The Lovers Scorned Kiss Curse

Chapter Four___A Time to Tell

She knew as soon she walked into McGonagall's office that the gig was up. She shot a dirty look at Harry, who wore a guilty expression across his face. McGonagall cut right to the chase, telling her that Harry had brought it to her attention that she was not truthful about the curse that hit her, months ago now. Hermione sat quietly, listening to her, both, apologize for not realizing the truth, and reprimanding her for not coming to her immediately. When she finished she asked Hermione to tell her everything that happened since that day. Hermione felt betrayed and ambushed, and at first she refused to talk, but then began by asking if Harry would leave this time while they talked.

"You haven't been honest with what's been going on," said McGonagall, trying to get her to open up, after Harry closed the door behind him.

"All right--Let's say that's true, that I'm so mad with love I feel like I might split apart at the seams any second, what difference does it make? Could we fix it?"

"There are some things we can try." Hermione waited for her to continue, giving her an unfathomable look, as she started again. "We might have to do a memory charm. If you forget this boy, you should forget your feelings, too."

"Absolutely not! There is no way! I won't let you. There must be something else, anything else. I'll ignore him, forgive him, accept the way things are, just don't wipe my memory," Hermione begged.

"Calm down. There is something else we can try first, I think it could work, or at the very least buy us some time, but I'll have to do what's necessary to put a stop to this. Hermione, were you still in love with Viktor when you got hit by the curse, or did the feelings return only after?" she asked, cutting to the chase.

"What?" Hermione asked confused.

"I'm just trying to get a better understanding of it." Hermione listened, realizing McGonagall wasn't aware that she was really in love with Ron.

"Yes. I was still in love at the time."

McGonagall shook her head, understanding and said, "I want you to go back to the hospital ward and get some rest. I'll have Madam Pomfrey give you something."

*

While Hermione was talking with McGonagall, Harry returned to check on Ron.

"Hey, Harry," said Ron.

"You look a lot better," Harry told him, moving over to where Ron and Ginny were sitting.

"Yeah, I feel a lot better. I've got the okay to get out of here. We were just waiting for you to head back."

"That's excellent," said Harry relieved.

"Isn't Hermione with you?" Ron asked hopefully, glancing behind Harry expectantly.

"No, she had to talk to McGonagall about something. I'm sure we'll see her upstairs," he lied, unsure what to say.

"Did she really stay by me the whole time I was in here?" he asked low in Harry's ear, as they walked out. Apparently Ginny had filled Ron in on what he missed while he was out of it.

"She was really worried about you. We all were."

"Ginny said she..." Ron blushed and couldn't continue his thought.

As soon as Ron got back to the common room he headed straight to find Lavender. He had done a lot of thinking while he was in bed and needed to put things right, no matter how hard it might be to do. He took her away from the group, knowing things would get messy. She took it fairly well, crying a bit and only slapping him twice. He told her he was sorry and that she was a great girl; pretty standard breakup etiquette.

"I knew something was wrong when you wouldn't let me in to see you," she told him.

"Near death experiences can change you I 'spose. I'm sorry if I hurt you..."

The truth was Ron couldn't wait to get away from her and talk to Hermione. There was so much he had been holding back that he needed to tell her. He waited a while before heading back, letting Lavender go ahead of him and giving her time to settle down. It also gave him some time to work up his nerves. When he arrived back he saw Ginny and Harry, but not Hermione, which disappointed him greatly.

"She's still down in the hospital," they informed him when he asked. Immediately he became concerned.

"Why is she down there? Is she sick or something? She didn't drink the Firewhiskey, did she?"

"Er--I think she's just exhausted, she didn't sleep much the last couple days," Harry said awkwardly, not sure what to tell him. In a weird way the thought was comforting to Ron, because it showed she really did care about him. After a few hours Ron couldn't stand it anymore; he had to see her that night, so very carefully, he sneaked out.

"Hermione," Ron whispered, brushing back her hair. She didn't stir, so he called her name out again, and this time she reacted slightly by turning her face toward him and letting out a soft sigh.

"Ron?" she said so softly, barely any sound came out. "Am I asleep?"

"No, it's me. I had to see if you were all right? I got worried when you didn't come back. What are you doing in here?"

"I'm sick." Her eyes fluttered and then closed again. Ron placed his hand over hers.

"What's the matter? Is this the secret you weren't telling me? Are you hurt?" he asked, clearly anxious.

"...I miss you, too," she breathed out dreamily, after a short pause, a reply referring to his previous statement he admitted to her when he locked them together in the girl's lavatory.

