Chapter Two: Hospital Wing
As I walk through the doors I notice all the empty beds that once held the injured of the war. Now most of the patients are healed or on the way to recovery, at least from their physical wounds. Professor Snape is standing in front of the large gothic windows at the end of the Hospital Wing focused on the setting sun over the forbidden forest. The bright rays of the last light of day highlight the bandage on his dedicate neck.
As I approach him he suddenly calls out my name, without even turning around he knew I was here. 'Miss Granger, how kind to grace us with your presents' Professor Snape sarcastically greeted me.
'Severus, don't be rude' chide Madam Pomfrey. 'Hello Miss Granger' she kindly greets me then heads to her office. Professor Snape turns around and scolds at her for being told off, then turns to face me.
'Well Miss Granger, what is it that you wanted or are you just here to waste my time.' Professor Snape asked me.
'Professor Snape, I just wanted to see that you were well' I replied.
'I see and you only just now seem to care despite it being months since I found myself in the hospital wing'.
I inwardly wince at the sceptic tone in his voice at my motive for visiting him. In a way he has a right to doubt my reason for visiting due to the amount of time that has pasted. I should of visited months ago. 'I to care for your wellbeing, but these last few months have been difficult on me. I have been very busy with assisting in the re-building process.' I hesitantly reply in a soft voice.
'Why did you save me Miss Granger? He bluntly asks, his dark eyes staring directly at me.
'Professor, I did what anyone would of done' I reply, avoiding the question.
His eyes harden like he can tell that is not the real reason for my actions. 'Miss Granger, I will not ask you again. Why…..did you…..save me?' he repeats in a low bitter cold voice.
'I couldn't leave you like that. Not when I knew that there was a chance to save you. I would have saved anyone apart from some of the worst death eaters. At the time I didn't know which side you truly belonged too, but you never really hurt us. You have saved our lives for many years. It was the least I could do. After hearing from Harry that you belonged to the side of light all along, I was so relieved knowing that there was a chance that you could have lived. Harry calls you the bravest man that he had ever known.' I tell him in a soft voice that if full of emotion.
'How touching' he drawled in his silky voice that sent a chill down my spine, yet I could tell that he was not angry with me.
'Miss Granger, I believe you have yet to divulge to me your reason for this delightful visit' he intones with a hint of sarcasm.
'Professor, I have something to give you' I announce as I place my hand inside my beaded bag and wordlessly summon the vile of his memories. Holding it out to him, 'There your memories professor, I collected them later after the battle'.
He nods his head to me as he accepts the vile. Suddenly he notices a piece of parchment on the floor. I immediately dive down to collect the parchment that I recognize as my list, but he beats me to it and secures the list in his hand. As we straightening up, I can only watch as his eyes glance at my list.
'What is this?' he asks sharply.
'It's a list of changes that I believe could benefit the wizarding world, it's not complete and there is always improvements that could be made' I inform him, fearful of his disapproval.
'It's interesting, ambitions, but there is no way you could complete all of these any time soon' he relies in a calm voice.
'I understand that sir, the list is something that I will keep in mind. I will do everything I can to make this world a better place.
'Very well then Miss Granger. I suggest you work on No.6 "Improving the wizarding worlds understanding of muggles and how there society works" and No.8 "Introducing muggle sport and games to Hogwarts" first. You should focus on improving the Hogwarts students understanding of muggles before you focus on the wider community.
'Thank you sir' I gratefully reply at receiving his suggestions to my ideas as he hands my list back to me.
'Miss Granger' Madam Pomfrey calls gently me as she walks out of her office. 'Minerva asked me to tell you that she would like you to visit her for tea when you get the chance. She said that she is available at 8 pm if I happened to see you.'
'Thank you Madam Pomfrey, I will be sure to visit' I reply.
After dinner I make my way to the headmistress office. Professor Snape declined the role of continuing on as headmaster and said that the role should rightfully belong to Professor McGonagall once he was well enough. Before that she was only the temporary headmistress. I arrive before the gargoyle and say the password 'Primrose', then step on to the circular moving stone staircase as it begins to move. I knock on the door before me, which then swings open.
