Chapter 1:
Hermione's wedding to Goyle was right after school began. It was in the Great Hall with a silver and gold theme. Everyone was invited: the students, the staff, the order, the entire Weasley clan, Hermione's family and Goyle's family, and of course, Madam Rosmerta. It was a perfect fairy tale, of course, that was then.
Now that perfect dream had turned into a terrible nightmare. She and Goyle now fought every night. It wasn't always verbal either, sometimes, Goyle got physical, and Hermione had convinced herself that it only happened when he was drinking. In fact, the fights sometimes got so bad, that she had awoken upon the floor where Goyle had knocked her out. Tonight, she had a feeling wasn't going to be any different.
"You think I don't know what you are doing with him, you little whore?" Goyle questioned.
"I'm not doing anything with…" slap.
"Shut up! I am a Slytherin and I know how it works."
"But I am a Gryffindor, I wouldn't do that, I am not like that. Please don't do this," she pleaded.
One blow to the face, then another to her chest, and another to her shoulders, over and over again until her world went dark…
"Miss? Miss?" a distant voice called. Hermione wanted to respond, but there was nothing.
Wrinkles the house elf looked upon Goyle Junior's new wife with deep concern. When she got no initial response, she began to panic. "Wait Miss, Wrinkles will go get Headmaster and Professor McGonagall. Yes, that is Wrinkles' new task."
And with that, the house elf went off to get help.
It was a gorgeous day, yes indeed. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were sitting quietly on the couch in Albus' quarters talking about the little things in life. Suddenly there was a sudden pop behind them.
"What in the world?" Minerva asked as she turned around.
"Wrinkles came to get Headmaster and Professor. Professors need to follow Wrinkles down to the Goyle Quarters. Friend of Harry Potter is in trouble. Friend is sleeping on the floor and won't wake up." Wrinkles explained.
"Which 'friend' are you talking about, Wrinkles?" Albus asked.
"Friend is Hermione Granger of Gryffendor sir."
"What?!" Minerva Screamed. "Where is she?"
"In Miss' new quarters Professor. Wrinkles will show you."
"That won't be necessary Wrinkles thank you." Albus said.
Minerva jumped up in a flash, grabbed her over cloak and was out the door, Albus was one step behind her. The two professors were practically sprinting down the halls till they got to Hermione's quarters that she shared with Goyle Jr.
"Password?" the painted dragon asked when they reached the entrance.
"Passions," Minerva guessed, nothing. The new couple must have changed the password, again.
"Lemon drops, pig's feet," Albus tried. Still nothing. "Look Mulchin, this isn't' a game, Miss… Madam Goyle is in need of our help."
"Oh that changes everything, go on in Headmaster, Minerva," Mulchin replied looking slightly worried.
Minerva was the first one through the portrait hole, and a pretty sight didn't greet her. Minerva's bright pupil, Hermione was sprawled out on the floor. Her face was turned away from them, and half of the fuzz ball that she called hair, was half covering her face. Hermione was dressed in a white set of dress robes from the Halloween ball the night before. Through the thin sleeves you could make out bruises caused by Goyle's hands. As you looked around the room, you would see shattered glass, and items thrown or knocked out of place.
Professor McGonagall hurried over to her star pupil and knelt beside her, she spent no time turning the girl over onto her back. When the transfiguration professor had finished lightly brushing the stray hairs from Hermione's face, her face went from worried to terrified.
"That boy has done it again," a painted wizard sighed.
"What do you mean again?" Minerva asked suspiciously.
"This isn't' the first time that boy has beaten that bright young lady until she had passed out. I stopped counting after ten, but I would estimate that this has happened about fifteen times," the wizard responded.
"WHAT?!" Minerva exclaimed.
"Godric, could you go get Madam Pomfrey and tell her to get up here quick, that it's an emergency?" Albus requested.
Godric Gryffindor nodded as he stood to leave.
"I'll go get Professor Snape," Salazar Slytherin said, "He needs to… give her some potions." He too stood to take his leave.
"Sir Gennex, could you…" Albus began; Severus yelling at the entrance interrupted him. He shook his head and went to go allow admittance to the younger wizard. The second the door was open, the Potions master burst into the room potions in hand.
"Excuse me, Minerva," Snape said in a voice so polite, it was scary. He lightly put himself between his colleague and his student. His stone face softened ever so slightly as he looked upon the innocent girl. He shook his head and scooped Hermione up into his arms, one arm around her waist, and the other under her knees. He slowly stood and headed toward the bedroom.
"What on Earth are you doing?" Minerva demanded.
" Do you honestly expect Poppy to do a proper exam with Hermione here on the floor," Severus asked in his usual sarcastic voice.
Minerva shut her mouth showing that she got a good enough answer. But Albus couldn't resist, "So she's 'Hermione' now eh Severus?"
Severus had no response to that remark; he simply glared at his boss and kept on track to the bedroom.
Minerva and Albus entered the annexed room just as the younger wizard was gingerly laying the young witch on the bed. He obviously didn't notice the presence of the others because he leaned over the bed and laid a soft kiss on Hermione's forehead. Albus grabbed Minerva's arm and pulled her out of the room. They sat in the sitting room and waited for Severus to join them.
He came out not long after they had left. But he didn't join them on the couch. Not that anyone expected him to; instead, he just took the giant puffed up chair next to the fireplace. They sat that way in silence and waited for Poppy to come.
They were at the end of their patience when Poppy came bustling through the portrait hole. Just as she opened her mouth to inquire the whereabouts of her newest patient, Severus answered, "She's in the bedroom, Poppy."
She nodded in thanks and left the three of them to sit in silence once again.
"Headmaster, you were about to ask me a question"
Albus looked away from a worried Minerva, he hadn't even realized that he was staring. "Yes, Gennex, could you tell us what happened here last night?"