"You're not supposed to be in here," said Madam Pomfrey, catching Ron by Hermione's bedside.

"Sorry. I just had to ask her something. I'm leaving," he told her nonchalantly and left before she had time to decide to get him in trouble.

*

The next day Ron grilled Harry about why Hermione was in the hospital, but Harry really couldn't say much. He tried to skip class to see her, but he wasn't allowed in. By the end of the day he had had enough and ordered Harry to fill him in. Harry tried his best but there wasn't much he was able to get out.

"Something happened to Hermione a few months ago and it's making her sick."

"What happened? What's causing it?"

"Well...er...it's this curse--"

"Curse!?" Ron interjected.

"-- called..." he continued on, trying to say the name but nothing came out. "It makes her..."

"What?! What?!"

"Ugh, I can't tell you!" replied Harry, frustrated. "She's sort of, well, love-sick. I...don't know how else to explain...You have to find a way to talk to Hermione. She wants to be your -- friend. Your friend. Your --" Harry found he couldn't say the word girlfriend and cursed the damn curse under his breath.

The next day, during Ron's free hour, he went to find Hermione and finally find out what was going on; not knowing was killing him and he would bust the hospital door down if he had to. He didn't understand what Harry meant, but wished he wasn't so in the dark. He realized if he hadn't been on nonspeaking terms with Hermione for so long, he would have a clue as to what was going on with her. He was impatient to see her and almost ran there. He expected her to still be in bed, so he was surprised to meet her along the way.

"Hermione! Are you...okay?" he asked trying to control himself, but rushed toward her just the same.

"Yes, I'm okay." She bit her lip nervously. She wanted him to grab her and hold her in his arms, but he stopped just short of her and stared, leaving her to feel somewhat incomplete.

"Are you out of the hospital, then? Are you feeling better?"

"I'm on my way to McGonagall's office," she told him, pointing. "I was told I needed to go see her."

"Hermione, I was so worried." He had her in his arms before he realized what he was doing. Passages from the book his brothers gave him for his birthday about charming witches, -- he happened to skim through the night before, unable to sleep-- entered his mind as he reached for the right thing to say. Though he didn't think there was a chapter on this.

"You're one to talk," she laughed, "do we need someone to test your drinks from now on?" She hugged him back tightly, burying her face in his chest. She could feel his lips in her hair and her heart fluttered.

"I had to find some way to get your attention," he teased.

Another voice caught both their attentions, saying, "Hermione, there you are. I was waiting." The deep, low voice spoken was familiar to them both.

"Viktor?!" said Hermione in shock, loosening her hold, but not letting go of Ron. "What are you doing here?"

"Your Headmistress sent for me. She told me everything. I came right away. I had no idea you felt that way."

"Viktor-- I-- can you give us a minute?"

Ron let go of her abruptly and paced around a couple times.

"I have no idea why he's here," she told him flustered, while trying to get him to look at her.

"You don't have to pretend anymore. Even I can put it together. Harry said something about a curse and love sickness, and now Viktor shows up out of the blue." He began to walk away from her. "And to think I broke up with Lavender because I thought..." He started, turning to her once more.

"You, what? Because of me?"

"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? It just wasn't working out between us. I hope you have better luck with Vicky."

"Ron, please. Don't be like this. Let me explain. There was this insane couple and this woman fired a love curse to punish her husband for cheating, but it missed and hit me. Viktor is here because McGonagall must have told him he was responsible for the curse causing my heartache, but..." She reached for him to make him stay.

Ron shook her off, interrupting her speech. His eyes were so cold and unreachable. "I don't think you should leave Vicky all alone. He came such a long way to see his dearest love."

Hermione began to feel very faint; everything growing dark and closing in, each word hit her with a distinct pang. She just needed to explain, if she could just get a hold on herself. He had to hear everything, but she was slipping under. "Ron," she managed to call out weakly and then felt his arms wrap around her as she collapsed. She opened her eyes, blinking, and saw Ron staring down at her, anxiously, but her eyes were still heavy and refused to stay open.

"Hermione? Don't close your eyes, 'Mione," he pleaded. Hermione fluttered her eyes open again and let out a low moan.

"Can you stand up?" he asked after an awkward moment. She waited a moment before responded, enjoying the sensation of his arms tightly fastened around her.

"Yes, I'm fine," she wasn't sure if it was a lie, but needed to be strong enough to explain the truth to Ron, at last. He let her go and stood behind her. "Ron, listen..."

