A/N: Okay, you talked me into it. I'm surprised how quickly I've gotten reviews, so I'm giving you a treat. Here's the next chapter. Don't get used to it though. The next one won't be out until at least tomorrow.
To my surprise, Hermione was home already. She was on the couch, looking absolutely miserable.
"What's wrong Hermione? Why are you home so early?"
Mechanically she turned to face me. She wiped her eyes first before speaking. "I found Crookshanks dead in the garden this morning." She sobbed and put a hand over her eyes.
I crossed to her, kneeling at her feet. "I'm so sorry." I held her hand tightly as she cried again. A Death Eater had intercepted Hedwig and sent her back to me in two separate boxes. I knew how she felt. When she calmed down enough to breathe normally she hugged me. "Thank you, Harry, for letting me cry on your shoulder," she whispered in my ear. She pulled back and I saw her smile weakly. We embraced again and I just held her, smelling her soft hair. Eventually we let go and I sat on the couch, where she joined me.
We remembered first meeting Crookshanks and his quirks. He had never really liked Ron but had a soft spot for me. I knew where he liked to be scratched. After a while we just sat there until she fell asleep in my arms.
I gently removed myself from her and walked outside to our garden. I saw Crookshanks immediately. It looked like his neck had been broken. I looked at him, then at the tree and then at the birdbath. I figured he had gone after a bird and in his haste didn't stick the landing. I quickly buried him at the foot of his favourite tree and marked the spot to show Hermione later.
When I got back inside Ron was home, standing in the living room shooting dark looks at his wife. I frowned, confused, but greeted him nevertheless. He complained about practice and my frown relaxed. I nodded to Hermione and informed Ron that Crookshanks had died. He shrugged and looked at her again before climbing the stairs to their room.
~*~
Later that night I found Hermione still asleep on the couch. I levitated her up the stairs and knocked for Ron to receive her. I crept back to the kitchen for a midnight snack. Already I missed Crookshanks' presence when he didn't beg me for some of my snack.
When I returned upstairs I passed an awake Hermione in the hall. She was stumbling against the walls like she couldn't see in the dark and had forgotten where to go. I touched her shoulder and she flinched before she turned around. My eyes narrowed as she smiled brightly then continued on her way.
I was really starting to get confused. Hermione had been acting very strangely as of late and I was starting to slip into over-protective mode. She had recently had bruises and scratches on her arms that I'm sure did not come from Crookshanks. Christmas she had a black eye. The other night Ron had been acting oddly too. And if memory serves me correctly, she had been sporting a sling when they got back from their honeymoon. I still couldn't put my finger on what exactly was wrong though.
~*~
Until I heard her throwing up the next morning. I walked by the loo to hear retching and moaning. Hermione was sweaty and pale and hugging the toilet. I couldn't help it but I blurted out "Are you pregnant?"
She looked horrified. She tried to shake her head no but another onslaught overtook her answer. I went to hold her hair back for her. She explained to me that she had caught a regular Muggle stomach flu from a patient at work. Based on my earlier musings I was immediately suspicious. Wizards, or more specifically, witches do not catch normal Muggle colds, even Muggleborn witches. Granted, Hermione worked in a hospital, but she hadn't been there yesterday and the day before she had been happy and healthy. I was about to ask her again when she answered my question.
"I'm positive I'm not pregnant. I did the charm myself. I've tested negative the past three times."
I nodded even though she couldn't see me. I was still suspicious though. Why would she be throwing up so much if she hadn't eaten the day before, wasn't pregnant, and couldn't possibly have a Muggle stomach flu?
After more meetings with the porcelain god, she stood up shaky but better. She smiled wearily at me. "Thanks for holding my hair back." She brushed passed me and into her room.
~*~
I made Hermione stay home from work again on the condition that I actually go. I finished early again and arrived home shortly after lunch time. I made myself a sandwich in the kitchen, bypassing the living room in hopes that I wouldn't disturb a sleeping Hermione.
As I finished my last bite and washed it down with a glass of chilled pumpkin juice I heard a shout coming from the hall upstairs. Curious and wary I tiptoed out of the kitchen and to the foot of the stairs. I heard two voices but I couldn't make out any words. I figured they didn't know I was home yet but I could tell it wasn't sex this time and I started to walk away.
