A/N: I know I said it'll be a few weeks until I post a new story, but given that it starts on Valentine's Day, I thought to give all you faithful readers, a treat. For this one, Ginny and Harry are married, Hermione and Ron have been dating since the end of the Second War (five years). Ages are 23/24. I can say this one is more Ron friendly... :P
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All characters and the world belongs to JKR, except for this plot. That is from my creative brain :)
Prologue
February 14, 2004
Hermione and Ron were at the table at a glorious restaurant, as they celebrated both Valentine's Day and Ron's achievement of finally becoming an Auror, but Hermione couldn't help but feel something was off about her boyfriend. He was far too quiet than usual.
"Ron?" She said softly, rubbing the back of his hand. "Everything alright?"
Ron sighed. He never thought this would be so difficult! He's gone it over with Harry and Ginny many times, making sure to say the right things, but now that the moment has finally arrived. He felt extremely nervous.
What if she says no? Well his heart would rip in half, that's for sure. But no, it wouldn't happen. This was right. It felt right. She will say yes. She has to say yes!
A drop of sweat trailed down the length of his spine.
"Hermione," he said slowly, fighting off the sudden sickness threatening to surface.
Hermione's brows twitched as she studied his face. Noting that it was now a few shades lighter, which was saying a lot, given the dark atmosphere of the restaurant.
'Oh no...' she frowned, 'don't tell me... after all I did... he... he...' she closed her eyes and sighed. No he wouldn't break up with her would he? After all they've been through from the war and everything? No, she refused to believe it! He wouldn't have accepted the dinner date, if he wanted to call it quits! That much she knew! He was over putting his stomach first before anything!
"Hermione..." he repeated, swallowing hard. For a long moment he couldn't get himself to say anything else. His hands started to shake, so he reached over to grasp hers for support.
Hermione's eyes darted right to his hands. They were warm and sticky with sweat. He was nervous. Her fear and anxiety of him ending their four-year relationship increased ten-fold.
"Y-Yes Ron?" She stuttered, mentally cursing at herself for sounding so weak. If this was the end, she needed strength. To listen to his reasoning of why he would call it off.
"You know I love you right?"
Hermione felt her heart cramp up at the other tell-tale sign of a break-up, but this time, she found herself unable to form a reply. She nodded once, her eyes catching the awkward shifting in his seat.
Ron swallowed again, as he feverishly tried to remember what the paper said. Ginny was right in his face, saying that it would be so tactless if he brough it to read off when proposing to her! But hell, was he nervous.
"Right..." he whispered, "Well, there is nothing more in this world that makes me happy the way you do..."
A stray tear trailed down her cheek as her chest swelled. 'But,' she said to herself, 'there's gonna be a b-'
"I love that you're the last thing I see at night before I go to sleep, and the first thing I see in the morning when I open my eyes. Sure we have our fights but the make-up sex makes up for it. I love everything about you! You are my world, my everything, and Hermione I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you"
'Wait, what?' Hermione blinked and then watched as Ron reached into his pocket and withdrew the small purple box.
Her eyes went wide as she pulled away from his grasp. He had opened the box, exposing a bright sparkling ring, with a golden band.
"Will you marry me?"
Hermione nearly choked on her own breath, "Wh-What?! R-Ron." She was seeing things, she was sure. She pinched herself for good measure, but nothing happened. Ron didn't disappear, or leave the table, he was sitting here before her, proposing with the most gorgeous ring she ever thought possible. Not too flashy or big with its three carat studs along the golden band. It was absolutely beautiful!
'Oh my God!' She licked her extremely dry lips. Her heart was now beating very fast, her own sweat was starting to build at the nape of her neck. She clasped her hands over her mouth and nose like she was praying.
Ron shook his head, realizing he was sitting, "Oh right, I forgot!" he slid off the chair and got down on one knee, paying no mind to the many onlookers around them. He took the box into his hands again and showed her the ring. "I love you, Hermione, more than I love my own life and...well," he licked his lips and sighed, "What the heck, let's do it. Let's get married!"
