Chapter 15
"Quit that." Hermione screeched two hours later in the hospital room. The healer had been prodding at her wrist, which was still tender from the Skele-Gro.
"We just need to check if everything has healed." The healer said, frustrated with his most difficult patient of the day.
"I said I was fine and I needed to find Ron Weasley or Harry Potter. Or an Auror. Or anyone. Are you not listening to me? This is important."
"Yes, yes." The healer gave an annoyed glance up to her. "Every time anyone gets hurt they want one of the Golden Quintet to come and kiss their wounds, make them feel special. I get it."
"Is this how all healers are? How about some bedside manner." Hermione chided. "And it doesn't change the fact that I'm not going to stop annoying you until you do as I say."
"Well - I can heal your broken bones and bloody nose, but I cannot make one of the Golden Quintet walk through that door." He barked back, finally having enough.
As if on cue, the door flung open and the mussed crimson head of none other than Ron Weasley burst through.
Hermione gave the healer a pointed look, long enough for him to recognize the face that had just entered the room.
"Hermione." Ron croaked, and took three long steps and pulled her to him. Hermione relaxed into his strong arms. It felt good to finally have her person, and her tether to the magical world here.
He pulled her back and looked her over. She had changed out of her bloody clothes and sat in a hospital gown, but other than that, one wouldn't have thought she'd been through anything if the healer weren't pointing his wand at her wrist whilst simultaneously staring at Ron in awe.
"Are you alright?" Ron managed to get out as he looked her over from head to toe.
"She is almost good as new, Mr...Weasley." The healer offered. Ron didn't look over at him, and just focused on Hermione's face.
"I'm fine." She said matter-of-factly. He breathed a sigh of relief. His face couldn't help but break out into a grin.
"Except…" Hermione said slowly as Ron's face fell just as fast as it had risen.
"Except?" Ron asked, looking her over again for any sign of pain.
"Except that I'm going to kick your arse, Ronald Weasley!"
Hermione shoved him back away from her.
"Please don't put pressure on that wrist." The healer admonished Hermione. Hermione sent a dirty glare back his way and returned her attention to Ron, putting her hands (albeit more gently this time) on her hips.
Ron let himself be pushed a step back, but his wide grin didn't disappear. It was as if nothing in the world could make that smile disappear, and it drove Hermione mad.
"What did I do?" He asked, trying to ward off her pushy hands smacking him in the chest.
"You stole my memory, you...you…" She tried to think of another foul word, expletives not coming to her.
"Git, maybe?" Ron offered.
"Worse." Hermione retorted.
"Wanker?" Ron questioned, chancing a step toward her.
She was mad, but after having been through what she'd been through, she wasn't going to let him leave anytime soon.
"All of the above." She decided. "I can't believe you did that to me!"
"Well, if we are honest, I didn't actually Obliviate you, did I?" He tilted his head in a lopsided grin, still not phased by her temper.
"Obliviate? Do you hear how that sounds?" She shrilled.
"Actually, that was me, sorry." Another voice echoed at the doorway as a man with dark brown hair and a lightning scar on his forehead entered.
"It's...it's…" The healer mouthed as he gulped in some air.
"Harry Potter." Hermione spit out with disdain, her eyes turning to slits.
Harry stopped in his tracks surprised, as it was a rare occasion where someone wasn't welcoming him into the room with open arms, forgiving him of any wrongdoing.
"Yes..." He answered, starting to feel like he wasn't welcome. "Nice to officially meet you, Hermione."
Hermione crossed her arms and looked back at Ron.
"If I didn't have vital information for you, I'd be kicking you both out, I hope you know." She hopped back up on the hospital bed and crossed her arms.
"She doesn't mean that." The healer said hastily. "You're always welcome."
"Excuse me, I'm the patient here, or have you forgotten?" Hermione chastised the healer.
She gave Ron a glare as he chuckled. "I know you are miffed, Hermione…" He said, stepping toward her again and grabbing each of her shoulders to look her directly in the eye, "but I'm just really glad you're okay."
Then, as if the room wasn't full enough, one more voice broke the silence.
"Am I interrupting?"
Hermione discerned it must be yet another well known face, as her healer stepped backward and fell into his chair in surprise.
"No sir." Harry answered, though he seemed a bit unsure as Hermione gave him another disapproving look.
"Ms. Granger, I'm Kingsley Shaklebot, the current Minister of Magic."
"Nice to meet you." Hermione said politely.
"I think we have a few things to discuss." He said carefully, looking down at the healer who was struck silent. "Healer, would you mind giving us some privacy."
"Is that alright, Ms. Granger?" The healer whispered over to her. She rolled her eyes, knowing the only reason he asked was because he didn't want to leave this magical consort of famous wizards.
"Yes, you can leave. Now please." She emphasized.
He nodded and quickly shuffled out of the room shaking hands as he went. The Minister shut the door behind him.
"I think it's time we explain to you exactly what's going on, Hermione." Minister Shaklebot began, pulling out a chair.
"That would be lovely, but I think there is something more urgent to discuss. I think Belladonna knows where the teapot is. I think I showed it to her."
The three male faces in the room glanced at one another and encouraged her to continue.
She described in detail the kidnapping, Belladonna and Ian, her time in Belladonna's head and the peculiar teapot in the cave. Minister Shaklebot jumped in on various occasions with extra details about the teapot, giving Hermione the backstory.
All three wizards sat in silence as she finished, then immediately began talking heatedly to one another.
"We need to go now." Harry said quickly.
"I'll let your Director know that you two are on special assignment, no one else can know about this." Minister Shaklebot added.
"Okay, what's our plan? They must be there by now working through the enchantments."
