Chapter Seven
A/N: Dear readers, can you believe it? I'm updating! LOL It's not very often a thing like that happens. I think one of the reasons (except writer's block and lack of time) it takes such a long time for me to update, is that I don't just sit down, start writing a chapter and finishes it within the same day, but writes on it during a period.
The usual thanks to my reviewers:
Dragon-soul- I hope I updated soon enough.
Heather- Thanks so much! Both for saying that my grammar is well enough, and for liking my story. =0) By the way, I love your name! Heather is such a beautiful name, and the flower has such a lovely color.
Weasleysparkles- Thanks a bunch for saying all those incredibly kind things!!! =0) O/H does rock!
Puppy- Thanks a lot! =0) Though, I don't I write well. Yes, thank you for telling me about the "Cold hands- warm heart" saying. I didn't know if it was universal or not. I know that my dialogues are formal and stiff, but I'm working on it. I really appreciate that you pointed it out, because it helps me improve my writing.
Stef- No, you don't need to apologize for saying that you hate Cho. LOL I didn't take it the wrong away, I was just teasing you. I read in your bio that you live in Denmark. Where? Jag bor i Kristianstad. Have you traveled a lot via Öresundsbron? LOL Thanks very much for reviewing! =0)
IndyFan14- Hi Jessie! Thanks for the review! =0)
Mandy- Thank you for reviewing, Mandy! Read the chapter if you want to find out what's going to happen to Hermione. LOL
Katie Black- Thank you very much! =0)
glitter kitty- Thanks Kel! LOL I think a lot of people claim the same thing as you- that Oliver belongs to them!
Blue Eyed Angel- LOL I know it's really rare that I update, but I hope this was soon enough. Thank you for the review! =0)
The corridors of Hogwarts were silent and dark. Everyone was sleeping, or...? Suddenly, a boy was seen walking through a corridor, while mumbling: "I... I'm sorry, Professor Snape. I didn't mean to... Ye- yes, I'll clean up the mess in the classroom right away." He stopped in front of a broom closet, opened it, and grabbed some things. Then he continued walking, but tripped over something and dropped all the things he was carrying. The noise enticed Peeves to come, and he flew around the area smugly, while he shouted: "Student out of bed! Student out of bed! Teacher required to give detention immediately!" The boy who had been mumbling: "I'm sorry Professor, I tripped, I..." frighteningly, awaked due to Peeves shouting.
"Thank goodness," he said relieved, "it was just a nightmare."
He dusted himself off and got up from the floor. When he looked up he was met by the same pair of cold black eyes, that had been chasing him in his nightmare.
"Aaaaahhh!" the boy screamed, terrified.
"Pull yourself together, Longbottom," Snape said coldly and grabbed him. "You'll wake the whole school."
Snape's voice was enough to freeze fire to ice, and Neville stopped screaming. Snape released Neville and looked suspiciously at him.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he asked.
"I-I-I...," Neville started with his voice shaking.
"For goodness sake, Longbottom! Don't you have any other word than 'I' in your vocabulary?" Snape interrupted him impatiently.
"I was sleepwalking," Neville said in a squeaky voice and looked down at his feet.
"Was that the best thing you could come up with?" Snape sneered. "No, I think you were up to something. You wanted to ruin my classes tomorrow."
"But it's true Professor!" Neville looked up at Snape, and started shaking in his whole body when he saw Snape's cold look. "Sometimes I sleepwalk. Please Professor, you can ask my Grandmother if you don't believe me."
Snape didn't care about what Neville had to say, but instead he went to the Potions classroom, and pushed down the door handle.
He raised his eyebrows.
"I'm impressed, Longbottom," he said meanly, "I didn't know you could lock a door."
He paused and looked like he reflected on it.
"Or perhaps you don't know how to do it..."
Neville's face brightened up a bit.
"Potter and his friends are lurking somewhere, aren't they?" Snape sneered. "Of course you wouldn't have the guts to do such a thing alone, not to mention be able to. Now, tell me were they are; they'll be in even more trouble if you don't."
When he saw the horrified look on Neville's face, he continued.
