A/N: Hello there :D I have another chapter up…wo0t. Anywho, please read and review, because it would be ever so kind. I updated this instead of doing my English homework ;)

The walls of the hospital were a barren, sickly green color. The sterility of the room gave St. Mungo's an eerie feel. There was only one window in the far corner of the room and the dank drapes that covered it blocked what little light might have shown through. There were three beds in a line along the wall, each with an eggshell white privacy curtain. However, just one of these curtains was in use as only one bed was occupied.

Hermione was lying peacefully on the bed. Her unruly curls resting upon the starched pillow. Her face was bruised and there were several cuts marring her pale skin. The most noticeable of these was beneath her right eye, where it appeared someone clawed at her. Her breathing was ragged and uneven. The sickly white sheets moved irregularly as she inhaled and exhaled. There were several bottles of potions on the bed stand. The green one with the tapioca pudding texture had to be administered 3 times a day. The red one that looked like molasses only had to be imbibed once a day, while the clear potion had yet to reach her lips. Her brow was creased ever so slightly as she continued to sleep.

The man in the corner of the room had rarely left the woman's side since her arrival. Dark rings had appeared under his eyes, but he refused to leave her. Occasionally a Medi-witch would tell him to "go and get some rest," but his answer was always the same: "I can't." The man had arisen from his chair and had begun pacing, his eyes lingering on the body resting. It's my fault. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't be here. The thoughts had mocked him, showing him that, once again, he could only hurt the ones he cared for. He went to the window, thinking of another woman that had been in this hospital because of him. If Hermione doesn't-- his thoughts were interrupted when he heard a faint sound.

"Where…"

He turned around in an instant, his lips breaking into a smile as he rushed to her side. In three long strides he was next to her bed, kneeling beside her.

"Hermione!" His hand held hers his thumb rubbing the back of her hand as he continued, "I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried. I thought you wouldn't-"

"What happened?" Hermione's voice was slight and her eyes shown none of their usual vibrancy, but a dull pain.

"You were taken by Death Eaters and you were hurt pretty badly." He paused before continuing, "You fell into a coma, Hermione."

"Oh." They sound that escaped her lips was one of shock and realization, "But how long have I-"

"Twenty-two days." He replied. Twenty-two long days. "Oh, Hermione I'm so glad you're alright. Is there anything I can get you? I should probably inform one of the Medi-witches. Are you comfortable? Is it all right that I go? I can stay if you wish." Hermione was inundated with a flurry of questions when a Healer sauntered into the room.

"Hello there I'm Healer Reid. I'll be taking over for Healer Swenson today as she is feeling ill." The elderly Healer said while picking up the chart that was on the end of the bed. After glancing at it, she continued, "Dearie. I'm right glad to see you up. Sir, if you'll pardon us, I need to make sure Miss Granger's vitals are where they need to be."

"Of course, Healer Reid." Lupin said and then turned to Hermione "I'll bring you something to read for when I get back, okay?" Hermione nodded appreciatively as Lupin left the room. A faint click of the door was heard before the Healer turned to Hermione.

"Now, up you get Miss Granger." The Healer said urging Hermione to sit up. "I need you to drink this potion; it will help with the pain."

Hermione's feature's looked questioningly at the clear potion in the small transparent vial that was being offered to her. She still was unsure of what happened and desperately wanted answers. Her mouth had begun to form a question when the Healer cut in.

"Don't you worry, Miss Granger, I've cared for enough patients to know your concerns, but believe me darling, this won't harm the baby." The Healer said smiling, entirely oblivious to the array of shocked expressions appearing on Hermione's face.

"Baby?" She chocked out. At this the Healer seemed to realize her fatal error. She grabbed the chart and glanced near the end of the page.

"Oh. Yes. Dear, you're chart said you've been pregnant, roughly, for the past three weeks. I just assumed you knew. I'm sorry. I take it this isn't good news." The matron said apologetically. "Shall I fetch a glass of water?"

Hermione's face flushed. She hadn't heard a word that the Healer had said. Her lip quivered ever so slightly as she remembered Lupin's words: You were taken by Death Eaters. That could only mean…three weeks…I'm going to be sick. Without much delay Hermione found herself leaning over the edge of her bed retching into a fortuitously place bedpan.

"Oh dear." The Healer said as she pulled out a handkerchief for her distressed patient. "Miss Granger-" She snapped out of her daze at the mention of her name.

"Hermione," she interrupted. Her head was spinning and she wasn't sure why she had corrected the witch. All she knew was this feeling in the pit of her stomach that everything had changed. Nothing would ever be the same again. Her head suddenly went up to look at the Healer, but before she could open her mouth to speak--

"Hermione it is important to stay calm-" And with that, the events of the last few minutes came crashing down of her. She snapped.

"STAY CALM!" Hermione cried out in a rasp voice before breaking into a fit of sobs mumbling, "What am I going to do? What am I going to do?"

Outside the eggshell colored curtain, Lupin was wondering the same thing.

"Severus, my boy," Dumbledore began looking at the pallid man with dark hair that sat before him. "What are you not saying?" The words mirrored the question he was asked that night three weeks ago and he was still no closer to answering. Severus had never been one for showing emotion- weakness. He had never been one to discuss feelings or anything personal for that matter. He had never been one to cry, either. And yet, a lone tear streaked down his face, glittering as it fell from his chin.

"Severus," Dumbledore said in a state of shock. What had happened that could cause this reaction? "I have known you for many years child. What else happened that night?"

"I--" His voice cracked. "That girl has been through more than her share of--They wanted--Filth, they're all filth" He put his head in his hands. Silence enveloped the room. Dumbledore gazed around his office in order to try and give the very private man some semblance of privacy. His eyes looked up at the many portraits, all feigning sleep quite badly. Phineas was doing a particularly bad job, as he seemed to be snoring with his eyes wide open. After a moment longer the need for information concerning that night was more important than whatever Severus was trying to protect himself from.

"Severus…" Dumbledore began in a tone that threatened him should Severus not answer the question. His words cut through the silence and his blue eyes no longer twinkled, but held the other man's gaze with a piercing intensity.

"She was out when it happened. So many of them-- they took turns, if you will." Dumbledore let out a gasp at this bit of knowledge, but Snape continued on taking no notice of the older man's surprise, "I--I am so sorry. I failed her. You should have seen her eyes when she first woke. It was-- I can't even--She thanked me for Merlin's sake!" He spat in disgust for his part and with that the big black bat of the dungeons dissolved into tears.

A/N: Thanks for reading and remember to review…This was an interesting chapter. Not sure how I feel about it. Any predictions on what happens next (I ask, because I have writer's block and i need ideas….i have a general idea of where to go, but no idea on how to get there :D)