Hello! I know, long time no see. I am quite terrible at updating aren't I? I'm sorry. If any of you are still here, I hope you enjoy the chapter. I know it's been a while since I last wrote. so bear with me. This one's pretty short but I needed some sort of transition chapter. I mean, I can't go straight from Draco and Hermione not talking to them being in love! Ginny is now in on the action!
I don't particularly love this chapter, but I'm still proud of it so please comment, favorite and follow. Especially please comment! I love your comments. The more comments I get the more motivated I am to keep writing!
And now, please enjoy-Ch 11-Sleep Deprived and in Need of Help
I hadn't slept in a week. Each night as my dormitory mates crept off to bed, one by one, I sat in the common room desperately trying to keep my eyes open. I knew I needed sleep, but was too terrified of what would come during my resting. Of course, I dozed, but I hadn't found the courage to lapse into a deep slumber since the nightmares had returned. I had no idea why they had returned either! I thought I was beginning to recover! But no. Of course they would return worse than before. I was in no place to be having nightmares. And, to make matters worse, I still was barely speaking to Malfoy.
I couldn't believe myself. Honestly, Hermione! Get yourself together! I thought. He is just a stupid boy. Yes, maybe you kissed him, but that was simply hormones. Obviously you don't have feelings for him. After mentally kicking myself back into sanity. At least it was Saturday. I could give myself the small comfort of knowing that for two days I wouldn't have to stay awake through hours of boring lectures from professors, and homework by the fireplace each evening. Unfortunately however, I still had plenty of homework for the weekend.
After choking down half a piece of toast and the usual steaming mug of tea, I grabbed my books and trudged to the library. Plopping my bag down at my usual table, I took a seat with a sigh, facing away from the door. After an hour or so of holding my eyelids open and trying to explain the elements of a calming draught, I was jolted back into reality by a voice.
"I'm sorry, every other table has people at it, do you mind if I join you?" A familiar voice asked the back of my head.
In my delirious state, I neglected to notice who the voice belonged to. "Sure, grab a chair." I yawned.
Then, I watched in horror as Malfoy walked from behind me and pulled up a chair. obviously, he was surprised as well, seeing as he had to see if it was me. "Granger?" He questioned, astonished, "Woah, Merlin's beard, you look terrible!"
"Yeah well, that isn't my fault, Malfoy" I retorted, "Sod off."
"No, really, you look like a corpse. What happened?"
"Well, if you must know, I haven't slept in a week." I yawned, to tired to even realize this was the first time we had really spoken since I had kissed him in Hogsmead.
"Granger, that can't be healthy." He commented, beginning to look concerned. "Why?"
"Nightmares." I said quite matter-of-factly, "You don't get them?"
"I used to, but they've mostly gone away. Granger, should I be worried?"
"No, Im fine. Trust me. I feel great-fantastic even." I yawned unconvincingly, as I desperately tried once again to focus on my essay. Malfoy was quiet. Obviously, he didn't believe me, but was smart enough to realize I wasn't going to admit to feeling terrible. Slowly, listening to the sound of his steady breathing, I nodded off right there, in the middle of the library.
When I awoke, Malfoy was still sitting next to me, only we were in the hospital wing. He sat in one of those uncomfortable wooden chairs that I had practically lived in that week he had a concussion, his eyes fixed on the pages of some sort of book. Groaning, I buried my face into the scratchy pillow case in my hospital bed, and turned toward Malfoy, his attention now fixed on me.
"I had Madam Pomphrey give you a dreamless sleep potion, Granger." He said as if reading my mind. "She says she'll give you a prescription so that you don't continue depriving yourself."
Wow. What was our world succumbing to? Had Malfoy really taken me to the hospital wing out of the goodness of his heart? Shocked, I stared at him speechless until realizing he ha just done me a huge favor. "Thanks, Malfoy." I said, as he smirked. "No really. Thank you" I insisted. He smiled, and this time, for perhaps the first time, it was genuine. Gathering his books Malfoy left without another word, and I drifted back into sleep once more.
After spending quite a great amount of time trying to convince Pomphrey I was COMPLETELY fine, I finally escaped the hospital wing. I was however, accompanied by 14 vials of Dreamless Sleep Potion for the next two weeks. That was not something I was too upset about though. I really needed some sleep, and I needed sleep now!
I left the hospital wing feeling more rested then I had in a week, despite the fact that my nap was only 2 hours long. It's quite sad actually, to think that 2 hours was the most consecutive sleep I had gotten in a full 8 days.
The early February sky was dark, ominous cloud hung low over the already snow-covered grounds, and I could even smell a snowstorm coming. This was good, my favorite time to relax was in the midst of a snowstorm. Well, a snowstorm or a summer rain shower, but I doubted any of those were going to happen ANY time soon. With my books in one hand and my potions in the other, I walked up to the common room to finally spend some time with my best friend.
As expected, Ginny was in her usual comfy armchair facing the fireplace. Normally she would have been surrounded by a group if admiring first years or a bunch of friends as they played some sort if drinking game, but today, much to my relief she was alone, and scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment paper with her quill. I sat down in the armchair closest to her and began to pull out my potions essay, glad to just be in her company. It's crazy how even one week of sleep-deprived-zombie-ness can really take a toll on one's emotions. I was just glad to be back to my regular self.
Ginny looked up from her essay a while later, and gasped angrily. "Hermione! I haven't seen you in AGES! Where have you been? You weren't even in the library when I went to go look for you, and you were't in the great hall for lunch!" She scolded.
"Well, I reckon I must have slept through it." I said proudly, watching her face change from joking frustration to joy.
"YOU SLEPT? MIONE! Thats amazing! Your nightmares are gone? This is wonderful!"
"Yeah, I fell asleep in the library, so Malfoy took me to the hospital wing, and Madam Pomphrey gave me two weeks worth of dreamless sleep potion.'' I explained holding up my case full of vials.
A mischievous grin broke across Ginny's face. "Malfoy brought you up to Madam Pomphrey? Oh how chivalrous! You two…" She chuckled.
"What do you mean "Us two"?" I questioned my face growing hot.
"Oh Mione, don't think I didn't find out. Ron wrote me. I know all about the kiss!" She snickered, smirking.
"Shoot Gin, I was planning on telling you, but then I realized it meant nothing and well… Why bother? I'm sorry, Gin." I tried, rather unconvincingly to persuade her of my lack of feelings for a certain blond haired Slytherin.
"Oh no, don't be sorry," She laughed, "I knew it all along. You two are always staring at each other across the Great Hall. It's a wonder that the entire school doesn't know by now." Alright, so at least she wasn't mad. Honestly, she was far from mad. She was excited! "Don't worry, Mione. I know you can't fight love!" She called over her shoulder as she skipped from the common room, cackling.
Oh Merlin. What had I gotten myself into. I was sleep deprived, confused, and in desperate need of help.
