Mixed Feelings
Hermione sat back in her chair and picked up the 'Daily Prophet'. It had been two days since the 'incident' at Hogwarts. And she thought that she was doing very well. She had thought about what Ron had said. It made sense. He had been her first sweet heart. Not counting Viktor. And she had been his. Not counting Lavender. They had fought a lot, but now that she thought about it, she never really knew what it was about.
Part of her wanted to run back and say she was sorry. But a bigger part of her wanted him to run first. So she was adamant. She was going to wait. Ron was stubborn, but it wouldn't take long for him to listen to his conscience and give in.
So she opened the paper, and summoned a butter beer and scanned the first page. "Minister to be Wed" was the headline. She read the article. The Minister was a man by the name of Julius Redman, who attended a school in America but joined the ministry of magic as an Auror when Voldemort was still at Large. He had killed three dangerous death eaters: Bellatrix Lestrange, Fenrir Greyback, and Lucius Malfoy. Rufus Scrimgeor had been killed exactly one year and a half after taking office, and his successor, Percy Weasley was voted off of his position after only 3 months as minister. Redman was chosen after becoming head of Auror office.
He was marrying a lady named "Pansy Parkinson". Hermione laughed very hard. She knew that after Draco Malfoy had been killed that she had had eyes for a man in the Auror office, but for the man who killed her lover's father? It was just too much. She looked at the picture. She had the same pug face, and had short hair similar to Madam Hooch's at Hogwarts. Pansy had obviously gained some weight and had obviously not noticed. She was wearing dress robes three sizes too small and did not look very attractive. The only thing about her that looked good was the ring on a very significant finger. It was a very large diamond, and was cut perfectly.
Hermione sighed and thought about her wedding ring. It was small, and was obviously not very expensive. But she loved it. Because Ron gave it to her.
She turned the page and took a large drink of her butterbeer. There were stories about Quidditch and people arrested, and even a small article about the dance at Hogwarts. But one article made her spit out her drink. "Man hit by Knight Bus"
Ronald Weasley, London, was hit by the knight bus after leaving the "Hog's Head" pub in Hogsmede, the small village outside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was taken to St. Mungos by the Knight Bus, and was immediately put under the care of healer Haley Justine Goldstein. The Conductor of the Knight bus believes that he had lit his wand and stepped out in the street while drunk from his drink at the Pub. What is unknown is whether or not he had meant to summon the bus or was just trying to see the ground in front of him (fuzzy vision is a side effect of drinking excessive amounts of Firewiskey). Mr. Weasley is currently unconscious by a magic induced sleep. His daughter Aila Weasley is constantly at his side, while her twin is now in the care of the Hospital after suffering a seizure from shock. His wounds are unmentioned, but the prophet believes he suffers multiple broken bones and a major concussion.
Hermione stared at the Wall. Hilary was in the hospital and no one told her. This was very uncommon for the hospital. She immediately walked to the fireplace and threw in some floo powder. "St. Mungos" she called into the fire.
OoOO00OOoO
Hilary opened her eyes after waking up from her sleep. She didn't know how long she had slept, and she didn't know where she was. She was in a different room then the one she was at first. The walls were not white anymore, they were light blue, and there was a potted plant by her bed, a cluster of tulips. There was also a window, which revealed what a bright sunny day it was. She turned her head and smiled. Beside her was her mother. "Mom!" she said, sounding still a little tired.
"You're awake!" Mamma smiled and hugged her very hard.
"If you break me I'll have to stay longer!" shrieked Hilary.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." Said mamma, which sounded like she was on the verge of tears. After she hugged for an eternity longer, mamma let go. "How did you get here? Did you really have a seizure?"
"No. The Prophet lies.' Said Hilary dramatically, "I just sorta freaked out when I saw dad's body lying there motionless, and so…"
"Helpless?" finished mamma. "I know how you feel. It's tough seeing one of your best friends lying like that in the hospital wing. But that's the price that is paid for being a Quidditch star."
Hilary loved it when Mamma talked about dad like that. It was like then had never separated. Hilary smiled at her mother and leaned back in her bed, "So how long do you think I have to stay here?"
"I don't know, probably a couple more hours. They told me you slept for a day. A long time to be unconscious just for freaking out if you ask me."
"I agree." Hilary looked her mother in the eye, "have you visited dad yet?" but she knew the answer before mamma opened her mouth.
"No."
"Well, then go. And don't say no. I want you to, and Aila would want you to. You are mad at him, not us." Mamma scowled and stood up. "He's on the Ground floor, room 13."
OoOO00OOoO
Hermione didn't know what to think. She did not want to visit Ron. Aila was her entire reason for going. To comfort Aila, and find out what happened. That was it. And if she were lucky, then he would not be awake.
Aila jumped up and hugged her as soon as she walked in the doorway. "You came! I'm so glad you came!"
Hermione just smiled and looked at Ron. It was just like at Hogwarts. He was lying there, motionless, colorless, helpless, and virtually alone. Emotions came flooding back to her. She didn't know what she thought. She wanted him to come running. But now he couldn't what if there was permanent damage? Brain damage even! She wouldn't be able to live with herself if that happened! Deep down she knew it was her fault. She left him, yelled at him, and broke his heart! So he went off. Got Drunk. And got hit by the knight bus.
She sat down and stared at the body of her former lover, unable to tell what she thought. He was so cute. Lying there. His mouth closed for a change. She wanted to run away. But she knew that abandoning her daughters was not what she needed to do. But she was immediately awaken from her stupor when her worst nightmare had to happen.
His eyes opened, and looked right at her.