Chapter 8
When they finally arrived at the hospital wing Hermione was half conscious. Madam Pomphrey spotted them in the doorway. "Argus what happened?" She asked in surprise, it wasn't everyday the caretaker showed up in the hospital wing. "It's Hermione Granger Poppy, Draco Malfoy tripped her in one of the corridors she seems to have a concussion and she hurt he knee pretty bad too." "Lay her over over there" the medwhitch said pointing to one of the beds.
Filch went over and gently lied Hermione on the bed. Madam Pomphrey came over and ran a diagnostic charm over Hermione, "she apears to have a mild concussion and a broken right knee, I can't do much for the concussion that will have to heal on own, as for the knee unfortunately I will have to use Ossio Dispersimus to make her knee bone vanish and then use Skele-Gro to regrow it also unfortunately it will not be a pleasant experience." Filch nodded "I leave it to you then Poppy, I'm going to go report this. He gave Hermione's hand a quick squeeze and said "I'll be back later." He then quickly left the hospital wing hoping to catch the teachers before breakfast ended.
When Filch finally reached the great hall he was out of breath. He managed to make it right as the students were clearing out and the teachers were just getting ready to leave as well. He quickly made his way to the staff table, "Argus what's happened" asked Dumbledore concerned. "It's Hermione Granger sir I found her on the ground in one of the corridors, I took her to the hospital wing she has a mild concussion and a broken knee, she said Draco Malfoy tripped her and everything caused her to get sick on the floor. I was going to have him clean it as punishment." "Is there in any proof of this" asked Snape, "well no" confessed Filch. "I saw someone running away, but i couldn't see who it was, "but you have no idea if it was Mr. Malfoy and your taking Miss Granger's word who if I'm understanding correctly has just suffered a mild head injury, she could have been mistaken" defended Severus. Dumbledore thought for a minute "while it is true we have no proof Draco was absent from the great hall shortly after Hermione left and IF he did do it I would say Argus's punishment is lenient and I approve. Severus have Draco report to Argus's office at lunch." Snape highly displeased growled out "very well sir" he then got up and left the great hall.
After a few minutes the other teachers followed. Minerva was the last to leave, she walked up to Filch and said "thank you Argus for taking care of Miss Granger. I know you are not fond of children, you can imagine my surprise when Albus told me of your new friendship with Hermione." Filch didn't know what to say, Minerva continued "you can relax Argus I have no problem with it and just between us I believe her" Minerva smiled and left the great hall.
Later that day after their classes Harry and Ron went to visit Hermione in the hospital wing and give her the work she missed that day. They walked in and quickly found Hermione who was laying down, awake, her right leg was in a splint to keep it straight. "Hi Hermione" said Harry, "How are you feeling?" asked Ron. Hermione winced in pain I've been better, she tried to smile but it turned into a grimace. "We've brought you today's homework" Harry said putting the papers on the little table by her bed. "What happened?" asked Ron, Hermione told them the whole story. When she finished Ron and Harry were furious with Malfoy and shocked that Filch carried her. "He probably only did it to make you guy's even, since you've been helping him so much, he doesn't actually care about you." "Yes he dose Ron he seemed very concerned when he found me, he could have went and got a teacher to levitate me here but instead he choose to carry me himself, and unlike you guys he actually came after me." Ron unable to admit she had a point stood up and left the hospital wing without another word. Harry awkwardly looked at Hermione and said "well it's almost dinner time see you later Hermione he then stood up and left.
On their way out they passed Filch, who was carrying a tray with sandwiches and a pitcher of pumpkin juice, along with a couple glasses, none of them spoke as they passed each other. Hermione smiled when she saw Filch, "What are you doing here?" "I told you I would be back" replied Filch. Hermione looked at the tray "Did you come here to eat dinner with me?" Filch nodded "figured you would like the company after being by yourself all day, stuck here unable to really move. "How is your head and knee?" Filch asked. "My head's ok but my knee hurts, Madam Pomphrey gave me Skele-Gro, said I probably won't get much sleep tonight." Filch nodded he then sat down and put the tray on the table. Hermione let out a little yelp this time as a particularly sharp pain shot through her knee. Filch didn't know what made him do it but he immediately grabbed her hand. "It's ok Hermione just squeeze my hand." She did just that and squeezed Filch's hand until the pain passed. After a few minutes Filch asked "Would you like a sandwich and some pumpkin juice?" Hermione nodded and sat as upright as she could. Filched grabbed a pillow off one of the beds and put it behind her to help her sit up more. He then grabbed a small plate with a sandwich and handed it to her along with a small glass of pumpkin juice. They ate in silence for a few minutes when Hermione asked "how was your day?" "Oh nothing really happened aside from making Malfoy clean up the mess in the hallway, how long do you have to be in here?" "A couple of days" replied Hermione and they finished the rest of their meal in comfortable silence.
Filch spotted Madam Pomphrey and said "I'll be right back". He came back after a few minutes and said "I set up your surprise." Hermione looked curiously at him, he let a small smile show "you will see later tonight I have to go it's getting late, I'll stop by tomorrow morning though." Filch looked around to make sure no one was watching, he then walked over to Hermione, took her hand and squeezed it and then bent down and kissed her gently on the forehead. She then surprised him by giving him hug. Filch stiffened for a moment he couldn't remember the last time he had a hug. He eventually relaxed and hugged her back he also heard her whisper "thank you", he hugged her tighter in response for a moment before grabbing the empty dishes. "I'll see you in the morning" he said and left the hospital wing.
That night Hermione was struggling to sleep, when she suddenly felt something furry hit her hand. She looked and was surprised to see Mrs. Norris sitting on her chest with s note in her mouth. Hermione grabbed her wand off the table, whispered lumos took and read the note.
"I figure you need her tonight more then I do."
Hermione smiled as the cat lied down on her chest and started purring. Focusing on the sound she eventually drifted off to sleep,
Author's Note
Long chapter guys hope you enjoyed it as always give me your feedback it inspires me to keep going.
