A/N: Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to 2017! *hearts*

CHAPTER FOUR

Later that night - after Harry and Ron have dropped off her schoolwork and her bag and long after dinner - Hermione lays in the infirmary bed, sleeping. She is unaware of the man sitting in the chair beside her bed, elbows propped up on his knees and chin in his hands. When she stirs and lets out a soft sound, rolling over to sprawl on her stomach, his eyes move to her, watching the steady rise and fall of her back as she sleeps. He stays by her side until the night sky deepens into dark velvet, soft and unfathomable.

.oOo.

Early the next morning, with the sunlight still watery and cool, Madam Pomfrey bustles into the curtained area with a potion bottle in one hand, her wand in the other. She stops in her tracks at the sight of Hermione, sitting up in bed, an open book laying on her lap, but she's not reading - her eyes are locked on the empty chair beside her bed, obviously lost in deep thought.

Madam Pomfrey smiles then clears her throat lightly, "Good morning, Miss Granger!"

Hermione jumps, her wand clutched in her hand pointing in the healer's direction for a long moment before she relaxes and lets out an embarrassed laugh. "Sorry, Madam, I was wool gathering. Good morning."

"And how are you feeling this morning?" The healer moves towards her patient, waving her wand over Hermione and casting the needed diagnostic spells.

"Better, thank you. My head isn't aching anymore, and I feel rather normal. I believe I must have slept well, and rather deeply. I don't even remember dreaming." Hermione watches the older woman closely as she nods in satisfaction over the readings and dismisses them with a short flick of her wand. "Will I be allowed to attend classes today?"

"Well, you seemed to have healed quite well overnight. There is no lingering damage, and you appear well rested. So yes, I will allow you to be released to classes today."

Hermione lets out the large breath she is holding in, before beaming at the healer. "Oh, thank you, Madam!"

"However." Madam Pomfrey narrows her eyes and points at the girl with one veiny finger. "You will need to drink one last dose of this potion, and then you will use the facilities here. I've already asked a house elf to bring you a change of clothes for the day, and your wash things. You'll eat breakfast in here and only then you may go to classes."

With a slight scowl, she nods slowly. "Yes, madam. That's acceptable."

With a smirk, Poppy nods. "Good, because there was no alternative."

Hermione opens her mouth to protest only to find a cup full of a fizzy, light blue potion being shoved into her hands. She sniffs it, wrinkling her nose at the overwhelming scent of juniper berries, before drinking it down quickly and with a full body shiver.

"Good lass. Go have a shower, your things are in there already and I'll have some breakfast ready for you when you get done. Now shoo." Pomfrey waves a hand at Hermione, watching her with an eagle eye as she slips from the bed, tucking her feet into her slippers, and shuffling through the door right near the healer's office.

Inside is a small bathroom - toilet, sink, and standing shower, all rather obviously for quick convenience rather than pleasure or relaxation.

Sitting on the closed toilet lid is her basket of wash things, and folded neatly on the top of the toilet are her clothes. After closing and locking the door, she finds her robes hanging, freshly pressed and very recently cleaned and polished shoes tucked on the ground between the sink and toilet. She sighs deeply at the extra effort the elf (elves?) put into collecting her things before she strips off her clothes and slips into the shower.

Standing under the hot spray, Hermione leans her forehead against the tile and closes her eyes. She draws in a deep breath, then another, before the tears begin to fall. She slides her hand in between her mouth and the tile, sobbing softly into her palm. After a long few moments, she sucks in a breath and lets it out with a shudder before tilting her head back into the spray, the hot water washing away the salt from her face.

After her good cry, she scrubs from top to bottom thoroughly and, after turning off the shower, steps out. With a few quick drying charms and carefully plaiting her hair by hand - most of the beauty charms tend to overdry it and make it even bushier - she slips into her uniform.

When she emerges from the bathroom, she walks back over to her bed, carrying her wash things in one hand and pajamas in the other. There's a tray sitting on the bed with a light breakfast, a stasis charm keeping it all at the appropriate temperatures - eggs, beans, and toast, a large glass of juice, and a teacup full of creamy tea.

Dropping her things onto the foot of the bed, she grabs the tray and settles into the chair beside the bed and begins to eat, finding herself rather hungry. Within minutes, she's polished off the meal, and is sipping her tea with a contented sigh.

