Disclaimer:
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: This was what popped into my head after reading a plot bunnie on FAP. The specific plot bunnie is "Malfoy is in Divination Class when Trelawny makes a prediction. You choose if it's real or not, Malfoys reaction, etc., but the prediction must be about that certain someone he loves, which has now been revealed to the other Slytherins!"

Predicted

V. The Intermission

When Harry and Ron first saw Hermione, they were shocked at how beaten she looked. They had talked to Madam Pomfrey about Hermione's condition, and agreed that it was best that she be kept sleeping for the first (and worst) part of her recovery. It would last at least three days.

But now, it seemed that Hermione was starting to groan in pain every once in a while, which worried Harry and Ron. A full day hadn't even passed yet. Something was wrong. The potion was made wrong, or Hermione's body was rejecting it. Panicking, the boys shouted for Madam Pomfrey, who hurried away from tending to a student with a twenty-four hour flu virus.

"What is it?" she asked, as she reached them.

"Hermione seems to be waking." Harry replied.

"Is that supposed to be happening?" Ron asked, concerned.

"We thought it was supposed to last longer."

"Yeah. Why's that happening?"

"What's going on?"

"Is she all right?"

"Did you accidentally make the potion wrong, somehow?"

"Now, boys." Madam Pomfrey admonished. "She doesn't look like she's waking at all."

"But she's groaning. In pain."

"No, actually, she's not." said Madam Pomfrey, after hearing the supposed groans of pains. "She's not groaning; she's mumbling. Like talking in her sleep. It's normal."

The boys looked at her quizically. Since when was it normal for people to talk in their sleep?

"It is," Madam Pomfrey replied, as if reading their mind. "Many people do it. Though, I suppose, it could also be a side effect of the potion. She may be trying to, unconsciously, tell us some kind of information."

The boys still stared at her quizically.

"Nevermind. Maybe you boys should get some rest. You both look a wreck. Hermione wouldn't want you to be like this. You've got classes tomorrow."

The boys agreed and decided to take up residence in each of the cots on either side of Hermione's. It was now Madam Pomfrey's turn to stare for a short while. In the end, she understood their reasons and let them stay, but only until Hermione awoke and was safely out of danger.

-V-

In usual Hogwarts' style, the news about what happened to Hermione got around. Of course, you had some of those slightly exaggerated stories. But most were truthful.

It was odd, though, that no one had mentioned who had rescued her. And it became apparent that no one—except Hermione, her rescuer, and several privy professors, of course—actually knew who it was, making it something of even more interest. Many speculated that it had to have been either Harry or Ron. Others, who analyzed it slightly more, realized that Harry and Ron had been in the Great Hall at the time that the rescue was supposed to have happened. So the mystery remained, and most students were not able to concentrate on their schoolwork that day, much to the professors' dismay.

But then again, the professors were preoccupied too. They had the hard task of finding out who had planned and carried out the attack on their hands. No one would speak up or send in any anonymous tips, making their job that much harder.

Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall had both scoured the grounds where Hermione was found and had uncovered nothing. No shreds of cloth, no identifying clues, not one thing that could help. It began to grate on them.

They knew that someone had to know something, anything, which could help. Why weren't they coming forward? Were they scared? If no one came forward, they'd have to wait the full three days for Hermione to awaken. And even then, she might have a slight case of amnesia or not have gotten a clear view of her attackers. It was truly frustrating. They had a chat with Dumbledore and agreed that they should use a sort of pleading threat on the students.

So, as the students sat down to supper, Dumbledore stood and addressed them:

"Students, as you know, our beloved Head Girl has been brutally injured. Her attacker or attackers have not been caught yet. If the attacker or attackers are not caught soon, we may have to close Hogwarts down." He paused to let his words sink in. "It would seem that, if we could not find the person who caused such a horrible injury, we would not be able to ensure the safety of you students. So help us, please. In helping us, you are also helping yourselves."

During his speech, Dumbledore glanced around the Great Hall, looking for any telltale signs. He caught none. But there were a few gasps—some of worry, some of outrage. He knew his speech would do its job. He hoped that before this time tomorrow, some information would be presented to help the case along. Until then:

"Thank you for your time. Now, let's eat."

He sat down gingerly and began to eat his stew. Several students did the same, but most were still slightly shocked by the spontaneous speech. Silence resonated throughout the room.

