Chapter 6

Monday June 13

Severus got back from France that day just after lunch. He brought his bags to the bedroom and unpacked. He intended to grab a bite to eat, but on the way to the kitchen glanced in Hermione's office. Her work robe was hanging on the chair and her booklets from work were also there.

Curious, did she take the day off? he thought.

He floo-ed back to Hogwarts with some material he had gotten from the conference. He wanted to incorporate some intriguing new mixtures for his NEWT class. On the way to his classroom, he was met by Minerva. She looked concerned at the sight of him.

"Severus, we were wondering when you would return," Minerva said urgently.

"Minerva, the conference only lasted a weekend, and," Severus started.

"Severus, there's something you need to know about. Now remain calm," Minerva started, her lips quivering.

"Minerva, spit it out," Severus said.

Hermione's muggle talk is rubbing off on me! Severus thought.

"Well you see, there was an Order mission Friday night, Hermione was there and something happened," Minerva said.

Severus' breath caught in his throat. He stood up startled.

"She's at St. Mungo's along with Mr. Weasley. Dora Tonks and Draco were released yesterday and Potter was unhurt," Minerva said. Severus ran towards the nearest floo point.

At St. Mungo's, Severus walked quickly to the main reception area and asked hurriedly about where Hermione would be at.

The receptionist looked at a list and said, "Let me see. Granger, here it is. She will be found on the fourth floor, spell damage." Without another word, he hurried to the fourth floor. Arriving there, he looked to both sides of the corridor to see Draco emerge from a room halfway down the corridor to his right.

"Professor!" Draco called.

He had scratches and bruises on his face and was limping. He nodded his head backwards towards the ward.

"She is in there. She's not going to die, thankfully," Draco said.

Die? What ever could have happened? Severus said.

He walked through the door and scanned the room but saw no Hermione. He saw one bed blocked off from view and hurried to it. He felt short of breath and clenched his fists when he saw Hermione laying on the bed, deep in sleep. She had tubes attached to her arms and one was inserted down her throat. There was a device monitoring her vital signs. She had a bruise and a cut on the top of her left cheek. She had dark circles around her slightly opened eyes and her cheeks looked a bit sunk in. Other than that she looked normal.

"Professor?" a strained voice called from the bed next to him. It was Ron.

"Weasley, if it's not too difficult for you, what happened?" Severus asked softly.

"Ron, don't strain yourself. I'll let him know," Tonks said quietly as she came through the ward doors. "But not here. Professor, you can join me and the healer."

Outside, the healer, Tonks and Severus took a seat.

"You are her fiancée?" the healer asked.

"Yes," Severus said.

"Very well, Miss Granger's parents gave us permission to release medical information to you," the healer said. "Miss Granger is in no danger of dying at this point, I assure you. We do not know how long she will be unconscious however. It depends on how long her body takes to recover."

"Recover from what? Why are her vital signs being monitored?" Severus asked.

"A precaution, that is all," the healer said.

"Severus, she was hit with a stunner and cruciatus curse at the same time," Tonks said softly.

"Is that why her eyes are slightly opened?" Severus asked. The healer nodded.

"What happened on this mission? Why wasn't I notified? I would not have even went that blasted convention had there been a mission," Severus growled.

"Severus, it came up at the last minute. We had to act on a tip about a deatheater hideout, it was supposed to be just a recon mission," Tonks said. "The kids didn't make any mistakes, it was just bad luck more than anything," Tonks said. She dismissed the healer and started on the story.

"When we arrived at midnight at the suspected hideout. Granger and Weasley were to take the back with Potter and Malfoy at the front. I was coordinating the watch. After an hour of observing, a fight between some deatheaters erupted from inside the house. It spilled outside and a wayward spell flew towards Granger and Weasley. Instinctly, he cast a protection spell on himself and Granger that got the attention of some of the deatheaters, who then attacked. The kids defended themselves very well. Two deatheaters apparated feet from them, one wildly casting spells that Granger easily blocked. The other one punched Weasley then got him with a stunner. This infuriated Granger, who stunned the deatheater in return. At this point I was hit with binding spell and could only helplessly watch. I heard Potter and Malfoy in the front fighting as well," Tonks said.

