Hello my lovelies! I'm sorry it took so long, and that it's a bit shorter than usual, but I'm going through a terrible case of writer's block. I literally had to force my self to write. Anyways, thank you everyone for the reviews last chapter! I finally got around to putting the reviews on my story that are from the French-translated version. I am up to 62 reviews now, and 100followers! I can't believe I've got one hundred people following my story. Here's the chapter, enjoy!
"What!?" She spluttered.
"You vere poisoned." He repeated, deadly calm.
"How?" She was shocked. She had assumed that there was some type of curse attached to the letter and it became active when she touched it. Did someone slip something in her drink that morning?
"The letter you opened was coated vith an unusual poison. Poison Dart Frog toxin, the poison used, only has to be touched to absorb into the victim's skin."
"Oh." That made a lot more sense. 'What happened to the rest of the letters?"
"None of them passed inspection." He replied curtly.
"What inspection?" Wow, she had missed a lot in the three days she was passed out.
"Your mail is now being inspected. I haff my house elf set on the task."
"No!" She protested. "I'll just throw all of my mail away."
Viktor gave her a bit of an odd look. "I know that it's time-consuming, but I don't ask him to do anything else. Sure, It takes a few spells to see if it's safe, but house elffes haff good magic. Then, he just quickly looks to see if it's hateful. There's one thing vrong vith your idea, loff. Vhat if you get a letter that says its from you parents?"
"Then I won't throw that one away."
"And vhat if it turns out to be from a crazy stalker vho figured out your parent's names and used them to send a letter to hurt you again?"
"I didn't think of that." She said quietly. She couldn't believe things had escalated so quickly.
"It's ok, loff. You're still recoffering. I got you something." He said excitedly.
Her jaw dropped when she saw the basket that he presented to her. It had everything! Chocolate slabs, chocolate frogs, jellie babies, sugar quills, flowers, books, and relaxation items were all tucked into the basket.
"Viktor!" She exclaimed. "It's too much."
"No," He disagreed. "Not nearly enough, especially when it was partially my fault for you getting hurt."
"You had nothing to do with it. It was all of that sadistic fan girl's fault."
"She was still a fan of me, which makes me feel partially responsible."
'Don't you dare blame yourself." She scolded weakly.
His face turned slightly brooding, and she caught a glimpse of the infamous scowl that used to be his only expression. After a moment of silence, his features softened and he said. "I'll leaff you alone for a bit. I've gotten all of your homework here for you, and I know how much you like to be alone to study. If I see any of your friends, I'll tell them that you're awake, but not to bother you. " He lightly kissed her forehead and started to leave. "If you need anything, you know how to get a hold of me."
She felt a little lonely after he left, but she needed some time to think about the recent events. The other reason she didn't want him to leave was she didn't want him constantly beating himself up about the incident.
Putting it into the back of her mind, she started to work on her homework. A grin split across her face when she realized that the sugar quills were usable! Still smiling, she dipped a sugar quill into ink and started working.
After about two hours of working, she got a visitor. A small house elf came tottering in, wearing a toga made from a satin pillow case. "Hello, Miss. One letter has passed inspection." The elf bowed, placed the letter in her lap, and disappeared with a crack.
So that must have been Viktor's elf. She mused to herself. She glanced down at the letter in her lap. The envelope was decorated with colorful crayon drawings. With her curiousity piqued, she pulled out the letter.
Dear Hermohnee, I cant wait too meet you. Cosin Viktor hasnt lookded this happy in forewere. Pwlease marry him. -Thomas.
"Awww!" She sighed out loud. Thomas must be Lucy's little brother. She carefully tucked the letter back into the envelope and continued working.
Not even an hour later, Madame Pomfry returned to check her vitals and asked how she was doing.
"I still feel just a little bit out of it." She admitted.
"Hmm, I guess I'll keep you here until tomorrow then, at least. it's past lunch time, would you like anything?"
"No thank you, I'm good." She responded, gesturing to the basket of sweets sitting beside her bed. Madame Pomfry's mouth turned into a disapproving frown, but she didn't say anything.
After Madame Pomfry had left, she plucked a slab of chocolate out and broke off a piece. She nibbled on the chocolate and tried to continue doing her work, hopefully without to many more distractions.
Finally, after several hours and almost half a slab of chocolate, she finished her homework. It was just in time, because her friends chose that moment to come and visit.
"Hermione!" Ron shouted. "You're awake!"
"Finally." Ginny said. "We've been waiting ages. You've worried us half to death."
"Yeah, we thought we were going to lose you, there for a second." Harry spoke quietly.
A bit of an awkward silence passed before Ginny said, "Anyways, a lot of people wish you a quick recovery, and we have several cards from them." And she set a stack of envelopes on her table.
"Hey Ginny, do you mind stepping outside for a moment? We need to talk to Hermione privately." Harry murmured to Ginny.
"Ok." Ginny replied skeptically, but she didn't push it any further and stepped outside the room.