It was a dream come true! And no doubt in her mind, would she decline!
"Yes!" She said happily, extending her hand to him as he slipped the ring on her finger. He got up and kissed her lightly on the lips before returning to his seat opposite her. Nodding off to the cheers and claps surrounding them.
Hermione laughed and blushed. Finally, after years of waiting, she will finally be Mrs Ron Weasley! Hermione couldn't contain her happiness. Her heart fluttered and her legs felt like jelly, she was literally on cloud nine.
Hour Later, After Dinner
They walked hand in hand down the street, discussing his family's reactions as the snow fell lightly around them.
"You know Ginny will go absolutely crazy when she finds out I'm going to be her sister!"
Ron smiled. He had already endured his sister overly excited squealing when he showed her the ring just this morning. His heart swelled when he felt her rest her head on his shoulder.
"Actually, I'm more worried about my mother. She is quite... overwhelming. And bloody nosy about it too. She will hover over us like some... some... vulture"
Hermione tsk'd lightly smacking him on the shoulder, "Don't say that about your mother!"
"You're right, she'll probably faint!"
"Ronald!" Hermione hissed then adjusted her scarf around her throat.
"Oh whatever, I cannot wait to make you my wife!" Ron lifted her up and twirled her around.
Hermione laughed as he spun her around. She held on to his shoulders like a vice in fear that he would drop her.
Neither party having heard the loud screech of tires, or the constant honking. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his mouth toward hers. Kissing him for what felt like the millionth time that day, as her body filled with awe. He was now hers forever!
"LOOK OUT!" Cried a distant voice.
Hermione and Ron pulled right apart, catching the bright shine of headlights. Paralyzed with fear, she clutched his hand tightly. Her voice lost in her throat.
CRASH
And then everything went black.
Five minutes later,
St Mungo's
"Somebody help!" cried Ron as he stumbled into the ward carrying a bruised and bloodied Hermione.
The Healers were on him within seconds. Taking her from Ron's grasp.
"What happened?"
"Muggle car..." Ron gasped, viciously wiping the tears from his eyes. The image was so... sharp. So clear... his precious Hermione, crushed right up against that parked car in a bloody mess. He felt sick.
"No idea where it came from... it's just..." he trailed off his heart clenched, his hand gone numb as he remembered her death-like grip before she was viciously torn away from him. He didn't even notice the Healer at his side waving her wand all along his body.
"Were you hit Sir? Any headache, nausea?"
Nausea yes. He just saw his new wife-to-be get hit by a car. He felt a little tinge on his side, like a poke from a wand, breaking him from his trance.
"What are you doing?" Roared Ron, trying to fight off the Healer. "Hermione was the one who got hit! Go help her! She's hurt really bad"
"The other Healers have done so, Sir, I am here to make sure you aren't suffering from any injuries."
His chest grew taut, and his arms shook, "But Hermione I-"
"We'll contact her family. Right now, before you can help her, you need to help yourself. Name?"
Name? He closed his eyes as he tried to think, but all he could see was Hermione... her beautiful face all broken and bruised, the smashed car pressing deep into her stomach...
"Sir?" The Healer pressed, "Can I have your name please?"
"You're joking right? I'm Ron Weasley!" Ron suddenly screeched.
The Healer winced, but get her grip on his arm. "Alright Mr Weasley. It seems your right arm got dislocated, we need to get you some help. Now if you follow me-"
"I'm not going anywhere! Just take me to Hermione! Please, let me see my fiancée!"
"You can't at the moment, Mr Weasley. She's in the operating room. The most you can do right now is to make sure you have a clear head, now please. Come with me,"
Ron frowned down at the corridor where he saw her body being carried off.
"I can't leave her,"
"I know, but she's gone to surgery right now. We need to make sure nothing is wrong with you so you will be at her side when she wakes up..."
Ron closed his eyes. Mentally trying to calm his heart.
