#1 Crush

"#1 Crush"

Chapter three-The Hogsmeade Trip

I rushed over to Ron and crouched down beside him. Laurie crouched down beside me.

"Ron, what on earth happened?" I demanded.

"I dunno. I felt something wet on my leg, then it was on fire," Ron winced.

There was still a water like substance, which was a puddle, on the floor a few inches from his foot. The leg of Ron's slacks was burnt and peeling away from his skin.

"I thought I heard someone behind me," Ron added wincing.

"We've got to get him to Madam Pomfrey," I suggested as Harry and I grabbed Ron under the armpits and helped him up. He leaned on us for support.

Laurie walked in front of us.

As soon as we stepped into the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey looked up.

"Another one? Oh well, come on. Lye down," said Madam Pomfrey gesturing to an empty cot. Ron laid down wincing.

"Ok. I'm going to have to put this cream on you to mend those burns. They're second degree," Madam Pomfrey said, as she went over to the medicine cabinet and pulled out a jar of light purple cream. She applied it to Ron's leg.

"All right. He'll be good as new in 24 hours. There's a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow. Are you kids going?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Ron winced. The cream probably stung a bit.

"Yeah," I said. "We should get going. We'll be by to get him tomorrow."

"He'll be fine," Madam Pomfrey said, reassuringly. "Your sister was just released before you four entered. She's back to normal."

Ron sighed relieved.

Harry, Laurie and I left the hospital wing and began walking back to Gryffindor tower.

"This is getting worse! First, who ever is sending those letters pushes Ginny down the stairs, then poisons Hermione, now burns Ron! We've got to find out who's doing this!" Harry hissed.

"I know! But have you gotten anymore letters?" I whispered back.

"Letters?" Laurie asked, confused.

I explained to her about the letters Harry had been getting.

"Since the last one, no. But that doesn't mean it won't start again. We cannot let out guard down for anything," Harry said.

"No way," Laurie said.

We found Ginny sitting in the common room.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" I asked her.

"Better. Sore, but better. I'm going to head to bed now," Ginny said, giving Laurie a strange look before she got up and went toward the girls' dorm.

Harry, Laurie and I sat down.

"What was that about?" I asked, staring after Ginny.

"Dunno. Maybe Ginny's just paranoid," Harry said shrugging.

"I swear I didn't do anything," Laurie said, holding her hands up in a defensive position.

"We know you didn't, Laurie. Don't worry. It's probably what Harry said," I said, softly.

"Lucky Madam Pomfrey don't ask a lot of questions. I've said it before, but it's the truth. How were we going to explain what happened to Ron?" I asked, sighing.

"And what happened to you. I don't think you would have the idea of deliberately drinking that poison for the heck of it. What? Curious to see how it tasted? Some kind of exotic food craving?" Harry asked, shaking his head.

I chuckled.

"That certainly counts as exotic,"

"Exotic? That's more like suicidal!" Laurie said.

We nodded in agreement and fell silent.

"Okay well, I'm going to head off to bed. Hermione, are you coming?" Laurie asked, standing up and stretching.

"Yeah. In just a moment," I said.

Laurie smiled and walked toward the girls' dorm room. Harry got up and sat next to me.

"I really hope this doesn't get any worse," I said, quietly.

"Unfortunately, I think it will. Obviously the person has it in for people around me. He or she seriously wants to hurt you and Ron. I can't stop it because I don't know where it's coming from," Harry said, quietly. "If I know, then I will stop the person."

"Harry, this person is really...bonkers. If he or she didn't think twice about poisoning me, pushing Ginny down a flight of stairs or burning Ron's leg, then they're not going to think twice about killing you," I said, leaning closer to him.

Harry's emerald green eyes met mine.

"Better me than you or Ron. I couldn't stand it if something happened to Ron...or you," he said, putting a hand on the side of my face, then shyly lowering it as if he wasn't sure he was supposed to do that.

"Just promise me you won't do anything stupid...okay?" I pleaded.

"Promise,"

"I mean it,"

"I promise!"

"Fine. Good-night, Harry," I said, as I got up and headed after Laurie to the girls' dorm.

The next morning, was the Hogsmeade trip. Professor McGonagall asked Ron to stay behind and rest, that he shouldn't go exerting himself. Ron protested, but reluctantly agreed. Harry, Laurie and I went off with the rest of the students to Hogsmeade.

