-1Disclaimer: Still not mine
Hermione rose gracefully from her seat, and under Severus' questioning glare said simply
"Harry needs me."
Baffled, Severus followed as she made her way to the hospital wing. Just out side the double doors she beckoned him to one side making sure they couldn't be seen.
"Severus, I must ask you to not say anything to Harry until Dumbledore gets here. No doubt Madam will fetch him once she is able to." Severus nodded showing he understood, and Hermione transformed herself back into the form of Hermione Granger, school robes and all.
"Hermione?" Harry gasped "'Mione !" he shouted as he dashed from the bed and threw himself at her, "Where the hell have you been? I've heard people saying you ran before the battle, if I were able to, I'd give them piece of my mind, but I haven't been able to. How dare they accuse you of being a coward." he gushed, rambling on until he realised Severus Snape was standing all but two feet away from him.
Snape drew himself up to full height, intent on intimidating the potter boy.
"Professor I can explain, well, actually I can't, Hermione what the fu…dge happened?" he said motioning to Madam Pomfrey.
"Harry I'm so sorry, I'll explain once everyone is here. But for now I'll fix her up." she turned and placed her hand on Madam Pomfrey's shoulder and whispered,
"Uthanirfareneldazirelda." slowly the ice began to recede, it collected in a ball in Hermione's hand, she blew and it disappeared completely.
"Madam Pomfrey, if you would kindly fetch the Headmaster…" Hermione said to the startled mediwitch.
"I wouldn't dream of not notifying him, he swore you would never be able to return." Pomfrey walked halfway to the door before turning back and adding, "How could you betray everyone by leaving? You disgust me." she shook her head and walked swiftly out of the hospital wing.
Harry looked at Hermione, his eyes full of questions Hermione slowly shook her head and walked towards him.
"Harry I promised you I wouldn't leave you remember?" she smiled sadly and removed the chain from around his neck. Holding the pendant tightly in her right hand she chanted under her breath, a golden light surrounded her fist. Suddenly it stopped and she placed it back around Harry's neck, no explanations. Harry and Severus stood watching her completely confused. She sat on the end of the bed hands clasped in her lap, waiting. Harry sat next to her studying her, while Severus sat in the chair next to the head of the bed wondering what was to happen.
"Miss Granger" Dumbledore thundered, the doors flew open before him, power radiating off him in waves, his face red with anger, his eyes had lost their twinkle, but it had been replaced by a glint of pure fury. "You are not welcome here, leave now or suffer the consequences." his voice resonated through the hospital wing. Hermione stood and uttered a single word.
"Why?"
Dumbledore near enough exploded, a wave of energy flew from him sending objects flying, Snape grabbed Harry and pulled him off the bed towards him.
"Stay here, she would kill me if you were hurt." he ordered, casting a protection shield around the both of them, and conjuring another chair so they could both sit.
"Sir she's going to be hurt, we have to help!" Harry shouted while struggling against Snape's hold on him.
"Just sit and watch, do not distract either of them."
Dumbledore shouted with rage,
"How dare you! You flee from battle and then think you will be welcomed back into the bosom of this school? It is an outrage. Miss Granger, I will not allow you to continue your studies, and I will see to it that you are banished from the wizarding world. I will not tolerate the likes of you in my school." he drew his wand and pointed it threateningly at Hermione. "Leave now, or draw your wand and accept my challenge."
"I will not leave until you listen to what I have to say, and I will not draw my wand on you." she whispered.
Just then McGonagall and Pomfrey rushed in, they stopped at the sight that met their eyes, Dumbledore with his wand pointed at Hermione Granger, while she stood there unarmed. Severus Snape sat with Harry Potter, watching from behind a protection shield with the area around the Headmaster strewn with objects.
McGonagall cast a shield around Pomfrey and herself just as Dumbledore shouted,
"Stupify." he watched as the red light sped towards the now ex student. It got within ten centimetres of her and disappeared. Harry, McGonagall and Pomfrey looked on in shock as Dumbledore fired five more stunners in quick succession, each of which disappeared before they touched her.
"Continue if you wish, though I suggest you listen." Hermione stated sounding bored.
Dumbledore once again began shouting hexes, in desperation and anger, he shouted one final curse.
"Crucio." he bellowed. A collective gasp could be heard around the room as the curse hit it's mark.
AN: I know, cliffy, I'm evil… but it gives me an incentive to write some more, please review it's lovely to know what people think. Sorry about the delays between chapters : ( I should have the second part to this up soon.
