Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback!! I am so sorry that this
chapter has taken so long to get out, but real life reared its ugly head
and I had to focus on finals and schoolwork! Let me know what you guys
think! I still have more in store!! Quoth the Raven-you rock!!
**The Hospital**
Harry was in a haze. He had completely lost it when the doctor had told him about Ron. He had lost so much blood that the odds of him surviving were slim. Ron's blood type was rare and he needed a transfusion immediately. The doctor informed Harry that they were frantically searching, but there options were running out and Ron was running out of time.
"Harry, here drink this" Blake said, holding out a cup of coffee to him.
"No thanks. I need to see him! Why won't they let me go back there?"
"Harry-"
"No! Blake, I have to be with him right now! I need him to know that I didn't mean any of those horrible things I said! I was so wrong, so horribly wrong. I have single handedly destroyed the one person that I love more than life itself. If he dies-God, I can't even think about it"
"When will Hermione and his family be here?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. I just hope it's not too late-" Harry's voice cracked and sobs soon shook his body again.
"Shh, Harry. He'll make it."
"I hope you're right"
"Mr. Potter?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Dr. Murdock, I'm Mr. Weasley's attending physician"
"What happened to Dr. Sales?"
"He was called away, I have taken over his treatment now"
"When can I see him?"
"I'll take you back there now if you like"
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Is he doing any better?'
"I'll explain everything when we are with Mr. Weasley"
"Alright" Harry followed Dr. Murdock back to Ron's room.
There were machines and tubes all around Ron. He was still deathly pale, and his brilliant red hair was dull.
Harry almost lost it again seeing the man he loved. He looked like a corpse. As if all the life had drained from his body. "I did this to him, not once, but twice" Harry thought to himself.
Dr. Murdock turned to Harry and spoke.
"Mr. Potter, I have a confession to make. I am not a member of the staff here. I am a member of the staff at St. Mungos. Mr. Weasley's father arranged for me to obtain an emergency apparation pass so that I could come here and treat him. I have used an assortment of healing charms, and if I am correct Mr. Weasley is going to come of out this"
Harry stared in shock at the doctor. He could have kissed him he was so happy. Ron was going to make it. He wasn't going to die.
"I-I don't know what to say. Thank Dr. Murdock"
Dr. Murdock nodded his head. "I was more than happy to oblige Mr. Potter. The Weasley family has suffered far too much, so has Ron, and so have you. The heroes of our world deserve a happy ending"
"I'm not a hero Dr. Murdock. I am a horrible man."
Dr. Murdock looked at Harry. His eyes were full of sympathy and sadness. Dr. Murdock knew that Harry was feeling guilty and that if he didn't snap out of it his guilt was going to eat away at him and inflict even more pain on the people he was more than happy to help.
"Do not underestimate yourself Mr. Potter. I'll leave you alone with Ron now. His family will be here tomorrow"
Harry nodded and turned his attention to Ron. He took a seat in the chair next to his bed and began to speak when he heard the soft click of the door closing.
"Ron, I know you can hear me. Please come back to me love. I am so horribly sorry. I didn't mean a word of what I said. I was angry and I know it's not an excuse, but please you have to come back. Even if you never speak to me again you have to come back, I would rather live in this world without you knowing that you are alive then live in a world where you are dead"
Harry's voice began to crack as a fresh wave of tears streamed down his face. "God, Ron you have to come back to me. I swear to you I will do whatever it take to make amends"
Harry gently took Ron's hand in his and began a silent vigil where the only sound heard was the machine monitoring Ron's heartbeat.
**Ron's POV**
Ron was surrounded by infinite warmth. The sun was shining and he was seated on a rock near the lake at Hogwarts. A feeling of peace settled around him and he sighed. "How on earth did I get here?" He thought to himself.
"Ron?"
Ron turned around and saw a site that shocked him.
"Percy?!? You're dead!"
