A/N
Apology for the delay – currently I have craftsmen working at my house. So I have none too much peace for writing.
This chapter shows a number of shorter scenes as the week after the suicide attempt progresses.
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Repercussions
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Potter Manor – Tuesday Evening – 14th of March
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"How's Daphne doing?"
Roxanne Greengrass née Pinegrew sighed deeply, but after a moment she was able to answer Sirius' question with a weak smile. She felt so tired after two days of keeping watch at her daughter's bed. She wore her long black hair in a ponytail, and her dress was far simpler than the ones she usually chose. "Better now. Poppy expects her to stay unconscious for a few more days, perhaps even a week. But at least her core is steady again, more or less. The residues of the Weasley magical energies mostly left her. Now we have to wait."
"It was incredible brave of her to cast that spell." Remus commented with a low voice. "And I'm really impressed that she executed it in such an awesome way. I don't know if I could do the same. And I'm not sure that I would risk it in her stead, especially for someone who isn't really close to her."
"I am not happy about it," Roxanne admitted. "Yes, it is good that she rescued Ginny Weasley. And certainly the girl didn't deserve to die." Roxanne sighed again. "But it was far too risky. With her limited experience she couldn't really estimate the risks and did it nonetheless. Sometimes I fear, Sirius, that your godson has too much of an influence on her, with all this Gryffindorishness." She smiled softly to take the sting out of her accusation.
"So now he's my godson again," Sirius grinned.
"Naturally, Roxanne agreed. "If he's doing better in school and controlling his temper, it is my influence. You're responsible for recklessness and acting without thinking." She winked at him while Sirius sent her a mock glare.
"In any case Daphne showed her Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw sides in casting that spell: Bravery, loyalty and knowledge. It's proof of the stupidity of the sorting into houses. By the way: I wondered about your visit, Roxanne," Remus interrupted, suddenly very serious again. "Is there any special reason? Not that I wouldn't enjoy your company."
"You've always been the perceptive one, Remus." Roxanne started to walk around in the room, kneading her hands. From time to time she threw a thoughtful, perhaps even apprehensive look in Sirius' direction.
"What have I done this time?" Sirius sighed.
"Nothing," Roxanne grinned for a second "yet."
"But you expect me too?" Roxanne curtly nodded.
"Snape," Remus suddenly remarked after a flash of intuition, causing both Roxanne and Sirius to flinch. "You invited Snape, didn't you?"
"Why would she do this?" Sirius asked agitatedly.
Roxanne gulped and breathed deeply: "Because we have something to discuss. To be exact: I want Severus and Remus to speak about something, but because it concerns you too, Sirius, I would like to have you here. But only as a listener, Sirius, and only if you promise me to behave." She stopped him with a gesture. "I mean it, Sirius. No hidden insults, no little stings, no groaning and sneering: You may stay if you think that you'll be able to behave. He promised the same to me. I know that you will never be friends and I don't even expect you to be polite to each other. But could you, please, try to not make it even more difficult."
Sirius narrowed his eyes and Lupin could smell his friend's agitation. This was really difficult for Sirius. The enmity between him and Snape had always been on a whole other level than the problems between Snape and Remus. Even the smallest amount of politeness would be a real challenge. At last Sirius sighed deeply: "For you Roxanne, only for you, I'll try."
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They had been sitting in the salon for a while now. The silence was only broken by the sounds of someone sipping his tea or fidgeting in his seat. Severus and Sirius tried not to look in the other's direction and concentrated on Roxanne.
"Good," she started, her sudden words causing everyone to wince. "Remus, I have a question for you. Eighteen months ago you started to teach at Hogwarts. At the time you went to Hogwarts, did you visit Severus to speak about your new job?"
"Yes." Remus glanced towards Severus, but the potions teacher looked down at his feet. He's rattled, Remus wondered. And why is he staying quiet? It's not like him. He had been very surprised to hear about Snape, as the House Master of Slytherin, joining Minerva's crusade against the Mudblood-insult. Now, with Severus completely altered behaviour plain visible, it slowly made sense. According to Minerva his behaviour caused a small riot and nearly an upheaval from the Slytherins. It was not difficult to imagine Snape glaring his students down, whipping them into obedience.
"Was his reaction like you expected?" Roxanne asked softly.
