Chapter XXIV
It's been two days since the Death Eaters came. Hermione was still asleep, and I couldn't stay at the Manor knowing that she wasn't well. We tried to bring healers to the Burrow to see if they could do something to help her. But after bringing three different ones, and hearing all of them say that Hermione was fine, and that they didn't know what was stopping her to wake up, it was decided that all we could do was wait.
Percy and George stayed for a while, but they had to get to work. Bill left just after the last healer talked to us, he needed to see his wife and kid. Charlie couldn't really stay, he was needed to tame a Chinese Fireball in. Potter stayed, and I just got back to the Manor to tell mother I was staying with Hermione, to which she didn't complain at all, and grab some clothes. Mr. Weasley had to get back to the Ministry, but told his wife to owl him if there was any change.
To say it was awkward was an understatement. I stayed with Hermione as much as I could, but Weasley didn't like it to say the least. We had a row the first day and I almost lost it and cursed him, but Potter managed to calm him down before we destroyed the whole place. But the worst of it all was Ginny. She cried uncontrollably after the healers told us they couldn't do anything. She wouldn't stop saying it was her fault, and Potter had to take her to her room and force her to drink a dreamless potion. After she woke up we had to drag her out of Hermione's room so she could eat.
Mrs. Weasley was as distressed as when her son died. I think she wasn't prepared to go through this kind of situation again. All in all the house was almost unbearable, with the tension and sadness. I was pushed out off my thoughts when Weasley convinced Gin to get down to eat dinner, and the two of them walked out off the room. Potter was still there, at Hermione's left side looking at her face. Bloody Gryffindors and their guilty tendencies.
-It's not your fault Potter, stop blaming everything on you.
He was startled and looked back at me with wide eyes and slightly agape. But he recovered fast and returned to staring at Hermione. A moment passed before he sighed and I noticed his shoulders drop.
-I know about you two.
Well it was my time to be surprised.
-Ginny told you?
-Ginny knows?
His head jerked back and I almost smirked at his face.
-She suspected for some time, but talked about it with me that night.
-So that's why she wanted to be alone with you?
-Pretty much.
He continued to look at me, but his eyes weren't focused, and you could clearly see that he was thinking. I started to notice that he do it quite often now.
-Aren't you going to tell me you will torture and murder me if I break her heart, or threatening to put me in Azkaban if I don't let her alone?
Potter sighed and rested his back on the chair, while he massaged his eyes. He looked even more exhausted than before. I don't really think he was sleeping more than three hours a day.
-Truthfully? I don't really like it, but Hermione isn't a child anymore, and she was always the more rational of us three, and if for some reason that I don't quite fully understand, she decided to give you a chance, there's really not much I can say. She was with you all the time this year, and the way you two act around each other really says it all. You should see the arguments we have gone through when she said you changed and that you could help. When she told us you two were friends Ron thought it was just a phase, and that you were just playing with her. But after that day in Hogsmeade I knew something was up. When I stood to get the drinks I could see the both of you outside. Clearly something was going on-
-She did nothing wrong Potter. We just got together when I arrived here. She wasn't cheating or anything, you know she wouldn't do it with the Weasel.
He looked a little taken with what I said, you could see his eyebrow raising.
-Of course I know she wouldn't, but I didn't know what you could be doing. Hermione is too forgiving and kind, and sometimes she gets too immersed in her projects.
-Are you saying I'm a project?
-At first, yes. But something changed in the process. Ron disliked even the thought of you being in the same place as her, and they had a pretty bad fight. He wanted her to stop talking with you.
-That's why they broke up?
He glanced back at her and moved a lock of hair out off her eyes.
-Not precisely why, but I think that was part of it. You can't really say no to Hermione Granger.
-That's an understatement Potter, she's terrifying.
He chuckled a little before shaking his head. We remained in a comfortable silence looking at Hermione's unmoving form and I'm sure Potter was thinking in the same lines as me, and trying to figure out why she wouldn't wake. It was late at night when Weasley and Ginger got back. Ginny walked to where Potter was and dropped on his lap unceremoniously. Weasley got to the other side of the bed, next to where I was sitting on a small chair.
It was awkward, and the room was too small for all of us. I just wanted to be alone with her for some bloody five minutes, is it too much to ask? It was really annoying, and the Weasel didn't help it ether being all touchy. It was too much will power to continue sitting, and I was tired of just being there and seeing that all. It was actually a relief when Gin talked.
-Look at her, lying there all peaceful and pretty. It's unnerving to see her so unmoving, she should be walking in the house, being her bossy self and arguing with Ron, and making plans with Harry and… and bickering with Draco-
She started crying again and Potter cradled her on his arms, rocking slowly until she was just sobbing a little. Weasley grabbed Hermione's hand and took it to his lips. I was almost walking to him and punching the git on the face. But before I could stand he started speaking in a softy voice.
-Even her smell is disappearing.
