It's What's Inside That Counts
Chapter 24
December 18th, Auror Headquarters
"Tillman, we hope this Hogwarts assignment hasn't been to much of a bore for you," Chief Auror Hicks said.
"It's been amusing," he replied. "Much more than Durmstrang."
"So it is your belief that this Potions Professor isn't dark?"
"No, he's just a run of the mill, unorthodox Potions Master," he replied.
They were startled by an explosion and alarms from the end of the corridor.
"What the devil? It's from the lab!" Hicks said and ran from the office.
Severus followed. When they approached the potions lab, Hicks disabled the loud alarm, cast a bubblehead charm and went into the lab. Harry was crawling from the lab, choking and vomiting. An Auror and several other trainees were lying unconscious on the floor. Despite the fire and fume suppression system, Hicks took no chances and left the bubblehead charm in place. The came to the sight of the explosion and it took Severus' breath away. The table was melting and a trainee was lying on the floor, staring lifelessly at the ceiling. Next to him was Hermione, unconscious, a chemical burn covering most of her arm and with numerous lacerations from flying glass. Severus stepped forward, ready to go to her aid, but was stopped by Hicks.
Hicks put the tip of his wand to his mouth and bellowed, "Level One Emergency in the Auror lab!"
In less than a minute, wizards from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes appeared on the scene, followed by a team of healers and nurses.
"It's too late for this one," one of the nurses said sadly, gesturing to the dead trainee.
"We need to get her to St. Mungo's immediately," another healer said of Hermione.
She started twitching and choking then suddenly her arms started to flail around as if she was fending off an attacker.
"Quickly, she's seizing!" the healer shouted.
With a quick clap of apparition, two healers and a nurse left with Hermione. The remaining tended to the Aurors and trainees scattered in the corridor. Hicks knelt by Harry, whose eyes were tearing and stinging from noxious fumes. He was wheezing and coughing as well.
"Are you well enough to tell me what happened?" Hicks asked kindly.
Harry nodded quickly. "Reardon...sneezed as h-he was adding," he stopped, holding up his hand as he coughed violently again, feeling light-headed as he spoke "..adding azzfuhdel.."
"Oh dear," Hicks said flatly.
"Indeed," Matthew confirmed.
"The lab is safe to enter," a wizard with DMAC badge on his yellow robe announced. "We ask that you touch nothing, we need it in current condition for our investigation."
Hicks and Matthew stood. A healer started tending to Harry who said, "You're one lucky young wizard."
"You have no idea," Harry mumbled.
"We lose more to accidents than we do to Voldemort," Hicks said and went back to his office.
Chief Auror Hicks gave the impression of a heart-of-stone relentless taskmaster, but his dedication to the wizards and witches in his division was unparalleled. So many of the trainees often reminded him of his own children, which was why he demanded so much of them, the harder they trained the better their odds to make it through the war alive.
That evening at dinner, Minerva received an owl from St. Mungo's. She was listed as the point of contact in Hermione's files at the hospital, so news of her condition was sent to her. She read the letter and let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness, she's going to make a complete recovery," Minerva said. "They were eager to use the new Bezoar Potion the medical researchers came up with and apparently it worked wonders. The burn on her arm will heal in time, although she appears to have lost feeling in her left pinky finger," she said, wiggling her own.
"Quite a lucky young witch, when you consider the damage I was witness to," Matthew said.
"She's going to be released in two days, just in time for the holiday," she said. "I think I'll get out of this castle for a bit and see her home."
Two days later, Minerva and Molly escorted Hermione home from St. Mungo's.
"This place never looked so good," she said. Hannah ran through her doggy door straight to Hermione.
"How's my favorite pup in the whole wide world?" she asked, cuddling with the puppy and sat on the sofa in the den.
"How is your arm feeling?" Molly asked. Her entire left arm was swathed in a bandage.
"Better than it has, not so much pain now," she said.
"When do you return to work?" Minerva asked.
"Day after tomorrow," she said. "Plus, I have a Christmas party to prepare for."
"You still intend to have one?" Molly asked.
Hermione looked at her as if she'd grown another head. "Of course, why not? You're still coming, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Molly said.
"We just weren't sure if you would be up to it, so soon after," Minerva said.
"Besides a numb pinky digit, I'm a picture of health," she said.
December 24th
Hermione warmly welcomed each guest to Granger Farm, directing them to the den where the entertainment was at, and the kitchen, where the food and refreshments were. When Minerva and Auror Tillman arrived, the older witch was greeted with a warm hug and a cup of mulled wine made specially for her.
"Happy Christmas Auror Tillman, welcome to Granger Farm," Hermione said. "I have guests that need attention, I'm sure Minerva can show you the den and kitchen."
They watched Hermione walk away, fussing at Ron about a mess he made in the kitchen. Minerva planned to take Hermione aside and gently discuss her aloofness toward men. Matthew was led to the kitchen, taking note of the small changes she had made around what had been their home. His heart felt suddenly very heavy when he glanced down the corridor that led to the master bedroom. A familiar voice woke him from his musings.
"Auror Tillman, are you all right?" Hermione asked. "You look a bit pale."
He cleared his throat. "I ate something that disagreed with me earlier; I diplomatically accepted some rather unique sweets offered by Professor Trelawney."
Severus tried not to smile at her frown when he mentioned the disliked Professor's name. "Unique? From her? I can imagine. I have just the thing for an upset stomach, follow me."
