A/N: Sorry about that long long wait……vacays, summer, you get the idea!! LOL, well, I'll get back to it now!! Brace yourselves though, your about to delve into something here!!

Thank you guys sooooooooo much for the reviews!!! You guys really like it!!! Yeah!!!!!

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Hermione's eyes had hardly blinked through breakfast. She couldn't think or talk to anyone. She was in her own world, but not by choice. Harry tried shaking her into consciousness a couple times, but didn't really success with that. So, he let her be for a bit, glancing over at her glum expression a couple times, but that was mostly it. Wood and Ron were the ones on her mind. What had mad her kiss Wood was unbeknownst to her. Probably loneliness or she was frightened, cause she knew she couldn't be 'in love' with him, she loved Ron. But, then, why hadn't she confessed.

It was all so confusing. Harry, her best friend other than Ron, didn't even know. And there was no one else to tell.

Hermione basically amused herself with her lumpy oatmeal, scooping it this way and that, but not taking her eyes off of it. Her eye wandered up to the head table where Professor Wood sat. His eyes met hers and winked, making her turn away.

And, it wasn't only Hermione who was depressed today, it seemed like a whole cloud of angst hung over the Gryffindor table. No one seemed too happy, the first Quidditch match of the season was coming and they had already lost one of their best players. Harry wasn't even too happy, despite his cheerfulness he seemed to display to Hermione, but maybe that was to cheer her up.

Not only was his best friend that he had known since his first year at Hogwarts was dying, but he still didn't know who Professor Potter was. Yeah, so he had had a couple of classes with him. The only thing he might recognize was his uncanny resemblance to Harry himself; jet black hair, emerald green eyes, the whole lot. He even seemed to favor Harry quite the bit. Volunteering him for things, asking him questions, trying to sneak in talking time after class. Quite unusual.

Hermione sighed and finally pushed away her oatmeal and speaking for the first time since last night, literally.

"Harry, I'm off to the library," Hermione quietly said, turning on her heal and pulling her books into her stomach.

"Wait, Hermione!" Harry hopped up after her, but she quickened her pace, and still Harry kept with her. "Hermione, your best friend is dying and you're off to the library. It seemed like yesterday you wanted nothing more than to be locked up with Ron, holding his hand and wishing him not to die. What's wrong with you today?"

Hermione didn't answer. She didn't know if she could.

"Is there something wrong? You have to tell me, Hermione, even if it does involve Ron,"

She hesitated and opened her mouth to speak, but at that last moment, she didn't. Instead, she turned again and sped off leaving Harry glaring at her.

* * *

Hermione did go to the hospital wing. She didn't know why she did, but her gut told her that maybe Ron didn't have much time left. A long three hours and couple skipped classes helped her see that maybe there was more to life than books and secrets. Ron wouldn't have to know, he could die happy and think his girlfriend was honest and faithful.

She forcefully puched the door open and walked over to Ron's bed.

"Hello, Ron," a tear crept down her cheek as she looked at his pale skin. He was losing blood, fast, and soon wouldn't be here. He opened his lively brown eyes that were growing dull. A smile spread wide across his face as his hand outstretched, waiting for hers.

"Hello, Hermione," he huffed.

"How are you doing?" She took his hand, setting her books on his night table and sitting on the side of his bed.

"Great, you?"

"Alright, I guess," Her mumbled reply compared to his enthusiastic one sounded like she was the one dying, but I guess she really was, only not her body, her soul. His reply hurt her, how could he be so happy even though he knows he's dying?"

"How was flying? Did you have fun? Potions? Did professor Snape get made at Neville again? Did he melt another pot?" Hermione lightly smiled, more and more tears crept down her cheek.

"Flying was fine. You know the usual with potions…." her voice trailed off as Oliver returned to her mind.

"Right…….Hermione, something wrong?"

"Ron, oh, it's just……..nothing….." She paused and took her hand away from him to wipe her pouring tears. She hadn't planned on continuing, but she did. "Ron! It's not fair! They're wizards! Can't they do anything for you!?! Make some potion or something?! I know Professor Snape must have something!! Remember first year?!? He can put a stopper in death!!" She yelled furiously and threw her books onto the floor.

"Wizards can't do everything, and really, I'm okay," He mumbled as she took his hand again. "Hermione?" She looked on him compassionately. "I love you,"

Hermione bit her lip, she wanted to tell about Oliver so bad, before it was too late, but she couldn't. "I love you too, Ron," She leaned down and embraced him, the most compassionate hug she had ever given him was topped by that last one.

Silence filled the air as she pulled back. Now, there was nothing to say, which made it awkward, cause Ron looked at her as if he knew there was something he wanted her to say.

"Hermione? Is Harry coming? I thought it'd be cool if we talked about Quidditch. I'm dying to know who he's appointing on the team this year. Wouldn't it be wicked if he picked Ginny? She's got some skill and…….and…." Ron started breathing slower, he tried gasping for air, but it only made each breath become more shallow. Hermione squeezed his hand pulled him to sit. Her eyes jolted from her head, mortified.

"Ron? RON? Breath! Please, breath!" Hermione desperately demanded through her strain of tears. And slowly, they grew almost normal again, she dipped his head back onto the pillow and let go of his back. She straightened his sheets and smiled at him with a blotchy face.

"Hermione…….y-you know I'm not much of a book reader, but I found something in one of Ginny's books that I was saving to read to you one day. I guess now is as good a time as any," He picked up this green and yellow book that was tossed onto the floor. The cover was ripped, but she could see the title, something about a goddess falling in love with a mortal. "Death cannot stop true love, it only delays it awhile," Hermione drew breath and looked away from Ron. "What do you think?"

"I think…….Ron, there's something I have to tell you. Ron, I k--------" She stumbled over words. "I kissed professor Wood," She looked back at him, expecting pain and anger to fill his face, but nothing did, he was motionless…..emotionless. Almost like he had……

"Ron?" Hermione shook him violently. "Ron?" He didn't answer. He couldn't. He was dead.

* * *

Hermione locked herself in moaning myrtle's bathroom that whole evening. Hadn't come to one class all day. Pain and hurt filled her eyes. Ron was gone….Ron was gone and she hadn't had the chance to tell him. She pulled her legs tight up towards her stomach and bent her head down. Tears still edged her eyes.

The door swung open with a creak. Hermione stopped crying to listen. Something was going on. No one ever came in that bathroom anymore, well, except Filch, but that was purely for cleaning purposes and that was in the midnight hour. It was only 8:15. She got onto the floor and watched feet walk towards her stall. Her head peered up as she now faced Professor Lupin in the face.

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*Sniff Sniff* Oh, how I cried when he died!!! So sorry Ron fans!!! I really had no choice!!! Well, review and I'll update!! Sorry it was a little shorter. And sorry bout Ron being slightly outta character!!! Kinda tuff, but I think I stayed at least along the lines!!