Authors note:
As I have been asked to try and make my chapters longer I have done my best to fill that quota. I hope you enjoy!
Thank you to all that have reviewed!
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Roaring Thunder
Hermione stumbled and landed on her knees clutching Crookshanks closely to her chest. Mentally she checked that she still had all her attached limbs in one place. Cautiously she peeked one of her eyes open.
She was rewarded with the sight of the Three Broomsticks. Standing up, she dashed forward and started banging on the wooden door like a woman possessed, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"SOMEBODY HELP ME, DEATH EATERS!!!, PLEASE... SOMEBODY," Hermione screeched. Tears involuntary began falling down her face. A woman pulled the door open and pointed her wand at Hermione.
"WHAT... in the name of Merlin is going on?" asked the woman, her face a turning a shade of green as she recognized the shaking girl in front of her.
"Death Eaters, my parents, tried too.....but got away," sobbed the girl before collapsing into older woman's arms.
"ALBERT!! Get Dumbledore... Floo-Him-Now!" Rosmerta cried aloud as she cradled the frantic young woman to her chest and steered her towards the fireplace.
The man looked from the face of the hysterical girl to Rosmerta. Grasping a handful of powder, he crouched in front of the fire, sticking his head in the flames he announced "Hogwarts".
"Professor Dumbledore, sir? It's Albert, here at the Three Broomsticks. I'm sorry to bother you this late, sir... but we've a bit of an emergency... That girl... who hangs around Harry Potter... She's here, hurt pretty bad ... near broke down our door screaming about Death Eaters..." he explained through the Floo connection.
"Sir? Why, yes... sir. I'll let them know, right away," Albert continued, and turned to the to face the two women.
"He says he's sending through one of the professors to collect her..." he started, but was cut off as the fire flared in a flash of green flames.
Professor Snape strode out of the fireplace, his eyes blazing. Immediately he located the shaking girl in the woman's arms. Hermione turned her face desperately towards the professor.
"Step away!" his cold voice ordered.
Crookshanks sprang from her arms seconds before Hermione was hit with a full body bind.
"What's the meaning of this?" demanded the woman, rushing forward to prevent Hermione crashing to the floor.
"Get of my way you impertinent fool!" snarled Snape as he reached into his robes and pulled out a teacup. Stretching out, he placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder. She managed to register a yelp of pain, seconds before the Portkey gave a familiar tug behind her navel.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Hermione's body smacked onto the carpeted floor. 'Well at least the carpet's softer than the bloody stairs,' she fumed silently.Snape's hands started tugging at the hissing, spitting cat that was clawing his back, neck, and head.
"Get this flea-bag off of me"
There was a murmur followed by a snarl as Crookshanks was detached from Snape's back.
"Severus! Was that really necessary?" McGonagall demanded as she pried the cat from the layers of black cloth and skin.
"Yes," Snape spat as the last of the claws were removed from his person. He strode back to Hermione, her cinnamon eyes spitting fire. Crouching down he released the bind from her mouth. Before she had an opportunity to flay him alive however, a colorless liquid was forced into her mouth.
"Who are you?"
"Hermione Jane Granger"
"How did you get those injuries?"
"Fell down the bloody stairs!" she snarled, fighting the daze that threatened to engulf her as a result of the potion.
Snape lifted a sardonic eyebrow.
"Really?" drawled Snape, pursing his lips and folding his arms.
"Yes" spat Hermione though clenched teeth. 'Do you really need to ask moronic questions?' she thought to herself.
"How did you escape?" he asked, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I cursed three Death Eaters," said Hermione
"The third one hit me and sent me flying down stairs... I then kneed Malfoy in the balls and Apparated," she continued through gritted teeth. The pain in Hermione's side was starting to make an un-welcomed reappearance. 'So much for the frigging cavalry...' she spitefully thought.
"How did you manage to Apparate?" Snape asked as he glared at her through suspicious eyes; his eyebrow had not yet descended from its perch halfway up his forehead.
"I've read about it," Hermione stated through her still clenched teeth, angry tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.
"Well now, Miss Granger, why does that not fail to surprise me?" came the retort, a look of amusement mixed with something else flashed across the Potion Master's features.
"Enough!" sounded a voice.
Snape's head turned towards the desk, he lowered his eyebrow and frowned, "Albus are you sure?"
"Release her" came the soft reply.
Hermione felt the bind release itself. With startling speed she kicked the crouching Snape in the face, sending him flying backwards. Within seconds she was on her feet and had placed a flat-palmed slap across his shocked face.
"YOU... INSUFFABLE, OVERGROWN, DINGBAT!"
"HOW DARE YOU!"
"DO – I - LOOK – LIKE - A - DEATH EATER? YOU - YOU, HOOKED NOSE BEADY EYED..."
She raised her hand to continue her onslaught, but a strong wiry hand prevented its forward motion. As she looked up to find the offender her eyes met with the sad, apologetic ones of Albus Dumbledore.
"Minerva... please take Miss Granger to the Hospital wing," said Dumbledore.
