(A/N: Wow…I was absolutely blown away by the responses I received this chapter! THANK YOU! You guys are the best!! I know that last chapter was sad (and I'm not trying to be pessimistic) but if you're familiar with my other fics, then you'll know I dig into the sadness and drama a bit…so, basically what I'm saying is…be prepared for more. Another VERY important note is that my finals are next week. I'm real sorry but writing isn't number one on that to do list at the present moment so please try to understand if there's a wait in between the chapters here for the next two weeks. Once those are done though, I predict we'll be in the heart of the story and I'll have lots of time to write! I personally don't like this chapter as much as chapter nine but it has to be there, as much as I would love to skip right to the juicy stuff, you all would be very confused. So anyways, I hope you like this chapter and thanks again for all your splendid reviews!!! Hugs, Haystack)
Roncrazychic: So nice to hear from a new reviewer! Thanks so much for taking the time to review, it means a lot to me. So glad you're enjoying the story, hope to hear from you again!
ShimmeringEvil: You'll find out Hermione's fate in this chapter. Glad you liked last chapter, I love sweet interactions between Hermione and Ron too! Lol thanks for reviewing!!
AmyChris: Aw, your review made me smile! It's so nice to know my story's getting a reaction from readers, the fact that you almost cried is great news to me, my goal will now be to have you crying at least once by the end of the story! In my mind, the true sign of love is if you truly need the person; as in if they died you would go crazy, so I was glad when I could weave my little philosophy into the story! You're a smarter one to catch have caught it! Lol thanks for your wonderful review!!
Legofiance: It's so nice to meet another reviewer! Thanks sooo much for your review, it was one of those that encouraged me to sit down and type! Hope to hear from you in the future!!
eckles: Thanks for your review!! Hopefully, I'll hear from you again!
cumbacksirius: Another review that made me smile! Thanks so much for your encouragement! Thanks for reviewing!!
Bhekie: lol yup, bittersweet chapters always get a reaction! Thanks so much for reviewing!!
SOBs 4 Sirius 223: When you reviewed, I recognized your name but I somehow couldn't figure out where I'd heard it. But then finally it hit me a few minutes later…you're a reviewer from my Draco/Hermione stories! So nice to hear from you again and Thanks for reviewing!!!
dancerrdw: Aw thanks for the sweet review! Hope the update was soon enough for you!
SlytherinRoyalty: Yes yes yes! I remembered you immediately! Soo nice to hear from you again and I'm VERY happy that you gave my story a chance!! I feel like writing is easier, and my chapters are longer than they were for SV and ST but it's so nice to hear someone say it! Thanks sooo much and I'm so happy I could add another favorite pairing to your list! Thanks again!!
Smiles28: As I told another reviewer, tears? Yay! That may sound bad but it's always been a goal of mine in writing. So lemme know if the tears ever make their way out of your eyes! Lol…aww that's so sweet of you to ask your friends to read it! I hope to hear from em sometime!! Personally, I'm glad someone made up JKR's mind for her, and I support your "Ron Weasley will not die" thing all the way!! As for your story, I can't wait till the next chapter is up. Count on my review!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CHAPTER TEN: SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
Hermione walked to her room slowly, her arms encircled around herself in an attempt to fight off the cold; she'd forgotten her cloak again. Her mind was in a state of overload, too many emotions and thoughts were bouncing off the walls of her brain. But the grumbling of her stomach brought her back to earth. She hadn't eaten. Why hadn't she eaten?
Because Ron had been there.
Her heart lurched with the thought of the encounter she'd just had. She hadn't expected him to be there, though many times she'd hoped he would be. Sighing, and pushing open the door to her "room" she glanced around.
It was a rather large room for what she needed to do. Gray stone made up the ceiling, walls, and floor, each one just as cold as the next. The room had no fireplace; the only item filling up the empty room was a small bed that looked very much out of place. The room lacked a window, something that Hermione hated most. She hadn't seen the sun, felt the wind or seen the sky in over four weeks.
Shivering, she made her way over to the corner where a large cauldron sat over a small fire, and sat down, opening her book to the recipe. She still had to let the potion sit for another hour, a task she feared, for Hermione never was certain these days when she would drop suddenly into a deep sleep.
Already struggling to stay awake, she diverted her thoughts towards her run-in with Ron.
He was her first human contact in weeks. She had been surprised that when she had spoken, her voice had sounded relatively normal; it had been a while since she'd used it. The house elves in the kitchen were nice enough, but by now they already knew her preferences and started leaving her plates of food so they would be able to go to bed; her hours were a bit different than the rest of the world.
