--Back in the real world in the hospital wing—
Hermione sat alone with rows of empty beds all around. All except the one she hovered over.
Ron has not woken in almost two days, and the worry that Hermione felt was growing larger. Ron was pale with his gray lips set slightly parted so that his snoring could escape his mouth.
It was nearing eight and Hermione knew she should be heading back to the common room, but she was unable to leave Ron's bedside. Every time she visited, she found it harder to leave; the pull from Ron was growing every time.
Ron, why don't you wake up? Please, please…
But nothing happened, just like every other time she wished him to wake.
Looking to make sure no one else was nearby, Hermione seated herself slowly on Ron's bedside. He was so handsome when he slept, even though he wasn't when he was awake. But the way the candlelight fell on the angles of his face, the way his eyelashes rested, his chest rising and falling from his steady breathing…
No! No no no! Don't think like that! He is your friend! I can't see him that way. He chose Lavender. If he felt the same way he would have picked me.
Hermione unthinkably laughed out quietly. Just imagining having Ron and her walk down the hallway holding hands made her smile. But what she loved even more then the picture in her head was Ron's deep voice saying to someone, "This is Hermione, my girlfriend."
Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. It was probably stupid, but at that moment it felt like the perfect time.
"Ron," whispered Hermione, "there's something I should say while I can. Well, while I still feel like saying it out loud even though you can't hear me—what am I saying? Here I am talking to myself—you know what, I'm just going to tell you."
Without thinking about it, she bent over till her lips were just not touching his ear. This was the closest she had ever been to him, and now every freckle was clear to her vision. She was also finding it hard to breathe without taking in the smell of Ron's hair.
Just like in the love potion. Fresh cut grass, new parchment... and Ron's hair.
"Ron Weasley," she spoke as she grasped his strong hand, "I love you more then anything in this world."
--In Ron's mind—
The yellow smoke was starting to disappear from Ron's sight. He could see flashes of the dreams he had experienced as he felt himself flying forward: Hermione swimming in her jay blue bikini, Hermione and him baking cookies, Hermione hugging their four children…
"Ron Weasley,"
"Who said that?" Ron called out. It was a echo from far ahead of him.
"I love you more-"
The voice was growing louder. It was Hermione.
"Than anything in the world."
"Hermione?!" he yelled out.
--Hospital Wing—
"Ummm."
Hermione snapped her head back to stare with wide eyes at Ron. She wasn't sure, but she thought she heard him say something.
"Ron?" she questioned in shock.
"Ron?" asked the voice. It was getting closer.
"Hello?! Can you hear me?!" He shouted louder than before, now a tingling growing over his body.
"Hmm, hmm" groaned Ron.
She knew it! He was waking! He was waking up!!
"Madem Pomfrey!!!" she hollered quickly before grabbing Ron's shoulder. She shook it rather too roughly, but she was willing to give half her life for his eyes to open.
"Ron? Ron, wake up. Come on, Ron. Ron?"
Ron's shoulder was starting to tighten as if someone was holding it.
"Ron? Ron, wake up. Come on, Ron. Ron?"
"I'M HERE! HERMIONE!!!" he was feeling weaker, more worn out.
"Ron? Ron?" Hermione kept repeating his name; prying to Merlin he was finally gaining conscious. She gripped his hand harder.
Ron's right hand was the only thing that felt warm suddenly. His body was aching.
"Ron? Ron?"
"Hermione…Her…mi…one…" he was quickly loosing energy so much that it was harder to yell out.
"Hermm…" Ron was saying roughly.
"What? What is it, Ron?" Hermione asked out desperately.
Ron's eyes flickered open.
His blue glassy eyes searched through the air like a radar till they found Hermione's brown wide ones. They starred for what seemed like beyond eternity at each other, trying to figure out if what they both saw were real. Finally, Ron broke their gaze by looking down at his hand, which was covered by Hermione's. Hermione slid it off his.
He lifted his now empty hand to raise it up to Hermione's teary face.
"Hermione." He crocked. He was smiling. Hermione couldn't help but smile back and cry harder.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked in confusion, "Didn't want me back?"
"No." sobbed Hermione as she leaned into Ron's hand on her cheek. "I missed you."
"Me too." He said quietly. His throat burned from some medicine he must of drank when he was sleeping.
"It wasn't the same…without you around. It was like the sun never came up." Hermione said.
"There was no sun for me. Only darkness. But you know what?" he managed to lift his head slightly. "There is something I want to do once I'm out of here."
"What's that?" Hermione asked in curiosity.
"I can't tell you now, but could you do one thing for me?"
Hermione nodded her head.
"Don't tell Lavender I'm awake just yet. I don't think I can handle loud sobbing and endless talking."
"But I'm crying. Isn't that bothering you?"
"No. After all these years, I'm use to it."
Hermione laughed once before rising and turning away.
"I'm going to find Madem Pomfrey and tell her you are awake. She might want to give you something."
"Ok." Grumbled Ron as she walked off.
` Even though Hermione leaving was hurting Ron's chest, he couldn't help but smile to himself. Because he was sure Hermione wasn't aware that he had heard her say 'I love you'.