Hermione drifted in and out of a fitful sleep that night due to the fever, but the Terror never visited her. Harry slept through the night, his arms wrapped around Hermione. No nightmares plagued him, and he would later state that it was the best night's sleep he'd ever had. Hermione's fever had broken by the next morning and she slept soundly. Harry got up briefly to use the loo, and when he came back, Hermione was shaking and twitching. He was quite alarmed at her condition, but when he put his hand on her shoulder, she immediately relaxed. He lay down beside her again. In another 12 hours, the Terror would no longer be a factor in Hermione's recovery. She should also regain her sight and speech. These thoughts encouraged the boy as he was altogether unnerved by how adversely the poison had affected his friend.
Dumbledore visited later that morning to get the memory of the incident from Harry to put in the pensieve and examine. Harry was excessively confused about the whole situation. Even though Ron was often irrational and explosive, he was usually willing to see sense when given a sound argument. Harry found it very uncharacteristic that Ron would grab and drag Hermione like he did, and to make and administer a poison… Ron was failing potions. There was no way he could have made it himself, and no matter how angry he might have been with Hermione and Crookshanks, he would never have poisoned her, would he? There had been no sign of him since. Professor McGonagall had visited to check on her two Gryffindors before she left to participate in the investigation, but was unable to supply any information, or else had been unwilling.
Hermione slept securely through the early morning and woke slowly around 10. Still unable to see or speak as the 24 hours were not up, Hermione allowed Madame Pomfrey and Harry to gently administer water and some light bread as well as another round of curative potions. The potions made her drowsy. She began to fall asleep, feeling secure with Harry's warmth at her side. Neville brought Harry's books from the dorm, but the boy had little interest in them. He wanted to go ride a broom or go to quidditch practice after classes ended, but he couldn't bear to leave Hermione, knowing that the Terror would still hold sway over her until 6 PM that evening. He stayed then, the whole day by her side as she drifted about in a restless sleep.
As 7 PM neared, Hermione began to wake. After stirring sporadically for a few minutes, she opened her eyes to see… nothing. Therefore, she was unable to see the disappointed and saddened look that passed over Harry's face as he saw that her eyes were still unfocused and blank. She choked out a small cry of fear and confusion and just as quickly felt Harry's hands on her shoulders.
"Hermione? Hermione, it's going to be okay." He insisted, shocked at the unusual look of panic on her face. "Madame Pomfrey said it might last a while longer, don't worry."
"H-Harry?" She asked, her voice cracking painfully.
"It's okay. I'm here, and I'm not going to leave you," he said fervently. She visibly relaxed, although the look on her face hardly faded.
"Ron, he…" she began coughing painfully. Harry lifted her into a reclining position and helped her take a few sips of water. She cleared her throat and began again.
"Ron… something was wrong with him," she began, putting her uninjured hand to her forehead, trying to recall the memory. "His eyes… it looked like he wasn't all there… I wish I could think straight!" She finished angrily, slamming fists on the bed and wincing as her swollen, injured hand jolted painfully.
"Shh, don't hurt yourself," Harry admonished as he took her hands in his. She relaxed and he helped her lie back down as she continued.
"It wasn't him, not really," she reflected. "I think he was under the… uh…" she trailed off with a groan, her eyes narrowing in pain.
"Imperious curse?" Harry finished for her. "But by who?"
"I don't know…" she murmured. "Everything hurts…" she shuddered in pain. "Cold…"
"They'll find him," Harry said soothingly, smoothing her wild brown hair back from her sweaty forehead. He was concerned to find her skin hot to the touch. The fever had come back.
"They'll find out what happened, but you're more important right now. Please get better, Hermione." She nodded and closed her sightless eyes as Harry lay down beside her and wrapped his arms around her shaking body. Subconsciously she turned toward his warmth.
"Thank you… Harry," she whispered as she relaxed into his embrace. She was unaccustomed to this physical affection from her friend, but she found that she quite enjoyed it. Even know-it-alls like to be held after all, she silently thought as she drifted off to sleep, her pain alleviated for the moment. Madame Pomfrey returned from to her office from the floo to find the two Gryffindors asleep in a warm embrace. Both were smiling faintly.
