Bellatrix pushed past her sister and broke into a run down the hallway, doors flying by her as she felt her vision start to tunnel. "No, not Hermione." She thought as she was running towards her lover's room. "This can't be happening." She slid into the room, throwing the door open. The lights were dimmed and her girlfriend was lying motionless in the bed. To anyone else, it would appear as if she were asleep. Bella felt in the pit of her stomach that something about this whole scenario was off. She had a cast on one of her hands, her dressing gown was open and had bandages across her abdomen, chest and part of her neck that were bloodied and in need of being changed.
"She's in a coma," Andy said, coming to stand next to her sister. "The boys are in the waiting room. I've filled them in."
"How?" Bellatrix said as she slowly approached the bed, conjuring a chair and sitting down next to Hermione's head. She ran her hand through the chestnut hair and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"When she went down, she hit her head pretty hard. The doctors aren't sure what to do. She'll probably need to be transferred to a muggle hospital. They were able to stop the curse and close up most of the wounds. The doctors said they will still bleed for a few days but that it isn't life threatening. She's on a blood replenishing potion. It also would appear that when she fell, she broke her wrist so they cast it just out of precaution, they used a bone setting spell but didn't want to take any chances." Andromeda took a breath and watched as her sister started to tear up. "I'll give you some time with her. The doctors will be in soon to talk to you. I've let them know you are here" without waiting for Bella to respond, she backed out of the room and closed the door softly behind her.
"This curse," she ran her fingers gently over the bandages on Hermione's middle, "was meant for me, love. It should be me laying here, not you. You didn't deserve any of this." Bella laid her forehead gently against her girlfriend's, "it's over. You are finally safe from that horrible woman and we can't even properly celebrate because somehow I still failed. I still managed to fuck everything up. I am so sorry that this happened to you. It should be me." Bella let the tears flow freely, clinging to her girlfriend as gently as she could. "This isn't over. You'll come back. Forever then." Bella kissed Hermione's cheek and felt herself drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Bella roused from her sleep by a hand slightly shaking her shoulder, "piss off Andy. I'm sleeping."
"Madam Black? My name is Stephanie. I'm the Healer in charge of Ms. Granger. Your sister informed me of what happened at the scene but I'd like to ask you a few additional questions if that's okay."
Bellatrix looked blearily between her girlfriend and the doctor trying to piece together everything that happened before she ended up in this chair bedside next to Hermione. "Sorry. Healer? I'm sorry. I didn't hear your name."
"Healer Swan." She held out her hand which Bellatrix hesitantly shook. "But please, call me Stephanie."
"Bellatrix."
"So, can you tell me how Ms. Granger fell when she was cursed?"
"Umm," Bella said, closing her eyes and the horrid memory of the event flashed before her eyes. "She went down sideways, landing on her arm which is why I assumed it's broken and her left temple."
"She didn't hit the back of her head then?" The healer asked, sounding surprised.
"No, not at that time." Bella sighed. "She was there for sometime before we arrived and had bruises on her face so I'm assuming some sort of altercation happened prior to our arrival. It's possible she hit her head more than once."
"Would anyone have seen this?"
"Possibly my nephew but he's only just turned six. I'm not sure he's ready for this type of conversation." Bella ran her hand through her hair, trying to find anything to ground herself to the present. "Maybe you should speak with his mother before you go questioning."
"No need to worry, Bellatrix. I'm not here to overstep. I'm only trying to create a plan here for Hermione's survival."
"'No need to panic,' she says. She only just used the word survival." Bella scoffed. "Okay Healer Swan, and just what are my girlfriend's chances of survival?" Bella narrowed her eyes at the other woman in the room.
"It's too early to say, ma'am. Because of the nature of her injuries now being muggle and not magical, after her sectumsempra wounds heal completely, if she's not awake, she'll need to be transferred to a muggle hospital."
"A muggle hospital? Are you mad?"
"We have a hospital in London that works closely with us here at St. Mungos and are well aware of the type of healing we perform. If it comes to that, Ms. Granger will be in the finest of care." Stephanie tried to sound as reassuring as possible. "Her vitals are stable currently and a nurse will be in shortly to tend to her bandages. I believe your other sister is the one providing her healing potions so she will be in as well at some point. If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm going to talk to Andromeda about speaking with her son."
"Whatever," Bella said, waving her hand dismissing the healer from the room. "Fuck, Hermione. You just have to wake up. A muggle hospital? No. I demand you wake up before your wounds heal. Me? Around muggles? Surely someone will die and it'll probably be me." Bella slumped back into her chair and closed her eyes. She felt a pulse in her pocket and jolted. "What?" Bella reached into her pocket and felt Hermione's phone and pulled it out. There was a missed call from her dad. "Merlin. I bet nobody thought to inform her parents. Fuck. I guess that's my job now." Bella reached out and grabbed Hermione's hand for support, flipped open the phone and scrolled through her phone book until she found Jack's number. "Thank Merlin you showed me how to use this stupid hello phone, pet. Well here goes nothing."
