A/N: Summer is finally here so I'll be able to update more often. I know some of you are upset at how long it's taking for Harry and Hermione to get together, but I'm sure most of you have realized that I enjoy the journey in a romance. But you can read for yourself that things are finally beginning to turn around in favor of H/Hr.

Please, also keep in mind that the characters are not in character to the traditional Harry Potter characters. I know that Harry would never be such an ass and Hermione wouldn't be that bitchy, but if it weren't for these intense personality traits, we would not have a story. Please Review!

Chapter Ten: A Weekend by the Lake

Hermione and Ron had stopped by the Burrow earlier but had found it empty. A note was left for them by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley explaining they were already out at the lake and they should go and check in at the lodge.

"How do you do?" the man at the check-in desk greeted them.

"How do you do," Ron replied as he signed the guest book.

The man examined Ron's signature, "Oh, Mr. Weasley, I have a message for you from your parents," he informed him, "They're on our excursion trip on the lake. They won't be back until later tonight.

"I see, thank you." Ron replied as he passed the pen to Hermione, "Um, what floor are we on?"

"Your rooms are not in the lodge," the man told them.

Ron looked up surprised, "I thought they were."

"They were changed to one of the cabins."

"That's funny," he replied, pondering what had happened.

"I'm sure you'll find that very satisfactory," the man winked, "There's more privacy, and a great deal of people prefer that."

Ron blushed, "Well how far is it from here?"

"It's only half a mile. There's a carriage outside waiting."

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"Hmmmm...clean fresh air!" Hermione exclaimed in elation as she and Ron made their way to the lodge by the lake, "I love the smell of the air by the lake. Reminds me of Hogwarts."

The carriage pulled up by the row of cabins just on top of the hill. Hermione excitedly stepped out and started taking in the view.

Ron handed the driver a sickle, "There you are."

"Thanks, governor," the driver said, "Remember, we're in an anti-apparating zone, so just wave your wand out here and the carriage will arrive within a few minutes to take you to the lodge."

"That will be fine," Ron replied.

"The carriage service will be discontinued after 10:00 at night. We try to make this a real retreat," he added before driving off.

"Well, I say we should get settled before lunch," Ron suggested, reaching for one of the bags. He looked over at Hermione whose expression had turn into an intense stare that was directed behind him. He turned around curiously. Witnessing the sight before him, his mouth dropped open. "Why, it's Harry," he uttered.

Harry was standing by the cabin across from theirs. His body was completely covered in dirt. The robe he was wearing had been torn. His tongue was hanging out slightly as beads of sweat trickled down his face. He had been staring at them with a frozen, pathetic expression.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, glaring at him.

In response, Harry leaned forward and fell flat on his face. Hermione's expression changed into one of concern as she and Ron dashed over to him and crouched down. She grabbed Harry, now unconscious, on the shoulder and turned him over.

"Oh! He's fainted," Hermione cried, distressed.

"What happened to him?" Ron asked.

She studied Harry's face as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"He's terribly ill!" she said anxiously.

Ron reached for Harry's jugular, "He's got quite an even pulse."

"Well, don't let him just lie here!" Hermione, almost to the point of hysterics, started pulling up on Harry's arm, "Help me carry him inside!"

Ron grabbed a hold on Harry's legs. They picked him up, as if he was a piece of furniture and carried him into their cabin. Upon entering the bedroom, they carefully swung him onto the bed.

"He doesn't seem to be breathing, Ron," Hermione observed fretfully.

"Now don't worry Mione, control yourself," he replied calmly, unclasping Harry's robe.

"His body temperature is boiling! He's exhausted!" Hermione brushed Harry's forehead gently.

Ron stuffed a pillow underneath Harry's head, "Well, he's breathing fine now."

"Maybe he ought to have a little firewhiskey," she suggested.

Ron shook his head, "I'm afraid not. I think that's what did it."

"Yes, I can see he's been at it all week," Hermione observed sorrowfully.

"I think a few hours sleep will bring him around," he told her.

"Well, we better get these sweaty clothes off of him then," Hermione said as she started untying Harry's shoelaces.

Ron pulled his friend's torso upright from the bed to remove the tattered robe. Harry's body remained limp with no effort of support. Ron held on to his shoulder as he unbuttoned the collar.

