Chapter 25
For such a joyous and loving occasion, Hermione felt little love or joy. There had been an empty spot in her heart for two weeks now and only one thing could fill that void.
She stood in the doorway to the Great Hall and stared at the people passing by. The Valentine's Day Festival was in full swing. Students, parents and people who had received invites, rejoiced in the lighthearted time that had been contagious since the Ministry reformed.
McGonagall, now Minister of Magic, stood behind the High Table talking to the temporary Headmaster, Flitwick. The hall was brightly decorated in pink and red thanks to Richard and Luna. Hermione had loosely helped with the planning, but the main event was functioning because of the Head Boy and his new friend.
Richard had been the first of her friends to be discharged from St Mungo's, and he'd returned to Hogwarts immediately. Hermione followed shortly after, but it had taken McGonagall a few more days to persuade her to come back to Hogwarts. When she returned, she put her foot down when the annoying woman had tried to force her into her old Head Girl room.
After Hermione's infamous stubbornness got McGonagall to give in, she was finally allowed into Professor Snape's quarters where she slept on his sofa.
Before the war, the dungeons had always seemed dull and quiet, however, during her time in Snape's chambers, the silence had been calming and warm. Now it had returned to what it once was.
She'd reclaimed her wand from beneath her pillow then pondered over how different things might've been had she had the damned thing during her kidnapping.
There were many ways that morning could've turned out; she felt nothing but happiness that the youngest Malfoy was gone from the world, yet Lucius was still out there somewhere.
As the days went by, Hermione felt herself slowly sinking back to her old ways. The simplest touches frightened her; she bathed with a hard-bristled brush that grated the layers of her skin; and her mind seemed to switch off from wanting human interaction. The only thing she looked forward to was spending a few hours a night at St Mungo's.
Ron was recovering at The Burrow under Molly's watchful eye, and he'd promised to show up this evening to support her. Harry was the first out of the voodoo knife duo to recover, but he still resides at the hospital so the Healers can aid in his recovery.
Vic's body was taking longer to fight away the dark magic. He'd opened his eyes a few days ago but nothing had happened since. Hermione remembered smiling slightly at the way Harry started bouncing around when his eyes opened. Yet her mood soured as Harry's happiness turned to dread when Vic didn't wake up again.
When she wasn't visiting Harry and Vic, she was in Professor Snape's room. He'd been moved off the ward he shared with the other two boys since the threat of another attack wasn't of a high risk. His room was still on the patrolling route of an Auror so Hermione felt assured that nobody would try to sneak in and harm him.
She usually fell asleep in the chair by his bed. Sometimes she'd talk to his unconscious form hoping that her voice would pull him back, but this wasn't some soppy romance novel: she had no power over him.
The more time passed, the paler he got. Healers claimed that he was getting better, but the hollowness of his cheeks didn't reassure her. She wanted to talk to him one last time. What if they never got to discuss the kiss? What if she never got to seek comfort from him?
It didn't help that Penny hardly spoke to her. Because of the little research about familiars, Hermione could only assume that she was experiencing an excruciating sadness because her master was unresponsive. Hermione missed her mischievous friend, and it hurt her just that little bit more that she wouldn't even talk to her.
Hermione took in a deep breath and smiled over at Luna. Her friend returned the gesture and led her over to where Ron was with his family. Molly went to hug her but immediately backed off when Ron moaned at his mother under his breath.
She hadn't wanted it to be broadcasted everywhere, but unfortunately the truth had to come out eventually. Hermione was now labelled a hero for killing her rapist. Women had tried to invite her to empowering talks as a special guest, yet Hermione felt little empowerment. Yes, she felt no empathy towards Malfoy but why was it that being raped all of a sudden made her a worthy woman to other women?
Others, such as Molly Weasley, had tried to comfort her with hugs and sweet words. This is exactly why I went to Professor Snape to begin with. She flinched at the thought of him and moved closer to Luna's side.
"How are Harry and Vic?" Molly asked.
"Fine," Hermione said. "Professor Snape is still in a coma."
She found it quite rude that Molly didn't ask about him since she'd once spent most of her time fussing over him. Snape's involvement in her recovery had been kept away from the public thanks to McGonagall, and he was revealed only as being someone who helped in her rescue, not as a kidnapped person.
Hermione was grateful for that since she didn't want Snape waking up to a new wave of hero worshippers. Although she wished for him to wake up immediately, she understood that these things take time. The curses that damaged him are unknown, so there's no way for anyone to tell how long his recovery will take.
"You look tired Hermione, perhaps you should spend more time recovering yourself? You've gone through a horrific trauma. Seeking some council will help you through such a difficult time."
She bit her tongue. "There's no need for such a thing. I feel fine."
