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Chapter 10

After two weeks of lying in bed in the infirmary, Hermione felt as if she had had more than enough of the place. Tired of the same sheets, same small bed, same patient food, she felt ready to scream. She even knew how many tiles were on the ceiling, as she had counted them numerous times out of boredom. She had caught up on her studies, thankful that her injury had not hindered her intellectual capacities. That was what had worried her the most. Not being able to walk was one thing, but losing the ability to read or study or brew a potion was unthinkable.

Well, walking would be nice. she reconsidered.

One evening after dinner, she complained to Madame Pomfrey that she was ready to leave her bed.

"Miss Granger, I do not think that would be prudent. It's still too soon. Let your nervous system fully heal before you attempt…"

"But Madame Pomfrey, I will be a nervous wreck if I have to see this place much longer. No offense to you madame, I've been here for twenty four hours a day the past two weeks, but I need to breathe fresh air and walk around with my friends. Please think about it?" Hermione pleaded.

"Very well Miss Granger. I'll run some more tests and consult with the doctors at St. Mungo's. How's that for a start?"

"Thank you. A start is all I ask," Hermione said.

After Madame Pomfrey's consultation with the doctors, they wholeheartedly agreed to send out a therapist to start sessions with Hermione. They were pleased with her progress and saw no problem with her getting back on her feet. Hermione was thrilled! Two days later a therapist arrived and they discussed a session schedule that would blend in with her studies. Mondays and Wednesdays would be walking, with Tuesdays and Fridays being strength training.

"When will I be able to get out of this bed Mr. Craven?" she asked hopefully.

He chuckled. "Now, Miss Granger, if you are up to it. I need to assess your level of strength before we begin. And please call me Adam."

He held his hand out indicating it as an offer of assistance. She did not hesitate.

"Slow Hermione. You will feel weakness in your legs and may feel light-headed due to the sudden rush of blood your legs will call for."

Sure enough, her legs wobbled and she wavered from the head-rush.

She sat down on the bed. "That's a good start. You stood up. Now we can take steps in the right direction. Ready?"

By the end of the session, which was a half-hour long, she was exhausted. She felt as if she had run a twenty mile marathon. By the end of the second session, she had walked across the room and back. Slowly, but she had done it.

Victor will be thrilled. I'll get a letter out today.

She had sent letters to him every other day, but had not received anything from him in a week.

Damn bloodsuckers must be keeping him busy. Drinking her vitamin potion, she drifted off to sleep.

Another week passed with Adam extremely pleased with Hermione's progress. To have recovered and progressed so soon after such a grievous injury was remarkable. She could get in and out of her bed by herself, walk at almost pace she had walked before the accident (with a cane) and was slowly walking up and down steps. She wanted to surprise her friends by walking into the great hall for breakfast one morning. Adam agreed on the condition that he accompany her. She had fought this point time and time again. She didn't want to appear weak. This was normal. He pointed out to her that her pride was to take a back seat to recovery if she wanted to get back to a normal life as soon as possible.

"Needing help is not weakness, it's simply needing help." Until she was able to walk unaided, she would need someone in case she lost her balance form muscle fatigue.

A month to the day of her accident, Hermione and Adam stood in front of the doors to the great hall, her looking forward to again walking to her table to take her seat among her friends. He pushed the doors open and Hermione stepped through them. Ron and Harry jumped up to help her, but she held up her hand to stop them.

One step at a time Granger. she told herself, Adam's mantra echoing in her head.

Her cane lightly tapped the floor as she focused on not dragging her feet. She kept Adam's words in mind:

Never drag your feet, hold your head up. Step high, head high.

When she got to Harry and Ron, she was engulfed in a huge hug and was startled by the sudden applause in the hall. Blushing, she took her seat.

"Coffee, 'Mione?" Harry offered. She accepted it.

"So Hermione, ready for the Halloween ball? There will be dancing!" Ginny asked.

"Dancing might be a stretch, but we'll see Ginny, we'll see," she answered.

I'm back!

The morning of the Halloween ball, an owl arrived for Hermione. She took the letter, adorned with an ornate 'K" on the front and opened it.

Good, I was wondering when I'd hear from him! she thought with a smile.

Sipping her juice, her smile turned to horror and she dropped her juice, the shattering glass starling those sitting closest to her.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked worried. She didn't answer.

"HERMIONE!" he asked louder.

Letter shaking in her hand, she stood up tears running down her face, dropped the letter then left the great hall.

"I thought she was having another seizure!" Ron said.

