Hermione's eyes, glistening with unshed tears, turned to the curtained beds around her as she breathed out an audible sigh. She smiled without caring if the others in the room, who were looking at her in silent bewilderment, noticed her relief.
Alive, gods, which is their bed? Hermione flung her leg over the side of her own bed. She had to see Harry, to know he was alright, but when she let her weight down onto her foot, her leg gave out. Madame Pomfrey and, to Hermione's surprise and embarrassment, Remus rushed to her and grabbed her arms, pulling Hermione back into her bed.
"You see!" Pomfrey declared with a satisfied sniff. "I told you, she is not well enough."
Blast you! Hermione felt a pang of guilt for thinking such a thing of Madame Pomfrey, but currently the plump witch was standing between Hermione and her best friend. A very dangerous position for anyone to be in, even with Hermione's presently wandless and potioned state.
"I'm really fine." Hermione insisted impatiently, waving her two helpers off. "It was just a little slip, I'll be fine."
"I have no doubt." McGonagall responded, her silver eyebrows as high as every upon her forehead. "Come then, we have no time to waste."
"Now, Minerva." Madame Pomfrey began, taking a step towards the Headmistress.
"Now, Poppy." McGonagall retorted with obvious offense.
"As this is still my Hospital Wing, I must insist you at least allow me the time to examine my patient properly before she goes traipsing about the castle." To her credit, Pomfrey kept her voice quite level during the whole exchange, considering how rude Hermione had been earlier, the matron's patience was surely wearing thin. Hermione had to give her credit for her composure under pressure.
The Headmistress drew her lips into a thin line and crossing her arms, she began lightly drumming her fingers on her elbow; the very picture of controlled frustration. "Yes, I suppose that is quite reasonable, but please, I implore you, make haste. And, Mister Lupin, a favor."
"Y-yes...Headmistress?" Remus asked uncomfortably. Hermione wondered what McGonagall might have said before they'd arrive in the Hospital Wing to cause the werwolf to be so blatantly uneasy.
Or perhaps, McGonagall was different in this time? She had always been stern, her expectations for her students, Gryffindors especially, had been higher than any of the professors at Hogwarts, but she was not unkind. In fact, Hermione knew that every scowl or disappointed sigh she'd elicited from the transfiguration professor had been out of love- unlike Snape who, despite being a not evil bloke at the end, was still a right git. But Hermione realized she didn't actually know this McGonagall, she could be worlds different than the professor Hermione remembered- hell, she could be a blood purist or someone who hated magical creatures for all Hermione knew.
The thought seemed unlikely, but all the same Hermione felt herself growing protective of Remus, who had remained by her bed. She reached out and grabbed the wizard's hand, squeezing it reassuringly as she would have Harry, and gave him a soft smile. But this wasn't Harry, this was a very confused werewolf. Realizing her mistake, Hermione dropped his hand and looked away frowning.
If she's not your McGonagall then he's not your Remus, Granger. Not your Remus or professor or even your fucking friend. Hermione choked down the distress rising in her throat, threatening to manifest itself with a sob. She was so confused and so ready to wake up or go home or-or... and with that thought, a terrifying idea suddenly struck Hermione like the Hogwart's Express.
What if- it was almost too painful to think- what if I can't go home? What if I'm stuck here? Things had been happening so quickly- Grimmauld Place, the Potters Cottage, and now Hogwarts- that Hermione hadn't been allowed a moment to consider- if this is what she truly dreaded it was, another trouser of time- how did she get here and how could she get back? Panic tightened in her chest as the cogs and gears in her mind lit with terrifying speed and the witch swiftly began cataloging the few, yet daunting, possibilities.
Fuck fuck. How did we get here, Granger? What fucking wormhole did we fall through? It's like a bad episode of Doctor Who. Or maybe a good episode? It's so hard to tell in the beginning...
"If you would," McGonagall's voice interrupted Hermione's panicked thoughts. "Please escort Miss Granger to my office as soon as Madame Pomfrey has finished her tests."
Remus nodded, recognizing an order not a request when he heard it. Hermione's protest was on the edge of her tongue, she didn't need anyone to show her the way to Dumble-McGonagall's office, but she stopped. Perhaps some time alone with Remus would be fortuitous, he would know what had happened after Hermione had been hit by that-that...
By the gods. The color drained from Hermione's face and she felt her stomach churn, the prequel to vomit.
"My dear child, you suddenly look quite unwell." McGonagall said in alarm, placing a pale hand on her chest in concern.
"I-I.."Hermione stammered. "Wh-what, I mean...what curse did Crouch h-hit me...with...?" But of course, The Brightest Witch of Her Age already knew the answer.
Pomfrey and McGonagall exchanged glances and Hermione's urge to throw-up became more powerful. Pomfrey began ineffectively fanning Hermione's now sweating face with her hand while murmuring 'there, there child'.
