Always

9

Hermione collapsed in a pile on the floor, unconscious. Ron and Harry ran over to her. 

"Ron, go get help!" Harry yelled. Ron sprinted out of the common room and almost rammed into Ginny, who was coming through the entrance. She gave Harry a confused look and then saw Hermione.

"Oh my gosh! What happened?" Ginny screamed, running over to Hermione.

"She collapsed on the floor. Ron went to go get help. She came back later than us with a gigantic bruise on her back. She tried to insist she was fine, and then she collapsed," Harry quickly explained. Ginny looked back and forth between Harry and Hermione, unsure of what to do. Hermione started to stir. She opened her eyes. "Hermione? Are you okay?" Harry asked her urgently. She didn't answer.

"Oh good. It is only a mini attack. Not nearly as dangerous. Dangerous, but not life threatening." Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Hermione? HERMIONE! Answer me! Please say something! Anything!" Harry cried.

"She isn't going to answer you, Harry. This is what happens. She can't respond or move or anything. It's almost like she's paralyzed. Sometimes you'll get a whimper or a twitch or something, but that is about it," Ginny said calmly, grabbing Harry's hand. Then, they both looked at their intertwined hands and both let go. Both were embarrassed. "Sorry," Ginny whispered. Harry shook his head. He looked like he was going to say something, but he stayed quiet. Ginny looked at him expectantly. He looked at her for a moment, and then hugged her. She was stiff at first, but then she relaxed.

"I love you, and not just as a friend. I wish it was you I was taking to the ball." Harry whispered, his head resting on top of her fiery orange hair. 

Ginny was silent for a few moments. "Me too," she whispered back, and then gasped. Harry released her from his embrace. A look of sadness filled Ginny's eyes. "Harry, I'm so sorry. I...I don't know what I was thinking," she said, looking up into Harry's eyes, searching for a reaction. Harry just turned to Hermione.

"When is Ron going to get here?" Harry sighed. His prayers were answered almost immediately. Madame Pomfrey and Ron burst through the entrance to the common room.

"How long ago did she go under?" Madame Pomfrey asked urgently.

"Uh, about five minutes ago," Harry muttered. Madame Pomfrey breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh good. We still have some time. It looks like only a miniature attack, also, which helps," she said. "Okay, Redheads, help me carry her to the hospital wing. Potter, go to Dumbledore's office and tell him to meet me in the hospital wing immediately. The password is Sherbet Lemon. After that report straight to class. No detours. Go. NOW!" she started barking out orders to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Harry took one last look at Hermione. Her eyes were open, but there were glassy and flat instead of full of life like they normally were.

"See you later, Hermione," said Harry, leaning down next to her. "Please get better," he whispered, then took off to Dumbledore's office.

Harry raced down the hall towards Dumbledore's office. When he reached the entrance, he practically screamed SHERBET LEMON at the gargoyle that guarded his office. Harry bolted up the stairs and into Dumbledore's office. 

"Sir," he panted, "Hermione....Madame Pomfrey.....hospital wing....go......" Harry put his hands on his knees, out of breath. He looked up and saw Dumbledore, who looked slightly amused, talking with Professor Sprout. "Oh, Sir, I'm sorry. I didn't realize..." Harry trailed off.

"Oh, it's fine," Dumbledore waved it off. "I was just finishing up a conversation with Professor Sprout here about some new mandrakes we will be receiving. Besides, your news sound much more interesting than whatever Professor Sprout had to say," Dumbledore said, "No offense, Professor Sprout."