To my latest reviewers, The Blue Flying Lunch Box (there's this DJ I used
to listen to, called The Flying Dutchman. By chance, you're not related are
you?), Melanie, Sarah Ferris, Wan, Cute-crazy-chick1, and Larz, who missed
the last chapter, when I was thanking my reviewers... Your reviews came in
late. I read them through my e-mail. But, yup... This slightly longer
chapter is for YOU too! XOXO
Chapter 24
"She just ... No, I was just ... Yes ... As soon ... I will ... Right, fine ..."
Voices... Those voices... Were they talking about her? Could she say something too? No. She couldn't. She listened again, to the voices, which slowly became clearer.
"But I want to ... They will ... Come later ... To bring ... Hermione isn't ..."
'Draco,' she thought drowsily. 'Draco is here!' Excitement and frustration bubbled up inside her. He was there! He cared about her, after all! But she couldn't tell him she was okay, and not to worry. Then a new voice interrupted the conversation. Hermione's eyes fluttered slightly. Ron, Harry were making a huge racket, trying to get in. Was Ginny with them?
"NO! WE CAME TO ... PLEASE ... US IN!"
Hermione couldn't hear anymore after that, she relapsed into silence.
Meanwhile, Ron and Harry were arguing with Madam Pomfrey to let them in. Ginny was there, but she was silent.
"PLEASE let us in! You always let me and Hermione in when Harry was here, and his injuries were WORSE!" Said Ron. "PLEASE!"
"No, boys," said Madam Pomfrey. "Hermione's just over-worked, and she needs to relax. Nothing should excite her just yet!"
"But MALFOY'S inside," argued Harry. "What's HE doing with her?"
"He's the one who was with Hermione when she fainted. I want to know what happened. And he's a prefect, so I could use his help."
Ron's face contorted with fury.
"Please, Madam Pomfrey?" Said Ginny, who was quiet all that while. "We'd just like to see Hermione!"
Madam Pomfrey had a soft spot for Ginny, as she often saw how her six elder brothers kept her in shadow. She finally consented.
"Okay, but ONLY FIVE MINUTES! And DON'T try to bargain, you three!" She said, holding the door wide open.
Ron dashed in and ran towards Hermione's bed. He pushed Draco aside. "Shove off, ferret," said Ron.
Draco stepped back, but said nothing. He watched as Harry, Ron and Ginny crowded around her. But his attention was focused most on Ron, who was obviously the most concerned. He kept feeling Hermione's forehead and cheeks every few seconds, and asking Madam Pomfrey if she was sure that she'd be all right.
Draco felt a sharp stab of annoyance. 'You weren't so concerned when Hermione was so aloof at breakfast, you Weasel,' he felt like lashing out at Ron. 'I was all the way across the hall, but I saw, and I followed her.'
Draco's eyes diverted themselves to Hermione's expressionless face. 'How calm she looks,' he thought, a smile creeping onto his face. 'How peaceful.' Draco stopped himself. The smile faded, if not evaporated. 'Wait, what am I doing?' He smirked. Then he turned his head and looked around the infirmary, pretending to be most interested. However, barely a minute later, his eyes were upon Hermione again.
"There," he heard Madam Pomfrey say, as she took Ron and Ginny firmly but gently by their hands. "You have to get to your first lesson. You're already ten minutes late."
"To hell with Transfiguration," Draco heard Ron mutter under his breathe, as he and Ginny reluctantly allowed themselves to be led away. Harry threw a death glare at Draco, and mouthed 'You're dead', then turned, and walked after Madam Pomfrey and his friends.
Draco, after ascertained that they were out of sight, he stepped up to Hermione's bed, and looked at her, as he felt his hearty begin to soften. He ran a pale finger down the side of her face.
"Hermione," he whispered. "I'll come back later."
Then, he too turned, and headed for Transfiguration.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Called out all the professors in their respective lessons. "Please pay attention!"