Bella pushed the call button and brought the phone up to her ear. She heard Jack pick up the phone and say, "buttercup. I've been waiting for your call."
"Umm, Jack actually it's me, Bellatrix Black."
Jack chuckled, "yes Bella, you don't always have to answer the phone with your first and last name. I would've known it was you as soon as you started speaking. What do I owe the pleasure? Have you finally proposed to my daughter?" Jack sounded happy on the phone and Bella sighed. She was about to ruin this man's day.
"No, actually that's not why I'm calling." She heard him give a soft 'oh' on the other side of the phone and she continued, "you see… there's been an accident."
"An accident? Is everyone? Hermione? You? Your sisters? Harry?" Jack's voice was becoming more frantic as she went on. "God forbid… is Teddy okay?"
"Jack. I honestly don't know how to tell you this. Any of this really. I'm not sure what you know about what's been going on after Christmas." Bella sighed. "Well Teddy was kidnapped…" she heard Jack gasp then went on retelling the tale of everything that happened up to and including Hermione getting cursed. "I'm so sorry Jack. I failed her. We are here at St. Mungos, the wizarding hospital. Hermione, she is in a coma. The healer said her magical ailments will be fixed fine, just heavy scarring but she hit her head hard once maybe twice and they might have to send her to a muggle hospital in a few days if she doesn't wake up beforehand." Bella let out a shakey breath. "I am so sorry, Jack. I never meant for her to get hurt."
"We will come straight away. Are we allowed at this St. Mungos?"
"Normally, no. Muggles aren't permitted inside. The building is cloaked like the Hogwarts express. I will work out. Just pack a bag for you and Katherine and I'll have someone come get you and apparate you here. You can stay with us at Grimmauld Place again and we get things settled."
"Okay. I have to go and tell Katherine."
"Someone will be there within the hour."
"Bella. It's not your fault." Jack said before Bella heard the click of the phone and the line went dead.
Bella sighed and put the phone on the table next to Hermione. "I'll be right back, Pet. Have to make arrangements for your parents. Don't wake up without me." Bella said standing up and leaning over to kiss Hermione's forehead before covering her more completely with the blanket and exiting the room. Bella followed the signs on the wall to the waiting room and found Draco and Harry sleeping in their chairs while Teddy was sitting on his grandma's lap hugging her tightly. "I just got off the phone with Hermione's dad. Told him the situation. He wants to come. I told him we would work it out so he and Katherine could come."
Andy reached over and smacked Harry, "wake up. You need to go get Mr. and Mrs. Granger and apparate them here." Harry woke up and fixed his glasses on his nose. "You too, sunshine." Andy reached over and kicked Draco. "The two of you need to go get The Grangers. Go now."
"I've never been to The Granger's house. Do you know where they live?" Harry asked, trying to shake the sleepy sound out of his voice.
"I do." Bella spoke up and motioned to Harry to let her in his mind. "There. Just there. Do you see it?" Bella asked when she projected the memory of The Granger's house and street into his mind.
"Yes, I got it." Harry yawned again.
"For Merlin's sake. The two of you need to go get some coffee before you leave. I told them someone would be there within the hour." Bella took a seat next to Andy before turning back to the boys. "Thank you."
"Anything we can do to help, Aunt Bella." Draco said, putting his hand on his aunt's shoulder and squeezing.
Teddy climbed out of Andy's lap and snuggled into Bella's. Bella wrapped her arms around Teddy and squeezed him tightly causing him to giggle into her chest. "Go get some coffee. If you splinch the Grangers, Hermione will kill you when she wakes up." Andy instructed the pair as they made their way towards the door.
"Yeah, even when she's in a coma, Granger is still scary as hell." They heard Draco say to Harry as they exited the waiting room.
Bella sat back into her chair and let Teddy fully snuggle into her. She started to absentmindedly stroke the blue mop on the top of his head. "I've missed you buddy." She kissed the top of his head, smelling his hair and committing his scent to memory. "I'm so glad you are safe."
"I miss you too Aunty Bella," Teddy sat up and threw his arms around her neck, kissing her cheek. "I'm sorry Mione got hurt. It's all my fault."
"Listen here, Teddy. What happened to Hermione is not anyone's fault except Dolores Umbridge. She was an awful lady who only wanted to hurt me but you and Hemrione got hurt instead. She can't hurt any of us now."
"Will she be okay?" Teddy asked with tears in his eyes.
