Chapter 5

"I will lie for you
I can steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You're just like me

Violate all my love that I'm missing
Throw away all the pain that I'm living
You will believe in me
And I can never be ignored"

- No.1 Crush

Hermione woke to the concerned face of Madam Pomfrey. The mediwitch was bending over her muttering to herself about some disturbance or another, Hermione mused.

"Madam Pomfrey" she spoke, smiling "I am awake"

"Yes I know you're awake dear" the mediwitch patted her head affectionately. "You've been ready to wake up since you were brought in here"

"How long have I been here?" she asked curiously

The older witch nodded "You've been asleep for the last three days. You've friends have been very concerned" she clucked her tongue disapprovingly.

Hermione smiled politely "I'd quite like to see them again"

"You'll see them in the morning" the mediwitch handed her a potion wordlessly. Hermione looked quizzically at the potion and drowned it in one gulp "Goodnight"

The warm fuzziness of sleep began to settle in as Hermione rested her head gently on the soft pillows in her bed.

"I can't believe she's finally awake" an excited voice that was distinctly familiar. Ron, her mind mentally groaned. "It's only been three days but it's not like Hermione to just pass out like that"

"Shush Ron" A female voice scolded "You're going to wake her up!"

"I'm awake" Hermione finally spoke. Harry and Ron jumped and Ginny gave a delighted "Ron! I told you so!" Hermione gave a quiet chuckle.

"What happened to you?" Ron threw his arms around her in a delighted greeting "Don't pass out again!"

"I'll try not to Ron" she smiled blandly at her friend. Harry grinned at her and put his arms around her too, he felt her stiffen slightly underneath his weight.

He gave her a quizzical smile and she dismissed it with a nod of her head.

She sat quietly and allowed the friendly chatter to fill the ward.

She was discharged from the hospital later that day with the reassurance she would see Madam Pomfrey if she even felt so much as a quiver in her head.

She had gotten through the day by smiling and nodding at everyone's questions about what had happened. She knew that she couldn't stand talking to them for much longer as they were beneath her. They were a poor substitute for Tom and she was disgusted with herself for even being seen with them. The only plus side was that as soon as she had completed her task Tom would come and take her away and then could live together forever.

She managed to get to her dormitory without much questioning. Lavender and Parvarti were thankfully absent from the room and she sat down on the bed.

Tonight she would receive the aid in her quest, Nagini, in the form of a transfigured toothpick and tomorrow she will prepare her plans to get the serpent into Severus Snape's private rooms and then get her up to Harry without being caught.

A large owl flew into the dormitory carrying a letter, a cloak and a potion vial. She quickly ripped open the letter and scanned it eagerly.

Dearest Hermione,

I am ecstatic to learn that you have finally woken up after deep sleep. I hope you're feeling up to the challenge I have set you but I know that you, Hermione Granger, will always be up for a challenge, no matter your health. Contained in this package is Nagini, transformed into a toothpick, as previously stated, and a potion that will enable you to complete your tasks as quickly as possible. It is a modified form of fantasia and will increase your sex appeal to other men. Not myself of course, I think you are beautiful as you are right now. I cannot wait until you have completed your tasks and we can be together, at last.

Yours forever and always,

Tom.

Hermione smiled widely and clutched the letter to her chest. She carefully sat the potion and the toothpick onto her bedside table and stared at the letter with an unconditionally blissful expression on her face.

"Yours forever and always, Tom" she whispered before falling asleep once more.

"It seems" Lucius smirked "that Miss Granger isn't as clever as she appears to be"

The Inner Sanctum were sprawled around their separate room discussing the progress of the latest plan. Bellatrix was humming softly from her chair, Antonin was drinking a glass of vodka and Wormtail was shifting nervously on his chair.

"Has the little whore taken the bait?" cooed Bellatrix "I thought she was meant to be against everything that we stand for?"

"Poor little girl has been trapped by her own hormones" Antonin purred insincerely

"Awww… what a tragedy" Lucius concluded with a grin