Sorry for the delay here. School is icky, as usual, and I had a funeral to attend for a friend this week. Hopefully, I'll get the story finished sometime in the next few weeks.

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12. The Transfer

Draco stood, just as shocked as Harry.

"Malfoy...what...the...bloody...hell...is...going...on?" Harry managed out.

Draco looked trapped. He had sworn Pomfrey and McGonagall to silence about his visits, a fact he'd hoped would remain that way. Yet here was Potter, early. And staring like his hair was on fire.

Resisting the urge to make sure his hair was indeed not on fire, Draco hissed, "SHH! I just got her to sleep. I suppose potty wee Potter would rather have her awake?" He moved to shake her.

"NO! Stop!" Harry made a move to grab his wrist away from Hermione.

"Relax. I wasn't going to do it. I just like to watch you squirm," he sneered. "Well, since you're here early, I'm off." He swept to the door his robes billowing in a way that reminded Harry of Snape.

"Uh...Malfoy?" Harry asked in a low voice. "Were you...uh...singing?" He repressed a smile. 'Wait'll Ron hears about this one!!' he thought.

Draco turned. "Singing?" he sniffed. "Malfoy's don't sing." He looked distastefully at the girl in the bed. "Especially to Mudbloods." He reached for the doorknob and turned it. With second thoughts, he closed the door, and walked back to Harry. "If you ever tell anyone I was here...you're dead Potter." With that he strode to the door, threw it open and stalked purposefully into the hallway.

oOoOoOo

Harry scratched his head. He knew he had heard voices. Why was Malfoy covering it up? He'd have to ask Hermione why he sang, or better yet, why she let him sit with her. He sat now and looked at his friend. She looked so peaceful while she slept. If only she could look like that while awake. Taking her hand he whispered, "I miss you 'Mione. Please come back to us."

oOoOoOo

"Professor, there's nothing else I can do for her," Madame Pomfrey looked at her hands. "I failed her, I'm sorry."

Dumbledore walked around his desk to the forlorn looking woman. "Poppy, you have done your best with her. It is time, I believe, she be transferred to St. Mungo's. I will of course, speak to her parents concerning the transfer." Dumbledore sighed, the twinkle long gone from his eyes. "I would have never thought Miss Granger of all people..."

"I know Albus." Madame Pomfrey patted his arm. "It makes one feel so...insignificant doesn't it?"

Dumbledore stood. "I will go talk to her parents now. Go back to the hospital. I believe you will find Mr. Potter with her at the moment. Inform him of the change, and call the house elves to Gryffindor tower to pack her things." He walked past the surprised woman and out to the waiting Gargoyle.

oOoOoOo

Madame Pomfrey had to force herself to walk back to her hospital wing. This was most definitely not a task she fancied telling young Harry. The poor boy had been through so much in his life, removing his best friend from his presence would do little to help. She dragged her feet ever so slightly, yet the noise echoed loudly in the hallway. With her heart pounding sorrowfully, and full of dread, Madame Pomfrey paused outside the massive wooden doors. Closing her eyes, she murmured, "Merlin, give me strength."

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door. There at Hermione's bed, sat a hunched over Harry. Hermione was sleeping peacefully, for once, without the aid of a potion. Harry's back was to the door, Madame Pomfrey could see the forlorn expression the boy wore. His hand lightly held Hermione's, his thumb stroking light circles on the back of her hand.

Her heart aching, Madame Pomfrey walked over. "Mr. Potter?" she spoke softly. Harry looked up.

"Hullo Madame Pomfrey." His eyes, dull and listless, rent her heart in two.

Her left hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Harry, I need to speak with you for a moment. I've just been to see Professor Dumbledore."

Harry took a deep breath and held it. He wouldn't allow himself to hope, he couldn't. His eyes asked the question he couldn't voice.

"The headmaster believes it's time for Miss Granger to be transferred to St. Mungo's," she continued carefully. "I've done all I can..." her voice broke.

Harry's throat closed up and he blinked back tears. He nodded and looked back at the girl in the bed. "Does anyone else know yet?" he asked thickly.

"The headmaster has left to inform her parents. I am to tell the house elves to pack her things, but otherwise, no."

"Is there anyway I can do it? I can pack for her?" Harry asked still not able to face the healer.

