Hopeless (3 of 3)

With a new member to the Order, things are sent into a whirlwind. Especially because it is none other than Draco Malfoy, confessed Death Eater, with a plan for the surviving members. But during his stay at headquarters, there are a few sections he hadn't seen coming. Involving a certain redhead with a temper to match.

DISCLAIMER: All characters, settings, and magical occurrences were all conceived and created in the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Nothing except the glorious plot is property of mine. No profits are being made from my writing.

ANOTHER WARNING: This story will contain some SLASH as the main pairing will be Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley. If this bothers, offends, or just grosses you out, you can save yourself a lot of pain and heartburn and just click the back button. If you are intrigued (as I am by this rare pairing), stick around. I can only hope not to disappoint. Also, it may be important to note that there aren't any spoilers for HPB. Despite my own personal prejudices to the pairings in the book, this was begun before that and it will be finished as such.

.-.>

Ron stood anxiously with Harry, a few Aurors and Neville in the small shabby building. From what intelligence had discovered, Lucius had been resting in the much larger building atop the hill they resided on. It was located in an almost entirely muggle area which they'd not given much glances over. It had always been assumed he'd avoid anything muggle at any cost. That had been a mistake in itself.

Harry was reviewing their plans one final time. It had been good that it was about the fiftieth rehashing, for Ron's mind rested some place else entirely. As the others were focusing on spells and counters and locations in the house, Ron's thoughts centered solely on the last conversation he'd had at the house before leaving.

He'd returned back to Draco's room after speaking with Harry and the others. They'd seemed so sure and it left him feeling much more optimistic than usual. Draco had positioned himself as comfortably as possible in his bed, relying mostly on the headboard of the bed for support. Ron had spoken to Harry privately not even a day before about the damage that had already been done. What muscle had once been fit and strong was all but deteriorated. Tissue was being worn away at. But that had been the purpose of the spell. The final few days would tear apart the inner organs. It made him sick to his stomach anytime he thought about it.

He dropped down on one knee on the side of bed Draco rested on. His eyelids were pressed shut but Ron figured he had too much on his mind to sleep. He knew all too well from experience lately. Even a few mere minutes were work.

"He was spotted out in the country. In a small muggle area," Ron explained slowly. Part of him couldn't avoid the thoughts that this all seemed much too good to be true.

"I never thought he'd stoop so low," Draco commented offhandedly, letting his lashes raise, soft gray eyes exposed.

"I told Harry I would go with him. He's more or less staking the place out for a couple of days to be completely certain," Ron informed him, a hand absently reaching for one of the blondes. "Are you going to be alright here alone?"

"Oh really. I'm not a child. I'll be fine here alone. Besides, Granger will be here for me to annoy," Draco smirked lightly at the comment, his head shifting around slightly towards Ron.

"I'm sure she'll appreciate that," Ron let a pause end his comment, eyes fixed upon Draco's. Such a large part of him didn't want to go anywhere. He wanted to stay there. He didn't want to leave him alone like he was about to do. But inwardly he knew that he'd never forgive himself if Lucius got away from them and he hadn't helped at all. Part of him probably even wanted to be to finish that bastard off. For everything that he'd done.

"It really isn't that dramatic. I'm not going anywhere. I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'll still be here when you get back," Draco pointed out with an almost annoyed tone but underlying was a general sense of reassurance.

"I know you will be. You live to make my life hell, don't you?" Ron questioned with a smile, leaning in close, head dipped lightly, face lingering close to Draco's.

"No, that's just an added bonus on my part," Draco pushed himself forward a little bringing their mouths together in a relatively chaste kiss. They both knew they wouldn't have time for much of a good bye. Draco pulled back, leaning back against his bed, turning his face away. "Listen to me, if you can't get to him in time, don't hate yourself over it. You've made these last few months that much more bearable."

"Draco," Ron started but Draco raised his hand, fingertips against his lips.

"Don't. Almost everything that we need to say to each other has already been said."

