I was going to end this on a cliffie, and then decided that that would be mean. So I hope you enjoy the next part of 'what the heck is going on here?' Thank you all so much for reading.
Chapter 19
Even as her suspicions of Broadmoor increased, Hermione remained helpless to change anything. Professor Flitwick raved about the ambitious topic the two had selected, and she, herself, needed to study. She had no intention of losing her place as the top student in their year, and she had fierce competition. Luna told her many Ravenclaws resented Hermione's success since she wasn't one of them. "They seem rather desperate to see you fall from top spot."
"That's rather cutthroat, isn't it?" Luna shrugged. "Then again we are talking about a house that steals people's shoes for no reason." Luna blushed and remained silent. Her unquestioned acceptance by numerous fifth years still surprised her, as did their defense of her. Draco Malfoy hexed a Hufflepuff that had called her Loony, and made fun of wrackspurts. He had flung his arm around her shoulders and led her off asked her to explain nargles again, he was sure he almost understood about them. And Neville often sought her out to talk about plants. Friends, she decided, were nice to have.
"The weekend before we leave for Yule break is a Hogesmeade weekend." Luna offered to change the subject.
"That'll be nice. I need to finish my Christmas shopping."
"Me, too. I don't think the boys would appreciate subscriptions to the Quibbler."
"No, that doesn't sound much like them." The girls giggled and continued on their way.
Hermione looked forward to the opportunity to have a real date with Theo; between quidditch, prefect patrols, and Charms club they hadn't seen much of each other lately. She bounced up to him that Friday morning. "Good morning, sweet. What has you so cheerful?"
"Hogesmeade tomorrow. I'm looking forward to spending some time with you outside the castle." The smile slid off of his face. "The Charms club presentation meeting is tomorrow. Possibly all day."
"Oh, well, that's okay. We'll have plenty of time together over the break." She fought to keep an even tone and her face blank. She blinked back the tears.
"Yes, we will. Father's out of town until after Christmas, so Narcissa demanded I spend it with your family. Though, Essence invited me to visit her, which was sweet."
"Sure." Hermione tried not to frown. She started to hate Essence Broadmoor and she barely knew her. She sat and listened to Theo go on and on about Essence's contributions to the project, and how smart she was. Hermione repeated her mantra in her head. I am not that girl. I will not be that girl.
"Is something wrong, sweet?"
"No, it's fine."
"I'm sorry, I really can't cancel."
"I know, it's fine. I just miss you."
"I miss you, too. But soon." A flash of pain crossed Theo's face.
"Are you okay?"
"Just a headache. If they keep up, I'll go see Madame Pomfrey."
"You do look a little pale. Have you been sleeping well?"
"I think so, I should probably ask Essence what she thinks."
"Sure, I'll see you in class."
"Of course." Theo kissed her briefly.
Hogesmeade teemed with students doing last minute shopping and celebrating the end of classes for the term. Laughter rang from every corner. Festive decorations fueled the atmosphere. All of her females friends rallied around Hermione to keep her distracted from her woes. Angelina declared the group would shop until they dropped. Tracey debated whether or not to get Harry a Christmas gift. "Sometimes we flirt like crazy. Other times it's like I don't exist." Hermione made sympathetic noises. Despite her current misgivings she bought Theo a gift. Hermione's mood lifted as the morning continued. The festive mood in the village proved infectious. Hermione loved Christmas. Draco promised her that Christmases at the Manor were simply magical. She looked forward to the family time.
By late afternoon the girls exhausted the available stores and decided to have lunch. Hermione walked into the Three Broomsticks and froze. Sitting at a small table made for two, Theo and Essence laughed. She had taken his hand, and he didn't seem uncomfortable. Hermione's heart plummeted into her stomach. Hermione approached the table. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she faked a smile. "Hey, guys! I thought you had a club thing?"
Essence giggled, "We did, but it finished early, so we decided to get out of the castle for a bit." Theo gave Essence a bright smile.
Hermione felt her heart shatter. Sighing, she removed her birthday bracelet. "Theo, I want to end this before we have no chance to be friends again someday. She laid the bracelet down on the table in front of him. "So, yeah. I'll see you." She turned and left, ignoring his calls to wait.
Once she made it to the path leading to the castle, she ran. Tears streamed down her face. Inside she took the stairs two at a time, desperately trying to reach the privacy of her bed before she completely broke down. Through her tears she barely stopped when the staircase moved. She dashed away the tears, trying to swallow the sobs threatening to erupt from her.
