This is actually two chapters in one. Just so you know that I don't kill off Sirius. I HATED that he died in the series. Harry needed a father figure and in didn't like that he only had one for only two years and then had him basically ripped away from him.

This chapter also introduces a ship that I have come to really enjoy writing about.

If I owned Harry Potter I would be out buying stuff. Since I don't I'm here posting fan fiction.

Chapter 21: Wounded/The Lioness and The Serpent

Ron's POV

I feel like shit. The pain, the dreams, everything has me feeling like absolute shit.

It's been 3 days since we broke into the Ministry. Harry, Neville, Ginny, Luna, and Parvati walked away with minor injuries.

Me and Hermione on the other hand? Not so much.

The last thing I remember about that night is my dumb cursed drunk ass summoning one of those bloody brains from that tank in the Ministry. It sprang to life and tried to kill me with its tentacled nerves wrapping around my arms and chest.

Not only was I useless, I took my own ass out of the fight.

But I would gladly trade what happened to Hermione just so she would wake up.

Apparently that Death Eater bastard Dolahov hit her with a nonverbal curse. She hasn't woken up since. She is alive because I can see her breathing and she is warm. But she isn't up and about with me and it hurts.

She got scarred up pretty bad too. But no amount of scars would make her less beautiful to me.

I go and sit at her bedside once I know the coast is clear. She's stiff as a board with only her chest moving up and down as she is breathing. It reminded me a bit of the time she was petrified.

"Hermione, please wake up. They don't know what that basyard hit you with but it must have been ban cuz you've been sleep for 3 days straight. You gotta wake up. I'll never say another teasing thing to you ever again….That's a lie"

"How about this: I promise to try not to overreact on you too much. I promise to maybe at least a little bit try to be okay with the Krum situation. He's still a bloody old man git though. But for you I will try my best to be nicer about him. That's a lie he's too much of a git."

"You have to be okay. You were coming to The Burrow this summer remember? We were going to have fun. You and me. Harry too of course unless he was visiting Parvati or something. The two of us can find something to do. Sometimes I rather like it when it's just us two an-"

"I...like it...too..." whispered Hermione in a croaky voice.

"Mione! You're awake! Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again!"

"Language...Ron" she whispered with a tiny smile.

I reach out and grabbed her hand" how are you feeling?"

"Terrible...dizzy...it hurts Ron..."

I start to panic and look for the pain potion madam Pomfrey had set out for me. I grab it and put it on Hermione's lips and try to help her drink as much as she could. I didn't care that I was in pain as well.

"Do you feel like sitting up? I can put some pillows behind you."

"Yessss... I don't think...wait, how long have I been here?"

"Well today is Thursday so.."

"Three days? Wait! Thursday what day? Did I..ow...miss O.W.L's?"

I look at her confused. Dear Merlin I hope her mind hasn't been fucked up.

"Hermione, we took those ages ago remember? Way before we went to the ministry. The day Fred and George left do you remember?"

"Oh...yes I do. I feel mixed up. It hurts so bad that... Mmmmmmmm...that I can't seem to think straight"

I feel useless again. Hermione is in pain and I don't know what to do.

"I'll get Madam Pomfrey maybe she will have something stronger"

"NO!" yelled Hermione causing me to flinch. "I...I mean, no. Sorry. Not now. Please don't leave me"

"Never. I'll always be here. I just want to get you some help and I'll be right back"

"I'll let you know if I need it just please Ron stay here. Tell me what happened, I don't exactly remember."

"Well we started to battle and-"

"No. I mean what happened to you? To everybody. Is Harry okay? Why are your arms bandaged up?"

"Harry is fine. He had some cuts and bruises but nothing out the ordinary. Mainly everyone was like that. We were the ones that got fuc...messed up the most. Apparently I got hit with some curse that made me all drunk acting and summoned a brain and it attacked me. My arms and chest are covered in scars."

Hermione looked at me like she was about to cry. "Oh Ron I'm so sorry its not your fault-"

"It is my fault. Who summons a brain that tries to fucking kill you? I was useless, I did nothing. "

"No no Ron you were brilliant. You couldn't help getting cursed just like I couldn't. It just happened. At least we...OWWWWWWW!"

Hermione screamed like she was being burned alive.

"SHIT! Hermione stay still! I'll get Madam Pomfrey I promise I'll be back!"

I head off to find her but of course she heard Hermione's blood curdling scream so she was already rushing towards us.

She told me that I had to wait outside the curtain and I refused. I had to stay with her. She couldn't understand. She assured me that when she was done I could come back and see to her so it looked like I had no choice.

It seemed like hours but finally I was allowed back to Hermione's side. She looked so tired and hurt that I felt like I was going to cry.