"So then what's left?" Ron questioned in all seriousness.

Draco's eyes fluttered towards the door and then across the room and finally landed upon Ron. His features softened slightly as their eyes met. "I love you. No matter what happens. Just know that."

Ron thought maybe his heart leapt through his throat, he certainly felt like it. Just hearing Draco finally mutter those brief words made it all seem so much more important. He leaned forward more, a hand reaching around to pull Draco nearer. "I love you too. You know that."

Draco gave a nod, Ron finally giving in and bringing their mouths together again in a much more searing kiss that the one they experienced before. In fact, it was almost unlike anything he'd experienced before. Urgent. Tender. Loving.

Ron couldn't imagine another statement that would ever top that one. A declaration of love from the one and only Draco Malfoy. He'd told him later that he might have to alert the Prophet. He couldn't let him down now. Not when finally there was a sign of something more between them. That same something he'd been waiting on since the evening in his rooms when Draco had come to apologize.

"Are you alright, Ron? You looked out of it," Harry commented, letting them off the hook from another speech about their procedure.

"Just thinking."

"Well you may want to focus on the task at hand. We're going in soon. It's already been almost a week. Another day and they're bound to get suspicious. It's now or never."

"I'm ready," Ron uttered sincerely. This was it. Harry was more right than he knew. Time was nearly gone. If they didn't reach Lucius, they wouldn't get another chance. And whereas everyone else may be able to return home with a shrug of his or her shoulders, Ron would lose one of the most important things in his life. It couldn't happen.

Harry just gave a nod, moving over to speak with Neville briefly. Neville had become quite the intelligence wizard. He was often times underestimated which worked more often than not to his advantage. He had the chance to secure information with people not considering him much of a threat. He'd already done a run down of the Manor from the outside at least. Describing all the entryways in detail.

They'd left the rest of it up to a young Auror with a brilliant Animagus form. She was quite handy when in her ladybug form. She'd scavenged the manor, being the first to honestly identify that it was indeed Lucius who was staying there. Along with Bellatrix Lestrange and a few other big Death Eaters.

The place was warded so much so that they lost all traces of Neville and the ladybug whenever they got close enough to it. If it hadn't been for a minor slip up on being seen, they never would've been able to track them inside their current hideout. It all became much more dangerous seeing as they couldn't be certain how long they would actually remain. Harry had been right about time running out.

"Alright everyone. The four of us will be leaving now. You have to give us twenty-minutes and then the place needs to be surrounded. Our first tasks will be to disarm them at any cost, which leaves their only hopes of getting away the main exits. Each of you knows exactly where you are to be. Alana is going to be our eyes and ears for the most part. She's been equipped with a communication charm that should help you to know where they will be at most of the time. I wish you all luck," Harry spoke to the group assembled, which had grown considerably from the trio of Neville, Ron, and Harry.

Harry stashed himself underneath of the invisibility cloak, Ron and Neville each managing an invisibility charm. It was so brief that they had to be quick. It would be their biggest defense. Their element of surprise. Time was no longer on their side and before that night was over, they had to have Lucius Malfoy or they'd lose more than their mission.

.-.>

The manor was so eerie in its silence. No sounds floating about around them. Most of it pitch black most likely for safety precautions. They ascended the steps as silently as possible, following the soft flutter of wings directly in front of them. The second floor held better luck. Peaking out beneath the door was the tell tale sign of light from inside.

The entire manor was under such safety precautions that it may have come close to rating near Hogwarts. It was certain that there was something or some valuable inside. All Ron could do was silently hope that one of them was Lucius Malfoy. Everything else seemed irrelevant.

Things were slightly harder being that he didn't have one clue as to where any one else actually was. And all he could hope was that there were close. Especially Neville who was running thin on time like Ron was himself. A little stumble and seconds of time behind were valuable than normal. No mistakes could be afforded.

He heard the faint sounds of a body pushing lightly against the door. He assumed Harry was being as hopeful as possible that perhaps things could go even easier but it wasn't the case. The door was firmly in place which left his option to be opening the door which would send things off immediately.

