Hello readers. I just want to say thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate it. Now, I know you don't really care about this, you want the story, but real quick:
I'll try to be regular with my chapters, I'll try real hard. I have several other activites to focus on. So if it takes me awhile, I am so sorry. If I don't post for awhile, don't worry. A chapter will appear eventually. I love this story too much to give up now.
Thank you all again. Enjoy!
Chapter Two
There was darkness, darkness everywhere. It was pressing against her. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. She could feel the life being sucked away from her body. She stared into the cruel, faceless figure. She wanted it to stop. Stop!
Hermione's eyes shot open on a gasp. She rocketed upward, her heart pounding in her chest. It was dark, and that automatically sent the young witch into a panic. She pushed the heavy covers away and searched for her wand. It was in her hand when Hermione heard the squeaking of a mattress. The brilliant witch flung herself out of bed and jabbed the point of her wand into the thing at her bedside table.
"Whoa, whoa. Pointy, dangerous thing. Don't like that much. It's just me, Miss Granger." A lantern was ignited, and a low flame lit up the face of Professor Smith.
Confusion made Hermione's eyebrows knit together. She didn't lower her wand. Too many months of paranoia kept her weapon at the ready. The teenager's eyes swept past her teacher. She recognized the white sheets and little tables topped with bottles. They were in the Hospital Wing. So, a relatively safe room. No immediate danger. The witch studied the man in front of her again. He raised his shoulders and half grinned.
Hermione scoffed and shoved the teacher away slightly. She didn't feel much gratitude at the moment. Her heart was still pounding from the surprise accouter. She vaguely realized the disrespect she was giving her superior, but she had the slightest feeling that Professor Smith didn't care much about respect. At least, not enough where Hermione felt as if she had to say "sir" at the end of each sentence. The teenager snatched the lantern away and placed it on the tray near her temporary bed. The teenager fiddled with the source of light for a few seconds, trying to slow her heart.
Professor Smith watched his student, hating the way fear had filled Miss Granger's eyes when he removed himself from one of the beds. His hands itched towards his inner pocket, but what good would his instrument do? It would just cause suspicion. And besides, Hermione was too clever. She would recognize it. Or at least, deduce what it is.
Smith leaned against one of the bedposts and studied the young witch in front of him. He took in the cuts on her face and arms, and he flinched slightly when he noticed the dark bruises standing out on Hermione's neck. Rage filled the teacher's stomach. He had not been there long, but Hogwarts was as much of a home to him as anywhere else. He would not let anything happen to another one of his students. That was a promise.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Hermione's eyebrow was cocked, and her arms were crossed over her chest. The little flame behind the witch darkened her features, making her seem deathly and frightening.
Professor Smith blinked, removing himself from his deep thoughts. "Sorry." He said, straightening. "Just sort of…blanked for a moment."
Hermione tilted her head. Her left leg had begun to throb, and it was trembling slightly from holding her weight. But she didn't sit down. She was determined not to feel weak. The witch shifted her weight to her other leg and balled her hands into fists. The rest of her body was remembering the injuries they had received and soon, her whole body was throbbing. The teenager needed a sleeping potion and a big dose of pain killer. She gently touched the knot on the back of her head and tried extremely hard not to wince.
"What're you doing here?" She asked after a moment of silence. "I think I'm perfectly safe here in the Hospital Wing."
"No, I know. It's just…Wanted to be sure you didn't wake up alone or scared." Smith's eyes darted back and forth, studying her. He remembered the terrifying sounds coming from Miss Granger as she slept, the nightmares she was obviously having. The memory twisted his stomach. He hated nightmares. They were pointless, evil things. The professor was glad he had stayed with her, no one should wake up scared and alone.
Hermione felt taken aback. Her eyes flickered to the bed behind Smith, and she noticed how it was as messy as hers. Confusion filled her rattled brain. Why, in God's name, did this strange man stay with her? He needn't to. Hermione was perfectly safe, staying in the infirmary to heal. It was very noble and sweet of course. But it didn't make sense. No teacher cares that much about a student's wellbeing. She studied the unusual man again, wishing that she could figure something out about him instead of becoming more confused.
"You didn't have to do that sir." The witch muttered, half horribly embarrassed and half extremely grateful.