We went into the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer.

"This stuff is delicious!" Laurie said, sighing contently after she took a sip.

"Yup!" Harry said.

Just then, a heavily hooded figure stepped into the pub. The hood was pulled up to far, that it completely covered the figure's face. The only thing visible was long, dark curly brown hair, which reached the figures elbows, over one shoulder. Laurie, Harry and I looked at each other.

"Probably a hag," Laurie muttered going back to her butterbeer.

I tilted my head to one side and raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know. The person seems too small to be a hag,"

"Maybe they've got growth problems," Harry offered. "You know, like a new wizard...wizimps."

Laurie sputtered into her butterbeer and almost fell out of her chair laughing.

Several people sitting around her glared at her as she cleared her throat sat quietly, occasionally letting out snorts of laughter.

I shook my head and was chuckling also.

The heavily hooded figure sat down at the bar. When he or she reached for a glass of mulled meade, I caught sight of a hand. It definitely wasn't thin and the skin looked fresh and young.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. Besides those letters that Harry was receiving, this person was giving me the willies and that nagging feeling returned in my gut.

"Are you almost done, you two?" I asked, turning to Harry and Laurie.

"Almost...why?" Harry asked.

"I've got a weird feeling and I don't like it," I replied finishing my butterbeer.

"Listen, I might have another one. Why don't you and Harry go to Honeydukes? We can meet by Zonko's in five minutes," Laurie suggested.

I didn't like the idea. I just wanted to get away from here as soon as possible.

"Sure," I said quietly.

Harry and I got up and left the pub.

LAURIE

After Harry and Hermione left, I had another butterbeer. The hooded figure left.

About three minutes later, I left the pub and began heading to Zonko's. It was the best joke shop with Filibuster's Firecrackers and other fun stuff. As I passed an alleyway, an elbow was suddenly jabbed into my face. I fell backward and felt blood flowing from my nostrils. Blinking, I saw the hooded figure standing over me.

"Thanks a lot," I muttered as I went to prop myself up on my elbows, but then, the figure bent down and grabbed a hold of my right ankle. He or she began dragging me down the street. I began screaming for Hermione or Harry. My robe was dirty and was starting to tear from being dragged. My skirt was starting to tear as well creating a slit. With my other leg, I tried to kick at the figure, but he or she was too strong.

I spied Harry and Hermione.

"HERMIIIIONEEE!" I bellowed.

Hermione looked up and all the color drained from her face.

HERMIONE

I saw the same hooded figure dragging Laurie by one ankle in the street like some kind of rag doll.

I grabbed Harry's arm. He followed my gaze then, we took off running.

I ran full speed at the person from the side, but then, the hooded figure's head turned and with unbelievable strength, thrusted out an arm so it caught me right across the chest. I bent over, trying to catch my breath. Harry was the next to react. He pulled out his wand and aimed it at the hooded figure.

"Stupefy!"

A thin jet of red light shot out from the end of Harry's wand and hit the figure right in the side. He or she stopped moving immediately. Laurie wrenched her ankle free and scooted back away on her rear end. I had managed to catch my breath and rushed over to her. I crouched down beside her.

"Are you all right?" I asked, worriedly as she got to her feet.

She was badly shaking. She had a small abrasion on her left cheek from the friction of skin meeting dirt.

"I-I think so," said Laurie in a small voice.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, worriedly coming over to her.

Laurie nodded, but then she burst into tears. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her.

"It's okay. It's all over now,"

"Let's just get out of here. Besides, it's just about time to go back to Hogwarts," Harry said, quietly.

We quickly found the rest of the students and we began heading back to the castle.

Laurie's skirt and robe were mended, as well as the small abrasion. She sat in the common room that night hugging herself.

"What the hell just happened today? Who was that hooded figure?" Laurie asked, turning her dark brown eyes onto Harry, Ron and I.

"I don't know. What I want to know more is why he or she did that to you," I said, quietly. "The person was extremely strong."

"Yeah! It was like inhuman!" Laurie chimed in. "Thank God Harry used that stunning spell,"

Harry blushed as Laurie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He was now a bright shade of red.

I forced a smile.

"And I think Hermione was about to tackle that figure!" Laurie grinned.

