A shout out to you guys who reviewed–if felt awesome to see that people had read and even like what I had to write, and it encouraged me to write this chapter as well. I even brought in a certain requested character, who will continue to be involved as this story continues :)

Chapter 3

"Miss Granger, I must go meet with The Order. I have placed protective charms and alerts around the entire hospital wing and have assigned Dobby to assist you with anything you may need. The Draught of Dreamless Sleep is on the bedside table should you wish to consume it. I shouldn't be long, but if for any reason you need me for an emergency you may simply ring the bell again," said Snape, gesturing to the small enchanted bell Hermione had rung just a few hours ago.

Hermione nodded but didn't say anything. She picked up the book brought to her by Dobby and opened up to a page at random and started reading. Snape took this as his cue to leave and swiftly left the hospital wing. He hurried back to his office to use the fireplace as a floo connection. Earlier that night, after Hermione had fallen asleep, he had written to a few Order members saying he needed to meet at Grimmauld Place immediately.

He emerged from the fire place and stepped into the depressing living room. While coughing out some soot, he looked around him and saw Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Molly, Arthur, and Minerva. Dumbledore was not present, but he had told Severus he would find him as soon as he returned from whatever urgent mission he was on.

"Severus," said Remus darkly, "please, what has happened? Why are we here?"

"I–Something has happened. Granger, Hermione Granger, she was attacked," he said.

Molly clapped her hands over her mouth, and Sirius swore. "How?" said Tonks, her voice sounding dangerous.

"She claims it was Lucius Malfoy, I've collected the necessary evidence to prove it to be true. He seems to have...raped her," Snape forced out through barred teeth, still unable to control the contempt that flowed through him at the thought of it.

"No!" cried Molly, her face contorted with horror.

Snape nodded curtly, "She's quite...agitated," he added, "I feel unable to care for her and someone needs to be sent after that bastard."

"Why did you not tell me earlier?" Demanded Minerva, "I am her head of house, I know the girl well."

"I offered, but she seemed so...ashamed. She didn't want me to tell anyone. In fact, I believe she is unaware I'm telling you all now," said Snape, running his fingers through his hair in agitation.

"I w-want to s-see her!" said Molly, fat tears sliding down her cheeks, "she's as good as a daughter to me."

Remus and Sirius also stood up, nodding, and Tonks said, "Me too!"

"We can't overwhelm the girl. Perhaps just Molly and I at first, we can be of some comfort to her," said Minerva, and the others nodded.

"Right. Now about Malfoy," said Sirius, his voice turning into a growl, "I want to kill him."

"We can't do anything until we speak to Dumbledore," urged Remus, gripping Sirius' arm tightly, "especially you, if you were seen..."

Sirius continued swearing and muttering under his breath, but seemed to realize that Remus was right. He couldn't do anything. Not yet.

"Please, Severus, how is Hermione dealing with it? How did you find her?" questioned Molly.

"She came to the hospital wing after the assault took place. She was unwilling to disclose what had happened, and I have to believe that if it wasn't dumb luck that I was on duty she never would have told. She was also quite injured. Most of which, I believe is taken care of, but she was unable to converse with me about any...private issues," he said looking pointedly at Minerva and Molly, "perhaps you two can discuss that with her. She showered and I could hear her sobbing, but she gathered herself before she came out. Later, she had a nightmare and woke up completely distressed, seemed to fear that I'd be attacking her. Then she started to mutter about-about tasting something that repulsed her into vomiting,"

At this Sirius let out a strangled growl noise and even Lupin looked like he was poised to attack.

"She ate, and then I came here," finished Snape, looking around the room.

"I assume she's–"

"She's completely protected at the moment," Snape answered, anticipating Tonks' question. She nodded and started pacing.

"I want to see her now," said Molly, standing up. Minerva stood with her and headed to the fire.

"Severus, please, you should rest. Let us stay with her for a little," said Minerva before throwing a fistful of floo powder and yelling "Minerva McGonagall's Office–Hogwarts!"


