The Enemies Over Time

The Beginning

Hermione POV

I was walking to Charms class when a Slytherin scarf whacked me in the face. I looked up, not knowing who it was. All I saw was slicked back pale blond hair and an evil grin.

"MALFOY!!!!" I emphasize the "O"

"What?" He teases.

I hate him so much. But I'll just have to go on with it. Sigh. Harry and Ron come over. Ron, don't cast a spell, I send him a brain message. Your wand is broken. It'll backfire. But of course. He doesn't hear me.

"Eat slugs!"

The spell backfires and Harry runs to him, saying, Madame pomfrey will fix you.

I can't watch. The slugs are disgusting and Ron has them coming out of his mouth every 3 seconds. I turn around, but someone's pale-skinned hands push my shoulders back. I stumble, walk 3 paces back and start again. Malfoys hands reach my shoulders every time.

I start running. Malfoys running after me. I stumble and fall face-first onto the grass. Malfoys runs right by. "Oh, poor Hermy!!!" He shouts.

"Shut up!"

I turn around to see who said that. Harry is behind me, his wand pointed at Malfoy. I only managed to gasp,
"No, Harry. Just walk away and let him get in-in-in-"
My voice breaks off. I can't speak. I feel dizzy, and I blackout.

...

I wake up in the Hospital Wing, to see Ron, mended, staring at me. Harry is on the other side and out of the corner of my eye I can see Malfoy with a bloody nose.

Malfoy says, "You little brats! I'm gonna get you for this." But it sounds more like,
"You liddle brads! I'm gonna ged you for dis."

Harry chuckles. "You should have seen his face when Ron came running back. He barfed up slugs all over him, then socked him in the nose." He pauses for a second to glance over at Malfoy. "It was awesome."

My heart starts beating. Ron did this for me? I can feel my face starting to flush.

Now it's Ron's turn to blush. "Aw, it wasn't like, completely like that."

"Yeah it was!" Argues Harry.

"No!" Ron's face is really red now. Practically as red as his hair.

Ron leaves. He and Harry have to go study. I tell Harry that as soon as I get out, I'm helping them pass the test. Harry laughs and thanks me.

As the day passes on, I get some more visitors. And more gifts. Some flowers from Lavender, a new edition of The Quibbler from Luna, and a card from Ron. I sleep the night away and tell myself that I have to be well rested and ready to study tomorrow - it's exam day in two weeks!

The last thought that enters my mind before I fall asleep is:

How could a third year's life get so wound up in one day?

I ponder that while I sleep. But all that's in my head is the card from Ron.