"Professor?" she croaked turning her battered face from the Headmaster to her Head of House. The tears released themselves; Hermione dropped her arm and was pulled into a warm embrace by her head of house.
Minerva steered the shaking girl out of the Headmasters office and quietly closed the door.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Dumbledore let out a long breath. "Well that was a surprise," he mumbled to himself as he strode over to Snape who was currently occupying the floor. Offering the stunned man a hand, his offer was declined as the surly professor rose to his feet, clutching his jaw.
"Well at least she's alive. Frankly I'm surprised he gave her, the opportunity to escape," mused the Headmaster as he turned and paced towards his desk.
Dumbledore snapped out of his musings and peered over the top of his moon shaped glasses and stared intently at Snape. He was probably one of the few that could hold the Potions Master's gaze without wilting.
"Forgive me, Severus." Dumbledore pulled out his wand and with a few carefully chosen words and a couple of flicks, the swelling on the Professor's face reduced. Leaving a faint outline of a blue-black bruise that was developing along his jawbone, which seemed to clash rather horribly with the red imprint left upon his cheek.
Snape moved his jaw back and forth a few times. There was a coppery taste in his mouth from were he had bitten his tongue.
He grimaced. "Well, taking into consideration her actions during the last few minutes, I seriously doubt that anyone was given an option in the matter," he said, tentatively rubbing his jaw.
"Yes, that was quite unexpected. I'm surprised after the evening she has had, and yet she was still capable of attacking you... hmmm" Dumbledore said thoughtfully as he stroked his brilliant white beard. "Interesting," a slow smile started tug at the corners of his mouth.
"Only to those not on the receiving end," commented Snape dryly, a scowl forming on his face.
"Is that all you need Albus, or will my other methods of interrogation be required this evening?"
"No Severus, I'm quite certain the Truth Serum was effective and if Polyjuice was used, we will see the effects within the hour."
"Are you sure you don't want to use Legilimency to check?" asked Snape softly, resignation and weariness were prominent in his tone.
"No, that won't be required. After Poppy's seen to Miss Granger's injuries, the situation will need to be explained. I can't risk one of my Prefects hexing my Potions Master into oblivion," Albus replied, the sparkle returning to the Headmaster's eyes for the first time this evening.
"Though, I expect that would be a sight to witness..."
"Perhaps you could sell tickets Albus, no doubt the student body would find it as amusing as you do," said Snape disdainfully, pursing his lips and folding his arms across his chest.
"Well, we will need to make arrangements for her continued care, due to her circumstances a Muggle orphanage is out of the question," continued Dumbledore, the twinkle in his eyes disappearing. "She will not be able to go to the Headquarters until her memories have been checked of course. Could a Memory Charm have been cast on her?"
"Unlikely, through not impossible. Normally she would have been interrogated... her mind would have been Obliviated afterwards to make her forget the interrogation; if that charm was cast." Snape stated flatly, bringing a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose and winching.
Nodding, Dumbledore rose from his desk and escorted the Professor out of his office and down the spiral staircase. The Professors parted ways, Snape to the left to his dungeons for some healing balm and Dumbledore to the right towards the Hospital wing.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Hermione dutifully sat down on the bed, eyes staring at nothing, tears still running unchecked down her face.
"I'm so sorry child," said the professor, as she gently pulled Hermione into an embrace and stroked her hair.
Hermione felt numb. Less than two hours ago she had been lying in her bed thinking about sleep. And now she was limply lying in her Head of House's arms and being rocked back and forth.
'Why?' screamed a silent voice in her head, as the tears continued to cascade down her cheeks.
'Aha,' another voice answered.
'You know why, You knew that it was only a matter of time before they came after you. You knew this; that's why you've spent all that time preparing. And what for, to fail miserably? You couldn't even save them!' screamed the inner voice.
A shudder ran through Hermione and she pulled out of the embrace. Standing shakily she marched herself to the bathroom opposite her bed, and proceeded to empty her stomach.
Watching the young girl close the door, Professor McGonagall felt the rage of the young woman's loss course through her veins. Sighing, she wanted to stay but unfortunately there were preparations needing to be made. Standing, she nodded to Poppy who appeared with screens to surround the bed.
"Miss Granger is in the bathroom, I'll return as soon as possible." With that she turned and headed out of the Hospital wing.
o-o-o-o-o-o
Hermione placed her head on her wrist, as the last of the tremors subsided. She needed to get up. Slowly getting to her knees she grasped the toilet for support. Carefully turning, she clutched for the sink, and began washing her face.
A light rap sounded on the door. Madam Pomfrey appeared in the doorway, her arms loaded with towels and potion bottles. "Miss Granger, would you please come outside so I can tend to your injuries?" Her eyes where sympathetic, but her tone brooked no argument.
Hermione turned to follow, but as she turned her knees gave away. Losing her grip, Hermione felt herself sliding into a pool of darkness.
