A/N: Hello hello! Alright, you may notice in this chapter that I've taken a bit of an odd turn in the way things are written, namely that's it's a bit more strange and demented. Now, I have two things to say about this, and they are as follows:
1) I happen to be in a very odd mood, so I'm not sure the next chapter will be as stylistically different as this. I'm just feeling a tad kooky, as I've had too much chocolate cake for my own good.
2) I don't think I've written anyone out of character, so don't worry. Everyone's just a bit…confused. Befuddled. Confuddled, if you will. If I've done a horrible disfiguration, well I'm sure you'll all be so kind as to let me know. Like I said, I've gone temporarily nutters. (Just smile and nod, it's not wise to upset crazy people.)
So I hope you all enjoy this, and if you happen to like it, let me know. Maybe I'll start making a habit of eating obscene amounts of chocolate cake before I write each chapter. I can tell you, I wouldn't really mind it. Really. If it's horrible, fine, tell me and I'll save the chocolate binges for some other time, i.e. when I'm not writing. Geez, you guys are hard to please. Can't a woman eat in peace?!
Like I said before, don't' mind me. I'm temporarily nutters. I love you all! Read and enjoy! (Or not, it's up to you, you loons.)
Disclaimer: I highly doubt it takes JK half a large chocolate cake to come up with her work. If it does, then jolly good times indeed!
Chapter Nine
So Backward, it Almost Feels Right
When Ron reached his destination, he peered in and saw Hermione laying in her bed, papers and books scattered all across her lap. Ron chuckled as he walked in. I should have guessed…
"Hey, I brought you breakfast…" he said, sitting in a chair next to her bed and setting the plate on her bedside table. Hermione smiled happily.
"Thanks, I'm starving. I guess I never realized how stupid I was being," she said, picking up the raspberry scone and looking at it disdainfully. I hate raspberry scones… she thought, picking off a small piece, sticking in her mouth reluctantly, and feigning a smile.
"So, how're you feeling?" he asked.
"Well, I feel much better, I slept a lot last night, and now with this," she said, indicating the food on her plate, "I feel wonderful!"
She grinned cheekily, which only made Ron grin some more. They sat there, grinning madly at each other, until Hermione decided to make some room at the end of her bed. She picked up her Arithmancy book, which was settled by her feet, but before she could grab the back cover of it to close it, the pages flew open, releasing several folded papers that fell to the floor.
"Oh, sorry," she said, leaning over the side of her bed.
"Let me get it, there's a reason you're stuck in that bed and I'm not," he laughed, leaning over, and a look of horror struck her face.
"Oh Ron, um, look, leave them, I'll get them later, don't worry about it," she said hopelessly, knowing there was no way he'd listen. He sat back up with a stack in his hands.
"Hermione, you've got a whole notebook's worth of parchment right here, what is this?"
"Nothing, just notes, really," she said nervously. And surely enough, he did what she expected he would, and opened one of the folded papers.
"Notes in Arithmancy? Wha--" he said, as he began to read. A few minutes later, Hermione cringed as he looked up at her. But he didn't speak; he took another folded paper from the stack and began to read it.
By the time Ron finished reading all fifteen of the papers, Hermione imagined he was nearly fuming. She chanced a glance at his face, and looked back down at the blanket over her like the sight had burned her eyes.
"So, you've uh, been writing to George then? And he's been writing back? Interesting…" he said, sitting back into his chair and looking at his hands, which seemed to be painfully throbbing, if he may say so himself.
Hermione looked up at him timidly. Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin…
"So, Hermione, how is my brother?"
"He's uh, fine, just fine," she answered immediately.
"Good, I'm glad. Tell him I say 'hello' for me, will you?" he asked, an odd grin taking over his face. Hermione squinted her eyes as though she were going to get a better look.
"What did you say?" she asked, not sounding like herself.
"I asked you to tell him I said 'hello'."
"Oh. Right, well sure, why not?"
"Thanks."
Hermione looked around the room, not sure what to do with herself. She had been sure Ron was going to yell at her, or at least let his ears go hot and his face turn red. But no, neither of those things happened. She found that she felt more vulnerable in this situation than she would if he had blown up at her.
"So," he said, causing Hermione to snap her head back to look at him, "I'll see you later then, alright? I've got to go see if Harry's gone to Quidditch practice yet." He stood up, gave Hermione a quick kiss on the forehead, and picked up her empty plate. (She had found the tolerance to finish the scone.) With one last lingering look, he walked through the hospital door and down the corridor.
"Well that was just bloody strange!" Hermione said, to no one in particular.
