It might have been five minutes and Hermione drifted off into a new sort of sleep. She thought she could sense lightness and then darkness, but was convinced it was her head. But a very light sleep it was, and did she ever find that out.
"Are you asleep?" The figure asked. Back already? The figure paced across the fire and stopped at
her stirring. At once Hermione was puzzled, but once she recognized the voice;
"The question is, Was I asleep. And No, I wasn't." Confirmed Hermione. It had to be near two in
the morning, and now she had a visitor. She kicked off her shoes, and walked towards the figure.
"I don't suggest coming any closer. I'm soon to depart." He said. She sighed. He refused to let her
see his face, refused her desire to find out if it was real.. He had a nasty way of doing.
" What? Why-how did you get in here? You shouldn't be in here, You coul--" She quarried. He
couldn't be in here. She finished. It puzzled her greatly. Was he watching her? She saw his head drop from the
position it held.
"Don't bother. I've been watching you, you know." He added. She was right. If she could see him right
now, she was certain he was smiling. He knew her like that, and she knew him as such.
" Of course I'm clever enough to figure that out." She folded her arms. She made her way and sat
back on the couch, arms folded over golden pillow.
"Clever if I never did say so myself. And I have haven't I? Though let me change your mind about Ron,
Hermione." She jumped at this comment. It wasn't pertaining to anything, but of course he had to
bring it up. Of course he changed her mind. He wanted to, didn't he?
"What are you talking about? You've seen it, I love Ron with all of my heart. 'Specially
now!" she said sarcastically. He laughed. It was the first time she had heard him laugh in years. She scowled.
"Hermione, don't worry about this too much." She thought she could hear a sniffle. He coughed. She knew
better. The question was, how could she not worry about it? It was driving her crazy, apart from the visits, apart from
everything.
Hermione looked at the flames. They danced with one another, gracefully.
"Fancy fire?" She sighed once more. And then, with the swish of a wand the flames were out, and smoking.
This almost seemed routine to her, as if she had been experiencing it all of her life. This was her life after all.
It was dark, and though she could not see him, he turned around. She felt a soft wind of breath graze her nose, to let
her know he was near.
"Good night Hermione. Keep care. I'll see you again soon." He then faded into he darkness, as only a wisp
of smoke would ever be.
She then, walked up to where he was standing. She felt the moisture from a tear. And she too, began to cry. And as she
made her way up to her dormitory, she heard another sound, but then forgot about it, as because as soon as she hit the
pillow, her eyes snapped shut, and her mind recessed.
It was hard for her to wake up the next morning. Being a Wednesday, she has only three days to complete her work, to somehow find a relaxing weekend. She thought about lying in sick, but she could never avoid her schoolwork or her duties, as a Head Girl was not meant to. She stopped upon reaching the Great Hall. She looked ahead and could see Ron searching for her, and possibly Harry. Did she want to go in there? It would only be a matter of time before she slipped. Did she really love Ron? Did she love-
"Harry!!" bellowed an excited Ron. He waved them both down from the crowded breakfast table. Hermione rolled
her eyes. Fate seemed to grace her. She heard Ron say something about Quidditch and she could care less about
Quidditch, so at least she'd have the morning to think to herself. Hermione was blocking the way into the Hall, and
Harry touched her back as a motion for her to move.
"What are you waiting for Herm? Let's go eat!" he seemed so enthusiastic about this meal. He also seemed
to be able to sense her troubles too. She jumped at his touch, and as an understatement, she became numb. She choked,
nodded and followed him into the Great Hall.
"Mione, why were you just standing there like that?" Ron asked. Hermione was presently poking her eggs with
her knife and ignored him.
"Oh, Ron, I was looking for you, but I had a hard time waking up this morning so it took me a while. She placed the knife down and faked a sweet smile. Poor Ron…
The boys began about Quidditch, every so often asking Hermione to pass something. Hermione barely ate; a half piece of toast and glass of pumpkin juice satisfied her. She stood up.
"I'm not hungry you guys, I'll see you in class." Despite protests from Ron, she got up and made her
way towards class. She of course had a good 30 minutes before she'd need to be there, and walked the long way.
Walking the long way was the first mistake, as she immediately got lost, and did not recognize this part of the castle.
The second mistake was letting her thoughts drift to and eventually dwelling upon what Ron and Harry said about the
Mirror of Erised.
'Didn't Dumbledore mention that it could drive you bonkers, Harry?' Ron asked, as his head swiveled
towards Harry in an odd fashion.
'Yeah, he said many men had wasted away before it, wondering if what they saw was real, or even possible.'
Harry added.
And as if the halls of Hogwarts could read her mind, she walked smack into the mirror.