"The other deatheater punched Granger in the face. It give him time to ennervate his bastard buddy, and fortunately enough time for Granger to ennervate Weasley as well. Just as Granger was casting a protection charm on Weasley, she was hit with a disarming spell and Weasley was hit with a crucio. Granger, knowing Weasley was out of the action, jumped behind a tree to plan what I assume was her next move. The deatheater cast a bombarda on the tree, knocking Granger back, impaling her with some splinters. Granger, although hurt, knocked the deatheater in front of her backwards wandlessly, forgetting about the one that had apparated behind her and cast a protection charm on Weasley. Apparently one of them said something to Granger because everything stopped for a few seconds. Just as she was trying to cast a protection charm on herself, the deatheater in front of her cast a stunner her, while the one in back hit her with the cruciatus curse. The evil bastards were laughing while they were doing it," Tonks said with a snarl.

"So now we find ourselves here," Tonks finished. "Granger was touch and go those first few hours. One of the wood splinters impaled her in the chest puncturing a lung, and it's a wonder she was even able to continue, but her concern for Weasley enabled her to keep fighting. She's stable now, sleeping comfortably."

Severus was stunned himself. He stood up and walked slowly to the door where Hermione was. He walked to her bed and took a seat in chair by the bed and watched her. Hermione's body shook a little and he saw her chest rise and fall dramatically a few times. A tear fell from one of her beautiful eyes. His heart broke at the sight of her pain. Some sadistic bastard had figured out that by casting a stunning spell on an injured person somehow captured the pain from the injury, not letting it subside. This means that the deatheater knew that Hermione was already hurt. The additional crucio was just probably for entertainment, knowing the cruel capacity of deatheaters well.

Severus couldn't get over the fact that her eyes were open, if only a bit. They were glassy and fixed at some point on the ceiling. Just like after she was hit with that bludger. Severus thought sadly.

He half expected her to turn those beautiful honey-brown orbs his way. He never felt more helpless in all his life. He put his hand on her open palm then sighed and felt a squeeze. He jerked his head to her face. There was no sign of recognition from her. He hurried to the healers anyway.

"Sir, she squeezed my hand," Severus said earnestly.

"Well, that's good to hear. It means she can hear you, or is somewhat aware of you, but is unable to wake from where ever she is," the healer said.

Severus took that as a cue to help Hermione come back. He told the healers he would return soon. He was a good as his word. An hour later he returned with some of Hermione's booklets from work, her wandless magic book and a coffee cup. Wordlessly, he went back into her room. Ron was awake and sitting up, talking to an unconscious Hermione.

"Weasley, how are you feeling?" Severus asked.

"I'm tolerable sir, but look at her! She's hurt because of me!" Ron said with sorrow.

"Nonsense Weasley, from what I was told, it was bad luck is all," Severus tried to reassure the young man.

"This isn't going to happen again. They will never get the jump on me again," Ron said.

"That's what we want to hear," Severus said. "Rest Weasley, don't fret, you will get out of here sooner."

"Yes sir," Ron said glumly.

The rest of the day until visiting time was over, Severus read to Hermione. He conjured a steaming cup of coffee and waved it around her nose from time to time. One time her nose twitched slightly. When a nurse announced that it was time to go for the evening, Severus kissed her forehead and left the room. Back at her flat, he tossed and turned through the night. All he could smell was Hermione on the sheets and pillows. He threw the bedcovers back, left the bed and paced around the living room. Her fingernail polish was on the sofa table. Her slippers were under the piano bench. He looked at the pictures on the wall. There were various pictures of her and her parents.

There was one with her (about age eight) and the Grangers in front of the Eiffel tower. One was a portrait of sixth year Hermione, Ron, and Harry standing next to each other. Another one was a picture of Hermione laughing and pointing at a portrait of her head girl self. All head students had portraits painted and hung on the walls by the head students common room. Hermione vehemently opposed this, but tradition demanded it and Dumbledore insisted upon it. There was a still photo of Hermoine, one he hadn't noticed before. She had gotten Ginny to take a picture of her sitting at the piano bench, one hand in her lap, the other arm casually resting on top of the piano. She was wearing pretty muggle clothing and had her hair down. The picture captured her charming smile and bright beautiful eyes looking right at the camera. He flopped down onto the couch and watched the clock the rest of the night.

