Chapter 5: Early Morning Potions
Harry was awoken early in the morning by Madam Pomfrey's footsteps. He didn't realise that he had actually fallen asleep on Hermione's lap until he noticed the disapproving look he received from Pomfrey. He sat up straight and tried to forget the embarrassing situation.
"I see she hasn't woken up yet," said Pomfrey. "Not to worry, Potter, you weren't the only one up all night. I was awake too preparing a very complex potion that will hopefully cure Miss Granger."
Harry darted up from his seat.
"Really?" he asked. "Will she be completely cured?"
"The only side effects she should suffer is a headache." Madam Pomfrey whipped out a black bubbly potion. She put her hands under Hermione's chin and tried desperately to open her mouth so that she could put the potion in. Harry quickly sat up.
"Look, I know this may sound strange but…can I do it?" he asked.
Madam Pomfrey raised her eyebrows at him.
"Very well." She turned to Harry and put the potion in his hands. "Now be careful with it, it took me a long time to create." Harry nodded and walked up to Hermione. He put his fingers gently on Hermione's soft lips. It felt a little strange doing it as this was his best friend but he knew he had to help her. He prised her lips apart and slowly tilted the potion into Hermione's mouth. Half of the bottle was gone before he finally noticed her eyelids flicker. He pulled away and pulled Hermione's hand into his.
Madame Pomfrey was impressed. "She is waking. Give her a few more minutes and you can talk to her. I will allow you to stay with her, but I daresay it's only because I don't think you would leave her anyway."
Harry looked up at her a little surprised by what she had said. "What?"
Madam Pomfrey looked back at him as she turned and left the room. "Well you haven't left her alone for a minute since she arrived in here. You could give people the wrong impression about the two of you, Potter"
Harry was a little puzzled by her words but quickly turned his attention back to Hermione. The girl was slowly regaining consciousness. He still didn't know quite what to say to her after the events a couple of nights ago, but he was more worried about her waking up right now.
Five more minutes passed until Hermione's eyes flickered open slowly. Harry watched on anxiously as her body twitched. She pulled her hand quickly away from his. "Hermione." Harry said slowly. "It's me."
Hermione looked up, her eyes weary.
"Harry?" she murmured. Harry smiled at her as she put her hand back in his, and he gripped it tightly. Tears started to roll down Harry's cheeks; he was so thrilled to have Hermione back. Hermione sat up slowly and her eyes suddenly appeared as bright as ever. "What happened to me?"
"Well how much do you remember?" Harry asked slowly.
Hermione sat still and thought for a moment before finally speaking very slowly. "I remember Lucius Malfoy taking me to some dark room. He punched me in the ribs and then slapped me across my face." She held her head as she thought back to what had happened. Her words became shaky as she held back the tears. "Then he kicked my across my forehead and that's when I started to lose consciousness. I vaguely remember him using the Cruciatus curse on me, but that's all."
Harry acted on natural instinct and sat down next to Hermione before pulling her into a gently hug. She moved closer to him as he tightened his grip around her shoulder. Harry closed his eyes as he heard her sobs.
After a while Hermione pulled away from Harry and looked at him thoughtfully. Harry had a nasty feeling she was going to bring up what she had asked him the other night, but he was relieved when she pointed at his forehead. "Harry, where did those scars come from on your head?"
"Malfoy," he said softly. "I duelled him before I brought you up here." Hermione looked up at him softly.
"Oh, Harry you hurt yourself for me." She sighed briefly before continuing. "Thank you."
"Did you expect anything less?" he said. "After all, I told you I would always be here for you didn't I?"
She hugged him again. "How long have you been here with me anyway?"
"Since I brought you up yesterday. You know it's a good job you don't eat like Ron or I would have broken my back carrying you up here." Hermione gave an unusually girly giggle. He didn't know what it was but somehow Harry found it rather attractive. He also started to really enjoy hugging Hermione and felt extremely comfortable in his current position.
At that moment Albus Dumbledore walked into the room. Harry quickly pulled away from Hermione and stood up abruptly. Dumbledore peered over his glasses and looked contently at Harry and Hermione. "It is great to see you have finally awoken, Miss Granger. I think it is best that you do not try any lessons for today."
Hermione looked stunned.
"But sir, I can't miss lessons I need to study for next years N.E.W.Ts." she pleaded.
"I am sorry, but I think you need a rest from anything stressful. That is why I have organised special privilege for you and a friend to visit Hogsmeade today. But you must keep it quiet." He said as he saw Hermione's face light up. "I have a spare invisibility cloak which you can use to sneak out of the usual Hogsmeade passage. I will leave it to you to decide who you are taking." Dumbledore left the room after secretly sweeping up a box of Sherbet Lemons from a table at the end of somebody's bed. Hermione turned and looked at Harry.
"Well Mr. Potter, looks like you are having a day off at Hogsmeade."