disclaimer: No...I do not own any of the characters from Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is a genius!
Thanks again for continuing to read and being patient for my updates! Happy Snow Day!
-boots-
Hogwarts was bustling with activity. Students milled about saying their goodbyes and rushing through last-minute packing. The grounds were in full bloom. Along the outer walls, thick green vines stretched toward the blue skies and even the Whomping Willow seemed to relax lazily under the warm sun.
Harry Potter, "the-boy-who-had-missed-out-on-the-final-battle-but-did-infact-live-through-it" sat in the Gryffindor common room waiting for Ron to finish packing. He would miss Hogwarts. He thought of all the times he and his friends had sat in that very room; he and Ron playing Wizard's Chess, Ginny scribbling in her journal and pretending not to stare at him, Neville pruning some odd plant or another and Hermione bent over a book.
"Hermione" he whispered to no one in particular.
It had been nearly six months since the events at Malfoy Manor and Harry still found himself reflecting on it all with a certain amount of guilt that, in the end, he had not been able to help the one person whom he and Ron had always relied on for help.
"Alright there Harry?" Ron quietly entered the room and took a seat next to his friend.
"Just… I just wish I could have…"
Ron placed a hand on Harry's shoulder "I know"
The two boys sat there for some time in silence. What else was there to say? The Dark lord was truly gone. The graduation ceremony had been free of ominous speeches by the Headmaster. The darkness that had draped itself like a heavy cloak over so many people had been lifted. And yet… Harry and Ron sat there looking as if none of it mattered in the least.
Draco Malfoy limped slowly through the Hospital wing. Though his body had been mended and all of his broken bones fixed, the young wizard would most likely have a permanent limp as a result of his extreme injuries. Draco had been coming to the hospital wing nearly every week for the past six months. Sometimes he would read aloud to the nearly lifeless body on the bed. Other times he would just recount the details of his day and whatever new rumors were flitting about the Hogwarts gossip mill. But today was different.
Draco settled next to the sickbed and produced a rather ornately decorated photo album from his leather book bag. He cleared his throat and flipped the pages carefully until he found what he was after.
"I thought you might be interested in this" he began softly, "It's not much but, well, I just thought you might like to have it. It was the only one that my father hadn't destroyed…my mum…she hid it" Draco scooted his seat closer to the bed. "See- here's your mum and mine at Hogwarts in their first year… they were really close"
Draco pulled the picture up from the page and placed it in the limp hand. The girls in the photograph waved and blew kisses from the Slytherin table.
Hermione's hands were so cold and her face so still that to the casual observer Hermione Granger would have appeared quite dead.
Severus Snape stalked through the Dungeon hallways, mumbling gruff goodbyes to the few Slytherin students who acknowledged him as he hurried past them. It seemed to everyone that Professor Snape had changed considerably since the holiday break at the end of first term. True, he had never been particularly friendly or even remotely interested in engaging with students or staff members, but it seemed he had become increasingly anti-social and if possible, even nastier and more venomous towards his students. But this suited the Potions Master just fine. Truth be told, Severus encouraged the assumptions that he was severely unapproachable – it meant that he would be left alone. And right now, that is what he wanted more than anything… to be left in peace, as once again the castle became an empty tomb for those few lost souls that called it "home" all year round.
Once he was in the safety of his rooms, Severus removed his customary black robes and even undid the top two buttons of his shirt. He poured himself a drink of firewhiskey and tiredly ran a hand through his hair. Another school year had come to an end. The corner of his mouth twitched a little at that.
"Good riddance" he scowled and gulped the rest of his glass greedily. It had been seven years that Severus had dealt with Potter's antics and he was quite glad to be rid of him and his little friends at last. The Potions master poured himself another glass and this time, he could not help but let his thoughts wander to the little Gryffindor that now lay in the hospital wing … nearly dead… because of him. He had let down his guard for just one minute and in that minute, the Dark Lord had struck. He had replayed that moment over and over again in his mind countless times; and every time he did, he felt guilty all over again. He, the great unfeeling deatheater – the spy… the nasty old bat of the dungeons, had been distracted by the beauty of a girl whom he knew could never feel anything but pity for him.
