Driven

"What the hell -" Ron sputtered.

Hermione quickly regained her composure once a bit of the shock wore off, and pushed Draco away from her, trying to put a scowl on her face.

"What're you doing, Malfoy?" she spat. "Your pathetic attempt to curse me never works, you know that!"

Malfoy's face went from dumbfounded to rage. It was contorted with red and purple, and he was stuttering words at her, but seemed to have no luck. Finally, he closed his eyes, took an intake of his breath, and walked out without a word.

Hermione glanced at Ron, who was looking at her with furious curiosity. "You know how he is," she said nervously. "He was walking down the hallway and he just cursed me out of nowhere."

Ron broke into a timid, smile. "Are you alright?"

"I am better than alright, Ron! You're okay again!" she said excitedly, wrapping her arms around him. Harry peered at her from his shoulder, questions shining in his eyes. She gave him a 'later' look, before concentrating all her energy on Ron, placing her lips on his. It was like coming home again. The sweet, unwashed taste of him made her feel dazed and giddy, his tongue going across her lips, his hand placed lightly on her hip. When they pulled away, it seemed as if life was freezing. His brown eyes were boring into her own brown ones, a perfect match. His cheeks were flushed, and so was hers, and she looked down at her feet, feeling his touch still lingering on her waist. She had never felt so happy before. The taste of him was so familiar - she could not ever stand to forget it. How long had she suffered without his presence around her? He was so sweet, kind, and gentle, and extremely infuriating, the thing she most loved about him. Loved about him...?

"What happened, do you remember anything about who did it?" Harry interrupted. Hermione glared at him.

"No, that's the weird thing. I don't remember at all. Maybe I drank something I shouldn't have," Ron answered, shrugging it off.

"Well, never mind that..." Hermione said, grinning at him. "You need to get your rest, you've had a very complex ordeal."

"He's had enough rest," said Harry, rolling his eyes. "He's been asleep for nearly a week, 'Mione."

Ron and Harry both laughed at her while she folded her arms across her chest, glaring at both of them.

"Hey, we can play Qudditch tomorrow, if you want. Practice...the next match is in three weeks..."

"Oh, then I'll have to practice again...I think I've gotten much worse," Ron said, his face burning.

"Boys," Hermione murmured. "Ron, I am going to tell Professor Dumbledore you're awake."

"Won't you get in trouble?"

"Don't worry about it, Harry, make sure to tell Madame Pomfrey about Ron, alright?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the jet-black haired friend.

"Alright, alright," he promised, turning back to Ron, and starting to talk again. Hermione exited the hospital wing, sighing as she closed the door behind her. What had happened? She had completely lost control - it was a good thing she thought fast, or else Ron would've found out. Why was this happening to her? Her heart was beating faintly in her chest, thumping excitement ringing in her ears. This wasn't how this was supposed to be - everything was a mess, everything. She had been saving herself for Ron - what would he say if he ever found out? He was likely to find out, of course once they 'did it'.

"Still here, Granger?" a voice drawled from the darkness. Hermione jumped.

"Who's there?" she asked, looking around frantically.

No answer.

"Hello?" she called, but still only darkness met her eyes. She began to walk away toward Dumbledore's office before something grabbed a hold of her waist, and a sharp blow reached her neck.

***

"You should've waken me!" Madame Pomfrey looked furious with them and herself. She gave them both a deadly glare, as if to say 'I'll get you back for this', and began fluffing Ron's pillows, giving him motherly perspectives on what potion would most likely revive his weak and delicate state ("I am not delicate!" he had argued), and promptly told Harry to go away.

"But, Madame Pomfrey," Harry insisted, looking up at her.

"This isn't going to work," Madame Pomfrey warned.

"But...I haven't seen Ron in a week! He's my best friend," he said, and didn't dare blink, and let tears well up in his eyes.

"Oh, alright!" Madame Pomfrey snapped. "But just for a few minutes."

"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," Harry cooed innocently. When she was gone, both he and Ron burst out laughing.

"How'd you do that?" Ron barked through his uncontrollable mirth.

"Didn't blink...tears always come when I concentrate and don't blink..."

"It's good to be awake again, with you and Hermione and stuff," Ron admitted, shyly sinking into his pillows.

"Yeah it is," Harry said, pausing. There was a complete silence. Then, Harry said, "Ron? I have to tell you something about that week...see, I took the Polyjuice Potion and...Ron? Ron?"

He looked back, but Ron was already asleep, his deep breaths filling the room.

Harry sighed. He couldn't let the guilt drown him; it was sinking him inside. He wanted to tell Ron so badly and be forgiven; sure he couldn't help his love for Hermione, but that didn't mean he wasn't allowed to move on. The dreaded feeling had come, the jealousy had risen, the envy when Hermione had fallen inside the wing, Malfoy on top of her...he knew something was going out, something that didn't fit right. But he couldn't figure out what. And the look that Hermione gave Ron after they had kissed - Harry had seen that look - it must've been the look Harry always gave her. It was the look of pure love, something that couldn't be broken, no matter how many times it was shaken.

***

"Think of Weasley, that's right, Granger, think of Weasley," a snarling voice demanded. She struggled in his grip, but closed her eyes, envisioning Ron through the pain he was causing her. She could feel liquid come from her wrists, knowing it was blood. How could anybody have been so hateful, so evil?

She opened her eyes, picturing Ron. Draco's face looked back down at her, and she screamed, yelling Ron's name pathetically.

"That's right, Ron Weasley..."

Draco sank the wand right into her chest, and she could feel her heartbeat stop for a second, Ron's face rushing through her mind.

"Oblivito Incantatem!" he yelled.

Something went out of her heart, something into his grasp...a pinkish air released from her chest as she screamed louder, and he trickled the dust in his hands...and let it go.

It was gone, into the air, floating.

Whatever it was.

It was still gone.

She smiled, dazed, feeling as if she had died.

As if she had died. He leaned foward, and clutched the middle of her chest.

"This ..." he whispered, making circular motions with one finger. "Is mine."

"It's yours," she whispered back, before dozing off in the darkness.

***

Thanks for everyone for reviewing, except "Klen" or whatever your name is (I don't need to be familiar with it, your not worth that). I would appreciate a critique, Klen, or even a flame, but it makes me very angry that you say this story 'sucks' because Draco and Hermione are together for a few scenes. Did I not have equal portions of romance with Harry and Hermione? Why don't you write a happily-ever-boringass story with no obstacles at all, and I'll "review" it. :)

Remember to review, everyone,

Love,

-Court