A/N: Hurray for a lengthy chapter! I've finally posted after so long, and I apologize with all my heart. Thanks so much to JeanAndBilius, HeRonLove, colossus13, ScarletProphecy14, fons19, and the mysterious Guest! Let's get on with the chapter!

As always, feedbacks are a delight to read! :D

Warning: Swearing and blood

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters! You must've known already that J.K. Rowling is the owner of all HP characters!

Chapter 52 ~ Caged Up Heart

Ron just stood there in utter silence, looking at the notice slip with widened eyes. He took the notice slip out of Hermione's hand and ripped it into pieces and threw it at the trash. Hermione looked up at him with worrisome eyes. Her hands wrapped around his strong arms, seeing the look of shock and anger in his crystal blue eyes.

"This… this is ridiculous," Hermione whispered out. "Ron can't. He can't."

"They said that they're taking them in separate cages by tonight at 8," Harry told them. "I believe that two Hufflepuffs and one Ravenclaw will be locked up as well. The other includes Ron."

Ron looked down at his shoes, feeling his insecurities creeping towards the surface of his skin. All of those thoughts of being caged in as the monster he is. Those painful memories of hiding his secret from his two best friends, when really he needed them during those moments. His whole hopes in proving that he wasn't a bad person slipped past through him, leaving him out in the cold.

He looked up to face Hermione's gentle, chocolate brown eyes that seemed to try ad comfort him through the door to his soul. She knew how he was feeling, so she gently cupped his freckled cheek. Their eyes never seemed to leave each other.

That was then, Hermione turned around and said to Harry, "Harry, can you please leave us? Ron and I need to talk."

He looked at them with understanding, "Sure."

Harry left them, alone at the empty halls. The couple went into an empty classroom, closing the door carefully. Ron sat on a chair, burrowing his face on his hands. Hermione scooted a chair next to him, so she could be there for him, when he was ready to speak. She slowly placed his hand on his thigh, letting him know that she wasn't going anywhere.

"Ron, I know what you're thinking about," said Hermione.

"Do you really?" he asked in a low voice. "Then, you must know that I'm going to be labeled as a bloody monster for the rest of my life."

"Don't say that," she said to him. "You're not a monster."

"Then explain why I'm getting locked up in a barmy dungeon at night!" Ron shouted at her. "Come on then! Give it a shot!"

"It's because they don't know you," Hermione immediately breathed out. "Please, Ron, you need to understand that there are people out there who don't think the same as those people who think you're a bad person."

He opened his mouth to say something, but he digressed. He knew that he had been shut upped by Hermione Granger herself.

There was silence after that, until Hermione spoke out, "I'll be there for you."

"I don't think they're going to let you in, though," Ron said to her. "And you know, that's going to be a problem. I'm going to be away from you, and it's gonna drive me bonkers. I don't think I can resist keeping it in anymore."

"Then I'll fight Umbridge or whoever, until I get to you," she said with confidence dripping from her voice and expression.

"Wait a second," he paused her. "That means that you're willing to break the rules! Holy shit, am I really a bad influence on you?"

Hermione looked flabbergasted they this, but she suddenly started to laugh, "You're ludicrous, Ronald!"

She playfully punched him on the arm, as they laughed together. Ron picked her up from his seat, twirling her around, making them both laugh more and more. Their cheeks and stomachs started to hurt a bit from the excessive laughter and joy, but they didn't care. They never cared.

"When I'll be there in the dungeon with you, I'll be sure to bring you food," Hermione said, as he hands were still wrapped around his neck.

"You know me too well," Ron have her his famous lopsided grin that would always make her weak on her knees.

Ron wasn't feeling too feel currently. He was being escorted by Professor McGonagall, who was in her pajama robes. The ache in his heart seemed to increase slowly and painfully. He just needed to see Hermione, before he entered in the cold room, even a glimpse would help out.

As they made a sharp turn, they saw Umbridge with her stupid fake smile, as she wore those hideous bright pink pajama robes. McGonagall stared at her with a death glare, which Umbridge just simplify shook off.

"Mister Weasley, a pleasent to meet you," Umbridge greeted him.

"That's nice," he grumbled.

"Now, before you go in, there are some rules you must follow to avoid a detention. First, you may not try to escape. If you try to, the charmed walls and door will shock you. Second, you must stay there, until it strikes six in the morning. Lastly, your wand will be kept with me, until the time strikes six in the morning. Are we clear, Mister Weasley?"

Ron nodded his head a little.

"Hem, hem... I almost forgot," Umbridge squeaked out. "Are there any last sayings?"

Ron looked up with them, saying to them, "I need Hermione."

