Eternal Despair (Harry Potter/OC)

𝟙𝟛: Valentine's Day

Hermione remained confined to the hospital wing for several weeks. Her prolonged absence stirred a whirlwind of rumors among the returning students after the Christmas holidays..

Speculation ran rampant, with many assuming she had fallen victim to an attack. Curious students frequently wandered past the hospital wing, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, prompting Madam Pomfrey to draw the curtains around Hermione's bed, shielding her from prying eyes and sparing her the humiliation of being seen with a furry face.

Harry, Ron, and Enzo made it a point to visit Hermione every evening. With the start of the new term, they faithfully delivered her daily homework.

"If I'd sprouted whiskers, I'd take a break from work," Ron remarked one evening, unloading a hefty stack of books onto Hermione's bedside table.

"Don't be silly, Ron, I've got to keep up," Hermione responded briskly.

In a whisper, she added, "I don't suppose you've got any new leads?"

"Nada," Enzo replied.

"I was so sure it was Malfoy," Ron said for the hundredth time.

Harry's eyes caught something gold peeking out from under Hermione's pillow. "What's that?" he asked, pointing.

"It's just a get well card," Hermione said hastily, attempting to hide it, but Enzo was quicker. He snatched it, opened it, and read aloud:

"To Miss Granger, wishing you a speedy recovery, from your concerned teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award."

"He even went out of his way to sign it 'Miss Granger,'" Enzo said teasingly, examining the back page. "Actually, who am I kidding? He'd sign my arse if I asked him to."

Ron looked at Hermione in disgust. "You sleep with this under your pillow?"

Before Hermione could respond, Madam Pomfrey swept over with her evening dose of medicine.

"I don't see what she sees in him, honestly. I just don't get the appeal," Enzo muttered to Harry and Ron as they left the infirmary and began their ascent to Gryffindor Tower.

Snape had burdened them with an overwhelming amount of homework. As they trudged up the stairs, Ron lamented not asking Hermione how many rat tails were needed for a Hair Raising Potion when a loud outburst from the floor above reached their ears.

"That's Filch," Harry muttered as they hurried up the stairs, stopping out of sight to listen.

"I wonder what's got his knickers in a bunch this time," Enzo said.

"You don't think someone else has been attacked?" Ron asked tensely.

They stood still, heads tilted toward Filch's voice, which sounded quite hysterical.

"Even more work for me! Mopping all night, like I haven't got enough to do! No, this is the final straw, I'm going to Dumbledore -"

His footsteps receded down the corridor, followed by the sound of a distant door slamming.

They cautiously peeked around the corner. Filch had been stationed at his usual lookout post.

They saw immediately what had enraged Filch. A great flood of water stretched across half the corridor, still seeping from under the door of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

Now that Filch had stopped shouting, they could hear Myrtle's wails echoing off the bathroom walls.

"Now what's up with her?" Ron said.