Pausing For Effect

Harry loved Sundays. They were always the most peaceful days. No classes, no professors, and he'd even decided against Quidditch practice. He knew the final match versus Ravenclaw was only six days away but the team had been working very hard as of late and Harry felt that nothing that prevent a Gryffindor victory. Owing to the fact that that he'd managed to get all his homework completed, Harry returned to Gryffindor tower after breakfast that Sunday morning intent on doing as little as possible.

The only spot on the day was another row between Ron and Hermione. The subject of the argument had, not surprisingly, been Hermione's continuing friendship with Viktor Krum. Ron just couldn't seem to understand the idea that Hermione and Viktor were friends and that was really none of Ron's business. Hermione had explained the situation between Krum and her months ago. She had been rather candid about her feelings on the subject. As Harry flopped down into one of the chairs in front of the fireplace in the common room, he smiled to himself. Ron would have probably given birth to a troll if he'd known the truth. That truth was that Hermione's feelings for Krum were only those of friendship. She'd finally confessed, in a furious blush that it was Ron she truly longed to be with. This had not come as any shock to Harry. He'd known for ages that his two best friends fancied one another. Unfortunately, Ron had always been rather obstinate on the subject, abjectly denying that he even had feelings for Hermione, let alone that they could be thought of as romantic. Harry thought it rather amusing, however, that whenever the subject of Hermione and any other male came up, a row ensued and, as today, Ron usually stormed off to "be alone".

Harry shifted in his chair to glance over at Hermione. She was at her favorite table in the corner, her Advanced Arithmancy book open in front of her. Harry took a closer look and noticed that Hermione's eyes weren't moving across the page. "These two are so ridiculous," Harry thought. He got up and crossed the room, joining Hermione at the table. She ignored him at first, continuing to stare intently and the same spot in her book. After several seconds of uncomfortable silence, however, she sighed, closed her book, and looked up at Harry.

"What?" she asked shortly

Harry smirked. "You really should go to talk to him."

"As long as he's behaving like this, I'm not talking to him about anything. And I'm certainly not talking to him about...us," she finished.

"But Hermione, you've already told me that you have feelings for Ron. I know he has the same kind of feelings for you. The only thing you two can't seem to do is to tell each other. This whole...stupid situation isn't going to get any better until the both of you swallow your pride and admit yourselves honestly."

The coarse reply that Hermione was preparing to unleash on Harry was cut off as the portrait hole slammed open. Harry whipped around to see Neville, Dean, and Seamus burst into the common room. All three were pale, wide-eyed, and out of breath. Harry jumped up from his chair and quickly crossed the room to where his friends stood, doubled-over and gasping for air.

"What's going on?" Harry asked

"Ron...Malfoy...hospital wing," Neville panted.

Harry almost cheered. "Malfoy's in the hospital wing?"

Neville shook his head no.

"Ron, then?"

Neville and Seamus both nodded.

"Oh, that's brilliant," Hermione declared as she approached the group. "He's gone and gotten himself hexed all because he's can't control his temper. He's probably sitting in hospital with boils all over his face or a shiny new set of brass antlers." She rolled in her eyes in annoyance and said, "Well, come on, Harry. Let's go and see what lovely mess Ron's gotten himself into this time." She pushed past Neville, Dean, and Seamus and strode purposefully through the portrait hole. Harry started to follow her but was stopped abruptly by Dean.

"Listen, mate," Dean whispered. "This...this is bad."

Harry now began to worry. "How bad," he asked, dreading the answer.

Dean struggled for a moment to find the right words. "We'd better get down there," he said at last. Harry didn't like the sound of that.

The four boys finally caught up to Hermione halfway to the hospital wing. She was in quite a right state and spent the first moments in Harry's company berating Ron for being childish. Harry hurried Hermione ahead of the rest of the group to have a bit of privacy. He tried to defend Ron, explaining, so no one would overhear, that emotions could have a funny effect on one's behavior. Hermione was not to be swayed. The brewing argument continued as the two rounded the last corner to the hospital wing well ahead of the other three. Further disagreement died in their throats, however, as they were met with a sight that turned the blood in their veins to ice.

It was Hagrid. He was leading Malfoy, who had been magically restrained. But this was a Draco Malfoy that the pair had never seen before. His usually well-kept appearance had been completely erased. The sleek, blonde hair was askew and there was an angry bruise on his left cheek. Despite the injury, the stark malevolence in Malfoy's eyes was unquestionable and his face was twisted into a sneer that dripped with sardonic bliss. As they neared him, Malfoy's words were hardly above a whisper.

"Don't worry mudblood. I left enough of him to bury."

Hermione blanched at these words. She turned to look at Harry, her eyes wide with worry. "What was that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"I'm sure he's exaggerating," Harry replied quickly. "You know how Malfoy is."

"Yes, but did you see his face? I've never seen him look so...evil," Hermione trailed off, clearly concerned. Her feelings of dread grew worse when they finally reached the door to the hospital wing.

Professor McGonagall was pacing in front of the entrance, clearly distraught. She caught sight of the approaching pair and turned to face them. Pain was etched in every line of her face. When she spoke, it was clear from the quavering tone of her voice that Professor McGonagall was close to tears herself.

"I'm afraid you can't see him just now," McGonagall said

"Professor, if you please just tell us what's going on," pleaded Hermione.

"We aren't sure of all the facts yet, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied. "Rest assured that Madam Pomfrey is doing everything she can."

"But, he'll be all right, won't he," asked Harry.

The unthinkable truth was painted in McGonagall's eyes. "I don't know, Mr. Potter. I simply do not know."

Soft footsteps behind them caused Harry and Hermione to turn around. Neville, Dean, and Seamus stood with stricken looks on their faces. Behind them, Professor Dumbledore was making his way quickly up the hallway. He passed by the students to whisper something in McGonagall's ear. The shattered look on her face told Harry all he needed to know.

"Will someone please tell us what's going on?" Hermione pleaded.

Dumbledore turned and leveled his gaze at Harry and Hermione. "Ron is to be taken to St. Mungo's," he said quietly. "He has been gravely injured. As to the events surrounding that injury, I do not feel that it is appropriate to speak of them until I can review all of the facts." Dumbledore then looked at the other three students.

"You all saw this happen?" he inquired. All three boys nodded that they had. "Very well," Dumbledore continued. "You will accompany me to my office immediately so that you may tell me everything you can. In the mean time," he added, returning his attention to Harry and Hermione, "I ask that you two go back to your dormitory. Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing that either of you can do at this point. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have been notified and are on their way to St Mungo's as we speak. Miss Granger, I would also ask you to assist Ginny in any way possible."

Dumbledore made as if to leave when Harry caught his eye. "Harry, listen to me," he said. "I understand the anger you must be feeling. But I beg of you not to act on it. In the coming days, you and your friends will be far better served if you put aside your rage and concentrate on getting through what I am sure will be a very difficult time for all of you." Without another word, Dumbledore left. Harry and a grimly silent Hermione could only watch the gentle flow of his robes and he disappeared down the hallway.