Secrets

Chapter Eighteen: Back to the Burrow

(Disclaimer: I own no HP titles except for my own and my plot…)

"He's going much better," Sybil Bowman, the Healer assigned to Ron, said as she walked Fred, George and I down the hall. "Showing signs of improvement like mouthing words and such… he hasn't fully gotten his voice back yet, but it shouldn't be much longer." I nodded and followed her. It had been three days since the incident with Draco and Harry, and I had a hard time telling Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore what had happened. Yes, no one was very happy with me, and Draco and I weren't allowed to see each other for a while, but at least Ron's getting better…

We entered Ron's room and I walked ahead of the twins to go and see him. He lay on the bed, his torso down covered with soft white sheets. He wasn't as pale anymore, and the color had returned to his skin. I could hear him breathing, and I could tell he knew we were there, but his eyes remained closed. I kneeled down next to him and Fred and George took the chair behind me, pulling them to my left and right. I took his hand in mine and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Ron?" I asked. His eyes opened slightly, then slowly shut, opening again.

"H-Hi." He whispered in a husky and hoarse voice.

I smiled calmly. "I brought Fred and George with me."

Ron nodded.

"Hey, Ronnie-kins. Miss ya at home." George said, a soft and kind look in his eyes. I smiled at how much he could care. I looked over at Fred, who was merely watching his brother, staying silent. I removed my hand from Ron's cheek and moved it over to his knee, giving it an affectionate rub.

"Fred," I said softly, so only him and I could hear. "You okay?" I seemed to have snapped him out of a trace, because he looked around for a second before gazing at me with glazed eyes.

"Yeah… just… just… I dunno, just m-missing Ron I guess…"

I hadn't looked at Fred in the same way ever since he admitted his liking to me. It was odd, though, wasn't it? To have you best friend's big brother have a crush on you? I'd always seen him as a class clown and a guy with an odd sense of humor, but now I might be looking at him as a boy- maybe even a boyfriend.

No! No, no, no! That's not right! I'm still with Draco, I guess… We haven't exactly talked in three days, which is a record for the both of us. Are we still allowed to date other people? But it'd be odd for Ron, having his best friend dating his big brother.

"He'll be okay in the end." I whispered. "I'll be right back." I said louder after feeling my stomach grumble. I walked out into the hallway and took a right.

I paid for a bottle of butterbeer and some Ton-Tongue Toffee and was on my way back when I bumped into Fred, sending me to the ground. (Yeah, I know my clumsiness is getting annoying…) Fred knelt down next to me and looked me in the eyes, his face inches from mine. Before I knew what was happening, I felt his lips on mine. He lightly licked my lips after minute, and, without thinking, I opened my mouth and his tongue darted inside my mouth. Realizing what exactly I was doing, I pulled back and got up, not looked at him in the eyes.

"Hermione, I'm sorry-"

"It's o-okay, i-it's my fault." I said, walking off briskly.

I know that what I just did was wrong- very wrong. Firstly, I love Draco very much, and just because we haven't spoken to one another in a while doesn't mean that I've lost all emotion and feelings for him. And secondly, I'm not sure if I can trust Fred. I mean, what if he turns out just like Harry? He could hurt me worse… and with being out of Hogwarts, he has more experience than I. Some part of me, deep, deep down inside me, wants to be with him. But, it's way, way down. He's my best friend's brother…

I entered Ron room again and sat next to George, plopping my head down on his knee. "I miss Ron," I said with a sigh. I opened my butterbeer and took a swig, offering it up to George, who had taken to running his fingers through my hair. He took a drink and passed it back to me. I put the lid back on and closed my eyes, thinking of what my life would be like without Ron. I'd have no friends- anyone to talk to. I'd be so lonely… I felt tears brimming down my eyes and a few glide down my cheeks.

Fred, who had walked in moments before, must've noticed, because he pulled me up and into his arms, holding me close to him. I tried to keep myself quiet and controlled… As if reading my mind, Fred said, "'Mione, you can let it out…" Without hesitation, I did. I sobbed into his chest and held onto him with everything in me. For the past three days, I've been so bored and lonely, and this was how it was going to be if Ron was gone. I've kept all of these emotions bottled up inside, and it felt way better to let them out. When I couldn't cry any longer, I pulled back with a tearstained face and looked up at Fred, who also had tears forming.

"Thanks…" I muttered, snuggling back up into his arms, finding them oddly comfortable.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ron started gasping for air loudly, his chest heaving up and down violently.

