Chapter 7

Leopold?! So this is the bloody bastard engaged to Hermione?!

"Albus, I've looked everywhere I can but can't find her anywhere." Leopold stated rather out of breath.

"I think I may have an idea as to where her current location is, Leopold. In the meantime, I want you to meet somebody before we go and find her."

Severus knew the Headmaster's plan all too well. Nobody could hide anything from the man! He knew the Headmaster had known of his relationship with Hermione. Although he was thankful that he hadn't meddled when he and Hermione had been together, he took back what he said for the old man was not about to ruin his reputation in meddling. And Severus was certainly not about to ruin his either.

"Leopold, this is the last member of the staff that you haven't met yet. Our school's Potions Master; Professor Severus Snape." Albus chuckled inwardly to himself as he saw the look on Severus' face.

Leopold, being the gentleman that he was, extended his hand towards the Severus.

"Leopold Van Garret. It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor."

"Pleasure. Congratulations on the wedding by the way." Severus shook Leopold's hand lightly; barely even touching his skin while trying to pretend he had not known the wedding had been cancelled.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that. The wedding was, regretfully…postponed. My dear Hermione isn't feeling well today. She ran off somewhere in the castle."

So it was true that Hermione didn't go through the wedding after all. He felt his spirits rise. Severus clenched his teeth to stop a smirk that was fighting to appear on his lips, if only that arrogant fool knew why Hermione had left him. Thankfully, the Headmaster was able to regain Leopold's attention before he could not hold it in any longer.

"Speaking of which, I have a strong feeling as to where Hermione is. Severus, please come with us." Albus' statement wiped the smirk off of Severus' face.

Severus wanted to be far from that arrogant fool as much as possible, but he also wanted to find Hermione as soon as possible. He was worried that his words earlier might push her to do something that wasn't good for her. All three men immediately made their way up to the Astronomy Tower. Albus' theory was proven to be right when they saw one of Hermione's gloves lying on the floor. Once they were near the entrance to the tower, Leopold hastened his pace and quickly barged on the door. His attempt to make a sudden appear inside failed miserably since the door wouldn't even budge.

"She's bombarded it inside." Severus stated matter-of-factly and motioned for Leopold to step aside and mumbled something about "useless muggles" before aiming his wand at the door. The door was smashed open and everything that was blocking the path was cleared out of the way.

Dust had filled their view for a moment. Once the dust cleared out, they didn't have to look anywhere further for Hermione. Their eyes widened to the scene before them. Hermione was lying unconscious on the floor, in her own pool of blood while a broken chair was lying on top of her.

Severus couldn't move upon seeing the sight before him. Every muscle in his body was slowly being paralyzed and refused to move at his command. So he just stood there, watching as Hermione bleed and angered by his helplessness. Quietly observing Hermione, he knew for sure that she was not bleeding just being hit by a chair.

"Hermione!" Leopold screamed from behind Severus and made his way towards Hermione's body. Throwing aside the broken chair and carefully held Hermione in his arms. When Leopold saw Hermione's arms, he had never seen a more horrifying sight.

"Oh no, Hermione, wake up! Hermione!" Leopold was starting to panic upon seeing Hermione like this.

"It's no use trying to awaken her. She has been badly wounded. Take her immediately to the Hospital Wing. Severus will accompany you there. I shall go and inform the others that we have found her." Albus turned to Severus and shook him from his thoughts.

"Severus, you are to go and accompany Leopold to the Hospital Wing. Hermione is in grave danger."

When Severus heard the Headmaster say that his beloved was in serious danger, he quickly regained his ability to move and lead the way to the Infirmary.

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Where am I? Am I dead? …No, it couldn't be. This smell…this couldn't be who I think it is. No…this must be a dream. But where are they taking me?

Hermione couldn't see anything; even her eyes had been weak to open. Although she did hear voices from below. Voices of people grieving. But she wondered what had happened in the castle that may have brought everyone's sadness. Surely they did not grieve for her? When Hermione felt like the one carried her had turned to a corner, she heard Poppy's voice and that along told her exactly where she was.

