Chapter 6: Recovery continued
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**Sunday**
Dark onyx eyes burned with fatigue. Looking away from the book that held his attention, Severus noticed that the lamps had burned down and the only light was gthat of dawn through the dungeon window. He had been working on the antidote potion for twenty hours with only a short break to grab a biscuit for dinner. He put down the book and walked to the single cauldron bubbling softly on the worktable. It was now an iridescent sky-blue and simmering nicely. It was almost finished. There were just a few more ingredients to add.
I am almost done. You will be better, Hermione. I swear you will, he thought grabbing the mandrake root essence.
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**10 AM**
The slow movement of curling her toes was accompanied by excruciating pain. Tears sprang to her eyes, but she refused to cry out. She had been horribly depressed since her relapse the evening before. After Professor Lupin and Madame Pomfrey had left her alone for the night she had had a good cry of self-pity, before sinking into exhausted sleep.
Having slept on it, her determination to beat this had renewed. She was once again working on controlling her extremities with the aid of Lupin. They had progressed as far as controlling her toes with occasional uncontrolled movement of her feet. Sighing she said through gritted teeth, "Well, at least I controlled that one. It still hurts like hell though."
Remus gave her a weak smile. "That is something. Why don't we take a water break and we'll work on controlling that foot twitch until lunch," he responded. She nodded agreement and drank from the straw in the cup he held for her.
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**Noon**
"ah funda ho humerny if doin," said Ron. Unfortunately he did so with his mouth full of biscuit and sprayed those around him with crumbs.
Harry looked disgustedly at his friend and said, "English please."
Ron gave an almighty gulp and swallowed the prodigious amount of food and repeated, "I wonder how Hermione is doing. She hasn't written back yet."
"She is probably worried but hiding it. She is most likely the calmest one there. Probably spending her time looking up a cure in some muggle medical book or something. She will be fine. I hope who ever it is, is going to be okay," Harry responded. Ron mumbled agreement.
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Remus had just left to get lunch when he ran into Albus heading towards the Hospital Wing. The Headmaster smiled in welcome at the professor. "Hello, Remus. How is everything going today? Well I hope," he said.
The werewolf looked at the Headmaster with a tired smile and responded with, "You heard about Hermione's seizure a relapse last night?" Dumbledore nodded affirmative. "It is going fast than yesterday. She is able to control her entire legs already. She is very determined to overcome the paralysis. We are only worried about another seizure. I don't think she would be able to hold up to going through this again. We are relying on Snape finding the antidote so she won't have another seizure. Unfortunately, she is still unable to move any body part between the neck and waist. But we do have hope," he said.
Dumbledore smile widened in expectation, "We certainly do. I am glad to hear the progress continues despite this setback. Keep up the good work. I have all the confidence in the world Severus will come through for her. I believe he feel himself responsible for her condition."
Remus frowned. Confused, he said, "I don't see why. I was the one who did the attacking. He was the one who was protecting her."
"He blames himself for not isolating you and preventing her from entering in the first place. I have already talked to him and he refuses to blame anyone else, well you maybe a little. I did not push it as it is his driving force to produce the antidote," Albus explained.
"If it helps," came the response.
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**One Hour before Dinner**
I'm done, he thought elatedly. He hadn't felt this happy in years. Strange how something as mundane as finishing a potion could bring on this kind of euphoria. Had they seen him anybody would have dropped dead from shock at the smile that broke acroos his lips. It actually made him look nice and healthier than he had been for many a season, despite his current exhaustion. Cleaning up the left over ingredients with a wave of his wand, he bottled the opaque silver potion that smelled strangely enough like heady spices, a bit like his workroom, which was his favorite fragrance.
Looking at the seemingly innocent potion, he pondered the impact it would have on the student in the Hospital Wing. She had been a thorn in his side since that first day of Potions class three years ago. After this she would be back in his class, asking endless questions. Defying his orders and helping that dunderhead Longbottom survive his botched potions. He was surprised at himself. I am actually looking forward to it, he thought. Realizing what he was thinking, he mentally berated himself and regained his customary scowl. Turning left the workroom and headed for the Hospital Wing.
