Haunted Memories

-Chapter Twenty One -

A Fight Ensues in the Great Hall

She stood glaring at the mirror as the sunlight shone brightly through the window and alighted upon her reflection. There were times when she thought her hair was alive — for today, it had decided to become a bird's nest, tangled in the most unimaginable manner. Hermione sighed once again as the magical mirror laughed at her silently. It had learned from many years of experience that to openly comment on Hermione's reflection in the morning, meant being left in the most horrid dark corners of the dungeons with who-knows-what. However, today, Hermione's reflection was truly humorous. Her bushy hair, which seemed to have been tamed two years ago, was now fighting furiously with the brush which Hermione seemed intent to run through her hair. A few strands of hair even thought themselves evil enough to have stood straight up, mocking Hermione. She grumbled and went to her sink. Immersing her hands under water, she filled them up with water before splashing it over her hair. This helped a bit and Hermione continued to brush the tangles out before using a spell to dry her hair. The effect wasn't as good as when she did it without magic, but her hair became more manageable — though still as bushy as ever.

"What is it about this morning that has caused my hair to stand like that?"

Then it hit her. She was going to be late for breakfast if she didn't hurry and seeing as Severus Snape would definitely enter the Great Hall right on time, it wouldn't leave her much time to explain to Hagrid before the giant stormed toward the dark-haired wizard, tearing the man apart. Hermione quickly donned on a light green robe with a darker green trimming before striding out of her quarters and down the stairs toward the Great Hall. Just as she entered, she found Hagrid happily humming a tune while petting Fang and biting on a large piece of sausage. Hermione gulped. She hadn't felt so intimidated before of Hagrid but she had also never been one to have him angry at her. Quickly she strode toward him, offering a kind smile before sitting down beside him. She waited until her own food had appeared on the table before turning to Hagrid and waiting for him to acknowledge her being there.

"G'morning 'Mione, lookit Fang go." Bellowed Hagrid with delight, as he threw a piece of meat across the hall and Fang ran to catch it in his mouth. Once or twice, the great dog jumped clear of two or three chairs before catching the meat. During that time, Minerva had entered the Hall and was looking disapprovingly at Hagrid and Fang.

"That's really something, Hagrid . . . but I don't think the Headmistress likes that Fang is jumping and running around in the Great Hall." Whispered Hermione to Hagrid.

Hagrid looked up and smiled sheepishly at the Headmistress. Putting a hand around Hermione, he whispered back, "Aye, Hermione. I think you're right 'bout that."

"Sorry Minerva, I was a bit late this morning."

The low voice of Severus Snape filled the Great Hall and Hermione gasped as she realized she had forgotten to tell Hagrid of Snape having been back. Instantly the great giant stood up, knocking down the whole table and surprising both Hermione and Minerva as plates, silverware and goblets flew to the ground instantly. Hermione only had a fraction of a second to react as she grabbed onto Hagrid's large arm with both of her own and tried to slow him down as he raced toward the calm looking Snape, standing and watching with bemusement at the spectacle.

"Hagrid please calm down! I'll explain everything to you! CALM DOWN!" Hermione tried the best she could to get the giant to slow down, instead, Hagrid rounded on Hermione and glared at her.

"Lookit Hermione, there's the traitor! The man killed Dumbledore!" Snape winced at this but quickly masked his face again into indifference. However, Hermione had noticed and was determined to make Hagrid see what she saw.

"No Hagrid, there's more to it then that. You must listen. Please."

Enraged, the giant bellowed loudly and raised his arms. Hermione, couldn't hold on much longer and was knocked aside as Hagrid ran towards Snape with rage in his eyes. Hermione was thrown several feet across the hall and landed upon the Slytherin's dining table. Hitting the hard surface, she swallowed as the pain enveloped her. Falling off of the table, she continued to slide and collapsed in a bundle amongst fallen chairs. Hermione didn't even notice as Minerva ran toward her with concern on her face. Nor Severus Snape grabbing his wand out and petrifying the giant before he too strode toward Hermione. No, the only thing that Hermione noticed was that her arm was hanging in a weird angle and the darkness that eventually swallowed her.

ooo

Hermione woke up at the hospital wing feeling very groggy. She didn't know how she had ended up here but she found that as she opened her eyes, there was a sobbing coming from the other side of her curtains. Straining to hear, she propped herself up and ordered her throbbing head to quiet down so that she could see who was outside. To her disappointment however, the curtains were drawn and Severus Snape walked in. Surprised, she flopped down in her bed and grabbed the blanket up to her chin.

The man looked at Hermione for a second and then closed the curtains around her bed once again, the sobbing had subsided but it seemed like the person had been moved further away. Hermione was filled at curiosity as to what might have happened to make someone cry like that.

