There must be a good reason that you're gone
Ron is staring at Hermione. He knows he fancies her, but he can't do anything yet. Fear between everything that's happening around them. Harry has been down lately. Ginny and Luna have been practicing until they can no more. Neville has been practicing with Dean and Seamus. Everyone is fighting to their core. No one wants to be lost.
So when he gets to watch Hermione act normal when studying, yeah, he's taking the chance. Any hint of normality left in this school, people are holding onto. Malfoy and Harry fighting like rivals, and not hurt crushes, people are holding onto. Ginny hexing people when they laugh at Luna, people are holding onto. Neville losing his toad, people are holding onto. Parkinson following Malfoy around like a lost puppy, people are holding onto. Any sense of normality, people are holding onto.
Couples are being careful now. Spending whatever time they have together left. People are preparing to die. To sacrifice their self for war. Everyone is hoping for Voldemort's downfall. One day this world can be normal again. One day we won't have to worry about who's good and who's bad.
So watching Hermione study like it the last time she'll ever do so, is somewhat comforting. Because she's studying, not because she's acting like it's the last chance she has. She's studying hard, for what? Ron doesn't know.
All he knows is the way she writes carefully, making sure not to waste ink. Is the way she adds side notes for other projects. Is the way she corrects the books. What he knows is he's in love with Hermione Granger. He came to peace with that fact a long time ago.
Hermione has ink all over her. Her hair is a mess. Her eyes are narrowed. She's tapping her fingers to a muggle song. Humming, she's mumbling random things throughout the song. She looks at peace right now, and it's a calming sight.
…
Sirius is staring at Remus Lupin. His boyfriend. He's taking in Remus' features. Holding onto a familiarity that doesn't last anymore. Everyone is holding onto what they got. War is interfering with everyone's life.
So when he watches Remus study, he's observing it. Any hint of normality left in this world, everyone is hanging onto. James and Snape arguing, Regulus acting better than everyone, Pandora wandering the school without shoes, Lily hexing bullies, everyone is holding onto it.
Couples are watching their every move, staying together, holding one another tight with the fear of dying. People are preparing to sacrifice their life to protect those they love. Everyone wants Voldemort's downfall to happen. Hoping we won't have to worry about good and bad.
So Remus studying at his hardest, Sirius is watching. Remus knows Sirius is watching him. Remus has ink all over him, making notes on pages. Correcting things in the books. Carefully writing to make sure he doesn't have to restart. Smiling while doing so. Sirius is so in love. He just hasn't told Remus yet. Sirius has a feeling Remus knows though.
Remus' hair is a mess, biting down on his tongue. His eyes are narrowed, with him cursing under his breath. He splashes ink at Sirius every so often. Sirius can't help but love him, so he smiles.
…
Ron is protecting Ginny. This is new. They don't protect each other any more. All he saw was someone using a curse on Ginny, and her on the floor. Ron starts attacking. This school is falling to pieces. Curses are being thrown back and forth. Blood is splashing everywhere.
The person got back up. They seem to be in their seventh year. Slytherins. Hermione and Harry are also sending curses at the people. All Ron sees is red. That's his sister. Luna took her to the hospital wing. Ginny could barely breathe.
The bullies finally stopped when McGonagall showed up. She stared them down, "100 points for Slytherin." She spoke calmly. This wasn't the first time she saw this happen. She remembers this happening years ago. She sighs and asks the trio if they're okay.
They all say yes and ask if they can see Ginny. McGonagall agrees. All three start running towards the hospital wing.
When they get there, Ron automatically goes to Ginny's side. She's sleeping. "Is she alright, Madam?" He asks, tears in his eyes. It's his younger sister! His younger sister. In bed. Possibly coma. "She's fine, Weasley. She will be in here for a few days, but she won't enter a coma anytime soon. You're lucky you got her here when you did."
Just like that, they all break. Luna holds her hand, crying just as bad as Ron. She loves her. Ron is holding her other hand tightly. Harry and Hermione are holding one another, tears falling. Their best mate is in a hospital bed, barely survived.
…
Sirius sees red. Lily was on the floor. Slytherins an year older cursing her. And for what? Her being a muggleborn? She's like his sister. It's new for Sirius to protect someone so dearly. This war is making the school fall apart. He's attacking with curses.
When the Slytherin got back up, he saw Pandora and asked her to take Lily. She does with no questions. James and Remus appear, helping Sirius. Lily is like his sister. His sister. Sirius is pissed. Lily could barely breathe.
The Slytherins cower in fear when McGonagall appears. She takes away 100 house points, more in the near future, but she makes sure her students are alright. They all say yes. She tells them Lily is seeable now. Without saying much more, all of them start running.
Lily. Their Lily. In a hospital bed. Pandora holding her hand crying. Lily is in a coma. Lily. Lily. Lily! Is all Sirius can think. No. No. NO. This was not how it was supposed to be. His Lily. His sister.
Pandora clearly loves Lily, but they all know nothing further can happen. Even if Pandora isn't a death eater, she still chose a certain one over them. Sirius can't blame her. Holding her other hand, he's breaking down. James and Remus are also breaking down just as bad, holding onto each other. It's their Lily. It's their Lily on a hospital bed, barely alive.