Ok ya'll here it is! I'm sorry to keep you hanging over the last suspenseful chapter, but what can I say, I'm evil. Haha. But since you all are soooo great to me I wrote almost double what normally write for this chapter. I could have broken it up but I never post anymore, and u guys deserve it. Haha yeah, I'm aware I have grammar issues and spelling issues. I need an editor or something. But as long as the plot is somewhat interesting, I'm doing my job.

Disclaimer: (( aren't I supposed to put these in front of every chapter. Oops, call me forgetful heehee. )) I OWN IT ALL! MUAHAAH! No just playing, I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter 13

What she found

Hermione's breathing increased as she walked up the stairs to the hospital wind. She was afraid of what she would find when she got there. Questions and images bounced through her head and pressed on her chest, causing breathing to become a difficult task.

Dumbledore walked quietly beside her, neither saying anything nor making eye contact with her. His brow was furrowed in thought. The only sound throughout the hallway was Hermione's bare feet pattering on the floor.

"Sir" Hermione interrupted the silence. It felt like a sin breaking a quiet so absolute.

Dumbledore looked at her and stopped, although he gave no indication of speaking. Hermione continued.

"When we get there….will he….I mean Harry…will he…" The words spilled from her mouth awkwardly and she became frustrated.

As if to read her mind, Dumbledore answered. " I was recently informed that Mr. Potter has been stabilized. I would assume that if he is not unconscious by default, he is at least sleeping. As for his condition, I could not tell you. I am relying solely on the words of others."

"Oh" said Hermione shortly as they continued. Dumbledore placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder as they turned a corner and began climbing up the last flight of stairs.

"Do not worry Miss Granger. Mr. Potter is strong and well trained. He has been through far more danger than this; and we have the top medical team for miles here at Hogwarts. You needn't concern yourself."

Hermione smiled to herself. If Dumbledore said Harry was ok, then he must be ok, right?

Before Hermione realized it, she and Dumbledore were standing before the door of the hospital wing. Just as Dumbledore reached up to knock, the door opened quickly.

"Oh, Professor!" said a flustered Madam Pomfrey "Just the man I was looking for. I didn't even hear you coming."

"Yes, I tend to be a rather, undetectable person." He smiled.

Madam Pomfrey laid eyes on Hermione as if she had just realized she was standing there. "You can go on in, but please don't wake him. I'm sure he's very tired."

Hermione nodded and stepped through the door. Harry was lying in the very last bed on the left side. The rest remained empty. She walked up the isle slowly, the tile cold on her feet. She absentmindedly pulled her wand from her pocket, and created a pair of slippers for herself.

As she got closer, she noticed a few bandages place on his face and arms. His left wrist was wrapped and there was a large bandage around his head, with some green liquid on it. There was also green smoke wafting above his head. His eyes twitched nervously underneath his eyelids.

Hermione pulled up a chair and sat down. The sight of Harry lying there, helpless, and possibly in pain, caused tears to well in the back of her throat and burns her eyes. She clenched her fists against her legs. She couldn't cry. She had to stay strong for Harry even if he couldn't see her. She couldn't let him down.

For a few minuets she sat staring at Harry, thinking, and trying to hold back the tears. The hospital wing door opened and closed again. Hermione didn't bother turning around.

"So this is what all the commotions about in the north tower." a voice seethed behind her. She reluctantly turned around, knowing who it was, but still allowing herself to deny it.

"Aw c'mon Granger, cat got your tongue?" said Malfoy, sitting in the bed directly behind her. Hermione turned back around to Harry, saying nothing.

"Gee Granger, no need to be rude. I mean, I wake up in the middle of the night because of your stupid boyfriend, slam my finger in the door, have to walk all the way to the bloody hospital wing because I'm not allowed to fix it myself, and you don't even offer your condolences?" She could feel his icy breath on the back of her neck. He was only inches away.

"I'm sorry about your finger." she said softly. Normally she would have came back with a witty remark, leaving him to sit quietly, embarrassed, but she was in no mood to argue, and her brain was in total lockdown.

"Aw, that can't be all you have to say." he placed his hands on her shoulders, running his hands up and down her arms. " There must be something working up in that brilliant brain of yours," He snorted. He continued rubbing her arms and moved his hands down her neck and chest, leaving his hands to caress her breasts awkwardly.

