DISCLAIMER: I think you already know that I, just another Harry and Hermione shipper, can't possible own anything of this wonderful world. Otherwise I would be enjoying the premieres of the movies with the stars. Everything in the magical universe of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A/N 1. – Thank you to all of the people who have reviewed chapter 5 part 2.

Special Thanks to:

usha88: For never missing a chapter and always reviewing!!! Thanks!!!!

Mark: For liking my writing, this means so much.

Ashey: For loving the story and specially my H/Hr scenes. Thanks!!

Linz: Sorry for keeping you frozen to your seat. J

Lady Darkshine: For your umm...powerful opinion.

angel_wing: Thank you so much for your beautiful review.

And everyone else who gave their very special review. Thank you so much.

A/N 2. -  This is my second fic of H/Hr, so please be merciful, I am still learning the trade. I hope you enjoy it, and that you will give me feedback in order to improve the work. Well on with the show.

While you were in a coma

Chapter Six

What Happened?

Harry woke up, yet he refused to open his eyes. He had just experienced the worst nightmare to ever enter his subconscious mind. In it Wormtail had returned to execute Voldemort's orders, Hermione had actually risked her life, and Ron had sacrificed himself to save Hermione and him.

Harry stirred aware that it was time to wake up. His bed felt rather stiff, and now that he noticed, he couldn't hear Neville's snore. Harry opened his eyes to investigate; the first think he saw, with his blurry gaze, was a mop of brown hair. Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, sure that his sight had deceived him, but as his eyes slid open again, they focused and indeed there was a mop of brown hair in his bed, and the owner of such hair was Hermione. Harry's heart started going a hundred miles per hour. She was asleep, breathing steadily curled up in a ball, but her sleep was obviously not peaceful, as her soft features where contorted in a grimace. As Harry's eyes traveled through Hermione's feminine face, he realized something else, his right hand, which was extended towards Hermione's direction, was holding her hand. Well, actually her hand was just lightly placed over Harry's hand, but just the idea that they had spent an amount of time with their hands in that position made Harry's heart beat even more rapidly. Then his mind stopped focusing on 'those kind' of feelings, when the most obvious questions sprang into his mind. Why were Hermione and him in the same bed? And where were they? This wasn't his bed at all. Harry lifted his head from his pillow, to look around his surroundings, that's when he realized he was in one of the beds of the hospital wing. Questions where about to pop out of his mind, when he felt Hermione's hand begin to lightly twitch within his. He turned to her just as she was opening her eyes. She blinked several times, probably not believing what she was seeing.

"Harry?" she spoke, her voice deep with lingering sleep. "What…" she began, looking around her surroundings. She was about to pronounce a new question, when her gaze fell about their still joined hands. She moved her fingers slowly, as if to make sure it was really her hand in his. Harry felt the soft movement of her fingers, over the sensitive skin of his palm. All he wanted to do was to close his hand tight around hers.

"I see you two ended up in the same bed," the voice of Madam Pomfrey broke the silence of the room, "Even though I distinctly remember putting you in separate beds yesterday." Harry and Hermione blushed bright red at the same time, neither one noticing the reaction of the other.

"Good Morning," came a voice from behind Hermione that broke the awkward moment, "Are you two okay?"

"Professor Lupin?" asked Harry sitting up.

Hermione did the same, slowly slipping her hand away from Harry's. "Professor Lupin! What are you doing here?" Hermione continued the interrogation.

"Is good to see you too," Remus answered trying to smile, but the strained tinge to his voice made Harry realize something was wrong, "How are you two feeling?"

"Why are we here?" asked Harry, finally voicing his doubts.

Lupin cleared his throat, he seemed years older as he sat by Harry's legs, "You two received very strong hits to you heads, fortunately Madam Pomfrey fixed you right up."

Harry's hand unconsciously traveled to the back of his head, he saw Hermione do the same thing. To his mind came a torrent of visions and memories that he had been repressing.

"RON?!?!" Harry expressed almost simultaneously with Hermione, "Where is Ron? We saw him…the spell…Wormtail…is he…" Harry knew he was not making any sense, but the anxiety was destroying him. Hermione kept watching between Lupin and Harry, her eyes watery and anxious for an answer.

"Settle down, both of you," Professor Lupin tried to call them, his voice breaking.

This wasn't a good sign. "Is he…alright?" Hermione spoke with much strength as she could muster.

