Here we go, Chapter three! I definitely think there's going to be at least one more chapter to this. In this Chapter, there is an excerpt from the book The Giver. While I desperately wish I'd written that as well, I didn't. Another genius, (named Lois Lowery) wrote that. For that I'm jealous. Also, once again, I do not own Harry Potter. On with the story!

Percy woke up hours later, and looked around. He stood up on shaky legs and took in his surroundings. It was close to dusk, the tall trees looming above him and casting an extra shadow, making it seem all that closer to night. He must've lain there for hours, judging by how dark it was beginning to get. He heard a noise in the distance, and quickly turned his head but immediately regretted it.

His vision swam before, little stars blinking before his eyes. He also felt a sharp pain up on his forehead, and upon feeling around with his fingers, he found dried blood which must've been from when he tripped. He took a few staggering steps, and knew that he must make his way back to the castle.

The wind bit into him now as his wet clothes clung to him. He shivered violently, and his body was racked with coughs. He knew Hermione would be furious with him, that is if he ever did make it back to the castle.

He began, one step at a time, repeating in his head like a mantra 'must get to Hermione….must get to Hermione…' and it wasn't long before he found himself outside the door of Hogwarts. He walked inside, and was immediately met upon by Hermione herself. Seeing her, he finally gave in a collapsed upon the floor. Thinking he had just tripped, she ran over to him, shrieking his name. As she slowly helped him up he gazed tiredly into her eyes, begging with a silent plea that she would help him. He wanted nothing more than to just curl up in his rooms in front of the fire with Hermione at his side.

"Percy! Where were you? You were gone for hours, and I've been searching for you for ages! I've been so worried about you an-"

But she was suddenly stopped by him croaking out, "Hermione, please…"

"What Percy, what's wrong?"

He looked at her questioningly, couldn't she see how bad he felt? Then it hit him. The glamour and silencing charms. He would've laughed had he not been too tired.

"Please Hermione, just help me up to my rooms. I'll explain there…"

"Help you up? Percy, what's wrong? And what happened to your forehead?"

He was going to reply, but he just said, 'rooms' instead. Hermione, wanting to figure out what was going on, complied with his request. She groaned as she heaved his arm over her shoulders. Anyone passing by would just think that he had his arm around her, but really she was supporting most of his weight.

They slowly made their way to Percy's rooms, and coming up to the portrait, Percy groaned out his password. The portrait swung open, admitting both him and Hermione. Coming into his rooms, his plopped down onto the first chair he saw, grateful for the relief, and quite sure that he would've collapsed had he gotten to this chair a minute later than he did.

Hermione bent down on one knee, looking at him at eye level, and Percy slowly raised his head to meet her gaze. He moved around a bit, his wet robes rubbing against his body and causing him to shiver.

"Explain." she said sternly.

He reached for his wand with his arm and cast the counter spell for his Glamours, and Hermione gasped as she saw what lay underneath.

Percy looked worse than ever. His cheeks were now bright red, and his eyes were puffy and red as well. His nose was chafed and rubbed raw, and his face was unusually pale compared to the bright flush his high fever caused.

"Percy! Why didn't you say something before? You look absolutely horrible! And your forehead, what happened? Percieval Ignatius Weasely, when you're mother hears about this I'll-"

But she suddenly stopped when she heard him croak out, "H-herbione, pwease…I'b just so t-tireb…"

His nose was all stuff up, causing him to have to breath through his mouth and talk funny. His throat was sore and scratched up from coughing so much, and it hurt so much to even swallow. Hermione, who now heard him without his silencing charms on, stopped immediately and almost cried when she heard her boyfriends pleas.

"I'm sorry Percy. Here, lets get you into bed…"

She help him to stand, and they made their way step by step up the stairs, Hermione supporting most of Percy's weight. They finally got to his room, where she helped him change into his pajamas and brought him over to the bed. She grabbed a wash cloth from his spare bathroom, and sat him down on the bed. She wiped the dry blood off of his forehead, Percy wincing each time she dabbed at the cut. Finally, she had cleaned all the blood off of the cut, and cleanly bandaged it up. She summoned up a thermometer, and ordered him to opened his mouth.

All Percy wanted to do was sleep, but he knew Hermione was only doing this for his own good, so he complied. He took the thermometer in his mouth, and laid down on the bed.

She waited a minute while the thermometer gauged his temperature, all the while gathering up a few boxes of tissues, a cloth and bowl of water, and rang the bell to get a house elf.

When was suddenly popped before her, she jumped a little, not being used to summoning house elf service. She looked at the elf before he squeaked out, "Yes, how is I be helping you ma'am?"

"Um…yes. Could you please bring me a hot bowl of soup, some pepper-up potion, and a cup of tea please?"

The house elf nodded enthusiastically, and disappeared only to return seconds later with a tray supporting the items she had requested. Thanking him, she took the tray and the house elf vanished with a poof. Seeing that the thermometer was done, she walked over, set the tray down on the bedside table, and pulled it out from under his tongue. 103.7 degrees! His fever was bordering on begin really dangerous, exactly how sick was he?

