Redemption II

Chapter 59

Ron woke to silence. Deep penetrating silence. It was still night, the bright full moon shining in through his open window. He let out a soft groan and rolled onto his side to look at the clock on his bedside table. 3:05 am. Much too early to be awake. He grunted and rolled onto his elbows rubbing his sleep-warmed face.

Something ticked away at the back of his brain like a pebble thrown upon a window. His eyes widened when he realized that this was about the time Hermione would wake them. Her cries and the charm disturbing the entire peace. He pushed himself up to sit on the edge lifting his head, waiting, listening. His room was right above hers, he was always the first one to hear her distress.

The silence that stretched on during his wait wrapped tightly around his heart. He looked back down at the clock softly ticking away the minutes before he came to the decision to check on her. He didn't bother with a shirt, the house was warm with the changing of the season. He did put on his house shoes though on his way to the door.

A soft stifled giggle turned his head when he entered the hall and his brows furrowed tightly before he heard his sister's sultry voice.

"Oh, Harry...yes...right there..."

Ron made a face, his stomach churning. He didn't even want to imagine what was keeping them up this night. With a bitter shake of his head, he made his way to the stairs leading down to the second floor. Hermione's door was quiet, but it brought little comfort. His own subconscious mind brought a small jealousy to his heart regarding his best mate's obvious happiness. He tried to push the thought aside as he came to her door. It would do him no favors to pine over something that simply couldn't presently happen.

He kept himself as quiet as a mouse, opening her door slowly. His eyes ran over the obviously cleaned room before he looked over to the bed. She was laying on her side, the blanket wrapped around her waist. The bear she'd taken to holding having fallen from her arms down to the floor. Her hair was a mess, fallen like a halo around her head. The moon shining in from the window cast an ethereal glow over her peaceful features. She'd never looked more beautiful.

He should have just turned back right then, having completed his task, he knew he should have. But he hadn't. No, he took a step further, and another and another until he found himself standing at the side of her bed looking down at her sleeping form. He licked his dry lips nervously as he watched her side rise and fall, her deep breaths ruffling the hair under her cheek.

Just a small touch, just to reaffirm she was truly there. That's all he needed. His fingers reached down, partially out of his control, and he watched with apprehension when his pasty fingers brushed against her own. He nearly jumped out of his skin when her fingers twitched to his fleeting touch before her hand adjusted, as though reaching for him in her sleep. He watched her hand open and close for a few breath stifling moments before he reached out again.

His heart nearly melted when her small soft fingers wrapped around two of his own. Holding tight but not uncomfortably so, a morose smile formed on his lips and he shifted himself closer. He wanted nothing more than to lay beside her. Hold her close, feel her breath against his heart. He wanted it so bad it hurt. He couldn't return to bed now, not with the memory of her reaching out to him. No, he had to take the chance. He wanted this. He needed this.

Leaving his hand in hers, for now, he leaned a bit closer pulling the blanket that had wrapped around her hip free. She made a soft noise to that and shifted her body. He thought for a moment that he might have woken her but the fear passed when she let out a heavy sigh, curling her arms, and his hand, under her chin. Taking it as a sign that what he was doing was right, he very carefully lowered himself down into the bed. Her legs moved out of his way when he stretched them out and another deep sigh passed her lips. Still on his elbow, he lowered himself down further adjusting his head to rest on the pillow beside hers.