"I hope so, Buddy." Bella reached down and took his hand in hers. "Now, how about we go find someone to take care of this." She winked at him before gathering him up in her arms.
"I'll talk to the administrator and tell them The Grangers are coming. Get back in with Hermione. Her healer or nurse should be able to look at his hand." Andy smiled at her sister before making her way to the elevators.
"Thank you, Andy." Bella nodded and started to walk with Teddy back to Hermione's room.
"Hermione was so brave. She talked to me through my brain like you do when you make jokes." Teddy laughed.
"She's always brave. Bravest person I've ever met." Bella smiled at her nephew. "Did you see if Hermione hit her head before we got there?"
"Umm…" Teddy scratched his head trying to think. "Yes! Well I tried to warn her but she was too late. Professor Umbridge cursed her and she fell down."
"Don't call that horrible woman that. I give you permission to call her Hell Bitch. Just don't say it around your granny." Bella smirked when Teddy started to giggle. "So when Hell Bitch hit Hermione, did Hermione hit the back of her head when she fell?"
"Hmm… I think so. She looked like she was asleep. On her back. Then…" Teddy looked around and whispered, "hell bitch had Ms. Jane move her to the chair and tie her up."
"Okay," Bella said, noting Teddy's uncomfortable body language as he talked about the memories. "Would it be okay later if I take a look at your memories?" Teddy nodded his confirmation. "We don't have to do it today. It's been a long day everyone. Come on," she said, putting Teddy down and grabbing his good hand, "let's go see Hermione." They walked the short distance to her room and were greeted by the nurse changing her bandages. Bella gulped as she saw just how deep the wounds were. She knew they were bad but wasn't prepared for the visuals of them. Hermione would have some pretty nasty scars after they healed. "How is she?" Bella asked cautiously at the nurse.
"She's doing as best she can," the nurse who introduced herself as Rose replied putting some magical salve onto the wounds. "I think her wounds will heal about 70% from where they are now. That's not so bad considering how deep they were just two hours ago. She's lucky they didn't hit her any higher on her neck."
"Lucky, indeed." Bella scoffed. "While you are here, can you take a look at this little man's hand? It appears he was a victim of a blood quill and could use some looking after." Bella walked Teddy over to where the nurse had her supplies.
"Sure I can do that. What's your name?" Rose turned to Teddy as he told her his name. "Well Teddy, why don't you go have a seat over there," she pointed to the recliner next to a small table, "and I'll come take a look as soon as I finish putting Hermione's bandages on." She winked at Teddy and sent him on his way. "I can show you how to change the bandages if you'd like." The nurse offered Bellatrix the option and honestly she wasn't sure if she was comfortable with that.
"Will I hurt her?" Bella asked moving closer to the bed to watch the nurse.
"No, she's on pain medication and when the wounds start to close more, the scars will just be sensitive. She shouldn't be feeling any pain right now. Here," she handed Bella the salve. "Just take a small amount on your hand and rub it gently onto the wounds. You should feel her abdomen contract at your touch and the wounds will move but it will be a day or two before they start closing." Bella eyed her tentatively. "Go on…"
Bella reached three fingers into the jar and scooped out a small amount, "okay. Like this?" She asked holding up her hand to confirm the amount and when Rose nodded, Bella slowly rubbed her hand across one of the open wounds on Hermione's stomach. She felt her abdomen contract and her breath hitch. "Did I hurt her?"
"No, she's fine. Keep going." Rose encouraged Bella. The older witch helped the nurse salve and wrap the wounds with minimal talking before Bella returned to her seat at the head of the bed and Rose went over to give Teddy some salve, a pain potion and a bandage. The nurse excused herself and Bella conjured some books and motioned for Teddy to come over. She spent the next half hour reading a few of Teddy's favorite books to him. She truly missed her nephew more than she would've thought possible. She had always been close to Teddy but living with him had really opened Bella up to the possibility of having her own children one day. It was a fleeting thought when the door to Hermione's room opened and Narcissa walked in wearing her lab coat and carrying a small container of potions. "Well…well…well look who finally came to visit." Bella smirked at her baby sister who rushed over, put the potions down and threw her arms around Bella's neck.
"Thank Merlin, you are okay. I have been a mess wondering what happened to you after Andy came with Miss Granger. I was so worried they were going to send you back to Azkaban or hold you for questioning."
