Disregarding Reality

Chapter Two

When she returned to the common room, Hermione took her usual seat next to Harry and Ron, pretending as if nothing was wrong. They had started their essays that Professor Snape had assigned them. Since she had no motivation to do hers, she grabbed a book from her backpack and began to read.

"What did Snape want?" asked Ron.

"Um..." she stumbled for a second, "It was just about me being a know-it-all. I had to promise him I wouldn't raise my hand anymore."

"But that's all you've been doing this year," said Harry. He paused. "Are you sure there's nothing that you want to talk about?"

"I've told you already, I'd prefer not to. There's nothing wrong. I've just realized that school isn't as important as I have believed in to be the past." explained Hermione.

"Alright," replied Harry.

And at that, Hermione got up, said goodnight to her friends, and headed up to the girls' dormitory for bed. She lay on her bed for what seemed like hours, thinking about the night's events. Was Snape actually concerned? It definitely wasn't like him to act that way. And what had he meant when he said that there were different qualities to him that most people don't see? Her head was full of questions that couldn't be answered that night, and when she realized this, she put it out of her mind and fell into a deep sleep.

**

"Hermione..."

"Hermione..."

She heard someone calling her name, but it sounded too distant to be near her.

"Hermione, wake up, you've already missed Ancient Runes."

She rolled over to see Ginny Weasley standing next to her bed.

"Ginny, what are you doing?" she said, still half asleep.

"Wake up, you've missed your Ancient Runes class, and if you don't hurry, you'll be later for Potions."

"I don't care, let me sleep."

"Are you ok?"

"I said leave me alone."

"Fine."

Ginny left, closing the door behind her. Hermione could hear Ginny's footsteps gradually getting softer as she descended the stairs. She rolled back over and returned to her sleep. In what seemed like no time, she was being shaken awake by someone who she expected to be Ginny again. She opened her eyes to see Madam Pomfrey standing over her.

"Come on dear, it's the Hospital Wing for you."

"No, I'm fine," protested Hermione, but let Madam Pomfrey guide her all the way to the Hospital Wing without hesitation. This was exactly what she needed; some time away from classes.

When she entered the Hospital Wing, still being guided by Madam Pomfrey, she saw that it was completely empty, which was unusual. She lay down on a bed and quickly fell asleep.

**

When she finally woke up, Madam Pomfrey was sitting in a chair next to her. It was pitch black outside the windows in the room. She must have slept through the whole day, she realized.

"I need you to tell me what's going on," said Madam Pomfrey.

"There's nothing wrong," said Hermione. "I'm fine."

"Dear, people don't have eating disorders because they're feeling fine. Please tell me what's going on."

"There's nothing wrong, just leave me alone!" screamed Hermione.

Madam Pomfrey stared at her for a moment, then got up and returned to her office. Hermione just lay on the bed looking at the ceiling for what seemed like forever, thousands of thoughts flowing through her mind.

Suddenly, the peace and quiet was interrupted. The doors of the Hospital Wing burst open and none other than Severus Snape stood in the doorway.