Chapter four
Dumbledore swept into the mediwing his grey eyes landing on the small crowd around one bed. Moving with large silent steps that he stood behind Ron and peered over the young boys shoulder to see Hermione wrapped in a large sheet clutching Harry's hand while he sat by her side never lifting his green eyes from her face.
"Professor Snape" Dumbledore let out in an all most whisper but the room was filled with a heavy silence that everyone heard it. "Headmaster" Snape greeted recovering quickly from his startle. Ron glanced over his shoulder at the headmaster but sent his eyes straight back to his two best friends.
"Professor Snape may I ask why young Ms Granger is sleeping" "she isn't headmaster… in fact she passed out and when Madam Pomfrey healed her wounds she gave Ms Granger a dreamless sleep potion" Snape stated matter of factly causing the headmaster to think over his words then nod before looking at Harry and Ron "and why may I ask you two are doing here" Dumbledore questioned as Ron looked at him as Harry refused to look away from Hermione.
"We want to wait until Hermione wakes up… she was bleeding" Ron informed the older wizard but Dumbledore now rested his eyes solely on Harry and his intense stare on Hermione as though he was oblivious to everything.
"Very well Mr Weasley… you can return your dorm now, Ms Granger will be moved to her dorm too" Dumbledore declared just as Madam Pomfrey walked over to them "I absolutely forbid it the poor girl arrived with a rather large cut to her side and three broken ribs… I have no idea how this happened and until it is explained and I'm satisfied as nurse to this school I refuse to allow this girl to leave this room" Madam Pomfrey would make McGonniecal proud at the stern look she was shooting the headmaster.
"Ah Professor Snape has been upholding to his word… I thank you Servus as no doubt Ms Granger will do but I believe we must explain something this night… to madam Pomfrey and these two young men who will no doubt not leave her side" Dumbledore ordered as Snape nodded then quietly took Madam Pomfrey to one side and began to explain fully what was happening.
Ron however looked questionably at Dumbledore who stared at Harry "professor" but Dumbledore held his hand up to cut off Ron's question then smiled at the red head "all in good time Mr Weasley… Harry perhaps you wouldn't mind carrying Hermione back to her dorm, I'm an old man and I believe Mr Weasley is very light fingered" Dumbledore's sparkling glint glistened in his eyes as Ron blushed and Harry only nodded before scooping Hermione up in her arms without any sign of discomfort, Madam Pomfrey and Snape returned to them at that moment and Ron nor Harry couldn't miss the look of worry spread across her features.
"Who will be staying with her tonight" Madam Pomfrey questioned as Dumbledore smiled slightly "my self, Professor Snape needs his rest" Dumbledore said this lightly but none could miss the firm tone.
"And Mr Potter and Mr Weasley shall also be watching over Ms Granger tonight… for I believe we have much to discuss" Dumbledore declared before lightly monition for Harry to continue to walk. And with one last nod to the nurse and the potions professor Dumbledore and Ron followed behind Harry.
Ron and Harry had taken to pacing the Gryffindor common room while Dumbledore studied a box of left over Bertie Bots every flavoured bean, at the moment wondering wither he should risk upsetting his taste buds. However the two third years had something completely else on their minds. Like how the hell their best friend ended up with three broken ribs and large and deep cut to her side.
They also wanted to demand answers from their headmaster but neither had thought that far ahead as they crossed each other once more.
"Did I tell you of the time I ate a bean that tasted of Ear wax" Dumbledore questioned as a sparkle lit up his eyes bringing both boys to come to a crashing stop and look at him and it was Harry that snapped first "what happened professor" Harry demanded making Dumbledore look at him with a small smile "well you see I wasn't much older then you when a young student" "not with the beans with Hermione… why have you and Snape been protecting her" Harry snapped as Dumbledore smiled even more "I know what you were asking Harry but it isn't my place to say…Ms Granger has a rather large burden that she believed she could keep from you and Mr Weasley here, but of course the path of Fate does not always run the way we wish, though we may have different views on you being informed I must respect Ms Granger's wishes and wait for her next actions… you know more then you did when term began" Dumbledore shot them both a knowing look which left Harry and Ron to duck their heads as though they had been given a good lecture.
Dumbledore of course let a small laugh to slip before he stood and stretched his legs "I believe I have some rather good fire whiskey hidden somewhere close to here… I believe an explanation is in order… I shall be back when my part of the story is required" Dumbledore declared before he turned and quickly moved to the portrait hole and climbed out. Harry and Ron both threw each other a glance before they heard a small cough and they spun round to see Hermione looking more drained and more likely to drop on the spot.
