Hi everyone! I'm really, really sorry I haven't been able to update for a while – I've been going through some stuff...

Please review!!

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Hermione sat watching the sun set below the lake. She was leaning against a rock, hidden from view from the castle. She had skipped dinner in favour of the stillness of the water and she could now feel her stomach start to rumble.

Today had been pretty horrible. She had awoken sometime after her first lesson had already started. It seemed Lavender and Parvati couldn't even bother to wake her this morning. During her Charms lesson, she could hardly make out Flitwicks's squeaky voice and to top it all off, she could hardly hear any conversation during lunch.

By now the sun was totally gone and had left behind an icy breeze. She was not supposed to be out this late and would probably get into a lot of trouble if she was caught. Sighing, Hermione was about to get up when someone dropped a book down next to her with a light thud.

"Interesting choice of reading material," said a voice Hermione instantly recognised.

Malfoy had dropped her Mythical Creatures book down next to her and now he too dropped to the ground.

"Aren't we the all extravagant rule-breaker? Why are you out here so late, Granger?"

"I don't think that's any of your business, Malfoy."

"Skipping meals now as well as classes," Malfoy waited said,

"Wasn't hungry – and I didn't hear my alarm go off this morning..."

"You don't seem to be hearing very much at all lately Granger. What's up with that?"

"Nothing! Gees piss off Malfoy!"

"How touchy of you," Malfoy leaned over her, "But know this Mudblood, I'll be watching..."

"Yeah, watching with your freakish ferret face," Hermione scoffed before standing up with her book and heading back towards the castle for bed.

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The next morning Hermione awoke before the other girls and quietly crept into the shower. It was a few moments before she realised the cool water was making no sound impact onto the tiles. Tentatively Hermione broke out a small tune. She began singing softly and still heard nothing. Raising her voice Hermione desperately tried to hear her own voice. After a few moments of raising her voice, she could finally hear herself sing.

A couple moments later the bathroom door flew open and a red faced Parvati stood there. Obviously she had been banging and yelling through the door at Hermione.

"Why didn't you open the door?" Parvati yelled,

"Because I'm in the shower," Hermione replied peeking around the edge of the shower curtain.

"Well get out already! I need a shower too!"

Hermione hurriedly pulled on a pair of black tights and a grey cotton cardigan over her dark top before hurrying back into the dorm for her robes. Collecting her book bag, she made her way down to the common room to meet Ginny.

"Hermione!" Ginny squealed in an almost inaudible voice as she hugged Hermione,

"It's getting worse Ginny. I could hardly hear my own voice this morning..."

"Really? Wow. When are you going to tell harry and Ron?"

"I don't know...."

After what seemed like endless corridors, the pair found themselves the Gryffindor table.

"Morning Harry," Said Ginny as she pulled a plate of pancakes towards her,

"Hermione! "Cried Ron, "You missed dinner last night!"

Trust Ron to have food on his mind...

"I wasn't hungry. Did you finish your Transfiguration essay?"

Ron paled slightly. "Not exactly......"

The rest of Ron's speech was cut off by the usual swarm of owls.

A brown owl landed next to Hermione with a small envelope tied to its leg. Harry, Ron and Ginny were busy scanning the Daily Prophet to notice anything so Hermione opened it:

Miss Granger,

It is important that you come straight to my office straight after breakfast. Professor Dumbledore has already excused you from your first class.

Madam Pomfrey.

Wondering what Madam Pomfrey could possibly want with her, Hermione made her way out of the Great Hall, avoiding all of the looks shot at her from her friends and a pair of grey eyes.

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Hermione knocked lightly on the Hospital Wing door. She opened it carefully and glanced around for Madam Pomfrey.

"Miss Granger?"

Hermione saw Madam Pomfrey peering around her office door. Seeing as the Hospital Wing had no other occupants, Madam Pomfrey thought it safe to talk on a nearby bed.

"What is it?" Asked Hermione,

"Well, I've just gotten letter from St. Mungos..."

"And..." Said Hermione,

"Well, it turns out you're not the first to be, um, exposed to baby Mandrakes."

"I'm not?" Hermione was baffled.

Madam Pomfrey suddenly looked over towards the closed Hospital Wing door. Had she heard something?

"No Miss Granger, you're not. Another man was in a similar situation to you. He is currently residing in St. Mungos – he fully lost his hearing..."

"Oh..."

'That doesn't leave much hope for me then does it?' thought Hermione,

"Hermione, if you'd rather not continue your studies for a while, I could organise for you to go home and see your family?"

"No. I mean, I don't want to stop my classes or anything. I haven't lost my hearing yet, have I?"

"No, not yet,"

"When I do, I'll come and see you, okay?" 'In the meantime, I need to tell Harry and Ron...'

After finishing up with Madam Pomfrey, Hermione made her way back to the Common Room – too tired and worn to continue her lessons for the moment.

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Again I'm really, really sorry about not updating. Hope this chapter was okay........................... The next one's longer!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lov all XXxxoo