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CHAPTER 12
"Wha...whadyadoin?" Ron muttered drowsily. Someone was shaking him. It was rather annoying. Why didn't they stop?
"Pig's just arrived with this letter from Professor McGonagall. You're the only one I know that could sleep through his constant squawking." Harry's voice said.
Ron opened his eyes and sat up quickly, suddenly awake. Harry was peering over him with a letter in one hand. Ron quickly took the letter from Harry, and looked around the room. Seamus, Dean, and Neville were all puffy-eyed and looking a bit annoyed. Harry, however, looked anxious... Harry's expression was infectious because Ron soon began worrying about what the letter might entail. What if Hermione had only gotten worse overnight?
Ron's heart began racing as he tore open his letter.
Mr. Ronald Weasley,
Due to yesterday's unfortunate events, Miss Granger will be held in the infirmary until tonight's evening meal. Madam Pomfrey has requested your assistance. She asks that you arrive before the lunch hour. Please arrive alone. Miss Granger will not be allowed any other visitors today.
Thank you,
Professor M. McGonagall
Ron let out a relieved sigh. Hermione was going to be released tonight. She must be recovering well. Ron glanced at his bedside clock and saw that it was seven in the morning. Well, he thought, it's before the lunch hour!
He hurried out of bed, explaining the letter to Harry as he dressed, yet making sure their roommates wouldn't overhear him. Harry seemed to be disappointed that he wouldn't be allowed to visit later on, but Ron didn't have time to dwell on this. He grabbed some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from his trunk, along with his Geography of the Magical World textbook. If Hermione were to be bedridden for the day, she would definitely appreciate an interesting book.
As Ron hurried out of Gryffindor Tower, his mind began replaying yesterday's events. He felt as though everything that had happened after the Quidditch match were a horrible nightmare. After he'd returned from delivering Hermione to the hospital wing, he had taken Harry and Ginny away from the still-vibrant victory party to fill them in. Upstairs in the boy's dormitory, Ron had explained everything, and it hadn't been easy.
Harry was just as furious about the situation as Ron. He actually cursed, which was very rare for Harry. Ginny had started crying and cursing at the same time, which Ron thought was probably rare for anybody. The three of them had shared their suspicions on the perpetrators, and had come to the same conclusion. They were in agreement that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were the only people at Hogwarts that would do something so horrible.
At one point, Ginny asked the question that Ron had been trying his hardest to avoid. 'Could this, in any way, be related to Harry's dream?' Harry had ensured her that it had nothing to do with his dream. He had said that it was probably Malfoy's way of getting back at Ron for breaking his jaw. When Ginny had seemed keen on asking Harry even more questions about his dream, Ron told her and Harry that he needed to go to bed. It had been early, but Ron couldn't stand to think of what Ginny was suggesting. Besides, Ron had wanted to get to sleep; he had been ready for the morning to arrive so that he could go see Hermione.
And finally, the morning was here and Ron had just arrived at the hospital wing. He hadn't the slightest idea why Madam Pomfrey would need his assistance…or why she wouldn't allow any other visitors. But he was still very eager to see how Hermione was fairing this morning. When he entered, he found a pajama-clad Hermione sitting up in bed with the covers around her, forcing down a thick purple-tinted juice.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed eagerly, putting down her medicine bottle. Ron's whole body seemed to relax slightly at the sight of a smiling, healthy-looking Hermione. She continued, "What are you doing here at this hour?" But Madam Pomfrey entered before Ron could respond.
"Good, Miss Granger. I see you've finished the last of your Anxiety Antidote. And Mr. Weasley! You're early! Good. Minerva must have sent an early owl." Madam Pomfrey then conjured a plush, white lounge chair with her wand right beside Hermione's bed. "Have a seat, and I'll bring you both some breakfast." She said before quickly leaving the room.
Ron took a seat on the lounge chair beside Hermione and set the candy and book he had brought with him on her nightstand. He then showed Hermione the letter he had received that morning.
"Your assistance?" Hermione said after finishing the letter. "What does she mean?"
"I've no idea." Ron said truthfully.
Just then Madam Pomfrey arrived with two trays of bacon, eggs, and toast. "Listen, you two. Eat up and then I want you both to discuss yesterday's events. I find talking about the source of the trauma to be the first major step in recovery. I know it won't be a pleasant conversation, but it must be done." She then gave each of them a tray before she exited the room and closed the doors behind her. Ron had wanted to remind her about informing Dumbledore or McGonagall about Malfoy, but he reckoned he could wait until after breakfast.
