Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or any of the other dudes in this story. Kay?

When all is said and done
Will we still feel pain inside?
Will the scars go away with night?
Try to smile for the morning light.
- Angels and Airwaves 'A Little's Enough'

Harry sat by Hermione's bedside gazing down at her, "Fuck Hermione. Why is this happening? You have to get better, you can't die like this. Not this way. I need you right now. I can't do this without you and Ron. God yeah, Ron…he didn't mean it…"

She was sleeping.

She'd woken early this morning, according to Madam Pomfrey, and things were looking good. If she made progress during the next few days then it looked as if it wouldn't take long for her to make a full recovery, but if she didn't make progress…everything could go the other way.

Harry was no good at telling people how he felt. After years spent with the Dursleys and no one caring about what was going on in his head, he'd learnt to keep it all in. He knew, however, it was far worse for Ron.

He'd taken a look at his best friend this morning asleep in his bed, and didn't like what he saw. Even within the gentle folds of sleep Ron looked frustrated and confused. Harry didn't even want to know what was going on in his head. It was all very well, fighting the Dark Lord, watching people die, blaming yourself and whatnot, but this was a completely different matter, and Harry was sure glad he didn't have to deal with it.

Harry felt a hand grasp his shoulder, "Is she alright?" Ron whispered into Harry's ear almost frantically.

"I dunno. If she makes it through the next few days then she should be I think,"

"Why didn't you wake me when you decided to come and see her? You know I would have wanted to come…" Ron frowned sitting down beside Harry, "She doesn't look like Hermione does she?"

Harry shook his head, not knowing what to say, the truth was she didn't look like Hermione. She looked ill. And vulnerable.

There was this long drawn out silence, that seemed as though it would never end as long as Hermione was stuck there in that bed, and everything was so messed up and Ron was running around calling people he loved filth, but then it did end. But nothing else did. And none of it went away.
So much for magic.

"Harry, what happened? I mean…you know….yesterday, was I-" Ron was cut off by the sweet sound of Hermione awakening. She let out a little moan as she opened her eyes and looked around her. She frowned a little as she remembered what had happened previously and why she was here…and then she noticed Ron.

She just looked at him. Just looked. Her face was blank and her eyes were glazed over.

"Hermione, I don't know what happened I didn't mean what I said, I mean I didn't even know I said it! I don't remember, I just came into the Common Room and Harry told me and it wasn't me! I mean it was, but I mean I didn't, I couldn't say that because I Lo- I mean…"

"Ron. I'll explain." Harry said patting Ron's shoulder, he looked as if he was about to cry, and Harry didn't think he could handle that.

Hermione had looked away now, she wasn't even listening. She felt like utter shit. She could barely breathe and she felt so so weak. She could hear Ron blabbering on in the background, but she couldn't take in specific words, in any case, she didn't want to know. It doesn't even matter what he says. . Then she heard Harry's voice take over from Ron's and she decided to tell them to leave. She just wanted to sleep…forever.

"Just…Go,"

During the next two days Madam Pomfrey banned anyone from visiting Hermione Granger, insisting she needed to concentrate on getting better.
So with nothing else to do but pine for Hermione, which wasn't very appealing, Ron Weasley decided to spend his time perfecting the diffindo charm. Professor Flitwick would be pleased.

"Have you seen Ron?" Harry asked Seamus as the Irish boy stumbled out of the Common Room followed abruptly by a very pissed off Lavender Brown, "Fuck off Seamus," she said shoving him In the chest, "You don't know how I feel"

"Lavender it's illegal! You could get sent - Oh hi Harry…"

"Have you seen Ron?" Harry repeated.

Seamus glared at Lavender, "No, sorry mate, not seen him all day. You could ask Lavender though, I'm sure she's got some idea,"

"Fuck you Seamus,"

"Poetic," Seamus smirked, and then stalked off, leaving Harry confused and irritated.

"Have you seen him? " He asked the very disgruntled brunette.

"NO!" Lavender screeched, before storming after Seamus.

So where the fuck was he?