"Poor dear…" the healer murmured gently, feeling the heat from the girl's forehead. Madame Pomfrey returned to her office to retrieve another potion. She filled another syringe with it and injected it into the sleeping girl's arm. She woke with a gasp, bringing Harry into wakefulness as well, but the relaxant in the potion soon had Hermione lying still once more. The medi-witch paced quietly to Harry's side and spoke softly in his ear.
"Did she wake before, Harry?"
"Yes, but she still can't see. She told me she thinks Ron was under the imperious curse, but she couldn't think clearly at all. It made her angry," he said with a hint of a wistful smile. "She said everything hurts. What did you give her?"
"A relaxant, dear. Now that the 24 hour Terror is no longer a factor, we can give her potions to help with the pain and tension. It also had a fever reducer. In a few hours, the potion Professor Snape suggested will be complete and it should help her heal faster."
"Is there any news on…"
"The case?" She interrupted. "No, dear. Half of the faculty are off searching the area and the ministry is on full alert. There are aurors everywhere, even on the grounds. A death eater attack on your muggleborn friend in the middle of the castle is a very serious matter. I fear this is going to as much of an uproar as the chamber of secrets event last year."
Harry nodded gravely, before the medi-witch spoke again.
" On another note, I think you will be glad to know that the dementors have been banished from the school and replaced with fully trained aurors, as the monsters have proven quite ineffective and difficult to control." This was greeted with a huge smile from Harry.
Madame Pomfrey felt Hermione's forehead again. The fever had gone down drastically and she was now resting peacefully.
"You may get up and move about, Mr. Potter. She is no longer in danger of the Terror, but will be quite alarmed to find herself alone and still blind. I must assist in the search for her attacker, as I am also an auror, so I will not be able to attend you at all times like I should. If you should need anything, please floo Severus through my office." Harry paled at this request.
"You will find him quite obliging. He will not cause you any undue problems, for as an ex-death eater himself, he is possibly in even more danger than muggleborns at the moment. He-who-must-not-be-named hates traitors more than he hates even Dumbledore." The boy nodded, and turned to look at Hermione. She was breathing slowly and evenly, fast asleep.
"How long will she sleep?" He asked quietly.
"The deep sleep should last for an hour. She may wake afterwards, but I will return before the painkillers wear off. Need to get something, dear?"
"I thought she'd like a book when she wakes. When she can see again, I mean. Perhaps I could read to her until then?"
"I think she would like that, dear." The medi-witch smiled. "I'm still concerned about leaving you two alone. Not that I don't trust you, Harry." She said quickly as Harry's face turned red. "If I am unable to return for an emergency, you will need some help. So, Dobby?" She called. The elf appeared beside her.
"Missus Pomfrey called for Dobby?" He asked, big eyes wide and ears splayed.
"Yes, Dobby. Please attend to these two while I am about my business. The girl, Hermione was gravely injured and must be watched. Harry agreed to stay with her. There is little else for him to do as classes have been cancelled, but you must take care of them and do whatever it is they need for you to do."
"Of course Missus Pomfrey! Dobby is eternally grateful to serve Master Harry Potter and his friend. Master Harry rescued Dobby… set him free… eternally grateful…" The elf dissolved into tears, as Harry awkwardly patted the creature's shoulder.
"N-no need for that Dobby. Please just call me Harry. Thank you for helping us." The inconsolable elf cried even harder, with tears of immense happiness. The healer looked at the boy and shrugged.
"Dobby… would you please bring our books here?" Harry asked, "I'd like to read to Hermione when she wakes."
"Of course Mast- … Harry." Dobby said and popped away.
"Here are some potions for when she wakes," Madame Pomfrey said, placing a few glass containers on a nearby table. "These are for pain, if she is in pain when she wakes. Give this green one to her as soon as she feels awake enough to take it. It will help the blindness dissipate faster." Harry thanked her and she turned to leave.
"Don't forget, you can send Dobby to bring some food for you both. Keep Hermione just eating light bread for now. She should eat after she takes the green potion. I will be back in the morning. Please change the bandage on her hand when she wakes. There is a new gauze pad with the potions." The healer said as she left via floo.
Dobby returned with Hermione's bag and some bread and water for her as well as that evening's supper for Harry and then left. Harry ate quietly in the half-light as the sun had long set. Hermione stirred at around 9 PM. Harry gently rubbed her shoulder so she would not feel alone when she woke. When she opened her eyes, they were still unfocused but were a little brighter.