"Miss Granger, still as curious as always." The voice floated toward her and she finally remembered that Severus Snape was in the room with her.

"Oh . . . profes- I mean . . . Mr. Snape. Curiosity and being prepared are two totally different things." Hermione blushed as she realized that Snape had conjured up a chair beside her bed and had sat down. He no longer looked as intimidating as she thought he looked when she was just a small child. But then again, things changed, people changed.

Severus Snape watched the young woman intently. She didn't seem to be bothered with his presence and she actually dismissed him when he had first entered the enclosed space of her bed. He was surprised that she felt so at ease with him and he in turn felt that he could relax without any worries beside her. Sitting down, he watched as her eyes studied the curtains, trying to locate the noise outside.

"The sobbing that you heard was Hagrid."

Hermione snapped her head toward Snape with a wondering in her eyes. "What happened?"

Severus scoffed. "He injured you. Threw you half way across the room in his rage. I petrified him. When he awoke, he saw how much damage he had done and started crying like a child!"

Hermione glared. "He didn't injure me too badly! You didn't have to do say that of him!"

Severus' eyes narrowed as he tried to control his breathing. He didn't want to be heard shouting at the woman when Minerva was outside with Hagrid. "Not too badly? Do you realize how much blood you had lost? How much bones were actually broken before you fell into unconsciousness?"

Hermione swallowed hard, only just aware of how dry her throat had gotten. The anger in the man's eyes was apparent but she couldn't place why he was so angry at her – or . . . could it be that he was not angry at her, but at Hagrid?

"How many?"

The soft whisper from the young woman was barely audible. Severus leaned in closer, indicating that she should say it louder. Hermione watched the curtain of dark hair cover his pale face, his expression unreadable. He had leaned in closer and Hermione caught the scent of something familiar. She propped herself up on her elbow, noticing a dull pain run through her arm before she continued. "How many bones did I break?"

Severus shuddered as the soft voice was whispered into his ear. She was just a few centimeters away from him and he noticed her breathing was a bit ragged. Examining her, he realized that she had propped herself up on her injured elbow. Scowling, he shooed her away from him. Conjuring up a soft pillow, he rested her arm on it before continuing, "You broke your right arm, your left foot, three ribs, sprained a muscle in your back and several cuts along your side. You also had a large gash here . . . " Placing a cold finger on her exposed shoulder, he leaned in and whispered. "From hitting the table and spearing yourself onto a large piece of broken wood."

Hermione felt a shiver run through her spine at his words. The way that he had described all her injuries caused her to relive what had happened in the Great Hall. Yes she had been injured, but it wasn't as bad as it was when she had been fighting the Final Battle. No, the Final Battle had been worse than anyone could ever imagine. Because back then, it inflicted both physical and emotional injuries. Hermione sighed deeply as she looked at the man across from her.

"How do you know all this? Where is Madame Pomphrey?"

Severus sneered. "As you well know, she is still on holiday with her family. It seemed inappropriate to call her in when I could have given you the appropriate potions for your injuries."

Just as Hermione was going to say something, she heard the curtain open again. A very red eyed Hagrid had emerged and was looking at the two of them. Behind him, Minerva McGonagall smiled and pushed Hagrid out of the way. "We thought it best in the interest of both our cause and for Severus' safety that as little people know of Severus' return as possible."

Hagrid blew his nose rather loudly and Severus turned away in disgust. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. Didn't mean to hurtcha."

Hermione shook her head. "I'm fine, Hagrid. Look how well Mr. Snape has mended me. I'm fine now."

Hagrid looked at her bruised body and the way that she held tenderly onto her right arm and started to bellow again. He broke down and was ushered away from the hospital wing by Minerva. Hermione shook her head and winced as her throbbing headache came back full force. Severus watched her with amusement and dug into the many pockets of his robes until he found the necessary potion. "Here . . . " He went toward her and propped her up against his shoulder. She was surprised by this and turned toward him with her mouth open. He took the opportunity to feed her the potion. She sputtered as the dreadful liquid ran down her throat, but eventually did not argue as her headache disappeared and in its wake left her in a dreamless sleep.

Severus Snape watched as Hermione's breathing regulated itself into a slow, deep rhythm. Her muscles relaxed and she fell against his body in a peaceful slumber. He allowed her hair to tickle his chin for a while longer, breathing in the fresh scent of honey and wild flowers. It reminded him of when he was back in the muggle world . . . shaking himself, Severus carefully laid the young woman down and busied himself by pulling out a small dark book and writing in a new entry into his journal.

A/N: Sorry everyone for the delay. I have a serious case of writers' block and was unable to continue with the story until now. I'm disappointed to see that the last chapter didn't get much notice. :( Am I doing poorly?