Hello everyone! Jeni-Tall has been cursing at me everyday to update this chapter! Thank you to those who reviewed my last chapter (only 3 (!) and I strongly encourage you to keep reviewing! It keeps me going! This chapter was added in offhandedly, because I found that I needed it so the rest of my story made sense. The next chapter shall not take so long to post. But you need to review! And I want to encourage you to check out my other story, just for kicks D. Cheers!

Chapter 7: Snitch

The hospital wing was silent in the still morning hours as the sun crept sleepily over the horizon, filling the dreary room with a pale glow. Harry and Ron were situated on either side of one of the hospital beds, staring down at the occupant, both lost in their own thoughts. Ron was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his face crumpled in worry and confusion as he gazed on the sleeping face of Hermione. Harry's eyes were glassy as he gazed down at her, his hand clenching and unclenching unconsciously. His eyes slowly moved away from her face and shifted toward the bed that lay across from hers on the other side of the wing.

Draco's face was a picture of serenity in the morning light and Harry watched as his chest rose steadily up and down, his breathing even, no sign or trace of his unknown ailment as he lay there. Harry couldn't understand why both Hermione and Malfoy had collapsed within moments of each other when they were in completely different parts of the castle.

Hermione had returned late that evening, after her rounds with Malfoy. Upon entering the common room, Ron had immediately turned his attention to Hermione, leaving Harry in midsentence about their usual topic of Quidditch. Harry had been too tired (and interested in hearing about Hermione's evening) to care about Ron's rudeness.

Hermione had also looked extremely tired when she greeted them, approaching the couches on which they sat wearily. Ron had asked her if Malfoy had given her any trouble while on their head rounds. Hermione had shaken her head, laughing softly.

"Malfoy gives everyone trouble. But I can handle him."

"Just like you handled him in our third year! Blimey, that walloping you gave him was brilliant!"

Hermione and Harry laughed, remembering the look of absolute horror on Malfoy's face when she had slapped him.

It was some ten minutes later, while they continued to discuss the hilarity of all the pranks pulled on Malfoy that Hermione began to feel slightly dizzy. When Harry mentioned the shrieking shack incident, her vision began to swim. She managed to stand up evenly and walk towards the stairs, Ron and Harry following her in mid conversation. They began to ascend the stairs, Harry and Ron whispering to each other quietly.

"And honestly – you'd think that he had nightmare hair for all the gel he puts in it," Ron said, making a face and Harry chuckled.

"What do you think, Hermione?" Ron said eagerly, wanting her to continue the insults with them.

Hermione, having still felt the bitter sting of anger after her conversation with Draco, felt a voice from deep within her answer harshly, "It makes me sick." After she spoke, her eyes rolled back in her head and her body swayed backwards into Harry and Ron.

With Seeker and Keeper reflexes, they both caught her just in time. Ron lifted her up in his arms as they both ran down the stairs and out of Gryffindor tower and towards the hospital wing.

When they finally got there, they had almost run headlong into Dumbledore—and a floating unconscious figure of Draco Malfoy.

Harry had been caught off guard by the presence of the blond—it was Ron who spoke up immediately.

"Sir! Hermione's just fainted—and we have no idea why." Dumbledore looked down at the sleeping figure of Hermione and smiled.

"It seems we have quite the mystery on our hands, boys." Dumbledore looked at Harry then, watching Harry's eyes as they stared at Malfoy's face.

"He'll be alright, Harry. Just a small blow to the head, but he'll recover."

Harry's head jerked up, his eyes blazing.

"I couldn't care less about what happens to him. Hermione's my best friend." The first statement was said without any serious conviction, which caused Dumbledore to only raise an eyebrow at him. Harry coiled back as though he had been bitten. Dumbledore knew.

Luckily, Madame Pomfrey came out then, rushing them all inside. Ron had laid Hermione on the hospital bed, staring at her with obvious worry. Harry was distracted by Dumbledore's conversation with Madame Pomfrey, and he tried to listen intently to what was being said. Despite his attempt, he heard nothing that registered to him. But Harry did not miss Pomfrey's startled glance at him when she hurried away to her office to get her equipment, and Harry cursed inwardly at Malfoy's big mouth.

