(A/N: Thanks so much for those who have been sending me feedback. I really appreciate it. Here it is, chapter 4. Take care, and please review. Love, Ellivia22)

Disclaimer: Draco Malfoy is totally mine! *J.K. Rowling glares at me from across the room* Okay, okay, I admit it. He's not mine. :( I wish he was though :)

Forever Yours

Chapter 4 The Secret Almost Slips

Ron

"Just try to relax, Ronald," Madam Pomfrey says in a soothing voice. "This is the last dose of chemotherapy for today."

I close my eyes, trying my best to keep my mind off the pain that is about to come. Slowly Madam Pomfrey inserts the needle in my arm. Since this is a Muggle disease, Madam Pomfrey told me that since there is no cure for this cancer, the only way to try to fight it is the Muggle way. I'm grateful that she knows what she's doing. It makes me feel more comfortable.

This is the fifth chemo treatment since I've been diagnosed. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to doing much. I still feel weak and in pain. I don't have much of an appetite anymore. Though I feel weaker, I'm determined to fight this disease for as long as I can.

Two months have passed since my diagnosis. I still haven't told Harry and Hermione the truth. To cover it up, every time I have to go to chemo, I tell them that I have to do extra credit for Madam Pomfrey in order to get my grades up. I don't think they believe me, but I'm sticking to my story for as long as I can. They can't know.

"Okay Ron, that's enough treatment for this week," Madam Pomfrey says a moment later, handing me a glass of Refresher Potion. It tastes like bad cranberries, but instantly gives me strength. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to walk out of the hospital wing.

I leave the hospital slowly. I feel nauseous and slightly dizzy. Madam Pomfrey said to expect that; side effects of chemo. Luckily she conjured a potion so I won't lose my hair, or my teeth won't decay, which is a relief. Though I'm going to die anyway, I don't want anything else to ache.

Suddenly I run into something hard. I stumble back. In a heap on the floor are my best friends. The invisibility cloak is clutched in Harry's hands. I feel suspicious. I think they've been following me so they could find out what is really wrong with me. I hope they didn't hear too much. "What are you two doing?" I ask suspiciously.

"Ron, what does Madam Pomfrey mean by treatment?" Hermione demands, struggling to her feet. Her long brown hair falls in her face which she brushes back. My heart thuds in my chest. How I wish I could've pushed it back instead. "How sick are you?"

"Very," I answer vaguely. I try to walk past them, but Hermione grabs my arm. She spins me around so fast I almost lose my balance. Hermione keeps me on my feet

She glares at me, tears forming in her eyes. An invisible knife twists in my heart. I hate seeing her cry. "Ron, we know you're hiding something. W-why won't you be straight with us?"

My eyes lower in guilt. I want to tell her so badly. I want to tell them both, but I don't want to lose them. I'd rather die with them by my side, than die alone. "I'm sorry," I whisper. I push past them to go back to Gryffindor tower.

Hermione

I stare at the love of my life as he hurries away. Harry puts his arm around me in a comforting hug. "It's all right, Hermione."

"I c-can't stand it," I sob, the tears pouring down my face faster than I can handle. "The one I love is sick and he won't tell us a-anything."

"Don't worry," he says gently. "We'll think of something."

Without saying another word, Harry and I walk to the Great Hall for lunch.

Instead of eating my sandwich, I end up thinking about Ron. I can't get my mind off him. Over the past two months, things have changed drastically. He's lost so much weight that his clothes are almost too big on him. His face is always pale, dark circles under his eyes. It looks like he doesn't sleep anymore. At least twice a month he spends time in the hospital wing "doing extra credit". Harry and I don't believe him. Ron never does extra credit. Though it's obvious that he's really sick, Ron's has been his usual self. Except when he's hiding his secret. I wipe the tears off my face. I just wish he trusted Harry and I enough to tell us what it is. I can't stand not knowing.

It isn't until I take the last bite of my sandwich when I come up with something. Something that might get Ron to tell us the truth after all. I turn to Harry as he stares at his sandwich deeply in thought.

"I have an idea." I whisper my now forming plan in his ear. A plan that involves a certain friend of mine. This will surely get Ron talking once and for all.