Now both Sirius and Severus looked up and seemed quite interested in Remus answer. "Yes and no," he answered after a while. "Yes, because the Headmaster had warned me about his… behaviour. He told me about Severus favouritism of Slytherins, his hate on all things Gryffindor. That he had changed to the worse and unearthed his Marauder hate again. It could be expected, too, that he wasn't happy about another teacher getting the position he had wanted to get for several years."
To Remus' and Sirius' surprise Severus stayed silent and nodded simply in agreement. Severus knew that every single word of Remus had been correct. They didn't know all reasons but the result was: He favoured his own house and took delight in harassing his Gryffindor students irrespective of their talent and behaviour. And certainly he had been angry about another year of Dumbledore choosing another DADA teacher. Would they be surprised to hear, that at least a part of his behaviour was caused by the Headmaster's orders? That he behaved like this because Albus wanted him to present himself as the 'evil ex-Deatheater-who-never-wholly-reformed'.
"And no," Remus continued "because I had hoped – despite Albus' warnings – that Severus had really accepted my apology after… after that night." Severus narrowed his eyes and breathed heavily but responded nothing for the moment. "I was really sorry about that night, Severus. I didn't want to frighten you like I did and certainly I didn't want to attack you. When you accepted my apology two days later…"
"What?" Severus interrupted. He had expected to hear this, but it was still a shock. "I mean: Could you please repeat that, Remus… Elaborate what happened?"
Confused Remus stared at him. Slowly he nodded.
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"You really don't remember?"
Remus had spent the last hour recounting the days after the Shrieking Shack incident from his sight. Some things were new even for Sirius, as Remus had never told him about the conversation he had with Severus at the Hospital Wing. Back then Sirius had still been too angry, too confused about the whole matter. But to Remus' surprise Severus believed him.
"There are pictures in my mind," Severus started. "Since I worked with that magical picture my memories are confused. Sometimes it is like two photos lying on top of each other. I can't be certain what's true and what's not. But I remember now a conversation with Lily. She had Harry in her arms and spoke about your apology. That I accepted it."
Remus smiled softly. "It was the day after his first birthday, wasn't it?" Severus nodded. "I saw her the same evening and she was so happy. But James was there too, so she didn't tell me what happened. She forgave you, didn't she?"
Sirius breathed deeply but before he could utter a word, Roxanne's foot hit his shin. 'You promised,' she mouthed silently.
"Yes." For the first time a real and happy smile showed on Severus' face. "Yes, she forgave me."
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Severus had left the house again. There hadn't been any statements of friendship, but at least the three men promised to try to work together for a while – in remembrance of Lily and to get back at Dumbledore.
"So Albus not only messed with Harry and cast that awful spell on Neville, but also altered Snivellus'… I mean Snape's memory?" Sirius acquitted himself well. Even surprisingly well, Roxanne mused. Apparently the time in Potter Manor, together with Remus, Tonks and sometimes Bill Weasley had been good to him. He not only looked healthier but also calmer than six months ago. "I only wonder why he didn't alter Remus' memory too. To trick him into a fight with Snape wasn't equally safe."
"It's because of his furry problem," Roxanne responded. "Anne told me that to mind control a Werewolf is much more difficult than with other wizards, especially in the long run."
"She's right about that. My 'inner Moony' would struggle to break any control. And memory alteration is especially difficult with us, even more so than an Imperio Spell. It is one of the few benefits of my condition."
"So he altered Snape's memories and tricked Remus into believing what Albus wanted him to believe." Sirius looked quite thoughtful for a moment. "I would like to have this flushing potion ritual cast on me, Roxanne."
Roxanne smiled and apparently had expected some reaction like that. "I'll prepare it."
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"Sirius?"
"Mmm?" Sirius looked up from his book only to see Roxanne's very thoughtful expression.
"When we sort this out… when you're acquitted of the charges and able to live free again… do you want to…" Roxanne hesitated, unsure how to continue.
"No." Sirius simply answered the unspoken question.
"No?"
Sirius shook his head. "I certainly hope that I'll play a role in Harry's life, but I don't want to adopt him. He is my godson and that's enough for me. I'm not really parental material. I've done too many errors in the past and I'll do many more in the future, I'm sure. The incident with Remus and Snape was more of a trait of character. And after the deaths of James and Lily I went on a revenge hunt instead of securing Harry. Because I was so rash that night I allowed Wormtail to trick me into Azkaban. I should have stayed that night and explained about Peter being the culprit. And last year I wasn't really mature in my approach to catch Wormtail. With more reasoning and planning we would have been able to prove my innocence. No, Roxanne, I won't adopt him. Harry belongs to you now."
