Grand Entrances Ron turned to Harry, looking very grave. Harry had never seen him look that way before. Harry tried to open the door to the hospital wing, but it was locked.

"ALOHOMORA!" Ron shouted, pointing at the lock and springing back into the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was outraged.

"Mr. Weasley, I'm shocked! Miss Granger needs care! Out!" she said loudly and irritably. Hermione was still sobbing.

"I need to speak to Hermione alone, please, Madam Pomfrey" said Ron quietly, through gritted teeth.

Madam Pomfrey hesitated, then got up and left in a huff, looking extremely angry. Her office door slammed behind her and the boys bounded over to Hermione.

"It's okay, Hermione, it's okay," said Ron softly.

"Really, we'll be fine," said Harry, sitting on the bed.

"You can't leave me!" wailed Hermione.

She covered her face with shaking hands and cried. Ron sat down on her side and held her to him. She cried into his shoulder for a long time. Harry watched. Ron's face was pale and his eyes were glittering.

Ron mumbled something that made Hermione hold him tighter, then let go, wiping her eyes. Harry didn't hear. Ron looked at Hermione, then leaned in and kissed her. He stood up. Harry looked at Hermione.

"See you in a bit," he said to her, swallowing hard.

She sniffed and nodded, her face screwing up again. Harry hugged her tightly. She cried for a brief moment, then stopped and let go.

"Please, be careful," she whispered hoarsely.

"I will," Harry whispered back.

Hermione kissed him on the cheek and hugged him again. Harry stood up with Ron. Ron leaned back down to Hermione and kissed her again, then once on each cheek. He straightened up, and the boys left quietly, Hermione watching them go with tears running silently down her face.

They left the hospital wing shaking. Halfway to the entrance hall, they ran into Sirius, who was rushing somewhere.

"Harry! Ron! Get over here!" Sirius shouted.

They ran over as fast as they could. Sirius was unnaturally pale and nervous-looking. His wand was pulled out and he was gripping it so tight that Harry was sure that, if he weren't careful, it would crack.

"Sirius, did you see-" Ron began.

"Yeah," said Sirius gruffly. "And we're going in right now, the Order members. I want you lot to stay here, okay?"

"No!" said Ron defiantly.

"I'll not have you two getting into trouble," said Sirius.

"We'll be okay," said Harry, stepping in front of Sirius. "We have to go with the Order if you are."

Sirius stared at the boy's determined faces. He looked as though he was going to say no, but with a half-glance at Ron, he seemed decided.

"Come on, then," he gestured to them.

They followed him to the entrance hall, out the doors and towards the forest.

"Sirius!" called someone to the right.

Sirius, Harry, and Ron wheeled around, jumping slightly. The sky was darkening, and it took a moment to realise that it was Fletcher calling to them.

"What're these boys doing here? Thought they weren't to come," he said, frowning at Ron and Harry.

"They insisted," said Sirius sternly, and Fletcher made no further comments.

"Well, then - we're going in, then, are we?" Fletcher asked sharply.

"Yes," replied Sirius. "Come on."

The four of them stood, scared but determined, facing the forest. Harry looked at them. There was Sirius, with a menacing, angry look at the Mark, looking dangerous, much as he had the first time Harry had met him. Fletcher was giving off the illusion of looking like a soldier more than ever. Ron's face was white, and his jaw was set.

They entered the forest together, shoulder to shoulder, hoping against hope that they would rejoin Hermione soon.