The first time I read that name in a piece of fanfic after that incident, I had to close the whole browser and compose myself. I know that I've promised some of you to write another chapter before HBP was released, but then when I planned the chapter, I realised that some of the things I wanted to talk about will definitely be mentioned in detail in HBP. So I waited to see how it would change everything and how I could maybe weave the changes into my own fic. Unfortunately (or fortunately), this fic has decided to remain true to the original plot. Nothing has been affected by the turn of events in HBP. Also, to everyone who had been very concern, I'm still here, and this story will go on, no matter how abandoned it looks most of the time. The bad news is that I'm getting increasingly busy again, and so is my beta. It isn't really fair for me to suddenly pile this extra assignment on her. As a result, this chapter will probably be full of annoying errors, but please bear with me. And I promise to write again as soon as my various assignments hand themselves in. Onto the story.
Disclaimer: The characters from the Harry Potter series have decided to pop into my story for a bit of laugh. They promise to return to J.K. Rowling when the fun ends.
…and Answers
Hermione sat stonily on her bed, waiting. She had told the Headmaster about everything that had transpired from the time 'Mel' disappeared from Hogwarts to the moment she left the cemetery and returned to the castle grounds. The old man nodded and smiled encouragingly throughout her confession and, at the end of it, offered to explain the situation 'to people' to spare her the 'annoyingly necessary task of repeating an exhaustingly long and complicated story'. Hermione had accepted his offer gratefully, but requested that she be present during the interview. She wanted to see Severus' revelations to the truth firsthand so that she could gauge the extent of the damage she had caused. However, Madam Pomfrey flat-out refused to impose such exertion on her patient. Hermione had wheedled and Dumbledore had charmed. In the end, Hermione was granted visitors on the condition that it was to be 'quick and non life-threatening'.
The door to the hospital wing opened and three men stepped inside and Hermione looked up. She had expected Dumbledore to bring Severus but she thought she shouldn't have been too surprised to see Lupin as well. He had been caught up in this whole fiasco in the past; it would only make sense that he was here now to witness the rest of it. She watched the two younger men with a blank mask over her face. If their feelings were as tumultuous as hers they betrayed none of it on their faces, although Severus looked at her with a stare that could burn a hole in the castle walls. Tension was radiating off his body in huge, roiling waves, and Hermione did not dare to look too closely at him; she did not to know what he must be thinking right now. Remus gave her a small smile that did not quite reach his eyes before his own mask slid into place; he obviously did not trust her too, not that Hermione could blame him. After all, who would trust someone who popped in and out of their lives in such a suspicious manner during such dangerous times?
Dumbledore sat down on the empty bed nearest to the one Hermione occupied, bouncing slightly on the mattress to make himself more comfortable. He then patted the empty spot beside him and looked expectantly at the other men. Severus glowered and remained where he was. Lupin, however, smiled. "I thank you for your offer, Headmaster. However, if you don't mind, I would rather remain standing. You are probably the only wizard that could indulge in creasing Madam Pomfrey's bed sheets and not get told off for it."
The Headmaster chuckled appreciatively. "True, true. But let's not crease the bed sheets for any longer than is absolutely necessary." He turned to Hermione and looked at her questioningly. Hermione took a deep breath and gave a tight nod, and Dumbledore began to speak.
Hermione listened dully as the Headmaster explained how 'Mel' had come to disappear from the dungeons, what she had done since then, and how she had managed to return both herself and Severus to Hogwarts. Dumbledore paused thoughtfully at this point and Severus took the opportunity to nod curtly at Mel. "I owe you my thanks," he said gruffly. "However, there is more to this tale than you are letting on, Albus," he said, turning to the Headmaster. "There are many gaps in the story still unaccounted for."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "Acute as always, Severus," he said solemnly. "There is one more piece to the puzzle that I think, when given, will complete the picture and solve the mystery." The Headmaster suddenly reached out and grasped Hermione's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Hermione smiled at him wanly, grateful for the support. Dumbledore released her hand and sat back on his own bed again. He peered at Severus and Remus from under his half-moon glasses. "When Hermione disappeared from our time, she ended up in the past…in our past. On my advice, she assumed a new identity. Needless to say, once Hermione returned to her rightful time, her false identity is no longer necessary." Dumbledore stopped and looked hard at the two men who had suddenly gone very still at his words. "Hermione is back, and 'Mel' no longer exists."
There was a horrible ringing silence after these words during which Hermione watched as Severus and Remus struggled to understand the Headmaster's meanings. She glanced at them out of the corner of her eye, willing herself to remain strong even while she hoped that one of them would be the first to break the tension in the air. Remus' face twitched as if he did not know whether to laugh or cry or do both. And Severus…Severus' features were contorted for a second before he regain his control and smoothed his face back into the Potion master's impassive mask. He was the first to break the silence, for which even in the days to come, Hermione could never decide whether to be thankful for or not.
"You are safe now... "
He sounded as though it was costing him everything to say those words. Hermione looked up at him, intending to apologize…
"…and your deception ends here. Finite Incantatum."
The various spells that had allowed her some resemblance of anonymity (a luxury she had forfeited ever since she attended the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum in her fourth year and stormed off to wreak havoc with Harry and Ron in the Department of Mysteries one year later) begin to unravel. The abrupt exposure of Hermione Granger's true identity left her feeling vulnerable as she had never felt in a very long time. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself in an instinctive attempt to protect herself.
In an instant, Remus was in front of her, grasping her by her arms gently but firmly, willing her to look at him in the eyes.
"Listen to me, Hermione. You're back now, and you're safe. That's all that matters to everyone right now…yes, everyone," he stressed as a look of disbelief flitted across Hermione's face. "Everything will be alright now," he continued. "None of us here have been suddenly wiped out from existence, no harm done."
No harm done? Hermione thought weakly. Still, she managed a small twitch of a smile for her friend and mentor and he returned it warmly. He removed his hands from her arms and moved back. Hermione slid off her bed and gingerly placed her feet on the ground, hoping that her legs had strength enough to support her body weight. She swayed for a moment, but steeled herself and turned to the last man in the room, the man who had hurt her the most and whom she had hurt in return, the man who had lived a life of lies and secrets only to be ensnared by the very same deceptions, the one whom she had loved above all others, and would probably continue to love more than anyone else.
She took a tentative step forward. "Severus, I'm-"
The dark man's hand shot up suddenly in an imperious command for silence. Hermione bit her lips and held back her words of regrets and apologies, but her eyes, watching him intently, did not waver from his face.
"We will need to talk about this," he finally said. "I will let you know when. Until then, stay away." With these words, Severus turned on his heels firmly and left the hospital wing.
In the silence that ensued, Dumbledore tried to comfort her. "Severus needs time to absorb the shock, my dear. Give him some time."
Hermione nodded dully and sank back onto the bed.
No harm done indeed.