"They had no reason to. I only did what was necessary and trust me, they have a lot more answering to do about the situation than I do. I'm going to make sure heads roll at the ministry." Narcissa pulled away from the hug and Bella saw a rare show of emotion across her sister's face. "Hey. I'm fine. Everything is fine." Narcissa looked over to Hermione and bit her bottom lip. "Yeah, it's not looking so good right now but trust me when I say, I'm not letting that woman go. She will get better." Bella wiped the single tear from Narcissa's cheek, "now tell me about these potions and what they do for her." Narcissa picked the potions back up and went into a long winded speech about all of the potions and how each one of them worked in Hermione's body. Bella listened with as much attention as she could muster while Teddy snuck off of Bella's lap and went to sit on the other side of the room.
—
Three days later
Hermione was still peacefully at rest. Healer Swan was monitoring her brain activity and there were no magical concerns. Her wounds had closed enough to where she was able to be moved to the muggle hospital. Bella watched with rapt attention as Hermione was taken from St. Mungo's via apparation with the mediwitches to the leaky cauldron and from there she was transported to the muggle hospital in a very loud muggle death trap. Bella let Katherine ride with Hermione in what she was calling an ambulance while Bella rode with Jack. "I never thought I'd see the day where Bellatrix Black voluntarily rode with me in my car." Jack laughed as Bella hung on to the handle above her seat. "You looked worried." Jack continued after Bella shot him a frustrated look. "After the doctors check her out, we will have more answers. We shouldn't think the worst until we know for sure." Jack patted Bella on her hand in an effort to calm the tense witch.
"At this moment Jack, I'm more worried about dying in this death trap on wheels than anything else."
"Close your eyes, love. We are almost there."
"Somehow that makes it worse. Maybe I'll just obliviate this memory when we get there." Bella was only half joking with Jack. She would never get used to riding in a car and certainly hoped she wouldn't have to get used to it. "I just need to find a nice spot behind the hospital where I'll be able to apparate and I'll never have to set foot in a car again."
Hermione had been settled into her new room and the doctor who introduced herself as Dr. Hoffman, head of neuroscience at the hospital, went over the backstory of the accident and the treatments so far that she received from Healer Swan. The most fascinating part of the experience to Bella was that the doctor didn't bat an eye when talking about magic. She didn't seem impressed nor put out by the fact that she was treating a witch. "So what are you going to do to her?" Bella asked looking up from Hermione for the first time during the conversation.
"We need to get her down for a CAT scan and possibly an MRI pending the results of the first test. Would you like me to explain those to you?"
"No." Bella answered curtly. "There is no need as I'm sure to forget it immediately. Jack and Katherine will fill me in with whatever is necessary to retain. Will this hurt her?"
"Not at all." The doctor reassured Bella.
"Very well then. Get it sorted." Bella dismissed the doctor while Katherine stared at her in disbelief. "What?"
"The way you talked to the doctor…" Katherine started to speak but was cut off by Bella.
"Was I rude? I didn't mean to be. I don't have much experience dealing with muggles so I'm not quite sure how to speak to them appropriately." Bella pulled a seat over next to Hermione and sat down, thinking. "Maybe I'll watch you talk to her and take some leading cues from you. Yes. That seems appropriate right?" Bella looked up at Katherine giving her a smile.
"Yes, that would be appropriate." Katherine chuckled. "This all must be so new and confusing for you. I can't even imagine all of the things you'll experience first hand."
A nurse came by to wheel Hermione's bed to the CT scan, Katherine excused herself to make a few family phone calls so Bella thought that it would be a good opportunity to use Hermione's phone to text Andy an update.
3:29pm
Hermione was taken to get scanned by cats. Don't know what that means but her mom says it's fine.
3:31pm
Do you mean she's getting a CAT scan?
3:35pm
How is that different from what I said?
3:36pm
Pureblood snob
3:40pm
Fuck you Andy.
3:41pm
Love you too. Text me or call when you have an update.
"Would you like to join me in the cafeteria for some tea?" Jack asked Bella, standing up and stretching his arms over his head.
"I should probably stay here in case Hermione comes back." Bella was saying as her stomach emitted a loud rumbling noise. She wrapped her arm around her waist to try to quiet the rumble heard.
Jack laughed, "oh, those tests usually take awhile. I think it's safe to go get something to eat. We will be back in plenty of time," he reassured the dark witch.
"Well," Bella bit her lip looking at the empty spot where Hermione's bed should be occupying. "I guess if we make it quick."
"Brilliant!" Jack said, holding the door open for her, "after you."
"It's been at least two hours since Hermione was taken down there. She's been back forever. Is the bloody doctor ever going to come in and tell us what the hell is wrong with her?" Bella asked, frustrated. She began pacing back and forth at the foot of the hospital bed.
"Welcome to the muggle hospital. Where they take you for a test and then forget your existence for hours and hours." Jack deadpanned.
"And you say these people are paid well?" Bella stopped pacing and turned to Jack, her expression serious.
"Some of the highest paid muggles around."
