Author's Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction based on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. No infringement of any copyright is intended and no profit is being made.

Chapter 8

Recovery and Romance

Harry's reflexes kicked in and he jumped in front of Ginny. The curse hit him solidly in the chest. The last thing he remembered before slipping into blackness was somebody screaming his name.

She held his hand all night. They had not left his side since he had been brought to St.Mungo's. Ron stayed with her until breakfast time before hunger drove him to the hospital restaurant.

She reached out and gently caressed his cheek. He looked so young and innocent.

"Wake up Harry. Please wake up. Don't leave me. I don't think I can live without you." she cried softly.

Harry heard an angelic voice calling out to him. He wanted to wake up but couldn't open his eyes. It felt like every single bone in his body was hurting. He mentally replayed the scene in the alley. Ginny…...Ginny was about to be attacked.

"Ginnnneee..." he groaned.

Hermione jumped back from the bed. He had called out her name in his sleep. Tears welled up in her eyes. She stood there for a minute before her practical side kicked in and she raced out of the room to find a healer.

Harry opened his eyes.

Ginny, Ron and Molly Weasley were standing by his bed.

"Look who's finally up. That was a long nap mate." said Ron with a huge smile on his face.

"I'm so sorry Harry. I was so stupid. I just froze. It's all my fault." said Ginny.

"Hey. Hey. That's my line. Don't worry about it. We all seem to be all right." said Harry as he glanced around the room.

"Wait a minute. Where's Hermione?"

"She decided to spend the rest of the summer with her parents. She left earlier today." said Ron quietly.

"Oh." was all Harry could say.

"What happened to the Deatheater's." asked Harry.

"Err…We were busy worrying about you and they managed to get away." said Ron.

"Now children. Let Harry get some rest. You can see him again tomorrow. Take care, Harry. We'll be back soon." said Molly Weasley as she dragged a reluctant Ron and Ginny out of the room.

Harry was still very tired and easily slipped into a dreamless sleep.

He awoke the next morning to find Prof.Dumbledore at his bedside reading a copy of the Quibbler.

"Professor. What are you doing here?" asked Harry.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing." said Dumbledore.

"I'm feeling much better today. Do you know what curse hit me?"

"Ahhhh. We're not completely sure but it was a very powerful dark curse. If it had reached its intended target Ms.Weasley may not have survived the attack."

"I don't understand. Why do I seem all right if it was such a dangerous curse?"

"Harry, the blood protection provided by your mother's sacrifice is still very strong. I believe it is that protection that saved your life." said Dumbledore.

"Professor, I'm sorry I left Mundungus and Tonks. Please don't punish them." said Harry.

"I had a chat with them last night. Mrs.Weasley had some very choice words for both of them. You should be more careful in the future Harry." sighed Dumbledore.

"I will, Professor. I will." promised Harry.

Ron and Ginny arrived later that morning and escorted Harry to the Burrow. Mrs.Weasley made him stay in his room for a week. Ron kept him company but he was extremely bored. The twins sent him a load of chocolate frogs but he was reluctant to eat them until they promised that they had not tampered with them.

Hermione sent a short note enquiring about his health. He wrote her a long letter but was unable to convey how much he missed her.

On his first trip out of his room he found a brooding Ron going through his photo album. He seemed to be looking at pictures of Hermione.

"You miss her.." started Harry.

"Yes. I didn't think it would be possible to miss someone so much. I think about her all the time. What am I going to do?" said Ron.

Harry knew exactly how he felt.

"Have you written to her?" asked Harry.

"Not yet. She sent me a letter asking me how you were doing. But that's it. She seems to be keeping busy."

They spent the better part of an hour sharing Hermione stories.

"I wish I could tell her how I felt." said Ron.

"Why don't you?" asked Harry.

"Are you crazy? When I think of telling her something important I end up talking gibberish."

They both sat there scratching their heads.

"You could write her a letter." said Harry finally.

"Hah! Me? With the emotional range of a teaspoon. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"You help me write it." said Ron

"You want me to help you write a love letter to Hermione?" asked Harry. He couldn't think of anything he wanted to do less.

"You're better with words and nobody knows her better than you." said Ron.

Harry knew this was one argument he could never win.

"How about this? You write a letter and I'll let you know if its all right." said Harry.

"Excellent. Hmmm… Dearest Hermione. Your eyes are like pies, your lips like chips, your hair like éclairs…"

"Stop...Please stop…" yelled Harry.

"What?" asked Ron.

"First. You're comparing her to food. Second. You have to tell her how you feel. Third. Eyes like pies?" said Harry.

"What's wrong with that? I love pies."

Harry sighed. This was not going to be easy.

"How do you usually address a letter to her?"

"Dear Hermione." Replied Ron.

"Let's begin there. Dear Hermione…."

Harry closed his eyes.

"It's been a week since I last saw you but it feels so much longer. I really miss you. I miss your smile. I miss your voice. I even miss studying with you. Above all I miss you being here with me. By now you may have guessed that my feelings for you have changed over the past few years. If this letter shocks you then please burn it and forget that I ever wrote it. Your friendship means the world to me."

"Not bad. I can use this. I still think I should use the pie line though." said Ron.

Harry opened his eyes. Ron had finished the letter and was looking for Pig. He sighed and tried to think of a happy thought. Unfortunately he couldn't think of any at that moment.

Hermione Granger was trying to study. Her parents had been overjoyed to see her again and wanted to take on holiday to Australia. She had to make up a story of extra homework to stay home. She stayed in her room all day and only ventured out for the occasional meal.

There was a knock on her door and her mom walked in.

"Hey sweety. You missed dinner again."

"I wasn't hungry." Said Hermione.

"Not hungry. So which one is it? Harry or Ron?" asked Mrs.Granger.

"What do you mean?" replied Hermione.

"I can see you not eating and you've been reading that same book for a week now. Something's wrong and I'm guessing it has something to do with your boy friends." said Mrs.Granger.

"Oh mum. I really like him but I think he likes someone else." said Hermione.

"It's Harry, isn't it?"

"How did you know?"

"It's the way you talk about him. How long have you liked him as more than a friend?"

"A long time. A really long time."

"And Ron?"

"Ron's great too but he doesn't understand me the way Harry does. He doesn't make me feel the way Harry does."

"Are you sure that Harry likes someone else?"

"He thinks of her in his dreams. Besides he's never shown any interest in me. In our fourth year he made it very clear that I was not his girlfriend." aid Hermione.

"I'm sorry honey. Maybe it's all for the best. You still have a lot of time to find the right boy. And Harry will still be your friend."

"Thanks mum."

There was a commotion at the window and Pig flew in and landed on her bed.

"Hi Pig. What do you have for me?"

She took the letter from the Weasley owl and opened it. It was in Ron's handwriting.

"Dear Hermione.

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