Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Hey everyone! I'm so glad so many of you are enjoying the story so far =) I'm having a lot of fun writing it. So I have found a way for Harry, Hermione and Ron to share Ron's Giardia. Believe it or not, the idea came from a real spell that's used in the books. So read on and find out what it is … enjoy!

Hermione managed to fall asleep sporadically, although she didn't stay sleeping very long. A few times she got up to check on Ron, who was in a state of semi-awareness, driven there by pure exhaustion. She peeked at Harry a few times too, who, much to her annoyance, was still fast asleep. Finally, around three o'clock in the morning, Hermione managed to fall asleep and stay asleep until just before dawn.

When Hermione woke up she could Harry moving around in the kitchen and she began to roll over before she remembered her plan and she quickly threw back the covers.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, coming into the kitchen. Harry, who had been peering warily into a cup, jumped and looked up.

"Hermione, you scared me!"

"Sorry." Hermione said offhandedly. "Have you talked to Ron this morning?"

Hermione truly hoped he had not; she had wanted to talk with him about her idea before Ron tried to convince him it wasn't a good plan. Harry nodded.

"I'm trying to make him some tea but I'm not having much luck." Harry motioned to the cup.

"Did Ron mention anything … unusual … to you?" Hermione had pulled out her wand and had easily changed the water into a weak cup of tea.

"Unusual?" Harry's brow creased. "Not that I can remember. Why?"

Hermione breathed an inward sigh of relief.

"I had an idea. So why don't you bring Ron his tea and I'll explain it to both of you and see what you think."

Harry nodded and carried the tea cup. Hermione followed, detouring to her bed to grab a blanket – it was freezing in the tent this morning; winter was soon approaching.

"Thanks, mate." Ron answered tiredly and accepted the tea as his friends each pulled up a chair next to his bed.

"So Hermione, what's this idea you had?" Harry asked. Ron raised an eyebrow at Hermione, which she ignored and took a deep breath before beginning.

"I had the idea that maybe we could split Ron's Giardia. It would mean taking shifts of being sick, say a day at a time. By doing that, it could mean getting rid of the virus faster. We could each be really rested and everything before taking our turn and that would shorten the recovery time."

Hermione paused to let Ron and Harry say something. She knew they were dying to speak but they knew better to interrupt her.

"I already told her I wouldn't let you do that." Ron said immediately. "This is my fault and there's no way I'd let you be sick for me."

"Is that even possible?" Harry asked, ignoring what Ron had said. Like Hermione, he was willing to do just about anything to help his friend. Hermione nodded.

"I think it is."

"How though? I've never heard of a spell that can transfer sickness."

"There isn't one." Hermione answered. "The idea I had was to use a switching spell. If we switch digestive systems, we switch the sickness."

"Are you mad?" Ron exploded. His rage seemed to make him feel better because he had sat straight up without complaining.

"You really think that'll work?" Harry asked, deep in thought. "There won't be any other side-effects?"

"I've thought a lot about it and I really think it will work. Like I said, if we're well rested and well hydrated before switching, then it'll be easier to kill the bug."

Harry sat there, his eyebrows knit together. Ron could tell he was thinking hard about the idea and had to say something.

"Harry, no. I am not letting you do that! What if something happens? What if it doesn't work? It could kill you."

Harry continued to think in silence.

"I think Hermione's right, Ron." Harry said at last. "Giardia lasts about two weeks. That's an awfully long time for you to be sick and if we take turns, we can do a lot to make you get better faster."

Hermione smiled, excited that Harry had agreed with her.

"Ron, we want to do this. It's what's best for all of us."

Ron scowled and then sighed.

"I guess, if you're sure."

"We are." Harry said and then looked at Hermione.

"I guess I'll take the first shift, seeing as I don't know how to do the spell."

Hermione nodded and pulled out her wand.

"You ready?" she asked and both Ron and Harry nodded.

Harry stood up next to Ron and Hermione took a deep breath, silently praying she wasn't about to kill her best friends.

"Okay. Here we go." Hermione raised her wand and said the incantation. Nothing appeared to be happening for a minute and then almost instantaneously, Harry and Ron both grabbed their abdomens. They both cried out loudly in pain but as quickly as it had come, it left. Harry sank to down to the chair and leaned forward, letting his elbows rest on his knees.

"Harry, how do you feel?" Hermione asked nervously.

Harry straightened up unsteadily.

"Hermione … " he said slowly. "I think it worked."

Harry grabbed at the basin sitting on the table and despite the fact that her best friend was throwing up violently, Hermione smiled.

"How about you?" she asked Ron.

"I'm fine but I feel awfully bad for Harry right about now."

Ron swung his feet over the side of the bed and stood up easily. By this time, Harry had stopped retching and was breathing heavily.

"Come on, Harry." Hermione had moved to Harry's side. She gently took one of Harry's arms and pulled him to his feet. Harry moaned slightly.

"You're burning up. You need to be in bed."

I'm quite excited to continue this now … the three of them taking care of each other is always fun to write =) And exams are done on Friday, which means I'll have all the time in the world (until I find a job, that is). Anyways … review, please?