Chapter 6

Ron's heart hammered inside his chest. He gripped his wand tighter making his knuckles go white.

"W-w-who are you l-l-l-looking for?" Mrs. Dursley's voice quivered.

"We got a call saying there was a band of dangerous robbers holding a family hostage at this address," the rough voice spoke.

"Um," Mrs. Dursley's voice went from scared to angry. "No, there isn't anyone here holding me hostage, or my family for that matter. I'm, sorry to bother you officer but I'm pretty sure I know who was behind this phone call. I'll deal with him myself."

There was silence for a minute. "Alright, you let whoever it was know that prank calls are against the law and next time that he does it he'll get fined."

"I will. Thank you sir. Bye." Mrs. Dursley shut the door.

The next thing Ron knew, his hands were pressed against his ears, trying to silence the horrible noise he was hearing. At first he couldn't quite place it but then he realized what it was.

Mrs. Dursley was shouting at the top of her lungs marching upstairs, taking the noise with her. Ron let out a sigh of relief and uncovered his ears. He notices Fred close his eyes once more and George lie down.

"Ron, Hermione, you guys o.k.?" Harry asked from his seat on the couch. He had finally let go of Ginny, who has rested her head on his lap and closed her eyes the instant the threat was over.

Ron spoke but only in his head. He couldn't open his mouth. He wasn't quite sure what would happen if he did. All his feelings were still caught up in his throat and he wasn't ready to spill them all out.

Hermione glanced sadly over at Ron. Then she turned back to Harry. "I'm o.k. Harry. You can go back to sleep. We'll be fine."

Harry locked eyes with Ron for a moment. Ron could tell Harry was trying to get through to Ron, get Ron to say something, but Ron couldn't. Not yet. With no reply, Harry nodded in Hermione's direction and rested his head back, he too closing his eyes.

"Ron?" Ron was taken off guard as Hermione whispered to him. Mrs. Dursley's shouting was somewhere off in the distance. "Ron? Please. Talk to me," he could hear that she was crying as she spoke. With all his will power he turned to look at her. Her eyes were puffy and red, tears flowing like an open faucet. He looked into her eyes. "Ron, I know you can hear me, please. Talk to me. Say anything, I just need to know your o.k."

After a couple of minutes, Hermione turned over, facing her back to Ron, and went to back to sleep. Tears silently flowed down Ron's face. He was such a bastard. Everyone must hate him now. He watched Hermione's breathing become steady.

"Why can't I just tell her?" he thought. "She's trying so hard and all you can do is ignore her."

After Ron was absolutely sure Hermione was asleep, he slowly lay down beside her. He wrapped his arm around her and rested his head on hers.

"I love you Hermione," he whispered very quietly. She didn't move. He sighed and closed his eyes. Everything around him went silent.