Chapter 8: Ron's Realization

A last look to Ron and Hermione, and Harry left the dungeon. Had he stayed a few minutes more, his suspicions about how odd Ron was acting would have been confirmed. Not a minute after Professor Snape had told them to begin the Polyjuice potion Ron began to shake and sweat. Hermione grabbed his hand underneath the desk, and attempted to calm him. She could see Snape giving them a curious eye, and she was at a loss for what to do.

Hermione knew that Snape would strongly object to them leaving class- especially after he had asked them to remain behind- but she also knew that Ron was about to have a Department of Mysteries induced breakdown. Somewhat distraught, she decided that she needed to get Ron out of the dungeon, before him completely breaking down aroused suspicions. She gave Snape a pointed stare, and was extremely thankful when he came over and sneered (albeit quietly),

"What is it, Miss Granger?"

"Please, Professor, Ron needs to leave. I thought he would be all right- but we really need to go to the nurse."

The hook-nosed Professor gazed down at the red-head who looked about ready to either burst into tears, or pass out on the spot. He nodded his approval to Hermione, and then spoke aloud.

"If Mr. Weasley cannot handle NEWT potions at this time, Miss Granger, and must leave, then I shall expect you both to catch up on your own. No excuses. Get out of my sight."

Following them to the door, he whispered a hurried message to Hermione before closing it behind them.

"You will explain this to me and the Headmaster later, Miss Granger. Obviously Mr. Weasley is still suffering from certain—altercations-- last summer, and this should not be kept from the Headmaster- no matter how weak it makes Mr. Weasley appear to ask for help.

Brilliant as you are- I do not feel this is something you two should have to handle together on your own."

Shocked, Hermione could only nod, and then lead Ron to a concealed classroom, before he completely broke down into tears.

"Shhh, Ron. It's all right. Harry's all right. We're all right. Everything will be fine."

Ron did nothing but cry silently into Hermione's shoulder, and it was quite some time before he spoke.

"'Mione- don't you see? Harry nearly lost control! It took everything Justin, Ernie and I had to hold him back- and I even used the most complex restraining spell I know! And he STILL almost broke it!"

Hermione stared, unbelieving. She didn't know what was more impressive- that Harry had nearly broke out of a Movatus Nixus charm, or the fact that Ron had actually looked up that particular charm in his NEWT book.

"I've never seen him so angry! Not since that night where I made that stupid sodding comment about how he doesn't know much about mums. Draco totally picked the wrong thing to mess with Harry on."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "I know, Ron. I can't believe he called Harry's mum a slag. It was awful."

Wiping his eyes, Ron gazed at his best friend, and shook his head.

"It is, 'Mione, but don't you understand? Couldn't you feel what was happening? The magical discharge that Harry was letting off was enough to almost set the room on fire! Malfoy was so angry- HARRY was so angry! If I hadn't researched the Movatus Nixus charm Harry probably could have killed him with a blast of wild magic!"

Hermione gasped, "You really think so, Ron?"

"Hermione, you probably couldn't feel Harry's rage because you were standing behind Malfoy- essentially shielded by the Ferret's anger. That's why half the girls in the class were crying- they didn't know what to do!"

"What are we going to do, Ron? Harry's getting a lot more powerful than I think he can handle. Do you…"

Hermione paused, afraid of how Ron would react to her next question.

"Do you think Harry's dangerous?"

Surprisingly, Ron smiled.

"Not to us, 'Mione. But to gits like Malfoy- definitely. I'm glad he's on our side, or I'd fear for my life."

Ron sighed, and braced himself. "V-v-vol-voldemort won't know what hit him once Harry's through with him."

Hermione smiled, and threw her arms around Ron's neck- he had finally said Lord Voldemort's name. She pulled away only when she realized that Ron was crying again.

"Ron? My love? What's wrong?"

Ron turned away, embarrassed that he couldn't handle his emotions any more- but he was glad that he had Hermione as an outlet. Without her, he would have probably gone stir-crazy. Every time he got emotionally riled, the scars along his arms and chest seized up, and the only way Ron had found to release the tension was to cry. It was either cry, or explode it seemed like, and Ron knew which one he preferred, despite being caught between a rock and a hard place.

"It's just… I'm so afraid, Hermione. Malfoy looked ready to kill. I saw it in his eyes when you were holding him back, and I… I just—I couldn't bear to lose Harry. He's my best friend, you know?"

Hermione nodded. After all, she knew that she, Ron and Harry were close- but her friendship with them could never match what Harry and Ron had together. It was much like how she and Ginny shared a closeness that she could never have with the boys.

"I know, Ron."

"A-a-and… Well, I just—at that moment, my whole life flashed before my eyes. My whole life since I met Harry, and I realized that… that when I'm with him, I feel alive. I feel significant. I feel like I'm important, and I stand out above all my brothers. I'm not shoved aside because of Harry- if anything- I'm brought forward because of him.

"Harry could have been friends with anyone at Hogwarts- and yet he's friends with US. Friends with ME, 'Mione. I can't imagine how I could get through life without him. Bloody hell, I can't imagine how I got through life BEFORE him. Before you. I guess… I guess what I mean is… Bugger. I don't KNOW what I mean."

"I think," Hermione said gently, "what you mean is that you'd feel a little lost if you didn't have Harry around any more."

Ron smiled, and pecked her on the cheek.

"How is it you always know what I'm trying to say, Hermy?"

The no longer bushy-haired girl smiled.

"Because I love you, Ron. And this just means that we'll have to try even harder to make sure that Harry wins- so we can all grow up together."

Ron smiled, and helped Hermione off the stone floor. "I love you, too, Hermione."

Together, they walked into the corridor, after Hermione cast a clever concealing charm to hide Ron's puffy eyes and red face.

"Oh, Ron?"

"Yes, love?"

"Don't call me Hermy."

Joining hands, they headed to the sixth year boys' dormitory in Gryffindor Tower, so they could write a note to explain to Professors Snape and Dumbledore what they thought was happening with Ron's emotions. At first, Ron protested, but after Hermione pointed out that he would have a better chance at helping Harry fight if he would not have a nervous breakdown after every emotional event, he conceded. After several months of waiting, Ron thought that finally, a solution might be found.