Severus growled and threw his glass roughly at the wall. It shattered instantly and he winced at the sound. For a few minutes, he sat very still, staring at the broken glass as if it was Hermione's lifeless body. When the curse hit her chest, she had screamed out like a wounded siren. The next thing he remembered was waking up at Hogwarts and Dumbledore smiling down at him in that irritatingly omniscient way.
"Damn it" Severus stalked over to the fireplace and took a swipe at the mantle, violently knocking everything to the floor. It was often his way to revert to rather muggle-like displays of rage when he was upset. He slumped into his chair and allowed himself to cry for the first time in roughly over seventeen years.
She had saved his life and he hated her for it.
"It's been six months, Albus. Surely we cannot keep Miss Granger here at Hogwarts for much longer" Minerva McGonagall pursed her lips and fidgeted with her hat. Hermione had in fact only been in the Hogwart's hospital wing for two months, but had previously been under close observation by a healer at Saint Mungo's since being hit by Voldemort's killing curse.
"I've already spoken with an administrator at Saint Mungo's and they…"
"Albus! Surely you are not suggesting we send her back there; it's so overcrowded and so…"
"I have no intention of sending her back there, Minerva. They assured me they have no open beds available for the next four months at least as it is. I've spoken with Miss Granger's parents and they agreed that for the time being, it would be best for Hermione to stay under Poppy's care…toffee cluster?" The Headmaster motioned to his candy dish and offered the Transfiguration teacher a warm smile.
"Do you think she'll ever come out of it, Albus?" she asked, reaching for a piece of candy, "Do you think she'll ever come back to us?"
The Headmaster looked at her thoughtfully and laced his fingers together.
"I think... it might just take the right person to wake her up"
McGonagall didn't say anything, but gave the Headmaster a curious look worthy of any cat.
"Severus should be along shortly" the old wizard mused, looking at his time piece, "perhaps he could be of assistance in this matter".
At this, McGonagall let out a rather uncharacteristic cackle "Ha! I highly doubt that, Headmaster. I don't think Severus has even gone to see Miss Granger – not once since the event"
"Exactly" Albus beamed and popped another toffee into his smiling mouth.
Draco cleared his throat as he reached into his bag and retrieved a small box from it. He cradled the box as if it was a priceless treasure.
"I know we haven't… I mean… well, I think you know what I mean… I haven't exactly been kind to you over the years…Grange… er… Hermione. I just want you to know…well… If you ever wake up, I hope you'll wear these,"
He carefully opened the box to reveal a of pair earrings. They were, of course, a pair of silver snakes, coiled up like the Ouroborous with precious emeralds set in their eyes.
"They were your mother's. Mum thought you'd like to have them as well."
Draco set the box on the bedside table and took Hermione's hand in his own. For a long time, he just sat there, staring at her with a mixture of guilt and admiration. It had taken some time for it to sink in when he had finally been told that she was his cousin and it had in fact, had quite an interesting effect on the young Malfoy. Over the last few months, Draco had become not only a model student, but an exceedingly tolerant one as well. He had taken to tutoring some of the younger years and offered his tutoring to students from other houses and muggleborns.
Draco gripped Hermione's hand a little tighter. Though he still blamed himself for her being in that bed, Draco, like many others, had been relieved by the outcome. The Dark Lord was truly gone. The Daily Prophet had unsurprisingly gotten wind of the story and Draco had made sure to put his family's influence to use, by keeping reporters away from her bed at St. Mungo's. There had also been a formal hearing against his father and the remaining deatheaters who had been rounded up. Draco had attended the hearing along with members of the Order. Naturally, this meant that Draco had to stand side by side with none other than his "sworn enemy", Harry Potter. At first, it had seemed forced, but over time the two young wizards had reached a sort of truce and had developed a respectful tolerance for one another. If only Hermione could see them now, he smiled to himself and arched an aristocratic eyebrow. Draco wondered if Hermione could even hear him. He had been coming to the hospital wing for the whole two months that she had been there and he had practically worn through the seat next to her bed at Saint Mungo's. In fact, he had probably gone to see her more than any of her other friends. But every time he visited her, he felt more and more sure that she would never wake.
