Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter, if I did I would never lift a finger again!

A/N: Thank you all so much I am finished with this story and I just need to finish typing it. It will be about 2-4 more chapters. I hope you all are well, I am sorry if this chapter isn't that great, I have the flu and I am not feeling well right now. So please read and review.

Chapter 26: The Return of the Lost

The four friends walked back to the Heads common room, no one willing to admit the inevitable. Once inside the Common room Hermione ran to her room and pulled out her emergency potions stash.

She grabbed a small knife, poked her finger and dripped an ounce of blood into a vial. She walked to Draco and he held out his hand, he repeated the steps into his own vial.

"Draco please go get some Dragons Tongue from the potions class room, Harry please collect some feathers from Faux," Hermione said and the boy left.

Hermione walked to Ginny, and collected a few of the free flowing tears, and then the both sat and waited for the boys to get back.

An hour later the potion was complete, enough for a full week.

They decided to wait until Saturday morning to administer the potion; it would be easier to get Ron away from the Hospital Wing.

The next few days went by agonizingly slow. No one spoke of what had to happen to truly save Ron. Hermione worked furiously on a counter curse, she was convinced in her heart of hearts that Draco was not Ron's worst enemy, but she would find out who was.

At 5 am the four were in front of the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey got an "unexpected owl" from her sister telling her she had to come to France right away, and she had to use Muggle transportation.

The four levitate Ron's sleeping form to the Heads common room, Once they were all inside Draco performed a Sealing, and Silencing charm.

8am finally came; Ron's sleeping potions was wearing off. Hermione poured the potion down his throat, after a few moments he stirred.

"Mione, how did we get here? Ferret Boy what in the bloody hell are you doing here?" A Groggy Ron asked.

Draco opened his mouth to respond but Hermione stopped him.

"Ron, what's the last thing you remember?" she asked.

"Come on Mione, I found Malfoy on top of you in the Heads Compartment, I asked you out, we went off, and I went to the loo, and now I am here, and you still haven't told me why the pureblood prat is here." Ron said.

Everyone tensed Draco put his arm around Hermione to comfort her.

"Oy get your grubby hands off my girlfriend." Ron yelled.

"Ronald, I am sorry I have to be the one to tell you this, but I am not your girl, I am Draco's, and it is not September 1, its February 13th," Hermione said in one breath.

Ron sat there for a moment, waiting for his friends, his love, and his enemy to tell him this was some kind of sick joke. When the serious faces in front of him never changed he knew Hermione was telling the truth.

"Hermione, you and him, how long?" Ron asked.

"Officially, since Christmas." She said quietly.

"Officially?" Ron asked.

"Well, see at the time I discovered feelings for him, I was sort of dating Harry," He said just above a whisper.

"Bloody hell, well I guess you better start from the beginning." Ron said a very very confused.

So over the next few hours the quartet told Ron everything that has happened over the past 5 months. Ron sat quietly and never interrupting. Once Hermione was finished he spoke.

"Wow that is a lot to take in. Would the three of you mind if I had a word in private with Hermione?" Ron asked.

The three agreed, saying that they would bring up an early lunch.

"Hermione," Ron began once the coast was clear. "I am sorry; I did and let all those horrible things to you. I would never truly hurt you; I have loved you since second year." He said.

"Oh Ron, it wasn't your fault and I love you too, you are like a brother to me," She said ash she threw her arms around him.

"No Hermione, I have been in love you with since second year." He said honestly.

"Oh."

"I know you are with Malfoy now, but I need to know if I ever had a chance," He said hopefully.

"Yes Ronald, I wanted nothing more than to be your girlfriend over the summer," Ron brightened up. "But you must understand something, I love Draco, not like some silly school yard love, I mean he is it for me, I could not imagine my life without him,"

Ron looked crushed but he put on a smile. "I love you, I always have and I always will. Above all else I want you to be happy, and if being with him makes you happy then I will support you," He said with a goofy Ron grin.

Hermione hugged him and squeezed tight. It felt amazing to have Ron back.

"Everything copasetic here?" Draco asked as he walked in.

Hermione beamed, "Everything is perfect!"

Ron walked to Draco and pulled him aside.

"While I am not completely comfortable with you, she is happier than I have ever seen her. Please treat her well and love her like she deserves. But let's do get one thing straight, I still hate you, and I sure as hell do not trust you, but I will be nice enough to you in front of everyone, but screw up once that's all I need." Ron said and extended his hand so it looked as if they had a pleasant conversation and Draco accepted and shook his hand back.

Just then an alarm went off and Hermione rushed up to Ron and poured another vial of the potion down his throat.

The five of them got reacquainted for the remainder of the afternoon. Dumbledore stopped by to check up on Ron. Right before he left he pulled Harry and Draco out of the room.

"The final battle looms near; you both will play important rolls. Harry you know the one thing that will help you defeat Voldemort. Draco, I know your decision is a difficult one, but you must follow your heart, it will never steer you wrong." Dumbledore said and without another word he turned and left.

The group chatted until it was time to get ready for the ball. Draco, Harry and Ron went up to Draco's room to get ready.

"Why are there three Muggle suits here?" Ron asked.