Molly smiled sadly. "Well, I'm always here if you need somebody to talk to, my dear."
She nodded in response and watched Molly return to talking to Arthur. Ron came over and quickly apologised for his mother's behaviour. She assured him that things were fine, then the pair talked about Harry's well-being.
They stayed in the Great Hall for almost an hour until Richard took her out to the confession box. A Prefect stood by the stall watching the students who slipped their love notes into the box ready for them to be delivered during the night. Luna had thought up the concept and it was the only one that Flitwick would approve of. However, he did put a charm detector on to check if the notes were laced with any love spells.
"Are you going to put one in?" Richard asked.
Hermione gave him a funny look. "I'm afraid I don't have anyone to confess to."
Richard smirked. "Oh, well I guess I'll just have to write something down."
"Who are you confessing to?" She glanced over his shoulder as he leaned against the table. He grabbed the quill and started to scribble on the piece of paper.
"That's a secret," he blocked her view of the parchment. "But, I'll tell you if you write a note to someone."
Hermione wasn't sure what Richard was trying to hint at. He couldn't possibly know about the kiss she shared with Professor Snape, she wouldn't dare tell anyone without his consent. However, I could confess that I love him since he'll never see it. I wonder who he is confessing to? Luna? I don't think so, they seem to be good friends but nothing more than that.
He posted his folded note then handed the quill to her. "It might cheer you up to get something off your chest."
"Why are you being so...nosy?"
Richard laughed. "I'm just curious."
"About what?"
"You and Professor Snape."
Was it that obvious? Probably. He might have heard from Luna about her hysterical state when Snape had been taken away in St Mungo's or perhaps he'd guessed correctly by chance?
"I'm not sure what you mean?"
Richard scoffed. "Luna said that—"
"I don't care what she said!" Hermione crossed her arms. "How dare you disrespect him like that!"
"I-I was only having a laugh," he held up his hands in defense. "I didn't mean to upset you."
Hermione sighed with a shake of her head. She wasn't sure why it offended her so, but she didn't like the idea of someone thinking that Snape was lusting after a student. It's only me that's doing the lusting, not him...even though he kissed me back — it doesn't matter!
It annoyed her that it was all she could think about. Yes, she still thought about what Malfoy had done to her, but when she thought about Snape she felt happy. He was the only thing keeping her going right now, even though he was in a coma.
Richard walked away with another apology, and her eyes landed on the quill in her hand. Should I? No...it's a stupid idea…
The Hufflepuff prefect smiled politely as Hermione slipped a folded piece of paper into the box. She placed the quill on the table then headed down the corridor back towards the Great Hall.
…
The sounds of Hermione's sobs echoed down the long-term ward. She sat at Snape's bedside with her elbows on his bed. She cried helplessly into her hands as she listened to the occasional beep of his heart monitor. There was no doubt in her mind that another person was sobbing a few floors down.
The Healers have given Vic a few hours left to live. Hermione had arrived for her nightly visit to see Snape, only to have Harry race into her arms crying his eyes out. Vic's condition had badly deteriorated all of a sudden and the Healers said there was nothing they could do to save him. Hermione stayed by his bedside for an hour then headed upstairs to cry in Snape's room.
How had things gone wrong so fast? She couldn't get the bloody image of Vic out of her head. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Lucius stabbing him in the stomach, and she kept hearing his shaking voice as he begged her to tell Harry that he loved him.
It had all become too much for her all of a sudden. Vic's going to die! Harry's going to be destroyed! And what if Professor Snape never wakes up?!
"Sir...Severus, I need you to wake up!" She glanced at Penny's sleeping form. "Penny needs you — I need you to tell me that everything's going to be all right. I want to talk to you about everything; I want to know how you feel about the kiss we shared! It's OK if you don't wish to discuss it, I'll do anything if it means you'll open your eyes and tell me to stop apologising for everything...just wake up, please."
Nothing.
"I don't know what I expected to happen — perhaps my angelic voice would pull you away from your slumber?!" She started to laugh. "I'm so stupid!"
Hermione stared at his pale face with an anguished look on her own. There had to be a way for her to fix it? To save Vic and get Snape to wake up. Penny wasn't going to be any help since she only ever slept by his head, never responding to Hermione's nudges and pleas.
She grabbed his cold hand and placed a kiss to his knuckles. "I have to get going now, Severus, I'll be back tomorrow night, I promise."
Hermione got to her feet and left the room dragging her bag behind her. She glanced down the grey corridor with a sigh. Her sad mind didn't catch on to the Auror not coming past on his round — he always comes by when she's finished.
With a heavy heart she headed towards the stairwell. The door shut behind her with a thud and she took a few moments to compose herself against the wall.
Things will get better...at least I hope they will.