That was until the door suddenly flew open, seemingly smacking directly into Harry, knocking his invisibility cloak off slightly, but enough to show that there was someone actually there. When he finally pulled his cloak off, sensing that time had worn out for that, he looked directly into the eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange.

Ron was certain that Harry was going to throw himself at the woman. She'd taken so much from him and she deserved nothing less. But Harry played it as level headed as he could, staring her down defiantly. Ron never noticed how his breath caught in his chest waiting to see how Harry would react.

"Mr. Potter, it's so lovely to see you this evening, won't you join us?" She questioned in a sickeningly sweet voice, reaching roughly for his arm. Harry motioned with his head for the open door to which Ron moved as quickly as he could into the small room, silently hoping Neville was just as lucky for not even a few seconds later, Harry had finally given in and allowed himself to enter.

"Always the hero, weren't you? Leading a gung ho adventure to capture us yourselves? Or is this about revenge?" Harry visibly tensed at her statement she did little but smile. "Have I touched a nerve poor Harry? First your poor pathetic parents and then your disgusting Godfather," She leaned in close to his face to finish. "And just to but the icing on the cake, your mentor will be next."

"Oh, Bella. You were always one for dramatics," Ron's head jerked around quickly at that voice. He knew it all too well. Lucius Malfoy himself, in the flesh. "You know you can't retaliate against the boy. His fate isn't in our hands," He took a step closer to Harry and jerked his jaw around so he was looking directly at him. "And it's a shame that it's not. Tell me you're not on some rescue mission for my son?" He gave a smirk and shook his head. "Foolish idea, boy. This world will be better off without him in it."

Ron had to mentally restrain himself from attacking the older man right then. He couldn't just yet. They had to wait. The time would come soon enough. But he didn't know how much more he could take. Harry however stood stone-faced in their eyes, emerald eyes shining his defiance bright.

And then it happened. A portion of Neville's arm flashed into sight, flicking in and out. And before Ron knew it, Neville's entire form stood here before the group of them that had assembled. Wands pointed directly upon him. Ron had to take his chances then. Time was running out now.

He lunged himself against Lucius Malfoy, the impact taking everyone off guard enough for Harry to get his wand out, Neville following suit shortly after. After that, all hell broke loose. Spells began flying all around them as Ron did everything her could to avoid any sparks in his direction. He pulled himself up off the ground, Malfoy's wand pressed tightly in his palm, searching out his own as finally his own spell began wearing off.

Studying himself just slightly as he came back in focus, Ron looked up and there was no sign of the older blonde. He flung around quickly just to catch a glimpse of him darting from the now chaotic room. He knew that he could let him go and hope that the others had all of the exits secure but what if that wasn't the case. He couldn't live with himself if it were so. So against his better judgement, he fled after Lucius Malfoy, wand at ready.

In the empty corridor, he gave a bewildered look around before storming down the stairwell upon his right which they had climbed not even five minutes before. As he ran through the abandoned Manor, he pulled himself to a stop at one single opened window. He knew it had been opened before. The dusty drapes flapping slightly in the wind. The drop below wasn't even a floor and let himself out the window, following the trail directly into the small woods right behind the manor.

His running slowed as he searched for any indication of where Malfoy could've gotten away to. He walked as quietly as was possible, mind working over time. The moment he escaped from the grounds, he'd be able to be tracked. So chances were that he was planning on waiting things out until he could figure out where to go next. Ron would just have to search him out.

As he moved passed another of the giant trees on the forest, his feet were knocked out from beneath him rapidly, and the wand he held ripped from his fingers. He attempted to steady himself as Lucius Malfoy pointed his wand directly on his crouched over form.

