Straight A's
a Harry Potter story
by Hermione Eveningfall
Harry Potter wasn't expecting it at all. It had come on him so suddenly, that it was almost ridiculous. He'd woken up early on the first morning of final exams, completely stuffed up, and his throat sore. He had a bit of a fever as well, but with Madame Pomfrey's pepperup potion, he was able to keep his symptoms at bay.
It was hard to believe the last day of term had come already. He lay on one of the red couches in the Gryffindor dormitory, waiting for his girlfriend, Hermione Granger, to arrive. Checking the clock on the wall, she should be done with Professor Vector's arithmancy exam in ten minutes. Ron was currently packing up his things in his dormitory, and Harry was trying his best to rest his eyes before the departure home.
"Huh...eh...eh...huhESHHHH! HahESHHH!" he snapped forward, sneezing into the crook of his elbow, groaning at the pounding ache in his head. He felt terrible physically, and even emotionally, because when he wasn't in class, he was sound asleep. Hermione did not really see him too much that week, and he couldn't wait to see her smile as she entered the common room. He felt his eyes drooping as he tried to keep his focus on the copy of Quidditch through the ages on his lap.
"HuhKESHHH! Unh." He reached into the pocket of his robes, finding the pack of tissues Hermione gave him the previous day. Just as he finished blowing his nose, he heard the portrait of the fat lady slide open, and heard the sound of shoes clattering along the little stone pathway that led to the common room.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed as she noticed him, and he managed a small smile as she threw herself into his arms. He held her tight, resting his cheek againt her shoulder.
"Long time no see," he teased, kissing her forehead. She reached over to feel his forehead, and frowned.
"Running a fever again, Harry." She gave him a kiss in return.
"Well, the potion doesn't last forever you know." He sniffed, rubbing his nose. "Though I'm sneezing more often, which I guess is a good thing. I heard that means that you're recovering sometimes."
Hermione smiled, playing with the corner of his robe. "I'm so relieved final exams are done." She rested against him, and he held her tight.
"How did you do?" he asked, closing his eyes.
"Oh, I did perfectly as usual." She winked. "I got full points for all of them. I did exceptionally well with herbology this year. I really have to thank Neville for helping me study for it."
Harry chuckled. "Good for you." He coughed. "Ugh. It figures I'm sick this week. The Dursleys'll have a field day with me when I get back."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "I really wish you could come and stay with me for the summer holiday," she said. "It would definitely be quite a fun time."
Harry snorted. "Maybe I can sneak into the car with you and your parents after crossing the barrier," he whispered.
Hermione giggled. "I'd like that," she told him with a wink. "But I really wouldn't want to cause trouble with your Aunt and Uncle. Besides, I'm sure Dumbledore would rather you stayed with them for the time being. Especially after what happened."
Harry wet his lips. He couldn't believe Sirius was really gone, and he couldn't believe Dumbledore had allowed the final exams to continue on as usual. He felt his throat choking up with tears, though he tried desparately to hold them back. "I really miss him, Hermione," he croaked, and she wrapped her arms around him.
"I know," she breathed. "I know you do." She released her grasp. "But you know he'll always be watching over you, Harry."
He managed a weak smile. "Yeah," he whispered. "It's just... it's not the same." He sniffled, looking down at his lap. "Hermione, I've really appreciated your being here for me. You and Ron have been great, you know."
Hermione smiled back at him. "You know we'll always be here for you, Harry."
He was about to hug her again, when he felt another urge to sneeze. "HuhKESHHH! HehKUSHHH!"
Hermione cringed as he blew his nose again. "Bless you," she told him with a smirk. "Well, are you all packed?" she added, and he gave a nod, clearing his nose once more. "Then you can rest for the next hour and a half until the feast, all right?"
He nodded, rubbing her shoulders. "But I'd appreciate it if you'd snuggle with me," he whispered, and she blushed.
"Now Harry," she scolded. "I'm a prefect, and really shouldn't be doing this in front of other students! I'm only letting myself sit on your lap here, because no one except Ron is around."
Harry snorted. "I just haven't seen you for so long," he whined, and Hermione rolled her eyes, pecking a kiss on his cheek.
"Oh please, Harry. It's been two days. And we've both had good reason." She tapped his nose. "I'm going to go and finish packing my trunk," she added, "and I'll come with you to dinner if you're feeling better."
Harry let her up, and gave a small wave while watching her leave. He was truly lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend; one of the luckiest in the world.
The characters names and places do not belong to me. They are the property of J.K. Rowling, and I am merely using them for my own enjoyment. I promise to return them!