Then, Draco would give a start, and continue taking down his notes or his doing his work once more. He knew Harry and Ron were smirking and glaring at his back whenever this happened. He didn't care. All he could think of was whether Hermione, who lay as still as death in the infirmary was okay. Sometimes, he would stop himself, but against his will, his mind would stray to her, and he'd worry all over again.
He was thankful for lunch. Hastily wolfing down some steak, he got up, and ran all the way to the infirmary. Slowly, he opened the door. Fortunately, Harry, Ron and Ginny were not there. 'Yet,' he thought, as he slid in through the small opening in the door, which he had not quite bothered to open fully.
Hermione's eyes were still shut; her expression had not changed in the slightest. Without planning or meaning to, Draco ran his fingers through her hair. 'She was right. Her hair wasn't bushy. It was wavy now,' he thought, leaning forward and taking a whiff. It reminded Draco of a field of flowers on a bright summer's day. It made him feel warm and contented.
Suddenly, without warning, Hermione grabbed his wrist. Draco froze, his heart in his mouth. Hermione's calm brown eyes opened, and met his scared blue-gray ones.
"Scared you, did I?" She whispered the same way she had earlier on, after breakfast. Then, she smiled softly. "I'm sorry."
It sounded more like a taunt, but Draco wasn't angry. "It's okay," he whispered. Then, realizing that the hand which Hermione was gripping, was still in her hair, he immediately pulled his hand away, and tried to pretend that nothing has happened.
"What were you doing?" She asked.
Draco didn't answer her, and looked away.
"Why am I here? Where are Harry and Ron? Where's Ron? Is he - I mean, are they okay?" Hermione's voice rose slightly, as she made an attempt to get up.
Draco silenced her with a hand over her mouth, and gently pushed her back down onto her pillow. Then he pulled his hand away. "Shhh, shhh. They're okay. They're - They're at lunch," he said, not meeting her puzzled gaze. "They'll be coming here later."
"They told you?" Her voice was surprised.
"No," he admitted. "I think. But I'm sure they will."
Then, Hermione asked the question which made Draco uncomfortable. "What are YOU doing here, running your hand through my 'bushy' hair?"
Draco tried not to squirm. He just HAD to leave right now, or Hermione would torture him endlessly. "Better get well, soon," was all he said. "Or I'll have to do duty alone tonight."
"Like you care!" Giggled Hermione, sitting up. With a tinge of sadness, she watched Draco leave. As he was about to open the door, it flew open in his face, and Harry, Ron and Ginny nearly charged him down.
Ron's face turned ugly. "What are YOU doing here, Malfoy?"
"Visiting a fellow prefect, Weasel. Problem with that?" Draco said coolly.
Hermione felt a rush of affection towards Draco. 'He never lets anyone push him around, all right,' she thought, a smile spreading on her face.
"Get lost, Malfoy," said Ginny, to Harry's enormous surprise.
Draco said nothing, but pushed Harry aside as he left, his cloak billowing behind him. Hermione quickly wiped the smile off her face, as Harry, Ron and Ginny approached her.
"Brought your, er - homework, Hermione," said Ginny, holding up a small pile of books and pieces of parchment, which she had just taken from Harry. "Are you sure you want it?"
Hermione laughed. "Give it to me, Ginny!"
Ginny smiled, and put the pile on the table at the end of Hermione's bed. "How are you?" She asked, as Ron tried to be discreet in touching her forehead.
Hermione playfully batted his hand away. "Come ON, Ron, I'm all right! Feeling better!"
"Funny that you are, after Malfoy just visited you," Ron said, his voice was sour.
Hermione had to bite her tongue to stop herself from smiling. "He was okay. Civil, really."
Harry looked doubtfully at her. "If you want, we could -."
"NO!" Said Hermione, a little too quickly. Harry and Ron looked worriedly at her. Ginny had a rough guess what had happened.
"Well," said Harry, awkwardly as he sneaked a glance at Ron, "if you need anything else, just let us know. We'll be - around."
Hermione looked blankly at him. "Am I supposed to holler the whole castle down to reach any of you?"
