Day Three
Another dark and cozy void. He stirs more often this time, but once again the cool fingers on his forehead and the strong grip on his hip soothe him back to sleep. They don’t wake him this time, letting him sleep until his body says he can wake for real.
His eyelids flutter open, once again wincing at the sunlight streaming through Ron’s window. He rolls over and sees Ron staring at him.
“Hi,” Ron grins at him.
“What time?”
“About noon. You slept through the night,”
“‘Mione?”
“Downstairs, taking her turn fending off Mum,” Ron explains. “It’s easier if we let her fuss over one of us,”
“I can-”
“No,” Ron says firmly. “Not until you’re ready,”
“When did you get so bloody bossy?” Harry grumbles. Ron laughs, actually laughs, and pulls Harry in closer. He tries not to think about the fact that their legs are intertwined or that Ron sort of smells nice, like oranges.
“Since I royally fucked up and promised myself I’d take care of you two,”
“Right, well then, I guess I’ll let you,” Harry jokes in mock annoyance. Then, to his surprise, Ron kisses the top of his head, like Hermione does when she’s sad.
“I had a panic,” he admits. “While you were asleep. I woke up and thought- thought you were.”
Harry grabs Ron’s face in his hands. “I’m here. I’m alive. I’m not going to do anything stupid because you are bossy, and so is Hermione, and for once, I won’t be stubborn, and I’ll listen,”
“Okay,” Ron chokes out. Harry wraps his arms around Ron’s neck and hugs him tightly. Harry tries not to think about how nice it is… how many times he could have used a hug like this from Ron, and how it always felt wrong to ask.
“Are you-” Harry stops himself. “I know you’re not okay because none of us are. But you’ve been the strong one,”
“It’s not real yet,” Ron sighs, still holding onto Harry tightly. “And I’ll take my turn because I know you two will let me. But for now, I’d rather be strong. It’s easier than grieving,”
“Okay,” Harry sighs. “I just don’t want you to feel like I’m not here for you,”
Ron pulls away and stares at him dumbfounded. “Harry, you just saved the entire wizarding world, and you're worried about being a bad friend?”
“Yes,” he says simply, knowing it’s easier than explaining.
“Merlin, Harry,” he says in wonder. “You are something special,”
He stares back at Ron in equal wonder, heat rising in his cheeks. Ron had never said anything like that to him… not like that.
“I’m back- oh good, you’re awake!” Hermione chirps, walking in the room.
“Hi,” Harry says shyly, realizing he and Ron are still tangled up.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, sliding into the bed like nothing’s odd.
“Stiff,” he answers honestly, rolling over to look at her better. “My leg itches,”
She grimaces. “It’ll need more salve,”
“I can do it,” he promises her. “You might have to hold me down again. But I can do it,”
“Okay,” she says shakily. “I realized it’s probably a heat burn from the room of… from the…” her voice locks up, and tears pool in her eyes. Now it’s Harry’s turn to comfort someone. He pulls her into his chest now, letting Ron wrap himself around them both.
“What do you need?” he murmurs into her hair. “Tell us ‘Mione, we want to take care of you,”
He’s grateful Ron doesn’t chastise him for trying to take care of somebody.
“I don’t know,” she sniffs. “A pint of chocolate ice cream? Or maybe to punch a tree? I’m really not sure,”
“I think we can arrange that,” Ron grins at her from behind Harry’s shoulder.
“Can I just… stay here awhile?” she asks, snuggling further into Harry’s chest.
“As long as you need,” Harry assures her. “Or at least until I need to use the loo,”
She chuckles at that, pulling away from him. “Let’s get your leg sorted,”
It goes faster this time, though with the same amount of screaming, Ron holding his head tightly into the crook of his neck. He winces when the fabric of his pajamas brushes across it, but he can’t walk around in his pants, now can he? Hermione helps him out of bed, and Ron helps him to the bathroom, though Harry’s body is moving now, so he’s left to himself for a moment.
He avoids looking in the mirror while he washes his hands.
Once he’s back in bed, Ron heads downstairs, both to get food for Harry and stall Molly a little longer. Harry knows he said he wouldn’t have to see anyone until he’s ready, but… well, Molly is Molly.
“Do you want to talk about anything?” Hermione asks after Ron leaves.
