Secret Revealed
A/N: I would like to say thanks so much to all who reviewed the first chapter. They really brightened my day and to all those who read my story, but didn't review. Thanks so much for taking the time to read it. I would also like to thank my beta reader, Trutonks for helping me out with this chapter!!!
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Hermione woke up and looked around. She didn't recognize where she was at first, but then realized that it was the
back corner of the hospital wing. She wasn't really used to seeing it from this angle, as she was usually the one
sitting at Harry's or Ron's (mostly Harry's) bedside worrying about them.
Just then Madam Pomfrey bustled in making a beeline straight for Hermione. When she got closer she gasped, "Miss Granger, you're awake!" immediately taking her wand from her pocket. She asked Hermione a series of questions, all of which Hermione answered either yes or no. When Madam Pomfrey noticed Harry still sitting beside Hermione's bed, he was looking at the pillow where her head used to be, staring really, almost like he didn't even notice that she had awoken.
Madam Pomfrey ran off muttering something about Professor Dumbledore. Hermione then waved her hand in front of
Harry's face, to which he seemed to come out of his trance, and then looked at her for a while before
enveloping
her in hug. He pulled back to look at her properly and, just as Hermione expected, the questions came.
"Are you ok? What happened? Do you think it had to do with Voldemort? How long have you been awake?"
Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as Madam Pomfrey walked back into the hospital wing, closely followed by Professor Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter I'm going to have to insist you leave the hospital wing at once. I put up with you being here for these three days. I even let you stay when you practically threw me into a wall, but I will not have you pestering my patient now that she is awake."
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Professor Dumbledore chimed in, "Poppy is right, Harry. I need to talk to Miss Granger in private."
With a disgruntled sigh, Harry stood up to head down to the Great Hall, but not before giving Hermione another hug and a quick kiss on the cheek before he left.
Hermione rolled her eyes in embarrassment and then looked at Professor Dumbledore. "I fainted, didn't I?" she asked.
"Yes Miss Granger you did. I suggest we go up to my office, your parents are there waiting for us. Tonks escorted them here not 30 minutes ago, impeccable timing"
Madam Pomfrey started to protest, "Albus, I don't think she should be out of bed..."
"This needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, Poppy. I assure you Miss Granger will be fine."
Madam Pomfrey, looked hesitant, but then said, "Alright Albus, just as soon as she takes a strengthening potion. She's still very weak and she should probably eat something too. Her weight right now just isn't healthy."
"That is to be expected in her condition," Dumbledore said in a hushed tone.
"I'm not very hungry," said Hermione from the bed, who until then hadn't said much.
"I'll just get her some Pumpkin Juice and a few of those Lemon Tarts that I saved from last night's dinner," said Madam Pomfrey, her tone daring anyone to protest her as she walked to her office.
She returned a moment later with two goblets in her hands and the plate of lemon tarts. The first cup looked like normal pumpkin juice, but the second didn't look at all appetizing. It was an ugly greenish orange color and it looked to be smoking.
"Here you go Miss Granger," said Madam Pomfrey, handing her the second goblet, "You may have the pumpkin juice and the tarts after you finish this."
Hermione took the goblet from Madam Pomfrey, trying not to smell the thick liquid as she brought it up to her mouth and
swallowed the whole thing in one gulp, gagging the whole time. Madam Pomfrey took the goblet as soon as
she was done, replacing it with the pumpkin juice. Hermione made haste to gulp that down as well in order to get rid of
the awful taste that the strengthening potion had left in her mouth. She immediately felt rejuvenated and started
nibbling on the tarts Madam Pomfrey had placed on the bed in front of her.
When she'd eaten enough to please Madam Pomfrey, she was put in the wizard form of a muggle wheel chair. It floated above the ground and followed ProfessorDumbledore.
Eventually they reached the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office. He spoke the password (Carnivorous Candy Cane) and ushered her inside.
Hermione looked in awe at all the instruments inside Dumbledore's office and then looked over to her left where her parents were sitting on a small couch that Hermione had never noticed before, even though she had made many a trip to the headmaster's office before.
"Hermione, honey," started her mother as she saw Hermione walk in, quickly pulling her to her. "How are
you doing? We came as soon as we heard what happened. Your father and I were under the impression that you had told
Professor Dumbledore."
Hermione blushed slightly, "I didn't want Harry to find out."
Dumbledore shook his head, "I wouldn't have told Harry, I have a strict policy about not telling other students when the student in question does not want their secret..."
"No, no that's not what I meant at all!" said Hermione cutting him off, "I just didn't want anyone to treat me differently. When the students and teachers at my old school found out, everyone treated me differently. I don't want that from anyone, including you Professor Dumbledore."
"I hadn't intended on treating you any differently. You're still Hermione Granger - still the brightest witch of your age," Dumbledore said with a wink.
Hermione blushed again looking at her toes.
"However," Dumbledore continued, "I'm sure Mister Weasley and Mister Potter will do everything in their power to make sure you're comfortable."
"I can't tell them," Hermione replied, "it will just make everything harder..." She looked down at her feet tears streaming down her cheeks.
"But Miss Granger, you must, you can't lie to them and you will be able to see all the signs very soon. You won't be able to hide this forever."
"I think Professor Dumbledore is right sweet heart," said Hermione's father, looking the same way he had the first time they found out what was wrong, "You need to tell your friends."
"I'll go get them right now, they're right outside," said Professor Dumbledore walking out of his office before Hermione had time to protest.
Hermione slumped in her chair when she saw Dumbledore come back with Harry and Ron a few seconds later.
Harry looked at her and immediately walked to her side grabbing her hand, just managing to keep quiet. Hermione knew he was dying to know what happened. Instead, he stood still, sending Hermione concerned looks every once in a while waiting for Dumbledore to start.
Dumbledore walked over to his desk and picked up a small tin box, opened it, and offered a lemon drop to all those present. When no one accepted, he took one for himself and settled back into his chair looking at Hermione. It was clear he wanted her to start.
Hermione cleared her throat and prepared to start talking.
"I suppose you two are wondering why I fainted," she said, turning to look at Harry and Ron, her eyes glassed over with tears. She felt Harry's hand tighten around hers, but other than that there was no outward sign of what he was thinking.
"It has nothing to do with Voldemort," she said, pausing to look at Ron when he flinched at the name. "Honestly Ron you need to get over that."
Ron grinned, but it did not quite reach his eyes.
"You see when I was ten I was diagnosed with Leukemia."
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A/N: Hope you all liked it, please review... Sorry if there are some errors i had to fix some things and i didn't send this back to my beta-reader to check and I've been having trouble with my computer. The next chapter (Taking Action) should be up in about two weeks, I would put it up sooner, but I'm going on vacation to a lake in Missouri for like ten days so please review and again i really hope you liked it!!!
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