Disclaimer: Don't own them!
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed!!!! Hope you like this next part!!
Dumbledore knew the next three weeks would be particularly hard on Harry and his housemates. To make things a little easier a small area of the common room was made up for Harry so he could sleep, dress, and bathe without having to climb the stairs. Harry disliked all the fuss being made over him- he was blind but he was not unable to take care of himself. However, the arrangements had already been made. A small section on the right hand side of the common room had been sectioned off by a curtain.
Ron and Hermione guided Harry back to the common room and to the other side of the curtain.
"Looks like you're all set there, Harry." Ron said. "Your pajamas are right-" Ron's sentence was cut off by a crowd of yelling students from the other side of the curtain. Everyone wanted to find out what happened to Harry.
"I'll handle them." Hermione offered, leaving Ron to help Harry get dressed. When she came back, the crowd had dwindled and Harry was dressed for bed.
"Well," Ron said. "I'm off to start on that essay for Snape."
"What essay?" Harry asked immediately. "There's an essay."
"Yeah." Hermione answered nonchalantly. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Ron. "The one we finished last week after Ron went to sleep!"
"Fine!" Ron practically shouted at Hermione. "I should have done it before! You were right!" He continued to ramble as he exited Harry's "room" and did not stop until long after he was out of earshot. "You're always right because you're Hermione! And Hermione is always right!" Hermione and Harry just laughed. Hermione's eyes softened and a sweet smile came across her face.
"How are you really?" She sat next to Harry on the bed and placed her hand on his so he would know where she was. Harry shrugged.
"I'm alright, I suppose. I mean it's not like worse things haven't happened. It just… It's going to take some getting used to."
"Well don't you worry about a thing, Harry!" Hermione tried to sound cherry. "I'm going to work extra hard with you so you don't fall behind in any of your classes!" Harry laughed. Of course, schoolwork would be the first thing on her mind.
"Thanks." He said, genuinely. He knew with Hermione in his corner, grades would be the least of his problems.
"I'm sure you're tired." Hermione stood up. "I'll let you get some sleep." Hermione turned to walk out when Harry caught her hand.
"Wait!" He said quickly. She immediately turned back and sat next to him.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing!" He laughed as he reassured her. "I just… Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything."
"Would you consider… And you can say no if you like… Could you stay here tonight? At least until I fall asleep?" Hermione was taken aback by his question. It wasn't like Harry to admit when he needs help.
"Of course I'll stay!" Hermione placed her hand on the side on his face and stroked his cheek. She looked next to the bed to see an oversized chair.
"I can sleep over there." She said standing up and walking over to the chair. She then reached into a drawer, pulled out one of Harry's nightshirts, and started for the curtain.
"I'll be right back." She said.
"Why leave?" Harry asked. "I can't see you, remember?" Harry smirked. Hermione spun around quickly with a shocked look on her face.
"I-I," She stuttered. "Well, I…"
"Not afraid are you?"
"Hardly." Hermione straightened up and raised an eyebrow. "Alright." She stepped away from the curtain. To make herself more comfortable, she stood with her back to Harry.
She slowly unfastened the top button on her shirt.
"One." Harry counted off, smugly.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted. Harry burst into laughter.
"I'm sorry! I promise I won't do that again."
"Uh huh." She said, questioning his sincerity. She then unfastened the next button.
`Two.' Harry said in his head. He never said he wouldn't think it.
After Hermione was dressed she turned the blankets down. She sprawled out on the chair and Harry laid in his bed.
"Good night Harry."
"Good night Hermione."
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The next morning Harry woke and shot straight up. He still wasn't used to waking up to the darkness.
"Hermione?" He questioned immediately.
"I'm right here, Harry." She answered calmly. She was close to him- he could almost feel her. She placed her hand on his.
"Breakfast is in half an hour." She told him. "Want me to fetch Ron or will be alright?"
"I can take care of myself." He spat.
"I'm sorry." Hermione spoke quietly. Last night he seemed to admit he needed help.
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I just…"
"It's alright." She cut him off. She stroked his cheek softly with her spare hand. She then got up and walked to the other side of the curtain. Harry then stood and began to make his way to the dresser.
"Alright." He said to himself. "Just take it one day at a time."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Twenty minutes later Harry, Hermione and Ron walked along the busy hallway to breakfast. As usual, people were shouting and running into each other. Hermione looked over and noticed Harry seemed nervous. He wasn't sure where to step. It was so loud and he couldn't see anything. It was impossible for him to concentrate. Without breaking her conversation with Ron, Hermione discretely clasped Harry's hand with her own. Harry took a deep breath and was thankful for the gesture. It helped him along, giving him a better sense of where he was.
The trio finally made it to the Great Hall and over to the Gryffindor table.
"Well look who it is!" Dean greeted them. "How are you Harry?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Harry answered. He ate slowly. Eating was a lot harder than he thought. He could hear Ron and Ginny having a discussion about a long lost family member and took advantage of the opportunity. He softly nudged Hermione's shoulder.
"Yeah?" She whispered, figuring something was wrong.
"I just wanted to say thanks." He whispered back. "For what you did in the hall."
"Anytime."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The next week came and went with few major difficulties. After classes, Hermione would review lectures with Harry. It took longer for Harry to understand the material, but Hermione's determination was unfaltering. After reviewing, they walked to the Great Hall for dinner and back to the common room to study and relax with housemates.
It was Friday evening and only a few students remained in the Great Hall. All of the Gryffindors had left except for Harry and Hermione. It still took Harry longer to eat than everyone else. Hermione made a point of eating slowly so no one would really notice. They were so engrossed in their conversation that neither of them felt the pair of eyes that had been fixed on them for the last twenty minutes.
"I'm telling you Harry, Ron didn't have a clue!" Hermione laughed. "First his encounter with Lavender after potions, then right afterwards Luna practically throws herself at him! I'm telling you, he was all confused and spinning around." Harry burst out into laughter. "Poor thing was turning beat red. He's even more clueless than you are!" Harry's laughter stopped immediately.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean."
"Anyway, be sure to mention it to him later. I can't wait for his reaction!" Hermione said. Harry chuckled.
"Well, well, well." A dark voice interrupted them from behind. "I must say- if I needed a mudblood's help just to eat my dinner, I don't think I'd be in such a good mood!" Harry felt every muscle in body tighten as he heard the all too familiar voice.
"Go away Malfoy." Hermione said coldly. "We don't have time to waste on you today."
"Oooh!" Crab and Goyle shook in mock fear from behind Malfoy, causing their leader to laugh.
"Going to let the mudblood fight your battles, Potter?" Malfoy continued. "Can't say that I blame you. At least she can see me." Harry was about to bolt out of seat when Hermione grabbed his hand.
"What good will it do?" Hermione whispered. "Will it make him stop?" Harry pulled his hand away from Hermione's but stayed seated. Crab and Goyle snickered behind him as Malfoy led them away from the table.
"Harry…" Hermione said softly once they were gone.
"I don't want to talk about it." He said sharply, his head turned away from Hermione. She brought her hand up and stroked his cheek with her fingers. This was becoming her trademark motion of affection. Harry eventually sighed and leaned into her fingers.
"Want to head back?" Hermione asked tenderly after a few minutes.
"Yeah. Let's go." The two friends walked towards the door of the Great Hall, still totally
unaware that they were being watched by a pair of hateful eyes.
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