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He paused, hearing sobs of anguish coming form the ward. Peering through the doors he was struck with a sudden sense of déjà vu.
**Flashback**
He peered surreptitiously around the door. His heart broke hearing the sobs of the Gryffindor girl lying in the nearest bed. He longed to hold her, to wipe away the tears and kiss her pain into oblivion. Instead, he settle for watching her and mentally sending reassurances and love. He loved her with all his heart, but he was a Slytherin and she was beyond his reach. She would never love a 'greasy git' like him. He gave an internal sigh of regret and remorse at his habit of wanting the unobtainable. Giving the object of his affection one last wistful look, he returned to the Snake's Den.
**End Flashback**
Shaking off his reverie he entered the Hospital Wing just as Albus and Remus came around the corner.
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She was not holding back her cries of pain anymore. Just the thought of trying to move her fingers was causing her pain. They were also tears of frustration. Once she had gained the use of her legs her recovery had come to a stand still. Despite the ease of progress with her lower body she was still unable to move anything between her neck and waist. It had been six hours since she had moved a new body part and the attempts had taken a toll on her. She was aching all over. Her shoulders in particular were throbbing heavily. More than anything was the mental anguish. What is she could never hold a book again or a wand for that matter. She wouldn't be able to finish her schooling she would be completely useless. The idea of not being able to continue her learning made her head hurt more than anything else.
Her cries had reduced to whimpers as Snape entered the ward, closely followed by Dumbledore and Lupin, who was carrying a tray of food, which he set on the table next to the bed.
Coming to a halt next to the cot, they looked expectantly at Snape. They all noticed that he looked like he hadn't slept in days, which was true. He hadn't stopped for a moment to consider his own needs. Hermione's eyes sparkled hopefully when she saw the flask of silver liquid Snape held.
"Here is the antidote," he said, hand the flask to the mediwitch as she came out of her office. She noticed it smelled like apples, her favorite.
"Are you sure it will work, Professor?" Poppy asked fearfully.
Snape looked pensive for a moment before responding disdainfully, "It will not make her condition worse. It will either cure her or nothing will happen. That is all I can guarantee."
They turned as one to Hermione. The Headmaster and DADA professor looked encouraging, while Poppy looked worried. Snape just looked at her indifferently. Sighing resolutely, she nodded at the mediwitch to give her the potion. It smelled strangely of spices, her favorite scent. Poppy held it to the girl's lips and gave the potions master one last look before swallowing it down. In passing she noted that it tasted like her favorite foods, chicken soup with an aftertaste of dark chocolate. They waited for a reaction.
They waited. And waited. After four minutes all but Snape were getting worried. After five minutes, Hermione felt a sudden chill run through her veins. She felt like ice water was being dumped on her. Just as quickly it changed to a burning as if fire were in her very blood. Her body went into convulsions.
The others had watched as the girl had stiffened and whimpered subconsciously in pain and suddenly began to have another seizure. Remus and Poppy rushed to hold her down but before they reached her she had fallen still. For agonized seconds they waited to see what would happen.
Slowly she opened her eyes and for a second feared she had gone blind before realizing her hair was covering her face, blocking the light. Unconsciouslyu she reached up and pushed the offending locks away. She stopped when she heard a collective gasp from the adults surrounding her bed. She frowned at them in puzzlement. Why are they shocked that I pushed the hair out of my face. They didn't expect me to leave it there did they? Oh, she thought suddenly as realization hit her. She had moved her arm. She could move her arm! And her hand!
Testing she pushed herself into a sitting position. An ear-to-ear grin cracked her face. Before anyone could protest she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She had to pause for a moment as a small bout of dizziness swept over her. Once she had steadied, she looked to see the reactions of her professors. Snape was frowning indifferently. Dumbledore was looking positively delighted, while Lupin and Madame Pomfrey were just stunned into silence.
Tentatively she took a step. Finding the movement painless and steady she took a few more steps. It was as if the paralysis had never happened. She felt like running or playing a came of quidditch, both activities she hated, as they did not involve books. Having walked to the end of the ward she turned and walked back to the quietly conversing adults. As she approached they all turned and, with exception of Snape, smiled at her.