"I beg your pardon?" the professor with pink clothing asked him.

"I need Hermione," he growled out.

"As in Miss Granger?" McGonagall said, which Ron responded with a nod.

"Why so?" Umbridge glared at him.

"You wouldn't really understand the circumstances at how significant I am to him," said a voice.

All their heads turned towards the person who said those words. It was none other than Hermione herself, in her nightgown. Ron looked at her with incredibility. She ran up to him, giving each other a loving hug. They were so caught up in the moment, that they had forgotten the two professors who just stood there. Hermione seemed to notice this and broke off the hug, leaving Ron disappointed, but he too soon realized why.

"If I don't have her by the side for a long periods of time, then I might go berserk," Ron rubbed his neck.

"What he's saying is true, Dolores. Abnormal werewolves are more prone to have their mates very close to them, or they might as well cause havoc," McGonagall said, giving the couple a secret wink.

Umbridge look at them long and hard, "Well, if that will keep Mister Weasley over here shut, then Miss Granger can go along with him."

The three smiled with victory.

"Hem, hem… Hand your wands to me, please," Umbridge ordered Ron and Hermione to hand in their wands, and they obeyed. "Very good then. Please step right up in there. Sleep tight and don't let the creatures bite!"

The door slammed close, leaving them both of in silence. They observed around the mundane room, taking in how unwelcoming the atmosphere was. The walls and floors had a few cracks that seemed to come from impactful punches. A rectangular table with a glasses of filled water stood there at the right side of the room, as they saw a lonely bed that was at the corner of the room. A lantern on the table seemed to be one out of the two lights that illuminated the room. The other being the moonlight that poured from the iron bars at the top left of the room. Hermione shivered a bit from the lack of warmth and a welcoming atmosphere. Ron took note on this, which made him hold Hermione close to him.

"I guess we should head to bed," Ron mumbled to her.

They approached the bed, laying down on it. Ron made room for Hermione to lay down with him. The randy teenager he was, he was smirking secretly to have his girlfriend lay down with him after a long while. Hermione was thinking of the same thing. They had both missed each other's arms around them, as they slept together in content. The brunette snuggled on Ron's toned chest, inhaling the scent of his chalonge. Ron did the same, as he stroked on her bushy, brown mane.

"You're so beautiful, 'Mione," Ron snuggled to her even closer, if that was even possible.

His compliment had a rose tinted blush creeping on her soft cheeks. His eyes were in lock with his glistening crystal blue eyes. She leaned her hand against his chest, letting his heart beat like a lullaby. Soon enough, she fell asleep in peace. Ron couldn't help but to look at how angelic she looked, while she slept with ease. He stroked her mane of locks, feeling as of though it was meant to be a comforter to him somehow.

His eyes became heavy. He would be more than glad to have slumber take him into his world of dreams since Hermione was here, but he heard people talking from behind the door that lead them to the room of torches.

"Dolores, this notion is delusional. These students don't deserve to be held up as if they were Azkaban prisoners," McGonagall said in her familiar stern voice.

"Hem, hem… You might as well ask the Minister himself to why he allowed this then. Of course this was my idea, but this wouldn't have had happen if Fudge hadn't approve of this," Umbridge with fake sweetness to her voice. "You would know this, Minerva. After all, you're a very clever person."

"I know for a fact that these students are no harm to the others! They've proven themselves that they can use their supernatural powers to help, protect, and save others from harm. Especially, Ronald."

Never thought that I would get a compliment from McGonagall herself, Ron said to himself, a proud grin was etched upon his face, as he continued to eavesdrop.

"The werewolf boy? Oh, please! Please tell me that you're joking! Werewolves have been classified as wizard and witch killing creatures by the Ministry. Its level of extreme is near a basilisk!" Dolores retorted.

"Drop the facts, Dolores! You know that Mr. Weasley has proven that he can save lives with his abilities, based off from last Christmas during the Yule Ball!" McGonagall was fed up with her accusations towards the teen. "Who knows, these students that you've locked up will do incredible things in the future. Incredible things that you couldn't have been able to do."

"You wicked witch," Dolores snarled at her.

Ron heard her walking out of the room, knowing that McGonagall had definitely won that argument. It was obvious to who would've won in the beginning anyway.

He started to think more about what the two professors had discussed about. What if he had harmed someone by mistake? He had been so frightened at the thought to it, especially if it involved Hermione. He'd fear that ever since he met Hermione. The red-orange haired teen looked down at the beautiful angel before him.

"Would you still love me, even if I harm you?" he whispered to her in a strained voice.

