A.N. Very sorry about the length of this one; next chapter is much longer...

Harry used his wand to levitate Ron into the air in order for he and Hermione to get him to the hospital wing. Hermione followed like a ghost; pale and quiet, behind Harry.

Madam Pomfrey let Harry set Ron down on a vacated bed and even let Hermione bend over Ron to peer anxiously into his expressionless face.

'Ron,' she said softly, taking his hand. 'You said you'd protect me and you did. But I don't want you to. Stop protecting me, it's better me then you.'

Harry stepped forward.

'Come on,' he said, prising Hermione away, 'Let's go down to the library.'

Hermione kissed Ron's hand then placed it by his side.

'Harry and I'll find out what Malfoy did, I promise.'

*

'It's best if we check in a Latin dictionary first, Harry, that's probably where that hex came from...'

Harry and Hermione came into the library. Hermione selected two dictionaries and Harry sat across from her, his brows knitted.

'Lets see, Infusco, Infusco... yes! Harry, I've got it...'

'What does it say?' Harry asked excitedly.

' "Infusco is to blacken or to darken..." That's odd. Have you got animi yet?'

Harry looked down at the page he had just found. He traced his finger down, then paused on a satifactory word.

'Hermione - look! It says that animi is "heart".'

'To blacken the heart?' Hermione said fearfully, running her hands through her long fuzzy hair.

'Yeah, guess so. What? Hermione, what's wrong?'

'I've seen curses like these before, Harry,' said Hermione, looking back at him, 'And usually the results aren't good. However,' she brightened slightly, 'As if Malfoy would be able to do anything too harmful, I think that we might be able to restore Ron, with a charm.'

'A charm?'

'A bonding charm usually. You, Ginny and I could perform it! Harry, go and get some books on blackening the heart...'

*

'Here it is! "A blackened heart can be revived by..." But... Oh, Harry...'

Harry read the text.

'Think of Ron.'

'I'll do it. I will.'

'So what do we need?'

'Just me, supposing I'm the loved one, saying these words, kissing him and telling him I love him.'

'Shall we go then?'

Hermione didn't answer. Harry took this for a yes and they put the unwanted books back and took out the helpful one, bookmarking the page.

Just as they were walking along the corridor, behind Harry, Hermione tripped.

'Hermione?' said Harry, turning around. He was about to help her up, when her feet started disappearing.

'Harry! It's portal dust! Get Dumble-'

But she couldn't finish, she'd already gone from view.