He grinned his contagious grin, "I know that too. But besides not wanting to leave you alone, I also wanted to be here when you woke up."
Smith sat down on Hermione's bed, one leg planted on the ground. "I wanted to be the first to ask you: What happened?"
The teenager's mind flashed to her now demolished cave. The events played out in great detail. But Hermione felt more frustration that fear. What was that thing? Where the hell had it come from? And what even happened after she blacked out? The witch hadn't noticed her leg was trembling visibly until Smith reached out and grabbed her wrist. He tugged at her gently, and Hermione crawled onto the bed, adjusting her nightgown. Her leg felt as if there was a second heart beneath her skin. The sorceress pulled back the bandages. She examined her limb and noticed the horribly deep gash. Scabbed over, but still extremely painful. The witch groaned inward and pulled her dressing gown over her wound.
"Miss Granger, what happened?" His eyes pulled at Hermione, making her want to explain everything.
But why had Professor Smith been in the woods? What sane man walked around the forest at night? There was no way it was just an evening stroll. There had to be a reason. But what reason could that be? Nothing added up, not logically. Even though he had helped her, had saved her life, Hermione didn't trust him all the way. It would be foolish to. Harry and Ron would probably slap her if they found out she told this strange man everything.
She was twirling her wand between her fingers, a nervous habit of hers. The teenager chewed at her lip, debating what to confess. Hermione waved her hand, and every other lantern in the room ignited. A small weight of anxiety lifted from the girl's chest. She felt a great deal more comfortable in a lit room.
Hermione talked slowly and deliberately. She explained why she snuck into the forest and how she slipped into her cave. The teenager talked about time fading away. She detailed running from the creature and destroying her cave. A painful lurch went through her body when she realized she could never go back there again. The witch finished her story with Professor Smith materializing out of nowhere.
Her teacher didn't talk much. And Hermione didn't really give much for him to consider. She had spoken in short, meaningless sentences, just giving the gist of what happened. The witch didn't want him to know the fear that had threatened to drown her, or the fact how infuriated she was that the teenager had no idea what attacked her. Those were her thoughts, and she didn't plan sharing them.
Smith knew that Miss Granger wasn't telling all of her tale. But he didn't care. A horrible, terrifying feeling filled his gut, and his eyes flickered to the double-doors. He scanned the young girl's face. Smith despised that haunted look in her eyes, from that night and the past years. She was way too young to have seen so much. Smith straightened, he was determined to not have this clever girl go through anything horrible again.
"Listen to me." Professor Smith fixed his gaze on his student, "Do not tell anyone about this. Do you understand Hermione? If you breathe a word of this to anyone; there will be consequences. And neither of us wants that. We needn't worry anyone. Okay, Miss Granger?"
Hermione understood his order, but she didn't like it. Not one bit. The teachers should know what happened; they could do something about it. They could march into the Forbidden Forest and capture that creature before it harmed anybody else. But Hermione knew if the students saw the teachers stride into the forest with their wands raised, there would be an uproar of panic and confusion.
As much as it irritated her, the young witch silently agreed. It was best to keep this silent, for now.
"What shall I tell the teachers?" The words burned slightly as she uttered them, "When they come and ask?"
Gratitude flashed through the skinny man's body. Finally, someone who didn't question him and make life more difficult. He noted the stubborn set on the young witch's jaw and smirked slightly. Oh, he liked this girl. Maybe he should- Smith shook away his thoughts. Now was not a good time.
"I dunno. Make something up. You've had to have experience with that, lying to the teachers? With all the running around with that Potter kid, you'd have to be a master at it."
Fury rose up before Hermione realized that her professor had a point, "But wouldn't it be better if we knew the same lie? After all, we wouldn't want people asking and our stories not lining up."
Clever, very clever. "Just say…a spider, hmm? One of those giant spiders was in your hide out, and it came after you. It was crushed in the collapse."
Hermione pursed her lips. She couldn't tell if her respect was growing or if her liking was shrinking. But you couldn't deny this man was quick on his feet. Energy was draining from the teenager's body, and she nodded curtly. "Fine…That's fine with me."
Professor Smith beamed, "Brilliant. Now alright, off to bed. You need strength to recover."
"Not yet. You never told me; what happened?"