Harry and Ron looked blankly back at her. "Oh, right," said Harry. "Accio Hedwig!"
There was a whooshing sound, as a white ball of feathers flew in through the window, and landed with a soft thump on Hermione's blankets.
Hedwig gave an indignant hoot, as she spread her wings and fastened her annoyed glare on Harry.
"Stay here, girl," said Harry. "Hermione'll use you for communication with us."
"Only you?" Said Hermione, her heart thinking longingly of Draco.
"Er - and others," said Harry, taking another glance at Ron, who was looking enquiringly at Hermione.
"Harry and I will wait for you outside, Ron," said Ginny, getting the feeling that her brother wanted to say something to Hermione in private. Then, she took Harry's hand, and dragged him out, shutting the door behind them with a light thud. Hedwig, as though she understood that this was a private moment, flew out the window, and sat on a rafter nearby.
Hermione looked at Ron expectantly, and leant back into her pillows.
"I -," Ron started.
Hermione leant forward slightly, as she played with her fingers. "Yes?"
"I - I hope you're okay," said Ron going red. That was not what he wanted to say, and he hoped Hermione did not suspect anything.
Apparently, she didn't. She gave a soft sigh, and fell back onto her pillows. "I am," she said, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice, as she looked down at her hands.
"Er, well, I guess I'll see you later, okay?" Said Ron, feeling more awkward than ever. Why couldn't he find the right words to say to Hermione?
"Yeah," said Hermione, vaguely. "Later."
Then, Ron turned, and left, wishing he wasn't so shy.
When the door closed, Hedwig flew in, and perched on the bed next to Hermione, and put her head under her wing. Hermione let out a loud, slow sigh. Why was Ron so SHY? Why wasn't he like Draco? He was so sure of himself, and not afraid to express himself. Unless, of course, Hermione made him feel awkward, with her questions.
However, Hermione doubted that she would ever love Ron as much as she did Draco, if he had Draco's fearlessness. She couldn't explain why, but Draco just made her feel... Safe. Secure. Happy. She wanted to feel like that, as though nothing could ever harm her. Hermione smiled, as she arranged herself in a more comfortable position. Then, she leant forward, and reached out for her Transfiguration textbook, and began to do her homework, never once ceasing to think of Draco.
Chapter 24
"She just ... No, I was just ... Yes ... As soon ... I will ... Right, fine ..."
Voices... Those voices... Were they talking about her? Could she say something too? No. She couldn't. She listened again, to the voices, which slowly became clearer.
"But I want to ... They will ... Come later ... To bring ... Hermione isn't ..."
'Draco,' she thought drowsily. 'Draco is here!' Excitement and frustration bubbled up inside her. He was there! He cared about her, after all! But she couldn't tell him she was okay, and not to worry. Then a new voice interrupted the conversation. Hermione's eyes fluttered slightly. Ron, Harry were making a huge racket, trying to get in. Was Ginny with them?
"NO! WE CAME TO ... PLEASE ... US IN!"
Hermione couldn't hear anymore after that, she relapsed into silence.
Meanwhile, Ron and Harry were arguing with Madam Pomfrey to let them in. Ginny was there, but she was silent.
"PLEASE let us in! You always let me and Hermione in when Harry was here, and his injuries were WORSE!" Said Ron. "PLEASE!"
"No, boys," said Madam Pomfrey. "Hermione's just over-worked, and she needs to relax. Nothing should excite her just yet!"
"But MALFOY'S inside," argued Harry. "What's HE doing with her?"
"He's the one who was with Hermione when she fainted. I want to know what happened. And he's a prefect, so I could use his help."
Ron's face contorted with fury.
"Please, Madam Pomfrey?" Said Ginny, who was quiet all that while. "We'd just like to see Hermione!"
Madam Pomfrey had a soft spot for Ginny, as she often saw how her six elder brothers kept her in shadow. She finally consented.
"Okay, but ONLY FIVE MINUTES! And DON'T try to bargain, you three!" She said, holding the door wide open.
