Ron Weasley sat in a stiff-backed chair. He wiggled uncomfortably. The heat of the summer sun bared down on him. Sweat poured down his face, partly from the heat and partly from nerves. It was almost time for him to speak. He didn’t know what to say. His heart was pounding in his throat. His mother stood up on the podium. She beckoned for him to join her. She said something to the crowd but Ron didn’t hear her. His ears were not working properly. Everything was a blur. Somehow he managed to walk up the aisle.

He stepped onto the podium and looked out at the large crowd in front of him. He saw the entire Order of the Phoenix sitting near the front. Ginny and Harry were seated among them with tears in their eyes. Ron saw Mudungus slip into a row near the back his robes bulging, showing that he had something hidden underneath. Normally this would have made Ron laugh, but not today. Today he was focused on what he had to do. He cleared his throat.

“Hello.� He began his speech. “You all knew Hermione Granger. She was one of the most wonderful people that I’ve ever met. Hermione Granger was a witch that could make anyone smile. She had an aura about her that made you want to laugh; even when she got mad at you.� There were a few scattered chuckles at this; mostly from people who had known her at Hogwarts. “Today we honor a girl…No, a woman who was fearless, daring, smart, noble, great, and gave her life fighting for a friend. She had spirit, even when it was helping creatures that didn’t want it in return.� Dobby, who was sitting near the middle of the stands, bowed his head at this and smirked slightly as tears poured down his face. Ron was talking about Hermione’s S.P.E.W. craze in their fourth year, standing up for house-elf rights. “She could be funny at times, especially if it didn’t involve schoolwork. She fought for what she knew was right even if others didn’t go along with her. She saved me quite a few times during school, even though sometimes I had to beg her to. She always knew when it was ok to break the rules.�

Ron paused as bitter tears came to his eyes. He remembered Hermione’s last words to him right before her death. It had been as though she knew she wasn’t going to make it. She had pulled him aside and said, “Ron, no matter what happens out there, know that I always cared about you. I want you to know that I will never leave your side no matter what goes on here tonight. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.� She then pulled him close and kissed his lips tenderly, relishing in the moment. “Good luck Ron.� He remembered them leaving the sanctuary of their hiding place and joining the others in the Order as they battled with the death eaters. As the night ended Harry finally sent Voldemort to a crashing death. At that moment however, Draco Malfoy had sent the same curse that had brought down his fallen leader, straight at Hermione’s heart. She was dead instantly. Ron didn’t know how he had reacted to this. All he remembered was waking up at St.Mungos screaming her name.

He choked back his tears and continued. “A wise girl once said ‘that there was time to turn back if we wanted to,’ and we never did. We kept fighting right to the very end. However, for Hermione the end came much too soon. So today I lift my voice to Hermione Granger, a wicked good friend and an amazing person. She’s here with me now as I salute her memory. To Hermione Granger.� Ron bowed his head as the rest of the audience mumbled her name. Ron pulled away from the microphone and said to himself, “The woman I loved.� Tears were now streaming down his face as he laid one single red rose on Hermione’s coffin. “The woman I loved…� he repeated. He stared at the rose for a few moments before Harry tapped him on the shoulder.

“Ron, it’s over lets go home.� Ron shook his head, “No, I want to be here when they bury her.� Harry nodded and went back over to Ginny.

The two of them sat back down to wait for Ron. Ron stood there as his father and brothers lowered her coffin into the ground and magically covered it with dirt. Ron sat crossed-legged on the ground for some time oblivious to those around him. It wasn’t until a gentle hand rested on his arm that he stood again. Hermione’s mother was standing there. She too, had tears in her eyes. She pulled Ron into a hug, “That was a beautiful speech today.� She looked him in the eye, “She loved you, you know. She never stopped talking about you when she was home. And by the sound of your speech today, you loved her too.� He nodded. “I’m glad Hermione found love in her short life, even if it never got very far.� She patted Ron’s shoulder and went back over to her husband. They crossed the cemetery back to their car. Ginny came over to Ron. “Let’s go home.�

She gently squeezed his arm and released as they both Apparated to the Burrow. Ron walked up the crooked stairs to his attic bedroom. He sat on his bed and looked at the table beside it. A picture of himself, Harry, and Hermione looked back at him. They all looked so alive and happy as they waved from their frame. He slammed the picture down on the table. He didn’t want to look at a lie. He wasn’t ready to face the fact that she was gone. She wasn't just gone. She'd been gone before. She had felt gone whenever they got into an argument. No. This time she was never coming back to him.

Ron went back downstairs a little while later but stopped on the landing. His mother was sitting in her favorite seat by the fire. Tears were running down her face as she gazed at the back door. She looked as though she half expected Hermione to walk through the door as usual and everything would be ok again.

