"You guys look like you just died," came Ron's voice suddenly, penetrating Harry's hypnotism.
Harry started and looked at Ron, then blinked, clearing his vision, and looked around at Hermione. She was staring fixedly down at her shoes. Harry could barely make out her chest moving up and down rapidly, as if she were breathing hard.
Ron, too, was looking at Hermione. "Hermione?" he asked uncertainly. "Er... are you... okay?"
Without looking up, Hermione slightly inclined her head in a nod.
"Well... okay then," said Ron, still in an uncertain tone, and he gave Harry a puzzled look before turning to rejoin his previous conversation.
Harry, however, was still looking at Hermione, who was also still staring down at her shoes. "Hey," he said softly, scooting his chair closer to hers, "you okay?"
Hermione nodded again. Then, suddenly, she looked up and said in a bright, cheery voice, "So what are you having for lunch today?"
Harry stared at her. Not only was she appearing as if nothing had just happened, but what sort of a question was that?!
"Erm...." he said, searching for words, "er, whatever... whatever they serve, I guess. Uh- what about you?"
Hermione shrugged. "Oh, I don't know," she replied, in a voice that was clearly faked casual. "I was thinking of some treacle or jam tarts, maybe... but I don't know, the potato and cabbage salad sounds excellent, also. Or perhaps the zucchini cake, I've heard it's a real delicac-"
"Hermione," interrupted Harry, "why, for Merlin's sake, are you talking about lunch?"
Hermione shrugged in an offhand way. "Oh, who knows," she said, then giggled.
Harry just stared. What, in the name of Merlin, was wrong with Hermione? She was acting like someone had put an Instant Insanity Charm on her or something.
Suddenly, Hermione's shoulders drooped, and the giggling expression left her face. "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry," she said, now sounding much more like her normal self. "I don't know what's got into me. I suppose it's the stress of exams coming up, and all."
As she spoke, Harry distinctly saw a few tears slide down her cheek, though Hermione was quick to brush them away. The same unexplainable feeling he had had earlier coursed through him again.
"You know what you need, Hermione?" Harry asked abruptly.
Hermione turned her face towards him. "Please don't say a vacation," she said.
"No," replied Harry. "You need a hug."
And without further ado, he reached over and grasped Hermione in a warm, tight hug.
Hermione's arms also closed around him, and they stayed that way for a few moments before letting go. When they did let go, however, Hermione's eyes were now fully shining with tears.
"Thank you, Harry," she whispered softly.