Ron dashed in and ran towards Hermione's bed. He pushed Draco aside. "Shove off, ferret," said Ron.
Draco stepped back, but said nothing. He watched as Harry, Ron and Ginny crowded around her. But his attention was focused most on Ron, who was obviously the most concerned. He kept feeling Hermione's forehead and cheeks every few seconds, and asking Madam Pomfrey if she was sure that she'd be all right.
Draco felt a sharp stab of annoyance. 'You weren't so concerned when Hermione was so aloof at breakfast, you Weasel,' he felt like lashing out at Ron. 'I was all the way across the hall, but I saw, and I followed her.'
Draco's eyes diverted themselves to Hermione's expressionless face. 'How calm she looks,' he thought, a smile creeping onto his face. 'How peaceful.' Draco stopped himself. The smile faded, if not evaporated. 'Wait, what am I doing?' He smirked. Then he turned his head and looked around the infirmary, pretending to be most interested. However, barely a minute later, his eyes were upon Hermione again.
"There," he heard Madam Pomfrey say, as she took Ron and Ginny firmly but gently by their hands. "You have to get to your first lesson. You're already ten minutes late."
"To hell with Transfiguration," Draco heard Ron mutter under his breathe, as he and Ginny reluctantly allowed themselves to be led away. Harry threw a death glare at Draco, and mouthed 'You're dead', then turned, and walked after Madam Pomfrey and his friends.
Draco, after ascertained that they were out of sight, he stepped up to Hermione's bed, and looked at her, as he felt his hearty begin to soften. He ran a pale finger down the side of her face.
"Hermione," he whispered. "I'll come back later."
Then, he too turned, and headed for Transfiguration.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Called out all the professors in their respective lessons. "Please pay attention!"
Then, Draco would give a start, and continue taking down his notes or his doing his work once more. He knew Harry and Ron were smirking and glaring at his back whenever this happened. He didn't care. All he could think of was whether Hermione, who lay as still as death in the infirmary was okay. Sometimes, he would stop himself, but against his will, his mind would stray to her, and he'd worry all over again.
He was thankful for lunch. Hastily wolfing down some steak, he got up, and ran all the way to the infirmary. Slowly, he opened the door. Fortunately, Harry, Ron and Ginny were not there. 'Yet,' he thought, as he slid in through the small opening in the door, which he had not quite bothered to open fully.
Hermione's eyes were still shut; her expression had not changed in the slightest. Without planning or meaning to, Draco ran his fingers through her hair. 'She was right. Her hair wasn't bushy. It was wavy now,' he thought, leaning forward and taking a whiff. It reminded Draco of a field of flowers on a bright summer's day. It made him feel warm and contented.
Suddenly, without warning, Hermione grabbed his wrist. Draco froze, his heart in his mouth. Hermione's calm brown eyes opened, and met his scared blue-gray ones.
"Scared you, did I?" She whispered the same way she had earlier on, after breakfast. Then, she smiled softly. "I'm sorry."
It sounded more like a taunt, but Draco wasn't angry. "It's okay," he whispered. Then, realizing that the hand which Hermione was gripping, was still in her hair, he immediately pulled his hand away, and tried to pretend that nothing has happened.
"What were you doing?" She asked.
Draco didn't answer her, and looked away.
"Why am I here? Where are Harry and Ron? Where's Ron? Is he - I mean, are they okay?" Hermione's voice rose slightly, as she made an attempt to get up.
Draco silenced her with a hand over her mouth, and gently pushed her back down onto her pillow. Then he pulled his hand away. "Shhh, shhh. They're okay. They're - They're at lunch," he said, not meeting her puzzled gaze. "They'll be coming here later."
"They told you?" Her voice was surprised.
"No," he admitted. "I think. But I'm sure they will."
Then, Hermione asked the question which made Draco uncomfortable. "What are YOU doing here, running your hand through my 'bushy' hair?"
Draco tried not to squirm. He just HAD to leave right now, or Hermione would torture him endlessly. "Better get well, soon," was all he said. "Or I'll have to do duty alone tonight."
