As Time Ticks Away
Chapter Eleven
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It had been only an hour since he was told of Hermione's fate but he felt as if it was a lifetime. All he had been able to do was think about what could be done, how this could be prevented. Hermione had told Ron about the book, so he went upstairs and started reading immediately. As he read the words, tears built up in his eyes. He couldn't believe that this was happening. More than anything he couldn't even bear to know the pain Hermione was facing.
After letting out his tears in the privacy of his room, he went back down to the living room. Harry and Hermione were the only ones left. Everyone else had scattered about, trying to act as if everything was normal, but the fact was that nothing would be the same anymore.
Hermione was lying down on the couch while Harry sat in the chair next to her. At that moment, Hermione looked like a normal teenager without a care in the world. That was all he wanted for her. He wanted her to live a normal life, without feeling as much pain as she was.
"Ron, come on over," Hermione spoke from the couch, having noticed Ron on the staircase.
He smiled and made his way over. Harry got out of the seat closest to Hermione and allowed Ron to sit there. Harry sat down on a chair towards her feet. Ron, upon sitting down, grabbed a hold of Hermione's hand. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he kissed her hand.
"I've been better," she said. "But I've been worse," she finished.
There was a silence. Everyone was afraid to speak, every word counted twice as much. Any word could be the last that Hermione heard. It was an unspoken understanding that everyone was aware of. However, it didn't make anything any easier.
Ron decided to break the silence. "I read the book." Hermione looked down and nodded. Taking it as a sign, he continued. "I know that it says that there isn't a cure but I don't believe that. There's something we can do. I know there is."
Hermione's brown eyes looked desperately into his. "I want to believe that too Ron," she paused. "But I can't get my hopes up anymore. I've looked and done all I could."
"And I believe that you have but there's always more that can be done. Isn't that what you've always said to us?" Ron asked.
"Ron, don't push it," Harry stepped in, trying to defend his friend.
Ron was confused. "What am I pushing exactly? I just don't think we should give up on finding a cure."
"And I don't want to either. But you don't realize all that Hermione has done and researched. If there was a cure she would have found it. But she didn't. Now we have to respect that. She doesn't need us to push her like this. It's not what she wants." Harry's words pierced Ron.
"I do respect her!" Ron practically shouted. "But I won't give up! I-"
Ron's speech was interrupted by Hermione's scream. She pulled away from him as she sat up, both of her hands grabbing a hold of her head. Her body was shaking uncontrollably and tears started streaming out of her eyes, which were wide open. Immediately, Ron looked at Harry who, like him, had a scared look on his face. Both of the boys knew that there was nothing they could do to ease the pain. All they could do was stand and look in awe.
"Make it stop, please," Hermione said between her screams. She didn't know why she said this; she knew there was nothing they could do. Then she started coughing, her throat becoming hoarse from screaming so loud. Along with the cough came blood. Harry conjured a towel and handed it to his best friend. It was all he or Ron could do.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hermione laid back down, claiming that she was feeling better. This however, was a lie. There was still so much pain but she wanted to hide it. She decided to close her eyes, hoping to fall asleep and wake up without the pain.
When Harry and Ron saw Hermione's eyes close they sat around for a few moments. When it was apparent that she was asleep, Harry decided to continue his conversation with Ron. "We can't do that in front of her," he whispered. Ron simply nodded, signaling Harry to continue. "I'm not saying you don't respect her."
Hastily, Ron asked, "Then what are you saying mate because that's exactly what it sounds like you're saying."
"I'm just saying we need to respect her decision. We need to give her what she wants. She's searched for answers and we both know she would be the only one to find a cure if there was one. But there's not. We have to trust her on this." Harry paused, afraid to say these next words out loud. "We have to make her happy so when she, you know, she doesn't regret wasting time."
"I can't give up on her," Ron cried. "I have to do something to save her; I don't know if I can live without her." By the end of his sentence, a few tears had escaped his eyes.
Harry felt the same way, but he had something to explain to Ron. "When you went upstairs and after everyone left, we had a conversation about this. She knew you'd act this way and she knew you wouldn't want to give up. But believe me when I say that it's what she wants." Harry put his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "She's been suffering and now we know about it and know why. Now we just have to be there to comfort her and let her know she's not alone."
After pushing his hand off of his shoulder, Ron walked away. "I'll always be there for her. Maybe that's not what she wants but when I find a cure she'll be glad I didn't give up on her, on us, and on finding a cure." With that, Ron walked out of the room. Harry knew better than to follow him, so instead he walked in the opposite direction. Both boys needed some time to take in the situation on their own. Yet neither of them noticed the girl shaking uncontrollably on the couch, red tears streaming from her eyes.