Not long after Harry left, Mrs. Weasley ushered a weary Hermione downstairs and insisted that she ate some breakfast. Fred and George took their watch over Ron, determinedly cracking jokes in an effort to revive him, despite their mother's complaints ("He can't hear you! So what's the point? Honestly!"). Hermione sat at the kitchen table and put her hands in her lap. She felt oddly fragile, as if any more formidable news reached her, she just might break. Her hands were cold and clammy and a spine-chilling shiver ran up her back.
As Mrs. Weasley placed a plate of eggs and bacon before her, she vaguely acknowledged that this would be her first real meal in days; she felt suddenly ravenous. She ate slowly, but she savored the food. Mrs. Weasley's cooking was just as delicious as ever, even under stress.
"Hermione, dear, you look awfully pale," Mrs. Weasley said quietly when Hermione had finished eating. Hermione didn't answer, only turned her gaze to the open window. Birds were singing gaily outside, oblivious to the pain or tragedies occurring in their lives. The clouds parted and a weak sunlight shown down upon Hermione's face, bringing out a small glint in her eyes.
Suddenly a door slammed and Mrs. Black's screeches echoed through the house and Hermione was reminded vaguely of Sirius shouting at his mother to shut up, she, Ron and Harry helping to clean the once Noble House of Black. Ron.
"Where is he? What room is he in? Ron? Ron!" Ginny's tearful voice cried over Mrs. Black, whose shouts stopped abruptly. Hermione fled from the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley in time to see Ginny's long plait of hair dancing up a flight of stairs with her, still calling for her brother. Mr. Weasley was retreating from Mrs. Black's portrait, hat and cloak over his arm.
"She's just been released," he said in a strained voice to Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. "I would've told you sooner but under the circumstances…" his voice trailed away. Hermione left Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and dashed upstairs in Ginny's wake, desperate for her friendly face.
Hermione found her kneeling next to Ron's bed, not crying for Ginny was rarely weepy, but just looking completely distressed. Despite her harassed appearance at seeing Ron in such a condition, the Healers had worked wonders upon Ginny: she now looked more fit than anyone else present, and judging by her appearance, one would have never guessed that she had sustained severe injury.
At sight of Hermione, Ginny left Ron and fell into her arms, suddenly unable to restrain tears. Hermione hugged her tightly, and it came as a small relief to comfort someone else, to take on someone else's pain. After a moment, Ginny let go of Hermione and looked around.
"Where's Harry?" she asked quietly when she did not see him.
"He left," Hermione said in a soft voice. "To the library."
"What?" Mr. Weasley had just entered the room, closely followed by his wife. He rounded on her. "Why to the library, of all places? Is anyone with him?" The volume of his voice made Hermione want to cover Ron's ears.
"No, Arthur, nobody's with him," Mrs. Weasley said, shaken. Mr. Weasley looked livid.
"Don't you understand? Death Eaters still roam the streets. Harry is in graver danger than you know! Why didn't it occur to you to keep him here? Where he's safe?"
"I'm sorry, Arthur, but if you haven't notice, my son is dying right under our noses! I am trying to keep him alive!" Mrs. Weasley screamed looking on the verge of tears. Ginny had begun to cry again and George had taken to comfort her, acting more sensitive than he had ever been. Hermione suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over her; this was of course her idea. Perhaps it had been better if she hadn't said anything. After all, what were the chances that this would actually work? And if she wasn't Ron's soul mate, she would only make matters worse by killing both Ron and herself. And if she wasn't Ron's soul mate, who on earth could love Ron than she did? The thought frightened her so much that she didn't notice Harry come in.
"Harry, what were you thinking, leaving the house on your own like that?" Mr. Weasley shouted at the sight of him. Harry gazed wearily up at him, clutching the worn book in his hands to his chest like a life saver. He appeared to be out of breath, his face was dirty, as were his clothes and one of his hands were bleeding. Ginny rushed to him, kissing him on the cheek.
"I'm sorry Harry, but it is essential that we keep you safe. You can't leave this house until we've rounded up the rest of You-Know-Who's supporters," Mr. Weasley said, softening slightly after taking in Harry's appearance. Harry smiled grimly.
"Well, that's fine with me. I won't need to leave again; I got what I left for," he said, gasping slightly. Hermione stared at him, and then looked to the book. Comprehension dawned on her.
"Oh, Harry!" and she too rushed to him, hugging him tightly. "You got it? It's…it's in here?" she asked, almost in disbelief. Harry nodded and Hermione squealed with excitement, completely beside herself. She took the book from him very carefully, almost fearing it may disappear into ruin at her touch. It was titled 'Spells and Enchantments of Legends Past'. As she gently turned the book's worn and decaying pages, Hermione looked back at Harry.
"But what took you? What have you done with your hand?" she asked, now closing the book, fearful. Harry looked away.
"I was careless…and there are more Death Eaters out there than we expected…" he muttered staring at a spot on the wall. Hermione frowned, but nodded wishing she knew more. Mrs. Weasley healed Harry's hand in a moment's time and Hermione returned to the book, looking for the spell that may save Ron's life.
"What are you two on about?" Ginny asked after a moment's silence. Harry took on the job of explaining what had occurred since her absence as Hermione huddled to one side, pouring over the ancient text. At last she found it and her smile widened more than it had in the past week.
Maior Curatio
This Legendary spell from the fictional tale of 'The Unlikely Couple' was
known for centuries as a spell only true lovers chosen by fate could use.
Though the spell required extereme concentration and a feeling of complete
selflessness, the effects were immediate and incredible. The Maior Curatio
would be able to accomplish what no other spell could. Its effects would allow
the victim to make a full, complete and instantaneous recovery. However, should
the participants of the spell be unsuitable, deemed by the stars, both the caster
and victim would parish.
Below was a faded, but colored, illustration of a witch performing the spell in very precise movement, bringing her wand up, making a sweeping motion over her own soul mate and waving her wand with a flourish; the once ill man in bed recovered instantly and the witch fled to his arms. It was a lovely sight to Hermione's eyes…
But would the same effects work on Ron when she, Hermione, cast the spell?
A/N: review! review! review!
…and sorry about the long wait.