Chapter 8: Ron, You do need help.

Ron stood up from under the desk, his wand pointed at Albus.

"Now, Miss Granger, Disarm him!"

Hermione flipped out her wand, "Expelliarmus!"

Ron flew back, while Draco ran out the door. He was going to find Potter. He didn't want to leave Hermione in there by herself, but he knew he was gonna need the help of a great wizard. He didn't like to admit it, but Potter was a really good and skilled wizard. He could beat Weasel any day, unless friendship got in the way. But what about his friendship with Hermione, or his loyalty to Albus?

He ran to the Gryffindor common room, he has good memory, and started knocking on the side of the portrait frame. Finally, a young first year came to the "Door."

"Can I help you?" The kid was obviously confused.

"Uh, yeah. Could you get Potter for me?"

"I don't personally know him, but-,"

"Just go and get him."

"Okay."

The little kid ran off and came back a couple minutes later, with Harry.

"Hi, Malfoy. You want something?"

"Um, yeah. Could you follow me?"

"Uhh, sure."

Draco turned and left, Harry trailing behind. When they got there, Harry looked at Draco quizzically, then turned to the gargoyle and mumbled the password. So far Draco had only heard "Toots-," and that was it.

They jumped up and when they got into the office, Ron and Hermione were standing there, wand to wand, glaring at each other. Albus was standing on the side, arms folded, looking bored. Harry went to grab Ron, but Albus put up his hand, signaling to stop.

Harry cocked his head and raised his eyebrow. Albus entered his mind, "Leave them. I want to see this."

Draco looked at Harry and he looked at him signaling him to wait. The two duelers still stood there, not noticing anything else.

Finally after 10 or 15 minutes of this, Ron lowered his wand. "I can't do this."

Hermione kept her wand steady, still glaring at Ron. "C'mon sissy boy. Can't hurt a girl?"

Ron just looked shocked. Then he raised his wand again. "You bet I can."

"C'mon, sissy boy."

"Shut up."

"C'mon. C'MON!"

"No! Uh, shut up! Just…. SHUT UP!"

"C'MON SISSY BOY! DISARM ME! HIT ME AS HARD AS YOU CAN!"

"SHUT UP!"

"HIT ME!"

"NO!"

"YOU WANNA DO THIS THE MUGGLE WAY?" Hermione dropped her wand and stood in a defensive fighting position. "Hit me."

Ron lowered his wand, "Hermione, I can't. I just can't."

"Why not, sissy boy?"

"Shut up."

"Why not?" She slugged him across the face. He just stood there. "C'mon. I've never done this before and it looks fun!" She hit him again. His nose started to bleed and still he just stood there.

"Hermione. I can't hurt you. I just can't."

"Why not?" punch

"Because I love you to much."

"But, I love Draco."

"What!"

"I love Draco. Now c'mon, hit me!" Ron punched her so hard across the face, she passed out.

Harry rushed up. He grabbed Ron from behind. He held him there for a long time, Ron just crying. "Ron, you do need help." He said. Ron forced a tiny smile, but then continued to cry.

In the meantime, Draco rushed up to Hermione and tried to wake her up. He was slapping her across the face andpouring water on her face. When she finally came around, Ron was still in Harry's arms and Draco was in front of her.

"Hi. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I should be. At least, I feel fine."

"Good. That's… that's good."

Hermione forced up a weak smile. She looked over at Ron. "He does need help."

Draco laughed awkwardly. He looked over at Ron, too. "He does love you, too, I guess."

Hermione was surprised. "But…. You love me, too."

"Yes. But…. I don't know if I could be good enough for you. I mean, I would probably cheat on you. I know I love you, but I just can't take a commitment. He would be proper suited for you." He looked back at Hermione. "I just…. He….."

"Hush." Hermione put a finger on his lips to quiet him. "It's okay."

"Really? Cool."

Hermione stood up and walked over to Ron. "Hey."

He looked up at her. "Please don't kill me."

"I won't." She helped him stand up. They walked down the stairs and then to the Gryffindor common room.

When they got there, everyone was looking at them. Somehow, news had gotten out.

R&R. It's not that exciting, I know.