Ron then remembered what had happened. The feeling of peace left him and the sun that had bathed him in its warmth disappeared replaced by a dark and stormy sky. The wind blew viciously tousling Ron's hair. Ron suddenly found his voice again.
"Am I dead too Perce?"
His brother smiled at him and took a seat next to him on the rock. It had begun to rain and thunder around them but his brother seemed unaffected.
"No Ron you are not dead. It's not your time yet" Percy smiled at him. Ron could not understand how his brother retained such a sense of peace in the midst of the tumultuous weather.
"Bloody hell Percy! What is going on? How can you sit here in the midst of this storm and seem so fucking calm!??!"
"This is not my storm Ron, it's yours"
Ron looked at his brother baffled. He was speaking in the way Harry had said the centaurs spoke. Suddenly Ron's train of thoughts screeched to a halt.
"Harry-" he whispered softly.
Percy smiled at him. He leaned over and kissed his brother his forehead. "Find your peace Ron"
Percy got up and started to walk away. Ron panicked.
"Percy! Wait!" His brother slowly turned around. The storm was more fierce but his brother was still perfectly calm.
"Yes?"
"How do I know where my peace lies?"
"You've always known Ron. You've known it since you were a child. Think Ron, remember the first time in your life you felt completely at peace. Oh, and please don't try to join us again anytime soon, we'll all be together someday. Tell Hermione I love her and that I am glad she is making a life for herself"
Percy soon disappeared from Ron's sight. Ron was overcome with a feeling of absolute panic. He was desperately alone. There was no one there to help him. He was all by himself. He hadn't felt like this since he had ridden the Hogwarts express for the first time. His heart was beating quickly and he felt as though everyone had abandoned him. God, he had hated feeling that way. He had been so overcome with panic and grief then that he didn't think he could make the walk to the compartment at the back of the train. But he had made the walk and in that compartment he had found Harry, his Harry. He remembered the sense of relief that had washed over him at finding Harry. He had grown up in a house where he was never granted a moment's peace. He had gone from that house to the train, and in the compartment of that train he had found Harry, and a sense of peace had washed over him.
Ron was pulled from his thoughts as he noticed the sun was shining once again. The storm had ceased, and the environment was as calm as it had been earlier. Realization dawned on Ron. Peace, Harry was his peace.
"PERCY YOU STUPID GIT WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TELL ME!?!" Ron shouted.
Soon the scenery started to fade and Ron plunged into blackness once more.
**Back At The Hospital**
"Harry?"
Harry was startled. He had fallen asleep at Ron's bedside. He turned and saw his best friend standing beside him.
"Mione, oh God Mione-" Harry's voice cracked and he began to cry. He felt his friend's arms encircle him. She whispered soothing and comforting words but they did nothing to ease the ache in Harry's chest.
"Shhh, Harry. Ron's going to be fine"
"This is all my fault Hermione. He's lying in that bed because of me!"
"Harry, what happened?" Hermione pulled a chair over and sat beside her two best friends. This was not how she had pictured their reunion at all. First, there was the whole issue of Ron being unconscious and secondly it was supposed to be a happy occasion.
Harry took a deep breath and recounted everything that had transpired since he had arrived in San Francisco. Hermione listened intently. A heavy ache settled into her heart. She could not believe all of the suffering that her best friends had been through. The angry words, the jealousy, these were never things that she had never imagined would come into play with Ron and Harry's relationship. They were a perfect fit. True love. They were soul mates, and every other syrupy cliché that bad muggle romance novels had coined over the years.
Hermione knew that Harry was ashamed. He felt guilty and responsible for what Ron had done.
"Harry you have to concentrate on fixing things. There is no more room for guilt and blame. Look where it has brought you so far"
"How can I not blame myself? I will never forgive myself for this Hermione"
"Dammit Harry! Listen to me! The three of us deserve some fucking happiness. The Weasleys deserve some happiness. No more darkness Harry! No more fucking darkness!"
