The Music Box

Hermione woke up and opened her eyes. The blindfolds had been removed and she could see perfectly now. She looked around only to see the white curtains covering her bed. She watched her bedside table and saw some chocolate frogs and a book. Probably from Harry and Ron, she thought wisely. Then she noticed an antique wood box she had never seen before. She grabbed it and began to examine it. It looked like an ordinary box, with a silver lock. She tried to open it but it was locked and as she began to search for the key, she found it inside the bedside table drawer. It had a thin silver strap around it, making it look more like a necklace.

She opened the box, and what she heard next made her jaw drop. A beautiful sound was coming out from what was obviously a music box. She saw two dancers holding and rotating like they were dancing at the sound of the music. Looking closely at the figures she noticed that the girl, with wild brown hair and an ink stain on her cheek, looked much like her. But if she looked closely, the small boy looked like…

Hermione heard the infirmary door open and quickly hid the box in the drawer, and threw the silver cord around her neck, hiding the key under her shirt.

Harry and Ron pushed the curtains away and looked at her smiling.

“Glad you’re back, Hermione!” said Harry.

“Yes, we thought you’d be asleep for a month at least, from what Madame Pomfrey said to us.” Ron sat at the border of the bed. “You’ll need to catch up on all the essays!” Ron said with a sly look on his face.

“Oh no! I missed a lot of classes!” Hermione shrieked, making both boys jump from surprise.

“Don’t worry, Hermione. We’ve collected all the subjects and essay themes from the time you’ve been in the infirmary, Harry replied.

“So… Madam Pomfrey already told me what happened, but I still don’t know who did it…”

Suddenly Ron’s face turned sour. “It was that git.”

“Who?”

“Malfoy,” answered Harry.

“Why did he throw a Bludger at my head?” asked Hermione, astonished.

“I think it was meant for me.” Harry folded his arms. “But maybe that stupid blond hair covered up his jerk face for a moment and he missed it.”

“It was because of the Quidditch match,” Ron said before Hermione could open her mouth.

“Malfoy wanted to knock Harry out of combat.”

“And then what happened?” She lay against her pillow, staring at the ceiling.

“You passed out and we carried you here,” Ron answered.

“And what happened to Malfoy?” Tears were now streaming down her cheeks. Why am I crying?

“He just stared at you in shock I think.” Harry was sounding rather sombre now. “And then we heard a rumour… but we don’t believe it.”

“What rumour?” She was curious now.

“That he… felt sorry about what he had done to you.”

Hermione thought for a little bit. What she had just seen in that music box… it couldn’t be… he would never do that… not him.

“Sorry, you two but I need to sleep a little. I feel very tired.” She tried to smile. “Thank you for the presents.”

“Bye Hermione, we will come to visit you,” Harry said as he pulled the curtains to cover her bed.

“Bye Hermione. Rest well.”