Here's the next chapter! It's a bit shorter, but I hope you like it!

Disclaimer (applies to first two chapters, too): I wish I owned Draco Malfoy, but unfortunately I don't own him or anything else in this story…

And to this chapter's reviewers!

MilkMustache: Thanks for continuing to review, and being so positive! You are a joy to have as a reader/reviewer:) I see what you mean by going too fast… I hoped I slowed things up a bit with this chapter? Enjoy!

Oola: thank you so much for reviewing! It means a lot to hear it's original-- that's kind of my goal:D I'm glad you enjoyed the first two chappies: I'll continue to update and I hope you like this one!

Without further ado, the chapter!

...

"Talking"

Thinking (or a letter or dreaming)

…

"She's been out for nearly 12 hours."

"I know. The slimy git. I can't believe he ran into her!"

"What was she doing, anyway? She was in sneakers and sweats… like she was running or something!" That was Ginny's voice.

"Ha! Probably reading a book at the same time. Not watching where she was going." That was Ron.

Her friends chuckled quietly together. Hermione felt hot tears well behind her eyes. You will not cry, Hermione, She reprimanded herself sternly.

Opening one eye a crack, the room came into focus. She lay in a soft bed in a sterile white room with two other unoccupied beds identical to hers. This must be St. Mungos! She realized. What in the name of Merlin happened to me? She remembered jogging… colliding with something…A pair of startling blue-grey eyes… then everything went black… Crap!

"Hermione! You're awake!" Ginny chirped. "Good thing, too, we have to leave soon for work at Fred's and George's!" Hermione eyed the sparkling redhead balefully.

"What time is it?" She croaked. Ron stifled a snort. Ginny frowned at him.

"Go get her some water, you prat!" She admonished. "It's almost 10 am, you've been out cold since you hit your head around 4 yesterday afternoon!"

"Yeah, Mione, what were you doing, anyway?" Harry asked. Hermione sighed.

"I was going for a run." Ron, returning with the water, snorted. Ginny shot him another look.

"That's great, Mione! It's great to get in shape! But just look where you're going in the future!" Ginny laughed.

"Just don't run in the future," Ron muttered sarcastically. It was Harry's turn to frown.

"We really have to go--we're already late for work. Rest up, feel better soon, Mione!" Harry said apologetically, kissing her cheek.

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She was asleep before the door closed.

…

Hermione sat up groggily. She groped around in the dark for her wand, then accio'd her watch: it was half past 7. I must have fell hard to be this tired! She thought.

With another flourish of her wand, she summoned her book: Flying Freedom. Settled into the magically warmed sheets, she buried herself in the story.

Halfway through the chapter, she heard knock at the door. RAT TAT TAT! She couldn't help but cringe, remembering yesterday's nightmare.

"It's not locked!" She called grumpily. The door creaked open, revealing none other than Draco Malfoy himself. Bullocks! Why did he have to come?!?

"Don't look so sour, Granger," Malfoy said, obviously noting her displeased expression. "It's not like I want to be in some stinking hospital ward with you. But Shacklebolt sent me. Said I should check on my partner."

"Did you run into me yesterday?"

"No. you ran into me." He actually looked a teeny bit concerned... maybe. "How's your head?" What? Is he trying to be nice?!?

"Fine," said Hermione tersely, putting her nose back in her book.

"Reading," Malfoy sneered contemptuously, all sympathy gone from his face. I guess not so nice, Hermione thought. She found she was almost… relieved?

He pulled a chair up next to her bed, and stared out into the night for a few minutes.

Hermione felt his gaze shift, burning into her, but didn't look up. Closing her eyes, she laid her head on the pillow. This is just too stressful! she silently fumed.

She was so caught up in her thoughts, she didn't noticed Malfoy prying her book from her grasp.

"Give that back, you lousy ferret!" Hermione cried indignantly.

"No, I don't think I will," Malfoy smirked.

"Yes you will! I have a wand and I'm not afraid to use it!"

"Unfortunately for you, so do I."

"…"

"What are you reading?" Malfoy grinned evilly as he read the title. "Flying Freedom?!?" He glanced up, gauging her reaction.

Hermione remained silent. Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap! I'm never going to hear the end of this! Life sucks sooo bad sometimes!

"My mother read this book. Said it was depressing… the main character died at the end and--"

Malfoy was cut off my Hermione's indignant shriek.

"Malfoy you slimey bastard!!! I haven't gotten to that part! You're spoiling it! You evil, masochistic, pompous, bouncing ferret!!"

Malfoy's smirk widened. He ignored the insults.

"Tut tut, it's just a book…" He patronized smoothly. "Why are you reading a Quidditch book, anyway, Granger?"

"It's very well written."

"I thought you didn't like Quidditch."

"It's a good book!"

Malfoy smirked one last time, thankfully refraining from further prodding.

"Well, Granger, I brought you the packet they gave us today in auror training."

With that, he handed her a thick wad of parchment, stood up and stretched, and (with a final lazy smirk), sauntered out the door.

Hermione rifled through the packet. It was a dry, textbook-like manual of combat techniques and spells, complete with moving diagrams. She placed the papers on her nightstand, and drifted back into a fretful sleep, once again filled with nightmares of Malfoy's laughing, leering face.

…

That's all for now folks! How did you like it?

I have the next chappie all set to go, but not until I have at least 12 total Reviews! That's six new ones.

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~Tatiana