A Crazy Little Thing Called Love

The bell rang signifying the end of Charms class.

"Don't forget to hand in your assignment for our next meeting," Snape told them curtly. "Write about fifty curses and their counter-attacks on five rolls of parchment."

Both Gryffindors and Slytherin's faces turned sullen at the mention of homework.

"Five rolls!" Ron exclaimed.

The professor turned his cold glare on Ron. "Is there a problem, Mr. Weasley?" Snape demanded. "Would you rather make it six?"

Ron scowled as several students gasped sharply.

"No problem," Ron managed to say, his voice low as well.

"Good," Snape declared. He left the classroom, with his robes billowing against the wind.

Hermione slowly stood up. Harry quickly took hold of her arm to steady her. "Don't you have Quidditch practice today?" she asked as she gratefully took his arm for support.

"It can wait," Harry responded in a low voice.

"What rotten luck," Ron grumbled, "They had to choose Snape as a replacement for Flitwick." Shaking his head in disgust, he shuffled towards Harry and Hermione. He stopped grumbling the moment he noticed how close Hermione was leaning against Harry. He looked at them strangely. "What is going on?"

Both Harry and Hermione didn't answer, they kept on walking while a confused-looking Ron trailed behind them. It was only when they were in the middle of an empty corridor did Harry started speaking.

"Hermione can't see," he finally told Ron.

"What?" Ron exclaimed. He looked at them in disbelief. Then anger crossed his face. "When do you intend to tell me? After a week," he said sarcastically.

"Sorry." Harry threw him an apologetic glance.

"Ron don't blame Harry," Hermione said quickly. "I asked him not say anything inside the classroom."

"You really can't see?" he asked weakly.

"I'm afraid so." Hermione tried to sound as casual as she could. "I'm sure Madam Pomfrey could easily fix it."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ron sounded hurt; Hermione couldn't blame him. But before she could respond, he suddenly exclaimed, "Pansy must have hexed you with a Blinding Curse!" He quickly turned on his heel. "Wait till I get my hands on that-"

Harry yanked him by the arm. "Ron, let it go."

"No way," Ron protested. "She must be taught a lesson, she should be-"

"Ron, please," Hermione pleaded quietly. "It doesn't matter. Besides, this blindness is just temporary, I'll be fine in an hour or so."

"Alright," he said reluctantly. Frowning, he took hold of her free arm and along with Harry, led her to the hospital wing. "You'd better be alright, or else, Pansy Parkinson will be vomiting slugs for a week."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco found Pansy Parkinson waiting for him at the end of the stairs. Choosing to ignore the nosy blonde, he walked past her and started towards the corridor. But she was not to be ignored. She walked along his side, struggling to stay abreast. Draco sighed impatiently and stopped, turning to face her. "What?"

"You know what." Pansy glared at him.

"I don't have time to make stupid guesses."

"What is it with you?" she hissed furiously. "First the Bludger and now this-"

"We're going to be late," he cut Pansy off and quickly strode across the corridor.

As they turned the corner, Pansy tried to grab his left arm. "I want to know why, Draco." Her tone was insistent. "You were one of those who stunned the snake."

He merely stared at her.

"Doesn't the word MudBlood mean anything to you anymore?" Pansy's voice echoed across the empty corridor. And Draco's silence only made her more furious. "You should be ashamed to call yourself a Slytherin!" she said spitefully.

He came to a sudden stop and swung around to her. "Right," Draco said coldly. "Then you should be feeling proud then, that snake could have killed someone and you know it. (Pansy flushed guiltily) He turned on his heels and left Pansy gaping at him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Madam Pomfrey took her own sweet time checking Hermione's eye condition. She laid out several vials on the bedside table. She took the first vial and tried a few drops on Hermione's eyes. Nothing happened.

"Well?" Harry asked nervously.

They watched as Madam Pomfrey tried different sorts of potions, without any success.

