Sirius gently laid Hermiome on the bed in the emergency area of St. Mungo's as instructed by the medical witch who was there when they arrived. He did his best to stay out of the way and answer all the questions as best as he could when asked, but he also never let go of the younger witch's hand.
Finally, one of the doctors told him he had to move away. As he did, another nurse repositioned herself to his side. "What is the young lady's name?"
"Hermione Granger." He whispered. His voice shook with barely suppressed emotions of anger, sadness.
"And you are?" The nurse asked. "Also, how are you related to the young lady"?
Sirius let out a slow sigh. "My name is Sirius Black and she is my fiancée."
"Thank you." The older nurse said as she wrote his answers on the parchment in her hand. She laid the paper aside and turned to look Sirius over. "We need to get you into an exam room and get your injuries taken care off."
"I'm fine." Sirius snapped, then realized how he sounded. "I'm sorry I don't mean to snap at you, but I'm not leaving until I know she's alright."
The nurse saw he meant what he'd said, then turned and left. A few minutes later the doctor turned around and announced that everyone except himself and the exam nurse needed to leave. Sirius started to say something, but the nurse, who had been by his side, whispered that they were getting ready to do the rape exam. While this was being completed, no one was allowed in the room, but the doctor and one nurse.
Sirius slowly walked over and placed a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead, then whispered, "I love you. I'll be right out side." He then turned and walked out the door straight into his grandfather's arms where his legs wobbled and his knees buckled. If Remus hadn't been there, he would have fallen. The two men helped him to a chair where Sirius let his emotions show for the second time in a few hours.
The nurse who had been with Sirius in the ER saw what had happened and approached. "Mr. Black, it's going to be a while before they will allow you back in, please let me have a doctor check you over." He looked up, with red glassy eyes. He wiped his face and glared at the nurse.
"I don't need a doctor…" he began to protest, but was cut off by Remus.
"Padfoot, you are not going to do her any good if you are in here yourself. Let them look at you, fix what needs to be fixed. Then you can come back and wait." He told his best friend. "I'll stay here and come get you if we need you."
Minerva and Harry both stood and said they would go with Sirius.Two hours later Sirius, Minerva, and Harry slowly made their way back to the waiting room to sit with Remus. Sirius had broken ribs and several cuts and bruises on his body. The gash on his face had been cleaned and bandaged and his eye had begun to turn a nasty shade of purple. "Any word?" he asked as he sat down next to Hermione's mother and taking her hand.
"No nothing." Ron answered. "No one has come out or gone in. What did the doctor say about you?"
"I'm going to be fine. Ron would you and Alexia go over to the muggle pharmacy on the corner and get some Aleve since I can't tolerate the pain killing potions." When they had gone he turned his attention to Mr. And Mrs. Granger. "I'm so sorry. I promised you I would always protect her and take care of her, but I didn't. I failed her and I failed you." The latter part was spoken so softly they almost didn't hear him. Mrs. Granger also heard the pain in his voice, not his own physical pain, but the kind of pain one only felt in their heart when they thought they'd let someone down.
Mr. Granger moved to position Sirius between himself and his wife. "Listen to me. You are not to blame for any of this. From what your grandfather has told us, and what the representatives from the ministry said there was nothing you could have done."
Sensing Sirius wasn't going to let himself off the hook that easily, Mrs. Granger put her arm around him, pulling his head to rest on her shoulders. "I know how hard this is for you. It's hard for all of us, but blaming yourself isn't going to help my daughter, it isn't going to help Paul and I, and it certainly isn't helping you. You are exhausted, try to rest now, we'll awaken you when the doctor comes out." Sirius closed his eye, but sleep wouldn't come. All he could do was remember the torture Malfoy's men had inflicted on the one woman he loved more than life itself.
It was another hour before the doctor came out. He approached the group in the waiting room, looked around before turning to Mr. and Mrs. Granger. "Are you Ms. Granger's parents?" Both nodded and he continued. "As you know your daughter, has had some serious trauma, she is badly battered and bruised and she has been raped repeatedly." The doctor saw Sirius go pale, flinch, then sway a bit, but was held in place by Paul Granger. He looked as though he were ready to vomit any second "Are you okay?" When Sirius nodded he continued. "I'm not going to lie to you, her condition is serious. I have done all I can medically. The rest is up to her, but I must warn you this could take several weeks. She is going to need both of you." He then turned to Sirius. "How are you involved in this Mr. Black?"
Before Sirius could answer, Emily Granger spoke up. "Mr. Black is my daughter's fiancé and he will be treated as you would Paul or myself. He has as much right as we do to make the decisions concerning Hermione."
