A/N: Yes, I know this took me a long time, and I am sorry. I am doing SO
much better with it, though. I'll try harder to update more often; college
is a time consumer. This is long. Settle in for a bit.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling and her associates own Harry Potter and Associates. I reserve the right to proclaim my love to the brilliant woman right here and now. I love you, JK. Please publish HP &OotP! God Bless JK.
Chapter Thirteen: The End of a Long Monday.
Of course, Hermione did come back and visit with Harry and Ron after she finished with McGonagall. By about eight in the evening, Madam Pomfrey came in and cordially kicked Ron and Hermione out. There wasn't the usual amount of fuss that Poppy had come to expect of the excluded two thirds of the trio. All were tired and needed to get rest.
"Come back tomorrow. I don't think that I could stop you."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."
"Yes, thank you," Ron said humbly.
For once, it looked as if the old witch had softened a bit. "Nonsense, children. Get back to your tower and get some sleep. It's going to be a long week."
"Good night, Harry," they said together, but Harry was already asleep.
As they left the room, Madam Pomfrey said to herself, "I have never in all my life seen such friends. They certainly are lucky to have each other." She checked Harry over again. His back had stopped swelling and she had to drain fluid off once that evening, but other than that he was doing fine. She figured he'd sleep well into Sunday morning and that was all right by her. She pulled a sheet up over his back and retired herself.
~*^*~
Ron and Hermione walked back to Gryffindor Tower, not saying much. When they slipped through the portrait hole the scene before them would have made them laugh, had it been another occasion. About thirty Gryffindors looked as though they'd been waiting as Ron and Hermione had been earlier that afternoon, like they were on eggshells.
Telly Clearwater was the first one to speak. "Ron, how is he? Do we still have a Seeker?"
"'Course we do! What're you on about, you git?! He'll be back at practice soon. Definitely before we go against Ravenclaw."
"Thank god for that!" Beater Creevey chimed in.
"Tell you what," Ron began, "since I'm running practices till he gets back, we won't practice tomorrow. Slytherin can use the field because they need it. We'll go visit the Captain." He started to head for his room. Ron paused and then turned to everyone. "What're you all moping around about? We won! Where's the party?!? Harry'd be upset if he found out you hadn't celebrated yet!"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Lisette Jordan let off a few Filibuster Fireworks to get it all started. Soon, the room was filled with the cries of happy victors. Satisfied, she sat down and laughed as the Beaters tossed the three Chasers up in the air.
"Ron, I've got to go to sleep. You should too. I'll see you at breakfast."
"'Night, Hermione."
"'Night, Ron." She turned up toward her staircase. "Oh, guys, don't get too loud. I don't need McGonagall on my case."
"Yes, Head Girl," the Quidditch team chimed in unison.
'They always do that to me,' she thought as she climbed the stairs to the room she shared with Lavender and Parvati. She brushed her teeth, changed into her nightdress and crawled into bed. She expected to fall asleep instantly, as she was exhausted, but sleep for her was a long time in coming.
~*^*~
Ron, likewise, had climbed up his staircase to the seventh floor room. He prepared himself similarly and got into his pajamas (which oddly enough were the right size), and with a look at Harry's four-poster, clambered into bed. It took him longer than usual to get to sleep. This was somewhat caused by his thoughts about the conversation he had with Harry about Hermione, and somewhat caused by Ginny. He was excited to see his little sister. It has been over a year and a half since they'd talked face to face. Over Hermione, he thought about what Harry said about Justin, and he agreed. He did decide that if anyone ever hurt her, he'd kill him.
With that happy thought in mind, Ron fell into a refreshing sleep.
~*^*~
The next day, the Tower was slow in rising. Most students lay in bed until around noontime. Hermione, of course, could be found in the library. She was again working on the research work for McGonagall. She had her maps spread about her and was plotting points indicating movement by the Dark Forces. Harry was never far from her thoughts. She had wanted to go see him, but knew he'd be sleeping. Madam Pomfrey would be waking him up to eat near lunch time, so she left an note for Ron to come pick her up from the library around 12.30 to see him and they could go together.
~*^*~
Poppy Pomfrey woke Harry at 11.30. He'd had a fair amount of sleep and he looked rested. She did an examination of his back and was pleased to see the swelling had gone down completely. This would have been much easier if Fawkes were there. Harry would be back with his own House right now, if that were the case. Unfortunately, this healing process would have to be done the 'traditional' way, and that meant that for Harry, most of the healing had to come from himself; slow waiting the Muggle way.
Madam Pomfrey had Harry sit up after she examined his back (and that nasty wound). Harry had a bit of trouble sitting upright. She pushed his shoulders into alignment and his joints popped all the way down.
"How did that feel, Potter?"
"It hurt, but I feel better for it."
"All right, then."
She went about examining his ears and eyes. His right eye was still swollen shut. He was generally very black and blue.
In Poppy's fervor to repair Harry last night, she neglected his nose, which was obviously still broken.
"Okay, Potter. I want you to hold your breath. This is going to hurt, but only for a second."
Harry's eye got wide as he saw Madam Pomfrey approach him with a small syringe in hand and her wand in her mouth. He held his breath. She was right; it was like gravel and glass, and then what felt like a little bee sting. Then it was over.
"Much better. Your facial swelling should go down considerably." She went about examining his torso and then handed him pajama trousers. "Go ahead and get these on. I'll have some lunch brought up to you."
Harry obliged. Madam Pomfrey had him do some exercises to work on the stiffness in his legs. He still needed to give his back some rest, so they left those exercises for the time being.
~*^*~
Ron brought the team with him when he went to pick Hermione up from the library. Madam Pince was not pleased to see a rowdy six disturb the solitude of her library.
Hermione, not having noticed the time, was surprised to see them, but went along to the hospital wing. Whereas six of the seven were quite boisterous, Hermione kept to herself, and smiled and nodded when appropriate.
The hospital wing door swung open and the Gryffindor House poured in with shouts of jubilation for their Seeker, who had, for it seemed, the hundredth time, allowed them to royally stomp Slytherin.
Amy Spinnet was offended when Pomfrey hushed the team. As Madam Ponfrey lectured, Ron looked ashamed as he remembered that he should have kept the team quiet to keep Harry calm. After about three minutes of solid lecturing, she let them advance to his bedside, where he was happy to see them.
The chatter started right away and it was obvious they were just as excited as they were yesterday. Hermione sat listening to the play-by-play of yesterday's match for about half an hour and then got up to leave quietly. No one noticed her departure but Harry. He watched her cross the room and slip out the door. She looked back at the group and Harry before she ducked out and saw him watching her. She gave a small smile before she headed back to the library.
