Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Harry Potter except for the lovely posters on my wall…damn it where is my new Sirius one? Grrr…
AN: AHHH I felt tears creeping into my eyes while writing this one!!! Comments always welcome, as you know!
Chapter Four: The Attack
I woke up the next morning feeling slightly apprehensive for the day to begin. Today was the first day of classes and I was slightly nervous, I was in seventh year, which meant lots of studying for N.E.W.Ts, a lot of studying with Hermione.
I wasn't going to let this ruin our friendship; we had far too much history to discard it over a few shared kisses. I got up and ran a hand through my hair, glancing around the dorm I noticed Ron was already gone, most likely to find Hermione.
I half-heartedly put my robes on and grabbed my wand, shoving it in my pocket. I left the dorm and went down to the common room, to my surprise Ron was sitting alone by the fire. I immediately went to him; he looked as if he could use his best friend at that moment.
I sat down across from him silently, but letting him know I was there if he needed to talk to me. Ron and I used to talk about everything, Quidditch, school, what we were going to do when we graduated. The only thing we never discussed was girls, well er, I should say Hermione.
He lifted his head and looked at me, a slight shy smile playing across his lips. I sent him a smile back letting him know I wasn't going anywhere.
"Harry…" he finally began. I looked at him with rapt attention. "…I think I did something horrible."
"What did you do, Ron?" I asked cautiously. I was secretly hoping that Hermione hadn't told Ron about the kisses and now he was thinking it was his fault they happened.
He swallowed, his adams' apple bobbing up and down as he did so. "Well I spoke with Hermione this morning."
Now it was my turn to swallow nervously. He continued.
"And well I had been wanting to speak with her about this for some time, but I just don't think that it was the right time."
Nervously I said. "What did you say to her Ron?"
He looked at me, his eyes becoming watery. "I told her I loved her."
My heart dropped. That wasn't what I had expected. I hoped my emotion didn't show to well on my face because this was something he needed me to be here for him for. He loved Hermione. Wow, I suddenly felt as if I was hit with a ton of bricks, but I kept a grin on my face nonetheless and urged him to go on.
"Yeah I told her, and she became all flustered, and tongue tied. Hermione is never tongue tied, she always has something to say and you know it." He put his head in his hands as if giving up.
"Ron, it was probably a good thing you did tell her. Did she say anything back to you?"
His head slowly lifted and our eyes met in battle, blue against green.
"Yeah, she did." He plainly stated. "She broke up with me."
I was totally dumbstruck. I didn't know what to say, a part of me felt so badly for Ron, and I couldn't help but feel that this was my fault somehow. Whereas the other part felt nothing other than immense elation at the prospect of Hermione now being single. I knew it was the best thing to be feeling right now, so I pushed down the happiness that was threatening to boil over, and kept my concentration on Ron, my best friend.
"I'm so sorry mate, did she give you a reason?" I asked honestly.
He nodded his head. "She said it had something to do with N.E.W.Ts, but I'm not sure I believe her." he stood up and walked towards the fireplace. He put his arm against the mantle and leaned on it. Obviously this was where he wanted to end the conversation.
I stood up and went over to him.
"Well, what do you say to some breakfast before classes begin?" I asked prodding him in the side. He swatted my hand away.
"Nah, I'm not feeling like facing the whole school just yet. I'll see you in Charms." With that said he turned and fled up the stairs leading to the dorms.
I watched his retreating form until the door shut, and then at top speed, I ran out the portrait hole and down to the Great Hall for some last minute breakfast. Right before I reached the entrance, I ran head on into a one Hermione Granger.
We both toppled to the floor from the impact of my running into her. Her books and papers were strewn all over the floor, a look of horror on her face.
"Oh Harry, all my work!" She cried out reaching for every bit of parchment she could get her tiny little hands on. I couldn't help but laugh, what with the mood I was in. I helped her gather all her precious assignments up into a great big bundle, then we stood together.
"Hermione, I want to talk to you." I began; her eyes met mine in a questioning glance.
"What about?" she inquired. She was the brightest witch in our century; she couldn't be that daft, of course she knew what I wanted to speak with her about.
I rolled my eyes at her and grabbed her arm gently. I led her away from the great hall, and into a deserted corridor. She looked up at me, her great brown eyes staring curiously into mine.
"Harry, what…" Was all she managed to get out before I softly pushed her into a wall and pressed my lips to hers. She didn't push me away, which surprised me, but if anything she deepened the kiss. Our tongues had begun a battle that neither one wanted to win. She had dropped her papers once again and now her hands were at the back of my neck, her thumb making circles on my skin.