"Ms. Granger," called the untimely voice of Professor McGonagall, opening her door and motioning for her to get inside. Ron had already disappeared around the corner by the time Hermione turned around to see if he would wait for her. She wanted to chase after him, but knew Professor McGonagall would never allow it.

*

The rumors were spread all through the school by dinner. Ron sat there pushing his food around, a sour look on his face. If he had to hear once more how Viktor Krum came all the way from Bulgaria to see Hermione, or that they were secretly engaged, or that Hermione was carrying his lovechild, he was going to vomit.

"I heard he visited her over break and that's when he asked her," a random third year whispered to the table.

"I heard they vacationed in Rome," another exclaimed.

"I think that's where they're planning their honeymoon," replied the first. Ron threw his fork down and walked away from the excited chatter. He wasn't a fan of the speculation, finding it impossible to be true, not Hermione, his Hermione. It was just gossip, nothing more, he tried to convince himself. He needed to get some air and away from the irritating whirl of lies, so he headed onto the grounds, letting his feet lead the way. No matter how far he went, his thoughts didn't travel any further than what might be going on between Hermione and Krum at that very moment. His curiosity didn't have to wonder long, because he stumbled upon the pair down by the lake. He thought briefly of turning around and leaving them before they had a chance to spot him, but after a second-- huffing in agitation, knowing he wasn't going anywhere-- he took a few safe steps closer.

*

Realizing she couldn't follow Ron just yet, Hermione conceded and went with McGonagall into her office to deal with the mess she had created by not being honest. She had to get rid of Krum before she could think about confessing to Ron. She sat with McGonagall and Viktor as she listened to the professor inform her that she sent for Viktor, hoping it would help. She also mentioned that if it didn't, she would have to perform a memory charm to extinguish Viktor from her memory. Hermione realized Viktor was there to claim her love for him in hopes that by having him, she would no longer be held captive by the curse; that his love was suppose to save her. The full magnitude of her lies was finally catching up to her, so she tried to explain to McGonagall that she had it all wrong, but McGonagall would hardly let her get a word out, edgewise. The threat of the memory charm invaded her mind and she thought she needed more time to figure out what to do, because once the truth was out, McGonagall would try to extract Ron from her memory and that she could not fathom. She sat there and tried to image the horror of it. The fact also hit her that she would not only lose Ron, but she would in turn lose most of her memories from the last five and a half years, because so much of her life was intertwined with his. She wondered if she would even be herself after the charm was preformed, or only a shell of what she once was. She decided to go along with what McGonagall asked of her, for the time being, needing time to think of a plan of action. Viktor, Hermione noted, was incredibly happy to see her, though he didn't say much in the office while McGonagall talked, however, he did ask to speak with Hermione alone. McGonagall thought that was a good idea; Hermione wasn't so sure, but knew she couldn't avoid the uncomfortable situation, so she drudgingly agreed. Hermione, also, obliged Viktor when he asked her to walk down by the lake, telling her it reminded him of how he saved her during the tournament. Once they got down there Viktor stopped her by pulling on her hand, and she noticed a serious look on his face. She had been so wrapped up with what she needed to do to save herself from losing Ron, she forgot to worry about what to expect from Viktor.

"I cannot pretend to not be surprised at receiving such a visit from your headmistress at such a late hour. I hardly knew what to make of it," he told her, struggling for the right words. "I always assumed my feelings were greater than yours and that you were content being just friends, all your letters were friendly but they seemed...indifferent. I see now that my public status and reputation for being a ladies' man must have kept you from being honest about how you felt," he continued, holding her tiny hand in both of his. She stood there awkwardly, trying to find a moment to jump in to put a stop to his misguided speech. "McGonagall has told me about the curse and what it has done to you. I wish you had written to me yourself and told me. How awful this must have been for you. If you had just told me I would have come right away. You don't have to be afraid anymore, I--"

"Viktor, wait. I think there has been a great misunderstanding. There is something very important, of severe importance, I have to tell you..."

"No need. I have heard everything and I understand what it is you are afraid of. You are worried I will not feel the same, that I will abandon you when you need me, but I will not do this." He got down on one knee and pulled something out of his pocket; a box.

"Viktor!" Hermione squealed, "Stop this at once. Get up. What are you doing?"

"There is no need to be self conscious around me. You have nothing to fear, anymore. I am a man of honor. I will not let you down. We shall be married and I will take care of you." He held her hand firmly and slipped the ring on her finger. "And you will be safe."

"Viktor, listen to me, please!" she pleaded, angry now. She looked around distressed, as though there was something she could find around her to help get her out of that situation. Her heart stuttered when her eyes came across Ron, who stood some distance away, mouth gaped, watching them.