Within minutes of Madame Pomfrey exiting the wing and into her own private office, the hospital wing doors opened and Snape had strolled into the wing, his robes billowing behind him. Ron hadn't noticed his entrance for he was drifting in and out of sleep. The hair on Harry's arms stood on end and he had to repress a shudder of anticipation. Perhaps he could finally get to talk to Snape, without having to worry about any of his classmates overhearing.

Harry watched Snape walk towards Dumbledore and when he saw Draco lying on the bed, he immediately walked towards his side and peered down at the sleeping form of his godson. Harry waited, his breath held, for Snape to realize that he was in the room. Finally, Snape's eyes rose from the blond. When his gaze settled on Harry, something in his eyes flickered but faded instantly as he turned away and towards Dumbledore.

Quietly, he spoke to the older man. "What happened to Mr. Malfoy?"

"He suddenly collapsed while I was speaking to him in the Astronomy Tower. He unfortunately hit the floor before I had time to prevent him from falling."

Snape raised an eyebrow at him. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"I was surprised, my boy. I wasn't expecting him to collapse after a mere conversation with me."

Snape's lip curled. "Maybe you sifted through his thoughts too much."

"Actually, he didn't." A low groan from the bed, and a rustling of sheets, and Draco Malfoy's eyes opened, squinting slightly at the two men standing near his bed.

"Malfoy." The blond jumped and jerked his head to the right. Harry was standing beside his bed.

Harry had been listening intently to the exchange between Snape and Dumbledore until he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Malfoy was moving slightly in his bed. He had crept closer, unbeknownst to Dumbledore and Snape, and waited for Malfoy to finally open his eyes.

When Harry spoke, Snape and Dumblelore looked at him. Dumbledore was twinkling again and Snape's mouth twitched slightly in amusement.

"Potter, can you hand me some of that water? My mouth's dry."

Without a word, Harry poured Malfoy a glass of water and handed it to him. Malfoy attempted to reach it, but struggled. Harry silently pressed his hand against Malfoy's chest to keep him from moving, and he placed the rim of the glass against Malfoy's lips and helped him drink.

Malfoy's eyes never left Harry's as he began drinking the water in the glass. Harry looked back at him, his eyes blank from what Draco could see.

"How very kind of you, Harry," Dumbledore said, stepping closer to the boys. Harry could imagine Snape's eyes rolling.

"Thanks," Malfoy whispered hoarsely as he finished the glass and Harry removed it from his mouth and placed it back onto the table beside him. Snape stepped closer to the three men and crossed his arms.

"Mr. Malfoy, do you remember the events that transpired before you became unconscious?"

Malfoy took a deep breath and shifted to make himself comfortable on the bed. He was annoyed at the way Potter kept looking at him.

"I remember my rounds with Granger and then my conversation with Dumbledore."

"Professor," both Harry and Snape corrected at the same time. Snape looked at Harry, and Harry's cheeks flushed slightly.

Draco glanced between the two of them, grimacing.

"Oh god, I feel ill." Draco then remembered the conversation he had had with Snape that evening before he had found Hermione. It seemed as if the truth were staring him right in the face.

"Don't, Malfoy. Assuming only gets you into trouble," Harry warned quietly, his mouth barely moving. Draco smirked and chose to ignore him.

"As I was saying, Professor Dumbledore did not sift through my thoughts. I have no idea why I suddenly ended up on the ground and frankly I don't—" Draco stopped suddenly, when his eyes looked across the room. Ron had been disturbed the commotion and was standing up. When Draco's eye had caught his movement, he also caught sight of a person sleeping in the bed across from him.

It took barely a second for Draco to register whom that person was, and his upper torso launched itself off the pillows to get a better look. Harry immediately grabbed onto him, his eyes narrowing at him.

"We don't know what happened either. But you should care. Because it happened to Hermione too."

Draco said nothing, his gaze not leaving the sight of Hermione, pale as death, lying in the hospital bed. Ron had noticed the look on Draco's face when he caught sight of Hermione and he stepped into place beside Harry, his face twisted as he looked at Malfoy.

"What do you care, Malfoy? What's she to you but a…" Ron trailed off quietly, his face slightly red with anger, his hands twisting in front of him.

Draco looked up at him. His face held no signs of quarrel or rudeness. He looked pained. Then Draco did something that caused Ron to take a step back in surprise.

"I'm sorry."

