Author's Notes: Sorry haters! I am still updating and writing. There is a REASON this is written the way it is. It's rated K!
Author's Notes: This is an AU fic. So Hermione is Half-Blood in this one. Not Muggleborn. However, I was thinking back to the part where Hermione was Petrified so I thought she would still be petrified. Only because I could see Riddle doing it since in this fic she is Dumbledore's Daughter.
Chapter 20: Petrified
Harry sat in the chair at Hermione's bedside. Dumbledore was comforting McGonagall. He could hear the soft cries coming from the Transfigurations teacher. Someone placed a hand on his shoulder. Harry already knew who it was.
"It will be alright, Potter. Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey will fix this." Snape said.
Harry shrugged off the Potions Master. "I should've went to the library with her."
Snape placed his hands in his pockets. "You were getting ready for Qudditch. You couldn't have known."
"Severus is right, Harry. You don't need to blame yourself." Dumbledore commented.
McGonagall patted an open spot on the Hospital bed. A gray tabby cat jumped up. He curled up next to Hermione. Harry knew this cat as it was Hermione's. His name was "Maxi." He made a place in Dumbledore's garden shed. Hermione ended up adopting the cat.
"I would like to know why she was petrified as well. She isn't Muggleborn. She's half-blood." McGonagall said, wiping the tears from her eyes with a tissue.
Dumbledore placed a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Whomever is doing this doesn't seem to have it out for you, Headmaster." Snape said.
"Severus is right, my love. You need to watch yourself."
"I've lived a long time. I can handle myself." Dumbledore said, flashing a cheeky smile.
McGonagall rolled her eyes. She turned her attention to Harry who was still sitting there quietly, holding Hermione's hand.
"Harry, why don't you head back to the common room? I will be there soon to make an announcement." McGonagall said.
Harry nodded his head. He stood up from the chair. He gave Snape a glare as he passed him. However, he stopped to give McGonagall a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Professor." Harry said.
"It's alright, son. She will be alright." McGonagall said.
Harry then left the Hospital with Maxi close in tow. He only stopped outside the doors to pick up the feline. Maxi was still too little to go up the stairs that well.
