A/N: (hangs head shamefacedly.) You guys, I have realized that I have acted like a child in my last few chapters, for lack of reviews. I'm really sorry about that. It's no excuse, but I was having a really hard time, and I had to let some out. Hehe

Thank you for not giving up on me for my idiocy, and I promise to be more understanding. Erm, Also, I'd like to recommend (yet AGAIN lol) my other story. It's getting quite fun to write actually, and I'd really love it if you all would go read it. It's about Lily and James and them coming to terms with destiny. It sounds fluffy, but its definitly not (yet). It has a twist I've never seen before, I hope that you will go grace it with a review.

Well anyway, this is my chapter nine! Yay, I'm already on my last single digit chapter! Woo hoo! I hope you all enjoy it, and know that right now writers block is killing me as far as this story is concerned. So anyone with any 'plot bunnies' could do me a HUMUNGUS favor by either submitting them in a review, or emailing them to me (which is the preferred way, as they would remain a mystery to the other readers). I would of course give credit, I'm not a glory hound or anything. I just don't want to abandon this story, I do like it, it is just a buggar sometimes. Well, anywho, my email addy is: Confusedagain (a) partlycloudy . com (that is with no spaces of course, and the little (a) thingy stands for the 'at' sign.)

Here you go, before I start rambling on again!


Sanity of the insane

Chapter Nine

Can't let the bystander's see…

Hermione stepped cautiously out of the Hospital wing, not wanting to trip and have to go back in. Madame Pomfrey had held her for two days, saying that it was for her own good, and she wouldn't even let her have visitors. Hermione had pestered her for everything, and she'd finally cracked and let her leave, deeming her quite capable of handling things the way she wanted.

It felt great to be out of that overstuffed bed, and she was ravenous from her diet of hospital wing food exclusively. She glanced at her watch, and it was far past breakfast, but still not time for lunch, so she just decided to go down to the kitchens and get something for herself. After a moments hard search, she found the portrait of the fruit, and tickled the pear.

The kitchen was bustling with house elves running about preparing for lunch. She hated to interrupt them, but her stomach grumbled angrily, and she knew she had to.

"Erm, excuse me?"

"Miss Hermione Granger Ma'am!" Dobby, a long nosed elf with eyes the size of tennis balls squeaked excitedly, throwing himself at her. "How is you ma'am? What is you wanting, Dobby will get it. Anything Miss."

A twinge of guilt filled Hermione, as she realized that no other elf would look at her. She deserved it, she had spent the last two years trying to trick them into freedom, something that they regarded as a disgusting disgrace. One elf, however, wasn't with the rest. It was against the wall, looking almost like a doll, staring off into space.

"Dobby, is that Winky?" She asked carefully, indicating the pale, thin elf.

"Ah, yes Miss Hermione. It is, she is not doing well at all. Not at all no. She is not eating or sleeping or drinking. We think she will die soon." The elf shook his large head sadly, looking at Winky.

"That's terrible! Maybe if I just talk to her-"

"NO! Miss Hermione Ma'am, please, she would be most upset if you did. She is happiest when left alone. Just be glad that she is quiet for now." The elf looked at her solemnly.

"O.k. if you think that is best Dobby… now, um, could I get something to eat?" Hermione tore her eyes away from the frail creature by the wall, and looked back at Dobby.

"Oh yes Miss. Right this way!" Dobby squeaked excitedly, leading her off towards a table.

Once she'd eaten three custard pies and an éclair, Dobby turned to her expectantly.

"How is Harry Potter sir?" He squeaked.

"I suppose he is alright, right now though, everyone is in Hogsmeade for the day."


Ginny, Harry, and Ron made their way through a very crowded Three Broomsticks. It seemed as though the bulk of Hogwart's students had come there for a butterbeer. They eventually found a spot at the bar.

"Hello! How may I serve you three?" Madame Rosmerta, the barmaid, asked them, as she dusted the counter.

"Three butterbeers please Rosmerta." Ginny put in with a smile.

"Ah, yes Miss Weasley. Not often do I see you with this lot." Rosmerta smiled as she filled three tankards with foaming butterbeer. "Where's that other girl, the smart one, Hermione?"

Ron groaned. "She's in the hospital wing."

"Dear Lord, whatever is wrong with her?" Rosmerta said with round eyes as she handed them their drinks and continued wiping.