Ron sat down by his mother and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. She stared at him and wiped her eyes, “We’ll all miss her won’t we? It doesn’t feel right around here without her laughter. Too quiet…� She trailed off and let the silence speak for her. Ron wished he could turn it down. At the moment the silence in the room was too loud for him. All he heard was Hermione laughing at he and Harry as they chased garden gnomes accross the yellow lawn. All he could see in the wood grain on the table was her smiling face, still so full of light and life. Everything was closing in on him and for the first time in his life, Ron’s heart truly broke. By the sound of the sobs beside him, he wasn’t the only one.

A few months after Hermione’s funeral, Ron and Harry went to Diagon Alley to get out for a while. Neither had been himself since Hermione’s death. Harry had to spend a whole day persuading Ron to come with him to Diagon Alley. Ron had never hesitated to come with him before. Harry, however, knew that Ron needed to get himself back into the world and continued to beg Ron to come with him until, finally, Ron agreed.

They tapped on the bricks leading them into the Alley and stepped through the newly formed archway. They looked at all of the careless faces on the street. Students, parents, teachers, old wizards, young wizards, all were gathered here for a day of good shopping or perhaps a trip to the wizard bank, Gringotts.

Harry and Ron joined the throngs of people moving about the crowed alley. They hastened to Eelop’s Owl Emporium for more owl treats for Pig and Hedwig. They both paid the wizard behind the counter and left the crowded shop. Harry suggested that they stop by the ice cream parlor but Ron seemed anxious to get back home. His heart wasn’t in the shopping, it was somewhere many months ago, still in a raging battle that had somehow altered his life. He was lost in a world of thought and hatred. He ate the ice cream with Harry, but he bit his tongue with every lick. It was too cold. It made his insides freeze. He felt like screaming. Harry noticed his friend’s strange behavior and pulled him away from the ice cream parlor.

Before they left, however, they stopped by Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes to visit Fred and George. They found the shop much too crowded with young witches and wizards. Fred and George seemed to have enough to deal with so they snuck back out the front door before either of the twins saw them. They slowly made their way back up the road to the Leaky Cauldron.

When they got there they sat down at a table. A pretty witch was sitting alone at the table next to them. Tom, the barman took their orders. When their firewhiskeys got there, Ron drained his in seconds. Harry gave him a sympathetic look and took a sip of his causing his throat to begin to burn. The girl at the table next to them glanced over occasionally. Ron sat in a daze, thinking about the past, the good, the bad, and the in between. He didn’t seem to notice the girl’s stares.

She seemed to be about two years younger then Harry and Ron, eighteen or nineteen. She had waist length blonde hair that cascaded in waves down her back. She had clear blue eyes and her nose; much like Ron’s, was dotted with light freckles. She had a copy of the Daily Prophet propped up against a butterbeer bottle on her table. Her plate of food was now empty but it had obviously been something cheesy. Orange residue still littered her plate as well as her napkin and silverware. Tom came over and cleared her plate.

Harry nudged Ron and pointed at her.

“What?� said Ron, apparently oblivious to the girl’s presence. He rubbed his nose and then his eyes.

“Ask her to sit with us,� hissed Harry. Ron looked at her and shrugged. “Come on, she looks like she could use the company as much as we could.�

“You ask her then, and leave me out of it!� snarled Ron as he rapped for another firewhiskey. His head burned with thoughts and he didn’t want to add some silly girl to the mix.

“Fine,� said Harry curtly. He stood up and crossed the room. Ron watched out of the corner of his eye as Harry spoke to the girl. Even Ron had to admit, she was very pretty. She came back with Harry and sat down. She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Ron, this is Eva Grint. She just graduated from Hogwarts. She was a Ravenclaw. That’s why we didn’t know her.� Harry explained to Ron. It was obvious however that Ron didn’t care when all that he did was grunt. He slid his firewhiskey closer and took a sip.

“Nice to meet you.� She chimed sweetly as Ron took a longer drink from his firewhiskey. She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I think I’d better go. I have things to do. Thanks for having me join you Harry. I’m sorry I can’t stay. Bye!� She stood to leave.

“Wait, don’t go…I’m sorry, it’s just that—� Ron put his head in his hands. He didn’t feel like explaining Hermione to some random girl.

“Harry told me about your friend Hermione. She must have been a wonderful person. All of the Ravenclaws knew about her. She was really smart, best in her year I heard. Everyone said she should have been a Ravenclaw. She was nice. She waved to me a couple of times…� Eva trailed off.

She sat back down and looked at Ron, “I’m really sorry.� She put a comforting hand on his arm.

“Don’t be. It’s silly. I shouldn’t be moping but I…she was a good friend.� Memories came flooding back. The funeral, the cemetery, the battle to the death…memories he had been trying to forget.

“You loved her didn’t you?� Eva stared unblinking into his eyes. He nodded. She smiled.

