Harry met Hermione on the ground, after breaking into a run at the image of her falling figure. Lightning flashed nearby and he quickened his run to her. By the time he had knelt beside her she was already using him as support to get up. She gingerly placed her hurt foot on the ground but brought it up quickly.
"Thank MERLIN, Harry, I owe you one." Through the laps of her wet strands of hair, she smiled at Harry who wiped the hair from her face.
"Not a problem, let's get back to the castle before you catch something; here I'll help you," He said as he put an arm around her soaked and shivering body. It started to pour once more, with lightning striking every which way. A puddle was forming around them, and Hermione was aware that they would most likely end up in the Hospital Wing.
"Harry, my ankle, I think I twisted it something ferocious, it's hard to walk...." She was supporting her self on Harry's shoulders and limping towards the castle when the door to Hagrid's hut flew open. Fang barked behind the giant man, and a fire illuminated the hut.
"'ARRY! 'ERMIONE? " He yelled and the half-giant took what must have been 10 steps and reached the both before they could move an inch. Hagrid surveyed the sight before him and could help but shake his head.
"Hagrid!" Harry exclaimed excitedly, "Help me get Hermione to the castle, she's twisted her ankle and can't walk!" Harry was still holding Hermione steady, and he could feel her wince when she tried to put her tender foot on the ground. Unexpectedly, Hagrid swiped Hermione into his giant arms and said,
"We'll go ter my place, 's closer, come arlong, 'Arry! I saw yeh out here, recognized the two of ye." And sure enough, before they knew it they were sitting in Hagrid's cabin waiting for any let up of the storm. Hagrid began asking them questions as soon as they hit the threshold.
"Wha' were yeh doin out there? Stormin an' all!" Hermione was focusing on her foot, so Harry took the answer.
"She had gone out for a walk, and I knew it was going to storm, so I went out to get her before it got bad. But I was too late.." gloomily, Harry removed his cloak.
"You weren't too late Harry, it's my fault really. Being so stupid out in a storm."
Hermione was placed on Hagrid's bed as she removed her wet cloak and shoes. Hagrid threw her and Harry large fluffy blankets and prodded the fire once more to get it started. She and Harry took one each and wrapped up in them and then shared another one next to each other. They sat in silence, sipping cups of tea. Before Harry knew what was happening, Hermione was asleep on his shoulder, apparently warm and safe.
Hagrid took notice of the two of them and set his mug down. Harry avoided his gaze and stared into the fire. He didn't want to talk about it.
"Harry, what 're you goin' ta do?" Harry didn't answer right away, and he traced the rim up his
cup with his fingers nervously. He didn't give an answer.
"Well?" Hagrid said again, "What ter you goin ta do?" Harry looked up and shrugged.
"Nothing, not a thing. Hagrid, you know Ron-" Harry returned his stare back to the fire.
"'Arry, I'm 'fraid yer gonna find out one day tha-"
"Hagrid! There's nothing I can do!" He rose his voice at the last, and Hermione let out a soft whine and
they both fell silent. She was stirring.
"I'll wake her, we need to get back to the castle. They'll be wo-" Harry was getting up and Hagrid
came to his feet to stop him.
"'Arry…" He began, but Hermione was already waking.
"It looks like the storm is over, and we'd better take the chance to get her to the Hospital Wing." he
looked at the paling face of Hermione and sighed.
"No, 'Arry, leave her here, stay here tonight, I'll tell Dumbledore about the situation." Harry
looked over at Hagrid and said,
"She needs Madame Pomfrey, so I'll take her up there now. Thanks a ton, Hagrid."
Hagrid got up and went over to the door and opened it. A strong wind of mist blew in and Hermione shivered. She felt as if she was getting feverish with every breath.
"Hermione, come on girl, wake up, we're going to get you to the Hospital Wing so you can get better and
sleep." Harry's voice sounded so caring and sweet, almost like a mother to her. She opened her eyes fully, and
could see the reason she was chilled. Her robes and cloak were hanging above the fire and still dripping water onto the
floor. She was simply in her uniform and noticed her socks and shoes were off also lying on the floor. She was covered
in a think wool blanket that would make a giant tent. She rubbed her eyes and they widened as she took in her
surroundings.
"eherh? Harry? What am I doing here? Oh, OH! Oh my it-" She bolted straight awake and nervously patted her
clothes. She rung out her damp hair and a puddle formed at the floor. She went to get up and yelped in pain and fell
back to the bed. She looked at her foot, which was swelling and now black and blue.
"Sh….yes it is late, but we've got to get you to the Hospital Wing." Harry took his wand and muttered a
spell at their clothing by the fire, drying and warming it. He took the robes and cloak over to her and wrapped them
around her. Then he took his and wrapped her in them also.