Dumbledore in particular seemed extremely happy. Eyes twinkling he said, "I am glad to see it worked my dear. How do you feel?"
"I feel wonderful, professor," she replied smiling back. She was practically bouncing up and down. And Severus feared she was going to do something idiotically Gryffindor. What she did do shocked them all into silence once more.
Suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude she impulsively embraced her surly potions professor. She grabbed him around the waist and hugged him tightly as he stiffened in response. Realizing whom she was hugging, she just as suddenly released him and looked embarrassed as she backed away. Gathering her composure she maturely said, "Thank you, professor, for everything you did. You have no idea how much this means to me. If I ever have the chance, I will repay the favor. So, thank you."
The serious moment over, she reclaimed her grin and went around hugging everyone else thanking them for their support and help during her recovery. Retrieving her clothes from the bedside stand she changed behind a curtain Madame Pomfrey conjured. Coming out she said thank you once more and proclaiming her hunger for real food she headed out the door to join her classmates in the Great Hall.
They waited until she was out of earshot before bursting into laughter. Severus on the other hand was still in shock. That was the first time in years someone had voluntarily touched him besides Albus or Poppy for healing purposes. It was a bit of a shock to his system that it would be her of all people. He finally snapped out of it when his colleagues' laughter penetrated his reverie. To say the least, he was not amused.
Between guffaws Lupin managed to gasp out, "You should have seen the look on your face. You would think she had just asked you to marry her or something."
Sneering in contempt and embarrassment, he replied, "I find nothing funny about this. Good evening, Headmaster, Poppy." He just gave Lupin a disgusted look before sweeping out of the ward, billowing robes trailing behind him.
This charade only served to make Remus and Poppy laugh harder. Dumbledore's eyes just twinkled more as he grinned at them.
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A/N: Hope you like this one. The next chapters will be jumpin forward in time or would it be back. I will be getting more into the HGSS relationship soon I swear. R & R pleeeeeaaaaasssseeee! I need encouragement if I am going to be motivated to write. Big yeah to PoA coming out in June!
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**Sunday**
Dark onyx eyes burned with fatigue. Looking away from the book that held his attention, Severus noticed that the lamps had burned down and the only light was gthat of dawn through the dungeon window. He had been working on the antidote potion for twenty hours with only a short break to grab a biscuit for dinner. He put down the book and walked to the single cauldron bubbling softly on the worktable. It was now an iridescent sky-blue and simmering nicely. It was almost finished. There were just a few more ingredients to add.
I am almost done. You will be better, Hermione. I swear you will, he thought grabbing the mandrake root essence.
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**10 AM**
The slow movement of curling her toes was accompanied by excruciating pain. Tears sprang to her eyes, but she refused to cry out. She had been horribly depressed since her relapse the evening before. After Professor Lupin and Madame Pomfrey had left her alone for the night she had had a good cry of self-pity, before sinking into exhausted sleep.
Having slept on it, her determination to beat this had renewed. She was once again working on controlling her extremities with the aid of Lupin. They had progressed as far as controlling her toes with occasional uncontrolled movement of her feet. Sighing she said through gritted teeth, "Well, at least I controlled that one. It still hurts like hell though."
Remus gave her a weak smile. "That is something. Why don't we take a water break and we'll work on controlling that foot twitch until lunch," he responded. She nodded agreement and drank from the straw in the cup he held for her.
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**Noon**
"ah funda ho humerny if doin," said Ron. Unfortunately he did so with his mouth full of biscuit and sprayed those around him with crumbs.
Harry looked disgustedly at his friend and said, "English please."
Ron gave an almighty gulp and swallowed the prodigious amount of food and repeated, "I wonder how Hermione is doing. She hasn't written back yet."
"She is probably worried but hiding it. She is most likely the calmest one there. Probably spending her time looking up a cure in some muggle medical book or something. She will be fine. I hope who ever it is, is going to be okay," Harry responded. Ron mumbled agreement.
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Remus had just left to get lunch when he ran into Albus heading towards the Hospital Wing. The Headmaster smiled in welcome at the professor. "Hello, Remus. How is everything going today? Well I hope," he said.
