Nothing Else Left

Chapter 3

Hermione's eyes snapped open.

"Wha...what? What's going on?" She was wide-awake, and all her senses told her that something was wrong. She had no idea what was going on. She saw Draco sitting next to her, holding her hand, a worried expression on his face. She saw Harry and Ron nearby, standing as they heard her speak. She realized that she was in the hospital wing of the school.

"Oh, thank God. Hermione I've been so worried. Madame Pomfrey couldn't find anything wrong with you. She said that you were just sleeping, but she didn't know why you were sleeping in the first place. I was so afraid that something worse had happened. There are so many spells and poisons..." Draco slowed his babble to look at her, eyes wide with relief and lingering concern.

Hermione smiled up at him, reassuring him that she was fine. Madame Pomfrey bustled over, handing her a large chunk of chocolate. "Eat."

She nibbled at the corner of the chunk.

"Hermione, what happened?" Ron looked at her, his concern painfully obvious on his face. 'He cares about me so much,' Hermione thought. She had always known that Ron cared for her, liked her more than as just a friend. She had known it for years, but neither of them had done anything about it. Hermione just didn't feel for Ron the same way he felt for her. She hated herself for it, seeing how much it hurt him. Still, there was nothing she could do.

"I don't know. I was fine, and then I wasn't. You probably know more than I do."

"You just kind of collapsed. It didn't look like you were in pain or anything like that. Ron went to go get a teacher right away. He told Malfoy what had happened, so he rushed to our compartment. Professor Sprout was the closest teacher around, so she came and check out what had happened. We moved you onto one of the seats and you haven't opened your eyes or moved until now," Harry explained. He, at least, seemed reassured that she was okay. He would know, seeing as he was the most accident-prone student in the school, with the possible exception of Neville Longbottom. Just two years ago Harry had been trampled and severely hurt by a horse. He was at a Muggle camp for the summer, mainly because the Dursley's couldn't take another summer with him. He had been taking horseback riding lessons, when the horse bucked, threw Harry off, and then backed up over him. He had ended up with a broken arm, two broken ribs and a broken leg, along with a concussion. He completely healed by now, but it was scary to have Hedwig sending her a letter saying that he was in the Muggle hospital.

Hermione sat up. Draco, startled at her abrupt movement, attempted to push her back down. She pushed away his hands gently. "I'm okay, really. I don't know what happened, but I'm fine now." Madame Pomfrey didn't take this too well, but after debating it for several minutes, she was allowed to leave as long as she returned for a check-up first thing in the morning.

As they all walked out into the hall, Draco stopped her. He bent down and kissed her deeply. 'This is exactly what I need,' thought Hermione. She closed her eyes.

"Malfoy! What are you doing to her?!" Ron's alarmed shout broke them apart. Draco, his eyes blazing with anger, spun around.

"What does it look like? I was trying to kiss her! Can't anyone get any pri..." Draco stopped mid-sentence to stare at Hermione.

"What? What are you staring at?" Hermione was annoyed. She didn't know what was wrong with them, but they had better snap out of it soon, before she slapped them.

"Uh, Hermione? You're...red." Harry's eyes were just as wide as the other two.

"What? What do you mean? Of course I'm blushing! You just saw us making out!"

"No, I mean you're red." Harry knew he probably wasn't being much of a help, but that was all he could get out.

Hermione heard footsteps behind her. A voice soon followed. "What are you doing in the hall? Shouldn't you all be at the feast? You missed the Sorting, but there is plenty food." Professor McGonnegal's sharp voice almost reassured Hermione. Maybe she'll know what's wrong. Hermione turned around.

The Professor gasped. "Good heavens, Miss Granger! What is wrong with you're skin?! You know magic isn't allowed in the halls!"

"Magic?" Hermione finally had the sense to look down at her hands. Hermione's mouth dropped open when she saw them. They were red! Hermione started to scream hysterically.

Immediately Draco runs over and takes Hermione's head in his hands. "Shhhhh.....shhh...it's ok...it's bound to wear off...ssshhh..." Even as he spoke, they all watched as Hermione's skin returned to normal. When she finally calmed down, Draco stepped away from her. Professor McGonnegal stepped forward to handle the situation.

"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, Mister Potter and Mister Weasley. I would greatly appreciate an explanation."

Hermione was still too shaken up to answer, so Harry stepped up. "I don't exactly know, Professor. I don't believe that Malfoy here did anything to Hermione, and Ron and me certainly didn't. I don't know what happened, but Hermione seems to be alright now. If you would, could you please let us go to the feast? I reckon I can feel my stomach eating itself..." Harry looked hopefully at Professor McGonnegal.

The Professor sighed. "Very well Mister Potter. Miss Granger, are you all right now?"

Shakily, Hermione nodded.

"Okay, then, there isn't much I can do. Off you go." Professor McGonnegal headed off, leaving the student alone in the corridor.

Draco walked to the feast with his arm around Hermione. He leaned in and spoke softly in her ear so that Ron and Harry couldn't hear. "Are you sure you're alright? What happened? That's the second time today you've nearly scared me to death."

Hermione smiled weakly at him, grateful for the strong arm about her. She felt fine, as though nothing had happened physically, but the truth was, she was still thoroughly shaken. Nothing like that had ever happened to her, but the thing that had really scared her was the fact that she had never read or heard about anything like that happening to anyone. "I think I'm ok. I'm starving, though." She saw the doubt in his eyes, and smiled more confidently. She took his face in both of her hands. "I'll be fine. Really. Don't worry, all I need now is some food. Go. Eat something, you look dead on your feet."

Draco, still not reassured, gave in reluctantly. "Alright, but don't get too fat..." He headed off towards the Slytherin table, where there was an empty seat waiting for him. Hermione rolled her eyes.

She waited up for Harry and Ron, then headed for the three seats saved for them. Ginny and Collin looked up as they approached. They were sitting next to each other, exchanging news from the summer. "Hi Harry," came Collin's usual greeting. "What took you guys so long?"

Hermione, not wanting to have to explain it, left that up to Harry and Ron. She piled up her plate with delicious food. When she was done eating, she said goodnight to the table, and retired to the Gryffindor tower. She went up to her dorm to find all her stuff sitting contently on the floor, as usual. She collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.