"#1 Crush"

Chapter two-Poisoned

Harry and I met up with Ron in the hospital wing. Ginny was lying on one of the cots. Madam Pomfrey had mended Ginny's right arm. Ginny also had a cut on her lower lip, which was bleeding, plus several bruises, on of which was on her cheek. Her hair was tousled and she was shaking violently.

Ron was sitting beside her on the cot.

"Is she okay?" I asked, worriedly as I sat beside Ginny on the edge of the cot. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah. Just a broken arm which I fixed and those cuts and bruises should heal soon. Lucky she didn't break her neck," said Madam Pomfrey.

Harry sat next to Ron and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs.

"Ginny. What exactly happened?"

Ginny shyly lowered her eyes.

"I don't know really. I was walking down the stairs to the dungeon, when I felt someone's hands on my back. I heard them whisper something before they pushed me. As I was falling, I caught sight of dark brown hair, similar to Hermione's," Ginny said.

"What did the person say?" Ron asked softly.

"Something about…er, 'I will be in her place soon. Then, he's mine' or something like that,"

Ron, Harry and I looked at each other darkly.

"Now you believe me?" I hissed at them after we left the hospital wing.

"It's quite possible that someone is totally obsessed with Harry. But why hurt Ginny?" Ron demanded.

"I don't know. But I really think we should keep a close eye on each other," said Harry.

Just then, Laurie Carter came up to me. She was in our house. Pretty, with shoulder length dark brown hair and honey colored brown eyes. Her hair wavy and fell around her shoulders framing her brown eyes. She was bubbly, yet serious. She could easily make you laugh. Her and I had become good friends over the past few months.

"Hi Hermione," she said. "How's Ginny?"

Ron froze, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"How do you know about Ginny?"

Laurie looked abashed at his tone.

"I was coming up the stairs. I saw her. I'm the one who brought her to the hospital wing," Laurie said slowly.

"It's okay, Laurie. Ron has a tendency to jump to conclusions," I said, eyeing him sideways.

Ron muttered an apology.

Harry stepped up beside me.

"Did Ginny mention anything about who might've pushed her or did you see anything?"

Laurie frowned.

"No and no. It's really weird. Is it possible she tripped? I only saw her as she fell," Laurie suggested.

"If my sister says someone pushed her, then someone pushed her! She doesn't lie!" Ron snarled.

"Ron!" I snapped at him. "Stop accusing Laurie! She hasn't done anything wrong!"

Ron just walked briskly down the corridor.

"I'm so sorry. He's just upset about Ginny. He isn't normally like this," I apologized.

Laurie smiled.

"It's okay. I can understand where he's coming from," Laurie said softly.

"Listen, do me a favor. Keep your eyes out for anything unusual,"

"Sure," Laurie shrugged. "Bye Hermione, Harry,"

She was a good friend. No questions asked if I asked her to help. Ron and Harry were exactly the same way. I totally trusted her besides Ron and Harry, whom I trusted with my life as well.

Later that night, we headed down to dinner, only to find our food was already there.

We sat down slowly.

I prodded Lavender Brown, who was sitting next to me.

"Lavender, did you see who put our food here? The elves didn't do this, did they?"

Lavender shook her head.

"No. A girl did. She says she knows you,"

"Did she have red hair like Ron's?" I asked.

Lavender frowned.

"I think so,"

I felt relieved.

"Laurie did this," I explained to Ron and Harry.

We began eating and talking about who could've pushed Ginny. I took a sip of water. Then, I returned to my chicken casserole. About 10 minutes later, I dropped my fork and it clattered onto my plate.

Ron and Harry looked up.

"Hermione…what's wrong?" Ron asked worriedly.

It felt like my entire body was on fire. I wrapped my right arm around my midsection and stomach. I cringed. I slowly got to my feet.

Harry and Ron also got to their feet.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry demanded.

I couldn't speak. I turned and began stumbling out of the Great Hall. It looked like I was drunk. I heard Harry and Ron following me close behind.

Once I hit the corridor, I couldn't walk anymore. I just dropped to my hands and knees and stared at the polished floor. Ron and Harry dropped to their knees beside me.

"Hermione! What's wrong?" Harry repeated.

I could hear the panic in his voice.

I began vomiting up a white liquid.

"Oh my God. Go get Madam Pomfrey!" Harry shouted to Ron.

I heard Ron's shoes squeaking on the floor as he took off running.

Harry put a hand on my shoulder.

I felt weak and my elbows shook. I managed to scoot closer to Harry before a soft blackness swallowed me up and I just collapsed onto my side.

