A few hours later, the Doctor asked the ship to check in on Hermione and see if she was still asleep. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, he decided that he would go to bed himself for a few hours, as well - even though his body did not usually require nearly as much sleep as a human did. At least that way he would be well rested for whatever would come next. After all, one thing that his long life had taught him was that one should always expect the unexpected. For example, who would have thought that earlier in the day, an extremely intelligent and observant witch (who was probably from another universe) would mysteriously appear in the TARDIS?

Still musing, the Doctor went down the corridor to where his door normally stood alone. However, to his surprise, there was now another door adjacent to his own where none had been before. Somehow, he knew without asking that the TARDIS had moved Hermione's room closer to him. He found that he did not mind the idea at all. In fact, it was comforting to know that he would be nearby in case she required anything. As he thought about what his visitor might possibly need, it reminded him to speak to the TARDIS about her.

"If she wakes up before I do, have another Nutristrip ready for her, will ya?" he asked. "Be sure to wake me if she needs me, though." Reassured by the ship's acquiescence to keep a watch on their new friend, he finally went into his own room. There he kicked off his boots and shucked his jacket before he dropped otherwise fully-clothed onto his bed.

Apparently, I was more tired than I realized, he thought as his mind started to drift off to sleep almost immediately. He hoped that was a good omen that perhaps his exhaustion would keep the nightmares away for at least one night. The last thing he remembered before succumbing completely to slumber, however, was the thought of a pair of intelligent golden brown eyes surrounded by a halo of brown wavy hair.

...

Approximately two hours, thirty-seven minutes, and fourteen point eight seconds later (according to his precise Time Lord brain), he awoke in a cold sweat with visions of Gallifrey and fire still crystal-clear in his mind. Apparently, he had not been quite exhausted enough and the dreams had still come for him. As he laid there and tried to recuperate...tried to forget...he realized that part of his continuing unease was actually the TARDIS's consciousness as she nudged his mind to get his attention. When he asked her what was wrong, she flashed him a picture of Hermione crying out while she tossed and turned in bed.

Apparently, she was firmly in the grip of personal nightmares, as well. The Doctor jumped out of bed at once, stopping only to throw on his boots and jacket again before he headed to her room. He might not be able to do anything about his own terrible dreams and horrific memories, but he knew that he could certainly help that brave young woman with hers! With that thought, he let himself into her room and, distressed by her sounds of anguish, went immediately to her bedside.

"No!" she screamed. "No, Harry! Don't go! He will kill you!" Then she whimpered. "Gone…everyone is gone."

The Doctor's hearts sank even further then as he heard those heartbreaking words. He sat on the edge of her bed and went to stroke her hair...possibly to use some of his telepathic Time Lord abilities to comfort her into an easier sleep. The minute he touched the woman, though, she was up and standing stock-still on the opposite side of the bed with her wand in hand. It was pointed directly at him.

"Doc…Doctor?" she asked uncertainly, as she saw him and tiredly tried to piece together her earlier memories of who he was. "What are you doing in here?" she then asked as obvious suspicion began to cross her Doctor realized then how it must have looked, what she must have thought - especially since he was still sitting...completely uninvited...on her bed. He did not move, though, because he did not want to make any sudden moves that would startle her further.

"Hermione!" he exclaimed, instead. "I would never… I mean I wouldn't presume…" he fumbled his words, at first mortified by the idea. Then horror and anger set in when he realized why she probably would be worried about something like that in the first place – especially since he had seen what had happened to her arm. Who knew what else had been done to the woman? He tried not to let those feelings show, though, because he did not want to frighten her any more than he already had. Therefore, he tried to explain calmly and reassuringly, instead. "The TARDIS told me you were having a nightmare. I just wanted to help."

"Oh," she replied, and her eyes focused on the far wall for a moment and he correctly guessed that she was communicating with the ship to confirm his story. She must have received the information she needed, as well, because she looked at him sadly and slowly lowered her wand. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. He watched as her face fell with shame, as she thought about what she had all but accused him of. Therefore, he made the decision to set her mind at ease - at least about their current situation.

"No!" he told her firmly. "Don't be sorry. I don't know exactly what you have gone through, Hermione. However, I can guess enough not to ever be insulted by your actions to try and protect yourself." Then, he added with another manic grin, designed to reassure her, "In fact, your fast reflexes are quite impressive!"

The plan must have worked because he saw her entire body relax slightly. However, it was then that he realized that she was also trembling with nerves. Plus, he knew that it did not help that her body was still weak from her ordeal. "Come sit down," he commanded gently as he moved to exit the bed.

"No, please stay," she murmured, still a bit embarrassed. She came around to the side of the bed where he was and sat down next to him. "I really am sorry," she repeated, taking his hand in hers. "This last year has been a nightmare and I took my distrust out on you. I appreciate that you tried to help, but I am no stranger to nightmares, and after the last couple of days I am sure that they're only going to get worse. I'm sorry if I interrupted your sleep, too, though. The TARDIS shouldn't have bothered you with it."

The Doctor was once again amazed at his guest. She had obviously been through hell and back and, yet, she was worried that his rest had been interrupted. "Don't worry about it," he assured her. "I don't need much sleep. Superior alien physiology, you see!" he replied in a lighthearted tone designed to set her mind at ease. He then looked at her closely again. The trembling had abated, but she still looked weak.

"Speaking of physiology," he stated gently after his observation, "I want you to take another Nutristrip." At his words, one instantly appeared on her nightstand. He silently thanked the TARDIS as Hermione picked it up and, at his nod, placed it under her tongue. "Would you like to go back to bed now?" he asked. "Your body still needs rest." She shook her head, hesitantly and silently, since the Nutristrip still had not dissolved completely. "What about tea in the library, then?" With those words, once again he was amazed by how bright her eyes could get and how they could just light up a room.

"You have a library?" she asked delightedly - once the Nutristrip was gone and her mouth was empty.

"Oh yes!" he replied, happy to have found a "safe" subject for her to talk about in her still weakened condition. "I take it that you're a fan."

"Oh, Doctor," she said with a fond, reminiscing smile. "As a student, I used to practically live in the library!"

"Well, come along then, Granger, and let me awe your inner scholar." The enthusiastic grin was back as he gave her just enough time to slip her boots back on before he grabbed her hand and enthusiastically led the way out of the room and down the corridor towards the console room.