Chapter Six
Morning came too early for some at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but for Hermione it couldn't have come soon enough.
The whole Weasley family, including Harry and Hermione ate in the Gryffindor common room, and then went to see Headmaster Dumbledore.
As they neared Dumbledore's office Harry pulled Hermione off to the side.
" Thanks." he said.
" No problem." she replied already knowing what he was talking about.
It was obvious that Ginny had told him about the previous night.
Dumbledore wanted to see the family first to brief them on what was to be expected.
"Well I don't care what it is!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, " I just want to see Ron."
Mr. Weasley put his arm around his wife's shoulders to comfort her.
"Please sit." Dumbledore said, " Lemon drop." He offered as a breaking of the ice.
They all kindly accepted the offer.
"Let me say that Ronald is in good care in our hospital wing, but, Molly, if you prefer to take him home, then I think under the circumstances that we are dealing with it can be arranged."
"Excuse me, professor. But what exactly ARE we dealing with?" Charlie asked from behind Mrs. Weasley's chair.
All five Weasley boys stood protectively around their mother's chair.
Ginny sat close to Harry and Hermione, and Mr. Weasley stood at the other end of the room.
" The matter at hand is very difficult to explain, and I am afraid it is even more difficult to actually understand when and why it happens to a loved one. I am afraid that Ron has been infected with a virus that feeds off the soul." Mrs. Weasley looked pale and let out a loud dry sob, immediately followed by jarred sobs.
Hermione felt like was going to faint and grabbed Harry's arm. Harry looked at her and patted her hand. His left hand held Ginny's hand and his right squeezed Hermione's through the meeting.
"It does not only feed on a person's soul," Dumbledore continued, "but their emotion, heart, soul, and body."
Hermione knew she would faint then. Harry's grip tightened on her hand.
Mrs. Weasley's sobs became louder.
Ginny became distraught from the living world.
"But how?" came Mr. Weasley's voice.
"That is a very unusual occurrence."
Immediately Hermione wanted more than anything to tell Ron that she truly loved him and how could she have been so stupid for not telling him all along. She wanted to run into his arms and just have him hold her...one more time.
"It would take, in Ron's case, a great amount of adrenaline to trigger such a powerful disease of the mind." Dumbledore's words jarred Hermione out of thought. "Your son, Ron, saved our Miss Granger from a terrible disaster just four weeks ago."
"So, professor how does that effect Ron?" Percy asked, regarding Hermione's flushed face at the mention of her close call.
"Well, Percy, the brain emits adrenaline that controls our emotions in high risk involved situations. I believe it is sometimes referred to as fight or flight syndrome. Some thing, some imbalance it is believed is supposedly what causes this virus to enable itself to destroy its victim. But it is most intriguing with Ron that no such imbalance was found. Patients of this virus usually do not complain of aches and pains or move at all as Ron does. Patients or victims, as they are respectively, usually will lose all consciousness and slip into a coma, but your son has shown extraordinary strength to stay with us. But we are sure that this virus has in fact infected Ron. But since Ron is so strong-willed we had some hope that he would eventually pull through."
"Had hope?" Mrs. Weasley quivered.
"However, Molly, I am very sorry to say, we also believe that we are dealing with an advanced, rare form of the virus."
Mrs. Weasley nearly fell out her chair.
Hermione's knees couldn't hold her up any more, and she fell to the ground staring at the rich velvet carpet.
"Please, Professor Dumbledore, when can we see Ron?" Mr. Weasley had lost all composure. He wanted his family to be with Ron at that exact moment.
"Now, Arthur.' Dumbledore said, as Hermione found the will to stand. "You may see him now, but be aware that Ron is suffering and there is nothing more we can do for him."
Dumbledore and the Weasley's made their way towards the door, but Hermione still felt faint and decided to sit.
"Ah, yes. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, would you so kindly wait here upon my return."
They both nodded and sat to wait on Dumbledore's return as requested.
Neither of them really spoke, nonetheless looked at each other. It was almost too much to take in at one time.
The door opened and Professor Dumbledore stepped through once more.
Hermione jumped.
"Do not be alarmed Miss Granger." he said upon entering the room.
"How is- Ron?" Harry tried to say.
"He has taken his sleeping drought so he is in less pain, Mr. Potter."
This brought only slight relief to their faces.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Will- will Ron suffer for- Ron won't-" She couldn't make the words come, " Die. Will Ron die?"