Breathing in the rich scent of the tea, her brows furrow slightly. It's English breakfast, as is usually at the house table for breakfast, and made exactly how she prefers it - white, no sugar - but there's something just slightly different about it. Hermione frowns at the cup, inspecting it carefully. The familiar cup is familiar from the everyday breakfast table; there are no odd scents or lingering potion taste. A quick wave of her wand shows no curses or hexes. It's perfectly safe, just… different.

After about half of the cup, she realizes why it is different - it's the same brand of tea, or very similar, as the one her mum buys, and that it's a much more expensive blend than the typical school fare.

Madam Pomfrey comes bustling over then, with a large smile at the empty plates, before patting Hermione on the shoulder. "Good, you ate it all! You may go to classes, but be extra cautious - another head injury could do irreparable damage, and your magic may still be in a bit of a tizzy. Professor Dumbledore also sent a note while you were in the shower and would like to see you after lunch."

Hermione sighs and nods. "Maybe he's found out some additional information about my… problem." She bites down on her lower lip, lacing her fingers together on her lap.

"Don't worry, dear. Everything will be just fine." The healer squeezes her shoulder and smiles, though this one doesn't seem quite as sure as the last. "Now, off with you; classes start soon."

Hermione nods and stands up, grabbing her bag from the floor as she goes, and reaches for her things on the bed - only to find them gone, the faintest wrinkle in the sheets betraying their absence. Sighing again over the insistence of house elves, Hermione heads off to class.

After meeting up with Harry and Ron, they attend the morning classes which went well, and soon found themselves at lunch. As soon as they are within shouting distance of the Great Hall, Hermione stops in her tracks. While this time there is no loud beating in her ears, she can feel it. The double time beat in her veins, traveling through her chest to her fingers, pooling in her pelvic bone, tiny surges of electricity running through her entire body.

Harry glances back then stops, grabbing Ron's arm just as the redhead is about to push through a crowd of second years to get to lunch. "Hermione? You feeling ok?"

She jumps, pulling her gaze away from her hands to look at her best friends. "Oh, sorry, Harry. I just… thought I heard something. Sorry." She smiles, mostly a pressing of her lips into a line, as she rejoins them and they enter the Great Hall.

With every step, she can feel the blood surge and she lets out a shuddering breath. Once settled at the table, she loads up her plate before taking a slow look around the large room. Everyone is busy eating and talking, some studying… except for three: Hermione, currently inspecting the hall; Professor Dumbledore, who is surveying the room as well, and who directs a kind smile in her direction when she turns her eyes in his direction; and Professor Snape, who is scowling down at his plate so fiercely as though its very existence is insulting him.

After only a moment of gazing in his direction, his dark eyes snap up and meet hers directly. From the edges of her vision, Hermione can see his jaw clench, and they continue to stare at one another. Her fingers tense around the fork in her hand, squeezing the edges into her palm as they are locked in one another's gazes.

Ron leans over, elbowing Hermione. "Hey, 'Mione, can I have that plate of chips?"

Hermione gasps, jumping in surprise and whips around to stare at the redhead, wide-eyed. "What?"

"The chips?" His brows furrow as he motions with his knife.

"Oh! Yeah, sure, here you go." She reaches over and grabs the shallow bowl, passing it to her friend with a smile.

Harry leans over with a small frown. "Are you sure you're feeling ok, Hermione? Your head doesn't hurt?"

She shakes her head and smiles. "No, really, I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind. I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore after lunch."

"Ohh! Well, better eat up, so you have your strength for that!" Ron snorts and Hermione cringes away at the bit of flying food that escapes from his full mouth.

"Right, well… I'm going up, I'll see you boys afterward." Hermione stands, slipping her bag over her shoulder before walking off with a slight smile. She pauses and glances over her shoulder as she passes through the Great Hall doors and sighs, the smile disappearing as there is no evidence of the potions master ever having been at the head table. The headmaster also missing from the table is expected.

At least I didn't have potions today. She turns and heads to the stairs, trudging up them to the office.

As soon as she reaches the gargoyle, she frowns momentarily when she realizes that she doesn't know the password… just as it spins off to the side and leaves the stairs open to her access.

"Oh, thank you." Hermione takes the steps up, trembling as she knocks on the door. It swings open and she steps into Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Lovely timing! Please, have a seat." Dumbledore is settled behind the desk, and he watches as she slips into one of the large wingback chairs. "Would you care for some tea?"

"Ah, thank you, Headmaster, that would be lovely." There's a lull as the tea service appears with a pop and two cups poured and prepared.

