As Harry examined the locket, Hermione turned her attention back to Ron, who looked deathly pale again. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, Hermione," Ron said, trying to sound annoyed but a smirk was playing at his lips.

"You promised not to get hurt," Hermione said quietly.

"You're the one who Splinched me!" Ron said indignantly.

"Well, I guess you don't need me, then!" Hermione made to get up and walk away, but Ron caught her arm. "Hermione, I didn't mean it that way, you know I didn't! Please…just stay, alright?"

Hermione tried to look indignant, but the look that Ron gave her melted her insides. "Fine. But only because I know you need medical attention."

She sat back down next to his bunk, and noticed he was much too pale. "Ron, you're sweating." He frowned and put a hand to his forehead. "Oh. So I am."

But Hermione was already groping in the beaded bag again. She found the dry cloth she was looking for, and soaked it with her wand. She then placed it on Ron's forehead to bring some color back into his face. "I believe you could be a good Healer, Miss Granger," Ron teased. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. This is as major as it gets. I could never fix you if you were in any critical condition."

Ron looked like he didn't believe her, but he didn't argue. He looked over at Harry. "What's he thinking about, d'you reckon?"

"I think his scar is hurting again," Hermione whispered. "I think that locket is really evil. I can tell…it's just an overpowering feeling…"

"I think he'll be alright. We can all handle the locket," Ron said. Hermione's eyes ran over his face; critically looking over his state. "How's your arm?"

"Its fine…loads better…"

Hermione, however, didn't pay him any attention once again. She thrust her arm in the bag again and pulled out a sling. "It still looks painful. I just want this on you…It'll make me feel better about it…" she tied the sling round his neck, and he looped his arm through it.

"I feel like I'm in the hospital wing," Ron said cheekily. Hermione hardly noticed what he said, however. She was watching the color come back into Ron's face. "You look better."

Ron grinned. "I feel better."

Hermione smiled back. "Good."

Hours later, Harry and Ron had both fallen asleep, but Hermione was awake reading the book Dumbledore had left her. She kept looking worriedly over at Ron, who was getting paler by the minute. She finally got up and wet another cloth. She walked over by Ron and started wiping his face with it. He stayed asleep, to her relief, and she stayed by his side for a half an hour. She felt extremely guilty about Splinching him.

"Oh, Ron," she sighed. "You made me a promise, but I had to go and break it for you."

She left the cloth on his forehead, and finally went to bed.