"Her eyes are normal," Madam Pomfrey said without hesitation. She frowned. "I don't see any reason why she can't see." For the first time, Madam Pomfrey seemed uncertain about the medical condition of a student. "I'm afraid you have to stay here until we can find the right potion to help you regain your vision."

There was dead silence. Hermione bit her lip as Madam Pomfrey hurried towards her office. She turned to the direction where Harry and Ron were seated. "Harry, Ron, you better go, you still have Quidditch practice to attend to."

"We're staying here with you," Harry said firmly.

"Yeah, we're not going anywhere," Ron agreed.

"You don't have to stay here," she insisted stubbornly. "I'll be perfectly fine. Nothing could possibly happen inside the hospital wing," she quipped. "What with Madam Pomfrey checking on me every few minutes."

"But-" Harry and Ron started protesting.

"No, butt's." Her tone was final. "I'll be okay, really," she told them in a firm tone. "The whole team's probably wondering where you two went."

"We're staying," Harry said stolidly. "Nothing you can say could change our decision."

"But Harry-" Hermione started to protest, but Ron brushed her protests aside.

"Hermione, Harry's right. We can't possibly leave you here alone." Ron glanced at Harry's determined face. "We've made up our mind, we're not going anywhere." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides who else can we trust to look after you?"

"I will stay with her."

Harry and Ron whirled around. Neville stood at the foot of the bed, looking very flustered.

"If H-Hermione, t-that is if she doesn't m-mind," Neville stammered. "I overheard your conversation in the corridor, I-I only wanted to check if she's going to be o-okay," he finished lamely, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Harry looked like he wanted to argue but instead, he stood up, his gaze fixed on Hermione. "Is it okay with you?" At her nod, he faced Neville. "Alright, then," he said in a reluctant tone. "Take good care of her."

"I will," Neville nodded.

"We'll be back after practice," Ron promised.

After Harry and Ron left the premises, Hermione softly said, "Thank you."

"Oh, it's nothing," Neville said, his cheeks reddening.

"And thank you for coming in my defense against Goyle."

Neville dipped his head thoughtfully. "He had no right calling you that just because you're Muggle-born." Anger crossed his features. If Hermione could see, she would have been surprised at how anger transformed Neville's face.

Madam Pomfrey returned, still looking very perplexed. She stood across the bed, watching Hermione intently when she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, why hadn't I thought of it in the first place? Yes, yes, it would probably do the trick." She rushed back to her office, muttering incoherently. Barely ten minutes passed when she returned carrying an odd-looking jar.

Neville looked on as Madam Pomfrey placed two drops of unnamed liquid on Hermione's eyelids.

"Tell me what you feel, Ms. Granger," Pomfrey instructed tersely.

"I don't feel anything," Hermione answered in a low panicky voice.

"Are you sure?" Madam Pomfrey's face fell in disappointment.

"Wait," Hermione said suddenly, "I can feel a hot burning sensation, like prickly sort of thing."

"Good, what else?" Madam Pomfrey's face lit up with excitement.

"I . . . it's like having a block of ice pressed to my lids," Hermione said, wincing a bit.

"That means," Madam Pomfrey beamed, "It worked and your vision will return within thirty-six hours. All you need is total bed rest."

"That's a relief," Neville blurted out.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione called out softly. "Do I need to stay here? I mean I'd rather be in my room."

Madam Pomfrey paused for a moment, looking thoughtfully at her. "Very well, but you must go straight to your room." She started scribbling a note. "And you'll need a written form so you won't get into trouble for missing your classes."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."

"Just promise me no more spell you can't handle," the nurse told her sternly as she handed Hermione the excuse note. "Remember, Ms. Granger, thirty-six hours bed rest," she called out as Neville led Hermione away from the Hospital Wing.

"Yes, I will keep in mind," Hermione responded.

Neville led her to the Gryffindor Tower at a very slow pace. They were almost near the Fat Lady's portrait when they saw Draco Malfoy walking towards them.

"Granger, Dumbledore wants to see you." His eyes flickered with distaste.

"Madam Pomfrey told her to get some rest," Neville argued. He looked at the Slytherin boy with distrust.