Hermione just snuggled closer to him, as if that was her response to his question. Ron smiled at the action. He finally allowed slumber to take him.

Ron opened his crystal blue orbs to see nothing but darkness. He jumped at where he found himself, scared that this was going to be another of those dreams in where he would make Hermione bleed a fountain. That was then, he saw shelves upon shelves holding a crystal ball.

'The Department of Mysteries!' Ron said to himself, taking in the atmosphere.

He remembered how his father would describe the peculiar place. A place in where prophecies and more laid here. Though, that raises the question.

Why was he here?

"GAH!" Ron's eyes perked up at scream.

It definitely didn't sound like Hermione at all. It was strange that he knew how Hermione's scream sounded like. The scream went on again… and again… and again. Though, the ringing sound died out slowly. Was the person getting killed?

Let curiosity take him over, he floated towards where he had heard the noise. That was then, his breathing stopped.

In front of him was his father, being attacked back a long, slithering snake was biting and hissed at his father continuously at a harsh speed. His face was gushing with leaking blood, looking at if he was about to faint. The snake showed no mercy for him, making his father have no chance in firing spells at it.

That was then, Ron was blinded with rage. His fists were clenched, as if he was getting ready to strangle Malfoy to death. His ears and eyes burned with hatred. Red eyes gleamed at the sight. He roared out in anger, charging for the snake to only realize that it was only a vision. He growled with frustration, but he continued on clawing at the snake.

Hermione was awoken by the growling sounds erupting from her boyfriend. Her eyes were wide open to see Ron clawing at the thin, useless blanket. Her heart started to beat faster at the sight of him.

He's experiencing a nightmare, Hermione said to herself.

Her mind started to frantically fill with ways in how to calm Ron down.

"Good, Nagini. You're such a good girl," Ron growled at the familiar voice of the Dark Lord himself. "I wonder how Ronald and the rest will react to this."

'HE BLOODY KNEW THAT I WOULD SEE THIS!' he roared to himself.

At this point, Ron had enough. How dare he harm his family for her pleasure in seeing him suffer like this!

"RON!"

His ears perked at the voice.

"RON! WAKE UP!"

His eyes were wide open in a matter of seconds. Ron's breathing was erratic. He looked down to he the torn-up blanket from his clawings. Hermione's eyes were filled with fear, panic, perplexity, and concern. He started to get a grip of things, as he saw how his vision had became more coherent to the point that he saw his girlfriend's chocolate brown eyes.

"Dad," Ron gulped. "He's attacked him…"

Before Hermione could ask him for more details, McGonagall came in the room with fearful eyes. She looked at the sweating Ron and the perturbed Hermione.

"It's about my father, isn't it?" Ron looked up to meet the Transfiguration professor's eyes.

"Yes, now please follow me," the professor said to them.

As Ron stormed out of Professor Dumbledore's office, Hermione was right by his side, along with Ginny, George, and Fred. They were hiding to their dormitories to pack up their belongings.

"Slow down, Ronniekins! No need to go rip out guts for the glory," Fred and the others tried to catch up with his speed.

"Shut up, this is fucking serious. Our father's been attacked by You-Know-Who," Ron said through gritted teeth.

"I have to go with Fred here," Ginny piped in. "You need to calm down. They said that dad's alive."

"THAT DOESN'T GIVE ME A REASON TO CALM DOWN ONE BIT!" Ron roared at them.

Hermione just looked at him with concern and fear. Her mouth was open, as if she was trying to croak out comforting word towards her boyfriend. They seemed like they didn't want to come out. She looked at Ron's beet red face. His dark crystal blue eyes were blazing seething with hatred. To her, it felt like lava was dripping onto her skin.

Ginny looked at Hermione, see her distraughting look, "Hermione, it looks like you're our last hope."

Before she could hold Ron's hands into her's, she saw George running towards Ron.

"Oi! Don't get your wands in a knot, little bro. Don't be too hard on yourself," George said trying to keep the fuming Ron grounded.

Suddenly, the older brother was greeted with being slammed to the wall. A yelp of pain came out from his mouth, as he looked horrorstruck at what his younger brother had just did to him. At that moment, George knew he screwed up horribly.

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO FEEL!" Ron exploded at him.

Hermione couldn't help but to jump at his frightening demand. How did this all go so wrong suddenly? First they were together, snuggling with each other in the unwelcoming, chilly dungeon. This was something Hermione hadn't plan on seeing tonight. His anger filled face sent shiver down her spine. The way his clenching fist was near George's throat made the back of her hair spring out.

