Chapter 26 Snuggling

The rest of the first day passed by smoothly but slowly for Harry. By the time he met up with Ron and Hermione to head to the Great Hall for dinner he was feeling very tired. Hermione gave him a good look up and down and suggested that he go to the hospital wing to get a check up. "It's always better to be safe than sorry. I hope you aren't catching a cold or something."

Ron took a bite of a chicken leg. "Really," He agreed. "A bad cold could possibly kill you at this point since you're still in recovery from your last illness."

Harry's reply was a loud sneeze. "I'm FINE," He insisted. "My allergies have just been working up a lot today."

Hermione shook her head. "I hope that's all it is, Harry." She told him.

When Erin, Jessica and Lavender arrived, they were exhausted too. "Geeze-WHAT a day, eh?" Lavender asked, sitting down beside Ron and letting her backpack fall to the ground with a soft THUD. Jess and Erin took seats across from her and lookd ready to fall right into their plates. "I have so much homework already. Are you feeling, okay Harry? You look wiped out-more than me, even!"

"I'm all right. Just my allergies working u-u..." He sneezed again and then looked at Hermione. "I think I'm going to take your advice and head on to the hospital wing. Want to come with me?"

She nodded. "Sure. I'll see you guys later, then." She told the rest of her friends. Jess's reply was a raise of the hand and Hermione laced her fingers through Harry's and they headed out of the Great Hall. On the way to the hospital wing, Harry sneezed three more times, having to lean against the wall with exhaustion.

"Bless you." Laughed Hermione.

"Thanks. I wonder what's bothering me."

"I have no idea." Hermione admitted. "But I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will be able to help you." She wrapped an arm around him as they finally entered the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was cleaning bedpans when she looked up to see the couple and smiled pleasantly.

"Hullo you two. What's wrong, Harry?" She added.

"I've been sneezing a lot in the past two hours," Harry replied. "I think I need an allergy shot."

The nurse nodded in understanding. "Well-yes, all right. Let me just get my things together and we'll get you settled. Have a seat on one of the cots and I'll be right with you."

Harry and Hermione sat down and didn't speak for a few moments, but gazed around. Hermione leaned her head against Harry's shoulder and he leaned his head against hers. Both of them didn't notice when Madame Pomfrey returned with the needle and pulled up a chair in front of Harry. "Here we are." She told them and they jumped. "I just need you to roll up your sleeve, Harry and we'll..." THUD.

Hermione gasped as Harry slid to the floor in a dead faint.

"Oh for heaven's sake. For all he's been through, you'd think a needle wouldn't be a big deal." Hermione sniggered as she knelt down beside Harry.

"I'll just give it to him while he's out, Hermione. Just unroll his sleeve for me-that's it. Thank you." Hermione grimaced when Madame Pomfrey stuck the needle into Harry's arm, after rubbing it with a bit of alcohol. "There. He should feel better within an hour or so. Let's get him onto a bed and wake him up."

Hermione aided the nurse in lifting Harry onto the cot, and smelling salts were used to bring Harry back. "Wha-what happened?" Harry asked in a tired voice.

"You fainted," Hermione giggled.

"I did? Why?"

"Madame Pomfrey had to give you an allergy shot."

"Oh." He blinked. "Thanks."

"Anytime, Harry. I would suggest heading off to bed early tonight. The medicine doesn't usually go into effect for at least an hour, I was telling Hermione."

Harry nodded with a yawn, and Hermione helped him stand. "Good night, Madame Pomfrey." She said and then led Harry to the Gryffindor Tower. When they reached the common room, it was empty, because their classmates were still at dinner. They took this as a perfect opportunity to snuggle up in one of the cushioned armchairs by the warm fire. Hermione wrapped a thick blanket over the both of them and snuggled against Harry's chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her, sighing in content as he gazed up at the ceiling.

By the time Ron, Lavender, Jess and Erin returned, they found Harry and Hermione sound asleep on one of the chairs. "Oh my gosh-they are so cute!" Jess gasped.

Lavender turned to Ron. "Don't you DARE think about waking them." She hissed. She tiptoed over and pulled the blanket closer to Hermione's neck before tiptoeing back to Ron. "We should do that one time," She whispered. "How about we do it now?" Ron asked with a wink. "As long as we don't wake Harry and Hermione. Good night, you two." He told Jess and Erin.

Jess frowned. "Okay, okay-I get the hint. Night, guys. See you in the morning." She led Erin up the stairs to the girls' dormitory and Lavender went to get a blanket for herself and Ron.

"Couple sleepout," She told him when she arrived back to the common room, and she and Ron settled into a chair. Ron wrapped his arms around Lavender and kissed her.

"Comfy?" He asked in a whisper.

She nodded. "Uh huh."

Pretty soon, all four of them were sound asleep. The only noise that could be heard was the fire crackling and the soft late summer breeze beating against the window.