Disclaimer: All characters and places in the Harry Potter series are owned
by J.K. Rowling. I have created a few characters and places of my own in
relation to this story. But everything else is owned by Rowling.
Chapter 10: "And Then Her World Crashes"
"And how will this be of any use to me? This is illegal, Dylan," Draco asked.
"Not when you use it on yourself," Dylan answered.
"What? There's no way I'm going to drink this! I already know myself, thank you," Draco said, looking down at the bottle on his hand.
"If you already know yourself, then there should be no room for any more doubts and fears."
"But a truth potion? Come on!"
"You do not even know yourself well enough to answer your own questions. The only purpose this potion will serve you is to separate you from emotions that keep holding you back, to help you admit how you truly feel."
Draco stared at the bottle. Somehow he could see through that dark-tinted glass and into the concoction that was powerful enough to elicit his real feelings. Then again, he could just crush it and end this right now. He really doesn't need to do this. Does he? "How long will it last?"
"Don't worry. I've modified the potion so that its effect will end the minute you've answered your questions."
"Who will do the asking?"
"Who else? That's what I'm here for."
"How do I know you won't ask any other questions about me?"
"Because I may know more about you than this potion can ever tell me. I know everything I need to know."
"Fine, I'll do it. Just so you'll know, I'm not doing this because you told me to. I'm doing this for myself. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
***
Hermione was having the best time in the world. She has never been happier in her life. It felt like everything was perfect. Lord Voldemort is gone, leaving no more threat to the magical world. School work has never been easier. Her professors are praising her more than ever. Even Snape has acknowledged her work in Potions, and is treating Harry rather fairly. She and Harry are finally in a relationship. Ron has never been more supportive. And Draco Malfoy is now her friend.
Just being there by the lake, with her two best friends in the world, made her happy. She wished things would stay like this forever. But Hermione knew they wouldn't. One way or another, something bad was bound to happen. And she was not ready to see her world crash. All she has is now. And she'll just have to make the most out of it.
"Hermione, are you feeling well?" Harry asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Hermione rested her head on Harry's chest. She felt the warmth that his body was giving her. She closed her eyes and hoped for this feeling to last, the comfort and the security. She was glad that she had learned how to love, and be loved in return.
And then she remembered Draco. And his words. Why does he keep appearing in her mind, oftentimes even in her dreams? There was something about him that keeps her uneasy. Was it what he said? If Hermione was right about what she had heard, and was thinking the exact thing that it had meant, then she wouldn't be able to live with that. She knew there was nothing she could do to change how he felt about her. Nor with what she felt about him. But why does she keep on worrying about Draco? Why can't she accept that it's okay for her not to love him back?
"Hermione, wake up!" Hermione opened her eyes and saw Harry's emerald green ones looking down handsomely upon her. "You've fallen asleep."
"I guess I'm just tired," she said, trying to shake the dizziness out of her head.
"Maybe you should go back to the common room," Harry suggested.
"Harry's right, Hermione. You may need your rest," Ron commented.
"I'm okay, I just. need.to." The colors around Hermione suddenly faded and everything was slowly being reduced to a blur. Hermione squinted hard to see but her head was throbbing in paint that she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. The last thing she heard was Harry's voice calling her name, as she felt her legs giving in, her immobile body falling swiftly into somebody's gentle arms.
***
Harry and Ron were standing by the curtain of Hermione's bed in the Hospital Wing. It has been an hour since Hermione fainted by the lake. According to Madam Pomfrey, there was no sign of prior weakness, and no symptoms of any disease. But Hermione's best friends couldn't help but wonder why this had happened.
"Is she going to be okay?" Harry asked as Madam Pomfrey approached Hermione's bed to check on her.
"I hope so."
"What does that mean?"
Madam Pomfrey drew the curtains, allowing Harry and Ron to see Hermione's pale body. She looked flushed; the rosy white color on her face has faded. She still lay motionless, as she had been an hour ago.
"Look, Mr. Potter. This is the rarest case I have ever seen. Hermione has no record of any sickness, well, aside from those caused by magic, but other than that, her health is absolutely perfect. Well, it was."
"But you can cure her, right?" Ron asked, his eyes moving from Hermione to Madam Pomfrey.
"Honestly, I don't know."
"You don't know?" Harry exclaimed.
"Well, Mr. Potter. How can you expect us to cure her when we do not even know what is getting her sick like this?"
"Then give her anything, any medicine, anything that will revive her!" Harry cried.
"Treating patients does not work that way! We have to diagnose her illness, then give her the appropriate medicine! And don't shout at me!"
Harry was about to answer back when Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing. "I see I've missed the commencement of a very heated discussion, I might say."
"Professor Dumbledore, it's Hermione, she."
"I very well know what has happened to Ms. Granger, but I'm afraid there is nothing we can do now but wait," Dumbledore said with a blank expression.