~*^*~
Back at the alcove where she was most comfortable, and surrounded by her books, Hermione got back to work on McGonagall's research. Continually frustrated at her inability to see a pattern, and the fact that she felt as though she were getting nowhere, she took a break and decided to work on her Potions research. As much as she hated to admit it, staying in the hospital wing all day yesterday had put her behind schedule. She headed over to the Magizoology section of the vast library. She needed to do some looking into of Blast-Ended Skrewt armor.
She was surprised to find Justin Finch-Fletchy just down the stack from her. Normally, Sundays kept the library quiet. She nodded at him and reached for a large book called "Magical Creatures Whose Uses are Few and Far Between." As she was only about 5'5", she couldn't reach it and remembering that she couldn't use magic to retrieve it (magic was only allowed in the classrooms), she went looking for the shelf-ladder. As it turned out, it was down by Justin, and she walked over to him to get it.
"Hi, Justin, could you pass me the ladder, please?" Hermione asked, as the space between the shelves wasn't wide enough for all three to fit.
"Oh, right." He put down the book he was looking in. Hermione caught a glimpse of the cover: 'There's Something About Mandrakes.' "Here, let me get this for you," Justin said, looking at her slight frame. "Where do you need it?"
"I can handle it, really."
"It's no problem. I'll just carry it down there for you." Justin smiled down at Hermione. He flashed his snow-white teeth at her, and the determination to do it herself softened. He picked up the hickory ladder easily with his six-foot frame.
'Why, he's nearly as tall as Ron,' she thought to herself as she followed him back to the book she needed.
"Right here, please," she asked as he positioned the ladder. "What are you researching? I saw that you were looking for at Mandrakes." She climbed the ladder and was browsing though the row she desired.
"Well, I'm in advanced Herbology, which I take with Longbottom and Zabini. I need a research topic for a paper due at the end of the term. I figured since the Mandrake is what kept me, I mean, us, from our Petrified states, I'd look into it."
"Hmmm…" she said, not really listening.
"Yeah, so, what I'm looking into is whether the Mandrake should be considered a plant, because it grows in the ground, like a plant, or a Magical Creature, because of its living habits, you know, getting into other pots and such."
"Mmmm-mmm," Hermione said, biting her lip and reaching for a book that was slightly out of range.
"Here." Justin easily stretched up and got her book.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. You know, the Mandrake question is kind of like the tomato question, really."
Hermione looked puzzled. "Tomato question?"
"You don't know what I'm talking about? We're both Muggle-born, right?"
"Yes," Hermione said, getting slightly annoyed.
"The question of whether a tomato is really a fruit or a vegetable."
"Ah, -that- question. It's simple, really. Most vegetables are fruits."
Justin looked thoroughly confused and ran a hand through his curly golden locks.
"If food, that is, fruit, grows around the seed of a plant, that food is called a fruit. The fruit of a tomato is the red stuff. Zucchini are fruits, squash are fruits. Carrots are not. They have seeds growing at a different part of the plant."
"Oh. We didn't learn that in Herbology." He felt stupid.
"I learned about it in Muggle Studies. I think the lecture was called 'Silly Questions Muggles Ask Themselves to Keep Busy."
Justin laughed at that. "What're you doing with this?" He looked at the cover. "What's this all about?"
"Oh, this is for Potions Research. There is a theory that the armor of a Blast-Ended Skrewt will protect one from a Lethifold attack, if used in Potion form. That's what we're working on in a few weeks, so I thought I'd get a bit of background information."
Justin's eyes widened at Hermione's preparedness. "Well, all right. I'll get back to my Mandrakes now." He handed her the dusty book. It was heavy in her arms. "Good luck with the Skrewt. Will I see you on rounds tonight?"
"Yes, of course."
"All right, then." Justin smiled his million-dollar smile again, and then returned to his studies.
She smiled as well. Did she feel herself blushing? What nonsense is that? She walked back to the alcove with the windows that faced the lake.
~*^*~
The week progressed on into Monday. Sunday night, Hermione had gone into see Harry after the team had left, but he was asleep. She stayed with him for a while and then went to go on rounds with Justin.
On Monday, of course, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was buzzing about what happened to Harry. Some students talked in shushed clumps, whispering whenever Ron or Hermione passed. Others asked them flat out why Harry fell off his broomstick. As the only ones who knew, they said nothing, as a key part to keeping pandemonium at a minimum.
The Aurors arrived by the afternoon, and Hermione and Justin had their hands full those first few days, giving tours of the grounds and castle, as well as keeping students out of their way.
~*^*~
Monday evening rolled around and the Common Room was noisy. Hermione sat near the fire with her Transfiguration book. She was thoroughly engrossed in reading about Animagi theory when she noticed the room got respectively quieter. She looked up from her book and saw a few fourth- years working on an Astronomy chart. Other than that, it was empty. As clever as she was, it took her a few minutes to realize the Quidditch team was out practicing. As she looked out the window, she saw she was right.
Hermione gathered up her things and Harry's assignments and headed for the hospital wing to see him.
~*^*~
It was six o'clock, and the clock tower had just finished its tolling. The hospital wing was empty except for a first-year Potions mishap, and he would be gone by the morning. Harry knew the Quidditch team was practicing and he was glad he didn't have a bed facing the Pitch. He loved Quidditch as much as anything and longed to be out there.
Resigned to an evening of counting sheep or some other annoying animal, he settled in for the long hull. Hermione was off doing some kind of Head Girl duty because of the Aurors, no doubt. He did hope that either Ron or she might make it over to see him tonight.
Harry was off in his own world a few minutes later, and he didn't hear Hermione enter, or even notice her until she was a few feet from his bedside. She carried a large stack of books, as well as a bursting rucksack on her back.
Startled to see her, he smiled and took the top-most books form her and placed them on his bedside cabinet. "Hey, 'Mione, you surprised me. I was wondering if you were going to be by."
"Hello, Harry. Yes, I just wanted to get some things finished before I came over. I brought your work for today. Transfiguration, hmm, Divination," she scrunched her nose up at this. "And Herbology. I also brought you a few of your Quidditch magazines. I had Ron get them for me."
As he was sorting though what she brought him, Hermione took the time to examine who he looked. He was sitting up today, although not against anything. To get a better look at how his back was healing up, she stood and poured herself a glass of water. It wasn't looking much better than yesterday, in fact, it looked the same. Hermione sat down and was pleased to notice his nose wasn't swollen anymore. His right eye was still shut. Hermione shivered visibly. His eye did not look well at all.
Harry tilted his head to the side and eyed her carefully. "What?"