HARRY

Hermione collapsed. Madam Pomfrey came running down the corridor. We helped Hermione into the hospital wing and onto a cot. Madam Pomfrey checked her over.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked.

"She was poisoned," Madam Pomfrey said.

"Poisoned? By what?" Ron asked, as he and I looked at each other in astonishment.

"By Anem. It's a strong poison," said Madam Pomfrey. "It's used to counter act venom."

"Will she be all right?" I asked, putting my hand on Hermione's arm.

"Yeah. She needs to vomit it all up though. I'll give her the Redinen Potion. That induces vomiting, much like the muggle Epicac,"

Ron and I left the library ready to kill Laurie.

We found Laurie sitting in the Gryffindor common room reading her Herbology textbook. We walked right up to her.

"Oh hello. Where's Hermione?" Laurie asked brightly.

"You tell us," Ron snarled.

Laurie looked surprised.

"I don't know what you mean,"

"You poisoned her!" I snarled.

Laurie's face drained of all color.

"Hermione was poisoned? By what?"

"You know damm well!"

Still Laurie looked abashed and confused.

"You put Anem in Hermione's water!" Ron growled.

Laurie's jaw dropped.

"Anem? That's deadly! I swear I was here the whole time!"

"Are there any witnesses?" I demanded.

Just then, Lavender brown entered the common room.

"Oh hi Laurie. Still here? I thought you would've gone to the library to find what you're looking for," Lavender said.

Laurie looked back at us and raised her eyebrow.

"So, still looking for that witness?"

Ron and I looked at each other and began feeling totally embarrassed.

"First of all, I would never hurt one of my best friends. I would rather hurt myself. Secondly, as you heard, I am still here, which means I haven't left this spot. Do me a favor, boys, keep me posted on Hermione's condition. I am going to go to the library now," said Laurie icily as she closed her textbook and stood up.

She began walking out of the common room.

Ron and I felt totally awful.

Not only did we accuse one of Hermione's friends, but also we totally made an idiot of ourselves. But that arose the new question…if Laurie didn't do it, who did?

Later on, we checked in on Hermione. Madam Pomfrey had given Hermione the Redinen Potion. Madam Pomfrey assured me that Hermione would be all right and that once she vomited up the rest of the poison, she would be back to normal in a few days. She also said that Hermione was lucky she wasn't given the full amount. The full amount, which is 3 tablespoons, is lethal enough to kill a Hippogriff right in its place.

The next morning, we got news from Madam Pomfrey that Hermione was awake and asking for us. We entered the hospital wing.

"Hey! How are you feeling?" I asked, brightly and I was filled with pure relief.

"Like my stomach was set on fire," said Hermione quietly. "What happened?"

"Someone poisoned you. Luckily, it wasn't the full amount," Ron said.

"Poisoned me? With what?"

"Anem," I replied.

"Oh my God!" Hermione moaned.

"Madam Pomfrey said you were lucky you weren't given the full dosage," Ron added.

"Who poisoned me?" Hermione asked.

"We don't know," I said, glancing at Ron.

I didn't have the heart to tell Hermione that Ron and I went and accused Laurie of poisoning her.

"Still think that person isn't doing anything more?" Hermione asked.

Suddenly, her face drained of all color and she leaned over the other side of the bed and vomited.

"Well I'd say she should be up and about in 3 days," said Madam Pomfrey.

Just then, Laurie came into the hospital wing.

"You can have one more visitor, Miss Granger. Then you need the rest," said Madam Pomfrey.

Laurie walked over to Hermione.

"Hi! How are you feeling?" Laurie asked, brightly.

"Better, but still crummy," Hermione replied.

Laurie's eyes moved onto Ron and I.

"Well, I see you two are here,"

Ron and I exchanged uncomfortable looks.

"Yeah," Ron said, quietly.

"Hermione, do you know who poisoned you?" Laurie asked, pointedly to her.

"No. Neither does Ron or Harry," Hermione replied.

"Strange," said Laurie glancing at us sideways.

"How is it strange?" Hermione asked.

Ron and I held our breath. Was she going to tell her that we went to her accusing her of poisoning Hermione? It was really uncomfortable for the next 3 minutes.

"Strange that no one saw anything or anyone going near Hermione's water or anything," Laurie said.

I slowly let out my breath. I was sure Ron did the same thing.

Laurie gave us a pointed look.

I knew what she meant. We really should tell Hermione what we did. Ron almost slipped.

But I couldn't now. Not in front of Laurie or Ron. I was really the first to think it was Laurie. I should be the one to tell Hermione that I accused Laurie.