"You're doing this again, you're acting like you don't know anything, yet you do know!" Harry blurted out.
"Harry, I think you should stop," Ron said, trying to hold Harry.
"No, Ron. I know he's doing it. And I've had enough. You did this to me before, and now you're doing it to Hermione. She has done nothing but save this school and uphold its reputation, and this is what you repay her?"
Harry was evidently fuming with anger. But Dumbledore merely adjusted his crescent-shaped glasses and stared at Harry for a moment. "I am aware of the achievements of Ms. Granger. And I swear in Merlin's beard that I will do anything in my power to revive her. She is after all, my friend."
"But you're not doing anything!" Harry shouted.
"Actually, Harry, I am," Dumbledore said as calmly as he would say 'Hello' to a first year student. "The reason I am late in this," he began, moving his eyes all around the room, "gathering, is because I felt the need to contact all the best doctors and nurses, not only in our world, but also in the non-magic world."
"You. did," Harry said, feeling ashamed of himself.
"Yes, I did. Now if you will excuse me, I shall be going back to my office to meet some of the doctors who have arrived. Madam Pomfrey, you shall be in charge."
Dumbledore moved gracefully to the door and gave one assuring nod to Harry. Somehow, something in Harry's spirit was alive again. Finally, there was hope.
Patting Harry's shoulder, Ron settled on the other bed to watch Hermione in her slumber. Then, very unexpectedly, Ron saw Hermione's hand move. "Hermione!"
"What?" Harry asked, turning his head automatically.
And he saw it too. Madam Pomfrey as well. Hermione was slowly moving. Her eyes were evidently in an effort to be opened. As Hermione slowly drifted back to consciousness, the first thing she felt was someone's hand holding hers. She knew it was Harry. Gradually, her vision became clearer and more focused. Until she could finally see the ceiling of what appeared to be, a closed room at Hogwarts.
"Where. where am I?" she tried speaking.
"You're at the Hospital Wing, 'Mione. You fainted back there by the lake," Harry answered, still holding Hermione's hand.
"I did? How could that have happened?" Hermione said in a whisper.
"You tell me," Madam Pomfrey butt in. "Did you eat anything out of the ordinary in the past few days, Ms. Granger? Did you do anything that you think would damage your perfect health, well, aside from excessive studying, I think you've grown immune to that," she added, approaching Hermione's bed.
"Not that I know of," Hermione answered. "Wait, am I going to be okay?"
"Do you feel okay?" Madam Pomfrey asked her.
"I think so, yah."
"Well, that's good. But we'll still need to run some tests." Madam Pomfrey said, reaching at the bedside table for her checklist. "Of course, you'll be excused from your classes, not that you need them. I've heard that you've surpassed some of your teachers, and you might as well be threatening my job here. That is, if you show me a miracle and get yourself completely cured."
Hermione looked up from Madam Pomfrey to Harry. "What does she mean?"
"Um, they haven't traced your symptoms to any disease or any sign of weakness. As of know, we still don't know what your illness is," Harry told her.
"But I just fainted," Hermione said, smiling.
"You fainted and we don't know why," replied Madam Pomfrey.
"But it's only normal for people to faint, right?" said Hermione.
"It is, within reason. Geesh, I thought you were smart. Look, you fainted for no reason at all. It's like your body just decided to give in. You record is clear. You're health is perfect, rather extraordinary for a girl your age. And then you faint. Under the shade of a tree. After you've been seen laughing, then resting for a while. Don't you see, this isn't normal anymore."
"It is that bad?" Hermione asked, her face lined with worry.
"If we diagnose your real illness and be able to do something about it, then it's not bad. If not, then, you can start saying your prayers. Because not even magic can help you."
"Hey, that's not very nice to say!" Ron exclaimed.
"It's the truth, Mr. Weasley. She deserves to know."
A tear rolled on Hermione's cheek. She was right all along. Something bad was indeed bound to happen. It was the story of her life. Every time she feels really happy, something terrible will happen that's going to destroy her happiness. Her world is bound to crash once again.
"Shhh. Don't worry. Professor Dumbledore has summoned all the best doctors in the magic and muggle world. They're bound to find a cure to this, illness, whatever it is," Harry said comfortingly. He reached for Hermione's cheeks and gave her a kiss. "And I'm here to support you. Ron and I are here."
"Yah, you can count on us, 'Mione."
Hermione gave a faint smile. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to be happy, or if it was even okay to be happy. "I don't understand why all of this had happened."
"Maybe it's just a one-day illness. Or maybe you just drained all your energy when you did that remarkable display of magic back in Charms," Ron suggested.
"If I did drain my energy, Ron, don't you think I would have fainted right after I did the spell?"
Ron frowned. "You've got a point."
