Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Harry Potter series. That credit goes to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Go Jo! I also do not own some of the material used. Again, that belongs to Jo and Warner Brothers.
Chapter 3 The Attack Foreseen
Ron was still in the hospital wing during their first Hogsmeade visit, so he wasn't able to go like he had planned to.
"It just isn't fair," he told Hermione one day when she was visiting him. "I was really looking forward to going with you."
"There's always next time," Hermione said with a kind smile.
"Yeah, I suppose so," Ron said with a sigh as he looked down. Looking back up, he asked, "How was it?"
Hermione looked away for a moment, which worried Ron.
She took a deep breath, and then said, "Awful."
"What happened?" Ron asked, almost too scared to ask.
"Katie Bell…" Hermione began before Ron cut in.
"One of the Gryffindor Chasers?" Ron asked. "I saw her in here, but didn't know what happened."
Be it that Katie had been unconscious and everyone was whispering.
"She was cursed," Hermione explained. "They just sent her to St. Mungos."
"Cursed?" Ron asked in shock.
"Yes," Hermione nodded.
Ron then realized something.
"I bet Harry thinks it was Draco," he said.
"He did, but he was doing a detention for McGonagall," Hermione told him.
"For what?" Ron wondered.
He hadn't known about this.
"He didn't turn in his homework," Hermione told him.
"Wow," was all Ron could say.
"It was really terrible," Hermione said after a pause.
And then something came to Ron.
"Who was it intended for?" Ron asked.
"Dumbledore," Hermione said.
"What?" Ron asked, hoping that he had heard differently.
He didn't like to think of what would happen knowing Draco had failed.
"Be quiet," Hermione said, covering his mouth. He had apparently said this too loudly. "No one's supposed to know."
"Right," Ron replied, feeling a little embarrassed.
He should have known better.
"So, when are you going to be released?" Hermione asked after she uncovered Ron's mouth.
"Sometime today I hope," Ron said
Hermione smiled and replied, "That's great."
"Yeah, it'll be nice to be in my own bed again," Ron said with a laugh.
"Yes, I'm sure," Hermione told him, also laughing.
Hermione leaned in and kissed Ron. It wasn't like any kiss Ron had ever experienced with Hermione before.
"Wow," Ron said.
Hermione had to catch her breath before saying, "I don't want to lose you."
Her face was flush, and Ron was sure his face was as well.
"I don't either," Ron said.
"Then why do I feel like I am?" Hermione asked, her head falling.
"I'm sorry that you feel that why," Ron apologized, wrapping an arm around her.
"Me too," Hermione said, closing her eyes.
Ron also closed his eyes as Hermione's head landed in his shoulder.
xxx
Later on that day, after Ron was released, he was in his in his dormitory when Draco walked in, looking paler and worn.
"Draco, are you alright?" Ron asked. "You don't look well."
"The necklace didn't get to Dumbledore," Draco said, falling to his bed.
"So, I've heard," Ron replied.
With a sigh, Draco turned and said, "Professor Snape offered to help."
"Really?" Ron asked, glancing nervously at the door.
"Yeah, but I don't want it," Draco said.
"And why not?" Ron asked, remembering a similar conversation they had had during their first year.
"I have to be the one to do it," Draco said.
"I'm not saying he has to be the one to kill…" Ron began, but stopped before he could say the name, "just let him help you."
"I don't know," Draco said with a sigh.
xxx
Christmas came and went for Ron too fast. Harry had gotten him some Chocolate Frogs and Hermione, a book about Quidditch. Before he knew it, it was March the first. He was of age now.
"Happy birthday, Ron," Hermione said, throwing her arms around him and kissing him.
"Thanks, Hermione," he replied with a smile as they parted.
And then his face fell as he remembered something.
"You're seventeen. You should be happy," Harry said.
"This was supposed to be a Hogsmeade weekend," Ron replied.
"Oh, right," Harry realized.
Ron wanted to spend as much time as he could with Hermione and Harry. He had a bad feeling that things were about to change for the worse.
xxx
It was late at night months later, and Ron was being woken open. He opened and rubbed his eyes.
Seeing who it was, Ron asked, "Draco, what are you doing?"
"Dumbledore dies tonight," he said.
Ron seemed to be immediately awake.
