Pity The Living (Dramione)

Second Year: Flashback #6

May 1993

Hermione lay motionless on the cold stone floor just outside the library, her eyes wide open but unseeing, her body frozen in a state of petrification. The encounter with Ginny Weasley, possessed by Tom Riddle's memory, had left her shaken and immobilized.

The chilling words of the memory echoed in her mind: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened again. Enemies of the heir, beware." It was a warning, and now, Hermione was unable to move, trapped in a paralyzing fear.

As the news of Hermione's condition spread, students gathered outside the hospital wing, whispering and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the girl who had been so unexpectedly struck down. Madam Pomfrey, her face set in a stern frown, moved through the crowd, her wand flicking to put up a heavy, enchanted screen around Hermione's bed.

The bustling of the hospital wing was subdued as the students' excited murmurs turned to whispers of concern. Hermione's bed was now hidden from prying eyes, and Pomfrey's stern presence ensured that no one could get too close.

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, arrived shortly after, accompanied by Professor McGonagall and a few other officials. His face was grim as he surveyed the scene, his eyes resting on Hermione's still form.

"I'm afraid," Fudge said, his voice carrying a mixture of regret and frustration, "that there's little we can do for Miss Granger right now. Her condition is serious, and we must take precautions."

Hermione's heart ached, knowing that her friends were undoubtedly worried, but her condition prevented her from reassuring them. As Fudge and the other officials discussed the situation, Hermione could only hope they would find a way to reverse the petrification and solve the mystery of the Chamber.

The next day, the atmosphere at Hogwarts was heavy with apprehension. The excitement of the previous day's events had turned to a subdued anxiety. The visit to Hagrid's hut, where the students were led by Professor Lockhart, was a grim affair.

Draco Malfoy, along with a few other Slytherins, had come to visit Hagrid's hut as part of their own investigation into the ongoing chaos. As they arrived, they were met with the sight of Hagrid's hut surrounded by a large group of students being turned away from the hospital wing.

The most notable part of the scene was Cornelius Fudge's attempt to calm the concerned students.

"I'm afraid visitors are barred from the hospital wing," he announced. "Miss Granger's condition requires complete rest, and it is imperative that she not be disturbed."

Draco, who had been watching from a distance, caught sight of Fudge's comment and his face tightened in a frown. "Pity it wasn't Granger," Fudge muttered to one of the officials, referring to the fact that Hermione's petrification was a serious setback.

Draco's eyes narrowed, a flash of something like frustration or perhaps even guilt flickering across his face. He had never cared much for Hermione, but seeing her in such a vulnerable state stirred something in him. The comment from Fudge had clearly struck a nerve.

"That's not fair," Draco muttered under his breath, not loud enough for those around him to hear. "She didn't deserve this."

The comment was subtle but not noted by those around him. Ron and Harry, who had arrived to check on Hermione's condition, Harry glanced at Draco with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. It was clear that Draco's reaction was more complex than him or Ron had anticipated.

As they made their way back to the castle, Harry, deep in  thought on Hermione, and the strange shift in Draco's demeanor. There was more to this mystery than they had originally thought, and they knew they had to unravel it—both for Hermione's sake and to uncover the truth behind the Chamber of Secrets.