"Very foolish, boy. Coming out here all alone. It was as if you had a death wish. After all, Potter will be missing his shadow very shortly," He cut out viciously, smirking maliciously in the process. "I can't help but wonder why you're the one out here either. Surely you could care less about the fate of my son. From what I can remember, the two of you were as notorious as rivals as Potter was. You really needn't have risked your neck for him," Though his conversation may have seemed pleasant enough, the heal of his boot pressed harshly into Ron's side, pain surging through his entire body.

"Rather pathetic boy anyway," Ron could feel his temper flaring up, trying as much as was possible to keep his cool. He had to think of a way out of this. "Perhaps I'm beginning to understand this more," Lucius raised a brow at him. "Foolish boy. Do you think he'd be out here doing this for you? He cares only for himself. Family means nothing to him, why would you think that you could?" Lucius shook his head in disappointed. "He's fooled all of you as well. It's a shame that he's the reason that you won't make it out of here tonight."

Lucius finally resorted to his magic, Crucio flying easily from his mouth, Ron's body convulsing violently from the shock of pain it began to receive. He didn't relent either, holding it out as long as he saw fit. To Ron, it felt like hours as the seconds drug on in agony.

Ron turned his head towards the grassy canvas below him, coughing harshly, body still shaking lightly. He panted heavily as Lucius gave him the second round of his punishment. His body screamed for him just to end it. To cast the final curse. That he couldn't take it but something else kept pushing him on. Pushing him to reach for the wand held beneath his robes. As the second wave hit him and nausea kicked in, he began to realize that he had less time than he thought.

Despite the pain, he rolled himself over, pulling his wand from the safety of his robes, disarming Lucius Malfoy on the first try. Standing was a battle of it own as he cowered over, using one of the old trees for support. His wand found itself pointed directly at Lucius Malfoy.

"You don't have what it takes. You never will," He taunted Ron, inner wheels turning in ways to retrieve his lost wand.

"Don't tempt me. I want nothing more than to see you receive the final kiss you deserve," Ron spat back at him, moving towards the very surprised Malfoy. Lucius backed up slightly as Ron approached, never letting his gaze falter. "You've ruined everything in his past. You aren't going to ruin his future," Ron fired at him angrily, wand holding his wand pointedly at him.

Finally with no options left, Lucius made a move for his wand and Ron countered, the last two words he ever imagined speaking, flowing from his lips and Lucius Malfoy falling lifelessly upon the ground. Ron dropped his wand before him, sinking onto his knees a moment, head dropping. His chest rose and fell heavily as he dug through his ropes quickly.

Harry stood nervously in the tall growing weeds around them. There had been an account of Ron taking off into the woods. Which seemed possible, as he'd seen not a hair of him since Lucius had taken off. His insides were doing flips hoping that Ron's foolishness hadn't gotten him into trouble.

Just as he began to wade through the nearly dead grass, a ragged form stumbled towards him, his fist tightly clenched. The robes he wore soaked through with blood, almost certainly some of his own. His wand a loosely resting in the other hand as he finally became identifiable to Harry. He raced forward to catch Ron just before he collapsed.

"I got it, Harry! I got it," He sounded almost delirious as he opened his palm exposing a small vile which they'd carried with them, filled to the brim with the scarlet liquid they'd sought. "It's over. We made it," His words were almost slightly slurred as they came out, most of his support resting against Harry.

"We have to get that out of here. Snape will be the only one who can brew it now," Harry threw one of Ron's arms over his shoulder, turning them in the direction of the small shack they'd been in before. To the portkey that would take them back to Grimmauld Place. To Draco.

.-.>

Ron pressed the vial into Harry's hands and pushed off, only considering one place he needed to be at that moment. Pushing himself mentally down the corridor and towards the one he'd been waiting so see since the moment he'd left. The gash on his forehead had clotted up; blood still faintly caked on, dirt staining most of his exposed skin. He knew Draco might not be so happy about the state he was in but that didn't matter.

He threw the door open, letting it shut silently behind him, making his way over to the bed. The curtains were drawn which slowed him down not at all. The pain would get to him later but all reason was clouded open. He pulled the curtain back, exposing the sleeping form of his blonde. He was still astounded by how innocent Draco looked with his eyes closed so tight and his mask pushed carefully away.