"Rubbish. I'm going out there and dragging the doctor back in for an explanation." Bella started walking towards the door when she felt a small, cold hand reach out and grab her wrist. "What?" She asked exasperated.
"Look," Katherine pointed to the door where they could see the outline of a couple of doctors standing outside.
"Oh," Bella said, taking a seat between the two parents. "Is it good when there are multiple of them?" Bella gulped.
"Not usually, dear." Katherine reached out and held onto Bella's hand. Bella sighed and clutched the offered hand in return.
There was a gentle knock on the door and Hermione's doctor came in followed by two other younger looking doctors. "I'm glad you are all here," the doctor started to speak while Bella eyed them all suspiciously, gripping Katherine's hand a little tighter.
"We've had the chance to review Hermione's CT scan and there is some news."
"Well by the look on that kid's face," Bella pointed to the intern who looked ghostly white, "everything is good and Hermione will be waking up momentarily."
Katherine shook her head and used her free hand to pat Bella on the leg, "she's really anxious. As we all are. Please just tell us what's going on with Hermione."
"And," Jack said, "please use language that everyone will understand." He nodded his head gently towards Bella. "We just want answers."
"Of course," Dr Hoffman began by bringing the images up on the computer. "Hermione is suffering from a depressed skull fracture. Just here," she pointed to just above the base of her skull, "when she originally fell she hit her head there and I suspect when she was taken to St. Mungos, a general Episkey was cast and it healed her more minor cuts. Normal depressed skull fractures have a cut into the head with damage to the skull. The wound was closed but not before an infection could start." Dr. Hoffman took a breath before continuing, "Hermione has an infection in her brain and we will need to go in and get it out before it spreads. When we are in we can see if her fracture will heal naturally or if we will need to put in a plate."
Bella looked at Jack desperately, tears forming behind her eyes. "I don't understand…"
"So Hermione needs surgery?" Jack asked the doctor.
"Yes. As soon as tomorrow, so we can clear the infection."
"And the outcome?" Katherine asked.
"She will most likely have a normal recovery as long as the infection hasn't spread. The fracture shouldn't impact her functioning. Though there might need to be physical therapy depending on what happens if she wakes up."
"If," Bella said almost silently before looking at the doctor, "you said if she wakes up. Why isn't she awake? Is it from the infection?"
"No, we don't believe that has anything to do with us. We feel that her coma is magically induced. We are unaware if it has to do with the amount of potions she'd been fed the past few days, or if Hermione is magically protecting herself and it's a self induced magical coma. We can only hope that after the surgery, she will wake up as normal."
"We hope?" Bella almost shrieked but reeled herself in, "I'm sorry but hope and if isn't going to cut it. I am planning on marrying that woman and damnit she has to actually be alive for me to ask her." Bella ignored the looks of shock from Jack and Katherine and continued, "I know brain surgery isn't easy and there will be shit she has to overcome but if you don't fucking do everything in your muggle doctor power to bring her back to me, I will kill you myself."
"Noted." Dr. Hoffman said not flinching away from Bella's threat. "We will do everything in our power to bring your future wife back to you." The doctor nodded to the other two doctors who left the room, "we have to run a few blood tests and other minor things before the surgery. We will schedule it for tomorrow. I'd suggest having people who love her come say something encouraging to her before the surgery. She can probably hear you and I've found it helps coma patients recover faster surrounded by loved ones." She started to walk towards the door, "put your faith in me, Madam Black."
"My faith gave out a long time ago, doctor." Bella sighed and nodded at the doctor as she left the room. Bella got up and walked over to sit next to the head of Hermione's bed. "Brain surgery? That can't be good right?" She looked desperately at her girlfriend's parents. "I am so far out of place here. I just need her to be okay. And just wait until I find out who did her exam at Mungos and closed that wound. It's the killing curse for them."
"Bella," Katherine said, coming to stand next to her, "we have faith that Hermione will pull through. We can help you with all this muggle terminology. I know it must be scary and confusing for you."
"You have no idea," Bella shuddered.
"Can I see it?" Katherine asked.
Bella turned to look at her not knowing what she was talking about then her face blanched when she remembered her confession. "Well fuck. I didn't want anyone to know but I guess that's gone to shit now," Bella reached into her pocket and pulled out the ring box handing it to Katherine who took it and walked over to Jack. They smiled at the ring and then again at Bella, "don't even think about saying…"
Bella started to threaten and was cut off by Jack, "we wouldn't dream of stealing this moment from you. Your death threats are no good here."