Roxanne sighed with relief and hugged him gratefully. Sirius patted her back and noticed Remus nodding in his direction with a smile. He would love to be Harry's father, but somehow he was more 'big brother material'. At least he could train him, show him the ways of a Marauder without any qualms of having to behave like an adult.
"That reminds me of a question of Harry some months ago. Why didn't you write to someone after your escape? You could have asked for help."
Sirius frowned. "But I did." He sighed and shrugged: "I couldn't really expect them to believe me, but I wrote to Remus and Minerva about it. They never answered. Later I wrote Albus and he promised to search for the rat. But I caught Peter faster… at least for a while. Perhaps I should have waited longer."
Remus shook his head: "I never received a letter from you. Perhaps I wouldn't have believed you at first, but at least I would have tried to find the truth. I'm certain Minnie feels the same."
In silence they looked at each other. "We should ask Minerva if she ever received your letter."
"I suppose she did not," Remus commented.
"Albus." Roxanne simply stated and both men nodded.
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Hogwarts – Headmaster's Office – 15th of March
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I can't believe it.
Albus shoved the letter away he had just received.
It's all that Pinegrew-bitch's fault.
He wasn't really certain which Pinegrew was to blame for this – in case of doubt all three. For decades he had been the one and only leader of the light. And now this.
"What's that?" Moody's grumpy voice broke the silence. They had been speaking about Potter and how to convince him to continue the lessons with Moody after their 'break-up' two weeks ago.
"A letter from the Board of Governors. They want to meet me in the week past Easter." Albus' face showed deep concern.
"I assume it's about the Weasley-girl."
"Yes," Albus nodded shakily. "Apparently Chief Governor Augusta Longbottom received an official complaint from Arthur Weasley because of his daughter's suicide attempt." Albus shook his head. "He blames me. Can you imagine… me?"
Moody could imagine it and secretly he shared the opinion. Albus meddling with Potter's love life could only lead to much pain and trouble. Perhaps he hadn't expected such drastic actions from the girl, but it wasn't totally unexpected. But he hadn't to tell Albus this now. "I suppose that the Pinegrews incited him to do so. He's really hurt and confused in the moment, amenable to influence."
"Yes, you're right as always, old friend." Albus sighed. Looking down to the letter, he didn't notice the small smirk on Moody's face.
"It's all breaking apart. The Ministry is pushing me. My teachers are opposing me at every angle. Even Minerva and Severus aren't trustworthy anymore."
Moody coughed. "You know that I never liked Snape. But I never expected to see him join Minerva's little crusade."
"I didn't either." Albus drummed his fingers on the table. "Even the Order… We're losing them, Alastor. Tonks left the Order and Remus too. Sirius didn't accept my invitation. And now it's only a question of time until Arthur leaves too. His sons Bill and Charlie will certainly follow him."
It was hard not to show his joy to hear about this, but Moody managed the task. He even sighed: "Too bad that we aren't able to use Potter Manor anymore. What about Black Manor? I heard that Sirius was thinking about offering the house to you."
"He did," Albus sighed again. "At least in a way he did. But then he changed a little detail: We are allowed to use the house, but he intends to bestow its ownership to Minerva. And you know how strained our relationship is in the moment."
Moody whistled. "That's unexpected." He looked thoughtfully at Albus. "And now? How serious is it?"
"It should be manageable. They want to speak about the attempted suicide but also about former incidents, especially about Quirrell, the Basilisk and 'dangers to the students'. With a Weasley child involved every time, Arthur has the right to charge a complaint. I'll get a written warning, I assume. But they won't sack me, not because of a Weasley. Yes, my friend, it will be a dirty fight. But I'll survive."
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Hogwarts – Great hall – 17th of March – Friday Lunch Time
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"I knew it," Hermione groaned. She had just opened the newspaper and a look at the leading article and especially the pictures was enough to spoil her appetite.
"Greengrasses bemoan the fate of their eldest daughter!"
