Disclaimer: I do not own anything other than the story line . All rights belong to J.K. Rowling

Aphasia

Hermione Granger fought to overcome her feelings of utter despair and panic. Her best friend in the world, the boy that she hoped fervently would someday see her the same way that she saw him, had just disappeared along with another student from the final task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

She knew, deep within her, that Harry was a powerful wizard, and if anyone could come through something like this, it would be him; but she wished that she could somehow be there to help him through his latest predicament.

She spared a moment to glance at her other best friend, Ron Weasley. The boy was just sitting there, trying to figure out why everyone had stopped watching the maze. No help there, she thought. She let her gaze track to the judges' stand where Dumbledore sat. He looked almost as clueless as Ron.

She clutched her hands in front of her chest, desperate for an idea, any idea. Harry, her Harry, needed her help… she knew it in no uncertain terms. How could she get to him? How could she get him the help she knew he so desperately needed?

As she stared blankly in the direction of the Headmaster, her daunted brain finally kicked in. Her eyes went wide as the first glimmerings of a plan started to dawn upon her. It might just work! Harry seemed to share a special affinity with Dumbledore's phoenix: Fawkes! She shared a special affinity with Harry!

Fawkes! she thought with all her might…

Albus Dumbledore felt more than heard the startled trill from his familiar. He felt more than heard the emotional cry Fawkes gave as he disappeared with a flash of fire from the perch he had made for himself above the judges' stand.

He looked around wildly to see where his faithful friend had gotten to. It was with some small shock that he realized Fawkes had appeared next to young Hermione Granger and was sticking out his tail feathers to the fourth year student. A smile threatened to break through his frown as he watched her grab the proffered feathers only to disappear with the firebird.

*0*0*

Hermione flashed into a graveyard with Fawkes. It appeared that nobody had noticed their arrival, and she quickly took in the scene. Her Harry was lashed to a tombstone, and appeared to have just woken, given the glassy-eyed look he had. In front of him was Peter Pettigrew, who had just dumped something which looked suspiciously like a baby into a large pewter cauldron. Wormtail seemed to be in the middle of performing some sort of ritual. She could guess just what that entailed! Off to the side she could see the crumpled, boneless looking form of Cedric. What to do?

Peter was incanting something… "of the servant, willingly sacrificed, you will receive your master…" He shakily pulled out a silver knife and cut off his own left hand with a shriek, letting it plop into the cauldron! Hermione could see where this was going, she had to do something!

"Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken…" Peter said shakily as he raised the knife over Harry.

Hermione acted quickly. With a flick of her wand she whispered, "aphasia." A pale blue light lashed out from her wand and struck Peter in the back.

"Change feline smoke explode tart!" Peter called out, confusion on his face. He stumbled backwards and toppled into the cauldron. It started to roil then with a loud crack it exploded, raining a shower of potion and bits of flesh all over the graveyard. Harry, being right in front of it, took the brunt of the blast head on. It knocked him straight through the headstone he was lashed to, and he cried out in obvious pain.

"Harry!" Hermione cried as she leaped from her hiding spot and sprinted to him. He didn't look good at all. Boils were starting to form on his exposed skin, and he looked like he was having trouble breathing. As she tried to figure where to start he gave a shuddering gasp and went limp. He wasn't breathing!

The muggle training her parents had insisted that she take during her last summer holiday kicked in and she started performing CPR on him, clearing his airway and then starting in on the chest compressions. When she had reached the desired number, she stopped and forced air into his lungs. As she did so, she felt like something more was forced from her and into him, and she almost swooned.

Regaining her wits, she continued with the CPR. There were no more feelings like she had experienced that first time, but although it seemed like forever, it didn't take her long to get him breathing on his own again. With a sigh of relief she sat back and looked at him. He really needed the care of a healer. "Fawkes," she whispered, "could you get us back to Hogwarts? And then, can you bring the Headmaster here so he can get a look at this?" She smiled as the red-plumed head nodded on the phoenix's long neck.

With a flash they were back at the Quidditch pitch in front of Albus Dumbledore. He took one look at the pair and instructed the firebird to bring them directly to the hospital wing.

Hermione maintained her grip on Harry, and with another flash of fire she found herself on one of Madam Pomfrey's beds in the hospital wing. It was only when she heard a muffled groan from Harry that she loosened her grip on him. She gently turned him over. He was starting to come back to consciousness, and he groaned again, trying desperately to get free.

"Harry, it's alright, I'm here now, and you're safe," she said softly to him as she held him with one arm and repositioned her other so that she could stroke his hair. It wasn't much, but it was something her mum always did when she was hurting, and she knew firsthand how soothing it could be.