Severus arrived at St. Mungo's the next morning with a bouquet of daisies (Hermione's favorite) and her CD player. He looked through her selection of CD's not knowing what to bring, as he knew nothing of the artists. He looked through her stack of CD's, picked the first three off the top of the stack and left the flat. He was at the door of her ward to find it still locked.

"Ten minutes until visiting time starts, Professor. The healers are doing their evaluation this morning," a voice called from behind him. It was Adam, Hermione's healer friend from last year. He strode to Severus and shook his hand.

"Congratulations to the two of you," Adam said.

"Do you know how she is this morning?" Severus asked.

"Why yes. She woke up sometime during the night and and the nurse caught her trying to take the tube from her throat," Adam said. "So her throat is quite sore, bodily movement is somewhat painful for her, and there was a slight infection from the puncture wound that we took care of. She's very tired, but otherwise is fine," Adam said.

Severus thought he would melt right there on the spot from relief. Adam looked to the door to the ward.

"The door is now unlocked. You can go in now," Adam said.

Severus walked briskly through the doors. He paused to take in the sight of his Hermione awake. A healer was talking to her and she was slowly nodding her head. She slowly turned her head towards the door and a weak smile appeared on her face at the sight of Severus. He approached the bed and saw that her beautiful eyes were bright and moist.

"I'm so glad to see you awake my dear," Severus said.

"I'm glad to be awake," she replied softly then grimaced.

"Water, for my throat," she said to Severus looking to the little table by the bed.

The healer put his hand behind her head to lift it a bit so Severus could tip the glass into her mouth. Closing her eyes she took a small sip then nodded. The healer put her head back down and she sighed.

"Hurts to move," she said softly.

"Don't rush it love, you just woke up," Severus said.

"He's right Miss Granger. You will get nutrition through the tube in your arm until your throat can handle food, and we will get your joints moving again soon," the healer said. "You are young and strong, so your recovery time will take no time at all. I'll leave you two alone"

Severus leaned forward and kissed her lips softly. As he was about to say something else, the door opened again. Dumbledore and McGonagall walked through.

"Hermione dear! Oh thank Merlin we were so worried," McGonagall said.

"It does my old heart good to see you awake my dear," Dumbledore said.

"I have a bone or two to pick with you, Albus," Severus said lightly.

"I imagine you do Severus," Dumbledore replied.

"There I was in France, strolling by the river Seine, while Hermione was here dueling for her life in the middle of the night in Scotland," Severus said, his voice choked.

There was a gasp from Hermione. Her eyes looked panicked.

"Ron!" she cried, her lips quivering.

"He left this morning, he's fine," Severus said.

"Tonks, Harry and Draco are fine as well," Dumbledore finished.

"Everything went wrong so fast," Hermione said softly.

There was another gasp from Hermione.

"What day is today?" Hermione asked her voice stronger now.

"Tuesday," McGonagall replied.

"I've missed work!" Hermione exclaimed. The others chuckled.

"Mr. Longley has been notified. As far as he knows, you were in an automobile accident with your parents over the weekend," Dumbledore said.

She groaned. "How upset was Mum?" Hermione asked.

"Quite upset Hermione. She somewhat understands the evil we are facing, and has told us in no uncertain terms how uncomfortable she is that you are directly involved in the fight against it. However, she realizes that it would go against your nature to not take part in it, especially since your best friends and fiancee are in the fight as well," Dumbledore said.

"I wish I could tell them about the Order, it would make things easier on them," Hermione mused. She blinked slowly then looked to Severus. "I'm so tired."

"Say no more, we will check in on you tomorrow morning," Dumbledore said.

"Yes dear, lovely to see you back with us, get well soon," Minerva said squeezing her hand. Dumbledore and Minerva left, Dumbledore's arm around a shaking Minerva. Outside the door, Minerva started crying.