"Hmm? Oh, I didn't want you to fall behind, so I thought I'd tutor you with what you missed. You have to keep your grades up to stay Head Boy."
Harry laughed. Hermione was hard to get off track. "Well, let's get started. I assume you are not going to help me with Divination…" Harry teased.
"Well, I can look over it. I really doubt that it would be difficult to pick up. It's only nonsense."
"That it is. Are my glasses over there? I haven't seen them."
"I bet they're still on the Quidditch Pitch. Give me a few minutes and I'll be back, okay?"
"I could work without them, you know…"
"Don't be silly. I'll be right back."
"Okay." What could he say? Was there any stopping Hermione?
She was gone as quickly as she came. He sighed. Harry opened a magazine, but it did no good without his glasses. He shook his head as he set the magazine aside. Hermione was always taking care of him, almost like a mother hen, really, but more endearing. She was always looking out for him.
He heard the door open and looked up, hoping to see Hermione. Instead, the tall frame of Justin Finch-Fletchy filled the doorway. Harry glowered; he was for some reason, unhappy to see him. Justin made his way across the floor.
"Potter, how are you?" Justin reached his hand out to Harry.
"Fletchy. Hanging in there. Yourself?" He asked as he shook Justin's hand.
"Pretty good, pretty good. Must say, we were all a bit worried to hear about your 'accident.' That broomstick of yours isn't temperamental, is it? Didn't make the match, so I didn't see what happened."
At this, Harry's expression darkened.
"Was always a football person, myself," he continued. "My brother, Garrett, plays at Eton. Pretty damn good, if you ask me."
Harry's expression got darker, if possible. He didn't understand how someone couldn't like Quidditch, even a little bit. The expression he was making must have looked odd, due to the dilapidated condition of the right side of his face. Justin cleared his throat. He looked uncomfortable.
"What I was here for was Hermione. Has she been around?" He eyed the textbooks on the table and saw the one he pulled off the shelf the day before for Hermione.
"Yes, she was here," Harry said, mood not improving. "What should I tell her when she gets back?" He wanted Justin to leave as soon as possible.
"Well, I can wait. It is no problem, really." He started to sit down in Hermione's chair.
"Well, the thing is, she went to talk to a professor or something," he lied. "I really have no idea when she'll be back, you know how she is about those things."
Justin stood up and laughed. "Yes, always going the extra mile, Hermione. Could you just tell her I wanted to start rounds a little later tonight? I have a study group I need to attend, and I think it may go late. I think I'll be done around 10.30. I don't want her to think that I abandoned her."
Again, Harry glowered. "Yeah, got it. I'll tell her." To signify the conversation was over, he picked up his magazine and started to flip through it.
Justin must have gotten the point, because he turned around to leave. "Well, I'll see you, Potter."
"Yeah," Harry grunted.
Once Harry heard the door click, he tossed the magazine aside, frustrated. THE NERVE! OF FLETCHY! Stomping around, looking for 'Mione, and practically insulting Quidditch. 'Worried to hear about your *accident.*' He'd show him accident! If he only knew one TENTH of the things Harry'd been though, Justin Finch-Fletchy would have wet his pants. 'Was always a football person, myself.' The nerve!! Dean was a football fan, but at least he ATTENDED the matches. At least he APPRECIATED the best sport in the wizarding world. Merlin! Where'd that boy come from? And about his FIREBOLT!! TEMPERAMENTAL? He trusted that broom almost as much as he trusted Hermione and Ron. The NERVE! What a prat.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, glasses in hand. He didn't hear her enter the room and was taken off guard.
"Wha--, oh, its you, 'Mione. I thought you were someone else."
"Nope, just plain old Hermione." She started looking for quills.
"'Mione, you're not plain."
She looked up. "Hmmm? Oh, here are your glasses. I repaired them for you, the arm was broken and the lens cracked. They were under the bleachers."
"Thanks," he said, as he put them on. His vision was clearer instantly.
"You're welcome. You know, after Hogwarts, you should really consider contacts and stop hiding your eyes. They're such an unusual shade. It will save you a lot of trouble." She looked at him, and he was blushing, though she couldn't figure out why. She changed the subject. "Let's get started. I need to leave for rounds by 8.45."
Harry knew that, of course, as he was Head Boy as well, but it reminded him of Finch-Fletchy. "Fletchy wants to meet you later, instead of 9, at 10.30. He was by looking for you."
'Oh, I guess we do have time, then. I don't know if that will work. The new 'lights-out' policy goes into effect at 11. I'm sure that Head Girl and Boy are exempt, though.
The lights-out policy, as Hermione explained, was requested by the Aurors to ensure that no one was out of bed at unsightly hours.
They got to work and talked little, only when they came across something the other might have found of interest. Harry greatly appreciated Hermione's company, and she realized how much she missed studying with him during the Quidditch season. All too soon, 10.15 came around, and it was time for Hermione to head towards the Great Hall to meet Justin.
"I'll be here tomorrow. Ron and I will see you during our free hour after lunch, and I'll be here again after dinner, okay?"
"Sure, 'Mione, thanks."
"No problem. Goodnight." She smiled at him as she grabbed her books and headed out of the room.
Madam Pomfrey came in minutes after Hermione left and started preparing Harry for bed. His work wasn't finished, but he remembered that he would have all day tomorrow to work on it.
~*^*~
Hermione was out of breath as she raced from the hospital wing to Gryffindor Tower (to grab her badge, she had removed it when she changed out of her dirty Herbology robes) then to the Great Hall. She was a few minutes early, and Justin was already there waiting for her. He allowed her to catch her breath, and they set off for the dungeons.
It always gave Hermione a creepy feeling to be down in those dank hallways at night. As Justin and Hermione poked their heads into each classroom, Hermione told Justin about the time she and Harry caught Mickey Robbins, the Slytherin Beater, snogging with a Ravenclaw girl. They chose not to take away House points; it was embarrassing enough for the two that they were caught disgracefully with each other. Slytherins and Ravenclaws didn't mix, and their reputations would have been ruined if the truth had gotten out. The two were so wrapped up in each other that the Ravenclaw's Muggle retainer ended up in her hair.
After Hermione finished the story, Justin let out a huge resounding laugh that was out of place in the cold passageway. As he laughed, the torches lighting their way increased with intensity, and when he finished, the flames returned to their dull ambiance. For a moment, the chill of the damp stone was gone, and it felt as though they weren't in Slytherin territory. It was nice, hearing a full laugh like that.
They made their way about their rounds, mainly with Justin telling some funny Hufflepuff stories or some charming tale of how his Muggle family adjusted to his magical aptitude. It wasn't as bad as Hermione thought, working with Justin. She -was- glad for the company, but missed the long talks she had with Harry. Even though she was having a nice time, she missed his company dearly.