Harry was taken aback. Hermione never swore.
"Mione-"
"I mean it Harry! NO MORE! Ron is going to wake up and you are going to straighten things out. You have to! You've both been miserable for five years! Stop trying to be a hero and atone for everything! You're only human Harry, just accept it!"
"He tried to kill himself because I told him I hated him! I told him I could never love a common whore!"
"Yes, you did say those things. You regret them. Explain it to him. Then, be happy!"
"What if he wakes up and hates me?!?!? I'm sure the Weasleys hate me! I have no idea how I am going to face them!"
"Ron could never hate you! He loves you Harry! You're like a son to the Weasleys! They could never hate you either!"
Unbeknownst to the arguing best friends a pair of blue eyes had fluttered open and was listening intently to their argument. Ron's heart broke when he heard Harry speak. He loved Harry. He didn't want to be without him. He could never hate him, not ever. He had to make sure Harry knew. He opened his mouth to speak, but his eloquent speech would have to wait. His throat was dry and it was hard to speak. Foregoing all notions of speeches Ron instead managed to croak out "No".
Harry and Hermione turned around. Both wore matching expressions of surprise.
"RON! You're awake!" Hermione quickly flung herself on to her best friend. Her death grip was quickly crushing Ron's ribs and he couldn't breathe, but it felt good and he hugged her back with as much ferocity.
Hermione pulled back and looked at her best friend. He was smiling at her. She had missed that smile.
Ron noticed Harry standing off to the side. He was happy that his best friends had been reunited after five years.
Ron opened his mouth to say something but instead he began to cough. Harry handed him a glass of water. He helped him sit up and gently tipped the glass so that Ron could drink.
It was a relief as Ron felt the water saturate his vocal chords. He had to talk to Harry.
"Mione, I couldn't be happier to see you but-"
"It's okay. I'll leave you two alone. I'll let everyone know you're awake"
"Who's here anyway?" Ron asked
"Your family, myself, Blake and two men by the name of Marcus and Kevin"
Ron smiled. "Let them know we'll only be a moment"
Hermione nodded and began to walk out of the room when Ron called her back.
"Mione"
"Yeah?"
"Percy says that he loves you and he is glad that you are making a new life for yourself"
Hermione smiled. A happy smile. She knew that Percy would have been happy with her choices.
"Thank you"
Ron turned and looked at Harry.
"This is it" Harry thought "He's going to kick me out of his life forever"
"Ron I-"
Ron brought a finger to Harry's lips. "Shh, it's my turn to talk"
Harry nodded and scooted behind Ron so that Ron was lying with his back on Harry's chest. Ron took Harry's arms and wrapped them around him, interlacing their fingers.
Harry could not believe how tender Ron was being, not after everything.
"Do you remember the first time we met?"
"Of course, how could I forget it?" Harry smiled at the memory.
"I remember getting on the train that day and being so scared and so panic stricken. My brothers went with their friends and I was left all alone. I was so paralyzed by my fear that I didn't think I was going to be able to walk back to the last compartment of the train, but I did and there you were. My whole life had been so chaotic up to that point. My house was always in chaos, and my life had been turned upside down when I crossed the barrier at Platfrom 9 ¾ but I stepped into your compartment and not only was I relieved, but for the first time in my life the turmoil stopped. Peace washed over me and I was happier than I had ever been. When I thought you died that same fear, panic and turmoil took over again and I did everything I possibly could to get that peace back in my life but I never could. You are my peace Harry. You are my heart and my soul. You are everything that is good and pure in my life"
"Ron, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." Harry could feel the tears starting to run down his face again.
Ron tightened his grip on Harry's hands. "I know you didn't. I think we've both done a lot of things we didn't mean, but that's over now Harry. Starting now we are going to start the week over the right way-if you want to that is"
Harry tightened his arms around Ron and gently kissed the top of his head. "I'd love to"
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm ready to see my family now"
Harry nodded and left to bring the Weasleys back to Ron's room.
