My Gift To You

Chapter 9

Thank you to all my loyal readers who have continued to follow me with my writing.

I can't say thank you enough. Book 1 was a hit and this one is heading that way too.

Love you all,

Hope you're enjoying the story.

Remember to vote or comment your thoughts.

Nici

♡♡♡

Hermione walked to breakfast the next morning by herself.

Everyone threw her odd glances before walking ahead.

She sighed. Her friends were ignoring her and the rest of the school was talking about her.

As she entered the Great Hall she noticed Harry and Ron. She walked over to them.

As they saw her approach, they looked uneasy.

"Hey," she said shyly.

They looked at her but stayed silent.

"Hermione, we can't go on like this," said Harry.

"What do you mean?" Asked Hermione as she sat.

"Secrets, Hermione. You've had a few of them. If we're going to be friends, it has to stop," said Harry as he pushed his food around.

"Okay, but considering how you reacted, can you really blame me?" Asked Hermione with a frown.

"Maybe if you told us in the first place, it wouldn't have gotten to that," said Harry as he looked her in the eyes.

Hermione looked at Ron. He had his head lowered so as not to look at her.

"Ron?" She asked as she reached for his hand.

Ron pulled it away and looked at her. His eyes held all the hurt he was hiding.

"Go hold your boyfriend's hand,"he said as he stood.

"Ron, please," Hermione begged.

"Just...don't," said Ron as he walked away.

Hermione looked at Harry with pleading eyes.

"Harry, can't you get him to cool off?" Asked Hermione.

"Sorry. He's pissed. I told yesterday, I'm not fixing this mess," said Harry.

"Come on!" She pleaded.

Harry shook his head.

"Sorry. I have to go," he said as he left her sitting alone.

Hermione got up and went outside.

Stupid boys. They never understood. She shook her head as she headed to the field.

She stopped about halfway there as she felt dizzy. She reached for something, anything to steady her.

Her thoughts raced through her head. Surely she drank her pills...right? Hermione panicked as she tried to remember as best she could.

She collapsed onto the grass. This was not happening. She was not going through this.  Not now...

She put her head in her hands. As much as she wanted to believe that, she was going through this. She wished Severus would find her.

Then again, he had no reason to be out there. No one did. She sobbed as she realised she would be waiting a long time before someone found her.

She felt herself weaken. She didn't have time to wait. Hermione tried to stand. Her legs were too weak.

She sobbed even more as she got frustrated. She knew what was going to happen. She knew there was nothing she could do about it.

Hermione felt her head start spinning. She didn't have alot of time. She tried one last time as darkness enveloped her.

***

Severus walked through the halls looking for Hermione. He entered the Great Hall.

She wasn't there either. Where the hell was she?

He had searched the entire castle for her. He turned toward the main doors.

Surely she didn't?

He picked up his pace as he walked through the door in search of Hermione.

He went through every outside corridor, every hidden alcove.

He was about to change course when he noticed something. Someone with a Gryffindor uniform. Someone with wild hair. His stomach dropped.

He picked up his pace as he panicked.

He ran as fast as he could. If she was hurt...

He pushed the thought from his mind as he skidded to a stop next to her. He knelt down and turned her to face him.

She seemed okay. Except for her being bloody unconcious. Her breathing was deep and steady.

He lifted her to his lap. He wouldn't get her to the infirmary quickly enough by running. And he'd just rattle her that way.

Severus wrapped his coat around her gently. He concentrated on apparating to the infirmary.

Nothing happened. His mind wasn't clear. He shook his head so as to focus his thoughts.

"Don't worry," he said as he reached for her face," I'll get you to the infirmary. Both of you. I'll keep you safe."

He sighed. He had said it to her but he did so to comfort himself. He had to.

He closed his eyes and pictured where he wanted to be. He felt a pulling sensation.

Pop!

He opened his eyes. They had made it.

"Poppy," he said barely above a whisper.

"Oh dear, what now?" Poppy said as she rushed to ready a bed.

Severus lay her down. She turned her head and stilled again.

"I don't know how..." Severus stumbled over his words.

"Did she take her supplements?" Asked Poppy as she checked her.

"I don't know. She usually does. She was up before me so I just assumed she has," said Severus.

He cursed under his breath. Why hadn't he asked her? Why hadn't he made sure?

Hermione lay lifeless except for her chest rising and falling.

"If she didn't take them and she worked herself up...It would explain all this," said Poppy with a sigh.

Severus sat in the chair he had gotten used to. He had sat here so many times before. Just when he right everything would be alright, he was stuck her again. In that bloody chair! 

"Will she be okay?" Asked Severus softly.

"I hope so," said Poppy,"I'll have to do a scan to be sure, though."

"Do it,"Severus said in a panic.

He had to know they were both okay. He needed that comfort.

"Okay," said Poppy as she rushed to get the necessary equipment.

Severus leaned in and looked at Hermione with a sad expression.

"You'll be okay," he said as he brushed her hair out of her face,"You'll both be okay."

He sighed.

"I love you, Hermione. Don't give up on me now," he said as his voice broke and a tear escaped his eye.