A.N. I am thankful for great reviews... This will define which pairings are
to go ahead...
Ron woke with a start. He wondered vaguely why he wasn't in his dormitory. Then the images of the previous night swam back to him.
Head throbbing, he looked over at Hermione.
It was awful, what had happened. He had been playing a game of Wizard Chess with Harry, with Ginny watching when the Portrait Hole had swung open to reveal Professor McGonagall.
'Potter, Weasley... Come with me.'
Harry looked over at Ron, a curious look in his green eyes. They got up and made to leave.
'Miss Weasley, I think you better come too.'
They had all walked into the hospital wing, to see Hermione lying down on a bed. The sleeve of her robes was torn and the blood was gushing brilliantly from her right arm.
'It was a vampire,' said Professor McGonagall.
'Is she... all right?' said Ginny timidly to Madam Pomfrey.
'She'll come around,' replied Madam Pomfrey grimly. 'In the next day or so.'
Ginny looked away, tears welling up in her dark eyes. Harry took hold of her and she hugged him; seeing Hermione in such a state brought back memories of her first year.
Professor McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, Harry and Ginny stood in a line, Ginny in Harry's arms. Ron however, moved towards her bed, pulled a chair with him and sat down. He took Hermione's hand and kept it up near his forehead.
Madam Pomfrey had not managed to dissuade Ron from staying in the hospital wing with Hermione. Harry had escorted Ginny back to Gryffindor Tower, and Professor McGonagall had retreated so as to go back to her study.
Madam Pomfrey had treated Hermione's arm and then bustled off into her office. Ron had stayed with Hermione until about one in the morning, when he had fallen asleep in the furry armchair he was in.
Ron looked at his watch. It read, 'Six o'clock (Sleep)'.
He sighed.
'Hermione,' he said to her sleeping form, 'I'm so sorry I looked so shocked. I didn't mean it... it's just, well, I was surprised. I thought I was the one who had to say it and I never could. Please wake up soon, Hermione, I can't stand thinking that someone - or rather, something - tried to hurt you, maybe even kill you... I could have lost you, Hermione...'
Ron bent over and kissed Hermione's cheek.
'I wish I could say that while you're awake,' he murmured.
*
Hermione lay, pretending to be asleep, as Ron said his feelings to her. She felt his kiss on her cheek, and her eyes fluttered up open.
'Hermione,' he said, as though all his wishes had come true.
Ron opened his mouth to say more, but she didn't give him a chance. Hermione leant forward and gave him a kiss, too quick for both their liking. Ron had a shocked expression on his face again.
'Why so shocked?' she teased.
Ron grinned.
'I presume you heard my little speech?'
'Well,' said Hermione, blushing a little, 'Yes, I did.'
'You can't run away this time,' said Ron.
Hermione leant forward and kissed Ron again.
*
Ginny was sitting, warming her toes by the fire, at seven o'clock in the morning, when Harry came down the stairs.
'Harry?'
Harry swiveled round.
'Ginny? What are you doing down here so early?'
'I couldn't sleep. I'm worried about Ron and Hermione.'
'Me too,' he confessed.
Harry sat down next to her.
'Hermione looked so - she looked okay and everything, but her arm... It - she - Ron...'
Ginny gasped for breath and tried to get a proper sentence out.
'I know I'm talking nonsense.'
'I understand,' Harry cooed softly, 'I feel the same.'
'It's not the same,' muttered Ginny, 'You have loads of proper things to worry about, all I have is whether my family will all be safe outside Hogwarts grounds.'
'You're worried about them,' said Harry, his voice not quite as steady, 'I'm worried too. Your family is the only one I've ever had.'
Ginny looked up at him.
'Harry - Harry, what if he's - what if You-Know-Who will try and get me again. He's already tried to kill me once, and I escaped...'
She blinked.
'You saved me from him.'