He stilled in her arms and looked at her, really looked at her, and she felt as if he were looking at her for the very first time. She fought back a blush as she maintained eye contact with him. For some reason she just knew that he needed that contact more than anything right now.

"Oh, Miss Granger, I need you to move away from him so that I can examine him," came from behind her. Hermione immediately recognized Madam Pomfrey's voice.

She made to get up and follow the healer's orders when Harry tightened his grip on her arms. "NO!" he shouted. He buried his face in her shirt and sobbed. "No," he said again, softer now. "Please Hermione, don't leave me… please don't abandon me," he whimpered.

Hermione sent a pleading look to the healer. The matron's face softened and she nodded to the young witch. It was obvious that Harry had been through a very traumatic experience, and he had latched onto Hermione as his anchor. "I'll make due, Miss Granger," she said as she moved over to the other side of the bed.

She waved her wand over Harry's back and his tattered robes split open to reveal his skin. She stifled a gasp at what she saw. His back was criss-crossed with thin scars, almost as if he was whipped with something thin and razor-like. There were bits of what looked like Muggle concrete imbedded in his back. She flicked her wand and the bits pulled out, leaving the wounds to ooze. Harry let out a small cry of pain and shuddered as the process happened.

She looked at Hermione questioningly. "He was tied to a gravestone," the young witch explained. She went on to explain what she had witnessed, and what she had done in an attempt to help her best friend. By the time she was finished neither witch had dry eyes. "I'm afraid I made things worse," she whispered.

"Your actions undoubtedly saved Mr. Potter's life, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey reassured her. "I'm sure that when the headmaster gets here, he shall want to hear this as well. In the mean time, I need to examine Mr. Potter's front side. Perhaps you can shift him around and hold him from the back, so he doesn't panic?" she asked.

She gently moved Harry around so that he was in position for the exam. At first he was reluctant to move, but when she showed him that she wasn't leaving, and that she would still hold him, he complied with her wishes. Madam Pomfrey ran a lot of diagnostic spells over Harry, trying to determine the best method of treatment for his injuries.

The physical injuries didn't really concern her. They were relatively minor. He had an injured leg, and his back was cut up. He had boils from exposure to an exploding unidentified potion. He had rope burns on his arms, and it looked like a piece of a cauldron had impacted his cheek, possibly fracturing it. These things she could heal quickly.

What she didn't like was how his magical core was wildly fluctuating. Something had done some serious damage to the young wizard's magic, and she was puzzled as to how to proceed. It also, strangely, appeared that something had been ripped out through his scar. It was probably what had damaged his core, but she had no idea what it could have been.

She reran a couple of diagnostics and noticed something strange. She waved her wand over the general area of the two students to confirm. As she did so her eyebrows rose into her bangs.

"What's the matter, Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked as she noticed the older witch's expression.

"Mr. Potter's magical core has been severely damage, Miss Granger," the healer replied. "It is fluctuating almost beyond belief. I fear that there may be repercussions. It also seems that his core has reached out and found what might be the one thing that it can anchor to as it attempts to heal itself: you."

"Me?" Hermione eeped.

"You, Miss Granger," the nurse confirmed. "If Mr. Potter is to make it through the night intact, he is going to need you even more than ever." She gave the young witch her most commiserating smile. "He's hurt badly, yes, but he's alive. That means everything. His magical signature has always been one of the strongest I've ever seen. Let's face facts, he's needed it because he always ends up in these situations." She sighed as she saw the tears start to fall down Hermione's cheeks.

"He needs you, Hermione. He has always been able to rely upon your support since he came here. Yes, you had a hand in his predicament right now, but you're also here, and that should help turn the tide in his favor. Now don't fret my dear, he will be alright eventually. Even this shan't be his downfall." She reached over and brushed a stray lock of hair from Hermione's eyes, tucking it behind the girl's ear.

"That's not to say that there shan't be any repercussions. He has been through a very traumatic event, and whatever comes of this may be very trying for him. I feel though, that I can rest assured that you shall be there for him through this. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey, thank you," Hermione responded. She tugged Harry down so that they could both lie on their sides, and she snuggled up behind him and held him close. As the nurse left them to go and fill out her report, Harry shuddered violently and moaned pitifully.

"Harry, I'm so sorry," Hermione whispered to him. She clutched him tightly and sobbed gently on his shoulder. "Please forgive me for hurting you."

Harry took a moment to steady his breathing. "I'll always forgive you, Hermione," he replied softly. "You're everything I need. You're the one that has stood by me all year. You're the only one who's always been there for me. Thank you." He shuddered again and scrambled to get free from her grasp.

