A/N: Ok, I apologize. It's gonna get a little weird here with Draco, but the next chapter, I will explain when it's up. This one on is only slightly OOC I think.
To my reviewers...the-insufferable-know-it-all, Anna-Nanna, HermioneBallerina, Hobey-ho, and Amour-lily...I just now noticed how many dashes you all have I your names!! Anyway...thank you all! Here's what you requested!
Amour-lily...I will tell you one thing. One of your guesses is correct!
10. Recovery?
Draco hardly knew what was happening to him. Here was one of his worst school-mate enemies, lying unconscious in the hospital, he carried her there, now he was running to collect the headmaster...all while worrying himself sick. 'I'm going nuts. That's the only explanation.'
Draco reached Dumbledore's gargoyle minutes later, where it suddenly dawned on him...he had no idea what the old nutter...er...headmaster had set as the password.
"Uh..." The Gargoyle sprung sideways anyway, and Draco bounded up the stairs.
Dumbledore looked up surprised. "Mr. Malfoy! What can I do for you?"
"Granger...Hospital wing...collapsed...Pomfrey..." Draco panted.
Dumbledore didn't pause for any further explanation. "Go to McGonagall," he instructed and swept from the room.
Following on the headmaster's heels, Draco exited the office and tore down the opposite corridor. Bursting through the door to the Transfiguration class, McGonagall met him with her usual, "Mr. Malfoy, you're late."
"Professor, you're needed in the hospital wing," Draco blurted out.
"Class dismissed. Return to your houses at once!" None of the students had ever seen McGonagall so undone. Ron raised his hand.
"Yes Mr. Weasley, you may come."
oOoOoOo
Harry reached the hospital wing only seconds before McGonagall, Ron and Draco. He lunged for Hermione's bedside only to be caught in a shockingly agile move from Dumbledore.
"Harry. There's nothing you can do right now. Why don't you go back to your dormitory and wait for news?" the headmaster suggested gently.
"No! I knew something was wrong today, I shouldn't have left her!"
"Me either mate." Ron said from behind him. "What happened?"
Harry's voice cracked. "I don't know, I found her book in the hall and a portrait sent me here."
"Poppy?" questioned Dumbledore.
Madame Pomfrey sighed. "I won't lie to you. I, as well as all of you, have been watching her for a while now. I've been ready for something, but not this. Her heart is weak. If she doesn't start eating, she won't last much longer.
"I've placed a spell on her that is enabling her to rest comfortably. I've done all I can to wake her. If she doesn't wake in the next few hours, she will have to be transferred to St. Mungo's. If Mr. Malfoy here hadn't found her when he did, I don't even want to think about what could have happened. "
Harry and Ron wheeled around.
"Malfoy?" they said in unison.
Draco, who had been almost out the door, turned. Harry suddenly remembered seeing Malfoy's bag near Hermione's things.
Ron stared, not knowing what to say to his enemy. Draco looked around uncomfortably.
Harry nodded at him. "Thanks," he said gruffly.
Draco flushed slightly, before turning to leave again.
"Mr. Malfoy, stay here," commanded Dumbledore. Draco stopped.
"I think we would all like to know why you have had a sudden change of heart toward Miss Granger?" the Headmaster inquired.
Draco's eyes fell to the floor. He murmured something indistinguishable.
"I beg your pardon?"
Draco raised his head, his eyes closed. "My mother," he repeated slightly louder. "She looked like my mother."
Ron's jaw dropped. "Wait. What just happened here? The same git that told her she had a fat ass, took PITY on her?"
For the first time since he found Hermione, Draco sneered. "I'm still a human Weasley, no matter how hard you try to ignore that fact."
"That's enough boys," interrupted Dumbledore. "Mr. Malfoy, take 50 points for your caring gesture. Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, nothing can be done for now. Go back to your dormitory. You will be summoned when she awakens."
oOoOoOo
With the end of term days away, Harry and Ron were hardly about to do any homework. Harry took up his normal seat in front of the fireplace, Ron pacing in circles around the room.
"Bloody hell!" Burst Ron. "How can they expect us to sit here and wait? She needs us with her!"
Pale with worry, Harry couldn't answer, though he wholeheartedly agreed. "Ron, sit down, you're making me seasick."
Ron threw himself into the vacant chair opposite Harry, but just as quickly he stood again.
"Nope. Can't sit still." He took up his route around the couch.
"I just can't get over Malfoy." Harry said. "When I saw his bag, all these thoughts went through my mind. I thought he had hurt her or something."
"I know. He actually helped her. With no one watching!"