Smith's eyes flickered back and forth, studying the young, brilliant witch. He knew she wouldn't take no for an answer. He sighed deeply and ran his long fingers through his hair. The witch was slightly glaring at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Well…The thing, the-the shadow thing. It had got ahold of you." The memory flashed behind the professor's eyes, and he recalled how utterly terrified he had been, seeing that thing squeezing the life out of his student.
Professor Smith swallowed, "And I rushed over and…got my wand out. The creature apparently doesn't like light, so when I lit the tip of my wand it just vanished, gone with the wind."
After he had gotten rid of it, the woods had been too quiet. Smith remembered his hearts pounding in his chest. The feeling of dread when he saw Hermione crash to the forest floor nearly killed him. With Miss Granger in his arms, he sprinted. Faster and faster until he stumbled into the hospital wing. It seemed like a lifetime before Madam Pomfrey announced that the young witch would be okay. Professor Smith had sat in the bed next to his student's for hours. Waiting for those nightmares to finally wake her up. No one could imagine the relief that had coursed through his veins when the witch threatened him with her wand.
Hermione believed him. It made sense, that a shadow would be terrified of the light. The witch glanced at his coat, where she knew his "wand" was kept. She was positive that there was no such thing as a metal wand, and Smith knew that too. She raised her eyebrows slightly, but then she sighed. What would be the point in arguing? She was safe now, it really made no difference.
Smith was grateful when she didn't bring up his lie. That would've just made things more complicated. The teenager pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead, "Okay, but what was that thing? I've never…read, seen or even heard about a creature like this before."
"Neither have I." Smith admitted.
The witch looked up at him. Now that, she didn't believe. True, he might not know exactly what the thing was. But Hermione was certain that he had an idea. There was too much knowledge and experience buried in those deep, brown eyes, there was no way Smith didn't have a theory.
"Sure. But I have a strong feeling that you have an idea."
Smith smirked, enjoying this girl's cleverness. He pushed himself away from the bed and slipped his hands into his coat pocket. "Okay, yeah. I have an idea. But not one that I want to worry your clever, little head with."
Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Professor Smith cut across her, "Now Miss Granger, really. Do you think there's any point in arguing with your teacher? It'll just frustrate us both. Now, go to sleep."
"You don't think I can handle it." It wasn't a question. Hermione felt rage boil in her stomach. So many insults and arguments floated to the surface that she had trouble holding them back.
"No." Professor Smith looked down at her, not with pity or with the air of looking upon a younger, stupider individual. But with the gaze of worry and understanding. "I don't think that at all. I think you could understand it better than I could, with your brain. No, Miss Granger, I don't think that you can't handle it. I think that you shouldn't worry about this. After all, you've had enough trouble for a lifetime, haven't you?"
The witch was shocked. That was not the answer the teenager expected, not in the slightest. Hermione looked up at her advisor with some respect, "Maybe I have had enough trouble for a lifetime. But that doesn't mean life is done giving me trouble to deal with."
Professor Smith grinned, "That I respect and completely understand. But now, Miss Granger, no more on the subject. You need sleep."
Hermione didn't bother arguing. Her eyes were itchy with exhaustion. The witch waved her hand once more, and the lanterns dimmed. She straightened her pillow and heard her teacher walking towards the door.
"Oh, one more thing," Hermione turned her bushy head, her eyebrows raised, "Five points from Gryffindor."
The teenage witch's mouth fell open. She had lost points for her house before, sure. More than she could count, to be honest. But what in God's name had she done to lose a mere five points?
"But-but what did I do?" Hermione never usually questioned a teacher, but she was completely baffled.
Professor Smith was still smiling, so the witch knew that there was really no harm done, "Well of course Miss Granger, you disobeyed me. I had told you to stay put when you didn't."
"And in return I had saved your life." She was grinning desperately at this impossible man.
"And thank you for that, Miss Granger." Smith was leaning against the wooden doors, one hand on the knob. "But that doesn't change the fact. Five points. Now, nighty-night, don't let the Daleks bite."
He opened the door and whisked out of sight, his coat flying out behind him. Hermione sat there in the near darkness for a few minutes. What in Merlin's name is a Dalek?
...