Distracted by her sorrow, she never noticed someone come up behind her. She felt two hands shove hard from behind her. She tried to slow her descent, but she dropped like a stone, landing hard on the stone floor below. Immense pain spread through her body. She heard voices as the world faded to black.
Theo stared at the bracelet. Why was Hermione returning it? What did she mean about wanting to be friends? He looked at Essence for answers, brilliant, amazing, beautiful Essence. She would know, she knew everything. Essence smirked evilly at him from across the table. Hermione's face flashed in front of his mind. He had to find her. His stomach rolled horribly. He had been fighting off some illness for the last couple of months. He stood as the meaning behind Hermione's words sank it. He had to find her. The nausea in his stomach increase. The fog that often clouded his thinking intensified. He lurched to his feet and followed Hermione out.
The longer he ran, the worse he felt. By the time he reached the castle steps he had to stop to vomit. He continued to retch long after his stomach had emptied. A first or second year Slytherin ran up to him as he sat on the steps. "Oi, Nott, have you seen Malfoy or Potter? Somebody pushed Hermione off the stairs. She's in the Infirmary."
"What?" Theo tried to stand, but collapsed. The fog increased again as he tried to focus on Hermione.
"What is going on, Mr. Bole?" Theo vaguely heard the boy answer Professor Sprout, but he did appreciate her cool hands running over his forehead. "Please assist me in getting Mr Nott to the Medical Wing before you resume your search."
Theo kept trying to shake the fog from his head, causing his stomach to resent it's mistreatment. He gratefully rolled onto the hospital cot. Madame Pomfrey bustled past on her way to a cot enclosed by curtains. "Pomona, do you mind checking over, Mr. Nott. I have a bit of an emergency here."
"Of course, Poppy. Always good to have a little practical practice." She waved her wand over Theo in a diagnostic pattern. "Hmmm. Well I can fix the symptoms until Madame Pomfrey can look you over." She brought him several potions. "Drink these, Mr Nott. I so detest love potions." Theo drank the potions and laid back. His stomach settled, and the muddled thoughts cleared. Every thought and action of the last two months came raging back. The words love potions haunted him. He had to find Hermione, she had to know he wanted to be with her, not that slag Broadmoor.
Theo sat up and struggled to climb out of the cot. A hand to the chest stopped him. He looked up to see Draco Malfoy glaring down at him. The fiery anger burning in his eyes stopped him. "Nott, would you like to explain why my sister came running back from town crying, while you were having a cozy little tea with Broadmoor?"
"Drake. Not. What. Think. Is Hermione okay?"
"Of course she's not okay. She's heartbroken."
Theo didn't hear past her not be okay. She had to be okay. Even if she threw everything back in his face and never wanted to have anything to do with him ever again, he wanted her to be happy. And to be happy she had to be alive. He started to see spots before his eyes.
"Mr Malfoy, I'll thank you to stop tormenting my patients. Your sister is stable, and over there. You may join her." She began scanning Theo. "Professor Sprout was correct, Mr Nott. Either you've been given a bad batch of love potion, or you've been dose for a bit and it reached a toxic level in your system."
"What do you mean my sister is stable?" Draco demanded. He looked at Theo.
"Bole said someone pushed her off the staircase."
"Professor McGonagall is summoning your parents. They will be here shortly. Mr Nott, you'll be staying for observation, at least overnight."
"May I move over next to Hermione? I promise not to disturb her."
"I suppose."
Draco supported his weight as they made their way over. "Love potions? That sucks, mate."
"Yeah." Neither said another word once they reached Hermione's cot. Theo stared at her pale face, bruises rapidly forming on her visible skin. Only the shallow rise and fall of her chest assure him she still lived. "Please be all right, sweet." He whispered.
An eternity later Narcissa, Lucius, and Sirius rushed into the medical wing. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Umbridge followed them. Madame Pomfrey met them. "A group of first years at the bottom of another staircase saw someone push Miss Malfoy off the top. She fell nine floors, breaking her left arm, her right collar bone, both legs in numerous places. They reported she tried to slow her descent, but didn't have enough time. They, of course, jumped into action and summoned help. Unfortunately, they could not see her assailant. I've healed the bones, and stopped the internal bleeding. She is stable, all we need is for her to wake up." Madame Pomfrey gestured to Theo. "Then we have the issue of Mr Nott. He has either received a bad batch of love potion, or has been potioned for so long he had a toxic reaction when he tried to focus on anyone not the person keyed to the potion." She sighed, "Mr Nott's house elf reports his father is out of the country on business, making Mrs Malfoy his responsible party."
The adults turned to look at him. "He, too will make a full recovery. I want to keep him overnight to make sure he doesn't relapse."