Harry didn't answer, instead, he rested his elbows on his knees, and his chin in his hand. Closing his eyes, he started rocking back and forth. This was how Dumbledore found them, pacing and rocking when his face appeared in the fire a few minutes later.
"Boys?" he started gently. Harry jumped in his chair, and Ron nearly slid into the fireplace in his eagerness to speak to the headmaster.
"What is it? Is she awake? Is she alright? When can we see her?" Ron asked in rapid fire succession.
Dumbledore looked grave. "Yes, she is awake. No, she is not alright. Yes, you may see her, though only for a minute." He disappeared, and Ron and Harry sprinted toward the door.
oOoOoOo
Hermione lay strapped to her bed, a precaution Madame Pomfrey said, against falling again. Looking at the ceiling, she tried to remember what had transpired to put her here. Pomfrey, insufferable woman, had refused to tell her anything.
'Let's see. I brought the wrong text to class, and had to go change it. I went to my room, I got it, and left. Then what?' she let out a frustrated sigh. Vaguely she remembered a voice that sounded like Malfoy's. For the life of her, Hermione could not remember what he said, or why he was there. 'Doofus probably fell off his broom again,' she thought idly.
"Hermione?" said Harry timidly from the doorway. "Can we come in?" Hermione smiled.
"Of course! Maybe you can tell me what happened." She struggled to sit up, but the straps held her down. Giving up, she sank back into her pillow.
"You don't know?" Ron asked.
"I remember switching my book, then nothing. Pomfrey won't tell me, she says it'll upset me or something. I wasn't really listening at that point."
Harry and Ron looked at each other. "From what we understand," Harry started slowly, "You were outside the Transfiguration classroom when you passed out and..."
"Malfoy found you and brought you here," Ron blurted.
Hermione's eyes widened. "The ferret did what??"
Harry nodded. "He found you. A portrait told me. I was worried when you didn't show for class, and McGonagall let me go to look for you. I found your book and his bag, and the portrait sent me here."
"My book! Where is it? Is it lost?" Hermione looked panicked.
Ron laughed and shook his head. "It's fine 'Mione. We took it back to the common room for you."
Harry felt relief course through him. How could Dumbledore say she wasn't all right? A portion of Hermione still lived in this skeletal body.
"Alright you two!" said Madame Pomfrey brusquely as she bustled in. "This girl needs her rest. You can visit her tomorrow, after classes. No Miss Granger," she added when Hermione made a noise. "You will NOT be attending classes tomorrow." She turned back to the boys. "Now...shoo!"
oOoOoOo
At the weeks end, the students leaving for the holiday filtered through the hallways dragging their trunks. Harry, pulling Hermione's trunk and Ron, pulling Hermione, walked through the massive door toward the horseless carriages. Dumping the luggage in the pile to be sent to the train, Harry looked around for Neville. Spotting him a few carriages down, about to climb in, Harry scurried over.
"Neville! NEVILLE!" he called. Neville, who had one foot in the carriage looked to his left and saw Harry.
"Hey Harry!" he jumped down. "What's up? You're not going home are you?"
"Gods no!" Harry grimaced. "No, I had a favor to ask you. Hermione's going home. Could you...look out for her on the train?"
"Yeah, o'course. How'd you get her to go home?" he asked.
Harry shrugged. "No idea. I have a feeling she was talked into it by someone else." He answered. "I'd better get back to her. Happy Christmas mate."
"Happy Christmas Harry."
Harry jogged back to the luggage pile where Hermione was begging Ron not to make her go.
"I have N.E.W.T's to study for! What will I do without the library?"
'Eat?' thought Ron. "You can study when you get back. The world won't end while you're away!"
Hermione looked up and saw Harry approaching. Before she could open her mouth, Harry said, "Ron's right." Seeing the angry/irritated/frustrated look in her eyes, Harry thought a little guilt trip was in order. He looked at the ground. Feeling half bad at what he was about to do, he apologized silently.
"Your parents must miss you. I wish I had Mum or Dad or Sirius..."
Hermione's eyes softened. "Oh Harry. I'm being selfish! Of course I want to see my parents, I'm so sorry!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Forgive me?"
Harry winked at Ron over her shoulder. "I won't if you don't get in that carriage!"
"Ok, ok, I'm going!" She wiped her eyes. "Happy Christmas Harry, Happy Christmas Ron!" She hugged Ron quickly before reaching for the handle to heave herself into the carriage. And not a moment to soon, the second she sat, the carriages pulled away. Hermione leaned out of the window and waved.
Ron and Harry lifted their hands in farewell, but Harry had a sinking feeling this goodbye was a bit different.