A New Beginning (Harry & Hermione from "Harry Potter")

The Hospital Wing

"It will be your job to persuade Professor Slughorn to divulge the real memory, which will undoubtedly be our most crucial piece of information of all."

This sentence of Dumbledore was echoing in Harry's mind. He was thinking of a strategy while heading towards Slughorn's office.

"Why did you not pick me for the Slug Club?"

Harry heard Ron's voice inside the office. He had no idea that he was there. He knocked on the door. Slughorn opened his small window on his door.

"Oh, my dear boy Harry. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I had something to ask you. Is Ron also here? I think I heard his voice," inquired Harry anxiously. He didn't know if Slughorn would let him talk about his memory in front of Ron.

"Yes, your friend came here to ask me something about the Slug Club. You may come in," Slughorn answered.

"Harry! What are you doing here?" Ron asked.

"Let me treat you with a vine. I'll be right back," Slughorn said, going to the other side of the office.

"He is stalling not to answer my question," Ron said. "I asked why I was not in his club. I mean you, Hermione, Ginny... Everyone is there, except for me! Why are you here anyways?"

"Dumbledore. I'll tell you later."

"Well my dear boys, help yourself. Harry, what did you want to ask me?" Slughorn suggested. Ron grumbled.

"Sir, I wondered what you know about... Horcruxes?"

Slughorn's eyes opened wide. Ron, rather, seemed confused.

"I don't know what you're talking about," answered Slughorn, then he looked at Ron with a worried face.

"Oh, just pretend I'm not here," Ron pleaded and take a sip of his wine. He started making weird noises from his throat, and it seemed like he was choking.

"Professor, what is happening? He is dying, do something!"

Slughorn was baffled.

"I have no idea how... It was just a gift!"

Harry looked around. He thought about what Snape had taught them in one of their potions classes. Bezoar!  he remembered.

"Is there any bezoar?"

"There should be some in that cupboard."

Harry ran as fast as he could, found it and forced some down Ron's throat. He first coughed and then started breathing again. Harry was so relieved.

"We need to take him to the hospital wing," Slughorn said. They took Ron to the hospital wing in a rush. Hermione came out of nowhere all of a sudden.

"What happened? Is he alright?"

Madam Pomfrey had just come. She said there was nothing to worry about but that he would need to rest there for a few ways. Harry saw the worry in Hermione's eyes.

"Where is- my little- Won Won? Oh- my- God!"

Lavender Brown had entered the hospital wing. It was obvious that she had run all the way down there as she was out of breath while talking.

"Geez! Let the man breathe," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes. She was already there when they arrived.

"Madam Pomfrey said he is going to be okay," snapped Hermione without looking at her eyes.

"I'm here for you my little Won," said Lavender and held his hand. Then she looked at Hermione with disgrace on her face.

"And what is she doing here exactly?" she inquired, pointing at Hermione.

"Well, I happen to be his... friend," said Hermione, with hesitation.

"Friend? You haven't talked to him in weeks. How come you became friends again?" asked Lavender. Hermione didn't answer. Instead, she stood up and headed to the door. Harry felt a little uncomfortable that Hermione was so into Ron again for all of a sudden. He left the hospital wing after her as he didn't want to stay in the same room with Ginny and Lavender.