She watched the scene before her. Fred was trying to calm Ron down, reasoning him with everything he had, just so George wouldn't have to face brutal injuries from Ron. Ginny, too, was doing the same thing. Hermione realized that she was just standing there, doing absolutely nothing at all to contribute in comforting her boyfriend down. What kind of girlfriend was she?

"R-Ron…" her weak, strained voice called out his name.

Ron's head snapped to meet her glistening chocolate brown eyes. It was as if he was about to break his neck from that. His heavy breathing seemed to slow down a bit from the angel in front of his very eyes.

"Wh-what do you want?" Ron said in the same fierce tone he had towards George.

"Please, Ron, calm down. Everything's gonna be alright," Hermione whispered to him.

"Are you sure you're not lying to me?" Ron growled out, eyeing her down.

She looked at him with disbelief, "Excuse me?"

"Are you sure that you're not lying to me!?" he repeated his saying with a more feral tone.

"What makes you say that?" the brunette still was looking shellshocked.

"Don't act all innocent, Hermione. Those lies you've told me during fourth year. Yeah, I still remember that," his voice was so cold and unsettling that Hermione thought that she wasn't facing Ron. "How can I know that this time, you're not lying to me!"

Hermione gulped back her lump.

"I'M SICK AND TIRED OF IT!" the youngest son of the Weasleys was full-on yelling at her, not holding back his frustration towards her flaws. "WHO WOULD WANT TO LOVE SOMEONE THAT WOULD LIE TO YOU!? I KNOW THAT YOU KNEW THAT I WOULD BE SUFFERING FROM ALL YOUR CRUEL, SELFISH LIES!"

He was no longer gripping onto George, but he was now pounding on the walls, creating some noticeable creases. The rest of the Weasleys just stood there, scared for their lives. Though, they were still intrigue with the row before them.

"How many more lies do you have up your sleeves, eh? Actually, how many secrets have you kept from me?" he snarled at her.

"I -" Hermione had to come clean. "Seamus… He gave me a charm necklace. You re-remember when I had to talk to him, yes?"

Ron looked genuine horrorstruck, "So, you're saying that you can just waltz away like that and get a present from that slimy git? You have a boyfriend you know, someone who's suppose to do that type of job, instead of a slimy prat like Seamus! Honestly, how many times have you heard Seamus bragging about shagging Lavender's brains out? He's trying to get to you, 'Mione!"

"Alright, I admit that I'm a blind slag! It was stupid of me to accept that gift from him," Hermione looked down at her shoes, feeling so ashamed of her confession.

"Then, why don't you go ahead and go all out for Seamus. See if I care."

Was this really happening? Was this a way in saying that he wanted to break-up? She should've known. This relationship really wasn't meant to be. It was all her fault. Her deepest fear of losing Ron was actually happening to her right now. Though this time, she greatly deserved it. She weas flushed with embarrassment, feeling all eyes on her.

"LIAR!"

Hermione heard his growling ringing in her head. That pesky memory from their fourth year just wouldn't go away.

"YOU LIED TO ME!"

"TRUSTED YOU!"

"That's enough, Ron," Ginny said sternly, while looking at Hermione trembling slightly.

"Why?" Ron was obvious to Hermione's shaking figure.

Hermione's lips trembled at the memory. Her hand was over her agaped mouth. She started to back away slightly. Her visions started to blur a bit. That was then, she saw Ron in his werewolf form. Those same savage, cold eyes stared her down like prey. She remembered the time in Viktor's dungeon vividly. Currently, she felt like she was there.

It was at that moment when she broke down. All of those images and bad memories started to surround her nonstop. She was sobbed uncontrollably, slowly bringing herself to the ground.

"I… I understand now," Hermione sobbed out. "It's all my f-fault…All my fault… All my fault…"

It was also at the moment, when Ron snapped out of his rage filled like trance. His features became more soft and at ease. His hands weren't clenching anymore as his sharp claws started to shrink back to his normal fingernail size. His eyes were widened with shock from his actions. What had he done to her?

He reached out towards her.

Hermione screamed out, only seeing nothing but an aggressive monster before her, that wanted nothing but to tear her apart.

Ron's arm started to lower down, feeling so much self-hatred and guilt whirling around him. All these emotions that coursed around him. It felt like he was about to explode! He gripped onto his hair tightly, reflecting at what he had done. First he and Hermione were cuddling, now they were fighting. That was then, he realized why she was breaking down.

She was remembering the time in where she had called her a liar during their unpleasant stay at Viktor's chamber during their fourth year.

"What have I done?" Ron slumped on his knees, bowing his head in despair.

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Raise your wands in the air, as we remember Alan Rickman. May he rest in peace (yes, I know I'm late). Have a great day and please be safe! :)