Disclaimer: I own naught but the plot, the Lannings and the inheritance.

AN: I know its been a LONG time, But I was trying to wait for at least one review... didn't happen but here it is anyway.

The bell for the end of the class rang. Students quickly shoved their books into their bags. Hermione, Ron and Harry started for the Great Hall fo

"Hurry Up 'Mione, I'm starving!" moaned Ron when Hermione stopped for half a second to help a first year girl who had been knocked to the ground by the rush of students in the corridor. By the time they reach the hall five minutes later, Ron was clutching his stomach. He burst into the great hall, Harry and Hermione behind him.

Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron made a dramatic lunge for the nearest plate of food. "Ron, you can't seriously be that hungry." But half an hour later, Ron was still eating. Normally he would have slowed down by now. Harry looked at Hermione, then to Ron.

"Is something wrong with him?" Harry asked. "Usually he's done by now..."

"I was just starting to wonder that myself. Maybe we should take him to Madame Pomfrey just in case."

With that Harry and Hermione each took one of Ron's elbows and steered him out of the hall. Moment later they were in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey made Ron lay down on a cot while she retrieved her wand from her office. When she returned Ron was begging them all

"Please, Just let me eat, I'm hungry"

"Mister Weasley, Please be quiet" Madame Pomfrey said. She moved her wand over Ron's body and mumbled a few words. She grimaced when Ron's stomach momentarily collapsed so there was only bones. A second later his stomach was back to looking normal.

"Mister Weasley has had a Starving Jinx placed on him." She sighed. "There is a counter-jinx, but it takes twelve hours to be fully effective." She spoke the counter-jinx then looked up at Hermione and Harry.

"He will have to remain here until the counter-jinx fully sets in. If he leaves, I feel he will over feed him. Which can cause major health problems. I'll send him along when he is better. It was good you brought him. Run along now."

Hermione and Harry left the hospital wing and made in to Professor McGonagall's classroom just as the late bell rang.

"You two are late." Professor McGonagall said in her usual severe tone.

"Yes Professor, Ron got sick at lunch and we took him to the hospital wing" Hermione said quickly. Harry nodded.

"Very well Miss Granger, Mister Potter." She turned to her desk. "But do not be late again."

--

The rest of the day went by in a blur. As the bell at the end of their last lesson rang, Harry told Hermione he was going to go see Ron.

"Want to come?" He asked her.

"No, You heard Madame Pomfrey, he's going to be fine. Besides, I need to go to the library for something."

"Alright, I'll see you back in the common room 'Mione" Harry said.

"See you later."

Hermione headed off in the opposite direction from Harry. When she arrived at the library ten minutes later., she was in a foul mood. Someone had provoked Peeves and now he was aiming chairs at passersby, but because he was aiming for six inches above their heads, he hadn't hit anyone, just scared them therefore, there was nothing she could do. Then just outside the library she'd heard some Ravenclaw girls giggling about "the starving Gryffindor". She'd told them off.

Now she was in the library she retreated to her quiet corner and pulled a muggle romance book from her bag. She needed something mindless that could take her away. Jude Deveraux could always manage. She was about four chapter into "The Heiress" when a shadow fell across her book. Looking up she glared daggers at the newcomer. "What do you want Malfoy?"

To her shock, Malfoy's voice sound hurt when he told her "I was wondering if I could share the table with you"

Looking up again she studied him for a moment before nodding warily. He sat across from her and pulled out his potions book. They sat in slightly awkward silence until Malfoy spoke.

"Hey. Granger. Do you need help with the Essay for Potions?"

Hermione looked up, this time shocked at the tone of his voice. No anger. No spite or malice. He spoke pleasantly, as if he was being honestly nice to her. She didn't know why but this made her angrier than she had been all day. "Malfoy, If I needed help, I sure as hell wouldn't ask you. Besides, don't you have some place else you can be an obnoxious ass?" She stood, not quite knowing why she was so angry.

"Now if you'll excuse me, the current company doesn't please me." With that Hermione grabbed her bag and stormed out of the library.

Draco stared at the place where she had been sitting a minute before. What the hell just happened? Then he spotted something on the floor behind the table, he moved around and picked it up. It was a book. Granger must have been reading it. Muggle fiction no doubt. Reading the title he made a face that resembled disgust. I'm surprised this isn't banned. The cover alone is nearly pornographic. Draco slipped the book into his bag. He'd give it to her later.

--

On her way to Gryffindor tower Hermione detoured and went up to the hospital wing to see Ron. She walked over to Ron's cot and smiled for what seemed like the first time that day. He looked much better. "Hi Ron" She said.

"'Mione!" Ron greeted her enthusiastically. "Harry said you weren't going to come..."

"I didn't think I was going to, but I wanted to make sure you're alright."

"I'm fine. Madame Pomfrey says I'm healing faster than most. So I'll be back in the common room before curfew.."

"Thats good Ron. Hey, If someone I or Harry hated, made you laugh more than you had in weeks, Would you tell us?" Hermione asked.

Ron looked confused but after a moment he shrugged. "Probably. But that hasn't happened so I don't know. Why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering." Hermione hugged him. "I'll see you later tonight Ron..." She quickly left the hospital wing.

Leaning against the wall outside, Hermione buried her face in her hands. Whats wrong with me? Why are all my emotions tied in knots? Hermione was so focused on reaching Gryffindor tower without crying, that she didn't notice the person following her.

AN: Hey, I know Its short... But Im Hoping for at least one review, just so I know you all even like it. -Malinda