Snake & Spider - 10

Harry didn't care how grouchy he was if he could help Ginny. "I gave Professor McGonagall that Romanian book on the Dark Arts," Harry said.

"Ooh, that's a good idea, Harry. How are you two? Has Madam Pomfrey had a chance to mend your injuries?" Hermione asked, her dark eyes raking over them in careful detail.

"Yeah. She was out here just a bit ago checking my head," Ron said. "That's what woke me up. She fixed your ribs, too, mate."

"Why didn't you ask her about Ginny?" Harry demanded hotly. He tugged on his bracelet – for some reason the stone felt uncomfortably hot.

"I did! She didn't answer me, just went about her business and went back inside without a word," Ron said, disgruntled.

Hermione wearily sank into the chair next to Ron's, resting her head on the wall behind her.

"Have you slept?" he asked, his tone softening.

"Not yet," Hermione replied, keeping her eyes closed.

"Why don't you go on back up to the tower and take a kip. We'll send for you if anything changes," Ron said, gently taking Hermione's hand in his own.

"I'd rather stay here," she said, sounding as if she were already drifting.

Ron shifted, allowing her head to settle on his shoulder.

"That's nice," Hermione mumbled.

Harry looked away, roughly rubbing his forehead. He wished he just knew something. What could be taking so long? Madam Pomfrey could heal broken bones in a matter of seconds, what could be wrong with Ginny that was taking this long to heal? A little voice in his head argued that it took much longer to heal some injuries. Look at how long Ron had been in hospital when he'd been poisoned, and they'd know the exact cause of that right away.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He hated waiting – he always had. He just wished he could see her. She'd always come to see him when he was the one in hospital.

"All right, mate?" Ron asked quietly.

Harry shrugged. "Feel a bit useless."

Ron snorted.

"What?" Harry asked, looking directly at him for the first time.

"Just that it's normally all of us out here waiting while Madam Pomfrey patches you up. It's only right that you should have to see what it's like on the other end," Ron said, grinning.

Harry scowled. "Seems to me I remember doing this for you not all that long ago," he said sourly.

"Yeah," Ron said, sighing. "We've certainly kept Madam Pomfrey on her toes recently."

"And given her an excuse to see Mad-Eye," Harry said, a slow, half-grin forming.

Ron snorted. "I'd like to know what injury he has that the treatment requires getting a leg over."

Harry choked, struggling to contain his mirth and feeling tears form in the corners of his eyes.

"And get the thought right out of your head, Potter," Ron said, his laughter dying on his lips. "Whatever treatment my sister needs, that most certainly won't be it."

Harry's grin melted, his amusement fading as reality washed back over him.

Ron lightly elbowed him in the ribs.

Some time later, a large disturbance inside the hospital wing drew Ron and Harry's attention. Raised voices near the doorway caused both boys to look up expectantly. Hermione stirred, lifting her head from Ron's shoulder, blinking her confusion.

Aberforth Dumbledore stormed outside the hospital wing, an irate Professor McGonagall close on his heels.

"You can't just leave them with that, Aberforth," Professor McGonagall said, her voice shrill.

"Why not? The girl is dying. My saying it doesn't change anything," Aberforth said, only half turning.

Harry's breath caught, a shrill whine reverberating in his ears.