"Huh. Well I'll get back to class. I told Professor McGonagall I had to use the rest room. I'll see you later, Hermione. Feel better," Laurie said softly as she turned and headed out of the hospital wing.

"Ron, could I please talk to Hermione alone?" I asked.

I was going to tell her at the risk of her being angry with me. I had to. It was the right thing to do.

"Sure," Ron said as he got up and left.

I leaned close.

"Hermione…I have something to tell you. You might get angry with me, but I couldn't help it. I was so angry that someone had poisoned you that I wasn't thinking straight," I said.

"Sure. Go a head, Harry," Hermione said.

"Lavender said she thought someone with similar colored hair to Laurie's had gone near your food and water. So, I jumped to the conclusion and went to Laurie and accused her. So did Ron. But it was totally my idea," I said.

Hermione's eyes widened.

"What? How could you!"

"We were just so angry that someone would try and hurt you! I wasn't thinking!" I said.

"I'll say! Laurie would never do something like that! I can't believe you did that, Harry! You and Ron!" Hermione said angrily.

I hung my head. I felt totally guilty. I should've never done that.

"That was really low, Harry. Not to mention dumb. I understand you and Ron were just trying to look out for me, but you should've checked out more evidence before you went accusing someone," said Hermione.

"I know. I'm sorry. You're absolutely right," I said quietly.

Hermione sighed.

"I think you should go and apologize to Laurie,"

I nodded.

Then, to my surprise, Hermione smiled.

"I appreciate you sticking up for me. I couldn't ask for better friends,"

I smiled too.

I realized I was in love with her. I didn't know why I didn't realize it before. I think I fell in love with her on the first train. She showed me how to repair my glasses and when I met her in Diagon Alley going to Hogwarts for our second year. She has helped us through a lot and many a time I don't know how we would've gotten out of scrapes without her.

"Yeah. Same here," I said, softly.

HERMIONE

I smiled.

It didn't hit me fully until then that I loved Harry. Since our first year. He had no idea how famous he was at that point. He had survived the worst wizard in ages. Unfortunately, it claimed the life of his parents. That is something I wish I could go back in time and stop. He was ready to help anyone. He helped Ginny in our second year without thinking of himself. That, in my opinion is what makes a true person.

Our faces were inches apart and my heart was pounding loudly in my chest.

"I really didn't mean to accuse Laurie. That was the last thing I wanted to do," Harry said.

"I know. Now get out of here so I can rest," I said, playfully punching him on the arm.

He nodded and stood up. At that moment, a huge wave of nausea rolled over me as I leaned over the side of the cot and vomited.

Three days later, I was released. I still felt weak, but a lot better than I did.

"Hey! Welcome back, Hermione! How do you feel?" Laurie asked cheerfully as I stepped into Gryffindor's common room later that afternoon.

"Better. Still feel a little weak, but I feel more myself," I replied sitting down beside her in one of the chairs next to her.

"Harry apologized to me the minute he came out of the hospital wing after visiting you. He felt so bad. I told him not to worry. I understand why he did it though," Laurie said, her dark brown eyes reflected the afternoon sunlight.

"Thanks. You're a terrific friend, Laurie. Too good," I said.

Laurie winked.

"No problem. Hey I think Harry's got the hots for you! Man if I could get a hold of him…" Laurie's voice trailed off.

I burst out laughing and felt myself blushing. Laurie and I giggled.

We talked for hours, well into the evening. Thank God it was a Saturday, and we had the day off.

We were still talking around eight in the evening. The moonlight cast shadows throughout the castle and a full moonlight hung in the midnight sky. A warm fire cracked beside us as we talked about our likes and dislikes. Laurie was also muggle born. Her mother was an Archeologist, and her father was a police officer with the London police.

Around eight thirty, we heard someone running full speed in the halls.

Laurie and I looked at each other curiously and surprised. The portrait hole to Gryffindor tower opened and Harry came running in full speed. He skidded to a stop in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders. He was breathing heavily and his emerald green eyes were wide behind his glasses.

"Hermione…" he choked out.

"What is it?" I asked, worriedly.

He was still trying to catch his breath. I stood up and so did Laurie.

"What's wrong Harry?" I demanded.

"Ron…Ron's hurt," he choked out.

"What? What's wrong with him?" I demanded alarmed.

Laurie was also concerned.

"Come!"

Harry grabbed my hand and began pulling me out of the common room. Laurie followed us close behind. Harry pulled me down to where the kitchen was. Ron was sitting on the floor of the corridor, clutching his right leg. I gasped. It looked like someone had set Ron's leg on fire.