Disclaimer: I don't own it.

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Chapter Twelve: A New Friend

Severus was sitting next to Hope's bed, having just woke up, when a voice from the door caught his attention.

"Severus, you're needed in my office. The paperwork is ready and the necessary parties are here. Let's make it official before Draco is put into anymore danger."

"Albus, I can't leave. I promised Hope that I would be here when she woke up."

"It's necessary, my boy. Besides, Poppy gave her some potions that will make her sleep for a couple more hours, and we should be finished before then."

Severus sighed warily. With one last glance at his goddaughter, he rose and followed the headmaster out the office.

Hope felt the pull to awareness and fought it. She was warm and comfortable, and she wasn't ready to face the new day yet. All she wanted was to curl up and sleep forever.

But she wouldn't get what she wanted because voices were coming from nearby. She tiredly opened her eyes and cautiously sat up. She was still tired, and she was hungry. Then again, she hadn't had a decent meal since Harry's birthday. Food hadn't been served to her often, and when it had been, she couldn't eat it because of her body going over a month without hardly any food.

She leaned back against the headboard of the bed and looked around for Severus. Not seeing him, she decided to call out for him.

"Severus?"

No answer. Hope tried to keep her disappointment from showing as Madam Pomfrey entered. She started bustling around Hope before conjuring a tray and setting it down in front of her. Hope was more interested in finding Severus than eating, so she pushed the tray away.

Madam Pomfrey clucked at her and put the tray back.

"You need to eat, child. How do you expect to get better without proper nutrition?"

"I'm not hungry. Where did Severus go?" She asked the strange woman.

"He had a meeting in Professor's Dumbledore's office about an hour ago. Should be back anytime."

Hope nodded but it was apparent she was upset. The mediwitch noticed and decided to try to raise her spirits.

"Well, since you refuse to eat, would you like to get up and walk around? You're healthy, with the exception of that nasty curse, so some exercise would do you good."

Hope sighed and slid slowly out of bed. When her feet hit the ground, she sucked in a breath from the cold texture. She slowly walked around, as if unsure of herself. She had made it to the infirmary door when suddenly the door burst open and she was knocked to the ground by the people who were in a rush to find Madam Pomfrey.

As the three people finally stopped, Hope looked up from her spot on the floor at the group. One of them she recognized instantly, Harry. The other two were a tall, red-headed boy with freckles, and the other a short, brown bushy-haired girl.

The girl looked toward her and suddenly walked over, extending a hand. She eyed it before accepting it and being pulled to her feet.

"I'm sorry we knocked you over. Ronald over there got into a duel with Malfoy. Harry was badmouthing some girl named Hope and Malfoy got mad and pulled his wand. Ronald did the same and got hit with a nasty bit of a curse. But that doesn't excuse our behavior in knocking you over."

"Umm…it's okay…I don't know your name. I'm sure Harry meant to knock me over, and Ronald won't care to much. I'm sure you won't either once you know my name."

"Oh! I'm so sorry! My name's Hermione. And of course I'd still care; I don't want to be rude."

"Well, Hermione. I'm the Hope girl that Harry was talking about."

Hermione's mouth fell open. "Are you really working for V- you-know-who?"

Hope sighed. "No! I never was. It was all a plot to stay alive, but Harry doesn't want to accept that."

"Hermione! What're you doing over there?" A now healed Ron asked from his bed.

"Talking to my new friend, Hope!" She yelled back and both girls watched as Harry's mouth dropped open.

"Hi, Harry," Hope said meekly.

Ron was now standing, and Harry's face went from shocked to mad. Harry looked at Hermione before speaking.

"Hermione, if you want to be friends with a traitor who would hand you over to Voldemort, who am I to stop you. But I'll warn you now, she's no better than Malfoy."

Hope felt tears sting her eyes, and she didn't even try to hold back her comment. "No, I'm not better than Draco, but Draco is better than you. At least he stuck by me the entire time, and didn't abandon me because I had to pretend to be devoted to Voldemort in order to survive. I'm glad to know you would rather have me dead Harry!" She yelled before walking out of the infirmary.

Harry and Ron stood shocked while Hermione turned to them, yelled "I hope you're happy!", and ran after her.

Hermione didn't have to run far to find Hope. She was leaning against the wall with her head in her hands. The only sign she was crying was that her shoulders heaving.

Hermione kneeled in front of her. "Hope?"

"Go away."

"What's wrong?"

"GO AWAY! You don't know anything about me; you are only being nice because you feel sorry for me. Well, guess what! I don't want your pity. Go back to your precious friends and ignore that I exist," Hope screamed, raising her tear stained faced to look Hermione in the eyes.

"I told you that you'd be wasting your time, Hermione," Harry's voice rang out from behind where Hermione was. "She's just using you."

Hermione had had enough. She stood and faced Harry before walking up and smacking him across the face.

"Harry James Potter, you are the most immature person I have met. If you would take one look at her, then you would know she wasn't evil. She's a vulnerable girl who's been through so much and here you are making it worse. You're mental, and until you figure things out, I want nothing to do with you!" She screamed before turning and helping a shocked Hope up.

Together, Hermione and Hope started back to the infirmary but Hope stopped.

"I don't want to go back there," she said quietly. "There's nothing to do. Can you take me to the headmaster's office instead?"

Hermione wordlessly changed directions, and the two girls soon reached their new destination.

"Umm, how do we get in?" Hope asked, being completely new at this.

Hermione laughed. "A password. Fizzling Whizzbees!" She said, causing the gargoyles to leap aside. Hope followed Hermione up the stairs and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A cheerful voice called.

As they entered, Hope felt a dizziness overcome her before excruciating pain overtook her body.

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A/N: Oooh...cliffhanger kinda. Oh wells.

I''m sorry it took me so long to get this out. I've had a busy week and now we're on fall break so yeah. I'll post another one tomorrow.

Thanks to reviewers, and as always, my wonderful beta, Nita.