'I wish we weren't so cut off from the rest of the world,' said Harry darkly, 'Otherwise we'd know if everyone was safe.'
'I know,' Ginny answered. 'I really hope everyone is okay. Thing is, I don't really feel any importance. After the Triwizard Tournament in my third year... I know it's none of my business but Mum and Bill went off to the hospital wing with Ron and Hermione but Fred and George just grabbed me and took me away. But I was worried about you...'
Ginny trailed off, seeming to realize what she'd been saying.
'I know,' said Harry, 'You don't get let in on enough.'
'I'm torn between wanting to be treated as an adult and wanting to be protected. I think only Professor Dumbledore can give that balance.'
Harry laughed.
'Everyone wants to protect you, Ginny.'
Ginny gazed up at him. Harry leaned in towards her and kissed her. Just then, thundering footsteps could be heard on the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
'Let's go down to the hospital wing,' suggested Harry. 'Come on.'
'Isn't it a bit early?' said Ginny, as they went out into the corridor.
'Not if we sneak in.'
Harry lead her along the corridor, holding her hand tightly. If this was me in first year, she reflected, my head would probably have gone on fire. This was nothing, having Harry hold her hand. He wasn't like Ron. He could be tactile and not blush to the roots of his hair.
Harry and Ron had grown up to be real ladies' men. However, all Ron's attention seemed to be focused on Hermione. Harry held hands with girls, hugged them and sometimes kissed them, but never really seemed to care for one more than the other.
Ginny knew that Harry had kissed girls before. Just little kisses on the cheeks, he had even kissed Hermione once when she had come up with the perfect death for him to die for Divination. Somehow, she was quite sure he had never kissed anyone in the way that he had kissed her back in the Gryffindor Common Room.
They snuck quietly into the Hospital Wing and Ginny was pleased to see that Hermione was awake. Indeed, she was standing up and so was Ron. As they were embracing, they seemed not to notice that anyone had entered.
Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and led him outside the hospital wing.
'They seem to have patched things up then,' muttered Harry, breathing heavily.
'Yeah,' gasped Ginny, 'I'm really happy.'
'Me too.'
'It's seven thirty now; lets knock,' said Ginny.
Harry banged his knuckles on the door and Madam Pomfrey answered the door.
'More visitors,' she grumbled. 'Maybe you can go and break them up, I didn't want to. Miss Granger needs to take her medicine, and - on order of the Headmaster - drink some Hot Chocolate.'
Harry took the Hot Chocolate and Ginny picked up the medicine goblet, which was smoking lightly. They turned to see Ron and Hermione.
Ron was sitting in the same fluffy armchair, and Hermione was sitting next to him in the chair, her legs drooped over Ron's. The chair was turned towards the window.
'Ahem!' said Ginny loudly.
Hermione attempted to scramble out of the chair but Ron held her down, chuckling.
'Ron - Madam Pomfrey might see us!'
'Already has,' laughed Harry.
Hermione swatted at Ron and then climbed back into bed. She accepted her medicine and then the Hot Chocolate. Just as she had finished draining the mug, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore entered the room.
'Miss Granger,' said Professor McGonagall. 'I trust you remember what attacked you as a vampire?'
Hermione nodded. Ron took her hand.
'We have caught it,' said Professor Dumbledore, patiently.
'Where is it?' queried Ron quickly.
'It's... being dealt with...'
'I -' began Ron.
'Mr Weasley, calm yourself,' said Professor McGonagall sharply.
'Vampires do not just lash out on random victims,' said Professor Dumbledore somberly. 'Not this type anyway. Since the rise of Voldemort in your forth year, vampires have been in his power, as they are naturally dark creatures.
'Professor Snape supplied Truth Potion for us to question the creature. We got all we could out of him.'
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and resumed talking.
'The reason the vampire went after Hermione,' he continued, 'Is because the dark side believe her to be involved with Harry... romantically.'
There was a very nasty silence. Ron got to his feet and he and Ginny swept from the room without another word.