Hermione watched, partially impressed, partially annoyed. They were speaking a mile a minute using words Hermione was unfamiliar with, and they had all completely forgotten she was sitting there crossing her arms.
She slowly picked up the wand she swiped from Belladonna and flipped it around in her hands.
"I don't think they are there yet." Hermione said calmly, continuing to flip the slightly jagged stick. "I've got her wand, see."
Everyone went silent and looked over at her.
"And you said you wouldn't be in Gryffindor." Ron gave her a triumphant smile and it warmed her even more than his initial hug. He was proud of her.
"Ian is a normal guy...muggle, and Belladonna will need to find another wand to get past the enchantments." Hermione surmised. "If we go now, we might be able to get through and grab the teapot before they even get started."
"Ohhhh no. Not happening." Ron was already shaking his head adamantly. "You are not coming."
Minister Shaklebot and Harry were also shaking their heads. "I'm sorry Hermione, you are still healing, and you just aren't trained for this type of thing."
"I've literally been kidnapped for this. This is my teapot, my memory. This is mine just as much as it is yours."
"There is no way I'm putting you in harm's way again, Hermione. You just have to trust me. This is for the best." Ron had pleading eyes. It seemed so interesting to her that despite them only being in each other's company for a couple days, they were bonded, bonded in a way that Hermione always dreamed she would be with someone.
"The teapot is very delicate, and very important to the wizarding world." The Minister of Magic tried to explain. "We can't let it get into the wrong hands, and we can't let you get hurt in the process."
"I'm not saying this just because I refuse to let you leave without me." She said pointedly at Ron. "I'm saying it because the teapot and I have a...connection." She already felt stupid saying it.
It surprised her more than anything that no one in the room rolled their eyes, or looked at her as if she had said anything out of the ordinary.
"...it trusts me." She continued. "And I saw visions of every enchantment. You actually need me on this one."
Harry and the Minister looked at one another.
"This is not up for discussion." Ron retorted, sending Harry and Shaklebot a clear message.
"She does have a point though." Harry said carefully, glancing up at Hermione. Despite being right, this was the first time she'd sent a smile his way and he tried to hide his appreciation.
Ron glared at Harry and they both looked at the Minister. Shaklebot stroked his chin in silence, glancing at Hermione.
Hermione piped up, "I promise I won't do any of the magic, I'll just be in the back as you know...a guide...and be there to grab the teapot when the time comes. I would just be an extra set of hands."
Shaklebot pretended to ignored her, but Ron started pacing around the room, clawing his fingers through his hair.
"It's your decision, Minister." Harry posed, trying to avoid the daggers being thrown his way by his best mate.
"Seeing as Hermione has all the memories and a connection with the teapot, it makes sense for her to attend as the expert here. The more people know about the teapot, the riskier this becomes not just now, but in the future."
Ron let out a frustrated throaty noise, and Hermione let out a whoop of joy.
Shaklebot continued. "Hermione, understand that this is very dangerous."
"I do. I understand." Hermione nodded.
Shaklebot stood up and headed for the door. "Let me know when it is secure. Good day, Harry, Ron...Hermione."
Harry followed close behind. "Umm...I'll go find something for you to wear." Harry glanced uncomfortably at Ron, closing the door behind him as he left.
There was silence in the room. Ron continued staring at the door as if someone would come back through and tell him it was all a test. She watched his back flex as he rubbed his eyes with his palms.
"This is reckless." His voice ached, as if his body had been bruised along with hers.
"This is the right decision." Hermione countered.
He turned around to her and she finally had a moment to look him over. The bags under his eyes signaled at least one sleepless night. His jaw was set and his shoulders were slumped, as if he didn't want to accept defeat. There was a clear crease on his forehead as he stared at her intently. He then pushed himself up and sat next to Hermione on the hospital bed.
Their arms touched, neither acquiescing to the other, but neither wanting to say anything they'll regret.
"I can't believe you apparated out of that bathroom." Ron chuckled as he nudged her arm.
"Well, forgot my wrist along with it. And apparently an eyebrow too. Uncle Hagrid mentioned that one."
"Uncle Hagrid." Ron laughed.
Hermione smiled at him and inched her hand over to his. He looked at it, but didn't take it.
"What are you thinking?" She asked quietly after a moment in silence.
He didn't respond right away. He seemed to be looking for the right words.
"I'm thinking...that I don't want to lose you again." He said honestly.
Hermione's heart managed to both flutter and also feel a dread of concern around his words. She understood full well that this was a risky plan. Not four hours ago her brain was being ripped apart by a couple of psychopaths and now she was ready to enter into a cave of magical enchantments with two people she's known less than a week.
What are you thinking?" He returned.
"I'm thinking...It's hard to believe we've only known each other for a couple of days." She answered.
"It's weird, right?" Ron chuckled.
Hermione nodded. "I finally feel like things make sense." She shared. "Like I make sense."
Ron turned and reached for an errant curl and wrapped it around his finger and let it spring back into place.
It didn't take long for the allure of his lips to take hold. She felt him inch toward her. She could sense his anticipation as his wolfish eyes bore into hers.
They inched closer and closer until she could feel his breath on her lips. She could almost taste him. All of the pain and suffering she'd gone through in the past twelve hours was worth it if she could just press her lips to his.
"I've borrowed some of Ginny's-" Harry barged into the room, stopping in surprise.
Hermione threw her hands up in frustration.
"Harry Potter. You. Are. The. Worst." Hermione barked, the moment now ruined. She popped off the bed and onto the floor, walking up to Harry and snatching the clothes from his arms and disappearing into the bathroom.
"She really doesn't like me, does she?" He whispered to Ron. "I swear I'm not doing it on purpose."
"I know." Ron responded reluctantly, also annoyed at Harry's second instance of poor timing. "Let's go over the plan."