Forever

The Trouble With Love

Ron was happier than he had ever been in his life. The only thing he had to frown about was the fact that Draco Malfoy’s father had passed away. Normally this would have pleased Ron, but for Draco had taken up his father’s crown, so to speak, and taken position as head of the school governors, who just happened to operate right by Ron’s new office on the second floor. This meant that Malfoy had taken to flaunting around Ron’s office, making wisecracks about his family, Harry, and of course, Hermione. About a month after Ron and Hermione started going, Draco found out. This was the last thing Ron wanted, not because he was embarrassed, but because he could not take Draco’s crude remarks about “that Mudblood Granger.

After about a week of Draco's diatribe, Ron was at his limit. At lunchtime, Ron cornered Malfoy in his office.

“ Look here you little git,” whispered Ron in a cold venomous voice, “ If I hear you make one more comment about me, my family Harry, and especially Hermione, one word at all, and you’ll spend the rest of your days in a match box hidden somewhere in the Sahara. Do you understand me?” asked Ron in a voice that could make Hagrid quail.

“Oooh,” sneered Malfoy in a mock baby voice that sounded oddly familiar, “What’s the matter Weasel, tired of the big bad Malfoy picking on poor little Pothead and filthy little Mudblood Granger? You know, I should think you would have more decency than to hang out with that wretched little brat, let alone date her. Father said that all Purebloods learned by the age of two that Mudbloods were scum. Of course, I'm sure your parents were too busy trying to work to be able afford all your shi-“ but before Malfoy knew what was happening, Ron's fist had collided with his nose. The next thing Malfoy knew, Ron’s fist was clamped around his throat, and Ron’s face, contorted with anger, was a mere inch from his face.

    “OUCH!” cried out Draco, “What the hell did you do that for?”

    “I’ve warned you before,” snarled Ron in a voice of pure rage, “that you were not to speak ill of my family or Hermione

     Ron released his hand from Draco’s throat and turned to leave. When he was halfway to his office door, he heard Malfoy mutter something behind him. A split second later, something silver soared past Ron’s left ear and crashed into the door, setting fire to it. Ron spun around and pulled out his wand.

    “Encracia Domicio” shouted Ron.

     A maroon light burst out of his wand tip and caught Malfoy right in his chest. DDraco was thrown straight through the air into the wall behind Ron’s desk. When he got up, he noticed there was blood coming from his head.

    “Oh my God,” stuttered Ron, “I didn’t mean for it to be that powerful. Are you alright?”

     “I’m well enough to kick your arse!” sputtered Draco. Before Ron had time to defend himself, Draco shot a Bright red stunning spell at Ron. It hit Ron right between the eyes. Before Ron had time to take in the pain of the spell, he was collapsed on the floor.

     “He’s not looking to well!”

     “Yes, but will he be all right?”

     The words were resounding in Ron’s head, he could hear them but he could only half understand them because his brain was taking forever to work the phrases out. With a tremendous effort, Ron slowly opened his eyes. He turned his head to the side and could see Hermione. She was in tears. From what he could tell, he was in a hospital. He was in a hard bed with white cotton sheets, and his robes had been changed to thin green robes. He saw Hermione look over at him. She rushed over to his bed.

     “Ron, Ohm my god, your alright.” she was speaking through a stream of tears that was bursting form her eyes. “The healer said you wouldn’t be awake for another day or so.”

     “ Hermione” said Ron with difficulty; it seemed his throat had sealed itself from his vocal chords. “What happened? Where am I?” But he had to stop questioning her almost immediately, as his head boomed with a resounding thud every time he spoke.

    “Ron, Malfoy cursed you. Don’t you remember?

“I remember getting into a fight and cursing him, but I don’t remember him cursing me. “

     “You and him got into a big row in you office. From what the neighboring offices said, you and him were shouting to the top of your lungs, cursing each other. From what they could figure out, Malfoy did a spell similar to the Cruciatus Curse. When the officials got there, you were heaped on the floor, unconscious, and Malfoy had gone.”

     Before Ron could register everything she had just told him, Hermione lunged forward and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Ron’s senses snapped back into action. He could taste her lips mixed with tears. He could feel her resonating warmth.

When she pulled back, she wore a smile instead of tears.

     “Well,” she said in a quivering voice, “I’d best be off to let you rest up and get better. I love you!”

     “I love you too!” said Ron in a longing voice.

     “ Goodbye.” she said, and she tuned on her heel and left the room.