"I like the sound of that," Ron replied, as if reading Harry's thoughts.

"I'm glad; I'd hate to think otherwise."

Ron wrapped his arms around Harry's neck, still smiling, but more softly. "I'm here as long as you'll have me, you know."

Tilting his head to the side, Harry thought for a moment. "But what if I want you with me forever? Could even you fight that long?"

"For you? Us?" Ron pulled Harry closer, until chin rested on the other's shoulder and his lips pressed against Harry's ear. The smile was gone from his voice. "I couldn't do anything else."

Shivering as the warm breath touched his ear, Harry's eyes fell closed. Taking an unsteady breath, he turned so he could see Ron's face. His voice wasn't quite even when he said, "Good. I'd be awfully mad at you otherwise."

"Can't have that." The red-haired boy chuckled softly. "Can we?"

He shook his head, but his response was muffled when Ron pressed his lips to Harry's. And in truth, within moments he had forgotten what it was he had planned to say, anyway. With the touch of Ron's tongue to his lips, he opened his mouth, the kiss deepening.

Some time later, he heard Ron groan as Harry sucked gently on his lower lip, ending the kiss. Seeing the flushed cheeks of his best friend, the person he loved more than anyone in the world, Harry felt a new kind of hope that even nightmares couldn't destroy. With a sigh, he leaned forward just enough to rest his forehead against Ron's.

Whatever happened... they were together.