"There's no use trying to cover up for them; I know they are here. This is totally over your own capacity. Besides, Granger always helps you out otherwise."
Since Neville didn't say anything, but just shook in his whole body and looked frightened at the door, Snape took that as a hint that Harry, Hermione and Ron were hiding in the classroom. He took out his wand and said: "Alohomora", as he pointed it towards the door handle.
"Let's see how uncreative they are," he said meanly as he opened the door and stepped inside. "There aren't many places to hiiiii... Ow! Longbottom!!! What's this?!"
Neville woke up from his paralyzed state and rushed forward to see what had happened.
"I don't know Professor," he said. "It looks like... a body..."
"A body???!!! Aaaahhh!" Snape quickly got up from the floor.
The person was lying with the face down, and the robe was covering the head, so they couldn't see who it was.
"You turn it over," Snape commanded Neville.
Neville's body was shaking, but he was more scared of Professor Snape than the body, so he obediently turned it over.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed when he saw her face.
"That's how it goes when you try to sabotage, Longbottom," Snape said chilly. "Stupid girl, now she's made us the trouble to get her to the hospital wing."
"Please, Professor, it's true I was sleepwalking, and had no idea that Hermione was here," Neville pleaded.
"Knock it off, Longbottom," Snape snapped. "I've learnt that Potter and his friends are always plotting something."
Snape's indifferent way to handle the situation, made Neville remember what to do when one finds an unconscious person. He put two fingers on Hermione's neck to feel her pulse.
"Her pulse is weak!" he cried. "We have to get her to the hospital wing quickly!"
Snape mumbled a spell and suddenly Hermione was lying on a stretcher.
"Take her to the hospital wing," he said and pointed with his wand on the stretcher.
The stretcher immediately set off to the hospital wing and Snape followed it.
"You can go back to your dormitory," he said to Neville. "You'll find out what detention you'll get tomorrow."
Neville bent his head down and started slowly walking to his dorm, but as soon as Snape was out of sight he started running as quickly as he could.
"Harry! Harry! Ron! Wake up!" he screamed as he tore opened the door to the dorm.
"Zzz... Not now, I'm trying to sleep," Harry said without making any attempt to open his eyes.
"Hurry up! Something has happened to Hermione! She's unconscious!!!" Neville said hysterically.
"What???!!!" Harry and Ron exclaimed in chorus. Both of them were wide- awake now.
Neville told them what had happened, and Harry and Ron rushed out of bed, not bothering about changing from their pajamas, and were off to the hospital wing.
Neville was left in the dormitory where Seamus and Dean, heavily with sleep, asked what was going on.
"Something happened to Hermione, so she's unconscious," he answered them.
"Oh, okay, tell Professor Sprout that we hope she'll get well soon, so we won't miss too many of her classes," Seamus said and drifted back to sleep.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Harry said, when he saw her step out from the room, where Hermione was.
"Yes, dear," she replied.
"How's Hermione?" Harry asked worriedly.
"What happened to her?" Ron asked immediately after.
"Poor girl," she said and shook her head. "She's awake now. It seems like she got cramps and then lost conscious."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"You see, that's the thing I don't understand," she said wonderingly. "You usually get those cramps when you're really stressed, but how can she be so stressed when school has only just started? Perhaps... No, it couldn't be..."
"Uh, are we allowed to see her now?" Ron interrupted her. "We promise not to tire her out."
"All right then," Madam Pomfrey said, "but don't stay too long."
"Thanks," Harry said and walked in with Ron in tow.
Hermione was lying in the bed that was closest to the door, and looked out through the window.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron exclaimed as they rushed forward to hug her.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked.
"Oh," Hermione said happily surprised. "Harry and Ron! I'm so glad to see you! I'm fine now, only a bit tired."
"Madam Pomfrey said you got the cramps because of stress," Ron said. "But she couldn't understand how you could be stressed already, when school has only just started."
"Well, um... I've been, um... taking Muggle classes during the summer," she said and looked down.
"What?" Ron exclaimed. "What for? You're crazy if you take more classes than you need!"
