A/N: I was able to get this up quickly because I felt there wasn't much to change. :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Body Prisoner

Hermione felt Remus pick her up. The action made her head spin sickenly. Through her nausea, she heard the doctor inform Remus that the penalty for kidnapping was five years in Azkaban. (Remus, I'm not worth that. You'd die,) she thought pleadingly. (I don't want you in trouble on my account!) She felt a hook behind her navel, and realized they were traveling by portkey. (I wonder where he's taking me.) When they arrived, he stood there a moment, cradling her in his arms. Despite her guilt at the trouble she was causing, she couldn't help but be jubilant that he was going to such lengths to save her. To give her a shot at life.

Remus strode over to the couch, gently lowering Hermione onto it. "I don't know if you can hear me, but you're in Number 12 Grimmauld Place. I'm going upstairs to prepare a room for you. Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Remus tiptoed upstairs, trying not to wake up the portrait of Sirius's mother. He pulled out his wand and magically prepared his guest room for her within a few minutes.

In the mean time, Hermione fought back waves of panic. She knew he'd said he'd be right back, but in this helpless state, she hated being alone. If something happened, there was no way to defend herself. If something happened to him, she was a goner, and a slow, painful death it would be. (Think positively, Hermione. You've never read a recovery story about someone who wasn't,) she tried to reassure herself, in vain. She'd never felt such terror in her life.

Nothing was more welcoming than the sound of Remus coming back down the stairs. Hermione grimaced inwardly. He would have to pick her up to move her to the guest room. Moving wasn't pleasant right now. However, there was no way to communicate this to him. Unaware of her nausea, he scooped her up and carried her up the stairs. She felt him turn left. The movement sickened her so much, she lost consciousness.

Remus settled her into the bed, making sure she was in a comfortable position, before running downstairs again. He pulled out his wand, and set the strongest sealing spells he knew on the front door. He covered the place with anti-apparation and portkey spells, and blocked the fireplace from Floo Powder. He was sure it wouldn't be long until the Ministry found out where he lived, and started hunting him down. He wasn't sure what side Dumbledore was on, but Remus felt that Dumbledore probably disproved of Remus's actions. (I need to buy time, as much time as I can, to give Hermione a chance to come around before I'm caught and sentenced,) he determined. He occupied the next couple hours securing the place tightly against all entry.

Before he knew it, it was dinnertime. Now he was faced with a problem. How was he going to feed Hermione? (I'm sure it's in a book somewhere,) he concluded, heading up to the mini library upstairs. He glanced in Hermione's room on his way. There was no change. He grimly continued, and retrieved a few books from the shelf. He was about to go back downstairs, when a thought occurred to him. Hermione loved to read. If she was conscious at all, he was sure she'd love it if he read to her.

He turned right into her room, and sat down on a chair next to her bed. "Hermione, I'm trying to figure out how to feed you, so I'm going to be reading these books to you. I hope you can hear me, and that it would help in some way."

Hermione woke to the sound of Remus's voice. She felt a surge of terror as she remembered her state of helplessness. But as he read to her, she found herself relaxing. Many of these spells were ones she'd never heard of. (It doesn't seem like they'll do me much good, though. I can't even open my eyes,) Hermione thought with a deep pang.

"AH! Here's one," he said triumphantly. "It sounds like it should work. Wizards like to use it when they have a sore throat and don't want to swallow. I'll be back in a bit, Hermione. You know, I could use this one myself, after a long night of howling," he commented as he walked out the door. "It's hard on the throat."

He was about to enter the kitchen when he stopped suddenly. Full moon was one month away. If Hermione showed no change, what would he do? Wrap chains around himself? Seal himself in the basement? He didn't even have Wolfsbane potion now. He doubted Snape would smuggle it to him. Remus felt a pang of dread. It'd been two years since he'd been without Wolfsbane potion. Dumbledore had insisted Snape make it for him, since he was a fellow Order member. Now he was probably expelled from the Order, and he no longer had that benefit. Not only would Remus be wounded and weakened considerably more than usual, but there posed an even greater risk to Hermione as well. At the best of times, he was dangerous in his wolf state. But Hermione wouldn't have a chance against him, if he should break free. (She's better off here, then dying at the hospital,) he reminded himself. But potentially being responsible for Hermione's death because of his condition wasn't something he wanted to face.