" I've got to go soon. The train will be leaving in a few hours and I've still got some goodbyes to say." He paused for a long time before drawing in a deep breath. "Thomas and I got jobs working for the Summer…I know, I know 'Draco Malfoy working?'…what's the world come to?" he laughed. "We're working at the witch's shelter…you know, with Old Lady O'Connor…anyway, I'll let you know how that goes. I think…I think that's what I'd like to do…you know, as a real job one day."
Draco bent low and gave Hermione a light kiss on the forehead.
"Sleep well…cousin."
For a minute it looked as though Draco had wanted to say more but he couldn't seem to find the words. As he threw his bag over his shoulder, he noticed Harry, Ron and Ginny quietly step into the room. The three of them approached Hermione's bed cautiously… as if they feared the floor might cave in beneath them.
"She looks a bit warm" Ginny spoke softly, noticing Hermione's skin appeared a little shiny with sweat. The young witch carefully dabbed Hermione's face with a cool rag, just as she had observed Madame Pomfrey do on a number of occasions. All four of them stood very rigidly for a while until Draco cleared his throat and gave a slight nod in Harry's direction.
"Potter" He extended his hand to Harry, who promptly took it in his own and gave it a firm shake, their eyes fixed on one another. The blonde wizard then turned on his heel as best as he could manage and slowly left the room.
Harry turned back to his friends and watched as Ron traced little circles with his thumb on the back of Hermione's hand while Ginny braided her limp hair. How had they endured six months without her? Harry didn't think he could handle six more. He sat on the edge of the bed and took hold of her other hand.
"You've got to wake up Hermione" His voice shook a little and it was obvious that Harry was biting back tears.
"We haven't got a clue how to brew anything without you, you know" Ron smirked, in an effort to lighten the mood. "Honestly, I'm surprised Harry and I graduated at all!"
The three Gryffindors sat there for nearly an hour in perfect silence. Ginny thought about all of the times Hermione had been her shoulder to cry on and the countless times that she'd gone to the bushy haired witch for help with a variety of problems from homework to heartache. Ron too reflected, in this quiet moment, on his friendship with Hermione Granger. For the life of him, he still had a hard time believing that she was a Malfoy, but Ron was hardly the sort to hold something like that against her. She had always been like family to Ron… but not in the way a sister would be… Hermione was more nagging and serious than a sister. She mothered Harry and him constantly and Ron actually found he missed the way she fussed over them getting their homework done or making sure their school robes were pressed and their hair combed. She'd make a wonderful mother one day if she ever woke up, he thought with a smile.
To Harry, Hermione had been so much more than a best friend. He was protective of her and could say in all sincerity that he loved her. Never in a romantic way, but in the way that he could plainly see the Weasley boys loved Ginny. A sister. A confidante. A beacon in the dark storm that had been Harry's life for the past seven years at Hogwart's.
"Hermione…" Harry began again "Hermione… we need you… I… need you. You've got to wake up." The young wizard looked at his dear friend's face as if he expected this to end like it did in muggle fairytales… all glowing light and sparks and poof! The spell would be broken…but there was no light and there were no sparks…only Hermione laying there in a bed, stuck somewhere between life and death.
"We've got to go now Harry" Ginny gently touched his arm. "The train is leaving soon".
Harry gave Hermione's hand a final squeeze.
"We'll be back soon Hermione, I promise" He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and reluctantly turned to leave. Ron and Ginny followed closely behind, glancing one last look at their dear friend in the hospital bed before quietly closing the door.
"You wished to see me, Headmaster" Severus did not lift his eyes from the floor.
"Ah yes, Severus, my boy" Dumbledore smiled affectionately "Do come in. I was just having a chat with Minerva here… with regard to Miss Granger"
At the mention of her name, the Potions master grew visibly rigid, but would not look up. Naturally, his behavior did not go unnoticed by the Headmaster.
"Please have a seat"
"Thank you but I prefer to stand" His voice was so small that, in this moment, he quite sounded like a child.
"Oh Severus, do sit down" Minerva implored, motioning to the chair opposite herself.
