The walls were white, like Hermione had seen in the nightmare. Shockingly white. The Weasleys and her were walking down the hallway now, in a large group, towards Ron's room. Heavy footsteps and downcast eyes could be heard and seen by passers-by. Hermione wasn't even sure how they had come here, didn't remember one thing. She did remember everyone's solemn glances and people patting her back. It was one of the many reasons Hermione loved the Weasleys - their solidarity and familiarity gave her badly-needed strength. Hermione felt as if she was sleep-walking, as if everything was in slow motion. Ginny's hand, which she was holding for support, felt sweaty and clammy in her own.

Hermione's mind was only thinking - screaming, rather - one thing : Ron. She wanted to see him so badly, her body was physically aching. She wanted to see him, solid and lovely, not just in her nightmares, have him hold her, tell her everything was going to be all right... but she knew that was impossible. The doctors had spoken to Mrs. Weasley, and all they knew was that Ron was in a critical condition, a coma, and they were working hard to get his body back into working order. Hermione cast a look at Ginny, who's eyes were actually red, which was a rare occurence. Harry, on her other side, looked slightly shell-shocked. Of everyone, he was the only one who knew what had actually happened with Ron on the mission, and he was keeping mum about the entire thing. The children had been left at home, with Mr. Weasley, they would be visiting later. Hermione wished they had come, however, she felt as if they would have made her stronger.

"Here we are." Healer Jones said awkwardly, and gestured towards a unceremonious white door. Hermione stifled a sob. She was minutes away from seeing him now, this was it. She had to do it for him. She had to be strong for him. At those words, a memory came flooding back to her.

Hermione was preparing for the big job interview, nervous as ever. She had woken up extra early to practice from her cue cards, and was now trying to recite the answer to why she would be a perfect fit for the job while brushing her teeth, which wasn't working out all that well. A groggy, unshaven (although only she could tell, because the hairs on his face were the light color of a sunset) Ron opened the bathroom door, squinting at the bright light, instantly shielding his eyes with his hand. She merely nodded at him and continued practicing her answers in front of the mirror.

"'Mione, what are you doing?" He interrupted her, voice full of sleep, he had evidently just woken up.

Hermione spat into the sink and turned around to face him, irritated, arms crossed. "Ron, as I have told you countless times, this is my first major job interview. This is not some small internship, or a little journalism gig - " and suddenly all the composure she had managed to gather broke at those words, because she herself realized what a huge deal it was. Unprecedented tears began to fall down her face, which was too much for him. He crossed the bathroom floor in three long strides.

"Hey, 'Mione, it's okay." he said gently, cupping her face in one hand and wiping away tears with the other. She looked directly into his blue eyes, into his very soul. "Don't cry, please. We both know - hell, everyone knows - how amazing, articulate, and smart you are. You will get this job, okay? I promise." She embraced him tightly, hoping to express what she couldn't in words. She really didn't know what she would do without him.

"Ron, I - " she began weakly, but she was cut off by him.

"Shhh. Do it for me. Be strong for me, okay?" he told her sweetly, taking one of her hands and kissing it.

Hermione was brought back to reality with the sound of the Healer opening the door. Hermione felt a pain in her heart as she stared at the man she loved. Lying there was Ron, eyes closed, hooked up to many tubes. One arm was covered in some sort of a shimmery cast, and there were multiple potions on the table next to him. A nasty bruise covered his neck and snaked up to his left cheek. A long scar began on his bicep muscle, and continued underneath his t-shirt. Mrs. Weasley entered the room first: having known pain, she was a strong woman. One by one, Ron's brothers and their wives filed into the room, making it feel cramped and claustrophobic. Finally, Harry, Hermione and Ginny entered the white room with the bed in the centre. Hermione waited for the tears, but they didn't come. She felt more determined as she looked at Ron's face.

Mrs. Weasley broke the silence, voice hoarse. "How is he doing, Healer?"

Healer Jones cleared his throat. "Er - well, he's had a nasty bunch of spells and hexes directed towards him, he was really quite bashed up when he was brought in - " he stopped and re-started after noticing the glare on Mrs. Weasley's face. "But - uh, he's - he's really improving." he finished, rather lamely.

"Glad to hear it." responded Mrs. Weasley curtly.

"All right, use the spell if you need me." with these words, Healer Jones left the Weasleys and Hermione and Harry (who had now been dubbed 'honorary Weasleys' by the little ones) alone in the room with Ron. Mrs. Weasley waved her wand and a chair for each of them appeared. For a while, they all sat, watching Ron for the faintest twitch or movement. Hermione really wanted them to leave - after all, no one was saying anything! - so she could be alone with him, and she tried to tell Mrs. Weasley this using her eyes. Luckily, Mrs. Weasley got the message and shepherded the clan out of the room, patting Hermione's arm gently. Hermione gratefully smiled at her. Soon, only Harry and her were left in the room.

"You know, I'm having a little bit of deja vu, here, Hermione." he said, a little sadly.

Hermione turned up the corners of her mouth, not really a smile. "Missing one clingy girlfriend though." Harry chuckled softly and left the room.

Hermione took this opportunity to sit down on Ron's bed, beside him, taking one of his cold hands in hers. She took a deep breath.

"Hey, Ron." she began. "I don't know if you can hear me, but it doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you... I love you."

She didn't speak any more, because that was all she could say. She closed her eyes, and laid down next to Ron, taking care not to apply pressure on his body. She didn't care what they would do, say, or think when they found her. All she knew is that she wanted to be near him, her body next to his.

She had almost drifted off to sleep when she heard a soft, "Her... mi...one."

A/N : Hey! Thanks for reading :) Hope life is going well. I would like to apologize for the long wait - I have been really busy.

I would love to know what you think... Did you like it? Too melodramatic? It would be fantastic if you guys could drop me a review to let me know. I am also in the process of writing a new R/Hr story. :)