Smith was back in the forest. His "wand" was pointed in front of him, lighting the somewhat worn path. Thoughts were clouding his mind. Possibilities, scenarios, questions and plausible answers came and went. But nothing stuck out, nothing connected. His mind was so muddled that he kept tripping over sticks and getting his coat caught in bushes. Bloody forest, he thought angrily as he detached himself from a few spare branches.
Within a few minutes, Professor Smith arrived home. He tucked his trusty screwdriver into his pocket, looking left and right as he did so. He dug his key out his pocket, straining his ears for the slightest noise. Smith scanned his surroundings one more time before unlocking his home. The rickety, old door swung open, and he stepped inside.
He threw his coat to the side where it landed perfectly on one of the wavy columns. He strode to the console and began typing furiously. His nimble hands flew over the buttons, and his black glasses rested on his nose. His mind was whirling, trying to comprehend the data on the screen. Footsteps reached his trained ears, and he looked to his left at his wonderful companion.
"Donna." He said happily, grinning at his friend's wild hair and annoyed expression, "Sleep well?"
"Not with you tappin' away at this hour." Donna Noble rubbed at her eyes and went to go stand next to her friend, "What's all this about?"
Smith looked over at Donna. The red-head had a robe wrapped tightly around her body, and pink slippers covered her feet. He took in the bruises under her eyes and the ruffled state of her night wear. He hadn't meant to wake her up. Guilt flashed through the man's body. But it didn't really matter anymore, did it? And he knew that Donna wasn't going to go back to sleep until she had an explanation.
Smith leaned against the console, his back to the computer. The professor looked at his wonderful companion, guilt shining in his eyes. He took a breath, "Our brilliant Miss Hermione Granger had an accident last night."
Donna's mouth dropped open slightly, her eyes brimming with shock and compassion, "Oh my God, what happened? Is she hurt? When was this? And you didn't even think to call me? What the hell is this nonsense? Don't need me anymore do ya?"
Smith never had a chance to answer any of her questions; she was rattling them off so quickly. The red-head's hands were placed firmly on her hips, aggravation etched on her face. "Doctor, tell me what happened."
"Well, I could do that if you'd shut it for a second." Spat the Doctor. Immediately, guilt churned in his stomach. He hadn't meant to snap at his brilliant friend, but what happened to Miss Granger frightened him to the bone. And he didn't like being frightened.
"Doctor," Donna took a few steps forward and placed a hand on his forearm. Her brown eyes were full of understanding, "What happened to Hermione?"
The time-lord sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. His mind flashed back to three months ago, where this all began. The message on his psychic paper, the exploration for the hidden world, preparing to become a teacher for God knows how long, the lies he and Donna spent rehearsing until it was etched into their minds, walking into this brilliant place to apply for the job, and finally, getting accepted. All of it seemed so long ago, but only just yesterday at the same time. The Doctor swatted away his memories, and he began Hermione's tale, not straying away from anything.
Donna was silent for a second. She had the knuckle of her pointer finger pressed against her lips. She removed her hand, "'Don't let the Daleks bite? ' Really Spaceman? Are you daft? You know-"
"Yes, but I'd rather Miss Granger worry about what a Dalek is rather than my sonic screwdriver, which I know she's suspicious of." He loosened his tie, "Besides, I know she thinks I'm insane anyway; random, nonsense words aren't going to affect her."
Donna rolled her eyes but didn't counteract him. The companion rubbed at her forehead, thinking. "So, you honestly don't know what that thing was."
"No." The time lord said truthfully. He turned around and pulled the monitor towards them. "And I've been looking everywhere. In my memories, in the TARDIS database. But nothing. No sign of a gruesome shadow that doesn't have a face."
He pushed away the computer, disgusted. It was really worrying him. What in God's name could it be? He had ran across plenty of new creatures, but none that ever stumped him like this before.
"It couldn't be…a creature from their world could it Doctor?" Donna's tone had him glancing over. "You said yourself, this world shouldn't exist. It's not possible. But maybe…maybe it's something impossible from their world, not ours."
The Doctor let this information sink it. She had a very brilliant point. This could be something from Hermione's region, not his. It could be – however impossible- a magical beast that needed slaying. It might not be alien at all. Which is ridiculous of course. The Doctor wasn't even convinced that witches and wizards did exist, despite the evidence in front of him. The old time lord had a few theories up his sleeve about these sorcerers.
