Sorry about the cliffhanger again! I really didn't think I did it! AHHH!! And I HATE cliffhangers. I promise to TRY not to do it again. . . ^_~
Hermione was the first to wake in her dorm. The room was still dark, but that was due to the raging storm outside. She rolled over onto her back and sat up slowly, blinking and trying to let her eyes adjust to the dim light. There was a pressure around her face and she reached up to get it off before she realized what it was. Madame Pomfrey's words rang through her head and she let her hands drop. Slowly she got out of the bed letting her head adjust to the pressure and she walked over to the window and looked down to where she had seen the shine the day before. It wasn't there.
"That's not a surprise. Probably washed away." She walked away and grabbed some clothes and her school robes before making her way to the bathroom to take a shower.
After she was finished she walked out to the common room and saw a small group of students crowded around the bulletin board. Harry and Ron turned when they saw her approach. "What's going on?"
"Classes are cancelled." Ron said, in shock.
"What! Why?"
"It doesn't say." Harry answered.
"This isn't good! I'm so far behind on my classes to begin with! Oh no!" Hermione covered her face with her hands groaning as Dean Thomas came down the stairs.
"Are you alright Hermione? Does your head hurt again?" He asked, worried.
"No! Classes are cancelled!" Dean laughed.
"Oh is that it? That's excellent news! And I thought you were sick again."
"Guys, this is serious! Don't you realize how much work we're going to have to do once classes resume just to make up for these days? It might seem like fun now, but mark my words we'll pay for it later if we don't keep up with studies ourselves."
"Hermione, I seriously believe there is a problem with you!" Ron said, and moved over to the chairs by the fire. The only major source of light was coming from the fire that burned, and all the other lights were dim and flickering.
"When do you want to head down to the Great Hall?"
"We have to wait for an "escort." Didn't you read the sign completely." Ron snickered. Hermione sighed.
"I was too busy being worried about the classes that I didn't read the rest. Why do we need an escort?"
"Isn't it obvious? Look at what happened the other day! All of a sudden a bunch of students pass out at the same bloody time!" Ron frowned. "They're worried someone is out there."
"But that's practically impossible, so it could be that they're just worried about the storm and whatever illness is going around." The portrait swung open just then and Professor McGonagall walked in, clapping her hands twice.
"Come students! All of you that are ready will come down to breakfast now." She spun around and left just as quickly as she came in. They all shrugged and stood up, following her out the hole. She was waiting for them and led them down the corridor to the Great Hall, where other students were already sitting down and waiting for their breakfast. Some talked amongst themselves and other sat silently, staring up at the enchanted ceiling.
Hermione, Ron and Harry sat down at their typical spot and were soon joined by a bandaged Draco.
"How you feeling?" He asked Hermione, taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently.
"I'm angry. Classes are cancelled! Do you know how much work we're going to have to make up when we go back?" Draco laughed, which surprised Harry and Ron.
"You must be joking, right Hermione?"
"No! This is dreadful news!" She frowned and watched as the platters showed up on the table, a little later than normal. Or were the just earlier than usual?"
"Hermione, Hermione." He shook his head and pulled her close briefly, hugging her fiercely. "I better head back to my table. Look, it's not that bad anymore. Blaise Zabini doesn't hate me. He doesn't approve of I, but he doesn't hate me for this. Makes life a little more tolerable there. At least I have one ally." She nodded and squeezed his hand a final time, moving away before he could give her a little kiss. She didn't want to upset Ron anymore than he already was.
Draco walked back to his table and sat down next to Blaise who just eyed him a little coldly. "Still don't approve of them Mudblood Draco. You could do so much better than her."
"Blaise, I would appreciate it if you didn't call my girlfriend a Mudblood."
"Sorry man. Just what I've been raised with. This is a bit hard to grasp you know." He shrugged and ate the food he had piled onto his plate. Draco helped himself to some food and started eating. More students were arriving with the escorts.
