Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Worried

Ron Weasley sat on his bed in Grimauld Place number 12. Even if Sirius had died the Order still used still old house as headquarter. After spending almost a whole summer in this house it felt a bit like home, if you could call this spooky house a home. During that summer he had been happy. But at this very moment he wasn't that happy. Ginny his only sister was very ill and was at St. Mungos. Ron didn't know what was going to happened to her. He didn't know if she was all right, he feared the worst.

He remembered the last thing he had told her before she had been found in her bedroom unconscious. She and Ron had been fighting about her "bad" taste in guys. Ron didn't like the idea of her going out with guys like Michael Corner and Dean Thomas. He remembered telling her she was being stupid and a prat for dating them.

And now, all he could to was to wait. He had done this before, about a year ago when his father had been attacked by a giant snake. But there was something different, he hadn't told his father to...

Ron pulled his knees up to his chest holding them, and bent his head down, his forehead lying on his knees. Tears were pouring down his face. If you had been looking at him you would have seen him shaking slightly, but you wouldn't have heard a noise except for the silent sobs he was making. And this was what Hermione was experiencing as she stood in the doorway looking at her best friend.

She knew that Ron was taking this badly, but seeing him cry, for the first time ever made, her really worried. She walked up to him stopping right in front of him.

'Err-Ron...' she said.

Ron looked up at her, his eyes red and swollen. A few tears still pouring down his cheeks. He looked surprised to see her.

'H-Hermione,' said Ron, letting go of his knees.

'Ron, I- I'm so sorry,' said Hermione, her eyes was beginning to water.

Ron looked at her and nodded.

'Yeah, s-so am I,' he said while looking at her. His eyes met hers. 'You know what the last thing I told her was?' he asked.

Hermione shook her head. 'No, what?' she asked.

'I told her to get the hell out of here,' Ron said before burying his face in his hands.

All Hermione was able to do was to just stand there and look at him. It took her a moment to come to her senses. She sat down on the bed next to Ron. She looked at him for a second and then she put her arm around him pulling him closer.

'She knows you didn't mean it,' she said and hugged him. Ron looked at his best friend as though he didn't quite believe what she was saying.

'How do you know? You should have seen the way she looked at me, she was so hurt,' said Ron. His face was damp after all the tears.

'I just know,' said Hermione. There was a moment of silence, Ron wasn't sobbing. Hermione was still hugging Ron and after a few minutes he put his arms around her, hugging her back.

They sat like that for a quite along time, then both of them let go. Ron looked at Hermione; her eyes were swollen and red, just like his. He closed his eyes for a second.

'Thanks, thanks Hermione,' said Ron and hugged her.

Hermione hugged him back, but in surprise. Ron had his head resting on her shoulder. Then he let go and looked directly into her eyes looking serious. Hermione looked back into his red, swollen eyes.

'Ron, it's going to be all right,' she said.

'How do you know?' he asked.

'I just know,' answered Hermione. Ron looked at her.

'Promise?' he asked. Hermione nodded.

'I promise,' she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Ron smiled and then Hermione got up. Standing up she held out her hand for Ron to take it. He looked at her for a second and then reached for her hand. Grabbing it he knew everything was going to be OK.

They walked downstairs together, Hermione's hand in Ron's. When reaching the bottom of the stairs Ron kissed Hermione on the cheek with the explanation: 'Thanks again.'

Hermione lead Ron into the kitchen, where the rest of the Weasleys and Harry were, except for Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. During dinner no one said anything except for asking for the mash or fried potatoes once in a while.

After they had all finished dinner Harry, Ron and Hermione stayed in the kitchen. Harry seemed as though he didn't know what to say, but spoke anyway.

'Ron,' was all he managed to say before they heard a pop behind them. As they turned around they saw Mrs. Weasley standing there smiling.

'Good news, Ginny's more than ok and she'll be returning home tomorrow' said Mrs. Weasley and sat down on an empty chair by the table.

Hermione smiled, looking at Ron. His face was lit up, he looked at his mother and then at Hermione. Then he flung his arms around Hermione hugging her tightly.

'You were right. Thank you,' he said. 'Thank you for being here when I needed you.' Hermione smiled, Ron still hugging her. Then he let go.

'Thank-' he didn't finish, something came to him. He pulled Hermione closer kissing her. When they broke apart Ron smiled weakly, looking in her eyes he spoke.

'Hermione I'm madly in love with you,' he mumbled as he rested his forehead against hers. Hermione smiled, taking his hand.

'I'm in love with you too,' she said smiling.

Ron kissed her once more, this time a bit more passionate. Then they broke apart, Hermione still smiling. Ron glanced at Harry who was grinning before hugged Hermione once more.

'Promise, promise you will never leave me Hermione,' he whispered, Hermione nodded.

'I promise,' she said, and kissed him.