Chapter 27

Janaury 18th

Three days later at breakfast, Dumbledore announced to the great hall occupants,

"May I have your attention. I am pleased to announce that Professor McGonagall, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley and Miss Brown will be released from St. Mungo's tomorrow morning. They have made a full recovery and are reported in good spirits. Now the bad news. Until further notice, there will be no more trips to Hogsmeade. I know this is disappointing, but the welfare of the students comes first. That is all, have a good day."

Snape was moody when realized that he keenly missed the presence of Hermione. He had gotten used to her good morning winks at breakfast. Her scent was the first thing he encountered when he walked into the classroom everyday. The quirky things she said, her clumsiness when not paying attention, he missed it all. And the kiss. He swore he could still feel it.

The morning owls arrived at the great hall. Hermione's bird dropped a letter on Snape's plate into the syrup then flew away. Ruddy bird! Recognizing St. Mungo's parchment, he opened the sticky letter. It read:

Sir

A certain Gryffindor witch requests the honor of your presence at St. Mungo's to act as an escort back to Hogwarts. I am fine by the way. But I must admit, the cruciatus curse is quite painful.

Yours, H. Granger

Severus shook his head. The girl has been hit with crucio not once but twice this term and still manages to jest about it. She will be the death of me, no pun intended.

Severus turned to the Headmaster. "Albus-"

Dumbledore interrupted him eyes twinkling. "Yes, Severus. You may go. I'll cover your class in the morning." Severus nodded in thanks.

Severus arrived the next morning at the St. Mungo's reception desk.

"I'm looking for four patients from Hogwarts," he stated.

"Ahhh, yes, that would be room 112. It's down there. And might I say, they've been a joy to have here. Madam McGonagall is quite the poker player," She pointed down the corridor.

"I see. Many thanks madam." Snape was perplexed.

He arrived at the door taking a deep breath when he pushed it open. He was greeted with a scene he did not expect. He expected to see a solemn or perhaps somber recovery area. Instead he saw Minerva, Hermione, Ginny and Lavender laughing and fussing while playing poker! Balloons and flowers decorated the room. Hermione was munching on a handful of chocolate covered raspberries when Minerva exclaimed "Severus!" and the group turned to him. Hermione, left arm in a sling, winked at him through a chocolatey grin.

"I see our escort has arrived. How is your leg sir?" Hermione asked pointing to it.

"Right as rain. I'm pleased to see you ladies doing well," Severus said.

"Do we have to leave now? I'm up seven sickles this hand," Ginny asked.

The door opened again and a medic walked in. Severus had seen him before.

"Hi Adam! We're out of here today!" Hermione said.

It was the medic-therapist from earlier in the year who had helped Hermione. Adam started,

"I know, I heard. Now all of you have your instructions." He flipped through a clipboard.

"Ah, yes. Miss Weasley, you have a clean bill of health. One more blood-replenishment potion tomorrow at school should complete your treatment. Miss Brown, take it easy on your back. It took a little longer than expected to heal that vertebra. Aunt Minerva, at your age, you are lucky you are still alive after four stupefy attacks. No offense intended."

Aunt Minerva? Snape mused.

He then looked pointedly at Hermione.

"And as for you, young lady," Hermione looked like a small child being scolded. "What were you thinking jumping in front of a cruciatus curse?" She looked to Snape.

I was thinking of you, that's who. Hermione thought looking at Severus.

"Now to your shoulder. We were able to heal the skin and bone completely. Muscle, however is a different matter. There was only so much we could do. You are to wear the sling for two weeks then return here for evaluation. The strength should return by then. No quidditch and for Merlin's sake, no deatheaters. Hermione, you almost died on your nineteenth birthday, and I'm sure you would like to see your twentieth. Understand?"

"Yes." She was gazing at Severus.

"That's all I guess. The next time I see you in here, it had better be to deliver your children."

Minerva hooted in laughter while the younger three froze in embarrassment.

"Good day ladies. And don't laugh Aunt Minerva. You're still young enough."

That shut her up and it was the girl's turn to laugh.

The group walked to the Hogwarts apparition point talking. What a picture the group made. McGonagall walking slowly in a quilt-looking houserobe, Lavender moaning about her "ugly backbrace", and Ginny was counting her poker winnings. Severus and Hermione in an arm sling were walking behind, Severus taking note of the t-shirt she wore that said,

Medics- We Do A Body Good!

He leaned over to Hermione and said, "One of these days I must see your t-shirt collection. You wear the most amusing ones."

She laughed and the other three turned to look at them.

"I get it from my dad. You should see the t-shirts he wears under his button downs," she suddenly looked sad.

"What? Are you ill?" he asked putting a hand under her elbow.

"No, but I feel awful that I put my parents through this. When they got here, my dad was sooo worried and mum was in hysterics. I've put them through so much this year."

Severus didn't know what to say. He was touched by her unselfishness.

She jumped in front of a crucio meant for me, walking out of a hospital from a deatheater attack, and she was concerned about a silly cut on my leg. Gryffindor heart, body and soul. Severus, you don't deserve this.

Her voice and a kiss on his cheek woke him from his thoughts. "I missed you. Let's go."

McGonagall, Ginny and Lavender had already disappeared to Hogwarts.

"Shall we?" he asked taking her hand. They disappeared with a pop.

Author's notes:

At the time of writing this story, when I was new to fan-fic writing, in some of my emails I get, I was not sure of the meaning of the "Mary-Sue" term, so I looked it up. Upon finding out, I must say it's rewarding to have readers take such an active interest in a character. Mary-Sue? I think not.

When I began this story, the premise for Hermione was that she was smart. (but we all knew that already). Establishing her also as pretty and funny gives her reader appeal. Would you rather her be ugly and dull? Second, she has 2 talents: she can play an instrument and she can sing. Is that so "Mary-Sue"-ish? I think not. Third, the wandless magic. Hermione used her brain and learned it. It's not like she woke up one day and found she could do wandless magic naturally.

The Hermione I am portraying is not perfect by any means. She has almost died, has a bit of a temper, is a bad drunk, she sometimes lets her impetuous nature get the best of her, and she's a little unsure of herself. Lastly, lest we forget, she's taking a dip in the taboo pool of student-teacher relationships.

I just like to write, it's that simple. I have no ulterior motives for anything. I'm gonna keep on writing the way I have been. A heartfelt thank you goes to all of you who read and review this story. The reviews are astounding, I never thought people would go to lengths to read this story. I am having a good time writing this story, so you have a good time reading it. Now on with the story. Lemons soon….

Now that I think about it, if you crave this "mary-sue" stuff, Danielle Steele does a good job of it.