Hermione read aloud to her quizzical looking friends and showed them the pictures. Cyrus and Astoria were standing at Daphne's hospital bed with Lucius and Draco Malfoy at their sides for moral support. Daphne looked deathly ill on the picture while Draco was the perfect friend with his arms around a trembling Astoria. "When that prat, that Daphne has the misfortune to have for a father, asked me to leave the hospital wing, I should have known what he intended to do."
"It's okay, 'Mione," Harry smiled softly, shortly looking up from the paper. "He is her father, he has the right. And at least Astoria is really disturbed because of the whole matter, concerned about her sister. You know – we had a few conversations at Daphne's bed and she's not so bad." Harry knew how much Roxanne had liked the idea of Astoria bonding with him a bit more, and he hoped the 'politeness' would endure after Daphne's recovery.
"But this article is only for show." The article wasn't very well written. It concentrated on the fact that there had been a suicide attempt – without naming Ginny Weasley – because of the 'irresponsible conduct of the Headmaster'. In big words it told about Daphne's – 'a noble girl from a noble House and soon-to-be sister-in-law of Draco Malfoy' – brave act to rescue her schoolmate. No word about the twins and way too much emphasis on the risks of her spell and the direness of her condition. Hermione knew that this part was correct at least. But certainly her family didn't need an article to rub this in.
Harry shrugged. "Could be! But – as much as I hate to admit it – Draco has been a great friend to Astoria in recent days. Perhaps he's not as bad as I feared – at least towards her." After a while he added with a grin: "No, I don't expect flowers from him in the near future. I only hate him a little less now."
Hermione huffed, but nodded after a moment of pondering. "Yes, he seems to really care – astonishing as it is. I hadn't expected him to see more in Astoria than a business deal. But still I don't like this. The Malfoys present themselves as the great friends in times of misery."
"I think you're not the only one disliking the story," Neville suddenly grinned, his eyes resting on someone else. Hermione and Harry turned around only to notice a very sour looking Headmaster, who was just studying the same article.
"I assume" Harry grinned "that our beloved Headmaster slowly realizes that there is more than the Weasleys on his heels."
"The Malfoys are doing this only for show and because they hate the Headmaster, certainly not to support the Weasleys."
"Agreed," Harry shrugged. "But it helps nonetheless. And everyone who is giving Dumbdork a hard time has some merit in my book – even if it is a Malfoy. But please don't tell Dobby."
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Hogwarts – Hospital Wing – 18th of March – Saturday Afternoon
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"You never told me about your Animagus form."
Neville looked up from the potions assignment he was working on. Like every day of this week they had spent a few hours near Daphne's and the Weasleys' beds working on their assignments, sometimes in complete silence, sometimes reading aloud.
This morning had been especially joyful, because Ginny slipped out of her unconsciousness for the first time. She was only partially awake and Poppy expected her to know nothing about it later, but it was a good sign. The twins' condition had improved too and they should awake in a few days too, everybody hoped.
Neville blinked. "Mmm, no, I didn't." He looked down again but felt the stare of his girlfriend, like Hermione tried to drill a hole into his head.
"Is it a secret?" Hermione grinned. She was still a bit miffed that she wouldn't be able to learn the Animagus spell herself, but on the other hand she had been proud to hear that Neville could learn this very difficult transformation. He had grown magically since Christmas and the Animagus Spell would only be another step on his way.
"I…" Neville hesitated.
"Yes?" Hermione felt a bit concerned now. Perhaps he wanted to stay silent about the exact form. Or he was embarrassed because of it. But why should he? Even a mouse had its benefits. Not that she expected such an animal to be his 'inner self'.
"I don't know."
"You don't know your form?"
"No. I mean yes. I mean: I know my form but I don't know if I want to learn the spell."
"What?" Hermione was only partially able to suppress a screech. "But why?"
"Because…" Neville looked at the tips of his feet again, slightly blushing. He's so cute doing this, Hermione thought. No, silly thought, no time for this. I want an answer now. Neville sighed deeply. "You can't do it."
Now it was Hermione's turn to blink. "That's it?" Neville nodded. Flabbergasted Hermione stared at him. He doesn't want to learn the spell because I can't. He's so sweet. I should kiss him. Or I could…
"Perhaps you're right."
Neville's head snapped up. This response he hadn't expected.
"I mean," Hermione continued slowly, pronouncing every word exactly "it would be really weird, wouldn't it. I'm still Hermione 'know-it-all' Granger and you're only Neville."