In her bed, Hermione was holding her book but not reading. She couldn't focus on reading, as it was she felt as though she could barely focus enough to maintain breathing. She lay back on her pillows, tears falling down her face. The great sobs that were in her last night seem to have left been exhausted, and now all she could do was lay there, mouth open and gasping for breath as tears cascaded onto her pillow. She told herself this would be the last cry she got. She must be brave. So I was raped. So what? We're in a war time, people are dying and losing their loved ones. I was...assaulted...for less than an hour. No cruciatus curse, no true torture. I need to get it together.

But even as she thought these words, a sense of hopelessness surrounded her. But why? Why even try? Clearly I'm worthless, Snape couldn't even look at me. Maybe I'll just shrink away and never bother anyone again. God, I wish I wasn't so alone right now. As this last thought came to her more tears fell. She dropped the book and buried her face in her pillow, half hoping she'd suffocate in her sleep and never wake up.

"You're worthless," he said. Pain. So much pain. Fear. So, so much fear.

"Please, stop. No. NO! Stop...HELP!"

Suddenly Hermione was aware of real arms touching her, pulling her out from her terrifying nightmare. These arms weren't cold and harsh, but safe and warm. Still breathing heavily, Hermione opened her eyes. On her right was Mrs. Weasley, who seemed to have pulled Hermione's head into her lap and was stroking her hair gently, her eyes red but her mouth smiling. On her left, Professor McGonagall was sitting, clasping one of Hermione's hands in her own and rubbing her thumb over it soothingly.

"P-professor! Mrs. Weasley! What are you–How did you know?" Hermione gasped, trying to regain her composure.

"Professor Snape called us. Oh dear, please, it's okay, oh Hermione dear," said Molly as Hermione's body began to quiver with suppressed sobs.

For some reason, being held and comforted made her feel like crying even more. She hated herself as tears fell yet again, and she melted into the two women's comfort.

After a while, she seemed to have been cried out and her body was still.

"Hermione," started Professor McGonagall cautiously, "Are you alright–I mean, are you still in pain? Professor Snape said he gave you some potions, but is there anything still hurting you?"

Hermione looked down, ashamed. She hadn't known how to tell anyone, but the pain between her legs had not subsided. In fact, she was unable to walk farther than from her bed to the bathroom with out crying out or collapsing. This was something she certainly had no intentions of telling Snape.

Her silence seemed to be enough for Professor McGonagall, who sat up and said, "I'll call a medi-witch," before vanishing into the other room. Mrs. Weasley continued stroking Hermione's hair, leaving her feeling relaxed and soothed until Professor McGonagall re-entered the room with a young, curly haired witch by her side.

"Hello, dear. My name's Rudgin. Nancy Rudgin, and I'm a Witches' Health Specialist. I understand you've undergone some trauma and need to be examined," said the young witch softly, her eyes warm and comforting.

Hermione nodded, not saying anything.

"Right, I'll just have to set these up–" she conjured a set of stirrups and some metal tools on a table nearby,"–and I'll ask you two," she pointed at Mrs. Weasley and Professor Mcgonagall, "to stand on either side behind this," and she conjured up a sort of skirt dividing hermione in half and covering her bottom half from view of herself and the other women.

"This may be painful," Said Nancy, her eyebrows furrowed upon seeing the initial damage.

A slight whimper escaped Hermione's mouth, and Molly and Minerva each grasped a hand, saying soothing things that did not seem to reach Hermione's ears.

As Nancy proceeded with the examination, Hermione cried out, even throwing her head back in a combined pain of the current examination and the memories of how the pain came to be.

Slowly, Nancy began to mutter incantations that sounded like song, and began to heal Hermione.

When she was done, she removed her equipment and looked at the others with a solemn expression mixed with horror upon understanding just how brutal the attack must have been.

Ignoring the words passing between Mrs. Weasley, Professor McGonagall, and Nancy, Hermione pulled her knees up close to her, feeling hardly any better than before the witch had come.

Alright, here's the next chapter! Soon I think Ron and Harry need to find out, and we'll have to see how they react. Also, just because he wasn't very present with Hermione in this chapter don't think I'm done with Snape! And where's Dumbledore during all this? Once again, if you enjoyed this please just tell me in a quick comment so I know if people are liking this or if maybe I should try something else. Thanks for reading!

-Lightcloak