Once again- MournfulSeverity stands as the source of inspiration. In her very first review of the first chapter of "Love Empowered Empathy- Prologue," she had mentioned the word "Obscurial". That got me researching like a mad hare. Thoughts of "venom" and some sequel of "Spiderman" flooded my mind. And with the emotionally loaded "Mute" and the huge fantastic tale weaving in the backdrop of "Love Empowered Empathy"- Baby's Breath was quietly born in one of my sleepless nights. I hope against hope I shall not disappoint my readers.


Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my thoughts of AU and OC, the rest all belong to J K Rowling. This mind lives in the Harry Potter fanfiction world though this body is still thankfully anchored in the monotonous reality of existence. The stories I write can indirectly influenced by many of the brilliant fanfiction writers in this site. And I humbly bow to such creative genius who give me much needed literary pleasures to see through the toils of mundane life. Lastly, I don't have a beta, so please be merciful. Reviews would encourage this introvert writer to peep out of her literary closet. My very first attempt at writing a Snape and Hermione and Dramione fanfiction ever.


chapter 14

Lupin was the first to revive. The only comfort he could provide the two other young men, forced into adult shoes too early in their life, was a comforting squeeze in each of their shoulders. Unfamiliar with such subtle display of affection, Malfoy had jerked and Harry had caved in.

As soon as Bill had hobbled out, the half-goblin professor, the DADA professor and Healer Norman had tried to assess if there are any injuries. But they were glad they did not find any trace of "Rogue Magic" on him. He is made to sit near the charmed glass panel so that he can see the rest of the event.

Lupin had suggested, "If only we could get hold of some trace of that magical field, we could study its nature at least…"

"We had tried that; the magic seems to be a fast-evolving parasite. It feeds on Hermione, but has a mind of its own," then turning to the man he still battles with his werewolf tendencies once a month, who had to bury the love of his life without getting to love her as much as he wanted to and having to raise his son without having much help from the Ministry of Magic, for laws were yet to change in his favour, the mediwitch had said, hope still marking her words," I do have faith in Severus, I have seen him venture into the unknown without batting his eyes. I always knew, though he was quite an actor, he was the one, capable wizard spy."

Nodding in agreement, both the professors had signaled the other three wizards to be alert and ready themselves for anything and everything then had swiftly entered the room.

"I…I had…felt so hopeless, being the eldest, I felt I was supposed to be in charge of the safe keep of my siblings. Dad's first hand. I was never so bothered with Charlie, Percy and those two pranksters, but Gin…to have an evil whispering into your little head. And 'Mione, equivalent of a sister," shaking his head in an attempt to shake away his broken resolve, Bill had risen from the floor. Squaring his shoulders, he had turned to Potter and Malfoy, and giving each of them a curt nod, stood tall and confident, his one hand holding out his wand once again. And the other inches away from the latch of the entrance door. Harry and Malfoy too were ready. The three of them waiting on titer hooks. While the two professors, ready, like the way, they were in the battle of Hogwarts, those five years ago.

Healer Norman once getting Severus's cue, had signaled the junior healers to open a portion of the glass wall. As he had walked in, every other wizard and witch, standing in guard, with one thing in mind, was it just like this? Severus Snape to take a deep breath, stand tall, and in determined steps, go and bow in the presence of that Vicious Mad wizard, without carrying about the fact, that could be the last day of his life.

The first colossal difference they felt, was the display for sparks crackling like festive fireworks. Then the junior healers had exclaimed at the changes that reflected on the calibration previously determining the presence of the "rogue magic". Healer Norman had been dumbstruck, "This is the first time since we have put her in the room, that the magical fields look less ominous, I would say, this might be workings, Snape might have come up with a… keep your wands ready gentlemen!"

Apprehension marked in every face, they had watched Snape walk closer and then sit near the foot of the hospital bed. They couldn't hear what Granger was mumbling, all of it was sounding close to indiscreet droning noise, but surprisingly they could now hear Snape's Baritone voice echo through the Circle.