He leaned down, bringing his lips against the corner of his mouth, hoping to wake him slowly. Draco's eyes fluttered open slowly, blinking a few times rapidly to be certain that he wasn't just dreaming this. He opened his mouth to speak but he didn't trust his scratchy voice.

He finally began to process his thoughts more efficiently. Nothing the blood and dirt caked on the redhead, which in itself worried him. Finally clearing his throat slightly, he trusted himself to speak. "What happened to you?" His voice sounded so weak to Ron's ears and that itself worried him. Would they have enough time left?

"It's not important. We did it. We found him," With that, Ron stumbled back a bit, collapsing against the floor in a faint.

His eyes opened slowly, trying to adjust to his surroundings. One thing was certain, he wasn't lying upon Draco's floor anymore. In fact there was a soft bed underneath of him. At first he thought that perhaps he'd been moved into Draco's bed. But as his sight readjusted, it was painfully obvious where he was. Hogwarts. In the Hospital Wing to be specific.

He groaned slightly as he pulled himself up into a sitting position. The muscles in his stomach contracting in pain, an arm instinctively covering his abdomen. He couldn't remember ever having felt so terrible as that moment.

Finally managing to regain more thought, he finally gave more of an examination of his surroundings and noticed he wasn't the only on who'd been resting in the wing. Several beds down, a curtain was drawn around the sleeping patient. He found himself slightly worried and against his better judgement decided to investigate.

He slipped out of the bed, finding his ground a little harshly and made his way towards the other bed. Giving a look around to make sure no one else was around. He slowly pulled the white curtain back and his fears had been confirmed. For lying flat on his back, blonde hair falling flat around his fair, was Draco.

And all Ron could possibly think was that he'd been too late. They'd waited a day too long. That they really had lost. Especially the fact that the last thing he had done was get his hopes up about having captured the blood from Lucius.

"He's in a potion-induced coma," A voice spoke softly, startling Ron from his reverie. Ron spun around to reveal Harry standing there looking thoughtful. "Snape said that it's to help grow all the tissue he lost near the end," He explained, moving closer to the foot of the bed.

"How long is that supposed to take?"

"They aren't sure. It could take days. It could take weeks. And there's a small chance that…well…that it won't work at all," Harry hated himself inwardly for adding the last part as soon as he saw Ron's face. But he would've hated it more had his best friend been worked up only to be let down later.

"He'll make it, Harry. He will," Ron said, determination flowing freely from his voice.

"They said they couldn't believe he'd made it as long as he had. The curse was beginning to attack his organs and he still carried on as though he was fine. As though he wouldn't give up," Harry added, eyes flooding from his distraught friend to the peaceful looking blonde.

"He said he'd still be there when I got back," He murmured, falling into the chair placed between Draco's bed and one on the right, dragging it quietly over more towards the blonde.

"Everyone has been asking questions. They want to know what's going on with you two," Harry explained slowly. Ron gave him a look back in return, eyes fluttering back to Draco.

"Exactly what they think is going on. You know that, Harry."

"Well yes, I know that but you never exactly let anyone else in on that. And I didn't want to betray your trust about it. I was under the impression that it wasn't supposed to be common knowledge."

"It wasn't. But I don't care. I haven't for a long time. I'm done hiding anything. I just want to be able to sit here and be here when he wakes up."

Harry just gave a nod and faint smile, moving back from the room sensing Ron wouldn't notice either way. To his credit, he had been exactly correct. Ron's eyes never left his sleeping form even as the door clicked shut around them.

.-.>

"Ron, you've been in this room for four days without leaving. That is not healthy. You're going to get sick over this," Hermione chided, in one of her few visits she made down to the hospital wing to visit. They all seemed to take turns keeping him company while he sat in a silent vigil.

"I'm fine, Hermione. Harry's been bringing me stuff in to eat. This is just where I need to be."