“I know how you feel. My dad died about four months ago. I loved him. He was my best friend.�

Ron looked at her, “Somehow I don’t think it’s the same thing…� Nobody knew how he felt. He felt death. He felt rage. He felt…

“Let’s have a round of butterbeers shall we?� Harry tried to brighten the mood.

“No thanks,� said Eva. She stood up and put her hand on Ron’s shoulder; “If you need to talk…� She pulled out her wand and waved it once producing a small slip of paper, “Stop over sometime.�

“Ok…� mumbled Ron still deep in his own thoughts.

“See you Harry.� Eva pushed in her chair and made her way towards the door.

“Bye!� called Harry. Ron stared at the paper in his hands.

“She seemed nice…� said Ron.

“You should go over tomorrow,� said Harry as Ron slid the paper towards him.

“No, I don’t think I really want to talk about it…�

“You need to sometime,� said Harry.

“Not yet…� Ron stood up and shoved the paper into his pocket.

“Fine,� said Harry curtly, “Your loss.�

Ron walked out of the pub. He was still thinking about Eva. “No,� he said to himself, “I don’t like Eva! I love you Hermione!� He looked to the sky. “Help me!�

The next day Ron sat at the table at the Burrow and held his head in his hands. He was still deep in thought about Eva. Over and over her hair would flow through his mind only to be replaced by her stunning blue eyes. Then he would look at a photo of Hermione now thumbtacked to the wall. Tears began to flow freely down his face. He was caught in a whirlwind of emotions and didn’t want to think; didn’t want to breathe.

He rubbed at his temples trying to rub out his headache. It throbbed in every part of his body not only his head. Every time he tried to escape the pain it sunk in deeper until he was in a heap on the floor, sobbing like he would never cease. He didn’t want to love again. He knew he didn’t. Eva was causing him nothing but pain. How could there be real life without Hermione? He tried to make things seem all right, make them look better then they really were. What would happen when he couldn’t remember her anymore? Some people may have photographic memory, but what about the people like him who didn’t have any film? Soon he would forget what she looked like, and then what she sounded like…pretty soon he would forget her altogether.

Things kept going over and over like a broken record in his head. Things he should have said, but didn’t, and now would never get to. He looked over all of the times that they fought yet miraculously made up. He thought of all the joy he had experienced in her presence. He thought of everything that now would never happen again. Was it ok to move on?

Everything was quiet. The house was still asleep. Ron tried to stop his thoughts, tried to make them cease. He tried…Ron felt that there was no good way. No matter what he did he could feel the shame burning his heart and mind. His stomach turned and his mind throbbed. There was no escape from this mental prison. He didn’t want to miss Hermione. He didn’t want to love her anymore.

Sitting on his kitchen floor with his knees pulled to his chest, he felt lost. Hermione had left him alone. She had left him like this; cold and lifeless, miserable. It was not her fault, yet Ron couldn’t help but blame her for everything. She didn’t have to leave him. She didn’t have to be gone. She could have chose to stay home with Ginny and pretend nothing was wrong while he and Harry left to battle Voledemort.

He wanted to cry, wanted to hurt. He sat there for a long time inside his own thoughts. He took a deep breath. A different feeling filled his insides. He wanted to punch something. To curse it, to make it hurt as he had. This torture was too much. He stood up and headed for the door. He needed an escape from this nightmare.

He thought of Eva’s smile, how it had made his chest tighten. He fought for breath. That smile made everything worse. How he hated that smile. He couldn’t wait to talk to her again, yet he felt the same about Hermione. What would she say if she could see him now, sitting by the pond in his yard, rocking back and forth like he was in the asylum? He felt like he could die there and now. He hated acting like everything was ok, like he didn’t miss her…

Someone in the house stirred. Ron wiped his eyes on his sleeve. He didn’t want to face his family. He didn’t want to pretend he wasn’t thinking about Hermione, about Eva, about anything. Why did she have to leave him in this world where everything is moving fast, too fast?


He didn’t like waiting for something bad to happen. That’s how it was now. He was always waiting for the next horrible thing to happen, but it never came. His inside slowly turned from mush back into something solid. He didn’t want another surprise. He wanted his life back. If Hermione were here things would be different. But she was gone. Gone. Gone…

Ron entered his house once he had regained his composure. He fought to keep the pain he carried with him from showing. Every line in his face contorted into a forced smile as he saw Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny gathered at the table. “Took a walk…� he muttered. He sat by George and stared out the window. The sun rose as it always had. The sun didn’t know anything was different. It still rose and set just like it did when Hermione was there. He wished his feelings were as careless as the sun. Somehow it seemed like it would be the hardest job in the world. He couldn’t bear it if he were the sun; rising and setting everyday no matter what went on in the world…

His soul warmed as his sister touched his arm. She smiled at him and he tried to return it. His smile faltered however and he returned his gaze to the window. He closed his eyes tight and he could see Hermione. He wished that he could hold her tight and never let go. Why had he let her go? Harry started talking but Ron couldn’t hear him. There was a buzzing in his ears so loud that he felt as though ‘Muffiliato’ had been placed on him. Hermione’s head once again swirled before his eyes. She told him not to give up and to hold on tight. She started to say his name, “Ron. Ron. Ron. Ron.� Suddenly her voice became deeper and harsher but oddly familiar. “Ron. Ron! Ron!� Harry’s voice pulled him out of his trance. “Yeah…� he answered Harry faintly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I invited Eva over today and I hope you don’t mind.� Ron sat bolt upright and snapped his gaze to Harry.