She motioned me to sit on the bed beside her. I hesitated. I didn't want to hurt her. But she looked like she needed it so I slid beside her and allowed her to rest her head on my shoulder.

A few minutes later she drifted off to sleep. At least she looked a lot more peaceful than she did earlier.

I made a secret promise to her then and there. To always stay by her side. To always protect her and be there for her when she needs me and even when she doesn't need me.

I'm turning into such a sap. But honestly, for Hermione, I don't care.

Ginny's POV...2 weeks later

I was sitting in the library doing some last minute charms work. I noticed Draco when he walked in. I felt his eyes on me as he pretended to look for a book.

I glanced up at him a few times and the next thing I know he is walking over to me.

"Can I sit here?" He asked.

I'm confused as hell. Draco has NEVER spoken to me. After all, him, my brothers, Harry, Hermione, and a few others I'm acquainted with do not get on. Something smells fishy. Keep your guard up Gin.

"Uh, sure. Go right ahead." I said hesitantly.

He gave me a small smile and sits down with a book that i can look at and tell he wasn't really interested in.

What's his deal?

We sit in silence for about 15 minutes. He's pretending to read but he hasn't turned any pages and he keeps looking at me out the corner of his eye.

What the hell is his deal?

I can't take this anymore. "Okay Draco Malfoy, what do you want?"

He looked at me caught off guard that I called him by both his first and last name.

"Why do I have to want something Ginevra Weasley?"

Woah. Didn't expect that.

"Because you don't talk to me. You've never talked to me."

"Is there a reason why I shoudnt?

"There are several actually. You dont like my family. You always talk shit about us like we are beneath you. I get that we are poor, and what you call blood traitors so why would you grace me with your presence? I wouldn't believe I'm worthy enough" I said with a sneer.

Draco eyes widened like he was surprised but he quickly recovered. "Yeah. Okay. I have said those things. Mainly to the Weasel-"

"His name is Ron, Malfoy. Watch it."

"Fine. I'm not calling him Ron. But for you I won't call him Weasel. Look just hear me out"

Wow. He actually looks sincere. Okay let's see how this goes.

"I'm listening..."

"How are you feeling?"

Did he just ask...okay...

"Um I'm fine? No fuck that. Your father tried to curse me. So actually no I'm not fine. And you should realize why I don't want to speak to you about my well being"

" I know what he did. He told me. And I apologize for him."

"Pardon?"

"Look I am sorry that the ministry shit happened. Weasley, I'm being serious. And while I'm being serious let me say what i need to say and if you don't want to talk to me I can leave"

"Fine. Continue."

" I find myself wanting to befriend you"

"Be.. I'm sorry what was that? For a minute there it sounded like you want to be my friend."

"I do"

"But why?"

"I don't know. I feel like I should be"

Okay this is creeping me the hell out.

"Are you just tying to get close to me to get to Ron or Harry? Cuz if that's your plan you can go fuck yourself"

Malfoy laughed. "You're fiesty. I like that in a woman"

"Would you like to find out just how fiesty I can be? I can give you a Bat-Bogey Hex that will haunt your nightmares"

"Shit. Okay Weasley back off it isn't anything like that. I have no desire to get to your brother nor Potter and it has nothing to do with them and all to do with you. You interest me"

"I wont be one of your scarlet women like that cow Pansy. You can kiss my ass if that's what you're looking for"

"You're going to make this hard aren't you?"

"I'm making it just as hard as you are. You're talking in circles. I don't have time to waste with you if you're going to sit here and play these games"

Mayfoy looked at me like he was impressed. "Could I write to you over the summer? Prove that I'm trying to be genuine to you? I'm not trying to fuck around with you, I'm not trying to get close to you for no hidden agenda bullshit. Its just me, a Malfoy trying to see if I can get along with you, a Weasley. Can you at least give me a chance to see if we can be friends?"

I ponder this as I look I into his eyes. Hmm... I never noticed his eyes.

"Your eyes are gray."

"Your eyes are brown"

"I never noticed that your eyes were gray"

"I've always known you had brown eyes."

Why do I feel like blushing. Wait. .is he blushing? What the hell!

"Okay. I guess I can at least try to see where you are coming from. After all. The saying is keep your friends close and your enemies closer"

"I don't want to be your enemy."

"We shall see about that Malfoy."

"Call me Draco. Usually people who are trying to be friends call each other by their first name"

"Thanks for the clarification smartass"

Malfoy laughed again. I give him a small smile. "Anytime, princess"

Sigh..."Ginny. I guess you can call me Ginny"

"I'll stick to calling you Princess."

"Whatever Draco, as long as you don't call me Ginevra."

He nods and gets up from his seat. He gives me a bow. "Talk to you soon Princess". And then he walks out of he library.

Well Gin, you never back down from a challenge. Let's see where Draco Malfoy is taking this.