They walked a short distance down the corridor to her lab. He could have found it in the dark, blind, and exactly how many steps it took to get there. He truly missed this home. She perused the various bottles and vials on a small shelf labeled "Personal."
"Ah hah, here you go," she said and gave him a vial of white, chalky liquid.
He drank it down. "Thank you, I feel better already."
"Anytime, Auror Tillman."
"Would it hurt you to call me Matthew? This is a party."
"As a trainee, I wouldn't presume to be so familiar with a ranking Auror."
He leaned closer and whispered, "I won't tell a soul."
"Hermione! Hannah's gotten into the dip!" Ginny called out from the kitchen.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Duty calls, Auror Tillman. Enjoy the party."
She left the room and Matthew looked around the familiar lab. There were no signs that he had ever been there. Bittersweet memories of the research they had shared in the room flooded his mind. Never before her had he met a witch with his love of academia, or showed such easy, natural talent for Potions.
I won't find a witch like that again either! Damn, what a fool I am!
He scanned the lab and saw pain potions from St. Mungo's and a specialized salve for the burn on her arm. There were papers giving her own account of the accident at the Auror lab and receipts from Slug & Jiggers, Flourish & Blotts and Madame Ramada's. She had probably been Christmas shopping.
Madame Ramada's? Where have I heard that name?
He joined the party in the den where the lively talk, funny stories and music was playing. Hermione's bright laugh sounded from the corner. She and Ginny were talking conspiratorially about something. Severus slyly cast an eavesdropping charm, a charm that had saved his life many times as a spy.
"...honestly, how can you go to a place like that?" Ginny asked.
"Now Ginny, don't knock it until you try it," was Hermione's saucy reply. "You would be surprised if you saw who went to there."
That was the Hermione he liked to hear.
"I don't need to try it, I have a man," Ginny said. "You could too, I'm sure Ron knows someone..."
Hermione gave a loud, unladylike snort. "I'd rather start seeing women than any man Ron could find for me."
Ginny was overcome with giggles at the comment.
"Don't get me wrong, I love your brother, but he just doesn't get me."
"All right then, Harry knows lots of blokes."
"The blokes Harry knows are all Aurors or trainees, which I remind you I'm around every day, all day. I'm not interested in Aurors, I need different," Hermione said.
Ginny massaged her temples. "How do you know this Madame Ramada place is all right?"
"Why Ginny, you wound me," Hermione said with mock hurt. "Do you think I would just go to any place? I pay a pretty galleon to be with the same man every time I go."
"But Hermione, a gigolo?" Ginny pleaded.
Severus dropped his wine glass. Molly stepped forward quickly to help clean up the mess.
"I apologize for my clumsiness," he said.
"Hermione cast a stain-resistant charm on this carpet due to having pets," she said.
"Yes Ginny, a gigolo. I appreciate the simplicity of it. I get a jolly good rogering without the hassle of a relationship."
Again, Ginny was overcome with giggles at Hermione's "jolly good rogering" comment. Severus was definitely was not amused by the comment and was overcome by a feeling he couldn't yet describe. Harry tapped his glass to get everyone's attention.
"First off, I would like to thank Hermione for having this brilliant party, and how glad we are that she's all right after recent events."
"Hip-pip!" the party-goers saluted with their glasses.
"Second, I was wondering if Miss Weasley would marry me?"
The den became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Suddenly "YES!" was heard. Ginny squealed and ran to Harry. He caught her tackling hug, pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened it. Molly burst into tears, hugged Ginny then Harry then Arthur. Soon, everyone was congratulating the happy couple.
"I want to play a song for the newly betrothed couple," Hermione offered.
"Sounds great," Harry said.
Hermione sat at the piano, flipped through some sheet music, took her glasses from her pocket and put them on.
"Gin, this song reminds me of you two," Hermione said.
She cleared her throat and started playing. Everyone smiled at the sound of her sweet voice singing the lyrics with all her heart.
"I'm scared, so afraid to show I care
Will he think me weak, if I tremble when I speak
Oooh - what if there's another one he's thinking of
Maybe he's in love, I'd feel like a fool
Life can be so cruel, I don't know what to do
I've been there with my heart out in my hand
But what you must understand
You can't let the chance to love him pass you by
Should I tell him
Tell him that the sun and moon
Rise in his eyes, reach out to him
And whisper tender words so soft and sweet
Hold him close to feel his heart beat
Love will be the gift you give yourself
Touch him with the gentleness you feel inside
Your love can't be denied the truth will set you free
You'll have what's meant to be, all in time you'll see
I love him, Of that much I can be sure
I don't think I could endure if I let him walk away
When I have so much to say
Love is light that surely glows
In the hearts of those who know
It's a steady flame that grows
Feed the fire with all the passion you can show
Tonight love will assume its place
This memory time cannot erase
Blind faith will lead love where it has to go
Never let him go..."
Everyone clapped enthusiastically when the song was over. Harry and Ginny knew the song was them as much as it was for Hermione. With the song, she acknowledged that she had enjoyed a great love, passing the knowledge and experience of that love to Ginny. Severus knew why she was singing it too. He came to a decision right there in the den among the party-goers: he would get her back, determined that he would move the earth and stars if need be, but he would get her back. A part of his heart was missing, a part that she held. He simply couldn't see his life without her in it.
This is going to take a miracle! he thought.