*
Ron woke with a start. He wondered vaguely why he wasn't in his dormitory. Then the images of the previous night swam back to him.
Head throbbing, he looked over at Hermione.
It was awful, what had happened. He had been playing a game of Wizard Chess with Harry, with Ginny watching when the Portrait Hole had swung open to reveal Professor McGonagall.
'Potter, Weasley... Come with me.'
Harry looked over at Ron, a curious look in his green eyes. They got up and made to leave.
'Miss Weasley, I think you better come too.'
They had all walked into the hospital wing, to see Hermione lying down on a bed. The sleeve of her robes was torn and the blood was gushing brilliantly from her right arm.
'It was a vampire,' said Professor McGonagall.
'Is she... all right?' said Ginny timidly to Madam Pomfrey.
'She'll come around,' replied Madam Pomfrey grimly. 'In the next day or so.'
Ginny looked away, tears welling up in her dark eyes. Harry took hold of her and she hugged him; seeing Hermione in such a state brought back memories of her first year.
Professor McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, Harry and Ginny stood in a line, Ginny in Harry's arms. Ron however, moved towards her bed, pulled a chair with him and sat down. He took Hermione's hand and kept it up near his forehead.
Madam Pomfrey had not managed to dissuade Ron from staying in the hospital wing with Hermione. Harry had escorted Ginny back to Gryffindor Tower, and Professor McGonagall had retreated so as to go back to her study.
Madam Pomfrey had treated Hermione's arm and then bustled off into her office. Ron had stayed with Hermione until about one in the morning, when he had fallen asleep in the furry armchair he was in.
Ron looked at his watch. It read, 'Six o'clock (Sleep)'.
He sighed.
'Hermione,' he said to her sleeping form, 'I'm so sorry I looked so shocked. I didn't mean it... it's just, well, I was surprised. I thought I was the one who had to say it and I never could. Please wake up soon, Hermione, I can't stand thinking that someone - or rather, something - tried to hurt you, maybe even kill you... I could have lost you, Hermione...'
Ron bent over and kissed Hermione's cheek.
'I wish I could say that while you're awake,' he murmured.
*
Hermione lay, pretending to be asleep, as Ron said his feelings to her. She felt his kiss on her cheek, and her eyes fluttered up open.
'Hermione,' he said, as though all his wishes had come true.
Ron opened his mouth to say more, but she didn't give him a chance. Hermione leant forward and gave him a kiss, too quick for both their liking. Ron had a shocked expression on his face again.
'Why so shocked?' she teased.
Ron grinned.
'I presume you heard my little speech?'
'Well,' said Hermione, blushing a little, 'Yes, I did.'
'You can't run away this time,' said Ron.
Hermione leant forward and kissed Ron again.
*
Ginny was sitting, warming her toes by the fire, at seven o'clock in the morning, when Harry came down the stairs.
'Harry?'
Harry swiveled round.
'Ginny? What are you doing down here so early?'
'I couldn't sleep. I'm worried about Ron and Hermione.'
'Me too,' he confessed.
Harry sat down next to her.
'Hermione looked so - she looked okay and everything, but her arm... It - she - Ron...'
Ginny gasped for breath and tried to get a proper sentence out.
'I know I'm talking nonsense.'
'I understand,' Harry cooed softly, 'I feel the same.'
'It's not the same,' muttered Ginny, 'You have loads of proper things to worry about, all I have is whether my family will all be safe outside Hogwarts grounds.'
'You're worried about them,' said Harry, his voice not quite as steady, 'I'm worried too. Your family is the only one I've ever had.'
Ginny looked up at him.
'Harry - Harry, what if he's - what if You-Know-Who will try and get me again. He's already tried to kill me once, and I escaped...'
She blinked.
'You saved me from him.'
'I wish we weren't so cut off from the rest of the world,' said Harry darkly, 'Otherwise we'd know if everyone was safe.'