McGonagall took note of the students who had started eating right after Dumbledore had finished his speech, but there was no connection between them. They were of different houses and had never been seen speaking to another. Perhaps they thought the threat was not real and therefore seemed unperturbed. Even so, McGonagall made a mental note to look into it further, and then began to eat her stew too.

-V-

The perpetrators fidgeted in their seats, nervously glancing at Pansy, hoping they looked unobtrusive. Pansy ignored them and their unspoken plea, as she ate her supper in silence. She was not their friend. They were not Slytherins in her eyes. If they could not even own up to what they did, they didn't deserve the title of Slytherin.

They stalked her in between classes, knowing that she was the only other person who knew what they did. They wanted to make sure she kept quiet. But Pansy was not one so easily cowered. She had one tool on her side that she had mastered and the other girls had not: reverse psychology. Most of the girls were weak and Pansy got to them. Their group slowly started to disintegrate, until just a few were left to keep watch on her, and then, finally, just one. Pansy presumed this was their leader, the one who started it all, and the one who would be last to fall. And she would fall. Pansy would make sure of that.

-V-

Hermione opened her bleary eyes and yawned. She felt so fully rested, though slightly achy. She was just about to roll over when she became aware of sunlight filtering through the closed blinds. Bolting up, she looked around for a clock, slightly panicky. What time is it? Am I late? were her first thoughts, before she realized she was not in her own room. This room seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite recall what is was called or where it was. At least, not until Madam Pomfrey came by.

"Ah, Hermione, you're awake."

"Err...yes. Slightly disoriented. But awake."

"Harry and Ron have been so worried. Are you in any pain?"

"No." Hermione answered slightly confused. "Why would I be?"

"Oh dear. You don't remember?"

Hermione tilted her head, searching through her memories, trying to recall whatever it was that she was supposed to remember.

"Only bits and pieces."

"Oh." was all Madam Pomfrey could say.

-V-

As soon as classes ended, Harry and Ron went straight to the infirmary, as they had been doing for the last two days. When they got there, they were greeted by a nice surprise. Hermione was awake, sitting up in bed, her hands neatly folded and set on her lap. An ecstatic expression graced their faces.

"Hermione! You're awake!" cried the boys, at the same time. "We've been so worried!"

She smiled at them. "Yes, I know," she replied, calmly. "Madam Pomfrey told me."

"Are you all right?"

"Do you feel any pain?"

"Did the potion help you?"

"Do you remember what happened?"

"We got your homework."

"Do you—"

Hermione raised a hand, interrupting the flurry of questions, and laughed.

"I'm fine. Really. I'm slightly disoriented but fine."

The boys sighed in relief.

"However, I am slightly unsure as to what happened. Care to fill me in?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other, holding a private war between them on who should tell Hermione what had happened. Neither one of them wanted to upset her, but she had a right to know. In the end, Harry lost their staring contest and reluctantly volunteered to answer Hermione.

He began the story with the last time they had seen her before the incident and ended it with the present. He let her know that they had no idea what had gone on in between the time before the incident and the time they had found Malfoy bringing her to the infirmary. It was up to her to fill in those blanks, when she was ready. The whole story left Hermione a little bewildered. How could she not remember any of this?

"Malfoy," she murmured, softly.

"Yes, we were surprised too," replied Harry, thinking she was asking him to clarify.

Since Hermione was not allowed to return to classes yet, she had plenty of free time on her hands. She finished up the work the she had missed and even got ahead. Not only that, but plenty of visitors had came by too, even though they were supposed to be in class. Even professor McGonagall had come. The last part of the conversation they had had was odd, and Hermione continued to play it over and over in her mind.

"Professor," called Hermione, "could I ask you a question, before you leave?"

"Of course, dear."

"Umm...well, it's about that prophecy. I realized that the eve of the full moon has passed. Does that mean the prophecy wasn't true?"

Professor McGonagall looked at Hermione for a moment before she answered, "It's your choice Hermione," and then left with a sound click of the door.

A/N: Umm…so, I don't know what happened to my beta-reader. I emailed her this chapter more than a month ago, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. So, I decided to just post it without it being beta-read, for the moment. Sorry for any mistakes and for it being a short chapter. More chapters to come, but they probably won't be done until June (or if I get major inspiration). AP exams are coming up and then the SATs, so I have do lots of studying for them.

Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

TBC