This chapter is longer then usual, but it needs to be. There is a lot of drama this chapter, I hope you all enjoy reading it; please read and review. Let me know what you think? =)
Chapter four - Just Like You?
It had been a month since Hermione had started to shadow Madam Pomfrey on the hospital wing, she had learnt a lot from shadowing Madam Pomfrey; she had learnt a vary of different healing spells and how to use cooling charms furthermore she learnt how to create some of the more complex healing potions. Hermione on her own whim had been visiting the hospital wing every night the past two weeks; even if Madam Pomfrey had not required her help, Hermione was very eager to learn more about Medical Magic Healing. She had become very close with Madam Pomfrey and the one of the portraits; who was former headmistress and healer, Dilys Derwent, they had all became reasonable good friends. Hermione had learnt to trust both of them; she spent almost every break-time, lunch-time...well any spare time she had left outside of her classes. She had barely seen Harry or Ron lately because even in her lessons she had one focus; that was to study and work hard. She had even spoken more words to Snape over the last month than she had to Harry and Ron; her and Snape had been getting on rather well- with him teaching her the more advanced potions. They both had completed The Draught of the Living Potion; after letting it mature, now they had moved on to create the Felix Felicis potion – it could also be known as the 'Liquid Luck' Potion. She particularly began to enjoy Professor Snape's company; on his own, outside of lessons, he was less... less of a bastard, he seemed to be more comfortable and Hermione began to see the real Severus Snape – his high built up walls were slowly crumbling away. The real Professor Severus Snape had a sheer passion for creating potions; she could see how he got lost in the whole enigma of constructing a potion. His eyes always seemed to be a lot softer when he was stirring a cauldron, his facial expression was more relaxed also a gentler; he looked a lot younger and care free when he was creating a potion. Hermione began to smile as she thought of his expression being soft and gentle; she was kicked into reality as she realised she was sat at the breakfast table and she was staring over in Professor Snape's direction. Her staring had not gone unnoticed by Professor Snape; he was now impassively scowling at her, through the long distance spacing of the Gryffindor table and the teacher's table. Hermione had to hold a laugh in as she saw his scowl she quickly turned away to look at Harry and Ron.
"You know Hermione, sometimes I worry about you. You have been staring at Snape for the last five minutes; are you feeling okay?" Ron mockingly spoke, this earned him an evil glare from Hermione; things were still slightly awkward between them – but the silence (or to some it could be considered ignorance) it had helped patch things between them.
"Sorry I believe I am suffering from something called You-are-an-idiot-Ron-itus, it can be a very contagious disease among the less intelligent," Hermione sarcastically spoke, and then curtly added. "I was daydreaming – clearly Ron," She rolled her eyes at him and focused her attention on trying to eat; she was not really hungry so she pushed her food to one side and headed out of the Great Hall. Hermione was going to collect her school bag containing all her books that she needed for today's lessons. Just as she was turning into the corridor she caught a glimpse of a bleach-blonde haired, smartly dressed, cavalier Slytherin male of course, it could only be one person and that was Draco Malfoy. Draco had recently joined the Death Eaters, this had him more ruthlessly try to eliminate any Mud-blood he knew of; he already had despised Muggles enough. But him joining Lord Voldemort's side gave him more power, more opportunity and the company of other Death Eaters that only believed Pure-blood's should have the magical capabilities. Draco began to manically laugh; an evil devious laugh. Crabbe and Goyle appeared from nowhere. Hermione began to panic seeing all three of them; she backed herself against the grey stone wall and shakily reached a hand inside her robe, to pull out her brown walnut wood wand out. Her hand was shaky that she dropped the wand on the stone flooring, it made a small sound when hitting into contact with the floor. Draco's smile grew wider.
"Well, well, the Mud-blood has dropped her wand. This should be simple fight boys; I think we should use the Stinging Jink on her? As if our previous warnings have not been enough to deter the Mud-blood away," Draco said in a tone that was full of venom, the boys both sniggered as a response. Draco lifted his wand, rising in front of Hermione's stomach. He muttered a few words and the end of his turned white; Hermione clutched her stomach it began to feel as if someone was burning her skin all over. Hermione dropped to the floor curling into a small ball trying to reduce some of the burning pain she was feeling all over her skin. Her skin started to swell becoming puffy, as if she was now suffering from an allergic reaction, her breathing became shallow as her throat felt as if it was tightening and closing up. Hermione tried to open her mouth and scream but no sound came out, she bit her lip trying to hold in the pain, she knew that the Stinging Jinx left a burning raised mark on the flesh of its victim; she would have one on her stomach. Hermione began to choke as her throat tightened more. Draco raised his wand again and whispered: "Ossio Dispersimus," The wand had been pointed to her arm; Hermione tried lifting her right arm, it curved as if it were made from rubber. Draco had used a spell that was meant for healing but instead he had used it to harm Hermione – the spell had removed the bones that were usually located in her right arm.