He coughed weakly, and laid his head down. He closed his eyes, and tried to calm his breathing down so he wouldn't trigger another cough attack. His chest hurt bad enough already.

Hermione grabbed a few of the spare tissues and transfigured them into some extra pillows. She gently lifted his head, groaning as she heaved him up, and placed the pillows behind him.

"Here Percy, this will make it easier to breath."

Percy did find that it was a little easier to breath in this position, and was grateful for Hermione. She set the thermometer down on the tray on the bedside table, and grabbed some tissues. She handed them to Percy who was now desperately trying to sniff through his clogged sinuses. He stretched out his arm, and took the tissues. He brought them to his face, wetly blowing his nose. Hermione winced at the sound, and grabbed him another tissue. He proceeded to blow his nose until it was as clear as he could get it, and exhaustedly laid back down.

He looked over at Hermione, suddenly realized how much he appreciated her right now. But he also realized that he cared for her a great deal, and he didn't want her to get sick.

"Herbione…maybe y-you'd better leab. I don'b want you to g-get sick because of me. You could very easily cabtch whad I have, and trust me, y-you don't want to feel like 'dis…"

To his surprise, Hermione laughed. When she saw his questioning look, she said, "Oh Percy, you have nothing to worry about. Can you ever remember me being sick during our whole time here at Hogwarts?"

Percy thought hard for a moment, and to his surprise he really couldn't ever remember a time when Hermione had been sick.

"No'b…."

"You see? That's because I never get sick. I could probably kiss you right now, and I'd be just fine."

For a moment, Percy looked almost hopeful.

"Not that I'm going to of course. You are sick, and kissing could only introduce you to further bacteria and such."

His face fell, and upon seeing this Hermione added, "But you do have my word for when you're better."

Percy smiled, and snuggled down into the covers, determined to get better as soon as possible.

He suddenly became very cold, and began violently shivering. Seeing this, Hermione grabbed an extra blanket and pulled it over him. Percy smiled gratefully, and began to close his eyes, but the sound of Hermione's voice stopped him.

"Percy, when was the last time you ate?"

He groggily opened his eyes and said, "Ub…I don't know. Prob'ly y-yebst-ACHOO! Yebsterday's breakfast…"

"Percy, you must eat this instant! How could you ever expect to get any better if you don't have any energy in you!"

Percy looked guiltily down at his sheets, and said "I'b sowwy Herbione…I guess I'b wasn t-tinking…"

She looked sadly at him, caring to much about him to stay angry, and gently said "I'm sorry Percy. Here, try to eat something."

She grabbed the soup bowl and gently handed to him. He took it in his hands, but because of his violent shivering, most of the soup sloshed out the sides and onto the bed covers. He groaned, already feeling like crap and just having more problems added to the situation. He handed her back the bowl, sloshing out a bit more as he did.

"Sowwy Herbione….I-I'b just s-so c-cold…"

"Oh Percy…it's alright. Here, do you want some more blankets? Here, I'll help you with this…"

Hermione felt so much affection for Percy at that moment. She knew right then that she loved him.

He instantly captured her heart, and it wasn't just one of those spontaneous things that she loved. She knew this had to be the real thing. If it was just a crush, then she didn't think that she could possibly take the real deal when it came. This was overwhelming enough as it was. She knew she was going to spend this night by his side.

She took the soup bowl, and spelled away the spilt soup on his quilt. She dried the outside of the bowl, and dipped the spoon in, getting some broth and a few noodles.

"Here Percy, open wide…"

Percy, if it was even possible, blushed even more.

"Herbione, 'dis is embarrassing…."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh a little. He did look so adorable right now laying on his bed, a pouty look on his face, glasses slipping down off the edge of his nose. He was all cuddled up in blankets, his flushed face, a bandaged wound round his head, and his bright red hair peaking out over the top. She thought there was no way he could have looked more vulnerable at that moment. It was one of the first times Hermione was actually wrong.

"Here, this might make you a little more comfortable."

She reached across him and slipped his glasses off of his face. It was then that she declared if a man with glasses could instantly capture her heart, then surely a man who was without his glasses was sure to have her in less than a heart beat. He looked even more impossibly cuter now, the absence of his glasses on his face making him look a little younger, a lot more vulnerable, and definitely hott.

"Tanks Herbione…"

"Your welcome Percy, but now it's time to eat. Open up."

She held the spoon to his lips, and only true affection for Hermione could get his to open his mouth at this point. Percy, who had always been a person all for self-pride and respect, had a very hard time showing this side of him. The side of him that needed someone, and right now he knew there was nobody he'd rather have right now than his Hermione.

He bashfully opened his mouth and she slid the spoon inside. He swirled the warm soup around in his mouth, but almost choked when he swallowed. His throat hurt so bad, he could barely swallow as it was. He started coughing, and that only aggravated his throat more. Tears came to his eyes, and Hermione was by his side in an instant, soup sitting forgotten on the bedside table.

"Percy! What's wrong? Here, sit up. There we go, careful."

He sat up with some help from Hermione, and after a minute his coughs began to subside.

"H-Herbione…'by throat hurts so'b b-bad…"

His voice was raspy now, and barely came out as more than a whisper. Hermione had to strain to hear him, but she did hear him nonetheless.

