3.30 pm
Ron was in Hermione's room but he was alone. He looked at Hermione's watch still on his wrist even though it was two from now that he placed it on. As Hermione said it was just passed 3.30. He threw the cloak over his head and checked in Hermione's mirror that he was completely invisible. He sat on her bed for a few minutes. When he decided it was almost time and satisfied he was invisible he tiptoed out the door without shutting it and padded silently in his trainers down the stairs.
The living room door was slightly ajar and he heard Rose's voice flowing out the door.
"…You have to make one last choice before you die Harry, to make this all the more fun. Give you a taste of the pain I had to bear. Which one of your friends do you wish for me let live? Will it Ron or Hermione?" Ron groaned silently and crept into the room, holding his breath as he edged round the door. Harry stood with his back to him.
"Which one was it that was dearest to you in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament? Oh yes, how could I forget? Ron." Rose went on.
Ron crept slowly towards Harry. If he was immobilised he wouldn't feel his pocket move.
A thought just occurred to Ron: if he were to put the vial into Harry's pocket would have to slide his hand out from under the Cloak. He was about to start panicking because time was running out but decided to go for it. "…Two… One. Tut, tut, Harry. Such a powerful wizard, incapable of making a simple choice. I guess the one to sacrifice will have to be the girl…" He opened Harry's trouser pocket a little wider and dropped it in. No one had noticed anything. Now to save Hermione.
Everything must come to death, Harry. Everything and everybody dies eventually."
Now!
"Avada Kedavra." Ron lunged at Hermione and pushed her out the way. As he'd jumped, he did as he promised and showed her a glimpse of his hair. She stared at it in disbelief and then passed out.
He's done it. She was alive.
"NO!" Harry cried; and then fell silent.
"Muggles," Rose said. "You're coming with me." And they were gone.
Ron looked at himself as he stumbled to the ground and knelt in front of Hermione, oblivious that he was there. Ron had a strong feeling to throw the Cloak off but he resisted. They were ok. Things would work out.
He left the room, edging past the door again and sat against the front door, hugging his knees to his chin, thinking. Those Muggles that had made Rose go; they had all presumed it was Hermione's parents home but it was just people walking down the street.
Ron heard his past self crying and to his relief even though he knew she'd been ok, Hermione's voice.
They sat and talked in the other room for a while and then Hermione left the room and headed slowly up the stairs. He felt like he wanted to follow her but he knew better. She came down again with cauldron and ingredients and went into the living room. There was some talk and then Ron came out. The door was no longer half shut so he walked quietly through and went into the kitchen. She was facing him but didn't know he was there and stirred her cauldron, then filled the vial. He breathed in the sweet aroma of lemon and again had a strange sensation to reveal himself. He was about to but the kitchen door opened. She held up the vial to past Ron and said, "It's all set. All I can do now is get the Time-Turner. Come with me and take the Cloak."
He followed them upstairs and waited out side her bedroom door that was still open and watched her giving him instructions. He watched on as she said she loved him and him say he loved her too. "…Nothing will go wrong. We'll carry on this conversation later when I get back to this time ok? You won't know we had this conversation before this." He hugged her and said, "See you soon." When he'd gone Ron stepped into the room and this time threw off the Cloak.
"I did it!" He yelled happily. She ran up to him and gave him a hug.
"I knew you'd do it!" she replied. "Nobody saw you? Harry?"
"No one," he grinned. "It feels like I haven't seen you for ages but I've seen you all this time."
"Where did you go when you'd saved me?" Hermione asked.
"I sat by the door. I was in the kitchen when you made the potion." He told her. "I really wanted to show myself and see you properly."
"Well it's a good thing you didn't. But I thought I heard someone come in the room. I was sure it was you; past you I mean, because Rose is away. "
"Yeah," Ron agreed. "I came in as I was about to do it though."
"What do you think is going on?" she asked nervously.