"Hermione, Potter and Weasley have given all of us such hope Albus. If any of them die young, I don't think I could go on. They are like my own children," Minerva said sniffling.

"I know Minerva, I know," Dumbledore comforted.

"And look at those two," Minerva said. "If something happened to her, I believe Severus would literally not be able to go on without her."

"Minerva, in her heart Hermione knows that the side of light will win, and that's why she fights. We have something the side of dark does not have, and that is love and hope. She's not afraid because she walks out her door every day armed to the teeth with it." Dumbledore stated. "Now, let's go get some breakfast at Wandwavers. I heard they have good pancakes."

The two greeted Harry, Ron, Draco and Ginny who were heading towards Hermione's ward armed with flowers and boxes of chocolate covered raspberries. The quartet walked into the ward seeing Severus sitting in the chair holding her hand and Hermione's eyes closed with her headphones on. They approached the two. Severus looked at the four.

"She woke some time this morning, she's fine and is napping now as you can see," Severus told them. "She's tired, weak, sore and cannot talk well at the present time. If you stop by later, she might be awake. I'll let her know you came by," Severus said.

Severus saw the concerned looks on their faces. He regretted being short with them. "She will be glad to know that you came by. I know how worried you are, but let your minds be at ease that she is doing well. Would I lie to you?" Severus asked sincerely.

"No Professor, you would not lie, that I know," Ron said.

"Let her know that we love her," Harry said.

"Bye Herms," Ginny said softly.

"Yeah shorty, take it easy," Draco said.

The four walked from the ward and Severus heard a snore from Hermione. He removed the headphones from her head and settled back in the chair to watch her. She slept most of the day. Around dinner, she woke up. She looked to the chair and Ron, not Severus was sitting there. Severus opened the door and saw that the barriers were back up around the bed. Hermione wanted some privacy. Severus heard Ron's voice and listened.

"Hi there," she said. Ron looked at her. A tear rolled down his cheek. He wiped his cheek and sniffed.

"Ronald, please don't cry. I don't think I can handle it. How are you?" Hermione asked him.

"You are asking me how I'm doing? Mione, what you did, I don't know what to say," Ron said.

"You don't have to say anything Ron. I love you like a brother, I would do it again," Hermione said softly.

"Just don't do this again. You have to get married and have babies, so how can you do that if you die?" Ron declared.

Severus' respect for Ron rose a hundred percent at that comment. Maybe he wasn't such a dunce after all. Severus walked into the room and came to the bed. Upon seeing Severus, he said,

"I'll get going now. Remember what I said Mione," Ron said. He kissed her forehead and left.

"So what words of wisdom did young Mr. Weasley impart upon you this evening?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione grinned. "Something someone should have told me about a week ago."

"And what is that?" Severus asked.

"How do you feel about us tying the knot when I leave here?" Hermione asked.

Severus' heart leapt. "I would say that is an excellent idea my dear."

"Good. Now we just need to find out when I get out of here," Hermione said.

Three days later, Adam and Severus were assisting a fussing Hermione, walking clumsily with a cane.

"I do not need this stupid stick," Hermione muttered.

Severus and Adam grinned at each other.

"I see she's feeling much better," Adam quipped.

"When you can get out of bed by yourself, we can see about disposing of the stupid stick," Adam told her.

"Well I still think-," Hermione started when Draco walked through the ward door.

"Shorty! You're walking, that's great. I stopped by your office this morning and your boss wanted me to give you this," Draco said handing her a scroll and flowers.

Hermione,

I am pleased to hear of your recovery. The department sends their best wishes. When you leave St. Mungo's, take a week to get yourself together before you return to the lab. And before you ask, don't worry about the work. You have made more progress than I expected, so you won't really have to catch up. Enjoy the flowers, as I was informed daisies are your favorite. Sincerely, Matthias Longley

"That's kind of him," Hermione said.

"I have to go. I just wanted to check in on you and give you this, later Shorty," Draco said then left.

"I just have to leave here as soon as possible," Hermione stated. "I need to quit bitching, it's wasting energy that can be used to walk."

Adam nudged Severus.

"She's rather direct, isn't she?" Adam asked.

"She excels at it," Severus said proudly.