The doctor again turned his attention to Sirius. "You were with Ms. Granger when this happened?" Sirius nodded. "I will need to talk to you, there are some details I will need for my report to the ministry and the magical medical counsel. Will you come with me?"
Sirius turned to Emily, "Please stay with her and let her know I love her no matter what. I'll be back as soon as I can." He then kissed her lightly on the cheek, and shook hands with Paul. He moved to stand by Remus, who had been joined by Alexia. "Come with me?"
Remus kissed Alexia, who hugged Sirius, then walked down the hall with his best friend and the doctor. He listened contently as Sirius explained every detail of the cruelty Hermione had endured. He never once talked about himself. Even when the doctor would ask about his own abuse, he would change the subject back to Hermione and her mistreatment. Remus saw the extreme pain in his friend's eyes and expressions as he concluded his story. He also knew his best mate was worn out. He remembered Sirius saying he hadn't been allowed to sleep the whole time they were held captive.
A half hour later the two friends returned to the emergency room waiting room to find only Severus Snape. "Where is everyone?" Remus asked.
"They've moved Miss Granger to ICU. I told Professor Dumbledore I'd wait to take you up there." He snarled at Remus then turned his attention to Sirius. "You look awful, Black."
"Thanks, but I'm not in the mood to spar with you today, Severus." Sirius said letting his exhaustion and concern show.
Snape thought how every unlike Black the man standing in front of him was. He wondered if this had happened to the lady he loved, if he'd had to watch it all unable to do anything, if he would be in any better shape than Sirius. He decided probably not. "I don't want to fight with you either, Sirius. I thought we had gotten past that. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what happened to both of you; and, I'll do whatever it takes to help bring those that did this to justice." He saw Sirius nod and lead the way to the 4th floor ICU unit.
Sirius, Remus, and Severus entered the waiting room to find it full. Every one of the Weasleys was there along with Harry, Hermione's grandmother and Reginald, Alexia, Alyssa, Dumbledore, and McGonagall. Harry sat next to Ginny with Alexia on the other side of him gently giving him support. Ron and Alexia sat on the other side of the room with Arthur and Molly. The others were huddled in a corner quietly talking except for Dumbledore who was at the window talking to Mad-eye and Mundungus.
Sirius was too tired and worried to be concerned with the conversation going on by the window. Ellie Reynolds, Hermione's grandmother, hurried to his side and embracing him. "How are you dear? You look dreadful."
"I'll be fine, where is she? Are Paul and Emily in with her?" Sirius asked looking from Harry to Ron. He knew this was hard on them; they had been her best friends since their first year. The trio had been through so much together good and bad.
"Yes they are. Emily said for you to go in when you came back. She is in room 3." Ellie hugged Sirius again and returned to her seat between Reginald and Minerva.
Sirius approached both Ron and Harry speaking quietly to each. No one heard what he had said; and, no one asked when he walked out of the waiting room to enter the ICU ward and Hermione's cubical. He was greeted with another hug from Hermione's mother. Hermione's father rose from his chair and motioned for Sirius to take it. He kissed his wife, telling her he was going to go get everyone some coffee.
Sirius walked around the bed watching his lover lying motionless except for the shallow breathing. He thought to himself how pale, small, and fragile she looked. How he had failed her, failed to protect her. He'd let those animals do this to her, take her away from him. His heart hurt, he felt certain when she woke up she would want nothing more to do with him, but for now he would stay with her, love her, and do what he could to bring her back to those who loved her. Sirius took the rag from the nurse and wiped her brow, then bent to kiss her tenderly on the forehead, each eye, and nose then lightly on her battered and swollen lips. Putting his lips next to her ear, he whispered, "I'm sorry, love. Come back to us. I love you."
Emily sat beside her daughter's bed, with Sirius until her husband came back with three cups of coffee. The couple spoke quietly for several minutes before deciding they needed to get out of the room for a while. They told Sirius they were going to go get something to eat and they would bring something back for him. When they had gone, Harry, Ron, and Ginny entered. Sirius stepped back into a corner allowing time to talk to their friend.
People entered and left the room on and off throughout the day, but the one constant was Sirius Black. He wouldn't leave Hermione, even when ordered to do so by her doctor. He hadn't slept, or eaten anything. The food the Grangers brought him, was sitting untouched in the place Mr. Granger had left it. Each time someone would come to visit, Sirius would move to the corner to give him or her their time, but he never left the room. This continued for two days. People coming and going, talking to Hermione trying their best to get her to respond, nothing.
