Secrets Kept
Chapter 7
By happythoughts
(Hermione's POV)
~*~
Hermione stood still in shock. Harry, stop shaking. Come on, wake up. Don't do this to us. Please wake up—
"Hermione! C'mon! MOVE!" she heard Ron urging her and pushing towards the door.
Once they had slammed the door shut, Hermione regained composure. She could feel herself shaking violently. Why am I shaking? She asked her self. She suddenly felt hands on her arms and realized that she wasn't the one shaking herself. It was Ron shaking her trying to get her back to her senses.
"Hermione! Are you okay? Talk to me!" he yelled.
Hermione shook her head and tried to get her eyes into focus. "S-sorry, Ron," she muttered. She started crying again. When will they stop coming? She asked herself.
"It's okay. You had me scared for a little. I thought you were going into convulsions too," he said with relief.
At this comment, Hermione started sobbing again and surprised herself when she flung her arms around Ron and began sobbing on his shoulder once again.
"Sshhh! It's okay, Hermione. He'll be okay. I know he's going to. He always comes out okay, doesn't he?" he said, trying to comfort her.
Hermione tried to reply but she was hyperventilating too much to answer. Minutes later, they pulled away. Ron cautiously wiped away the tears still falling freely from Hermione's face. "R-ron. I'm s-so scared," Hermione said.
Ron merely nodded his head and said softly, "So am I."
Something suddenly popped into Hermione's head. Ginny. "Ron! Where's Ginny?"
Ron's eyes bulged. "Oh no … she must be scared out of her mind!" he moaned. They started running towards the Gryffindor Tower to try and find her. They both shouted the password to the Fat Lady and ran into the Common Room. Hermione found herself standing in front of many anxious but silent Gryffindors, doing nothing in particular; probably just waiting for any sign of Harry. People immediately began to swarm around her and Ron, demanding to know how Harry was and if he was alive.
"He's okay! He's okay … go on now. Anyone seen Ginny around?" Ron yelled over all of the questions.
Hermione saw one of Ginny's friends trying to push her way to the front of the crowd. "Hermione! Ron! She's in her dormitory …" the girl began.
"Megan, is she okay?" Hermione asked tentatively.
The girl, intimidated by Hermione, shook her head. "No. When Harry … fell … she went completely still and she fainted. We had to carry her back to the tower. She finally awoke a few minutes ago, but now she's in her bed."
Shocked, Hermione and Ron began running towards Ginny's dormitory. They barged in and searched frantically for Ginny. They found her with her curtains closed around her bed, shaking violently, just how Hermione had been when Harry had been going into convulsions.
"Ginny! Ginny, are you okay?" asked Hermione, hugging her.
"Gin! You're freezing cold!" said Ron in panic.
"Ginny, everything's all right …" said Hermione. She gulped guiltily. She most certainly knew that everything was not all right. Right now Harry could possibly be still in convulsions and she wasn't down there with him.
She rubbed Ginny's arms to make her warmer. "Come on, into the bed. You need warmth," urged Hermione.
Ginny shook her head in protest. "W-want … H-h-har-ry …" she said, her teeth chattering.
"You can't see him right now, Gin. He's in the hospital wing. Don't worry," said Ron, patting her head. He and Hermione were still trying to get her into bed, but she wasn't helping. She kept kicking the sheets off and trying to get back up.
"We promise you'll be able to see him tomorrow morning," said Hermione. "Madame Pomfrey's not letting anyone in right now."
Seeming satisfied, Ginny finally went to bed and fell asleep. Hermione and Ron tiptoed quietly out of the dormitory. Hermione took a deep breath as soon as they were out of the room.
"She's gone mad," said Ron in disbelief.
"Ron, she's upset. I would be the same way if the person I loved was in a coma and close to dying," said Hermione knowingly.
Ron shifted uncomfortably. "Right … so would I," he muttered.
Hermione tried to hide her smile. "Let's go and see if we can see Harry. I need to know if he's okay," she said.
Ron nodded his head and they ran back out of the common room all the way to the hospital wing. They walked back into the room and looked for any sign of Harry. Unfortunately, Hermione saw that the curtains were pulled around him; she could see Madame Pomfrey's shadow still tending to him.
Suddenly, her head popped out from the curtains. Hermione stepped forward and began to talk before she could say anything to make her and Ron leave. "Madame Pomfrey. Is he okay? We just wanted to know if he's okay."
She saw in the corner of her eye Ron nodding his head encouragingly. Madame Pomfrey pursed her lips. "Harry is better. His convulsion only lasted for a few seconds. They ended almost as soon as you two left. He is out of his coma, but he is in a deep sleep. He won't be out of here for a few weeks, I presume."
Hermione and Ron sighed with relief. At least he wasn't unconscious anymore. "Thank you," said Hermione meekly. She motioned for Ron to follow her and they walked out of the room. They silently walked back up to the common room.
To their surprise, the common room was already deserted.
"It's already 1 in the morning!" exclaimed Ron in surprise.
"Wow, it seems only 6 o'clock. How strange …" said Hermione. She plopped down onto the couch. Ron plopped down right next to her.
"I really hope Harry's okay …" said Hermione sleepily.
"Yeah … I do too," said Ron.
And with that, they both fell into a deep sleep, side by side.