Professor Remus Lupin slowly stood up, arranged his tattered robes and turned to them, "Follow me," he extended his arm. They moved towards him, as he placed himself between the two fifth year students, posing his hands lightly on their backs, leading them to another bed at the end of the wing. Harry's feet felt like lead as they make their way through the empty rows of hospital beds. He could hear Hermione's heavy breathing. They came at last to the final bed and Harry's blood froze when he saw Ron spread among the bed, his face pail white.

"Ron…" Harry heard Hermione breath, before she ran to one side of the bed.

"Oh my God Ron," Harry sadly expressed, walking to the other side. Ron's hand was stone cold as Harry touched it lightly. His eyes shut tightly as angry tears spilled from his eyes, "Why?"

"He is…he is breathing…" Hermione choked as her hand, which was placed upon Ron's chest, rose and fell with a slow rhythm.

"He is alive?!?!" Harry spoke with hope as he opened his eyes and looked to the professor and the nurse, who had remained deadly quiet. "Is he going to be alright? What happened to him?"

"We were hoping that you two could answer that particular question," the old raspy voice of Dumbledore erupted from the door. All four heads turned to face him, "Is good to see that you two are well," Dumbledore expressed, "Now please, sit down and tell me exactly what happened," Dumbledore had conjured up some seats, but only him and Lupin sat down; Harry and Hermione were glued to Ron's side. "Who attacked you?" He began.

"Wormtail. I learned he had been following me since Diagon Alley," Harry answered, his sight never leaving Ron.

"What happened when you were at Hogsmeade?" Professor Lupin continued.

"I felt the same cold atmosphere that I had experienced in Diagon Alley, that's when I saw Wormtail and decided to follow him." Harry answered.

"Follow him?" Dumbledore repeated.

"Yes. And because of the prediction, I was afraid for Her-"

"Sorry for interrupting Harry, but what prediction are you talking about?" Lupin asked.

Harry had a hard time describing the prediction Professor Trelawney had told them about a month ago, the words painfully falling into reality. "That is why I asked Ron to take Hermione and go for help…so the three of us wouldn't be in danger," Harry continued explaining his reasoning.

Before Harry could continue, the door to the hospital wing burst open. "Harry?!" the disheveled voice of Sirius Black was heard. As soon as his eyes landed on Harry he headed towards him with a rapid pace. "Thank God you are alright…I was so worried when Dumbledore send me an owl," Sirius was holding so tightly to Harry's shoulders that it was beginning to hurt. What was Sirius doing here anyway? He could easily be spotted by any student or teacher. If he had entered any moment earlier Madam Pomfrey could have seen him, "I am so sorry Dumbledore, but I couldn't wait in your office any longer," Sirius apologized, answering Harry's doubts about how he had come to Hogwarts.

"Quite understandable Sirius," Dumbledore answered with a comforting tone, "However, I hope you took the precautions necessary when coming here?"

"Sure," Sirius assured rather rapidly, which made Harry believe he wasn't sincere. Dumbledore must had thought along the same lines, since he gave Sirius a doubtful look from above his half-moon glasses, "Anyway, Harry what happened? Who attacked you?" Sirius continued, ignoring Dumbledore's gaze.

"Sirius, Harry was just in the middle of telling us his story. Sit down so that he can continue," Remus calmed his friend, and retold the part he knew about Harry's story.

After a few minutes Harry had the floor again. "When I was about to give up, was exactly when he found me. His attitude was very strange, like he regretted that I had fallen right in to his trap…"

Harry dropped his gaze towards Ron again, but not wanting to stray to where Hermione was holding Ron's hand. While Hermione had finally lifted her eyes to look at Harry, the bitter tone he used when saying the last words worrying her.

"Did he say anything to you?" it was Sirius time to ask, pulling both Harry and Hermione's gazes to him.

"That is what got me terribly confused, at first when he said that he was there to 'take care of me' I thought he was going to kill me, but afterwards he assured me he wasn't going to." Harry detailed.

"Why did he attack Ron?" Sirius asked again.

"He didn't…" Harry pronounced with such sorrow and anger that all eyes were focused at what he was saying, "Ron pushed Hermione and me out of the way…that spell was intended for me…" he finished speaking so softly that Sirius, Remus and Dumbledore had a hard time understanding him.

