Title: Healing Spells

Chapter Nine: We continue! Yes, I did decide to update. Most of you probably got the email I sent out. Here is chapter nine, will I ever give the gang a break???


~~~~~



Hermione spent a lot of time thinking about what Draco and Ginny had implied
about her and Ron, was it about time she confessed her feelings to him?

Ginny seemed to know a lot about those kinds of things...especially since
Draco turned to the other side and proved how he much cared for her. Maybe
it was
time to ask for some advice.

Since Draco had been proven innocent, Ginny had been feeling a lot better.
Only two weeks had passed since the trial, and Ginny felt maybe she was
ready to resume a normal schedule. Part of her healing process came from
knowing that she, and the people she loved were safe for now.

When Hermione came into her dormitory, it was a welcome visit. "Hermione!!!"
she said happily, "What's going on?"

"Not much," Hermione replied nervously, "How are you doing?"

"Great," Ginny declared glad to be asked, "I am doing very well. Mum says I
can start a normal schedule again in a few days."

"Wonderful, and how's-"

Before she could utter Draco's name, Ginny looked up and said, "Fine, I
think he's finally getting some rest now. He gets so worried about me
sometimes. It's not always bad though, having him worry about me."

Hermione smiled. "Do you think I could ask you something?"

"Sure," Ginny replied, "It sounds serious."

"Sort of," Hermione stated nervously, "It's Ron. Well, more me and Ron. I
kind of want to-"

"Tell him how you feel about him," Ginny finished.

"Yeah, and I wanted to ask-"

"If he feels the same way. Yeah, he does."

"How can you be sure?" Hermione asked surprised.

"I've lived with Ron since I was born you know. Ever since he met you, he
wont shut up about you. Last summer for instance, he went on and on about
your boyfriend. Hermione doesn't need a guy like him, she's too good for
him, Hermione's making a mistake, it went on and on."

"Really?" Hermione blushed thinking of Ron being jealous over her.

"Yes."

"Could I somehow... should I tell him?"

"Certainly, you definitely should Hermione. He'd love it."

"All right," Hermione said softly, "It's about time one of us did something
about it."

"Good for you," Ginny smiled delighted for Hermione.

A bell sounded and Hermione laughed. "Great," she said, "I've got to go to
Arithmacy now, but I'll see you."

"Try to tell him..."

~*~*~*~

Ron and Harry met Hermione at the foot of the long staircase that led from
Divination.

"How was class?" Hermione asked.

"The usual," Harry said glumly, "Don't make plans for the twenty third
Hermione."

"Why?"

"Cause he's going to die of a sudden illness," Ron laughed.

"Oh, that miserable Professor Tralawny!" Hermione yelled, "Why do you two
still take that class?"

"Easy good grades."

"Ron is that all you care about?"

"No, it's just what I like."

"Oh my gosh," Harry suddenly said , "What time is it?"

"About half past three," said Hermione.

Harry started walking away quickly, "Quidditch practice! I'm late."

"See you Harry!" Ron yelled after him.

Hermione gulped, this was her perfect moment. She didn't have to find a way
to split Harry and Ron up. They were alone together and it was time. "Uh...
Ron?"

"What is it Hermione?"

"Can I ask you something?" she said nervously.

"Sure," he looked at her suspiciously. She felt herself blushing, everything
was spinning.

"I think I might be- oh how do I say it? I think I am having feelings for
you lately."

He just kept staring, waiting for more. He was also in shock.

When he didn't speak, Hermione was quick to fill the akward silence. "Is
that okay?"

"Sure," he said in a hushed voice, "My... it's good. Wow, I'm just so
shocked."

He was turning completely red. She knew she had caught him off guard. "Well,
do you-"

"Yes," he said looking down, "I do too. I just kind of thought it was crazy
to say something to you. I guess not though."

"I am so glad I got that out." She looked down laughing.

Ron was glad the tension was eased. "You said it, I didn't have to. This is
amazing."

"I know I'm nothing special," she said, "but that's how I feel."

"Nothing special?" Ron asked, "Hermione, I've only been crazy over you since
2nd year!"

"Wow," she said, "This is good."

~*~*~*~*~*

"What are you laughing over?" Draco asked Ginny from across the table. He
had been sitting with the Gryffindor's lately, but no one really minded.