"Miss Bowman!" I yelled, panic pulsing through me. I broke from Fred's embrace and tore out of the room, looking for help. "Someone help! Help!" I cried, my voice echoing down the hallway. I heard rapid footsteps coming toward me and saw Sybil running. She went past me and into the room. She took one look at Ron and went into a closet, and came out with a bowl full off a blue steaming liquid. Sybil dipped her fingers in, wincing from the heat, and sprinkled drop of it around Ron's chest after depriving him of his shirt. After a few moments, Ron's breathing became normal and he rolled over onto his side. I let out a sigh and fell into Fred's arms again.

XxX

When Dumbledore decided to send me back to school, I was very reluctant to go. I wanted to stay with Ron and Fred and George, because I immensely enjoyed their company. I really didn't want to go back because people will be monitoring me and where I go and what I do and whom I talk to. Even though Harry did this, almost everyone except Dumbledore and Fred and George think it's my fault for luring Ron into it. I didn't ask him to come or fight for me. All I asked was for someone to confide in. But, let people believe what they want; I know what's true.

When I went back, I arrived about midnight on a school night, so I went straight to bed. When I awoke the next morning, I dressed and exited the common room quickly, wanting to avoid all questions and comments. I headed for my home away from home- the library. I strode in and went to the darkest corner and pulled out a book from a bag- 'A Witch's Guide to Muggles and Their World.' About halfway through, I heard footsteps approaching. I marked my place in my book, packed up my things and quickly walked away from my table, going as far away from the steps as possible. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder and an other one cupped over my mouth, muffling my surprised yelp. The person behind me pulled me back towards my dark corner and released me. I whirled around to see Blaise Zabini standing behind me, looking rather melancholy.

"Blaise? What do you want?" I asked, putting a hand to my beating heart, trying to calm it down.

"I'm not Blaise, I'm Draco." Blaise –Draco tapped himself on the head with his wand and Blaise's appearance changed to Draco's. He quickly changed it back. "I really wanted to talk to you."

"I wanted to ask you something, too, but you can go first." I said, taking a seat at a nearby table. Draco/Blaise sat across from me.

"I know and believe what happened last week was Harry fault, not yours." He said, standing a book up and pretended to be reading. "And you're well aware that everyone's going to think that it's your fault, though, right?" I nodded. "I know we're not allowed to see each other or speak or anything, but I bought a little present for the two of us." He reached into his pocket and pulled out two mirrors, handing me one. "If you ever want to talk to me, just tell the mirror my name and I'll be there."

I took the mirror from his hands and examined it. It looked just like a normal mirror… "Draco Malfoy." I said clearly. Draco's face appeared looking back at me in the mirror. "I've got to go, classes will be starting soon." I gathered up my things, told Draco I love him and exited the library quickly. I headed for Transfiguration in an anxious mood, knowing how horrible my day was going to be.

XxX

Once my last class finished, I bolted straight up to my dormitory and plopped head first into my bed, sobbing loudly onto my pillow. Classes were horrible- especially Potions. The Slytherins were calling me horrible names and when we were in passing period, they gave me a few punches and sent me on my way. Before going to last period, I gave myself a healing spell, which lasted throughout the class.

Everyone continued giving me dirty looks and pushes in the hallways every time I showed my face in public. Other than going to the library, I confined myself to my room, avoiding everyone else.

Deciding to talk to Draco, I pulled out my mirror and said his name clearly. His face dissolved into focus and he looked at me with worried eyes, noticing my tearstained face.

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

"J-Just a horrible day…" I said, letting a final tear slide down my cheek.

"Should I come and see you?"

"No, no, I'm fine…" My law was aching from where a seventh year Slytherin had punched me. I rubbed it gingerly. "I had a run in with a few Slytherins after Potions."

"Who? What did they do to you?" Draco seemed alarmed and panicked.

"Brandon Delcoury, Justin Elgin, their crowd. I just got a few punches- nothing a simple spell can't fix."

"Oh."

"I wanted to ask you something, Draco," I said, building up my courage. "Are we still like for sure going out, or are we calling it quits for a while?" Great job, Hermione. Calling it quits? That was horrible…

Draco paused. "I think we should lay off for a while. I'll still be here if you need anything, though, okay?"

"Right." I let out a sigh, holding back tears. "Bye, then." I shove the mirror underneath my bed and cried again for the umpteenth time.

XxX

A/N- I still need someone to write my lemons scene for me… Oh, and this part is just a twist- I promise Hermione and Draco will end up together and happy again, so no flames about how it's getting bad or anything… I'm doing my very best with Secrets, and if anyone has any ideas, don't hesitate to tell me- I'm always open!

Much love and best wishes,

-Belle