Chapter five: Back to the Beginning

Despite Madam Pomfrey's adamant stance, Hermione was awake for a short period of time, remarkably, every day. This was when, as I'm sure you've guessed, Snape came each day. Although her hand was bandaged, she could still feel the tender touch of Snape's hand at the site of her cut.

When she awoke for good, Hermione stretched her arms out, and then called for the nurse. "Could I take a bath, Madam Pomfrey?"

Poppy Pomfrey dashed out of her office with a speed unseen by anyone else to find Hermione trying to get out of her bed. "No, no, no, my dear, you mustn't. I'm so glad you're awake, but you must wait for just a moment. If it is a bath you want, it is a bath you shall have, but you must be supervised. You've been out of it for two whole weeks, and I'm not anxious for you to drown. Let me get you a bathing suit, and we'll head for the prefects bathroom. That way, we can get you cleaned up fairly undisturbed. Let me tell the headmaster that you're awake; I'm sure he'll want to know."

Hermione understood her reasoning, and so, with a quiet "Accio Cards," she began the fairly drawn out process of answering her get-well cards. When Madam Pomfrey returned, Hermione said that she would rather get those done first, and take her bath later.

Snape turned the corner into the infirmary, and nearly fell over with shock when he saw Hermione sitting up and writing thank you cards to all those who had sent her something. She heard a movement and looked up. When she saw who it was, her heart stopped for a moment and she raised her hand to her throat. She gasped, and then began to try to sit up more, and tame her hair with her hands and generally make herself look like she hadn't been in the hospital for two weeks.

Snape rushed to her side, and sat down, saying, "You look fine, Miss Granger. How are you feeling?" Snape was shaking with effort to not hug her right there and then, consequences and reputation be damned.

"I'm all right, sir, but what happened?" Hermione's eyes watered, threatening to spill over. She was overcome with emotions, because she did truly remember what happened, but wanted to hear what he would say.

"Well, we were, ah, picking ingredients for your first experimental potion. You got up to go, and the bottle of asphodel tipped over and broke. I tried to stop you, but you picked up a piece of the glass and cut yourself. The asphodel entered your bloodstream and put you into a short coma." Snape watched her face, wanting to see if she knew he had left the most important part out.

Surprisingly, she lifted her chin to look him in the eyes. He was a bit surprised when she asked how she had gotten to the infirmary, instead of why she had been leaving. Snape didn't want to tell her, but felt that he should. "I carried you here."

Snape stood up, wiping his face with his hands, and softly said, "Goodbye," to Hermione. She watched him leave, then put her hands to her face and cried without making a sound.

Hermione spent a great deal of time that day thinking. Granted, she had many things to think about. For instance, why was Snape acting so differently than any other day? Why was he concerned about her? What had made him decide to take her on with Creative Potions? What would Ron and Harry think?

Oh, Ron and Harry. There was another thought. Would this change anything between them? She and Harry had been tentatively seeing each other after it became painfully clear that she and Ron were never destined to become anything more than just friends. An awkward fumble in a broom closet had ended shortly after it started, with both of them collapsing into full blown laughter. Although Ron and Hermione had always had a certain attraction for each other, they both understood that it was something that should never have been acted on. Harry understood the situation, and took his chance to ask Hermione to the next Hogsmeade weekend. She had accepted, they had gone book shopping, and the day had ended with a highly satisfactory (in the opinion of both parties) snog session in the rain.

Wait, why was she thinking about what Ron and Harry would think? She shook her head to try and rid herself of the thought. It wasn't as though Snape wanted to date her, just instruct her. Why would this be any different than an independent study she might take up with any professor?

Mulling over her thoughts, she answered her cards, took her bath, reveling in the sumptuousness of the prefect's bathroom, and fell asleep, looking forward to her last day in the hospital wing.

A/N: Ohh, my first author's note! It's heartwarming to see so many people interested in this story. It started out as a rampant plot bunny, and one day I started writing just to get it out onto paper (or screen, depending on your view). I did want to let you all know that unfortunately, my updates will become less frequent. My classes at university are starting to really become challenging, and while I want to do well, I refuse to give this story up. Updates will probably get down to about once a week on average, but don't hold me to it. I'm pretty sure I know where it's going to take us, but then, plot bunnies sometimes change direction, as I'm sure you all know.

Also, a big thanks to bassgoddes, cearrae27, Brittany Malfoy, anna maria, and Not Mad Mentally Unstable for being my first ever reviews! You are amazing!