"I'm sorry Percy, I didn't know. But you have to get something in you. Here, try to drink some tea…"

She grabbed the tea, and held the cup to his lips. Putting his shaking hands around her steady ones, he slowly brought the cup to his lips. He took a small sip, and it went down with greater ease than the soup. It still hurt to swallow, but he could get this down without coughing. He nodded, and she tilted the cup a bit more, and he proceeded to take small sips. They continued it until a little more than half of the cup was gone. Then he pushed it away.

"Augh…now I'b feeling sick…"

She quickly took the cup away and set it down.

"Percy, are you okay?"

"No'b, I'b t-think I'b gonna be s-sick…"

Percy wrapped one arm around his stomach, clapped his other hand over his mouth, and Hermione grabbed the nearest garbage can and held it to him. Percy then proceeded to throw up the contents of his stomach, and what felt like to Percy, his stomach itself. Finally, he was reduced to dry heaves, tears leaking down his cheeks from lack of oxygen.

"Oh Percy, are you okay now?"

After a few more dangerous lurches towards the garbage can and a few deep breaths, Percy finally slumped back on his pillows, defeated.

"I'b h-hate being sick, 'dis is so embarrassing…" Percy whined.

Even though Hermione knew that Percy must feel absolutely horrible right now, she couldn't help but adore how cute he sounded. She reached over and smoothed back his hair off of his damp and fevered brow.

"What did I tell you? If you would've just taken care of yourself better in the first place…"

"Pwease Herbione, no legturbs now'b…"

Hermione smiled in spite of him, and handed him the glass of water to rinse out the taste in his mouth. After he spit the remaining bile from his mouth, and thoroughly rinsed it out, he slumped back against the pillows once more.

"Alright, so maybe food wasn't such a good idea. I'm just saying it could be dangerous if you get dehydrated…"

"I'b fine Hermione. I j-just don't feel eating…"

She eyed him suspiciously, but decided to let it go for now. She smoothed the bedcovers once more, and brushed the hair from his eyes.

"Oh Percy, what am I ever going to do with you?"

Percy sneezed, and looked up at Hermione.

"Ugh…take c-care ob me, because I'b feeling absolutely horrible r-right now. Also, y-you're going to forgib be for being dumb and n-not listening t-to you…"

"Well," said Hermione, "I guess I could forgive you, but only because you look absolutely adorable when you're sick. But you'd better watch out for when you get better. Trust me, you have the scolding of a lifetime headed your way!"

Percy sniffed ruefully, and flumped back against his pillows.

"Ok, dab's find. B-but right now I j-just want to g-go to sleep…"

Hermione sighed contentedly and said "Go ahead Percy, you need it."

He snuggled down into his blankets, and closed his eyes. Sighing, he tried turning over, but it did no good. He kept tossing and turning for quite sometime until, exasperatedly, he opened his eyes and looked at Hermione.

"Yes Percy, what is it?"

Looking thoughtful for a minute, he opened his mouth to speak, but then quickly shut it. A slight blush crept up his cheeks, and he looked bashfully at Hermione.

"Well, you see, I'b always reab a chabter of by book before I go to bed, and I'b can't sleep if I don't." He paused for a moment, looking caught between two decisions before finally saying, "Hermione…would you mind reading to me?"

Hermione laughed, a small tinkling sound before saying, "Of course. It's not a problem."

Percy smiled, and reached over to the bedside drawer. He pulled a small book out of the drawer, and handed it to Hermione. She took a glance at the cover, and saw that it was one of her favorite books. The Giver was a muggle book, but it would always be on her favorite list of novels.

"What chapter are you on?"

"Chabter nine."

Percy settled down against the pillows and blankets closed his eyes, waiting for her to begin. Hermione opened up to page and began reading.

"Now, for the first time in his twelve years of life, Jonas felt separate, different. He remembered what the Chief Elder had said: that his training would be alone and apart. But his training had not yet begun and already, upon leaving the Auditorium, he felt the apartness. Holding the folder she had given him, he made his way through the throng, looking for his family unit and for Asher. People moved aside for him. They watched him. He thought he could hear whispers…"

She continued reading on through the chapter until she was done, and it was upon finishing it that she then glanced up to find that Percy was finally sound asleep. She sighed and closed the book, setting it down and rubbing her eyes after a long day. She tried to settle as comfortably as she could in the stiff chair she was sitting in, and she took Percy's hand in hers.

"Good night Percy." she whispered. Then hesitantly, after a moment or two, she whispered, "I love you."

As Hermione drifted off into blissful sleep, she wasn't aware that Percy's hand close just a little bit tighter around hers. When she heard the murmured, "I love you too Hermione," she was already so close to sleep that she was unsure whether it was real, or just the whispers of her dreams.

Awww…it's so sickeningly sweet! I just love sick men! (lol, I know, I'm weird!) So The Giver is definitely one of my favorite books, so I just had to throw it in there. Also, sorry if the temperatures are all messed up to you, they're in Fahrenheit. So ya, please review and all that good stuff! Much Luv, Sarah