"You'll need to talk to Professor McGonagall about that. I'm sure Hermione would appreciate the gesture."

Harry cleared his throat. "When will she be leaving?"

"I'll let you know as soon as I receive word." Madame Pomfrey brushed her hand across her eyes. "Would you like to stay for a while, or would you like to talk to her friends?"

Harry bit his lip. "I think I'll go talk to Ron if that's alright." He finally turned his head back to Madame Pomfrey, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Unable to stop herself, she reached out and pulled the thin boy into a hug. Surprised, he hugged her back before she quickly released him.

"I'll be here if she needs anything, all right Mr. Potter?" she asked desperately trying to reclaim a business-like voice. Harry took a deep breath and nodded before fleeing out the door.

oOoOoOo

Ron sat on the edge of his bed, his hands gripping the covers so tightly his knuckles were white and staring at the stone floor. Neville, Seamus and Dean stood uselessly by their respective beds, unable to speak.

"I'm sorry mates. That's what she told me." Harry hung his head. "Ron...you ok?"

Ron looked up tears falling unabashed down his cheeks. "NO! I'm not bloody alright! My best friend is in the hospital... maybe dying...and there's not a thing I can do!" This was the first time he had admitted out loud or to himself that Hermione just might not be ok. Neville moved quietly and sat next to Ron, losing the battle of the tears himself. Finally, Harry let the tears fall he had been holding back since Pomfrey had given him the news. He slipped to his knees next to Ron and sobbed.

Seamus and Dean looked uncomfortably at each other before moving Ron's bed as well. Dean wedged himself between Ron and Neville and awkwardly patted their backs. Seamus knelt next to Harry and did the same. Neither boy said a word while their friends vented their emotions.

After a few minutes, Harry and Ron pulled themselves together. Taking a few deep breaths to relax, Harry looked up at the scene in the room and blushed slightly.

"Sorry 'bout that mates!" He gave a lopsided half smile.

Trying to break the tension, Seamus grinned. "Just be glad that we were all here and there was no one to walk in! They might think we all broke up with each other or something!" Seamus's weak joke did the trick. The other four looked at each other's tear streaked, pink faces and burst out laughing.

"Oh, before I forget, Ron, McGonagall gave me permission to pack up 'Mione's stuff. Do you wanna help?"

Ron nodded. "How're we supposed to get up there?" He winced, remembering the painful tumble he took after trying to get up there fourth year.

"McGonagall has to escort us up there. It shouldn't be too hard to do it. Pack I mean. She's pretty neat." He glanced around the room. "She'd have a heart attack if she saw how we let this place fall apart since she's been...in there."

The other boys all laughed weakly. "Well," said Harry standing. "Better get to it." Ron stood, and they both headed toward the door.

"Do the girls one favor will you?" called Dean.

They turned. "What's that?" Ron asked puzzled.

"For the love of Merlin, wash your faces!!"

oOoOoOo

As the boys finished up their packing job, walked back into the room.

"Oh, good, you've finished. Leave her things here by the door, the house-elves will be up shortly to retrieve them. If you would like to say good bye to Miss Granger, she will be leaving shortly."

Ron and Harry looked around at the now bare space Hermione once, and hopefully would again, occupy.

"Potter, Weasley? Shall we?"

Following McGonagall out the door and down the stairs, both boys had to resist the urge to run back up and unpack.

At the portrait hole McGonagall turned. "She is waiting in the hospital wing. The people from St. Mungo's are here, they are readying her for transport." Her voice took on a soft tone. "You'd best hurry boys."

"Thank you Professor," they both said before walking the path to the hospital wing they had both come to know so well.

McGonagall watched their retreating figures with a heavy heart. Life just wasn't fair. Why should these three, have to learn the harsh lessons of life so young?

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Ok Kiddies...I think two more chapters after this one, and that's about it! And now for the shout outs:

Amour-Lily: you asked about Christmas break; chapter 10 they left on break, and chapter 11 is after. I think it says that in there somewhere.

Chica-91: You had a couple of predictions as to Harry's reaction. To be honest, I hadn't really written the chapter yet, so your predictions became a springboard for ideas. Thanks!

The-insufferable-know-it-all: I agree. Though Draco's a prick, he is damn sexy!

HermioneBallerina and Hobey-ho: thanks for still reading!