That's when it all made sense. Merlin I'm an idiot! It was all there this whole time, that's why she was getting pale, and why she fainted the other day. Well I must admit that it was a good plan, really who would have thought about it? If I weren't so intended on searching why she wasn't waking up, and considering all the options I would have never thought about it at all. They're so dense that they had to use father's methods to do something good. Well it was morbid brilliant, I can't say it wasn't witty.
-Weasley get off, I need to take her to the bathroom.
They all looked at me like I had gone crazy. Weasley didn't move and I was just reaching to take Hermione when Potter stood, consequently almost dropping Ginger to the floor.
-Malfoy what do you think you're doing?
-Helping her, now get out of my way.
Weasley grabbed my arm and yanked my hand from Hermione. Now I was starting to get livid.
-Weasel unhand me now.
-You're not taking her anywhere Malfoy.
I glared at him as hard as I could, and managed to get my arm free, before grabbing my wand. All at once Potter and Weasley raised theirs and we were silent for a couple o seconds.
-Draco, what are you doing? Harry, Ron, stop it! You three can't fight here, for Dumbledore's sake, Hermione is laying sick here and you three want to fight over something stupid!
-It's not stupid Gin, Malfoy has something to do with it, and now he wants to finish his job.
-Ron, are you even hearing yourself? We all know Draco wouldn't hurt Hermione, you know it even if you try to deny it. Harry help me here!
I glanced at Potter for a moment, and we glared at each other before he frowned and lowered his wand. He nodded at me and I realized he was waiting for me to speak.
-That potion Weasley gave to her, where is it?
Ginny looked puzzled at me before walking to the other side of the room and searching into a small red bag, retreating from there a blue potion vial that was almost empty.
-That's it. But I don't understand, she has been using it since the beginning of the year, it can't be why she's not waking up.
-We will see it in a moment. Give it to me.
I reached out my hand to take it, and opened the lid to smell the potion. The sweet smell of something I couldn't quite place washed over me, and it was so Hermione that I had to close my eyes to appreciate it fully. Then I grabbed my wand and spoke a simple spell. And it was just was I needed to confirm my assumptions. Potter walked to my side, to get a closer look at it, and his face fell when he understood.
-I can't believe it. And it's the second time they manage to make a fool out of us.
-My father was really cunning Potter.
-I know.
-What are you two talking about?
Ginger was lost, looking to me and back to Potter trying to understand what we were talking about.
-She was poisoned Ginger.
-WHAT! Are you saying I would give Hermione a poisoned potion?! You slimy git!
Weasley threw himself at me, and almost managed to punch me on the jaw, but Potter was faster and stopped him just in time. Grabbing his arms and pulling him back.
-Calm down Ron, that's not what he's saying. What Malfoy meant was that the Death Eaters poisoned it and made you buy it, because they knew you and Hermione were together.
Weasley calmed a little, but Potter still kept a hand clasped on his right arm. Ginny walked until she was facing me, and grabbed the vial looking at it like it was some kind of riddle.
-But when she fainted we took her to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey did all kind of spells, and I know she did some to see if Hermione was poisoned.
I smirked at that and walked slowly to Hermione before taking her in my arms and heading to the direction of the bathroom. Weasley made a reproving noise, that I completely ignored. But before I reached the door I turned to Ginger and winked at her.
-That's because it's not a magical plant. The spells only work for them, and they knew it.
The next morning, after four long baths and some potion to stop the effect of the poison, Hermione was looking healthier than I had seen her in a long time. Her cheeks were pink again, and she wasn't even pale anymore. Ginger was almost sure Hermione was waking any time now, and she kept popping into the room almost every ten minutes, she was smiling again.
We were all in the kitchen eating breakfast. Mrs. Weasley had just came back after looking if Hermione had woke, and told us that it shouldn't be long. Potter was looking at his pumpkin juice and not eating anything at all. On the other hand Weasley was eating almost everything on the table, it's a wonder how he managed not to choke with the way he was shoving things in his mouth.
-But I don't understand why they wanted to kill Hermione.
We all stopped eating to look at Potter. He was glancing directly at me, and I swallowed before remembering what Mr. Crabble said to me.
-It's not just Hermione, they want the three of you dead. He thinks you killed Vincent at the Room of Requirement.
Ginny snorted and walked to her mother at the sink to help her.
-That's stupid. Harry, Ron and Mione saved you all.
-I know Gin.
We started eating again and Mrs. Weasley was just about to put something in my cup when a voice startled us.
-Save it for Harry, Molly. Draco can't drink coffee, says it's too bitter.
I was standing before I even realized it, and with four long strides I closed the space making us apart and enveloped her in a fierce hug. She started chuckling and hugged me back.
-You're a stupid selfless bookworm. Can't you be out of trouble for a second?
-I see you've missed me.
I released her just enough to stroke her cheeks and see that dashing smile that make me feel so wanted and cared, and make all my insides warm. I had half a mind to kiss her, but Weasley had to go and ruin everything.
-I knew it was his fault!
A/N: Hello there! Hope you liked it. I was thinking of something different, but the story almost writes itself when I start doing it. Thanks for reading!