Neville glared at her. "That's not what I meant."
"Oh," Hermione mock wondered. "So perhaps you feared I would be jealous?"
"No," Neville growled.
"Perhaps," Hermione continued, ignoring his reaction "you could waive that Healer training next year too. I mean I'm not invited and…"
Hermione stopped to babble when Neville grabbed her arms and started to shake her. "That's not what I meant. You aren't jealous, you aren't a know-it-all but you're Hermione Granger, defined by heart, mind and… ahem… other assets." His blush deepened.
"Oh," Hermione smirked now. "And what other assets – pray tell – would that be?"
"Stop mocking me, you crazy bird," Neville growled. He sighed again. "I know how unhappy you've been about the Animagus test. And it would be a very time intensive training, hours I would have to spend without you."
"Stop right now. Who said that I would allow you to learn the spell without me? Yes, I can't CAST the spell. That doesn't mean I can't LEARN it. We'll do it together. I want you to learn the spell correctly and I can't assure that without learning it myself. Capice?"
"Capice," Neville grinned, now far more relaxed than a few minutes ago.
"You still didn't answer my question."
"No, I didn't." Neville showed a lopsided grin. "Cheeky girls have to wait and be surprised."
"Pah, I'm not cheeky. And you're not getting any kisses until you tell me."
Neville shrugged. He knew that Hermione liked their kisses and hugs perhaps even more than he did. "You can't blackmail me. If I don't get a kiss right now, I won't tell you about the letter Professor Sprout got from Remus."
A single look at Neville's smug grin told Hermione that she would like to know what he knew. With a deep sigh and mock self-conquest she leaned forward and gave him a peck on his lips.
"That doesn't count."
"Alright. You tell me and I give you a kiss according to the content of the news. I promise."
"Good," Neville smiled. I knew it. "Apparently Remus finished his work on cataloguing the libraries of Potter, Black and Pinegrew Manor. As expected they have many books about all kind of spells, hexes, curses and dark magic. But they have only the more basic books about potions and effectively nothing about herbs – at least comparing to a well-rounded library like Hogwarts. So he proposed Professor Sprout to do some serious book shopping with a 5,000 Galleon purse and a smaller one for her own books as payment for the work. Apparently they send the same proposal to Professor Slughorn. He had been the potions teacher for Snape, Roxanne and Harry's parents. You see," he finished with a grin "you'll have even more to read in the future."
Hermione looked really happy now. She had been like that since she heard about the plans to condense the three house libraries. These plans to round the collection with new books about potions and herbs was marvellous "And perhaps I'll see more of you in the library then, with all those books about plants."
"And potions," Neville agreed. Don't forget that I planned to concentrate on herbs, potions and healing – now that I don't melt a cauldron every lesson. But… I only spend more time with you in the library if you're coming with me to the greenhouses more often – and not only for reading."
"You're driving a hard bargain, Mister Longbottom."
"Is that a yes, Miss Granger?"
"It is," Hermione smiled and leaned forward. She had a debt to pay.
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Hogwarts – Hospital Wing – 19th of March – Sunday Afternoon
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"Now this I call a real article," Harry tapped on the newspaper in his hand. "Journalism for real – unlike that smear campaigns of the Daily Prophet."
Neville sniggered, Hermione groaned. Since Harry learned about his share of the Quibbler, he had started to get a tad too exalted about every single edition. Yes, Hermione had started to read it too. And mostly she enjoyed it – even if she read every story with a grain of salt. And yes, she didn't begrudge Luna – or Colin with his pictures – the success. But this reaction was over the top.
"You do know that it's still not the Washington Post, Harry Potter?"
Harry only grinned. He knew how much Hermione adored the Washington Post since she read about the Watergate Affair and the role of that newspaper in it. "And you know, Hermione Granger, how much Luna would like to hear that you compare our Quibbler to the Washington Post. A year ago you would have assumed the 'Sun' to be a more serious newspaper."
Hermione blushed. She knew that Harry was right about that. Her opinion about Luna, her family and the Quibbler had changed very much in the past.
"I have no idea what you're speaking about," Neville interjected "but I would like to hear about this article."