"Okay, that's enough. Let's just wait for more news from Professor Dumbledore. And you," Harry said, looking intently at Hermione, "you need to rest."
Chapter 10: "And Then Her World Crashes"
"And how will this be of any use to me? This is illegal, Dylan," Draco asked.
"Not when you use it on yourself," Dylan answered.
"What? There's no way I'm going to drink this! I already know myself, thank you," Draco said, looking down at the bottle on his hand.
"If you already know yourself, then there should be no room for any more doubts and fears."
"But a truth potion? Come on!"
"You do not even know yourself well enough to answer your own questions. The only purpose this potion will serve you is to separate you from emotions that keep holding you back, to help you admit how you truly feel."
Draco stared at the bottle. Somehow he could see through that dark-tinted glass and into the concoction that was powerful enough to elicit his real feelings. Then again, he could just crush it and end this right now. He really doesn't need to do this. Does he? "How long will it last?"
"Don't worry. I've modified the potion so that its effect will end the minute you've answered your questions."
"Who will do the asking?"
"Who else? That's what I'm here for."
"How do I know you won't ask any other questions about me?"
"Because I may know more about you than this potion can ever tell me. I know everything I need to know."
"Fine, I'll do it. Just so you'll know, I'm not doing this because you told me to. I'm doing this for myself. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
***
Hermione was having the best time in the world. She has never been happier in her life. It felt like everything was perfect. Lord Voldemort is gone, leaving no more threat to the magical world. School work has never been easier. Her professors are praising her more than ever. Even Snape has acknowledged her work in Potions, and is treating Harry rather fairly. She and Harry are finally in a relationship. Ron has never been more supportive. And Draco Malfoy is now her friend.
Just being there by the lake, with her two best friends in the world, made her happy. She wished things would stay like this forever. But Hermione knew they wouldn't. One way or another, something bad was bound to happen. And she was not ready to see her world crash. All she has is now. And she'll just have to make the most out of it.
"Hermione, are you feeling well?" Harry asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Hermione rested her head on Harry's chest. She felt the warmth that his body was giving her. She closed her eyes and hoped for this feeling to last, the comfort and the security. She was glad that she had learned how to love, and be loved in return.
And then she remembered Draco. And his words. Why does he keep appearing in her mind, oftentimes even in her dreams? There was something about him that keeps her uneasy. Was it what he said? If Hermione was right about what she had heard, and was thinking the exact thing that it had meant, then she wouldn't be able to live with that. She knew there was nothing she could do to change how he felt about her. Nor with what she felt about him. But why does she keep on worrying about Draco? Why can't she accept that it's okay for her not to love him back?
"Hermione, wake up!" Hermione opened her eyes and saw Harry's emerald green ones looking down handsomely upon her. "You've fallen asleep."
"I guess I'm just tired," she said, trying to shake the dizziness out of her head.
"Maybe you should go back to the common room," Harry suggested.
"Harry's right, Hermione. You may need your rest," Ron commented.
"I'm okay, I just. need.to." The colors around Hermione suddenly faded and everything was slowly being reduced to a blur. Hermione squinted hard to see but her head was throbbing in paint that she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. The last thing she heard was Harry's voice calling her name, as she felt her legs giving in, her immobile body falling swiftly into somebody's gentle arms.
***
Harry and Ron were standing by the curtain of Hermione's bed in the Hospital Wing. It has been an hour since Hermione fainted by the lake. According to Madam Pomfrey, there was no sign of prior weakness, and no symptoms of any disease. But Hermione's best friends couldn't help but wonder why this had happened.
"Is she going to be okay?" Harry asked as Madam Pomfrey approached Hermione's bed to check on her.
"I hope so."
"What does that mean?"
Madam Pomfrey drew the curtains, allowing Harry and Ron to see Hermione's pale body. She looked flushed; the rosy white color on her face has faded. She still lay motionless, as she had been an hour ago.
"Look, Mr. Potter. This is the rarest case I have ever seen. Hermione has no record of any sickness, well, aside from those caused by magic, but other than that, her health is absolutely perfect. Well, it was."
"But you can cure her, right?" Ron asked, his eyes moving from Hermione to Madam Pomfrey.
"Honestly, I don't know."
"You don't know?" Harry exclaimed.
"Well, Mr. Potter. How can you expect us to cure her when we do not even know what is getting her sick like this?"
"Then give her anything, any medicine, anything that will revive her!" Harry cried.
"Treating patients does not work that way! We have to diagnose her illness, then give her the appropriate medicine! And don't shout at me!"
Harry was about to answer back when Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing. "I see I've missed the commencement of a very heated discussion, I might say."
"Professor Dumbledore, it's Hermione, she."
"I very well know what has happened to Ms. Granger, but I'm afraid there is nothing we can do now but wait," Dumbledore said with a blank expression.
"You're doing this again, you're acting like you don't know anything, yet you do know!" Harry blurted out.