Ten minutes later, Ron found Padma standing next to the Gryffindor portrait, apparently searching for a way to trick the Fat Lady into letting her in, which was very unlikely, as the Fat Lady had never once let anyone from another house in. Padma did not seem like the first to be chosen.
"Er, Padma?" Ron asked, his mind reeling curiously. Padma spun around, startled by his voice.
"Oh, Ron! Wha-what are you doing out of bed? I heard you were sick, so I came to visit you; I was just talking to his lovely woman right here before you came…" she said, an accomplished grin on her face. Ron thought about this for a minute. She had heard he was sick? Interesting…He also very much doubted she was anywhere close to getting past the Fat Lady; the expression currently on her face was one of utter annoyance and dismay, neither of which would ever grant one entrance, for love or money.
"Oh yes, well, I am feeling a bit queasy, which is why I stopped by Madame Pomfrey's, so she could give me something for it." Yes, it wasn't lying very much, for he really had been to the hospital wing. But then, how would he explain his sudden need to go to Quidditch? Padma looked at him as though looking upon a helpless child, and suddenly Ron had a very, very bad feeling.
"Oh, Ronnie, you poor thing! I'm going to take care of you, you just wait, I'll be so wonderful, you'll be amazed! Let's get you inside, alright?" she said, scaring Ron so badly he actually was starting to feel a bit of a stomach bug coming on.
"Um, well—spew!" he said, as he realized reluctantly that there was no way in hell out of Padma's grip. The Fat Lady looked down on him reprovingly, but did as she had to and swung open, letting the victim and little Miss Florence Nightingale into the Gryffindor common room.
Inside, Padma practically flung him onto the nearest chaise and immediately began searching for a blanket. Oh bugger, what the bloody hell is this? Ron thought as she pulled up a chair next to him and plopped herself into it and smiling. He looked around and noticed all the stares the two were receiving, like they were a comedy duo or something, though by the looks of it, Ron could tell they weren't too far off. He slouched into his seat, hoping against hope that Harry and Ginny didn't come in soon, or he'd never hear the end of it. What's more, he'd probably have to explain (in front of everyone, whose mouths were propped open by invisible sticks, and Padma as well) why it was exactly that Padma had gained entrance into the Gryffindor common room. He had just remembered (by the sinking feeling in his gut) how much he was not looking forward to breaking the news.
Three floors down…
"Morning, Hermione! How're you feeling?" Ginny asked, sitting at the end of Hermione's bed. Harry had indeed gone to Quidditch, but as neither of the girls knew, he was quite confused as to where Ron was. But that's not the point.
"Oh, fine, actually," she responded, and if Ginny didn't know any better, she'd have thought Hermione sounded a little…in awe.
"Well that's great! Glad to hear you're not stressing out any more," she said, when suddenly something struck her. Maybe Hermione was in awe because…
"Hermione, did my brother mention anything about him and Padma?" she asked, not bothering to wonder what would happen if he hadn't. Hermione looked at her for the first time since she had entered the room.
"No, why? What about them?"
Ginny's throat tightened. Oh, well look what you've done now, you great big wally.
"Um, nothing. I was just wondering if you'd heard anything…" she asked disconcertedly, looking at her nails for effect. Hermione watched her for a moment, and Ginny could feel her eyes boring into her like a drill. She looked up, then back down at her nails. Well if I'm going to say it, I can't possibly do it while looking at her…
"Wondering because they are um…well, you know, they're um… well, when a boy and a girl like each other very much, they decide it's time to uh…" She looked up to find Hermione's face a full shade lighter than the white wall behind her and nearly laughed. Then she remembered the situation at hand.
"Look, all I'm saying is…oh bugger, they're going out!" she declared, almost startling herself as much as she had Hermione. The pale one looked as though she had just been slapped. Rather hard, too. She looked back up at Ginny and smiled blankly.
"Hmm, Ginny, would you mind fetching me some cakes from the kitchens? I'm feeling a bit hungry…" she asked, a dazed look in her eyes. Ginny nodded, leaving the hospital room and hoping to never have to return. Hermione had turned quite creepy, to be honest.
And surely enough, just as she turned the corner to head for the stairs, she heard something sounding like crying coming from about fifteen feet behind her. She turned around and looked through the door, only to find Hermione…laughing? Yes, there she was, stting in her bed, laughing lightly to herself as though she had just told herself the most amusing little joke.
Oh, Merlin… Ginny though, turning around and descending the stairs in threes.
I know, you're probably thinking how weird it is for Hermione to be laughing. But trust me, when something like that happens to you…laughter saves you from the pain. Trust me, I know. Even in Hermione's case.
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
Remember, just smile and nod. And review.
