Working

Chapter Three: Late

It was midnight and I awoke in my bed to find that Hermione wasn't beside me. She had told me she'd be working late, but this isn't right. She should've come home by now. I got up and checked the bathroom.

No Hermione.

I checked her home office and library.

No Hermione.

I checked the spare rooms, the kitchen, the living room, and all the closets.

No Hermione.

I scoured the flat from top to bottom, worry building in my chest.

No Hermione.

I went to Harry and Ginny's house to ask about her.

No Hermione.

I went to the Ministry to see if anyone had seen her leave.

They hadn't.

I approached her office and opened the door.

Hermione.

I found her asleep on a wide spread of papers on her desk. Her wild hair was coming out of it's earlier bun, her mouth was slightly open and I could hear her breathing deeply. I smiled warmly, all the fear and worry slipping away. I came to stand behind her and kissed the base of her neck, where tendrils where moving with the air in the office. She stirred quietly and turned to see me.

"Come on, Hermione. It's time to go home."

"Noooo," she said, reminiscent of a toddler being told to go to bed.

"Yeees," I replied.

"No, Ron. I have so much work to do. I have to get this presentation done before Friday if I'm going to get promoted. Then I can do all the things I want. With rights and stuff and—" she trailed off, her eyes sliding shut.

I laughed quietly. "It's Monday, love. You'll have time. Now you need to sleep."

"But—"

"No buts. Come on."

"No."

"Hermione," I said, warningly. "If you don't come home with me right now, I will throw you over my shoulder and make you."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

She looked at me appraisingly and sighed. "Alright." She stood up, and stumbled around her desk.

"Lemme help you with that," I said, wrapping one arm around her back and the other under her legs. She laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. I kissed her forehead tenderly, admiring her, and Apparated to our bedroom.

I laid her down into her spot and kissed her softly, covering her body with the duvet. "Goodnight."

"Mmm," she said. "Love you."

"I love you too." I crawled into the bed next to her, draping my arm over her waist and smiled, closing my eyes and falling asleep peacefully for the first time that night.