The day passed slowly and Hermione grew more and more bored of being in the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey hadn't checked on her lately so she hoped that was a good sign. When it reached dinnertime Hermione was desperate to leave. She sighed moodily before lying back against her pillow. "Miss Granger, how are you feeling?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Much better." Hermione said hopefully. Madame Pomfrey watched her curiously.
"Stand." She ordered, Hermione did as she was told, staggering a little but not as much as before. "Hm, I guess I can let you go, but any dizzy spells or anything like that come straight back here okay?" She commanded. Hermione nodded. Madam Pomfrey turned and left Hermione to change and leave.
When Hermione was dressed she made her way down the many staircases. At least she had all evening to relax after she'd eaten, she thought. "Hermione!" Someone squealed happily, Hermione looked around to see Ginny rushing over and hugging her quickly. Hermione smiled and laughed softly. "Hey Ginny, where's Harry?" Ginny shrugged. "Talking to Ron." Hermione quirked an eyebrow. "I say talking, more raging. . ." Ginny said.
"Ah." Hermione said, "Shall we go for dinner and leave them to it?" Hermione suggested. Ginny nodded and together the pair made their way to the Great Hall.
When they reached the Great Hall Hermione looked around for any sign of Malfoy. She found him at the Slytherin table looking very bored and preoccupied. "Can I tell you something?" Hermione said to Ginny slowly. Ginny looked to where Hermione was staring and nodded slowly. The two made their way to an emptier end of the Gryffindor tables. "What is it?" Ginny asked when they both sat down. Hermione was quiet for a few minutes, choosing her words carefully.
"I'm confused." She began.
"Confused." Ginny repeated. "Why?" Hermione looked around and moved closer to Ginny.
"When Malfoy kissed me, I felt something, something I'd never felt when I kissed Ron." Ginny tilted her head curiously. "I felt sparks and I had terrible butterflies and I think I put a bit too much enthusiasm into that kiss. . ." She confessed. Ginny's jaw dropped.
"So. . . you think you might be crushing on Draco Malfoy?"
"No, no, no, no. . . Maybe." Hermione sighed sadly. Ginny frowned. "There's something else, when you and Harry had left and me and Malfoy were alone, when he was about to leave. I think he was going to kiss me, but he stopped himself." Hermione sighed.
"Well. . . I really don't know what to say." Ginny said slowly. She looked over to the Slytherin table then back to Hermione who was looking extremely ashamed. "You can't help who you like. But you really shouldn't try anything or express your thoughts to him or around him, or to people like Harry in Gryffindor, because I don't mind, it's you and from how I've seen Malfoy act around you, he seems way better to like then Ron. And that's saying something, I'm choosing Malfoy -of all people- over my own brother. So maybe you should just. . . try and be friends. For now that is." Ginny said still frowning slightly. Hermione nodded and felt tears falling.
"I'm so ashamed Ginny." Hermione whined. Ginny hugged Hermione close.
"It's okay Hermione, don't worry." She whispered soothingly. Ginny rocked Hermione slowly. "There, there, calm down." Ginny soothed. Hermione hiccoughed and eased her sobs slightly. "You can't tell anyone." Hermione said urgently. Ginny nodded.
"I won't don't worry." She said softly. Hermione nodded again and sniffed slightly. "Come on, lets go sit with Neville so people don't get suspicious." Ginny said, Hermione nodded and the pair moved further up the table to where Neville and Luna were talking.