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CHAPTER 3
A SORT OF TRUCE
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"Professor Snape?"
"Yes."
She looked around, even though it made her head throb with pain to do so.
"Hospital Wing? What happened to me? Why am I here?"
"It seemed you contracted Hagar's Fever."
She closed her eyes. "How long has it been?"
The answer startled her. "Seven months."
Her eyes shot open and she sat up. "You mean the seventh-year has ended? It is July! Oh no!"
"If you are worried about your NEWTs exams…"
"And a lot more… my parents? Harry? Ron? Everyone else, in fact."
"Professor Dumbledore has taken care of everything. You are lucky to be alive."
"But… I didn't think that Hagar's Fever was that bad."
"Madam Pomfrey seems to think that it was worsened due to over-stress."
She rubbed her head lightly. "My headache doesn't seem to end." She hoped that he would take the hint.
Surprisingly, he did.
"Do not take more than two doses of the potion in one day. One teaspoonful should be enough."
Hermione thanked him and swallowed the golden-brown liquid.
The headache slowly subsided.
"I will inform Professor Dumbledore that you are well now. It would be wise if you went back to sleep."
"Professor?"
He turned back to face her.
"Anything else you require, Miss Granger?"
"I do not quite understand how stress worsened the situation so much."
"I am sure that there would be enough time later to fulfil your academic curiosities. Presently, it would be better if you took sufficient rest. You had better go to sleep now."
He had almost reached the door when she called him again. Something had just stricken her. She realized why only he had been there in his dreams in the later stages.
"Thank-you for being by my side all along, Professor."
She had shocked him now. She could see the astonishment plainly in his face.
He didn't say anything, just inclined his head once and went out at a fast pace.
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Seven months!
She couldn't believe that it was so long!
She had never fallen ill seriously before, not to her memory at least. It was quite a shock to know that she had missed seven months of her life… just like that… as if she had been dead for that time.
And then she thought of Sirius… Had he missed her? Had he been here? Surely, he couldn't come here when the school was in session, but it was July now. Perhaps he had come. But obviously, he couldn't stay here for long. People would certainly suspect "things" and she herself had made him promise that they would remain quiet about their affair.
The only person who knew about their relationship… well, she wasn't about to ask him for help – not in her most idiotic dreams. For one thing, he'd hate her even more. For another, she felt that he had done enough for her – considering she wasn't in his good books, anyway.
Then her mind turned to Harry, Ron, Ginny and everyone else. What was their position in the war right now? What all had happened this year?
She was bursting with questions and no one was in sight. She decided that she would ignore Professor Snape's warning for once. If she stayed in here, her head would burst with curiosity anyway. Better burst her head knowing everything than in ignorance.
She changed out of her nightdress – her trunk and all other belongings were near her bed – and went outside.
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"As good it feels to see you up and about, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore from behind her (she spun around fast), "I am afraid you should follow Professor Snape's instruction."
He smiled in his fatherly way. Hermione almost felt guilty for disregarding Snape.
"I was… curious about things," she said. The truth was always better than aimless fibs.
Dumbledore sighed. "I am afraid that there is a lot to tell, Miss Granger. I would…"
He stopped. Hermione turned to see the Potions Master regarding them angrily.
"Miss Granger, did you not understand what I told you?"
"Now, now, Severus, it is very natural for Miss Granger to be worried about her friends and family. We will talk about that later, my dear. Severus, please escort Miss Granger to the Hospital Wing. I am going to the Grimmauld Place."
Hermione was beginning to feel dizzy. She wished she had stayed back after all.
"Miss Granger."
She was surprised when he took her arm in a light grip – and grateful, too. She leaned towards him as they made their way back to the Infirmary. Her head was spinning.
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"And this time, try to sleep, you silly girl!" he said angrily.
She didn't have the heart to nod. She pulled the covers closer about her and closed her eyes.
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When she woke up again, it was far into the night.
Two candles were floating around the Infirmary, sometimes running into each other. At other times, they would run into a wall or go almost out of the only open window, but then the wind would drive them inside again. However, their light never extinguished. Hermione thought that it was rather funny.
It was only when they stopped near her that she realized that they had faces!
"Thank Merlin you are awake. I was getting rather bored," said the dark green and black one.
