Chapter Nine: So I'll Gather Up What's Need

Ron had spent the whole day sleeping in the hospital wing, so if anyone came to visit he didn't know. But a quick look around after sitting up showed no other patient. Only the red had and the new comer who just pushed the door open a creak to barely fit through was in the room. Ron wasn't even sure where madam Pomfrey was at.

"Hi." Ron and the new comer said in unison. "Look I'm real- About Hermione –"The two boys found themselves laughing at cutting each other off to be the first to talk.

"You can go first." They offered at the same time all the while still laughing.

Draco finally pushed the door closed behind him as he leisurely walked towards Ron. Stopping to grab the chair Harry and Snape occupied the night before and pulled it over to Ron's bed side. Taking a sit Draco leaned until he was sitting on the edge placing his elbows on his knees. Intertwining pale fingers Draco stared at them instead of at Ron.

"Draco, I want you to know that I'm trying to figure out what this is between us and what it might mean. A big part of me really wants to see where this… This thing leads but I can't be the reason someone gets hurt." Ron confessed watching for a reaction. Getting nothing from the blonde, he sighted. "Dra-"

"Shut up!" Draco hissed between clutched teeth. "Just shut the hell up! Who gave you the fucking right to choose for me? Huh? That's right, not a Merlin damn person! And it sure the hell wasn't me! So just get over you're fucking self!" Ron watched as the blonde tilted his head until it was right above his fingers that he was clutching so tight they were pale white. He also noticed Draco wasn't in his school robes, instead the Slytherin wear a pair of warm gray sweat pants and a faded green tee-shirt.

"Ron…" Draco sighed. "If… I-if you bre-….." Draco took several deep breathes. "If you break my heart than… Than that's my choice and no one can make it but me." Looking up, Ron saw the passion, the pain, the determination in the dark gray eyes. "And I'm ok if you do, because for however long I get the pleasure of calling you mine would be better than never having you." Getting up Draco sat on the edge of the bed pulling Ron's hands into his bringing their foreheads together, so their noses would be touching. "Do you understand me? I want you even if a week from now you decide you really do hate me or if you find a girl is more for you and you end up breaking my heart than fine, because for that week you would have made me exceptionally happy. I want you." Leaning in Draco brought their lips together is a quick chapped kiss. Pulling back Draco gave Ron a small smile like the one he kept wearing the night they walked up to the school.

Pushing himself up from the bed, Draco kissed the red head's knuckles before letting go to leave. Walking to the door with his shoulders pulled tight together in distress. However, Draco never did make it out the door since Ron grabbed him from behind hugging the smaller man to his chest.

"I want you." Ron whispered into Draco's ear causing the Slytherin to shiver. "I do know that." Kissing right behind Draco's ear, Ron released him leaning around the Slytherin to open the door. "I'll see you at the quidditch opening bomb firing on firday, right?"

"Ron-"

"Please, for me?" Draco bites his bottom lip thinking Ron's offer over before he nodded. Having Draco agree to go with him to the bomb fire had Ron smiling like a mad man. "Great! I'll see you there!" Kissing Draco one last time on the check, the red head held the door watching the blonde leave. For the first time in Ron's seventeen years he watched an ass as the owner walked away from him. It wasn't unit Draco was clear out of sight did the Gryffindor close the door and headed back to bed crawling under the covers.

A few minutes later Madam Pomfrey brought him dinner telling Ron she was getting a little worried since he hadn't woken up all day long. Not even when every student in Snape's class of first year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors had to be rushed into the hospital wing because someone blow up their cauldron.

As Ron ate, Madam Pomfrey explained how Professor Snape wanted to treat his panic attacks. And how all his teachers heard he was in the hospital, but not what for. The only ones to know about Ron's condition were Snape, Pomfrey, McGonagall, and Dumbledor of course. Though only Snape and Pomfrey knew exactly what was wrong. That's why she wrote a note to all of Ron's professors to excuse him out of class or to allow him to eat in class on the basis of low blood surge, which was just a justification for Ron to carry sweets around with him.

Around nine that night the potions professor stopped by to talk to Ron about his treatment as well. However, Snape actually clarified as to why the school nurse gave Ron such a note. Snape informed him that with panic attacks eating something especially dark chocolate helps the brain come out of the alarm state and usually helps with the tingling feeling, which was usually the first sign of an attack coming on. Ron had made a joke about the tingling being his lightning bolt scar to warn him when old Voldy was around. Snape didn't find that funny at all. Snape just rounded his eyes and continued on.

