"Potter, together you and I will find Mr. Weasley. There's something the both of you should see." Professor McGonagall said seriously. Harry gave her a confused expression, but followed her.
Still in his Quidditch robes, Harry and Professor McGonagall found Ron sitting in the Gryffindor Common room, playing a game of chess with Lee Jordan, the commentator. Harry's face lit up when he saw Ron's pawn beating Lee Jordan's. Harry was about to ask who was winning when McGonagall cut him across.
"Weasley, come with me."
Ron looked up surprised to see her in the Common Room; she only ever came in when something severe happens. "Is there something wrong, Professor?"
McGonagall just pursed her lips and said, "Follow me, both of you." She walked through the portrait hole and waited for them to follow.
"What was that about?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"I'm not sure. We'll be back." Harry said and he and Ron exited the room.
As they followed McGonagall, Harry and Ron kept glancing at each other, worried. What could she frame us for this time? Harry wondered. Surely she would have told us. But Harry was very surprised when she stopped outside the Hospital Wing. Harry's stomach gave a lurch, and he had a nasty feeling that this wasn't good news.
"Professor?" Harry asked, his voice shaking slightly. McGonagall looked grave and opened the door. "I warn you, this could be a wee bit of a shock." She said sadly and led them to a bed at the end of the wing. Harry felt as though his heart had dropped out of his stomach; laying on the bed was—
"Hermione." Ron gasped.
Hermione Granger laid there, her eyes round and glossy, and her mouth slightly open. Harry couldn't speak at all. His best friend, who he had recently become very taken with, had been petrified.
"She was found near the library, along with this." McGonagall said quietly, holding up a circular mirror. "Does it mean anything to either of you?"
Harry, insides frozen, only shook his head. Harry was a brave boy, and hardly every cried, but he felt tears spring to his eyes. Hermione was strong, and didn't need any protecting. But ever since they had found out that the monster only attacks Muggle-borns, Harry found himself very scared for her.
Harry was surprised when he felt a tear fall down his face. Before anyone noticed, he quickly looked wiped it away and touched Hermione's hand. It was cold and frozen. Her eyes, which were usually filled with warmth and love, were now full of fear.
Professor McGonagall blew her nose and said, sniffling, "It's getting late. You need to go back to the Common Room."
Ron nodded weakly, still looking concerned and moved toward the door with McGonagall. Harry, however, stayed put. He wanted to stay with her. He would give everything he had, his Nimbus 2,000, the gold in his Gringott's vault, and even himself, to see Hermione awake and happy again.
"Potter." McGonagall said, but gently. "I realize this is hard, but—"
She was cut off. Harry stormed past Ron and McGonagall and went on to the Common Room, alone. He had mixed feelings at the moment. He wanted to cry his eyes out. He just wanted to cry until all the water in his body was gone. And he also felt angry. He was positively furious that anyone would even dare to harm his Hermione.
Back in the Common Room, there was cheerful talking and goofing off. None of them knew what had just happened. Even though Harry wanted to keep it that way, he also wanted to confide in someone. He found Fred and George Weasley sitting on the couch testing some new candy they gotten from Hogsmeade. Harry walked over and sat down next to them.
"Harry! You're just in time!" George said happily.
"Honeydukes just got this new candy!" Fred added.
"It turns your breath—are you alright?" George said, noticing Harry's hurt expression.
"No." Harry said.
"What's up?" Fred asked.
Harry inhaled. "Hermione…she's been petrified." He felt his voice cracking, but refused to let anymore tears fall.
Fred and George, who normally picked on Hermione, looked concerned.
"What?" Fred said, eyes wide.
"I just saw her in the Hospital Wing…she looked scared and…" Harry trailed off, looking down.
Fred and George were very clever, even though they liked to prank. And they had known a while now that Harry felt something more than friendship for Hermione. George patted Harry on his back, gently and gave him a sympathetic look.
"We're really sorry, mate."
Harry just shook his head and looked down. He couldn't get the picture of the frozen Hermione out of his head. Whenever Harry had nightmares, it was normally about Lord Voldemort. But now, his new nightmare would be Hermione never waking up from that frozen position.
Ron entered the Common Room, looking distraught. "Harry, are you okay?" He asked as he approached them. Ron, being the oblivious boy that he normally was, had no idea of Harry's feelings for her. If he did, he probably wouldn't have asked him.
"Obviously not, Ron." Fred said, rolling his eyes.
"Wonder if she saw the attacker? Maybe, she could tell us, if she wakes, of course…" Ron began. George elbowed him in the ribs as he saw Harry's face getting a sickly white.
"Ron, you're my brother, and I love you. But honestly! You're such an insensitive prat sometimes!" Fred hissed. Harry just shook his head, as he felt more tears coming to his eyes. Without another word, he headed up to his dormitory and slammed the door behind him. He got into bed, shaking. And before he knew it, he felt water flowing down his face until he was asleep.