The impact of the statement had knocked the wind right out of Ron, and his eyes were wide in the dark room. Harry had no reaction to Malfoy's statement as he carefully pushed Malfoy back against the pillows, moving them so he could sit up properly. While Ron got his bearings back, Harry chanced a glance at Snape.

He regretted it instantly, because Snape was looking right at him. His cheeks heated and he cursed inwardly at being such an idiot.

"Potter, a word, if you please."

Without giving Harry time to answer, Harry strolled away, walking towards the hospital wing doors. Ron was watching the retreating figure of Snape, as he spoke to Harry.

"What could that wanker possibly want to talk to you about?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat, smiling at Ron. Ron looked abashed.

"Uh, sorry sir. I mean, Professor Snape."

"I haven't the slightest idea, Mr. Weasley, but I don't think it would be wise to assume as Mr. Potter might tell you."

Ron looked at Harry in confusion.

"Assume what?"

Draco snorted and Ron looked at him in surprise.

"Malfoy, what do you know about this?"

"I think I'll leave that to Potter to explain that one."

"Shut up, Malfoy or I'll break your nose, sick or not."

"Nice to know things haven't changed."

Harry was going to reply nastily, until he saw Snape waiting at the doors for him. He sighed and shook his head.

"Ron, stay with Hermione. Ignore Malfoy."

He began walking towards Snape, his back stiff, his eyes to the ground. He didn't know why he suddenly felt apprehensive. When the doors behind them shut, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. It was dark in the hallway and he felt a bit chilly.

Snape muttered 'lumos' and his wand ignited, surrounding them with a bit of light, so they could see each other. Harry noticed how Snape's face looked drawn, his eyes showing traces of worry.

"What is it?" Harry asked softly.

Snape pulled out a small box and opened it. It was empty.

"When I didn't receive your daily letter, I automatically assumed something had happened.

Harry looked sheepish. "I completely forgot about it Sev—Professor," Harry corrected hastily. Snape smirked at him.

"We're alone Harry, it is of no consequence."

"I got a bit caught up with Malfoy's antics and his recent interest in Hermione. I guess—" but Harry stopped and wrinkled his nose in thought.

"You don't think it happened because of their sudden attraction to each other, do you?"

Snape looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded slowly.

"I wonder if someone tampered with their drinks."

"Well, that would be Fred and George," Harry said in amusement.

Snape looked at him curiously.

"Oh well, Fred gave Hermione wine—"

"He did wh—"

"Yes I know!" whispered Harry, pressing forward. "He gave her wine to reverse the spell that they put on her because of this lipstick they gave her. I think it…" Harry trailed off, his cheeks flushing in the pale light of Snape's wand. "I think it enhanced her sexual drives."

Snape nodded. "Malfoy told me about that this evening. I didn't think anything of it…but Malfoy and Ms. Granger had not been unconscious then."

It was silent for a few moments.

"Do you know what was in the lipstick?"

"Well, I don't. But you can ask Fred and George. They'd know."

"Oh, I intend to."

Harry nodded, running his fingers through his hair, smiling up at Snape nervously.

"So you worried about me, eh?"

Snape narrowed his eyes at him. "Potter, I warn you, do not play games with me—"

"I wasn't!" Harry looked mortified. "I just thought it was…nice."

"I am not nice."

"Well I know that—I mean!" Harry stuttered when he saw Snape raise an eyebrow at him.

"Merlin Severus, you know what I mean."

"Yes, I know what you mean."

They looked at each other and Harry shifted on his feet restlessly.

"You said you spoke to Malfoy tonight. Is that why he said he felt ill when we spoke at the same time?"

Snape looked at him intently. "I told him that you confessed to me whom you were in love with."

Harry looked surprised. "You didn't tell him though, did you?"

"No, of course not."

"Then why was he…" Harry trailed off, trying to understand why Malfoy acted so odd. Then he blinked, looking at Snape, his eyes wild.

"You didn't tell him that we…we…"

"We what, Mr. Potter?" Snape was looking at him coldly. Harry looked pained.

"Is Malfoy under the impression that…"

"I might have given him the idea that it is I whom you're in love with," Snape said, his eyes flashing, his lip curling into a cruel, sardonic smile as he stepped closer to Harry.

Harry swallowed heavily. "Oh," was all he could manage.

"It is close enough to the truth. Don't you think, Harry?"

Harry saw the flash of pain in Snape's eyes before he turned and walked away, leaving Harry standing alone in the darkness.