“You did what?� he demanded. The last thing he needed was the very girl who had ruined his life of undoubting sorrow and replaced it with one of burning confusion, to show up on his doorstep.

“You need to talk to someone, Ron. You’re a mess,� Harry looked to Ron with concern etched in his face.

“Fine, but don’t expect me to poor my bloody heart out to her,� Ron slumped into the living room and stretched out on the couch. Why did Harry have to care so much? Couldn’t he just let things be? Eva had ruined everything he had thought before. He had been positive that Hermione was the only woman he could ever love, but now… Blood pounded in his head as he cradled it in his hands. He tried to remember the smile that had made him melt completely, but Eva’s was replacing it. Every memory of Hermione he could muster was becoming fuzzy under the pressure.

His heart dropped to the floor as he heard a knock on the back door signaling the arrival of a dreaded visitor. He could still make a run for it. If he made it to the front door in time he might be able to make to the barn or the broom shed before anyone noticed he’d gone. Too late. Eva’s blonde head appeared in the doorway. She smiled that smile that had taken the place of Hermione’s. Ron sat up and made a spot for her on the couch. She sat and stared into the fire.

“I know that you don’t want me here, Ron,� she was oddly accurate and Ron couldn’t help but agreeing with her out loud. He stopped himself, however, and looked at his feet.

“What makes you think that?�

“You love Hermione and you think that I want to take her place.� She didn’t hesitate and she was, again, oddly accurate.

“A bit,� admitted Ron.

“I don’t want to, nor could I ever, take her place, Ron. That is in your heart and it always will be. I want to be your friend and nothing more. We could both use someone to talk to.� She settled back in her seat and waited for his response.

“All right,� he muttered. “Hermione would want me to make new friends I suppose.� Hermione’s face suddenly reappeared in the back of his mind. It was no longer fuzzy but complete and clear. He smiled to himself. Eva didn’t want to be more than friends. He could go back to loving only Hermione. His confusion lingered, however, and he didn’t know why.

They sat in silence for some time. Neither dared to break the heavy quiet that had settled in the room. The fire crackled merrily and mocked their pain. The clock in the corner ticked loudly as time passed by. Minute after minute. Second after Second. Ron hardly dared breathe. Eva shifted uncomfortably beside him.

After what seemed like hours she stood up. “Maybe it would be better if we started this…� she drifted off, “…this friendship, tomorrow.� Ron nodded. She returned his nod and stepped into the kitchen. Ron followed at her heels. Harry and Ginny were sitting at the table. Their heads were together as they whispered about something. Harry had his hands resting over top of hers. Ron cleared his throat. Ginny sat straight up as though she had been electrocuted. Harry looked from Ron who was growing red around the ears to Eva who was tucking her blonde hair behind hers and raised his eyebrows.

“Done so soon?� Eva nodded as she stepped to the doorway.

“I’ll be back tomorrow, Ron. Is that ok?�

“Yeah,� Ron looked at Harry who now was looking puzzled, “That sounds great.�

Eva went out the door. Ginny started to laugh. “How was it with Miss Evangeline?� She giggled into her arms.

“Shut it,� snarled Ron.

“If she’s coming back tomorrow, then why is she leaving so soon today? Didn’t you have a nice time?� Harry looked confused.

“She told me she just wanted to be friends and she didn’t want to take Hermione’s place. That made me happy but things felt odd so we figured we would give it a break and try again.� He shrugged his shoulders and took an apple from a basket on the counter.

“I see,� said Harry as he raised his eyebrows once more.

“And what were you two doing in here?� Ron smirked.

“Nothing!� said Harry and Ginny at once, much too quickly to be believable. Both of their faces turned red and they tried to avoid Ron’s eyes.

“Right,� said Ron as his smile broadened. It was the first time he had laughed since Hermione’s death.

Eva arrived at the Burrow early the next morning only to discover that Ron wasn’t there. “Where’s Ron?� she asked. Harry shrugged his shoulders. Ginny’s solemn face told Eva exactly where Ron was. “He’s at her grave isn’t he?� Ginny looked completely fascinated with the wood grains on the table. Harry nodded slowly. “Do you think it would be ok if I met him there?� Ginny shrugged her shoulders and looked at Harry. “I’ll take that as a yes.� Eva stepped out the door and Apparated on the spot to a soft and shady cemetery where a lone man stood in the distance next to a stone angel.