Numerous questions about Voldemort followed, but Harry had no knowledge of him to answer them. "Did Wormtail say anything else to you?" Remus inquired.

Harry didn't have to think too hard to voice out this concern. "Before he said the spell, he proclaimed that with that he was going to pay his debt."

The room went immediately silent as both Sirius and Remus turned towards Dumbledore, "So Pettigrew did indeed pay his debt to you Harry," Dumbledore finally spoke.

Harry was totally confused, but something was more important, "What is wrong with Ron?"

"We are not completely sure, but according to some of Madam Pomfrey's analysis, he appears to be in some sort of coma," Dumbledore answered carefully.

Harry and Hermione were stunned, neither of them moved nor said anything for several minutes. Harry's head ached with this information and it wasn't until he heard Hermione sniffling that he was brought back to reality. He saw with great sadness how some stray tears were staining her face. His right hand twitched as all he wanted to do was to extend his arm and clean her tears.

"So Wormtail's idea of paying his wizard's debt was to put Harry in a coma?" Hermione suddenly spoke outraged, forcefully wiping the tears ways.

"Not exactly Miss Granger. I believe that the coma state, in which Mr. Weasley had fallen to, is a variation of what Voldemort ordered Pettigrew to do. After all I don't believe he would be likely to totally ignore his master's orders. However, what exactly is the difference between the original orders and Pettigrew's debt spell, I am not sure off-"

The rest of Dumbledore's explanation was interrupted, when the door of the hospital wing was forcefully opened anew, but this time by a distraught Mrs. Weasley. "My boy!!!" she screamed as she came running towards Ron's bed. Hermione immediately stood aside and let Molly Weasley pass, "My poor little boy. What happened to you!" Mrs. Weasley was wailing as he stroked Ron's flaming-red hair. Mr. Weasley was currently talking to Professor Dumbledore, the somber look at his face told Harry that Dumbledore was explaining the situation.

Mrs. Weasley's long suffering cries pierced right through Harry's being, all of the sadness coming back to him.

"Perhaps Miss Granger and you should go to the kitchens and get something to eat," Dumbledore was addressing Harry, but his stomach felt like it was tossing and turning.

"I am not hungry," Hermione was the one to voice out Harry's feelings.

Dumbledore gave Hermione and understanding gaze, "Well then, why don't both of you return to Gryffindor Tower so that we can leave the Weasleys alone."

Harry turned to the heartbreaking sight of Mr. Weasley trying to comfort Mrs. Weasley, who couldn't stop crying. He nodded his head in agreement and began to walk with Dumbledore towards the door.

"Hermione, could I talk to you for a minute?" Lupin asked, stopping her from following Harry.

Hermione walked slowly towards Lupin, wondering what he could want with her. "Yes Professor Lupin?"

"Please Hermione, if we aren't in class you can call me Remus," he pleaded.

Hermione couldn't help to blush at his request; she wasn't accustomed to treat the Professors she respected so casually, "What can I help you with Remus?" she spoke with insecurity.

"I wanted to return this to you," he said as he took an object out of his robes.

"My wand! I lost it while I was running towards Harry; that is why I couldn't perform a spell to help him. Where did you find it?" she asked as she finally recuperated her wand.

"About twenty feet from where I found you," Lupin answered, "Hermione, I wondered if you can settle a doubt of mine," Lupin continued, as Sirius came and stood next to him.

"Yes?" Hermione spoke getting more nervous.

"Why didn't you and Ron make it to go and get help?" Lupin inquired.

Hermione's eyes shifted from Lupin to Sirius quickly, "I knew from the moment Harry made his promise of not confronting Wormtail that he wouldn't be able to keep it…you know how he is…" Hermione turned to look at Harry, who was at the door talking to Dumbledore, without realizing it, "…always getting himself in danger…always wanting to sacrifice himself in order to save a…a friend…I couldn't leave him alone…" Hermione continued her sight still lingering on Harry's form for another minute, "I just couldn't…" she finalized, dropping her gaze to her feet.

"And Ron?" Sirius asked this time.

"He must have followed me, after I ran to find Harry…" Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed them softly. All of the retailing had exhausted her emotionally, she felt very tired even though it was just minutes after she had woken up. Her eyes opened as she felt the weight of a hand over her shoulders.

It was Sirius, "Hermione, what you did at Hogsmeade for Harry…it was completely understandable," he wisely said, with a smile in his weary eyes.