Bella had texted Andy to start a chain of messages going to Cissy, Harry, Draco and anyone else she thought might want to know and come see Hermione before her surgery scheduled for first thing in the morning. Jack and Kathrine were outside making phone calls to Hermione's muggle relatives but asking them not to come until whatever outcome of the surgery happens. Hermione needed an appropriate time to recover and gain her strength back. Bella refused to believe this was the end of her girlfriend. She had never even given herself the option of a forever but now that she had it, she sure as hell wasn't letting it go.
Andy and Teddy showed up about 20 minutes after they received the worried text, "what are you guys doing here?" Bella asked, uncrossing her legs so nephew could crawl up in her lap.
"You said Hermione needed support. Well here we are. Cissy said she'd come later when Draco and Harry could bring her. I asked Teddy if he wanted to stay with Cissy but he was insistent on seeing your witch."
"Is she going to be okay?" Teddy asked, reaching out to touch Hermione on her arm. "She looks sad."
"I sure hope she's going to be okay. Want to say something to her? The doctor said she can probably hear you."
Teddy's eyes widened happily then maneuvered himself on Bella so his mouth was by Hermione's ear, "I hope they fix you. I miss you." He kissed her cheek before adding, "I'm sorry I got taken. Thank you for being brave." He almost retreated but turned back and added, "I love you."
Bella knew that Teddy loved Hermione as his own aunt but she can't recall a time that he ever told her he loved her as he just did. Bella quickly cleared her throat, staving off any remaining tears that hadn't already fallen through the course of the day. "Okay then?" She asked as Teddy sat back down, resting his head on Bella's shoulder. He nodded and snuggled in deeper as she brought her arms around him wrapping him in a tight hug. "She loves you, too." Bella kissed the top of Teddy's head and inhaled deeply, finding comfort in her young nephew.
"So, how are you?" Andy asked, pulling a chair over to sit next to her older sister. "Honestly, not the bullshit customer service answer."
"I'm a mess." She put her hands over Teddy's ears and whispered with determination in her voice, "I just want to kill everyone. That'll make me feel better. A trail of dead bodies and my girlfriend awake and smiling."
"If you were the cause of a pile up of dead bodies, you and I both know that Hermione would not be smiling." Andy smirked, "and you most definitely would be going back to Azkaban."
The dark witch shook her head and let go of Teddy's ears. "Semantics, Andy. I just want her to wake up. The doctor seems to think it's a magical or self-induced coma. She thinks Hermione will just magically wake up when she is ready." Bella turned and looked at her girlfriend, "well I'm ready now, love. Wake up anytime."
Jack popped his head in to tell them he and Katherine were going for a walk around the hospital when he spotted the new arrivals, "Teddy!" Jack said squatting down with open arms and the young boy ran towards Jack ending in a full force tackle hug. "Want to come for a walk with us?" Teddy nodded enthusiastically and Jack looked to his grandmother for the okay. When she nodded her consent, he stood up and grabbed Teddy's hand. "Come on, let's go find Katherine. Rumor has it, there are some cats that linger around outside."
"Oh boy!" The sisters heard Teddy say with renewed excitement as the door closed.
They sat in silence for a few minutes just listening to the steady beat of Hermione's heart monitor. Bella couldn't stand it anymore and broke the deafening silence. "Why didn't you leave Teddy at Grimmauld with Kreacher? This muggle hospital is no place for a young boy."
"Are you mad? Teddy just turned six. There's no way I would leave him at home with kreacher."
"We stayed home with the house elves all the time and just look at us now," Bella smirked, "we all turned out moderately okayish. Besides, Twiggy was there, too."
"Actually no she isn't. Twiggy went home last night. We all kind of decided last night to leave Grimmauld and return to our homes." Andy looked at her sister with worried eyes. She didn't really want to be the one to deliver this news to her sister as she was unsure how the witch would take it at this point in time. There was already so much for the dark witch to swallow, she didn't want to add to it. "Bella…"
"So, what? You lot just got together last night and decided it was time to move on with your lives?" Bella sneered, ripping her arm away from her sister when she reached out for comfort.
"You know it wasn't like that, Bella."
"Oh do I?" Bella spat out at her sister. "Apparently it was time to move on. Business as usual."
"We have monopolized Harry's house since November. Umbridge is dead. The threat is gone. We all have to move on eventually." Andy scooted her chair closer, "you know this wasn't meant to hurt you."
Bella sighed and finally looked at her sister, "so that's it. Everybody left. What happens," her words caught in her throat, eyes threatening to spill unshed tears, "what if she doesn't get better. I'm just meant to go back to Black Manor and continue on as normal? I don't think I can go back there if she isn't with me." Bella looked at her sister desperately, "she grounds me, Andy. I need her with me."
