CHAPTER THREE.
The Perfect Day.
Hermione stepped out onto the landing of the Gryffindor tower, turned her head to smile at the fat lady and made her way along the seventh floor corridor.
It felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders- she hadn't felt this cheerful in months. Deciding to take a shortcut after reaching the sixth floor, Hermione changed direction and headed towards the Hengist Rawkes portrait that concealed a hidden passage way that would lead her to the second floor landing where the Hospital Wing was located. The castle was quiet, she could only hear the sound of her clunking footsteps. Everything seemed so peaceful, it was going to be a perfect day with no disruptions.
Hengist Rawkes was fast asleep in his portrait when Hermione approached, so she cleared her throat loudly, and the man in the portrait jolted awake.
Rubbing his eyes, he spoke agitatedly, "Off to the library are we, Miss Granger?"
"The hospital wing actually," she replied, rubbing her tender head.
"It's rude to wake people when they are sleeping you know." He frowned at her.
His voice was tearing at her sore skull, "Yes and I am deeply apologetic but I needto get to the hospital wing may I please come through?"
"Very well, go in," He sighed, swinging the portrait open.
"Thanks," she mumbled before shuffling in.
After walking for a couple of minutes, she came to the end of the passageway and was now standing before the exit to the second floor.
As she pressed her clammy hand against the back of the portrait ready to step out she heard a voice. Hermione hesitated and dropped her hand abruptly so she could listen closer, and she pressed her ear against the concealed door, deciding to wait until whoever it was to pass before exiting.
Thinking the coast was clear, she opened the door. Her mouth dropped slightly at the scene she found- Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy, snogging rather passionately directly in front of her, seemingly totally oblivious of Hermione's presence.
Feeling rather embarrassed, she turned around to go back through the passage way before they noticed her. Suddenly though, Pansy's onyx eyes flew open, and she pulled her head back from Draco and turned to look at Hermione, her eyes narrowing.
"Well what do we have here?" She threw Hermione a look of disgust then smirked towards Draco, stepping away from him and turning to walk towards Hermione. "I thought I could smell mudblood," She said, putting her hand firmly against the portrait door. Draco smirked towards Pansy and stared at Hermione with hatred etched onto his face.
Pansy quickly slammed the portrait door into the direction of where Hermione was standing. Reflexively, Hermione put her hands up to stop the portrait from hitting her face. She felt the strong impact of the door smash into her left hand and a wave of pain suddenly shot right through her wrist, it felt as through a thousand splinters had just punctured and embedded themselves in her skin.
Her face drained of colour as a she tried to supress her agony. Knowing that this would give Pansy and Draco all the satisfaction in the world, she did her best to hide her exruciating pain. Hermione pressed her lips in a tight line as she glared at Pansy, wanting to lunge at her and smack the smirk right off her face. She feared she might scream out in pain if she opened her mouth, so decided it was best to stay quiet.
Hermione couldn't help think how strange this all was, it almost seemed like déjà vu.
What had seemingly been a perfect morning changed so quickly for her. Damn Slytherins, always having to ruin everything! She couldn't stand the humiliation burning her insides. Her wrist, which was surely broken, was nothing compared the embarrassment she felt. Hermione composed herself on the outside, not wanting to break down in front of them, but on the inside she was screaming.
Just leave, just leave, just leave.
Pansy let out an evil cackle before turning on her heel to walk towards Draco, and pulling him off into the other direction.
Hermione dropped to her knees clutching her throbbing and swollen left wrist, hot tears welling up in her eyes.
ooo
Ginny walked through the large double doors of the Great Hall, briefly scanning the Gryffindor table for her curly haired friend. She found Lavender, Harry and Ron, but no Hermione. Ginny took a seat beside Lavender, sighing as she sat down.
"How is she?" Lavender whispered, cupping a hand half over her mouth to ensure no one but Ginny could hear.
"I don't know- she was out of bed before I woke, I was hoping she'd be here..." Ginny replied, yawning. "I don't think I woke too long after she left, her sheets were still warm."
Harry looked at Ginny, befuddled. "Is everything okay Ginny? You look exhausted..."
Ginny hesitated, "It's Hermione" she paused, contemplating if she should say anything, "She's been having these horrible dreams and-"
"The dreams are about me, right?" Harry cut her off, looking down at his hands. He was still feeling bad about what had happened between them yesterday.
Standing up abruptly, he frowned as he thought about what Hermione had said to him last night. "I think I might know where she'll be, I need to speak to her."
"Harry?" Ginny began.
"Later, Ginny." and with that, Harry left.