"Harry, I think you should stop," Ron said, trying to hold Harry.
"No, Ron. I know he's doing it. And I've had enough. You did this to me before, and now you're doing it to Hermione. She has done nothing but save this school and uphold its reputation, and this is what you repay her?"
Harry was evidently fuming with anger. But Dumbledore merely adjusted his crescent-shaped glasses and stared at Harry for a moment. "I am aware of the achievements of Ms. Granger. And I swear in Merlin's beard that I will do anything in my power to revive her. She is after all, my friend."
"But you're not doing anything!" Harry shouted.
"Actually, Harry, I am," Dumbledore said as calmly as he would say 'Hello' to a first year student. "The reason I am late in this," he began, moving his eyes all around the room, "gathering, is because I felt the need to contact all the best doctors and nurses, not only in our world, but also in the non-magic world."
"You. did," Harry said, feeling ashamed of himself.
"Yes, I did. Now if you will excuse me, I shall be going back to my office to meet some of the doctors who have arrived. Madam Pomfrey, you shall be in charge."
Dumbledore moved gracefully to the door and gave one assuring nod to Harry. Somehow, something in Harry's spirit was alive again. Finally, there was hope.
Patting Harry's shoulder, Ron settled on the other bed to watch Hermione in her slumber. Then, very unexpectedly, Ron saw Hermione's hand move. "Hermione!"
"What?" Harry asked, turning his head automatically.
And he saw it too. Madam Pomfrey as well. Hermione was slowly moving. Her eyes were evidently in an effort to be opened. As Hermione slowly drifted back to consciousness, the first thing she felt was someone's hand holding hers. She knew it was Harry. Gradually, her vision became clearer and more focused. Until she could finally see the ceiling of what appeared to be, a closed room at Hogwarts.
"Where. where am I?" she tried speaking.
"You're at the Hospital Wing, 'Mione. You fainted back there by the lake," Harry answered, still holding Hermione's hand.
"I did? How could that have happened?" Hermione said in a whisper.
"You tell me," Madam Pomfrey butt in. "Did you eat anything out of the ordinary in the past few days, Ms. Granger? Did you do anything that you think would damage your perfect health, well, aside from excessive studying, I think you've grown immune to that," she added, approaching Hermione's bed.
"Not that I know of," Hermione answered. "Wait, am I going to be okay?"
"Do you feel okay?" Madam Pomfrey asked her.
"I think so, yah."
"Well, that's good. But we'll still need to run some tests." Madam Pomfrey said, reaching at the bedside table for her checklist. "Of course, you'll be excused from your classes, not that you need them. I've heard that you've surpassed some of your teachers, and you might as well be threatening my job here. That is, if you show me a miracle and get yourself completely cured."
Hermione looked up from Madam Pomfrey to Harry. "What does she mean?"
"Um, they haven't traced your symptoms to any disease or any sign of weakness. As of know, we still don't know what your illness is," Harry told her.
"But I just fainted," Hermione said, smiling.
"You fainted and we don't know why," replied Madam Pomfrey.
"But it's only normal for people to faint, right?" said Hermione.
"It is, within reason. Geesh, I thought you were smart. Look, you fainted for no reason at all. It's like your body just decided to give in. You record is clear. You're health is perfect, rather extraordinary for a girl your age. And then you faint. Under the shade of a tree. After you've been seen laughing, then resting for a while. Don't you see, this isn't normal anymore."
"It is that bad?" Hermione asked, her face lined with worry.
"If we diagnose your real illness and be able to do something about it, then it's not bad. If not, then, you can start saying your prayers. Because not even magic can help you."
"Hey, that's not very nice to say!" Ron exclaimed.
"It's the truth, Mr. Weasley. She deserves to know."
A tear rolled on Hermione's cheek. She was right all along. Something bad was indeed bound to happen. It was the story of her life. Every time she feels really happy, something terrible will happen that's going to destroy her happiness. Her world is bound to crash once again.
"Shhh. Don't worry. Professor Dumbledore has summoned all the best doctors in the magic and muggle world. They're bound to find a cure to this, illness, whatever it is," Harry said comfortingly. He reached for Hermione's cheeks and gave her a kiss. "And I'm here to support you. Ron and I are here."
"Yah, you can count on us, 'Mione."
Hermione gave a faint smile. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to be happy, or if it was even okay to be happy. "I don't understand why all of this had happened."
"Maybe it's just a one-day illness. Or maybe you just drained all your energy when you did that remarkable display of magic back in Charms," Ron suggested.
"If I did drain my energy, Ron, don't you think I would have fainted right after I did the spell?"
Ron frowned. "You've got a point."
"Okay, that's enough. Let's just wait for more news from Professor Dumbledore. And you," Harry said, looking intently at Hermione, "you need to rest."