Chapter Two: Dobby's News

Hermione sat in the library her potion's essay looking up at her through her glistening eyes. Damn it, she would not cry! She'd watched that hussy fawn all over him to say nothing of how he….". That thought was just too unbearable… and she hadn't cried. He couldn't be serious about Lavender could he? A solitary tear made its escape down her cheek when she was interrupted by the sound of a familiar 'crack' and a distraught looking Dobby stood before her ringing his hands.

"Miss Hermione! Oh Miss Hermione it's terrible!" Dobby stood shaking from head to toe, tears pooling in his own huge eyes.

"Dobby what's happened? Are you ok?"

"Oh Miss Hermione is so kind, so thoughtful. But Miss Hermione it's your Weez y friend. Harry Potter sir he begged me to find you! Oh it's terrible Miss it's just terrible! Mr Weezy was such a good friend to Harry Potter. He gives Dobby socks!".

"DOBBY WHAT ON EARTH HAS HAPPENED" Shouted Hermione grabbing Dobby by his oversized shirt and lifting him clear off the ground.

"Not Ron, don't you dare tell me something happened to Ron!". Dobby stared at her, his eyes growing even wider if it was possible.

"Oh Miss, Dobby must tell you! Mr Weezy has been…..poisoned" he whispered the words with dread, his heart almost bursting with sympathy at the devastated look on Hermione's face.

"Miss Hermione please. You must go to the hospital wing". Hermione let go of Dobby without realizing, her whole body had gone cold and a wave of emptiness was consuming her. Dobby hopped nervously in front of her for a moment before grabbing her hand in his own.

"Harry Potter say's Hermione must come!" He dragged her with him out of the library, ignoring the stares of other students as he pulled her as quickly as he could towards the hospital wing. Dobby's cries of impatience woke Hermione from her trance and suddenly she couldn't move fast enough. Dobby barely had time to adjust to the new pace and was literally dragged to the hospital wing as Hermione raced, not stopping until she had flung herself at Harry demanding an explanation.

She listened to the story Harry told with the coldest feeling of detachment and unreality.

"This can't be happening" she whispered softly to herself over and over. Staring at the unyielding doors separating her from seeing him for herself.

'A beazor is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and can be used to cure most posions'. Professor Snape's words continued to pass through her mind. Cure most poisons…. Most poisons…not….all poisons". Again and again Hermione repeated the phrase over in her mind, oblivious to her surroundings, her thoughts now a constant prayer for his life and health. Harry paced back and forth, Ginny questioned insistently, and together the three of them waited anxiously for the news that would either make or break them.

Teachers came and went from the room, each coming to interrogate Harry who was continuing to get more frustrated by the questions and lack of answers. He couldn't bear to think of the possibility of Ron dying. The thought made him sick to his stomach as he continued to pace, not knowing what else he could do. Ginny continued to question him, desperately trying to discover the reason behind such a senseless attack. Hermione however remained pale and silent with a terrified expression that strengthened his resolve to be strong for them both. He had to get answers for them! He was at the point of considering magical solutions when Professor Dumbledoor finally asked Madam Pomphrey to allow them to go in. Harry held tightly to Ginny's hand offering all the support he could muster as they approached the bed, staring down into the ghostly pale face. Another wave of nausea and anger passed through Harry and he silently vowed whoever had done this to his best friend would pay.

Fred and George's arrival a few minutes later brought the news they had all been anxious to hear.

"He's out of danger" Fred's voice was unsteady as he stood staring at his younger brother, George holding a now sobbing and relieved Ginny. Then Fred grabbed Harry suddenly and pulled him into a crushing hug, unable to say anything more than

'Thank God you were there'.

... Chapter Three on its way soon!...