Harry thought, he might have heard that before, but Draco knew exactly what his godfather was narrating. "That is his very first speech, the one he gives at the start of the first day of first year's potion's class. But how would that help?"

Bill had tasted that magic once, had fallen prey to its seductive advances. And he was not going to make another mistake.

"He has made his move, now she will, any moment!" he had warned, fingers clasping around the latch of the entrance door.

Then Hermione lunged at Snape. Wands drawn; all the wizards had advanced. Flitwick and Lupin had inched closer to the partition. Luna had once again prepared herself, wands drawn and trained at the patient. The junior healers were on their feet as well. Bill too along with Malfoy and Harry were about to enter the circle.

But none of them were prepared. They were stumped by the way Hermione reacted.

She had sat across his lap, burying her head at the crook of his neck. She had wailed loudly like a baby. In between her wailing, hiccups, and snorting, she had vehemently whispered the words again and again, "Oh! Merlin! Alive! You are so alive! No, there is no blood, I don't smell it, I don't see it."

Even if these were whispers, all of them had heard it loud and clear. And they truly had heard Hermione Granger's voice for the first time after her freak accident. She was also looking more like herself, though, extremely starved and bony. And she was hugging the potion master too tight for comfort. The three men outside the Circle had reacted differently.

Bill was doubtful. He had taken a few steps back and was watching the scene brows furrowed. Malfoy was most evidently jealous, gritting his teeth. Harry was feeling jealous as well, because, it should have been him, the filial brother- friend figure in Hermione's life.

As Snape had lowered Hermione on the hospital cot, Malfoy seemed to have enough of it, punching a fist at the door, he had stormed off, with Harry and Bill rushing after him.

He had broken into a quick run, trying his best to distance him from that room. Tears were welling up his eyes, but he was not prepared to cry. "Malfoys never cry!" his father's voice echoed in his head. But he just couldn't be fast enough. Both Harry and Bill had grabbed him from behind.

He had turned and had retaliated in the first way his mind to trigger. Punching punches at them blindly, when shrugging them off had not worked.

Exasperatedly, hurt and confused, he had yelled, "See it clear who she wants. And it is certainly not me," grabbing at his hair, pulling them, till it hurt, he had concluded in a defeated tone of finality," I really don't need to be here."

Harry was still feeling put off, pangs of jealousy eating on his genial feelings. And he was hating the whole thing. He was supposed to be glad to see for once, Hermione was normal. And was not quite ready to digest the fact that it was Snape, and his awkward intimacy, which the witch was craving for.

So he had yelled back at his childhood nemesis, "And says I don't like it either, but its Hermione. And you should help because she helped you get your neck out of Azkaban."

Grabbing the opportunity, Bill had stepped forward and had said," you two better start acting according to your age."

Surprised and irate, they both had grumbled. Malfoy said,", Buzz off weasel."

And Harry had blurted out, "You got no right to speak to us like that, what do you know about how it hurts?

Bill, had grabbed Harry by the collar and had brought him close enough that their noses were nearly touching. Chewing upon his near words, the eldest Weasley had retorted," That one in there is someone I love like a sister. She is as much as a family to me as is Gin. And what I know of love is not the question of the hour. But you both would perhaps wish to know, how Hermione thinks about the both of you." Pushing Harry back against the wall, he had given the two of them a threating look. Both of them might have thought it was better not to mess with a curse breaker, marred by a werewolf, but that did not stop them from scoffing like reprimanded kids.

Shaking his head, at their childish behavior, Bill had started searching through his pockets. He had brought out two envelopes. He had given one to potter and the other to Malfoy. As both the men grabbed on the proffered letter reluctantly, he had started speaking again.

"I met her two weeks ago, after the Won Won Lav scene, and she gave these two to me, saying if anything happens to her, I should give them to both of you."

Both Malfoy and Harry had exclaimed together, "You saw her?" "She met with you?"

Bill had simply pointed at the letters and had gestured them to take a look. He had started having a feeling, those could have been clues, Hermione did mention of breadcrumbs. And He had asked around. His half-blood and muggles acquaintances had given him a lengthy discourse of Grimm Brothers and Hansel and Gretel myth.