A/N: And I know you're bored to death, so read on – may be you will die and I'll inherit some other distant planet… Oops, I forgot – I already own the universe!
Disclaimer: Too bad for me, but I don't own Hermione, Harry or anybody else, except for Lynn and Carrie, and all the rest is J.K. Rowling's
The Road Part 4
Hermione burst into tears again. She was not sure what was better – to have Harry dead, or to have him alive, but not recognizing you.
- Hermione. He's not in the hospital – I don't know how come Voldemort didn't finish him off, and how come you survived, and how come… Ah! All this seems like a miracle in these days!
- Harry… alive… - Hermione looked at Sirius, her eyes full of tears – will we see him?
- As soon as you're ready. But, Hermione… It might be too painful for you… It might be…
- No, no, I have to go… I have to see him, I have to…
- Let's go – Sirius gave her his hand, and she got up from the floor. Glancing at Lynn and Carrie she smiled again – Shall I take them?
- Yes, yes, we cannot leave them alone, even for a minute – Death Eaters are lurking everywhere – he sighed – dangerous time it is, Hermione…
Hermione and Sirius exited the gloomy house. Sirius was murmuring something under his breath. Hermione was lost for words. Harry is not dead! He's alive… But… he's insane… He doesn't recognize me… he doesn't recognize anybody… But he's not dead! Oh, Harry is alive! He's alive! He's not dead… But how, how come he survived. This is a miracle. A true miracle. Hermione smiled to herself again, as they approached the huge St. Marcus Hospital. A fat, smiling woman, which seemed to be as wide as she was tall, greeted them by the door.
- Sirius, is it, and… - she looked at Hermione
- Hermione… er… Hermione Potter.
Woman's expression darkened. She, without a sound, let them into the hospital, and led them through dark corridors, into the left wing. Finally they reached the door. Room 331, it read. The woman silently opened the door, and shook her head.
- No use visiting him, Mrs. No use, no use… Poor boy, poor boy – not recognizing anyone, no, no…
But Hermione was not listening to her, she was looking at a person on the bed – one of the three in the room. One of them was empty, on the other one was lying dark-haired man, sleeping. And in the corner there he was – Harry. Hermione approached him, placing Lynn and Carrie besides her. Harry was staring into the ceiling, his eyes empty, hollow and blank, completely blank, dead eyes, without the wonderful sparkles of life they always head – not the piercing green eyes, but more like a misty bottle-glass now. It was not her Harry.
- Er… Harry! Harry, it's me, Hermione! – She touched his shoulder.
He remained as he was. He looked as if he was dead, but still breathing, still "living", if you can call this life.
- Harry! Harry, it's us – me, and Lynn, and Carrie…
No reaction. Harry's eyes were still staring at the ceiling, still lifeless, misty eyes.
- He doesn't speak, Hermione – Sirius placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder. She turned around. Tears were shining in his eyes.
- He… he does not do ANYTHING? Just… just like that?
- Oh, no, Mrs. It's worse sometimes. – The fat woman joined in, eyeing two girls and Harry on one bed, and all of them – with same green eyes, same big, piercing eyes.
- What do you mean? – Hermione looked at her, puzzled – she couldn't know what was worse than this… Well, may be except for what happens to people after the Dementors' kiss.
- He's been having nightmares… Every night… Shouting about you and some Lynn and Carrie and Ron and You-know-who… Horrible nightmares he's having. And the rest of the time –just like that – automatic eating and the rest of the day just lying like this on the bed… - the lady shook her head again
- You mean… he talks?
- Of course… But that's at night… At the day…
A crazy idea came into Hermione's head. Crazy, but what if?
- Can I spend a night here, Mrs.…
- Browne, dear, Browne… Of course, you can, but… It's useless… He – she pointed at Sirius – already did this once, and nothing… The boy did not even wake up!
- Ah, Hermione, it's horrible, it's… completely useless… - Sirius murmured, his face dark and sullen
- I… I still want to stay, Sirius…
- Okay, you can stay… With the kids?
- Is it okay?
- They'll be bored to death, they will… But they cannot distract that patient – she pointed on a sleeping man – he's been sleeping for about three months now.
- Oh… - Hermione looked absently at the sleeping person – her mind was fixed on Harry.
- Hermione, are you sure…? – Sirius looked at Hermione once more
- Yes, Sirius… Plus, here I will be safer than anywhere else… - she forced a smile…
- Yes, Hermione, of course… - Sirius looked at Harry once more. Then his eyes traveled to Hermione.
- I've got to go now… I will see you again tomorrow. I'm meeting Remus on Diagon Alley today, and I'm almost late – He hurried out of the room, stopping in the doorway to glance once more at Harry and Hermione. Hermione was now sitting at the foot of Harry's bed, trying hard not to cry right now, in front of Mrs. Browne and Sirius.
- Good bye, Hermione… - Sirius said, and Mrs. Browne went after hi, saying – Hope you'll be alright, Hermione…
As the door closed tears started pouring down Hermione's cheeks. She was here – Harry was alive – girls peacefully asleep – but she was crying – crying, because it looked like Harry is lost for her, and for the rest of the world forever.
Finally she fought back the tears and stood up, sitting on the bed, and looking at Harry. He was still looking as if dead. She touched his curls, his scar on the forehead, she looked at his face, so dear to her. He remained unmoving.
- Harry – she murmured – Oh, Harry…
A single tear slid down onto his pillow…
A/N: Okay, okay, okay. I know I am too evil, but that's me!
Soon (I hope) there's gonna be more. See you, and PLEASE REVIEW!
Melamorie