This time it was I who pulled away, taking time to catch my breath and to gage her reaction. Her lips seemed to be stuck in a permanent pout, begging for more. A deep blush had spread over her face, and her breathing was ragged and forced, as if trying to sound normal. I took her hands in mine.
"I had to do that, 'Mione." She nodded her head in response to my admission. "I've realized something, over the past few weeks…" But what I had said after that had been drowned out by a horrendous crash from somewhere above us.
Instantly we both reached for our wands, and began running towards the sounds of crashing rubble and screaming classmates, her papers carelessly left behind.
We darted up the stairs and were turning a corner when we ran into Ginny Weasley.
"The common room!" Confused, we both urged her to go on. "The Gryffindor common room, it was attacked, we don't know how."
My heart leapt into my throat, and my pulse quickened. I had thought of one thing when she said that. Ron. He had still been in there, oh please let him be alright. I grabbed Hermiones' hand and pulled her forcefully towards the portrait hole.
The door had been blasted open and we could see into the common room. I turned to Hermione. "Stay here, please." I begged her.
I left her there with a flabbergasted look on her face. With my wand drawn I entered the smoking common room.
"Lumos" I said, as there was almost no light in here. I walked around searching corners and overturned furniture. Whoever had done this had fled immediately, leaving behind no possible trace of identity.
Suddenly a noise to the left of me caught my attention. I turned and faced our three favorite chairs. The ones carefully placed by the fireplace so Hermione had light to do her homework by, and Ron and I could always see the others move in wizard chess. I walked carefully over to the semi circle the chairs created, noticing that there was a shadow coming from Hermiones' chair. I held my breath the entire walk over there. I didn't want to see what was on the other side of this chair, in fact I don't think I had ever been so scared in all of my life, my heart was pounding in my throat. Deciding that my heart was better in my chest, I swallowed the lump, took a deep breath and walked over to the other side.
A loud gasp escaped from my mouth at the sight that met my eyes. Rons' body sat upright in Hermiones' chair, a look of terror plastered to his face. I knelt down, instantly putting my hand to his face, his flesh was still warm. I felt a sob try to pry itself from my mouth, but I swallowed it back down.
Suddenly I heard Hermione.
"Harry, I'm not waiting out here any longer." She had come in and she was only ten feet away from where the corpse of our best friend sat.
"Hermione, stay there." I said putting my hand up to attempt to stop her. "Please."
"Harry, this is my common room too, I'm as worried as you are…" She had stepped up beside me, against my pleading with her not to. Her breathing seemed to have stopped for a minute before she squatted down to her knees. "No…"
She had grabbed his hands and was shaking them slightly. "Ron, wake up." She was rubbing his hands now, pulling gently. "Wake up Ron, you've gone and missed breakfast." Her hands now made their way up to his shoulders where she was shaking his entire body now. All I could do was sit and watch, tears streaming down my face. "Ron, you're going to miss your first class!" Hermione was screaming. I saw Ginny come into the common room, instantly I darted for her.
She looked at me as if in sudden realization. A sob escaped her mouth, as she buried her head in my robes. Thankfully Dean and Seamus came over to us, and took Ginny into their helping arms, as I went back over to Hermione who was now sobbing uncontrollably.
I squatted down beside her and put my arms around her. Tears had stained her face and clothes, but I didn't care. Her hands were still intertwined with Rons limp ones, she seemed to have a death grip on him.
I looked up, tears clouding my vision, and barely saw Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall step into the room, shock registered on both their faces.
"Minerva, why don't you gather up Harry, and Ms. Granger and get them to the infirmary. Make sure Poppy gives them the dreamless sleep potion."
Professor McGonagall helped both of us up off the floor, all three of us quietly crying as Professor Dumbledore, and now Professor Snape covered Rons' lifeless body with a Gryffindor blanket.
I had not removed my arms from around Hermione, and we made our way silently down the corridors and into the hospital wing. I had stopped crying, but I hurt inside, I hurt all over. Hermione hadn't stopped crying, but it wasn't the horrible gasps for breath it had once been, instead now it was silent shudders of mourning that were wracking her body.
I walked Hermione over to one of the hospital beds and watched as Madame Pomfrey administered the dreamless sleep potion, I didn't leave her side as she slid under the covers.
"I just can't believe it Harry." She said in between sobs. I shushed her lightly.
"Close your eyes, love. Just go to sleep. I'll be here in the morning." I said quietly as her eyelids became heavy and she drifted off.
Madame Pomfrey ushered me over to the bed next to the sleeping Hermione, and made me too get under the covers. She then stood there as I swallowed every last droplet of the potion.
Once the potion had begun to take affect, I felt my mind being freed of all horrible thoughts. Of Rons look of horror, Hermiones tear stained and blotchy face, of the destroyed common room. Everything seemed to leave me, and that is exactly how I wanted it.