"More than you know," Remus put in, sharing a knowing glance with Sirius.

Dumbledore stopped Harry before exiting, "There is something else I needed to asked you," he said with a gentle tone, "Did you hear the spell he used?"

Harry had to think a little with that one, "I heard him say the first three letters of the killing curse…that is why I got so worried that Hermione was in front of me…my senses were occupied in thinking she could…and Wormtail didn't stop when he saw her…and she…she…" Harry stopped, noticing he was rambling, "So I couldn't hear anything else. I'm sorry," Harry said, a little embarrassed.

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled as he spoke, "That is quite alright, is normal to get so worried, when danger threatens the ones you l-" Dumbledore stopped as soon as Hermione caught up with them, "Ah Miss Granger, I was just asking Harry if he happened to hear the spell used by Wormtail. But he wasn't able to…remember. Perhaps you heard something?"

"No…" Hermione shook her head still in thought, "What I did notice, was that the spell that…hit Ron wasn't green like the killing curse…"

"You're right!!" Harry finally recalled, "The light the spell created wasn't entirely green, it had a mixture of–"

"–purple!"  Hermione piped in, "And tiny–"

"–speaks of gold…" Harry added, "Can this help you Professor?"

Dumbledore, who had a slight smile from watching the interaction between the two teens, nodded, "It will come of help while trying to uncover the spell utilized."

***

Harry and Hermione then began the long journey to their common room. Both of them seemed in no hurry; their steps were short and slow. Neither talked during that period, Harry walked with his head held low, watching his feet move. After a few minutes he heard Hermione sniffling more loudly; Harry dared to glace sideways at Hermione, she also had her head down but he could still see the tears sliding effortlessly down her cheeks, her breath breaking down while her shoulders gently shook. Harry couldn't take her suffering anymore; he stopped walking and turned to her, extending his left arm to stop her. His touch triggered her emotions as she started crying with more strength, big tears streaming down in thick rivers. Harry's heart broke just to see her in that state. What could he do to make her feel better? What did he know about giving comfort? He never learned these aspects of life, the Dursleys weren't exactly love personified, at least not with him. How could he show her he knew the pain she was going through? How to let her know she wasn't alone? He put his other hand on her other shoulder; he walked a few steps towards her as he pulled her gently to him, until they met halfway. When he felt Hermione tense up, he thought it had been a bad idea, but Hermione soon grasped the fabric of Harry's sweater and leaned her head on his shoulder. She seemed to let flow all of the bent up feelings, she was sobbing hard, her shoulders shaking violently, cries escaping her mouth. Harry moved his hands, one to the small of her back and the other to the middle of her shoulders. He had no words to speak, he was passing by the same pain of loosing a best friend. Although his original plan was to comfort Hermione, this contact was soothing him. The feel of her body within his embrace was revitalizing.

Hermione didn't feel anything except a great pressure in her chest, as she was walking through the halls. Her body ached for some type of sensations she didn't recognize. But then Hermione felt Harry's strong hand on her shoulder and then she was being wrapped by his warm arms. At first she was afraid of how nice it felt to be in his embrace, and then her oppression relaxed, and for the first time since she learned about Ron, she let her feelings flow.

Hermione's body was still shaking, Harry could feel the wet sensation of her tears staining his sweater. Harry couldn't stop from tightening his grip around Hermione.

She didn't know how long she had been crying, what she did know is that she felt very weak from thinking, recalling, admitting, hiding, denying and especially from crying. Her eyes sting as she felt  her knees buckle and she felt herself falling.

Harry felt Hermione slipping, he reacted and tried to stop her from falling, but he wasn't fast enough, so he went down with her, gripping her from the waist, so she wouldn't fell, "Hermione…" he cleared his voice, amazed at how raspy it came out.

"I'm okay, I just need to sit down for a minute," Hermione responded in a tired voice. Kneeling in the cold floor, she let her arms fall from his sweater as she began to lift her head from his shoulder.

"OK, will stay here as long as you need," Harry answered softly, arranging his legs so he was kneeling comfortably, he wrapped his arms tighter, stopping Hermione from moving away.

"Thank you," Hermione barely mustered as her arms wrapped themselves around his chest, leaning her head comfortably on his chest. The sound of the air going through his lungs, lulling her to relax.

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