**The Hospital**
Harry was in a haze. He had completely lost it when the doctor had told him about Ron. He had lost so much blood that the odds of him surviving were slim. Ron's blood type was rare and he needed a transfusion immediately. The doctor informed Harry that they were frantically searching, but there options were running out and Ron was running out of time.
"Harry, here drink this" Blake said, holding out a cup of coffee to him.
"No thanks. I need to see him! Why won't they let me go back there?"
"Harry-"
"No! Blake, I have to be with him right now! I need him to know that I didn't mean any of those horrible things I said! I was so wrong, so horribly wrong. I have single handedly destroyed the one person that I love more than life itself. If he dies-God, I can't even think about it"
"When will Hermione and his family be here?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. I just hope it's not too late-" Harry's voice cracked and sobs soon shook his body again.
"Shh, Harry. He'll make it."
"I hope you're right"
"Mr. Potter?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Dr. Murdock, I'm Mr. Weasley's attending physician"
"What happened to Dr. Sales?"
"He was called away, I have taken over his treatment now"
"When can I see him?"
"I'll take you back there now if you like"
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Is he doing any better?'
"I'll explain everything when we are with Mr. Weasley"
"Alright" Harry followed Dr. Murdock back to Ron's room.
There were machines and tubes all around Ron. He was still deathly pale, and his brilliant red hair was dull.
Harry almost lost it again seeing the man he loved. He looked like a corpse. As if all the life had drained from his body. "I did this to him, not once, but twice" Harry thought to himself.
Dr. Murdock turned to Harry and spoke.
"Mr. Potter, I have a confession to make. I am not a member of the staff here. I am a member of the staff at St. Mungos. Mr. Weasley's father arranged for me to obtain an emergency apparation pass so that I could come here and treat him. I have used an assortment of healing charms, and if I am correct Mr. Weasley is going to come of out this"
Harry stared in shock at the doctor. He could have kissed him he was so happy. Ron was going to make it. He wasn't going to die.
"I-I don't know what to say. Thank Dr. Murdock"
Dr. Murdock nodded his head. "I was more than happy to oblige Mr. Potter. The Weasley family has suffered far too much, so has Ron, and so have you. The heroes of our world deserve a happy ending"
"I'm not a hero Dr. Murdock. I am a horrible man."
Dr. Murdock looked at Harry. His eyes were full of sympathy and sadness. Dr. Murdock knew that Harry was feeling guilty and that if he didn't snap out of it his guilt was going to eat away at him and inflict even more pain on the people he was more than happy to help.
"Do not underestimate yourself Mr. Potter. I'll leave you alone with Ron now. His family will be here tomorrow"
Harry nodded and turned his attention to Ron. He took a seat in the chair next to his bed and began to speak when he heard the soft click of the door closing.
"Ron, I know you can hear me. Please come back to me love. I am so horribly sorry. I didn't mean a word of what I said. I was angry and I know it's not an excuse, but please you have to come back. Even if you never speak to me again you have to come back, I would rather live in this world without you knowing that you are alive then live in a world where you are dead"
Harry's voice began to crack as a fresh wave of tears streamed down his face. "God, Ron you have to come back to me. I swear to you I will do whatever it take to make amends"
Harry gently took Ron's hand in his and began a silent vigil where the only sound heard was the machine monitoring Ron's heartbeat.
**Ron's POV**
Ron was surrounded by infinite warmth. The sun was shining and he was seated on a rock near the lake at Hogwarts. A feeling of peace settled around him and he sighed. "How on earth did I get here?" He thought to himself.
"Ron?"
Ron turned around and saw a site that shocked him.
"Percy?!? You're dead!"
Ron then remembered what had happened. The feeling of peace left him and the sun that had bathed him in its warmth disappeared replaced by a dark and stormy sky. The wind blew viciously tousling Ron's hair. Ron suddenly found his voice again.