They finished their duties with a walk around the grounds, focusing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. As they steered clear of the Whomping Willow, Hermione told Justin how Harry had found a little boy, a first-year Gryffindor named Reuben Spencer, in the Forest at the start of the term. He and Hermione were walking right where she and Justin were at that moment when Harry heard Reuben's cry for help:
"So, I was wondering what kind of schooling one takes after Hogwarts, 'Mione. What kind of further training does one need? I know Percy jumped right into the Ministry…"
"Well, it really depends on what you intend to go into. If it is wizarding medicine, for exam--"
"Shhh," Harry cut her off sharply. "Did you hear that?"
"What?"
"That noise… It sounds… There it is again! Let's go!"
"Harry!" Hermione called, but it was no use. He'd already headed for the thick of the Forest. Hermione had no choice but to follow him.
"Lumos."
When she caught up to him, he had stopped and his ear was to the ground.
"Harry, what on Ear--"
Then she heard it too. A faint cry was coming from underground. There was a hole not too far away.
Harry and Hermione raced toward it and shone their wands down. Right below them was Reuben Spencer. He had fallen into the deep pit and a tree root caught his foot. Harry visibly paled as he saw at least one hundred serpents coiling ten feet below the boy. There was no time to get help and the branch looked as though it could give way any second.
"It's Reuben, isn't it? Reuben! Reuben! I need you to stop shouting," Harry called authoritatively. "Reuben, stop squirming, you're making it worse." He turned to Hermione. There's no time to go for help, and we don't know how to Conjure yet. Here's what we'll do." Harry explained that he would lower Hermione down into the pit, and she would grab hold of Reuben's ankle. Harry would then pull them out.
Below them, as Hermione removed her outer cloak and robe (she was wearing a sweater and jeans) so that it would not obstruct her view, Reuben continued to be near hysterics.
"Harry, it's the snakes. He's upset about the snakes."
"Of course."
In the few moments that followed, Harry hissed and spat until the snakes stopped moving. Reuben was in awe and he finally calmed down. Harry looked at Hermione, he thought she looked scared. He gave her a quick hug and whispered, "We'll be fine." Then he lowered her down into the hollow, and within a minute, Reuben was safely above ground.
From that moment on, Reuben hero-worshipped Harry. Harry lectured him sternly and it turned out that he followed his toad out to the Forest. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Reuben were related to Neville Longbottom.
They had the pit boarded over the next day. Reuben lost Gryffindor House thirty points, but Harry and Hermione earned 100 together for the rescue.
Justin was in awe of the story. "Wow. I guess Dumbledore wasn't kidding when he said it was deadly in there."
"I know," Hermione said, as they made their way back to the castle. "I never want to go in there again, if I don't have to."
"No doubt."
They walked in silence for a bit and as they neared the castle, Justin turned to Hermione and asked, "Do you know what it was Harry said to the snakes?"
This truly stumped her and caught her off guard. "No, I don't." Then she chuckled. "I think Harry told them a joke or something. He was smiling, and his eyes sparkled as they do when he teases someone. I think I'll have to ask him that sometime."
"Mmmh. Really eerie trait, you know, being a Parselmouth. No one really knows what goes on with that. I wonder what he said back during the Dueling Club, in second year."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. "What?!?" She turned to him, incredulous. "What do you mean by that?"
Justin saw that he had touched a nerve, although he had no idea what caused it. "Well, just that he has been the only known one for a long time, there is no way to tell what he said. Just curious, I guess."
"What do you think he said?"
"That is what I mean, I have no idea."
"You must have some idea. I mean, the snake stopped pursuing you, but only after Harry said something. So what does that tell you? Let's be honest here." By this time, she had stopped completely and turned to face Justin. Her hands were on her hips and she was completely ominous looking.
Justin was shocked. "Well, Ernie and Hann--," he started.
"No," Hermione cut him off. "You listened to the wrong people. Harry was only trying to help, and I –promise- you, he had no idea he was a Parselmouth until that evening."
"Well," he began and thought better of it. "Never mind. Let's go back to the castle, it's late."
Hermione agreed, and as they reached the Great Hall, she bid him goodnight. "I'll take care of the paperwork in the Prefect Office."
"Good night, Hermione."
"'Night, Justin."
She headed for the Prefect Office to fill out papers for the evening, locked it, and went to the hospital wing. She had left in a hurry and wanted to make sure she had grabbed all her books. It was late, about 1 am, and she didn't plan on lingering. She tiptoed into the chamber and found Harry asleep. The light of the waning moon pooled over him as he lay on his stomach, back softly rising with the intake of each breath. The white sheet contrasted heavily with the bruises on his back. His stormy hair gave off a peculiar hue from the light of the moon. Hermione sat next to him and brushed the bangs off his forehead.
She began thinking things over. She had never given that night in the Forbidden Forest a second thought until now. How brave Harry had been. How quickly he'd taken charge. It was moments like that that proved he was the best choice for Head Boy. Hermione was glad he was out there with her. His quick thinking meant the difference between a successful evening and disaster.
~*^*~
At three in the morning, Poppy Pomfrey got up for a glass of water and found Hermione asleep in a chair. She was surprised to see her, especially because she knew Miss Granger was aware of the visitation hours. Madam Pomfrey shook Hermione awake, put a finger to her lips and motioned for Hermione to follow her.
As soon as they stepped outside, Hermione began: "Madam Pomfrey, I came to see if I had left anything behind, and I fell asleep.'
"I understand that, Miss Granger. I just don't expect you to break my rules. Please abide by them from now on. Anything you needed tonight can wait until the morning. Now go."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Good night."
"Goodnight, Miss Granger."
As Hermione exited the hospital wing, Poppy Pomfrey checked her patients, got her glass of water and went back to bed.
~*^*~
Hermione climbed the stairs to her tower, gave the Fat Lady the password (l'Écosse), and went to bed. For her, it was the end of a very long Monday.
^^^^^^
Read and Review. I appreciate all criticism.
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A/N: I think you all got a bit too worried about Malfoy in the last chapter. Don't worry. That manifests into nothing.
A/T: Stinky and Sierra. Thanks. Stinky, you make me laugh with every "Huh? No, no, start over." Sierra, I am glad you discovered Harry. You can borrow my set any time. And Bio2chick, thanks for telling me how to fix my nose.
enoimreH: You're too kind. I am happy that you like the story. That means I am doing ok.
Dork Bunnie: Cute name, nice reviews. Thanks.