But despite all of the debates inside his head, he knew Donna had brought up an important issue. Maybe it was, technically, from their world. An alien that had merged itself in with this part of humanity. That could explain why there was no immediate data on this creature.
"But…" The Doctor drawled thinking aloud, "Hermione confessed that she had never heard of such a creature. And, Donna, you know our Miss Granger. She…is…brilliant. If she hasn't heard of this…thing, whatever it is, we know that it isn't very common."
Donna's head was slowly nodding, "You're telling me. Half the time I want to tell her to get that bushy head of hers out of her book, but what's the point? She just gets O's anyway."
The Doctor smiled wide, "Cleverest witch of her age, wouldn't you say?"
The red-head returned her best friend's contagious grin, "Couldn't've said it better myself."
The smiles slowly faded, and creases appeared between their eyebrows. The night was flying by, and they both knew they needed to get some rest soon. But neither wanted to let the topic drop. Both travelers wanted to find the thing that was responsible for attacking one of their favorite students.
"There's something I didn't say, to either of you." The Doctor looked over his black glasses at his friend, "When the shadow had knocked-out Hermione, and I had scared it away. It looked back for a split second, just a moment. It muttered- Well, you couldn't even call it muttering. It sounded like wind, like a breeze through the leaves...'The witch shall not live.' It said, 'She is not permitted to live.'"
Donna was greatly disturbed by this news, and the Doctor didn't blame her in the slightest. "Why her though?" He wondered, the time lord pushed away from his friend and started pacing around the TARDIS. "Why the grudge? Yes, I understand. You blow up a cave around something; it's going to be angry. But to promise the death upon this girl? That doesn't seem right. Not normal. Miss Granger's too smart to wander back into the forest, and it'll get caught trying to sneak into the castle. So what's it playing at? 'Not permitted to live', what does that mean?"
His brilliant, red-headed companion took in all of this information, slowly processing it. She was use to her Spaceman talking at a million miles an hour and asking unanswerable questions. But this time, it seemed different. Donna felt just as passionate about this mystery as the Doctor did. And she sure as hell was going to find out what did it.
"I dunno Doctor. Orders from something else? Extremely bad chip on its shoulder? We don't have a clue. And standing here all night really isn't going to get us anywhere."
The Doctor's hair was a complete rat's nest from running his hands through it. His wise eyes had a slightly crazed look to them. She could almost see the gears in his head turning, faster and faster, never ceasing. The companion knew that the Doctor would not rest until he had a plausible theory.
Donna gazed upon her friend, love and compassion making her smile warm. "Now, I know you don't want to, but go to sleep. Your thick, brilliant mind needs some rest to create some new theories."
The time lord grinned, "I know you're tired because you are being way too nice to me." The Doctor scanned his monitor again. "You go on ahead. I just want to check a few more things, then I'll be off."
The companion saw right through that lie, but she knew there would be no point in arguing. The Doctor was already typing away, closing himself off so he could think straight. Donna patted her friend's shoulder and made her way to her bedroom.
The Doctor looked up when the muffled footsteps faded away. He glanced at the doorway, and his eyes flickered back to his computer. His fingers had stopped typing. The time lord sighed hugely and swatted the monitor away. Digging his hands in his pocket, the Doctor followed his companion to his own room. To earn the full night's sleep that he so rightly deserves.
...
The next few days were uneventful at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To Hermione's great relief, not many students noticed that she was missing for the rest of the weekend. They all assumed she was hidden in the library somewhere. The teenager was grateful there were no looky-loos peeking into the Hospital Wing. She didn't need the stress of rumors circulating on how she ended up there. It was so much simpler to be hidden behind the white curtains. Although, she started to get more visitors when classes started again. Unable to walk correctly, Madam Pomfrey made Hermione stay in the infirmary until Tuesday night.
But her hospital stay was anything but peaceful. Professor McGonagall stormed into the infirmary two mornings after the incident. Her mouth was in a thin line and her eyes were blazing. Professor Smith and Professor Noble trailed behind her. Madam Pomfrey was cleaning Hermione's wounds when the double doors burst open.
