For the next week, Harry sat through his classes without paying attention. All he could think about was Hermione and what Professor Dumbledore had said about her being under the Imperius curse. Harry and his classmates had all been put under the Imperius curse the previous year during Defense Against the Dark Arts with the person they thought had been Professor Moody. After several goes, Harry had been able to throw off the curse completely. Why couldn't Hermione? Harry knew Hermione's determination. There was nothing that could prevent her from overcoming her problems. There had to be more to it. Harry decided to talk to Professor Dumbledore as soon as he could.
Unfortunately for Harry, he was thinking about seeing Dumbledore during his most hated class, Potions. He and the teacher, Snape, hated each other with a passion. Snape never missed an opportunity to take points from Gryffindor or give Harry a detention. Snape had been watching Harry with interest during the lesson, waiting for an opportunity to take points away. As Harry went to pour armadillo bile into his cauldron, he spilt some. Snape jumped.
'Potter!' he snarled 'Clean that mess up! And concentrate on your potion! Five points from Gryffindor!'
Although Ron muttered angrily under his breath about Snape being unfair, Harry said nothing. He hadn't been concentrating. He'd have to start listening in class; he didn't want more trouble with Snape than he had to have.
After the lesson, Harry quickly cleared away his bench and hurried to the door. However, Snape was standing between him and the doorway.
'Potter, not so fast.' For the first time Harry noticed how drawn Snape's face was; he even seemed to have several grey hairs sprouting from his oily black hair.
'Yes Professor?' Harry tried to be polite, but he just wanted to be out of the dungeon as quickly as possible.
'When can we expect Miss Granger back in classes? Or has she picked up a trick or two from you?' Harry bristled slightly, but tried not to show it.
'I'm not sure, Professor. It's up to Professor Dumbledore. Hermione's still in the hospital wing.'
Snape sneered, but let Harry leave the room. Ron was waiting outside and they hurried up the staircase together.
'Let's go and see Hermione. We have a break now.' Said Ron urgently. He'd been spending every lunch, and every afternoon after classes, as well as every break sitting in the hospital wing with Hermione.
Harry shook his head.
'You go ahead Ron, I'll see you in Charms.' Harry watched Ron practically sprint towards the hospital wing and then headed towards Professor Dumbledore's office. As he tried to think desperately of the password to move the gargoyle, he spotted Dumbledore heading towards him.
'Professor!' he called. Dumbledore looked up and hurried toward Harry.
'Harry, I was just about to come and find you. I was going to try and break the Imperius curse on Miss Granger.'
'Great! Let's go. Ron's with her now.' Harry and Dumbledore started off for the hospital wing.
'I was thinking Professor. It's not like Hermione just to sit and let someone control her. I know she'd try and fight it.' Dumbledore nodded at this.
'I was thinking the same thing, Harry. We need to help Miss Granger get her strength back and encourage her to try and throw off the curse.' They had reached the hospital wing. Dumbledore entered first and walked over to Hermione's bed. She was sitting up reading her Arithmancy text. Ron was sitting in the chair beside her bed, looking at his hands. They both looked up when they heard Dumbledore and Harry approach.
'Professor!' Hermione closed her book and placed on the shelf beside her. 'When can I go back to the Gryffindor common room? I really don't think I have to stay.'
Dumbledore smiled gently at her.
'Miss Granger, I think you know why you're here. You need to get some strength and get hold of yourself.' At these words, Hermione's mouth twitched slightly, but she smiled back.
'I don't know what you mean, Professor. I'm totally fine, and I really need to go to my classes-'
'That can wait, Miss Granger. You will stay here until I am satisfied.' Dumbledore spoke firmly, and then left the hospital wing.
'He's right Hermione.' Harry sat on the end of her bed.
She smiled sweetly, then picked up her book.
'I know, but I really need to go to class. So if you to will excuse me, I had better get back to my reading.'
Harry stood up immediately, but Ron lagged.
'I can stay, if you want Hermione.' He said, his face going red. She turned towards him, and looked him coldly in the eye.
'I said go. I don't need someone fawning over me like a newborn baby.' She snapped. Ron jumped, but left with Harry.
When they were outside, Harry turned to his friend.
'It's okay, Ron. It's not really Hermione.'
Ron looked at Harry skeptically.
'Whatever you say, Harry. But only Hermione can snap like that.'
Hermione wanted to run after Ron and apologise. She wanted to say that it hadn't been her, it had been the voice inside her that said it.
It's no use. I have control of you, and I will keep control. The voice was cold and swept through her like an icy wind.
You're wrong, she thought. I'll fight you, and I'll win.
Several weeks passed and still Hermione was the same. She was sugary sweet to everyone except Harry and Ron, who she treated harshly. She told them not to come to the hospital wing or she'd hex them. They both stopped visiting, but received updates from Madame Pomfrey while Hermione was asleep.
It was starting to get colder. Quidditch training had started again and the first thing the Gryffindor team did was to find a new keeper and appoint a new captain, as Oliver Wood had left Hogwarts. After holding tryouts, the team decided that Dean Thomas would be their new keeper, and that Harry would be captain. Harry objected to this, but the other members of the team were adamant.
One night after Harry came back from training, he found Ron up to his elbows in charts for Divination.
'Honestly!' cried Ron 'It's a good thing Hermione's top of the grade, she'd never catch up in all her subjects otherwise!' Before Harry could reply, Professor McGonagall appeared in the Gryffindor common room.
'Potter, Weasley! The Headmaster wants to see you in the hospital wing immediately.'
Ron leapt up from his work and with Harry, ran out the portrait hole towards the hospital wing. They'd both been there so often in their time at Hogwarts, Harry especially, that they could have found their way there blindfolded.
When they entered, they saw Hermione sitting out of bed. Her face looked strained. When she saw them she jumped up and ran up to throw her arms around both of them.
'Oh Ron, Harry! I'm so sorry! I didn't want to do or say any of it! But I couldn't help it.' She sobbed into Ron's shoulder. He patted her on the back.
'It's okay, Hermione. We know it wasn't your fault.'
Behind them, Dumbledore was looking grim.
'I'm afraid you've missed a lot of classes Miss Granger. But I'm sure such an excellent student as you can catch up quickly.'
'Then I can go back to Gryffindor common room?' Hermione spun around, her eyes wide with delight.
'Yes. I'm sure Mr Potter and Mr Weasley will help you with your things.'
Hermione hurriedly packed her things while Ron and Harry talked to Dumbledore.
'Keep an eye on her boys. It may be possible that Voldemort may try to take control of her mind again.' Ron flinched at the name, but Harry merely nodded.
'Ready then?' Hermione beamed at Ron and Harry. Both boys took an armful of books each and led Hermione out of the hospital wing.
'We're glad you're back to being your old self, Hermione.' Ron looked over his shoulder to smile at her and almost ran into a wall.
'Me too Ron.' Hermione smiled.
No! He's still here! Hermione cried in her head.
They cannot hear you, girl. My control is even greater now. The voice echoed through her, and Hermione began to cry, but only in her head.