Babooshka: OOO-RAH, buddy!! Ooo-Rah!
NAPPA: You're excellent.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling and her associates own Harry Potter and Associates. I reserve the right to proclaim my love to the brilliant woman right here and now. I love you, JK. Please publish HP &OotP! God Bless JK.
Chapter Thirteen: The End of a Long Monday.
Of course, Hermione did come back and visit with Harry and Ron after she finished with McGonagall. By about eight in the evening, Madam Pomfrey came in and cordially kicked Ron and Hermione out. There wasn't the usual amount of fuss that Poppy had come to expect of the excluded two thirds of the trio. All were tired and needed to get rest.
"Come back tomorrow. I don't think that I could stop you."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."
"Yes, thank you," Ron said humbly.
For once, it looked as if the old witch had softened a bit. "Nonsense, children. Get back to your tower and get some sleep. It's going to be a long week."
"Good night, Harry," they said together, but Harry was already asleep.
As they left the room, Madam Pomfrey said to herself, "I have never in all my life seen such friends. They certainly are lucky to have each other." She checked Harry over again. His back had stopped swelling and she had to drain fluid off once that evening, but other than that he was doing fine. She figured he'd sleep well into Sunday morning and that was all right by her. She pulled a sheet up over his back and retired herself.
~*^*~
Ron and Hermione walked back to Gryffindor Tower, not saying much. When they slipped through the portrait hole the scene before them would have made them laugh, had it been another occasion. About thirty Gryffindors looked as though they'd been waiting as Ron and Hermione had been earlier that afternoon, like they were on eggshells.
Telly Clearwater was the first one to speak. "Ron, how is he? Do we still have a Seeker?"
"'Course we do! What're you on about, you git?! He'll be back at practice soon. Definitely before we go against Ravenclaw."
"Thank god for that!" Beater Creevey chimed in.
"Tell you what," Ron began, "since I'm running practices till he gets back, we won't practice tomorrow. Slytherin can use the field because they need it. We'll go visit the Captain." He started to head for his room. Ron paused and then turned to everyone. "What're you all moping around about? We won! Where's the party?!? Harry'd be upset if he found out you hadn't celebrated yet!"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Lisette Jordan let off a few Filibuster Fireworks to get it all started. Soon, the room was filled with the cries of happy victors. Satisfied, she sat down and laughed as the Beaters tossed the three Chasers up in the air.
"Ron, I've got to go to sleep. You should too. I'll see you at breakfast."
"'Night, Hermione."
"'Night, Ron." She turned up toward her staircase. "Oh, guys, don't get too loud. I don't need McGonagall on my case."
"Yes, Head Girl," the Quidditch team chimed in unison.
'They always do that to me,' she thought as she climbed the stairs to the room she shared with Lavender and Parvati. She brushed her teeth, changed into her nightdress and crawled into bed. She expected to fall asleep instantly, as she was exhausted, but sleep for her was a long time in coming.
~*^*~
Ron, likewise, had climbed up his staircase to the seventh floor room. He prepared himself similarly and got into his pajamas (which oddly enough were the right size), and with a look at Harry's four-poster, clambered into bed. It took him longer than usual to get to sleep. This was somewhat caused by his thoughts about the conversation he had with Harry about Hermione, and somewhat caused by Ginny. He was excited to see his little sister. It has been over a year and a half since they'd talked face to face. Over Hermione, he thought about what Harry said about Justin, and he agreed. He did decide that if anyone ever hurt her, he'd kill him.
With that happy thought in mind, Ron fell into a refreshing sleep.
~*^*~
The next day, the Tower was slow in rising. Most students lay in bed until around noontime. Hermione, of course, could be found in the library. She was again working on the research work for McGonagall. She had her maps spread about her and was plotting points indicating movement by the Dark Forces. Harry was never far from her thoughts. She had wanted to go see him, but knew he'd be sleeping. Madam Pomfrey would be waking him up to eat near lunch time, so she left an note for Ron to come pick her up from the library around 12.30 to see him and they could go together.
~*^*~
Poppy Pomfrey woke Harry at 11.30. He'd had a fair amount of sleep and he looked rested. She did an examination of his back and was pleased to see the swelling had gone down completely. This would have been much easier if Fawkes were there. Harry would be back with his own House right now, if that were the case. Unfortunately, this healing process would have to be done the 'traditional' way, and that meant that for Harry, most of the healing had to come from himself; slow waiting the Muggle way.
Madam Pomfrey had Harry sit up after she examined his back (and that nasty wound). Harry had a bit of trouble sitting upright. She pushed his shoulders into alignment and his joints popped all the way down.
"How did that feel, Potter?"
"It hurt, but I feel better for it."
"All right, then."
She went about examining his ears and eyes. His right eye was still swollen shut. He was generally very black and blue.
In Poppy's fervor to repair Harry last night, she neglected his nose, which was obviously still broken.
"Okay, Potter. I want you to hold your breath. This is going to hurt, but only for a second."
Harry's eye got wide as he saw Madam Pomfrey approach him with a small syringe in hand and her wand in her mouth. He held his breath. She was right; it was like gravel and glass, and then what felt like a little bee sting. Then it was over.
"Much better. Your facial swelling should go down considerably." She went about examining his torso and then handed him pajama trousers. "Go ahead and get these on. I'll have some lunch brought up to you."
Harry obliged. Madam Pomfrey had him do some exercises to work on the stiffness in his legs. He still needed to give his back some rest, so they left those exercises for the time being.
~*^*~
Ron brought the team with him when he went to pick Hermione up from the library. Madam Pince was not pleased to see a rowdy six disturb the solitude of her library.
Hermione, not having noticed the time, was surprised to see them, but went along to the hospital wing. Whereas six of the seven were quite boisterous, Hermione kept to herself, and smiled and nodded when appropriate.
The hospital wing door swung open and the Gryffindor House poured in with shouts of jubilation for their Seeker, who had, for it seemed, the hundredth time, allowed them to royally stomp Slytherin.
Amy Spinnet was offended when Pomfrey hushed the team. As Madam Ponfrey lectured, Ron looked ashamed as he remembered that he should have kept the team quiet to keep Harry calm. After about three minutes of solid lecturing, she let them advance to his bedside, where he was happy to see them.
The chatter started right away and it was obvious they were just as excited as they were yesterday. Hermione sat listening to the play-by-play of yesterday's match for about half an hour and then got up to leave quietly. No one noticed her departure but Harry. He watched her cross the room and slip out the door. She looked back at the group and Harry before she ducked out and saw him watching her. She gave a small smile before she headed back to the library.
