She felt a quick tug on her toes and looked up from her book. Ron stood at the foot of her bed grinning.
"Hi Hermione!" He smiled and moved to sit on the chair next to the bed. "I stopped by to see how you were, I should have known you'd be reading!"
Hermione laughed. "Oh this old thing?" She held up the book so he could see the title, Hogwarts, a History. "I'm just passing the time, it'd be nice to talk to someone who talks back!"
Ron gasped in feigned astonishment. "Hermione? Are you okay? I mean, if you are tired of reading, then you've got to be sick! Have you told Madam Pomfrey yet?"
Hermione leaned over and smacked him on the arm. "Hush, you. And why aren't you in Divination?"
Ron's expression grew serious. "Its actually because of Divination that I'm down here." He leaned forward and took Hermione's hand in his. "I think I might know who is doing this. I don't know that I can believe it, but it makes sense in a weird sort of way."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat. "Who?" was all she could respond.
"Bear with me, luv. Before I give you the name, I want to see if you agree that its suspicious." He paused and gathered his formidable courage, and continued. "See, this person had a hard couple of years. Been quiet a lot recently. I've been thinking about what's going on with you, and I noticed this person has always been around. Not just before you got hurt, but always seems to be near when you are found or are in the hospital. And they aren't one of 'us'. Not even in our year. Though they are a Gryffindor." He paused and shook his head in disbelief. "And last night, I ran across this person, and they said, 'Oh Hermione, what am I gonna do about you?' They sounded so depressed, but there was an undercurrent of disgust, disappointment. Then today, on the way out of the Great Hall, this person called to me, 'Oh Ron, maybe you can ask Professor Trelawney to do a reading on Hermione and find out who is doing this to her, the poor girl!' I… know this person. I can't believe I didn't see it before. But I know when this person is lying. And she was lying…" Ron didn't seem to realize he'd slipped, and used "she" as he dropped his head into his hands.
Hermione caught it. There was only one "she" that Ron knew well who wasn't in their year. Her face became a mask of horror. If Ron thought so, then she would give odds on that he was right. "Ginny." She spoke flatly, not wanting to betray the wildling conflicting emotions that were coursing through her.
He looked up at her. He knew what that bland expression was hiding. "I'm not wrong, am I?" He took her hand again, and stroked it softly.
She looked down at him. "No, I don't think you are." She answered sadly.
They remained like that for a few long minutes, each coming to terms with their conclusion, taking silent comfort in each other's presence.
Finally Ron spoke. "Now what?" He asked softly.
Hermione's face hardened. "Get the Headmaster. And Professor Snape." She spoke coldly.
"Snape? What for?" Anger made his voice rise.
"Hush, Ron. Professor Snape, because he's the only other one I trust with this information. We can't tell anyone else what we think! If we are wrong, it could hurt her. If we aren't, then we can't tip our hands. And Professor Snape can keep a secret." She hissed at him.
Ron shook his head, but looked resigned. "You know I hate it when you are right, luv!" he rose, and dropped her hand. "I'll just run get them, then."
Hermione called to his retreating back, "Professor Snape first! He's got Monday mornings off, and will know the password to the Headmaster's office." Ron acknowledged her comment with a wave and a nod, then disappeared out of the hospital wing.
-
Professor Severus Snape sat in his office, doing his marking. While he did not have any classes scheduled, he worked in his office rather than his more comfortable rooms so he was available to his students, even though he was rarely disturbed. There was nothing to indicate this morning would be any different than the rest.
The knock on his door disabused him of this notion. He called sharply, "Enter!" without looking up from the essay he was currently abusing with his marking quill. He would speak when he was finished with the essay, and not before.
Ron cringed at the tone in Snape's voice after he had knocked. But there was nothing to be done, 'Mione was right, Snape had to know. As he opened the door and quietly entered the office, Ron was determined to not rise to his teacher's baiting. He couldn't help if he couldn't keep his temper. Hermione's health was more important to him than anything else, including trying to get back at the greasy git. And there was something in Hermione's eyes this morning when she spoke about the potions professor. A sparkle he had only seen once before, and also focused on a professor. He just hoped things turned out better than it had with Gilderoy Lockhart.
When Professor Snape didn't look up, Ron stood in front of his desk, weighing his choices carefully. While time wasn't of the essence, he didn't want to delay, in case the meeting ran long and Professor Snape had to leave. He cleared his throat softly, and was rewarded with a response.
Severus hadn't no notion of who stood in front of him, and didn't really care. They could wait. "I will be with you in a moment." He spoke flatly.
Ron frowned, and decided to speak up. He took a deep breath before speaking, "Professor Snape, sir? Hermione and I need to see you and the Headmaster immediately." He shut his mouth, and waited for what abuse would shortly be hurled at him.
Professor Snape raised his head and glared at the youngest Weasley male. What Ron didn't know was that in examining Hermione's memories, Professor Snape had noted the changes in the young man before him. "Whatever for, Mr. Weasley?" he snapped. New maturity notwithstanding, he would not be disturbed for something trivial.
Ron again took a deep breath. The tone was impatient but not condescending, for once. "To put it bluntly, Professor Snape, we have a name we would like to discuss with you."
"So, what is the name? If I decide it has any merit, I will inform the Headmaster." He sneered. What could they know?
Ron shook his head resolutely. "No, sir." He wanted to scream at the man seated before him, but he wouldn't let Snape get the better of him. "Hermione has asked me to bring the two of you to the infirmary."
The Professor narrowed his eyes. Weasley wouldn't be moved, that was obvious. His anger was radiating from him, but the young man didn't let it control him. And Herm… Miss Granger had asked for his attendance. He could therefore agree, and find out the information, and in the process be able to bait all three Gryffindors with his complaints. He smiled inside at this thought, and rose from his chair. "Very well. Wait here." He spoke a quiet incantation blocking interference with his desk, and went over to the fireplace. Taking a pinch of gray powder, he threw it in, and watched the red flames turn green. "The Headmaster's office!" Snape barked, and then put his head in the fire.
Ron let out a sigh of relief. He'd expected more of a fight. But as soon as he'd mentioned Hermione's name, Snape had given in. He resolved to be on his most observant, to either confirm or deny his sudden suspicion regarding his best friend and the school's potions teacher. While Snape spoke to the Headmaster, Ron tried to wrap around his sudden insight. Before he knew it, Professor Snape was standing before him, motioning him to follow.
"He will meet us at the infirmary." Ron's thoughts were interrupted by the sneering tone of the older man's words. "Unless you'd like to be warded in here, since you find the fire so fascinating?"
Ron ground his teeth, but kept his response in his head, and just nodded to the sneering older man.
-
A/N:
Slow going, life just loves to interfere. But I'm deteremined to finish this. Thank you for your patience.