"You are supposed to ring that bell – Emmanuel said that," instructed the blue and white one.
"Who?"
"Our master's son – Emmanuel."
Though she had no idea who Emmanuel was, she rang the bell kept on the bedside table.
A house-elf dressed in a pillowcase with Hogwarts symbol appeared. "What can Taffy do for Miss?"
Both the candles began talking at once.
"Get her something to eat."
"Get that tomato soup. I like tomato soup."
"Don't be ridiculous. Get her some chicken soup. She has a cold."
"Get her oysters. Everyone orders oysters an awful lot nowadays."
"No, oysters are out of vogue. Get her caviar. And some lettuce. Lettuce is good for cold."
"Bring a chocolate cake for dessert – a mountain size like you made for old man's birthday."
"No, bring her some pasta and ice-cream. I am telling you it is good for cold, too."
"STOP!"
Three pairs of eyes turned towards her.
"I am not hungry," declared Hermione. "I only want a cup of coffee."
"It tastes rather yucky. Have some Firewhiskey! It is good for cold."
"Cold Coffee," said Hermione, scowling at the green candle.
"Yes, Miss," said Taffy meekly and disapparated.
"You have a rather poor taste in food – just like Emmanuel."
"Yeah, you have no idea what is good for cold."
"I do not have a cold," said Hermione, putting on her dressing-gown.
"Emmanuel said you have cold."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Damn Emmanuel!"
"I do not appreciate the sentiment, Miss Granger."
Hermione was slightly startled. "Professor Snape?"
"It is not right to damn your Potions Master."
"But…"
"Emmanuel," said Snape, glaring at the candles, "is my middle name. And I would greatly appreciate it if some thoughtless objects did not have the audacity to refer to me by that name – especially in front of my students."
"Severus is an evil name. Reminds me of Salazar Severus Slytherin."
"And Snape makes me cold."
"Get out of here!" he barked at them.
Probably, they were used to his temper – too used. They floated on either side of Hermione – so close to her that she felt a burning sensation along her cheeks and neck.
"Old man said that we were to remain here and keep vigil over her until he returned."
"Get out!"
"At least move away," said Hermione, leaning away from them. "You are burning me."
They obliged and settled on the table.
"I heard the noise," said Snape, throwing a dirty look in the candles' direction. "Since you are awake, you might as well dress and pack up."
"Am I going to Grimmauld Place?"
The prospect of seeing Sirius again was brightening.
"No. Dumbledore sent me to take you to your parents' house," he snapped.
Sensing that his mood was rather dark, and not wanting to get into a shouting match with him, she nodded and got off the bed.
"I will be waiting for you in the Entrance Hall."
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She quickly downed her coffee and was rather put off because she always liked to enjoy her coffee, but obviously, there was no other option.
The candles faced away from her as she changed, but continued their incessant chatter.
"My name is Romulus," informed the blue one.
"And I am Remus," said the green one.
"After the founders of Rome?" asked Hermione dryly.
"You can say that," said Romulus proudly.
"No, after Emmanuel's twin brothers who are lost, I think, or dead. Are they lost or are they dead, Rome?"
"Must be dead. Emmanuel never talks about them."
"Emmanuel never really talks to us. He only snaps or shouts at us."
"Anyway, we decided that we liked the names and adopted them."
"What are you? Talking candles?" asked Hermione. They were now lighting her way down to the Entrance Hall.
"We belonged to Lord Snape. He created us out of our older, boring form. After his death we were Lady Snape's property. But she hated us so she hexed us out of the Snape Manor. We had nowhere to go except to Emmanuel."
"So all along you have been staying with Professor Snape?"
"He does not let us out except during the summer vacation. And call him Emmanuel when you are talking to us about him. I said Snape makes me cold. You won't want to make me cold, would you? It is terrible to be cold."
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"We will Floo to your parents' place from the Three Broomsticks. Dumbledore has got your parents' place connected to the Floo Network – legally… And why are you two still following?"
"Because we have decided that we will stay with Jane."
"She talks to us. We haven't talked to anyone for ages. She listens to us, too. And we like that even better."
Snape stopped and pointed his wand at them. "I will reduce you to nothing if you do not go back to the castle."