Remus resumed walking into the kitchen, checking his cupboards for something he thought Hermione would like. (Spaghetti is safe, I think,) he thought. (It's easy to grind up and cook.)

Hermione listened intently to the sounds in the kitchen, wondering what Remus was up to. She hoped he would give her lots of water, she was so parched. She fought back her feelings of claustrophobia as she tried to focus on the positive. What positive did she have? (Well, Remus is going to take care of me and try to make me better. I can, at least, hear what's going on. I do have a general feeling of my body. Other than my stomach, head, throat, and mouth, I'm feeling pretty comfortable.) She spent the rest of the time that she waited wondering how Harry, Ron, and the others were doing. (I'm missing so much school,) she realized, hysteria threatening to take over again.

Remus, fortunately, interrupted her negative thoughts. "I'm back, Hermione. I hope you like spaghetti. I have some water here too. Don't worry about the spell, I tried it on myself first to be sure that I did it right." She felt the bed shift downward and left as Remus sat down on it. She heard him mutter some spells, and marveled as she felt the food running through her system without her having to do anything. Remus sighed, pausing a moment. He had no idea how much to give her. (I think I'll give her how much I eat,) he decided. He continued until he reached his regular portion, then stopped. He did the same with the water. He stayed there while he ate. "Scourgify!" he said, pointing his wand at the bowl when he was done. "Wingardium Leviosa." With some flicks of his wand, he set the dish on the table. "I don't know about you, Hermione, but I'm tired. Full moon was last night, you know. I'll be going to bed now." He smiled. "Sweet dreams."

He glanced back as he left. Was it his imagination, or had her face contorted into a stricken look? He paused, trying to see if she made any more movement. He began reconsidering going to his own room. Somehow, it didn't seem right to leave her alone. (I'll sleep on her floor,) he concluded. "Well, Hermione, since you seem to be upset that I'm leaving you alone, I think I'll sleep on your floor. Accio blankets! Accio pillow!" His own blankets and pillow came zooming into the room. He laid himself down on the floor.

Hermione, who felt comparatively quite at ease while Remus ate dinner on her bed, felt her hysteria return when Remus announced he was leaving her for the night. Being alone for hours on end wasn't something she wanted to go through again. She'd experienced that at St. Mungo's, and it had been hell. (DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE IN THIS PRISON!) she shrieked, but of course, her body didn't respond. She was about to despair when Remus said something surprising. He'd detected that she was upset. How? Did it somehow show in her face? When she realized this, and the fact that Remus wasn't leaving, she relaxed again. It would be a difficult night, but at least she wouldn't be completely alone.

Harry picked at his dinner plate moodily. Over the course of the day, his friends decided it was best to leave him alone. He didn't seem to want company, and they were right. Behind his stony expression, he hurt more than he'd ever had before. Losing Sirius certainly had hurt terribly. Sirius was the only real parent he'd ever had. But Hermione, she'd always been there. They'd been together for seven years, through thick and thin. She and Ron were his best friends. Hermione was so close to him that some people thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend, but it wasn't the case. He loved her like a sister. She'd been there, even more so than Ron sometimes.

Harry glanced at Ron. Poor Ron; he was grieving too, and he'd failed Snape's essay. Harry sighed. What was he ever going to do without Hermione? How was he going to make it through the rest of school? More importantly, how was he going to face Voldemort? Hermione had always played a vital role in his previous confrontations. In his first year, she'd figured out the Potions riddle and saved them from Devil's Snare. In his second year, she'd brewed Polyjuice Potion, and gave him the clue about the basilisk. Third year, through her Time Turner, they saved Sirius. Fourth year, she'd taught him the summoning spell, which had saved his life in the first and last tasks of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Those were only a few examples among the many things Hermione had done, that he could never have done on his own.

He stood up abruptly and marched to his dorm in Gryffindor Tower. He heard a patter of feet behind him, and realized that Ron was running after him. When they reached the dorm, Harry sat down angrily on his bed, and Ron closed the door. Harry picked up his pillow and threw it on the floor. Ron stayed back, wondering what was going to happen next.

Harry suddenly pressed his hand to his scar, a pained look on his face. A crazed expression entered his eyes. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Harry laughed maniacally. He fell on the floor, rolling and pounding his fists. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Ron, deeply disturbed, asked, "Harry, are you ok?"