~*~*~
(Ron's POV)
Ron awoke the next morning feeling particularly drowsy and aching all over. Yet, with all the pain he was enduring, he felt perfectly content and in a way, comfortable. His eyes came into focus and with a shock he realized he was still in the common room. He also soon realized with a start that Hermione's head was on his shoulder, and his arm was around her shoulders. No wonder I'm so sore, he said to himself.
Trying to get up without waking up Hermione, he awkwardly tried to move his arm away from her head. He lay her head on a pillow and put a blanket over her. He stood up and stretched, trying to get all the cranks out of his arms and neck. That's odd, he thought, my legs are even sore.
Then he remembered that he had been in a Quidditch game the previous day, and with a gulp, he also realized that he and Hermione had been running to and from the hospital wing to check up on Harry. He jumped when he remembered Harry. Should he wake up Hermione? Or should he go down and see him alone?
She looks so tired, yet peaceful, sleeping there like a baby. Maybe I should just leave without her and come back later. She won't even notice. I'll just come right back and then wake her up and we can have breakfast together—
Ron's thoughts were interrupted when he saw Ginny coming down the stairs, completely dressed. Though she looked pale and tired, she had a determined look on her face. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Ron, it's morning. You said that we could go and see Harry now," she said.
"Gin, it's only," he looked at his watch, "eight in the morning. Can't you wait a little? I doubt even Madame Pomfrey's awake yet."
Ginny folded her arms and pursed her lips. Ron gulped. He knew she had the worst temper out of all of the Weasley's. No need to take any chances.
"Come on," she said exasperatedly, then stamping her foot.
"Shhh!" ordered Ron in dismay. He glanced over at Hermione, who was now starting to awake. "Now you've waken her up!"
"Mmmm?" Hermione asked, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
"It's okay, Hermione. Ron and I were just discussing something," said Ginny gingerly.
Suddenly, Hermione's eyes popped open and she looked around frantically. "Harry!" she exclaimed.
"See? Even she wants to see him. C'mon, Ron. Let's go," said Ginny. She was already walking towards the portrait door.
Ron heaved a great sigh, finally defeated. He waited for Hermione to straighten her robes and wake up and then they followed Ginny through the door. "I feel so … not clean," muttered Hermione lamely.
"You look good … I mean … fine," said Ron in embarrassment.
Hermione just shook her head and smiled secretively. They reached the door leading to the hospital wing. Before they walked in, Ginny turned and looked at them. "Do you mind if I go in first? I … I just want to be alone with him for awhile," she said quietly.
Ron was about to protest but Hermione nudged him in the ribs. "Okay!" he gasped.
So they waited for about 5 minutes outside of the door; Ron pacing and Hermione leaning against the wall. She yawned. "Do you think he's awake yet?" she asked him.
As much as he hated to admit it, Ron shook his head as if to answer no. He heard Hermione sigh heavily. "Me either."
The door finally creaked open, and Ginny's head popped out. Ron noticed that her eyes were rimmed with red. She had obviously been crying. "You can come in," she said meekly.
Ron and Hermione went into the room and saw Harry still sleeping on the same bed. To his relief, Ron could see him breathing deeply and calmly. But to his shock, his head was bandaged all around. He wondered why Harry's arms were in casts, but then he remembered that Madame Pomfrey could mend bones in a second.
He saw her bustling towards them. "How's he doing?" he asked her tentatively.
"Much better," she said nodding happily, "no clue when he will be waking up though. I'll give him at least a week more … maybe even two."
"Two weeks?" exclaimed Ron.
She flinched. "Yes, Mr. Weasley. Two weeks. He has suffered a great ordeal and has broken many parts of his body, even damaged some of his skull. This is very serious."
They all nodded their heads and walked out of the room. There was really no use in staying. They started walking towards the Great Hall for an early breakfast. "Two weeks is sure a lot," said Ron.
Hermione nodded her head in agreement, but Ginny remained silent.
On Monday morning at breakfast, Dumbledore stood up in his seat and cleared his throat to motion for the students to give their attention to him.
"I have a few announcements, due to the events that occurred this weekend. There will be no more Hogsmeade visits until we are sure that everything is safe." He paused, waiting for the groans to stop.
"Also, Quidditch games will be cancelled, and there will be no more Care for Magical Creature classes and Herbology. Thank you." And with that, he sat down and continued eating his breakfast.
~*~*~
(Hermione's POV)
Everyone wasn't too surprised about Dumbledore's restrictions, but that doesn't mean that they were upset and disappointed.
"So basically they're keeping us indoors and we'll never be able to go outside again until the Death Eater that tried to kill Harry is captured," said Seamus in anger.
News about the Death Eater had leaked out somehow, and now the whole school practically new about it.
"It's for the best, Seamus. They're just trying to keep us safe," said Hermione, defending the faculty.
"I suppose. But don't you think we'll all get a little cranky and testy from being in doors for all this time? It's going to be a long time before they catch him or her," Seamus retorted.
"Yes, I will admit that may happen. But for all we know, they could catch him or her today! You've got to look at this on the positive side," she said smartly.
"No more Hogsmeade visits. This is really going to be tough. We were supposed to have one this weekend," said Ron sadly.
Hermione groaned in exasperation and turned to Ginny. "How are you doing?" she asked her.
Ginny looked up. "I'm okay. Could be better."
Hermione nodded knowingly. "If you need anything …"
"I'll be fine. I have to go," said Ginny. Hermione saw tears welling up in her eyes. She began to gather her books and she ran out of the Great Hall.
"That went well," said Ron sarcastically.