"He said he wants to see her immediately." The usual smirk on his pale pointed face.

"But she hasn't regained her eyesight yet," Neville blurted out before Hermione could stop him.

Draco stared at Hermione in shock. "Really?" His narrowed eyes fixed on her unseeing eyes, a speculative expression on his face.

"Don't you have better things to be doing than standing here and talking to me?" Hermione said rather stiffly. She didn't want his pity.

"Right," Draco said with a smirk. "Dumbledore also wants me to escort you to his office," he added in his usual drawl.

Hermione's mouth opened in surprise.

Neville's hold on Hermione's hand tightened. "I'm not letting her go. Why should we trust you?"

Draco sighed. "Look, I didn't want this okay? It's Dumbledore's order and I'm just following it."

Neville was about to argue but Hermione stopped him. "It's okay, lead me to Dumbledore's office."

Draco took Hermione's left hand and placed it on his right shoulder. Hermione wanted to jerk away, but she felt an electric jolt spread through her. She did her absolute best not to blush and followed him in silence along the corridor. 'I hope I won't stumble and make a fool of myself in front of him.'

"Hermione, are you sure you're going to be okay?" Neville called out. "You want me to go with you?"

"I'll be fine. Thanks, Neville," Hermione hollered back. Frowning, she hoped that the Headmaster would ask someone to accompany her back to the Gryffindor Tower later.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco was almost near the Arithmancy classroom when he realized he had left his Arithmancy book in Charms class. "Dang it!" he muttered under his breath. With a frown, he made his way back to the classroom.

Harry had walked past Charms class when he saw Malfoy rushing towards the room. "You go ahead, Ron," he called out to Ron who's already reached the stairs.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron called out from the stairs.

"See you at the field, I'll be there in ten minutes!" Harry yelled back at him.

Draco found the book. It was lying on the floor. He frowned. It must have fallen from his bag. Grabbing his Arithmancy book, he turned to leave. He stopped when he saw Harry blocking the doorway.

"Get out of my way, Potter," he said quietly.

Harry looked straight at him. "Not until you tell me why you helped Hermione when the snake attacked her."

"Did I?" Draco smirked. "Where's your loyal sidekick? Don't tell me the Weasel decided it's time to stop being your shadow."

Harry's mouth pressed into a thin line but his gaze never wavered. "Don't try to change the subject. You still haven't answered me."

"Why are you so sure I helped her?" he countered.

Harry sighed. "To be honest, I don't want to believe myself but I saw you draw out your wand.

"Potter, you must be joking. A Malfoy would care for a Mudblood?" He laughed but it sounded forced.

Harry got very angry. With clenched jaw, he growled, "Don't you dare call her that!" He grabbed Draco by the neck. "Don't forget, the whole school witnessed how you shielded her from the bludger yesterday."

"Think what you want, Potter. Whatever makes you and the Mudblood happy," Draco drawled contemptuously.

Harry's face was filled fury. "Why you low-life scumbag, you take that back-"

"What the bloody, sodding hell are you doing here, Malfoy?"

Both turned in surprise to see a very angry Neville standing along the doorway. He rushed towards them.

"You're supposed to escort Hermione to Dumbledore's office?" Neville lashed out at Draco.

Draco merely stared at him like he was demented.

"Neville, what are you talking about?" Harry asked in confusion.

"This slime ball said Dumbledore wanted to see Hermione, so I let her go with him," he answered. The tone of his voice matched the venom in his eyes.

"And when, might I ask, did I say something like that?" Draco asked rigidly.

"Just a couple of minutes ago," Neville replied acidly.

Draco's eyes narrowed into slits. "I was right here."

Harry nodded, "Maybe you've got it wrong, Neville. He couldn't possibly do that. He was right here looking for his Arithmancy Book."

Neville paled. "B-b-but how could that be? Then who was that person who looked exactly like you?" His voice had risen in panic.

