Chapter 20
The next day brought more excitement as classes had been cancelled for the day and there was to be a party in the Great Hall immediately following supper that night. Madame Hooch was watching over the impromptu games of quidditch while Hagrid looked out for the students near the lake. Most of the students could be found in the courtyard or in Hogsmeade buying sweets and things for the party. Hermione was in one of the shops buying Christmas colored lingerie that she had seen in the window. This Christmas, her whole family would be home again together. She was bringing her parents home and Severus would be opening the doors to Spinner's End and removing the concealment charms that made the house look as dilapidated as the rest of the houses on the street. Hermione's parents offered to let them stay in their home but Severus refused saying that he wanted to spend his first Christmas together as a family in his own home. The Grangers understood and agreed but only if they could cook Christmas lunch.
Severus was in Hogsmeade watching his small family. He knew that it would be growing. Harry had crossed the street in front of him and went into the jewelry shop to pick up a ring for Ginny. He knew there would be a match between them by the time the new school year started when Ginny would become a 7th year. He knew that Hermione was making her way through the robes shop to look for items to specifically torment him with. These days Hermione only had to look at him and he was set off.
Severus was waiting on his tailor to complete the new robes for him. He had agreed that a change was in order but it would not be that much of a drastic change. He was ready for a change and he agreed it was time to. He just wanted her to go through some changes as well. Hermione and Severus continued back to the castle to prepare for the party when they were ambushed just inside the entrance hall.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here, a mudblood and a traitor." Malfoy sneered.
"So, it takes five of you to do your master's bidding?" Hermione said.
"You are no true Slytherin." Severus said.
"No, you are the traitor to the cause." Parkinson said.
"And you are no better than your father." Severus returned.
"But we are still free." Malfoy said.
"Not for long." Severus said.
The Slytherins started firing off curses hexes and everything else that they could think of while Hermione and Severus dodged countered or even returned curses. Malfoy sent a curse at Hermione that she was not fast enough to block and it knocked her out. Severus became enraged and fired the strongest blasting curse he could think of before sending his patronus to Dumbledore and binding the group of students up leaving them in the hall. Severus knew that he too has some moderate injuries but all he could think about was Hermione's health. Severus gathered her up and carried her to the infirmary as fast as he could.
"Quickly, put her down on the bed." Poppy said as she saw Severus coming through the doors with Hermione unconscious. She quickly accessed her injuries before stabilizing her. Poppy found her rings though she was unable to see them. "Severus, she sent me a letter too. I am aware of the conditions she set for you to receive you letter. I promise your secret is safe." She said.
"Thank you." He replied still worrying about Hermione. Severus watched as Hermione was given a few potions before Dumbledore and Harry arrived.
"Poppy, how is she?" Albus asked.
"She will recover. She has a concussion that is being treated, she has some severe scarring to her liver and kidney that are beyond repair and they are currently being regrown. She has seven broken ribs, a punctured lung and a fractured leg. Her broken ribs were removed and are being regrown. Her lung and leg will be completely healed by tomorrow morning. Her left hand has been completely crushed ad it will take several more treatments before it is completely healed. She will remain in a coma till all of her injuries have been completely healed to lessen her pain." She said.
"Severus, how are you?" Albus asked.
"I will live." He said simply.
"Severus will be remaining in the infirmary for observation as his injuries were almost as severe as Miss Granger's were. I must monitor him for an infection and make sure that his ribs and lungs are mending properly." Poppy said.
"Albus, I trust that you have taken care of the children I left bound in the entrance hall." Severus growled.
"Yes, they are at the ministry being questioned for their actions. They will stand trial for what they have done." Albus said sadly.
"See that they do." Severus sneered.
"Albus, I need you to leave. Severus does not need any more excitement and I must tend to both of the patients as well as give Mr. Potter his last dose of the antidote." Poppy said. Dumbledore reluctantly complied. Poppy gave Harry his last dose before drawing the curtains around the small family to give them space. They were completely blocked by the curtains so not even Professor Dumbledore could see them. When Harry was cleared, Poppy returned to them and began her assessments of Severus and finished healing all of his many injuries. He would not leave the infirmary that night.