Hermione groaned. Her body ached and despite all efforts, she couldn't seem to move. Her hand throbbed painfully and she let out a hiss.
"Hermione?" a female voice called gently. "Hermione, wake up dear. I have some visitors for you." The voice grew sterner, directed towards someone else. "One minute only, boys. She needs more rest." Footsteps sounded, gradually growing fainter, until it disappeared.
Hermione slowly peeled back her eyelids. Hazily, she could see two forms, one dark, and the other with a sunset on his head. She tried to grin. "Hey, guys. How was the train ride?"
Ron scoffed. "No one is telling us what it was. Rumors are going around that you and Malfoy were the cause, since you two were found together, both unconscious," he said gloomily. "Any idea what happen?"
Harry frowned at him then turned back to Hermione. "How are you feeling?"
"Bad," she admitted.
"Like, being squashed by Hagrid bad?" Ron questioned.
"Ron," Harry and Hermione both glared at him.
"What?" he asked. "That would feel bad, wouldn't it? Although, any feeling would soon pass away. Along with all of your internal organs. But anyway, everyone wants to know: what happened?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip. "About the train, you mean? Nobody knows anything yet? Harry, has D-" she was cut off.
"You're still here! Out! Take out your germ infested bodies! The both of you! Do you want her to get better or not!"
Chastised, both boys removed themselves, tossing back a promise to visit her again.
Hermione was secretly grateful they left. She felt tired, surprising, after all the sleep she had just done. Suddenly, she remembered: The sorting ceremony! And what about her classes? What was she going to do!
As she was reprimanding herself, a dark cloaked form crept to her bed. "Mudblood."
She managed not to scream. "Malfoy," she spat, pretending she wasn't overly fazed by his abrupt presence. "Piss off."
Draco smirked. "Why? Oh yes, because you think you're better than me, since you really are a Pureblood. But it seems blood doesn't matter. Your parents still abandoned you, didn't they?"
Hermione didn't wince, although it took effort. She stared up into his blank eyes and hated the submissive position she was in. She managed to prop herself up on her elbows, half-leaning against the backboard of the bed.
"What do you want?"
"Me?" Draco looked at her mockingly. "Why would I want something from you, Granger?"
Hermione gave a small shrug. "You tell me. You came here."
Draco smirked and Hermione wondered pointlessly if that was a practically permanent expression on his face.
"Now that you've mentioned it, I don't think I will. Unless you ask me too," he said with a sneer.
Hermione gave him a dirty look. "And why would I do that? You probably just want to inform me about how you're a miserable rodent who has no purpose in life. And then I'll tell you to throw yourself off a cliff. They would find your nasty body crushed by the fall and everyone would shake their heads and say 'good riddance!' " She paused thoughtfully. "Wait. If that is how it would turn out, then please, do continue."
Draco scoffed at her and, after a quick peek to see if anyone was watching, he snatched one of her hands to see her fingers. Since she had been using her arms to keep from letting the dizziness take over and falling, his action resulted in her collapsing into his shoulder. Cursing, Draco clutched her wrist, dragging her down with him to land on the floor.
Hermione whimpered and held in a scream. Fire was running through her right arm. She closed her eyes and curled protectively into a small ball around her arm.
"Granger," came the hiss. "Granger, get up. You'll get us both in trouble." When she didn't move, he huffed and leaned his back against the infirmary bed. Hermione distantly felt him roughly thrust a pillow under her head before she fell asleep again, the pain seeping away, to reveal a cord tugging at her soul.