""You drink that," said Harry. "No listen, get back and get Ron. Grab brooms from the flying-key room, they'll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy-"

Get Ron; get Ron That was the only thought that was going through Hermione's mind as she ran through the purple flames to Ron who was still lying where he had fallen when he had sacrificed himself.

Looking down at Ron he looked so small to Hermione. For the first time in her life she didn't see him as tall but as tiny, tiny enough even for her to carry to the trapdoor… maybe. Not maybe, maybe was not an option, she had to get him to the Hospital Wing immediately, and then she had to get Dumbledore. She kneeled down next to him and a wave of relief washed over her as she realized that he was breathing steadily. "Come on Ron." She whispered, really to herself since she was sure that he couldn't hear her.

She had to save him, she had to save him because he was her friend… but that was absolutely the only reason.

It had been almost a day since Hermione had carried Ron all the way out of the trapdoor, and Dumbledore had saved Harry, and she was still the only one who was awake.

Madame Pomfrey was attending to Harry at the moment who was in the bed next to Ron. Hermione was sitting in a seat that was directly in the middle of the two beds, where she had not moved from since Dumbledore had carried Harry into the room. Her eyes were glued to Ron. Madame Pomfrey had told her that he was likely to wake up first and she was afraid that if she didn't watch him he might never wake up.

"Oh are you positive they're going to be okay?" She asked Madame Pomfrey, still not taking her eyes off Ron.

"I'm absolutely sure." Madame Pomfrey replied sounding a bit cross. Hermione must have asked her this question at least twenty times. "Now why don't you go up to your dormitory and get some sleep."

"I can sleep here." Hermione said. "I'm not leaving until at least one of them wakes up."

Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Fine." She said. "Take one of the beds." Her voice was soft and caring in a way Hermione had never heard before, and she was so surprised that she looked at her curiously, taking her eyes away from Ron for the first time in hours. Madame Pomfrey smiled kindly at her. "I know this is hard on you." She explained. "Waiting for your two best friends to wake up, and you've just been through a horrible ordeal. I don't usually let healthy people stay here, but I'll make an exception for you." She paused. "As long as you promise me to get some sleep. If you don't you might end up being a patient yourself."

Hermione nodded her head, and stood up. There was empties beds next to both Ron and Harry, but she instinctively took the one next to Ron. She felt as though she still had to save him, as if his life was still in her hands.

I only feel like I need to save him because he saved me… but that's absolutely the only reason. She told herself as she slipped into the bed and closed her eyes, but not before giving him one more quick glance.

Hermione blinked her eyes open, wondering how long she had slept. "Hermione!" She turned as she heard a voice gasp out her name from the bed next to her. Ron Weasley was beaming at her.

She shot up out of her bed and ran to his, embracing him in a tight hug that was not awkward at all, unlike last time. Perhaps because this time her worry had not been misplaced, and perhaps because this time he was hugging her back just as tightly. "Ron." She whispered his name as tears began to fall from her eyes.

She broke away after and moment and perched herself at the edge of his bed. "I'm so glad you're awake!" She said, letting tears fall freely.

"Yeah me too." Ron replied. "I kept having dreams about being a chess piece, and having to sacrifice myself for this git." He beckoned towards Harry.

Hermione laughed through a sob. "How long have you been awake?"

"Since about noon." Ron said. "I practically jumped out of my skin when I did, but I calmed down when I saw you and Harry were both here."

Hermione looked out the window, it was just getting dark. She figured it must be around 8:30. "Have you had anything to eat?" She asked him.

"Yeah Fred and George brought me up some food." He said. "I left some for you." He gestured towards the bedside table. "Madame Pomfrey said you hadn't eaten since you got us out of there."

Hermione blushed. "Yeah. I was just really nervous."

"Well eat." Ron said, smiling at her. Hermione noticed his ears were a bit red, but ignored it.

She pulled the plate onto her lap and began to nibble on the corn on the cob. "When can you leave?" She asked him between bites.

"Tomorrow morning." Ron replied. "And Madame Pomfrey thinks that Harry will wake up sometime tomorrow as well."

Hermione spared a quick glance at Harry before turning her attention back to Ron. Now that Ron had woken up she felt sure that Harry would do the same. "Good." Hermione said. "Maybe I'll go up to my bed tonight." She said, but she was reluctant. Still she didn't want Ron to know just how nervous she had been.

"Yeah…" Ron said uneasily. "Or you could stay. I mean I wouldn't mind the company of someone else who is awake." He said gesturing to Harry, and laughing.

"Alright." Hermione said relieved that he didn't mind her staying him. She still didn't really want to leave him… or Harry.

"So you've really been here the whole time?" Ron asked her.

Hermione blushed. "Yeah… I mean I couldn't really go anywhere else without worrying about you… and Harry of course."

"Well I'm glad." Ron said. Hermione noticed his ears were red again.

Hermione smiled at him. "So what do you think happened after we left, down in the trapdoor I mean?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't think we can know until he wakes up."

Hermione smiled at Ron. "You were brilliant you know?"

"You too." Ron said, and for the first time Ron hugged Hermione instead of her hugging him, and for the first time their friendship really felt cemented to Hermione and she realized just how much losing him would've cost her.

Maybe… just maybe. Hermione thought. I had to save him because he can be so sweet when he's not being a git. But that's absolutely the only reason.