Narcissa frowned. "I'll have to let Thoros know. I doubt he'll be able to drop his business, but he should still be informed."
"Hem, hem." Umbridge interjected herself. "Just when did you intend to inform the Ministry of what is going on?"
"When it becomes something the Ministry needs to know, Dolores." Lucius snapped. Umbridge recoiled, remembering who she spoke to.
The darkness began to brighten. Pain flowed back into her body. When she heard the croaking of the hateful toad, Hermione recoiled. She opened her eyes and instantly resented all light. She knew some kind of accident had occurred, but couldn't remember exactly what. "Where am I?"
Her parents rushed to her bedside, "The infirmary, my treasure." Lucius told her. "Do you remember anything?" When she struggled to sit up, Lucius and Sirius assisted her to lean against the headboard.
"I remember leaving Hogesmeade. That's it." She looked up at her parents, trying not to cry over Theo at the moment.
Madame Pomfrey edged them out of the way. "Can you tell me your full name?"
"Hermione Celeste Malfoy."
"The month and year?"
"December 1995."
"Where are we?"
"The medical wing at Hogwarts."
"What happened before you fell?"
"I ran up to the castle after seeing Theo with Essence Broadmoor. I think I broke up with him. I just gave him back his bracelet and said something about ending things while we could still be friends. Then I ran. That's all I remember."
"You fell. I stopped the internal bleeding. Your fractures have been healed. You are bruised from head to toe. You will be rather sore for awhile. But you may sit up for a bit."
Lucius brought her up to speed, including the love potions. She nodded, hating the implications.
Sirius broke the following silence. "The entire student body needs to be screened immediately, generally these kinds of potions aren't isolated incidents."
"Mr Black is correct, Albus." McGonagall added. "Students need the support of a friend doing it, too. Or someone finds out and gets some for themselves."
Lucius spoke up, "Come, Dolores, the Ministry can send some healers to assist Poppy. We'll need to organize the screenings in the Great Hall, by age group you think, or house." He kissed Hermione's forehead, "I love you, my treasure. You focus on healing." He departed with the toady following him. Professor McGonagall hurried to begin organizing students at dinner.
Narcissa kissed her daughter as well, "You get some rest. I need to notify Thoros." Dumbledore offered use of his floo.
"I should be getting down to dinner. I'll spread word you're okay." Draco hugged his sister as he left. His change in position allowed her to see Theo sitting on the next cot, watching her miserably. She dropped her eyes to her lap.
The curtains rustled, drawing her gaze back up. With a sympathetic smile to Theo, Sirius Black drew the curtains closed. "Muffliato."
"What does that do?"
"Prevents eavesdropping."
"Oh." She looked back down at her hands.
"In case you haven't put that all together, for the last two months someone has been feeding Nott love potions, very mild ones. The kind that slowly feed a crush. It causes little things to add up. Chances are, unless he got a bad dose, his distress at you dumping him is what cause the negative reaction. He was fighting off the potion and it reacted."
Hermione looked up her eyes blazing in anger, "Good." Sirius gave her a reproachful look. "I've spent the last two months torturing myself. Telling myself to ignore my instincts and not be 'that' girl. And I was right. It might not have been intentional but his actions the last few weeks have been ripping my heart out piece by piece."
Perching on the edge of the bed, Sirius took one of her hands. He ran the other hand through his hair. "Kitten, let me tell you about my sixth year.
"That year two seventh year boys decided they were in love with two classmates. Innocent enough, the problem was one girl, Raine, had a betrothal contract with a boy she adored, and the other, Carina, was a pureblood from a purist family and he was a muggleborn." Hermione raised her hand and Sirius chuckled. "She wasn't a zealot, but she knew where that kind of romance led. She liked him well enough, but not that well.
"But the boys knew, just knew, if the girls just noticed them, gave them a real chance, they would fall in love with them. So they started slipping them mild love potions. Not the kind that overrides your free will, or the kind that shuts down all rational thought. The kind that mimics a crush. And they kept administering them. It began to have a cumulative effect, creating stronger feelings. Raine's fiance, not knowing what was going on, was not understanding about her sudden fascination with another boy. He didn't care about not being that guy. They fought constantly and bitterly, sending her into the arms of the 'man who understood her best.' Carina began dating the muggleborn in secret. Both boys were elated. Their plan had worked."
"Not as long as they had to keep feeding them love potions."