"I prefer to stand…now… would you mind explaining to me why my presence has been requested as I am quite busy at the moment and anxious to get back to my lab!" he barked.
Minerva jumped a bit at his sudden change in tone, glaring at the Headmaster with the stern "no-nonsense" face that had earned her the fear and respect of students for all these many years.
"Now, now Severus," Albus chuckled "We simply wanted to get your insight on Miss Granger as-"
"Why me?" he snarled "What has this to do with me? She is no longer my student and so, no longer my concern. If she wakes, she wakes and if she never wakes, then I am sorry to see such a brilliant mind go to waste but it has nothing to do with me in the least!"
McGonagall's mouth dropped open and she narrowed her eyes on Severus, as a lion might before pouncing upon its unsuspecting prey. Albus saw the glint in her eyes and decided to intercept before things became too tense.
"Speaking of Miss Granger, Minerva, dear- why don't you go and check in with Poppy as to the girl's current condition. I will be another minute or two here with Severus" He smiled as he gently ushered the stern witch out. All the while, McGonagall's face held an expression of confusion and fury as she continued to stare daggers at the snarky Potions master.
"Now then Severus… have a seat"
"Thank you Headmaster, I prefer to…"
"Sit down Severus"
For a moment, Snape hesitated but quickly complied, his eyes still fixed to the floor.
"Miss Granger's parents have agreed that it is best for Hermione to stay here at Hogwart's at least through the Summer, so that Poppy can keep a close watch over her. After that point, she may be moved back to St. Mungo's." The Headmaster took an opportunity to observe the black eyed man sitting across from him before continuing. "I asked you here because, quite frankly, I was curious as to what your thoughts were on why the girl refuses to wake".
Severus took in a deep breath before speaking, and pinched the bridge of his nose in obvious agitation with what he perceived to be a very obtuse question.
"Headmaster, with all due respect, Miss…. Granger was hit by a powerful killing curse. Obviously the girl only survived it because the bond of blood was activated. By whom, I am as of yet unsure… but as you well know, these ancient shields are old magic and often misunderstood by even the most accomplished scholars. Somehow, the killing curse must have backfired on Riddle, and while it did not kill Miss Granger, it very nearly did. We have tried a wide variety of potions but each one has failed, largely because we cannot determine precisely what transpired when the curse hit her in the first place. I was there Albus… and by all accounts, Miss Granger should be dead".
Severus looked exhausted and for the first time since he had stepped into the room, Dumbledore could see his face and immediately noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes.
"I do not doubt your words Severus… but something troubles me…"
Severus once again locked his eyes on the floor.
"You failed to answer my question".
At this, Snape's eyes snapped up to meet the twinkling gaze of the Headmaster.
"I asked you why Miss Granger refuses to wake…"
Severus raised an eyebrow but did not respond.
"Severus... I'm going to tell you something you're not going to like hearing, but before I do, I want you to promise me that you will not storm off…"
"Albus- this really isn't-"
"And you will not interrupt me…Now then, I know how you feel about divination…"
"Albus- really…"
The old wizard calmly raised his hand to silence Severus. And unbelievably, it worked. Severus felt as though he were a mere first year again, sitting there quietly as the old fool in the silly hats droned on about the "art" and "science" of divination. Severus wanted to get back to his room; his cold, dark, dungeon room, where he could be alone with his guilt and a bottle of Ogden's.
"You see, Miss Lovegood's father registered a prophecy a few months ago with the Ministry. The prophecy concerns Miss Granger and her current… state."
Severus glared at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Forgive me for saying so, but I do not think anyone should put much stock in the prophetic ramblings of the head writer for a magazine like The Quibbler!"
Albus chuckled "Too right you are Severus, but the prophecy was in fact foretold by his daughter, Miss Luna Lovegood."
"Ah " Severus drawled ."The slip of a girl saddled with Longbottom's …offspring…" he sneered in slight disgust.
"Now now, Severus… Miss Lovegood is quite proficient in the subject and we both know that there is something to prophecy…" The Headmaster paced slowly before turning back to the Potions master.
Severus circled his right temple with a calloused thumb and finally looked up at Albus.