Ginny couldn't help but feel annoyed at how short he was with her. They're only dreams for crying out loud! Why is she so important?She sighed, reaching for some porridge and filling her goblet with pumpkin juice.
Harry left the Great Hall determined to find Hermione as soon as possible and get things over with. He knew what Hermione was like- head strong, brave, proud. There was another side of Hermione though, a side that she hid so well from everyone but a side that Harry was sure everyone had. Certain things would hurt her easily, but only when she was vulnerable.
She'd never been able to control her temper towards Harry when he got her riled up, but only if she was upset to begin with. He'd seen her cry on numerous occasions as a result of someone pissing her off and making her already bad day positively worse. A certain Slytherin had often pushed her over the edge- the word 'Mudblood' affected her more than she made out, Harry could see right through her. The majority of the time Hermione shrugged it all off; it was only when she let her problems build up that things would turn ugly. Recently Hermione had become so fragile that the littlest thing would set her off. He didn't like seeing her upset or angry, especially when it had been because of something idiotic that came out of his mouth.
Harry reached the second floor breathless from the quick pace he had taken to. As he passed the Infirmary he's eyes caught hold of a girl a few metres away from him. He then realised it was Hermione, and she was kneeling on the floor clutching her arm. She appeared to be in pain.
Looking beyond her he noticed two people walking in the distance. Arm in arm the couple appeared to be laughing. Judging by that blonde hair, He knew instantly that it was Malfoy and most likely Parkinson by his side.
Harry hurried over to Hermione who was looking at her hand in silence. "Hermione, what happened?"
Hermione looked up, frantically wiping the tears off her face as she noticed Harry standing before her. "Harry, nothing I just – dropped something" she said propping herself up from the floor, "I was just on the way to the hospital wing for my headache."
"Look at your wrist! It's blue," he said, gently taking Hermione's hand to observe the injury.
Hermione looked away, blinking back her tears rapidly, "Who did this to you?" It was a stupid question, judging by the people who had just seen leaving the scene.
"I told you Harry, I fell..." She refused to have eye contact with Harry.
"No, you clearly didn't." He knew Hermione could be clumsy, but her being clumsy enough to fall and break her wrist seemed very unlikely.
"Come on, Madam Pomphrey will be able to help."
Hermione walked silently with Harry to the Infirmary.
"Harry I need to apologize for yesterday-" she said with a hoarse voice that was clouded with tears.
"That's not necessary, I was coming to apologize to you Hermione, I was completely unfair."
Hermione turned the corners of her mouth up, forcing a smile as they reached the double doors of the Infirmary and stepped inside.
"Oh! you poor girl," Madam Pomfrey said sympathetically, rushing over to Hermione. "What happened to you?"
"I'm fine!" Hermione replied, shaking her off. Hermione was growing agitated, honestly how bad could this look? It was only a broken wrist for heaven's sake.
"You can't be serious!" said Harry, raising his voice slightly. "You are clearly not fine! It's not just your wrist Hermione, have you looked in the mirror lately? We're seeing Dumbledore after this, end of conversation."
Hermione shot him a dangerous look. What right did he have too order her around? He didn't know what was best for her.
"Miss Granger will be attending Professors Dumbledore's office after she's done here, but for other reasons Mr Potter. I'm sure she can decide for herself if she wishes to discuss this incident with you." Madam Pomphrey pressed her lips into a thin line realizing this was an awkward situation, and tried to busy herself with the non-existant dust specs on her clothing.
"What other reasons?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
"About last night, Miss Granger." She raised both eyebrows expectantly.
"Oh, because I left here without permission? I understand his concern Madam Pomfrey, but honestly I was okay to-" Hermione shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot, pain still shooting through her arm.
Madam Pomfrey raised her hand to silence Hermione, "That's quite enough Miss Granger, I can assure you that Dumbledore has other concerns about you. Now, take a seat and I'll be with you in a moment." Madam Pomfrey turned on her heel, leaving Hermione and Harry alone in the infirmary. Hermione sat down. Staring out the window as she spoke, "You can leave Harry, I'm fine. I want to do this alone."
Harry looked at Hermione confused, "What?"
"What part of 'I want to do this alone' don't you understand?" She snapped a little.
Harry stood silent.
"You can't just tell me what to do..."
"Hermione, you know I'm only worried about you." He frowned, twiddling his thumbs awkwardly.
"Well don't be, I'm not a child Harry! I don't need you looking out for me everyday, I can look after myself! Just leave Harry, go." She spoke reasonably calmly but in a stiff and clipped tone.
Without saying another word, he turned and left.