“Ron said he panicked,” he frowns. “While I was asleep,”
“He did,” Hermione sighs. “I thought he was going to wake you,”
“How are you so calm?” he wonders.
“Oh, Harry,” she sighs, wrapping her hand in his. “I didn’t lose anyone, well I did, of course I did, that’s silly, but what I mean is,” she takes a big breath. “I felt you die, Harry. I have a spell on both of you that alerts my wand of your vitals. It vibrated in my pocket, and I knew you were dead and… I turned away from Ron, silenced my voice, and screamed,”
“Hermione-” he starts, but she holds up a hand to stop him.
“You and Ron are the most important people to me,” she says fiercely. “And when I knew you were dead… it was the most horrible moment. But you’re here now. You’re alive, Harry, and somehow you’re still worried about me and-” She looks at him much like Ron did earlier. “I’m just reminded of how incredible you are and how lucky I am,”
He stares back at her, not sure how to reply. And it occurs to him that Hermione has never quite spoken to him that way either. And that maybe he’s never looked at her like he’s looking at her now.
The silence is broken by the creak of a door and Ron’s grim face. “Mum wants to see you,”
Harry panics. “You said I didn’t have to-”
“I know, I know,” Ron says quickly, sitting on the edge of the bed beside them. He takes Hermione’s hand and Harry’s in the other. “I won’t make you go downstairs, she just wants to bring the lunch tray,”
Harry frowns. “I can’t handle questions,”
“No questions,” Ron promises. “And I’ll kick her out the second I can tell you’re done,”
He sighs, knowing this is inevitable and the sooner he does, the less stress it will cause.
“I’ll stay right here,” Hermione assures him.
“Okay,” he whispers. “She can come up,”
Ron nods and disappears again, but it’s not long till they hear Molly’s chittering voice on the stairs. Harry takes a deep breath to prepare himself just before the door slams open.
“Harry!” Molly cries, eyes full of tears, her hands holding a tray full of food. Arthur is behind her, waiting in the hall as backup. Ron enters the room and stands with his arms crossed at the foot of the bed.
“Hi, Molly,” he says softly. He resists the urge to zone out, bracing himself for the onslaught. But to his surprise, Molly is perfectly calm… well, as calm as Molly Weasley can be.
“I brought you some lunch, dear,” she says, setting down the tray where Hermione tells her to. “And I know you might still feel ill, but there’s a piece of treacle tart and ice cream for you, Hermione, Ron told me- oh Harry, I’m so happy you’re okay!”
“Thanks, Molly,” he mumbles.
“You should really open the window here,” she notes. “At least try to get some fresh air for you three. I’ll bring some fresh sheets up as well for your… bed?”
It seems she’s finally noticed that there’s only one bed filling Ron’s tiny room, and Harry winces, waiting for it.
“Thanks, Mum,” Ron says sharply. “I’ll make sure to open the window,”
She stares at the three of them for a moment before pursing her lips and nodding. “Alright,” she then turns to Harry. “Can I hug you dear?”
He startles because Molly never asks, and for that, he agrees. He fights back tears as she reaches across Hermione to hug him. “I’ll bring dinner later?” she asks Ron, who nods. She bustles out of the room, and Harry relaxes until he realizes Arthur is still in the hall.
“Dad?” Ron asks.
“It’s up to Harry,” Arthur says. “But I am holding back a slew of people, and I just wanted to know if there is anyone who you’re okay with being in the house? Not even to see you, just in the house,”
“Hagrid,” Harry says immediately. “Neville, Luna, McGonagall,”
“Do you want to see any of them?”
Harry frowns. “Ask me when they’re here,”
“Andy? Teddy?” Hermione offers.
“Not to see,” Harry shakes his head. “I’m not ready to see Teddy,”
“That’s alright, son,” Arthur assures him. “There will be ministry people, but we can keep them at bay for a long while yet. Percy’s quite good at handling them, could you believe it?”
Harry laughs. It’s the first time he’s laughed, and it surprises them all. “Thank you,” he says, a weight falling off his shoulders.
Arthur grins at him. “I’ll let you know if anyone shows up on your list,”
As soon as his dad leaves, Ron shuts the door and turns to Harry with a grin. “Proud of you, mate,”
“Really?” he asks.
“So proud,” Hermione agrees, giving him a tight squeeze. “Now, let’s see if you can stomach some lunch,”