The canopy over her bed swayed gently, dancing with the breeze from the open window. She knew that she should be sleeping, but it was eluding her. The search for Blackthorn was filled with dead ends and it was frustrating everyone involved. Sighing with resignation, Hermione slid from her bed and moved toward the door. Perhaps some warm milk would help her to get some sleep.

Slipping from her room, Hermione quietly made her way down the stairs past Roger's room. Over the last two weeks she had learned which steps made noise and how to avoid disturbing the other occupants, but a noise from Ron's room stopped her journey. She moved towards his door and placed her ear against the wood. After a moment of silence she started to move away, feeling a little embarrassed, but a shout from his room had her flinging the door open.

His body was jerking back and forth, the sheets tangled around his legs. His hand was reaching out, grasping for something that wasn't there. His mouth was moving, but all she could hear were pained grunts and whimpers.

She rushed to his side, hoping to wake him. Sitting next to him, she soothed his hair back from his face, "Ron. Ron, please wake up." His restless body twisted towards her, nearly knocking her from the bed. Her hands pushed down on his shoulders, trying to keep him from hurting himself or her, "Ronald! Wake up, please!"

His eyes flew open, darting around the room before landing on her. "Hermione," he choked out.

She gave him a soft smile, "You were having a bad dream."

His arms locked around her, crushing her to his bare chest, "It felt so real. You're okay. You're okay."

Surprised at first by the hug, her arms hung limply for a moment before wrapping around him. Not knowing what to say, she just held him close while he calmed down. Whatever his dream had been about, it was enough to scare him. Eventually, he pulled away, but didn't let go of her completely, "Sorry. I'm all sweaty."

His chuckle was hollow, failing to lighten the mood. Her hands tilted his face to hers so that she could see his eyes, "It's alright, Ron." The haunted look in his eyes made her heart clench. She wanted so badly to take that away. She started to stand, but his grip tightened and his face contorted in panic, "Shh, it's alright. I will be right back. I'm just going to the loo to get you a washcloth."

He nodded and released her slowly, almost afraid of her disappearing. She worked quickly to wet down a hand towel and made her way back to the bed. The blankets were tossed to the floor and Ron was sitting up, his body hunched over as if holding a great weight.

His eyes found her the moment she rounded the bed, watching her every move. Gently, she swiped the cloth across his brow, wiping the physical effects of his nightmare away. His hand gripped hers, "I can do that. I mean…you don't have to."

Removing his hand from hers she continued, "I want to take care of you. Let me."

His eyes never left her face as she worked. She moved from his face, down his neck where she could see his pulse racing. Her hands moved across his chest, memorizing new scars, and taking note of all of the changes his body had gone through. He was harder in a lot of ways than the boy she knew at Hogwarts. His back had definition, flexing as her fingers slid across the muscle. She could feel the heat from her blush, but allowed her eyes to wander over his form.

Once he was clean she threw the washcloth into the hamper in the corner, missing the opening completely. She forced her eyes to meet his, "Better?"

Warmth surrounded her hand as he gripped it in his own, "Thank you. It felt nice to have someone take care of me. To have you take care of me."

The smile on her face was soft to match her next words, "Do you want to talk about it?"

The warmth dropped from his face, "No. I don't."

She wanted to push it. To make him talk to her about it so that he didn't carry it around with him, but Roger's words stopped her. His advice had worked so far, helping her to reconnect with Ron, so she wouldn't push. Squeezing his hand she moved to get up, "I should let you get some sleep then."

"Wait!" he called as he pulled on her hand, "Please don't go yet. Stay. If you want to, I mean. You don't have to, but—"

"I'll stay."

The relief on his face at her decision to stay cemented in her mind that she made the right choice. He motioned for her to lay down in the bed as he picked the blankets up off the floor. The comforter was cool on her body as he covered her up and slid in next to her. He turned to his side facing her and she mimicked him, "I'm glad you're here, Mione."

She found his hand under the blanket, "Me too."

The first thing he noticed as the fog of sleep started to lift from his mind was the warmth. It wasn't an oppressive warmth, but comfortable. He wanted to bask in it. The faint scent of lavender caught his attention next. The soothing fragrance nearly lulled him back to sleep until movement against his body caused his eyes to fly open and his arms to stiffen.

Sleeping soundly with her back against his chest and her legs snuggled between his own was Hermione. It took him a moment to remember his dream and waking up to her in his room. The way she took care of him was something he hadn't experienced in a long time. He hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her as she moved. She had grown so much from the girl he knew. She had become a woman while he was away. One that he was enjoying getting to know again.

Her hands reached out in sleep and pulled his arm tight around her waist. He froze for a moment while she drifted back off. He had never experienced anything like this before. He had slept next to Hermione before, but not all tangled together, and while he had been with a few girls while he was hunting death eaters, he never stayed with them. He never wanted to. He would get what he came for and then leave. Cuddling wasn't even on the menu.

Having his body wrapped around Hermione, this girl that he has cared for half of his life, was one of the best feelings in the world. Her soft body fit perfectly within his harder one. He was close enough to see small freckles dotting her neck and disappearing into her shirt. He had the strangest urge to kiss each little mark. He was so close that it would be easy to just give in.