"Oh, dear Merlin! Severus, what happened to her?" Madam Pomfrey was rushing over to Hermione's side as she was gently being laid down on the bed.

"It's a long story, Poppy. I'll tell you about it later. But for now please do what you can for her. She's bleeding to death!" Severus felt himself crying for the first time. He feared to think if they were too late to bring Hermione to the Hospital Wing. Too much blood had been lost from her body and she was beginning to pale.

Severus? But what is he doing here? And with Leopold of all people. Oh no…things could just not get any worse!

"Severus, please brew some Pepper-Up Potion for Ms. Granger while I'll try and heal her wounds. She going to need it once she awakes. I'll deal with the blood she lost." Without another word said, Severus left.

"And…who are you?" Poppy asked the man standing beside Hermione's bed.

Leopold would have introduced himself but a very panicked Madam Pomfrey cut him short of his formalities.

"Oh never mind! I do apologize for my rudeness but this really isn't the perfect time for formalities. Please wait outside while I heal Ms. Granger."

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Severus returned as soon as he had brewed the potion that Poppy asked. His fear of losing Hermione only quadrupled upon seeing the Infirmary doors being warded. Poppy only did that when something really serious has happened to one of her patients. He wanted to be inside and do something useful that would help Hermione's chances of surviving. But he knew better than to meddle with the medi-witch when she was working deadly serious. Having no choice on the matter, he sat beside Leopold; who had his face buried in his hands.

Neither of the two men spoke for a long period of time. Leopold was the first one to break the silence between them. Rubbing his face with his bloodied hands before speaking.

"I really don't understand why she's doing this. I thought she was going to be happy. I wasn't going to hold her back on her decision, nor was I even planning on it!"

Severus knew what he was talking about and felt somewhat responsible for his actions towards Hermione at the lake. His words must have wounded her on the inside very badly for her to end up like this. Although he was still sane enough not tell Leopold any of this, so he kept himself shut.

"I just wanted to know why. What have I ever done wrong for her to just abandon me like this? I did everything perfectly. I wanted everything to be perfect for her! But why?!"

"Hermione might seem to appear as a perfectionist, but she knows not everything could be perfect. Maybe that's the reason why."

Leopold suddenly lost his manly physique and intentionally took his anger out on Severus. No stranger was going to talk to him like that.

"And how would you know what she is?! You're just her Professor! You may see her everyday on your classes before but that doesn't give you the right to tell me what me fiancé is like?! I know exactly who she is!"

"Do you? You couldn't even figure out the problem when the answer is right in front of you! And you're right. I am her Professor, for seven years at least. Seven years is long enough for someone to know something about her, wouldn't you agree?"

At this point, both men were filled with rage and were now up on their feet. Severus would have loved to hex him into the next world, but he held himself back. Mainly because there were too many people in the castle. He certainly did not want his image of being a Death Eater to come back.

"Tell me, Mr. Van Garret, exactly how long have you known Hermione?"

"How dare you say her name! And even though none of this concerns you, I've known her long enough to know that I love her!"

"Stop making a fool of yourself! How long are you going to keep deluding yourself from the truth? You claim that you love her? You don't even know anything about her!"

"How dare you even speak to me like this! You have no right!"

"You're the one who has no right on this matter! Because of you, Hermione had no choice but to leave me and keep her promises of being betrothed to you! And because of you…I lost the only woman I have ever loved!"

This information hit Leopold in the head, more painfully than a bludger would. He certainly could not believe of what he was being told.

So…he was the reason why Hermione had left me?! This…this pathetic excuse for a man whose even old enough to be her father?! How…how could she! I loved her…and this is how she is going to grace me for an answer! Unacceptable!

Leopold was no longer able to restrain himself any further and hurtled towards Snape. Snape on the other hand quickly had his wand ready and was aiming it towards Leopold, ready to cast a disarming spell, when the Headmaster appeared right before them and both were suddenly incapable of any movements.