The Fall

The day was a icy snowy Winters day, Ron rolled over in his sleep and opened his eyes slightly, enough to glance out the window and see that it was still dark. His eyes turned to the clock which was situated near the Dormitory door. The clock had a picture of each of the boys faces and where they were at the moment - much like the clock he had at home - all the faces were pointed at 'In bed'. In the centre where all the hands connected was a small circle with the words, 'Way too early. Go back to sleep' spread across it. Ron shut his eyes tightly, since the clock was useless, he guessed the time was about 4.30am. Knowing he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, he hopped out of bed, grabbed his clothes for the day and headed for the shower.

The time was 5.15am by the time Ron was dressed in his black school robes with his hair still dripping wet he went to sit in front of the small fire. He sat down on his favourite armchair and closed his eyes. His eyes snapped open when he heard something collapse on the staircase leading down from the Girls Dormitories. He shot up but walked over as slow as he could, pulling out his wand at the same time, he could hear whimpering coming from the staircase. i Lumos /i he muttered and a small light shone at the end of his wand. Ron raised his arm high above his head so that the light was spread out, he squinted his eyes to see what was there, but then lowered his wand once he saw what it was and he walked over hurriedly to it.

Hermione was sitting on the bottom stair of the stairs, holding onto her right leg. Silent tears ran down her cheeks, as she struggled to get up. Her eyes were shut tightly, she had the feeling she was being watched.

'Go away' she muttered into the darkness attempting to get up again, but failing

'For Christ sake' she said aloud. Hermione opened her eyes again and saw someone walking toward her.

'Hermione...' She heard her name being called out by a familiar voice. A voice belonging to someone she desperately wanted.

'Ron, is that you?' she asked.

'Yeah it's me... Here let me help you' Ron said, bending down, putting his hands around her upper left arm and helping her to her feet. He walked her over to the couch sitting in front of the now roaring fire. He sat down next to her, and only just realised that she was in her jammies - a white singlet top and a pair of long blue flannelette bottoms - blushing very slightly, he turned his attention to her face, which was tear stained.

'Hows your leg, do u need to go to Madame Pomfrey?' he asked sympathetically, taking off his cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders. He saw her smile slightly as he wrapped it round her.

'No, I'm ok. No need to go see Madame Pomfrey, my leg is ok. I think I just pulled a muscle or something, thankyou though' she said staring at a blank spot on the carpet.

'What happened back there, I mean... How did you fall?'

'I don't know how I fell, one minute I was walking downstairs, and next I was falling. I think I may have just tripped over my feet, or probably one of Parvatis bloody fashion accessories. I keep finding them everywhere.'

Ron chuckled slightly. 'I can see that living with Parvatis girly fetishes are not rubbing off onto you.'

'Oh Merlin no!' Hermione exclaimed, 'I would scream bloody murder before I became a Pav Jnr.'

'Pav?' he smirked.

'Shut up, her names too long.'

'So is yours... Hermy.' Ron laughed, moving away from Hermione in case of painful consequences.

'...Ronnikins' she replied with a broad smile.

Ron shivered at the name, but then smiled himself,

'Ronnikins isn't shortening it... It's lengthening my name actually.' He stuck his tongue out and moved back to where he was originally sitting. 'Ah, the wonders of having a one syllable name.'' He stretched back, putting his arms behind his head and smirking.

'Smart arse' Hermione shot back, getting her arm and punching him lightly in the leg.

'Ouch...' she winced as she moved her leg accidentally.

Ron's smiled quickly vanished from his mouth, he moved off the lounge and to Hermione's leg. He looked up at her, she was looking down at her leg, frowning. Ron continued to look at Hermione until she looked up at him and into his eyes; her face was full of pain. Ron nodded and folded her pyjama bottoms up to her thigh very cautiously. His face dropped even more when he saw her leg. His mouth opened and his eyes wide. He looked quiet disturbed at the sight.

