Chap. 4. If Truth Be Told.

Ron ran over to Hermione's bedside. She made a groaning noise and opened her eyes. "Ron?"

With out warning Ron through his arms around her. "I was afraid you'd never wake up and it'd be all my fault."

Her eyes got very wide and she patted him on the back. "It wasn't your fault, it was Lavender's."

He let her go and held her at arms length, a tear running down his face. "I know, but she wouldn't have done it if she wasn't my girlfriend in the first place. I'm sorry."

Hermione smiled. She was flattered that Ron cared so much about her, but she didn't want him blaming himself. "Don't be so hard on your self, Ron. I don't blame you."

Ron opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by madam Pomfrey coming over and ushering them out. Ron looked sad. Harry knew he didn't want to leave, but did any way.

Ron had trouble sleeping that night. Madam Pomfrey said that Hermione would be out some time the next day. He couldn't wait. He got up, put on his robe, and then headed down.

A few minutes later he was outside the hospital wing. He wondered if Hermione was awake. Only one way to find out. He creaked open the door and saw Hermione asleep in her bed. He felt so much better knowing she was going to wake up tomorrow. He conjured a chair and sat down next to her. He watched her and slowly drifted off.

Hermione woke suddenly. She wasn't sure way. She looked over and was surprised to see Ron asleep in a chair next to her bad. She smiled to herself. Harry had told her after she'd woken up that he'd done this every night since she'd been in there.

She put her face back into the pillow and her hands under it. She felt something. She took her hands out and was surprised to see a card in her hand. She opened it and read it.

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry for what happened. I didn't know she would do that. I can't believe her! I would do anything to take back what she did. And even more, what I did. Hope you feel better soon.

Love,

Ron

Hermione's smile grew wider. Sometimes Ron could be a total jerk, and others he knew just what to say. With that thought drifting in her mind, she fell back to sleep.

Harry woke to a silent room. He knew exactly where Ron was. He was where he has been every day for the past week. In the hospital wing. He was happy it was a Saturday because he had a feeling he had over slept. He drew back his curtains and found himself in an empty room. He knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, so he got dressed and headed down for breakfast.

When he was finally ready he headed down to the common room. To his surprise he saw Ginny sitting on the couch reading a book. He was sure she would be outside with Dean for it was such a beautiful day. When she saw him she smiled and he knew his face was noticeably red.

"Hi. I need to talk to you." She said in her soft and calm voice.

Harry's stomach suddenly tied into a tight not. Why would she want to talk to him? "Er… okay."

She led him out of the common room and into an empty classroom. She turned to him and her gaze became more serious. "Do you know what Ron's been doing? Every night this week I've seen him leaving the common room at all hours and not returning until breakfast. He's starting to worry me and since you're his best friend I thought you might know."

She looked at him with worry in her eyes. Harry was relieved that this was all she wanted to know. "Is that all? It's just that he was feeling bad for Hermione. He blames himself for what happened."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "That brother of mine. He's to blind to see what's in front of him. I mean it's obvious that Hermione likes him. Why else would she cry so much?"

Harry let out a small laugh. "Yeah. He can sometimes be thick, but he always catches on… eventually."

Ginny smiled. "Well with that taken care of, I told Dean I would meet him outside by the lake. Bye." And with that she turned and left.

Harry stood there for a second smiling until his stomach growled again and he remembered he was hungry, so he headed down to the Great Hall.

Ron stirred in his chair in the hospital wing. He looked around it seemed to be pretty late in the day already. He looked over and saw Hermione moving like she was having a bad dream. Actually she was.

He shook her, trying to wake her up. "Hermione! Hermione wake up!"

Her eyes shot open and she looked at Ron. A tear rolled down her face. "Oh Ron!' she plunged at him and threw her arms around him. "I had a horrible dream! You and Harry were fighting against Death Eaters and they killed you! It was so real!" she sobbed into his chest.

He sat there, stunned at how she just emotionally collapsed. He stroked her hair hoping it was comforting to her. "There, there. I'm still here, and Harry hasn't gone anywhere either. Stop crying. It'll be alright." He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. He wiped away a tear. "We'll always be here for you Hermione."

She closed her eyes and continued to sob. "I'm sorry. It was just so… scary."

He held her close as she took long, sharp breaths. "Don't be sorry. It's okay."

She looked up at him and gave him a watery smile. She loved to hear Ron when he talked like that. She could just lose herself.

Ron had left Hermione in the hospital wing and went back to the common room to get dressed and ready for the day. He was heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast when he passed Harry. "Hold on there Ron."

Ron looked at him confused. "What?"

"Ginny's worried about you, and so am I. You know she's gonna wake up, you don't need to go there every night."