I grinned now.

"Hey. Anyone messing with my best friends is going to go through me!"

Harry grinned and so did Ron. Laurie threw her arms around me and hugged me.

"Thanks. I really appreciate everything. I couldn't ask for a better friend than you three,"

"Hey, Hermione could probably try out for football!" Harry said, laughing. "She looked like a bull with hemorrhoids!"

We all burst out laughing as I playfully punched him on the arm.

"Thanks! Is that what you think I look like?" I laughed.

"Of course not!" said Harry immediately, as he stopped laughing. He looked upset.

"Will you relax? I'm just teasing also! I do have a sense of humor you know!"

We all laughed.

Then, Ron voiced a question we were all wondering about in the back of our minds.

"If this isn't over, what's going to happen next?"

We all just looked at each other somberly.

The next morning, I realized I hadn't heard from my parents.

The owls arrived with their posts, but I didn't receive a letter. Harry received another letter. This time, it said:

This isn't over. Someone will take a nasty fall.

If my parents were getting a divorce, they'd surely notify me of the court dates and everything else. But there was no letter.

"Hey guys. I haven't heard from my parents yet about their divorce," I said to Ron, Harry and Laurie.

"Huh. Maybe they decided not to get a divorce," Ron suggested.

"Maybe," I mused. "I'm still going to write home to find out."

I pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill and an inkbottle. I carefully moved aside my plate and dipped my quill into the bottle. I began writing:

Dear Mum and Dad,

I haven't heard from you in a few days. The last time I heard from you was to tell me you were getting a divorce. I do hope everything is all right and you and Dad are well. Please write back as soon as possible. I'm worried about you. Things are good here.

Love,

Hermione

"Why didn't you tell them about what's going on?" Laurie asked, leaning close.

"I don't want them to worry. They've got enough to worry about now with the divorce," I replied. "Want to come along with me to the Owlery?"

"Sure," Laurie said, brightly.

"We're going to the Owlery. We'll be right back," I said, to Harry and Ron.

They nodded.

Laurie and I headed up to the Owlery tower. Hundreds of different kinds of owls were sleeping on wood perches. Hedwig offered to go.

"It's okay, Hedwig. You must be tired. I promise I'll use you next time," I said softly.

Hedwig hooted softly and closed her eyes.

I enlisted the help of a large tawny owl. The owl took flight.

Laurie and I watched the owl as it soared over the grounds until it was a tiny dot in the sky.

"Hermione, I'm really worried about this whole situation," Laurie confessed.

"So am I, Laurie. So am I," I said, sighing.

"Whoever is sending Harry these letters really must be desperate or something," Laurie offered.

"Or mentally sick," I muttered.

"I can see Harry's really worried about you. I think he loves you," Laurie said, softly.

My heart fluttered at the thought.

"Yeah. I love him too,"

"Then why don't you tell him?" Laurie asked, delightedly as she playfully pushed me.

I laughed.

"I will. When it's the right time,"

Laurie made googly eyes at me. I burst out laughing again.

"You're the one who's mental!" I teased.

She laughed and we headed back down to the Great Hall.

Ron and Harry looked up when we entered.

I could see relief in their eyes.

"Thank God you two are all right," Harry said.

"Why wouldn't we be?" Laurie asked.

"With everything that's going on now, I'm afraid if any of you go off alone," said Harry quietly.

"Aw that's sweet, Harry," Laurie said, softly.

Harry grinned.

"We've got Transfiguration now. We'd best hurry before Professor McGonagall notices if we come in late," said Ron.

We all stood up and left the Great Hall.

In Transfiguration, we changed a quill into a sparrow

After our classes, we all went to the common room to talk for a bit, then we went to bed.

The next morning, I received a letter from my mum and dad.

"Oh thank God! They replied!" I said, relieved as I untied it from the owls' leg. I unfolded the parchment and began reading it. Laurie leaned forward. She was sitting across from me. Harry was next to me. Ron was beside Laurie.

"What's it say, Hermione?" Ron asked, concerned.

I felt all the color draining from my face. My hands began shaking as I held the parchment.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" asked Harry beside me.

His emerald green eyes were filled with concern behind his glasses.

I cleared my throat.

"It says that they never sent an owl saying they were getting a divorce. They aren't getting divorced,"