"Harry you'll freeze!" She tried taking his off but he stopped her. He shook his head,
"You are way worse off than I, and trust me, I'll survive without it." Harry knew he couldn't put her
shoes back on, so he put them in a bag her found. He threw the bag over his shoulder and went to support Hermione and
she shook her head.
"I'm fine, thank you Harry, I think I can walk on my own." She stood up on one foot and gingerly tried to
hop to the door. Just when she thought she was about to fall backwards, Harry hands were upon her, supporting her.
"No, no, no! I'm fine, really, I am." Harry sighed gruffly, and swept her into his arms, and began to
carry her towards the castle.
"Oh…Harry I can walk…" It was a clear night at last, and both were aware it was very late.
""I won't take no for an answer. Anyway we can't waste any time, it could storm any second."
They walked in silence to the castle, and arrived there with a very upset McGonagall waiting for them.
"Hagrid sent word to me about the situation. Don't waste any time Potter, let's get her to the Hospital Wing!" She shooed them in the direction of the Wing and closed the door behind her.
Hermione and Harry exchanged a flabbergasted look, and made their way to the Hospital Wing where Madame Pomfrey was in a fit. She was waiting by the door, and followed him in with a very annoyed tone.
Harry ignored everything she was saying to him but caught a few things like the time ('Near MIDNIGHT! Mr. Potter do you know how worried we were?') and how everyone was upset with him. ('Ronald Weasley was in frenzy! Had to send him away, I did!') She was running around in a crazy sort of way, getting potions, straightening things.
Harry laid Hermione on the closest bed, and he pulled a chair next to her. Madame Pomfrey smirked.
"Oh no, Mister Potter, rarely do you come into my ward without some healing. Drink up," she said, as handing him a Pepper-Up Potion. She passed one to Hermione and she downed it.
"Ah, Miss Granger, what here seems to be wrong with you?" Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry beat her to it.
"She was out in the rain and hail, and she twisted her ankle. " Madame Pomfrey dried both of their clothes again with a spell, and nodded and ran to her cupboard for something to heal her ankle with. Hermione sat up and looked at Harry. His eyes glistened at her, and she was too ashamed of herself to think.
"Thanks, Harry, you're a wonderful best friend, and I'd probably still be out there if you didn't care enough about me to find me." She finally choked out. Harry smiled sweetly at her,
"Don't mention it, it's one of my saving-people instincts." He shrugged and Madame Pomfrey brought back a potion to her.
"Now, this is going to reduce the swelling and bruising on your foot. You should be fine by afternoon classes, as long as you don't decide to run a marathon when you get up. You should both sleep here tonight, and rest up under my watch." Hermione took the potion and made a sick face and Madame Pomfrey turned on her heel.
"Oh, that was foul. Harry, you do realize that we'll miss Potions, Snape will be-"
"Furious" They said at the same time. They both laughed.
"Is there anything you need from the kitchens? I'm going to get something to drink, you like anything?" Harry said, standing up.
"A coffee maybe? Send Dobby and Winky my regards!" Harry nodded and left the ward quietly, and minutes passed before she heard him.
"Look at the two of you, just as darling-" Hermione shot him an angry glare and he just smiled. She looked
around nervously and whispered,
"Well, what are you doing here? Aren't you afraid you'll be caught? And what about-" He just nodded,
and shushed her.
"I'm here because I can be, Hermione. And no one will catch me." Hermione wasn't so sure of that.
Harry would return any minute, and it would surely be a shock to him to see--
"So, what are you going to do?" Hermione was startled by his question and ignored him. She gazed at the night sky and heard footsteps door the corridor.
"Did you hear me? What are you going to do about Ron? I mean-" Hermione shushed him.
"I am not going to do anything." She was a bit annoyed with him, and was raising her voice. He chuckled.
"Now now, temper, temper! You'll get yourself out of this one." And with that, he got up and swiftly made
his way to the door.
"Not that way!" She said. Harry could be right there when the door opened, and she just didn't
want to think of what would happen. But he was gone, and Hermione decided she'd fake being a sleep, just incase
they were over heard.
Harry returned minutes later with a tray, and on it were two mugs and a few sandwiches. Hermione became still and fake asleep and Harry sat the tray down beside her on the table. He sat down in the chair and took the mug and sipped it quietly.
Hermione was still awake, and it took a lot to not bolt awake when Harry pushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. She wanted to bolt awake and open her eyes to him, but instead she remained still.
Harry soon fell asleep with his arms folded on her bed, and she took a pillow and placed it under her head and fell
asleep also.