Ron kneeled in the grass by Hermione’s grave. The angel girl’s face looked down upon him with quiet eyes. He looked away and took out a small bouquet of flowers he had brought. He fought back tears. He replaced the existing flowers already in a small pot on the side of the grave.

“Hermione,� his lips trembled as he spoke. “Help me! I’m so confused. I need to know that I can let you go, yet I’m not even sure if I want to, but it’s just that Eva…� he faltered and didn’t know how to start. “Help me…� he started to cry silently. Tears rolled down his face as he sobbed into his hands.

He heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw Eva walking slowly towards him. His face turned red and he looked away. He felt a warm, comforting hand on his shoulder and the next thing he knew Eva was sitting next to him on the ground. Her eyes, too, were wet with tears.

“You don’t need to let her go, Ron.� She spoke in a whisper yet it was so loud that Ron cringed. Sometimes the silence these days could speak louder than words. “No one is asking you to let her go. Love doesn’t go away that easy,� Eva looked up at the angel’s face as she spoke. She pressed her hand on one of the angel’s upturned ones. Ron almost wondered for a moment if she was silently speaking to the angel, or even more impossible, to Hermione. “In fact, letting her go is something you never want to do. Letting her go would be like,� she swallowed, “like letting go of hope, love, faith…it would be letting go of your guardian angel.� Ron gazed up at the tombstone and shivered. Was Hermione his guardian angel?

“If it were me,� Eva now gazed into his eyes, “I wouldn’t worry about what she is thinking, but of what would she want you to think. Would she want you to be happy? Or do you think she likes you moping around all the time and never smiling or laughing like you used to? Harry told me that you used to be full of happiness. That was the Ron that she loved. Don’t give up on him. I know he’s there.� She took his hand in her own and pressed it to his heart. “I know you may not take my advice…I know I don’t like advice unless it’s my own, but…try to think of her, Ron. Think of Hermione.�

Eva’s words seemed to wake Ron from a long sleep. He felt as though he was a hibernating bear and spring had come at last. Eva was right. He couldn’t bring Hermione back, but he could be the same Ron that she had loved so much. The last thing he wanted to do was disgrace her memory in any way.

Eva remained quiet for several more minutes before adding, "Our love for those who have gone, should not deminish our love for those who remain. Trust me, I know..."

“Thank you,� he managed to slip out. “Thank you so much.� Eva nodded curtly and went back to looking at the angel. Ron was thankful that she wasn’t pressuring him into leaving yet. He still wanted to be near Hermione. Eva stood up. “I’ll be at your house when you are ready to come back.� She Apparated on the spot leaving Ron, once again, alone.

“Hermione, I see you’ve met Eva. She really is quite wonderful. I think you would have been friends with her. I think she’s right; I don’t want to lose you as my guardian angel. I want to be happy again. I think I’m going to like Eva a lot. I hope that’s ok. Since, you are my guardian angel then you might have even led me to her.� He chuckled before he continued; “You always did know what was best. As usual, I miss you and… I love you. I have to go now, though.� He paused before adding, “Bye.�

He stood up and walked slowly back towards the cemetery path. He was ready to go but not back to his house. He ambled along gazing at the tombstones. He saw Harry’s parent’s graves. He saw some of his relatives graves nearby too. He sat down on a bench near the entrance. He folded his hands in his lap and rested his head on them. It was too hard to feel happy this soon. He knew the change would hurt but this was for Eva, for himself, for Hermione…


Ron walked through the door to the Burrow. His heart was as heavy as a hippogriff and yet, just as free. Eva was talking to Harry when he arrived. She looked up and smiled at him. His mouth twitched into a jerky grin but it fell immediately. It was a start. He summoned a butterbeer and sat down across from Harry.

“You ok?� asked Harry timidly. Ron could tell that Harry didn’t want to upset him.

Ron gulped down the lump in his throat for what he hoped was the last time. He nodded. Eva smiled and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Ron couldn’t help but trust her. She was so warm and gentle.

“Harry has some good news, don’t you Harry?� Eva looked towards Harry who was picking at his cuticles.

“Oh, yeah! Ron, Minerva McGonagall stopped by today and offered me the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! Now that Voldemort is gone I figured it couldn’t be jinxed any more, right? Well, I accepted! Isn’t that great?�

“Excellent!� Ron clapped Harry on the back. He was truly happy for him.


The next day Ron awoke and went down for breakfast. Eva was already sitting at the table deep in a conversation with Mrs. Weasley. When Eva saw him, she stood up and made her way over to him. “Good morning!� she chimed happily. “Did you sleep well?�

“Yeah,� said Ron, “You?�

“Of course!�

“Excellent…Morning Mum!� Ron gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.

“Well, you seem happy today,� said Mrs. Weasley to Ron. She watched as he sat in a chair and hungrily dug into his breakfast.