"Okay," his voice was hoarse. "I'll... go."
He was barely aware of the Healer's presence as she went about her business with the necessary follow-up of the trauma. Asking him more questions, like if he knew or saw the driver of the car...but it was useless. Ron didn't know a thing! All he saw was his world crashing down... his Hermione, was nothing but a limp body now.
Tears welled in his eyes as he stared blankly at the wall.
"Well I've contacted your family, they are on their way. You can wait for them in here or outside, it's up to you,"
But again, Ron said nothing.
The Healer sighed sadly, "It's going to be okay, Mr Weasley. Miss Granger has the best OR team St Mungo's has ever seen."
Just then the door threw open.
"We've got here as fast as we could!" Panted Ginny as she stumbled over and hugged her brother in a bear-like grip.
"She's... she's..." Ron stuttered, his face gone ghostly white.
"I know, but Hermione's strong! She'll pull through this, she just has to!"
Harry glanced at the wall clock, noting it was just after midnight, then looked right to the Healer.
"Oh sorry I'm Bridgette. I'm the Healer looking after Mr Weasley here,"
"Right," Harry muttered, not really caring, "Listen, how long has Hermione been in surgery?"
Bridgette fidgeted slightly, flipping a page on her clipboard, "Just under an hour. With her injuries you're looking at least another four hours as such bodily damage cannot be healed magically."
Ginny turned her head over in shock, gulping "How bad is it?"
"From what I know, Miss Granger has suffered a great deal of head trauma, a broken ribcage, and internal bleeding. Could be possible paralysis and or amnesia"
Ron sniffed into his sister's shoulder mumbling incoherently, "Not...sure" his voice gone small and shaky. Tears spilling out of his eyes. "So much... blood,"
"Shhh," Ginny cooed, rubbing his back, "It's okay. It's going to be okay..." she have the Healer a half-glance, "Did you know anything of what caused this?"
Bridgette flipped another page on her clipboard, "According to Mr Weasley, she had been hit by a car."
Ginny cursed under her breath, "I can't believe it! I just can't believe it! I thought Muggles were responsible drivers?! Wasn't Hermione always saying that to us? That cars weren't something to fear? I mean Dad had one for a long while but... this..." she stared at her pale-looking brother. Rubbing his leg absent-mindedly.
Bridgette shifted uncomfortably, "Actually, considering the situation, there wasn't much anyone could do. With the weather outside like it is, the vehicle could have easily hit a patch of black ice."
Both Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance. No one to blame, it was just an unfortunate coincidence.
A small squeak echoed in the room, drawing Ginny's attention back to her brother.
"What about the driver?" Harry said looking away from his wife, "Do you-"
"I'm sorry Mr Potter, but I don't have the authority to give you that information. My main concern is Mr Weasley and Miss Granger,"
"But she's our family, we have a right to know who did this to her!" hissed Ginny, stepping away from Ron.
Bridgette sighed, "I understand your frustration, but these are our rules. The one held responsible has just as much of a right as anyone,"
The door opened where another Healer walked in, "Here's the Calming Draught as requested, Bridgette,"
"Thank you, Marcus"
"Oh and there's some more witnesses here about the crash..."
"Got it,"
She turned back to Harry and Ginny, "Sorry but I need you two to leave. Mr Weasley has gone through extreme trauma and would need his rest,"
Wordlessly, Harry took his wife by the arm and guided her out of the room.
Once the door closed Ginny released a frustrated groan.
"Can you believe that? 'The one held responsible has just as much of a right as anyone'? Is she serious?"
Harry rubbed Ginny's shoulder, "She's just doing her job, Gin. I'm sure in time we will know who did this"
"We better, if Hermione ends up paralyzed I'm suing!"
Meanwhile, In The Operating Room
The Healers were working hastily. Using Muggle tools to help the Young Witch as best they could.
"She's losing too much blood" one said, changing his gloves to a fresh pair. "We need more B negative!"
