"Hey, Hermione," Ron says, giving my hand a gentle squeeze as I wake. "How're you feeling?"
I grimace, gazing down on my bandaged forearm. "Better," I tell him. I start to sit up, leaning against the wall, but he puts out a hand to stop me.
"Whoa," he says, his fingers pressing against my shoulders. "You're not supposed to get up yet."
"I'm fine," I mutter. "The effects of the Cruciatus Curse last three to five days, depending on the number of times the curse is used." I look up, and he can see the fear in my eyes.
He tucks a stray curl of hair behind my ear. "You and I both know that Umbridge's textbooks were full of lies."
I nod, tears blurring my vision. "I know," I whisper, wishing I had a book to distract me.
"Now, how are you feeling? Really?"
I look down at my arm again. I hold it close to my stomach, refusing to let anyone anywhere near my defiled skin. "I'm scared, Ron," I answer truthfully. "I see—" I swallow, her petrifying image in my mind. "I see her whenever I close my eyes." I glance to the doorway.
"Hey," he says, tapping my nose once so that I look at him. "She'll never hurt you ever again. Not while I'm around." He gives his biceps a quick flex. "Look at that." He shows his arm to me. "Who could get past that?" I laugh, and he slips his hand onto my face so that I can lean my cheek against his palm. "Don't be scared, 'Mione," he tells me. "I won't let anyone hurt you."