"Which curse?" Hermione asked again, her voice a little harder.
It was Remus who spoke. "The Killing Curse, he threw it straight at the cradle but you-you jumped in front of it and then it caught you in the side, not in the chest. You screamed- gods, I'ver never heard anyone scream like that- and then you fell down, we thought you were dead and we thought Lily was dead and James."
Remus was rambling now, but Hermione wasn't going to stop him, this was the most information she'd gotten since she woke up and found herself at Hogwarts.
"I didn't know what to do, I was so shocked. Then Sirius, he wasn't as shocked as me, must've finally been that Auror training, I couldn't believe it, he-"
"Yes, thank you Mister Lupin for being so... specific." McGonagall cut the wizard off. Hermione flashed her amber eyes at the older witch in annoyance. She wanted-needed- to hear what Remus was saying. "Madame Pomfrey, please finish your tests. Mister Lupin, I will be waiting for you and Miss Granger in my office."
And with that the grey witch was gone in a flurry of green robes. Hermione narrowed her eyes. There was going to be a great deal for her to learn about these people she was beginning to realize she didn't truly know at all.
Madame Pomfrey conducted the tests quickly, waving her wand over Hermione to check the younger witch's organs and muscles. When Pomfrey's wand had traveled over Hermione's left side, emitting a pale blue light, Hermione felt a sharp pain under her ribs and cringed. The matron rolled up Hermione's jumper, after barking at Remus to turn around, and beneath the fabric Hermione caught sight of yet another scar to add to her collection. It was a giant, fresh monstrosity with pale pink tentacles that branched out and wrapped around Hermione's ribs like lightening.
You survived a Killing Curse. Wait until Harry hears about this. Hermione chuckled to herself and then frowned. If Harry hears about this... no, no more of this, Granger, we don't have time for you to be a blubbering mess every time you think about him or Ginny or-or anyone else. No more tears. There's work to be done.
"I'm sorry." Pomfrey frowned apologetically. "I'm afraid scars like these can't be charmed away. Dark magic, you see. You might be able to illusion it later, when it isn't so fresh, but it'll always be there."
"Good." Hermione said plainly. Out of the corner of her eye she thought she caught Remus glance over his shoulder at her. "I want to look at it and remember."
Pomfrey pursed her lips, but chose not to speak for the remainder of the inspection. When finally the matron was satisfied and her test spells complete, she slipped her wand into her sleeve and gave Hermione a gentle pat on the shoulder.
"You also had a small abrasion on your calf, nothing serious, but a deep cut none-the-less. I healed it up for you, a small scar now, but at least that one should be all gone in a few days."
A cut on my-oh. Hermione furrowed her brow remembering the sectumsempra that had freed her from the ropes on the floor at Grimmauld Place. Maybe I could've charmed Pomfrey without the use of my wand...I wonder if I could summon my wand from here. If I can petrify three wizards at once and perform wandless, silent magic then surely that couldn't be too difficult...
Hermione considered the possibility for a moment and then decided she needed answers more than she needed her wand. She couldn't be certain of her physical or mental state right now and besides, you catch more flies with honey and all that.
"I'm impressed, Miss Granger. You do seem to be in good shape, though a little rest wouldn't hurt you."
"No, I don't suppose a little rest would hurt anyone, but I need to speak with the Headmistress." Hermione said firmly, swinging both her legs over the bed. Pomfrey grabbed her elbow, stopping her.
"Remus, dear boy." She called to the wizard, who had never been told he could turn back around and thus still had his back to the two witches. "Come and help Miss Granger out of bed."
"I am quite capable-" Hermione began.
"There's a dear." Pomfrey kept hold of Hermione's elbow while Remus hurried over and grabbed the other. They didn't seem to be paying any attention to Hermione's protests.
"I am not a child, I can stand on my own!" But when her two booted feet touched the floor, she was grateful for the six foot werewolf holding onto her, it seemed Hermione didn't have her "land legs" back so to speak.
"There you go, my dears." Pomfrey said, releasing Hermione's elbow. "Now, Remus, go slow with her, careful up the stairs."
"Don't worry, Madame Pomfrey." Remus smiled at the matron. "She's in good hands."
"I am still here, y'know." Hermione said with huff, letting Remus lead her out of the Hospital Wing. "I can still hear you."
She looked up at Remus, expecting a smart reply like he'd been so quick with when they'd been at Grimmauld Place, but the werewolf didn't even acknowledge she'd spoken. Hermione frowned as they walked the familiar path to the Headmistress's office in silence.
Was Remus upset with her? Did he still not trust her? She'd thrown herself in front of baby Harry for Godric's sake, she'd taken a Killing Curse. And she'd helped Remus with that Death Eater he'd been dueling! Not to mention she'd given them all back their wands even after Sirius had petrified her. And Sirius! Why hadn't Pomfrey wanted Sirius to know Hermione had woken up, what was Sirius up to?