Ron and Hermione ate their breakfast without much talk. He was sure she was thinking about their upcoming conversation, as was he.His assistance was to make Hermione relive yesterday's incident; he dreaded it. Not because he didn't want to hear Hermione's side of the story, he did. He wanted to know exactly what had happened, but not at the cost of Hermione reliving it so soon. However, Ron was sure that Madam Pomfrey knew best. So after their breakfast trays had magically disappeared, Ron decided to make the first move.
"It was Malfoy wasn't it?" He said darkly, not looking at Hermione.
"I…I don't know." Hermione said, her voice shaking slightly. "I remember climbing the stairs, but then…I felt calm…and…light-headed, as if dreaming. It was as if I blacked out and then the calm feeling left me, and I found myself in that room with those…those…" Hermione's voice trailed off into an inaudible murmur.
"A Memory Charm? Malfoy hit you with a Memory Charm?" Ron stated heatedly. "That scum…that complete…"
"Ron, not a Memory Charm…I don't think." Hermione bit her lip; "I researched the three Unforgivable Curses after the fake Moody's lesson on them our fourth year. I think I was under the Imperious Curse."
"What? That…that…that's brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione looked completely perplexed. "I mean, no! That's not what I meant. It's just that that curse could land Malfoy in Azkaban for life! We've got to tell Dumbledore!"
Hermione shook her head solemnly.
"What, Hermione?" Ron asked, distraught. "You know it was him! Luna told me that she saw you after the game with three boys. Well, I know it was…Luna that told me…and she didn't see their faces…but I just know it was Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle who did it!"
"Ron," Hermione began gravely, "you are probably right, but there's not one teacher in this school that can punish three students on another student's suspicion."
Ron stood up from his chair, fuming. "Hermione! Luna saw…"
"Three unidentified boys! And I saw no one!" Hermione shouted back unexpectedly. What was she on about? Dumbledore would believe them; he had to.
"Hermione, I'm going to tell Madam Pomfrey to get Dumbledore." Ron started walking hurriedly toward the door.
"I've already spoken with him." Hermione said evenly. Ron stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.
"You what? So…so what's the problem? The bloke believed you didn't he?" Ron exclaimed incredulously. Hermione let out an impatient sigh.
"Ron, I told you. There's not one teacher here that can punish Malfoy on our suspicions."
"Suspicions?" Ron spat. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why wasn't she as furious as he? Malfoy had managed to land Hermione in the hospital wing for a full day due to a horrible trauma, and he wouldn't even get a detention?
"Suspicions, Hermione? I'm not suspicious of Malfoy. I know it was him, and so do you!" Even as the words came out of his mouth, Ron knew Hermione was right. If Dumbledore was refusing to punish Malfoy, there could be no justice served on this matter.
"I'll kill him." Ron said through clenched teeth. "I swear, the next time I see that slimy bastard I'll make sure he won't be able to say my name without wetting himself."
Hermione suddenly slammed her hand down on her bedside table, causing the Bertie Bott's Beans to rattle in their container. "Ron, you can't! Then you will be the one facing expulsion!" Hermione said frustrated. "Promise me that you won't go near him, Ronald."
"I can't promise you that, Hermione." Ron said flatly, as he walked back toward her bed. He was looking down at her distressed expression, and he couldn't imagine how she thought he was going to restrain himself from taking Malfoy's head off. Hermione let out a loud sigh, threw the covers off her legs, and shot up off the bed to stand before him.
"Hermione, sit back down." Ron commanded, although it came out more of a request.
"Not until you promise!" Her jaw was set and her hands were crossed firmly across her chest. Ron briefly noticed that she even looked beautiful in baggy flannel pajamas before remembering his anger.
"I can't just let him get away with this, Hermione!"
"Ron, what good will it do me if you go off tp do something rash, that will only result in your expulsion and Malfoy hating us more?" Ron thought it sounded as if Hermione were holding back tears. He couldn't bear to see her cry right now. Shaking his head, he knew that he was beat.
"Fine. I promise…" He spat, sagging back down to his chair. "Just…get back in bed, will ya?"
To Ron's surprise, Hermione did as he said and climbed back into the hospital bed. However, the look on her face told Ron that she wasn't completely convinced by his promise, and in actuality, neither was he. What Malfoy had done to Hermione was just too horrible. Ron tried to picture himself locked in a room with a giant spider, which he believed to be real. He shuddered at the mere thought of it…at the mere thought of a spider. She had been in a room with three presumed Death Eaters!
