CHAPTER 2

"Poppy!"

Severus Snape stormed in to the Hospital wing carrying the unconscious Hermione Granger.

There was no answer. He found an empty bed and put her down.

"POPPY!"

Snape screamed louder, hoping for the first time in all his years at Hogwarts that the mediwitch was here.

Madam Pomfrey appeared and started, "Severus Snape, what business do you have coming in here and yelling at this time of night. Now what could possibly be the problem?" Severus waited for her to finish her tirade and then stepped aside showing her Hermione's limp form on the bed.

Madame Pomfrey had the grace to look embarrased after her scolding and moved to examine the girl. "Oh, my. Where did you find her? And how did she accumulate such an array of - oh gods, there are more. Severus, get the Headmaster. Now." the mediwitch ordered.

Snape moved to the fireplace and then decided better. Dumbledore would still be asleep. As he made his way to the headmaster's office, Severus Snape replayed the scene over in his head...'Who would do that to her? And why would she hide it for so long? It must have been someone she knows. But I doubt...Potter & Weasley. If one of them did that to her, Merlin, I will have their heads.' He growled, inwardly.

Severus approached the Headmaster's Office and said the password ("acid pops").

He knocked on the heavy wooden door. No Answer. He knocked louder.

There was some movement on the other side of the door. He knocked again for good measure and the door swung open to revealed a groggy Dumbledore. "What is it? Oh, it's you Severus. Is something wrong?" He stepped aside to let Snape into his office.

"Yes, something is wrong. Poppy sent me to get you." Snape said not bothering to conceal his worry for the girl now lying in a hospital bed. "Hermione Granger collapsed in my store room and I couldn't think of anything else to do but bring her to Poppy..."

"Severus, you're rambling." Dumbledore interrupted him. Snape blushed. "Now, tell me exactly what happened. Slower." Dumbledore said calmy, though inside he was bemused at the amount of, for lack of a better word, affection he felt for the stubborn Gryffindor. He led the way out of his office and they headed for the Hospital Wing.

"Well, I was in my office finishing up some third year essays when I heard a commotion in my storeroom. I had noticed lately that my stores have been running low when I know that I ordered enough ingredients to last me at least till Christams. Tonight I caught the culprit in the act. What I had not expected was that she collapsed. She had apparently been gathering ingredients for a glamour potion. When I told her to turn around so I could repremand her she doubled over in pain. When I went over to help her she said 'please don't hurt me'. Albus, " Snape stopped dead in the hallway.

He looked at Dumdledore, sadness and anger filled his eyes, and his voice was was low with the effort of controlling his anger.

"...she was severly injured. From what I saw she had a black eye, a cut on her cheek that had been headled improperly and several bruises around her neck. You know how I feel about her. And although I have never done anything to raise suspicion, if I find out who did this to her then I don't know if I will be able to take responsibility for my actions."

There was a long moment of silence following Snape's declaration.

"Yes, yes my dear boy," Severus shuddered, he hated being called that. "Rest assured, we will find out what happened to Miss Granger."

And with that they continued on to the Hospital Wing. When they arrived Hermione still had not woken yet.

"Oh, Headmaster I'm glad you're here. We need to speak." The Mediwitch appeared from behind a white curtain.

"I am sure Severus informed of Miss Granger's condition. I ran a diagnosis spell and in addition to her outward injuries she also has a fractured rib. I have already set about healing her rib with a dose of Skele-Gro. I have tried waking her up but it seems young Hermione has slipped into a coma." Madam Pomfrey stated sadly, while Dumbledore and, interestingly enough, Severus listened intently. As the Mediwitch continued speaking Severus clenched his fists and a pained look flitted across his otherwise emotionless face.

"Shall we continue this in your office, Poppy?" Dumbledore suggested. "Yes, i think thats best. I have to write up a report on her condition, anyway. This was not from normal activities." She led the way to the office but Albus stayed back for a minute to gaze upon his Potions Master, who was staring dejectedly at the still form of Miss Granger.

"Severus?" Dumbledore inquired but the man just shook his head, his eyes never leaving the young woman.

Dumbledore followed in the mediwitch's wake and left Severus alone. Severus moved closer to the bed. He walked over to the side of the bed and pulled up a chair close to Hermione's prone form and thought.

'Do not worry, Hermione. I promise I will find out who did this to you.' He reached over and gently took the girl's hand in his own, while he waited for her to wake up.