“Hermione,” he whispered, “please don’t cry.” He wiped the tear away with his free hand. “She said I can probably go back tomorrow evening, she just wants to observe me for a little while longer...she was bloody furious that I snuck out, said it served me ri--” Hermione had kissed him again.

This time it was Ron who broke the kiss. He sat back and continued lazily running his thumb across her cheek. Hermione pulled away feeling awkward. “I...I’m sorry Ron,” she lowered her eyes.

“For what? Hermione, you have NOTHING to be sorry for. When I saw that bludger heading for my face, the only thing I could think of was you...well besides duck,” he chuckled. She raised her eyes and smiled. He reclined against the pillows and closed his eyes.

“Ron–are you sure you’re OK?” Hermione looked concerned and squeezed his hand.

“I’m fine, I swear. I’m just savoring...” he opened his eyes and laughed softly at how red her face was. He clasped her hand and smiled. “Madam Pomfrey said she couldn’t help Malfoy since nothing was broken and they were non-magical injuries. She called Snape in to try and see if he could get Malfoy to tell who did the damage. I’m thinking he won’t tell for a few reasons. One it’s you; you’re a girl and well, you’re YOU. Anyway also, he would have to explain WHY you hit him and he’d also have to explain this,” Ron lifted up her arm and gestured to her bruised wrist. “So, I think you’re safe from traditional trouble. However, until I get out of here I don’t want you to go anywhere by yourself. Be sure Harry, Ginny or Neville even are with you. No. Don’t roll your eyes Hermione! I don’t see him letting this go lightly!” Ron sat up, looking urgent. “I just got you, and I don’t want you getting hurt or to lose you in any way.” She looked at him and smiling leaned forward to hug him.

“Ahem?” Harry cleared his throat announcing himself. Hermione jumped back from Ron as if she’d been burned. “Ron! It’s great to see you awake!’ Harry shook Ron’s hand, “Man, after that bludger–anyway, how are you feeling?”

“Ah, I’m ok mate. So, did we win the game or not?”

“Yes, we did! Only a few seconds after you got knocked out! I flew...”

At this point Hermione tuned the boys out, sure they were going to talk for an hour about quiddich. Before she knew it, she was dozing in the chair. Ron took this opportunity to have a talk with Harry about the situation Hermione currently was in. He told of Malfoy attacking Hermione (leaving out the kiss detail) and of her being the one who pummeled him. “So," he finished up in a hushed voice, “I want you to keep an eye on Malfoy–and her. She’s going to resist, but I really think she underestimates just how bad people are–especially ones with dark wizards for parents.”

At this last remark Harry’s face darkened. Ron had completely forgotten that Sirius’s parents were almost as dark as you could get. “Oh...I mean ones who... bloody hell I’m sorry...man...I...ugh, I’m sorry,” he stammered.

Harry just looked at him curiously. He hadn’t been thinking about Sirius at all, but of the gravity of the situation. “What? Ron? Whatever, why didn’t she tell me this? What is she hiding?”

Ron grimaced at this, he didn’t want to tell Harry all the details, afraid of upsetting this new relationship by embarrassing her. Also, he had yet to talk to her about this whole thing really and wasn’t sure how they were going to approach it with everyone. “Uh, I dunno, pal, she’s a girl. They’re unexplainable.” He smiled softly at Harry, then yawned, his eyelids suddenly feeling heavy. “Oh, sorry about this man, but madam Pomfrey has me on some sort of sleeping draught–as if nearly a week of sleeping wasn’t enough!” he yawned again and lay back against the pillows feeling ridiculously sleepy. Harry softly tapped Hermione on the shoulder to wake her up.

“Stupid sports all night!” she practically shouted upon waking. “Oh! Sorry,” she blushed, “my goodness gracious! Look at the time! I should be getting to bed. I have a lot of homework to do tomorrow!” she stood to follow Harry out of the hospital wing.

“See you tomorrow when you get out of here, Ron,” he said and walked toward the door.

Hermione turned to follow him but Ron grabbed her hand. “Hermione...I want you to promise me to be careful of Malfoy ok?” he said through a yawn, “I’m serious. I just have a bad feeling about this.” He yawned again, his grip loosening on her hand.

“Ok, Ron I promise. Now go to sleep,” she whispered, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She squeezed his hand as she bent to kiss him on the forehead, “goodnight.” She walked to the door where Harry was waiting patiently outside.

The walk up to the Gryffindor common room seemed to take twice as long as usual and was past in silence. Hermione was exhausted. She went over all of the day’s events, amazed of everything that had happened in one day.

“Rememberall” Harry chuckled, like he did every time he said the newest password. “You’d really think they would have picked something a little less obvious...why not make the password Gryffindor or something? Oh well I guess the idea is the more obvious the harder to guess, not that you’re LISTENING!”

“What? Oh I’m sorry Harry im just...so tired all of the sudden,” Hermione said after Harry startled her from her stupor. “I really...I’m just going to go to bed, ok? I’ll see you tomorrow, goodnight.”

“And she’s off,” Harry muttered as she left him without giving him a chance to put a word in edgewise.

Previous Page
Next Page
Main Stories