"Hermione, Harry and I have been talking, and we've decided that we don't want you dating Krum anymore." Ron said very seriously.
"We think it might be best, at least for your health." Harry supplied.
"Dating him is dangerous."
"It almost got you killed. "
"No." she retorted, her voice filled with ice. "Who I date and who I don't is my decision, and you two have no business meddling in it, regardless or not you think it's good for me. Hell, I could be dating Draco Malfoy and your opinion still wouldn't matter on who I was dating!" The ice in her voice had unthawed, releasing a torrent of boiling anger.
Ron and Harry both cowered, and Ron stuttered. "It was just our opinion, we can't make you do anything."
"Uh, yeah. Let's go Ron." They both bolted for the door.
Shortly, Ginny back in. "What'd you do to them." She asked with a glint of humor.
"They tried to tell me that I should break up with Viktor, so I told them it was none of their business." she responded curtly.
Ginny chuckled. "They still haven't learned that they can't boss you around?"
"I guess not."
"Anyways, how are you feeling? You were out for quiet some time."
"I still feel a bit out of it. I can't believe I've been asleep for three whole days."
"Yeah, it's been lonely without you, 'Mione. I've had no one to talk to besides Ron and Harry. It was a nightmare!" Ginny shuddered.
"What'd they talk about?" She asked, curious about what subject would be so horrible.
"Girls!" She practically shouted. "Harry is going to see if Cho is free, and Ron is going to try to find someone to date him. He has it in his delusional mind that he can make you jealous. Also, they've been practically dissecting every girl in the school based on looks, personality, and popularity. Or at least, Ron has." She finished, disgusted.
"He thinks he can make me jealous?" She said with disbelief.
"For some unfathomable reason, yes."
She just looked up. Why can't he just get the message? She silently screamed to herself.
Ginny leaned in and gave her half a hug. "I've got to go; they've just started serving dinner. Do you have to stay the night here?"
"Ok, and yeah, I am. Would you bring me a pair of pajamas for tonight and as extra set of clothes for tomorrow?'
"Sure thing. I'll see you then. Bye!"
"Bye Ginny."
She left, and Madame Pomfry returned. "You have to eat something other than sweets." She told her sternly. "Now, what would you like for dinner?"
"A turkey and cheese sandwich sounds fine." She replied.
Moments later, a plate with a sandwich and chips was set in front of her, no doubt straight from the kitchens.
She was still pecking at it when Viktor came to visit her again. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Still kind of out of it, but I feel better, although I think my legs have fallen asleep."
"Good that you are feeling better, maybe I can take you for a walk after you eat."
"You'll have to get Madame Pomfry to agree to that."
"I haff a vay vith vords."
"Sure you do." She continued eating, with slightly more enthusiasm. Before long, she had finished her dinner.
"Madame Pomfry?" She asked shyly. "Is it okay if Viktor took me out for a short walk; my legs have fallen asleep from not moving in so long."
The stern nurse scowled for a moment, then responded. "I suppose, but be back quick!"
"Okay! Viktor, help me up, please."
He gently pulled her up and out of her bed, and helped to support her as she tried to stand."
"Oh! Pins and needles!" She rocked from foot to foot.
Viktor sniggered. "Not funny!" She snapped.
"I know, loff. Here," He curled his arm around her, underneath her arms, and supported most of her weight.
'Better?" He asked after a moment.
"Much. Let's go, I haven't seen sunlight in over three days."
"Alright. Let's go." Viktor intertwined their fingers and they set out on their walk.
She soaked in the sunlight like water to someone dying of thirst. They strolled aimlessly around the grounds. She was just happy to be up and moving again.
"Let's go and see the lake." She suggested.
"Alright."
"It's so beautiful." She sighed when they arrived.
"It is," He agreed.
"Hey Viktor, who's Thomas? He sent me a letter, He said he's your cousin."
"Thomas is Lucy's youngest brother, he is about seffen." Viktor replied absentmindedly. So, her guess was right. "Come on, I think we should head back now."
"Okay," She allowed herself to be lead back to the hospital wing.
"Ve need to talk." Viktor said.
"About what?"
"About how ve're going to deal vith vhat happened to you. From how I see it, Ve have three options. One, ve act like it neffer happened and keep monitoring your mail. Two, ve arrange something so I can escort you to and from all of your classes." He paused.
"What's the third option?" She asked, slightly afraid.
"Ve break up."
Wow, that was WAY harder to write than it should have been. Hopefully, I'll be better soon and have a longer chapter for you guys. I'm evil, I left a cliff hanger. Just a quick note, All of the grammar/spelling errors in Thomas's letter are supposed to be there, and I don't really mean to 'Ron-bash', it's just ridiculously easy to turn him into an antagonist for this story. Here's a special shout-out to KookieSundae, who just became my one hundredth follower. I would also like to thank everyone who has followed/favorite/reviewed. There has gotten to be so many of you, that I can't name you all, but I love all of you! :) Let's keep up that high-review streak, so don't forget to tell me what you think in the reviews!