Disregarding Reality

"Nice necklace," said Ron.

"Thanks, it helps to keep the nargals away," replied Luna.

"What are...Oh, Hermione, you're awake! Harry! She's awake!"

"I can hear, Ron," screamed Harry from the other side of the Hospital Wing.

"Oh my, you two," said Hermione with a grin. She had fallen asleep again not long after Madam Pomfrey had closed the drapes around her bed. "What time is it?"

"Almost six o'clock," replied Harry. "Have you slept all day?"

"I think so..."

"Man, Hermione, you'll never have to sleep again after this!" said Ron.

"Shut up Ron, she's sick!" said Harry angrily.

"No, no, he's right. I don't know what's gotten into me. I have never slept this much in my life."

"Madam Pomfrey said it was a side effect to the medication," blurted Ron.

"You talked to her?!"

"Well, um, we..." stumbled Ron.

"When we came in she gave us an update on how you were doing," said Harry. "She said that you're not making very much of an improvement..."

"Well, what can you expect being cooped up her all day and being dragged down with Snape every night!"

"Sorry Hermione, I just..."

"No, don't apologize! Just get out!"

Harry and Ron obeyed Hermione's screams and ran out of the Hospital Wing, the door slamming behind them. Hermione didn't expect them to understand. They had no idea what she was going through, no idea how hard it was to get better.

At that moment, Hermione realized she wasn't alone in the Hospital Wing, and didn't like that her privacy had been invaded.

"They're just trying to help," said Luna, looking over at Hermione.

"Yeah, well maybe I don't want their help."

"But maybe you want it so much that you feel you need to push them away."

"Oh God, you're just confusing me," replied Hermione as she rolled over on her side.

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office carrying two trays, one quite smaller then the other, towards Hermione and Luna. She handed the biggest one to Luna, and opened the lid to reveal a delicious meal of chicken legs and mashed potatoes. Then she walked over to Hermione and placed the smaller tray on her lap.

"This is just a muffin to tide you over until Professor Snape gets here. He insisted on feeding you tonight when he tutors you, for what reason I have no clue. Oh, don't forget to take your pills, they're right there on you night table." She then returned to her office without another word.

"Snape wanted to eat with me?" thought Hermione. "Why on earth would he want to do that?!"

She sat there staring at her muffin, knowing that she would have to eat it, but repulsed by the idea of food. She took her pills and ate half the muffin, waiting for Snape to present himself in the Hospital Wing. At exactly seven o'clock, the doors opened and Snape walked in.

"Why didn't you eat your entire muffin?" were the first words out of the professor's mouth.

"I wasn't hungry," replied Hermione.

"Well, that won't be good enough tonight. Let's go." He grabbed her books and headed towards the Hospital doors, Hermione somehow managing to walk on her own.