Authors: Your Angel of Darkness and LithiumReaper

Rating: M

Main Characters: Hermione G. & Ron W.

Chapters: Hermione G will have the even numbered chapters, written by Your Angel of Darkness. Ron W will have the uneven numbered chapters, written by LithiumReaper.

Summary:The war has left hundreds dead or missing. Fred is dead and Harry very nearly joined him. Needing time to sort their lives our, Ron accompanies Hermione to Australia to find her parents. Can they save their own mental state as well as each other?

R/Hr

The loud creak of a door had made Hermione stir. She had gotten little to no sleep. Having Ron sleep beside her comforted her but it didn't help the nightmares that haunted her sleep. Her long black hair, the foul stench of her breath, the cold feeling of the blade against her skin, it felt all too real. She allowed herself to open one eye and could make out a distinct shape of a person standing by the door. She felt her heart nearly jump out of her chest as she opened her other eye. There at the door stood one of her best friends, Harry. His mouth was agape and his green eyes bulging behind the round glasses. Hermione slowly sat up, careful not to wake up the redhead still sleeping beside her.

Harry made his way to the bed and sat on a chair that was close to it, near the wall. He let out a soft breath. He looked horrid and she felt a pang in her chest. Nothing was going to be the same, she realized. He took the blame for everyone's death.

"You couldn't have done anything Harry..", she whispered lowly, hands on her lap and her eyes on the ebony haired male.

He had his head bent the whole time as they spoke, mumbling lowly. She blinked in surprise as Ron slipped out of the bed and bolted out of the room. Harry stood quickly and immediately went after him. Hermione closely followed, worried.

"Ronald!"she called, eyes on the redhead as he ignored her calls.

She stopped by the doorway watching his retreating form. Hermione let out a soft breath, eyes soft. She would leave him to have his own time, he needed it.

Harry frowned as he silently watched. Hermione turned to him and he led her into the kitchen, "Like you said..leave him alone."

"I know.."

She went to the stove and put some water into the teapot, deep in thought herself, doing everything slowly.

He must've been hurting so bad. She wondered if she should go comfort him. She shook her head, causing some strands of her frizzy brown hair to come free of their confinements. No, he needed time. Time to himself she concluded as she took a seat on the wooden chair. There would be plenty of time for her to comfort him later on. Right now, he needed to breathe. It was best if everyone had their own bit of time.

Harry pulled a chair beside her quietly and sat down, "What are you thinking?" he asked. She looked up at him and could see the sadness in his eyes. He was blaming himself again, she realized. She set her hand upon his comfortingly, the touch comforting herself as well. "He isn't the same Ron anymore..it has been harder for him.

He nodded in agreement, eyes downcast on the wooden floor, "Sometimes I wish I hadn't brought you two into this mess." He admitted

Hermione scowled and squeezed his hand, causing the raven haired male to look up at her, "Don't you ever say that. You are your friend and we also did it because we felt we needed to stop Voldemort."

A silence fell over them. They sat, only the ticking of the grandfather clock near the kitchen audible. Harry finally stood, "I'm going to go check on Ginny and rest..you should do the same."

She smiled weakly, nodding. Harry gave her hand one final squeeze before letting go and walking up the stairs. Hermione listened until the creaking of the stairs stopped, signaling he had entered a room before she let herself cry. It was the only thing she could do to stop the pain in her chest. She had held it in for too long. Nothing was going how she had hoped. They had lost so much. Sure, Voldemort was dead but it had come at a terrible cost. Her mind was racing as many different thoughts came to her head. Were she and Ron and couple? They had slept in the same bed..and shared a kiss in the chamber of secrets but that was pretty much it. They hadn't spoken about it. Ron was distant now. Her parents, they were still in Australia with no memory of her. Would they hate her?

'Stop it, Hermione!' She scolded herself. She needed to think positively. They would go to Australia and get her parents back. Her eyes snapped open as she thought of how they would react. They would be furious. Would they allow her to finish Hogwarts? Her stomach clenched painfully at the thought. Would they make her go back to England and no longer go back to the wizarding world? She buried her face into her hands, letting out a sob, finally breaking down.

She had been so strong but the weight on her shoulders was too much. Now she knew how Harry felt. She continued to cry freely, hand over her mouth. She struggled to pull herself together and wiped her tears as the steam began to blow out of the kettle. She pulled it off the heat. She would make sure everything went smoothly this time and make sure that Ron was the man he used to be, or at least close to it. She smiled as she put the mug to her lips, eyes staring out the window to where Ron had gone off to. She would make it her top priority to see him smile genuinely again. She finished off her tea and went to the sink, washing it by hand. She needed to preoccupy herself.

Hermione made her way up the stairs, trying to be as discreet as possible. She went into Ron's room and shook her head, messy as always. That was one thing that would never change. She pulled the hair tie out of her hair, fixing it into a tight bun, letting some wisps frame her face.

She began to pick things up, not letting herself think of anything, focusing solely on getting the room clean. She tossed things in the laundry hamper and tidied their clothes. She held up one of his favorite plaid shirts with a smile, feeling the familiar material. Hermione smiled and set it on top of the neat pile in the dresser. She shut it with her hip and proceeded to make his bed, smoothing out the wrinkles.

A few hours later of cleaning, dusting, folding, and putting away she settled down on the bed. It had been a long day. Ron still didn't return. She shook her head, when he did they would need to talk but for now she relaxed knowing that she would make him feel better again. She turned her head to the window where the sun was peeking through the curtains, her hand resting beside her head, the other on her side. Hermione let a smile form on her lips as her eyes slid shut, drifting off into a light slumber.

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm sorry this wasn't a great chapter T.T I finally graduated high school and a lot of things are on my mind. I also struggled on writing this.( I probably rewrote this chapter a bunch of times and its still short!)I hope to get better and better with each chapter seeing as it has been a while since I've written anything.& I finally settled on a major for now(English!~)

Thank you for your patience and keep reviewing!