She gave him a disapproving look, shaking her head slightly. "Sorry, I still just not entirely used to the idea of you and Malfoy. I can't understand it," She apologized.

"I don't quite think I understand it either. It just works. I don't feel the same without him," Ron never let his gaze shift from the sleeping blonde as he spoke.

"He really doesn't deserve someone like you after all he's done," She reasoned with him but Ron, despite it, just smiled at the thought.

"No, we pretty much deserve each other."

She shook in her head in defeat. "Who am I to judge anyway? I'm not exactly a poster child for normalcy," She smiled broadly.

"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that," Ron started uneasily. He had as hard a time with the thought of her and Snape as she did with him and Draco. He wondered silently how they had gotten themselves in situations like these to begin with.

"Well it will have to wait. You have enough to worry about," She tried to sound genuine but it was more for her own good than anything. She wouldn't even know how to explain that one without sounding insane. Then again, perhaps they all were just becoming that way anyway. The least they could get was the happiness that was accompanying it.

Ron seemed content with leaving it at that. He honestly didn't want to try and handle all of that on his own. Though in some ways, he supposed he already had. It wasn't as though all of the signs were indicating anything else anyway. It was right there in front of all of them should they choose to realize it. And he finally was.

"You know, he almost didn't take the potion that night," She said quietly, letting her gaze raise from the floor to Ron.

"What?" Her comment was rather surprising. He'd thus far been given so few details of that night that he wasn't quite sure what happened, just that somehow things had gotten to the point at which he'd woken up at.

"He'd come here with you after we found that you had passed out and he didn't want to leave your side until you woke back up. He wanted to be certain you were all right. Severus had to all but plead with him just to take the potion," She explained lightly, finally concluding something with a sincere look in his direction. "He really cares about you, Ron. As much as I don't care to admit it, he does. And you deserve that."

Hermione gave him a weak smile as she finally decided to take her leave. Ron didn't seem to notice it anyway as he was apparently deep in thought about what she'd just said to him. Part of him had continued to wonder if Draco had been serious that last evening they had shared or if perhaps he'd just said it because he thought he was going to die.

No one was still sure about how well the potion seemed to working. Any magical interference would cause the potion to be highly unstable and the result would be worse than the wait. It did little to help how impatient Ron found himself to be. Granted it had only been four days but there was no official time span to soothe his nerves. He'd heard everything from hours to indefinitely. And as time wore on he became more worried.

He gave an uninterested glance at the cheese sandwich resting at the end of the bed for him to eat. As strangely as it was, he didn't have the slightest desire to eat anything. He just wanted things to be all right and that in itself tore away at his appetite in the worst way. But his worry was invested so deeply in another concern that he had little left for himself. That was what he had friends for after all.

.-.>

Five painstakingly long days passed following his conversation with Hermione. There were others he shared with different people whom wished to show their concern but nothing of much interest to note. The more that time passed the more that Ron became more withdrawn. The more he wished the visits would stop all together.

He wished they could quit coming and telling him that he needed to get out and do something. To try and find some happiness. But he'd already done that. He'd been happy and it was all ripped away from them and no one wanted to see that. No one wanted to accept that maybe Ron couldn't be happy again until Draco had opened his eyes or even made a searing remark. Anything at that point would've made him happy.

But instead of showing even a little compassion, they were all pressuring him to get out of there. To leave Draco alone. Telling him that no matter if he were there or not, nothing would change. He knew that they couldn't understand but it didn't make it any easier to sit and listen to their lectures.

The only one who showed even a bit of sympathy was Blaise. As strange as that may have seemed. He'd come several times and just sat with him, rarely speaking a word. Though he knew very little of the other former Slytherin, it was quite refreshing not to feel so utterly alone as he did little but sit. He just couldn't seem to get it out of his mind still how different his situation was from the others. Where as they could come and say a few sad words, each and every one of them had something big in their lives to go back to. What did Ron have left?

