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Count down: 4
Chapter 17: The Hospital Wing, Yelling and a Talk
"Miss Granger? I thought that you would be back about now."
Hermione looked over to where an older Albus Dumbledore now sat at his desk and sighed. She was back in her proper time, and she felt great! Well, maybe not; she felt like she was about to throw up. Her expression must have shown it as Dumbledore chuckled lightly.
"Ah, yes. My past self sent you before warning you of the side affects of the potion. Feeling sick at the moment after that speed is natural, though I would suggest a visit to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey will have a potion ready for you and no doubt she will want you to stay over night."
"Um, sir? Do Harry and Ron know what happened?" Hermione asked rather timidly.
"Yes Miss Granger, they do. As do Sirius, Remus, Lucius and Severus. I do believe that they wished to see you when you returned."
Hermione was shaking, though if it was with excitement, nervousness or sickness she did not know.
'So, they all know now. I hope Harry and Ron will understand my choice of friends, and why for that matter,' Hermione thought. 'Harry's definitely not going to like what I say about Sirius or his father.'
"Come Miss Granger, I don't wish for you to walk by yourself, especially when you are vulnerable after time travel," Dumbledore said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Hermione trailed slowly behind the head master, holding her stomach and groaning slightly. When they reached the Infirmary Madam Pomfrey hurried forward and led Hermione to a cot on the far side. She handed Hermione a small blue bottle and told her to drink it, which she did gratefully. Hermione was then handed another potion which would put her to sleep for the time being, and she drank it with out question, wanting nothing more then for the day to end.
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Loud voices could be heard as Hermione woke up late the next day, and they sounded like arguing. When she sat up, she saw the bright red hair of one of her best friends; Ron Weasley. She sat up and waved at the red faced Gryffindor and, when he saw this, Ron stormed over, anger in his eyes, Sirius right behind him.
"Hermione Jean Granger! What the bloody hell were you thinking?!"
She winced when she heard his voice, and turned to face him. Getting a good look at him, she saw how his eyes seemed to have darkened and that if she thought he had angry before, it was nothing to how he looked now. Hermione almost moved back out of fear. Almost. Time with Severus and Lucius had prevented her from showing fear, which she now thanked every god listening for.
"What do you mean, Ron?" She asked as calmly as she could.
"You, Lucius bloody Malfoy and your new love! How could you do that to us, Mione?"
"Us, Ronald? I'm sorry but I don't seem to see Harry anywhere at the moment."
"Listen to yourself. You sound just like them and it's pathetic. Not even a full year with Slytherin's and you're turning into one," Ron spat, disgusted.
"Sirius? What did you tell my friends?" Hermione asked, turning to Sirius.
"I told them nothing but the truth. You befriended those two snakes and deserted Gryffindor."
"I'm sorry, but wasn't Lily friends with him too? I don't see you saying anything about her."
Sirius smirked.
"I wouldn't; she stayed away from him after you left. He was so upset after you left, on Malfoy could get close to him with out him snapping at him."
Hermione couldn't believe it; that didn't sound like the Severus she knew at all. No, it sounded far more like the snarky potions master of the school.
'That means I was the reason why he changed,' she thought horrified.
She stared down at the pendant that hung around her neck, not blinking. It was her; the reason why he changed so much, it was all her.
"What now Mione? Can't say anything to def–"
"Stop it, Ron."
James – no Harry! – came forward, glaring at his friend, Remus following not far behind him.
"Harry! Remus! You're both here too!" Hermione said smiling.
Harry came over and hugged Hermione tightly. When he moved away, Remus also came forward looking at her uncertainly. After she nodded at him, he quickly walked over and hugged her too. Hermione smiled; it was good to know that they still liked her.
"When did you get back here, Mione?" Harry asked.
"Just last night, or early this morning. I don't know really."
Ron looked outraged.
"Harry! You're just going to let her off? She chose Snape and Malfoy's dad over yours and Sirius, and you're ok with that?"
"Well I would like to know why first."
At Hermione's confused look, Harry quickly added, "Sirius and Snape aren't saying what happened; Mr Malfoy said to ask you," he finished with a small shrug.
"Oh, well then, I guess I should fill you in. but not on all of it; I'm still a little tired."
Harry nodded understandingly and sat down next to her and, after a pointed look from Remus, who had also sat down, Sirius and Ron also sat, though with far more fuss then what was necessary.
"Well, on my very first day there, Lily and James got into a small fight and Severus," she stopped long enough to frown at Ron as he sneered at the use of his first name, and then continued. "Was dragged into it. James began to insult him and, well it was horrible; Severus didn't even say anything before hand and James was already acting cruel. It shocked. It shocked me still more when Lily, your mother Harry, said that that would always happen. I became his friend from then on I guess."
She continued then to briefly discuss her time there until just after Halloween. She had lost all form of patience with Ron, who was acting childish in her opinion. He simply would not accept what had already come and past, and it angered Hermione to no end; she was very pleased that she hadn't cursed him yet.
"Look Ron, if you can't accept it at all then leave. I honestly can't believe that you would act this way!" she was yelling now, tears ran down her face. "I knew you would be mad but never, never, like this."
Ron stood suddenly, sneered down at her, and left, slamming the door as he left and ignoring Madam Pomfrey's cry of outrage as he went. Sirius looked at his godson, then to Remus and, finally, his eyes landed on Hermione. He gave a stiff nod to her and left, a sad look on his face as he went and also, was that regret that they had glimpsed in his eyes?
Harry and Remus remained with her for a while longer until, they too, both stood and left, the two of them giving her a quick hug as they went. Before they went, however, Hermione quickly called Remus back.
"Please Remus. Has Severus or Lucius been here at all since I've been back?" the desperateness in her voice was painful.
"I know that Severus came to deliver your potions and Lucius may have come, I do not know," he replied, looking down at the distressed witch.
"I will see if they will see you tomorrow, but Hermione? Please don't expect them to be too happy; they went through quite a bit when you left."
Hermione nodded sadly, understanding that they may not be as happy to see her as she would be for them. Watching Remus leave she began to fiddle with her locket again and, due to her playing with it, it opened. She looked down at her photographic self; she was smiling in both frames, laughing with the other occupants. Hermione sighed and wondered if that would ever happen again with the two boys, now men, who shared the left frame with her.
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WOW! There's another chapter gone. Ron really can't accept anything can he? Silly boy. Next chapter, Sevvie and Lucy come in! Oh do you think Lucy should be angry or ok with Hermione? I've got it planned but it may change if you think it would be better one way or the other. If you want to tell me you must review! If not to tell me, then to keep this little sleep deprived (but not for long: Yay for weekends!) girl happy;)
Lady of Elysion