Chapter 10: Ponderings

Upon stumbling into the infirmary, Hermione Granger felt light-headed. Not just due to the fact that she didn't get a chance to east her chicken soup, as promised (where she almost snorted at the concept) but rather the idea that she will be years older in a matter of weeks.

Furthermore, it is ironic that the Time Turner's purpose in her third year was to take as many courses in as little amount of time. But now, she will be missing all the time in the world. Ten years, to be precise. I wonder what Professor McGonagall will say once she finds out that the device she let her student have had this magical property to it. I suspect she will be beside herself. Poor professor, Hermione thought, how was she to know that it would have this effect? It is certainly something worth studying, but then again, that is how Professor Snape came under the same predicament. No wonder he is how the way he is. To lose ten young years is difficult. I just hope I don't turn out as bitter as him. I hope…

Stumbling a few more steps from the sooty floo, Hermione could see a bustling woman in which came barreling down the bedsides and holding out her wand towards her. This won't be good, Hermione silently mused.

"Good Gods child. Where have you been!? I have been searching high heaven on Earth for you. No warm clothes on, no medication. You are in quite a state," a hysterical Mediwitch proclaimed as she ran her wand over Hermione while throwing a school robe over her shoulders.

"Just look at you, as pale as the cap on my head. Come, Miss Granger, I shall put you to rest and keep you there until you look well enough to stand. And where is Severus Snape? He was supposed to be watching you while you were out in a deep sleep but instead he has taken off and let you wander aimlessly around Hogwarts!" Leading Hermione to the nearest bed, she helped the frail girl get comfortable before clucking again.

"I will not tolerate you roaming again. When I find that professor, I'll give him a piece of my mind. He no doubt forgot about you and went out to dock more Gryffindor points. Sometimes I think that man should just grow up and stop dwelling on points…" Madame Pomfrey continued to rant as she made Hermione take potion after potion after potion.

Grow up indeed, Hermione thought as she swallowed a particularly nasty potion. You don't even know the half of it.

After fully satisfied with treating Hermione, Madame Pomfrey brought over a tray of food from the house elves before putting herself to work scarifying the beds, still mumbling.

Happy to be left alone, Hermione sighed and fell back against the pillow. Feeling slightly better, physically, Hermione drifted into a deep sleep. Tomorrow is another day.

But it wasn't tomorrow…

"Blimey, Harry, what do you think happened to her?" whispered Ron as both he and his best friend sat at Hermione's bedside staring at her in disbelief.

"I don't know, Ron. Madame Pomprey and Professor Dumbledore havn't been telling me anything for the past three days other than she has been in the infirmary unconscious. I over heard Madame Pomfery, however, talk to Snape as I was going to see the Headmaster. From what I could tell, he was getting an earful from her. I even overheard 'Mione's name being mentioned. Whatever happened to her has something to do with that git." Harry practically spat out while running a frustrated hand through his hair.

He had told Ron of the "Mauderer's Map incident' a few days ago and how the next morning he found his invisibility cloak missing as well. He knew Snape has something to do with it, alright. He has been involved all along starting in the Potions classroom and now here lays Hermione looking worse off than ever before. Why he and Ron didn't notice her condition before, he was ashamed to know, but he knew that they had to make it up to her in anyway possible, even if it meant finding out what Snape did to her. He'll get the greasy git to talk one way or another.

"Harry, I think she's waking up!" Ron exclaimed as he grabbed his best friend's shoulder to shake Harry out of his thoughts. Placing his crooked glasses straight on his face, Harry could see Hermione's eyes start to flutter as she shifted around in her bed slightly with a slight moan.

"Ohhh..." Wincing slightly, Hermione placed a shaky hand to her head. I feel like I just got hit by a bludger. Perhaps three. Who is sitting near me? Oh, I hear Ron and Harry!

"Hi guys" Hermione said weakly as she opened her eyes to greet them. "Is it the morning already?"

"Uh no, Hermione, it is Tuesday afternoon." Harry explained "You were out unconscious for three days. What happened to you? Did Snape have something to do with this?" Both boys leaned forward expectantly.

"It's Professor Snape, Harry, and no, he didn't do this to me. I rather did this to myself but I can't explain everything. At least, not yet." To see the smiling looks drop from there faces to be replaced by disappointment hurt Hermione but she had to get all the facts and sort it out before she could tell them what will happen to her. Three days? I can't believe I have been sleeping for three days. I wonder if any change in my physical appearance has occurred yet…

"Ah ha! You are finally awake, I see! You gave us quite the scare, Miss Granger. I am glad to see you are up and around," Professor Dumbledore said as he strolled in from the entrance of the infirmary to stand in front of Hermione's bed. "Hello Harry, Mr. Weasley, lemon drop?" Both of his students declined. Turning his attention back to Hermione, he gave her a piece of folded parchment. "This is from Professor Snape. I trust you might know what it is about." Noticing a darker reaction from her two charges, Dumbledore decided that an exit was needed. Things will sort out in the end. "Good day to you three and I am happy to see you in better order than when you came in, Miss Granger."

Turning around, Dumbledore whistled a tune while slowly making his way to the door.

Without even pausing, Dumbledore held his hand up and said "Harry and Mr. Weasley, I know you have a lot of questions and they will be answered accordingly when Miss Granger is ready to talk. She has a lot on her mind and you'll find her changing more than you will ever have thought possible." With that, he continued whistling and closed the door behind him. Harry and Ron looked confused and livid at the same time, which usually means trouble, thought Hermione.

"Look, guys, I really can't explain things right now but once I get all the facts (more like research it to death, thought Harry and Ron at the same time) then I can tell you. Until then, you will both have to be patient and just expect that things won't be what you expect, ok?" Hermione pleaded. Looking at both of them, Hermione could see the inter turmoil they faced. Deciding that they should trust Hermione, which usually she is right anyway, they accepted that they will leave things alone…for now.

"Blimey, 'Mione, we'll have to send you to Honeydukes by the time you get out of here. You look like you could eat all the chocolate frogs there! By the way, I brought you some." Ron handed over a half dozen packages which Hermione placed on the table with the folded parchment while keeping one frog to open.

"Thanks. I can't wait to get out of here. You don't suppose you could bring me up to date on what I missed the last couple days?"

Groaning simultaneously, as if to say 'things never change', the trio started discussing the day to day goings on in Hogwarts…