On the third day, Sirius sat next to her bed holding her hand. He began to talk to her as if she were awake. "Hi, Love. Everyone is here to see and support you. They are all mostly staying in the waiting room. Harry and Ron were in here a few minutes ago. Your mum and dad are here and have been the entire time. They go down the hall once in a while to sleep, but they haven't left the hospital. Grandmother and grandfather are in and out checking on you, as are Grandmother Reynolds and Reginald. All the Weasleys, Remus, Alexia, and Alyssa come everyday. You know, Molly, she's keeping everyone in the waiting room fed."
Sirius stood and walked around the room. He heard the door open, looking up to see a nurse come in along with Remus and Alexia. Like so many times before, he made his way to the corner to give them their space next to Hermione. When they'd completed their visit Remus walked over and embraced his best friend. "Padfoot, you need to sleep; and, when was the last time you ate? You haven't left this room in 3 days, except to walk across the hall and shower."
Sirius looked over at the still form of his future wife. "I'll eat and sleep when I know she's going to be okay. Until then I'm staying right where I am." He set his jaw, which told Remus he meant it. After they had gone, Sirius sat on the edge of the bed talking to Hermione again. "Baby, wake up please. I need you." He talked a few more minutes then leaned forward and kissed her on the lips as the tears began stream, once again, down his face.
The group in the waiting room had talked it over; and, they had decided that it was time for Sirius to leave for a few hours at least. Remus would take him out of the hospital and make him eat, then when he returned they were going to insist he get some sleep. Emily Granger and Minerva had volunteered to talk to him and make his see he needed to do this, not just for himself, but for Hermione as well. As the two women approached Hermione's room, they looked at each other knowing they would have a fight on their hands. Emily opened the door, both ladies entered and stopped. The sight in front of them made them both smile and feel a sense of relief. Sirius was curled up next to the woman he loved sound asleep and Hermione was awake and running her hands through his hair. She saw her mother, smiled, and placed a finger to her lips to signal them to be quiet.
Both women moved to the side of the younger women bed. Mrs. Granger whispered so she wouldn't disturb the sleeping Sirius. "Honey, how are you? Do the doctors know you're awake?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure how I am, shaky at best. The doctor was in a few minutes ago. He was going to come tell all of you I was awake, but I asked him to wait when he told me Sirius hadn't left this room or slept in 4 days." Hermione closed her eyes as flashbacks from the abuse haunted her. She let out a gasp and shuttered, which woke Sirius.
Trying his best to shake the fog from his brain, he felt a hand in his hair. He wasn't sure where he was, until he opened his eyes. Looking him in the face was the woman he thought he might loose. Before he could say anything, or even move, fear gripped ever fiber of his being. Once she remembered what had happened she would want him out of her life. Doing his best to put those fears aside, he smiled at her. "Hi, love. How do you feel?"
"Hi handsome." Hermione said weakly. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck. What about you? What is this I hear about you not eating or sleeping?" She tried to sit up a bit, but found the pain made it difficult. Sirius helped her as best he could.
Emily and Minerva stayed a few minutes then left to tell the others she was awake, giving Hermione and Sirius some time to talk. The Doctor had examined her, telling them she was healing nicely, but they needed to work on the emotional wounds that would begin to surface soon.
As soon as everyone had gone, Hermione turned to Sirius. "The doctor said I'm healing well, so you can leave now." She then turned over with her back to him.
"I'm not going anywhere." He said watching as she began to cry.
Sobs began to come harder as she yelled, "No man wants a woman who has been shagged by other men. I know that and I know you're no different. So please just go and leave me alone!"
Sirius was in shock. He was sure she wouldn't want him, but never did he think she would think he didn't want her. He wanted her now more than every. He walked to the other side of the bed so she would have to look at him. "Hermione Granger, you listen to me. I love you. Now more then ever, what happened to you is not your fault; and, it doesn't change the way I feel or the love I have for you. I want to be with you, I want to love you, and I want to marry you." When she saw the hurt in his eyes and that he was being honest with her she allowed him to wrap his arms around her and hold her close to him. For the first time, since this whole ordeal started, she felt safe. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "The bigger question is do you still want me?"
Hugging him tighter, "Why would you ever think I wouldn't want you?"
He slid closer to her on the bed, placing his finger under her chin to make he look at him, "It's my fault all this happened to you. I swore to protect you and never let anything hurt you. I didn't, I failed you, just like I've failed every other person in my life." He had begun to shake.
