You Wouldn't Know

Hermione was feeling much better now and as Madame Pomfrey strolled by, she asked, "Um, are we allowed to have visitors?"

"Ms. Granger, you are recovering from a broken leg and several broken ribs; I don't believe that you should have visitors until you are able to walk at least!" Madame Pomfrey said, determinedly.

"Madame Pomfrey, I can walk I just don't want to at the moment and I really want to see my friends!" Hermione said, her eyes pleading.

"Very well, Ms. Granger, you may have visitor's tomorrow but only during visiting hours! For now, I want you to get some rest as you still have strength to gain back!" Madame Pomfrey said her lips in a thin, straight line. Hermione could tell she was not happy.

Hermione simply nodded and slumped back into her pillows. She had to admit she was a little bit exhausted. Her eyes started to close when she heard a drawling voice.

"Do you miss Potty and the Weasel, Granger? I have heard rumors that Harry is your boyfriend, is that true?" Malfoy questioned.

"Go to hell, Malfoy," Hermione said coldly. She did not want to talk to Malfoy about her feelings for Harry. Inside she really did want Harry as her boyfriend but the last person on Earth that she would tell would be Malfoy.
"Oh, did I strike a nerve Granger? Does talking about your nonexistent boyfriend upset you?" Malfoy said, his eyes glinting. He knew that he was making Hermione angry. And he knew Harry did like Hermione. It was only too obvious. And right now, Malfoy main entertainment was to ruin Harry's life, especially his love life with Hermione. He knew exactly what he had to.

"Good news for you. I think he likes too. So forever you'll be known as Hermione Potter, the gold-digger!"

Hermione spun around so fast that Malfoy barely saw her face. She was sick of him playing with her emotions. She was now facing him, her cheeks flushed and her jaw clenched. Malfoy could almost see the hate in her eyes.

"Screw yourself Malfoy," she said angrily.

"You see, I could do that but it would be difficult," He said sarcastically. "And it would be so much more fun to screw you."

Malfoy said, "I am going to get some rest. Have a nice afternoon, Hermione."

He leaned back against his bed, give Hermione a small wink, and lay down in his bed, pulling the covers over him. He had said what he said for a reason. He knew that if Potter heard about this, Malfoy would have one up on him. And he knew that he was messing with Hermione's head. He felt satisfied, but knew that he had more work to do. He closed his eyes and fell in a deep sleep...

* * *

Hermione just sat with her jaw slightly hanging at a loss for words. What the bloody hell did he just say? Did he just say he wanted to screw me? What is going on? I think I need rest. That's it. With that she closed her eyes, willing herself to believe that he had not really said that.

* * *

The next afternoon, just as visiting hour dawned, Harry and Ron ran into the hospital wing, panting.

"Hermione!" Ron almost yelled. Then he started talking really fast so that his words were barely distinguisha All I heard was that you were here and we tried to sneak in here yesterday, but Madame Pomfrey chased us out. The whole school is whispering about what happened and I have no idea, the school has no idea, the only person who seems to know anything is Dumbledore and he won't tell any..."

"Ron, quiet down. We do not want to wake him," Harry interrupted, prodding a finger towards a sleeping Malfoy. Then he turned to Hermione. "How are you, Hermione? Are you hurt? What happened to you? One moment you were just sitting in the common room and the next you are running out the door! Could you please tell me what is going on?"

Harry looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. He turned to Ron and indicated that they take seats at either side of Hermione. Once they where settled, Hermione began her tale.

"Well, I broke my leg and a few ribs," Hermione said quickly. She hoped that Ron and Harry hadn't heard her. She didn't like to complain. "I was looking out the window and I saw Malfoy running out into the woods and I had heard about the Harmertan being loose in the forest, so I, well, went after him to warn him,"

"Wait a minute, Hermione," Ron said, "why did you go into the forest to warn Malfoy, our enemy? I mean I would have been happy if he was eaten!"

"Because he is a person too and he deserves a fighting chance to live, Ron!" Hermione snapped, causing Ron to blush furiously.

Harry broke it up by saying, "Ron, let's not make Hermione angry now, okay? Go ahead Hermione."

"As I was saying," Hermione gave a cold look at Ron, "I went to warn him and I found him lying on the ground and I tried to get out of there and then the Harmertan came. It attacked us and we tried to fight it but it was too strong. I passed out and before I knew it I was here, in the hospital wing."

"Wow. So how does Dumbledore know such much about what happened," Ron asked his eyes huge.

"He came in a little after I woke up," Hermione said. "But you want to know something odd? Dumbledore said that Malfoy had marks on his body not from the Harmertan. He refused to tell us anything but I am somewhat curious about what those marks were there for. Don't you think that that is unusual?"

"Yes Hermione, but I don't really know why you care. I mean, it is Malfoy," Harry said. "But enough about that. When are going to get out of here? I hate seeing you stuck here."

"I know it is really quite miserable here. Let me go ask Madame Pomfrey," Hermione announced scooting herself to the edge of the bed, trying to conceal her winces from Harry and Ron, as she didn't want to show them she was weak. Before they could object, she stood up, swaying slightly. She gingerly took a step and her leg swayed. The next thing she knew she was falling backwards towards the ground. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms seized her up into his arms. She looked up and saw Harry carrying her back to her bed. He gently set her down and stood over her, and said, "What were thinking trying to get up? Just let Ron or I do it okay? I, I mean we, don't want you to get hurt again."

With that, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson and sat down while Ron set off towards Madame Pomfrey's office. Hermione simply sat with her chin down and a slight pink tinge in her cheeks. There was an uneasy tension, which Hermione eventually broke.

"Thanks for, um, catching me," Hermione said.

"That's what friends are for," Harry said softly. But inside, he wanted more than just a friend's relationship with Hermione.

"So, have you talked to him yet?" Harry said, pointing to Malfoy, asleep in his bed.

Hermione chewed on her lip, battling over whether to tell Harry what Malfoy had said to her. In the end, she decided that she just wanted to keep that private.

"Um, no, he's been asleep most of e time I have been awake," Hermione said, lying. Just then, Ron returned, looking glum.

"Madame Pomfrey insisted that you stay here for at least another few days. She said that possibly by Friday morning. I, um, argued with her and I lost twenty points for Gryffindor," Ron said blushing. Hermione gave a small laugh, but clutched her chest. It hurt for her to laugh. Harry looked at her concerned. Just then, the class bell rang. Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"Um, Hermione, we have got to go class," Ron said hurriedly. "We'll come back and visit tomorrow as soon as we can. Take care Hermione."

Ron gave Hermione's hand a quick squeeze and ran out the door. Harry meanwhile had stood up but was calm and not frantic like Ron was.

"See you later, Hermione. Take care of yourself," Harry said. Then, he leaned in. Harry's lips brushed Hermione's in soft but sweet kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He went out the door, his cheeks pink. Hermione just sat still. She could still feel the kiss on her cheek.

Meanwhile, Malfoy lay perfectly still on his bed. He had heard everything and he knew that Harry had just kissed Hermione. His emotions were boiling inside of him. Most of it was anger, but some little part he couldn't quite figure out. Was it jealousy?