Chapter seven – Recovery

Ron's POV

I stared in disbelief at the card. I knew who it was from. It was from- "Ron?" a small voice asked. I turned around and looked at Hermione who was beginning to open her eyes. "Hermione" I breathed gently. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" I asked. "Surprisingly tired still" she replied.

Hermione turned and noticed the flowers next to her bed. "Who are they from?" she asked. "No idea, there was no card" I replied, scrunching up the card and pushing it into my robes pocket. "Ok, what happened? The last thing I remember was falling off my broom after the Bludger hit me, my vision was blurring afterwards before I passed out" Hermione said. I took a seat next to her bed and stared into her eyes.

"Well, I grabbed your hands and pulled you onto my broom and brought you to the ground before you passed out" I said. "You saved my life" Hermione said, smiling. She suddenly gave me a tight hug and I embraced her warmness. Even in my pure bliss, I felt a wave of guilt flow over me. I couldn't tell her the truth, not yet anyway. It would ruin everything and the same problem would arise again. There was no way I would let that happen.

No ones POV

A few days later, Hermione was miles better and her and Ron left the hospital wing to return to their normal lessons. By now it was Wednesday so they made their way to Defence against the dark arts.

Professor Sapphira was teaching them about Chimaera's. They were too dangerous to bring to the lesson so they were reading about them out of a book.

"Woah, look at that thing!" Ron said to Hermione and Harry as they stared at the picture of the Chimaera. The Chimaera had the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a dragon. "Now, can anyone tell me the extent of the Chimaera's dangerousness?" Professor Sapphira asked.

Hermione's hand shot up but she hadn't realised it was the one attached to Ron's, so his hand shot up too. "Yes Mr Weasley" Sapphira asked. Ron turned pale and quickly scanned the page. "Um, it is vicious and bloodthirsty. The only wizard who managed to kill one fell off of his flying horse and died" Ron said.

"Well done Mr Weasley! Ten points to Gryffindor" Sapphira said. Hermione and Harry smiled at him and Hermione muttered an apology. "Don't worry about it 'Mione, it got us house points didn't it?" Ron replied.

Hermione's POV

I was quite surprised that Ron answered so well because normally he'd barely answer at all. Unfortunately, Potions is next and I've been dreading it all morning. I'm worried what Malfoy will say about my injury, it was his fault after all.

The three of us walked down to the dungeons and entered Snape's cold classroom. We took our seats at the back and took out our books and waited upon his arrival. A few minutes later, Draco Malfoy entered and saw me. Oh dear, here we go!

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Granger! Feeling much better are we? You had a nasty fall didn't you? I shudder to think what would have happened if Weasel hadn't been there to rescue you" Malfoy said sarcastically. I just sat there glaring at him but decided to answer back.

"I do wonder Draco whether my accident would have occurred if you hadn't been so bitter about Harry catching the Snitch when it was so close to being in your grasp. I wonder what your daddy said about that" I said, smirking.

Malfoy lunged at me but Ron stood up protectively in front of me holding out his wand. "Don't you dare" he snarled. "Be careful Weasley, we don't want you to end up burping slugs again do we?" Malfoy retorted. Ron raised his wand but a sound was heard and he sat down quickly.

Malfoy raised his eyebrows at him and sat in his own seat. Seconds later, Professor Snape entered his classroom. I sighed with relief, if he had come in seconds earlier, Ron would have been in a lot of trouble. It would have been my own fault because he was protecting me. Why was he protecting me?

Harry's POV

Mine and Ginny's plan is working wonderfully. Ron and Hermione are friends again and Ron is already defending her. I couldn't help wondering if there was more to his defending and saving Hermione than meets the eye. He'd never admit to any feelings for her of course but I do wonder.

I talked to Sirius again today, he's looking healthier now and he has even had a hair cut! His hair is just covering his ears and he looks a little bit like he did when he was my age. Except his hair doesn't fall into his eyes so much and is slightly darker and not as elegant as it once was.

I can't wait until I can go and stay with him. For once, I'm not dreading the end of the year. I still have to be with the Dursleys but only for one week, which is a plus in my books. I'd better go down to dinner now; I said I'd meet Ginny there.

I don't know why I never noticed before how beautiful she is. Maybe it was because I only saw her as Ron's little sister but she is no longer nine going on ten like when I first saw her, she is now fifteen and is growing up very nicely.

"Hi Harry" Ginny said when I walked over to the Gryffindor table. "I saved you a seat" she added. I sat down next to her and piled food onto my plate. "How's your morning been?" I asked her nicely. "It's been ok. Charms was fun, Colin is such a laugh" Ginny said, smiling.

I felt as thought my heart was in my throat. "Oh…" I managed to get out. Colin's a laugh is he? I bet she likes him, she used to like me but I've missed my chance now. "Are you ok Harry?" Ginny asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm just tired" I replied. I wasn't going to give up Ginny without a fight though; if only she liked me back then maybe I'd stand a chance. "I'm going to bed" I said, finishing my meal. "Ok, night" Ginny said. "Night" I replied and I did something I shouldn't have. I kissed her softly on the cheek and hurried out of the Great Hall blushing a good shade of red.

Hermione's POV

After dinner, Ron and I decided to go to sleep. I wasn't really very tired at the moment as I got a lot of sleep in the hospital wing. I let Ron get dressed first and I did the same afterwards. Ron laid on his back on his own bed and I looked at the floor.

His clothes were scattered everywhere. What a slob! I picked up his uniform, folded it and put it under his bed. I picked up his robes but something fell out of one of the pockets. I picked it up and noticed it was scrunched up. I smoothed it out and was startled that it was addressed to me. I read the message and knew what Ron had done and that I would be 'speaking' to him about it very soon.

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A/N: Hey! What did you think? Please review!