Guilt and Innocence

Ron watched as Tonks and Kingsley took hold of Prisoner X and marched him out of the hospital wing and back to his room. Ron knew that Kingsley was taking next watch but he wanted to speak to the prisoner but there were other things to do first.

He pulled back the curtain and saw her laying there. She looked so peaceful her eyes were closed and her chest was rising slowly up and down in a peaceful manner. Over the years Ron had found himself sitting by the side of her bed more times than he could count.

Each time that she had been admitted part of him worried that she would never recover and a panic took over him and he didn't like it at all. Sure they fought all the time but it was the fact that they were opposites, but that didn't mean he didn't care.

However now that familiar sensation had hit him since Prisoner X had been sent down he feared for Hermione that much more. She had helped to send down one of Voldemorts most powerful servants and he would want revenge.

There was however more to it than that and he knew that he worried about losing his best friend. He'd already lost one to a place of no return and that had hurt him more than he ever let on.

Part of him often wondered if it was something that he had done that had caused him to take that side. At first he thought it had been a trick but there was no denying what he had seen. Things were bad and now looking at Hermione he wondered how much more he could take.

He'd never admitted it to Hermione but he loved her, part of him had always loved her and he was sure that she knew that too. Sometimes he felt that she loved him too more than just as a friend. There had been occasions when they had taken their friendship further but in the light of day it was always the same no matter what had happened during the long nights.

As he looked down she looked so small. She wasn't really all that small being almost five foot eight but now she looked like the young girl she had been when he had first met her, unable to protect herself.

She moved slightly he caught it there was a twitch but he knew enough not to jump for joy it was probably only a muscle contraction. A tear left his eye and he was surprised when a tissue appeared in front of him.

He took it and smiled warmly at Luna who was standing besides him.

"What did Remus tell you?"

"That he found her at the bottom of the stairs last night, that he thinks she fell from the tier above."

"Her injuries to led to that conclusion."

"He's unsure of who did it; he thinks there might be a traitor."

"What?"

"Yeah it's a pile of shit if you ask me the prisoner can get out of a room no problem look who he is and who he follows."

Luna nodded taking a seat next to Ron.

"The prisoner didn't ask about her he just sat there looking at the curtain I think he knew she had been attacked though."

"Did he say anything to you?"

"He asked for some water."

"Did you give him some?"

"Yeah."

"Did he take your wand?"

Luna put her hand into her robes and pulled out her wand and Ron relaxed a little and sat back looking at Hermione.

"I can't understand why he would hurt her though, she was civil with him don't you know."

"I think it's because she's a good fighter. If he did it, and it's most likely he did it's because he wanted to take her out before the final battle, one less to kill him."

"I'll kill him especially if she doesn't wake up. He killed two of my friends already; I'm not letting him take a third."

"Two?"

"Neville and Harry."

He didn't have to say anymore it was true. Harry Potter was dead, the prisoner might look like his friend, sound like him and have his memories but he wasn't Harry Potter, he'd never be Harry Potter again.

"Do you want a drink or something?"

"No thanks Luna. Do me a favour and take care of Hermione."

"I will, but where're you going?"

"I need to speak to the prisoner; we need to work some things out."

He left the room and headed through the school. As he passed the charms room he heard laughter and shouting. He stepped inside to find a bunch of teenagers running around the place. Without thinking he sent a spell into the air.

"What lesson you got now?"

A girl with pink hair tied in bunches blew a large bubble with her gum before answering.

"We have charms; we're waiting for Professor Granger."

He looked around for a moment and moved to the front of the classroom.

"Well in that case, take a seat. I'm Professor Weasley and I'll be taking you for today's lesson."

"But you're an Auror."

"I know. Now hand in your assignments from last lesson."

"We didn't have one."

Ron looked at the boy in question. He had short blonde hair and his grey eyes were rather rat like. Ron just gave him a look and he pulled out a sheet and handed it over. Then Ron stood at the front of the class.

"Now today you're going to pick up your books and read the next chapter. Any questions?"

"Where's Professor Granger?"

"She isn't coming."

He sat down and opened the cupboard and found Hermione's timetable for the day. She had classes all morning and so being the friend he was he filled in for the entire morning counting down the minutes until lunch and his meeting with Prisoner X.