One Healer checked the half-full bag of blood, "That's our last bag,"
"What?!"
"Blood pressure's dropping!" cried another Healer.
"Shit, not good! NOT GOOD!"
.
.
Somewhere In Hermione's Subconscious
White. Everything was so white. Cold...empty, but on the same lines, comforting. She felt light, like she was flying.
"Where am I?" She said as her voice echoed. She looked around for any signs of life. It was bright, and blurry. "Have I died?"
A wave of unease rushed through her system at the thought of leaving Ron when they were just about to start their life together. A tear welled in her eye as she took in her surroundings. The figures around her had no faces or forms, but she could feel their presence. Emotions. She knew where she was. It was clear now. She was in the void place between Heaven and Earth.
"Oh my God... I have died haven't I?" She shivered and frowned, realizing that car had struck and killed her! It scared her to know she was going to be alone in this... void of a world. Her heart felt like it was breaking in half. Her chest throbbing away.
"Hermione?" a soft voice called, like a whisper.
Hermione shifted and looked around, as her heart ached again, sharper this time. Hope started to fill her system. Someone was calling her back! Perhaps she had a second chance at life after all?! She watched as the blurred figures around her faded away and her surroundings were now gone. The heaviness from her chest increased ten-fold. She clutched the fabric of her hospital gown in her hands.
"Ouch,"
Her body started to feel heavy. Her legs couldn't support her weight. Her breath came out in pants. Why is everything so heavy? Why did her chest hurt so much?
"What..." she tried, her throat burned, "What's happening to me?"
The white surrounding her had turned black, her eyes became out of focus.
"Hermione?"
Her heart tugged at the voice. Someone close to her was calling her back. She wanted to be happy, but the excruciating pain from her chest overrode the emotion. She closed her eyes trying to distance herself of the void. To distance herself from the pain, anything to make it stop!
"I'm right here, Ron," she gasped, "P-Please don't worry" She tried to open her eyes, but she couldn't. "I'm coming back to you..." she murmured, shifting slightly, feeling her legs and arms like dead-weights, her head becoming lighter. Her breaths shorter. Heart beat fading...
"I..." And with one gasping breath, Hermione passed out, collapsing down on to the floor.
...
...
Weak. She felt... so weak once her brain alerted her of her surroundings. The dried tears made her eyes sticky. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. 'What happened?' The light vibration from her chest signalled to her that her heart was beating once again. She was... alive. She was safe. Sleeping even. Or had been sleeping...
"Hey," whispered the voice again, before she felt a gentle caress against her cheek, soft and warm... like grass.
Grass?'
"Did you fall asleep outside again? You need to be more careful, with the sun beaming down on you like that, you could end up with heat stroke"
The voice was more clear to her now, rougher even. 'What? Sun? Heat? Those weren't the words of a Healer...'
At that thought, Hermione shot her eyes wide open. Blue sky and fluffy white clouds lay above her. The warmth of the sun heating up her limbs...
"Huh?"
This wasn't a hospital, nor was it even winter! Her breathing, completely returned to normal. Her chest... felt fine. She pushed herself up to a sitting position and looked down. Her eyes caught sight of the beautiful pale yellow sun dress she was wearing. White-strapped cork wedges on her feet.
'No hospital gown...'
Looking around at the colour all around her, Hermione felt even more confused. Flowers blooming of every colour and style. Her hands buried in the freshly mowed lawn beneath her.
She was in the middle of a garden. The very garden she always dreamed about. "What's going on? Why aren't I in hospital?"
She frowned as she tried to piece her mind together of how she got here. But nothing came. Her mind kept playing the harsh sounds of metal crashing and people screaming. Ron's death-grip on her hand...the immense pain in the void...
"Had it been a dream?"
She closed her eyes again, trying to think. Those emotions in the void felt so real, Hermione had no choice but to believe that it was real. She had been there no doubt about it, but why did she wake up here, in the middle of nowhere? With no recollection of how she did?
