Chapter 9: Unsettling Realization

Ron felt disappointed when Hermione had blown him off to study, but he understood. She was still behind from her bad dreams and he knew he'd be no help with anything. So, he had pouted a little, kissed her cheek and went to find Harry. He hadn't really been spending a lot of time with his friend lately, and Harry seemed to be avoiding him, so Ron decided to talk to him and see what was bothering him.

He found Harry in the library at Hermione's usual table, pouring over a very dusty book. "Whatcha got there?" he asked, sitting down.

Harry jumped, and for a split second, it looked like he was glaring angrily at Ron. Ron blinked, and when he opened his eyes, Harry was smiling at him. Must have been my imagination.

"You scared me!" Harry laughed quietly then motioned at the book. "I went for a walk last night to the Restricted section, and found a book on dream walking. I thought it might help Hermione."

Ron hadn't thought of checking that section for help. "Must be dark magic."

Harry shrugged. "I'm not sure. I just thought I'd take a look, just in case." He looked up at Ron. "Has she been having any bad dreams lately?"

Ron shook his head. "No, we found out that when we sleep together, the dreams stay away."

Harry looked impressed. "Really?" Then he put on a teasing look. "So, you finally got Hermione in bed, eh?"

Ron blushed and looked away. "Actually, we haven't done that yet. We're waiting. I want it to be perfect, which sounds a little mental, but I really love her. I want it to be special for both of us."

Harry had looked thoughtful. "Give her the ring yet?"

Again Ron shook his head. "I'm waiting until the next Hogsmeade weekend. Take her on a proper date, and then I'll ask."

"What a sentimental chap you are," Harry had mused. "Good luck, then." He stood.

"Oy, where you off to? Thought we could hang out for a bit. 'Mione kicked me out for the night, so she could study."

Harry smiled and looked at him. "You're out of luck. I have a date tonight." He slipped the book into his bag, and swung it onto his shoulder. "And I'm not saying with whom."

And then his friend walked away. Ron had had a hard time finding people to hang out with. But that's what happens when one of your best friends has a date and the other is your girlfriend who needs to study. He reluctantly went to find Ginny and beg her to spend some quality time with him. She'd had nothing better to do and agreed to play a few games of Wizards' Chess with him before dinner. They left the Common Room at six-thirty, after sending word to Hermione, who was too busy to join them.

When they had gotten back, well after seven, Ron sent Ginny up to get Hermione so he could give her the plate he brought back for her. When his sister returned, she was alone and puzzled. "Where's 'Mione?" he asked, looking expectantly behind her.

"Not there." Ginny raised an eyebrow. "She never said anything about leaving…"

"Maybe she went back to the library," Ron offered. He left Ginny in charge of the food and walked to the library a few floors below. Hermione wasn't there. He thought that maybe she had entered the Great Hall around the time he was leaving, so he missed her. When he checked, he found she wasn't there either.

Confused, Ron walked back up the several flights of stairs to the Tower. Ginny stood when he entered, looking around him for his girlfriend. "Any luck?"

"No," he grumbled, plopping onto the couch he so often shared with her. Ginny sat next to him. "Not in the library, the Great Hall or her room," he muttered. He felt hurt; if Hermione had wanted time alone, she should have just asked. He would have understood. Just then, her roommates entered. Things were still a bit shaky between him and Parvati, but they had been in the dorm when Ron and Ginny left for dinner, and they might know where Hermione was. "Hey, Parv?"

She turned to him, nose wrinkled. "Yes?"

"Know where Hermione went?"

Parvati shrugged. "She left not long after you did, looking all dressed up. I thought she went to meet you."

Ron's face blanched and he thanked her numbly. Hermione had left, dressed up? Harry had a date but with who, he wouldn't say? The thought of his best friend and his girlfriend, behind his back, made him clench his teeth in anger.

"You alright?" Ginny placed a hand on his back, concerned.

"I have to find 'Mione." Then he left.

Ron started on the ground floor, his thoughts racing. The two of them, together, laughing, kissing, cuddling, all behind his back. It was enough to drive any man insane. But as he made his way through the first and second floors, he came to a realization. Hermione and Harry hadn't been talking the last few weeks; in fact, they'd been avoiding each other like the plague. Hermione would turn quiet and cold whenever Ron mentioned inviting their other friend along; not like she was guilty, but like she just didn't like him anymore. Harry looked a wreck lately. Why did they suddenly seem to switch roles, Hermione sleeping well with no nightly visitors, and Harry getting no rest, tossing and turning throughout the night?

No, Ron thought as he continued his search. Harry couldn't be the one who was keeping Hermione so scared. But then he had found that book, on a subject he had never heard, that sounded suspiciously like it was dark magic.

After a long search, Ron didn't know where else to turn. He instantly headed for the Room of Requirement, thinking as he paced the necessary amount of time, I need to find Hermione. He was hoping for a room full of tools to aid in his search, or a map with a big X on it. He would have found the Marauder's Map, but he didn't want to go through Harry's things without his permission, and besides, he usually carried it on his person, so it was with Harry wherever he turned out to be. The Room was the only way he could think of to find his girlfriend quickly without another two hour futile search.

The door appeared seconds later and Ron opened it, anxiously heading in toward his instruments to beginning searching. But when he looked around, he noticed the room looked more like a place he'd take Hermione than go to find her. Table for two covered in dirty dishes, music and candles, a huge four-poster bed…

Ron ran to the bed, yanking the guy off of it. On the bed, pale and unmoving, lay Hermione. She wasn't completely naked, but getting close. Ron's blood boiled and he shook with rage. He turned to the man he had just pulled off his girlfriend.

"What the hell are you doing?" he shrieked, reaching for the guy's throat.

He took a step away, dodging Ron and managing to pull his wand out of a pile of clothing on the floor. He pointed at Ron, who stopped mid-run, holding his hands up in frustration. "I'm finishing what I started."

And then Harry petrified his friend before turning back to the bed and the woman laying there.