"Ron," Hermione began, picking at a seemingly fascinating spot on her fingernail, "I haven't thanked you yet, for finding me and bringing me here. I think I was in shock yesterday, but I want you to know that I do remember you…well…how comforting you were. I just wanted you to know…that I…well…thanks."
Was she blushing? Was Hermione Jane Granger blushing? Ron's heart suddenly seemed to sprout wings. It was fluttering and beating madly, and he hoped Hermione couldn't hear it. He had thought for sure that she would have little, if any, recollection of his behavior last night. With a sudden lurch in his stomach, he wondered if she also knew that he had kissed her before leaving. With another lurch, he realized her blushing seemed to give him an incredible urge to kiss her again…but this time, on her tempting lips. He closed his eyes to clear his mind of this inappropriate thought toward his friend.
"Hermione?" Ron asked hesitantly, sure that Hermione could see how red his face and ears were right now.
"Yeah?"
"About this last week…I…"
"Oh, Ron, please let me go first!" Hermione asked desperately, turning to face him directly. Her legs were hanging off the edge of the bed, and they looked so small. He scooted his chair a bit closer so his legs were a slight two inches from hers. He only did this so that he could give her his undivided attention…yeah…right. Ron nodded at her to start.
"I am really, really sorry for the way I acted at Hogsmeade. I overreacted to…well, everything. And then I…" Hermione took a deep breath, and it looked like she was fighting tears again, but she continued to keep eye contact. "Whoever you fall in love with…will be incredibly fortunate."
Ron's heart apparently decided to start beating in his ears. Had she really meant that? How could she? He was such a jerk! Ron looked away from Hermione for a moment to rub his face slowly with one hand. She was on the verge of tears, apologizing to him. Ron couldn't stand it.
"Hermione, you aren't the one that should be apologizing, and you don't have to say things like that…about whoever I…you know. I mean…I think the reason I got so angry at Hogsmeade was because…well, I agreed with you." Ron looked up to see Hermione looking down at him with deep concern.
"Ron, no…please don't feel that way about yourself. It's simply not true!"
"Well, regardless of what I believe," He continued sadly, "I was a complete jerk for ignoring you. And, if it makes you feel any better…I was really miserable all week."
Hermione let out a delightful laugh that startled Ron, before saying, "No, that doesn't make me feel better…well…maybe a little." Ron couldn't help but smile at her. Hermione's smile suddenly turned to a serious frown, though, and she scooted closer to the edge of the bed. Her legs bumped into Ron's knees, but he didn't move for hopes that it would happen again.
"I need to know something, Ron." She was looking at him so intently. Oh no! He'd done it again…crap, crap, crap…lie, lie, lie! "Ron, I need to know that you won't ever refuse to talk to me about something…about anything." Ron let out a slow shaky breath of relief.
"You don't need to worry about that. After yesterday, when I thought that I might lose…I mean, when I couldn't find you…just…believe me when I say that I won't make that mistake again." He said sincerely. Hermione simply nodded. Ron looked away from her; he needed to break the awkward silence.
"Hermione, do you think we should talk about…the Boggart?"
Hermione began shifting uncomfortably in her bed. Ron looked up at her anxiously. She opened her mouth twice, as if to speak, but then closed it again. Finally she said, "Ron, I…I don't think that I can…can talk about what happened yesterday."
Ron simply looked at Hermione's imploring, teary-eyed face before nodding his head and standing up from his chair. His heart was aching for her, yet there was still an underlying fury within him toward Malfoy. No matter what Madam Pomfrey had said, there was no way he would make her talk about what had happened if she didn't want to; not after she'd looked at him like that.
Hermione was looking up at Ron. He had the oddest expression on his face. It was stony and unreadable. Why had he stood up? He was just standing there, staring at her. Was he going to try and force her to talk about what had happened yesterday in that cold stone room? Or, was he going to leave now that he knew he didn't have to talk about it? She wasn't keen on either option.
For an hour yesterday, she had truly believed that Ron and Harry were dead, that the Death Eaters had stormed Hogwarts, and that they were going to kill her next. She had felt as if she were drowning. Everything had been in slow motion, sounds had become muffled, the air had become impossible to breath…and she had done nothing. She hadn't even had the courage to stupefy them or even move for that matter. And then…everything else was a blur until she realized that two strong hands were upon her face and two brilliantly blue eyes were staring into hers. As soon as she had seen Ron's face it was as if she had been pulled up from the depths of the deepest ocean. But now that it was over, she would rather Ron leave than make her talk about it.
"You should probably get some rest." Ron said quietly, breaking into Hermione's trance. She nodded and let out a sigh of relief. However, he was still looking at her with that stony expression. She looked away awkwardly and swung her legs onto the bed.
