MGGS User21/10/07

Chapter 5

The morning rays were flowing and reflecting off the many white and shiny surfaces in the hospital wing. The fine reflections had reached the sleeping face of Hermione Granger. Her eyes flew open and her head shot up from its place on the pillow but was restrained by some unknown force. She could feel pain; in fact, pain was the only thing she could feel. Her whole body was burning in agony and her mind refused to function. The first thoughts to come through the pain in her head were all messy images. She could see the whole night's events rushing in her mind.

When they finally settled and she was free to think again, she started wondering.

Where was she? How did she get here? More and more questions were running through her mind, until they were all a blur and she couldn't think properly. She saw someone coming towards her and involuntary flinched away.

"Don't worry, child, I'm not going to hurt you," came the familiar voice

Hermione was trying to remember were she had heard the voice before, but her headache got worse and she gave up on thinking.

The figure leaned over the bed, and Hermione could make out the friendly features of Madam Pomfrey. As soon as she saw the kindly face watching over her she felt her heart refill with the trust that she had lost the night prior. Hermione had never been so glad to feel safe before, and she smiled thinly up at Madam Pomfrey.

"It's some fight you lived through, love; when Professor Dumbledore bought you in that night you were a step away from death. I'm glad you have woken now, I haven't seen you so much as stir in a week."

Hermione's mind switched on suddenly. A week, was that how long she had been here? That would mean that she had missed a week of school, and it was near exam time. She couldn't miss her NEWTs! Hermione grimaced and made herself a silent vow that she would write her exams even if her body was dieing of pain.

"Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak to you. I will go call him in a minute, but first drink this; it will help with the pain," said Madam Pomfrey in a kind but firm voice

She handed Hermione a goblet of foul-looking liquid, and watched as she bought it to her lips.

Hermione never tasted anything nicer in her life, the potion tasted like everything she loved to eat and things she never tasted before but loved anyway. As soon as she finished she handed the goblet back to the nurse, now smiling brightly.

Madam Pomfrey looked shocked.

"Did you like it, love?"

Hermione nodded not trusting herself to speak.

"Well that's odd, I have given this potion to many students before but I never heard them speak anything but foul words after drinking it."

Hermione didn't care; she had become light headed all of a sudden and felt like taking a nap. She leaned back into her pillow and closed her eyes.

Hermione woke again to the sound of a heated argument. She recognized the voices to be of Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall. Not wishing to eavesdrop, Hermione tried to fall asleep again but after a few minutes she realized that it was quite impossible. The voices were growing louder by the minute and Hermione had no choice but to listen.

"Severus, I can't believe you would do such a thing, now she will feel that something is afoot. If she finds out and tries to harm herself it will be your fault!"

"My fault, Minerva, I don't see myself guilty of anything except trying to ease the girl's sleep. It is you who should be ashamed of accusing me of something I didn't do."

"But why did you have to change the potion? If she drank the one intended for her she wouldn't start wondering on why it was different from the rest. Now she is probably thinking who gave her the potion."

"Why do you say that? That potion is no different to the other in anything but taste."

"Yes, taste is everything, Severus; it was not meant to taste nice. Poppy told her how the potion usually tastes. Tomorrow you can bet your galleons, she will be asking questions about it. I may be old, Severus, but I know all my students and Miss Granger happens to be extremely smart. She has the best memory in the school."

"That may be so, but what is a potion to her? She wouldn't care how it tasted; only what it did."

"I hope you are right, Severus, for if the girl starts asking questions, I will put them on your head."

And with that said, McGonagall walked off in the direction of her office. Hermione could make out her fading steps. Professor Snape followed shortly, but as far as Hermione could hear he made in the opposite direction.

Wondering what that was all about Hermione closed her eyes and was soon asleep again.

The morning was cool and misty. Hermione opened her eyes and found professor Dumbledore sitting on the bed to her right. As soon as he noticed her gaze on him, he turned his eyes away from the window and warmly smiled at her,

"Welcome back, Miss Granger, it has been some time now that you have walked the path that tracks between the living and the dead."

"What do you mean, Professor?" she asked uncertainly

"We often call it sleep, Miss Granger, but in fact it is dreams that show us heaven and nightmares that show us hell. Many don't see that in another world our dreams are true. Sleep brings us as close as we the living men can ever get to the other side."

"I see," said Hermione, still a bit uncertain, but positively sure that the professor knew what he was talking about. "How long have I been here, Professor?"

"I would say around 3 weeks, although you must forgive me for not knowing the exact number of days, for I have been quite busy the past few weeks."

Hermione wasn't listening; her ears had shut after the words 'three weeks' reached her. Three weeks and she hadn't done any studies, she would fail her NEWTs miserably, she just knew she would.

Hermione was close to tears; it must have shown for Professor Dumbledore spoke softly

"What is it, child?"

"I've missed three weeks of school, sir, now I know I'll fail my NEWTs."

Professor Dumbledore couldn't help himself and burst out laughing.

Hermione looked shocked. What did she say that was so funny?

When the professor finally managed to get hold of himself, he said,

"Miss Granger, after what happened to you, I am surprised that the first thing you think about is studies! What a dedicated student you are, Miss Granger, I haven't seen another student to be so enthusiastic about work since…….."

"Yes, Professor?"

But the professor's eyes had grown hard and he didn't speak another word on this matter; instead he started on a new note.

"Miss Granger, there are some things I need to tell you; this may come as a shock but I beg of you not to worry, it's not good for you in your current state."

Hermione remained silent and Dumbledore continued.

"It has come to my knowledge that you were raped and abused by Mr Malfoy, am I correct?"

"Yes sir."

"It has also come to my knowledge, Miss Granger, that you are now pregnant with his child."

"WHAT?! That can't be right, I can't be…. How do you know?"

"We have run some tests on you, Miss Granger, while you were asleep; I'm afraid you are indeed pregnant."

Hermione fell into silence but it didn't last long; she turned her face towards Dumbledore and spoke coldly and firmly.

"I want an abortion."

"I'm afraid that can't be done, Miss Granger," he said with sadness in his voice

"I'm not keeping this filthy product of rape!" she screamed, tears now freely running down her face. She looked away from the professor's warm eyes and wanted to scream. How could it happen? Why me?' she wanted to scream, why me?'

Dumbledore looked at the sobbing girl; she was completely broken and had it been any other child he wouldn't have refused her request but this was different. He knew he had to ignore her pleas for the good of the whole magical world.

Dumbledore slowly got up and said,

"I will come again tomorrow to explain more about it, Miss Granger, in the meantime please take care and get as much rest as possible. I must warn you that Hogwarts is no longer safe for you and I will be sending you to my holiday home in Ireland. But do not worry about that now, just rest. Mr Potter and Mr Weasley will come to see you tomorrow."

With that said he walked out of the hospital wing before Hermione could ask any more questions.

Hermione didn't know what to do; this was the first time she felt like there was nothing, really nothing, to live for. Suicide felt like the only option. But was she ready to do that, after all a stronger force than her had kept her alive this far. It wouldn't be fare to cheat her fate and die. Perhaps for the time being she would live, maybe tomorrow the Headmaster would reconsider her request, maybe……..

Her mind trailed off as sleep overtook her.

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