She honestly hadn't realized how terribly she missed Ron and Harry until she saw Ron today. She thought about them constantly, wondering how they were fairing without her, and simply missing their company. As terrible as Ron made it out to be without her, (something she secretly was grateful for. At least she wasn't the only one suffering) Ron had the better end of the stick. At least he had Ginny and Harry to talk to, Hermione had no one. Every now and then she'd murmur little sentences to herself, almost to make sure that she could engage in conversation than anything else. She always refused to talk for long lengths of time though; she didn't want to drive herself insane now did she?
She sighed again and settled in her little corner, wishing desperately to be in Ron's arms instead of alone in this dark room. The way he'd held her…. whispering sweet things in her ear…. it just made Hermione's heart want to burst. She scolded herself suddenly, for insisting that he return to his dormitory, she should have brought him here to keep her company. Maybe he even could have held her as she watched the flickering flames of the small fire… NO! She screamed at herself You cant' take advantage of him like that! He only holds you when you're distressed, he wouldn't have touched you otherwise!
Accepting her situation, she sifted positions, looking around for something to occupy herself. Finding nothing, she played with her hair as she thought of her friends. How she wished she could be in class, taking notes and reading instead of sitting here idle! Drifting back into her dream world that only a month ago was her life, she imagined herself going to Quidditch games and laughing with Harry and Ron, her only worries being homework and upcoming tests. She would eat good meals in a grand hall with tables stretched miles long, instead of alone with her plate in her lap.
Twisting her hair between her fingers, she examined it for a moment. The strands were dull and dry, her normally lush, shiny curls, lying limply atop her head. She knew she looked bad. If it had just been her looks, not being one to normally care that much, it wouldn't have bothered her. But it was the fact that she was weak and sick as well that made Hermione miserable. Rolling up her shirt, she checked her watch.
It had been an hour.
Her stomach flipping uneasily; knowing full well what was about to happen (and dreading it), Hermione walked over to the cabinet Dumbledore had provided with ingredients and pulled out a small phial with a watery, purple potion inside. She positioned herself in front of the cauldron, crossing her legs in the process, and slowly added a single drop into the large base.
Her hands started shaking as her fingers began tingling. It was only the beginning. She steadied herself and added another drop. The tingling sensation moved up her arms, becoming more powerful with each drop. Hermione's heart was beating fast and her lungs started getting heavy. A third drop. The sensation was all over her body, her legs involuntarily twitching. A forth. The room started spinning. She put on hand on the wall to steady herself. A fifth. Breathing was becoming difficult. A sixth. Hermione felt sick to her stomach; the kind of feeling she had when she was about to vomit. Seven. It was almost as though someone were pounding a mallet against her head. Eight. Suddenly, her temperature shot up, making Hermione twitch about in a cold sweat. Nine. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks, it felt as though she were burning up, too many things felt wrong with her. Ten. It felt as though a bolt of electricity had shot throughout her body, frying up everything inside her to a crisp. She could feel the magic seeping out through her fingers out into the cold air. She'd never felt so terrible before, but before she could comprehend what she was doing, just acutely aware that she had finished adding the purple liquid and succeeded, her eyes rolled to the ceiling and she felt her body go limp as she collapsed onto the stone ground.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ron jumped out of bed, in the same fashion he had for the past six days. Looking around he smiled broadly as he picked out his clothes from his clean pile on the floor. Pulling his last white collared shirt out of the pile, he clicked his tongue. It was wrinkly.
Quickly uttering a spell to fix the problem, he continued getting dressed, humming a little tune to himself. Once that was done, he glanced at his watch. It was time for Harry to wake up. Grinning to no one in particular, Ron happily walked to the curtains covering the large windows in the dormitory. With ease, he yanked the curtains open, laughing as he heard the groans from his roommates, including Harry.
"Time to wake up!" He said in a jolly voice
"Not this again!" Dean moaned, covering his face with his pillow
"No sleeping in today!" Ron announced, "We've all got a Herbology test, better get a good breakfast in our stomachs so we can do well!"
"Ron!" Seamus barked, "It's Friday! We told you last night not to wake us up!!"
Ron ignored him, instead turning his attention to his best friend who sat up his bead rubbing his eyes. "Today's the day Harry! I can feel it!"
"That's what you said yesterday. And the day before." Harry snapped, putting his glasses on.
"No. I'm positive, I've got this feeling!"
"Well we're all happy for you Weasley but you don't have to wake all of us to celebrate it every bloody day this week!!" Seamus yelled. He was not a morning person.