Harry, however, either chose to ignore him or wasn't aware of his presence at all. He continued to laugh in a rather hauntingly evil manner. Ron wondered if he should go for help; he'd never seen Harry act so crazy since fifth year.

"Pity Potty, he's lost his best friend!" he shouted. "Pity Potty misses his Mudblood!"

Ron's eyes widened. Harry was being possessed! He ran from the room. "MCGONAGALL! DUMBLEDORE! SOMEBODY HELP!"

He ran into Ginny. "What's happening?" she asked.

"Harry's being possessed by Voldemort!" he whispered. "We need help now!"

"I'll get them, you watch over Harry," instructed Ginny. They both sprinted in their separate directions.

Ron returned to his dorm, to find Harry still rolling on the floor, shouting with glee in between roaring laughter. "Nothing to fear from Voldemort is there, now? Voldemort is a weak old Mudblood who'll be captured in a heartbeat now, they say! Pity Potty will learn his lesson! It won't matter that I have no followers, I don't need them to say AVADA KEVADRA!"

Ron's face grew pale at the harsh sound of Harry's voice. It entered his mind how fearful Harry would be, if he ever became like Voldemort. (Thank goodness he's made better choices than Tom Riddle did,) he thought.

Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Ginny burst into the room. Harry leaped up to attack Dumbledore, hatred raging in his eyes. "Dumbledore fool! Choosing love over power!" Harry shouted mockingly. Dumbledore calmly raised his wand and muttered a spell.

Harry collapsed, shrieking in pain. His scar was burning like never before. He gasped for breath as it slowly receded.

"Harry, you must tell me everything that led up to this. What did you do, and what were you thinking about?" Dumbledore requested urgently.

Harry recounted dinner, coming into the dorm, and throwing the pillow. "I was thinking about Hermione," he confessed, his voice strained.

Dumbledore's eyes held a thoughtful expression. "I think I know the answer," he said. "After Sirius's death, you were prone to be more susceptible to being possessed, because of the -" Dumbledore was going to say weak, but he didn't think Harry would like that - "occupied state of your mind. Now you are encountering the same problem again. I think you should resume Occlumency, and I will teach you this time."

Harry nodded resignedly. At least he wouldn't have to be taught by Snape. Occlumency certainly wasn't going to be an easy thing to do with Hermione gone. Nothing was.

Replies to Reviewers:

Mithril-Moony: Yes, it first entered my mind because ofTerri Schiavo.The whole ordeal gave me the idea to write a Remus/Hermione fanfiction with Hermione being in a vegetative state.The main source for ideas, though, was Kate Adamson, she's the biggest influence here. I heard her talking about her experience on the radio. The rest I just made up. :) I'm glad you love it! Thanks for reviewing!

CharmedLeoLvr: Yes, I did make Dr. Clint rather evil, didn't I? This chapter was fun to write. Thanks so much for reviewing!

LupinLover99: Thanks for reviewing twice, it's always appreciated! Yay, you like this story too. :)

moonyNZ: Yeah, I was trying to figure out how to get them to give up on her while keeping them in character. I decided that they just wouldn't know she was alive, except for the people at the hospital and Dumbledore. Dumbledore was hard! I tried my best to have Dr. Clint make a convincing case against her. Even so, I think the real Dumbledore wouldn't have given up, but I needed it to happen with this story. Yes, I hope it'll be good, thanks! My romance plot fell apart in chapter twelve, so I'm trying to rewrite chapters so it's fixed. Hopefully it'll turn out ok. Thank you for your review!

Le Grimoire: Thanks for your opinion! Yes, it is sad. My next one I plan to make much more light hearted and funny. Yes, there might be a happy ending. :) I've never seen anyone do the thought thing in stories very much, so I decided to make up my own rules on the grammar with it, LOL! In my unposted, original stories, I did use italics. I like to use parenthesis now because there are times when I like to emphasize certain words with italics, and I can't do that if it's already in italics. So, basically you think I should treat parenthesis like quotation marks? I'll try that.

Radingsouls4u: Thanks, your encouragement is really appreciated, I couldn't continue without it!

Preview of next chapter: Ginny's eyes darkened. She'd read a blurb about Remus and Hermione in the Daily Prophet. Undoubtedly Trelawny had read that, and somehow knew that Harry didn't. What a fake.