"Am I dead too Perce?"
His brother smiled at him and took a seat next to him on the rock. It had begun to rain and thunder around them but his brother seemed unaffected.
"No Ron you are not dead. It's not your time yet" Percy smiled at him. Ron could not understand how his brother retained such a sense of peace in the midst of the tumultuous weather.
"Bloody hell Percy! What is going on? How can you sit here in the midst of this storm and seem so fucking calm!??!"
"This is not my storm Ron, it's yours"
Ron looked at his brother baffled. He was speaking in the way Harry had said the centaurs spoke. Suddenly Ron's train of thoughts screeched to a halt.
"Harry-" he whispered softly.
Percy smiled at him. He leaned over and kissed his brother his forehead. "Find your peace Ron"
Percy got up and started to walk away. Ron panicked.
"Percy! Wait!" His brother slowly turned around. The storm was more fierce but his brother was still perfectly calm.
"Yes?"
"How do I know where my peace lies?"
"You've always known Ron. You've known it since you were a child. Think Ron, remember the first time in your life you felt completely at peace. Oh, and please don't try to join us again anytime soon, we'll all be together someday. Tell Hermione I love her and that I am glad she is making a life for herself"
Percy soon disappeared from Ron's sight. Ron was overcome with a feeling of absolute panic. He was desperately alone. There was no one there to help him. He was all by himself. He hadn't felt like this since he had ridden the Hogwarts express for the first time. His heart was beating quickly and he felt as though everyone had abandoned him. God, he had hated feeling that way. He had been so overcome with panic and grief then that he didn't think he could make the walk to the compartment at the back of the train. But he had made the walk and in that compartment he had found Harry, his Harry. He remembered the sense of relief that had washed over him at finding Harry. He had grown up in a house where he was never granted a moment's peace. He had gone from that house to the train, and in the compartment of that train he had found Harry, and a sense of peace had washed over him.
Ron was pulled from his thoughts as he noticed the sun was shining once again. The storm had ceased, and the environment was as calm as it had been earlier. Realization dawned on Ron. Peace, Harry was his peace.
"PERCY YOU STUPID GIT WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TELL ME!?!" Ron shouted.
Soon the scenery started to fade and Ron plunged into blackness once more.
**Back At The Hospital**
"Harry?"
Harry was startled. He had fallen asleep at Ron's bedside. He turned and saw his best friend standing beside him.
"Mione, oh God Mione-" Harry's voice cracked and he began to cry. He felt his friend's arms encircle him. She whispered soothing and comforting words but they did nothing to ease the ache in Harry's chest.
"Shhh, Harry. Ron's going to be fine"
"This is all my fault Hermione. He's lying in that bed because of me!"
"Harry, what happened?" Hermione pulled a chair over and sat beside her two best friends. This was not how she had pictured their reunion at all. First, there was the whole issue of Ron being unconscious and secondly it was supposed to be a happy occasion.
Harry took a deep breath and recounted everything that had transpired since he had arrived in San Francisco. Hermione listened intently. A heavy ache settled into her heart. She could not believe all of the suffering that her best friends had been through. The angry words, the jealousy, these were never things that she had never imagined would come into play with Ron and Harry's relationship. They were a perfect fit. True love. They were soul mates, and every other syrupy cliché that bad muggle romance novels had coined over the years.
Hermione knew that Harry was ashamed. He felt guilty and responsible for what Ron had done.
"Harry you have to concentrate on fixing things. There is no more room for guilt and blame. Look where it has brought you so far"
"How can I not blame myself? I will never forgive myself for this Hermione"
"Dammit Harry! Listen to me! The three of us deserve some fucking happiness. The Weasleys deserve some happiness. No more darkness Harry! No more fucking darkness!"
Harry was taken aback. Hermione never swore.
