Because of the Rat

Hospital Wing

The Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was filled with uproar as the students were lined through the lengthy tables. Chatterings and cheering were the celebrations of the Slytherins because they had just won the Quidditch cup a few hours ago. All were eating fine and peaceful, enjoying themselves a scrumptious dinner except for the Gryffindors, especially Hermione Granger.

"How could Draco Malfoy win against Harry Potter?" She still could not accept the fact that the ferret, spoiled brat Draco has really won the game. "I'm sure he must've used magic to cheat against you,  Harry. It was all part of his evil plan" She spat.

But Harry, on the other hand, gazed at her like he's already accepted today's fate.

"No, Hermione, Malfoy played our game fair and square and he actually won against me. He was really eager to win your bet, maybe." He took another bite of his roasted chicken as its delicious flavours spread through his mouth.

Ron turned and looked at Hermione. He noticed how her facial expression changed from annoyed to calm in just a quick flick of a wand, then he continued drinking water from his golden goblet.

The Slytherin table was so high-spirited; cherishing their moment of celebration, everyone were cheerful and delighted. After two-consecutive years, they have finally earned the Quidditch Cup, again!

Hermione's sight swiftly scanned their population, but she couldn't seem to find the certain someone she was searching for. No sight of the blonde-haired boy, the one who caught the Quidditch Cup.

After what seemed like an hour or two, dinner time has already been consumed up and the students were to head back to their houses to call that a night. One after another, and another,  they stood up from their finished plates, proceeding to leave the Great Hall.

But the Gryffindor brunette had another thing on her mind; going back to their tower immediately was not on her list.

"Ron, Harry, you two go on without me, I-- I needed to go to the bathroom." Hermione said as she walked to the opposite direction to where the boys and the rest were going. Immediately, her petite figure disappeared from their view, darkness eating her away.

"Harry," Ron frowned, "isn't the girl's bathroom this way, too?" Questioned Ron who can't remove his eyes on the direction Hermione went into. He only received a shrugging of shoulders as a reply as they went along, discarding the silly thoughts from their minds by talking about their favorite topic-- Quidditch.

Darkness roamed through the corridors as usual this time of the night. Students aren't really supposed to be walking down there, but Hermione was brave enough to explore the castle all by herself, forgetting she'd be breaking quite a few school rules.

Finally, she reached her destination- the Hospital Wing. It had been a challenge for seeing through the dark, yet she had entered quietly and began tiptoeing slowly. She had done with all her might to be quite, afraid that she might wake up the only person that's sleeping soundly on one of the hospital wing beds.

The rays of the moonlight lit up the features of his face ever so lightly, but still enough for her to make out the figure. To her bewilderment, Draco Malfoy was awake. In fact, he still hasn't had any decent sleep yet. He stared at the girl as she walked towards him, fully recognizing her despite the darkness around her.

"Granger." His tone didn't sound at all pleased, yet it doesn't sound like annoyed either which caused Hermione to stop in her tracks, but exactly in front his bed.

"Why-- you should've been sleeping." Hermione had her hand on her waist.

"And you shouldn't be here." He replied as he saw her hid her embarrased face from him by standing a bit closer to the dark side.