The young witch had jumped, which caused her healer to accidently hit the injury. Hermione cried out gently and grabbed her leg. Tears stung her eyes. She glared up at the person responsible for causing her pain, but the angry look melted from her face when the witch noticed it was the Head of her house and the entire school.
"Now Headmistress." Madam Pomfrey snapped, her hands on her waist. Hermione bit her lip, knowing this wasn't going to end beautifully, "We have talked about this; this is a hospital. My patients need rest. You can-"
"Poppy, really. I understand. Miss Granger needs rest, but we...I need to know what happened. To make sure it never happens again." McGonagall eyes were like steel, and her tone was clipped. No wise woman would counteract her.
The healer's nostrils flared, "Fine, but you are waiting until I bandage Miss Granger's leg. Is that fair?"
"Extremely." The Headmistress's velvet cladded arms crossed over her chest. Her mouth was still extremely thin.
Hermione sat awkwardly in her temporary bed. She was aware on how vulnerable she seemed, wearing a hospital gown, her skin extremely pale with dark bruises sticking out. The teenager didn't care for it. She hated that she glowed with the illusion that she was weak. Hermione knew for a fact that she wasn't. Anyone with common knowledge knew she wasn't.
She could feel her temper rise, but the witch pushed it down. She knew there was no real reason she should feel angry. It was just the stress over the past few days was messing with her emotions. Hermione took a slow breath and watched Madam Pomfrey bandage her leg. The witch automatically answered the questions that were asked, and in no time; her leg was patched up.
"You may interrogate my patient now." Madam Pomfrey scooped up her medical supplies and stormed to her office. Both of the witches in the room smiled slightly, use to the nurse's behavior.
"How are you feeling Miss Granger?" Hermione's eyes flew to her Transfiguration teacher, feeling touched at the genuine concern in her eyes.
The witch sat up straighter, "I'm fine, really. I'll come through, like always. But I suspect that you really want to know why I was out of bounds Saturday evening."
The Headmistress sat on the edge of Hermione's mattress. Her two other visitors stayed where they were, watching the scene carefully. The young witch's eyes flickered to the pair, but then she focused on her professor. Her heart twitched in her chest, Hermione didn't like how calm her advisor was.
"Miss Granger." McGonagall began, her eyes shut, "What in blazes were you thinking? You could've been killed. If Professor Smith hadn't-"
"I'm sorry." Hermione interrupted, surprising both of them. "Do you honestly think I hadn't considered that Professor? What would've happened if I had not been helped? It keeps me up at night, honestly.
"Now, I know there was no excuse for what I did. None at all. And I am dreadfully sorry. And whatever punishment you decide for me, I will accept it without argument."
The Headmistress blinked, slightly shocked. She took in the young girl who had suffered so much already. The witch pursed her lips, "Obviously, there will be punishment. Fifteen points from Gryffindor, and your detention will be on Saturday."
Hermione almost smiled. Weirdly enough, that was a familiar setting to the teenager; detention. She wasn't resentful or angry, she knew she needed to be punished. The witch had broken a rule, it was only fair.
She nodded a few times before speaking, "Okay, that's okay. D'you know which teacher I'll be helping?"
Professor Smith piped up before McGonagall could answer, "Actually, Headmistress, I think I have a few things Miss Granger could do. Couple o' chores here and there."
Hermione's heart fell slightly. It wasn't that she didn't like Smith. She just hated not being able to get a read on this strange, skinny man. And detention with him? Who knows where that could lead? She'd probably have to clean his telescopes with a toothbrush or something ridiculous like that.
The witch snapped herself out of her brooding thoughts in time to hear her teacher say, "-good idea to me. Miss Granger?"
"Seems like punishment enough." Hermione said it with a grin, to not offend her Astronomy teacher. And sure enough, he gave her a wolfish grin.
"Very well." The Transfiguration teacher rose, "I will see you in class tomorrow or perhaps," She glanced at the nurse's office, "Wednesday."
"Professor, wait." Hermione called out when McGonagall started to stride towards the doors, "What did we do in class today?"
"Nothing actually. Reviewed our newest spell. What?" She questioned when the surprised, confused look colored the student's face, "It wouldn't've been wise to start the next lesson without the only witch who would succeed."
