Disclaimer: In Ch 1
===============================================================
Ron muttered something that, to Harry, sounded like "Stupid cow".
However, he unclenched his fists.
"In case you're wondering, Mr. Weasley, I was temporarily deaf to anything
you might have said." Dumbledore smiled, as Ron's face grew hot.
"However, please control yourself next time."
"Sorry, sir."
"Professor?" Harry asked. "Do you think Hermione will recover
or...?"
"Miss Granger has a strong mind. It is my great hope that she will make a
complete recovery. However, I cannot deny that sometimes strong minds crack
under great strain."
Madame Pomfrey came over. "Mr. Weasley, it's time for you to leave. I'd
like for Harry to get some rest." Ron got up, said goodbye to Harry, shot
him a look that clearly told him to eavesdrop if Dumbledore and Pomfrey
continued to talk, and left.
"Headmaster, will you be staying as well?"
"No. I must alert the governors and the Ministry that Miss Granger is a
step closer to recovery. I know you will contact me if anything else
occurs." Dumbledore nodded to Harry, and swept out of the room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hermione?" Yesterday's incident had filled Harry with hope about
today's visit, but it was almost as if Hermione was comatose again. But her
injuries had healed as her body rested in a coma. If there had been a book in
her hand, she could almost have just fallen asleep in the common room while
studying.
"Herm?" Her eyes cracked open a little. Harry started to smile, then
stopped. Hermione looked like a deer frozen in headlights.
"Congratulations on waking her, Mr. Potter. I'll take over from
here."
"Can't I talk to her, Madame Pomfrey?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but no. I need to talk with her, if possible. It's
important to find out if she will be capable of testimony."
'In other words' Harry thought, 'you want to know if she's sane'
"Fine."
Harry wandered back to his bed. Ron found him sitting up in thought when he
visited that evening.
"Hey, Harry. What're you thinking about?"
"Hermione may be insane and I couldn't prevent
it."
"Harry! I can't believe you're the one saying that! If anyone should be
blaming themself here, it's me. And I've decided I'm not going to do that. I'm
going to take the advice you'd give me, if you were thinking straight."
"Yeah? And what advice would that be?"
"To not blame myself, and to be thankful I'm not attending her funeral.
Hermione will get better; I know it. If she doesn't, that's when I'll
blame myself."
"You can say that all you want, but I still think I could've done
more."
"Harry, I can't believe this. Usually, you're trying to talk sense into
me. You have to listen to me, Harry. It's not your fault. Even Herm's
parents will say that."
Harry looked up and stared at Ron. 'That's all well and good. But Herm's
parents haven't even seen her yet'
A sudden realization snapped Harry out of his misery. "Hey, Ron, why
haven't Hermione's parents visited her yet?"
"Huh? Haven't they?"
"No."
"I wonder why..."
"That's a very good question, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore had suddenly
appeared behind Ron.
"Professor, how...?"
"Ah, Harry. If I told you all my secrets, you would realize I'm not much
more than an interesting old coot. That would hardly be mysterious. As to your question,
the Grangers have not come because they are Muggles."
"But we saw them at Diagon Alley." Ron protested.
"Some areas of our world, Mr. Weasley, are more accessible to Muggles than
others. Diagon Alley must be accessible, in order for Muggle parents to assist
their children in buying school supplies and such. Hogwarts is not a place
Muggles may easily visit."
Harry only half-listened to Dumbledore's explanation. He was too busy listening
to the one Hermione might give, if the whole thing had never happened.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Honestly, Ron, don't you ever read? It's all in 'Hogwarts, A History'.
There are simply too many Muggle repelling charms and-"
Hermione was clearly exasperated. Her mouth twisted into that funny little
frown, which always looked like it would turn into a smile. Her brown eyes were
mock-serious, and...
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harry shook himself from his thoughts. They only made him feel worse, because
Hermione wasn't explaining as usual. Ron must've pictured it too, for he had a
strange look on his face.
"Isn't there any way for them to get here? There has to have been some
sort of plan, in case this ever happened to anyone."
"Alas, Harry, there is not. There is only the recommendation that Muggle
parents only learn of such incidents if it is certain the student will
die."
Ron's face turned scarlet. 'You mean you HAVEN"T TOLD THEM?!" He was
shouting by the time he finished the question, and breathing heavily.
"Calm down, Mr. Weasley. I may be old, but I am not yet deaf."
Dumbledore waited a minute for Ron's breathing to return to normal.
"Now, if I may continue. That is the suggestion, but I do not believe it
fair to the parents. The Grangers were alerted shortly after the attack
occurred. They are now staying at the Three Broomsticks in Diagon Alley, until we
find a way to bring them to Hogwarts. It is quite a difficult task."
Dumbledore pulled a pocket watch from his robes.
"If you will excuse me, I must be off. Professor Flitwick has been working
round the clock to find a solution, and I have promised to assist him."
The boys nodded. Dumbledore turned to leave, then stopped.
"And Harry, take Mr. Weasley's advice. Blaming yourself will not heal Miss
Granger." Then he was gone.
Ron shifted uneasily at the foot of Harry's bed.
"Well, uh, I suppose I'd best be off, too. I'll see you later,
Harry."
Harry barely noticed as his best friend tore from the room. He was considering
the advice he'd received.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madame Pomfrey gazed at Harry from her position at Hermione's bed. The poor
girl had finally fallen asleep only an hour ago.
Harry was simply staring into space. He'd been that way for hours now.
Madame Pomfrey was considering going against Dumbledore's wishes, and allowing other visitors, or at least giving Harry a sleeping potion, when she realized Hermione was awake again and staring at her.