She smacked him away. He didn't move. "I don't know what you see in Potter anyway. You'll never be as great as he is. You'll always just be one step behind." He was now touching her whole midsection, allowing his hands the freedom to move about her whole body.

"Leave me alone, Malfoy," she said, her voice shaking, She tried to move from his grip. He only put his arms around her tighter, cutting off her mobility.

"All you need is a good fuck, that'll set you right." He wrapped his arms around her and bit the back of her neck. Hermione couldn't take it much longer. She thrashed furiously in his arms, trying desperately to break free; but he was strong, and her efforts were futile.

"Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing?" asked Madam Pomfrey hotly, as she strode towards them.

"I was merely trying to comfort Miss Granger. I felt so bad about what happened to poor Harry. I didn't want her to be upset." He smiled at her evilly. How dare he call Harry by his first name! Who does he think he is?

"Well let me mend your finger so you can get back to bed. I don't want you up here terrorizing my hospital." She tapped his finger absentmindedly with her wand, and he bent it, examining her handiwork.

" Well, I guess it's the best you can do, although it'll probably never work the same again." He said angrily.

"Sorry to hear that Malfoy." said Madam Pomfrey absently. "Now out!" As she made a shooing motion with her hands.

"Bye Granger" said Malfoy, sickeningly sweet " Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you while Potter's ill." He exited the hospital with his usual macho swagger.

Hermione's hands began to shake as she crossed them tightly over her chest.

"Are you all right dear?" Madam Pomfrey asked kindly.

"Yeah, I'm ok," said Hermione with a false smile.

" I know you must be worried, but take my word for it, he'll be ok. He's a very lucky one too."

Hermione nodded, unsure of what to say.

"It's just about time to wake him up for his medication. I bet he'll be happy to see a familiar face."

Hermione nodded again. Madam Pomfrey stopped talking, obviously defeated. She grabbed a few bottles from the back room and came to pull up a chair next to Hermione. She pointed her wand over Harry's head and sucked up the green vapor that wafted above it. After a few seconds he began to stir. He opened his eyes slowly and turned his head.

"Ouch" he said softly and squeezed his eyes shut.

"I know that hurts, I've got something for that." she said to him caringly. She headed back to the back room, leaving them alone.

He opened his eyes again and stared at Hermione for a few seconds before he realized who she was. "Hermione" he spoke softly and his words sounded pained. Even though, he smiled. "I'm really glad you're here."

Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded and reached for his hand.

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said to her, a bit desolately.

The tears began to spill from her eyes. She sniffed and tried to control them, but they overpowered her and pretty soon she was crying and shaking uncontrollably.

"Shhh it's ok," said Harry. "I'm fine, please don't cry." Harry reached up, painfully and slowly, to wipe a tear from her eye.

She grasped his hand in both of hers. "I know, I'm just so happy." She reached over and hugged him.

Madam Pomfrey returned with yet another bottle and a goblet. She mixed a few solutions in the goblet and handed it to Harry.

"Here. This will help with the pain and will unfog your mind." Said the old nurse as she handed the cup to Harry. She helped him sit up and watched him drink it, taking the goblet when he was finished.

"Well, that tasted lovely," said Harry, sarcastically.

"It'll help, so don't complain. I'd tell you to go back to sleep, but I know you wont. Besides, it's almost sunup and it's Saturday, so I guess there's no real harm in it. But don't get up from the bed." She quietly picked up her things and left the room, not mentioning where she was going or when she'll be back.

"How're you feeling?" asked Hermione. She had the tears almost completely stopped by this point.

"Like crap" said Harry with a slight smile. "What happened exactly?"

"You don't know?" asked Hermione is surprise.

"No…I don't remember anything really well between when I went to bed and now." Harry ran his hand through his hair in thought. His fingers touched the bandage around his head. "What did I do?" he looked at his hand in shock.

"I don't know" Hermione replied honestly. "I heard screaming, and then I ran to your room and you were on the floor. And you spoke to me…. Then Dumbledore came and they took you away."

"What did I say?" asked Harry, concerned. Hermione repeated the words he had spoken to her just a few hours before.

