There's Something about Ron…

Harry lifted up Hermione as Malfoy and his cronies stalked off. Professor McGonagal directed Ron, who was floating through the air, still unconscious. Harry carried Hermione all the way to the hospital wing. She was conscious, but only mumbled a bit and winced in pain. Professor Flitwick hurried ahead to tell Madam Pomfrey that Ron and Hermione needed her care. Hermione was pretty light, but Harry was very tired by the time they arrived.

"Malfoy stunned her," he explained to Madam Pomfrey as he gently set her down. "She slammed against the wall and hit her head pretty hard." Professor McGonagal was maneuvering Ron onto a hospital bed as well.

"And you say Ron's diffindo spell backfired on him?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Yeah. It hit him right in the face. He's going to be all right, though? It didn't… split his brain in two or anything, did it?"

"No, no, dear. Don't worry. Mr. Weasley will be completely fine. The diffindo charm doesn't harm human beings at all. Except that it knocked him out, he'll come to and be perfectly fine. At least I'm pretty sure…"

Madam Pomfrey gave Hermione some Pepper Up potion and assured Harry that Ron would awaken soon. She left Harry to sit by Hermione's bedside as the medicine took effect. She gained consciousness quickly.

"Harry…? Where am I…Oh, the hospital wing," she noticed as she gazed around. Then she sat up abruptly. "Did Malfoy…? Ron! Where's Ron? Ow! My head…"

"Don't worry Hermione!" Harry said soothingly. "Settle down, he's right here, see? In that bed."

Hermione gasped. "He's not awake? Is he alright?"

"Madam Pomfrey says he's fine. He'll come to very soon. Take it easy or your head will hurt more."

"But he got hit with his diffindo charm!"

"It's alright, Hermione! Madam Pomfrey said that wouldn't harm him. At least, she was pretty sure…"

"Harry! Charms like that do weird things to people! I know it! I know I've read about the effect of the diffindo charm on humans somewhere, but I can't remember what it was…!"

Just then Ron groaned. Harry and Hermione started and looked over at him. Suddenly his body began to twist and contort, and his groan became louder. Harry and Hermione watched in horror. Suddenly Ron sat up violently, then something really weird happened. As he continued to writhe, his outline blurred. It blurred outwards into a fuzzy rainbow. He had a halo of colorful lights all around his body, like a prism. Then, as quickly as it started, the colors faded back into Ron, and he stopped contorting. He opened his eyes and looked up to see Harry and Hermione staring at him.

"Hi guys! Whoa! Why am I in the hospital wing?"

Hermione, still in shock, sputtered, "Ron, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why am I here though? Hermione – why are you here?"

"Ron, you know how you tried to split Malfoy's bag open? Well, he deflected it and it hit you. You remember don't you?"

"Oh yeah! Too bad it didn't work. But what happened to you?"

"Malfoy stunned me. Then I hit the wall and hit my head really hard."

"That bastard! I'll kill him!"

"Don't worry, McGonagal and Flitwick caught him," explained Harry. "You were out cold, so was Hermione. So McGonagal did the mobiliscorpus thing on you and I carried Hermione here."

"You carried me? All the way here Harry? That's so sweet!" Hermione gushed. Ron looked both impressed and jealous that Harry had gotten to be Hermione's hero.

Then Madam Pomfrey bustled over. "Mr. Weasley! I'm glad to see you're awake. I knew you'd be fine. You may leave if you wish. But as for you, Miss Granger, your concussion has me worried. I think you should spend the night here. Now, I don't want to hear any protest!" She bustled off.

"I wasn't going to, I've been here loads of times," said Hermione under her breath. "You guys can leave if you want, though."

"No way, Hermione! We'll stay here with you for at least… a minute!" joked Ron.

"Ron, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah! I'm fine!"

"Because you were really weird before you woke up just now," Harry said concernedly.

"I was?" Then Harry and Hermione explained to Ron about his moaning, contorting, and how a colorful blur formed all around him.

"And I know you feel fine now, Ron," Hermione said sensibly, "but something weird definitely happened to you. I know that the diffindo charm does something weird to people, I just can't remember…"

"Well, if I explode or split in half, you'll know," Ron joked. Harry and Hermione still looked apprehensive. "Oh, come one, guys! Madam Pomfrey said I was fine! And she would know! She's, like, the best medi-witch in the world!"

"I guess you're right, Ron, but just… be careful, okay?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Okay, I'll 'be careful.' Hey! How about those Deatheaters, eh?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione discussed the article, the charms test, Bill and Fleur, and Christmas for about an hour. Then Madam Pomfrey returned.

"Now, now, boys. Miss Granger must rest. I told you you may leave, Mr. Weasley!"

"We stayed to talk to Hermione!"

"What good friends you are, but she had a concussion and now she needs some peace and quiet. Now OUT!"

Ron and Harry said goodbye reluctantly and left Hermione in the hospital wing, where she soon fell to sleep.