"Like you care!" Giggled Hermione, sitting up. With a tinge of sadness, she watched Draco leave. As he was about to open the door, it flew open in his face, and Harry, Ron and Ginny nearly charged him down.
Ron's face turned ugly. "What are YOU doing here, Malfoy?"
"Visiting a fellow prefect, Weasel. Problem with that?" Draco said coolly.
Hermione felt a rush of affection towards Draco. 'He never lets anyone push him around, all right,' she thought, a smile spreading on her face.
"Get lost, Malfoy," said Ginny, to Harry's enormous surprise.
Draco said nothing, but pushed Harry aside as he left, his cloak billowing behind him. Hermione quickly wiped the smile off her face, as Harry, Ron and Ginny approached her.
"Brought your, er - homework, Hermione," said Ginny, holding up a small pile of books and pieces of parchment, which she had just taken from Harry. "Are you sure you want it?"
Hermione laughed. "Give it to me, Ginny!"
Ginny smiled, and put the pile on the table at the end of Hermione's bed. "How are you?" She asked, as Ron tried to be discreet in touching her forehead.
Hermione playfully batted his hand away. "Come ON, Ron, I'm all right! Feeling better!"
"Funny that you are, after Malfoy just visited you," Ron said, his voice was sour.
Hermione had to bite her tongue to stop herself from smiling. "He was okay. Civil, really."
Harry looked doubtfully at her. "If you want, we could -."
"NO!" Said Hermione, a little too quickly. Harry and Ron looked worriedly at her. Ginny had a rough guess what had happened.
"Well," said Harry, awkwardly as he sneaked a glance at Ron, "if you need anything else, just let us know. We'll be - around."
Hermione looked blankly at him. "Am I supposed to holler the whole castle down to reach any of you?"
Harry and Ron looked blankly back at her. "Oh, right," said Harry. "Accio Hedwig!"
There was a whooshing sound, as a white ball of feathers flew in through the window, and landed with a soft thump on Hermione's blankets.
Hedwig gave an indignant hoot, as she spread her wings and fastened her annoyed glare on Harry.
"Stay here, girl," said Harry. "Hermione'll use you for communication with us."
"Only you?" Said Hermione, her heart thinking longingly of Draco.
"Er - and others," said Harry, taking another glance at Ron, who was looking enquiringly at Hermione.
"Harry and I will wait for you outside, Ron," said Ginny, getting the feeling that her brother wanted to say something to Hermione in private. Then, she took Harry's hand, and dragged him out, shutting the door behind them with a light thud. Hedwig, as though she understood that this was a private moment, flew out the window, and sat on a rafter nearby.
Hermione looked at Ron expectantly, and leant back into her pillows.
"I -," Ron started.
Hermione leant forward slightly, as she played with her fingers. "Yes?"
"I - I hope you're okay," said Ron going red. That was not what he wanted to say, and he hoped Hermione did not suspect anything.
Apparently, she didn't. She gave a soft sigh, and fell back onto her pillows. "I am," she said, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice, as she looked down at her hands.
"Er, well, I guess I'll see you later, okay?" Said Ron, feeling more awkward than ever. Why couldn't he find the right words to say to Hermione?
"Yeah," said Hermione, vaguely. "Later."
Then, Ron turned, and left, wishing he wasn't so shy.
When the door closed, Hedwig flew in, and perched on the bed next to Hermione, and put her head under her wing. Hermione let out a loud, slow sigh. Why was Ron so SHY? Why wasn't he like Draco? He was so sure of himself, and not afraid to express himself. Unless, of course, Hermione made him feel awkward, with her questions.
However, Hermione doubted that she would ever love Ron as much as she did Draco, if he had Draco's fearlessness. She couldn't explain why, but Draco just made her feel... Safe. Secure. Happy. She wanted to feel like that, as though nothing could ever harm her. Hermione smiled, as she arranged herself in a more comfortable position. Then, she leant forward, and reached out for her Transfiguration textbook, and began to do her homework, never once ceasing to think of Draco.