Andy reached out and grabbed her sister's hand expecting Bella to pull away and when she didn't, Andy sadly smiled at her. "We are all here for you and Hermione no matter what happens. We are here." The oldest sister shook her head in acknowledgement and Andy knew that was the best she was going to get from her. Emotions weren't easy for Bella and she had been experiencing too many of them in such a short time. "If you want, Teddy and I can come stay at Black Manor. Help you take care of Hermione after she comes home. I am a mediwitch after all."
"I knew you were trying to get an invite to come live with us. Hinting around about it," Bella smirked. "It might be nice though having Teddy around and we can watch him while you are at work."
"Oh, I don't work in the summers. I made an arrangement that I can be home with Teddy during his summers off."
"So you'd be there… all the time?" She eyed her sister suspiciously. "Maybe I don't like this after all." She snorted when Andy smacked her on the shoulder. "Well… I suppose you can come stay with us until Teddy goes back to school. Your house is closer to the primary school anyway."
"Teddy is going to die of happiness. He was all sad last night not being able to see his Bella everyday." Andy's words made the older witch smile a genuine smile for the first time in days.
"Thank you," were the last words exchanged before they fell into a comfortable silence.
The doctor had popped in a few times throughout the evening to make sure Hermione's blood levels were showing less and less potion so that way she could be properly anesthetized during the operation. They moved the surgery from the first thing in the morning until the afternoon. Dr. Hoffman was confident that her blood levels would be fine by morning but wanted to give extra time for the potions to wear off ordering blood tests every three hours until they came back clear. Hermione still hadn't made any changes in consciousness but she was a very popular patient tonight. Her guests were coming in one by one to give her some words of encouragement and show her some love. Bella used this time to pop home, get a shower and attempt to eat something. She promised Hermione that she'd be back within two hours and not to wake up without her.
Narcissa went in first and looked around the muggle hospital room. It was her first time in this sort of hospital and she was not entirely impressed with the accommodations. Of course St. Mungos wasn't paradise but to Narcissa it was inherently better. She looked over and saw Hermione laying in the bed, eyes closed looking semi at peace. She walked over and slowly settled down into the seat she had assumed her sister had been sitting in all day.
"Ms. Granger," Narcissa started, then shook her head, reaching out to touch the younger woman's shoulder, "Hermione, if you can hear me, I just wanted to say thank you for saving my sister. You are the best thing to have ever happened to her and I refuse to let you leave her now. Bella needs you so it would really be great if you pulled through this. She really misses you." Narcissa patted her shoulder, "I've also come to love you myself. You are the annoying know it all little sister than I never knew I always wanted. The world would be amiss without you, Hermione." Narcissa nodded her head, tucked a hair behind Hermione's ear then got out of the chair and made her way out of the room.
Draco entered the room after his mother and he gulped when he saw just how small Hermione looked laying in the hospital bed. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair before slowly walking over to what his mother referred to as the 'Bella chair' and sat down. He sat and stared at the ceiling in quiet contemplation for a while thinking of what he wanted to say to his sleeping enemy turned friend. They didn't have the easiest relationship growing up and honestly he wasn't even sure they became friends until about a year or so ago but the change in their relationship was welcomed by Draco and he was not willing to let it go so easily.
"Granger," he started turning to face her, folding his hand and propping his elbows on his legs. "Astoria said that she hopes you get well soon. The muggle doctor wouldn't let her in because she had a fever, whatever that means. Anyway," he started to falter in his words, "I just wanted to say that my Aunt is really a mess without you. That night at the Shrieking Shack, I'll never forget the look of absolute devastation on her face. I honestly don't know how she's holding it together. If this was Astoria, I'd be an utter wreck." Draco sighed, "you need to get better okay. Not just for my aunt. The wedding is in August and it would be weird if you weren't there. I know we haven't always gotten on but I've come to think of you as that annoying older sister I never wanted. Plus Aunt Bella hasn't made fun of me once the past four days and it's been awful. Don't get well for us though, get better for yourself. The wizarding world needs you, Minister Granger." Draco reached out and squeezed Hermione's hand before getting up and leaving the room.
Andy carefully snuck into a room a little while after Draco when everyone was sitting down in the waiting room catching up. She looked at her friend laying under the crisp white hospital blanket, sunk down to the ground behind the door and started to quietly sob. The emotions of the past few weeks were finally bubbling to the surface and she was afraid that she would never be able to turn them off. She allowed herself a few moments of weakness before she shook her head clear, stood and approached the bed. There was so much she wanted to say to Hermione that she honestly wasn't certain where to begin. If it wasn't for the stubborn meddling brunette laying next to her, she wouldn't have her older sister back in her life. Hermione had brought so many positive changes to the House of Black that it was truly inconceivable.
