Harry and Ron continued to look confused, though they both realized bad news when they heard it. There were no seats for them, but more importantly, something was wrong with Hermione.

Isn't Dumbledore the brightest mind in the wizard world, yet he forgets we have no idea how to make a chair suddenly appear?

Sit on the floor then, if you have to sit.

No thanks, I'll pass.

Idiot.

Yeah, so I've heard.

How?

Oh…through the little grapevine, coughcoughYOUcough

Oh. I see. Sorry.

You SHOULD be!

"Oh, my apologies," Dumbledore started, noticing the two boys were still standing. With a flick of his wrist, 2 wooden chairs were conjured out of…well, out of nothing. Sitting down, Dumbledore resumed.

"Hermione is in grave danger."

Ron felt torn. Part of him wanted to laugh insanely like a hysterical psychomaniac, whatever that was, and the other wanted to rush to the hospital and throw his arms around her, magically making Hermione better from…whatever it was that was wrong.

Hermione? IN DANGER? THAT'S THE IDIOTICIST THING I'VE EVER HEARD OF!

Um. Why?

She's only rescued Sirius Black with a hippogriff, figured out a stumping riddle to get the Sorcerer's Stone, and dozens of other DANGEROUS things!

Calm down. You're hysterical; I understand why. But just try to—

To calm down? I'm PISSED OFF!

Okay, you're swearing again.

I—CAN'T—BLOODY—CALM—DOWN!

I see that. All I want is to make her better and—

Just shut up! Why do I care about you?

Fine…

"…However, I am not quite sure of the spell used." Dumbledore had continued talking, but obviously Ron hadn't been paying attention. Like usual.

Harry nodded grimly. Ron wasn't as lenient. He jumped out of his chair.

"WHAT? You don't know the bloody SPELL? You're—you're Dumbledore! Bloody hell, if YOU don't know what the spell is, Hermione might as well be considered—"

"Ms. Granger will not, die, Ronald!" Dumbledore said, his eyes flashing. "And she will not be counted as such! I understand your confusion and disappointment; I know you are one of her best friends! But right now, you just need to—"

"I'M NOT GOING TO CALM DOWN!"

Ron didn't care what happened next, or what was going to happen to him. All he knew was that Hermione was in danger and he, Ron, was supposed to relax and take it in stride. Ron? Relax? When Hermione could die? Huh. No.

Ron felt a strange sense of calm, or maybe it was despair smothering him and enfolding in a warm, soft grasp. He sensed that it was real magic, not made from wands. Yet Ron stillfelt a blunt sort of anger, an annoyance at everyone in his sight. Ron walked out from the office, and up the stairs.

Someone was coming up after him, but Ron heard McGonagall's voice saying, "No, it'd be best to let him go."

Ron wondered where he was going, and then found himself at the Hospital Wing. He felt like he was in a trance…

Hermione lay before him, stretched out in front of his eyes on a bed.

God, she looks bad…

I can't believe you yelled at Dumbledore.

Are you my conscious or something? Because in a few seconds I'm going to be yelling at YOU!

Automated reply: I'm hiding from Ron right now until he stops scaring me. Be back later!

Thank you.

Automated reply: You're welcome.

God, what did I do to deserve this?

"Mr. Weasley, don't you have class?" Suddenly Madam Pomfrey was there

"Um…well…no…I mean…kind of…"

"Well then I suggest you be off."

"Please can I stay with her?"

"No! And don't ask again! You can't disturb her!"

"Please! 5 minutes, that's it!" Ron pleaded.

"You got 15 minutes last time, but this time—"

"I'll only get 5! Okay, I understand!"

"Fine, 5 minutes! But one second more and…" Madam Pomfrey trailed off threateningly. Too bad the effect was only LAME.

Ron pulled up a chair from one of the other beds and watched her face. Finally, after a precious minute or so, he placed one arm gently across her. Placing his hand on hers, Ron noticed her hand was in a fist. Tenderly opening her fingers, Ron saw a piece of paper in her hand.

Taking it, he gingerly opened it.

Bipatens limus.