Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Bummer, ain't it?
Chapter: Hermione's screw-up (Two)
A/N: I don't know much about the class schedules, but let's pretend this is right…It will help you to understand the story. And thanks to all zero reviewers I got for last chapter. I know, it's cliché.
On her way to professor Mcgonnagal's office for detention, Hermione felt a sudden rumbling at her feet. She glanced down and noticed the staircase had decided to change directions. She tried to race to where she was headed for fear of being late, buth the staircase had different ideas. Hermione tumbled down the flight of stairs; every hit causing a bump or cut or bruise. On the second to last step, she pushed her leg out in attempt to catch herself, but only managed to double back and land on her back.
She felt a sudden jolt, causing her to stop breathing momentarily. She had the wind knocked out of her. Damn, she thought. Her foot had landed awkwardly beneath her and she felt a surge of pain rush through her leg, all the way through her to stomach. She continued to gasp in and out as she felt the pain from her back. She put a hand across her stomach and her eyes winced in pain and begun to sting. She was in too much pain.
Hermione tried to pull herself up, but quickly lay down again, hitting her head. The pain was now overwhelming her, for nothing else could be felt. She rolled on her side and cried out in sadness and pain. She finally allowed her tears to fall. She lay for a few more moments, moaning in hurt and crying in sadness. She would lie there until the next day at least. No one ever saw her as anything except the 'smart girl,' which she was, but she wanted to be recognized for her beauty; for herself: Hermione Granger.
~*~*~
Draco Malfoy was on his way to detention, which happened often, when he heard perturbing plea. He shook his head and rolled his eyes believing that he was making things up. He curled his lip and heard it again. I need to find out what that is, he thought. No, I don't have time. He heard it again and rolled his eyes.
He decided to follow the moans. He rushed down the stairs and he heard the moan again. Following the agonizing cries, he stumbled onto Hermione who was laying there with her face covered by her hair. She didn't want to be seen crying, especially not by Malfoy.
"Don't just lay there, Granger," snapped Draco. He heard the moan once more and glanced at Hermione. She gazed at him with girlish, brown eyes and he gazed back firmly. He rolled his eyes and began walking toward the detention room again.
"Draco," he heard a pleading voice call. "Please take me to Madame Pompfrey. Please." The last pleading whisper had caused him to spin and gaze at her. He sighed and shook his head. What if someone sees me? he wondered.
Hesitantly, he scooped up the girl and scampered to the hospital wing. It took longer than expected because he was avoiding being seen. Finally they reached the hospital wing and he delicately placed Hermione on the bed closest. She was lightweight and very fragile. Draco summoned Madame Pompfrey immediately.
"She was laying at the bottom of the fourth flight of stairs when I found her," Draco said the moment the doors opened and Madame Pompfrey came rushing in. She nodded and hurried to Hermione's bedside. She began inspecting the girl, but suddenly remembered Draco standing in the doorway. She showed him to the door.
"When can I come visit her?" Draco asked while he was being pushed. Madame Pompfrey sent her a quizzical look and bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"Tomorrow, hopefully." Draco nodded.
"I'll be here," he confirmed, and with that, he disappeared from the hospital wing.
~*~*~
Hermione slowly fluttered her eyelids open and sat straight up, alarmed. She glanced about nervously and wondered what am I doing here? I don't belong here. Just as she thought that, her leg began to twinge as well as her back. She sighed and shook her head.
"What am I doing in the hospital wing?" she asked nervously.
Her friends made their way to Hermione and smiled. She sent them a quizzical look, but it soon ended when three familiar people surrounded her bed.
"Blood hell, 'Mione," said Ron. She shot him a 'shut-up' glare, as did Harry. Ron shrugged and she lay on her pillow again.
"You've severely sprained your left ankle," said Ginny, who was now making her way to join the others. "And you need to stay off your foot for a while." Hermione made a huffy breath and Ginny giggled. "Don't worry. Ron and Harry will bring your homework to you and I'm able to check out library books. Unlike some people, I return them. So, I'll bring them to you and we'll be up here every now and then. Don't worry."
"What about if I don't understand something? I won't have the lesson to learn the homework with. And most of my classes are advanced, unlike you people. How am I supposed to get that work?" She folded her arms and scrunched her face.
"I could get it from your teachers," managed Harry. Hermione shook her head vigorously. "Or maybe they'll bring it to you…" Ron's jaw dropped and Harry widened his eyes as he trailed off. Ginny snapped her head in the direction of the icy glares. She narrowed her eyes at the sight of Draco Malfoy in the hospital wing.
Draco ignored their glares and he walked to Hermione's bedside. He shoved some books and a few papers into Hermione's hands and begun to stomp off.
"What's this?" she asked as he clomped to the door.
"Your homework. For all of your classes. I get a grade for this, and I have to explain the work to you, so you better do well. Oh! And I figured you'd want the extra credit assignment as well," he added curtly. With that, Draco disappeared and left the quartet to stare in bewilderment.
"Thanks," managed Hermione, long after Draco was gone. "I guess I figured out who'll be bringing me my homework." The three figures gawked at her as she rolled onto her side and fell asleep.
~*~*~
Draco trudged up the stairs to his dormitory and lay in his bed, unable to sleep. He would have stayed with Hermione, although he had no clue why, if it weren't for certain other guests in which Draco had no intention of socializing with.
What's wrong with me? wondered Draco. Why do I suddenly care for Hermione? No! You don't care about her. I mean the mudblood. Suddenly, Draco recalled being punched for that comment. He lifted his hand to his cheek and shook his head. I don't even know what to call her! I'll stick with Granger. Maybe Miss…No! She doesn't deserve a title. And you don't care about her! Argh! But something had caused him to say that to Madame Pompfrey, but what? Why would he say such a thing that isn't true?
Draco battled with himself until he was finally dead to the world. When he awoke that morning, he decided to visit Hermione and maybe even buy her flowers. No, that wouldn't happen. It would be nice…But you're not nice! Draco battled himself until lunchtime when he wrote her a letter. It wasn't like he was going to deliver it to her.
~*~*~
That night, as expected, Draco had dropped off her homework, but had accidentally left her potions homework with Snape. She commanded him to return and get it, especially if he was going to be the one to bring her homework. He, reluctantly, obeyed and she enjoyed this.
When he arrived, he shoved a paper in her face, and she snatched it from his grasp.
"You should be thankful," he said with a devious smirk plastered on his face.
"I am never thankful for you Malfoy," she said curtly.
He rolled his eyes and snatched his books. "I suppose I'll just leave it to your friend, Potter, to explain it to you. Because you should be grateful for what I am doing!" She shook her head.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you, but you're doing this for a grade, let me remind you," she retorted. Draco heaved out a sigh and cursed.
After her quick lesson, Draco left and trudged up to his room, all the while, leaving Hermione to complete her homework. Just as she was settling down with a book to relax, she noticed a folded note with 'Granger' written on it. Must be from Draco she thought.
~*~*~
Draco opened his notebook and looked it over. There were drawings and bubble letters all over the front. He opened it and read a letter to Harry, Ginny, and Ron, all from Hermione. If I have her notes, he thought, she must have mine. And if she has mine, that means she had that letter to—
He stood quickly and rushed down the stairs to the common room and out the portrait in a cold sweat.. I need that letter, he thought panicked. Damn mudblood!
~*~*~
Slowly, she opened the letter and began to read in the most perfected cursive ever written, a letter to herself that was never meant to be read.
