Ok so 2nd Anniv fanfic. This is Jaded Emerald. Don't know how long this will run. Based on actual experience. But anyhoo . . .

The Knight in Shining Armor

This. Major. Sucks.

I'm here in the hospital wing diagnosed with influenza (they call it Selffert Syndrome), practically bedridden and therefore unable to attend my classes. This sucks. Bad.

"Hey," called a familiar voice. It was Ron. "How're you feeling?"

"Bad," I replied. Then I began ranting. "I mean, I've missed three whole days of school, my headache won't go away, I can barely sit up and I'm stuck here with no one."

"Hey, hey, relax," he said putting a hand on my arm to prevent me from trying to sit up. "Don't stress yourself out. Harry'll be here a moment."

"Speaking of him," I began, "he told me Professor Vector told you that we had homework."

"Uh . . . yeah," he said. His hands were shaking.

"Ron, don't tell me . . . ?"

"Actually . . . I did."

My blood began boiling and my head pounded harder.

"Ron," I said, exasperated. I banged my head on the pillow. I've been doing nothing for three days, but I still feel tired. I began ranting again. "Do you think I want to be here? Do you think I like missing classes and homework? If I could go back to class right now I would 'coz I'm not . . . argh!" My head was too much to bear.

"Look, if it helps, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," I said hopelessly. An awkward silence stretched between us.

"I should probably go now," Ron said. He ruffled my hair with a sheepish smile. "Um, er . . . goodbye."

I raised my hand and wiggled my fingers in farewell before he walked out.

This is, like, the third time he forgot the fact that I can't be my usual hyper-brainy self because of this stupid flu.

I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me to calm myself again. There was a faint voice lecturing, quills scribbling . . . and footsteps approaching. My eyes flew open.

"Hey. Thought you were asleep," said Harry with a genuine smile, but still with sincere concern in his eyes. "Feeling any better?"

"Not really," I replied. "I feel absolutely awful."

"Ron?" he asked with a sigh. I nodded. "Thought so." He began searching in his knapsack. "Here," he handed me a thick roll of parchment. "I knew Ron would forget so I asked every one of your teachers for homework this week.

"Harry, you are honestly the most wonderful individual ever," I said with relief. "I owe you one."

"No you don't," he argued. "I'm supposed to do that. Best friend, remember?" He pointed to himself.

"Well, I'm sure I'll be able to repay you once I'm out of this jail cell," I looked around the empty room, "and able to do homework properly again."

We smiled warmly at each other.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked, still with concern.

"Much, but there's this thing that I really, really, wanna do . . ." I said.

"Anything?"

I hesitated a moment. "Well, I hate to punch Ron since I might hurt him much more than I would intend to . . . so . . . can I punch you?"

Harry smiled crookedly to himself and rolled up his sleeve. "Give it your best shot," he challenged, sitting down on my bed.

I thought of my previous conversation with Ron and let that anger flow to my clenched fist instead of my head and fired at Harry. "Did that hurt?" I asked.

"Not much," he replied.

"Can I do it again?" I asked. He smiled to himself again and let me punch him two more times.

"Better?" he asked.

"Very much," I replied. "Thanks."

"No prob," he said with another smile, rolling down his sleeve and preparing to leave. "Get well soon, okay? Don't think of anything. You have to be better when I come back."

"Yes, big brother," I teased with a mock salute. He kissed me lightly on the forehead before walking out.

It took one Ron Weasley to ruin my day and it took one Harry Potter to turn it back the way it was. And maybe even a bit better.

*

Two days later, the flu was finally gone. Ron was amazed to see that I was top of everything as soon as I came back, since he knew what he did.

"Hey, how did you do that? Why do you have those assignments ready on time?" he asked, marveled.

"Because some best friends don't need to be told what to do," I replied a little coldly.

"Look, I'm really sorry," he said.

"I forgive you Ron," I replied and just when he was about to say something, I spoke first. "And no, I'm not mad at you. I guess not all of the annoyance had worn off just yet."

Everyone was glad to see that I was back. We were all high at History of Magic.

"Okay, class settle down, settle down!" Binns was shouting over the din. We had all settled down, but still, everyone was feeling hyper. "Good. Now, who can tell me what actually happened during the goblin revolution in 1072?"

As usual, my hand was in the air first.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"The goblins created their own parliamentary government. Their first prime minister was Goshwack the Great."

"Marvelous! Marvelous! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Binns said.

Everyone was clapping enthusiastically. I even bowed with a smug smile. Gryffindors and Slytherins alike were cheering, whooping and whistling.

But there was one statement that stood out above the rest.

"I love you, Hermione!" Someone shouted.

"I love you, too!" I said in my sweetest voice possible, thinking it was Harry or Ron or Neville or . . . whoever else who would not think so maliciously.

But it wasn't. Everyone was staring at me, their mouths open. I had assumed wrong.

It was Malfoy who had said it.

Damn this life.

*

"Hey, sugar!" Draco teased as I passed by him. I bottled my anger, but inevitably, the cork popped out as soon as I got to the Common Room.

"He is such a stupid git!" I ranted, my arms folded across my chest.

"Come on, give him a rest, will you?" Ron said. What wrong words to say.

"GO ON! SIDE WITH HIM THEN!" I bellowed.

"Hey, hey," Harry said in a more soothing voice. "Nobody messes with my Hermione."

I smiled a little. I wanted to laugh. "Thanks." His? Since when have I been his? Maybe he was just playing around with me or something.

Harry checked his watch, "Oh crap," he said. "I've got to go to the library for the leadership meeting. I'll catch you guys later, okay?"

"Bye," I said. He smiled.

I followed Harry with my eyes as he walked out of the door. Ron was eyeing me weirdly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked.

"Once again, you're puzzling me," he said.

"Huh?"

"How do you do that?" he asked with genuine awe. "Make guys fall for you left right and center?"

"Shut up, Ron," I said with a laugh. I hit his head lightly before going up the stairs to my dormitory.

His Hermione. Something about the way that sounds tickles me.

But, no matter. I will push that conversation to the back of my head after I finish writing it in my journal.

I really really promise to update soon. xDD :)