The werewolf looked at the Headmaster with a tired smile and responded with, "You heard about Hermione's seizure a relapse last night?" Dumbledore nodded affirmative. "It is going fast than yesterday. She is able to control her entire legs already. She is very determined to overcome the paralysis. We are only worried about another seizure. I don't think she would be able to hold up to going through this again. We are relying on Snape finding the antidote so she won't have another seizure. Unfortunately, she is still unable to move any body part between the neck and waist. But we do have hope," he said.
Dumbledore smile widened in expectation, "We certainly do. I am glad to hear the progress continues despite this setback. Keep up the good work. I have all the confidence in the world Severus will come through for her. I believe he feel himself responsible for her condition."
Remus frowned. Confused, he said, "I don't see why. I was the one who did the attacking. He was the one who was protecting her."
"He blames himself for not isolating you and preventing her from entering in the first place. I have already talked to him and he refuses to blame anyone else, well you maybe a little. I did not push it as it is his driving force to produce the antidote," Albus explained.
"If it helps," came the response.
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**One Hour before Dinner**
I'm done, he thought elatedly. He hadn't felt this happy in years. Strange how something as mundane as finishing a potion could bring on this kind of euphoria. Had they seen him anybody would have dropped dead from shock at the smile that broke acroos his lips. It actually made him look nice and healthier than he had been for many a season, despite his current exhaustion. Cleaning up the left over ingredients with a wave of his wand, he bottled the opaque silver potion that smelled strangely enough like heady spices, a bit like his workroom, which was his favorite fragrance.
Looking at the seemingly innocent potion, he pondered the impact it would have on the student in the Hospital Wing. She had been a thorn in his side since that first day of Potions class three years ago. After this she would be back in his class, asking endless questions. Defying his orders and helping that dunderhead Longbottom survive his botched potions. He was surprised at himself. I am actually looking forward to it, he thought. Realizing what he was thinking, he mentally berated himself and regained his customary scowl. Turning left the workroom and headed for the Hospital Wing.
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He paused, hearing sobs of anguish coming form the ward. Peering through the doors he was struck with a sudden sense of déjà vu.
**Flashback**
He peered surreptitiously around the door. His heart broke hearing the sobs of the Gryffindor girl lying in the nearest bed. He longed to hold her, to wipe away the tears and kiss her pain into oblivion. Instead, he settle for watching her and mentally sending reassurances and love. He loved her with all his heart, but he was a Slytherin and she was beyond his reach. She would never love a 'greasy git' like him. He gave an internal sigh of regret and remorse at his habit of wanting the unobtainable. Giving the object of his affection one last wistful look, he returned to the Snake's Den.
**End Flashback**
Shaking off his reverie he entered the Hospital Wing just as Albus and Remus came around the corner.
@@@@@@@
She was not holding back her cries of pain anymore. Just the thought of trying to move her fingers was causing her pain. They were also tears of frustration. Once she had gained the use of her legs her recovery had come to a stand still. Despite the ease of progress with her lower body she was still unable to move anything between her neck and waist. It had been six hours since she had moved a new body part and the attempts had taken a toll on her. She was aching all over. Her shoulders in particular were throbbing heavily. More than anything was the mental anguish. What is she could never hold a book again or a wand for that matter. She wouldn't be able to finish her schooling she would be completely useless. The idea of not being able to continue her learning made her head hurt more than anything else.
Her cries had reduced to whimpers as Snape entered the ward, closely followed by Dumbledore and Lupin, who was carrying a tray of food, which he set on the table next to the bed.
Coming to a halt next to the cot, they looked expectantly at Snape. They all noticed that he looked like he hadn't slept in days, which was true. He hadn't stopped for a moment to consider his own needs. Hermione's eyes sparkled hopefully when she saw the flask of silver liquid Snape held.
"Here is the antidote," he said, hand the flask to the mediwitch as she came out of her office. She noticed it smelled like apples, her favorite.
"Are you sure it will work, Professor?" Poppy asked fearfully.
Snape looked pensive for a moment before responding disdainfully, "It will not make her condition worse. It will either cure her or nothing will happen. That is all I can guarantee."
