A New Beginning
Two people who never dreamed of being together have to fight against all odds to rebuild a forgotten relationship. Mainly HGSS, some other smaller pairings included. Noncannon.
I do not own this wonderful world or any of the people in it, sadly they all belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter one:
"Hermione…Hermione," was all I could hear as I opened my heavy eyes. Slowly things came into focus as I fought the haze that clouded my eyes. As I looked around I saw Harry, Ron, Ginny, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and strangely Professor Snape. Each face looked on expectantly as Madame Pomfrey busied herself checking me over. As I settled more in consciousness, I began to remember why I was waking up in the hospital wing. Professor Dumbledore quietly asked everyone to leave while he and I had a little chat. He quickly promised that everyone would be allowed to come and visit me when he was finished. Professor Snape, after a final glance, wasted no time in heading for the door. Unfortunately, it took a little more persuasion to get Harry, Ron and Ginny out of the hospital wing. Professor McGonagall gave me a quick smile and headed out as well.
When everyone was gone, save Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore, Professor Dumbledore began to speak. "Ms. Granger, you have had us all quite worried," he began. He looked to Madame Pomfrey expectantly, hoping for some good news.
"Ms. Granger, you are very lucky to be alive right now" said Madame Pomfrey, "you sustained many injuries and had severe exposure to the cruciatus curse. I am confident that with some rest and a few potions you will be good as new."
"Thank you Madame Pomfrey," I heard Professor Dumbledore say. "If you would kindly give Ms. Granger and I a little privacy."
"Certainly Headmaster," came the hesitant reply. Madame Pomfrey gathered her things, albeit reluctantly, and headed for her office.
"Professor…," I began. Professor Dumbledore raised his hand. "Ms. Granger, I know you have a lot of questions. Let me begin by telling you that yes, Voldemort is gone. There were heavy losses on all sides, the school year has been postponed for the year to give families some time to deal with what has happened. I am afraid that most of you questions will have to be answered later when I address the whole student body. Tomorrow the train will take those remaining back home to their families."
This is one of the few times I have seen Dumbledore look his age. Gone was the ever present twinkle from his eyes. Slowly, he got up and with a nod of his head, left the hospital wing. This was Madame Pomfrey's cue to come back and finish poking and prodding me.
"I am sorry to say that you will need to stay here for a few weeks until you are well, Ms. Granger," she said softly. "You have many injuries that will need to be rested in order for them to heal properly." With that she laid out the potions I needed and returned to her office.
Knowing one of them was a sleeping draught, I took my potions and let the darkness overtake me.
Madame Pomfrey was not keen on letting me go to the leaving feast. "You are still too weak. What if you were to pass out during dinner?" This continued on for a few minutes before Prof. Dumbledore came to my rescue. "I am sure that Ms. Granger will come straight back here if there are any problems. Besides, you will be at the feast as well, so you will be able to keep an eye on her," replied Dumbledore. Madame Pomfrey could do little to override his authority, so she stalked off to her office in a sour mood.
Despite the fact that Madame Pomfrey was upset with me, I made my way out of the hospital wing for the first time since I woke up. On my way toward the great hall I noticed many sad and depressed faces lining the halls. Though I remembered bits and pieces of the final battle, so much still escaped me. I hoped Dumbledore's speech helped to clear up some of my questions. Maybe I will be able to remember more of what happened. Prof. Dumbledore had better have some decent answers. These thoughts were the only things swirling through my head as I entered the great hall.
As the houses settled down, Prof. Dumbledore rose to give his usual speech. "I know smany of you are grieving, and that there will be little to celebrate for some time. Let us try to enjoy the little time we have yet tonight to celebrate those that we loved and the lives they lived. Celebrate the dawning of a new day, and welcome a new beginning." The hall looked on with sad eyes at these words, but some found the strength to try and follow in Prof. Dumbledore's example. Dumbledore's voice filled the hall once more, "When you all go home tomorrow be careful, for the times of darkness are not completely past us. Take comfort with your families so that when you return for the start of next year, we can finally put all of this pain behind us."
The hall was silent after these words. Many could not see how they could ever move on from the pain of the past few weeks. The older students tried to make the best of it for the younger years, but they were not fooling anyone. Quickly standing up I made to leave the hall. many scared faces followed me as I walked out of the hall.
I did not know where I was going. All I knew was that I had to get out of there. Looking for solitude I headed up to the astronomy tower. With the feast going on downstairs I figured it would be empty. When I reached the tower, I noticed I was not alone. Standing against one of the windows was non other than Professor Snape. Hoping to sneak out quietly and get back to the hospital wing I quickly turned around. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side and I ended up tripping over my own two feet and falling flat on my face.
"Ms. Granger, what are you doing up here?" bellowed the voice of the irate potions master behind me. "Shouldn't you be at the feast with Potter and Weasley?" For a moment it almost sounded as if he were jealous. "Well, Ms. Granger? Doesn't the know it all have an answer?" He tried to stare me down, making me feel small and vulnerable. I wouldn't let him win.
I am sorry sir, but I just couldn't stay at the feast," I replied seeming more confident than I felt. I hoped it would be enough.
"Just because you are friends with Potter does not give you the right to do as you please, Ms. Granger. If it were not for the fact that the rest of the school year has been cancelled, I would have had you in detention for a month," shouted Prof. Snape.
He just wanted to get me worked up, I knew he did. I should just go back to the hospital wing before I get in trouble. "I am sorry that I intruded on your private time Professor. I will just head back to the hospital wing," I replied. Best to get out of his hair before he really gets mad. After all I would be here for a few weeks yet.
"Just get out of my sight," he called at my retreating back. And that was all I heard as I left the tower.