"Listen," Andy started softly, placing with the hem of her T-shirt, "I don't know what to say here. I'm not even certain you can hear me." Andy sighed, trying not to fidget. "Thank you for going in for Teddy. I know I already said it but it bears saying it again and again because a simple thanks will never be good enough for what you did for him and for me. If something drastic would've happened to Teddy, well…" she looked off into the distance as her tears threatened to spill again, "well I don't think I could've survived another loss. You saved both of us by going into the shack and I will forever be grateful." Andy stopped playing with her shirt and reached out to grab Hermione's hand. "My sister needs you. She needs you more than she needs air to breathe. It's only been a few days but she's lost without you and she's desperate to have you back. I know you are a fighter so if you can hear me, please come back. We all need you, Hermione." Andy was getting ready to leave before she turned back and kissed her on the forehead, "I do love you, you know?" Shaking the fog from her head, she quietly exited the room.
Bella had come back true to her word, two hours after she left, showered, fed and ready to spend the night. Nobody at the muggle hospital even thought twice about discussing visiting hours with her. Bella wasn't going anywhere until Hermione could come
home. She was giving people time to go in and say whatever they wanted to say to her sleeping witch while she sat and watched the most peculiar children television shows with Teddy. "This is quite strange, is it not?" She whispered to Teddy who nodded his agreement but neither of them made an effort to turn it off.
Hermione's parents just exited the room, Katherine looked as if she had been crying. Bella was certainly having a hard time dealing with her own emotions but seeing the raw feelings of her friends and family was starting to eat away at her.
Harry stood up and said, "well I suppose I'm the last one." He cleared his throat and nodded towards the door, "yep. Here I go." It took him a few seconds to actually start moving towards the room. His best friend since he was 11 was laying behind that door. Sure he knew that the muggle doctors were excellent but that didn't stop the ache in his heart that he felt for his friend and for himself. He knocked lightly on the door and entered, "oh well. I probably didn't need to knock." He softly closed the door and made his way over to the chair. A sense of dread overwhelmed him and he felt a little dizzy the closer he got to his friend. "Hello," he started nervously. "I'm not quite sure what to say. I'm sure you've heard that from everyone today. I know your surgery is going to be fine tomorrow. I have a feeling it will. I'm scared for you though. I want you to get better and to wake up. Selfishly, you are my best friend and have been for how many years now? It's not supposed to be this way. If one of us was destined for a coma and brain surgery it was me, maybe Ron never you. Ron told me to tell you he's thinking about you. He misses you, too and he said he's sorry. I'm not sure what all that means but hopefully you can work it out." Harry cleared his throat. "I can't imagine getting older, getting married and sending my kids off to Hogwarts without you being there. I want you there. I need you with me. Luna moved in and brought about 20 dirigible plum plants. I need you." Harry chuckled. "Imagine us getting married and being able to take our kids to the Hogwarts express together." Harry smiled brightly thinking about all the future things that were always unspoken between them. "I know you are stubborn and a fighter. You put up with me and Ron everyday for 7 years. You can fight this. We all need you to fight this. I need you to fight this." Harry looked over to the door and saw Bella standing outside pacing and he chuckled softly. "Bella needs you. She's a right mess without you and it's pretty annoying actually. Oh hey," he looked at the door and leaned in closer, "I don't think I'm supposed to know this and if you can hear me… pretend you didn't but I think Bella has something important she wants to ask you. And for what it's worth, you already have my blessing and I expect to be the best man." Harry leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I love you. You will always be my favorite sister."
"Well my love," Bella said, closing the door after everyone had left for the evening, "it's just you and me now." She looked over at her girlfriend and her heart shattered in a million pieces. "I'm not sure how to do all of this," Bella motioned between herself and Hermione, "without you. You ground me. It's you who tackles this serious stuff and I just stand around and make inappropriate jokes." Bella sighed and started to move towards the bed. She saw an opening on Hermione's left side where no wires and tubes were and settled herself down on the bed next to her girlfriend making sure not to press on her cast. She curled up into her side and rested her head on Hermione's shoulder. "I know I'm supposed to be the strong one here and tell you everything is going to be fine but I'm scared. I don't know how to survive without you. I can't survive without you." Bella hugged her girlfriend, wrapping her arm around her abdomen carefully so as to not re-injure her sectumsempra wounds. "I want to have forever with you. I let myself get lost in the notion of forever with you. Here look at this," Bella maneuvered slightly so she could pull the ring box out of her pocket. "This is our forever right here. I want to give this to you more than anything in the world. And mark my words, I will give this to you." Bella nodded and put the ring back and laid back down. "And you know those unspoken children you want, I want that too." A tear escaped her eye and landed on Hermione's shoulder, "I want that all with you." Bella clung tighter to her witch, "please, please… come back to me."