Hermione's accomplished mind was swimming with questions and the Calming Draught must've worn off, because the silence was absolutely unbearable. Why wasn't he even looking at her? If he was upset then that was positively ridiculous, he had nothing to be upset about. Hermione was going to talk to him, she was going to force the answers out of him. Yes, that's right. This wasn't Professor Lupin, this was just some bloke named Remus who bore a striking resemblance to her former defense professor. In fact, he didn't bare that striking of a resemblance to Professor Lupin anyway! He didn't have any of that distinguished salt-n-peppah around his temples like the handsome werewolf she'd known! No, he was not nearly as...cute...
Perhaps the potion hadn't worn off. Perhaps Hermione was indeed still drugged.
"R-Reums," Hermione stammered, her confidence failing as the words left her lips.
Remus said nothing. He didn't even look down.
"Remus." Hermione repeated, her voice now clipped with frustration.
"What?" The werewolf growled, actually growled.
See, and Professor Lupin never growled.
"I need you to tell me what happened after-after, after I was hit with the curse." Hermione demanded, pulling them both to a stop and straightening her back to her full, meager, height. Remus cast his green eyes to the wall and slid his hands into his pockets and Hermione fumed. "What is going on! Why won't anyone tell me what's happening or what happened? Look, I know this is all strange for you, trust me it's strange for me too, you don't even know how bloody bizarre this all is. But where is James and is everything okay with Lily and Harry and for fuck's sake, what is the deal with Sirius? Why can't he know I woke up? Is he going to arrest me? Or- or attack me?"
Remus had not said a word through out Hermione's rambling tirade.
"Listen! You need to talk to me! You need to let me know what's going!" Hermione was now waving her finger wildly at the wizard. No, the potion has definitely worn off.
"No!" Remus growled again and then looked around worried, before hushing his voice and saying again, "No."
"No, no what? Which question had a no?" Hermione asked confused. "No, Sirius isn't going to arrest me or no, he's not going to attack me or no-"
"First," Remus cut her off, rubbing his hands over his face. "I can't bloody well answer any of your questions if you won't close your mouth for a second."
Hermione opened her mouth indignantly to protest this, but upon noticing the look of triumph on Remus's face, snapped it tightly shut.
Git.
"Better." Remus said, folding his arms across his large chest. Hermione glared. "No, I don't need to let you know what's going on. Quite frankly, Granger, you need let us know what's going on. You show up in Sirius's house, you slip passed the Black Family wards, no one just slips passed those wards. You cast spells without wands or even words! You set Death Eaters on fire,"-I won't be apologizing for that- "but I can't really complain about that, and then you blast open a door that three stellar"-debatable-" wizards can't get through and then, the bloody cherry on top of the cake- fuck, and you say this is bizarre for you? How's this for bizarre! You throw yourself in front of a baby you don't know, our best friends baby, and you save his life."
Hermione was concerned Remus hadn't taken a breath during all that, she was also concerned that he wasn't wrong. Maybe it was her he was uncomfortable with, not McGonagall. Hermione cringed in shame.
This isn't your Lupin! She tried to remind herself but it was of no use.
"And quite frankly, Granger, I-I don't know whether to petrify you or hug you." Remus finished, running his hand through his messy hair.
"Wh-what?" Hermione spoke again.
"You saved Lily and Harry, why? Why would you do that? You don't know them." Remus was almost pleading. "When that door opened and we saw Lily on the floor, I thought she was dead and my heart broke for James. And then fucking Crouch, he aimed his wand at Harry and without hesitation you took that curse. Hell, the only reason McGonagall thinks it didn't kill you is because you managed to silence him before he cast it, who even thinks to do that?"
"It's an old trick." Hermione muttered.
"An old trick?" Remus gave a short laugh. "That old trick saved your life. And then Sirius took down Crouch, I was too shocked to know what to do, I wasn't any help at all.
Sirius.
"Remus," Hermione began, wringing her hands uncertainly. "I-I'm sorry, truly, truly I'm sorry. For confusing you and for barging in on your lives and for not having a good answer to any of your questions. But, Remus, wh-why did Pomfrey tell you not to tell Sirius? If I need to watch out for him, please I know he's your best friend, but I need to know. If he might show up and petrify me again then I need to be aware, especially since I don't have my bloody wand."
"Petrify you?" Remus furrowed his brow. "No, no Pomfrey didn't want him to be informed because you woke up about two minutes after she'd finally convinced him to leave. After he took Crouch to the Ministry and we sent a patronus to McGonagall, he didn't leave your side."
Hermione stiffened. Well, that's fucking odd.
"He-he's not going to hurt you, Miss Granger. You saved one- two really, two of our best friends. No one is going to hurt you, not while me or Sirius are still breathing."