Hermione felt herself go red. She grinned sheepishly, "Why thank you Professor McGonagall."
The Headmistress grinned and slid behind the doors. It took a few moments to realize the witch still had two visitors. Hermione adjusted her blankets, feeling the awkwardness in the air thicken. When she realized they weren't about to leave, she looked up at them.
"What about you two? What did we do in class today?"
The pair of friends glanced at each other and then back at their student. They had similar expressions on their face, and Hermione could tell that they, like her, were sleep deprived. The teenager raised her eyebrow, waiting.
"Not that it had anything to do with you being gone," Professor Noble stated, her arms crossed over her chest, "But we just, er, went over some curses."
Smith was trying not to smile, "Coincidently, all we did is review too. Not," He waved his hand at the young witch, "That it had anything to do with you of course."
Hermione grinned wide, "I wouldn't dream of it."
The three of them laughed together, and Hermione found it a bit strange. To connect with teachers like that. Sure, they did have a power of authority. But it didn't feel like they wanted to dictate, those two. They had the air of friendship, and they weren't afraid to make real connections with their students. It wasn't something the witch was used to, but Hermione couldn't say that she didn't like it.
When the laughter died away, Smith glanced at Madam Pomfrey's office. Professor Noble sat on her student's bed and examined the bruises and cuts marking her otherwise flawless skin. The teenager's eyes were exhausted. Donna's heart clenched painfully. She wanted to offer Hermione tea, but there wasn't any available.
"How're you Miss Granger, really?" Noble's eyes shone with concern, and Hermione felt very touched. She struggled internally for a minute, trying to decide what exactly to say. She didn't like seeming weak, and she really hated complaining. The witch faltered under her advisor's gaze. She took a deep breath, staring at her knees.
"Fine really…can't walk for a long period of time, but Madam Pomfrey will do her magic and that'll change. Headaches come and go, hurts to swallow. But I'm okay."
She didn't remove her eyes from her knees until a hand cupped her chin. Her head was steered upwards, and Professor Smith's brown eyes bore into hers. He had the joined the two women, and now the three of them were huddled on Hermione's bed. His forehead was crinkled in concentration, and his eyes were pinched with worry.
"Miss Granger," He whispered, "How are you feeling? Really?"
The teenager's eyes flickered back and forth between the two of them. This pair was really unusual, for teachers. Never had she seen such compassion from a superior, except maybe Remus. It drove her mad. They acted like parents, or best friends. Hermione wished they would behave like McGonagall did, it be easier for her head. But deep down, she was extremely grateful; it was nice to know she wasn't completely alone at Hogwarts.
Hermione sighed and rubbed her forehead. Her teachers waited patiently for her answer. "Frustrated," she confessed, "I'm falling behind on my work. I'll never finish my essays. At this rate, I won't sleep for a week."
She caught the couple looking away from each other and smiling. The witch put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. Smith's grin melted off of his face. He coughed into his fist, "Sorry, continue."
Hermione rolled her eyes, exasperated but strangely happy. She pushed back her bushy hair, "Like I said, I'm fine. I've been hurt before, I'll heal. It's no big deal."
And really, it wasn't. Hermione knew how to let her body and healer do the work. There wasn't much she could do besides not putting strain on herself. She wasn't lying when the witch said her injuries weren't bothering her. True, the pain was annoying. But it could've been a whole lot worse, if Smith hadn't of been there. The teenager was grateful she wasn't injured more. She was okay, she felt fine. But when the sun went down; that wasn't the case.
The teenager was telling the truth when she said the incident haunted her at night. The…thing, whatever it had been, was keeping her up when she tried to go to bed. It plagued her dreams and woke her up in the middle of the night. The witch hated how helpless that creature had made her. Hermione despised how fast her heart would pound when she would recall what happened that night. She loathed the crushing fear that would weigh on her chest when she thought what might've happened if Smith hadn't helped her. But she knew there was nothing she could really do about it now. It was over.
Hopefully.
Smith could practically see the wheels turning in the brilliant girl's mind. He believed her, when she said she could handle it. It was obvious the witch had been injured before and quite often. And the teacher hated that. No one, especially a child, should have to suffer like Hermione has. No one should bear scares on their arms and pain in their past. Miss Granger was a magnificent woman, that much was obvious. She should have been spending her last year at Hogwarts cramming for her N.E.W.T.S and drinking Butterbeer in Hogsmeade, not sitting in a hospital bed with a gash in her leg and nightmares sabotaging her sleep.
