Chapter 2 : Awakening

Hermione opened her eyes but decided she liked them better closed instead, because what she was seeing was not making any sense and so, she had a lot of thinking to do.

I 'm sure I saw the hospital wing in flames. And even if it was magically repaired, where are all the patients? Surely I can't be the only one who was wounded – or whatever happened to me... I just can't remember right now.

She opened her eyes again, checked her body for injuries or bandages. She had a few scrapes and burns that were almost completely healed, but she was quite thin, so maybe she had been unconscious for a very long time, which would explain her first concerns. She glimpsed around her privacy screen and saw only two other patients in Hogwarts robes. Students she didn't recognize, although the closest, lying two beds from her, seemed familiar. She didn't notice Madam Pomfrey anywhere however. She lay back down and closed her eyes.

I doubt the Death-Eaters won and took over the school. I would not be here for one, I would probably be in a cell in Azkaban. Or dead. Or tortured, more likely, for being a Mudblood and Harry's friend.

Harry! Where is Harry? And Ron?

Hermione glanced around once more, but she saw no flowers, get-well cards or empty chocolate-frog boxes, which was usually a good sign Ron had been visiting.

Hermione felt panic rising and forced herself to breath in deeply, and exhale. And again, until she cleared her mind of all thoughts and felt the panic ebb away.

Someone was approaching, she heard light, stealthy footsteps, and she feigned sleep, not knowing what to expect. She could feel a presence right next to her, but whoever it was wasn't moving, nor speaking. And then she felt a warm hand lightly touching her own. She was so surprised it took all her willpower not to gasp or flinch. And then the presence was gone.

It must have been Madam Pomfrey, she tried reassuring herselfbut really doubted it somehow, the touch had been too soft, caring and the presence too quite. In comparison, the matron usually bustled with energy, as if her patients would catch it off of her somehow.

She opened her eyelids just slightly and peeked around. Nobody was there.

What is going on here? If it had been Harry or Ron, they would have spoken to me. They did when I was petrified and I couldn't even hear them then, silly boys. Oh Merlin, I hope they're all right.

Despite all her worries and questions, Hermione felt very tired and she drifted off to sleep.

She woke up, disoriented once more, a face coming into focus.

"Madam Pomfrey!" she exclaimed, relieved, but after a second glance she wasn't so sure. "Is that you?"

The matron looked a bit taken aback but answered reassuringly:

"Yes, dear girl. Are you feeling better now?" After a nod from her patient and a few complex waves of her wand which seemed to satisfy her, she added "I must floo the Headmaster. Don't worry now, I'll be back in a minute."

And so she was, with Professor McGonagall and...Dumbledore?

That's impossible! I must be crazy! Hallucinating! He's dead!

Well, you didn't really see him die, now, did you? She argued with herself, a sure sign of madness. No, but Harry did. Maybe he was mistaken? It wouldn't be the first time. Maybe Voldemort planted a vision in his head, like he did last time with Sirius.

"Hello dear girl, I see you have finally awoken. How do you feel?" Dumbledore asked her in a gentle voice.

Hermione yelped at hearing a very real voice. She raised her hand towards the Dumbledore look-alike and poked him in the ribs making sure he was as real as his voice. The man merely chuckled at the girl's antics.

If it's an illusion, it's a really good one. Merlin, he's even twinkling. It has to be him, hasn't it?

Her voice felt weak when she answered:

"Professor Dumbledore? Sir? I don't understand? What happened? I thought you...Where am I? Did I die? I died, right? Or am I hallucinating?"

"No, absolutely not. I can assure you, you are very much alive, despite the state in which you were found. Would you mind telling me your name so I may alert your relatives?"

What? Is he trying to be funny? This is hardly the time, really, sometimes the old man pushes his dotty act a bit too far.

"Sir? You know who I am. Is there something wrong? Why are you asking my name? Where are Harry and Ron?" Her voice was getting all squeaky and seeing the headmaster's concerned and truthful gaze, she felt panic rising once more.

What is going on? Why is he pretending not to recognize me? What is going on? Where's Harry? Where's Ron?

Hermione was too overwhelmed to hear Madam Pomfrey ushering the visitors out, threatening to hex their feet backwards if they did not let her charge rest immediately. Nor did she hear the Matron's soothing words, but she eagerly drank the sleeping drought she was offered, taking the easy way out of this nightmare.

And then she was dreaming.

She had a purpose, a mission. Hermione was running around familiar corridors, up and down moving staircases she knew by heart. Going so fast, she could not make out the faces of the people she went by.

She was looking for someone, or something. She didn't like being clueless. She decided that since she needed answers, she would go to the library and so, she was there instantly.

She walked quietly towards her favourite corner, she was drawn to the shelf she usually went to when she was upset and reached out to take out a luxurious copy of her favourite book, "Hogwarts, a History". She curled up into a comfortable leather armchair and started reading about the founding of the school, sighing happily.

She saw time spinning backwards around her as if she was caught in the middle of a colourful tornado full of familiar faces, happy memories and tragic events as well as the towering figures of the Death Eaters. And she woke up with a scream, comprehension dawning on her as her panic subsided.