Prof. McGonagall appeared at the table and asked, "Merlin's beard, what was that all about?"

"It might have something to do with this," Ginny said sadly, handing the letter to the professor.

Miss Hermione Granger, Head Girl

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Dearest Hermione,

It breaks our hearts to write this letter. With saddened hearts we must inform you of the death of our dear Victor. His body was found two days ago in the vicinity of a recent vampire attack. The sorrow that you feel as you read this undoubtedly runs as deep as ours. We know how much you loved him. Details of his funeral are enclosed. It is our sincere wish that you, Hermione, attend so that you may goodbye to him, the young lady that was to be his wife.

Nikolai and Tatiana Krum

"Oh dear, the poor girl. First the accident, now this," McGonagall stated quietly.

She left to find Hermione. Minutes later when she arrived at Hermione's private room, Prof. Snape and Draco were standing in front of it.

"Professor McGonagall! I was coming back to my room when I heard something weird coming from Hermione's room. I ran to get a staff member to get into her room. Professor Snape was the first person I ran into. He was about to go in when you showed up," Draco said hurriedly.

Strange noises were heard coming from the room. A loud crash was heard.

"BULGARIA!" McGonagall cried to the door.

The three rushed in to only stop in shock. Hermione's room looked like a bomb had exploded. It was also dark. "Lumos" was heard from Snape. Hermione was across the room, her nose was bleeding and was breathing hard. She was waving her cane like a baseball bat. She was about to demolish her vanity when Draco cried,

"Hermione! Please STOP!"

Mid swing, Hermione stopped to glare at the intruders. Then her expression turned to confusion, and her glare softened a bit when she saw who the three were. She dropped the cane and staggered. Draco rushed over to catch her in case she fell. She sat down on the floor, hugged her knees to her chest, rocked back and forth and started wailing.

"Severus, might you have a calming potion? It's the only way we will get her to the infirmary," McGonagall asked. He left in a flurry of robes. "Mr. Malfoy, please go and fetch Madame Pomfrey." With a nod he ran from the room.

McGonagall slowly approached Hermione. She wasn't quite sure what to do. She felt so sorry for the girl.

"Minerva?" the deep quiet voice of Dumbledore was at the door. She backed up carefully to Dumbledore.

"I was alarmed when I saw Draco running towards the infirmary saying only 'Hermione'. Merlin's beard, what happened?" asked Dumbledore quietly.

McGonagall handed him the letter. He sighed sadly looking at the rocking and wailing girl.

"Albus, I'm worried that she's a little out of her mind," she commented looking around the demolished room. As Dumbledore was about to speak, Snape returned with a vial. Then Draco returned with Madame Pomfrey.

"Here's a calming potion, Poppy. Now, how to administer it?" Snape asked. "I much as I hate to suggest it, we may have to restrain her long enough to get it down her throat. The potion should work in seconds," Snape said.

"Agreed." Dumbledore said.

The three approached her when she suddenly made for her cane.

"Accio cane!" Minerva cried.

Snape and Draco quickly took hold of her, gently held her struggling form as Madame Pomfrey poured the potion down her throat.

I had no idea she was this strong! Snape thought as she struggled.

In seconds the potion took effect. She stopped wailing and her eyes returned to normal. Shivering, she looked the three and asked,

"Why?" with a desolate look.

Dumbledore took a blanket from her bed, put it around her shoulders and said soothingly, "Come dear, let's go for a walk."

Draco looked her in the eyes and said, "I'm going to pick you up, okay? Like Professor Dumbledore said, let's go for a walk. Hold on Shorty."

He cradled the stricken girl in his arms and headed towards the infirmary followed by McGonagall and Poppy.

In the room, Dumbledore turned to Snape and said,

"It seems Severus, that I am at a loss as what to do. I should get her parents here I imagine, then we can go from there. But first I should sort out this mess." He took out his wand.

"See to contacting her parents Albus. I'll take care of the room," Snape offered.

"That's kind of you Severus. Thank you for your help in this matter." Dumbledore left.

Sighing as he took out his wand, he wondered where to start. The broken window? The ripped down drapes? Her tipped over dresser? Bedding was scattered across the room. Her valued books and pictures littered the floor.

Whatever my feelings are for the girl, no one should have to go what she has been through. She has done nothing to deserve this fate. The unfairness of life never ceases to amaze me.

He picked up her copy of Wonders of Wandless Magic and flipped through it. Noticing something written on the inside cover, he read:

To my Hermione-

It should take you little time to master this "amusing art" as you call it. Enjoy the book.

Much Love, Victor