Harry had easily settled back into his quest at finding Voldemort for Dumbledore's sake. It was the basis of the cause after all but he couldn't help but resent him just slightly. Every focus had shifted back from their concern at locating Lucius Malfoy to the real task at hand, which left Ron all alone in his worry.

He couldn't find himself getting too angry with them. They all had their own little parts to play and if he didn't have such an emotional stake in the situation, he'd be off doing the same. But even the few times that he had gotten up and left, he'd found himself back after not even a few minutes. He wanted to be there. He had to be. He wasn't sure how he'd feel had Draco have woken up in his absence.

When he first evaluated his emotions he found himself thoroughly surprised. He knew that he cared so greatly for Draco. But once he'd found this to be the case, he couldn't imagine himself without the chance to really get to enjoy that. The last bit of time the two of them had had were not the best of times. Draco had already begun getting sick and for Ron's sake they were all but tiptoeing about. He'd even begun to understand where Draco had been coming from with Ron seeming ashamed. It hadn't been what he had intended but it certainly could come off that way.

Though such wasn't the case any longer. Though there certainly was suspicion concerning Ron's constant bedside vigil, it hadn't been until the night before that he'd actually had that conversation with his parents about why. About how he actually felt and what was going on with him and Draco.

To their credit, they seemed to be unfazed. Ron knew it was because they probably already realized this much about him. But it all still felt good to actually be able to say this to them and have it out there. To feel like he wasn't sneaking around or that he was betraying Draco in keeping it all secret. He felt almost liberated.

The rest of the family would not be as hard to tell, with the exception of the twins. He knew that he'd be subject to a good amount of teasing from them but he'd get to it. Now that he had one hurdle out of the way, that left him with literally nothing else to do but to wait for Draco to finally wake up. When he did. For the only question that remained in Ron's mind was when.

.-.>

Ron shifted slightly in the chair that he slept in. It had been almost two weeks since he'd had a really good sleep and it was beginning to wear on him. He opened his eyes sleepily, taking a slow gaze around the room and realized that he for once wasn't the only one awake in the room. He heart felt as though it had skipped a beat, voice slightly catching in his throat.

"Draco," It had to be a dream. It just had to be. He'd waited for this day for so long and now that it was actually upon him, his insides were ready to burst. "You're ok."

"So are you," Draco commented to him weakly, vocal cords straining after laying dormant for so long before. Ron felt a lump welling in his throat as he struggled to find the words. He leaned forward in the chair, eyes clouding slightly with tears that desired to be shed.

Draco lifted his hand slowly, wiping them away as best he could. Ron placed his hand over Draco's, that rested flush against his cheek. He turned his head slightly, placing a kiss against his palm.

"You're really awake," Ron felt like he was just talking in circles but he frankly didn't care.

"How long has…have I been out?"

"Just about two weeks. Two very long weeks."

"And you've been here?" Draco questioned him, feeling slightly concerned now himself. He couldn't imagine spending two weeks of his own time just sitting in the Hospital Wing just waiting. Waiting for an undefined amount of time at that.

"I didn't have anywhere else to be and I just figured that…" Ron trailed off towards the end.

"You know, I told you once that I didn't go for the foolish-hero-who-will-get-himself-killed type. You fooled me," His voice growing even more steady with each word he began to take. Ron shook his head slightly.

"I'm not a hero," Ron brushed it off with a slight shake of his head. That was Harry's territory.

"You're mine," Draco thought perhaps he'd plead delirium later but he didn't care. His hand lightly patted the bed, silently asking Ron to join him. He wasted no time at all; carefully slipping into the small bed mostly fit for one. Ron's hand sliding over the blonde's finger entwining, falling casually against Ron's chest.

Draco's body still ached at him as it was certain that the potion was still taking its time rebuilding everything that he'd lost but it all seemed so dull on comparison to how he felt otherwise. And that proved to be the only thing that really mattered.