Harry and Ron had stayed by Hermione's side all through the night, no one had disturbed them but Poppy every few hours. Malfoy had gone back to sleep after Dumbledore had had a few words with him. When Harry had returned from his meeting with Snape, Ron was perched on his chair again, his head by Hermione's side. Harry had just stood there, looking at the two of them, suddenly feeling alone.

That's where he had stood now, as the sun rose, morning having finally arrived. Harry, despite having stayed up the whole night, did not feel tired. He simply felt restless and eager to return to his dormitory and take out the familiar black box that Snape had given him that summer, and write the letter that he had been desperate to write throughout the early morning hours, as he waited for sunrise.

His thoughts were interrupted then by a movement on the bed. Hermione was waking up.

Harry rushed to her side, peering down at her anxiously, and waiting for her to open her eyes.

"Hello Harry," Hermione said quietly, blinking up at him, her eyes trying to adjust to the bright light entering in through the windows.

"Hermione," he said lovingly, taking her hand in his and holding onto it tightly.

"We were sorry worried about you."

It was then that Hermione realized that she was in the hospital wing, and that Ron was sleeping by her side, and when she looked up, she saw Malfoy sleeping in the bed across from hers. She frowned and looked up at Harry.

"What happened?"

Harry's anxiety worsened. "You don't remember?"

Hermione tilted her head slightly and shrugged. "I got whoozy and passed out on the stairs. But that's not what I meant. I want to know why and how it happened."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle in relief. Typical Hermione.

"I'm sorry to say that we don't actually know why you did. Just that it happened. And you've been out the whole night. And…" Harry trailed off, looking at Malfoy.

"It happened to him too?" Hermione asked, looking surprised.

Harry nodded. "He came in here the same time we brought you here."

"Did someone bring him here?"

"Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?"

"Dumbledore was speaking to him until he collapsed."

"Does anyone know why it happened?"

"Not a clue. Snape's going to work on it though."

"Snape?"

"Yah, Snape's going to look into why it happened."

"Was Snape here?"

"Yes, Malfoy's his student after all."

"Oh."

Harry was amused at the string of questions that Hermione kept shooting at him, despite her just being unconscious. Madame Pomfrey came into the room then and noticed that Hermione was awake. She immediately began casting spells checking Hermione's body and mind to see if she was alright. Ron had woken up by that time and looked a lot more cheerful than he had the night before, despite his being in a weird position.

"Mr. Potter, I suggest you get some sleep. I know you never shut your eyes," Madame Pomfrey said to him, before she went away, after telling Hermione she could leave. Harry had asked her about Draco and she told him that he would go as soon as he woke up. Madame Pomfrey had told Hermione that if she ever felt dizzy again, that she should immediately find a way to get to the hospital wing.

The three of them then left the hospital wing and ventured up to Gryffindor tower. Ginny was in the Common Room and she rushed forward to ask what had happened.

"Don't worry Gin, everything's alright now. I'll explain it to you at breakfast."

"No you won't Harry. You're going to sleep – Madame Pomfrey will send a note to your morning class teachers, saying that you're taking the morning off," Hermione said, hugging him tightly, silently thanking him for watching over her.

Harry yawned, his weariness suddenly hitting him.

"Yah…I think I'll turn in for the morning. See you at lunch?"

The three of them nodded and said goodbye as they headed off to breakfast.

Harry rushed up the stairs, hoping the dormitory was empty and found (thankfully) that it was. He ran to his trunk and opened it hastily, finding the familiar black box and opening it eagerly.

He sighed happily when he saw a note inside it and ran to his bed and opened it immediately.

"Potter – Snitch."

Harry smiled. "Snitch" was Severus' way of saying that everything was alright. It had started during that summer when they first began their communication with each other – on friendly terms.

Harry scribbled a note in reply, thanking him, and promising that he'd write again soon after he took a nap. He took off his glasses and crawled into bed, hoping that nothing would happen in the time that he slept.

He curled his hand underneath his pillow and sighed. The last thing his tired mind registered was his hand feeling a note underneath his pillow – and then sleep overtook him.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Hopefully things got a bit more information for everyone!

I'm curious to know if any of you are interested in reading a chapter of letters back and forth between Harry and Severus sometime soon, when I find a place to put that chapter in. To tell me, you must review -. PLEASE REVIEW!!

Madi Black