Voldemort was gone. He was finally no more. The tireless efforts of Harry and his friends had finally succeeded in destroying the Horcruxes and bringing Voldemort to his demise. Hermione didn't know whether to cry in happiness and rejoice over the end to this Wizarding War or cry in grief over the friends and loved ones she had lost. She watched as Ron and his family fell apart, mourning the loss of a brother and son, Harry's pain at losing Lupin, Tonks…
Give over, Hermione! You lost them, too!
The emotional pain was starting to become unbearable, and she found herself trying to find some way to get away from Hogwarts after the battle had finally ended. She watched as friends and couples held tight to each other, embracing tightly and not letting go, sobbing on each others shoulders, taking comfort in each other.
Merlin, do I need that right now. . .
Hermione made her way down the halls of St. Mungo's, glancing around at the dozens of Medi Witches and wizards scrambling about, transporting patients and caring for the wounded as they came in one after another through the Floo network, needing to be tended to. She kept her arms crossed against her chest, trying to make her way to her destination as quickly and quietly as possible without getting in the way. The bright green robes of the healers made her eyes hurt after all of the tears she had shed earlier into the night.
Is it even night time? Or is it early morning now? Bugger all, who the bloody hell knows.
What you should be doing is getting some sleep, Hermione. Another little voice in her mind spoke up.
Her conscious screamed at her to check her own self in and get herself properly rested and hydrated, but her mind and heart kept her moving forward.
I have to go see him. I must go see him while no one else is around to disturb me or see us together. . .
She reached the Dai Llewellyn Ward for Serious Bites, making her way to the small counter sitting at the opposite end of the waiting room.
She was just barely able to make her voice audible when she approached.
"Excuse me? Ma'am?"
The woman did not acknowledge her. She couldn't even hear her. Hermione was barely able to speak with the hoarseness of her voice, and her shoulders started to shake. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure together.
She cleared her throat the best she could, giving off enough noise to have the small-framed witch glance up at Hermione over the top of her pointy framed spectacles, extracting her wand from the all-too-tight bun holding together her coarse grey hair.
"May I help you?" she asked shortly.
How about first of all, you can stop being an impatient bitch, then you can help! I just got over dealing with a Wizarding war just like everyone else here. The least you can do is have some compassion!
"Uhh-yes." Hermione finally managed to choke out, trying to conceal her annoyance. The beady witch just looked at her, mockingly motioning with her hand for Hermione to continue.
"Young lady, as you can see I'm very busy, so you need to make this quick."
The healers are the ones busy, you miserable woman. . .
Hermione took another deep breath, trying ever so hard not to forget all of her magical abilities, reach over that desk and clobber the rude woman.
"In which room would I find Severus Snape?"
The receptionist raised an eyebrow at Hermione, sizing her up and down before responding.
"Room 394," she replied. "I wish you the best of luck getting in. They have his door guarded."
"Guarded?" Hermione replied aghast. "Why on Earth would they do that? The man was hanging on for dear life after his attack. It's not like he's going anywhere!"
The witch had returned to her copy of Witch Weekly, chewing loudly on a piece of Droobles.
"The man is a Death Eater, honey. He has to be on watch."
"He is not a Death Eater!" Hermione growled back in a low voice.
The woman rolled her eyes, not noticing Hermione clenching her fists in anger and in restraint to not throw a punch at her.
"Regardless of your opinion, miss, the man still committed many crimes, and he will have to go to trial. As I said before, I'm extremely busy, so bugger off and go about your business so I can go about mine."
Hermione was fuming. How could anyone be so rude and cold hearted at a time like this? She knew the emotions and trauma were running high across the Wizarding world, but she didn't expect someone to speak to her like this: not at all.
She sucked in a deep breath, exhaling slowly to calm her body that was shaking with anger.
"Thank you, Ma'am...Have a good day."
Hermione turned away from the wretched woman and trekked down the hallway, her steps slowing as she reached his room and saw the auror outside Severus' door. Hermione recognised the man as John Dawlish, but she didn't know him extremely well.
"Miss. Granger," he said as he saw her approach, a small look of surprise on his face.
"I came here to see Sev- -umm- -Professor Snape, Mr. Dawlish."
His curious expression turned into a concerned frown. "Miss. Granger, I don't believe that would be the best idea at this time. . ."
"Is he stable enough for me to see him?" Hermione replied with a hint of impatience. She was already on edge from her encounter with the receptionist. "And please, don't lie to me," she continued, her voice a bit kinder and softer.
He was silent for several moments before he spoke again. He closed his eyes and huffed, slowly nodding his head.
"As far as what the Healer has told me, yes. He is not quite ready for me to take him, but he is stable."
"Then let me see him. Surely, you must have the necessary charms and spells in order to ensure he doesn't go anywhere, which I might add is rather unnecessary."
"I'm just doing as I'm told, Miss. Granger. But please, make this quick. The last thing I need is the other Aurors getting word that I allowed someone in."
Hermione nodded her head. "Thank you, Mr. Dawlish. I'll be as brief as I can."
She took one more deep breath before stepping forward and entering the dimly lit room.
She immediately felt the workings of a calming spell as she entered, feeling much more at ease than she was just a few short minutes ago.
Despite the spell, her throat went dry and her stomach turned when she first took sight of him.
He looked paler than ever. Even in the poor lighting she could see how white his skin was, as well as the two dark red marks protruding through the thick bandaging on his neck.
She choked back a sob, making her way to his bed and taking a seat next to it.
"Pr-professor?" she choked out in a hoarse whisper, but he didn't stir.
She glanced at the door for a moment, extracting her wand and murmuring a quick silencing charm to block out her voice and prevent Dawlish from hearing anything.
She turned back to her Potions professor, reaching out and taking hold of his hand, which was cold to the touch.
"Severus?" She spoke a little louder, fixated on his face as she watched him stir ever so slightly.
"Severus, wake up."
A low grumble left his throat, and his eyes slowly fluttered open. He gazed at the ceiling for several moments, glancing around before his head turned and his eyes set upon her.
He blinked a few times, and Hermione wasn't sure if he was trying to figure out who she was or if he didn't even know where he was.
"Miss. Granger." His low voice spoke, but it was the quietest she had ever heard it. "What on Earth are you doing here?"