Even Seamus Finnigan's shouts couldn't dampen Ron's mood today. "Fine then. I'll just let you lot oversleep tomorrow!"
"Yes!" Dean shouted, throwing his arms up
"Please do!" Harry grumbled
"You would really do that?" Neville asked
"You bloody well better! Tomorrow's Saturday!" Seamus snapped. But Ron wasn't listening.
"I'll meet you in the Great Hall for breakfast Harry!" He shouted as he pulled open the door and walked lazily down the boy's staircase.
------------------
"Ron stop tapping your foot!" Ginny yelled, "It's driving me bonkers!"
"Sorry" Ron mumbled looking around the Great Hall eagerly.
Ginny smiled. "You know, she never said that it would be done a month to the exact week." She whispered
"I know"
"So you do understand that she might not come today don't you?"
"Yeah. But I've got a feeling."
Ginny laughed at her brother's giddiness. "Why are you so excited anyways?'
Ron suddenly stopped smiling and he leaned on the table, playing it cool "Oh you know, just the same reasons you're excited to see her. We haven't seen her in a month."
"Two months for me" Ginny corrected
"Yea. Two months."
"I want to see her too yet you don't see me leaping out of bed for the fifth day in a row, whistling and humming to myself, and waking up my roommates." Harry said grumpily as he sat down.
Ginny smiled. "How bad was it today?"
"Terrible. I swear, I'm impressed with the other blokes. If he wasn't my best mate I'd have strangled him."
"Well you better pray that Hermione does show up today, or you'll miss your one chance to sleep in tomorrow."
"I know. But I hope she comes irregardless of the fact that it would shut this one up."
"Me too"
Harry and Ron hadn't told Ginny why Hermione had been gone all this time; instead they fed her the Order excuse that it was classified information that they had no idea about either.
"I wonder what she's been doing all this time." She wondered
The boys shrugged and exchanged glances.
"Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley" A sudden voice from behind Ron asked.
"Yes Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked
"Professor Dumbledore would like you all to report to the hospital wing immediately."
"What's wrong? Is she okay?" Ron asked, his heart leaping into his throat
"I can't give that information out Mr. Weasley. You'll see for yourselves." She said, turning around and walking back to the Head table.
They watched her go, exchanged a look between each other, and then bolted up from their seats for the door.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Ron's stomach had twisted into several series of knots, by the time they arrived at the Hospital Wing. He'd led Harry and Ginny at a speed he never knew he could go, bursting through the doors so hard that the hinges fell off of one of them.
"MR WEASLEY!!" Madam Pomfrey shrieked "What is the meaning of this?! You probably just woke up half of my patients."
"Sorry, is Hermione here?"
"Yes" The lady said gravely "She came in here last night. She's in a right state Mr. Weasley and I will not tolerate any acts like the one you just performed. Any commotions and I'll have you thrown out, she's too fragile to handle much."
With the woman's statement, Ron's heart dropped to his stomach. He nodded vigorously. "I understand. We promise, no scenes." He said, "Where is she?"
"The third curtain to the left." Madam Pomfrey said as she left. Ron sprinted over to the curtain she had pointed out and rushed in, the only thing on his mind, seeing her. But he stopped at a dead halt once he caught glance of his best friend.
Hermione resembled nothing of her former self. The girl he had met a month ago was a strong, healthy girl compared to the one lying in the bed in front of him. Her skin was hollow, with a yellow hue to it from not making contact with the sun. She had lost at least 15 pounds if not more, and her skin almost seemed to hang off her incredibly small bones. There were gray circles under her eyes. Black and blue bruises graced her skin.
Ron felt tears in his eyes but desperately tried to blink them away. He heard Ginny softly crying in the background and Harry mumbling something, but it was all background noise to him. As if in a trance, Ron approached the bed and grabbed her hand, never breaking eye contact with her body. He rubbed his thumbs over her hand, gently urging her…begging her to open her eyes so he could catch a glimpse of the girl that he had fallen so deeply in love with.
Her hands were calloused, from what Ron didn't know, and as he examined them further, he saw that they were not blisters, but burns. Horrified he looked closer and he saw more of them on both of her hands. More scared than he'd ever been in his life, Ron almost began to cry. "H-Hermione?" He croaked.
The girl stirred in her sleep, something that (based by her face) she did with pain. Slowly, very slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking twice, and looked around her. She smiled shyly at everyone in the room, which Ron suddenly noticed Dumbledore was in, sitting in an armchair with his elbows resting on the armrests and his hands folded. "Hi" she whispered, very shyly, for what reason Ron couldn't figure out; after all it was only himself, Harry, Ginny, and Dumbledore.
