George went silent for a long time after that, obviously struggling for his next words. Hermione found his hand and gripped it tight, not caring that the pain was making her head swim and her arm numb. She looked down at their hands joined together and gripped until she saw her fingertips turn white, the indents in his flesh from her pressure. He squeezed back fiercely, and if he felt pain from her ring, he showed no reaction, either.