Hi, everyone. This is my first fanfic in a loooong time. Please don't be too harsh, and forgive any mistakes I have made. I hope you enjoy it.
I sighed as I looked at the long corridors and many stair cases. For some reason, Hogwarts looked much bigger than it had last term. As I took a slow and tentative step towards the Great Hall, I had a feeling this was going to be a long term…
Not many people know this, but I, Hermione Granger, am a ballerina, and when I say "not many people", I mean no one but my parents. I am not too shabby at it either. I have danced all of my life and have been proud of it, but when I found out I was going to Hogwarts, I stopped talking about it. I mean, these are witches and wizards. They fly on brooms. What is so special about being able to dance en pointe?
Anyway, this past summer something happened during dance, and I'm having one heck of a time walking. I have this deep ache in my hip area that turns into a sharp, breath-taking pain if I do certain things. Like walk, for instance. My parents told me I should take it easy on the dancing when they noticed me limping, but we all know that isn't going to happen. I would suck it up through dance, and then fall apart after, but only when no one was looking.
I thought about going to see a Muggle doctor, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm sure it'll eventually go away, right? Most things get worse before they get better, right…?
I've found that if I take Muggle pain killers first thing in the morning, I can almost make the pain manageable throughout the day. That is one reason I'm excited to be back at Hogwarts; no more Muggle pain killers. I can get a proper pain potion, which is stronger than that Muggle stuff.
The problem I foresee, though, is this barely contained limp I have. I can't stand people's concern, and I don't want to answer questions, so I'm going to have to be careful.
As I cross the doorway into the Great Hall and see hundreds of my fellow witches and wizards conversing excitedly, I can't help but feel my heart expand with love for this place.
I'm pulled out of my reverie by a loud shout of "Oi! Hermione! What're you standing there for? Come sit down!"
As I follow the sound of that voice, I come up on my two best friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. I sit down very easily next to Harry while looking at Ron "It's nice to see you too, Ronald."
As we begin the Welcoming Feast, I almost forget about this deep ache that's ever constant.
My alarm goes off at 6am sharp on the first day of classes. I roll over to turn it off and groan. Today is going to be a true test of will. So many corridors and staircases to walk…
I haven't had time to swing by the hospital wing and pick up a pain potion yet, so it's on with these Muggle pills today. I pop a couple, get dressed and tenderly make my way down to the common room to meet Harry and Ron and head off for breakfast.
We enter the Great Hall and are handed our schedules by Professor McGonagall. The two boys groan loudly in unison, while I groan inwardly. We all knew fifth year was going to be the busiest, preparing for our OWLs and all, but I was not prepared for this. As I scan my schedule, I notice that I, again, won't have time to pick up any pain potion.
Our first class of the day is Herbology. Out on the grounds. And then back into the castle for Charms. On the third floor. Then Potions in the dungeons…. Defense Against the Dark Arts back on the third floor, Astronomy in the tower and then to patrol the castle for my Prefects duty. This day was going to be hell.
"Boy, was I right", I thought as I limped through the corridors not really paying attention to my Prefect duties. "Today was miserable, and I'll be surprised if I make it back to the dormitories without incident. The pain was at such a level right now, that her limp actually made her look like The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Contemplating how miserable she truly was, Hermione didn't hear the quick sharp click of shoes coming down the corridor, and therefore ran in to the oncoming figure. She was knocked back on to her butt, and cried out in pain.
"Miss Granger!" Snape snapped "Do pay attention to where you are going! I am astounded at your lack of attention, Prefect. 10 points from Gryffindor. Now, get up at once!"
Hermione just stared at her professor through his rant. She was, once again, distracted. Trying to figure out how in the world she was supposed to get up off the ground, without giving away how much pain she was in.
When he snapped at her to get up, she sighed, steeled herself and reached for the wall to help pull herself up. She kept her left leg as straight as she could, but as she slowly came into the upright position, she gasped aloud in pain and the room spun for a moment.
Snape stared at the Granger girl as she began to get up per his command. His face did not change from his cold stony expression, but his mind began to whirl as it assessed the situation. Something was off about the Granger girl, who was normally so energized and fast paced. Here she was, appearing to grasp the wall to help pull her up. She was moving like a 90 year old woman. He watched as she slowly came to stand, and was surprised to hear her gasp in, what appeared to be, pain. Her face went very pale, and for one terrible second, he actually thought she might faint.
"Granger." Snape snapped at her as she recovered herself, "What is the matter with you?"
Hermione, expecting a lecture, was surprised when her Professor asked her what was wrong. She, of course, wasn't going to tell him, but it was nice nonetheless.
"Nothing, professor" She answered him while trying to appear nonchalant as she still leaned on the wall. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't paying attention to where I was going. It won't happen again."
Snape stared at her hard for a moment, and pointed "It better not. Now. Off to bed with you."
Hermione, sighed inside with relief, and steeled herself to walk away without a limp. She was unsuccessful, and could feel the eyes of her professor on her back as she walked, but didn't turn around.
Snape watched the girl as she actually limped away. What was going on with her? Not that he cared about the arrogant Gryffindor's, but she was the brightest witch of her age, and he was going to get to the bottom of it…