He was busy fantasising about plates of hot food when a puzzled looking Hermione said 'We can't be there yet.'
Ron almost rolled his eyes, 'So why are we stopping?' he said as the train shuddered to a halt. The look on Hermione's face however stopped him from saying anything further.
Ron saw Harry get up and walk over to the compartment door, curiosity getting the better of him Ron followed. He craned his neck over Harry's head but all he glimpsed were the worried faces of other students poking out of the compartments along the hall. Ron stepped back from the door and before he had a chance to get back to his seat the train lights went out and he managed to trip and stub his toe. He swore softly so that Hermione wouldn't hear him.
Ron rubbed his toe 'What's going on?' he said uncertainly taking a step backwards and trying to locate his seat.
Hermione must have moved closer to him and Harry since the lights had gone out because he stepped on what he suspected was her foot. His thoughts were confirmed when her voice gasped 'Ouch!, Ron that was my foot!'
'Sorry' he said sheepishly. Then - mainly because he could think of no other reason for the train stopping he said - 'D'you think we've broken down?'
'Dunno�' said Harry returning to his seat without incident.
Ron checked that Hermione's feet were out of harms way and began walking towards the window. He had taken no more than three steps when Hermione's hand reached out and grabbed his own. Ron - out of shock - jumped slightly, then hoping Hermione hadn't noticed, he quickly squeezed her hand in what he hoped was a reassuring way. Ron then remembered where he was headed - the window. He walked over to it, Hermione following, and rubbed a clean patch on it so he could see what was happening outside.
Ron strained his eyes 'There's something moving out there,' he finally said. 'I think people are coming aboard�'
Then as if on cue the door opened, Ron felt Hermione pull away, a part of him wished she hadn't.
Neville's scared voice echoed through the compartment, 'Sorry! D'you know what's going on? Ouch! Sorry -' He appeared to have tripped over Harry.
'Hullo, Neville' Harry said helping him up off the floor.
'Harry? Is that you? What's happening?'
'No idea! Sit down -'
There was a great yelp of pain and a furry figure jumped down off of Hermione's recently vacated seat. Poor Neville had sat on Crookshank's.
'I'm going to ask the driver what's going on' said Hermione, sounding calm despite the situation. She swept past Ron and was opening the door when a small figure burst through it.
Ron had to listen carefully to make out the conversation that followed.
'Who's that?'
'Who's that?'
'Ginny?'
'Hermione?'
'What are you doing?'
'I was looking for Ron -'
'Come in and sit down-'
Ron felt guilty when he realised he had forgotten about Ginny, he was relieved she was alright. However that didn't stop him from quietly laughing when she sat on Harry.
Then Ron heard a hoarse male voice coming from behind him ('Quiet!') Professor Lupin was awake.
There was a small crackling sound and the Professor's face appeared illuminated by what appeared to be a handful of flames. He looked - if possible - more tired than before, but he managed to hold the occupants of the compartment in rapt silence. 'Stay where you are' he said standing up.
Lupin was barely a foot away from the door when it began to slide open revealing a hooded figure. Ron drew in a deep breath, even before the deformed hand appeared from underneath the robe, he knew what that thing was, a Dementor.
He had heard from his Dad what these creatures did. They forced you to re-live the worst thing that had ever happened to you. Ron swayed a little and had to steady himself, he knew what was happening. Ron expected to hear Aragog, in his eyes, things didn't come worse than a giant spider trying to eat you. However the only voice he could hear in his head was his own. He sounded upset and he appeared to be saying the same thing over and over.
Ron's surroundings blurred a little and he was able to hear the voice more clearly. 'Hermione, I know you can't hear me but you need to know that I miss you and that� I need you here�' The voice in his head was two octaves higher than it should have been. This was Ron in his second year, he remembered that particular day very well, he had been sitting next to a petrified Hermione and thinking those exact words.
Harry had also been there that day but he had thought it was completely pointless talking to somebody in Hermione's current state. Ron half agreed, but in that moment he had silently pored his heart out to Hermione. He had never felt more helpless and alone in his life. Deep down Ron knew that Hermione was going to be alright but in that moment he had forgotten, in that moment he was afraid that he might have to live life without Hermione and that terrified him.
Ron was jerked into reality by someone pushing past him it was Lupin. He still felt slightly drowsy but his head cleared enough to register Lupin's next words - 'None of us are hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go.'
Ron turned his head and saw Hermione was close to tears, he wondered what she was going through, what memory the Dementor was making her re-live. He reached out and grabbed her hand just as Lupin performed a spell to get rid of the horrible creature. As Ron watched Hermione's eyes slowly cleared - a sure sign that the Dementor's effect on her was fading.
'Are you alright?' Ron asked then when she didn't reply he decided to prompt her a bit further, 'I was forced to re-live -' he quickly said the first thing that came to mind 'Aragog.' He grimaced at how obvious a lie it was but Hermione didn't even notice him pause. Instead she tried to laugh but it sound unnatural and far to high pitched.
'Yer, I flashed back to when I saw the Basilisk' she said softly. Ron held out his hand to help her up and the lights flickered back on. Ron saw Hermione look around the crowded compartment and he did the same. Ginny seemed to be very shaken and she was defiantly on the verge of tears, Neville looked terrified and Lupin wore a grim expression, but Harry. He was sitting stiffly in his seat then right before Ron's eyes he went very rigid and collapsed on the floor twitching. Ron didn't even hesitate, he leapt to Harry's side pulling Hermione along with him.
'Harry, c'mon snap out of it' Ron said fiercely. Hermione seemed at a loss, which made Ron worry even more. Then she dropped her wand and began slapping Harry trying to drag him out of his stupor. It seemed to be working, Harry stopped twitching and eventually went still. Ron looked over Harry at Hermione and catching his eye she managed a weak smile, 'Brilliant' he mouthed, a bit in awe of her.
After that he caught her smiling - for real - and he couldn't help doing the same. Hermione was alive and here with him, things could hardly be as bad as they seemed.