All three of them realized something. They all headed to the door, all arguments forgotten, there was only one thing in their mind and that was to find Hermione.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are we there yet?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

"Almost," he replied detachedly.

They were half-way down a stairway when they were spotted by Colin Creevey.

"Hey Hermione, where are you going?" Colin shouted from the distance.

'That sounded like Colin.' Hermione stopped walking. She was about to turn towards Colin's voice but Draco yanked her onwards instead. Startled by the firm grip on her arm, she had no choice but to continue walking.

"Malfoy, that's Colin. If you're so disgusted with my company then leave me alone." Slow anger begin to build within her as he dragged her to walk faster.

"Let me go!" She struggled to remove his hand on her arm but his grip tightened like a vice. He dragged her mercilessly, she stumbled on the steps, bruising both her knees and banged her left shoulder on the wall.

"You jerk, I said let me go!" she hissed at him. She blindly swung her right arm towards his head. At that moment, it would have given her great satisfaction if she could hit him straight on the face and break his bloody nose. Instead, she was roughly pushed to the floor, and then she heard the door slammed shut. She angrily stood up and yelled, "What kind of a stupid joke is this?"

She took one hesitant step and then she was falling. She screamed loudly. She tried to use her hands to grasp at something. It was no use, there was nothing but thin air.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco and Harry dashed through the corridors and bounded upstairs with Neville lagging a few steps behind. They reached the fifth floor, and nearly barreled into Colin Creevey.

"What's the hurry, Harry?" Colin asked curiously.

"We're looking for Hermione. Have you by any chance seen her?" Harry replied in a huff, skidding to a halt. Draco stopped as well, while Neville had chosen to linger a few steps behind.

"Uh, yes I did. I saw her going there," Colin answered, pointing up the top stairs of the seventh floor. "I called her, but I don't think she heard me at all."

"Was she with someone?" Draco asked bluntly. Colin merely scowled at him, not answering his inquiry. He glared at the Gryffindor, who he thought was quite a prat and didn't understand the magnitude of the situation. "I said was she with someone?" he repeated tensely.

"Colin, just tell us who you saw with Hermione," Harry bit out impatiently.

"I don't know," he answered truthfully. "Why is there anything wrong with Hermione?" Colin went to Harry's side and whispered, "What are you doing with Malfoy?"

"Listen, Colin, Hermione's missing. We need to find her quick," Harry replied abruptly. In a much louder voice he asked, "Was the person with her looked like Malfoy?"

Draco glared at him mutinously.

Colin threw Draco contemptuous look but inched closer to Harry. "Look, I only caught a glimpse of Hermione," Colin mumbled, shaking his head, a woeful expression on his face. "I really am sorry." He gave a start and suddenly exclaimed, "She seemed headed to the corridor leading to the East Tower." He looked at Harry and asked, "Can I help look for her too?"

Harry's answer was a curt nod. All four of them with Draco on the lead reached the top stairs and suddenly stopped in their tracks. There were at least a dozen doors in front of them.

"Now what?" Harry muttered.

Draco looked around, a door stood ajar to his left. "I'll take this door," Draco snapped, stepping forward. Using his right hand, he pointed down the corridor. "Potter, you go down the next one, and you two the next," he instructed. "We've got to check each one."

For once, Harry took orders from Draco, his mind too focused on Hermione. Quickly, he threw open the entrance to the room next to the one Draco was in and peered inside. Neville grabbed Colin by the hand and pulled him with him as he madly went from room to room, searching.

They'd checked almost all the rooms and yet there was still no sign of Hermione.

Draco had just stepped out from one of the deserted classrooms when he heard Colin screeching loudly.

(To be continued)

Cliffhanger: Who was pretending as Draco?

And now, let's turn on the radio and sing together.

Oh, I can't take another heartache

Though you say you're my friend

I'm at my wits end

You say your love is bonafide

But that don't coincide

With the things that you're doing

When I ask you to be nice

You say you gotta be

Cruel to be kind, in the right measure

Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign

Cruel to be kind, means that I love you

Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind

(Letters to Cleo)

_