The Awakening

Hermione was on watch over the boy as he slept. Madam Pomfrey had come by and fixed him up, but she said she had no idea when he would wake up and the only reason she wouldn't wake him up is because he needed the sleep anyways. She told them to let him sleep and wait for him to wake up. Mrs. Weasley started to make the children do watches. "I want you kids to wait for him to wake up so that when he wakes up he's not all alone. He might be lost, confused, and he might feel threatened. So one of you needs to be there to calm him down when he wakes up," was what Mrs. Weasley had said. Hermione took over most of the shifts. She told the others it was because she had nothing better to do anyways and she could use the time to read. Though to be truthful she didn't know why she wanted to be there when he woke up. She thought maybe it was because she was just too curious for her own good, but she had a feeling it was something else. She wanted to know about this boy, well Anthony as he said he was called. She wanted to know how he got there, what he was doing there, and where he came from. Though most of all she wanted to know him. She wanted to know who he was pure and simple.

"Who are you, Anthony? That's really all want to know I guess. Of course I want to know where you came from and why you're here, but…I don't know. You just seem so lost and alone. I know how that feels. I've felt lost and alone most of my life. I know it's hard but you just have to go on and I want to help you make it there. I promise when you wake up I shall get to know you and help you survive and find out whatever you need to know. For something tells me you didn't mean to come here. This means you're lost. I shall help you find your way back wherever that maybe." said Hermione out loud to Anthony as he lay still on the bed.

"Thanks…I shall in return help you in anyway you may need as well." said Anthony as he laid there on the bed. He opened his eyes and looked at the girl beside him. "What's your name?"

"Hermione…Hermione Granger" said Hermione in a squeaky voice after she realized her entire speech was heard by him as she thought he was still asleep. The embarrassment could be easily seen in her cheeks.

'Hermione Granger but that's in the Harry Potter books. This must be just a dream. I thought so. There's no way someone I didn't know would offer so much without it being a dream. Well dream or not why not enjoy it. I might as well play along. I always did like Hermione in the books; maybe this could turn into a great dream.'

"Hermione…that's a beautiful name."

"Th…thank you." said Hermione in surprise.

"So what do you want to know first?" asked Anthony nonchalantly as if him being in a place he's never been before didn't bother him which made Hermione even more curious.

"Um…well…I don't know where to begin."

"The first question you asked was who was I, which I have answered. Second you asked what am I doing here which to tell you the truth I don't even know. I just remember getting ready for bed and hitting my head and poof here I am in this bed in front of you. This also answers your third question. I'm sorry it's not an exciting story like you thought it might be that's all there is." as he finished he sat up and started to pop his joints.

"That's gross." said Hermione as she watched him bend his fingers back to the back of his hand and heard a resounding crack.

"Sorry it's a forced habit it helps with my arthritis."

"How do you get your fingers to bend back so far?"

"I'm double jointed that's about the best answer I can give you because I've never really looked up what it means exactly."

"Oh…okay so…how do you feel?"

"Well my head hurts like hell and I can hardly move, but other than that I'm having a great day."

Hermione let out a slight giggle which Anthony returned and than stopped because it hurt too much.

"Hey Hermione would you help me stand up? I need to walk around a little to loosen the joints in my legs a little. "

"Umm sure."

She got up from the chair that she had been sitting in for the past couple of days, and helped him stand up. He started walking around the room on his own and started kicking his legs. He than continued to pop every bone in his body which started to gross her out even more. She remembered what he had said earlier about his arthritis and how cracking helped so she decided to leave him alone about it. It wasn't his fault that the only thing that relieved the pain was something gross.

"Hey Hermione, who were those other guys who sat in that chair?"

"Wait…other guys you mean you were awake the whole time?"

"Yeah, I would have said something sooner its just I didn't feel safe around them that's about it."

"So why did you tell me you were awake."

"I felt comfortable around you. They said some of the same things you said but they only wanted to know where I had come from. They could have cared less about who I was. You at least wanted to know about me as a person. Not just where I came from and where I've been, but who it made me become. To tell you the truth I'd love to learn more about who you really are as well Hermione. I can see us becoming very good friends."

"Ummm…thanks I'm sure we will."

"Hey Hermione."

"Yeah?"

"When I get better and can actually walk on my own how about we go get something to eat if ya want. Ya know out or something, just the two of us."

"Well…I don…"

"I you don't want to that's all you have to say ya know don't just say yes to make me feel better. I don't need anyones pity. I can handle mys"

"Anthony, shut up. I'd love to."

"Really?"

"Yes I'd love to go out to lunch with you. Sweet isn't it?"

"Yes you are."

Hermione just stared at him blushing her eyes out at his last comment. Anthony looked at her and realized what he had said and decided to change the subject.

"So you never answered my question. who were the two guys sitting in the chair?"

"Well the redhead was Ron Weasley and the other was Harry Potter." said Hermione as she was thankful for the subject change.

"Hmm…okay" He then looked at Hermione to see a shocked look on her face.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing it's just most people flip out when they here me say that Harry Potter was in the same building."

"Why would I flip out?"

"You seriously never heard the story of Harry Potter?"

"Nope never have, and to tell ya the truth I'd rather he tell me that story if ya don't mind. I don't mean to be rude I just like to hear the stories of people's lives from themselves not from others. It's there story to tell let them tell it. Ya know what I mean."

"Yeah I guess you're right…so what about your story."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what's your life's story?"

"Sorry, but I don't feel like talking about it right now okay. Don't worry though; knowing me I'll probably end up telling you everything over time. I like to tell stories when I get the inclination and there usually stories about my past just hang with me and you'll learn everything you could possibly want to know about my past, if not more."

"Okay"

'He seems nice, just a little secluded, but still nice. I wonder why he doesn't want to tell about himself right now. It's probably just because he doesn't know me that well. I know I wouldn't give my life story away to him at least not until I got to know him better maybe that's what he meant by stick with him. Maybe he just wants to get to know me better before telling me to much about himself.'

"Hermione quick question…is there anyway I could get a hold of a smoke I'm dieing over here."

"A smoke?"

"Yeah ya know a cigarette. I could really use one right about now."

"I don't think anyone inside this house smokes but I could ask Mrs. Weasley for you if you want."

"That would be great. Thanks."

"Or…you could just come downstairs with me if ya want and ask Mrs. Weasley yourself."

"I'd love to come with you," he tries to stand up and can't do it, "but first I'm gonna need some help." He said as he smiled at her.

Giggling Hermione replied, "Give me your hand."

As she pulled him up he put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks…for everything."

"No problem" said Hermione as she smiled at him.

They stared at each other for a while both minds lost somewhere in the recesses of there minds. Even they knew not the thoughts that were running through there heads.

It was Hermione who broke the silence first, "So shall we head downstairs?"

"Yeah can you help me down?"

"I'd love to."