Nine months

September

A revelation

Annoyingly, I still didn't feel better the next morning- if anything, I felt worse. As soon as I opened my eyes I felt like I was going to be sick, and ran to the toilet, pushing past my mum on the way.

"Mum" I moaned, resting my head on the bowl of the toilet weakly. "Mum, I don't feel well."

I didn't often say that- I didn't like to involve other people in my problems or worry about them, but I didn't care right at that moment. She came rushing in, all sympathies and questions I couldn't answer. 

Dad, the only calm member of the family left joined the scene, drawn in by all the shouting. "Berta, stop flapping. She's just ill."

"But she's never ill, are you, Darling?" asked Mum, fanatically. "How can you get on the train like this?"

"I'm fine!" I said suddenly, alarmed. "It's probably a bug or something. The professors will sort me out."

"See, she's fine" assured Dad, as I stood up, flushed the toilet and washed out my mouth. Dad put his arm around me- he was strict, but I knew he cared really. "Don't worry. Hermione, come downstairs and take a travel sickness tablet- that might help in the long run." I nodded, and followed him down to the kitchen, smoothing out my skirt to at least try and look presentable before I left. 

(~~~)

At King's cross, Mum bustled me up to the first year's queue, which was pretty embarrassing with my Head girl badge on, and located McGonagall. "Miss! Miss, excuse me, could I speak to you for one minute?"

The lady in question slowly looked down at us, her eyes squinting when she recognised who I was, probably surprised I wasn't an overly anxious Muggle-born. "Mrs Granger, I presume? What is it you wanted to say?"

"Hermione isn't feeling very well," she told her, and I blushed under the stares. "She's been sick this morning, and she wasn't very well yesterday either. Can you keep half an eye on her on the train? I don't want her to be taken poorly again."

"Mum" I hissed. "Please, I'll be fine, please just go" McGonagall nodded at her, and my mother took the heavy hint, barging her way back through the crowds after giving me one last hug that made me heave. I turned back to my head of house sheepishly. "I'm sorry. She worries a lot. You don't need to fuss, I'm fine, Miss."

"I can't look after you as efficiently as your mother may wish as we're in different compartments. Go to Mrs Weasley, you should be able to see her amongst the crowds."

"Please no" I whimpered, inwardly melting with embarrassment. I remembered from a Muggle book that your stomach flares up when you blush and increases in temperature as much as your face. I imagined that if I'd had that egg, it would have been reduced to ashes. "I hate the fuss. I'll be fine, I promise."

"Alright, you're old enough to look after yourself. But, Granger," she called after me as I turned to leave. "When we get off at Hogwarts, take responsibility and go to the Infirmary. You really don't look well."

I nodded, and walked to the perfect compartments, meeting Ron and Harry (who had recently been elected the Quidditch Captain and therefore got to sit with us) and the Ravenclaw prefects- Terry Boot and Padma Patil, plus their Quidditch Captain Roger Davies. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw shared a compartment, and Hufflepuff and Slytherin did too, as they found this was the best combination.

"Hermione! How are you?" I looked at the blue-clad students, but they were deep into their own conversations, and I hoped they wouldn't overhear us. "We didn't see you all summer!"

"Hi, Ron" I sighed, sitting down on the seat they'd saved for me. As if by magic, the train slowly chugged to life, and I nursed my churning stomach. "I've been... good. I'm sorry I didn't see you, I was caught up in work and my Muggle friends insisted I spent the summer with them because I'll be moving next year."