The Road to Recovery
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot.
A/N: In case any of you are reading my other stories and are wondering what is going on, I update by the number of reviews I get. This story is, therefore, top priority on my list as it has the most reviews. Keep up the good work guys!
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She woke a few hours later in the hospital wing surrounded by Remus, Draco, Dumbledore, McGonagal, and Snape. She blinked a few times before she burst into tears and covered her face with the sheets. Oh no! Snape must've told them! How will I ever face Draco again? she thought miserably. And then she remembered something.
"Professor Dumbledore! He's going to attack at the early graduation ceremony! He has Rita Skeeter under the Imperius Curse! We're all in danger… he has followers from all over the country… all over the world! We don't have enough man power to defend ourselves! We're-"
"Miss Granger calm yourself," Dumbledore said, effectively silencing her, "Severus did you get a look at the plans?"
"Of course, Headmaster," Snape said, "But perhaps now is not the time…"
"Oh yes, quite right," Dumbledore turned solemn eyes on Hermione, "Miss Granger… Hermione… we feel that the risk has become too great- was always too great- and…"
"Professor I know what you're going to say," Hermione forced a weak smile on her face, "You're going to tell me that you think it would be best if I didn't continue with my assignment. But the answer is no. After all, it doesn't exactly matter anymore, now does it?" She chuckled through her tears, blinking them back.
"Hermione, having Severus as a double agent is providing us with plenty of information…" Remus began but Hermione place a silencing hand in the air.
"In barely enough time to prevent it- no offense Professor- but Voldemort tells me his plans several days, and sometimes weeks in advance," she said, "I'm too far in to back out now. If I do, then He'll come looking for me."
"We can go into hiding," Draco said, desperately, "I will not stand by and let him do that to you again!"
Hermione felt the tears spring forth again and this time she couldn't blink them back. They spilled down her cheeks and she smiled despite them.
"Can we talk later, Draco?" she asked, "I can't deal with all this right this instant."
He sighed dejectedly and nodded his head.
"I will continue… and there's nothing that any of you could say to convince me otherwise," Hermione said, determinedly.
Snape looked at Dumbledore and a silent agreement seemed to have passed between them, for they nodded at each other. Dumbledore once again turned his weary gaze on her, and Hermione felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. I caused that look… he's been worrying about me so much. They all have.
"I think, perhaps, that what you need are your friends," Dumbledore said, "I will allow Mr. Malfoy to escort you back to your common room, and then I will have Severus fetch Misters Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom, while Remus retrieves Miss Weasley."
"Very well," she said, tossing her legs over the edge of the hospital bed, "Thank you for understanding."
Hermione and Draco sat in the common room for barely five minutes before a quiet knock came upon the door. Draco got up and let the very confused students into the common room. They sat down next to and across from Hermione and awaited an explanation as to the reason they were summoned. Draco stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.
Hermione sighed and relayed everything that had happened so far to her long time friends. In the end she was crying while everybody just sat in shock. Draco had long since wrapped his arm around her shoulders from behind to comfort her and Ginny had her in a vise-like hug that was surely cracking Hermione's ribs.
"Hermione, you have to quit… it's risking too much," Harry said.
"Please, Harry, the one thing that was at risk is already long gone, suffice it to say," Hermione said sardonically.
"I don't think he was talking about your virginity, Hermione," Ginny said, releasing her (finally) from her grasp.
"What else is at risk?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"Your sanity, 'Mione," Harry replied.
"And ours," Ron said, making Hermione smile- an actual smile.
Draco grinned. I have to admit, Dumbledore was right. What she needed were these buffoons to take her mind off things…
"Not to change the subject or anything… but Seamus and Lavendar said they saw you and Draco walk into the café in Hogsmeade," Ginny said.
"Yeah so? We went to get some coffee…" Hermione said, fighting back the blush.
"Yeah, well this particular café is where most people go on dates. And they said they saw Pansy and a bunch of Slytherin girls walk in there after you and run out looking scared shitless," Ginny said, grinning.
"Okay… we went on a date- of sorts- and Pansy interrupted… and… well……" Hermione smiled.
"Let's just say Hermione proved that she could've easily been in Slytherin," Draco said.
"What did you do?" Ron asked, leaning toward her.
"We had a verbal spat and then it turned sort of physical and I- I…"
"Knocked Pansy on her ass," Draco finished proudly.
The room erupted into howling laughter and Voldemort was forgotten for that moment in time. Until, that is, Neville got the usage of his voice back.
"Am I the only sane person here?" he yelled, making the room fall into a sudden silence, "Am I the only one who realizes the seriousness of what has happened?"
They looked guiltily at their feet. "Neville, it's okay- really. I'll get over it…" Hermione said quietly.
"You'll get over it? Hermione, how will you get over something like this if you are constantly repeating it?" Neville asked, and Draco suddenly wondered where he got all of this courage, "I think we should all accept the early graduation and then move into Order headquarters immediately. At least there we'll be safe."
"I agree," Hermione said, "But I'm not…"
"Yes you are," they replied in unison, making Hermione smile.
"Alright, but you'll have to break it to Remus," Hermione said.
"Somehow, I think he'll more than pleased," Harry said.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the git is regretting ever handing you this assignment," Ron agreed.
They sat around and talked about random events in their life for nearly two more hours. With each passing minute Hermione realized more and more how empty her life had been when she had been forced to hide everything from her friends. Maybe now she could start down the road to recovery…
I told you the next chapter would be coming soon! Yay me! As always, please review!! And Danke!