Disclaimer: If you recognize anything, it belongs to someone else. I own nothing. If I did, I'd be in Paris right now.

Summary: Harry and Hermione are in love, engaged and ready for action. They've made it past their personal troubles, but what does life have in store for them once they leave school?

A/N: Hello everyone!! I hope you are all excited about Chapter 7!! Will Harry realize that Hermione isn't dead in time? Will there be some extremely dramatic scene shamelessly stolen from Romeo and Juliet?? Read on and find out . . .

~*~*~*~ Recovery ~*~*~*~

"My God, Harry . . . Is she . . . did she . . . I mean . . ." Ron tore his attention away from Lavender for a moment to see if Hermione was okay and was horrified at what he saw. Hermione lay completely limp in Harry's arms and her chest wasn't moving in the slightest.

"Oh My God!! Hermione!!" Lavender leapt from Ron's arms to kneel by Hermione's side, followed closely by Ron. Harry barely heard either of them; he was incapable to hearing anything right now. He was incapable of doing anything right now. He hardly registered his surroundings: the dark room, the broken glass everywhere, the putrid smell of spilt potion.

"Wait . . . The potion." Harry said to himself, under his breath.

"What?" Ron asked.

"The potion! Lav, what was that? Did he say? Did you hear? Was it poison?" Harry pelted her with questions. He couldn't help but think that if Lavender had overheard what Hermione was poisoned with that someone at the Ministry could come up with the antidote.

"No, they only talked in the other room. I . . . oh, I'm sorry, Harry. They never - " But no one got to hear what the kidnappers never did, because at that moment Hermione's chest rose as she gasped for air. Harry reached for her wrist and felt his heart swim with relief as he felt her pulse, strong as ever.

"Oh thank God!" Harry breathed out.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered, cracking open her eyes with obvious effort. "Honey, are you there?" Her voice was weak, but she was alive and that was more than enough for Harry.

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart." Harry gently kissed Hermione's temple while her eyes struggled to stay open. "Stay with me, Hermione. Please, honey, stay with me." Harry pulled Hermione even closer to him.

"Okay. I will if you will." Hermione managed, bringing a smile to Harry's face.

"Deal." Harry said, just as the Healer Apparated into the room.

"Miss Granger?" He asked.

"Right here!" Harry called out. The Healer rushed over while Harry helped Hermione into a sitting position. Harry supported Hermione while the Healer preformed a number of tests and cast a few charms in order to discover the nature of Hermione's poison. After several unbearable minutes, the Healer spoke up.

"Was the poison thick and dark?" He asked, directing the question at anyone who could answer it.

"Yes! It was like bubbling tar, or something." Lavender spoke up immediately. To everyone's surprise, the Healer smiled.

"It is the Lebender Tod Draught. It makes someone look and act dead, but only lasts for a short period of time. She'll be just fine. All she needs is a little rest." Harry, Ron and Lavender all broke into enormous smiles.

"I'll be okay?" Hermione murmured.

"You'll be just fine, sweetheart." Hermione answered, kissing her temple once again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Honey? Can I leave the bed? I can't just sit here all day! I haven't left this bed in three days! Please, let me take a walk or something? I'll love you forever!!" Hermione pleaded with Harry. He had been very strict about making Hermione rest since they returned from The Incident (as they had taken to calling it). Harry looked at his fiancé with pity.

"I'm sorry, love, but you need to rest. You need to get better!!"

"I'm better, Harry!! I've been reading about the potion." Hermione gestured to a pile of books on her bedside table. "It only lasts for half an hour!! It's been three days, plus a half an hour, since I took it. Really, Harry, I need some form of exercise! It isn't healthy for someone to stay in bed for - "

"You want exercise, sweetie? No need to get out of bed. I'll bring the exercise to you!" Harry grinned as he climbed into bed.

"Why, Mr. Potter, whatever are you implying?" Hermione said through a wide smile.

"I don't know, Mrs. Potter, you tell me." Harry lay down next to Hermione and pulled her into a passionate kiss. I could say more, but it wouldn't be polite.

~*~*~*~ Two Months Later ~*~*~*~

Hermione sat in the Lounge's squashy armchairs having tea with some of the Manor's guests. Every day at two o'clock she set out tea and crumpets or cake, courtesy of Jacques, so that guests could relax, chat, read or simply enjoy Jacques' amazing pastries. In the short period the Manor, as the four friends and their regular weekenders had taken to call it, had been in operation it had become extremely popular. There was rarely a time when all three of their rentable rooms hadn't been full. Jacques cooking was very popular, and he, Ron and Hermione worked together seamlessly to create a comfortable living environment.

Ron joined Hermione about halfway through the tea hour, as was his custom. He usually played Quiddich or other outdoor games with the children staying at the Manor who wanted to run around while their parents relaxed in the lounge. Hermione smiled at Ron over Mrs. Gaskin's shoulder and took a bite of her scone before continuing her conversation.

"Do the scones taste different to you today, Mrs. Gaskin?" Hermione asked. She didn't expect her to say yes; Hermione couldn't say why, but her favorite foods were all tasting oddly recently. She figured it was because she had been feeling off-color recently, but thought she should ask nonetheless.

"No, dear, I don't think so." Mrs. Gaskin took another bite of her scone. "No, they taste just like usual. Hermione, I'm worried about you. You've been looking tired recently." Mrs. Gaskin often stayed at the Manor, because her son lived in a flat near by and she liked to visit frequently. "Why don't you see a Healer? What if it has something to with - "

"I'm sure it doesn't." Hermione uncharacteristically interrupted; she didn't like to talk about The Incident. "But I think I will go see a Healer sometime tomorrow, I just haven't felt like myself lately." Mrs. Gaskin nodded sympathetically.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Has Hermione gotten home yet?" Harry asked Ron as soon as he got home from work the next day. Hermione had gone to see a Healer that afternoon, which Harry definitely thought was a good thing. He was concerned that she had been looking ill lately and worried that it might be a residual effect of the poison.

"No, she's due any minute though." Ron answered, putting the Daily Profit down on the kitchen table. "Don't look so worried, mate. I'm sure she's just fine." Ron said bracingly.

"Yeah, you're probably right. It's just . . . I don't know what I would do if she's not. When I thought she had . . . you know, I was completely lost, it was like I was suddenly . . . incomplete. I felt to alone." There was a short silence; Ron wasn't sure what to say.

"Harry . . . Hermione's going to be fine. But, even if she's not . . . well . . . Lav and I will always be there. You won't be alone. Ever."

"Thanks, mate." Harry said, just as the back door swung open and Hermione walked in.

"Mione! Are you okay? Is everything alright? Is it . . . you know?" Harry bombarded her with questions before she even got her coat off.

"No, it's not that." Hermione answered warily.

"What's wrong, honey? Is it just a bug?" Harry's look of concern, which had momentarily abated, was back again.

"No, not a bug. It's . . ." Hermione fell off, not sure quite how to put what she needed to say in words.

A/N: HA!! I'm evil, I know. If I get some reviews I might just tell you what Hermione has!! So please review!! Just click the Submit Review button. It's down and to the left. No, down a bit more. Good, just a little more to the left. Perfect!!