~*^*~
Back at the alcove where she was most comfortable, and surrounded by her books, Hermione got back to work on McGonagall's research. Continually frustrated at her inability to see a pattern, and the fact that she felt as though she were getting nowhere, she took a break and decided to work on her Potions research. As much as she hated to admit it, staying in the hospital wing all day yesterday had put her behind schedule. She headed over to the Magizoology section of the vast library. She needed to do some looking into of Blast-Ended Skrewt armor.
She was surprised to find Justin Finch-Fletchy just down the stack from her. Normally, Sundays kept the library quiet. She nodded at him and reached for a large book called "Magical Creatures Whose Uses are Few and Far Between." As she was only about 5'5", she couldn't reach it and remembering that she couldn't use magic to retrieve it (magic was only allowed in the classrooms), she went looking for the shelf-ladder. As it turned out, it was down by Justin, and she walked over to him to get it.
"Hi, Justin, could you pass me the ladder, please?" Hermione asked, as the space between the shelves wasn't wide enough for all three to fit.
"Oh, right." He put down the book he was looking in. Hermione caught a glimpse of the cover: 'There's Something About Mandrakes.' "Here, let me get this for you," Justin said, looking at her slight frame. "Where do you need it?"
"I can handle it, really."
"It's no problem. I'll just carry it down there for you." Justin smiled down at Hermione. He flashed his snow-white teeth at her, and the determination to do it herself softened. He picked up the hickory ladder easily with his six-foot frame.
'Why, he's nearly as tall as Ron,' she thought to herself as she followed him back to the book she needed.
"Right here, please," she asked as he positioned the ladder. "What are you researching? I saw that you were looking for at Mandrakes." She climbed the ladder and was browsing though the row she desired.
"Well, I'm in advanced Herbology, which I take with Longbottom and Zabini. I need a research topic for a paper due at the end of the term. I figured since the Mandrake is what kept me, I mean, us, from our Petrified states, I'd look into it."
"Hmmm…" she said, not really listening.
"Yeah, so, what I'm looking into is whether the Mandrake should be considered a plant, because it grows in the ground, like a plant, or a Magical Creature, because of its living habits, you know, getting into other pots and such."
"Mmmm-mmm," Hermione said, biting her lip and reaching for a book that was slightly out of range.
"Here." Justin easily stretched up and got her book.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. You know, the Mandrake question is kind of like the tomato question, really."
Hermione looked puzzled. "Tomato question?"
"You don't know what I'm talking about? We're both Muggle-born, right?"
"Yes," Hermione said, getting slightly annoyed.
"The question of whether a tomato is really a fruit or a vegetable."
"Ah, -that- question. It's simple, really. Most vegetables are fruits."
Justin looked thoroughly confused and ran a hand through his curly golden locks.
"If food, that is, fruit, grows around the seed of a plant, that food is called a fruit. The fruit of a tomato is the red stuff. Zucchini are fruits, squash are fruits. Carrots are not. They have seeds growing at a different part of the plant."
"Oh. We didn't learn that in Herbology." He felt stupid.
"I learned about it in Muggle Studies. I think the lecture was called 'Silly Questions Muggles Ask Themselves to Keep Busy."
Justin laughed at that. "What're you doing with this?" He looked at the cover. "What's this all about?"
"Oh, this is for Potions Research. There is a theory that the armor of a Blast-Ended Skrewt will protect one from a Lethifold attack, if used in Potion form. That's what we're working on in a few weeks, so I thought I'd get a bit of background information."
Justin's eyes widened at Hermione's preparedness. "Well, all right. I'll get back to my Mandrakes now." He handed her the dusty book. It was heavy in her arms. "Good luck with the Skrewt. Will I see you on rounds tonight?"
"Yes, of course."
"All right, then." Justin smiled his million-dollar smile again, and then returned to his studies.
She smiled as well. Did she feel herself blushing? What nonsense is that? She walked back to the alcove with the windows that faced the lake.
~*^*~
The week progressed on into Monday. Sunday night, Hermione had gone into see Harry after the team had left, but he was asleep. She stayed with him for a while and then went to go on rounds with Justin.
On Monday, of course, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was buzzing about what happened to Harry. Some students talked in shushed clumps, whispering whenever Ron or Hermione passed. Others asked them flat out why Harry fell off his broomstick. As the only ones who knew, they said nothing, as a key part to keeping pandemonium at a minimum.
The Aurors arrived by the afternoon, and Hermione and Justin had their hands full those first few days, giving tours of the grounds and castle, as well as keeping students out of their way.
~*^*~
Monday evening rolled around and the Common Room was noisy. Hermione sat near the fire with her Transfiguration book. She was thoroughly engrossed in reading about Animagi theory when she noticed the room got respectively quieter. She looked up from her book and saw a few fourth- years working on an Astronomy chart. Other than that, it was empty. As clever as she was, it took her a few minutes to realize the Quidditch team was out practicing. As she looked out the window, she saw she was right.
Hermione gathered up her things and Harry's assignments and headed for the hospital wing to see him.
~*^*~
It was six o'clock, and the clock tower had just finished its tolling. The hospital wing was empty except for a first-year Potions mishap, and he would be gone by the morning. Harry knew the Quidditch team was practicing and he was glad he didn't have a bed facing the Pitch. He loved Quidditch as much as anything and longed to be out there.
Resigned to an evening of counting sheep or some other annoying animal, he settled in for the long hull. Hermione was off doing some kind of Head Girl duty because of the Aurors, no doubt. He did hope that either Ron or she might make it over to see him tonight.
Harry was off in his own world a few minutes later, and he didn't hear Hermione enter, or even notice her until she was a few feet from his bedside. She carried a large stack of books, as well as a bursting rucksack on her back.
Startled to see her, he smiled and took the top-most books form her and placed them on his bedside cabinet. "Hey, 'Mione, you surprised me. I was wondering if you were going to be by."
"Hello, Harry. Yes, I just wanted to get some things finished before I came over. I brought your work for today. Transfiguration, hmm, Divination," she scrunched her nose up at this. "And Herbology. I also brought you a few of your Quidditch magazines. I had Ron get them for me."
As he was sorting though what she brought him, Hermione took the time to examine who he looked. He was sitting up today, although not against anything. To get a better look at how his back was healing up, she stood and poured herself a glass of water. It wasn't looking much better than yesterday, in fact, it looked the same. Hermione sat down and was pleased to notice his nose wasn't swollen anymore. His right eye was still shut. Hermione shivered visibly. His eye did not look well at all.
Harry tilted his head to the side and eyed her carefully. "What?"
"Hmm? Oh, I didn't want you to fall behind, so I thought I'd tutor you with what you missed. You have to keep your grades up to stay Head Boy."