Until I heard her scream. It wasn't an enraged scream like I had heard often enough at Hogwarts. And it wasn't a joyous scream either. It was a painful, spine-tingling, fear-inducing, skin-crawling scream for help. I was terrified someone was attacking Hermione while she was alone in the house. I disillusioned myself and climbed the stairs as quickly and as quietly as I could.
To my surprise and increasing horror it was not an intruder assaulting Hermione. It was Ron. Rage clouded my vision as I saw him repeatedly hit her with his fists. I saw him tower over her, backing her into the wall. She cowered against it, crying, screaming, pleading for him to stop.
Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won't do no good
To call
The police
Always come late if they come at all
I couldn't move. It was like a nightmare; I was helpless and could do nothing but watch.
Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won't do no good
To call
The police
Always come late if they come at all
He struck her again and again, moving her to the stairs. With one last bellow, he kicked her in the ribs where she lay sprawled on the floor.
And when they arrive
They say they can't interfere with domestic affairs
Between a man and his wife
And as they walk out the door the tears well up in her eyes
As he tried to go for her again she scrambled to get away only to fall headfirst down the stairs.
Last night I heard the screaming
Then a silence that chilled my soul
Prayed that I was dreaming
When I saw the ambulance in the road
And the policeman said
I'm here to keep the peace
Will the crowd disperse?
I think we all could use some sleep
I snapped to. I watched her fall slowly, cursing myself and Ron for not stepping in. I flew past him down the stairs, knocking him against the wall in my haste to get to her. My disillusionment charm had worn off during my rage and flight. Hermione opened her eyes once and she smiled at me as I cradled her face in my hands.
Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won't do no good
To call
The police
Always come late if they come at all
"I'll take care of you," I whispered to her. "I won't let him hurt you again." Her body collapsed, finally giving into the intense pain. I flipped her emergency badge and waited for the Healers to arrive. They were efficient and didn't ask questions, but told me she'd be okay and ready for visitors in a few hours. Without really hearing them I nodded and went to find Ron.
He was still knocked out against the wall. Which wasn't enough. When I saw Hermione fall, everything that I had been confused about clicked into place. Ron had been beating her since their honeymoon and I had been oblivious to it all. It made me sick. I had to turn away from him so I wouldn't kill him. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to him. I was still surprised and shocked when I thought about Hermione staying with that scumbag. Ron. The longer I looked at him the angrier and more hurt I grew. He was our best friend. Ron. What right had he to do this? To destroy her like this? And how could she have stayed with him after all of that?
Then I noticed Ron had his wand in his hand. All of Hermione's weak excuses and abnormal clumsiness and her general cluelessness about her injuries suddenly made sense. Ron, that bastard, had modified her memory. I took his wand with me when I went to visit Hermione. I decided to be the better man and let her deal with him when she woke up. I would let her rip him limb from limb once she found out.
~*~
It took me three hours and a lot of throwing my name around (and signing autographs) for them to allow me to visit Hermione.
They told me only family was allowed and only during visitor hours that had just ended five minutes ago. Which was crap because it wasn't more than four o'clock when I got there.
They also told me she had suffered complications. They had found traces of an as yet unknown potion in her system that caused a total shutdown after the trauma had occurred. She was in a coma and they weren't sure when she'd wake.
I told them succinctly that I would be staying there until she did, which they agreed to. But I'm sure it was only after I reminded them that 1) I had defeated Voldemort a year ago and 2) Voldemort was nothing compared to what I could do to them if they stood in my way. Of course, not the smartest thing to say, especially when there's a budding Skeeter in the lobby. The Daily Prophet all but sent out pamphlets with that news.
~*~
A/N: I personally believe that Ron would never do this, but I do think the R/Hr relationship could be just as destructive, at least on an emotional level.
The song is "Behind the Wall" by Tracy Chapman, one of my all-time favorite songs. It's very chilling to listen to. I recommend it if you can find it.
Also, THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! I can't believe how quickly they came. I had three within the first hour of it being posted! And where I'm at, it was pretty late when I posted it! You guys are making me a whore…