“Did Harry tell you?� Ron asked between mouthfuls.

“Tell me what, Dear?�

“He got a job…At Hogwarts.�

“Well, that’s excellent news!� Mrs. Weasley called up the stairs for Harry to wake up and come down. Within a few minutes, Harry was groggily coming down the staircase. “Congratulations, Harry dear!�

“What? Oh, thank you!� said Harry.

“When do you start?�

“Next week, I think…�

“Well, we’ll have to get you some new things. Your robes are looking a bit shabby and you could do with a wand polish…and a haircut…�

“Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. That’s very nice, but I can get everything. I’ll be getting a salary now.�

“Nonsense!� cried Mrs. Weasley, throwing her hands in the air, “You’ve always been, and always will be, a member of this family.�

Harry thanked her again and started eating his breakfast. Eva went outside without a word, and, being curios, Ron followed.

He walked into the garden and she was sitting out by the pond. He had her wand out and was idly swirling it above the water causing it to swirl in circles. He crossed the yard and sat next to her. “Now, why would Eva want to come outside and sit by a puddle of water if there was no good reason? Hmm…I wonder…� He looked at her and laughed at his own childish game.

“There is no reason, Ron. I just wanted to relax, but I was hoping you would follow me.�

“And I did. What now?�

“I like this pond. It’s comforting. I feel closer to my…my dad. It’s so quiet. I can hear all of the birds…�

“I never noticed that it was this comforting before…� Ron looked at his reflection in the water. He relaxed in a peaceful state of mind. All of a sudden an object skipping across the surface disturbed the water. He heard laughter and he spun around. Eva was standing behind him with a stone in her hand.

She tossed it into the air and caught it with one hand. “It was the perfect skipping stone,� she said innocently.

“Oh yeah?�asked Ron as he got to his feet; “I’ll show you the perfect skipping stone!� He laughed and grabbed her around the waist. She laughed as he spun her around. It was the first time since Hermione’s death that she wasn’t on his mind.

Ron and Eva walked hand in hand back to the house. It had been the most fun Ron had had in a long time. Eva smiled a bright smile in his direction. “Shall I come back tomorrow?�

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,� said Ron brightly. “I had a ton of fun today…with you.�

“Me too,� said Eva sweetly. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek and his heart beat out of his chest. He was sure Eva would hear it. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then?�

“I can’t wait!� Ron watched as she walked through the back gate. He went inside the back door and floated into the living room. If he didn’t know any better he would have said that his feet never touched the floor.

“Well, someone looks happy,� teased Ginny. Ron just hummed softly and sank to a seat in the couch.

Ron fingered his cheek where Eva had kissed him and felt his face flush. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…�

“Right…� said Harry as he chuckled softly, “Keep your fun to yourself then, see if we care.�

“I’m feeling tired all of a sudden. I think I’ll go to bed. Goodnight!� Ron walked up the stairs as everyone bid him goodnight. He felt like he was floating on clouds. He sighed and fell upon his bed. “Eva…� he rolled over onto his side, “Eva…� Within seconds, Ron was asleep.


The next day Ron was up at the crack of dawn. He went to the bathroom and combed his hair so many times that he was surprised when it didn’t fall out. He washed his face until it was bright pink. He wanted to surprise Eva with how happy and refreshed he looked.

He went downstairs and, just as he thought, Eva was sitting at the table with the Daily Prophet propped up against her goblet of juice. She smiled at him and she felt his face smile back. His heart was pounding in his feet.

“Good morning! Lovely day isn’t it?� He sat next to her and poured himself some juice. “Any plans today?�

“You’re looking fantastic today! I do have something planned today…�

“Oh…� Ron felt his face fall.

“And as soon as you’re done eating, we can go.�

“We?�

“You didn’t think I’d go somewhere without my best friend!�

Ron felt his face flush once more, “Best friend?�

“Of course!� Eva cleaned her plate with one flick of her wand and set it back in the cupboard.

Ron ate his food in a rush and said, “I’m done!�

Eva giggled and took his plate. “Then lets go!� She took his hand and led him into the backyard, “Close your eyes.�

Ron looked at her questioningly and closed his eyes tightly. He heard some background noise and was tempted to peek, but he knew Eva would be disappointed.

Eva tapped him lightly on the shoulder and he opened his eyes. She had two brooms in her hand. Without a word, she tossed him one and mounted her own. She peeled off into the sky and beckoned for Ron to follow. He laughed and mounted his own broom. He flew off after her. She stopped in the middle of the Weasley’s field and paused to wait for him. “I wanted to see if you really could fly as good as Harry tells me you can!�

Ron’s ears turned red. He hadn’t rode a broom since Hermione was alive and even when he had; it hadn’t been what you could call “good�.

Ron shrugged, “Let’s see then!� He took off with such speed that he hadn’t used since Hogwarts. She rolled her eyes and followed.

