Chapter 4...
Ron stayed with Hermione nearly the whole time she was in the hospital wing and only left to shower once. Teachers excused him from lessons for the special circumstances and Harry visited anytime he wasn't busy with class, homework, or Quidditch.
It was just like old times, Ron and Hermione, best friends again.
Two days before Hermione was going to be allowed to return to her own dorm and to classes, Ron sat in the ward playing cards and laughing with her, knowing that Madame Pomfrey wouldn't let him sleep in the hospital wing again tonight. Hermione looked out of the corner of her eye and saw pale skin and blonde hair walking toward her. She gasped involuntarily, but pretended not to see him. Ron, still being very protective of her, jumped to her side when she gasped to make sure she was okay.
"No I'm fine. It's nothing." Ron eyed her suspiciously and sat back down. Just then, he felt a cold, pointy finger tap him on the shoulder. Hermione, who could only see the back of Ron's head, could see his ears get instantly red. He eyed Draco with a look of fury.
"Why are you here, Malfoy?" Ron spoke through pursed lips.
"What? I can't come and see my injured girlfriend in the hospital wing? I think it's time for you to leave, Weasley. I want to be alone with Hermione. Go and make yourself useful and fetch me some water." Ron's face was red with rage and he looked at Hermione for what to say. She shook her head with a look of abject terror frozen on her face. Please Ron, don't leave me with him, she thought to herself. As though he had heard what she had thought, he nodded his head and said to Malfoy, "You will never be alone with her again! I can't believe you have a nerve to come back here and call her your girlfriend! She doesn't want you anymore! She wants...she...you almost killed her Malfoy! And the only reason you aren't on your way back home is because you are head boy and I didn't tell what I saw! I have the power to get you expelled, Malfoy, I have the power now! So don't come near her, don't talk to her, and don't you dare call her your girlfriend!" Ron exploded.
"Oh, why not Weasley? You think she wants you now? Why would she choose a poor, ugly, piece of garbage like you when she could have me? Weasley, I definitely think you are aiming a bit too high. Hermione will never want you, so quit dreaming." Malfoy shot back.
"I...I didn't say she'd want me. I don't think of her like that Malfoy; she's my best friend! And there is no way she's going back with you now!" Ron retorted. Hermione's face fell at the sound of this. He doesn't think of me like that? Okay... well, I guess I never really thought of him like that either... We are best friends, nothing more... Nothing more. Tears involuntarily began to fill her eyes again.
"Okay, fine Weasley, I'll leave now. But be careful what you say to me, you may have the power over my expulsion, but I think you forget who exactly is a frequent visitor at Malfoy Mansion. Do you think he'd ever turn down a person to kill? No, so watch what you say because compared to the power I have, you have nothing." Malfoy raised his eyebrows at the last word and he stomped out of the ward. Ron geared his eyes toward Hermione and they met with an understanding stare.