"Oh Hermione" Ginny whispered between tears "Y-You look terrible"
"I know," She agreed with an attempt at a smile. "How have you all been?"
"Obviously better than you have been." Ginny answered for them; that horrified expression still on her face.
Hermione nodded her understanding and turned towards Harry who was currently standing in the shadows of the corner. "Hey Harry"
He shook his head back and forth still not believing his eyes. "How could you, Hermione?" He said angrily "When Ron told me…." He paused to collect himself "I-I couldn't believe him. But he was right, we should have stopped you!"
"Think whatever you want Harry. But it's done so there's no use in blaming yourself for not protecting me. I'm already hurt and sick so sulking or moping about isn't going to change anything." Hermione said simply but with a look that made Harry bow his head in guilt.
"I'm sorry" Harry said, "It's just that I haven't seen you for so long and when I finally get to see you again you look…"
"Like a truck ran over me eleven times" She finished for him with a smile
"Yea" He agreed breathlessly
She laughed, if a bit of wheezing with a smile on her face counted as laughing. "Well I certainly won't look like this forever. I'll be better before you know it." She said encouragingly
"What did Madam Pomfrey say?"
"It's not like I have any broken bones or anything. She can't do a whole lot about the bruises and burns, they'll just have to go away naturally or stay forever. As for the rest, she plans to fatten me up with a bunch of chocolate and get me outside again. Bed rest is what I need most."
The three nodded and a silence developed between them.
"Well Miss Granger I suppose you're in good hands now" Dumbledore said with a wink towards Harry and Ron "So I'll be seeing you again tomorrow yes?"
"Yes, thanks again Professor."
"No Miss Granger, thank you. I'm really very impressed. But we can chat more about your accomplishment another time can't we?" He said with a smile "Good-bye and do feel better."
"Thank you, I will"
"Alright! Alright! Visiting time is up! You lot have classes to go to don't you?" Madam Pomfrey said from her position in the doorway.
"Oh no! I have a Astronomy test!" Ginny cried "I'll come back during lunch okay Hermione?" She asked as she gave her a hug
"That sounds lovely. I'll see you then!" Hermione said as Ginny hurried out of the room.
"Potter, Weasley, that means you too!"
"Okay" Harry said uneasily "We'll come back too 'Mione."
"Promise?"
"Yes, of course we'll come back!"
"Alright then I'll see you later"
"Bye" Harry said as he squeezed her hand and exited the room
"Bye 'Mione" Ron said, disappointed he hadn't been able to talk to her, as he turned around to leave
"Ron wait!" Hermione said, grabbing a hold to his hand
Ron stared at their intertwined hands for a moment, and then at her face before looking back at Harry who was standing in the hallway. "It's okay Harry go ahead. Tell Professor Sprout I'm coming!" He said slowly.
Once Harry left, Hermione scooted over so that he could sit on the edge of her bed. There were a few moments of awkward silence before Hermione broke it with a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" He asked staring into her eyes.
"You. You still have that look in your eye like you're looking at a piece of road kill instead of your best friend."
Ron frowned. "You really have to stop making jokes when you're in the hospital wing. You being hurt isn't funny to me."
Hermione sobered instantly. "I'm sorry Ron. It's just that—I don't really know how else to deal with it. I look like complete shit."
"Language Miss Granger"
"You have to agree"
"Let's just say that you've looked better," Ron said softly, running a hand down her cheek. "No need to get critical of yourself. Once you get over the initial shock of seeing you, you're really the same. Your eyes never change."
Hermione brought her hand up to Ron's "Is that bad?" She whispered
His eyes locked with hers. Ron shook his head no, never breaking eye contact with her. "Merlin I missed you," He said emotionally
Hermione smiled sadly, "I missed you too Ron. Was the second month easier for you?"
"Not really. At least the second month I knew what you were doing and I understood why you couldn't come to class, that made it a bit easier, but at the same time I knew what you were doing and how dangerous that was for you to be doing it by yourself. That made it harder."
"The second month was easier. I was used to not seeing anybody all day and at least I had gotten some news as to how things were without me." She said, "I'm glad it's over"
"I'm glad you're okay." He whispered as he leaned back against the pillows and drew Hermione to him. "I still can't believe I let you go back. I don't know what I would have done with myself if something had happened to you."
She sighed contently as his strong arms wrapped around her, and she hugged him closer to her. "You really have to stop blaming yourself every time something happens to me."