"Ron, wait!" she called after him. She pulled free of Viktor, without giving him an explanation and ran. She caught up with Ron at the edge of the forbidden forest. He stood there staring at it, like he was debating whether or not to go in. She watched him for a moment before approaching him.

"Ron?" she called hesitantly. He didn't turn to face her as he said, "Well I guess congratulations are in order." He wiped across his face and she wondered if he was crying. She softly patted his back, hesitantly, like he might snap at her any second.

"Oh, Ron. We aren't engaged. I'm not..." But Ron had already whirled around and grabbed her hand, directing her eyes to the evidence.

"Viktor Krum? That's who you decide to give your heart to? Is it the fame? The money? To think I actually thought for a minute...I hope you're very happy together." Hermione suddenly remembered Vivian Hazelwood, her words echoing out from Ron now. It left her speechless and unable to move. "Don't worry-- I won't say anything to anyone, so you get the joy of announcing it yourself. Though I should tell you, everyone already suspects as much." He stalked off, without looking back once. Hermione tried to call for him, but she couldn't get any sound to come out. She felt weak, trembling hard, and had a difficult time following after him. She was only able to make it to Hagrid's hut before collapsing to the soft earth.

*

The hospital wing again, she thought miserably. She glanced around at her surroundings and then down at her hand, which still held the ring Viktor gave her. She groaned out loud seeing it there, the memory of everything that followed, surfacing.

"How do you feel? Can you speak easily?" asked Madam Pomfrey.

"I feel tired."

"That's natural."

"What time is it?"

" About seven p.m. You've been asleep for two days."

"Two days?!" she shouted, shooting upward. Immediately, she regretted it.

"Not so fast. You have to take it slow. I can call in the others back in if you'd like; thought it best not to be overwhelmed when you first woke up. Do you feel ready for visitors?" Hermione nodded, eager to see her friends.

McGonagall, Harry, Ginny, and Viktor came in, all looking exhausted. McGonagall asked her a bunch of standard questions about how she was doing and Hermione responded honestly to each. She felt it was time to come clean about everything. She had made a mess of things and put off the inevitable for too long.

"Where's Ron? Did he not come with you?" she asked troubled.

"He's just outside the ward. He wasn't sure you would want to see him and didn't want to upset you. He feels really cut up about what happened. He blames himself for leaving you there. It wasn't the noblest thing, but I think you should hear him out," Ginny informed her. Hermione was surprised to hear Ron thought he was the one who needed to apologize.

"Of course I'm not mad at him. It's my fault entirely. I haven't been honest at all." She slide off Viktor's ring and gave it back to him, saying, "Viktor, I owe you an apology. You came all the way here for me and were willing to sacrifice so much to try and help, but I cannot accept your proposal, I'm truly sorry for whatever distress this may cause you."

"I don't think I understand," replied Viktor, staring at the ring now in his hand.

"The truth is I lied. Harry assumed it was you and I didn't correct him. I was afraid of what would happen if the truth came out. I didn't realize I was dragging you so far into this and feel just awful for playing with your heart. It was unintentional, you must believe me. You'll find someone who loves you, I'm sure of it, but it isn't me."

"Hermione, what is going on here?" McGonagall cried out.

"It wasn't Viktor. It was never Viktor...it's...it's Ron. It's always been Ron."

"Oh my, I see," said McGonagall.

"So, do it. Do your memory charm," she told the professor and braced herself, as though expecting excruciating pain the next second. "I'm ready. I've accepted my fate. I see now that this is the only way."

"Are you sure you want to do this right now?"

"I feel like I'm disappearing a bit each second. And I'm just so tired. My heart...I never knew a person could feel so awful and still keep breathing. It isn't fair to put this all on Ron. I can't expect him to... Please, just put an end to it."

"Do you want to see him first? Say some sort of goodbye?"

"No--I think it would be too hard to go through with it if I saw him. I don't know if my heart can take it."

"All right, everyone out," ordered McGonagall.

"What about Ron? What do we tell him when Hermione doesn't recognize him? I think he's going to notice," Harry exclaimed.

"I don't want him to know! Please--" Hermione begged.

"We'll do what we can," said McGonagall, uncertain. Hermione didn't have much of a choice, so she said a hasty goodbye to everyone, not knowing who she would be when she woke up, and prepared for the worst.

Everyone left the room while McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey performed the memory charm. Hermione immediately passed out when it was over. They all hoped tomorrow would be a better day.