𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒?

Part XIV

Part 14:   Like Rain

Since I've Been Loving You, I'm about to lose my worried mind.
Said I've been crying, my tears they fell like rain,
Don't you hear, Don't you hear them falling,
Don't you hear, Don't you hear them falling.

"Since I've Been Loving You", Led Zeppelin

It wasn't the morning sun that woke up Hermione. It was still raining outside as expected from a winter working day. No, it was the sensation that she had something to do. She opened her calm brown eyes and blinked in the soft light. She suddenly turned in the bed, knowing whom she would face by doing so. The relaxed features of Ron's sleepy face gave her the best good morning in a long time.

Hermione smiled, suddenly feeling satisfied, complete, in a way she had never been until the previous night, drifting in and out of sleep surely wrapped in Ron's protective embrace.  She rubbed her eyes, slightly yawning, and then, slowly, careful to not wake up her friend, her more-than-friend now, she leaned towards him and gently brushed her lips on his forehead.

"'Morning, Ron," she whispered.

The redhead moaned in his sleep and she smiled as he frowned and unconsciously rubbed his skin where she had kissed him.  He looked like a little child when he was asleep, and the witch felt her heart soften at that sweet sight.

Finally, she got up and searched for her clothes that had been thrown here and there in their excited rush. Hermione entered the bathroom, with the intention of exiting from there only when she was fully dressed and ready to go. She had decided to go alone to face Harry and Malfoy. After all, Ron didn't deserve that stress and, if things got really bad between her and Harry, she didn't want him to be caught in the crossfire.

Once ready, she gave a last look to her sleepy lover and left, leaving a little note on the table in the kitchen where she reassured him that she would have come back soon.

It didn't take long to reach Harry's flat. She was in front of his door when she began to process the fact that it would be hard to explain everything. And it would be even harder to maintain her friendship with her friend. Hermione mentally prepared herself for the worst. Finally, she sighed, rang the doorbell and reassured herself that she was doing what was necessary.  Harry deserved the truth just as much as she deserved his anger.

She was still lost in her thoughts when she noticed that nobody had answered the door. Frowning, the witch tried again.  Again there was no answer.

Maybe he's out, she thought slightly disappointed.

Hermione tried some more and she was ready to leave when her mobile rang, making her jump.

Why am I so nervous? She wondered answering the calling.

"Hermione?"

The witch blinked, immediately recognizing the voice speaking, but not understanding its tone.

"Ron?"

"Herm... Oh god, where are you?" Ron asked, his voice trembling.

"Ron? I'm in front of Harry's door. But he isn't in. What's up?" She asked not caring to hide her worry.