To Ron's surprise, Harry began muttering, stretching out each syllable, "We will go away on the first two weeks of summer...The first two weeks of summer...summer,"

Hermione stopped abruptly from what she was doing to listen.

"What's he saying?" Ron asked.

"We were supposed to come here on the first two weeks of summer," Hermione explained.

"You'll be crazy about it Mione...Mione," Harry continued slurring.

An astronomical wave of guilt swept through her as she keenly observed the state in which her husband was in, "He must have been here this whole week torturing himself. He shouldn't have come here." Hermione, now on the verge of tears, turned back to work on his shoes.

"Sailing...fishing...lots of fun...have lots..." Harry rambled on.

"Lets get him out of these clothes," she said frustrated, trying to keep her mind away.

Ron tugged on Harry's sleeves.

"Look out! Look out!" Harry called out, "Be careful. You'll fall."

Ron looked at Hermione confusingly.

She gave a weak smile, "He thinks we're sailing." Finally, Hermione was able to pull off one of Harry's shoes.

"You're very graceful Mione," Harry uttered with his eyes closed, "But don't go so fast the next time, I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Ron finally managed to take Harry's shirt off and lay him back down onto the bed. "Look out! Look out for that boat!" Harry exclaimed just before his head hits the pillow.

"Hermione, you better go back to the lodge now for some help and book another cabin," Ron instructed, "I have to undress him anyways."

Hermione reluctantly left Harry's side and made her way to the door, "I'll be back really soon," she called back into the room.

"The first two weeks of summer...summer," she heard Harry mumbled as she left the cabin.

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"Maybe you should take a little walk around the lake," Ron suggested, "You'll feel better."

Hermione and Ron were sitting in the living room of their cabin. Hermione had been spending almost every moment over at Harry's cabin taking care of him. Although quite concern with his friend's well being, Ron could not help but feel a bit of jealousy and disappointment.

"He'll get delirious again and want water," Hermione pointed out.

"Oh, he's sleeping like a baby," Ron pleaded, "There's nothing we can do for him now."

She looked at him anxiously as if she didn't hear a word he had said, "I think I'll look once more," she exclaimed as she got up from the couch.

Ron, defeated, followed her into Harry's cabin just across from theirs.

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Meanwhile, Harry had been flipping through pages of Quidditch Through The Ages in bed. Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly threw his book under the covers, leaned back and closed his eyes just as Hermione and Ron tiptoed into his room. They leaned from opposite sides of the bed to inspect him.

"He's asleep," Hermione whispered.

"Arrgheegarrrummm," Harry mumbled softly.

"He's trying to say something," she observed.

"Theeeefirsttwoweekkkkssssofsummereerrrummg," Harry continued.

Ron looked over at Hermione, "What's he saying?"

"Well he's still at the first two weeks of summer," she replied. Just then, Harry's eyes began to open slightly.

Hermione beamed at him, "Hello Harry," she said.

Harry's eyes moved from Hermione to Ron.

"Hi there, mate," Ron greeted with a small smile.

"Hello Mione," Harry replied weakly.

Ron's face fell, "My, he is in bad shape."

"Don't you remember me? Try and think Harry!" Hermione patted him gently on the arm, "Its Hermione, Mione!"

Harry's expression remained still.

"This is Ron," Ron pointed to himself, "Your old school chum."

Harry looked back and forth from one another. His eyes lingered back onto Ron, "I'll never forget you in that blue dress."

"That's the dress I wore the very first time I went out with him," Hermione explained in a cheerful tone, "The one I told you about, the one he tore? He liked me in that," she smiled at the wisp of nostalgia.

An unexplained uneasiness swept over Ron, "I think we ought to let him rest awhile," he said casually.

At this moment, Harry lets out a short gurgling sound.

"What's the matter?" Hermione, alerted, "That isn't a rattle is it?"

"Well, I don't think so," Ron leaned closer, "I would sure like to hear it again."

As if on cue, Harry made the faintly gurgling noise louder.

Ron chuckled, shaking his head, "No, he's just clearing his throat."

Hermione frowned, "He looks awful."

"He'll look better when he gets a shave," Ron assured her.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking," Hermione said. She pondered for a moment before abruptly walking out of the room leaving a perplexed Ron behind.

Thanks for reading! More soon!