Hey guys! I am really very sorry! This week has been a really very hectic week- one of the factors for the delay I was planning on uploading it sooner but it was nearly impossible. I am really very sorry for the delay. I hope you understand. I was hoping for some suggestions but I got almost none so it's another factor for the delay.

I got a review from a guest saying that Ron was cheating on Hermione because Hermione was flirting with Draco. I have to deny that. Hermione is not really flirting with Malfoy. They are really very good friends. So yeah. Sorry for the babble. On with the story…

Chapter 3

The very first thing I felt when I woke up was the pain in my throat. It felt very dry. The second thing I noticed was that I couldn't feel my body. Am I under a spell or is it just the tiredness? I would be more than happy to go with the later. I didn't want to open my eyes. Then I heard someone say.

"-aco. You had no right. ABSOLUTELY NONE!" the person shrieked the last part

"Ginny, please don't shout. Hermione is still sleeping", said another voice in a soothing voice with a tinge of desperation in it. I took some to recognize that it belonged to Harry. My mind must be working really very slow because there was no way I won't recognize his voice, even from a distance.

Then I realized that the former voice must have belonged to Ginny. My mind is working as slow as a snail. I must have been sleeping for a very long time because my mind never works so slowly. Even if I am under the Crucio spell.

I opened my eyes groggily to witness the situation. The first thing I noticed was Harry was desperately trying to hold Ginny from slapping Malfoy. Ginny was trying just as desperately to get out of Harry's grip. Malfoy stood a few feet away from them, near the couch. He had a revolting look in his eyes but managed to mask his face without any expression. Then I noticed the surroundings. I was lying on a bed wearing a patient's gown, surrounded by plain white walls.

Then with a blow, I remembered all the events which took place before I slipped into unconsciousness. It hit me like a thunder bolt. All the words Malfoy said to me kept running around in my mind.

He is cheating you.

He is sleeping with other girls.

Sleeping with each and every female manager.

My breath became shallow. It was getting hard to breath. I tried to sit up but my right hand slipped and knocked the glass of water which was placed on the bedside table. This got the attention of the other occupants of the room.

Harry rushed forward to help me sit up and Ginny kept rubbing my back. When I managed to breathe regularly Ginny helped me with a glass of water. Malfoy chose to stand where he was and watched the commotion silently. He reluctantly looked me in the eyes but when he did, he didn't drop his gaze. All I saw in his eyes was guilt and sincerity. Over a time I realized his eyes were really a mirror to his inner feelings. He mostly managed to keep cold look but when he felt too much of something, he became an open book. I shifted my gaze from his eyes to Ginny's face. She looked so worried that I bet if she gave this look to me a few years after, she would look like Molly. I managed a smile and told her not to worry, I was alright. Harry, Ginny and I were talking, while Malfoy was sitting on the couch watching u talk when the doctor entered. I recognized him as Alexander Carl. He was a well-known doctor in St. Mungos. He gave me a swift smile and started to read the reports. He looked up and addressed to no one in particular.

"Well Miss Granger, you surely have not rested for some time. Have you been taking the any potions to freshen you up or you know potions to lessen your sleep deprivation?" Ginny looked at me in anger and Harry in amazement. Malfoy gave no expression at all.

"Yes" I answered him in a small voice.

"I see" He nodded a little. "For how long, may I ask?"

"A few days" I answered.

"You would not have an effect like this if you took it only for a few days Miss Granger. You as a doctor should know that."

I do know it! I just don't want to tell anyone about it. "A week" I answered again hoping this lie would work.

"I will ask you again Miss Granger and this will be the last time. I want a truthful answer. How long?" He asked in an irritated yet amused manner. I turned to look at Ginny and Harry. Ginny was going red with anger and Harry was growing more and more worried. I glanced at Malfoy and was not-so-shocked to see an amused expression on his face.

I sighed in defeat and answered, truthfully this time "Two and a half week" The doctor nodded and gave a list of medicines to Harry and then addressed me, "Take as much of rest as you can Miss Granger. You are granted a leave of a whole week.", so saying he walked out the door.

I was afraid to look at Ginny but being a Gryffindor and all, took a look at her. She looked simply furious. Her face clashed with her hair. I closed my Eyes and waited for the worse.

"What in the world were you thinking Hermione Jean Granger?" She hissed in a really very low voice.

"Give her a break Ginny. She must be really very tired. Let her rest." Harry said, saving me an explanation. Ginny's face started to regain its natural color.

"Ginny and I are gonna go and get these potion medicines OK? Keep resting and don't you dare move from your place understand Hermione?" Harry said in a concerned voice. I nodded

"Malfoy stay right here and if she gets up, don't hesitate to take any action OK?" so saying Harry and Ginny went out the door.

Malfoy still had an amused look on his face which was really very irritating. To top it off he smirked. He SMIRKED! He actually had a nerve to smirk at me when I was about to get a nice scolding from Ginny. That irritated me even more. Like a LOT. I will have to remember to smirk like that when he gets a scolding like that. A smirk which will make each and every Slytherin proud of me.

"Wipe the smirk you off your face or do you want me to do it for you?" I fake smiled sweetly.

"How will you Granger? I am sitting on this couch and you are lying on the bed. And to 'wipe the smirk off my face' you have to get up which is forbidden" He said. His smirk growing more and more every minute. I looked around for my wand but couldn't find it. I looked pointedly at Malfoy.

"What? Don't blame me. You wand is with Harry. You should all stop accusing me for everything." He said with fake innocence. I huffed in annoyance. Malfoy face turned from his amused expression to a serious one. He looked into my eyes and said in a sincere tone, "Look Granger, I am sorry for what happened yesterday. I know this is my fault and I shouldn't have said those words. I am exceptionally good at apologies, but here it goes, I-I am… I am sorry Granger." He apologized with such a difficulty that I found it hard not to laugh. I bit my inner cheek to keep myself from laughing.

"Are my ears alright? Did I just hear Draco Malfoy the Great apologize? Especially to me?" I teased him

"Don't push it Granger" He said in a threatening voice.

That was it. I couldn't contain my laugh and burst open. I laughed so hard that my stomach started hurting and tears spilled. I had to Hold on to the bed side table to prevent myself from falling. Oh gods, It was such an amazing feeling. It had been a really very long time since I laughed like this. It felt good. It felt good to be myself again, not worrying about job or Ron. I saw Malfoy's stone face turn into a smile. A genuine smile.

The door opened and I stopped laughing. Ron Weasley entered into the room, stumbling a little. I suddenly felt like some Dementor had entered the room and sucked all the happy moments of my life.

"Hey Hermione" he said in a strange voice.

He sounded as if… as if he was drunk.

Ta-dah! I know, you must be cursing me right now. I should have extended but it's time for my tuition so gotta go! I hope I get more reviews. And thank you for following my story!

With love

-CrazyKid00