Bill was reading a book in his bed when his bedroom door squeaked open.
"Bill?" Bill looked up as his youngest brother toddled over. Tears were streaming down the six year old's chubby cheeks.
"Oh dear. Did you have a nightmare, duckie?"
Ron didn't bother answering. He simply rushed over to his oldest brother with his arms up stretched.
Bill complied and lifted Ron to sit on his lap. Ron instantly snuggled closer. He hid his face in Bill's pajama clad chest.
Running a soothing hand up and down Ron's back, Bill tried to find out what happened.
"Love, what happened?"
Ron took a shuddering breath. "Nightmare. W-with s-spider, and you died!"
He broke off in sobs.
Bill cooed. "Oh, baby. I'm right here. Hush, now."
He began to rock Ron back and forth. To think that his baby brother was already having nightmares of death. He pressed a kiss to Ron's freckled forehead.
"Bill?"
"Yes, Ronnie?"
"S-sometimes mummy gets really mad and..." Ron trailed off and looked around as if someone would sneak up behind him. "...and she scares me."
Bill's heart broke at that statement. True, his mother had a strong set of lungs, and she cared more about Charlie, so, Bill took up the job for caring for his siblings.
Bill gently rubbed the tears off Ron's face. Ron scrunched up his nose in thought.
"Billy?"
Ron was sure chatty, especially at this time of the night.
"Yes, baby?"
"You'll protect Fred, and George, and Percy, and Ginny, and even Charlie, right?"
Bill played with the bright red locks of hair.
"Of course, love."
Ron seemed satisfied with Bill's answer, but Bill was not with Ron's question. Ron worries so much- even for being so young- about his siblings that he sometimes forgets that he needs to watch over himself.
"Ronnie."
Bill waited for a minute until he knew Ron was listening.
"I will try to protect all our siblings, but you seemed to forget me very important person."
Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "Who is it, Billy?"
Bill poked Ron's nose. "Why it's you, love!"
"Me?!" Ron stared incredulously at Bill. And once again, Bill's heart just broke. Why does his precious baby brother care so much but forget himself.
"Yes, you, duckie. I'll always protect you."
Ron cuddled closer to Bill. "I know."
All of a sudden tears clouded Ron's big eyes as his emotions did a 180 turn. "B-bill, if you're protecting everyone else, who will protect you?"
Bill thought for a moment. "Well, I got all of our siblings of course!"
Ron nodded in satisfaction. He cuddled close once more. "I'll always protect you too, Bill."
"That's right. We protect eachother."
And with that Ron and Bill could finally sleep a peaceful night.