"I'm Muggle-born, Ron," she defended herself. "I don't know yet if I want to work in the Muggle or the wizarding world. That's why I've been taking Muggle classes every summer, to back up with, if I decide that I want to go to a Muggle university."
"Wow!" Harry said, "I haven't seen it through that perspective, but I'm pretty sure I want to stay in the wizarding world."
"So that's why you've been so stressed," Ron said reproaching. "You have to think of your health, you know. We don't want this to happen to you again."
"Well, actually," she said, "this isn't the first time."
"Hermione!" Ron almost shouted. "How many times has it happened?"
"Not many," she said, "only twice." "The first time was when we were in our third year."
"How come we didn't know it then?" Harry asked.
"Probably because you were too mad at me for telling Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt," she said and looked knowingly at Ron, who looked away. "Anyway, it wasn't very serious that time, I didn't lose consciousness like this time. And last time it happened was this summer, since I had my Muggle classes and had to go through the books for this year."
"Oh, Hermione," Harry said. "You have to take care of yourself, we don't want to lose you."
"But I have to think of my future," she said. "I have no idea what I want to work with, nor in which world."
"I can't decide anything for you," Harry said, "but my advice is to do what your heart desires."
"It desires both," she replied with tears in her eyes. "I've grown up in the Muggle world and my parents are Muggles, but I've had some fantastic years in the wizarding world, which I wouldn't trade for anything, plus I also have two wonderful friends there."
"I have a suggestion," Harry said and handed her a Kleenex. "You skipped one grade when you attended the Muggle school, right?"
Hermione nodded.
"That means that you're already ahead of the ones your age," he continued. "Why don't you wait until the ones your age have caught up with your level, and then see if you want to continue with the Muggle classes?"
"That I could do..." she said thoughtfully. "Yes, Harry that's a great idea, I'll do that. Thanks for the suggestion."
"Oh no!" Hermione put her hand on her mouth. "I just remembered that I have to call Megan. Harry, what time is it?"
"It's 11:45," he replied. "We'd better get going before Madam Pomfrey kicks us out."
"Oh well, I guess I can call her anyway," she said. "Her phone is practically glued to her hand; she's always waiting for someone to call or text her. Anyway, before you go, could you please hand me my cell phone? It's in my robes pocket."
"Here you are," he said and gave her the phone. "Are you allowed to go to your classes tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I am," she replied.
"See you tomorrow then," Ron said and smiled slightly. "Good night!"
When Harry and Ron had left, Hermione leant back on the bed and took some deep breaths. She dialed Megan's number quickly, so she wouldn't get even more nervous, and waited for Megan to answer.
"Hello?" she heard Megan say after a couple of signals.
"Hi Megan, it's Hermione," she said, her voice shaking a little.
"Oh, hi Hermione! I'm so glad you're calling!" Megan said. "Me, Theresa and Linda have been shopping for new clothes all the day, and we're so excited to meet you. We're really looking forward to visiting your school."
"That's good, Megan," Hermione said and tried to sound indifferent.
She took a deep breath before she continued
"Um, Megan, are you sitting down?" she asked. "Because if you aren't you'd better do it. The reason I'm calling you so late is that I have something very important to tell you. I'm..."
"Oh my gosh!" Megan cried. "You're pregnant!"
"No!" Hermione said shockingly.
"You're addicted to drugs!" Megan continued. "Or do you suffer from anorexia?"
"No, no!" Hermione said. What on earth makes you think that?"
"Nothing... it's just... you said you had something important to tell me," Megan defended herself.
"Well, it has nothing to do with those things," Hermione assured her. "Gosh! What do you think of me?"
"Never mind it," Megan said. "Now, what did you want to tell me?"
"Are you sitting down?" Hermione asked her worriedly.
"Yes, yes, I am," Megan replied impatiently. "Now tell me before I burst with curiosity!"
"Okay," Hermione said. "I know this will sound really, really crazy, but I'm not nuts, I'm in full possession of my senses. Megan... I'm a witch."
A/N: So this was all for this time, people. I'd be so happy if you'd like to review, and tell me what you thought of this chapter and what I should improve. If you like the Hermione/Oliver pairing, I've also written a songfic, using Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi", called "Mudblood Girl".
A/N: Dear readers, can you believe it? I'm updating! LOL It's not very often a thing like that happens. I think one of the reasons (except writer's block and lack of time) it takes such a long time for me to update, is that I don't just sit down, start writing a chapter and finishes it within the same day, but writes on it during a period.
The usual thanks to my reviewers:
Dragon-soul- I hope I updated soon enough.
Heather- Thanks so much! Both for saying that my grammar is well enough, and for liking my story. =0) By the way, I love your name! Heather is such a beautiful name, and the flower has such a lovely color.
Weasleysparkles- Thanks a bunch for saying all those incredibly kind things!!! =0) O/H does rock!
Puppy- Thanks a lot! =0) Though, I don't I write well. Yes, thank you for telling me about the "Cold hands- warm heart" saying. I didn't know if it was universal or not. I know that my dialogues are formal and stiff, but I'm working on it. I really appreciate that you pointed it out, because it helps me improve my writing.
Stef- No, you don't need to apologize for saying that you hate Cho. LOL I didn't take it the wrong away, I was just teasing you. I read in your bio that you live in Denmark. Where? Jag bor i Kristianstad. Have you traveled a lot via Öresundsbron? LOL Thanks very much for reviewing! =0)
IndyFan14- Hi Jessie! Thanks for the review! =0)
Mandy- Thank you for reviewing, Mandy! Read the chapter if you want to find out what's going to happen to Hermione. LOL
Katie Black- Thank you very much! =0)
glitter kitty- Thanks Kel! LOL I think a lot of people claim the same thing as you- that Oliver belongs to them!
Blue Eyed Angel- LOL I know it's really rare that I update, but I hope this was soon enough. Thank you for the review! =0)
The corridors of Hogwarts were silent and dark. Everyone was sleeping, or...? Suddenly, a boy was seen walking through a corridor, while mumbling: "I... I'm sorry, Professor Snape. I didn't mean to... Ye- yes, I'll clean up the mess in the classroom right away." He stopped in front of a broom closet, opened it, and grabbed some things. Then he continued walking, but tripped over something and dropped all the things he was carrying. The noise enticed Peeves to come, and he flew around the area smugly, while he shouted: "Student out of bed! Student out of bed! Teacher required to give detention immediately!" The boy who had been mumbling: "I'm sorry Professor, I tripped, I..." frighteningly, awaked due to Peeves shouting.
"Thank goodness," he said relieved, "it was just a nightmare."
He dusted himself off and got up from the floor. When he looked up he was met by the same pair of cold black eyes, that had been chasing him in his nightmare.
"Aaaaahhh!" the boy screamed, terrified.
"Pull yourself together, Longbottom," Snape said coldly and grabbed him. "You'll wake the whole school."
Snape's voice was enough to freeze fire to ice, and Neville stopped screaming. Snape released Neville and looked suspiciously at him.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he asked.
"I-I-I...," Neville started with his voice shaking.
"For goodness sake, Longbottom! Don't you have any other word than 'I' in your vocabulary?" Snape interrupted him impatiently.
"I was sleepwalking," Neville said in a squeaky voice and looked down at his feet.
"Was that the best thing you could come up with?" Snape sneered. "No, I think you were up to something. You wanted to ruin my classes tomorrow."
"But it's true Professor!" Neville looked up at Snape, and started shaking in his whole body when he saw Snape's cold look. "Sometimes I sleepwalk. Please Professor, you can ask my Grandmother if you don't believe me."
Snape didn't care about what Neville had to say, but instead he went to the Potions classroom, and pushed down the door handle.
He raised his eyebrows.
"I'm impressed, Longbottom," he said meanly, "I didn't know you could lock a door."
He paused and looked like he reflected on it.
"Or perhaps you don't know how to do it..."
Neville's face brightened up a bit.
"Potter and his friends are lurking somewhere, aren't they?" Snape sneered. "Of course you wouldn't have the guts to do such a thing alone, not to mention be able to. Now, tell me were they are; they'll be in even more trouble if you don't."
When he saw the horrified look on Neville's face, he continued.
"There's no use trying to cover up for them; I know they are here. This is totally over your own capacity. Besides, Granger always helps you out otherwise."
Since Neville didn't say anything, but just shook in his whole body and looked frightened at the door, Snape took that as a hint that Harry, Hermione and Ron were hiding in the classroom. He took out his wand and said: "Alohomora", as he pointed it towards the door handle.
"Let's see how uncreative they are," he said meanly as he opened the door and stepped inside. "There aren't many places to hiiiii... Ow! Longbottom!!! What's this?!"
Neville woke up from his paralyzed state and rushed forward to see what had happened.
"I don't know Professor," he said. "It looks like... a body..."
"A body???!!! Aaaahhh!" Snape quickly got up from the floor.
The person was lying with the face down, and the robe was covering the head, so they couldn't see who it was.
"You turn it over," Snape commanded Neville.
Neville's body was shaking, but he was more scared of Professor Snape than the body, so he obediently turned it over.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed when he saw her face.
"That's how it goes when you try to sabotage, Longbottom," Snape said chilly. "Stupid girl, now she's made us the trouble to get her to the hospital wing."
"Please, Professor, it's true I was sleepwalking, and had no idea that Hermione was here," Neville pleaded.
"Knock it off, Longbottom," Snape snapped. "I've learnt that Potter and his friends are always plotting something."
Snape's indifferent way to handle the situation, made Neville remember what to do when one finds an unconscious person. He put two fingers on Hermione's neck to feel her pulse.
"Her pulse is weak!" he cried. "We have to get her to the hospital wing quickly!"
Snape mumbled a spell and suddenly Hermione was lying on a stretcher.
"Take her to the hospital wing," he said and pointed with his wand on the stretcher.
The stretcher immediately set off to the hospital wing and Snape followed it.
"You can go back to your dormitory," he said to Neville. "You'll find out what detention you'll get tomorrow."
Neville bent his head down and started slowly walking to his dorm, but as soon as Snape was out of sight he started running as quickly as he could.
"Harry! Harry! Ron! Wake up!" he screamed as he tore opened the door to the dorm.
"Zzz... Not now, I'm trying to sleep," Harry said without making any attempt to open his eyes.
"Hurry up! Something has happened to Hermione! She's unconscious!!!" Neville said hysterically.
"What???!!!" Harry and Ron exclaimed in chorus. Both of them were wide- awake now.
Neville told them what had happened, and Harry and Ron rushed out of bed, not bothering about changing from their pajamas, and were off to the hospital wing.
Neville was left in the dormitory where Seamus and Dean, heavily with sleep, asked what was going on.
"Something happened to Hermione, so she's unconscious," he answered them.
"Oh, okay, tell Professor Sprout that we hope she'll get well soon, so we won't miss too many of her classes," Seamus said and drifted back to sleep.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Harry said, when he saw her step out from the room, where Hermione was.
"Yes, dear," she replied.
"How's Hermione?" Harry asked worriedly.
"What happened to her?" Ron asked immediately after.
"Poor girl," she said and shook her head. "She's awake now. It seems like she got cramps and then lost conscious."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"You see, that's the thing I don't understand," she said wonderingly. "You usually get those cramps when you're really stressed, but how can she be so stressed when school has only just started? Perhaps... No, it couldn't be..."
"Uh, are we allowed to see her now?" Ron interrupted her. "We promise not to tire her out."
"All right then," Madam Pomfrey said, "but don't stay too long."
"Thanks," Harry said and walked in with Ron in tow.
Hermione was lying in the bed that was closest to the door, and looked out through the window.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron exclaimed as they rushed forward to hug her.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked.
"Oh," Hermione said happily surprised. "Harry and Ron! I'm so glad to see you! I'm fine now, only a bit tired."
"Madam Pomfrey said you got the cramps because of stress," Ron said. "But she couldn't understand how you could be stressed already, when school has only just started."
"Well, um... I've been, um... taking Muggle classes during the summer," she said and looked down.
"What?" Ron exclaimed. "What for? You're crazy if you take more classes than you need!"
"I'm Muggle-born, Ron," she defended herself. "I don't know yet if I want to work in the Muggle or the wizarding world. That's why I've been taking Muggle classes every summer, to back up with, if I decide that I want to go to a Muggle university."
"Wow!" Harry said, "I haven't seen it through that perspective, but I'm pretty sure I want to stay in the wizarding world."
"So that's why you've been so stressed," Ron said reproaching. "You have to think of your health, you know. We don't want this to happen to you again."
"Well, actually," she said, "this isn't the first time."
"Hermione!" Ron almost shouted. "How many times has it happened?"
"Not many," she said, "only twice." "The first time was when we were in our third year."
"How come we didn't know it then?" Harry asked.
"Probably because you were too mad at me for telling Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt," she said and looked knowingly at Ron, who looked away. "Anyway, it wasn't very serious that time, I didn't lose consciousness like this time. And last time it happened was this summer, since I had my Muggle classes and had to go through the books for this year."
"Oh, Hermione," Harry said. "You have to take care of yourself, we don't want to lose you."
"But I have to think of my future," she said. "I have no idea what I want to work with, nor in which world."
"I can't decide anything for you," Harry said, "but my advice is to do what your heart desires."
"It desires both," she replied with tears in her eyes. "I've grown up in the Muggle world and my parents are Muggles, but I've had some fantastic years in the wizarding world, which I wouldn't trade for anything, plus I also have two wonderful friends there."
"I have a suggestion," Harry said and handed her a Kleenex. "You skipped one grade when you attended the Muggle school, right?"
Hermione nodded.
"That means that you're already ahead of the ones your age," he continued. "Why don't you wait until the ones your age have caught up with your level, and then see if you want to continue with the Muggle classes?"
"That I could do..." she said thoughtfully. "Yes, Harry that's a great idea, I'll do that. Thanks for the suggestion."
"Oh no!" Hermione put her hand on her mouth. "I just remembered that I have to call Megan. Harry, what time is it?"
"It's 11:45," he replied. "We'd better get going before Madam Pomfrey kicks us out."
"Oh well, I guess I can call her anyway," she said. "Her phone is practically glued to her hand; she's always waiting for someone to call or text her. Anyway, before you go, could you please hand me my cell phone? It's in my robes pocket."
"Here you are," he said and gave her the phone. "Are you allowed to go to your classes tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I am," she replied.
"See you tomorrow then," Ron said and smiled slightly. "Good night!"
When Harry and Ron had left, Hermione leant back on the bed and took some deep breaths. She dialed Megan's number quickly, so she wouldn't get even more nervous, and waited for Megan to answer.
"Hello?" she heard Megan say after a couple of signals.
"Hi Megan, it's Hermione," she said, her voice shaking a little.
"Oh, hi Hermione! I'm so glad you're calling!" Megan said. "Me, Theresa and Linda have been shopping for new clothes all the day, and we're so excited to meet you. We're really looking forward to visiting your school."
"That's good, Megan," Hermione said and tried to sound indifferent.
She took a deep breath before she continued
"Um, Megan, are you sitting down?" she asked. "Because if you aren't you'd better do it. The reason I'm calling you so late is that I have something very important to tell you. I'm..."
"Oh my gosh!" Megan cried. "You're pregnant!"
"No!" Hermione said shockingly.
"You're addicted to drugs!" Megan continued. "Or do you suffer from anorexia?"
"No, no!" Hermione said. What on earth makes you think that?"
"Nothing... it's just... you said you had something important to tell me," Megan defended herself.
"Well, it has nothing to do with those things," Hermione assured her. "Gosh! What do you think of me?"
"Never mind it," Megan said. "Now, what did you want to tell me?"
"Are you sitting down?" Hermione asked her worriedly.
"Yes, yes, I am," Megan replied impatiently. "Now tell me before I burst with curiosity!"
"Okay," Hermione said. "I know this will sound really, really crazy, but I'm not nuts, I'm in full possession of my senses. Megan... I'm a witch."
A/N: So this was all for this time, people. I'd be so happy if you'd like to review, and tell me what you thought of this chapter and what I should improve. If you like the Hermione/Oliver pairing, I've also written a songfic, using Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi", called "Mudblood Girl".