Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: Thanks again Matea! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my stories and to review them like you do. Also, thanks to all my reviewers! Y'all are definitely the KEWLEST! And, if you have already started reading this story I HAVE ADDED A PARAGRAPH TO THE END OF LAST CHAPTER! Just so ya know!

"Hermione…" Ron said once again after totally giving up on sleep. Ron took in a deep breath and slowly continued. "I just wish I knew if you could hear me or not… When you were petrified it was pretty obvious you couldn't… but now… it's hard to tell…" Ron felt himself begin to break down again and desperately reached out for Hermione's hand for support.

Ron took her hand very awkwardly in his, for the straps at her wrists were quite unrelenting. He tried to intertwine his fingers with hers, but to no avail. Ron grew frustrated at the straps, he was already under a ton of stress and he couldn't even hold Hermione's hand without something getting in his way. Unwilling to give up, he unbuckled the wrist strap and comfortably held her hand in his.

"I know this is all my fault… So when you wake up, you don't have to bother yelling at me…" Ron said with a sigh, wishing she was awake so much that he wouldn't mind being yelled at.

Was he apologizing? Hermione wasn't sure. She had never heard a real apology from Ron. All she knew was that she wanted to hear him out.

"I… never really explained the whole ordeal at the Dursley's… I did say I was sorry for it, but I really think an explanation is in order." Ron said. He gazed remorsefully at Hermione's face as the clear plastic-breathing machine over her mouth and nose fogged and unfogged with her steady breath. Ron proceeded to tell Hermione all about how Harry did want to invite her over, Harry just wanted to invite him over as well. "So, I'm really sorry I made you feel unwanted… it nearly broke my heart with that look you gave me and Harry before you left the Dursley's… you are very wanted Hermione… and don't you ever think any different."

Now that was an apology if Hermione had ever heard one. Ron seemed so full of emotion, so sincere. She couldn't give up! She had too much to live for, to many adventures ahead. Maybe even romance awaited her in the future… a romance with Ron perhaps? Well, she knew she loved Ron, loved him as a friend, more than that, she couldn't say, but she definitely wanted to find out. So, once again, she fought.

A nurse then walked into the room, wand in hand. "Young man, could you please back-" She started to say to Ron, but Hermione once again began to shake terribly. Ron held to her hand, firmly, but gently at the same time. Then, just as suddenly as Hermione had begun shaking, she stopped. And Ron was quite certain that not only was he holding her hand, but she was now holding his as well. Hermione's fingers had curled around his own and tears were now streaming down her cheeks.

"Is she awake, Ron?" Harry, who by now had awoken, asked. Ron however was to busy staring at Hermione to even realize that Harry was awake.

"Hermione?" Ron said giving her hand a comforting squeeze. "Can you hear me?" Hermione's eyes opened less than a crack. She saw Ron smile and tears roll down his cheek. Hermione tried to nod her response, only to find something holding her head back. She then tried to say yes, but could barely talk and the voice she had was muffled by the oxygen machine. Completely confused she tried to move any part of her body, finding herself completely bound. However, Hermione was very weak and was soon exhausted from the slight strain.

Harry and Ron threw their arms around the now conscious Hermione. Hermione smiled up at them. The nurse ran out of the room and shortly came back dragging Dr. Branch behind her. The doctor flicked his wand and Hermione's straps released her and disappeared, along with the breathing machine and many wires.

"How are you feeling Miss Granger?" Dr. Branch asked. "Do you feel sick? Any pain?" Hermione strained to get her answer out.

"I'm okay. I feel dizzy, and sore, and weak, and my head is buzzing, but the majority of the pain is gone." She managed to get out in barely a whisper.

The nurse then brought a small vial up to Hermione. "Here, drink this." She said uncorking the bottle and holding it out to Hermione.

"How are my parents?" Hermione asked, ignoring the potion.

"They are still in a comma, they have stopped fighting the curse, the ministry is looking for a counter curse as we speak." Dr. Branch said while pointing at the beds next to her. Wearily Hermione turned her head to see her parents, and tears ran down her face when she saw them.

"Dear," the nurse said, "you need to take this now."

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"A strengthening potion, it will make you stronger, less sore, and less weary. Here, drink it all down." The nurse said holding the potion out to her. Hermione tried to reach for it, but her arm gave out half way and collapsed onto the bed. Ron took the vial from the nurse and turned towards Hermione with it.

"Here, I'll help you." Ron said as he put the vial up to her lips and helped her drink it down. Soon Hermione's eyes were shut again and she drifted into a deep sleep.

"What happened to her?! Is she okay?!" Ron burst out turning towards the doctor.

"She'll be fine lad. She has just been put into a deep sleep, when she wakes up she will feel much better, though still not even close to one- hundred percent." Dr. Branch said.

"Will she be able to leave the hospital tomorrow?" Ron asked hopeful.

"I'm sure she will, but she will have to get plenty of rest and she can't participate in any strenuous activities." Said Dr. Branch. "But don't worry about that now, I will discuss it with your mother when she gets here later. You boys get some rest." And with that he and the nurse left the room. Harry and Ron felt it much easier to relax now, though Ron still didn't get much sleep, he was to happy to sleep. Hermione was okay, it was like music to his ears.

A/N: Sorry it was so short, I sortta rushed writing it… please review though! It would make my day if you did!