'I know,' Ginny answered. 'I really hope everyone is okay. Thing is, I don't really feel any importance. After the Triwizard Tournament in my third year... I know it's none of my business but Mum and Bill went off to the hospital wing with Ron and Hermione but Fred and George just grabbed me and took me away. But I was worried about you...'
Ginny trailed off, seeming to realize what she'd been saying.
'I know,' said Harry, 'You don't get let in on enough.'
'I'm torn between wanting to be treated as an adult and wanting to be protected. I think only Professor Dumbledore can give that balance.'
Harry laughed.
'Everyone wants to protect you, Ginny.'
Ginny gazed up at him. Harry leaned in towards her and kissed her. Just then, thundering footsteps could be heard on the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
'Let's go down to the hospital wing,' suggested Harry. 'Come on.'
'Isn't it a bit early?' said Ginny, as they went out into the corridor.
'Not if we sneak in.'
Harry lead her along the corridor, holding her hand tightly. If this was me in first year, she reflected, my head would probably have gone on fire. This was nothing, having Harry hold her hand. He wasn't like Ron. He could be tactile and not blush to the roots of his hair.
Harry and Ron had grown up to be real ladies' men. However, all Ron's attention seemed to be focused on Hermione. Harry held hands with girls, hugged them and sometimes kissed them, but never really seemed to care for one more than the other.
Ginny knew that Harry had kissed girls before. Just little kisses on the cheeks, he had even kissed Hermione once when she had come up with the perfect death for him to die for Divination. Somehow, she was quite sure he had never kissed anyone in the way that he had kissed her back in the Gryffindor Common Room.
They snuck quietly into the Hospital Wing and Ginny was pleased to see that Hermione was awake. Indeed, she was standing up and so was Ron. As they were embracing, they seemed not to notice that anyone had entered.
Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and led him outside the hospital wing.
'They seem to have patched things up then,' muttered Harry, breathing heavily.
'Yeah,' gasped Ginny, 'I'm really happy.'
'Me too.'
'It's seven thirty now; lets knock,' said Ginny.
Harry banged his knuckles on the door and Madam Pomfrey answered the door.
'More visitors,' she grumbled. 'Maybe you can go and break them up, I didn't want to. Miss Granger needs to take her medicine, and - on order of the Headmaster - drink some Hot Chocolate.'
Harry took the Hot Chocolate and Ginny picked up the medicine goblet, which was smoking lightly. They turned to see Ron and Hermione.
Ron was sitting in the same fluffy armchair, and Hermione was sitting next to him in the chair, her legs drooped over Ron's. The chair was turned towards the window.
'Ahem!' said Ginny loudly.
Hermione attempted to scramble out of the chair but Ron held her down, chuckling.
'Ron - Madam Pomfrey might see us!'
'Already has,' laughed Harry.
Hermione swatted at Ron and then climbed back into bed. She accepted her medicine and then the Hot Chocolate. Just as she had finished draining the mug, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore entered the room.
'Miss Granger,' said Professor McGonagall. 'I trust you remember what attacked you as a vampire?'
Hermione nodded. Ron took her hand.
'We have caught it,' said Professor Dumbledore, patiently.
'Where is it?' queried Ron quickly.
'It's... being dealt with...'
'I -' began Ron.
'Mr Weasley, calm yourself,' said Professor McGonagall sharply.
'Vampires do not just lash out on random victims,' said Professor Dumbledore somberly. 'Not this type anyway. Since the rise of Voldemort in your forth year, vampires have been in his power, as they are naturally dark creatures.
'Professor Snape supplied Truth Potion for us to question the creature. We got all we could out of him.'
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and resumed talking.
'The reason the vampire went after Hermione,' he continued, 'Is because the dark side believe her to be involved with Harry... romantically.'
There was a very nasty silence. Ron got to his feet and he and Ginny swept from the room without another word.
*
