Chapter Two
Early Dismissal

"Wha-what?" said Hermione. She had just opened her eyes to find herself in the infirmary.

"Well, you were on your way to class and you just fainted. You gave everyone a scare. You still look pale." Said Harry. She could tell that Harry really cared about her. "Here, have some chocolate. Professor Lupin always suggested to eat chocolate after fainting."

Hermione sat up in bed and Madam Pomfrey came over to prop her up with pillows.

Hermione's head stung. She lifted her hand and touched her forehead to find a bandage. Ron saw her confused face.

"When you fainted, you hit the corner of a desk. Cut your head open pretty good." Said Ron.

Once again, Madam Pomfrey came rustling in. "Ok boys, out you go now, Ms. Granger need her rest." She said in a shrill voice. Harry and Ron waved goodbye and told her to get better soon. "Ms. Granger dear, just relax and try to sleep."

Hermione leaned back into the soft pillows and shut her eyes.

"Hermione. Why didn't talk to me. Don't you like me?" Krum said in a hurt voice.

"I do like you Krum. I do. I love you."

"Then why didn't you show it? You never wrote anymore."

"I'm sorry. It's my entire fault. I'm sorry!"

"Hermione! Hermione! Wake up!" Said Ron, he had a hold of her shoulders and was shaking her.

"It's all my fault Ron! It's all my fault!" Said Hermione, tears were streaming down her face.

"Hermione, it's ok. It was just a dream." Said Ron in a shaky voice; he was never put in a situation like this.

Hermione struggled to sit up in bed and once she did, she hugged Ron and cried on his shoulder.

"What's all your fault?" Asked Ron.

"That Krum and I aren't a couple. I-I sh-should have at le-least wr-wrote. A-and I-I didn't!"

"That's not your fault, you've been studying and doing homework and taking tests. It's not your fault anymore than it is his fault."

"You think so?" Hermione looked up into his eyes and he stared back into her watery eyes, watching each tear roll down her face.

"I know so. Madam Pomfrey said you can leave now, but she doesn't want you doing any school work, she doesn't want to hurt your brain or something."

"Then why am I leaving?"

"Well, a lot of people are getting this unknown virus and so far it's contagious. I guess she doesn't want you to get it."

"Ok. Well, let's go."

Hermione and Ron left the infirmary through the door leading to the east.

"Where's Harry then? I hope he's studying."

"Um, Hermione, Harry has the virus."

"What?" Said Hermione in disbelief, "how did he get the virus? Who else has it?"

"Dean Thomas, Parvati Patil, Pansy Parkinson, and Cho Chang. I reckon-"

"That he got it from Cho! He's been snogging her for quite a while. Right?"

"Yeah, but no one knows were the virus came from."

"Well, what happens to you when you have the virus."

"You become delusional. You shake and shiver and your eyes turn a yellow color you shout out things in your sleep, crazy things, you also get red bumps behind your ears and your face becomes blotchy."

"That's terrible! Poor Harry."

"Dean Thomas has it the worse, they already sent him to Mungo's. Dumbledore threatened to shut down the school to have it checked and cleaned."

Hermione and Ron walked to the Great Hall to eat lunch. Dumbledore was at the head table and looked very grave. After everyone finished eating, he stood up.

"Everyone will leave Hogwarts in two weeks due to an unknown virus that has struck five people, leaving one in critical conditions. We'll send you an owl when the school will come back into order."
Everyone started whispering in low hushed voices. There were some students that looked upset and worried. Ginny Weasly then raised her hand.

"Professor," she said in a shaky voice, "who are the student's that got sick?"

"I believe the student's would want their identities concealed, but if you have any more questions, speak to me privately." Dumbledore then walked away to his office. No one spoke. Ginny, was the first to rise; she followed Dumbledore to his office. Clearly, she wanted her question answered.

"Hermione, come on, lets go to the common room. You need to relax."

"If you insist." Hermione and Ron stood up and left.

The rest of the two weeks went by and everyone was on the train to go home.

Chapter three coming soon!