Hermione Moves into the Hospital Wing (V)

Hermione's ears slowly, slowly flattened. She lowered her head to look at the package and fell silent for several seconds. Then she reached out and picked it up. The pink wrapping paper rustled softly beneath her fingers as she untied the golden ribbon. The moment her fingers touched the paper, a faint golden light flashed across it, then went out. The Binding Charm had been undone.

Hermione opened the box. Inside were two rows of chocolates—pink, heart-shaped, each stamped with tiny cursive words: "Love," "Forever," "Be Mine." There was also a small card in the middle of the box, printed with a single line: "For someone special."

The ward was so quiet that they could hear the sunflower petals brushing softly against one another. Ron held his breath. Harry felt as though his heart were about to leap out of his throat. Hermione picked up a chocolate, looked at it, and put it into her mouth. She chewed twice, her expression unchanged. "Is it good?" Harry asked, his voice dry as sandpaper. Hermione swallowed the chocolate and licked her lips. "It's all right. Not very sweet."

She took another one and put it into her mouth. This time, she chewed more slowly, as though savoring the flavor.

Ron finally couldn't hold it in any longer. "Hermione, do you even know what this means?"

Hermione chewed her chocolate and looked up at him. "What does it mean?"

"Harry wants to confess to you!" Ron's voice exploded through the quiet ward like a Bludger. Harry lunged to cover his mouth, but Ron had been ready. He dodged to the side, and Harry's arm swiped through empty air, nearly sending him face-first onto the bed. Hermione's tail shot out from beneath the blanket and smacked Ron on the head. It was not hard,