Fourth Year – The Yule Ball
Hermione Granger had spent most of her fourth year studying for her O.W.L.s, and while she was certainly a gifted student, she hadn’t expected that the stress would begin to affect her physically. The heavy workload, the Triwizard Tournament chaos, and the mounting pressure had all caught up with her by early December. It started with a tickle in her throat, then a sore nose, and before she knew it, she was sneezing her way through her Herbology essay in the library.
“I’m fine,” she insisted to Ron, who had come to join her for their usual study session.
“Do you look fine?” Ron raised an eyebrow, noting her flushed face and slightly glazed-over eyes. “You’ve been sneezing for the last twenty minutes.”
“I’m just a little... under the weather,” Hermione muttered, not wanting to admit that she was probably much sicker than she let on.
Ron, however, wasn’t so easily fooled. He slid the book he was reading aside and pulled out a handkerchief. “You’re no good to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself,” he said gently, holding out the cloth. “I’ll take you to the hospital wing. You need rest.”
Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but her body had other ideas. A sharp sneeze caught her off guard, and she groaned softly. “Fine, fine. You win. I’ll go to the hospital wing.”
Ron grinned, his worry still evident but now softened by his teasing. “You know, I’m not trying to get rid of you. I just want you to stop sneezing all over me.”
Hermione let out a laugh despite her stuffy nose, and Ron grinned even wider.
They made their way to Madam Pomfrey’s office, where she diagnosed Hermione with a cold, no surprise there. What was surprising, however, was that Ron refused to leave her side. Hermione tried to argue that he could go back to his studies, but he simply shook his head.
“No way. I’m staying right here,” he insisted.
Hermione, still a little embarrassed by her vulnerability, simply nodded and leaned back against the bed. She closed her eyes, the warmth of the hospital wing and the constant sound of Ron’s voice as he tried to distract her with silly stories from class making her feel more comfortable than she had in days.
It wasn’t often she let herself be vulnerable, but with Ron’s quiet presence, it felt safe. His usual teasing and antics had shifted slightly in this moment, showing a care and concern that went far beyond their typical banter.