"I can't help it"
"When the war comes, it's not guaranteed we'll be together. In fact, it's extremely unlikely. You're going to have to accept whatever happens and realize that's just because you weren't there, it doesn't make it your fault."
"I thought you didn't want to hear about the war"
"I don't. But I just had two months in isolation to think, and Harry is right. We should be more on guard. It's April now anyways. Voldemort usually strikes in May."
Ron sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You really think he's coming soon?"
"He said so didn't he?"
"Well yea but I don't trust anything that twisted bastard puts in a dream of Harry's"
"Language" She said dully, her nagging had somehow lost its magic in the past few months. "Honestly Ron, there have been signs everywhere. He's coming this year. The question is when."
"I still can't believe it." Hermione gave him a pointed look. He sighed. "I don't want to believe it. We've talked about this battle for years, it just seems unreal that it's finally time."
"Believe it." She said looking around her room. "Ron turn around for a moment will you?"
"Why?"
"Just do it"
Curious, Ron obliged and turned back around once Hermione told him to. In her hand she had a key. "Open that trunk and take out the box that's in there. Then use this to unlock that."
Doing as told, Ron's mind flew around searching for possible items that could be inside the box Hermione obviously kept safe and secret. When he found three necklaces he almost laughed. Of course!
"Bring two to me" Holding them carefully, he brought them to her bed and gave them to her.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously
"I'm putting yours on you. Is that okay?"
"Sure." He said uneasily
"Alright now Ron, look at me. You have to wear this underneath your clothes, you can't let anybody see it." She said sternly
"Why?"
"Because the Professors know what they're used for and probably even some of the students too. We can't risk word reaching the wrong people. Now I've placed an unbreakable charm so you don't have to worry about breaking it." She explained
"What about when I take a shower?" He asked the tips of his ears turning a bit red even though the reason was rather childish.
"It's fine. But I need to tell you something else. I've placed another charm on this. Now what this charm does, is it restricts you from taking it off."
"What?"
"You physically will not be able to take this off."
"So I have to have that on the rest of my bloody life?"
"No Ron, I wouldn't do something like that. The only people who can take it off are Harry and I. The three of us are connected. I have to make sure that you're okay with this though. Are you?"
Ron shrugged "It doesn't matter to me. Just so long as I don't have to have it on my whole life."
"Good." Hermione said, separating the two necklaces. "Here now I'm going to put it on you alright? And I want you to do the same thing for me. I can put Harry's on when I see him next."
"Okay." Ron said bending his head down. Hermione's hand's barely touched him as he felt the thin, cold chain make its way around his neck. But Ron was caught off guard when Hermione unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt. Ron's pulse shot up and he suddenly wished Madam Pomfrey would open a window, it was getting rather hot in here. She ran her hand around his neck, a feeling that made Ron take a deep breath to control his instincts. Tucking it under his shirt, and re-buttoning it back up, Hermione looked at him as though nothing was unusual. The whole ordeal left Ron's skin tingling with pleasure and it took everything in him to keep his hormones in check as he looked at Hermione.
"Now me" She said, lifting up her hair with a grimace. Ron froze. She couldn't possibly have meant for him to unbutton her nightgown the same way she had unbuttoned his shirt could she??
"Stop! It's okay, I got it" Ron said comfortingly as he lowered her arms and lifted her hair himself, placing the necklace around her neck; admiring the way it flowed over her collarbone. Now what? Was he supposed to do anything more?
"Thanks" He heard her say
"Your welcome" He responded, breaking out of his reverie, with the sound of a chiming clock. He looked at Hermione; they both knew he had to go. "I better get to class, I doubt Professor Sprout would let visiting you be an excuse for missing more of her class."
"Yes of course, you don't want to upset her."
"No I don't…" He trailed off "I'm really glad you're back Hermione."
She smiled "Me too Ron"
"So I'll see you later then?"
"You'll come back won't you?" Hermione asked in an innocent voice that made Ron grin.
"Yes I'll be back today, laden with all your make-up work. That'll be fun to watch you do," He teased
"To bad for you that I've already completed all my make-up work and even had time to do next week's homework as well." Hermione laughed
Ron's mouth opened in mock horror "How is it that you can be completely gone for two months and still be farther along in school than me?"
Hermione smiled. "I would have thought you'd be used to that by now. I've been a head of you since day one."
"Some things never change then I suppose"
"No I guess not. Good-Bye Ron"
"Bye 'Mione." He said as he kissed her head, "Welcome Back"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX