Chapter 3: pop goes the weasel.

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Hermione woke up to the sound of a door being closed. She hurriedly opened her eyes only to wince them back in because of the harsh bright lights around her. When the pain from the lights ceased, she started to hear voices. Two very familiar bickering voices that could only belong to the two of her most favorite Weasleys.

Learning from her mistake, she gingerly opened one eye before opening the other one. To her unfocused sight, she could see the backside of one redheaded blur hit the other, much taller one, on the head. She had to blink a couple more times (rather painfully) to make the images clear.

Ron… Ginny… why are you here? She wanted to ask but all that came out was a couple of gibberish words and a grunt.

That took their attention from their squabble towards their now conscious friend.

Ginny, the youngest and the only female Weasley sibling immediately jumped to her side.

"Hermione! You're awake!" she surmised, "Ron you bloody oaf! What are you doing looking like a bloody goldfish? Get the healer quick!" she barked to her brother who instantly dashed out of the room without a word.

Hermione had so many questions in her head it started to hurt. Where am I? Why isn't she in her apartment? Why is Ron here when he's supposed to be in his quidditch practices for the Wasps? And where's Draco???

But apparently her tongue and lips weren't cooperating with her brain as she had experienced a few minutes ago. Hell, she can't even open her eyes properly.

She turned to her side and started to get up. I need answers. And I will get them even if – a sudden pain shot through Hermione's entire body and she could only let out a gurgled noise to let them know she was in pain. The ache was so amazingly acute that all her toes and fingers are curled to the point where she nearly went out of breath.

"Hermione don't move!" cried Ginny as she helped her get to her original position on the bed.

Thank you for telling me on time Ginny Weasley, she gritted her teeth. She scrunched her face as the numbing pain finally receded to her feet then went away. After taking a couple of well-needed breaths, she could only give Ginny's freckled face a confused glance.

"H-Hermione… you… bruises… all over…" she stammered, tears forming in her eyes, "Ron… oh gods!"

Just then Ron appeared with the mediwizard, perfectly in time to catch a hysterical Ginny and escort her out of the room.

Bruises? From where? More questions bombarded her already throbbing head, I remember getting out of the Ministry building as fast as possible because…because what? Where am I supposed to be?

The healer quickly checked her temperature and saw if her bandages need changing. Then went out of the room after a reassuring smile and words that she would be just fine.

Five minutes later, Ron, tall and well built, came in looking very relieved. "I'm so glad you're awake Hermione," he said holding her hand.

Hermione was still confused as ever. She breathed in deeply, concentrated on her tongue and forcefully whispered, "What… happened?" Great job Hermione…

"Oh. Ginny's just too overwhelmed from you waking up and she said she can't see you in so much pain therefore she burst out crying… and that's not what you're asking me is it?" he mumbled after receiving a knowing look from Hermione.

He breathed in deeply, looked at her sadly in the eyes and said, "You were attacked Hermione."

Attacked? Ron's words reverberated in her head. She wanted so much to ask Ron about this but she was trapped in her current state and had no choice but to let him continue.

"It was right after you got out of the Ministry of Magic building" he said, "At least that was what the Aurors in charge deduced."

That's right. That's the last thing I remember before going unconscious, she thought.

"If Malfoy didn't find you in your apartment that night…" he looked at her then glanced down as if running out of words to say. "Well… at least that git is good for something." He mumbled.

Wait a minute. Why was I attacked in the first place? The Ministry of Magic is one of the most highly guarded buildings next to Azkaban! Something's not adding up. And I'm going to find out what it is…

All of a sudden she had a yearning for a quick nap and reluctantly yawned.

Ron sensed this and remembered the healer's orders that she shouldn't be overtired. "I should be leaving, Hermione." He said getting up from the stool, "The healer said you needed a lot of rest, especially with all the blood you lost."

"No, please stay." She pleaded her voice weak, "I'm not… tired… at… all…" her eyes were closed and she was breathing peacefully by the time she said her last word.

"I'll be back tomorrow. I promise." Ron whispered. He gave her hand another squeeze, donned his cloak and apparated away.

From outside Hermione's room, he never noticed a pair of green eyes flicker with anger as its owner's plans almost crumbled to dust.

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A/N: K. I revised this coz I think it's shtty. Oh well. Deal with it. I'm working on the 4th chappie. It should be uploaded by Monday.