards her, keeping his large hand in her smaller one.

"How'd you find out?" She then told him the whole story of Laura's emergency and dropped the kids off asking for help. About the awkward conversation with the little girl at lunch, and the discovery of her parentage in their room with a photo album. She told him about Harry. All about Harry. All the information she could gather from him in that short time they were reunited.

Again, they were silent after she had told him everything. His hand gripped tightly to hers, he was afraid to let it go. He didn't know what exactly he was feeling, his emotions a giant jumble at this point. At first, he was just really shocked by her saying Harry invited them to tea. He thought it was a joke and waited for her to crack a smile. But she didn't.

Now he just felt anger. Anger that he had done all that searching, all that waiting. and Harry was just here. In this neighborhood. So close to them, for weeks. He stood up, unsure of what to do but feeling the anger rolling inside of himself. He started pacing back and forth, his breath hitching as he seethed. He reached the bookcase at one end of the room filled to the brink with Hermione's books. So many books. They would soon be a library or bookstore if he didn't start curbing her habit, But the anger rang through him, and he screamed as he reached up and knocked all the books off a shelf and onto the floor.

"RON!" He heard her shout behind him. But he wasn't finished. He wasn't done venting his anger. He went around the room, knocking things off shelves and tables, tossing chairs and other objects, screaming his anger and pain out and he destroyed the room. He had so much anger and emotion seeping out of him that he was surprised his magic didn't jump in on the action. Hermione stood there by the couch, tears streaming down her eyes, watching the destruction around her that Ron was causing. She was scared, very scared he could tell. Not for herself though, she knew he would never hurt her. Ron had never raised a hand to her or purposely hurt her in any way over the years and to be honest while yes, he had the physical upper hand there Hermione completely had the magical and he was more afraid of that. But he could see she was afraid for him. He was being very un-Ron like tonight, as she would say it, he could tell.

Eventually he stopped tossing things, his breath laboring with exertion and Hermione just stared at him as he stood where he was. He turned to look at her again then, face completely red.

"Where?" He said simply, not even cringing as Hermione let a sob escape.

"Where what?" She asked quietly. His face contorted with annoyance now.

"Where does he live? You said he was nearby. Where?" He could tell from her expression that she knew what he was thinking. He was going to go over there.

"Ron, we'll go over tomorrow" she told him. She watched him for a few moments before she turned from him and started to pick up random items on the floor around her, her compulsion for order taking hold. He walked up to her and stood behind her.

"No, where does he live? TELL ME!" He shouted at her. She turned back to face him. Her own face now as red and angry as his.

"You're not going over there tonight, Ron. Not like this, not angry. We'll see him tomorrow!" She shouted back.

"And why not? He's been gone eight years." He bit out. "EIGHT YEARS Hermione. For all we know he's run off again now that he knows we found him."

"He won't," he promised, Ron, just sit down." She was getting very frustrated with him. He watched her continue to clean for a few more moments, ignoring the exhaustion that seemed to have taken over her. Ron knew she was fighting it though, afraid that if she left him to go to bed he would just go out and bang on every door in the neighborhood till he found Harry's house.

She would have been right.

"Promised? The word of someone who ran off from his friends with no warning really isn't something you should take to heart Hermione." He spat out.

"Ron. You can't go over there tonight."

"And why not?" He said again.

"Because it's 2am, Ron. He has a four year old child. If you show up at his house now yelling and angry, you'll scare the crap out of her, and I can guarantee you won't be doing anything good towards Harry if you do." Ron let out a breath as if she had just sucker punched him as he felt the anger starting to melt away. She was right and he knew it.

He worked his jaw, trying to say something, but nothing came out. He wanted to scream some more but Hermione wrapped her arms around him once more and pressed her lips to his. Ron closed his eyes and just focused on their joined lips for a few beats trying to calm down. The kiss lingered a few minutes before he broke it up and rested his forehead on hers.

"I'm sorry Hermione." He said simply. "I'm just…"

"I know Ron, I'm frightened too. But we must do this on his terms for now."

"Okay, yeah, we'll see him tomorrow." They kissed again before Ron started towards the stairs, hand pulling on Hermione to follow. "Let's go to bed."