"I knew it" hissed Ron. "Umbridge got him"
"We don't know that" whispered Hermione in a worried voice. "But we need to get down to the Hospital Wing straight away."
She glanced over at the other boys but Neville was absorbed in a Herbology book and Seamus and Dean were playing with chocolate frog cards. Ron once again went into Harry's trunk, retrieved Harry's cloak and stuffed it inside his robes. Hermione stood up. The two of them slipped out quietly from the dorm. They made their way down the deserted staircase and into and across the Common Room. Once they were out of the Portrait Hole, Ron pulled the cloak out from under his robes and threw it over himself and Hermione. They made their way through the dark corridors, checking the map regularly to avoid Filch and Mrs Norris.
"Funny" Hermione thought. "It's never been just the two of us under this cloak before. Its always all three of us, or one of us with Harry." She suddenly felt very warm even though it was a cool night. This same thought was just accruing to Ron when they reached the Hospital Wing. They carefully opened the door and slipped in. Most of the room was dark apart from a few candles around a single bed. After making sure Madame Pomfrey wasn't in the room they made their way over to the bed where someone was lying.
As they drew nearer, Hermione gasped and grabbed hold of Ron under the cloak. Ron unconsciously tightened his hand around hers, as they got a good look at the figure in the bed. Harry's eyes were closed and swollen. His face was bruised and his lip was cut. There were bandages around his head as well as one of his arms. It was clear Harry had been beaten.
Hermione and Ron both threw off the cloak and crouched down beside Harry's bed.
"Harry" Hermione whispered.
Harry opened his eyes and gave a weak smile as he spotted his two best friends kneeling beside his bed.
"Hey there" he said hoarsely.
"Mate, what happened to you" Ron said anger creeping into his voice. "Did the Slytherins get you?"
Harry closed his eyes and said softly "I don't know"
"You don't know" Ron yelped earning a dig in the ribs from Hermione who gestured towards Madame Pomfrey's office door. Ron moderated his voice slightly as he said "How can you not know?"
Harry opened his eyes again as he replied.
"It happened really fast. And it was in a very dark area of the castle, so….. I didn't get a good look."
"But" Ron said. "you're the best duellist on our year, why didn't you curse them?"
"Wand was knocked from my hand before I could react" Harry answered.
"You didn't lose your wand did you Harry" Hermione said anxiously, holding Harry's hand gently.
"No, I managed to retrieve it" Harry said smiling at her.
"That's good" said Hermione smiling back. "How long do you think you'll stay here?"
"Couple of nights, probably" said Harry. "You know what Madame Pomfrey's like"
"Well don't worry Harry, we'll bring you your work, so you don't fall behind" Hermione said primly.
Ron rolled his eyes at Harry as Harry's smile widened. Trust Hermione to think of that.
"And while you're recovering" Hermione continued. "We'll find out who did this to you."
But as Ron nodded his agreement, Harry's face fell. Ron and Hermione stared at him.
"What's wrong Harry" Hermione asked surprised at his reaction. Harry's answer was almost as surprising as his reaction.
"If Dumbledore was here, then we could complain but as we've got Umbridge, she'll just reward who ever did this. There's no point."
"No point" said Ron outraged. "Mate I get what you're saying but still, we have to find out who did this to you."
"Ron's right, Harry, even if they can't be punished now, we need to know their names so we can tell Professor Dumbledore when Umbridge is gone."
Hermione stood up and glanced at Madame Pomfrey's office where a light had come on. Ron also got up.
"Pomfrey's doing her rounds" he hissed getting ready to throw the cloak over himself and Hermione.
"Harry" Hermione said bending over him. "Don't worry, leave everything to us and we'll find out what happened."
"See you in the morning Harry" said Ron as he threw the cloak over himself and Hermione.
"Goodnight Harry" came Hermione's voice as she and Ron moved away form the bed. "Night guys" Harry called quietly as he settled down to wait for Madame Pomfrey. He heard the Hospital Wing door open and close and sighed. He didn't like keeping secrets from his best friends but this was something he had to deal with. They could not find out.
