Feeling Safe-Chapter 1

Hermione walked down to the Gryffindor common room. It was midday, and sunshine beamed through the windows as she walked down the stairs. Harry, Ron, and her had decided crashed in the dorm rooms after visiting Dumbledore's office. She was actually able to take a shower in the girl's dormitory, and it was the first time in awhile that she felt clean. Ron and Harry had went to get cleaned up too, and even though she knew there wasn't anything to fear anymore, she still felt a vague sense of anxiety in her stomach when she thought of them. The three of them hadn't been separated for over a year, well, apart from the time when Ron left..

Hermione shook her head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on those kinds of thoughts. Ron was here with her, and he and Harry were safe. Voldemort was dead. They had won, and yet she didn't feel very happy. She felt relieved of course, but a sense of loss clouded all her high spirits. Hermione sighed and sat down on one of the chairs that overlooked a roaring fire.

Thankfully most of the battle took place in the lower floors, so the Gryffindor common room had stayed relatively untouched. Looking around, she felt a little bit more relaxed. How many times had she hanged out here with her friends? She let out a deep breath. More than anywhere else, this place felt like home. Feeling a little bit better, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander, being careful to stop herself from thinking too much about the battle or her parents or anything else that would make her sadness peak

Instead she thought of Ron, her best friend. Ron, who had the extraordinary capability to be both completely annoying and adorably cute. Moreover, she thought about how she had thrown her arms around him and kissed him like their lives where on the line, which in a way they were. A light blush crept across cheeks as she thought about the kiss.

Hermione whipped her head around suddenly, hearing the sound of feet descending the stairs from the boy's dormitory. Ron appeared, smiling at her.

"Hey," he said gruffly, exhaustion evident in his voice. "I thought I heard you down here."

Hermione smiled at him. It was ridiculous how she felt shy around him, but she couldn't help it. There was just something about Ron that made her a little nervous, especially now that she had basically flung herself at him. This was the first time utterly alone since the battle.

Ron walked over to her and sat down rather closely beside her on the couch. He looked at her, and for a moment Hermione got lost in his dazzling blue eyes.

"You okay, Hermione?" He asked, and there was such care and worry in his voice that it made her heart lurch.

Unable to speak, Hermione just nodded not letting her eyes off of him. Hermione found it remarkable that she finally had time to just look at him, instead of having to worry about the immediate future. They stayed like that for a while, and after a moment Ron hesitantly took her hand in his. Hermione held her breath as he leaned in. She could count all the freckles on his face and his breath was tickling her cheek. Ron swallowed nervously, and Hermione glanced at his lips. If he could just move a little bit closer…

"Hermione…." He said her name hoarsely, his eyes searching hers. "I want to tell you that I-"But he was cut off, as just then Ginny entered the room. Ginny coughed, and both Ron's ears and Hermione's face turned a violent shade of bright pink. Quickly they put a more appropriate distance between each other.

Ginny looked at them knowingly, "Do you guys need a moment? Because if you do I could just go back and wait in the hallway…" She teased. If possible Ron turned redder, and Hermione felt even more embarrassed. Ron glowered at his little sister, but Ginny kept smirking at the two of them.

Ginny opened her mouth about to say something that would undoubtedly embarrass her brother more, but Hermione gave her a pleading look and instead she asked them where Harry was.

"He was still in the dormitory asleep, when I came down." Ron answered still glaring at his little sister for ruining the moment. Ginny nodded. "I'm going to check on him." She walked up to the boy's dormitory.

"So do you think the two of them are getting back together now?" Ron asked Hermione. His face squinted a little at the thought of his little sister with his best friend. Hermione knew how much Harry and Ginny had missed each other this past year, and she was pretty sure that if they weren't together yet, they would be soon. Of course, Ron was pretty clueless when it comes to these kinds of things.

Hermione smiled a little. "I hope so, they're so perfect for each other. And I know Harry missed her terribly while we were away."

Ron sighed. "I guess it won't be too horrible, as long as they don't snog or anything in front of me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly Ronald." She playfully shoved his shoulder.

Ron looked down at the contact, and his ears turned red again. After a little bit of an awkward silence, Hermione, in an act that could only be described as Gryffindor bravery, kissed his check lightly.

Ron's eyes widened, and he held a hand to the place she had kissed him in wonder. "What was that for?"

Hermione smiled nervously at him. "For not hurting yourself. For staying with me and for always being there for me."

Ron's demerger was suddenly downcast. His eyes fell to the floor.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked softly. Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Had she been too forward? Was this when Ron would tell her that he wasn't interested? That he just thought of her as a friend and nothing more?

"Ron, what is it? Tell me." She said anxiously.

With his head hung low, he spoke up. "I don't deserve this. Hermione, I LEFT you. I ditched you and Harry. I..I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I'm a prat. You deserve so much more…"

"Ron." Hermione spoke forcefully. She held his hand tightly in his, and he held on like her hand was a life line.

"I don't want you to speak like that ever again. We all made mistakes, and it doesn't matter. The important thing is that you came back and saved not only me but Harry. You're a hero, and never think otherwise."

Ron's eyes searched her face. "I have no idea what I did to deserve you…" He said softly.

"The feeling is mutual." Hermione said, snuggling into him. Ron seemed to freeze for a moment but then wrapped his arms around her tightly and they stayed for that for awhile, not needing to say anything, not thinking about the looming future, just each other. Hermione buried her face in his chest and as Ron's arms tightened around her, she yawned and closed her eyes sleepily, knowing that this was the first time in a long time that she felt completely, absolutely safe.