"She's working herself to death." Ron said pitifully. "She passed out."

"Ah, I see. Shoulda known, she's a smart girl. Well, I have something that you lot can take to her, eh." She reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of purple liquid and handed it to Ron.

"What is it?" Ginny asked, taking the bottle for examination.

"A potion. It helps fatigue, and it gives energy. A lot of travelers come through here wanting for it. I keep it handy. Tell her I hope she gets well. Ah, I've got more customers!" Rosmerta hurried off to a table across the room.

Ginny tipped the bottle upside down and watched a small bubble make its slow progression to the opposite end.

"This is really thick. Like… sap." Ginny handed the bottle back to Ron.

"Well, travelers need something that is going to stick to their bones Ginny." Ron said stupidly, putting the bottle in his pocket.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "O.k. Ron. If you say so." Ginny slurped on her butterbeer.

"So, where do you two want to go now?" Harry asked idly, staring at the wall clock which read 10:30.

"Well, I've always wanted to go in that Renaissance Store. You know, 'Sir Longsword's Thoughtful Remnants'." Ginny looked at them both.

"Well, mate! Looks like you and Ginny will be alone for that!" Ron said, clapping Harry on the back. "I'll just go see if I can badger Pomfrey to give this to Hermione."

"All right, bye then." Harry watched Ron's red head bobble out of the pub. He wasn't at all sorry to have the alone time with Ginny. He couldn't flirt, not with Ron right there, he couldn't even look at her.

"Well, erm, Harry, what do you say?" Ginny looked at him hopefully. She really wanted him to want to be with her (alone) for the rest of the day.

"Sure, Milady." He offered her his arm.

Ginny laughed and took it. He could be so sweet when it was just the two of them.

"Really Harry, you should stick with what you know!" She smiled, and led him out into the street.


Ron stepped into the hospital wing carefully, looking around for Madame Pomfrey. She had her back turned, so he slipped by quickly, running straight to Hermione's bed.

"Hermione I've got you something…" He looked at the empty bed, puzzled. "Hermione?"

She wasn't there. Panic seized him as many dark prospects floated into his consciousness. Could she have been so famished that they sent her home? Was she moved to St. Mungos? What she dead!

Ron ran blindly from the bed, and straight to Madame Pomfrey.

"Where…" he panted, "Where is Hermione?"

"Excuse me?" Madame Pomfrey looked at him oddly. "Oh, yes, that girl. She was released this morning. I don't know where she went…" She stopped, for she was talking in vain. Ron was already gone.

Hermione walked around the lake lazily, enjoying the quietness. There were only two other students out there, two second year girls doing homework. It was a pleasant day overall, though the wind was very cold, warning of the onrushing winter. She sat on the lake shore, and skipped a small stone on the water.

"Hermione!"

She turned just in time to see Ron barreling towards her, before he dropped down and hugged her.

"Ron? What's wrong?"

"I thought you were dead!"

"Well, I will be if you don't stop squeezing the air out of me!" She laughed, pulling out of his embrace.

"I went into the hospital wing, and then you weren't there!" He looked around wildly. "Oh, yea, I'm supposed to give you this." He held out the little bottle of purple liquid.

Hermione took it tentatively, examining it.

"You didn't, er, make this yourself… did you?" She asked him apprehensively, turning the bottle over in her hands.

"No." Ron scoffed. "I didn't. Madame Rosmerta told me to bring it to you!" He was red around the ears.

Hermione concealed the sigh of relief she let out, and smiled. "Well, that was nice of her. But what is it?"

"Erm, I'm not exactly sure. She said it would get you up and running in no time."

"I'm not a car you know!" Hermione said indignantly, taking off the cap and smelling the liquid. "It doesn't have a scent… I don't know about this… there are lots of potions out there that are like drugs! They are extremely addictive, this could be one of them, like caffeine."

Ron frowned. "What's calfeen?"

"Oh, I forgot. Caffeine is a substance in muggle drinks that is very addictive that gives the person who drinks it energy."

"Wow, muggles thought of that?"

"Muggles aren't stupid Ronald. They just aren't magical, so they have no shortcuts in life."

"Oh, well, I know they're not stupid but…"

Hermione held up her hand. "Just stop right there, before you find yourself in a self dug hole that is too deep for escape."

