No matter where you go…there you are.
The pure unadulterated light that encompassed the medical ward all but attacked Hermione's groggy senses. She had never encountered anything so bright in her life and the onslaught only made her want to withdraw in retreat.
"I think you've rested long enough Miss. Granger"
Dumbledore had been at the foot of her bed for quite some time now, his gentle and aged hands rested in his lap as he lounged in the chair he resided in. She sat up in confusion, not at all sure where she was.
"How do you feel?"
There was so much in that answer she wasn't ready to convey to anyone just yet, not before she figured it out herself. She looked straight at him, trying to concentrate on anything but the ache in her body. He looked relatively calm as usual and held that famous Dumbledore smile that had graced the cover of thousands of books and confectionery items. He had always been so damn all knowing.
"The Whomping Willow has been somewhat of an enigma to the students of Hogwarts for a good number of centuries now…"
He seemed to utter this to no one in particular as his gaze was no longer on her instead it penetrated the ceiling to floor window adjacent to them.
"Always attacking anyone who came near, perceiving them as a danger to itself and its surroundings, but every so often…"
He stood up and walked closer to the window, stopping directly in front of it seeming to be in deep thought.
"Every so often it seems to empathize with a student who it considers no threat, even comes as far as to pity said student…and in your case save said students life"
Hermione blushed violently at this, as she had been listening intently to his halfway sermon.
"I had no intention of-"
She began to sputter. He turned to look at her with the smile and interrupted.
"Of dying?"
He said it so simply that the fully effect of what she had attempted came crashing into Hermione like a train. She was never herself when it came to him, she had always known that, but to attempt to end herself completely because of him just hurt too much for Hermione to realize. He had almost killed her.
Her hands clenched into fists as the tears began to pour. She was so angry with herself, and so utterly dejected. Dumbledore just stood there, almost shocked her outburst of emotion, he had been expecting it of course, but to see the poor child so raw and so hurt somewhat unnerved him. Never having been in love himself, he could only hope to understand.
"I don't want to die, I never did…I just wanted to escape"
She choked out amidst the tears. Trying to explain herself to both her own understanding and his.
"I couldn't do it anymore, I felt so utterly inferior! He was just toying with me! I am nothing to him, nothing, I'm not even the enemy anymore…"
He made no move to comfort her instead stood and regarded her with unease. He shook his head and turned his attention back to the window, he really had no idea what to do, wandering why he continued to put himself into such situations while he watched the Whomping Willow thrashing wildly at an agile blue bird. The animals certainly loved to torment this easily agitated vegetation, just as continues heart broken students seemed to enjoy tormenting him. Was it the season that called for such remonstrations?
"We begin to stop…in order simply to begin again"
He whispered. He then walked back to Hermione's bed with a quite cheerful countenance, a huge contrast to her own despondent one.
"You have the weekend to recuperate before you continue with your studies on Monday, and I beg of you to be careful Snape is particularly looking forward to your return. I am afraid I am not very good with such things Miss. Granger. I have never, you see, been so in love myself, so it seems I cannot assist you in such endeavors, but I beseech you to be sure to let me know when you're at your wit ends before you jump out of anymore windows."
She sobbed even harder.
"I do not think the Whomping Willow will be as forgiving the second time around, but I assure you that you have your friends, the people that love you and I do not think it fair that you have been keeping your broken heart from them, is it not their place to help you mend it? Begin again Miss. Granger. "
He left shortly after. Leaving Hermione a sniveling mess.
She simply could not believe how far she had come, and could not even remember how this whole mess had even started. They had hated each other with such passion; they both thought the other a disgrace to mankind so when? When did she fall in love?
She looked into the light, feeling the glow of the sun warm her entire being. She knew not which way to turn, which way was right. She knew not where her heart was.
But she knew pain.
And it was enough to terrify her.
We begin to stop…in order simply to begin again.