They floated over to Hermione, hiding behind her.
"We declare that we will not come with you."
Hermione was having a very hard time restraining her laughter. She pressed her hand to her mouth to hide the smile she couldn't prevent. Snape scowled murderously at her.
"We are not anyone's property. We have a right to live with whoever we want to."
For a moment, Hermione thought that he would hex her. However, he pocketed his wand and began walking at a very fast pace towards the pub.
"Your parents will not throw us out, will they?" asked Remus, dimming himself as he came closer to her ear.
"Why would they do anything like that?" asked Hermione, who had to run at times to keep up with Snape.
"Because they are Muggles and Lord Snape used to say that Muggles and Magicians will always be enemies."
Hermione frowned. "It is not so. Muggles and Magicians can live very well together. If they couldn't, won't my parents have thrown me out?"
"She has a point."
"Well, I am glad. I don't want to stay with Emmanuel. He is very disrespectful towards us," said Romulus with a huff.
That was the understatement of the century, thought Hermione wryly.
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Romulus and Remus' fears were obviously unfounded.
When they entered the Granger Home (Hermione holding each in one hand as Professor Snape had shrunk her trunk so that she could pocket it), Mrs. Granger gave a little shriek.
They apologized profusely for scaring her. Snape scowled at them.
Mr. Granger was amused. Hermione gave vent to her laughter. This whole thing with Snape and the candles was very strange but in a good way.
"I shall put up some wards around the house," he informed her parents, who were trying – and failing – to follow him, "so that in case the Death-Eaters do come here, your daughter will have time to Floo to the Grimmauld Place and inform someone. They will they take you to Number 13 Grimmauld Place, which is easily accessible by Muggles."
Mr. Granger looked at Hermione, who nodded slightly.
"I shall apparate from outside after putting up the wards."
Hermione led him to the front door, the candles remaining behind to introduce themselves to her parents, 'the Muggles', albeit they were scared of them.
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"When shall I take my NEWTs?"
"Professor Dumbledore will inform you, I suppose," he said, not meeting her eyes.
"And?"
"What do you mean, Miss Granger?"
"There is something you are hiding from me. I know."
He did nothing more than pull out his wand.
"I suppose I shall remain here until September at least?"
"These are uncertain times, Miss Granger. But if the days pass without an emergency, then yes. The stay might extend, though."
Hermione sighed. It seemed ages since she had seen Harry, Ron, Ginny – and Sirius… especially Sirius.
"And I must warn you against sending owls. The Floo Powder is on the mantelpiece. Only that ought to be used."
She stood there, looking at the sky, the first sign of dawn breaking through the darkness.
"I wish I was… doing something," she said wistfully.
Snape fidgeted a little with his wand. "You are not fully well yet."
She looked at him. "It will be terrible to be cut off from everything. Why can't I go to Grimmauld Place through Floo?"
"Only members of Order are allowed, Miss Granger."
"Harry and Ron…"
"Potter is there but Weasley is at the Burrow. It will be safer if you stay here and recover your health."
She nodded gloomily and stepped back into the house.
"Goodbye, sir – and thank-you."
"There is nothing you need to tha…"
There was a horrible scream from inside. Hermione jumped slightly.
"It's Remus. Nothing to worry about," he said.
"I like them," she said simply, smiling. "They're funny."
He shrugged. "I find them rather annoying. I am rather glad that they have decided to leave me."
She looked up, grinning. "You are going to miss them horribly, you know!"
"I don't know. I don't think so," he answered, narrowing his eyes.
This time mad giggling came from inside – and some noise which she couldn't quite place.
"I must leave. Be careful – and safe, Miss Granger."
She was mildly surprised. "And you, too, sir. You will try to convince Dumbledore to allow me to have some contact with my friends?"
"Never," he said, but as she looked into his eyes, she knew that he was lying.
They gazed at each other for quite a few moments. Snape was the first one to look away.
"Go inside – or I will not even be able to begin my work," he murmured the last part to himself.
"Goodbye – and take care of yourself, please," she said softly as she closed the door.
But he heard her. And somewhere – not so deep down as he would have liked to imagine – he was glad that she had said those words. She forgave him for hurting her. He forgave her for loving Black.
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