Chapter 8

Harry and Ginny walked through the corridors, their fingers interlocked, to the Hospital Wing to visit Hermione. 'What if she isn't getting better?' Ginny asked. 'Don't worry, she'll be okay.' Harry told her, looking down at Ginny, who looked overly concerned. She had been yelling at Ron for minutes on end the day before after they had left McGonagall's office. Why had he done this? He had been acting strange ever since they had arrived back at Hogwarts, but what was the cause of this strange behaviour? 'Are you sure?' Ginny asked. 'Yes, I promise.' Ginny and Harry walked through the door of the Hospital Wing, only to see Hermione lying with her head on Draco Malfoy's bed, seeming to be fast asleep. 'What is she doing?' Ginny frowned, looking at their best friend. 'I don't know.' Harry shrugged, walking over to Hermione, trying to see if she was awake yes or no, which didn't seem to be the case. 'She fell asleep.' Harry said, straightening his back. 'Do you see that?' 'What?' 'She's holding his hand.' 'Are you sure?' 'Yes, look.' Ginny said, pointing at Hermione and Draco's hands. 'What, why?' 'How can I know? I wasn't here when she took a hold on his hand!' Ginny said. 'I have a strange feeling about this to be completely honest with you.' Ginny said. Harry nodded, looking back at this best friend. 'I think we'd better go and leave her be.' 'I think so too.' Ginny nodded, taking Harry's hand and pulling him away from the bed.

Hermione had fallen asleep next to Draco and was abruptly woken up by a hand shaking her shoulder. She quickly lifted her head up, only to see Harry standing next to her. 'Oh, hey.' Hermione smiled faintly, still half asleep. Harry looked down at her, sadness clear in his eyes. 'Hermione.' he sighed. 'I have to tell you something.' 'What's wrong?' Hermione asked, furrowing her eyebrows. 'Well- How am I going to tell you this.' Harry groaned softly. 'Did something happen?' 'Draco-' 'What? Something wrong with Draco?' Hermione asked. 'He died.' Harry said. 'That's not funny Harry!' Hermione exclaimed. 'I'm not joking, I wish I was, he died just an hour ago.' Harry told her softly. Hermione felt tears prickle in her eyes as she shook her head. 'That's not true, he's lying right here.' Hermione said, turning to face an empty bed. 'Where is he?' she whispered. 'He has been sent home, so his parents take care of the rest and prepare his body for the funeral.' Harry said. 'No, no, this can't be true.' Hermione muttered, shaking her head as tears rapidly rolled down her cheeks. 'It is true, I'm sorry Hermione.' Harry said, wrapping his arm around Hermione's shoulder and pressing her closer to him. Hermione jerked her head up, hearing a loud bang when the doors of the Hospital Wing collided with the stone walls. 'Have you already told her the good news?' she heard Ron ask. Hermione got up from her seat and stepped around Harry. 'What are you doing here?' 'I've just told her.' Harry told him. 'What are doing here? This is fault!' Hermione yelled at Ron. 'Oh no Hermione, it's your fault.' Ron grinned. Hermione gasped, widening her eyes as she stared at Ron with disbelieve. What did he just say? But before she could even process, Pansy ran into the Hospital Wing from behind Ron and came up to her. Harry stepped aside and before she knew it Pansy's palm loudly collided with Hermione's cheek.