"Hermione" Harry started but Hermione shot him a look "come on up here" Hermione ordered as both boys went to step forward but looked questionable at the stairs they had never been up to the girls dorm rooms before "it's ok really… please just hurry up" Hermione pleaded before both boys quickly raced up the stairs and straight into Hermione's room. They found themselves standing in a rather large red and gold room that held a large four poster bed, a grand floor to ceiling closet that took up three quarters of one of the walls. A large open window stepped out on to a balcony. A vanity desk sat beside the window with an oval mirror while a large mirror sat beside it. A door leading to a private bathroom sat opposite the bed room door and though both boys would no doubt go to investigate later they instead head over to the only seat available apart from the bed. Ron had somehow managed to squirm into the seat before Harry who was forced to sit on the edge of the bed along side a now shivering Hermione.
No one spoke for a few moments instead all that could be heard was Crookshanks purring loudly from the head of the bed. After returning from the mediwing Dumbledore had levitate Hermione to her room.
"I suppose Dumbledore is waiting for me to explain all this to you two" Hermione mumbled in a broken voice while Harry and Ron looked at each other "'Mione" Ron started but stopped when Hermione looked at him with tears glistening in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry I should have told you s-s-sooner but I just c-c-couldn't" Hermione almost wailed before dragging her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs burying her face into her knees. Harry quickly snaked his arms around her and pulled her gently against him, her shoulders were trembling while sobs caught in her throat.
Ron looked on helpless before he dragged the chair across the room to the bed and lent forward so he was near enough resting on the bed "'Mione you take as long as you need" Ron ordered before there was loud sniffling and Hermione finally looked up nodding. She wiped away the tears and much to Harry's dislike she moved away from his arms and held her self.
"I've been having nightmares" Hermione started rubbing at her eyes "'Mione your joking right those- I mean what happened that's more then a nightmare" Ron blurted out causing Harry to shot him a look while Hermione sniffled back the next set of tears. Seeing this Harry shot an arm around Hermione's shoulders "s-sorry I didn't mean it like that… 'Mione I didn't mean to make you to cry" Ron spluttered causing Hermione to wipe her tears away once more and shake her head "you didn't Ron… at least I know you didn't mean what you said it's just… oh my I should really start from the beginning" Hermione stated before taking a deep breath and lent slightly into Harry's side for support "well you see it started after the end of term, I thought I was just having bad dreams about Voldermort and seeing as I was petrified I thought it was a rational reaction, these went on for a few weeks before it happened… the nightmares always seemed real to me but I would never admit it… it was two weeks since I started to have the nightmares that h-he g-g-got physical" Hermione said the last words brokenly, tears spilling down her cheeks before Harry tighten his arm around her and even Ron quickly placed a comforting hand on her knee "what did the bastard do" Harry demanded his tone emotionless.
Hermione shot her brown eyes to him then to Ron and understood what they must have thought "I don't mean t-that, he did-didn't do that- he just hit me, around the face and when I woke up I had a split lip and rather nasty looking bruise" Hermione stumbled to explain seeing a slight relief on both boys faces.
"Slowly over time I think in my mind I gave him power and he used it, I was so scared to go to sleep that in the end I gave up on sleeping… which turned to not eating or talking or much else really. After about three weeks of this I passed out one day and instantly my mind was flooded by him… I nearly died, he-he nearly killed me but he also found out something more horrible- he was so mad that he summoned up images of my parents, Ron's parents, my favourite teachers here until he finally found something that almost broke me" Hermione didn't attempt to stop the new onslaught of tears instead she focused on her knee to avoid looking at her best friends "he used both of you and Ginny… each time he k-killed y-yo" Hermione gave a strangled sob buried her head into Harry's shoulder before he shot Ron a look who had gone white as one of the ghosts wondering the corridors.
"It's ok Hermione, really it's was just nightmares" Hermione sprung up and stared at Ron "their not… after I passed out the doctors at a local hospital said I nearly had a heart attack… my fear of watching everyone I love die nearly ripped my heart apart Ron and Voldermort knew that… every time I closed my eyes he trapped me in my personal hell, Dumbledore was called and he could only do so much of course at the time, my parents didn't even wish for me to return to Hogwarts but Dumbledore convinced them because this is only the place that I can be protected" Hermione exclaimed as Ron slunk backwards in his chair and glanced at Harry who also moved slightly away from Hermione.
"So what your saying" "what I'm saying Ronald is that Voldermort has some how made a connection with mind, Dumbledore has figured that in his weaken state Voldermort hasn't the power to control me whilst I'm awake but once most of my control slips while I sleep he can break through where some how my mind gives him power he uses against me… like tonight but tonight, well something strange happened" Hermione stated as she furrowed her brow "what" Ron questioned while Harry moodily glared at the floor "he took my wand like he always does but there was something else… Crookshanks was there as well as that large black dog and when Voldermort tried to kill Harry this light shot out and protected him" Hermione stated before glancing up.