RHr

Later that night, I'm sitting in the Gryffindor common room with Parvati and Lavender. Ron is sitting with Harry and Ginny at one of the tables doing homework. Since I've already finished my assignments hours ago, it gives me a perfect opportunity to put my plan in action. "Guess what," I say loudly to Parvati and Lavender. They turn to me with rapt attention. "Viktor is taking me out to dinner Friday night." I giggle, knowing it will piss Ron off.

"Ooh you lucky thing," squeals Parvati. "Imagine our Hermione going out with an International Quidditch star."

"You've got to tell us all about it!" Lavender adds wistfully.

"Vicky is coming?" Ron bursts out angrily. I turn to see my redheaded best friend unsteadily get on his feet. I stand up too.

"Nobody asked you, Ron," I snap back. "But yes, Viktor is coming to see me."

"He can't!" Ron protests. The whole common room goes quiet, but we don't notice.

"Why the hell not?"

"He's not right for you!"

A sly smile spreads across my face. Everything is going according to plan. "Well if you tell me what's really wrong with you, then I won't go out with him." I wink at Harry, who grins broadly.

Ron opens his mouth, then closes it again. His pale face changes from anger to devastation. He lowers his head. "Have fun with Viktor then," he says in a soft voice.

I so badly want to punch something. I feel angrier and hurt. Angry at Ron for being so damn stubborn; angry at myself that my plan didn't work. He knows how much his secret his hurting me. Obviously my feelings don't matter to him anymore. I glare at him harder. "Fine. If you don't trust me enough to tell me, then stay out of my life."

"Just wait seven more months, then I'll be gone for good." He blurts out.

I stare at Ron in fear and confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" Instead of answering, Ron leaves the common room quickly.

I turn to face Harry. He looks just as terrified as I feel. His face has drained of color and his green eyes look beyond scared. Then I look at Ginny who is sitting next to him. Tears are silently rolling down her face. "You know, don't you?" I whisper.

"I can't," she says, wiping the tears from her eyes. For the first time, I notice the bags under her eyes. She looks like she hasn't had a decent night sleep in a while.

"Please baby, tell us what's going on. We're worried sick about him," Harry says quietly, taking her hand.

"I can't," she repeats sadly. "It's not for me to tell." Without saying another word, she grabs her books and leaves the Common Room too.

I sigh in frustration. I decide to go ahead with the date anyway. Maybe that will make Ron jealous enough to finally admit the truth.

Harry

I roll over in my bed for what feels like the millionth time. In all my years at Hogwarts, the bed has never felt uncomfortable before. Last time that I looked at the clock (which was five minutes ago) it said 2:36 AM. My worry for Ron is keeping me awake, along with his constant coughing. I wish I was a heavy sleeper like the rest of my bunkmates.

Our friendship is hanging by a thread. For the first time in years, I don't feel close to Ron. He doesn't trust me or Hermione anymore. I wish I knew why. Most of all I wish I knew how sick he really is. His distance hurts more than anything. He's my best friend. Nothing can change that.

Ron coughs again, this time the worst one I've heard so far. It sounds like he's coughing up his organs. He's getting worse. I can't take this anymore. We need to talk now. Our friendship depends on it.

I push back my blankets and pull back my curtains. I get on my feet, ignoring the coldness of the floor. I tiptoe over to the bed across from mine. I pull back the curtains so I have more room to sit on the bed. "Ron?"

He slowly opens his eyes. Once he realizes that it's me he struggles to sit up.. It looks like it hurt a lot just to do this action, for his breathing becomes a little shallow. "What's up, Harry? Your scar hurting again?"

"No I'm fine. Are you doing okay? You've been coughing a lot tonight."

Ron breaks eye contact, looking back at his bloodstained hands. My heart clenches. He's coughing up blood again. "I'm fine. Just tired, so if you don't mind."

I swallow the lump in my throat. He's lying. Why is he lying to me? I don't know how much more of this I can take. I get off the bed. "I'll let you rest. But I want to know one thing: does our friendship mean anything to you?"

When no response comes, I sigh and head back to bed. Right before I climb in, Ron speaks. "It means everything to me. That's why I can't tell you the truth."

I stare wide eyed as Ron closes the curtains to his four poster. He sounded terrified. I try once more to fall asleep. What should I do next?