Disclaimer: All recognizable people, places, and things belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter One
The End?
In Harry Potter's fifth year, the fifteen year old had defeated Voldemort. The list of causalities included none other than Professor Severus Snape. He had been kissed by a dementor under Voldemort's control for his treacherous behavior. His body had been tossed into a ditch and left to rot. But he had been found and his body carted off to St. Mungos's ward for the incurable.
But…
Hermione Granger sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap. She glanced at the clock on the waiting room wall for the hundredth time, her hands smoothing over her purse that rests on her lap. She doesn't want anyone to figure out the real reason she wishes to see Professor Snape, but if this works she'll be famous, rich, and very distinguished. They'll be writing about her in the history books, maybe she'll even receive her own Famous Witch's and Wizard's card.
But if it doesn't…
Hermione shivered. All her tests indicate that it will in fact work. Wizard's Prison isn't as bad as it was when the dementors ran things, but it still wasn't where she wanted to end up when she was only fifteen years old.
"Miss Granger?" A kind old women in a nurses outfit called out from the door, her gray hair catching the light. "You may visit with Professor Snape now. If you'll follow me." She turned and started down the green tiled hall, glancing back to make sure Hermione was following.
Hermione paused. Thoughts racing through her head. What if I kill him? She thought, following the nurse down the hallway. Do I really want to do this.
The nurse paused at a door towards the end of the hallway and opened the door.
"You have thirty minutes, and then visiting hours will be over." She smiled and turned to head back down the hall, leaving an indecisive Hermione hovering over the threshold.
Pushing back her shoulders and raising her chin, Hermione took a deep breath and entered the cold white windowless room. The bed was hidden by a dingy blue curtain. With a shaky hand, Hermione pulled the curtain back…
And made up her mind once and for all. This was no way for Professor Snape to remain. His skin was even grayer, his eyes open and blank, and there was slobber dripping from his slack open mouth. The worst part of his appalling condition was that they had shaved his head.
Sitting down on the side of the bed, Hermione let the tears fall. "Oh what have they done to you." She whispered as she laid a hand on his smooth bald head. "This is no way for you to be."
Calmly, She snapped open her purse. The small blue potions bottle felt cool in her hand. Gently, She took the corner of the bed sheet and wiped away the drool from her former Potions Master's face. Uncapping the bottle, "Drink and be merry, Professor." Hermione felt a tear slip down her face as she poured the contents of the bottle into his mouth.
Almost instinctually he swallowed.
Three minutes passed, nothing.
Five
Fifteen
Still nothing, Hermione's heart was breaking with each passing moment. "Please, please work." She whispered through the tears and pain. "He can't stay like this, I love him so!"
tbc
a/n: please read and review!