TITLE: Fight a Good Fight

SUMMARY: Hermione was seriously injured in the fight that she had with Millicent Bulstrode in Chambers of Secrets. She's fighting for her life in the hospital wing. How will the rest of Hogwarts and her parents get through this tragedy?

CATEGORY: Friendship/ Family/ Hurt/Comfort/ Crime/ Drama/ Romance/ Angst/ Spiritual/ Tragedy

RATING: T

CHAPTER ONE

DUEALING CLUB

A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene. Both Neville and Justin were lying on the floor panting; Ron was holding up an ashen – faced Seamus; apologizing for whatever his broken wand had done; but Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode were still moving; Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione was whimpering in pain; both their wands lay forgotten on the floor Harry leapt forward and pulled Millicent off. It was difficult: she was a lot bigger than he was.

-- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Pge 192 American paper back edition

THE GREAT HALL

The noise coming from the Great Hall drew her towards the stairs. What trouble has Lockhart done now! I knew this dueling club was too dangerous for the students. Even with Severus there to over see it. What was Albus thinking? The man thinks the best of everyone; but even he surely can see when someone is a danger to other people. Especially Harry. She frowned darkly as she moved even more quickly down the stairs. He's the one who left him with THOSE people – even after I told him the sort they were. Well I have enough …. I mean Lockhart!

She reached the closed double doors of the Great Hall and pushed. She looked outraged as she realized the doors were locked. Stepping back as she pulled out her wand. With a quick swing she flicked her hand at the door. Stepping back up to the door; she pushed once more. "Bloody Hell!" She stormed. "Lockhart!"

She stepped back and with her wand she said complicated spells and the Great Hall doors slammed opened. What was before her was complete chaos. Students were black and blue, bloody faces, sweaty, dishevel. But that wasn't the worse of it, no the worse was two female students fighting – no holds barred with Potter trying to pull one off of the other!

A Slytherin and her very own Gryffindor. Her eyes widened in deep shock. This was no ordinary Gyffindor – no: this was Hermione Granger! Her own personal pet. Hermione had a terrified look in her eyes – as she tried to back away from the larger Millicent Bulstrode; Potter unsuccessfully continued to try to keep Millicent from Hermione.

Lockhart and Snape were both busy undoing charms to most of the students – that they had yet to notice the danger that Hermione was in.

"STOP!" Her voice bellowed through the room. Everything stopped expect Millicent's attack on Hermione.

Millicent had successfully gotten Hermione flat on the floor – and was presiding beating her senseless. Harry was desperately trying to pull the larger and stronger girl off.

"P-p-please stop." Hermione kept begging. Her voice coming more husky and soft as each blow hit her. She tried to cover her body from the blows – but there were so many and quick that she couldn't cover her body in time. She was always a second behind.

Her wand managed to point at Millicent – her spell hit the girl: knocking her off Hermione, just as Millicent connected with the blow that knocked Hermione out.

"HERMIONE!" Ron screamed as he rushed past her to fall beside his fallen best friend.

Harry had all ready knelt down when Millicent got knocked off – he had quickly checked her pulse. "Her pulse is very, very weak. It's skipping two beats to one. Oh my God, Hermione, you can't leave me. Not yet, not like this. You promised that we would grow old together. That we would be a trio for always. This can't be always." Tears fell unheeded down his checks.

"Don't worry everyone, I'll tend to Miss. Granger. Why with a simple spell she'll be right as rain." Lockhart said in a high chipper voice, as he made his way over to the trio.

"You did enough, Lockhart." Snape snared as he jerked Lockhart backwards. "Tend to the other students." With that he rushed over to the trio. "We must get her to the hospital wing."

Harry and Ron silently stood up and moved out of the way. Snape quickly and gently picked Hermione up and rushed from the Great Hall.

"Potter! Wesley! Meet me outside the hospital wing. You may not enter until I arrive." Without watching the boys leave, she continued, "Whomever needs the hospital wing – go. But you will have to wait. Miss. Granger comes first."

The students left. "All of you who are not in need of medical attentions – than go to your houses. If any of you are seen out of your houses after ten minutes time – than ten points will be taken."

"Millicent go to Dumbledore's office. He's waiting for you. Flitch will escort you." Flitch waved Millicent passed him.

"Well, I see you have everything under control, Minerva, so I'll be getting back to my rooms." Lockhart said with a huge smile plastered on his face.

"Lockhart, how dare you cause harm to a student!" Minerva hissed through her nose.

"I'm sorry, Minerva, truly I am. I never meant for this to happen." Lockhart said in a sincerely. But than his true self returned. "If Snape had only allowed Mr. Potter to duel with Miss. Granger than ….."

Minerva's wand raised and pointed at Lockhart's face. "Get out of my sight … before I forget myself and do an unforgivable curse!"

"I know you are upset, Minerva, you have every right to be. But my dear, you shouldn't lose your head like this. Miss. Granger will quite be all right. She just got bruised up is all – and a bump on her head." Lockhart said with a smile – but he backed away from her nerveless.

Seeing that she wasn't going to calm down he quickly left.

Minerva slowly brought her wand down. She took a few moments to rid her body of the deep shakes that had overcome her on Lockhart's depture. With her back straight, shoulders back and head up – she turned and left the Great Hall.

HOSPITAL WING

Minerva paused at the end of the hallway. She was shocked at how upset everyone looked. Yes, the injured students were in pain; but pain wasn't in their eyes. No. It was more sorrowful and deadly. Her heart stopped. Stop thinking like this, Minerva McGongall. Hermione will be fine. It will just take a little time and rest, is all. Hermione Jane Granger will be fine.

She made her way past the students and stopped in front of Harry and Ron. Her heart broke at the heart broken and shaken looks in their eyes. "She'll be fine, boys, Hermione is strong and a fighter."

