"The Sickness"

It was late in the evening as Hermione crept along the deserted Halls of Hogwarts. She knew it was past hours but this was a situation of dire emergency: she had to find a bathroom, and quick! She hadn't known what had caused her bladder to swell so. Perhaps it was all the butterbeer she drank. There was very little alcohol in the drink and she thought it appropriate rather than a hard liquor. The stress of school work and handling a boyfriend was mounting. Almost to the point of alcoholism. She had felt ashamed, yes. If her parents could see her now. Their of age, in the wizarding world, daughter drinking her sorrows away. Lest be said, they would be none too proud. They raised her better than that. Well, he shouldn't be such a git! Hermione thought, beginning to fire up. However, the more pressing matter of finding a bathroom that would be vacant and remain that way was occupying most of her thought than the nearly lost cause of understanding the mind of that proud prat. They had briefly made amends after the tryouts but that was soon spoiled by Ron's jealousy of her and Harry's invitations to the "Slug Club" parties and his realization of the demands lessons were intruding upon them. She began to reminisce as she made her way to the second floor bathroom of Moaning Myrtle. She knew no girl in her right mind would want to urinate there as a morose ghost girl continually cried and whined at you through the next stall.

She had remembered one particular day they had spent together. It was an exceptional day, considering the gloomy weather they were having. The ground was not as crisp and the sun shone brightly through the misty clouds, staining the sky a brilliant gold. The couple had basked in its glory while sitting on the shore of the lake, frost forming at the edges. The giant squid had made no visible movements, leaving the water's surface glassy as it reflected the sky. They had spent their entire Sunday together. They talked about their relationship. Ron had apologized for overreacting and she admitted she didn't have to snap at him. After that the air was clear, the two took a stroll around the grounds and found their way to the lake. Neither talked much at this point as they were simply enjoying each other's company. With the romantic scenery laid out before them, it was hard for their breath not to be taken away.

Ron had turned to his bushy haired companion and looked deep into her eyes. I never want this to end. she had thought. He had moved a little closer. She had obliged by leaning in. He had raised his hand to her face, caressing her cheek with his left thumb. Hermione lifted her arm to place her hand on the nape of his neck, the other was runningfingers through his soft hair. Both closed their eyes and anticipated the meeting of their lips. Those were the longest seconds of Hermione's young life, but her agonizing wait was soon rewarded by a searing kiss. It had felt better than anything she could think of. His warm gentle lips had sent waves of tingles surging throughout her body.

That was the most flawless day she had ever had the pleasure of living out, she began to think as she neared her destination. It was odd that she hadn't ran into any night patrollers yet, owing to the recent attack on Katie Bell. Hermione herself would still be I bed if her uncooperative bladder hadn't made such a fuss. Advancing on the girls bathroom, she heard voices.

"…harder than I thought. DAMN IT! I knew it wouldn't work. If it wasn't for her stupid friend, I could have still had a chance," said a boy's voice. In Hermione's half asleep state, she had been perplexed to hear the low voice of a male in an obviously female restroom. Is this the men's room? It had not occurred to her that the owner of the voice was out of place, not her. She was further astonished to hear the second voice.

"You shouldn't blame yourself. You still have time. I know you can do it." Hermione was even more confused at the sound of a girl's voice. Both were familiar, yet in the darkness, Hermione's thinking was severely restrained.

Not really thinking before hand, Hermione fluttered into the room where two people, rather, one shadowy person and a misty figure, clearly hadn't anticipated on being disturbed by a midnight visitor. It hadn't taken long for Hermione's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting being issued by the moon through the bathroom's high grimy windows, however, all she could make out were the silhouettes of what appeared to be a young man and a semi-transparent girl. Trying to see clearly and wake herself up, Hermione shook her head. She was trying to comprehend the scene before her.

"Malfoy? Myrtle?" she asked the room.

"What the Hell are you doin' here?" Malfoy began in a low rumble.

"What the Hell are you doing here?" she replied. She had come to complete consciousness. Really, what the Hell was he doing a girls' lavatory?

"What did you hear?" He raised his voice, advancing on her with his wand at the ready.

Panicking, Hermione took slow steps backward. Fumbling, she finally let out a response, "N-n-nothing. I heard nothing." She groped her right thigh forgetting she hadn't any pockets for a wand to begin with. The wand was laying serenely in the right pocket of her school robes. All she was able to grab hold to was her plaid pajama bottoms.

"Right. You never hear, do you? You can't see. You never notice." At this Hermione was confused. Then again anyone would have been. What is he going on about? she thought. Malfoy began to mutter under his breath. Taking advantage of his preoccupied murmuring, Hermione made a run for the door.

Too late! Malfoy had grabbed her arm to pull her closer to him. Hermione was shocked and relieved at his restraint from using magic. He leaned his face closer to hers. She cringed as she felt his hot breath wash over her.

"Where are you going, Hermione? You're not noticing again! And they say you're the top of our class? Pathetic. It's not just books you know. You have to read people. Observe your surroundings." His mouth had turned into a crooked and mad looking smile.

"M-Malfoy! P-please let me go!" she stuttered. Defenseless, Hermione saw no way out but to plead with her captor.

"No," he stated simply. "You don't know how long I've waited. Now I have you and I'm not letting you go."

Hermione grew ever fearful at these words. What….what is he going to do to me….?