"Her-Hermione?!" Pansy said hoarsely, and then before Hermione could react, Pansy dropped the stool and flung herself into Hermione's arms. As Hermione struggled to find her feet, huge, agonising sobs wracked Pansy. Hermione could feel Pansy's ribs through the back of the hospital gown, and despite Pansy being several inches taller, Hermione easily held up the distraught woman. Not knowing what to do with this bawling woman who she assumed hated her, Hermione slid to the ground and held Pansy like a baby, smoothing her hair and encouraging her to breathe. It took nearly twenty minutes to calm Pansy down to the point of lucid hiccoughing. Pansy suddenly sat up, dragging a hand across her face, and smoothed her hair back.