She looked at him, feeling a little hurt by his sudden movement even as she felt warmed by his words. "Gonna be sick," he murmured as he clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Accio bedpan," Hermione whispered as she quickly pulled her wand to summon the container for Harry. The bedpan flew over and landed in front of Harry who promptly vomited the meager contents of his stomach into it. Hermione held onto him until he finished and helped him back into a comfortable position. She quickly cleaned him and used a quick breath freshening charm on him so that he wouldn't feel self-conscious about breathing on her.

She snuggled up next to him and put her arms around him, trying to make him feel protected and safe. "It's going to be alright, Harry," she murmured to him. She stroked his cheek and ran her fingers through his hair. She noted that he could probably do with a warm shower, but she wasn't about to let him go right now. After what he'd been through she wasn't going to let him be alone. "You just relax, Harry. If you want to sleep you just go right ahead, I'll stay with you. Madam Pomfrey gave me permission."

With a sigh he laid back and let himself relax into her embrace. It was probably the first time that it had ever happened, but Hermione wasn't complaining. He was alive, and he was here with her. Whatever the night might bring, she would be there for him.

"I wish I could be strong like you," Harry whispered as he started to doze off. Hermione snorted at the thought before she pulled him even closer…

*0*0*

Hermione rolled over and groggily came awake. She was in bed in the hospital wing, but the boy who should have been there next to her was missing. She sat up quickly and her head spun momentarily. She shook it to clear it and waited for it to do so. As she did so she took stock of the situation. The pillow next to her was warm to the touch and the covers were turned back. A quick glance over the edge of the bed confirmed that Harry's baggy clothing was still on the floor next to the bed. There was also a faint light coming from under the door to the loo. Harry must have had to use the facilities.

She was going to lay back down when she came instantly awake as a very high-pitched scream came from the direction of the loo. She had grabbed her wand and was out of bed in an instant. As she ran to the door she spotted Madam Pomfrey running out of her office.

She opened the door and burst into the loo. She cast around for Harry, but he wasn't there. Where was he? As he quickly pondered this she caught movement and a flash of black hair behind the toilet. Thank Merlin! She ran to help and came up short! There was a teenaged girl curled up there, naked except for an oversized pair of gray boxers. She was trying unsuccessfully to cover herself. She had unruly black hair in what appeared to be some sort of pixie cut. She was petite, somewhere around Hermione's own size. She was small busted and athletic looking, but on the pretty side.

One thing was for sure, Hermione had never seen this witch in her life. She opened her mouth to say something and realized that the girl was holding a holly wand in her right hand. That was Harry's wand, she'd recognize it anywhere! She pointed her wand at the girl. How dare she steal his wand?

She realized that the girl was softly sobbing to herself. Hermione's expression softened. "Are you alright?" she asked.

"Her – Hermione?" the girl asked, her voice a soft, sultry soprano. As she looked up and vibrant green eyes met chocolate brown ones, her bangs parted and Hermione gasped. The girl had a lightning bolt shaped scar in the middle of her forehead.

It was at this point that Madam Pomfrey came rushing in. She took everything in that was going on in the loo and quickly conjured a robe. "Let's get your friend covered up, Miss Granger," she said softly to the young witch. They both gently helped the girl to stand and slipped the robe over her, giving her some sense of modesty.

"What's going on, Hermione?" she asked.

"Is it really you, Harry?" Hermione responded. The girl nodded shakily.

"How?" they both said in unison. Eyes turned to the nurse for insight.

"I don't know," Madam Pomfrey answered. "What I do know is that we have to get Harry back in bed, and I need to get the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall down here right away."

As she went to rush out of the infirmary after getting them back in bed she heard a soft feminine voice ask the question she desperately wished she could answer: "What's happening to me?"

Hermione held onto her best friend as he (she?) shuddered in her grasp. She didn't understand what was happening, but she once more made a silent vow to be there for him (her?) no matter what happened.

"I don't feel good, Hermione," her best friend whispered to her before going limp in her arms. Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs as she couldn't get a response…

*0*0*

It was at breakfast the next morning that a grim looking Professor Dumbledore stepped up to his podium. "Attention!" he yelled out. "It is my sad duty to tell you that…" His voice broke and he turned briefly to Professor McGonagall. She rested her hand on his shoulder and he almost crumbled as he noticed a single tear running down her cheek.

"It is my sad duty to tell you that during the night Harry Potter succumbed to injuries suffered while dueling Voldemort. He passed away shortly after midnight while being held by his best friend, Hermione Granger…

Author's Note: So there's chapter 1. Should be a short fic, I'm thinking no more than 30-40K. Hopefully I will be able to keep this fic Hermione-centric. While Harry endures a lot, it is about Hermione's growth through helping her best friend. I hope you enjoy it. It was stuck in my head and I had to get it on the electronic paper so to speak.

Sharptooth