They spent the entire day flying around the countryside. Ron had never had so much fun on a broom. When they landed, Eva took his broomstick from him.

She laid the brooms on the ground and took him by the hand. She took him out into the field behind the Burrow. She laid down and looked up at the sky. She patted the ground next to her and she sat down.

“So, have you ever wanted to live in the city, or do you like the country?� He laid down beside her and looked at the stars beginning to appear.

“I don’t know…I guess I’ve always liked it here, but the city might be nice…�

“I’ve always wanted to live in the country…look at the stars. How could you ever want to leave this?� She sighed and rolled on her side to talk to him. “Can I ask you something?�

“Yeah, anything!�

“Have you ever thought about how short life is? When I look at the stars, all I can think about is that someday, even the stars will die…they are so big yet so vulnerable just like us. Sometimes I feel so…susceptible to everything. At least I know I’m going to die…the stars shine their entire lives away and then they die and turn into black holes…I’m sorry…I guess I just…well I’ve never been able to talk like this to anyone before…�

“I’ve never thought about it before but it makes sense…Life may be short, but the greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Nothing I have done has accomplished that yet…� He stood up and grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.

“Thank you, Ron.�

“For what?�

“For giving me the brother, friend, and…that I never had.�

“No, thank you. Without you, I’d still be moping around like I was the one who had died.� Tears were streaming down Eva’s face and Ron didn’t know why, “I couldn’t live without you…�

Eva sobbed even harder, “I have to go! Thank you again, Ron! I’ll see you tomorrow!� She flew out of the gate and Apparated instantly.

“Bye…� Ron called hopelessly. He didn’t know why Eva was acting so strange and he wasn’t sure that he wanted to find out. When she had left, she had dropped the brooms. He picked them up. He had been having such a good time that he didn’t even notice what was on the handles. These brooms were two firebolts. He was sure that they didn’t belong to the Weasley’s. His family had never considered buying anything this expensive. “Eva,� Ron muttered. She didn’t have to do that. He gingerly laid them in the broom shed and walked towards the Burrow.

“Did you have a nice time?� asked his mother. Ron nodded. “Did Eva leave already?� Ron nodded again. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time,� his mother put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“It’s getting dark and I—I think I’m going to go to bed.�

“So soon?� Ginny looked up from the newest copy of Witch Weekly.

“Yeah, I’m feeling really tired.�

“Night, then!� Harry grinned and pushed his glasses up on his nose. Ron laughed remembering his days at Hogwarts when Harry did that constantly. Tomorrow he would be going back to Hogwarts but this time as a teacher. “What?� asked Harry.

“Nothing,� said Ron as he headed for the stairs. He made it to his room and set down on the edge of his bed. “It was probably nothing,� he said to himself. She just didn’t feel well… He stretched and realized that his eyelids did feel very heavy. He leaned back and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

That night, dreams of an eagle filled his head. The eagle flew around the Burrow until it flew into his window. There, it settled into Pig’s cage and Ron kept it. He awoke talking to an imaginary eagle. “Ravenclaw…�

As soon as Eva arrived, Ron asked her what house she had been in just to be sure.

“Ron, I already told you before, I was a Ravenclaw.�

“That’s what I thought,� Ron said.

“Sorry about my leaving so quickly yesterday. I forgot to do something.�

“That’s ok,� Ron put a hand on her shoulder, “I understand.� Somehow he didn’t think Eva was telling him the entire truth but he didn’t care.

That day Eva took him once again to Diagon Alley. Ron felt very at peace with her here, being as this was where they had met. They spent the entire day window shopping and enjoying each other’s company. Just before they left, Ron bought them an ice cream cone to share.

Over the next few weeks Ron and Eva spent even more time together, but gradually Eva began to look thin, peaky, and pale. Mrs. Weasley made her eat even more but her weight was still dropping. She blamed it on the weather since winter was approaching. Ron figured that she just didn’t like the cold.

Eva’s health still couldn’t keep the two friends apart. In fact, they were probably together even more than normal. She began to stay the night in Ginny’s room just to avoid the trouble of going home and coming back the next day. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had accepted her as one of the family. Ginny became very close to Eva as well and soon the two of them would walk around giggling like old friends despite Eva’s fragile condition. They began to remind Ron of the days when Hermione used to come over. Despite Eva’s weight, life had never been better at the Burrow.

They spent their days sitting by the pond talking or going flying on the new Firebolts. Ron even taught her how to de-gnome the garden. Eva thought the gnomes were cute, and had a hard time throwing them because of her weakness. She laughed when they ran away, hiding, only to sneak back in later. Their fun was cut short, however, when Eva got suddenly tired and wanted to go inside.

One day close to the end of November, Eva took sick. She sat in bed all day coughing. Ron surprised her by bringing her chicken noodle soup in bed. They spent the entire day in Ginny’s room sitting and telling each other stories.