"Oh love, this isn't your fault, and you didn't fail me. I saw you fighting to get to me. I saw what they did to you. Knowing you love me and wanted to protect me were the only things that kept me sane through it all. As you want me to not doubt your love for me, never doubt my love for you." She reached up and placed a timid kiss on his lips. "Have you seen a doctor? Have you told anyone what they did to you?" She asked and he nodded. "I saw a doctor, but I haven't told anyone. You are my main concern, I'll be fine."
"Sirius love, you have to tell someone. We both are going to have to talk to someone, and we are going to have to talk to each other." Hermione said, her voice sounding tired.
"We will get through this together, now you rest, love. I'll be right here when you wake up." Sirius said slipping off the bed, but she stopped him.
Hermione took his hand, "Listen to me, you've not slept or eaten, I know the doctor told me! I'm going to sleep now and I want you to do the same. If you want me to rest, you'll go get some sleep and eat. I'll be fine, you can have Harry, Ron or one of the others stay with me if it will make you feel better." She let go of his hand and leaned up for a light kiss. She then pushed him off the bed. Giggling, she added, "I do love you."
As he let himself out of the room, "I love you too, baby."
Sirius strolled into the waiting room, running his hands through his hair. When he looked up all eyes were on him. Flopping down in a chair he again ran his hands through his hair. "She's sleeping. I promised I'd get something to eat and sleep a little." He turned to Harry and Ron who were standing just a few feet away. "Will you two go sit with her until I get back?" Both young men nodded and left for her room.
"I'm glad to see someone was able to talk some sense into you." Remus said. Sirius jus gave him a look that made everyone in the room laugh. "Come on Padfoot, let Alexia and me take you to the restaurant down the block."
"Okay, since I promised Hermione I'll go, but I'm coming back here when I'm done. I can sleep here." Sirius said taking his grandmothers hand and looking around the room again. "Hermione is doing better, why don't all of you go home or if you want to be here take it in shifts." He then turned to Paul and Emily Granger, "I didn't mean that for you, you are her parents, I wouldn't attempt to tell you what to do."
Paul Granger put his arm round his daughter's fianc's shoulders, "No worries, son. I think we'll visit her for a while today, then go home tonight. We'll come back tomorrow." Sirius hugged both of Hermione's parents, before kissing his grandmother and hugging his grandfather.
"Grandfather, do you know if the ministry has any information on the animals who did this?" Every one in the room could hear the contempt he had for Malfoy's henchmen, plus the exhaustion he felt.
"Yes, my boy. I was telling the Grangers earlier, that Kingsley and Mad-Eye took them into custody and turned them over to the ministry. They should now be in Azkaban. They are waiting trial." Dumbledore told his grandson. "Now that Hermione is going to be alright, your grandmother and I are heading back to Grimmauld Place to meet with the Order. I'll keep you informed." He hugged his only living heir again and left the room.
Remus and Alexia stood in the doorway, "Ready, Padfoot?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, I'm starving." Sirius said waving at those left in the room before heading out with Remus and Alexia for his first real meal in days. He stopped at the nurse's station as they left and gave the nurse a couple requests before leaving.
In Hermione's room, Harry and Ron talked quietly in the corner while she slept. Neither was aware of when she woke, "Ron, Harry? Where's Sirius?" She asked softly.
Both men went to her side. Harry on one side and Ron at the other. Harry spoke first. "Remus and Alexia took him to get something to eat."
"Then he's going to take a nap. The nurses made him a bed next door, because he won't leave the hospital." Ron added.
Hermione closed her eyes against the pain in her head. Opening her eyes and seeing the looks of concern she told them, "Not to worry, I have a headache. Doctor said I would for a few days. They said I'd be sore when I moved."
"Hermione, are you okay, I mean really okay?" Harry asked.
She tried to sit up some, but needed a little help. "No, I'm not, but I will be. It's going to take some time." She looked at them with sad eyes. "Also I want you both to help me convince Sirius that this is not his fault, and don't let anyone blame him for this. I know he blames himself, but there was nothing he could have done. No one knows the whole story. You only know what happened to me, the pain I went through, nobody knows what happened to him, what he went through. His pain and scars are much worse than mine are. I'll heal, but he may not, so we have to make him understand there was nothing he could have done."
Both men looked at her questioningly, but Harry asked the question. "Hermione what happened to him. He won't talk about it; all he'll talk about is you and what they did to you and how he wants them to pay."
She sighed and looked at her hands. "Harry, it's not for me to tell you. When he's ready he will, but just be there for him, give him love and support just as you are giving it to me. He may never tell anyone, or he may tell Remus or Dumbledore, I don't know, but I know it's not my place to tell." No one asked any more questions and the conversation turned to the easy chatter they trio shared so many times before. Ginny and Alyssa joined the group a short time later.
