The next couple of days, Hermione was able to get up and move about the house. It was strange however, than although she had recovered (miraculously, magic or no) completely from her ghastly wounds, the more time went by, the weaker she got. Harry and Ron stayed by her side constantly, but both were frustrated by their inability to help.
"Harry," she said one day, sitting down quickly as a strong dizzy spell hit her and the world tilted dangerously. "Harry, why aren't I getting any better?"
Harry shook his head. "Professor Lupin and I haven't been able to come up with anything. Your body is completely healed Hermione. To all appearances, you're completely fine."
Hermione sighed, rubbing her throbbing temples. "So I thought."
Ron frowned. "I've just noticed… have you eaten anything since you came here? Have you drunk anything?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary. What are you getting at?"
"You haven't eaten anything. Not breakfast, lunch or dinner. And you haven't had any water, or other liquid. Hermione, aren't you starving?"
As he spoke, Hermione blood drained from her face and she became ghostly pale. "Ron-" she whispered. "Ron, get Remus, now!"
"What's wrong Hermione?" he said, moving closer and putting a hand on her shoulder, concerned.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked, getting up and knocking her chair back. "Get away from me! Just get Remus and the others!"
Ron backed away from her. "All right. I'll go get them."
Harry tried to move closer to Hermione but she backed away like an animal cornered. "Don't come near me," she repeated, her voice slightly hysterical.
Minutes later, Ron re-entered the room, Remus and Alastor Moody at his heels.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Remus.
"Stay back, all of you!" she said, her voice shaking. "Just tell me… what time is right now?"
Remus and Harry exchanged confused looks.
"It's 12:00 Hermione," said Ron. "Hermione, what's wrong?
Hermione didn't answer. Instead, she moved to one of the covered windows and pulled on the cord holding the drapes closed. Bright sunlight streamed through and Hermione jumped out of the way. Moody looked at her thoughtfully, taking his wand out quietly.
Hermione noticed and nodded bitterly. "See? Alastor knows."
"Knows what Hermione?" asked Remus again, his voice calm.
"Knows this," she said, and put her hand in the sunlight. Immediately, her skin began to smoke and charr, and Hermione snatched it back quickly, hissing in pain. She turned to look at her horrified friends. "I was right Harry," she said woodenly, swaying. "I am dead."