"Mione-"
"I mean it Harry! NO MORE! Ron is going to wake up and you are going to straighten things out. You have to! You've both been miserable for five years! Stop trying to be a hero and atone for everything! You're only human Harry, just accept it!"
"He tried to kill himself because I told him I hated him! I told him I could never love a common whore!"
"Yes, you did say those things. You regret them. Explain it to him. Then, be happy!"
"What if he wakes up and hates me?!?!? I'm sure the Weasleys hate me! I have no idea how I am going to face them!"
"Ron could never hate you! He loves you Harry! You're like a son to the Weasleys! They could never hate you either!"
Unbeknownst to the arguing best friends a pair of blue eyes had fluttered open and was listening intently to their argument. Ron's heart broke when he heard Harry speak. He loved Harry. He didn't want to be without him. He could never hate him, not ever. He had to make sure Harry knew. He opened his mouth to speak, but his eloquent speech would have to wait. His throat was dry and it was hard to speak. Foregoing all notions of speeches Ron instead managed to croak out "No".
Harry and Hermione turned around. Both wore matching expressions of surprise.
"RON! You're awake!" Hermione quickly flung herself on to her best friend. Her death grip was quickly crushing Ron's ribs and he couldn't breathe, but it felt good and he hugged her back with as much ferocity.
Hermione pulled back and looked at her best friend. He was smiling at her. She had missed that smile.
Ron noticed Harry standing off to the side. He was happy that his best friends had been reunited after five years.
Ron opened his mouth to say something but instead he began to cough. Harry handed him a glass of water. He helped him sit up and gently tipped the glass so that Ron could drink.
It was a relief as Ron felt the water saturate his vocal chords. He had to talk to Harry.
"Mione, I couldn't be happier to see you but-"
"It's okay. I'll leave you two alone. I'll let everyone know you're awake"
"Who's here anyway?" Ron asked
"Your family, myself, Blake and two men by the name of Marcus and Kevin"
Ron smiled. "Let them know we'll only be a moment"
Hermione nodded and began to walk out of the room when Ron called her back.
"Mione"
"Yeah?"
"Percy says that he loves you and he is glad that you are making a new life for yourself"
Hermione smiled. A happy smile. She knew that Percy would have been happy with her choices.
"Thank you"
Ron turned and looked at Harry.
"This is it" Harry thought "He's going to kick me out of his life forever"
"Ron I-"
Ron brought a finger to Harry's lips. "Shh, it's my turn to talk"
Harry nodded and scooted behind Ron so that Ron was lying with his back on Harry's chest. Ron took Harry's arms and wrapped them around him, interlacing their fingers.
Harry could not believe how tender Ron was being, not after everything.
"Do you remember the first time we met?"
"Of course, how could I forget it?" Harry smiled at the memory.
"I remember getting on the train that day and being so scared and so panic stricken. My brothers went with their friends and I was left all alone. I was so paralyzed by my fear that I didn't think I was going to be able to walk back to the last compartment of the train, but I did and there you were. My whole life had been so chaotic up to that point. My house was always in chaos, and my life had been turned upside down when I crossed the barrier at Platfrom 9 ¾ but I stepped into your compartment and not only was I relieved, but for the first time in my life the turmoil stopped. Peace washed over me and I was happier than I had ever been. When I thought you died that same fear, panic and turmoil took over again and I did everything I possibly could to get that peace back in my life but I never could. You are my peace Harry. You are my heart and my soul. You are everything that is good and pure in my life"
"Ron, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." Harry could feel the tears starting to run down his face again.
Ron tightened his grip on Harry's hands. "I know you didn't. I think we've both done a lot of things we didn't mean, but that's over now Harry. Starting now we are going to start the week over the right way-if you want to that is"
Harry tightened his arms around Ron and gently kissed the top of his head. "I'd love to"
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm ready to see my family now"
Harry nodded and left to bring the Weasleys back to Ron's room.