Her body shifted and he moved his face away from her neck. She was waking up and he didn't want her to think he was a creep. Her body stretched, rubbing her bum against him and he nearly moaned. As nice as it is to wake up wrapped around Hermione, it was also torture.

Her head turned and she offered him a sleepy smile, "Sorry, I like to cuddle."

His laughter was loud and genuine, "It's alright, Hermione. I really didn't mind." He watched the color rise in her cheeks and slid the back of his finger across the apple to feel the heat. "Apparently, I like to cuddle, too. Who knew?"

An adorable giggle escaped her lips and she shook her head, "We need to get up or Ginny is going to come up here and drag you down."

He was disappointed that she was climbing out of his bed, but she wasn't wrong. Ginny had been rather clingy ever since he arrived at Grimmauld Place. She even went so far as to skip Quidditch practice the other day because she wanted to spend the day with him. When he tried to convince her that she couldn't skip work she actually started to cry. It was very disturbing.

He watched her for a moment before she disappeared out the door and eventually got up himself. Throwing on a shirt, he made his way downstairs only to be stopped by Hagrid at the bottom, "There yeh are, Ron! I was hopin ta see ya."

Ron hugged the giant around the middle, "It's good to see you, Hagrid. How've you been?"

"A right bit better'n you I reckon. Been helpin' Kingsley track yer death eater." He shuffled out of the way to let Ron past, "Yer mum and sister are cookin' up a fine breakfast. We're meetin' in there."

Ron stopped and turned to his giant friend, "Mum's here?"

Hagrid pushed him along, "Yep. Yer family is all here. Kingsley an' a few of 'is aurors too."

The roar of voices grew louder the closer he got to the kitchen. He had a hard time making out anyone specific in the den, but he did recognize Kingsley's voice as it rose above the others, calling for attention, "Will everyone please be quiet!" Ron stepped into the kitchen and the room went silent, "Ah, good we're all here. Ron please take a seat."

Ron was about to ask where he was supposed to sit in the crowded kitchen, but kept quiet when he noticed Hermione waving him over. As he moved her way, his mother turned and threw her arms around him, startling him. "Hi, mum."

She pulled back and held him at arm's length, "You look good."

"Thanks." She released him and he took his seat near the end of the table, "What's going on? Is there news?"

Kingsley looked to Molly who stood with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, "By Molly's request, we are going to eat breakfast before we talk."

"No offense, Molly, but if there's news then I think we should hear it now," Harry commented.

A wooden spoon whipped in Harry's direction, pointing at him like a gun, "We will eat a nice meal first. Is that too much to ask? If it was good news then we wouldn't be here, would we? We only ever get called out for these things when something bad has happened."

Ron looked to Kingsley who shook his head, "It's not good or bad I'm afraid. We are here to come up with a plan since nothing we have done so far has worked. So we will eat this breakfast and then get to work."

There was a round of acknowledgement before the matter was dropped in favor of food. Ron's eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the amount of food set before them, but then again, Hagrid was eating. The platter nearest him was filled with jolly boys stacked high and next to it was a pan filled with scrambled eggs. He could also see haggis, English muffins, black pudding, and hash browns. His stomach gave a loud rumble, but everyone else was too busy making plates to hear it thankfully.

Harry led the group into the lounge, taking a seat near the fireplace with Ginny joining him. His attention was drawn to Ron who seemed to be closing himself off from the group, choosing to stand in the corner furthest away rather than sit. He had a feeling Ron was doing it to make Angelina more comfortable than anything. He was about to turn away when he saw Hermione approach.

Ron seemed to loosen up as their friend stopped in front of him, but it wasn't until she took his hand that Harry could see the tension drain from Ron. He even smiled, which was occurring more frequently these days. Hermione led Ron to a chaise lounge closer to the group, and it wasn't lost on Harry that their hands remained linked.

Kingsley detailed what had been done so far to apprehend Blackthorn, but with no success. Honestly, Harry wasn't surprised that they had failed. She wasn't going to come out of hiding for just anything. He knew what would have to be done and when he locked eyes with Ron it was obvious that they were in agreement.

When Kingsley was finished talking it was quiet for a moment. Harry and Ron both stood, but it was Harry that addressed the group, "The solution is obvious. Cecelia Blackthorn wants Ron, so we use him as bait." The overwhelming amount of denial from those present, especially from Angelina and Molly, made Harry happy, but it was the only way they would catch Blackthorn. "You aren't going to catch her any other way. She will only come out if there is a chance she can get to Ron, and you know it."

Before anyone else could chime in, Ron continued, "He's right. I'm the best chance we have at catching her."

Molly's voice was shrill as she gripped his hand, "We will not use you as bait! You can't even defend yourself! Arthur, tell him!"

Harry knew that if Mr. Weasley went against them it would be difficult to get anyone else to agree to their plan, but he didn't need to worry, "Molly, the boys are right. I don't like it, but we may have no other choice."

Kingsley's upraised hand stopped the arguments before they got out of control. His gaze landed on Harry, "You and your friends have done amazing things, Harry, and I trust in your abilities, but you are asking me to put Ron's life at risk. Tell me why I should."

Harry caught Ron's eyes again, "I trust in him. He can do this." His steely gaze slid to Kingsley, "And he won't be alone."