The Poisoned Waters

6. Awake, Finally?

Dreams are strange things.

I had many dreams.

Some were nightmares.

Some were just weird.

What was really strange though, is that wherever I went in my head, I could always hear Hermione.

Sobbing.

Talking.

Yelling.

Whispering.

It was very strange indeed.

There are weird squiggly lines in the sky. Instead of stars, there are these streaks of light. I looked down and I was standing on my front lawn. Mum and Dads house. I looked to my right, and Hermione had just gotten out of a cab. She started towards the house, so naturally, I followed her.

I've learnt in every dream, your mind always wants you to follow something.

So I've learned to not question it.

Hermione walked up to the front step, and then knock three times on the door. Dad answered.

"Hermione! Your home! Lovely, lovely..." He dragged her into the house, but I had managed to slip in just before- well I guess I should call him Dream-Dad. Unless this wasn't a dream.

Huh.

Dream-dad brought Hermione into a big bear hug, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Me and Dad had always been best friends. Or we had more of a connection, if you will, then me and Mum. So to see Hermione hugging him, it was kind of a blow to my pride.

"Welcome home Hermione!" Mum came in, holding a cake, all decorated with candles and frosting. Hermione, well I guess I should also call her Dream-Hermione, as well as Dream-Mum, for Mum. My family went into the dining room, where the table was set for three plates. Not four. Wait a minute. What if this was really, and I was just floating around, haunting my sister? I erased that thought quickly, instead focusing on the three of them. They were now all eating cake, laughing and joking around. Didn't they want to know where I was? The next moment answered my question.

"Aren't you guys going to ask where Hera is?"

"Hera? Who's Hera?" Dream-Dad replied, and I sighed.

So this was a nightmare.

I turned around and began walking out the door. I didn't see the cliff. Just as I stepped off of the last step, I realized my other foot didn't have anything to stand on.

And so, down I went.

Falling, falling, falling.

I didn't hit the bottom.

No matter how much I wanted this to be over.

Wanted the pain to be gone.

Wanted the nightmares to disappear.

Wanted to stop falling.

Wanted to see a real day again.

I felt pressure on my hand. Soft pressure. Not like a rock or a tree. Like a breeze across a field. I felt bright light pressing against my eyelids.

Wait.

Against my eyelids?

I didn't have eyelids in my dreams. Or well, I wasn't able to blink.

I heard Hermione's voice again. This time it was louder. Closer. Like if I reach out my hand, I'll be able to feel it. I tried to move, but all I managed was a slight squeeze of the person's hand I was holding.

"Hera? It's nightmares, isn't it? I wish you'd wake up." I recognized Hermione's voice. It sounded like she was crying.

I didn't like it when she cried.

I would have to try harder to get her attention.

I tried to open my eyes, but as soon as they were open, not even a centimeter, I squeezed them shut again. Did someone turn on the lights? I tried to move my other hand, which lay across my stomach, and wiggled my fingers. As silly as it was. At least this got her attention.

"Hera? Wait- Hera, are you there?" I felt the pressure grow on my fingers, and I winced slightly. But I moved my head slightly down to nod anyway.

Hermione let out a loud gasp, and I couldn't hold back a grin.

"Madam Pomfrey! She's awake, she's awake!" Hermione stood suddenly, and the pressure on my hand was gone.

"Turn off the lights, girl, it will take time to adjust to it." Finally, I found the bright light disappear and I cracked open my eyes. The first thing I saw was a elderly, tall, slim figure who everyone knew as Madam Pomfrey. I gave her a weak smile, shifting my gaze to the bushy, brown haired girl standing to my right.

"Alrighty dear, you're gonna need to sit up to drink all these..." Madam Pomfrey helped me sit up.

And so it began.

Sorry for the short chapter!