The next day, however, Eva’s cough had gotten worse and Mrs. Weasley was allowing no one into the room. Even Ginny had to move into Percy’s old room for a little while much to her displeasure. She complained, saying it smelled too much like parchment and ink. Mrs. Weasley then threatened to put her in Fred and George’s room so she could smell gunpowder instead. Ginny never complained about Percy’s room after that.

After about a week, Ron really began to worry. He looked through the door and Eva was asleep. She looked small and pale, almost like a sleeping china doll. Her hair looked thin and stringy and her hands, cold and clammy. His first impulse was to rush in and hold her tight to his chest and never let go. At that moment, however, his mother came up the stairs with a tray of food, so he had no choice but to keep going up to his room.

According to his mother, Eva hadn’t spoken in days except for a feeble ‘thanks’ whenever food was delivered. Ron felt his heart break for his beautiful friend. He had never known her to have nothing to say, even when she wasn’t feeling well. He realized he hadn’t known her for very long, but she was hardly what one would call a quiet person.

“How long will it be until she is better?� he asked his mother, wringing his hands in despair. He hadn’t known what to do with himself lately. Harry was at Hogwarts teaching and Ginny was his sister and not very good friendly company for him. Sure, he got along with her well enough, but there is only so much that you can talk about with your baby sister.

“I don’t know, Dear. I just don’t know…� was the only answer he ever received.

That night, Ron sneaked into Ginny’s room and sat on the edge of Eva’s bed. He shook her awake. She smiled at him and tried to say something. “Shhh…don’t say anything.� He put a finger to her lips, scooping her out of the bed. He quietly carried her down to the pond where he set her by the water and covered her with a blanket. She looked at him, tears forming on her eyelashes. He handed her a sunflower. “How are you feeling?� he asked softly.

“Much better….now,� she said in a weak voice. He helped her to her feet.

“May I have this dance?� He held out his hand.

“But Ron, there is no music…�

The struggle to find her voice impacted him. He was not used to hearing her so raspy and weak. He pulled her close to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He grasped her waist and whispered, “Just listen to the beat of your heart and dance to that.� She started to sway with him and soon he felt her put all of her weight on him.

“Are you ready to go back?� She nodded and put her head on his shoulder. He scooped her up and carried her up the stairs and laid her in bed.

“Goodnight…� he whispered and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

***

After another few days, Eva was moved to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Maladies and Injuries. That day was the worst day ever for Ron because he was not permitted to go with his parents to the hospital. He sat the entire day with his hands folded on the table in front of him, not daring to move. Ginny was worried about her brother but she was even more worried about Eva.

“You could go to the hospital, you know,� she told Ron. “You’re of age. No matter what Mum says you could still go.�

Ron nodded in acknowledgement of what she had said, but stayed seated. “I’m not sure if I really want to be there. That would mean seeing Eva weak more than I have to and I’m not sure how long I can take that…� Ginny put her hand on his shoulder and walked out of the room. She cleaned for the rest of the day, which was a sure sign that she was nervous, drifting off to bed before the sun had even set.

Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley’s hands on the clock switched to ‘traveling’ and shuddered to a halt on ‘home’. He heard the back door open and slowly turned his head. His parents came in the door and stopped when they saw him sitting there.

His mother gave him a feeble smile. “You may go and visit her tomorrow if you like,� she said softly. “She settled in fine. They don’t know how long she’ll have to—to stay there.�

Ron nodded. “I’ll go up tomorrow, then.� He headed for the stairs, rubbing his hand over the back of his head rumpling his hair. “Goodnight.�

Ron went very slowly up the stairs. They creaked under his feet as he let his weight rest upon each one in turn. There was something his parents were keeping from him. It made him worried because his mother hadn’t hid anything from him since the Order of the Phoenix. Ron stopped when he reached Ginny’s room. She was asleep on her bed. The bed that had been Eva’s looked abandoned and forgotten. It was made and tidy, but looked strangely empty when compared to Ginny’s. Ginny’s red hair swirled around her head and contrasted with her white pillow. Ron hated how the room felt with Eva.

Ron finally made it up to his room and headed straight for the window. He looked out over the yard. The pond where he and Eva had had so many conversations glittered in the moonlight. He blinked back tears as he remembered the resent times when Eva had been too sick to talk to him. She was his best friend and he needed her, but now she was in the hospital and he didn’t know why. He had never seen anyone with this bad of a cold.

“I wonder if Eva is looking at the same moon…� he mumbled to himself. The broom shed stood alone in the distance. No one had yet noticed the Firebolts among the other brooms. Ron chuckled to himself at the thought.

He leaned back from the window. Pig started squawking so he threw some treats into his cage. Ron yawned and settled in on his bed. It was so old that it groaned under his weight. His Chudley Cannons poster waved from the wall. He rolled over and tried to ignore it. As he closed his eyes he ended the worst day he had ever had.