Hermione started wiggling her feet, a sign that she wanted to get going. It looked quite funny, her entire body was limp except her fingers, eyes and feet all of which she was moving quite rapidly. “Oh, let’s just get her to the hospital wing! She looks like she’s gone mad!� Harry cracked, trying to calm Ron down. It, unfortunately, didn’t work.

“Mad? Oh no! What spell did you do on her? You filthy--�

“To the hospital wing, Mr. Weasley, if you don’t mind.� Professor Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, indicating that they better get a move on.

Malfoy just glared at Ron and Hermione, muttering under his breath as they all headed to the infirmary. “I suggest you come along Mr. Malfoy.� Mcgonagall had finally spoken, “you are not completely innocent in this, to be sure.� she pierced him with her eyes over her half-spectacles. He begrudgingly followed Snape and Harry.

Ron laid Hermione down on one of the beds and sat beside her, holding her hand. “Please tell me, is she going to be ok?�

“Mr. Weasley I will not know anything until I examine her, so if you don’t mind,� she shooed him away from the bed and closed the partition around the area.

“And, pray tell, what spell was performed on these two?� Snape motioned toward Crabbe and Goyle who were now lying on side-by-side beds.

“Uhh, well they’ve been stupified and I also did the Eyetrechlamis Vectrus jinx that we had been working on in the DA meeting tonight.� Ron said glaring at them. He shuddered to think how far Malfoy would have gotten if...he didn’t even want to think about it..he kept clenching and releasing his fists. “They were holding her still so he could--�

“Yes, Mr. Weasley, I think we should go to my office and discuss this in private,� Dumbledore cut him off, stating this matter-of-factly. “Severus, Minerva, keep an eye on things here. Mr. Weasley, come along. Now, now she will be fine, I am sure the professors can handle Mr. Malfoy.� Ron nodded and followed the headmaster to the stone gargoyle guarding his office. “Chocolate frog,� Dumbledore said and the gargoyle sprang aside, allowing them access to the office.

For the first time since the incident started, Ron realized he could be in serious trouble. What if they didn’t believe him? What if Hermione never was back to normal, there would be no one to back him up! He could be expelled! Well, at least there was Fred and George’s shop to fall back on, if they’d even have him. Then, startlingly, it occurred to him, what if Hermione never was back to normal? His whole world seemed to be crumbling around him.

Dumbledore surveyed Ron with great interest. He watched as Ron’s face ran the gamut of emotions. Anger, fear, anxiety and grief all flashed across it. Finally he cleared his throat, calling Ron out of his daze. “Have a seat please, and tell me what has happened over the past few days, if you don’t mind.�

Ron broke into the entire story, not leaving anything out, though blushing and just skimming the parts where he and Hermione had kissed. When he got to the part where he heard her shout for help, a lump rose in his throat. “So I...did the best I could to save her from him,� he closed his eyes at the thought of what would have happened if he had not shown up.

“I believe that you did very well. Now, you are welcome to go back to the hospital wing and see how mss Granger is faring. And send professors Snape and Mgonagal up here with Mr. Malfoy if you would be so kind.� he gave a dismissive wave and Ron turned to leave.

“Professor Dumbledore, sir?� Ron turned at the door, “I fear for her safety if Mal–Draco stays here. This is the second time he has attacked her in less than a week.�

“Things will be taken care of, in due time, don’t you worry. Now, get going, she should be awake by now.�

With that, Ron turned and practically ran to the hospital wing.

He paused to tell Mcgonagall and Snape that Dumbledore was waiting to see them and went to stand next to harry. “How is she doing, do you know?�

Harry stood there, tight lipped, with his arms crossed. “She was shouting about wanting to see you and to keep Malfoy away from her and how he should be expelled when she first came completely to, but Pomfrey got her calmed down before she went over to restrain the two of them,� he jerked his head in the direction of Crabbe and Goyle, madam Pomfrey was hovering over them, checking their eyes and reflexes. “Your GIRLFRIEND should be just fine,� he said resuming his brooding pose.

“What is THAT supposed to mean exactly? Are you MAD at me? After all the times you’ve insisted that you don’t like her!� Ron was fighting the urge to hit Harry. “Well, I’m sorry mate, but you can't have her now. Im never letting her go.� he crossed his arms and glared at his best friend.

“Good,� Harry said smiling, “that’s what I’d hope you’d say. Im just a little mad that you didn’t tell me!� He clapped Ron on the back and laughed, “now I owe Ginny a bottle of butterbeer next Hogsmead visit.�

Ron unclenched his teeth enough to laugh at that.

“Ron? Are you out there?� Hermione called softly.

He immediately went around the partition to see her, the bruising from Friday was even worse now that a slap had been added to it. He rushed to her side, sitting on the bed and gingerly touching her face.

“It doesn’t hurt, madam Pomfrey said I would be fine, though she wants me to have some counseling sessions with her over the next few weeks,� Hermione rolled her eyes as she said this. “Ron?� she looked at his grief stricken face then removed his hand from her face and held it, “I’m fine, honestly. You saved me.� She placed her other hand on top of his and took a deep breath, “I heard what you said to Harry,� she dropped her gaze to the bed. “And I want you to know that...I feel the same way.� she met his eyes and kissed him softly.

Previous Page
Next Page
Main Stories