CHAPTER SEVEN

The weeks dragged by, and Hermione was changing. She never talked anymore. She was growing pale and sickly looking from all the weight she was losing.

"Hermione, you really should eat something," Ginny said softly at dinner one Friday evening as Hermione didn't even bother to pretend being interested in food, simply resting her head on the table on her arms.

"I'm not hungry," Hermione replied automatically.

"You're never hungry, and you never eat!" Ginny said, growing angry. "Do you know how much weight you've lost in just a month? You're almost skin and bone, Hermione!"

Hermione grew angry and stood from the table, flouncing away. How dare Ginny speak to her this way! Didn't she realize she had enough going on? Stupid Ginny with her stupid happy engagement, she thought bitterly. Ginny had been allowed to go home the first weekend of term, and had returned with a sparkling engagement ring from Harry, and the happy glow that brides were supposed to have. And Hermione resented it.

She grew angrier and angrier as she stormed toward the dungeons. How dare Ginny judge her! She was just fine!

She didn't realize how dizzy she was until she entered her new living quarters. Her head spun and her stomach lurched. She stumbled to the bathroom, vomiting into the toilet before collapsing onto the floor. Her world spun, and she lost consciousness.

Severus entered his living quarters, feeling intense frustration. He'd had to deal with incorrigible students all day, and now he had to come home and deal with his incorrigible fiancée. She never stayed out late, which annoyed him. He never had his home to himself anymore.

"I'm home," he said begrudgingly.

No response.

"Hello?" Severus called, setting down his pile of books on the desk.

Still nothing. Perhaps she really wasn't here.

Severus tried to enjoy the fact that he would have an evening of solitude, but was too exhausted to think about it much. He went to the bedroom to hang up his robes and take off his shoes.

The bathroom light was on. Odd… He pushed the door open and found the girl laying on the floor of the bathroom, unconscious.

Severus quickly knelt by her side, feeling for a pulse. It was faint, but it was there. He scooped her up and rushed to the fireplace. He set her on the couch and threw a pinch of Floo Powder into the fire. It turned green, and he picked her up once more before stepping into the warm flames.

The Floo Powder did its job, and Severus emerged a few moments later in the hospital wing.

"Madam Pomfrey!" he shouted, setting Hermione down on a bed.

"Good heavens!" Madam Pomfrey declared, rushing out. "What's the matter with her?"

"I found her unconscious in our bathroom," said Severus, stepping back.

Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "I assumed I would see her less frequently now that the Potter boy is no longer here to drag her into his mischief, but apparently mischief finds her." She drew the curtains and examined Hermione.

After a few minutes, she emerged. "She's very malnourished," she said. "She's been exhausting herself without any food intake. If she continues down this path even for three more days, she is going to die. You'll need to keep her on bed rest all weekend, and make sure she eats!"

"All weekend? I'm supposed to watch her all weekend?!" Severus demanded.

Madam Pomfrey folded her arms across her chest. "Why? Did you have some pressing engagement with someone else, O Lord of Anti-Sociality?"

"Really? You want to antagonize me right now?" Severus asked irritably.

She fixed her gaze with his. "You and I both know that you aren't going to do anything. Others may not believe it, but I know you're a good man. Which is why I know that you are going to take good care of her and help her be healthy again."

Severus sighed. "Very well. May I take her home?"

"Yes," said Madam Pomfrey. She handed him two bottles. "She needs rest. The purple potion will make her tired if she should give you any troubles, and the orange one will increase her appetite."

Severus chuckled. "Very well. I have no doubt that I will need both."

Madam Pomfrey smiled. "Knowing her, I'm sure you will. She has quite an independent personality."

"That she does," muttered Severus. He pocketed the two potions and lifted Hermione in his arms once more. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. I will update you with her condition on Monday, so that you can determine if she needs further treatment."

"The potions should make it so that her condition will improve rapidly. If her condition is at the point where you're unsure by Monday, then you need to bring her back in, because those potions should ensure weight gain and rest."

"Very well," Severus said. He held Hermione tightly and carried her into the fireplace to take her home.