Hermione turned around, trying to look for a way out of the dark. An icy growl chilled the air, and she set off again through the trees.

The branches clutched at her hair, her clothes, her skin, with long brittle fingers. No matter how much she tried to fight them off, they slowly twined themselves around her neck and limbs, making their way to her torso. She was soon suspended in the air, unable to breathe, and the night was getting darker, and the growls were getting louder, and she would never see Ron again -

Hermione gasped, sitting up in her bed.

The covers were twisted around her legs and she was sweating in buckets. Her wide, frightened eyes searched the room. For what, she herself didn't exactly know.

Suddenly, she was enveloped in a tight hug, and the familiar smell of Ron encompassed her, like a shield against the outside world.

She sobbed painfully into his chest, gripping his shirt, and he stroked her hair and whispered softly in her ear. Her nightmares had recently got worse; there was rarely a night anymore where she didn't wake up in a cold sweat.

Despite that, though, she knew she could always count on Ron to keep her safe, and even if he couldn't, she knew he would wait for her no matter what.

As her breathing slowed and her muscles relaxed, she felt Ron kiss her forehead and lay her back in the bed. She smiled at him drowsily.

"Love you, Ron."

"I love you too."

And with that, they fell asleep, still wrapped in each other's arms.

***

A/N: well, that's my first ever published fanfiction. what do you think? i am open to criticism so please don't hesitate to tell me what i can improve on.

thanks for reading!