Hermione quickly lifted her head up, panting heavily and brushing her hair out of her face as she manically looked around her. A sigh of relief left her lips when she saw Draco lying in front of her. She placed her index and middle finger on the side of his neck to feel for a heartbeat and another sigh of relief escaped her mouth when she started to feel the rhythm of his heartbeat. He wasn't dead, it was just an awful nightmare. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm down as she talked some sense into herself. She slightly squeezed her hand shut, but felt she was still holding Draco's. She turned her gaze to his face and bit down on her lip. 'Just wake up Draco, please.' she said softly, looking away from him, only to quickly look back when she felt Draco's hand give hers a soft squeeze. She frowned, thinking she must've imagined it, but then Draco slowly opened his eyes. 'Whe-where am I?' he asked quietly. 'You're in the Hospital Wing.' Hermione said. His eyes darted to Hermione's face and a frown settled down upon his forehead. 'Did you stay here?' he asked. Hermione nodded. 'I had to stay the night as well and the next morning Madam Pomfrey told me I didn't have to go to class, so I stayed here with you. I figured it'd be nice for you to have someone around when you'd wake up.' 'Thank you.' Draco said, giving her a small smile. 'That's the least I can do, you've been there for me when I needed someone.' 'I see Mr. Malfoy has woken up.' Madam Pomfrey said all of a sudden behind Hermione. 'Just a minute ago.' Hermione nodded, glancing over her shoulder. 'I want you to stay here so I can keep a close eye on you.' Madam Pomfrey informed him after examining him for a few minutes. Draco nodded, only to widen his eyes a moment later, seeming to realise something. 'What?' Hermione asked from her seat next to his bed. 'I can't stay, I have to help plan and do stuff for the masquerade ball.' Draco said. 'Seriously? That's what you're thinking of? I'll take care of that, don't worry.' Hermione told him with a small smile. Draco frowned at her. 'You need to rest.' Hermione told him. 'You'll have to listen to her if you want to be able to attend the masquerade ball.' Madam Pomfrey told him sternly. 'Alright, alright.' Draco said. 'But you,' Draco started, turning to look at Hermione. 'have to promise to visit me and tell me about the progress.' 'Naturally.' Hermione nodded. 'I'll visit as often as possible.' 'That's very much appreciated.' Draco grinned. 'Do you want something?' 'No thanks, I'm not hungry.' 'You've got to eat something.' Draco just wanted to open his mouth to say something, but Hermione started shaking her head. 'No, I'll be right back.' she said, getting up from her seat and before Draco could grab her wrist she was already walking away. 'Hermione.' he called after her, but she didn't listen. Hermione returned a few minutes later, a bowl clasped in her hands. 'I've gotten you soup.' she told him, sitting down in the seat next to his bed. 'I'm not hungry.' Draco told her once again. 'I don't care, you've got to eat something.' she said as she wanted to hand the bowl to Draco, but he shook his head, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 'Seriously Draco? How old are you?' Hermione asked, rolling her eyes. 'Old enough to decide whether I want to eat something yes or no.' 'I don't think so, so take the bowl and don't be such a baby.' Hermione told him, but Draco didn't even move a finger. 'Alright then, if you don't eat, I'll have to stay away from the Hospital Wing.' Hermione shrugged, placing the bowl on the nightstand. 'That's not fair.' 'Take the bowl and eat then.' Hermione said, nodding her head in the direction of the bowl. Draco rolled his eyes at the blackmailing before grabbing the bowl and taking a sip of his soup. 'Good boy.' Hermione said, patting his arm, receiving an eye roll from Draco. 'You weren't playing a fair game.' Draco remarked. 'I wasn't saying I did.' Hermione grinned. 'Miss Granger? I think it's time for Mr. Malfoy to get some sleep.' Madam Pomfrey said, walking up to the two students. 'Alright, I'll see you tomorrow.' Hermione said, getting up from her chair. Draco nodded. 'See you tomorrow.' Hermione gave him a small smile before saying goodbye to Madam Pomfrey and making her way out of the Hospital Wing.

