My Gift To You

Chapter 3

"We haven't seen you for the entire weekend," said Harry as they headed to class.

It was Monday. An entire week of classes still remained. Hermione groaned.

"I was up and about yesterday. When I looked for the two of you, you were nowhere to be found," argued Hermione.

"We were out during the morning," said Harry.

"Without an escort? Are you insane?" Hermione demanded.

"You don't know? Well while you missed breakfast on Saturday, they announced that we could go out alone. The dementors have moved on," said Harry.

"Oh. I didn't know. Sorry," said Hermione.

"It's okay. Where were you though?" Asked Harry.

"I was in bed. Couldn't get up much," said Hermione quickly.

"Damn," said Harry as he watched his friend closely,"that sucks. You should take better care of yourself."

"Yeah, I'll try to remember that," said Hermione as she wavered for a moment.

Harry grabbed her arm quickly. 

"Hell, 'Mione. What's gotten into you?" Asked Harry as he steadied her.
A sour taste filled her mouth. She was going to be sick. She yanked her arm free and ran to the bathroom as fast as she could.

Harry stared at her as she ran. Something wasn't right. She'd been avoiding his questions alot and he suspected she'd secretly been avoiding him too.

He walked into Transfiguration class and informed Professor McGonagall that Hermione would be late.

"She ran off just now," said Harry thoughtfully.

"Did she say why?" Asked McGonagall with concern.

"No," said Harry," but she was in a hurry."

"Thank you, Potter," said McGonagall as she stood," I will go find her. Open your books to page 94. I'll be here shortly."

With that she walked out in search of the Gryffindor girl.

Hermione sat with her head against the wall. Harry had almost seen it. She sighed. Keeping it under wraps was going to be more difficult than she originally thought.

She lifted her head as she heard someone enter. Hermione kept her breathing as quite as possible. She didn't want to give away that she was there.

"Miss Granger? Are you in here?"

It was McGonagall!

"I'm here, Professor," answered Hermione.

She pushed the stall door open so as to let the professor see her.

"Oh, my child," said McGonagall as she knelt down," are you alright?"

Hermione nodded unsurely.

"I guess so," she said," this is just starting to irritate me."

"We have to be careful now," said McGonagall,"Mr Potter suspects something."

Hermione groaned.

"Great," she said.

"He doesn't know why you ran," said McGonagall, "but I just want to be careful."

"I'm going to start showing sometime," said Hermione.

"Yes," agreed McGonagall," but not yet. We'll be fine for a while still."

"I don't want them to find out," cried Hermione.

"I know it's difficult," said McGonagall as she sat next to her.

She wrapped her arm Hermione's shoulders. Hermione turned toward her. She cried into her shoulder.

McGonagall was at a loss. The girl clearly needed someone to comfort her. She could only do so much in terms of that.

Hermione was grateful for the company of her professor. She felt at ease. Okay, she was still crying and all, but she felt better. McGonagall always knew what to do.

Hermione looked at her and realised she might not be thinking the same.

She hugged her and said:
"Thank you, Professor. This means alot."

McGonagall smiled in the way only she could. So she was helping. She felt a lot better all of a sudden. At least she was useful. 

Hermione sat with her until the hour came to an end and then went to her next class.

***

"Miss Granger, " said Severus as she entered Potions.

She walked over to him.

"Yes , Professor? " She said.

"You are to stay behind after class." He said.

She nodded and took her seat. The rest of the students dribbled in a few at a time.

"Take your seats or I will start giving out detention!" Snape snapped as he slammed his hands on the desk.

Students scattered to reach their seats as fast as possible.

He smirked as they all sat with a loud thud.

The lesson went without further incident.

Hermione went to the front as the lesson ended.

As the last students left, she spoke:

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Minerva spoke to me," said Severus.

"Okay. And?" Asked Hermione.

"You're moving in," said Severus as he walked to her side.

Hermione looked at him, shocked.

"What? When?" She asked in disbelief.

"Tonight,"he answered her.

"How--?"

"McGonagall will tell all your professors that you have a condition that needs to be monitored as you sleep," said Severus.

"Okay, but aren't they going to ask questions about where I am?" Asked Hermione.

"She will tell them that you're with her," said Severus.

Hermione shook her head with a smile, then stopped.

"But why?" She asked.

"Minerva is worried about you. And she's worried about your symptoms. Therefore you'll sleep with me so that someone can monitor you and be there if something happens," said Severus.

"Okay. I wish you would all stop fussing, though," said Hermione.

"We do it because we care. We worry about you.  Is that so wrong?" Asked Severus as he leaned against the table.

Hermione sighed.

"I guess not," said Hermione with a shrug.

"Good because if you have a problem with us caring then we might have an issue," said Severus as he turned to walk her out.

"I wish it would be easier. Then you all wouldn't have to worry so much," said Hermione as she took his hand.

"We still have a long way to go for that to happen," said Severus,"seven months is a long time. So much can happen."

Hermione smiled. He had a point.

"Well then I suppose I'll see you tonight?" She asked.

"I suppose so," said Severus.

Hermione nodded as she turned to walk out.

She thought better of it as she planted a kiss on Severus' cheek.

"I'm going to be late," she said as she turned around.

And walked smack into Draco Malfoy.