Harry laughed. Hermione was hard to get off track. "Well, let's get started. I assume you are not going to help me with Divination…" Harry teased.
"Well, I can look over it. I really doubt that it would be difficult to pick up. It's only nonsense."
"That it is. Are my glasses over there? I haven't seen them."
"I bet they're still on the Quidditch Pitch. Give me a few minutes and I'll be back, okay?"
"I could work without them, you know…"
"Don't be silly. I'll be right back."
"Okay." What could he say? Was there any stopping Hermione?
She was gone as quickly as she came. He sighed. Harry opened a magazine, but it did no good without his glasses. He shook his head as he set the magazine aside. Hermione was always taking care of him, almost like a mother hen, really, but more endearing. She was always looking out for him.
He heard the door open and looked up, hoping to see Hermione. Instead, the tall frame of Justin Finch-Fletchy filled the doorway. Harry glowered; he was for some reason, unhappy to see him. Justin made his way across the floor.
"Potter, how are you?" Justin reached his hand out to Harry.
"Fletchy. Hanging in there. Yourself?" He asked as he shook Justin's hand.
"Pretty good, pretty good. Must say, we were all a bit worried to hear about your 'accident.' That broomstick of yours isn't temperamental, is it? Didn't make the match, so I didn't see what happened."
At this, Harry's expression darkened.
"Was always a football person, myself," he continued. "My brother, Garrett, plays at Eton. Pretty damn good, if you ask me."
Harry's expression got darker, if possible. He didn't understand how someone couldn't like Quidditch, even a little bit. The expression he was making must have looked odd, due to the dilapidated condition of the right side of his face. Justin cleared his throat. He looked uncomfortable.
"What I was here for was Hermione. Has she been around?" He eyed the textbooks on the table and saw the one he pulled off the shelf the day before for Hermione.
"Yes, she was here," Harry said, mood not improving. "What should I tell her when she gets back?" He wanted Justin to leave as soon as possible.
"Well, I can wait. It is no problem, really." He started to sit down in Hermione's chair.
"Well, the thing is, she went to talk to a professor or something," he lied. "I really have no idea when she'll be back, you know how she is about those things."
Justin stood up and laughed. "Yes, always going the extra mile, Hermione. Could you just tell her I wanted to start rounds a little later tonight? I have a study group I need to attend, and I think it may go late. I think I'll be done around 10.30. I don't want her to think that I abandoned her."
Again, Harry glowered. "Yeah, got it. I'll tell her." To signify the conversation was over, he picked up his magazine and started to flip through it.
Justin must have gotten the point, because he turned around to leave. "Well, I'll see you, Potter."
"Yeah," Harry grunted.
Once Harry heard the door click, he tossed the magazine aside, frustrated. THE NERVE! OF FLETCHY! Stomping around, looking for 'Mione, and practically insulting Quidditch. 'Worried to hear about your *accident.*' He'd show him accident! If he only knew one TENTH of the things Harry'd been though, Justin Finch-Fletchy would have wet his pants. 'Was always a football person, myself.' The nerve!! Dean was a football fan, but at least he ATTENDED the matches. At least he APPRECIATED the best sport in the wizarding world. Merlin! Where'd that boy come from? And about his FIREBOLT!! TEMPERAMENTAL? He trusted that broom almost as much as he trusted Hermione and Ron. The NERVE! What a prat.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, glasses in hand. He didn't hear her enter the room and was taken off guard.
"Wha--, oh, its you, 'Mione. I thought you were someone else."
"Nope, just plain old Hermione." She started looking for quills.
"'Mione, you're not plain."
She looked up. "Hmmm? Oh, here are your glasses. I repaired them for you, the arm was broken and the lens cracked. They were under the bleachers."
"Thanks," he said, as he put them on. His vision was clearer instantly.
"You're welcome. You know, after Hogwarts, you should really consider contacts and stop hiding your eyes. They're such an unusual shade. It will save you a lot of trouble." She looked at him, and he was blushing, though she couldn't figure out why. She changed the subject. "Let's get started. I need to leave for rounds by 8.45."
Harry knew that, of course, as he was Head Boy as well, but it reminded him of Finch-Fletchy. "Fletchy wants to meet you later, instead of 9, at 10.30. He was by looking for you."
'Oh, I guess we do have time, then. I don't know if that will work. The new 'lights-out' policy goes into effect at 11. I'm sure that Head Girl and Boy are exempt, though.
The lights-out policy, as Hermione explained, was requested by the Aurors to ensure that no one was out of bed at unsightly hours.
They got to work and talked little, only when they came across something the other might have found of interest. Harry greatly appreciated Hermione's company, and she realized how much she missed studying with him during the Quidditch season. All too soon, 10.15 came around, and it was time for Hermione to head towards the Great Hall to meet Justin.
"I'll be here tomorrow. Ron and I will see you during our free hour after lunch, and I'll be here again after dinner, okay?"
"Sure, 'Mione, thanks."
"No problem. Goodnight." She smiled at him as she grabbed her books and headed out of the room.
Madam Pomfrey came in minutes after Hermione left and started preparing Harry for bed. His work wasn't finished, but he remembered that he would have all day tomorrow to work on it.
~*^*~
Hermione was out of breath as she raced from the hospital wing to Gryffindor Tower (to grab her badge, she had removed it when she changed out of her dirty Herbology robes) then to the Great Hall. She was a few minutes early, and Justin was already there waiting for her. He allowed her to catch her breath, and they set off for the dungeons.
It always gave Hermione a creepy feeling to be down in those dank hallways at night. As Justin and Hermione poked their heads into each classroom, Hermione told Justin about the time she and Harry caught Mickey Robbins, the Slytherin Beater, snogging with a Ravenclaw girl. They chose not to take away House points; it was embarrassing enough for the two that they were caught disgracefully with each other. Slytherins and Ravenclaws didn't mix, and their reputations would have been ruined if the truth had gotten out. The two were so wrapped up in each other that the Ravenclaw's Muggle retainer ended up in her hair.
After Hermione finished the story, Justin let out a huge resounding laugh that was out of place in the cold passageway. As he laughed, the torches lighting their way increased with intensity, and when he finished, the flames returned to their dull ambiance. For a moment, the chill of the damp stone was gone, and it felt as though they weren't in Slytherin territory. It was nice, hearing a full laugh like that.
They made their way about their rounds, mainly with Justin telling some funny Hufflepuff stories or some charming tale of how his Muggle family adjusted to his magical aptitude. It wasn't as bad as Hermione thought, working with Justin. She -was- glad for the company, but missed the long talks she had with Harry. Even though she was having a nice time, she missed his company dearly.