"Right boys, it is your turn to get the dirty little Mug-Blood, show her she is not welcome in our world! Show her that only Pure-Bloods should be in the magic world," Draco ordered in a shouting tone. Crabbe and Goyle responded by firstly rolling up their sleeves. Goyle swiftly gave Hermione a kick in the ribs, making her near scream in agony; she had never been physically attacked like this – she had received a lot of bullying for her intelligence. But she had never been physically attacked like this – sure, Draco had started making the threats but she never thought he was capable of this. She was pretty sure Goyle had managed to at least fracture one of her ribs. Crabbe began to join in physically assaulting Hermione; he punched her in her eye. Hermione was far too weak from the Sting Jinx to even consider fighting back so she just laid there taking each punch or kick; as if she were a punch bag.
"Boys...boys scarper, the dirty Mud-blood will hopefully over learnt her lesson. We need to get away I here someone coming," Draco spoke slightly panicky, he began to run down towards the head quarters of where the Slytherin tower lay; Crabbe and Goyle followed being a little slower than Draco.
Hermione was left in the corridor not far from the Great Hall, she was punched up in the tightest ball she could, also her nails were digging into her skin as she shook and fought for her breath. The Stinging Jinx had really begun to grow in strength in the last few minutes, her head began pounding and she felt as if she was now unable to breathe. The footsteps of a person approached closer to her, the sound was muffled she struggled to hear anything that was said; she kept her eyes shut as her right eye was hurting from the punch she had received there.
"Hermione... Miss. Granger what has happened to you?" Severus Snape's voice spoke, he shook her shoulder lightly in panic, this made Hermione flinched until she opened her eyes to see it was Professor Snape by her side.
Her right eye was swollen and slightly purple, it was clear she would end up with a black eye. Her skin was all over red, swollen badly and Severus could see that she had been hexed. 'It is the bloody Stinging Jinx – no wonder she is struggling to breathe' Severus thought to himself in a panic. He carefully brushed Hermione's hair off her face and whispered. "I am taking you to Madam Pomfrey, you clearly need medical assistance. I will get to the bottom of what happened late," Severus knelt down, placed his long scarily thin arms under Hermione's body; because Severus was so thin many people presumed he was frail, but this was not the case he was surprisingly very strong and muscular. He lifted Hermione towards his chest carrying her through the castle over the hospital wing; he clambered up the stairs running as fast as he could.
"Poppy, get a bed for Miss. Granger, she has been physically assaulted and had the Stinging Jinx hexed on her. I believe her left arm's bones have been removed; but that is a hunch. She is in a lot of pain and I would suggest a pain reliving potion as well as the Skele-gro Potion to re-grow the bones she is missing; I will go and find that potion for you," Severus informed his friend and colleague with the details. Poppy rushed to grab a bed for Hermione, she wheeled it over to where Snape was standing; Severus relinquished Hermione – placing her carefully on the bed.
"I have no details on how she was attacked, or who did it. I found her lying on the cold castle stones; near the Great Hall. Please hurry, she is struggling for her breathe. I will be back in a moment with the Skele-gro potion," Severus said acidly, he was truly worried for his pupil – he would find who had done this to Hermione; it had clearly been an attack on her simply because she was a Muggle. Severus did not take bullying lightly, after everything he had suffered in his past with James Potter and his vile, vindictive gang. Snape left the hospital wing as fast as he could, he ran into his private store where he pulled out the small bottle then ran through the school halls yet again; he had hit one of the first years as he ran through the corridors at the school. Severus did not stop to apologise, he soon arrived back at the hospital wing. By this time he was out of breath, he was wheezing slightly but in addition he handed Poppy Pomfrey the potion.
"Did you use 'Anapneo' spell to stop her from choking and open her throat?" He questioned Poppy, Poppy glanced at him.
"Of course I have Severus; it is my job to heal. Hermione is in a stable condition, as usual everything you said was right, the poor dear is asleep now, she also has a fracture on a few of her ribs. Looks as if she will be here at least for two days, good job you found her Severus. I will update you on her condition, you had best go inform Minerva or Albus about the injuries she has sustained; also inform them she will not be attending any lesson for at least two days," Poppy informed him.
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It had been a day since Hermione had been assaulted by Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. She had not slept well at all, she was paranoid that they would come and find her again. She was extremely sore, her right arm was aching. 'Who knew growing bones back would be so painful,' Hermione sarcastically thought to herself as she moved her right arm up in the air. She was grateful for Snape finding her, otherwise she could of been there most of the day before anyone realised it.
"Oh, Hermione we just heard what had happened to you. Professor Dumbledore told me," Harry mumbled, he was in utter shock, but at least he had not seen her in that horrific state that she had been in yesterday morning. She was looking a little bruised and pale, but she was a damn sight lot better. Hermione winced as she tried to sit up, she was clutching her stomach. "No it is okay Hermione, do not move. I am not staying long I just wanted to see if you were okay," Harry explained. Hermione had not uttered a word since the incident yesterday, she was too scared to. She blankly looked at Harry before adverting her eyes to look at Madam Pomfrey; the look in Hermione's eyes made it clear she did not want to see Harry. Poppy got the hint and gracefully glided herself over to the bed where Hermione lay.