Many things have stayed the same in the headmistress office; the room is surrounded by books and a few cat pictures. The office has a feminine look to it now that is classy. The portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses snored, smiled, waved at me and some greeted me. 'Good evening Miss Granger' greeted the portrait of Professor Dumbledore. 'Evening Professor' I greet him then turn toward Professor McGonagall who is sitting at a round table next to the large windows overlooking the grounds. The table once held an array of silver instruments now held a tea set and a plate of sweet biscuits.
'Good evening Professor McGonagall' I greet her kindly.
'Good evening Miss Granger, take a set please' she replies. I walk over to her and take a seat. 'And it's Minerva' she adds. I commonly forget, not yet used to calling her by her first name.
'How would you like your tea?' she ask me. 'Milk, one sugar please' I answer then place a biscuit on my plate, as she hand me my tea and I take a sip.
'How are you my dear' she enquires friendly.
'I'm well and doing better as the months pass' I smile as I answer, taking a bite of the sweet biscuit.
'I'm glad to hear that. I have exciting news for you. Hogwarts will be able to open on the second week of November.'
Surprised I ask her 'I thought Hogwarts would not be ready for a few more months yet, you yourself said so only a few weeks ago.'
'I realise that there is still work to be done around the school, but it is safe for students to return. The areas that are still being repaired will be off bounds. It has been decided that all students will repeat their last for the rest of the school year which will be extended to the second week of August this coming year, the next academic year being on the 1st September like normal. All seventh years will be invited back; they will take their exams mid-August. All seventh years will also have the option to repeat in the next academic year if they feel they are not ready to take their exams in August, but hopeful most should ready by mid-August. This year's first years will be attending different classes from the repeating first years' Minerva explains.
'Minerva, might I suggest that we divide the new first years classes so each class has students from each of the four classes or create year level common rooms/ study rooms to encourage inter-house cooperation'
'While I see the reason behind your first suggestion, I believe your second one is better. As dividing the houses into four for each class will create timetable issues as well moving a bit too far from tradition. How about this, we will create a common/ study room for all; first to fourth years, and fifth to seventh years. The rooms will be also double as study rooms. The younger year's common room will need to be regularly checked on by the prefects and the head boy and girl; staff will also assist in supervising this room.'
'Thank you Minerva, the students will really enjoy their new year level common rooms'
'You're welcome my dear. Oh I almost forgot I have this letter to give you which you may open now' she mentions with a smile as she hands me the letter. The letter contains the Hogwarts seal which I break. Pulling the letter out, I start to read.
Dear Miss Granger,
It gives me great delight to announce that I have decided to make you Head Girl for this academic year. Some of your duties will be to instruct the Prefects of their duties on the Hogwarts Express in the Prefects' carriage for when to patrol the train. You will also be required to create a rounds roster for the Prefects, and Head Boy and Girl. These around will take place from 8.00pm to 11pm, prefects and head students are expected to be in their common rooms by 11.30pm. Curfew is at 8pm for first to fourth years, and 9pm for fifth to Seventh years. The head students will also be required to hold meeting throughout the year with the prefects to discuss duties and current events of the school. As Head Girl you will also have the opportunity to develop new projects that would befit the students and school.
Sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
'Thank you so much for this opportunity Minerva' I express with gratitude.
'You're welcome dear. I knew you would be a good choice. Now you better run along, it's getting late. I will see you again then on the first day of term. There is much work to be done to be ready for the new term' Minerva kindly dismisses me and I leave her office to head for my room. I plan to visit the Burrow for the next two weeks before the term begins, I was invited a few months back by an open invitation and am now finally accepting their invite.
Note: I will aim to update this story weekly, but once Uni begins again in March, I will have less time. Please review, your feedback is very important to me. It helps me improve this story.
Thank you Jules for point out one of my mistakes, unfortunately I couldn't find where the mistake was when reading through this chapter. Next time please include a bit of the sentence it belonged on.
Fred is alive and George has both of his ears.
There will be no romantic relationship between Severus and Hermione while she is still attending school. While she is in school Hermione might have a romance with someone else (not Ron), I'm not sure who yet.
What did you think of how I characterised Severus Snape? His character is a challenge to write well I find or it's just me trying to perfect how I write him.
Also is there any muggle event, game or sport you would like to see Hermione to introduce to Hogwarts as part of her project? I take your suggestions into account.
Please Review!