Chapter Eight
Not Hungry
(nowdoyouknowwhatshehas?)
Hermione sat at breakfast in the great hall only picking at her food she had lost all appetite. Severus had noticed this a few days prior to this particular day, when she declined a chocolate frog at practice from Ginny Weasley. He was not the only one concerned about this. She had lost a few pounds and had to get her costumes for the production refitted. Her uniform was now becoming loose and her face was not quite as full.
"Hermione, what in the name of Merlin are you doing to yourself?" Harry hissed at her one morning.
"What do you mean?" She asked her voice dripping with suspicion.
"You're bloody starving yourself! Are you okay?" Ron inquired sounding just about as concerened as he could probably get.
"I'm fine. Just not very hungry I guess. I have to go to the library. Potions paper I need to work on." She lied, for she had finnished that paper the day it was given out last week.With out another word she left the table leaving her plate completely untouched. The boys paid her no mind, but Severus certainly did.
He excused himself from the teachers' table and left not through the back but between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables and out through the doors that Hermione had left from. On the seventh step leading to the library lay Hermione with half lidded eyes and an expression of pain etched upon her delicate features. Severus rushed to her side and gently lifted her head into his strong hands.
"Severus, please forgive me."
"Why do I need to forgive you, Hermione, what have you done?"
"I did this... to myself. I didn't eat. I... I over exerted myself. I slipped and didn't grab hold of the railing knowing that I would probably fall to my..." she didn't finish the thought for she went into a coughing fit and fainted.
"No, Hermione no, don't do this. Hermione, listen to me don't let go I'm going to get help." He lifted her into his arms and rushed up the stairs as carefully as he could with his love limp in his arms. When he reached the doors to the Hospital wing he laid Hermione on one of the beds and called for Poppy.
"Severus, what's the... oh my what happened to the poor girl?"
"She was starving herself, after not listening to those to friends of her's about how she should eat more she ran out of breakfast and fainted on the stairs. She was conscious when I found her. She told me that she was unable to catch hold of the railing and fell down a bit of stairs. Poppy she needs immediate medical attention."
"Since when do you care so much for the well being of Gryf... Oh I see. You have mutual feelings for Miss Granger?" When he didn't answer she knew that she was correct. There was a bit more of a pause then she said, "I'll do what I can and inform you immediately as to her condition. I won't say any thing else. I promise."
"Thank you, Poppy."
"You should go and I should get started on helping Miss Granger here."
Severus left the room but stayed close by the Hospital for the remainder of the day just... waiting.
I have a feeling I am going to get a bit of mixed reviews at this chapter... I'm prbably right.