Disclaimer: Don't own. Please don't sue. Remember, this is SLASH (male/male relationships).

Scarlet Pain

Chapter Eight

Hermione and Ron cuddled together on the couch in the Gryffindor common room, conversing quietly with one another. It was late in the afternoon and the seventh year Gryffindors had a couple of free hours before dinner. Surprisingly enough, Hermione had decided that today they wouldn't spend every spare minute in the library. Besides, there were at least three weeks before their next major exam, and she wanted to talk to Ron privately. As expected, Harry had disappeared up to his room after half an hour "to take a much needed nap." His friends silently agreed; even the glamours weren't completely hiding the harsh signs of his exhaustion. Dark circles under his eyes and drooping shoulders were only a part of it.

"Have you noticed a change in him in the past few days?"

"Not really, why?"

"I don't know, but he's been acting less… something. And I think he's getting quieter."

"Maybe Madam Pomfrey has been talking to him?"

"Maybe." There was a long silence as the two of them stared into the fireplace.

"Hermione, I know this may not seem like the best time, and I'll totally understand if you say no. I mean, we've only been dating for a few months now, and considering the whole Dark Lord war thing so it may not even be an issue – "

"Ron, just ask." The redhead shifted nervously.

"Wouldyoubewillingtomoveinwithmeaftergraduation?"

"What?"

"I said: Would you be willing to move in with me after graduation?" There was a shocked pause before Hermione flung herself at the youngest Weasley son.

"I'd love to!"

"Oh thank Merlin." Ron gave an almost comical sigh of relief and returned Hermione's hug enthusiastically.

"Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!" They both smiled at each other. For the rest of the time before dinner the stayed cuddled next to each other, lost in thought with almost sickeningly cute grins on their faces.

Harry stumbled into the Great Hall, late for dinner, and slid tiredly in next to his two friends.

"You okay there mate?"

"Yeah, thanks Ron." He looked up, slightly bleary-eyed, at his friend and noticed that the redhead was grinning from ear to ear. Even Hermione had an excited smile plastered onto her face. "Spill," he said bluntly.

"We're moving in together after graduation." Harry allowed himself to smile, for their sake.

"That's great you guys!" He managed to sound convincingly excited for them, even if on the inside he felt somewhat left out. He angrily pushed his selfish thoughts aside. He probably wouldn't survive until after graduation anyways.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Hermione asked him, intuitively picking up on his somber mood.

"No, I'm not that hungry. I think my detention with Snape has destroyed whatever appetite I may have." Before they could respond, he shoved his still clean plate aside and left. The two other Gryffindors looked after him worriedly.

"You know Ron, I think we should have a talk with our Potions Professor."

"WHAT?" The Gryffindor table suddenly went silent and Hermione elbowed him harshly and hissed at him to be quiet. "Are you off your rocker 'Mione?" he hissed back. "Why in the name of all that his sacred should we talk to that greasy bastard?"

"Not here Ron." Hermione got up quickly and dragged Ron out of the Great Hall with her. Soon enough the redhead found himself shoved into an empty classroom.

"Ron, we have to tell him to lay off on the intimidation with Harry."

"Right, and he'll be so compliant, especially if we say please."

"Leave the sarcasm to Malfoy, it doesn't suit you. And I'm serious."

"I am too! Are you nuts? Snape hates Harry. Do you honestly think he'll do anything with whatever information we tell him, other than use it against Harry? Merlin, Hermione, even you should realize that!" Ron knew the minute he said those words that it had been the wrong thing to say.

"And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm sorry love, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. It's just that, you see how Snape treats him. Can't you see that he'll only sneer at us and maybe deduct points for some trumped up reason, then turn around and humiliate Harry in front of the whole school!"

"How do you know, maybe he won't." But even to her own ears, Hermione didn't sound convinced. She sighed. "We need to figure out something. Did you see how he was last night after his detention? I was surprised he even made it back he was shivering so hard."

"I know, and he disappeared last night, literally. He took his father's cloak and went out, though I'm not sure where. I only noticed he was gone when I got up to use the bathroom."

"What would happen if he had a panic attack in the middle of detention?" Ron's eyes widened, the prospect hadn't occurred to him before.

"Oh bloody hell."

"Exactly my point. If you think Snape is going to be horrible with whatever information we give him, then how do you think he'll act if Harry freaks out on him?"

"Oh bloody hell."

"You're being redundant." There was a pause then Hermione's eyes brightened. "What if we told Madam Pomfrey to talk to him? She said she was going to help, and Snape is more likely to listen to her than to us anyways." Ron nodded slowly, thinking it over in his head.

"I think," he said after a bit. "I think we should go find Pomfrey right now, and pray that Harry's detention tonight goes smoothly."

With that the two Gryffindors left in search of their resident Medi-Witch.

TBC