A/N: Thank for your reviews so far, getting some positive feedback. Here's the next chapter. Read and review. Check out my other stuff.
I do not own Harry Potter.
She was on the ground and everything was dark. Where was she? What happened to her? Pain shot through her body, starting from her heart and flowing through her blood vessels down to her toes. It felt like she was burning but also submerged in an icy lake. She smelt blood and could hear screaming. Who was screaming?
The pain stopped and her throat felt raw. She was the one screaming. She felt sticky and warm liquid around her. It was her blood as well. She was still in the dark though. Was she alone? Was her attacker still here?
She heard heavy footfalls approach her body. She tried to pull herself onto her hands, tried to crawl away from the feet, but it was hard. Her legs refused to respond her brain, they would not move. She realized, there was no feeling there at all.
A chuckle. She could hear the smirk. "Oh my dear, don't run from me. Don't waste your energy. You won't get far."
He was right on top of her before she felt her head tugged back. He was holding her by her hair, the prickling sensation of pain on her scalp. Then she felt cold metal on her exposed neck.
"I could continue having my fun with you, let your blood run freely on the street for another hour, but your screams will eventually draw attention. A silencing charm is only so strong. I could have other kinds of fun with you."
He stopped to run his tongue from under her ear down through the stickyness on the side of her neck to her collarbone. "But I don't want to dirty myself any further. I could use an Avada but I want you to bleed out. I'll just end this quickly."
The coppery taste of blood was on her tongue. The cold metal pressed on her throat harder. She could feel her heartbeat thump against the blade. This was it for her.
Suddenly he released her hair. Metal clanged against the stones to her right as she fell to the ground hard. She didn't hear the rushed footsteps before she blacked out.
Hermione woke up clutching her head. The pain was back. Her hand ran over the bandage around her head. Why couldn't she just take it off? She tugged it off and then ran a hand through her now free hair. Her hand tangled a myriad of knots.
She scrunched up her nose. She needed to wash it, probably even take a bath. Where was the bathroom and shower? How would she even find it? She felt around the bedsheets and started to get worried. Where was her wand?
The door opened softly. "Ms Granger?"
Hermione hadn't heard this voice before. It sounded young. "Hello? Who's there?" She'd have to ask that question for the rest of her life. She looked away from the voice.
"I'm Healer Samuel. Just started Healer-" The girl froze and Hermione held her breath. Was something wrong? Was someone else in the room?
The girl spoke again, chuckling nervously, "I'm sorry, I just didn't expect to see you without your bandage. You really should be wearing it."
My bandage. Hermione moved her hands to her face. Her eyelids were open. She waved her hands in front of her. Still nothing. "What's wrong with me?"
"Your eyes just startled me. They're kinda grey and vacant. I just started my Healer training today, so I'm not used to anything yet."
Hermione felt like crying. She was scary now. She didn't want to see herself. She closed her eyes tightly.
The girl cleared her throat, "I've been assigned to your room today. How are you feeling?"
She groaned. The pain was still there though. "I need a potion for this headache. And I was wondering if I could take a shower."
The girl chuckled, "I can get pain-relief potion sent up. And I'm assuming you want a real shower and not a scourgify. I can help you with that now and I'll replace the bandage afterwards."
Hermione smiled, "Yes thank you."
The girl helped her out of the bed and helped her with her shower. When she was back in bed, a fresh bandage around her clean, drying hair, the girl handed her the potion. Downing it in one gulp, Hermione laid back waiting for the potion to take effect.
"Hello, Hermione?" a familiar voice said to her left. She felt kind of groggy. How did she not notice someone come in? She was probably sleeping. It was hard to tell the difference.
"Hello?"
"Oh, Hermione." The familiar smell of treacle tart engulfed her as arms came around her neck.
"Mrs. Weasley?"
"Hermione, I was so worried when Ronald and Ginny said you were here," Mrs Weasley sobbed out. Hermione could feel wetness on her shoulder.
She felt another hand on her arm, "Hey Hermione."
"George? You're here."
"Yes Hermione. I wanted to be here for you," he said softly.
Her eyes were tearing up again. Why was she so mopey? She wasn't used to this Hermione. She held back the tears.
"Thank you for being here. I guess they told you what happened to me."
She felt Mrs Weasley's hair move as she nodded. She didn't know what George was doing. "I hope they find the creep who did this to you. He can't get away with this." Mrs. Weasley moved away from her, her warmth leaving Hermione's neck.
The hand on her arms moved up to her hair, grazing the top of the bandage. George's strong voice was right outside her ear. "You've always been so strong and always been there for me. It actually hurts to see you like this. So, I'll be there for you." He placed a small kiss on her forehead and stood up.
Mrs Weasley spoke up, "Harry and Ron are already at the Ministry getting more information. But you know them, even if they're rejected, they'll find a way."
She heard their footsteps move towards the door. George called out, "We'll visit again soon, Hermione." And then the door closed.
Draco was pushing another cart. What's with all these bloody carts? Today he was delivering books and the Prophet for the patients to read. He would also have to read to some of the elderly wizards and witches if they needed him to. Riveting.
He looked down at his list. The bookworm is on this list? Figures.
He skipped right to her name and entered her room. "Hello? Who's there?" she called out.
"I'm here to drop off a book for you to read." He saw her there, propped up on her pillows, the bandage still over her head.
She turned towards him and her eyebrows knitted. "What? Why would I be on that list?"
Draco looked at her with a weird expression. "Even I know you like reading, Granger." He looked at the books on the trolley. "What's your pick today? Ludo's Travels through Muggle London, Witch Weekly or the Prophet?"
He looked back up at her. She turned away from him and just stared at the wall opposite her. Then she said softly, "Take them away. I don't know who put me on that list."
"Come on Granger. Read something to make your stay more enjoyable. I need to get most of the stuff on the cart off before I return it or I'll have to start all over again."
He walked up to her, waving the Prophet in front of her face. "There's a fascinating article about the benefits of adding flobberworms to your di-."
Her hand suddenly darted out, grabbing his wrist roughly. The Prophet fell from his hand and onto her lap. "I can't see, you bastard!" She threw his hand away from her. "Get out of here!" She pointed to a spot to the left of the door.
Draco froze. He hadn't been expecting that and he didn't know how to react. He swallowed thickly, picked up the paper and pushed his trolley quickly out of her room.
A/N 2: This is a Dramione story, more that will come up in the next chapters, but I'm just showing some Weasley love, especially George-brotherly love.