Chapter Eleven

Still sitting with his strong arms enveloping Hermione, Severus forgot to feel uncomfortable, as his distorted face twisted into a frown and he dwelled on the scene he had interrupted. Clearly Miss Weasley was one of the worst affected by the war, but there must be many more students also suffering with no one noticing.

When Hermione's breathing evened out and it was clear that she had fallen asleep he carefully levitated her on to her bed, then swung himself to standing with a grimace. However useful crutches were, they could never be graceful.

Ginny was passed out, her head resting on the kitchen table, an uneaten slab of Honeydukes' chocolate in her clenched hand. Leaving her where she was, Severus scribbled a quick note and tossed it into the blazing fire in the library.

Several long minutes later Minerva climbed out of the fire, brushing soot from her cloak and eyeing Severus with curious amusement.

"You summoned me?" she said drily.

"Sit." He nodded at the chair facing his, wondering self-consciously whether she was hiding her repulsion for his appearance or if she was one of the few who saw past it.

He explained to Minerva the situation he had interrupted in Hermione's room. Her expression grew more serious as the story unravelled, and when he had finished the pair sat in troubled silence.

"Despite not being a teacher any longer, may I offer a suggestion." He said, his words quiet and hesitant.

Minerva blinked at him in surprise. Had he just asked permission to make a suggestion?

"Certainly," she replied, suddenly aware that she was gaping at him.

"There must be many other students in a similar frame of mind to Miss Weasley. Hogwarts needs to keep a closer eye on students affected – perhaps offer some form of counselling service."

Minerva nodded, surprised that she nor anyone else had thought of it before. "I will see to it as soon as I go back."

"And perhaps a quiet word to Arthur Weasley about his daughter's situation."

Minerva nodded once more, the surprise clearly showing on her lined face. Hermione must have had a calming influence on the furious, aggressive shell of a man that had once roared for her and 'every other busybody' to stay out of his life. She missed his dry wit and constant, comforting presence in the teachers' lounge.

"I will make sure to do so, when I return Miss Weasley there. Now, how is Hermione?" She asked, anxious about the health of her former student.

"She is sleeping at the moment. I won't let her use her wand until this time tomorrow at the earliest."

Minerva snorted. "Because she uses her wand so much anyway."

Severus frowned. How had he let himself slide from being a spy for Dumbledore, to now not noticing something as glaring obvious as this. "What do you mean?"

"Severus, I am as clueless as you are. I would assume it has something to do with her attempt to shun the wizarding world."

The haunting melodies so often heard suddenly floated down from the attic.

"Is that Hermione playing?"

"It means she has having a bad day." And Minerva's confusion, he continued, "when she has headaches, or can't remember periods of the day, she will lock herself away with her instrument and not appear for hours at a time."

Minerva produced a large book from her even larger handbag and handed it over. "I got this for you from a muggle bookshop. It is a medical student neuroanatomy book, I thought it might simplify things for you."

Severus nodded his thanks, and Minerva got to her feet. "I will take Miss Weasley to the Burrow and speak to Arthur now. Thank you for everything you have done."

Severus fingered the cover of the shiny new book, and then opened it to Chapter Two: Cells of the Nervous System.


When Hermione entered the library many hours later Severus was scribbling madly in his notes, the book open in his lap. It was dark by this time, and a now cold plate of untouched food sat on the table next to him.

He looked up. "Hermione, take a seat."

Hermione's face brightened at the use of her first name, although she did not comment on the sudden change.

"I have made some progress I think." He flicked back through his notes, his rough voice brightening in his obvious excitement. "What do you know of glial cells?" At her blank look he explained himself.

"Neurones are the nerve cells which conduct electrical impulses, glia are the remaining cells in the nervous system, with a number of functions. In the peripheral nervous system damaged nervous cells can be repaired. They de-differentiate to immature Schwann cells, which support regrowth of nerve cells. This is due to growth promoting molecules, myelin breakdown, and formation of bands of Bugner. It is called Wallerian degeneration."

If Hermione did not understand she did not say anything, her face lit up with rapt attention.

"The problem with cells in the brain – in your case the optic nerve, the opposite occurs. Growth inhibitory molecules are expressed, there is slow myelin breakdown and a glial scar forms"

"What does this mean for me?" She asked nervously.

"It means I can combine muggle science with magic, and hopefully find a way to apply what happens to peripheral nerves, to your optic nerve."

Hermione's face lit up, and she lurched at him, throwing her arms around the stunned Professor and hugging him tightly. He sat stiffly for a moment, and then one arm tentatively held her to him, before he told her gruffly to have some decorum.

Hermione laughed at him. "Professor you should take a break now, you sound exhausted. Will you accompany me on a stroll around you grounds? Noah needs some exercise."

Severus flushed, and he stumbled over his next words. "My leg will not tolerate long distances, Hermione."

"Perhaps it is time you stopped working on my injury, and let St Mungo's sort that out for you." He stared at her, biting back the angry reply that had sprung to his lips and taking a moment to let his quick temper subside.

"Hermione. The only person I ever let near my injuries was Poppy Pomfrey, I do not want some stranger getting involved. Besides, why do I deserve it. I am fine as I am."

"Why do I deserve my sight?" Hermione stretched with feline agility and got to her feet gracefully, silently leading Noah from the room. Severus watched her quietly, an odd expression clouding his dark eyes.