"Hermione? Can you see anything?" Harry asked eagerly.
"I see… no. Not really." She said, disappointed. "I thought I saw a little bit of light for a moment, but it's gone now. What time is it?" She asked, trying to sit up.
"9 PM. You've only been asleep for a few hours," he said, gently lifting her up and propping her into a reclining position with extra pillows. "How do you feel?"
"Not too bad, actually. I don't feel so cold anymore," she said and quickly realized that Harry was still sitting quite close to her, keeping her warm.
"Madame Pomfrey left a new potion here for you. She said it would help you regain your sight and for you to take it as soon as you woke along with some bread and water. Do you think you could take it now?" Harry asked gently.
"Sure," Hermione said. Harry stood, and Hermione felt suddenly cold. A feeling of unexplainable fear came over her and she began breathing faster.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, sitting down beside her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" As soon as he touched her, the fear left and her breathing became normal again. Her eyes had dilated but were rapidly returning to their previous state.
"Harry… I don't think the Terror has gone…" Hermione murmured, confused and a little shocked by the swiftness of the affliction.
"Really?" Harry asked, quickly sitting down at her side. "How bad is it?"
"It's… not as bad when… you're touching me." She said, blushing.
"That's what Madame Pomfrey said would happen. You weren't awake enough to feel it before. I hope it doesn't only come into effect when you're awake…" Harry trailed off, theorizing.
"Please… don't leave me…" Hermione pleaded shakily, reaching toward him still unable to see. Harry gently wrapped his arms around his blinded friend. He held her close as she leaned toward him, her face buried in his chest. Her shaking trailed off as she warmed up and the Terror went away again. When she relaxed, Harry laid her back down on the pillows. He held one of her hands in his even as he sat close beside her.
"You're going to be okay," he said, trying to calm her. "Will you take this potion now?" She nodded, and refused to let go of his hand as he took the container and held it to her lips. She brought her bound hand up as he helped her drink it down. She grimaced as she reached the dregs and gagged and took a few deep breaths. She was confused for a moment as another cup pressed itself to her lips.
"Take a few sips of water, Hermione. It'll make the taste go away. Madame Pomfrey said you have to eat too." She nodded as she tipped the glass up and drained the contents. She was incredibly thirsty from the fevers of the day. Harry held her hand and essentially fed her a few slices of bread and made sure she didn't choke on the water he gave her afterwards. After she was done, she relaxed back onto the pillows behind her and sighed contentedly.
"Are you in any pain?" Harry asked, concerned. He had mistaken her sigh for an indication of pain.
"It's not too bad," she said simply. "I feel… sleepy now." She felt Harry's hand slide out of hers and began to panic.
"Wait! Don't leave me!" She exclaimed, reaching out to where he was.
"I won't leave you, Hermione. I need to re-bandage your hand. Hold still, I'm right here," Harry said as he began unwrapping the bandage on his friend's hand. The wound was still red and sore, but did not seem to be infected, nor was it turning strange colors, so Harry simply changed the gauze and gently wrapped it up again.
"Do you want to lie back down?" Harry asked her after tying off the bandage. She nodded. He helped her lean forward while he moved the pillows. She lay down with a grimace.
"Is the pain coming back?" He asked in concern.
"Everything is starting to ache, but the Terror is gone since you've been here," she said softly. Harry reached for one of the waiting potions.
"Here, take this. It will help with the pain and you'll be able to go to sleep easier." He helped her sit up slightly and held the container to her lips. This one evidently tasted better as there was no grimace as he lay her back down.
"Harry… please be close," she pleaded. "I don't want… those nightmares that come with the Terror."
"Is it okay with you… if I lay down beside you then?" He asked nervously.
"That's where you have been, isn't it?" she asked, confused.
"Yes, but I don't want to do that without your permission…" he said awkwardly.
"Oh Harry, I know you won't… do anything to me. Especially not now. Actually… I really like for you to be near. I trust you. More than anyone else…" she yawned sleepily. Harry smiled, feeling extremely honored by her trust, and carefully lay beside her as she relaxed and shifted slightly toward him. He briefly felt her forehead for another fever, and not finding one, he too relaxed and slipped into a dreamless sleep along with his friend.