"She shouldn't have been paired off with Millicent. I should have stood my ground and told Snape that she was to be my partner." Harry said his arms wrapping tightly across his chest. "This is my entire fault."

"Mr. Potter ….." Minerva said in a stern tight voice.

"Please, Professor McGongall, I mean no disrespect, but, I can't be talked out of this guilt." Harry shook his head and lowered his head. "Not this time."

"Harry." Minerva softly said as she put her hand on his right shoulder.

"We need to go in and see how Hermione is." Harry said as he lifted his eyes.

Minerva nodded and squeezed his shoulder. "This isn't over, Harry, we will talk about this."

Harry silently pulled away.

Minerva moved to the door, she pushed it opened. Harry and Ron followed her in. She looked sternly at them and nodded to the beds opposite from the bed where Hermione was being attended too. Far from Snape as possible. The boys silently obeyed with dark looks at Snape.

Snape sighed as Minerva stopped beside him. "I didn't mean for this to happen when I ordered Miss. Granger and Miss. Bulstrode as dueling partners, Minerva." Sighing, "I should have put her with Mr. Wesley, but I wanted the golden trio to be separated. Let them fight their own battles for a change."

"They are only twelve Serveus, they aren't ready yet." Minerva softly said so the boys couldn't overhear. "Albus had explained this to you, when you came to teach at Hogwarts."

"I take full blame for this mess." Serveus said.

"No! Millicent is solely to blame. She's the one to allow her temper to get the best of her. Only her do I blame for Hermione's condition." Minerva hissed turning her eyes back to the curtains that separated her from her favorite student.

Pompey came around the curtain with a deep line of concern. "She's in very poor condition. Her parents must be sent for. The sooner the better."

"NOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

Minerva never knew who's piteous heartbreak cry it was. No one else knew either.

The swinging doors opened and Albus came in. "I have all ready informed Gilbert and Anna Granger. They will arrive with Arthur and Molly late tonight. They have given full consent on the treatment that Hermione needs. They also gave us full consent on knowing exactly Hermione's true condition."

"She's in a deep coma." Pompey stated without feeling. "Four broken ribs, two on sides, broken jaw, broken right arm, sprained left ankle, broken left wrist, enlarged spleen. I'm mostly worried about the spleen."

Minerva's soul broke. She fought the tears that threatened to fall. It wouldn't be seemly if her students saw her weakling.

"Broken right check bone, black eye, fat lip." Pompey continued to rattle off. "The back of her head was cracked open – I had to stitch it up." Tears fell freely down her checks. "She's in God's hands now, because truly only a miracle can save her now."

"May we see her?" Harry chocking asked.

"Albus ….." Pompey looked at the head master.

Albus looked at everyone in turn. "From this point on we must be positive as we are in this room. Hermione can still fell all the emotions – although she won't respond. At least not for a while. No negativity. Only positive. You may be sad – but remain steady fast hopeful. Hermione Jane Granger will survive this. It will take time – but she will come back to us."

He led the way to the curtains and gently pulled the barrier away. Minerva's heart came to her throat. Pompey had set Hermione up to muggle medical machines. Tubes were up her nose and down her throat. Plastic cups were on her chest, coming out of her night grown. On one of her fingers a plastic thing was taped on. The machines were making beeping sounds.

Minerva went to the chair that was to the right of her and across from the machines. She sat down and gently put her hand on top of Hermione's still and pale one. "I'll stay until her mum arrives."

"Boys, you can only stay a few minutes. Hermione needs her rest." Albus said.

Ron walked over and looked down at his fallen best friend. "I'm so sorry, Hermione, I should have stayed closer to you. But you have to get better real soon. Who else gets after me about my study habits? Or the lack of them." He raised his hand just barley touching the side of her face. He stepped back.

Harry took his place. "I'm so sorry, Hermione, I should have been stronger and been your partner." Tears ran down his checks. "I'll make this up to you. Somehow." He left the hospital wing without another word.

On last longly look and Ron followed him out.

Serveus just silently stared at the fallen Hermione Granger, he turned and left the wing stiffly.

"I'll bring the Grangers in when they get here." Albus said. He turned to Hermione. "Fight a good fight, Hermione. This is truly up to you and God. Whatever you decide will be all right with the rest of us." With that Albus left the wing.

"I should not have allowed you to take part in the dueling club, especially not with Lockhart in charge. I should have known that Serveus would take great pleasure in tearing you, Harry and Ron apart." Minerva's voice finally broke. "I should have been there to protect you, dear. I should have realized …." Her head bowed to rest next to Hermione's head on the white pillow. Minerva McGongall broke.

END CHAPTER ONE

Author's Note: Wow I wrote this chapter in a middle of chaos myself. I just had a kitchen being gutted out; plus I had to deal with having that room totally blocked out, plus the garage. I had to find a way to feed the dog, the dog food and the water dish is in the garage, plus I had a houseful of kids, two ten year olds, an eight year old and a three year old. Homework had to be done, getting ready for soccer practice had to be done. Not finding soccer shields so their mom had to come back from trying to get some shopping for a new sink, flooring, cabinets done.

But when I read the quote that I have on the beginning of this chapter; I knew I had a story. This is going to be a Hermione/Minerva based story. No it's not going to be femslash. It's just friendship and ….. I'm not going to tell you. You just have to wait to find out.

I know that based off of what J.K. Rowlings gave us – Hermione couldn't be seriously hurt. Plus all the injuries perhaps seems too much for what little I did write in this chapter. But this first chapter is what Minerva seen. I'll deal more closely to the fight in Harry's chapter – later on. So Hermione's injuries WILL make sense. Just later on in the story.