The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 5

Hermione let out a soft laugh hiding her cookie filled mouth behind her hand. They had moved to a small sitting room that was used for patients and their visitors. She and Ron sat next to each other on the couch, Ron had his arm draped over the back and was doing his best impression of Professor Binns as they recounted the good times they had had while at Hogwarts.

"Oh! Remember Harry's first Quidditch game?" Ron chirped, "The one you set Snape's robes on fire?"

Hermione shook her head and swallowed down her cookie, "Professor Snape." She corrected just like old times, hitting him lightly on the chest with the back of her hand.

She gave him a small indignant look, "Don't insult the dead Ron, that's how you get ghosts." She popped the last of her cookie in her mouth as she noticed that both Ron and Ginny had gone tense. She blinked at the both of them slowly thumbing away a bit of crumb that had caught in the corner of her mouth. She was about to ask just what their look was all about when the orderly from before came up to them with a soft smile.

"Sorry to cut your story time short, but visiting hours are just about over."

"Thanks, Madame Halin," Ron said with a kind nod in the middle aged woman's direction. Thankful for the out, Ron leaned over shoving the last cookie—whole, into his mouth earning him another soft smack from Hermione to his shoulder. He coughed slightly as he smiled around his mouthful.

"Gross." Hermione felt the tension melt away and shook her head rolling her eyes at his still very childish behavior. "When do boy's grow up Ginny?"

"Don't know, I don't think I've ever seen it happen." She said with a teasing grin as Ron shot her a look.

"It was really nice to see you, Ron," Hermione said cordially leaning into his side just a bit, she felt his arm come around her shoulders and give her a gentle squeeze for which she returned hugging one arm around his chest.

Her mind was pulsing, the pain potion she had taken was starting to ebb away and the pain was returning with a vengeance. She gave him a light pat before climbing her way to her feet. He watched her closely, worry filling his eyes as she swayed just so. She gave him a proud smile and straightened her sweatshirt before she leaned back into Ginny's supporting arm.

"Nice to see you too, maybe I can see you again soon? The Healers say I should be up for release in the next month if all goes well." He came to his feet.

"That sounds wonderful." Hermione's voice had dropped as she felt sleep starting to call to her. She was just thankful that she'd actually done something to warrant a nap. She hated being idle even more than she hated the feeling as if she'd forgotten something.

With another small hug, they parted. Ron waved them off as they went through the warded doors leading to the floos. He took a deep breath running his hand through his messy hair. He already missed her.

oOOo

"I'm telling you, he's just gone!" Draco paced Minerva's office while Seraphina chased Minvera's familiar about the room, completely oblivious to the growing tension. The large cat evaded the youth's grabbing hands with ease and delighted in the chase as it wove its large frame around and under the chairs.

"Where could he have possibly gone?"

"That's just it. I have no clue." Draco let out an exasperated sigh, "I immediately thought about Spinner's End but that place had been under ward since the Ministry ceased it years ago."