Ron raised her covers so that she could put her feet in properly. She looked up at him before easing her feet under the blanket. He never ceased to amaze her with the amount of gentility he could show toward her every so often. He leaned over the bed slightly and began pulling the covers up to her waist; one hand had brushed up the side of her leg. Hermione jerked at the unexpected contact, chills forming down her leg, and Ron quickly moved his hands away. He then turned his back to her and began fiddling with the book he had brought.
Hermione didn't have time to dwell on the awkwardness of the situation because she noticed something as she looked up at Ron's back. "Ron?" She said suspiciously, causing him to turn and look at her apologetically.
"Hermione, I didn't mean to…" He began hastily, but Hermione interrupted him before he could make the situation more awkward.
"No, I just saw something through your shirt…on your shoulder. Is it swollen?" She asked worriedly. Had the Boggart injured him?
Ron reached up and felt the back of his right shoulder. And then in a relieved sort of voice said, "Oh! Oh…that…it's nothing. I'm just bruised from that bludger."
Hermione had forgotten all about the Quidditch game. "It looks kind of serious. Come sit down." Hermione commanded, scooting over and patting the edge of her bed with her palm. He walked over slowly, almost hesitantly, and sat down beside her.
Hermione turned toward him and reached up to pull back on his collar; she was only able to pull it down slightly, but Ron flinched. "Good grief!" Hermione exclaimed, looking at the top of the large, blue and black swell on his shoulder. It spanned across his entire shoulder blade and was swollen almost an inch high!
"Hermione, it's really okay. It'll go away." He said chuckling a bit. "Besides, the important thing is…Madam Hooch caught the foul."
"It's not funny, Ron." Hermione said seriously. "This is a severe contusion."
"A con-what-in?" Ron asked skeptically, turning his head to the side to look at her.
"It's just another name for a bruise." Hermione said dismissively, "But what I'm trying to tell you is that I've read ahead to chapter six in our Healing book…this could be bad. Excess fluid could accumulate and cause a hematoma…if this isn't already one. Ron, it could disrupt your blood flow and then Madam Pomfrey would have to do some advanced healing to cure you."
"So…if contusion is just another name for bruise…why don't you just call it a bruise? I mean, think about it. Bruise is one syllable, contusion is…"
"Ron," Hermione said impatiently. "I know how to fix this bruise if you'll let me take a proper look at it." Hermione suddenly felt embarrased as she realized what she was asking. But, she didn't care! He had to have the injury treated. "Just…if you could just raise your shirt up in back, I can heal this. Then you won't have to worry about Madam Pomfey confining you to a bed for a full day."
Ron shifted uncomfortably. "Hermione, I really think it's fine … what … what are you doing?" Hermione had decided to take matters into her own hands. She had grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt in back and was pulling it carefully up to his neck.
When she had rolled his shirt up to rest above his shoulders, she let out a gasp. It looked even worse than she'd thought…well, the bruise at least. Hermione granted herself one quick glance up and down Ron's exposed back. He was covered with light, brown freckles, but they were almost imperceptible because of the vast amount of them blending into one another…his muscles expanded with every breath…and down the center of his back was the dip of his spine…he was beautiful.
Hermione forced herself to focus on Ron's injured shoulder. She took her fingers and lightly felt about the swell; it was very warm. Chills began appearing across his entire back. "You have goosebumps." Hermione said, wondering at their cause. Were they caused by pain?
Ron cleared his throat. "Yeah…your hands are cold." He said quietly. Hermione noticed the backs of his ears turning pink.
"I really think they should take the Beaters off of the Quidditch field." Hermione exclaimed. "I mean this kind of injury is ridiculous. And…they just aren't necessary for the game."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed incredulously, turning around slightly. Hermione pushed his uninjured shoulder forward. "Take the Beaters off of the…Hermione…not neccesary? They sure as bloody hell are necessary, and I'll tell you why."
"No you will not. Not if you don't stop swearing. I mean, really, Ronald." Hermione said absently as she finished scrutinizing the injury. "Okay, now I'm not saying that this won't still hurt for a while after I'm finished, but at least it won't be swollen anymore…could you hand me my wand please?"
Ron leaned forward to retrieve her wand from the sidetable. Hermione tried not to stare, as his lean waist became more visible with the stretch. Ron turned his torso to look at her as he sat back and handed her the wand. "Now, you're sure you know what you're doing?" He asked jokingly. She ignored him and took the wand from his hand. He just smiled and turned back around, causing her heart to flip-flop. She tried to ignore it, however, seeing as how she neededgreat concentration for this spell.