The next few days Hermione went to visit Draco and tried to avoid Ron as much as possible throughout the days. She arranged a few things for the upcoming masquerade ball with the prefects and before she knew it there were only two days left before the ball would be happening. Draco had used the same spell on Hermione's wrists to make the bruises disappear, so she wouldn't have to worry about wearing a long sleeved dress. After dinner Hermione made her way back to the Head Dormitory. She was too tired to visit Draco, so she figured she'd see him tomorrow. 'Hey Hermione.' she heard behind her, making her turn around to see who had called her. 'Hey.' Hermione said quietly when she saw it was Ron who came walking up to her. 'I'm so sorry for what I did.' Ron said. Hermione stared at him and nodded. 'I don't know what came over me. It was as if everything became a blur and the only thing I could see was him hurting you.' 'But he didn't hurt me, he tried to help me.' Hermione said. 'I know that now.' Ron said, looking down at the ground. 'It's okay, but you know I'm not the one you should be apologizing to.' Hermione said. Ron sighed and nodded. 'Do you want to join me to the ball?' Ron asked. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, not sure what to do at this point. She'd rather go to the ball without Ron, after everything he did, but it would be odd for them to turn up without one another to their friends and she wasn't up to explain to them what happened. It took Hermione a few moments to give him a slight nod. Ron smiled and leaned forward, but before his lips could touch hers, Hermione turned her face away, making his lips land on her cheeks. 'I'll see you tomorrow.' Ron said before walking away. Hermione sighed, shaking her head and walking further up the stairs. She walked made her way up to the seventh floor and stopped in front of the portrait. 'Good even professor, Time Turner.' Hermione said. Snape waved a dismissive hand with a bored look as the portrait swung open. Hermione stepped into the common room, considering to go and visit Draco for just a few minutes after all. 'Hey.' Hermione whipped her head around as she was on her way towards her room, stopping in her track immediately. 'What are you doing here?' Hermione asked, seeing Draco sitting in one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace. 'Good to see you too.' Draco chuckled softly. Hermione walked up to him and pulled him into a hug. 'You too, but why are you here?' Hermione asked after pulling away again. 'I was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing, but I had to promise to be careful.' Draco told her. 'Can I get you something.' Hermione asked. 'No that's alright.' Draco smiled. 'Wait a second,' he frowned. 'You didn't visit me tonight!' 'It was too late and I am tired.' 'Excuses, excuses.' Draco tutted, shaking his head. 'I think it's time for you to go to bed Mister.' Hermione said. 'Seriously? I've just returned?' 'I'm sure Madam Pomfrey isn't going to allow you to go to the ball when she hears you didn't listen to her.' Draco rolled his eyes before passing Hermione, making his way over to his room. 'Good night Hermione.' he called over his shoulder. 'Good night.' Hermione chuckled.

Hermione was abruptly woken up from her sleep by loud yelling coming from Draco's room. 'STOP!' 'LEAVE HER ALONE!' Hermione quickly got out of bed and ran towards Draco's room, not sure what to find when she got there. Draco was curled up in his duvet, constantly twisting on the mattress and yelling. Hermione hurried over to the side of Draco's bed, stopping next to him. 'Draco, wake up.' she said, shaking his arm. Draco quickly opened his eyes and looked up at her. He looked around his room before turning his eyes back on Hermione, lifting his hand up and placing it on her cheek. 'Are you okay?' he asked. Hermione raised her eyebrows as she looked down at him. Why was he asking if she was okay? She wasn't the one who was yelling. 'Uh- yes, are you?' Hermione asked. Draco pulled his hand back and let it fall on the bed next to his body. 'I am.' 'You were yelling.' Hermione said. 'I had a nightmare.' Draco shrugged. 'And what happened in this nightmare?' 'Oh nothing.' he answered quickly. 'It didn't sound like nothing.' 'What do you mean?' 'You were yelling your arse off.' Hermione said. 'Did I wake you?' he aked. 'Well, yes, if you hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here, now would I?' Draco slowly nodded. 'Sorry.' 'That's alright, I'm going back to bed now though.' Hermione said, turning around, but before she could walk away Draco grabbed her wrist. Hermione hissed, biting down on her lip. 'Sorry.' Draco quickly said, letting go of her wrist, having forgotten about the bruises. 'Something wrong?' Hermione asked. 'Could you stay here?' 'Excuse me?' 'Can you stay here?' 'If you want me to, sure.' Hermione shrugged, to which Draco slightly nodded. 'Scoot over then.' Hermione told him. Draco did as she told him before she laid down next to him. She heard Draco's troubled breathing, something she hadn't noticed before. 'Just calm down, it was just a nightmare.' she told him, looking him straight in the eyes. Draco nodded, taking in a deep breath before letting it out again, trying to control his breathing pattern. After he had his breathing under control it took him a few minutes to fall asleep. Hermione was startled when he wrapped his arm unknowingly around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. What was she supposed to do? She couldn't wake him. Should she try to move his arm away? Go back to her own room? She had a boyfriend and now she was sharing a bed with Draco, but he did just come from the Hospital Wing, where he had been staying because of Ron, her boyfriend. She tried to figure out what to do, without really coming to a decision because before she could do anything she had fallen asleep herself.

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