Ever so slowly, she slid to the floor with a sigh. She tossed her bag to the side and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. There was a chill in the stairwell that nipped at her skin, but little did she know it was from the dark creature that had entered the bottom of the stairwell.
"I need to calm down," she whispered to her racing heart. "Harry's going to need me very soon, and I have to be there for him—" it was then that she heard the sound of claws against the concrete floor. She slowly brought her hands away from her eyes.
She took in a deep breath.
"Hello?"
No answer.
Hermione listened carefully for another noise but nothing followed. I should get out of here. She came to the top of the well and glanced down the gap between the stairs. There was nothing but darkness below which unsettled her greatly. The whole thing reminded her of a muggle horror film. I'm like the dumb blonde girl who goes headfirst into danger.
She retrieved her wand from her boot and descended down the stairs. Each step she took she released a quick breath as fear tingled her spine. I seriously need to calm down.
Suddenly, the scratch echoed up again. Perhaps it's just a rat...a large rat? Hermione waited for it to come again but it didn't. I feel like I'm somebody's prey.
"Is anybody there?" Her grip tightened around her wand. "Hello?"
Hermione leaned over the railing to look down the gap. She muttered 'Lumos' and pointed it into the darkness below. Even with the bright light she had to squint to see into the shadows. I think I'm starting to get paranoid—
A large, black tail poked out between the railing a few floors down. W-What? Hermione squinted some more then the unmistakable growl of a beast caused them to widen. The tail took off into the darkness and the scratching of claws started to come closer. Hermione scrambled up the few stairs she'd descended and ran back out into the desolate ward. She eyed the door as it shut behind her.
"What...was that?" She panted for oxygen. "Find...I have to find someone!"
Hermione looked around for the single Auror that always patrolled around this time. Where is he? She must've been so out of it earlier not to notice his absence.
BANG!
She let out a frightened scream as the door, which opened into the stairwell, was hit with a heavy object. The silence after was short lived. Hermione found herself unable to move as the beast rammed its head against the solid door.
Her wand trembled between her fingers, and she slowly raised her wand and pointed it at the door.
"You're startling the poor girl, Vincent. Stop it!"
Hermione slid to the floor in surprise at the sight of Penny standing at the corner of the corridor. The feline moved tiredly towards the door, and with a tap of her paw, it opened on its own. Hermione gasped at the sight of the large, black lion before her. At least, she thought it was a lion.
The lion she now knew as Vincent, moved towards her. Hermione held her breath — Penny wouldn't let him hurt me, so he must be safe. However, it didn't stop her stomach from turning as he came face-to-face with her. His lip curled in a menacing growl giving her a chance to see his large teeth which could tear her face to pieces.
"Penny, what's going on—"
Vincent lunged at her with his pink tongue moving up the side of her face. The beast jumped around in excitement, licking and nudging his face against her own. Hermione tried to push him away but he was overcome with so much joy that he was content licking her.
"Mistress! I finally found you, Mistress!"
Hermione managed to push him away, and she stared at him in shock. "Mistress?!"
"I've just returned from searching in the Americas, and all I had to do was search this little island for you! Mistress, I've searched for so long — and you were with my Penny all this time!"
"What's going on?!" Hermione yelled at Penny. "Why can I hear him? Why is he calling me Mistress?"
"Calm down, dear. He speaks the truth — you can hear him speak."
"Yes, but I can hear you as well!" Her tired mind couldn't grasp onto the simple concept.
"Well my master cares for you greatly, therefore you can hear what I say."
Hermione wanted to question her on the whole 'intended soul' ideology, but thought better of it as she stared more at the lion in front of her.
"H-How is it possible that I have a familiar? You must be mistaken — it can't be possible that Severus and I have a familiar — there's just no way!"
Vincent's large tongue slid up the side of her face once more and she squealed in disgust. "First things first, you need to stop doing that!" His black eyes widened and he lowered his head.
"My sincerest apologies, Mistress."
Hermione reached up to scratch her head. "My name is Hermione."
"Beautiful name! What a beautiful name!" He bounced around with a smile on his face. "I'm here to serve you until I take my last breath!"
"All right…" Hermione gained control of her breathing. "This is weird. I just need a moment to gather my thoughts."
"I'm going to head back to my master."
"Wait!" Hermione got to her feet. "How is he? W-Will he wake up soon?"
Penny bowed her head. "Master is healing with my help."
With that, she disappeared around the corner. Hermione frowned then slid to the floor again. Penny's words didn't provide her with any comfort, but she was glad that the feline was up and talking to her.
Hermione closed her eyes for a few seconds, then she became aware of hot breath touching her cheek. She turned her head slowly to see Vincent beaming at her.
Well, my life couldn't get any worse.