"But… oh, all right. Anyway, it's really good that you're not in the hospital wing anymore. I mean, I did miss you and all." Ron's ears were red as he looked at her sheepishly.

"Oh, that's so sweet. But don't worry, I won't go back in. I'll not work myself so hard as all that." She smiled.

"It was my fault you know." He said, a pained look crossing his features. "I mean, I am the one who started that fight with you over nothing…"

Hermione reached out and patted his hand instinctively. "Ron, listen, that wasn't your fault. I mean, I should have told you that Krum was writing to me. I had no idea he would come. Besides, its rather good that I did pass out, I mean, if I hadn't I may have never went in the hospital wing and wound up worse for it!" She smiled. "So, don't go blaming yourself!"

"I… o.k. in that case, I guess your lucky that I get your blood boiling!" Ron gave her a devilish grin.

"Oh, honestly Ron…" Hermione smiled, then she stopped, squinting across the grounds. "What are they doing?"

"Huh?" Ron turned to see what Hermione was looking at and froze as he watched Harry grab Ginny and spin her around.


Ginny squealed with laughter as Harry spun her.

"Oh, I'm getting dizzy!" She exclaimed, reaching for his arm to steady herself.

"Ah, really? Then my plan has worked!" Harry smiled at her. "You know, I don't know why those things ever went out of style, you look great in it!" he smiled enthusiastically, but his eyes weren't meeting hers.

Self consciously Ginny tugged at the neckline of her new bustea. She'd bought it at the renaissance store, and wanted to wear it.

"Harry!" She blushed, then reached into her bag for her coat which she pulled on over the revealing shirt.

"Ah, well, you still look nice!" He grabbed her around the waist and spun around with her.

"Harry! Put me down!" Ginny flailed her legs, but she wasn't really struggling.

Ever since Ron had left, it'd been like that. Harry had flirted with her relentlessly, and she had let him. She didn't know what was to come of it, and she didn't want to know. She was just going to take it one moment at a time. Maybe this was all leading up to Harry's proclomation of everlasting love… or maybe not.

As Harry set her down, Ginny felt the odd sensation that someone was watching her. True to her intuition, she looked up to see Ron oggling at them from beside the lake.

"Hey, Harry, look, we've got an audience." She smiled, pointing.

Harry laughed and looked where she was pointing, and the sound died in his throat. There was Ron and Hermione staring at them. Hermione was smiling, but Ron was not. He was looking at the two of them with the air of deep suspiscion. He ran a hand through his hair nervously and looked at Ginny. For some reason, he didn't want Ron to know his feelings for her. He couldn't explain it, but he really didn't want Ron to know.

"Er, Ginny, I think I'd better head up to the castle, I've got some home work to tend to…"

"Oh, alright Harry. I'll see you later." She smiled and opened her arms for a hug.

"er, ok. Bye then." Harry, mindful of Ron's watchful eyes, grabbed Ginny's hand and shook it instead of taking the proffered hand. "I'll see you."

Avoiding the lake with a wide birth, Harry jogged up to the castle and out of sight, leaving Ginny feeling rather confused on the grounds.


A/n: I really hope you enjoyed it. I haven't much time to talk, so I'll just end with saying REVIEW! And to my reviewers:

Fleury: jumps up and down BROWNIES! Woo hoo! I love chocolate (not milk chocolate, or chocolate icecream though, just like chocolate syrup and BROWNIES) anyway, lol, your def. Forgiven. Its o.k. that you cant offer me any 'plot bunnies' I can handle it I suppose. Well, this one has a bit of R/H too, so you get to see Ron worry, lol. A little bit.

Jaime: Firstly I would like to sincerely thank you, I mean, you go through and take the time to review every chapter. I love that. Squish

Chapter Six: Oh, I have lots of plans for little miss Creevey. She is going to be a big part of this story, but that's all I'm disclosing for now.

Chapter seven: Originally, Mr. Weasley was so dead. But then I realized that writing grief would be very tedious and boring, so I went with my better judgement.

Chapter eight: Sorry, my friends were harassing me, saying htat it was just to centric on Ginny and Harry, and that I needed to put some other people into it. I also prefer Ginny and Harry, I mean, Its hard to write for Hermione and Ron, because there is a lot of blushing and stuff and it's unfamiliar territory. Keep reviewing though, I would write more, but this psycho is messing with me. Grrr. Lol okay, bye!