"Glad you see the flaw. Neither ever admitted what happened, either they botched a batch of potion on accident, or one of them wanted to know if his girl truly loved him and ruined it on purpose." Sirius sighed. "By the time everything came out the damage was done. Carina's family interrogated her under truth serum. After she confessed to having sex with the mudblood," he spat out the last word, "they married her off to an elderly wizard in Scandinavia. He beat or hexed her to death within the first year. Her family considered it to be a satisfactory end.
"Raine's fiance was a narcissistic, impulsive arsehole with a bit of a temper. He tended to act first and reflect later. When his family demanded to end the contract he agreed instantly. He didn't stop to remember how much he cared for her, that this wasn't her fault. He let his wounded pride and broken heart think for him. Her family disowned her. And she had never really liked the boy who potioned her, and wanted nothing to do with him afterwards. Thinking she had nothing left, she killed herself." Sirius looked at Hermione, tears running freely down both of their cheeks.
"It wasn't your fault, Sirius." He raised an eyebrow. "Please. Carina was your cousin and you were Raine's fiance. Carina is a constellation, and what happened to her sounds like your lovely family. And you didn't mention beating the fiance to a pulp, meaning you were angry at him, but not homicidal. All reports point to James Potter being besotted with Lily Evans starting in second year, Remus's father wouldn't have agreed to a betrothal given his condition, and who would want to marry Pettigrew?"
"Brightest little witch." He said fondly, squeezing her hand.
"It isn't your fault."
"And it wasn't hers. And it isn't his." He looked in Theo's direction. "He's making himself sick over hurting you. At least talk to him." He held Hermione's gaze.
She nodded finally. "Okay." He dropped the spell.
"Good girl." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to leave you to it." Sirius stood and pulled the curtains back, ending their privacy. He nodded to Theo and left them alone.
Hermione looked back down at her hands. Sighing, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. She remembered their first kiss under the stars, his face as he braved the Underground for her, how he walked into the pool. Even under the love potion, he had expressed affection for her, giving her his scarf to wear to the game. She looked at him through her hair. He looked horrible. His hair stood up at all angles, worse than Harry's. His all ready pale skin appeared ashen. Bloodshot cerulean eyes watched her with a haunted look. "What's your favorite memory of us?"
If her question surprised him, he showed no sign. He thought, then answered. "I don't know if any of them can stand alone as my favorite. I'm grateful that any of them ever happened. Any moment spent with you has been my favorite at one time. When you agreed to leave the house with me. When you didn't snatch your hand back when I held it the first time. When our first kiss didn't end in me getting slapped. Seeing you in your swimsuit every time I see it. Every kiss, every time you let me stare into your chocolate colored eyes like a love sick puppy. That you wore my Slytherin scarf to a Gryffindor game and cheered for me." He smiled, then his face fell. "Every moment until I discovered I hurt you, and probably lost you."
In that moment Hermione understood what Sirius tried to tell her, but couldn't put into words. Theo didn't throw away anything, he hadn't wanted Essence's attention. And by rejecting his remorse and guilt, not that he should have any, would only hurt both of them more. They were both victims. She easily imagined loveless years, or worse loveless arranged marriages, as they struggled to heal. Years tainted by bitterness and mistrust. She still cared about Theo, still wanted him, more than she hurt. Her affection for him was stronger than her anger. "I can't throw myself into your arms, so I'm going to need you to come to me." She said finally.
He froze, her words being the last he expected. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am positive I cannot get out of this bed, let alone run over there and fling myself at you. But when we tell our grandchildren about this, I did and it was very romantic."
"Hermione, I'm sorry..." Theo moved over to her cot, just out of reach.
She held up her hand silencing him, "And I'm sorry."
"I hurt you."
"Essence Broadmoor, or whoever gave you that potion hurt me. And they hurt you. And I am not all right with that." She looked up at him, her brown eyes shining with unshed tears. She began crying.
Theo surged forward, pulling her into his arms. "Hey, don't cry, sweet. I am yours for as long as you'll have me, maybe even longer." He hugged her as tightly as he dared. "Merlin, sweet, I don't know what was worse, you handing back your bracelet, or seeing you lying there." He kissed the top of her head. "I am so thankful you are alive."
"Me, too. What happens next?" He gave her a confused look. "I kept replaying the last thirty minutes before my accident. I wasn't listening."
"Lucius mentioned something about testing other students for potions. So we may have company soon." He moved to lie down next to her. She snuggled into his arms, resting her head on his chest. "For now, you rest." He stroked her hair until her breathing evened out as she fell asleep. Eventually he joined her in sleep.
"Settle them over here on the other side of Miss Malfoy." Madame Pomfery's voice roused them from sleep. Silently, Theo slipped off of Hermione cot and back onto his own. The two teens watched as St Mungo's healers escorted Harry Potter and a seventh year Hufflepuff whose name currently escaped Hermione.
