Disclaimer: All belongs to J.K. Rowling. No copyright infringement intended.

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Chapter 5

Her skin tingled as a brisk breeze blew over her body. She gave a shudder and the arms entrapping her grew tighter. She new she should be frightened, but she wasn't. Her vision was blurred, but her eyes continued to squeeze to try and focus on the person above her. His mouth was moving slowly, but she still couldn't understand the words being spoken.

"moomunnmoomooo…mummsuummloomma…yuummou…sorrrmy…hium…ium…dumb…you….beautiful…will always love…you…love…you."

Hermione's head grew limp in Ron's arms as he continued to speak. Her mind was gone, but her heart was repeating those last two words she had heard coming out of his mouth.

"No…'Mione come back…come back," Ron pleaded, as he shook her.

Gazing up for a sign of relief, from across the lake Ron saw a blurry figure striding toward them.

"Hermione…oh please…don't be gone…please!"

The figure came into focus.

"Harry! Thank God! Help me take her inside…she needs to get to the hospital!" Ron yelped.

"What happened?" Harry gasped, supporting Hermione's head as Ron picked her off the ground. "I saw the flares."

"I smashed into her…she seemed to be trying to get my attention and I smashed into her and she fell off her broom. I'm such an idiot! None of this would have ever happened if I hadn't of given her a reason to leave me in the first place. It's my fault, Harry. If she dies, it's my fault entirely!"

"Ron…calm down…she's not going to…"

But Ron persisted, "I was so jealous. Why did I have to be so jealous? I knew she was just fooling around to aggravate me…that's what we do best, aggravate each other, right? But I went too far…she left…and now she'll never know how much I truly care because I never had the guts to tell her…well, not until it was too late."

"RON! Shut up and run!" Harry screamed, staring down at Hermione's mouth which was now dripping with blood.

Scrambling into the hospital wing, Ron laid Hermione on the stiff, white bed as Harry yelled for Madam Pomfrey. The nurse set out to work immediately, shutting Ron and Harry out of the wing.

Ron turned against the door as it shut in his face and hit his fist against it. Sliding down to the floor he began to sob. The sounds ricocheted down the hallway.

Harry, not expecting this from his friend, sat down beside Ron with his head in his hands. Harry wondered how he could help him. What could he say to comfort him? Ron had been a big support in his times of need; could he, Harry, do the same for Ron? Harry began to mumble to himself. Suddenly Ron spoke.

"You know, Harry, I always wondered why she even looked at me the way she did. I mean, why would she even consider liking me when she had you?"

Harry's eyes rolled to meet Ron's, giving him a quizzical and hurt look.

"I mean, you two, you are perfect for each other. That kiss proved it. I saw the way she was looking at you. She loves you, doesn't she! DOESN'T SHE, HARRY!" Ron spilled into tears as he screamed.

Harry was fuming. His teeth tightened, his face squished up, and his brain began to smolder. "NOW YOU LISTEN HERE RON! HERMIONE GRANGER LOVES YOU AND ONLY YOU! That kiss meant nothing. Look…LOOK…I have proof!"

Harry fudged around inside his pocket for an instant before drawing out a note. Shoving it in Ron's face, Ron began to read, slowly, letting every ounce of the note sink into his soul.

"She…she loved me. It says she loved me!" Ron exclaimed. He continued to mumble, "love me…love me," as Harry spoke.

"She sent that to me the night you arrived to teach. Ron, you have to believe me…that kiss was a tradition on New Years. That kiss was to infuriate you. You were right before about her. She was testing to see if you would get jealous. Would she do something like that if she didn't care?"

"And…she's 'not yet over this!' You know what that means, Harry! You know what that means!"

"Yes, I do, Ron!" Harry smiled.

"She has to wake up…she has to be okay!"