"Go on then Albus…let's have it"
"I believe you are the key which will unlock Miss Granger's mind from the grasp of seeming death she finds herself in" Dumbledore was so blunt, he hardly believed himself.
"What?... No cunning conundrums? No puzzles? You're quite losing your touch old man…" Severus rolled his eyes and allowed a slight smirk to appear at the corner of his thin mouth.
"Well… I wouldn't say Miss Lovegood's prophecy was 'conundrum' free per se" He peered at Severus over the rims of his half moon spectacles.
"Go on" Severus drawled.
"The severer of darkness will be saved by a lion…" The Headmaster watched the younger wizard wince a little at this, but cleared his throat to continue. "And the lion may be spared the sting of death by an invisible shield while the great serpent will be struck down by its own venom. The lion will lie in wait and wake when the frost has once more thawed… and returned"
Severus was silent, though Albus could clearly see the wheels turning in his brilliant and precise mind.
"I… I still don't see what this has to do with me, Headmaster" he stammered and stood to leave.
"Go to her, Severus… if you care at all… go to her."
Snape turned to meet the Headmaster's twinkling gaze. He couldn't be serious. Was he giving him permission to care about Hermione? Severus had never been allowed to truly care for a soul since his boyhood days… for it had been too painful, knowing the Dark Lord would use such emotions as leverage. But now… could he care?
Light rain tapped the windows of the still Hospital Wing. Outside, the hills were as green as they'd been all summer, though the grass at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest had begun to turn the slightest bit yellow with the approaching autumn. The castle was very still, despite the bustling life of the nearby woods and the birds flying overhead. Without students, the school seemed lonely. Every classroom was still. The courtyard was still. The Great Hall was still. In fact, throughout the entire castle, only a single lamp was lit. Only a single person stirred in the quiet stillness of the stormy evening.
"Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; strike all that look upon with marvel…" His voice was low and tired and each word seemed quite heavy in his mouth, as if it took great effort to say them. Severus Snape yawned and stretched his arms overhead. In truth, the potions master had grown accustomed to reading aloud and sleeping very little over the course of the summer.
"Come" he continued "I'll fill your grave up; stir, nay, come away, bequeath to death your numbness, for from him dear life redeems you…you perceive… she stirs" Severus cleared his throat and looked over at Hermione thoughtfully. Though he had been sitting beside her for weeks on end, he had not once touched her. He couldn't. When it was clear the girl was warm and required a wet towel, Severus had always requested Poppy to assist though he clearly could have tended to the lifeless girl himself. Severus watched her chest rise and fall and he wondered if any of his words reached her at all. He had read her Dickens, Austen and enough Shakespeare to last a lifetime… but now, in the stillness that enveloped them, reading from "A Winter's Tale", he wanted more than anything to believe that she could hear him. He rubbed his tired face and looked around the room for a bit. There were a number of cards and letters piled up on a nearby table, along with fresh flowers, which Narcissa Malfoy replenished weekly. On the nightstand, was a pretty pink card with a sleeping baby on it, which Severus opened very carefully, so as not to wake the tiny picture. It read:
Please Welcome Angelica Hermione Longbottom to the World
Severus groaned inwardly. "Another Longbottom" he cringed. Still, he did think it spoke volumes to Neville's character that he would name his first born in Hermione's honor. Severus supposed that was what friends did. Oddly enough, Severus felt he had learned more about Hermione this past summer than he had in the seven years of teaching her. He observed how her friends spoke to her when they came to visit. He listened to them exchange stories about the brilliant little witch that now lay half dead before him and he suddenly felt that he really knew her… not just in the way a teacher knows their student, by their work ethic or their most commonly misspelled words; but really know her, as a friend might. Severus turned his eyes back to his book when he thought he heard Hermione's breath hitch a little. He raised his eyes from the page and watched her for a moment or two before returning to the play.
"Start not: her actions shall be holy as you hear my spell is lawful: do not shun her until you see her…" Severus swallowed back what might have become a cry "die again; for then you kill her double. Nay… present your hand" Before he knew what he was doing, Severus found himself gripping onto Hermione's hand.