Chapter Two:

Ron Returns to Cupid's Palace

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story except the ones you don't recognize; they all belong to J.K. Rowling!

A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter! But I didn't get many reviews! So if you read, please review! I love feedback! Thanks again to Grace who has once again edited this chapter. Once again…enjoy and much love…rupertgrintfanatic

"You don't look too good." Ginny observed.

"I don't feel that great either." Hermione answered. It had been three days since Ginny had arrived home and ever since, Hermione had been feeling out of it.

"You should go see a Healer." Ginny said firmly.

"No. I think I'll go see a Muggle doctor." Hermione decided.

"Okay just as long as you figure out what's going on." Ginny agreed.

"Well Ms. Granger. We have the tests back." Dr. Dodds said, looking extremely grave.

"Yes." Hermione bit her lip nervously.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news for you." Dr. Dodds said quietly. "You have a brain tumor."

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry about what happened the other night. Things just went a little too fast for me. I still love you. Nothing can ever change that. I just needed some space.

Come home soon. Please.

Love always, Ginny.

Ginny sealed the parchment closed and sent it off with Hermione's midnight black owl, Antares, hoping that Harry will receive it with an open heart and mind.

Hermione arrived home to an empty apartment shaking. She had a brain tumor. She couldn't believe it. It was highly treatable and it most likely wouldn't come back once removed, according to Dr. Dodds. But still, it was a very scary situation.

She had already scheduled her surgery. The sooner the tumor was gone, the sooner she could try and forget about it. Not that it would be possible too, but she could try.

Wondering where Ginny was, Hermione went to bed, exhausted.

Ginny rolled out of bed the next morning. She had decided to spend the night at the Burrow and was glad, because when she looked outside, she saw Antares, hooting at her from the windowsill.

She untied the scroll with shaking hands and unrolled it, her heart pounding loudly.

Dear Ginny,

Thank goodness you're alright. I was worried you wouldn't make it home safe.

Of course I understand that you needed some space. I was being stupid and selfish the other night. I could never stop loving you.

I'm coming home tonight (well to the Burrow at least).

Can't wait to see you again,

Harry.

Hermione had a surgery planned two days from now. The first thing she did the next morning was tell Ginny. She had made plans to stay at the Burrow with Ginny and the rest of the Weasley family while she recovered. She dreaded going there, knowing she'd see Ron but there was no way around it. She had to do this. She wanted to survive. She needed to.

"Ron," Ginny said knocking on his bedroom door the day after she had talked to Hermione.

"What?" He asked, opening the door.

"There's something you should know." Ginny said quickly. "Hermione has a brain tumor."

"What!" Ron gaped at her.

"Stop gaping Ron, you look like an idiot." Ginny snapped.

"Sorry." Ron closed his mouth obediently.

"Hermione has surgery tomorrow so she's staying here for awhile, so Mum can look after her."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ron looked suspicious.

"She will be up and about some of course. So I don't want you to bother her. She's upset enough as it is."

"Yes Ginny." Ron replied. "No if you don't mind, I'm going to go hide in the closet and not come out until Hermione's gone."

"You're a jerk. I hope you realize that." Ginny snapped at him as he slammed the door in her face.

Ron tried to act normal. Hermione was coming soon. He hadn't seen her in 3 weeks. It had been a week since he had broken it off with her and then this happened.

It was almost too much for him to bear. He knew the moment that he saw her; he'd remember what it was like to be in love with her. And it'd be all out of his control after that.

"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked up the stairs. "Get down here right now!"

"Yes Mum!" He shouted back, before Disappartaing into the kitchen.

"Hermione?" Ron asked in surprise, unsure if what he was seeing was real. She was wearing a knit cap that covered her now bald head. She was extremely pale and had dark circles under her eyes. She was leaning on Ginny with trembling legs.

"Ron." She whispered hoarsely.

"Help Hermione get upstairs to Percy's old room." Mrs. Weasley ordered.

"How?" Ron asked dumbly.

"Carry her for goodness sakes!" Mrs. Weasley snapped impatiently.

Ron nodded and walked over to Hermione. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her upstairs, with Ginny and Mrs. Weasley following close behind him. As he set her gently down on the bed he whispered in her ear. "I'll come by later," before removing himself from the room.

Hermione was exhausted, but she forced herself to stay awake. She had to be awake when Ron came, whenever that would be.

She had arranged with Ginny that she would send Antares downstairs if she needed her or Mrs. Weasley, otherwise they could leave her alone. And that is what they did.

Somewhere downstairs, a clock struck ten o'clock. Everybody in the house was asleep, at least Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were. Ron might still be awake. She wasn't sure.

Deciding that Ron wouldn't be coming tonight, Hermione closed her eyes and let sleep overcome her.

Ron looked at the clock. It was midnight. Biting his lip nervously, he snuck down the stairs to Percy's old room.

At the door, he paused, wondering if he was doing the right thing, getting involved with Hermione again. Which of course he knew he was.

He carefully opened the door and hurried into the room, closing it shut behind him.

He gazed at Hermione in awe, his heart filling up with the love he thought he threw away. She was beautiful. More beautiful than he had ever seen her before. Even without her hair.

Why did I ever break it off? Ron wondered as he approached her.

"Hermione?" He whispered, sitting down on the bed.

Her eyes slowly opened and she sleepily gazed at Ron. "Ron." She gave a faint smile.

"I came." Ron smiled back.

"I'm glad." Hermione reached up and touched his face, almost as to make sure he was really there. "Help me sit up."

Ron obeyed and propped some pillows up for her to lean against, but instead, she leaned against him. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and held her close to him, tucking her head under his chin.

"Hermione." He said finally.

"What?"

"Look at me." He ordered. She turned to look at him.

"What?" She whispered once again.

"I'm sorry." He said, kissing her gently on the lips.

Hermione's heart did a flip-flop the moment he said those words. It had been the first time he had ever apologized to her and she loved him for finally doing that.

"Don't be." she murmured before kissing him back.

A/N: Here it is! Hope you liked it! Next up: Chapter Three: A Bundle of Surprises, where Harry comes home and Ron makes it all up to Hermione. Don't forget to review! love, rupertgrintfanatic