"It's about Daphne," Harry responded. "Mostly there are interviews of Mother and me." In contrary to the Daily Prophet the Quibbler had unsurprisingly been able to interview them and get some splendid pictures. The article was very un-Quibbler-ish in its precision and showed clearly how much the Headmaster had interfered in Harry's love life. If the Malfoy-Greengrass article had been a nuisance to the Headmaster, this article should be a real pain in the ass – or so Harry hoped.
"And there's an apology from Viktor, too," Hermione added. She had liked to read that part especially. As agreed upon the Quibbler presented an interview with Viktor Krum and he declared quite open what kind of an ass he had been a few weeks ago and how much he regretted his behaviour. No word about a love potion, but the clear statement: I won't hassle Daphne and Harry anymore.
"So you've already read it, Miss Granger?" Harry asked with a broad grin.
"Stop embarrassing my girlfriend, Harry." Neville protectively put an arm around Hermione's shoulders. With a smile she leaned against him. "And now, Harry, please read aloud."
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Hogwarts – Hospital Wing – 19th of March – Sunday Early Evening
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Neville had left two hours ago. He wanted to make a run around the lake with Harry. His training is really helping his physique, Hermione pondered with a wicked smile. A few months more and I'll have to push the other girls away with a stick. A year ago she would have felt threatened by the idea of other girls around and Neville comparing her to them. But while she still didn't fully believe his compliments about her beauty, she was at least ready to trust that Neville thought her to be the most beautiful girl around. And only his opinion really counted to her.
Madam Pomfrey had left the Hospital Wing for a while after Hermione's promise to take care of the four teenagers. Later Harry would replace her to allow Hermione some late dinner. Hermione smiled shortly. It would be like every evening: Harry would sit at Daphne's side, holding her hand and begging Poppy to allow him to stay for the night. Sooner or later she would shoo him away only to 'overlook' the boy re-entering the room an hour later.
They all hoped that the twins would awaken tomorrow. They were moving in their slumber from time to time and looked far healthier now than a week ago. Daphne on the other hand was still in her deepest sleep. But Hermione and the others could, through their mental bonding, 'feel' her mind and sometimes even received pictures from her. Especially Harry, who had the most intense bond with Daphne, had been troubled with those memories of the Sanguis Familiae Spell, with the emotions and memories of Ginny he received via Daphne's mind. He now understood far better how Ginny's last months had been and his opinion about Daphne's intent to help the girl had changed dramatically.
Leaving her wand behind as a book mark in the Charms book she had been reading, Hermione went at Daphne's side. "Please hurry to awake, Daphne," she whispered. "Harry needs you at his side. And your mother and your sister… please come back." Gently she pressed her hand. It was one thing to hear that 'everything would be right again' and to see Daphne there in her bed, white as the bed linen.
When she heard someone open the door, Hermione whirled around. She didn't expect anyone and Poppy wouldn't return for another hour. A queasy feeling took hold of her, as she noticed Theodore Nott and Zacharias Smith enter the room. Nott looked around nervously, while Smith grinned maliciously in Hermione's direction.
"See, Theo, I told you the Mudblood would be here alone."
A low pling told Hermione that Zach just cost his house ten points, but it wasn't easing her mind. Slowly and trying to be unobtrusive in her intent, she walked towards her books. Suddenly the boys raised their arms, wands already ready.
"Expelliarmus." Nott's spell sent her wand flying away, far out of her reach.
"Messorius!" A wave of pain hit Hermione's left shoulder and upper arm. A reaper spell, Hermione thought absent-minded. Where did he learn such a spell? Even with her bracelet absorbing a part of the spell it bit deep. Her chest and arm started to bleed profusely. Groaning Hermione clenched the wound with her right hand. Without the bracelet it would have cut my arm artery, she mused absent-mindedly. Nobody noticed that Daphne started to move slightly in her bed and to moan softly.
"Are you mad?" Nott yelled. "You can't use such a spell on her. You could have killed her."
"That was the intent." Smith's cold answer caused shudders on Hermione's back.
"N… no," Nott shook his head. "We only wanted to row her up a bit. I don't want to be part of this."
He started to turn away but Smith's grip stopped him. "You can't simply walk away, Nott. You're in with me – you have been since you told me about that poison broker."
Poison broker, Hermione trembled. So it had been Smith who sent the poisoned vine.
"It was an error," Nott whispered. "I never wanted someone to die."