.-.>

"Malfoy, I know that everyone else is still coddling you like a little child but I'm not and I'm sick of you taking my books without asking first," Hermione fumed, foot tapping and all.

"Can I borrow your book?" Draco questioned without even giving a look over the top of the page he currently read.

"No you may not! It defeats the whole purpose if you borrow it and then ask!"

"Oh Granger, you have so many others. Why does it even matter?" Draco questioned, now finally resting the book in his lap, eyes questioning her as well.

"It's the principal of the thing," She reasoned as him, steaming.

"You really can be a bit of a nutter sometimes, Granger. I hope you realize that," He informed her but rather than just giving the book back so the conflict could be settled, he lifted it back up from his lap and continued his reading. Hermione gave up in a huff exiting, cursing his existence under her breath.

"Would it really be so hard just to ask?" Ron questioned, falling upon the sofa beside Draco lazily.

"Perhaps not but I enjoy pushing her buttons that I just can't bring myself to."

"You're an evil person, Draco Malfoy."

"Why thank you, yes I am," Draco smirked, inserting the bookmark he'd confiscated in between the two pages he rested on, setting the book away. He shifted around slightly, adjusting himself to the little bit of discomfort he felt.

"Are you alright? Do you need another pillow?" Ron questioned quickly, judging from the slightly pained look upon his face.

"Granger's right about one thing, everyone is doing quite enough coddling. I'm quite alright," Draco assured him.

"Would you prefer that we left you to your own devices?"

"Of course not. I'd have it no other way," Draco retorted, leaning over slightly to rest himself upon the red head.

Ron pressed a kiss lightly to the top of Draco's head, an arm moving around to pull him nearer. "That was what I figured. You always were a prat when it came to extra attention."

Draco found himself not offended at all, mostly because his words were all true. But there wasn't anything wrong with robbing people of extra attention. It wasn't like it was for no reason anyway. He just enjoyed savoring the moment. It wasn't a crime.

"Can I ask you a question?" Draco replied with a small noise that Ron assumed was indication enough. Hermione told me that night you took your potion that you almost didn't because of me."

"That's not a question," Draco informed him, leaning up slightly so that he could study Ron's face slightly for what he really meant.

"I know that but why?"

"Why didn't you get up and leave the Hospital Wing when I was in there?" Draco countered on him.

"I wanted to be there for you when you woke up," Ron answered, letting all their words now click into place. "But if you hadn't taken the potion you wouldn't have had any time after that."

"And I wouldn't have needed it if you hadn't woken back up," Draco looked away from Ron at this comment. It was a very rare thing that he made remarks that conveyed his own emotions so much. But it seemed futile to attempt to cover it any longer. Especially since Ron seemed to make no effort himself.

Ron pulled Draco back down against him, hands falling against the sides of Draco's face, bringing their mouths together. The gravity of Draco's statement pulling at his heartstrings and wearing him down.

"I love you, Draco." Ron muttered as they pulled back from their kiss.

"Love you too," Draco replied leaning back against Ron, head falling easily against his shoulder.

There was still so much left for them to accomplish. The thought of Voldemort still hanging violently above their heads, for Draco especially as he had deflected. Bu at that moment it just didn't matter. Nothing mattered as finally they were given a bit of calm before the storm. And perhaps even a little hope for the future.

.-.>

A/N: Well there you have it. Finally finished with the fic. I'm pretty much satisfied with how it turned out. My first venturing out into the D/R world. And I've found that I rather enjoy writing it and reading it. With that said, I want to thank everyone who read and especially those who reviewed. You guys are awesome! So I hope you enjoy the end. I've gotta start working more on UM but I have plans hopefully for more Ron/Draco though probably more along the lines of one-shots. So fun-ness:-D

EDIT: I thank silver-sunn101for being amazing. I've not only read parts one and two over and over to keep it all flowing but somehow Ginny just escaped my mind and I greatly apologize. But I have fixed it now. Sorry about that confusion and of course thanks for pointing it out. I must learn not to write so late at night from now on. :-D