Harry sat staring at his hands, puzzled. "It wasn't you that spoke to me though." Hermione finished. "It wasn't your voice. And what you said wouldn't have made any sense if it were you saying it. Someone out there is watching me…watching both of us." she finished her sentence shakily. They looked up at each other and met eyes.

"Voldemort" they said in unison.

"But how did he know I was in the room, when he made you say those things?" Hermione asked.

"Because he was in the room as well." said Harry, suddenly enlightened. Hermione looked at him with a puzzled expression. Harry continued. "He invaded my thoughts. He was looking through my eyes."

"I thought you took Occlumency for that?" Hermione was sure she had an answer this time.

"Yeah, I did, but I never mastered it. Besides, not even masters of Occlumency can block people from entering their minds while they're sleeping. I was defenseless." Harry spoke slowly.

"Do you think Dumbledore knows all of this?" asked Hermione, changing the subject.

"I reckon. Not much gets past Dumbledore."

Hermione walked up and hugged him. "I'm just glad you're ok."

He kissed her. "Only because you're here" Harry smiled.

Hermione crawled into him next to bed. He kissed her again.

"Well I see you're feeling better." said Lupin as he walked through the door. He limped slightly and used a cane to help support his large figure. Ron trailed in behind him. Harry blushed at being caught kissing Hermione, while she just laughed, relieved he would be ok.

"Yeah, I'm ok," said Harry, avoiding their eyes.

"Good to hear that mate" Ron clapped him on the shoulder.

"Indeed, indeed." said Lupin.

"What happened?" asked Ron, concerned.

"I really don't remember much…" said Harry.

"Well we wouldn't expect you to. After being possessed by the dark lord, I wouldn't expect much from anyone." Lupin interjected.

"You know?" asked Hermione, surprised.

"Oh, it wasn't that hard to figure out. All the signs were there. Harry has your scar been hurting a lot lately?" asked Lupin.

"A bit, year" said Harry, fingering the familiar lightning bolt. "But I mean, I never thought anything of it. It's just normal I guess."

"He's getting closer. We're having quite a time trying to find him. There's rumor that he's working on his own this time." Lupin ran his hand through his graying hair.

"He's got his body back?" asked Ron.

"Well…. He has a body back. We're unsure of whose. We think it possible that when he invaded a person's body, he was able to actually push the other soul out of it, so to speak. He's new and improved. We're not sure what to expect."

Dumbledore poked his head through the door just as Lupin finished his sentence. "Mr. Lupin, may I see you for a moment?" He asked, quietly. "Ah, Mr. Potter, good to see you're feeling better." He smiled at Harry.

"Thank you" said Harry half-heartedly.

"Nice seeing you Harry" said Lupin as he stood up and quickly strode towards the door.

"You too" by now he wasn't paying attention at all.

They were all quiet for a moment. Hermione nuzzled her head to rest on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, I'm scared." she said softly.

Harry rubbed her arm lightly. "Me too. We all are." Ron came over and patted her on the back.

"I bet Malfoy knew about this." said Ron, angrily.

"Oh I almost forgot, speaking of Malfoy…" Hermione proceeded to explain the night's earlier events with the platinum-haired Slytherin.

"WHAT?" Harry shouted when she finished. "I'll kill him!" He clenched his fists and was breathing heavily.

"Harry, don't do anything stupid. You're still not well!" Hermione took his hands in hers.

"Harry might not be strong enough to do something stupid, but I am! I'm going to get that punk-ass ferret!" said Ron as he ran towards the door.

"Ron, don't!" they both shouted. Too late, he was already out the door and starting his was down the hallway.

"This won't be pretty." said Hermione, as she snuggled back down with Harry.

You liiiiike? Good! Oh and why didn't Hermione chase after Ron to stop him? Maybe she didn't want to leave Harry…maybe she was tired…. Maybe she was enabling another super terrific inner-story conflict? WHO KNOWS! MUAHAHAH! Comments please, I really worked very very hard on this! ((Although I'm a little disappointed with myself for dropping the f-bomb which I told myself I wouldn't. But I found it necessary. C'mon, it's Malfoy! He's evil!)) Show your gratitude! Actually leave me 2 comments! I'm worth it! Thanks for reading! (( sorry about my terrible grammar))

Oh! And if your interested…MY XANGA!