Last time:

We found out that Draco is wearing a Las Vegas bunny outfit (think: Bridget Jones) and that he and his parents were never in the service of the Dark Lord after all.

I woke up to the sound of hushed whispering. I turned my head towards it and came face to face with Harry and Ron, looking down at me concernedly.

"Are you all right, Herm?" said Ron, bending down to get closer look at me.

"I feel alright, I suppose. But am I still blue?" I ask hopefully. Harry cringes.

"Well, er, yeah." He says, avoiding my eyes. I look crestfallen. I hope they feel bad for me. I mean, this is a horrible position to be in.

"Oh, Herm… don't look so crestfallen! You're making us feel so bad!" aah… I may be blue but I haven't lost my touch. I hate that nickname, Herm. Now, what to do…right, regretful!

"I'm sorry. I love when you call me Herm." I say, smiling regretfully yet fondly. That should cheer them up. Both Ron and Harry brighten visibly.

"You're the best, Herm! You always manage to be so cheerful and to cheer everyone else up!" Ron says candidly.

"We brought you your homework, we knew you wouldn't want to fall behind." Smiles Harry. Ugh, schoolwork. Really I love homework… but now… in this state? At least I can be quasi-sincere when I say,

"You guys know me so well! I should really start working right away." I pick up a book and appear engrossed.

"Well, we'll leave you to that then!" says Harry. They both lean down and peck me on the cheek before leaving. Finally. I permit myself to roll my eyes. Then I toss the book carelessly onto my nightstand and lay down. I could use a nap.

I have almost drifted off when I hear laughter. I ignore it. This laughter could only belong to one person… Malfoy. I close my eyes again. More laughter. I sigh loud enough for him to get the message. More laughter. This could be annoying. This is annoying.

Malfoy is annoying. He is still laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" I grumble through the curtain. Malfoy yanks the curtain aside and looks at me, grinning.

"You." He says and laughs again.

"Why are you laughing at me?" I ask. This is irksome. Why would Malfoy laugh at me?

"Because you're ridiculous." He replies. I am NOT ridiculous!

"I am NOT ridiculous, Draco Malfoy! How dare you say that? You're wrong! I refuse to have this conversation with you!" I say angrily, pulling the curtain between us and laying down grumpily. I pout for a few minutes longer before deciding the expression is wasted since there is no one here to see it. I fall asleep.

*Dreaming*

I walk out the doors of the main hall into the darkness of the night. I am going towards the lake, my long white robes flowing behind me in the soft summer breeze. I reach the edge of the lake and look up. There is a figure there, sitting on a broom, flying in patterns over the lake. The figure seems familiar, but I can't tell who it is. The figure comes closer. It's Malfoy! He smiles at me and reaches down, taking my hand like he is about to pull me onto the broom in front of him.

"Hermione." He says by way of greeting.

"Draco." I say in return. He starts to lift me onto his broom, and his hand is so, so cold. It worries me. I look up at his face. His eyes stare at me blankly, wide open. With a scream I pull away, but his hand still holds mine in a viselike grip. He topples off the broom and onto me. I'm writhing underneath his lifeless body and screaming. I can't get away. I finally manage to roll him off of me. I stand and stare down at him. Then I am running, screaming and crying, towards the castle. "Help me! Dumbledore! Harry! Ron! Draco is hurt! You have to help him!" I yell, but in my heart I know it is futile. My dress is torn and dirty, and I'm pulling on the doors, but they won't open. I keep looking back at the white blotch of pale skin and silvery blond hair that is Draco, lying by the edge of the lake. I'm still screaming. And something is coming… I can sense it… I have to get away… but I have to save Draco…

*End of Dream*

My eyes flew open. My entire body is covered in sweat and shaking. I am panting hard. It is dark in the infirmary. I hate the dark. Anything can happen in the dark. My heartbeat slows finally. I turn to where Draco must be and hear his steady breathing. It is not enough. I get out of bed on wobbly legs and pull the curtain back an inch or two. There he is. Draco. Sleeping peacefully. His chest rising and falling regularly. I get back into my bed. Close my eyes and let the relief of seeing him soothe me. Draco.