They finished their duties with a walk around the grounds, focusing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. As they steered clear of the Whomping Willow, Hermione told Justin how Harry had found a little boy, a first-year Gryffindor named Reuben Spencer, in the Forest at the start of the term. He and Hermione were walking right where she and Justin were at that moment when Harry heard Reuben's cry for help:
"So, I was wondering what kind of schooling one takes after Hogwarts, 'Mione. What kind of further training does one need? I know Percy jumped right into the Ministry…"
"Well, it really depends on what you intend to go into. If it is wizarding medicine, for exam--"
"Shhh," Harry cut her off sharply. "Did you hear that?"
"What?"
"That noise… It sounds… There it is again! Let's go!"
"Harry!" Hermione called, but it was no use. He'd already headed for the thick of the Forest. Hermione had no choice but to follow him.
"Lumos."
When she caught up to him, he had stopped and his ear was to the ground.
"Harry, what on Ear--"
Then she heard it too. A faint cry was coming from underground. There was a hole not too far away.
Harry and Hermione raced toward it and shone their wands down. Right below them was Reuben Spencer. He had fallen into the deep pit and a tree root caught his foot. Harry visibly paled as he saw at least one hundred serpents coiling ten feet below the boy. There was no time to get help and the branch looked as though it could give way any second.
"It's Reuben, isn't it? Reuben! Reuben! I need you to stop shouting," Harry called authoritatively. "Reuben, stop squirming, you're making it worse." He turned to Hermione. There's no time to go for help, and we don't know how to Conjure yet. Here's what we'll do." Harry explained that he would lower Hermione down into the pit, and she would grab hold of Reuben's ankle. Harry would then pull them out.
Below them, as Hermione removed her outer cloak and robe (she was wearing a sweater and jeans) so that it would not obstruct her view, Reuben continued to be near hysterics.
"Harry, it's the snakes. He's upset about the snakes."
"Of course."
In the few moments that followed, Harry hissed and spat until the snakes stopped moving. Reuben was in awe and he finally calmed down. Harry looked at Hermione, he thought she looked scared. He gave her a quick hug and whispered, "We'll be fine." Then he lowered her down into the hollow, and within a minute, Reuben was safely above ground.
From that moment on, Reuben hero-worshipped Harry. Harry lectured him sternly and it turned out that he followed his toad out to the Forest. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Reuben were related to Neville Longbottom.
They had the pit boarded over the next day. Reuben lost Gryffindor House thirty points, but Harry and Hermione earned 100 together for the rescue.
Justin was in awe of the story. "Wow. I guess Dumbledore wasn't kidding when he said it was deadly in there."
"I know," Hermione said, as they made their way back to the castle. "I never want to go in there again, if I don't have to."
"No doubt."
They walked in silence for a bit and as they neared the castle, Justin turned to Hermione and asked, "Do you know what it was Harry said to the snakes?"
This truly stumped her and caught her off guard. "No, I don't." Then she chuckled. "I think Harry told them a joke or something. He was smiling, and his eyes sparkled as they do when he teases someone. I think I'll have to ask him that sometime."
"Mmmh. Really eerie trait, you know, being a Parselmouth. No one really knows what goes on with that. I wonder what he said back during the Dueling Club, in second year."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. "What?!?" She turned to him, incredulous. "What do you mean by that?"
Justin saw that he had touched a nerve, although he had no idea what caused it. "Well, just that he has been the only known one for a long time, there is no way to tell what he said. Just curious, I guess."
"What do you think he said?"
"That is what I mean, I have no idea."
"You must have some idea. I mean, the snake stopped pursuing you, but only after Harry said something. So what does that tell you? Let's be honest here." By this time, she had stopped completely and turned to face Justin. Her hands were on her hips and she was completely ominous looking.
Justin was shocked. "Well, Ernie and Hann--," he started.
"No," Hermione cut him off. "You listened to the wrong people. Harry was only trying to help, and I –promise- you, he had no idea he was a Parselmouth until that evening."
"Well," he began and thought better of it. "Never mind. Let's go back to the castle, it's late."
Hermione agreed, and as they reached the Great Hall, she bid him goodnight. "I'll take care of the paperwork in the Prefect Office."
"Good night, Hermione."
"'Night, Justin."
She headed for the Prefect Office to fill out papers for the evening, locked it, and went to the hospital wing. She had left in a hurry and wanted to make sure she had grabbed all her books. It was late, about 1 am, and she didn't plan on lingering. She tiptoed into the chamber and found Harry asleep. The light of the waning moon pooled over him as he lay on his stomach, back softly rising with the intake of each breath. The white sheet contrasted heavily with the bruises on his back. His stormy hair gave off a peculiar hue from the light of the moon. Hermione sat next to him and brushed the bangs off his forehead.
She began thinking things over. She had never given that night in the Forbidden Forest a second thought until now. How brave Harry had been. How quickly he'd taken charge. It was moments like that that proved he was the best choice for Head Boy. Hermione was glad he was out there with her. His quick thinking meant the difference between a successful evening and disaster.
~*^*~
At three in the morning, Poppy Pomfrey got up for a glass of water and found Hermione asleep in a chair. She was surprised to see her, especially because she knew Miss Granger was aware of the visitation hours. Madam Pomfrey shook Hermione awake, put a finger to her lips and motioned for Hermione to follow her.
As soon as they stepped outside, Hermione began: "Madam Pomfrey, I came to see if I had left anything behind, and I fell asleep.'
"I understand that, Miss Granger. I just don't expect you to break my rules. Please abide by them from now on. Anything you needed tonight can wait until the morning. Now go."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Good night."
"Goodnight, Miss Granger."
As Hermione exited the hospital wing, Poppy Pomfrey checked her patients, got her glass of water and went back to bed.
~*^*~
Hermione climbed the stairs to her tower, gave the Fat Lady the password (l'Écosse), and went to bed. For her, it was the end of a very long Monday.
^^^^^^
Read and Review. I appreciate all criticism.
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A/N: I think you all got a bit too worried about Malfoy in the last chapter. Don't worry. That manifests into nothing.
A/T: Stinky and Sierra. Thanks. Stinky, you make me laugh with every "Huh? No, no, start over." Sierra, I am glad you discovered Harry. You can borrow my set any time. And Bio2chick, thanks for telling me how to fix my nose.
enoimreH: You're too kind. I am happy that you like the story. That means I am doing ok.
Dork Bunnie: Cute name, nice reviews. Thanks.
Babooshka: OOO-RAH, buddy!! Ooo-Rah!
NAPPA: You're excellent.