Once they are settled, tea cups in hand, Dumbledore peers over his glasses at Hermione. "I have scoured my books and resources for what information I could find regarding your particular… circumstances, Miss Granger. As you know, soul mates are very rare and there isn't much information available. I have procured three books on soul bonding, as well as one journal written by one-half of a soul mated pair."

Hermione's eyes widen as she sits up, her fingers clutching the tea cup. "Really? Oh, sir, that's wonderful!"

"Yes, and no, Miss Granger. I've read through them myself and there is not much more information than what you may already have obtained by other means; however, you are free to take them and peruse them yourself." He waves a hand and three books appear in the air, floating in front of her. Watching her grasp them and tuck them into her lap before continuing. "From all evidence, the bond between mates is as unique as each person. Many pairs report… symptoms that are fairly common, such as the hearing of another's heartbeat, as you described yesterday, in the infirmary. Others mentioned different reactions, such as sensitivity to touch, a draw toward one another, and in the occasional case, a rather irrepressible desire to be with their bond mate."

Hermione's eyes grow even wider as she pales, staring at Dumbledore in muted shock. "To… be with, sir? As in…?" She waves a hand, wincing as her tea sloshes up the side of the cup and stings her finger.

"Yes, Miss Granger. As in." The headmaster motions to her cup. "Why don't you drink some tea while those thoughts settle in." He watches until she takes a sip, before nodding and sipping his own tea.

The thoughts swirl through her head like a whirlwind as she sips steadily at the steaming tea. First is that the tea isn't nearly as good as the tea she had in the infirmary. It must have been Madam Pomfrey's own tea; it was much better.

Second is that this bond could encourage her to, make her actually want to be with - oh, grow up, Hermione; sex is a totally normal thing - with the potions master.

As she drinks the tea, she finds herself sinking back into the chair, rather boneless. Her thoughts slow and settle, and after a long silence, she raises her eyes to Dumbledore with a slight frown. "Sir, is there something in the tea?"

"Ah, yes, a mild calming draught. I thought it may be needed during our conversation." He twinkles at her as he sets his own cup down on the desk.

Hermione huffs, struggling for a moment to sit up again, before narrowing her eyes at the old man. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't do that again, sir. I don't care to be impaired in such a way."

"I assumed you wouldn't, and yet, here we are. It will wear off within the hour. Biscuit?" Dumbledore offers her the plate of assorted biscuits as she sets her teacup down, unfinished, on the small table between the wingback chairs.

"No, thank you, sir." She lets out a sigh and frowns. "What about Professor Snape? Have you spoken to him further about this?"

"Ahh, no, not yet." Dumbledore sets the plate down and steeples his fingers together as he leans his elbows on the desktop. "I will speak with him later tonight, after dinner. I'm afraid, Miss Granger, that this is a rather precarious position for both you and Severus. I suspect that you know at least some of the reasons why quite well."

Hermione nods slowly, chewing on her lower lip as her fingers twist and knot together. "Yes, sir. I… I will need to speak with him about it, we should discuss… this."

"Yes, you should. I'll arrange time during the week where you can both meet and not be looked for, especially by our delightful Professor Umbridge. This is rather important to straighten out." Dumbledore twinkles at her again, before one of the silver machines on the shelves lets out a pleasing bell sound. "Ah, classes will be recommencing shortly. I'd get down to Care of Magical Creatures, if I were you, Miss Granger. You'll receive my note about a meeting time by lunch tomorrow."

She nods as she stands, weaving momentarily as she gathers her bag and heads towards the door. "Yes, sir, thank you. Have a pleasant afternoon, Headmaster."

"You as well, Miss Granger." She reaches the door before he speaks again. "Oh, and Miss Granger?"

"Yes, sir?" Hermione stops and looks back to the old man, her hand resting on the door.

"There is one commonality reported from every bonded couple that I could discover… but there is no known way to eliminate the bond, and many tried, as you may discover. Just something to keep in mind during your reading and discussion." Dumbledore's face is serious as he watches her reaction.

Hermione lets out a slow breath as he confirms one of her suspicions before she nods slowly. "I kind of assumed, sir; thank you for the attention you've dedicated to this. I better go." She smiles tremulously as she slips through the doorway, rushing down the stairs and through the halls. As soon as she steps outside, she pauses to wipe her face, before pushing on to Hagrid's hut.

She's utterly unaware of the pair of dark eyes watching her leave the castle and head down the winding pathway to her class.

The remainder of Hermione's day goes well, despite the tumultuous state of her thoughts. Care of Magical Creatures, followed by Herbology, keeps her busy and distracted from the tempest in her mind.

The next day, however, does not go so well.