A/N: I am so sorry this has taken so long. Thanks for all the reviews and the well-wishes. Graduation was good and my trip was awesome. I didn't have much time to work on this though. Now that I'm back, though, I'm having a hard time picking up where I left off. I've written bits and pieces throughout the week, but I'm still not satisfied with it as a chapter. However, I feel I've gone too long without a word, so, without further adieu, here is the next "chapter".
That night I had an odd dream. I was back at the place where Voldemort died, but it was, well, different. I couldn't help noticing a few subtle differences, like a tree was gone, or off to the side more. It was more green than I remembered, and was slightly calmer. I still saw the spells marks, but they too were altered.
Harry looked around, panicked. The corpse of Voldemort was beginning to smoke. Harry sheltered his face with his hands as it burst into flames, sending showers into the sky. When the smoke cleared he could see and hear his surroundings again. He looked around frantically, searching for Ron and Hermione. Smoke was settling, leaving the landscape shadowed. He could hear shouts and what sounded like laughter off in the distance as the Order realized they had won.
Harry ran away, away from the spot where Voldemort had stood and tried to take his life, away to the sounds of humanity. He spotted Hermione first, her feet curled up beneath her, her head down. He gasped at the sight of all the blood. He rushed to her, and took her hand, afraid of the worst. He sighed in relief when she looked up at him and smiled weakly. She gestured to him, reassuring him it wasn't hers. He knelt down to her, and took her in his arms, rocking back and forth, both crying as they thanked the gods for their survival. They held each other for a while longer, until Harry heard something behind them.
They both drew their wands and leapt to their feet. Hermione lowered hers first, and launched herself at the figure entering the clearing. Harry grinned and walked over to his best friend. They all embraced, happy in this one moment that they all had survived. Harry pulled back and clapped Ron on the shoulder. Ron was pale and smiling weakly at Hermione's steadfast embrace.
As they walked away from the clearing, Ron fell further and further behind, until he collapsed. They rushed back to him and Hermione took him in her arms. Harry sat beside them, and watched as Hermione began to cry. Harry helped him sit up further and Ron was wheezing, trying to catch his breath. Then Ron began coughing and Hermione clutched him tighter. He took her hand and squeezed lightly with the little strength he had. Harry shook his head as Ron reached for him as well.
"Harry," he rasped. "Take care of her for me. You always were better at it than me anyways."
Hermione's tears were silent and streaming while Harry just shook his head. They watched Ron take one last hollow breath and then collapse.
I woke up with tears in my eyes. In my dream Ron had died a hero, before he turned, before he hated. Before he was sentenced and killed in a freak accident, he had died honourably in our arms. I couldn't help thinking that this was how he should have died. A hero, not overshadowed by me or Hermione, but on his own, a man still with integrity.
I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. It was still too early to get out of bed but now I was too awake to fall back asleep.
My dream.
Ron had asked me to look after her, almost as if he knew she needed looking after in the real world. He was so earnest and honest and I felt almost warmed by the glimpse of this Ron, the way he had been before his actual death.
I sighed and leaned back. It was almost like a permission of sorts; I promised Ron in my dream that I would look after her.
But then I remembered that not only was I looking after her, I had kissed her.
I had kissed Hermione. It was almost as shocking as seeing Ron again in my dream. I ran my hand through my hair, frustrated. Not only had I kissed her, but she had kissed me back. And I told her that I like her, have liked her for ages.
I sighed again and turned over on my side, glaring at the empty side of my bed. Thoughts of Hermione, what she was doing and what she might be thinking filled my head until I fell back asleep.
~*~
I woke up again, this time to a soft and warm weight by my side. Before I opened my eyes, I frowned, confused. Then I felt the weight purr and I smiled.
Annie was sleeping contentedly by me and I knew Hermione wouldn't be far. I sat up in bed and looked around my room. Hermione was at my desk, her back to me, writing something on a piece of parchment.
I shifted slightly and climbed out of bed as quietly as I could. I crept up behind Hermione, but she turned around before I could surprise her.
Her face broke out into a huge grin. "Morning Harry." To my surprise she stretched and gave me a quick peck on the lips.
"M-morning Hermione." I stared at her, bringing one hand up to feel my lips. I watched her bustle around my room. "What are you doing?" I asked before I could think.
She turned around and frowned at me, but smiled again when she saw Annie curled in a ball. My breath caught at her smile and I suddenly remembered I was wearing nothing but boxers.
"Erm, Hermione?" I saw her grin before she turned to face me with a straight face. She looked at me and blushed.
"Oh. Sorry." She sort of half raised her hand. "I'll, erm, I'll just go. C'mon Annie." The kitten's ears perked, then she jumped off my bed and followed Hermione out.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I stared at the door for a minute, then at my bed. I walked over to it and sat down.
~*~
I cornered Hermione in the library that evening, shortly before curfew. She was busy sending books back to their respective places and didn't notice me enter. The library was quiet otherwise. I caught a glimpse of a Ravenclaw by himself at the corner table, but he was fast asleep.
I watched Hermione for a while. Her hair had been tied in a bun, but most of it had come out as she worked. It was curling slightly at the ends and created a messy halo around her. It framed her face but she kept making angry swipes at it when it brushed against her cheek. She had a few tracks across her face from this and where the dust had settled. She had a determined look on her face as her wand danced merrily in her hand.
I watched her finish with a flourish and turn around.
She jumped. "Oh! You scared me. I didn't realize you were standing there Harry."
I smiled sheepishly. "We need to talk."
I saw a frown pass over her face but she masked it quickly with a bright smile. "Just let me finish up and we'll talk on the way to my room." She turned around. "Oh, and if you'll go wake Bradley I'd appreciate it," she called over her shoulder.
I sent the Ravenclaw on his way and waited patiently for Hermione. She flicked off the lights and locked the doors behind her with a spell. She took my arm and we started walking, chattering mindlessly on the way to her room.
A/N: Oh, and I really do appreciate all the reviews I've received. I've made an "executive decision" not to reply to them because I was gone, but I'll try to reply to any new ones. Thanks again!