By stopping the numbness in its tracks it recluses the chances of any another symptoms from arising and causing Ron a panic attack, which Ron agreed he had his fill off. Under strict orders Ron's is to eat chocolate every time he even thinks anything will cause him to go into a panic. Whether it been a assignment for class or seeing Ginny making out with Harry in a dark corner, Snape wanted him to eat at least half a bar each time. The professor explained that chocolate has a chemical within that releases serotonin inside the brain that gives the body a pleasure feeling. This effect will help greatly in countering a panic attack. Ron was strictly told never to go without any type of food. Chocolate would be the best but any food will do.

Once Snape left Ron laid down and despite the fact he slept all day the Gryffindor was able to fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Just like the night before Ron dreamed of the Malfoy- Weasley feud only this time he saw himself and Draco making things right.

Waking up earlier than he's use to, Ron found madam Pomfrey and folded his doctor's note placing it in his pajamas pocket. Waving goodbye the red head made his way up to Gryffindor tower to get dressed for school.

"I love Sir Cadogan" Ron said reluctantly to the Fat Lady. Smiling the portrait swung up allowing access to the Gryffindor common room. "That's a terrible password by the way." Ron told the Fat Lady as he walked by her. As he headed to the stair case that would lead to the boy's dorm room Ron noticed brown bushy hair. Stopping Ron saw Hermione staring into the fire place.

"Hermione?" Ron called as he walked to stand in front of the sofa she sat on.

"Oh hi Ron." Hermione greeted. "Would you like to sit?"

"Nah, I just wanted to made sure we were cool." Ron said placing his hands inside his pocket.

"Boys." Hermione sighed as she stood up barely reaching Ron's shoulders. "Tell me one thing, why did you kiss me?"

"To find out what it felt like." Ron answered which earned him a slack in the arm with the book Hermione held.

"And what did it feel like?" Hermione asked staring at the ground.

"Is this a trick question?" Ron asked concerned about his safety as he rubbed his arm, hearing Hermione chuckle just through him off more though.

"No it's not. I was just curious as to how it felt for you."

"It felt weird honestly." The red head said tensing up in response for the oncoming hit.

"I agree. It didn't feel like I was kissing my brother but it wasn't a lovers kiss either. Peculiar right?" Hermione said smiling up at Ron.

"So us?" Ron inquired.

"I wish I could fall for you and maybe if things were different I might have, but you just don't make me feel butterflies or make my heart race." Hermione said locking eyes with Ron.

"Oh thanks." Ron said with an awkward laugh.

"But we're cool, Ron." Hermione said laughing along with Ron. "So Malfoy?" Looping her arm with Ron's she walked him up the stairs and into the dorm he shares with Harry.

"I don't know but he gives me those same feeling you said I don't give you." Opening the door the pair found Harry pulling his shirt over his head. "My Merlin Harry get some sun!" Ron hollowed playfully covering his eyes. "I'm blind! I'm blind!" Ron's lightheartedness caused Harry to throw a pillow at the red head and made Hermione burst into controlled laughter.

"What's up you too?" Harry asked noticing their intertwined arms as he sat on his bed to put on his shoes.

"Nothing just talking about Ron's low blood surge." Hermione answered with ease looking at Ron. It amazed the red head that Hermione would lie for him. Then again Hermione wasn't the type to gossip about someone else. Plus he knew Hermione so well, she was going to let Ron tell Harry about Malfoy. "I told Ron he only wants an excuse to be able to eat during classes."

"She knows me so well Harry." Ron announced walking to his dresser pulling out a pair of slacks, a white button up and his Gryffindor robe and tie. "Which brings me to what Snape told me, he believes I had a panic attack."

"A panic attack?" Harry asked as Ron pulled his pajama shirt off throwing it on the floor near his bed. "Ron, Hermione is still in the room." Harry reminded the taller student. Ron turned to give his best mate a 'are you kidding me' look which caused Hermione to laugh again. Strolling over to Harry's bed Hermione sat down facing the other way from Ron's bed as the red head pulled off his pants.

"Panic attacks are periods of intense fear or apprehension of sudden bodily or cognitive symptoms: heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or feelings of unreality and of variable duration from minutes to hours. Panic attacks usually begin abruptly and usually subside on their own over the next several hours." Hearing nothing but silence behind her had Hermione turning around to find bother Harry and Ron giving her a are seriously look. At least Ron had his slacks on. "What? I am the smart one" She declared causing the boys to laugh.

"You right Herm, You are the smart one." The boys agreed in unison. Once both male Gryffindor were clothed the golden trio head to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they walked Hermione caught Ron up on what he's missed the last days of school. Strolling to the Gryffindor able they sat down talking about the quidditch bomb fire. Before long more students strolled in in search for food.

"Umm... Ron?" Hearing his voice behind him, Ron turned to find the students that he and Malfoy helped find their way.

"Hello." Ron greeted turning around to face the boys. With Ron sitting he was at eye level with the first years.

TBC