It the café, down the street, Sirius sat with Remus and Alexia drinking his coffee as they waited for their food. He found it odd the Remus was watching him as he was. Looking over at his old friend, he decided to find out what the glances were for. "Moony old buddy, is there a reason you are looking at me like that?"
Remus sat straighter in his chair, "I was wondering what you're not telling us?"
Sirius smiled a sad smile, and took another drink of his coffee. "What makes you think I haven't told you everything?"
It took the werewolf a few minutes to answer, "I know you, Padfoot. I know when you're not telling all you know. You're hiding something, I'd bet my life on it."
"Remus, he's been through a lot, leave him alone." Alexia said touching her lover's arm and looking sympathetically at Sirius.
Sirius watched the expression on Alexia's face as she looked from one man to the other. He decided to push his friend a little farther, see just how much he actually knew and how much he was fishing for. "What would I have to hide?"
This time Remus leaned forward in his chair and placed his elbows on the table, resting his head in his hands, looking his best friend straight in the eye. "Something more happened on that mountain, more then what we know happened to Hermione, didn't it? Something happened to you, they did something to you, something you don't want us to know about or that you're not ready to reveal."
Sirius was about to say something when the waitress brought them their food. Once she was gone, he looked up at Remus. "Don't you think having the woman you love cruelly tortured and brutally gang raped as you're made watch is enough? You think there's more?" He could see Alexia flinch as he spoke. His voice wasn't harsh it was soft, sad almost pleading for his friend to drop it.
Remorse written on his face, he knew Sirius was still hiding something. "I'm not saying what they did to Hermione isn't unforgivable, and it is enough to send most men over the edge, but Padfoot, you aren't most men. You are stronger that any man I know. You've survived more than any one I know could have, but I know you. You are hiding something. I can feel it. I'm not asking you to tell me now, or even tell me, but tell someone. Don't let it eat at you." He saw recognition in his friend's eyes and Sirius nodded his understanding. "Now eat up before your food gets cold."
They kept the conversation light as they ate. Sirius questioned Remus and Alexia on their relationship and when they might think about getting married. Alexia said they had talked about it and that Remus had asked, but they were going to wait to announce it until after he and Hermione had gotten married. They heard Sirius mumble something that sounded like there probably wouldn't be a wedding. Alexia placed her hand over his and asked. "Sirius, why would you say that? Why do you think there won't be a wedding?"
He never once took his eyes off his plate. "Why would Hermione want to marry a man who can't protect her? A man who let others torture her? There is no way she is going to want to get married now. She says it doesn't matter, that it's not my fault, but she's still full of the potions. Once those are out of her system, and her head's cleared she'll change her mind." He said, pain obvious in his voice.
"Padfoot, I think you should give her a little more credit." Remus said with a tone that clearly said 'you better listen to me'. "I went and talked to her while you were talking to Harry, Ron, and Dumbledore, she knows what she's talking about. She told me you would think that she'll blame you, but she doesn't. She's a smart and gifted witch who, for reasons no one knows, loves you and wants to spend the rest of her life with you, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and help her heal, heal yourself, and move on. Plan that wedding, get married, and have little Padfoots who have their father's sense of humor and their mother's intelligence."
After they had finished eating, Sirius wanted to go back to the hospital. Once there, he checked in on Hermione. He entered the room to find her playing chess with Arthur, and talking to her parents and Molly. "What are you doing back here?" She asked. "I thought you were going to eat then get some sleep."
He smiled as he approached the bed to give her a small kiss. "I did eat and I'm going next door to take a nap, I just wanted to check on you before I did."
"Sirius, love, I'm fine, and I'm going to be fine. There are plenty of people to watch over me and someone will come and get you if anything happens, but it won't." Again she pushed him off the bed. He leaned in and kissed her softly, but she deepened it running her tongue across his lower lip. He opened his mouth and she tasted him. She loved his flavor and was thrilled that she was able to taste him now. Thrilled that the bad taste in her mouth from her ordeal was gone. She knew it would take time for the rest to fade, but this was a good start. She broke their kiss and sent him on his way.When he opened the door, he looked back with a smile and mouthed, "I love you." As he shut the door, he heard her say "And I love you…Always." Smiling to himself he laid down in the room next door to the love of his life and let sleep over take him, Only to be awakened by terrifying dreams of his own ordeal. There and then he swore no one other than those present would find out what had happened. He would, with Hermione's help put it in the past as he had every other bad thing that had happened to him. Content with his decision he again fell asleep, this time his dreams were of the future.