Harry stopped in front of Hermione's bed. "Mione! What happened?"
"Someone pushed me off the staircase."
"You should ask Ginny if she knows any healing spells. She's so amazing. I'm sure she could help you. Have you noticed how smart she is? I bet she's as smart as you are."
"Come along, Mr Potter." The healer led him to the next cot. "Let's get you settled right here, next to Miss Malfoy and Mr Cole."
"Will Ginny be able to find me? She's going to want to visit." The healer sighed and dispensed the detox potions to all three boys. Despite having vomited earlier, even Theo had plenty of potion still coursing through his system. It made for a miserable time for all the inhabitants of the medical wing.
Around the same time as the detox potions ran their course, Mrs Cole arrived escorted by Professor Sprout. "Oh, Lachlan, my poor boy." She began smothering him.
"I'm fine, Mum. No harm done."
"No harm done, my foot." She retorted. "Your grandfather has been has been slamming about the house demanding I withdraw you from Hogwarts."
Hermione looked away from the argument. The arrival of Sirius and her parents helped distracted her from the Coles' conversation.
"How are my boys feeling?" Narcissa cooed.
"Like even my toenails just came up." Harry told her.
"Poppy assures us the worst of it should be over."
"Professor McGonagall will be along shortly to question you. Then the girls will be questioned with their parents. The four of you and your parents will be present."
"The four of us?"asked Hermione.
"You and Theodore are in a public relationship. That includes you in the proceedings." Narcissa told her.
"In pureblood circles alienation of affection is a very serious charge."
"And if the girls aren't the ones doing the potioning?"
"Then they will investigate until the culprit is found."
Mrs Cole approached them, "Are these four the only victims, then?"
"In a manner of speaking." Sirius answered. "Sirius Black, madame, at your service." He gave her a small bow.
"Olivia Cole. Lachlan's father died when he was a baby. His grandfather has been kind enough to help me raise him. He is a muggle, so he couldn't be here. He's less than pleased."
"I think we all agree."
Professor McGonagall entered the infirmary, her face drawn and her eyes tired. A potentially fatal assault and now three students under the influence of potions. Two of them from prominent Houses, the other from a rather influential muggle family. And with Dolores breathing down her neck this could prove disastrous.
"Thank you for your patience. We're going to try to establish a timeline. Then we'll contact the girls' parents. Professor Dumbledore will schedule a conference, hopefully by tomorrow morning, the afternoon at the latest." She faced Theo. "Let's begin with Mr. Nott. When did your symptoms start?"
"I started feeling nauseated when I thought of, or was with, Hermione about mid October. I also agreed to join Charms club and partner with Essence Broadmoor about that time, despite the fact that I previously avoided her."
"Mr Potter, your story?"
"I started agreeing to go flying with Ginny Weasley, or spend time with her outside of groups sometime in October. And I snogged her on the occasions where she ambushed me."
"Had you previously had romantic notions about Miss Weasley?"
"No, there was someone else. That ship has probably sailed by now." Harry muttered the last part bitterly.
"And, Mr Cole, when your symptoms begin?"
"Beginning of November, I believe. I started flirting with Honey McGuinness."
"And did you have any affectionate feelings for Miss McGuinness before then?"
"I honestly had no idea who she was. Now, apparently, I have declared her to be my sun, my moon, my starlit sky. Without her I dwell in darkness." Hermione snorted. "You like Willow, too?"
"Yep, same as you Madmartigan." They shared a private laugh.
"I fail to see how this is a laughing matter!" Mrs Cole demanded shrilly.
"Gallows humor,"Sirius told her, "a way to alleviate the stress. Use it myself sometimes. Hermione did almost die today, right after breaking up with her boyfriend.
Professor McGonagall gave him a tight smile. "I will see you to the headmaster's office to discuss tomorrow's meeting."
Madame Pomfrey headed over, potion vials clinking in her arms. "Stomach smoother, pain potions, and dreamless sleep, a good night's rest for everyone."
Mrs Cole wished her son sweet dreams while Sirius bid first Harry, then Hermione a good night. Narcissa gave Hermione, Harry, and Theo a kiss of farewell, Lucius nodded to all of the boys and kissed Hermione. "Good night, boys. Sleep well, my treasure."
Madame Pomfrey hovered until all her patients consumed their potions before retiring herself. Before sleep took him, Theo slipped back into Hermione's bed. "I just want to hold you, feel your heartbeat, know you're alive." She mumbled in agreement, her potions all ready taking affect.