"There you are!" Bellowed a voice from behind her. A voice she never thought she would hear ever again.
Looking over her shoulder she saw Draco Malfoy standing right above her. Her eyes shot wide and screamed, stumbling backward in shock.
"Sorry love, didn't mean to startle you, it's just, you got an owl." He said, waving the parchment in his grasp.
"I..." she began but stopped. Why on Earth was Malfoy looking at her like that? Why was he even here! Didn't he despise her? She eyed the parchment for a second before looking back to him, noticing for the first time his attire of jeans and a blue and white striped golf shirt.
'Malfoy in Muggle clothes? Wait.. did he just call me 'love'?'
He passed her the piece of parchment, where Hermione tore it open and began reading it. Perhaps she could have some answers here.
Dearest Hermione,
Lunch was wonderful! Draco really is such a sweetheart and so romantic, no wonder you're madly in love with him! (I think I am too!) Now if only your father felt the same - he still seems to believe him to be that hateful little brat Draco once was, no matter how many times I've stressed that he's the perfect gentleman. No matter, I'll be sure he is on his best behaviour come the wedding! We almost went with June ourselves! Such a lovely time of year when the flowers are in full bloom...and just before it gets too hot! I've already marked it on the calendar and look forward to seeing everyone again.
Your father and I are counting down the days! Only fourteen to go!
Love you always,
Mum
Hermione blinked once then again, being sure what she saw wasn't an illusion. Wedding? June? Malfoy...
She shut her eyes. She could see her mother's loving gaze... hear a male laugh. She could even recall his loving gaze. So that had happened. She had lunch with her mother and... Malfoy?
'Strange... why did I dream it was Ron then?'
She reread her mother's words to her. "No wonder you're madly in love with him."
Her head swirled and her chest grew heavy. Yes, she is in love. She could feel the strong emotion filling her soul and down to her toes. Her heart pounded when she caught the scent of him. Woodsy. Like a forest. Her favourite scent.
But then the sounds of metal crunching and high-piercing screams returned. Struck with a sudden wave of dizziness, Hermione placed a hand to her head.
"Everything okay?"
Hermione jumped at the sound of his voice, forgetting that she wasn't alone. She picked her head up and swallowed tightly. Malfoy was now kneeling right before her, his face mere inches away. Her eyes darted back and forth as she stared into his ice grey ones.
'Weird, weren't his eyes blue before?'
But her body knew to trust him. Her racing heart slowed and her skin tingled. Looking at him seemed to calm her unease.
"It's not... bad news is it?"
Unable to stare at Malfoy any longer, Hermione ducked her head back to the letter, "N-No, just a letter from my mother..."
She could hear her mother's laugh followed by her own and...his, but nothing else. 'Why can't I remember anything?'
"Then why the tears, love?"
'Tears?'
Hermione brought her hand up to her face, feeling a certain wetness leaking out of the corner of her eye. She sighed and licked her lips.
"Was it your dream? Or did you have a nightmare?"
Dream? Nightmare? Without question it would be a nightmare, it had been such a scary experience for her. Those blinding head-lights...the hard crush against her stomach...
But there was the void. The emotions she felt there were so...intense the blurred faces were all clear images. She remembered Ron calling out to her... bringing her back to life. Or at least she thought it had been Ron.
'Then again, why would Ron call out to me?'
Hermione blinked, watching him touch the side of her face, to brush off the small tear that had been there and she sighed. His touch was so... nice. Made her body fill up with joy.
"Not good, you're burning up. Come on back to the house... you need to cool off, before you get sick"
For an unknown reason to her, Hermione didn't detest the idea of going somewhere with Malfoy. In fact, she felt quite the opposite.
'I suppose... it was just my mind playing tricks'
E/N: oh boy, that was a little heavy for a start chapter, don't you think? I took the "void" idea from when Harry "died" in the seventh book. And no, Hermione doesn't have amnesia. The traumatic event of the accident just suppressed her memory...for the moment.