Donna was waiting for her friend to speak, knowing he would say the right thing. Smith's eyes were filled with compassion and worry. He took a deep breath before he started talking.
"They're just dreams Hermione, I hope you know that." The sorceress's head shot up, and she stared at her teacher, her eyebrows furrowing. "Nothing more than horrible dreams plaguing your brilliant mind. I'm sorry that this happened to you. I'm so, so sorry. But I promise that I will find what ever did this to you. I will not let it hurt you again."
Hermione wanted to protest that she could take care of herself, but she didn't feel the need to. It was nice, having someone look out for her. To make sure that she stayed safe. The witch imagined not having to worry about this beast any longer. She visualized sitting in the Common Room, reading a book, not worrying about Hogwarts, like a normal student for a change. It seemed almost impossible, to sit back and let someone solve the mystery for once.
But she couldn't. The teenager was too stubborn and too curious to not know what left the bruises on her neck. Hermione vowed to find out what happened in the woods that night, some way or another.
"But this is urgent," Smith was saying, his hand making a slight O, "And I mean this Miss Granger. Do not get involved, please. I can handle this, and I do not want you getting hurt. You've had enough pain for a lifetime. And if I'm right about these things, which I usually am, this is unlike anything you've ever come across. So please, please, stay away from this."
She didn't get angry. It would be nice, to sit back and relax. And she so desperately wanted to. But how could she? With years of meddling and researching, it just came natural. Hermione wanted to know what that thing was, and she wasn't going to let a skinny little man stop her.
"What do you mean, unlike anything I've ever come across?" The witch asked after a moment, "Believe it or not Professor, I've seen plenty of things."
Smith's eyes saddened for a moment at that comment. He quickly licked his bottom lip and straightened slightly, "I know that, believe me I do. But I'm more experienced in certain areas."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and glanced at Professor Noble. The redhead was smirking, but other than that; she was completely calm. She believed and agreed with every syllable that came out of her friend's mouth. The witch looked down at her hands, thoughts clouding her mind.
Wouldn't it be great? To let Smith take over. To step aside and let someone else investigate whatever's happening at Hogwarts. She could sit in the Common Room with all of her fellow Gryffindors. The teenager could laugh along with her friends and study for her tests. For once in her Hogwarts career, she could be a normal student. Hermione Granger could just be part of the crowd. As impossible and amazing as that seemed, she couldn't. She couldn't just not meddle, it was in her blood. Besides, Harry would be horrified if she didn't try to solve this problem. Her eyes flickered back and forth between her, for lack of a better word, friends.
"I don't know what you want me to say." The witch confessed. She pressed the palm of her hand against her forehead, wanting the pounding in her head to disappear.
Smith knew how she was struggling to obey him, to not interfere. But she had to. He couldn't be responsible for another death, he just couldn't. The teacher ran his hand through his hair. Why? Why of all the students it had to be this one? The cleverest. The most curious. Why couldn't it be some first-year that would listen him no matter what? Because life was difficult, no other reason.
Hermione waited for a response patiently. Smith looked at his friend before stating, "I need you to say, 'Of course, Professor Smith. I'll do whatever you ask, because I would hate to make your life difficult and put mine in danger.'"
The witch was only slightly taken aback. She took a breath, straightening her back. The teachers both raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Professor Smith. I'll do whatever you ask, because I would hate to make your life difficult and put mine in danger." She imitated him perfectly, stressing each word that he did and even copied his accent. The witch had to hold back her grin.
Smith smiled ever so slightly, shaking his head. He glanced at his friend's sassy grin, and he looked down at his student. All the amusement was gone from his face, and his eyes were serious. "Miss Granger, I mean it. Please keep yourself safe."
Hermione swallowed back several arguments and excuses. The witch glanced at Professor Noble and sighed inaudibly. Smith raised an eyebrow, waiting for his student's response. Her eyes slid in and out of focus. The witch bit her bottom lip, thinking about what to say.
The teenager looked up from her hands and locked eyes with her superior. She tilted her head slightly, "For now."