"Black dog… what like a grim" Ron questioned as Hermione frowned "the only lesson you don't like Hermione" Ron stated as Hermione snorted and for a moment she looked like the old Hermione but then the darken circles appeared beneath her eyes and she seemed drained once more.
"Harry had one of those when I was reading his tea leaves… maybe you were having a sorter vision" Ron offered but Hermione gave him a dark look "no I wasn't… because I don't believe in any of that stuff…but Voldermort didn't expect either, he was just as shocked as I was when I cast the spell that's why he didn't hit me full on the first time he cut me" Hermione stated as her hand darted to her side for a moment but only felt stiffness there but no wound she slumped back onto the bed and sighed.
"So why he doing this now… I mean Dumbledore must have a clue" Ron questioned as Hermione thought about how to answer but Harry snapped and jumped from his spot "it's because of me… it's my fault that Voldermort is coming after you and it's my fault that you nearly died… twice" Harry declared loudly making Ron jump and Hermione visible flinch backwards her eyes widening. Ron shot his hand out and patted her leg reassuringly.
"Harry this has nothing" "of course it does… I mean if you weren't friends with the Damn boy who lived then you wouldn't be on Voldermort's list of people to hurt… this was always my fight with him not yours nor Ron's but I still dragged you into this" Harry almost bellowed causing Hermione to get to her feet and give a stern expression or as stern as a girl who hadn't gotten a good nights rest in over three months could give.
"DON'T YOUR DARE BLAME YOUR SELF HARRY JAMES POTTER" Hermione exclaimed causing Ron to winch at the sound however Harry stood unmoved staring at Hermione "first of all I believe Ron will agree when I say we have our own minds and that we were never dragged in to this" Hermione stated as Ron nodded "she's right mate" he added causing Hermione straighten her shoulders.
"Second of all did you actually go to Voldermort and tell him that he should enter my mind during sleep and fill them with nightmares? Did you tell him to attack me whilst in my dream state? Did you give him the bloody idea to kill my friends in each nightmare" Hermione demanded and slowly Harry lowered his eyes and shook his head "no" he mumbled but Hermione heard him "well then how can you come to the conclusion that this is in any way your fault" Hermione demanded gaining some colour to her cheeks.
Harry slowly and grudgingly lifted his eyes to hers and sighed "I suppose it's not my fault really" "good at least we agree on that… look Harry I didn't want to tell you any of this because I knew you would blame your self when I know this had nothing to do with you…and you've got enough to worry about with Voldermort" Hermione told him firmly causing Harry to soften and sigh "Hermione you don't have to ever worry about that… it's for me to worry about but you can always talk to me about anything" Harry ordered as Hermione beamed at him slightly before Ron stood "yeah me too 'Mione, just not the really girly stuff" with that last part Ron scrunched his nose up making both Harry and Hermione chuckle before Ron scratched the back of his head "guess this means I've got to be nice even if that fluff ball chases Scabbers" Ron questioned while Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry smile lightly.
Crookshanks upon hearing his name stood and stretched before padding towards the edge of the bed and jumped down gracefully. Throwing Ron a withering look he quickly padded from the room leaving Ron to frown then jolt "damn cat's going after my rat" Ron almost bellowed before chasing after the creature leaving Harry and Hermione to smile brightly.
"You should go after him Harry… Crookshanks will scratch him to pieces" Hermione ordered as Harry studied his best friend. She seemed like her old self now, even a little colour had returned to her cheeks. Rubbing his hand against the back of his neck and lowered his glaze "I-I'm really 'appy that your ok Hermione" Harry stated making Hermione to blink as though she remembered he was there "oh" "but just promise me something" Harry cut her off quickly flickering his eyes back to hers "I will tell you things I promise Harry" Hermione declared but Harry flushed for a second before shaking his head "no… well not just that, I need you to promise me to never ask that-that again what you a-asked before" Harry all but stuttered. Hermione frowned and racked her memory for she might have asked and Harry noticed because he stepped forward and fiddled with his shirt.
"You asked me and Snape to end it… make the pain go away, Hermione I don't… I can't lose another person I love… n-n-not to Voldermort" Harry stated firmly this time not looking away as though to make sure Hermione understood what he was saying. Hermione felt the tears glistening in her eyes as she remembered her own words but her throat constricted so much that she could only nod. Harry seemed happy enough with that and went to follow Ron but an idea popped into his head. And with only a seekers speed he spun and pressed his lips against her still pale cheek, he added a little more presser before pulling back and almost racing from the room closing the door behind him leaving Hermione completely shell shocked for a moment before a small smile touched her lips and a small burden lifted from her shoulders.
Hope you like it... now on to the next chapter, Voldermorts plotting and Harry's lighting up. of course read and review, it's the only way to learn.