The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

The Hospital Wing

Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Ginny and a very somber Hermione circle Ron and Carson's beds as Madame Pomfrey ministers to them. Slughorn sits off to the side, in a chair, looking stunned. Hermione had her hand connected to Carson's, rubbing his knuckles with her thumb and not taking her eyes off him.

"Quick thinking on your part, Harry. Using a Bezoar. You must be very proud of your student, eh, Horace?" Dumbledore asked, as Slughorn nodded.

"Hm? Oh. Yes... very proud." Slughorn said, still in a daze from the recent events.

"I think we all agree that Mr. Potter's actions were heroic. The question is, why were they necessary?" Professor McGonagall asked, not taking her eyes off of Carson. She really did care for him, like a grandson.

"Why indeed." Dumbledore reaffirmed, looking at the bottle of mead they had drunk.

"This appears to be a gift, Horace. You don't by chance remember who gave you this bottle, do you -- which by the way possesses remarkably subtle hints of licorice and cherry when not polluted with poison." Dumbledore spoke, as Slughorn looked away from Dumbledore.

"Actually I had intended to give it as a gift myself." He informed.

"To whom might I ask?"

"You, Headmaster."

At that moment, Lavender Brown burst into the hospital wing, running over to the group.

"Where is he? Where's my Won-Won! Has he been asking for me?" Lavender asked frantically, stopping at the sight of Hermione. "What's she doing here?"

"My boyfriend has also been poisoned. Thank you very much." Hermione snapped, glaring at Lavender before returning back to Carson and pecking his cheek.

They sat in silence for a bit, before Carson shuffled in his bed. Hermione looked over at him intently as he shuffled.

"Her...mione...mione..." He muttered, before stopping and seemingly falling back into unconsciousness. Hermione blushed as she took Carson's hand again and smiled at him.

Ron soon did the same, muttering Lavender's name instead of Hermione's and she smiled.

"Come, everyone, I think Mr. Weasley and Mr. Marshall are well tended." Dumbledore spoke, as the group left the wing, Hermione and Lavender staying with their boyfriends.

The next day, Carson and Ron were allowed to leave and they went to the great hall for breakfast.

"Ron. Stop. You're making it snow." Hermione told him, as Ron seemed to be in a daze.

"Huh?"

They stopped their conversation, noticing Katie Bell walk into the great hall. She must've returned from St. Mungo's after being cursed.

"That's Katie. That's Katie Bell." Hermione told them, as Harry got up.

Katie Bell, very pale but smiling, greets the other gryffindor girls. After a moment, she looks up and finds Harry standing in front of her.

"How are you, Katie?" Harry asked, as Katie turned to the other girls.

"Give me a moment, girls." Katie told them and they walked off, leaving Katie with Harry.

"I know you're going to ask, Harry. But I don't know who cursed me. I've tried to remember. Honestly. But I just... can't..." Katie explained, as Harry nodded.

Katie's eyes shift to behind her. She goes pale as Harry turns and follows her gaze. He finds Malfoy, staring at her. Katie backs away, retreating to the other girls. Harry watches her go, then looks back before catching Malfoy flee the hall. Harry ran after him, and Carson followed him, trying to stop Harry from doing something stupid.