"Harry, dear I think Miss. Hermione needs her rest; she had been through a lot the last few days. It is best that she rests, could you please leave?" Madam Pomfrey pleaded with Harry politely. Harry nodded "Yes of course, goodbye Hermione. Please get better soon," Harry smiled lightly hiding his worry and he disappeared back to Gryffindor tower. Hermione was relived when he left, Hermione had a few moments to herself before Poppy came to her side and drew the curtains; she placed a silencing charm on the curtains to give them privacy to talk. Poppy leaned against the edge of the white hospital bed sheets.
"Hermione dear, I know that you have been attacked. I do not know any details, I can tell you are very scared about it all and shaken from it. If you want to talk about it all, it could help. It is best I know what happened but you do not have to tell me," Poppy murmured in her soft voice. Hermione met the soft, gentle, warm, blue eyes – that belonged to Poppy. Hermione sat up with a little less pain and opened her mouth to speak.
"I...I was assaulted..." Hermione paused for a long while then added. "I have been a victim of bullying since I cam back to this school – all because of my blood status. Just because I am a Muggle," Hermione reviled, she was shaken and scared, she had been stuttering while speaking. Poppy placed her hand over Hermione's. "Oh, dear Hermione. Who are these awful people doing this to you?" Poppy asked, she was slightly interrogating, she wanted to get to the bottom of this whole fiasco and stop it from ever happening again!
"I cannot tell you... they called me a filthy Mud-blood," She whispered and began to shake, yet again. "Can I please see Professor Snape, I would like to thank him for finding me," Hermione said sort-of asking.
"You cannot go anywhere Hermione. I will send Severus up here so you can thank him, it will probably be later tonight; I am afraid he is busy teaching all day, what I am about to tell you cannot be disclosed to anyone else Hermione, I think you should know a little bit more about your teacher Professor Snape. He understands how you are currently feeling, he has been through this. I think Severus would be a goo person for you to talk to, since you will not to me. Also it may help you understand him more when it comes to you having to heal him," Poppy informed Hermione.
"I promise, I will not speak to anyone about this," Hermione whispered, she was very intrigued to learn more about Professor Snape.
"You know you and Severus Snape are not so different. As much as you believe so, it is a fact at your age Severus Tobias Snape was as smart as you – perhaps even smarter. He was the victim of bullying, his smartness isolated him from the rest of the school really; he would never speak to me about who was bullying him – I doubt he has spoke to anyone but Professor Dumbledore about it all. But anyway, if you look closely on his wrists you will see a few scars, very deep. They were self inflicted – Severus has never had an easy life. He is a very loyal person and you could speak to him about any issue you have; especially with this one. I would urge you to perhaps speak to him, it would do you good." Poppy advised, she had not gone into detail about Severus' past, but she had told Hermione enough so she could learn to trust Severus and speak to him. Poppy moved out of the cubicle and drew the curtains shut leaving Hermione on her own.
When Hermione was left on her own, she curled up in thought of her teacher having such a horrible start to life, the fact that he was so emotionally upset that he would blame himself. He must really loathe himself to have the urge to self-harm. Tears began to fall down over Hermione's porcelain pale cheeks – nobody should have to suffer that kind of pain.
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Hermione was well rested when it came to later that night; she was hoping Snape would be in a reasonable mood so she could have a conversation with him. She had not forgotten what Madam Pomfrey had told her earlier; she was still a little upset if she was honest with herself but pushed it to the back of her mind. It was half past ten before she heard footsteps climbing the stairs to the hospital wing; she smiled a small smile – one that she had not worn in days. She had started to believe that he would not show. She saw the dark cloaked figure, hidden by the shadows of the dark light. The dim candle lit show his face, it was nonetheless, Professor Snape; he showed no expression whatsoever his face blank – and stony as usual.
"Miss. Granger I heard that you requested to see me?" Professor Snape sputtered quizzically; Hermione raised her eyes to meet his own.
"That I did Sir. I just... I just wanted to say...thank-you for finding me," Hermione paused again then quietly mumbled: "I do know where I would be if you had not have found me," Hermione looked down at her hands sighing. With her looking down out at her hands she did not see the faint smile creep of Severus'; he had not been thanked in a long time for any action he had done that was good. He appreciated Hermione's gratefulness.
"Well, Miss. Granger it is not a problem. I am no hero; I did what every noble man would. I could not leave you suffering now Miss. Granger could I? I am not that completely inhumane – as much as you and the rest of the students believe I am, I certainly am not," Snape sneered softly. 'Snape's good mood is back, why can he not just accept my gratitude?' Hermione thought to herself.
"I do not believe you are inhumane in any way Professor, I am grateful for you saving me." Hermione spoke bluntly, slightly annoyed with the ways Snape was reacted with her – but then again he was being his usual self. "You are such a Slytherin!" Hermione hissed in annoyance, she had not meant to say that out loud. Severus let out a small chuckle, and did not respond for a while.
"Well, I can see the normal Granger anger is back in full force. And I am a Slytherin well done Granger," spattered Severus. " I hope to see you in my potions lesson tomorrow morning with you acting this way," He added curtly before turning on his heal and leaving, he stomped downstairs back to his own private quarters.