Cold
Hermione was shaking violently as Ron watched her cast yet another warming charm over her body. He knew she was wearing about three sweaters and two pairs of pants. It was cold out here, but not that cold.
She sneezed loudly and immediately stomped her foot, almost like she was highly inconvenienced by getting sick.
Ron smirked to himself. That’s exactly what she was thinking. Typical Hermione.
She was still furious with him about leaving, but had finally started speaking to him again two days ago. Even if only in short, one word sentences. He thought he would try to thaw her cold shoulder towards him a little more.
“That doesn’t seem to be working,” he quipped as he walked closer to her.
She looked up at him noticing him for the first time in a while.
“Wh-what do you kn-know about it?” She sneered as her teeth chattered.
“I know a warming spell won’t work on a cold,” Ron told her calmly as he leaned against the kitchen counter.
He saw her blink rapidly, and knew this was new information to her. Sometimes growing up in the wizarding world had its advantages.
“You have a fever,” he told her.
“I know that!” She snapped at him.
“Then why would you want to make your body warmer?” He reasoned with her.
Hermione stared at him, her nose red and irritated from sneezing. He could see the wheels turning behind those warm brown eyes as she rocked back and forth, trying in vain to dispel the chills racking her body.
“I- You’re right,” she reluctantly admitted. “Why didn’t I th-think of that? I’m so stupid. I j-just f-feel so c-cold. That’s all I can think about.”
“You’re not stupid, Hermione,” he told her as he pushed off the counter and stood in front of her. “You’re just sick. Take that jumper off.”
Her eyes became large at his closeness and she took a step back.
“Wh-what?” She looked like she couldn’t believe what he had just said. He noticed the blush creeping up her cheeks from her neck.
He had to play this calm if this was going to work. He rolled his eyes at her.
“I know you have two more under that one. C’mon get rid of it.”
She looked alarmed. “Well what am I supposed to do? I can’t brew anything for a cold! I don’t have the ingredients and I’m freezing. My teeth feel like they’re going to shake out of my head!”
“I’m trying to help you, ‘Mione. Would you just trust me?” He soothed.
“No!” She stomped her foot stubbornly. “And don’t call me that! I’ll figure it out on my own! I don’t need you!” She yelled over her shoulder as she ran to her beaded bag looking desperately for something to help.
Ron sighed and jumped back onto his bunk.
“Have it your way then. If you change your mind, I’m right here.”
Hermione gave a loud huff in response to his offer and continued calling various objects out of her bag for examination.
Ron heard a soft sobbing and sat bolt upright in his bed. He must have dozed off. His eyes landed on Hermione. She was sitting on the floor now wearing one of his jumpers as well, weeping quietly into her hands. Random objects were sprawled out around her in a large mess.
He looked towards the tent flap. It would be time for Harry to come in soon. Ron had had enough of this.
He jumped off his bunk and swung his wand in the air as he walked towards her. The objects started flying back into her beaded bag, and she looked up just in time to see him scoop her off the ground.
“Ron! What are you-
“Enough of this, Hermione!” He sat her on his bunk and now they were almost eye-level. “I know you’re angry with me, but I won’t have you hurt yourself over your ego. Sometimes you need help, Hermione, whether you like it or not!”
“You don’t tell me what- She started, but Ron cut her off by raising his wand and pointing it at her chest.
She looked down to see not one, but two, three, all four of her jumpers disappear, leaving her in only her camisole.
Her arms flew across her chest, even though nothing was technically exposed.
“How dare you-
“Shutup,” Ron cut her off. He pushed her back on the bed by her shoulders, and she was so weak she didn’t even put up a fight.
“What are you-
“Would you shut up for minute?”
Ron grabbed his blanket and covered her with it, tucking it in tightly and casting a warming charm on it.
“When you have a fever you have to cast the warning charm on a blanket, not yourself,” he explained to her as her features went from realization to relaxed. Hermione took a deep sigh of relief, keeping her eyes trained on Ron.
“But you still need to break that fever. We can’t do that right now, so we’ll just have lower your body temp,” he continued, conjuring a cold cloth and placing it on her forehead. He conjured two more and instructed her to place them on her neck and stomach. This time she didn’t question him. She did as he told her.
He watched as her body finally stopped shaking. Those big brown eyes were watching him with gratitude and- was that admiration? His stomach did a flip.
“I know it doesn’t make sense to be covered in a warming blanket and cold cloths at the same time, but trust me it works. This is how my mum treats a fever while her fever potion is brewing.”
To his surprise, Hermione smiled at him. “Remind me to thank your mum. And-and you. Thank you, Ron.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Hermione, what’s wrong?” Harry sounded concerned walking into the tent.
“I have a cold.”
“And a fever,” Ron added.
“And a fever,” she confirmed.
“What can I do to help?”
“Nothi-
“She needs to rest and then eat. Make sure she gets some food in her, yeah? I’m taking next shift.”
“No!” Hermione tried to yell. Ron had already headed towards the door, but turned around at her shout.
“It’s my turn. It’s not fair to you-
Ron walked back, and to her shock leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m taking next shift,” he repeated more firmly. “Rest. Eat. I’m right outside if you need me.”
Hermione was staring at him slack-jawed. All she could do was nod.
Ron didn’t dare look at Harry as he walked out the tent flap.