"Oh crap!" was Poppy's exclamation as she watched the young girl's eyes roll into the back of her head. Reacting quickly, Poppy released one hand and shook the wand from her sleeve. Catching it in her hand, she prevented further damaged to her patient by casting a Levitation Charm.
Still carrying the towels, Madam Pomfrey marched back to the hospital bed followed by the floating body of Hermione. Placing the towels and the bottles on trolley next to the bed, she turned to face unconscious Hermione.
"Couldn't you have least waited till we got you on the bed before passing out?" grumbled the older witch.
She hovered her onto the bed, and began examining the young girl's injuries. There were several bruises developing along her face and jaw, which were in the middle of turning a rather lovely shade of purple. Whispering an Anti-swelling Charm, she turned the young girl's head and proceeded to tend to the abrasions on her face and the laceration located at the back of her head.
"Well, at least you put up a fight!" declared Madam Pomfrey as she cleaned the cut and cast yet another Anti-swelling Charm.
She began undoing the clasps on the cloak and was surprised to find that Hermione wore only a pair of black silk French boxers. Casting a Diagnostic Charm, she revealed four broken ribs, three broken fingers and a sprained ankle. "Well thank goodness most of its superficial," commented the Nurse as she continued her ministrations.
Madam Pomfrey stood back to consider the young woman. No longer waif like, her body had developed the fullness and elegance of womanhood. Her face had lost the roundness of youth and her cheekbones had become more refined. Hermione's mouth, instead of appearing to pout, appeared sensual and provocative. Her neck was long, bordered by shoulders that were soft and curved.
Her breasts where high and full, the nipples a dark rose that matched the colour of her lips. Her stomach was long and flat, hips curved, followed by surprisingly strong and well-toned legs. So similar yet different from the young girl that appeared in the hospital a few years ago as rather fetching cat.
Summoning a gown, Madam Pomfrey placed Hermione's arms in and turned her to her side to close the straps. She was greeted by pink writing on the back of Hermione's boxers. Turning her head to the side she stopped to read the bright pink writing.
'BITE ME!'
Pursing her lips and attempting to hold back a smile, she pulled the blanket up to the girl's chin.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Dumbledore walked into the hospital wing just as Madam Pomfrey appeared from behind the screens.
"How is she?"
"Mostly superficial wounds. A couple of broken bones, slight concussion; nothing life threatening!" stated Madam Pomfrey as she sorted the screens.
"What happened to her?" the nurse asked, the lines around the her mouth deepened.
"Death Eater attack!" stated Dumbledore, his eyes flashing angrily.
."Why is she not dead?" asked the nurse, her face becoming taunt and drawn.
"Well it seems Miss Granger had other ideas, from what we can tell she escaped relatively unharmed," the Headmaster reported.
"Lucky girl!" she said, casting her eyes back to the screen.
"Her parents?"
"Dead..." whispered Dumbledore.
"Anyone else hurt?"
"Only Severus," came the reply, the twinkle reappearing in the old mans eyes.
"Severus?" the nursed asked, giving Dumbledore a confused look.
"Ah yes, it seems that our Miss Granger was not too impressed with his methods of rescue."
"What did he do?" the nurse frowned and gave the old man a concerned glance.
"He put her in a full body bind!" he replied, the corners of his mouth twitching.
The eyebrows of the nurse ascended into her hairline, and she let loose a rather rude exclamation.
"Well Miss Granger was furious with this treatment of course, so when he released her, she... extracted her revenge," he replied.
"What did she do?" the nurse was torn between the desire to giggle and the need to scold the Headmaster for looking so amused.
"Attacked him... I believe Severus is using some of that healing ointment he brewed earlier as we speak," he said, a rather mischievous smile playing on his mouth.
Shaking her head, Madam Pomfrey led Dumbledore to her office, the image of an enraged Miss Granger clobbering the unflappable Potions Master still floating around in her mind.
"What needs to be done?" she asked as she offered the Headmaster a seat.
Dumbledore's eyes became clouded. "Her memory must be checked before we can issue her with quarters. Severus actions will need to be explained of course, and perhaps..." he began, stroking his chin.
"Although she may be ...capable... no... she's far too young to consider that....but what if?" he mused to himself. The Headmaster suddenly rose and brought his attention back to the nurse. "I'll return in the morning to discuss the situation with Miss Granger," he said and began to walk towards the door.
"It's starting again," declared the nurse softly, as a treacherous tear escaped her eye.
Dumbledore stopped and turned to the woman. Peering over the rim of his half moon glasses he gave the only comfort he could, "The most important step for us now Poppy, is the Next One!"
Holding her eyes for a moment he then swept out the office, the tapping of his boots sounding off the cold stones.
The nurse wiped the stray tear from her face and began busying her self with paper work. As she lifted the quill to start recording the incident, the words of Hermione's French boxers flashed into her head.
'Bite me!'
'Well done Miss Granger!' she thought to herself, sighing she began her notes.
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More Authors notes:
A massive thank you to Miss Flashladyb with out her help, support and encouragement, this piece would have been filed under bin.