Ron could not believe his eyes as he walked up to Dumbledore. "Is it over? Did we just win?"
Dumbledore was so distracted by what he had just seen, Ron's voice didn't register immediately. "Oh, Mr. Weasley. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Hagrid and Mr. Malfoy."
"Why?"
"I need to get Miss Granger and Mr. Potter to the hospital wing immediately. I'll send help once I get there. And be on your guard. There may well be some Death Eaters lurking about just yet," Dumbledore instructed as he made his way toward Hermione. He gathered her in his arms and then walked over to Harry's body, Ron in tow.
Ron had not even noticed Harry fall. "What happened?"
"A sort of backlash I suspect. You will do as I have asked?"
"Yeah," Ron said distractedly. It seemed odd, him being the only one of the trio still standing after the war with Voldemort. It should have been Harry or Hermione, not him. He watched silently as Dumbledore cast a levitation spell on Harry and walked back toward the castle. It was several minutes before Ron turned back to the spot where Hagrid and Draco lay. He sat down gingerly. All the muscles in his body ached, and he would not be surprised if something was broken.
"Ooh," moaned a voice nearby. It was Hagrid. "What happened here?"
"Hagrid, you're okay!"
"I'm all righ'. A little sore, but nothin' tha' can't be mended. Now tell me, Ronald Weasley, wha' happened."
"Harry beat Voldemort. At least, I think he did. See that pile of ash?" he asked, pointing to the spot where Voldemort's remains were. "That's what's left of Voldemort."
Ron and Hagrid sat in silence for a while attempting to process the night's events before Professor Flitwick came running up to them.
"Dumbledore sent me to get you," said the short professor, placing a levitation charm on Draco. "How are you? Able to walk on your own?"
"I think so," said Ron. "Sure hope so," was Hagrid's response.
"This'll be all of you then, well, except . . ." he trailed off.
"Except who, Professor?" Ron asked.
"I wasn't suppose to say, but Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey are not back yet from Hogsmeade with Professor Snape."
"Oh," Hagrid replied.
Ron was a bit more vocal. "I hope nothing bad has happened. I can't take much more."
Flitwick moved them along back to the castle in a hurry. In the hospital wing, Ron saw Hermione shudder from another aftershock, and Harry was a deathly shade of gray. He was worried about his friends, but Dumbledore gave him a couple potions and instructed him to rest. Hagrid was treated for minor wounds and was allowed back to his hut. Draco was still unconscious, but his wounds had been treated. Dumbledore informed Ron that Draco had sustained a broken arm and leg, extensive bruising, and a concussion. At least his prognosis was good: no internal injuries or brain damage.
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Ron woke in the hospital. Nothing ached, but he was a little stiff as he rolled out of bed. Harry and Hermione did not appear to have improved at all. Harry's skin still maintained the grayish sheen from the night before. Ron was very worried for his friends. Another spasm shuddered through Hermione's body. Ron hadn't realized the after effects would still be coursing through her system. "Poor Hermione. What did you do to deserve this? Loving Snape was surely never this great an offense." He smiled sadly at the irony of what he had just said. Two days ago he would have thought that. "It's funny how situations can change so quickly, how the world can change so quickly," he mused
He was about to leave (Dumbledore told him he could in the morning) when he heard a loud moan from a nearby bed. He went to investigate. Ron poked his head through the curtains around the bed.
"Hey, Ron," Draco greeted him quietly.
"Hi, Draco. How are you feeling?"
"Like I was in the middle of a stampede of unruly Quidditch observers." At least he was joking around. That had to be a good sign. "How about you?"
"A few aches and pains, but nothing major. I'm sorry I couldn't help you more, but if there's anything I can do now . . ." Ron trailed off.
"You could tell me what happened. I remember my father capturing us and taking me aside, but beyond that, I don't know. He beat me pretty well, and everything went black after a few minutes."
Ron did his best to explain what happened. He only knew so much and Dumbledore had not told him a lot. "It all just happened so fast. I couldn't believe it was over. It's not really. Harry and Hermione are still fighting the battle and no one has seen Pomfrey, Snape, or McGonagall since dinner last night."
Draco processed all he was told before speaking again. He had to ask the question that was bothering him. "So, my father got away then?"
"Yeah. When Voldemort became a charred mess, the Death Eaters who were still around all fled. That was when he stopped kicking you. To be honest, I'm surprised you're up right now." Draco smiled weakly. He was exhausted, and his whole body ached. He was afraid to move lest something was not right. "I should let you get your rest. You look like you could use it," Ron finished.
"Thanks. You'll visit again?"
"Of course. Someone has to keep you company. I wouldn't want to be left alone, so I don't want you to be either."
"I appreciate that."
They said goodbye and Ron left. He was not sure where to go, but breakfast would be a start. 'Might as well brave the world,' he thought.
End Part 10
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A/N: Sorry about the cliffhangers. It just takes me awhile to get to some of this stuff. Shorter chapter, I know. Please be patient. Oh, and review too! I like presents.