Dumbledore looked her straight in the eye.
"Miss Granger, I understand feelings of friendship and perhaps on this basis only am I telling you this. Ron, will suffer more in the next few weeks, as long as his heart can hold out."
Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
"However his suffering will stop, and yes death will then be swift and painless."
Hermione jumped to her feet.
"NO! No, he can't die.. he can't!" she yelled, looking from Harry to Dumbledore.
"Hermione." Harry said, trying to keep calm for both of them.
"Hermione-please..." He grabbed her and held her close.
She held onto his arms wrapped around her collarbone. They both sank to the floor.
"He can't die. NO! This isn't fair! I don't want him to die, Harry. Why is Ron dying...?"
She fell into hysterical sobs at that moment.
Why Ron? She remembered crying over and over.
When the sobs had subsided, Dumbledore continued, kneeling beside them.
"I am sorry Miss Granger that your friend Ron has come upon this most untimely circumstance. But little is known of what will help him."
Hermione looked up at the professor with tear stained cheeks.
"But why? He can't...he can't leave me..."
After much protesting, mainly by Ginny, Harry on Hermione's behalf, and Ron, Mrs. Weasley decided not to move Ron to the Burrow.
It was more Ron's request that he stay at Hogwarts to battle the virus.
Fred and George were leaving in the morning, Bill had left the day before, Percy left four days before, but Mrs. and Mr. Weasley and Charlie had decided to remain at Hogwarts.
A few days after the discussion with Dumbledore, Hermione found herself in the hospital wing with Ron again. He was sleeping at the moment, which was good. She sat and watched him sleep. She hoped that he was having pleasant dreams, nothing that would bother him. She was staring out the window when she heard her name from somewhere.
" Hermione...I…don't want…ever, no..." Ron was mumbling in his sleep, " I...can't, gotta go...don't...sad...I...you." It was out of sequence and very confusing, Hermione didn't understand. Ron started tossing and turning. Hermione leaned over and put her arms around him, to give him some one to hold on to. He stopped tossing, and rested.
" I'm here Ron." she said softly.
" I know 'Moine." he replied without opening his eyes.
" Don't leave me." she whispered, putting her head on his shoulder.
" Never." he whispered back. He took her hand.
" I won't ask if you love me, because I know the answer, but I need you to know that I love you so much."
She wanted to cry.
" I- I know Ron." She said raising her head.
He looked up at her. A single tear rolled down her face. He reached up and wiped it away. Another followed, and then more just as the first.
" Don't cry Hermione." he soothed.
" I'm trying not to." she shock, but the tears kept coming. He pulled himself up and hugged her tightly.
" Ron..." she cried, " I'm so sorry." She bit her bottom lip. " I never meant for this to- to happen."
He forced her to look at him. Then he almost wished he hadn't.
"Hermione, you...you look awful." He said. It was true. She was very pale and thinning through her face. She looked like she hadn't eaten nor had a good night's sleep in weeks.
Suddenly she pushed away from Ron.
" Hermione." he said alarmed. She was having trouble breathing suddenly. The room was swirling. She staggered knocking over a tray of tools and potions.
" Madam Pompfrey!" Ron yelled. He flung his legs over the bed and made an attempt to stand. He succeeded and made his way toward Hermione.
She was feeling very light-headed. Suddenly the floor and the side of her face met.
"HERMIONE!" Ron yelled. He walked wobbly toward her. He fell beside her.
"'Mione." he said, cradling her head.
"Mr. Weasley!" Madam Pomfrey shrieked.
" Please, help me." he said trying with all of his strength left to lift Hermione.
" Mr. Weasley, please. Remain calm." Madam Pompfrey conjured a spell that moved Hermione to the nearest bed.
" Be calm! What!" he yelled, " What happened to her!" he yelled. He sank to his knees.
" Please Mr. Weasley you need to back in your own bed." Madam Pompfrey was flabbergasted.
" I will not!" he yelled, again. But then he felt like he was floating. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and he hit the floor.
A scream sounded around the hospital wing. Mrs. and Mr. Weasley and Charlie were standing in the doorway. Mrs. Weasley had screamed and fainted into Mr. Weasley's arms. He was fanning her at the moment.
Charlie had rushed to Ron and picked up his youngest brother to place him back in his own hospital bed. Madam Pompfrey shooed him away to attend Ron.
Ron was given a sleeping drought to ease the pain.