Standard Disclaimer
A/N: Well, so much for my record of two chapters in two days. This is my third chapter tonight. What a roll. But don't expect anymore till at least tomorrow or the next day.

Spontaneous Combustion

"...Then this afternoon we all have Defense Against the Dark Arts. I heard ---" Ron stopped mid sentence to look at Hermione. "Are you even listening?" He asked waving his hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention.
"Huh Ron? I wasn't listening." she replied quietly.
"Of course you weren't. Who'd want to listen to me. I'm sure that your mail is much more important than me."
"I'm sorry, but yeah, the mail's a little bit more important than you right now."
"You know, if you don't want to tell me what going on then fine, don't. But the least you could do is pretend to listen to me."
"God Ron. Stop being such a prick. It's not like I was specifically trying not to listen to you. It's just that I really don't care about your schedule for today, alright. I have more important things on my mind." Hermione screamed.
"Like what?! Not that you'll tell me anyway! Oh no, you can't tell me anything!"
"Uh, guys, I don't care if you fight, but could you do it a little quieter? People are staring at you." Harry interjected.
They both just glared at him.
"It was just a suggestion." Harry muttered.
"You know what? I'm really sick of both of you. I don't want to talk. Why don't you just leave me alone?!" With that, Hermione grabbed up her books and ran out of the now silent Great Hall, tears streaming down her face. Ron stared after her for a second, but didn't make any move to follow her. He just shook his head and sat down slowly as the hall began to fill with noise again.

Draco watched this exchange from across the room. It made him happy to see Granger in pain. It made him happier that Weasley was upset too. Ah, the joy of it all. And yet, he couldn't shake this slight feeling of, well, he wasn't quite sure what it was, something that made him quite queasy when Hermione had started to cry. Like he wanted to follow her out of the hall and make her feel better. "Damn dreams." He muttered under his breath. Never again would he go to bed right after eating late night snack of chili dogs while planning revenge on Granger.

Hermione threw herself onto her bed. Just when she had thought things were getting better, she received an owl saying just the opposite.

Ms. Granger,
I regret to inform you that the experimental treatment you have been receiving has been deemed unsafe by the Ministry of Magic, Department of Healing Charms. Some of the people who received the treatment for a long period of time have begun to spontaneously combust. Since you have only been taking the treatment for a few months, stopping it now should keep this from happening to you. Please discontinue use of the charm immediately. We will keep researching and let you know if a new treatment becomes available. You should stop by my office sometime this week to discuss your case and what we can do to ease your pain as the end draws near.
My sincerest apologies,

Dr. Pukdsi
Chief Healer
St. Mungo's Hospital

Hermione stared up at the ceiling for awhile, contemplating spontaneous combustion, her eminent death from some unknown disease, and what exactly she should do with what she had left of her life.