Ron's brow frowned. "You don't need to worry like this. I can take care of myself. Just get off my back!" and with that he stormed off towards the Great Hall. Harry knew he was just cranky. It was still morning. He would talk to him later.

Hermione was sitting up in her bed eating her first meal in a long time. When she finished she put the bowl on her bedside table and looked around the room. She was still shocked by what had happened. She knew Lavender didn't like her, but she didn't think she would attack her like that. It was below her, even if it was Lavender.

Just then the door opened and she saw a head of red hair and freckles looking at her. This time it wasn't Ron it was Ginny. She smiled at Hermione, walked over and conjured a chair. She sat down and turned to Hermione, her eyes full of deep concern.

"How are you?"

Hermione smiled. "Fine. Well as fine as you can be after being attacked, becoming unconscious and then waking up in the hospital wing a week later."

The smile faded from Ginny's face and she looked scared. "What happened?"

Hermione thought back. Her memory wasn't that great but madam Pomfrey said it would mend. "She attacked me. Not for a good reason, but because I was Ron's friend. I was going to go down to the library to get my mind off of… things and I ran into her. We got into an argument about Ron and she got mad. She flicked her wand and next thing I know I'm being attacked by books and quills. Then she went over the limit. She made a table go after me. The next thing I know I'm here."

Ginny looked like she was deep in thought. She stayed like that for a few minutes until Hermione couldn't take it. "What?"

Ginny snapped out of her thoughts. "I was just thinking of how many detentions she could get for doing that."

Hermione laughed. It felt good. She hadn't really laughed since Ron started dating Lavender. "Thanks Gin."

Ginny cocked an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Making me laugh. I haven't in a while. Well not since…"

"I know, but Hermione he really cares about you. He's been here every day you have. He's even sipped meals, and that's saying something. As a mater of fact, he's the one who found you. You were in the broom closet all bloody and banged up. I don't think I've ever seen him more horrified in my life."

Hermione sat back, speechless. He'd actually cared. He had seen her every day for the past week and even skipped meals! She had dreamed of him rescuing her, but never thought it would happen. She was just mad she had been unconscious the whole time.

After awhile Hermione and Ginny started talking about how insensitive Ron could be.

Just as the clock struck noon Ron strode in. Ginny quickly jumped up and left, saying she had to meet Dean. Ron scowled at her back and Hermione just rolled her eyes. He came over and took the seat Ginny had recently vacated.

"So, err… how're you feeling?"

"Fin. Just fine." She looked down at her hands in her lap. She never understood why, but when she was around him she was always at loss for words.

"Listen, I…"

"No Ron. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. Don't take responsibility for her own actions."

Ron smiled at her. She was always like that. Kind and caring. He knew that if he was the one in bed and Hermione had had a boyfriend who hurt him, he would probably blame her. But she wouldn't. She wasn't that kind of person.

Hermione laughed. Ron was giving her that silly lopsided grin. He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"It's just that grin."

His grin turned into a full smile and he too started laughing. It felt good to laugh instead of fight. After the laughing stopped they stared at each other with goofy grins on their faces for a few minutes then Ron glanced at his watch and jumped up. "Bloody hell! I'm late for quidditch practice! I'll see ya later Hermione!" and with that he left Hermione alone.

"'Common Ron! You need to concentrate!" Ron had missed another shot. The twelfth one today and Harry was getting aggravated. He flew over to Ron. "I know you're thinking about Hermione, but she's fine, she's awake. You can stop worrying."

"I know, I know. I just can't keep my mind off her. When I went up to visit her we actually laughed." He was looking at his hands on his broom and smiling. "And she isn't even mad at me."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well get your head out of the clouds. We need to practice."

"I'll try my best."

"That's what I like to hear." And with that he blew his whistle and everyone was off.

The Gryffindor quidditch team staggered into the common room muddy and sore. They got changed and headed down to dinner. All except Ron. He was too anxious. He didn't know what time Hermione was getting back and madam Pomfrey wouldn't let him back into the hospital wing. She said Hermione would be out tonight so there was no need to see her then. But he wanted to.

It seemed like hours and still no Hermione. Everyone had come back from dinner and up to bed. Ron was still in his favorite armchair by the fire, staring at the embers. Harry was asleep on the couch. The clock suddenly struck one a.m. right as the portrait hole swung open which made Ron jump. He looked up and in walked Hermione.

He stood up and ran over to her and embraced her in a tight hug. The only thing he could say was, "Finally."

Hermione was again stunned by his actions and the only thing she could do was hug him back. He pulled away from her and did something she would have NEVER expected. He kissed her.

Sorry for the lateness of this chapter! I had A LOT of schoolwork and only got to work on it when I was sick. Thanks for all the reviews! I promise the next chapter wont take as long!