Hermione placed her wand tip at one side of the contusion and uttered the appropriate incantation. The swelling immediately began to decrease; the color became a bit lighter, as well. When she had finished, Hermione placed her wand down on the bed and pulled Ron's shirt down slowly. Her fingers grazed part of his lower back.
"Done." Hermione said, feeling a bit nervous...for more than one reason."It doesn't hurt worse or anything does it? I mean, I've never done any Healing on a human…only the Baccaberry Hares."
Ron turned his torso to face her, "It feels much better, actually. Thanks." He said sincerely. And then with a smile, "Madam Pomfrey better watch out, huh?" Suddenly Ron's eyes drifted to the left of Hermione's head. "Hey! Who sent you Chocolate Frogs?" He exclaimed.
Hermione glanced over her shoulder at the window seal, where there were about ten Chocolate Frog boxes. "Professor Dumbledore brought them. Would you like one?"
Ron shrugged. "Sure." He said casually. Hermione smiled as shereached behind her for a box and tossed it at him. He caught it in both hands.
Ron opened the flap and his eyes suddenly went wide. "Ptolemy! Wow! Do you know how long I've been looking for…" Ron's Chocolate Frog suddenly decided to jump out of its package; the frog jumped right past Hermione, and onto the window seal with the nine remaining Chocolate Frog boxes.
Before Hermione knew what was happening, Ron lunged for it with his left hand, while using his right hand to brace himself by placing it on the bed, about an inch from Hermione's hip. Hermione's heart caught in her throat as Ron's torso lay extended a few inches above her own.
"Got him!" Ron exclaimed, but then his face suddenly became a bright red as he realized what he'd done. With one hand on the window seal and the other beside her hip, Ron looked down slowly into Hermione's face. Her heart began hammering wildly. She suddenly felt faint. His face was so close to hers, she could feel his warm breath on her lips.
She took a deep swallow as their gazes locked. This couldn't be reality. He was staring at her with a somewhat frustrated, but extremely handsome look on his face. Why wasn't he moving? With a sudden mixture of elation and anxiety, her heartrate quickened considerably. Was he going to…kiss her? I can't take this anymore, she thought frantically, closing her eyes. Just kiss me! Hermione's heart was beating so hard now that her chest had begun to ache.
Just then Madam Pomfrey's office door opened with a noisy creak. Hermione's eyes flew open at the same time that Ron pushed himself away from the window seal. He then quickly sank down into his chair. With his elbows on his thighs, he rested his face in his right hand, his left was still grasping the Chocolate Frog. Hermione tried to catch her breath. What in the worldhad just happened?
"Hello! Have we gotten started on the little chat we talked about?" Madam Pomfrey asked from the infirmary doorway. Her voice sounded incredibly loud in comparison to the tense silence she had unknowingly interrupted.
"Y-yes, Madam Pomfrey. We're working on it." Hermione said, breathlessly. Ron still had his head in his hand; Hermione could see that his ears were extremely red and his neck appeared sweaty.
"Good. Good…" Madam Pomfrey smiled briefly, but then squinted her eyes at Hermione. "Are you all right, Miss Granger? You appear to have a fever." She rushed over to Hermione and put a hand to her forehead. "My goodness! You're burning up child! And you're breathing so heavily. Poor dear…being cornered by that monster!"
Hermione saw Ron's head popup at the word, "monster," but he quickly put it back in his hand, his knee bobbing up and down frantically.
"Wait one moment; I'll get you a Cooling Potion." Madam Pomfrey said before quickly walking out, returning the room to its tense silence. Hermione definitely did need a Cooling Potion. Actually, she needed to pinch herself. Had Ron Weasley actually almost kissed her? She had to be dreaming. She wished he would say something!
"Hermione…" Ron's voice was strained when he spoke at last, and it sent shivers up Hermione's neck. His head wasn't resting on his hand now, but he was staring at his Chocolate Frog, which he suddenly tossed onto the side table before looking back down at his hands. "I'm really tired, and I'm still shaken from yesterday…I really need to just…get some fresh air or something...I'm sorry…"
Ron stood up quickly and darted for the door, without looking at her. "Ron, wait!" She called. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob, but instead of turning around he simply yanked the door open and hurried out, leaving Hermione feeling very confused and alone as the door slammed shut with an echoing boom.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Um...okay, some of you are probably comtemplating throwing your monitors across the room...But I strongly advise you not to! Lol...I have a feeling ya'll are going to want to stay tuned b/c...well...CHAPTER 13 coming up! Please continue to review!