Especially after all he did for Ginny.

"Look at the end of the table," she giggled.

He looked. Ron and Hermione were at the other end of the table. They were
having a big conversation by the looks of it. It seemed nothing special
until he realized they were holding hands. "So they finally did it..." he
mumbled.

"Hermione told him how she felt," Ginny said slyly, "She had a little help
though. Some good advice."

"Really?" he asked impressed.

"I had to," Ginny said, "They're so cute aren't they?"

"I suppose so."

A few minutes later, Ron and Hermione approached them. "Do you know where
Harry is?" Hermione asked.

"No, isn't he always with you?" Draco asked.

"Yes, but today was different," Ron blushed, "He had a lot of homework and
he told us to go on without him. That was two hours ago."

The three Gryffindors went to their common room. Draco waited for them at
the foot of the stairs.

"Let's go to our dormitory," Ron suggested. They climbed the stairs. Nobody
was there, but as Ron moved to his bed they found a note.

It said:

Dear Ron and Hermione,

I found out today that Voldemort has attacked. I overheard Professor
McGonnagall saying that he killed a lot of people at the Department of
defense. He also said that Voldemort was hiding in the abandoned office
building and people are trying to get to him, except for the fact that he
killed them, the people who tried. You know that I have to go there. It's my
duty. Somehow I am the only one who could kill Voldemort, I don't know why,
but its just me. I have to do it. Don't follow me.

Love,
Harry

"No way," Hermione said gasping.

"Harry," Ginny said thoughtfully, "Ron didn't you tell me he was acting
depressed lately?"

"Yeah," Ron said silently, "I did tell you that. He hasn't been his usual
fun self
lately. So quiet and reserved."

"What are you saying Ron?"

"I found a book on deadly curses in Harry's things okay?" Ron snapped, "I
think he had been planning on killing You-Know-Who for a long time."

"Even after I told him what we saw? I was there Ron," Hermione said
frantically.

"I think more so after that," Ron whispered, "Drove him further."

"And you didn't tell anyone that he was acting like that?" Ginny yelled, "I
mean, if you noticed..."

"I didn't want Harry's feelings hurt," Ron admitted.

"He's going to kill Harry now," Ginny groaned, "Why do things like this
happen?"

"It's going to be all right Ginny," Ron said sharply, "We're not going
to act stupid this time. We'll tell Dumbledore that's what we'll do. Mum
doesn't need any of us to cause anymore trouble."

"I don't want this to happen," Ginny whispered.

They headed down stairs. Ginny breathlessly explained to Draco what
happened. "Potter's gone insane?" he asked.

"Yeah, Harry thinks he has to kill- to kill Voldemort."

"What are we going to do?" Draco asked.

"For once," Ginny said softly, "We will do the sensible thing, and leave it
to someone else."

"All right then," Draco said, "Let's take this thing down to the
Headmaster."

They ran quickly to Professor Dumbledore's office. McGonnagall was
there, "What is it children?" she asked alarmed.

"Professor, Harry is gone," Hermione said gasping for breath.

"Yeah, he's trying to find You-Know-Who, " Ron added.

"We don't know why," Hermione said, "He thinks he has to kill him alone or
something. Professor Dumbledore has to do something."

"Harry Potter will fail," McGonnagall said softly.

"That's why were here," Draco replied, "To get help."

"I figured you children would follow Potter. He left in such a hurry after I
spoke of that attack."

"You knew that he heard you?" Hermione asked.

"Of course, I did say it in front of him for a reason," McGonnagall's
usually
stern voice was calm.

"Run," Draco said to the others and they followed his lead. They ran as fast
as they could. They ran all the way outside and into the forest.

"What was that?" Ron gasped out.

Ginny looked into Draco's eyes. "What do you know?"

"I know. that was a Hogwarts teacher under an Imperius curse. And if
McGonnagall is. then they might all be."

"We've got to get to the city," Hermione said, "The closest place is
Hogsmede."

"They'll be looking for us," Ginny said panicked.

"When we get there we can owl someone," Ron said thoughtfully, "We have to
go and save Harry before he falls into their trap."

With that they headed out into the darkness.

________


A/N: Again thanks for the help you've offered. Thanks for sending in supportive emails. You know who you all are. Thanks!

-Kayla