The next day was Saturday and Hermione and Harry woke up early to go down to the witches hump that was the entrance to the secret passageway to Honeydukes. Harry handed her his invisibility cloak and the marauders map.

'Don't worry about anything here,' he said, 'it's the weekend so no one will notice you're gone and if they do I'll tell them you're in the hospital wing.'

'Thanks Harry, I really appreciate it,' she said, kissing his cheek goodbye.

Harry waved her down the entrance, 'tell George to get well soon from me if he wakes up,' he called.

Hermione started down the long slope, her heart racing. She'd never broken school rules this severely before but she just had to see George. After about an hour she reached the trapdoor and opened it slowly. She was wearing the invisibility cloak but there was no one in the cellar so early in the morning. She crept into the deserted shop.

'Alohamora,' she whispered as she reached the front door. The lock clicked open and she slipped outside. She reached Hogsmeade station at 6am and took off the invisibility cloak. She approached the tickets desk where and old witch was aleep in her chair. Hermione rang the bell and the witch's head jerked upwards suddenly.

'Ello dearie, ow ken I 'elp yah?' she asked.

'I was wondering when the next train to London was please?' said Hermione.

'London……London,' said the witch, looking through her books, 'ere we go, London, six thir'y.

'That's fine, can I have a return ticket please.'

'Course yer ken. 'Ere ya go,' she said, passing a ticket to Hermione, 'Pla'form ten love.'

'Thanks a lot,' said Hermione. She went and sat on a bench on platform ten, looking around her nervously, panicking about getting caught.

At six thirty she boarded the empty train and found a seat. The journey was uneventful for a while. At Newcastle an old wizard boarded the train but fell asleep instantly, his snoring on a par with the noise of the rain lashing against the window. Hermione turned to look out at the countryside flashing past, watching the rain drops run down the glass. Her tears began to fall in unison with the water.

'Excuse me. Are you alright? Said a plump, kind looking witch who had just boarded the train.

'Y-yes I'm fine,' stammered Hermione, wiping away her tears.

'You don't look it. Where are you headed?'

'Uh, London. St. Mungo's.'

'Ahh then that explains the tears. Visiting someone I take it?'

'My boyfriend.'

'I see. Well I'm sure everything will work out just fine,' she said, and shuffled off.

The train arrived at King Cross station at around midday and after grabbing a quick sandwich Hermione boarded a bus that would take her near to St Mungo's. She reached the old department store and walked up to the mannequin that she had seen Tonk's speak to when they had visited Arthur. 'I'm here to visit George Weasley,' she whispered self consciously. The mannequin bent its finger to admit her and she walked through the glass pane into the hospital. She had no idea where to find George so she approached the harassed looking welcome witch.

'I'm here to visit George Weasley. Could you tell me where he is please?' she asked.

'Weasley,' repeated the witch, scanning her list, 'he's on the second floor at the moment, Ash memorial ward. There's no point in visiting him mind, he's still out like a light.'

'Thanks,' said Hermione and climbed the stairs to the second floor. She pushed open the door to the ward and immediately saw George lying in a bed under the one window in the room. There were five other beds, four of which were occupied but Hermione had no time to see who was in them as she ran straight to George's bedside. He looked so peaceful, lying with his eyes closed, his face expressionless.

Hermione sat down in a vacant chair next to him and stroked the hair off his forehead, kissing him. She watched him for a while and then said, 'oh George. Please wake up.' But he didn't stir.

Just then, a large healer walked up the ward towards them.

'Hello dearie,' she said, 'who are you? I haven't seen you in here before.'

'My names Hermione. I'm George's girlfriend.'

'I see. It must be tough not knowing what's going on.'

'Yeah it is. Haven't you worked anything out yet?

'Fraid not. We're all stumped. His family should be in any minute. They usually come about this time. I've never seen an unconscious person have so many visitors!' She shuffled off leaving Hermione alone again

Soon the door burst open and Molly Weasley came in followed by Ron, Ginny and Fred.

'Oh! Hermione love. What a surprise.' Mrs Weasley said, 'what are you doing here?'

'I just came to visit,' Hermione said. Ron smiled at her and came over to hug her.

'I knew you wouldn't leave me alone at this time,' he whispered in her ear.

Hermione just smiled weakly and moved backwards so that the Weasleys could get closer to Georges bed.

Mrs Weasley wiped a tear from her eye and sighed. 'We're all just so worried,' she said, 'it's been nearly a week now and no one has any idea what's wrong with him. They're starting to tell us that if they don't find out what wrong soon the damage could be ir-irreversable.' Her voice quavered.

Hermione widened her eyes in shock. 'I didn't know it was that serious!'

Mrs Weasley went over to the healer in charge of the ward and spoke to her about George's condition for about ten minutes and then returned, telling the kids that they were leaving.

'Anything new?' Ginny asked her mother as they walked down the corridor.

'No love. They're still doing tests. Hermione dear, you'll be staying with us wont you?'

'Oh, well I was planning on finding a hotel for the night. I don't want to be any trouble.' Hermione said.

'Nonsense. You'll come and stay with us. It's no bother.'

'Well thank you very much then,' she said, relieved that she wouldn't have to find a hotel.

They all took a pinch of floo powder and leapt into the giant fireplace in the entrance of the hospital which took them straight to the burrow.