Fire and the Dragon

A/N: A special thanks to the authors here who have inspired me to try my own: TMaria, Ms. Figg, and ReiRei. You all are amazing authors as are all of the people who are brave enough to post here! Hopefully I can be a mere shadow of the talent you possess! Also, more thanks to all the reviewers! They keep me motivated to keep this story going.

Oh, and don’t worry, Ron will be punished justly…he will not get away with something so evil…



Ch.4 Harry made his way slowly to the bedside. He couldn’t believe it was Hermione. Why did she not go straight home, what was she thinking? She was probably upset about the whole Ron incident….Ron. Harry’s entire body lurched. Surely his best friend did not do this. He decided to put that thought away for the moment and focus on his ill friend in front of him. He held her hand and the voices around him faded away.



What seemed like an eternity later, the door to her room opened and Ginny came in, followed by a very worn looking Ron. Ron’s eyes found Hermione lying on the bed. Tears flowed freely and he tried to make his way to her bedside. “Just a minute, Ron.” Harry stopped him. “I need to ask you a question.” Without breaking his gaze on Hermione, Ron nodded. Harry sighed before proceeding, “Where did you go when you left the Leaky Cauldron, Ron?” His eyes were firm and pleading. Ron began to shake with his sobbing, “What, bloody hell, man, you think I did this????” Harry did not stop his piercing glare and Ron knew after years of friendship that it would be best to just answer the question. “I think I went home, I don’t remember how I got there, the last thing I remember is putting on my cloak to leave the bar. Then Ginny ran in and told me to get up, get some sober up potion, and come with her.”



Satisfied, Harry moved aside to let Ron see Hermione. She looked so helpless and vulnerable in that bed. He could hardly recognize her she was so broken and bruised. With Harry on the other side of the bed, holding her hand, Ron put his hand on her forehead. As soon as his hand touched her head, he was assaulted with visions: A rough kiss, whispered words, silent screams, slaps, anger, and possession. He stumbled backwards over a chair. “No…” Harry and Ginny looked at him with concern, when they went to help him up, Ron jumped to his feet and shouted, “Stay away from me, I don’t deserve to be around anyone.” He turned around and bolted out of the door.



Ginny ran after her brother while Harry stayed in the room, replaying the past few minutes in his head. Ron had reacted so strongly to touching her, almost as if…Harry fell back into his chair and placed his head in his hands. He glanced towards Hermione and whispered, “Oh Ron, what have you done?”



Harry was at a loss. He should have made sure Ron went home, he is an auror for freak’s sake. He could have prevented all of this by simply following Ron when he was in an obvious state of distress. He stood up and staggered to the hallway, this was not going to be easy.



“Tonks, could I have a word, please?” Harry lead the female auror to a corner. “I think it was a wizard that attacked Hermione, not a muggle. But I do not think it was a deatheater.” Harry held up a hand as he saw Tonks about to interrupt. “I just think it would be wise to post a couple of people at Ron’s flat, make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid or leave town.”



Tonks couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Harry, are you sure? Ron loves Hermione, he could never hurt her.” Seeing the determined look in Harry’s eyes, she resigned. “Alright Harry, but you had better be on to something or we will both be in big trouble.”



“I know, gods help him if Ron was the one to put her in such a state. There will not be a dark hole alive that will hide him from the fury that will rain down.” He yawned and bid her a goodnight, promising to be back early in the morning to check on Hermione. He was tired, but he needed to speak with Ron again, best do it in the morning when he has his wits about him. With one last look at his friend laying in the hospital, he walked down the hall and out of sight.



Unnoticed by anyone during the intense conversation, a cloaked Severus Snape slipped into Hermione’s room with an idea of how to bring the young witch back to the world of the conscious.



Severus dropped his cloak on the back of the nearest chair and pulled it close to her bed. He had been doing some research in the short time he had been gone, and had found a possible way to ensure Hermione awoke. It was risky, he could get sucked into a persistent coma just the same as her, but he had to try.



He groaned, why should he even care if the little twit never woke up? He could not explain it. As he glanced down at the young woman in front of him, he realized that he noticed long ago, she had grown into a remarkable witch. No longer the bushy haired know-it-all. He could not let such a mind be lost to the wizarding world, yes that was it, he was doing this for the good of his world…as always.



After going to the loo, he got comfortable in his chair, placed his hand on her forehead, and closed his eyes. It would take all of his strength and concentration to guide her back. He had ensured with the healers that he would not be disturbed. With a deep breath, he began.



The sun was beating in through the window. “Damn, forgot to close the drapes.” Harry grumbled as he roused from his short sleep. He rolled over and smiled. His beautiful wife was still sleeping. That girl could sleep through a tornado with no problem. He kissed her temple and she began to stir. “Ginny? Wake up, gorgeous.” She opened her big blue eyes and kissed him good morning.



He got out of bed and began to dress. “And just where are you off to, Mr. Potter?” she asked inquisitively, “You worked all night. You need to get some sleep if you are ever going to find out who attacked Hermione.” Harry turned to her, his heart breaking. He shouldn’t upset her or her family until he knew for sure. He decided to tell her a partial truth. “Well, we already have a suspect and I am going to ask him a few questions this morning. Please do not ask who, love, you know I can’t tell you.”



With a final kiss and a heavy heart, Harry set out to find Ron and get to the bottom of this tragedy.





A/N: Sorry if this is too short. I am making things up as I go along. I wanted to get this out today so I don’t keep you hanging too long. The next chapter gets interesting: Ron gets confronted! Thank you so much to my reviewers, don\'t worry, I will not hold chapters ransom, I post as I finish. Your reviews are gifts, not payment! Thanks so much!