Chapter Two – Denial

Hermione woke up with the worst headache she had ever had in her life. She opened her eyes, but a white blinding light made her quickly close them once again. Every part of her body ached and she wondered what had happened to her. She wiggled her fingers and her toes to make sure they were all still there. Hermione could not describe the kind of pain and how uncomfortable she was in her own skin. What had happened to her?

Her head pounded as she heard footsteps enter wherever she was. The voices were fuzzy, but she could make out some of it. It sounded like a boy and a girl trying to talk quietly, but failing.

"Do you think she'll wake up?" a concerned girl asked.

"Don't worry Ginny," a male comforted her, "'Mione's strong, she'll pull through. She always does."

"Who could have done this to her Harry?" Ginny wondered angrily.

Hermione was glad that Harry and Ginny were here, they were comforting. She had no clue what they were talking about though. Where they talking about why her body ached in so many places? You'd think they'd give her some kind of potion to fight the pain at the very least. That would be what a nice person would do. Oh how she would love to be able to move right now. Tired from listening to Harry and Ginny, Hermione fell into a deep slumber.

"Hermione, are you listening?" she recognized Ron say, "I know you think I have the emotional range of a teaspoon, but could you please wake up? I'm worried about you and I need you to wake up. Who else will save me from ruining things with Luna? You're such a brave person, please wake up."

"I'm so sorry I left the store early to get ready for my date. I shouldn't have left you there alone or this wouldn't have happened," Meredith's light voice whispered, "I know you pushed me to go, but I should have known that something would happen. There's always that danger when we close. I'm so sorry, please wake up."

The harsh light of the room woke Hermione up slowly from her deep sleep. Her body ached everywhere still, but it felt slightly better than it had before. How long had she been sleeping for? What had happened to her and had she imagined those voices? Was this all just a dream?

"Hermione, wake up," an unknown voice gently said.

Hermione mumbled in return, but tried to snuggle into her pillow more. She wished that person wouldn't speak so loudly.

"Hermione stay with us," that same voice said urgently.

Hermione struggled to open her eyes, but she was finally able to. Blinking a few times, she stared at the bright white room. She looked like she was in a hospital and she started to freak out.

"It's alright Hermione, I'm Healer Johnson. Don't be scared, do you remember what happened?" the Healer asked her.

Hermione took a sip of water before answering, "No, what happened?"

"You were robbed a few weeks ago; you've just woken up for a coma. I've checked your vitals and everything is back to normal, how are you feeling?"

Robbed. Flashes of what happened started coming back to her. The fire. Her books burning. That clown mask. Suddenly, she wished she hadn't woken up and stayed obliviously asleep.

"How are you feeling, Miss Granger?" Johnson asked her.

Hermione was woken up from her thoughts, "What? Oh I feel like I've been hit with a million bricks. When can I go home?"

"Not for a few more days while I finish administrating your potions. I recommend getting as much sleep as you can. I'll allow visitors tomorrow, but for now there are some people from the Auror Department interested in asking you some questions."

She was still overwhelmed by shock when they entered.

"Hello Miss Granger, my name is Auror Jenkins and this is Auror Falkins. We're here to ask you some questions. Do you remember why you're here?" Auror Jenkins asked.

"I was robbed," Hermione stated.

"Do you remember what happened?" he inquired.

"I was at the shop… Five people came in. They were wearing these dreadful clown masks. They went for my money, my books, and torched the place," she answered blankly.

Auror Flakins asked delicately, "Do you remember what happened to you? It could really help. I know you don't want to remember, but it could help us catch him."

The fire in her mind was leaping out at her and she hated the people who did this, "I was going for my wand and he just grabbed me and started hitting me. He was so strong I couldn't fight him off, he just kept laughing. When it finally stopped another person told him to leave. I don't remember anything after that."

"I know it was hard of you to push yourself to remember, I really appreciate it. We're going to find the people who did this to you, get some rest Miss Granger," Auror Falkins told her.

The Aurors left quietly and Hermione couldn't believe what had happened to her. This was just a huge joke that Harry and Ron were playing on her. They thought her lifestyle was boring and wanted to spice it up for her. There was no way it happened. Relieved, Hermione fell back asleep.