After everyone had arrived and were eating breakfast Professor Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands twice to get everyone's attention. "Students, I would like to speak with you on some very pressing matters." He waited until the room was entirely silent and all eyes were on him. "Seated amongst you are students who have contracted an illness. The illness is not caught by passing it on through other students so do not fear them. As for the bandages around their heads it is important that they not be removed for their safety. If they are removed before Madame Pomfrey says so, there may be another fiasco such as the one from the other day."
Pansy grinned and looked over at the Gryffindor table and narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
"Classes are cancelled for today as well." A few students who hadn't seen that post cheered. Hermione sighed, shaking her head.
"Do they honestly not realize how important these classes are? It's ridiculous." She said. "I'm still going to study today. Nothing else to do."
"Hermione, I'm sure you will be the only one studying on a free day." Ron said through a mouthful of toast.
"No, I won't be. Every good student will."
"Like I said, only you."
"And Draco." Ginny pointed out. Ron froze and frowned.
Breakfast was over and the students were led to their dorms. "If you want to go somewhere, make sure you bring a buddy with you and tell others who are not leaving the dorms where you are going." McGonagall said as she left the common room. Seamus frowned.
"It's like the damn buddy system. I hate this shite. I'd rather go to class."
"Shay, you really need to watch your language. It's so horrible lately."
"Oh come off it Dean. You know I have every right too. My friend has a big white bandage on his face and the professor's are worried. I think everyone's entitled to a little language now and then."
"Well that's the bloody truth." Ron said, reclining on his chair by the fire.
"You guys know a few days from now you are going to be bored out of your minds if classes keep getting cancelled." Hermione said, returning with her books. "Someone want to walk me to the library?"
"I'll go." Dean said. "Come on Shay. I don't want to stay after."
"Alright."
The three of them left the common room and headed to the library, soon running into Draco and Blaise, who were also headed towards the library. "See you later guys!" Hermione called to them as they continued down the hall.
"Can I head back now?" Blaise asked, looking at the two of them a little disgusted.
"We'll walk you back." Hermione said.
"Nah, don't worry about it." He turned to walk away.
"But they said-"
"Hermione, just let him go. He doesn't care. It's not like anything's going to happen anyway." Draco interrupted. She sighed and they continued on until they reached the library.
Once inside they sat down in the chair near the fire and Draco motioned for Hermione to come closer. "What is it?" She asked.
"Hermione, I know what's causing all this."
"Oh?"
"It's my father. I KNOW he's the cause of this!"
"Draco, it's not your father. Dumbledore would have-"
"Hermione listen to me! I don't care if you don't believe me but please let me at least tell you! I know it's him! I had a dream last night and-"
"Dreams don't mean anything." She snorted, thinking of Professor Trelawney.
"Oh no? I had dreams of you, and as I recall, you of me."
"Yes but that's different."
"How Hermione? Just listen. In the dream he was standing on the lawn in the rain. Then out of the Forbidden Forest came at least a dozen other Death Eaters, all of them with their hoods drawn. They came at the school and everyone had to flee. He came to get me Hermione. He wants to kill you and Harry and all the other Mudbloods." Hermione cringed at the word.
"Who? Your father?"
"No. Voldemort. Hermione, you have to believe me! He's coming. We have to tell Professor Dumbledore."
"Why don't you tell him then if you believe it?"
"Hermione, you're being dreadful!"
"I'm sorry Draco. I just always hated Trelawney and I don't think dreams mean much."
"Hermione, will you please come with me to see him?"
"Well it's not like I have a choice even if I didn't want to." He frowned. "Hey, I didn't say I would. I just said I didn't have a choice either way. Of course I'll go with you after we get some studying done."
"Thanks Hermione." He smiled a little but was still worried. He could almost feel his father somewhere near him and it was making his flesh crawl.
Sorry it's a bit short. I have other work I have to do. See you later everyone! And for review 100 I'm working on CGing that pic I posted before. So make sure you go check my art once in awhile! But I'll let everyone know when I do get it up. ^_~