Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just figments of my dream and imagination :).

A/N: I enjoyed writing this segment of Hermione's POV. Hermione is unconscious in this sequence as she reflects on the past times she had gotten hurt. She shared her perception of Harry during those times. They are rare and precious both in canon and in fanon :).

Still Dreaming

I must be dreaming.

Hermione's subconscious rationalized.

Or am I. Has this happened before?

Perhaps, a long time ago...I too remember Harry pacing around me in the hospital wing, worried, apprehensive, restless.

It was in our second year, I was attacked by the monster in the pipes. The Basilisk.

I remembered writing something down in the library book. In a rush of excitement, I had ripped the page out from the library book (something I'd never do), but in the heat of the moment, all else was forgotten as I had run out of the library in search of Harry. I must tell him what I've found out. The monster that he is searching for, the monster that had attacked all those people, is the basilisk.

I can still feel Harry's presence.

Others didn't know, but although I was unconscious at the time, or petrified, rather, I can still hear and feel everything around me.

Harry used to come by to the hospital wing often, sometimes with Ron. Most of the time, he was by himself.

He used to bring fresh flowers every time he visited. The room always smells faintly of lilac. He often spoke to me in a soft comforting voice. I remember he said he had wished for me to get better. He didn't know what to do without me. He wished that there was some way he could help me get better, so I can help him solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.

I was pleased that he was able to figure it out himself. He later told me he had found the crumpled book page from inside my palm. It led him to figure out the basilisk and the Heir of Slytherin, and his later encounter with Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets.

I was secretly pleased that despite being out of action, I was still somehow indirectly involved in helping Harry make it to the end. I like feeling needed, especially when it comes to Harry.

I remember that it was my fifth year. Harry led us to the Department of Mysteries. We had run into Death Eaters. We had gotten separated from Ron, Ginny, and Luna. Harry had grabbed me as the shelves of crystal balls exploded all around us. With one arm shielding his head, Harry used his other arm to grab my robes, separating me from the others. He dragged me forward as we ran from the Death Eaters, with Neville not far behind.

I remember that together, we were able to duel against a group of notorious Death Eaters. We held our own pretty well. I stunned a Death Eater that tried to grab Harry. I used Colloportus to seal the doors shut. Harry stunned another Death Eater and jumped on top of a Death Eater that tried to use the Avada Kedavra on me. I stunned another Death Eater that had chased Harry. I summoned Harry's wand that Neville had disarmed earlier. I silenced a Death Eater that was about to give away our position. Harry used the body binding curse on a fellow Death Eater. I was just about to congratulate Harry when one of the Death Eaters I had silenced earlier cursed me with purple flames.

With an utter of surprise, I fell before Harry. The last thing I saw and heard was Harry charging over to me shouting my name. "HERMIONE!"

I went unconscious. Neville later told me that Harry was beside himself in anger and apprehension. Neville said he had never seen Harry this way. When they discovered a pulse on me, Harry looked as though this powerful relief had rendered him pale and light-headed. Harry never admitted afterwards regarding that night. But, I can sense he blamed himself for his lapse of constant vigilance. He rarely lets us out of his sight. He was always there to protect us, and he made sure to never let down his guard, not for one moment.

So, is this a dream? Or deja vu?

I feel like I've been here before. Aware and perceptive, but unable to translate my thoughts and actions to others. I feel like I am dreaming, only awake. I know everything that is going on, but I can't let others know that I know. It is so strange.

But I kind of like it this way. I like seeing Harry like this. He doesn't know that I can see him so clearly. His protective side as he held me in his arms, urging me awake. He promised to do whatever it takes so I will wake up. He told me that he needed me, now more than ever. He hated himself for not being there to protect me. Things that he wanted to do to people that have hurt me.

I can never see this side of Harry under normal circumstances. It seems that he buries this side of him only when I'm in critical danger.

Normally, he is as clueless as any teenage boy can be. We are just best friends. I feel like I am a part of this trio, just like Ron.

But, it's times like this, times when I am injured or hurt, I can see a different side of him.

His sensitive side, his emotional side, his caring and protective side. I almost wish we can continue on like this forever; that I never wake up, and Harry and I can go on like this.

Am I being a little selfish? Perhaps. But aren't girls born this way?

A/N: This is a segment of Hermione in response to Harry's caring and protective side. She cherishes these moments like we do. I've included canon moments from CoS and OotP. If you enjoy reading and have any ideas and suggestions, feel free to leave a review :)!