'Mione, you need to go to the Hospital Wing' he whispered. Hermione's knee was inflated, the skin around was black and blue. Her knee cap was in a completely different place. Ron knew this wasn't normal.

'Ron, I'm perfectly fine. Stop fussing over me, I'm a big girl' she said, slightly embarrassed that he was looking after her the way he was. Ron acted as if he didn't hear a word she just said. He stood up, took of his cloak, and then his white school shirt and vest, he threw them on the lounge next to Hermione. He just had his school pants and a white thermal on now. He took of his thermal, blushing slightly as he took it off. Hermione's eyes were glued to his chest. Oh dear Merlin she thought.

'Oh Lord.' she muttered to herself, not realising she said it out loud. Once she did realise, she cringed on the inside. Ron chuckled.

'Like what you see? It can be all yours if you want....' he said, smirking. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.

'As a matter of fact I do like what I see, and as for me wanting it... I'll be right' she laughed mischievously. Ron shook his head,

'Well, you don't know what your missing out on.' he added. Hermione opened her mouth but was stopped by Ron bending down slightly and wrapping his white thermal shirt around her knee to keep it steady, and then Ron threw her arm around his shoulder. One of his hands automatically went around her waist, and his other held on to her hand that was flopped over his shoulder. He picked her up and walked slowly, being careful not to hurt Hermione in any way.

'But Ron, you're going to freeze. Put me down and go get another top on now' Hermione pleaded. Ron shook his head and kept walking,

'No, you are more important at the moment. Me catching a bloody cold is nothing compared to your knee. Hermione blushed yet again at the fact that he thought that she was more important then his health. She blushed yet again.

'C'mon Hermione, lets go' he said walking towards the portrait door and down to the Hospital Wing.

Ron sat Hermione down on a random bed, after making her comfortable by putting a pillow under her leg, and pillows behind her back to support her. He went and knocked on Madame Pomfreys door, she came out in dark blue dressing gown.

'What is it Mr.Weasley?' she asked, rubbing her eyes and popping on her glasses. Now that she could see, she saw Hermione looking over in their direction clutching her leg. Madame Pomfrey fled over to her; her face was half an inch away from Hermione's leg. Hermione could hear her tut as she examined her knee cap.

'Oh dear, Miss Granger, may I ask how did this happen?' Madame Pomfrey asked after examining her leg and standing up straight.

'Oh, erm, I fell down the Girl Dormitory stairs' Hermione said shyly. Madame Pomfrey nodded her head then turned to Ron,

'I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Mr Weasley, I'm afraid. I need to fix up this young lady. Why don't you head up stairs and get some rest before everyone else wakes up and classes start. Oh, and dear? Putting a shirt on wouldn't hurt either.'

Ron ignored this last comment and looked at Hermione, her face was going white slowly and her eyes looked like they hadn't had any rest for at least a week. He then remembered where in Hogwarts they were, and knew that she would get all the rest she needed to look like the bright, beautiful Hermione he knew.I did I just say she was beautiful? Shrugging it off for now, he smiled weakly, 'I'll see you soon then, yeah?' Hermione smiled back at him and ushered him over. Once he walked over, she grabbed his hand and pulled him down so his face was equal with hers. She lent over and give him a very quick yet sweet kiss on the lips.

'Thanks Ron. I'll see you back in the Common Room ok?' And with that, Hermione gave him one quick smile and turned back to Madame Pomfrey. Ron turned his back and walked out of the Hospital Wing. He stopped at the door and took one last look at Hermione before shutting the door. He suddenly felt empty, alone, miserable. He couldn't explain it. Yet he felt so alive, cheerful and wanted at the same time. He touched his lips where Hermione kissed him. He smiled widely.Maybe I - Ron bit his lip and ran a hand through his hand,No, it's impossible. Forget it Ron. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the thoughts that were over crowding his brain and he walked back to the Common Room, thanking Merlin that there was no-one up at this time to see him without his shirt on.

Please Review I'm writing the second chapter at the moment. All reviews are welcome!

This is my first fanfic, so let me know what you think!

Cheers!!