This Chapter is dedicated to Minipoe. I am glad you love it and I continuing for you! And thanks to all my other reviews, you keep this story alive!
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Chapter Five: The Hospital Wing
I felt the world spin around me in a whirl of color. But it wasn't as bad as the first time because I had strong arms around me. It reminded of a father's embrace, the warm, strong feeling that only he could give. I think of my past now, that I never really felt that before, not from my real father anyway. My adopted father, Mr. Granger, never really gave hugs. He loved me, but never really could show it properly. Even though I know that I will never feel my real father's embrace, I closed my eyes and let the arms of Severus Snape become my comfort for what little time I had with him in the void.
Suddenly, I felt warm inside…
But it lasted but a moment as I felt ground beneath my feet and Snape releasing me as he stepped out of the fireplace into Dumbledore's office. I opened my eyes and shook my hair of soot, stepping out and almost tripping on my robes. I felt his hand grab mine, and keep me from falling. Again, he is being watchful of me. This almost doesn't seem like Snape.
"Watch your step girl, I don't want any clumsiness botching our mission."
Well, THAT was Snape!
"I will Severus!" I hope he caught that, I knew he hated students using his first name. He looked at me for a moment, and I saw something that almost made my jaw drop. He smiled! Severus Snape actually smiled!!
"Quite amusing Hermione. Under any other circumstances, I would have your wand for that, but since I am no longer your teacher, I can't have that privilege. You may call me that if you like, if it suits you. I will not tolerate it from anyone else, understood?" His icy cold voice was back again.
"Yes Severus. Now, we must find out about Albus. It seems Poppy found him where I left him. Lets go to the Hospital Wing." He nodded and we went as quickly as possibly to the Hospital Wing. A young Hufflepuff, probably a first year, turned the corner of the hall leading to the wing crying. He dropped to his knees in great sobs as we approached. I moved to him and knelt beside him, trying to talk to him.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
He looked up and sobbed, "Davie dead! Davie is dead! My brother is dead!" He kept mumbling the same thing over and over as he cried uncontrollably. I then heard other sobs up ahead. I knew we were heading for the worst. I left the little boy and proceeded with Snape to find Dumbledore. We turned the corner and were hit with a horrifying sight.
Stretchers everywhere, all floating in midair…
And every stretcher contained a body covered in a black sheet….
I felt my stomach turn over and my heart sank. Could Ron be under one of these sheets? Could Albus? There were so many!
"Think the best Hermione, and continue," Snape spoke softly in my ear as he guided me through the hallway. I saw students standing by some of the stretchers, crying or holding the victim's lifeless hand. I felt my own tears threatening to fall as we walked past. We finally reached the wing when another stretcher covered in black hovered out to join the rest. A medi-wizard from the ministry came out with it, holding the shoulders of a tall boy with flaming red hair...
"Ron!" I gasped. He looked up at me, eyes filled with tears. He shook his head hopelessly and whispered, "Fred…"
I felt my tears beginning. I looked at the stretcher floating past, thinking of him.
"How?" I choked
He shivered. "When the east wall was hit and began to collapse, he…(sniff)…couldn't move…fast….not fast enough…."
I reached out to my friend, my dear friend. He had lost so much. His parents, his sister, and now, two brothers. But the my thoughts turned to George.
"What about George?"
He shivered again. "He is one of the worst ones. She doesn't think he will make it."
"Madam Promfrey said that?"
He nodded, as another wave of sorrow hit him, making him shake in my arms. I could almost feel his heart breaking in two.
"Ms. Granger…" I heard the strong voice of Snape from behind me. He placed his hand on my shoulder once again. Ron pulled away and looked up at him angrily. "What's HE doing here? I didn't seem him at the battle! Where were you Snape, out kissing the boots of Voldemort as he slaughtered my FAMILY!!!!" I placed myself between them as Ron moved for Snape in a rage.
"NO RON! He is helping me find Harry! Please calm down! He is my only hope to save him Ron, please don't start this." He moved back, his eyes falling to me once again. "Are you sure he isn't going to turn on you at the last minute and just kill you. He has hated you for years! How can you be sure?" he said hotly.
"Because I know what I must do and so does he. Worry about your brother Ron and don't worry about me. I will be fine. He needs you now more than ever. I must see Madam Promfrey." I gave him one last hug and turned away, head into the hospital wing, Snape behind me. It was a living nightmare…
Every bed contained a student, most covered in bandages. We didn't have far to look for Madam Promfrey was but two beds away from the door covering yet another student with a black sheet.
"Another lost, poor little one. Oh! Hermione!" she gasped as she saw me. Her arms grasped me tightly.
"I am alright Madam Promfrey. I just saw Ron. How is George doing?"
She let me go, drawing in a ragged breath. "Oh, it's horrible Hermione. I just lost another student. And George is not far behind. But, he is holding on. For how long, I don't know. Its out of my hands now."
"How is Professor Dumbledore?"
She looked down, her eyes filling with tears.
It was then I knew…..
I was now completely alone….
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Oooh, Poor Ron and Hermione! Next chapter will be a very fast paced one, and we will be getting into why this was rated R. It will involve torture and non-consensual sex, so be WARNED! Please R & R! The next chapter will be dedicated when I 30 reviews! Thank you so much!