They turned as one to Hermione. The Headmaster and DADA professor looked encouraging, while Poppy looked worried. Snape just looked at her indifferently. Sighing resolutely, she nodded at the mediwitch to give her the potion. It smelled strangely of spices, her favorite scent. Poppy held it to the girl's lips and gave the potions master one last look before swallowing it down. In passing she noted that it tasted like her favorite foods, chicken soup with an aftertaste of dark chocolate. They waited for a reaction.
They waited. And waited. After four minutes all but Snape were getting worried. After five minutes, Hermione felt a sudden chill run through her veins. She felt like ice water was being dumped on her. Just as quickly it changed to a burning as if fire were in her very blood. Her body went into convulsions.
The others had watched as the girl had stiffened and whimpered subconsciously in pain and suddenly began to have another seizure. Remus and Poppy rushed to hold her down but before they reached her she had fallen still. For agonized seconds they waited to see what would happen.
Slowly she opened her eyes and for a second feared she had gone blind before realizing her hair was covering her face, blocking the light. Unconsciouslyu she reached up and pushed the offending locks away. She stopped when she heard a collective gasp from the adults surrounding her bed. She frowned at them in puzzlement. Why are they shocked that I pushed the hair out of my face. They didn't expect me to leave it there did they? Oh, she thought suddenly as realization hit her. She had moved her arm. She could move her arm! And her hand!
Testing she pushed herself into a sitting position. An ear-to-ear grin cracked her face. Before anyone could protest she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She had to pause for a moment as a small bout of dizziness swept over her. Once she had steadied, she looked to see the reactions of her professors. Snape was frowning indifferently. Dumbledore was looking positively delighted, while Lupin and Madame Pomfrey were just stunned into silence.
Tentatively she took a step. Finding the movement painless and steady she took a few more steps. It was as if the paralysis had never happened. She felt like running or playing a came of quidditch, both activities she hated, as they did not involve books. Having walked to the end of the ward she turned and walked back to the quietly conversing adults. As she approached they all turned and, with exception of Snape, smiled at her.
Dumbledore in particular seemed extremely happy. Eyes twinkling he said, "I am glad to see it worked my dear. How do you feel?"
"I feel wonderful, professor," she replied smiling back. She was practically bouncing up and down. And Severus feared she was going to do something idiotically Gryffindor. What she did do shocked them all into silence once more.
Suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude she impulsively embraced her surly potions professor. She grabbed him around the waist and hugged him tightly as he stiffened in response. Realizing whom she was hugging, she just as suddenly released him and looked embarrassed as she backed away. Gathering her composure she maturely said, "Thank you, professor, for everything you did. You have no idea how much this means to me. If I ever have the chance, I will repay the favor. So, thank you."
The serious moment over, she reclaimed her grin and went around hugging everyone else thanking them for their support and help during her recovery. Retrieving her clothes from the bedside stand she changed behind a curtain Madame Pomfrey conjured. Coming out she said thank you once more and proclaiming her hunger for real food she headed out the door to join her classmates in the Great Hall.
They waited until she was out of earshot before bursting into laughter. Severus on the other hand was still in shock. That was the first time in years someone had voluntarily touched him besides Albus or Poppy for healing purposes. It was a bit of a shock to his system that it would be her of all people. He finally snapped out of it when his colleagues' laughter penetrated his reverie. To say the least, he was not amused.
Between guffaws Lupin managed to gasp out, "You should have seen the look on your face. You would think she had just asked you to marry her or something."
Sneering in contempt and embarrassment, he replied, "I find nothing funny about this. Good evening, Headmaster, Poppy." He just gave Lupin a disgusted look before sweeping out of the ward, billowing robes trailing behind him.
This charade only served to make Remus and Poppy laugh harder. Dumbledore's eyes just twinkled more as he grinned at them.
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A/N: Hope you like this one. The next chapters will be jumpin forward in time or would it be back. I will be getting more into the HGSS relationship soon I swear. R & R pleeeeeaaaaasssseeee! I need encouragement if I am going to be motivated to write. Big yeah to PoA coming out in June!