"You're weak." Smith turned around. "You cost my father his hand, Mudblood." The absurd pling of another ten points nearly caused Hermione to giggle nervously. "You'll pay for that. But first we'll have a bit of fun with you. What do you think, Nott: Should we command her to punish the traitor-snake a bit first?"
Nott looked confused and tried to avoid the stares of Smith and Hermione.
Smith sneered. He pointed his wand at Hermione, who struggled to suppress her flinch. "Imperio!"
"Are you mad?" While Hermione struggled to fight the mental pressure, struggling to battle Smith's will with her Occlumency skills, the boys started to quarrel, more or less ignoring her. "An Unforgivable? You'll land us in Azkaban for using an Unforgivable on her."
"You're a real sissy, Nott. How do you think I convinced Bones to administer the poison – promised her sweet kisses and to do her homework?" He sneered again.
Subconsciously Hermione, still fighting the spell, tapped into her bond with Daphne. Your bond will help you even more in the future. It will allow you to fight Legilimency and similar spells, Anne had said. A part of the spell's energy dripped into Daphne's mind before Hermione was able to stop it. The result was instant and surprising. With a stunning yell the formerly unconscious girl awoke, sitting up and shocking everyone. With her pale face she easily could have been a ghost.
For a very long moment everyone only stared. Then the real battle erupted.
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Harry and Neville were on their way back to their dorm, happily exhausted from their run. Harry was still far better in shape but Neville slowly closed the gap and wasn't as much of an impediment as two months ago. The castle's door already in sight, a yell permeated the air – no, not the air but their minds.
DAPHNE!
It was Hermione's voice, he heard, but that couldn't be. Ten yards, perhaps fifteen had been the utmost distance so far for their mind speech. But a single glance into Neville's terrified face told Harry, that he hadn't been the only one to hear it. Instantly he rushed towards the door and pushed it open…
Only to topple the person standing there, waiting for someone.
Professor Snape was already in a gloomy mood. He had noticed Harry and Neville on their way back and wanted to speak with the boy. No, he didn't want it, but it was necessary. He had just reached the door – intending to speak with him outside the castle to prevent eavesdropper – when the heavy wood door smashed into him and pushed him to the ground.
"Sorry, Professor."
"Potter! POTTER!" It was of no use. Potter simply rushed away, Neville fast behind. For a moment Snape hesitated. But this weird behaviour certainly had a reason. And why were they rushing towards the Hospital Wing? Hastily he began to follow them.
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Just in time Hermione whipped out her secondary wand from her ankle holster – silently cursing because she lost precious seconds when her skirt hampered her motion – to shield herself and Daphne from Smith's next Messorius Spell.
Moments later the fight was in full spate. Wounded and armed only with her lesser wand, Hermione was barely able to hold her ground against the two boys. While Nott still only used spells to disarm, stun or bind her, Smith had none qualms to go for the kill. Cutting Curses and Reaper Spells were his weapons of choice. With her duty to protect Daphne too, Hermione was unable to dodge and had no chance to use any offensive spell. Her only luck was the fact that the boys weren't a real team and apparently unable or unwilling to coordinate their attacks.
A Reducto circumvent Hermione's shield and hit the footboard of Daphne's bed. With a yell of surprise and pain the girl fell to the ground. Dodging Nott's next spell Hermione jumped across the broken mess of Daphne's bed and in front of her friend. Her shield spell was to slow this time and Smith's next Messorius Spell hit Hermione's right leg instead of Daphne's neck. Again the bracelet took the brunt of the attack, but the deep cut still sent Hermione down.
With a crash the door to the Hospital opened, showing the concerned faces of Harry and Neville. The concern instantly changed to hot fury as they noticed the scene in front of them. Daphne and Hermione on the ground, Daphne's bed a mess and the feedback of pain rolling through their minds.
Harry – assuming Nott to be the main culprit – nearly lazily deflected Nott's first attacks, while he walked towards him. His face was grim and promised pain. But this time it wasn't Viktor facing him. This time there wouldn't be 'playing around'. Nott will be going down as fast as possible, Harry decided. He only saw an obstacle in the boy, an obstacle on his way to Daphne.
At his side Neville dodged a cutting curse of Smith. He was nearly hit by the next one, when he noticed the deep gashes on Hermione's body. Hastily he turned back and started to fight in earnest. Within seconds Smith learned that Neville wasn't a near-squib anymore and that his shields were far superior to any attack he could send his way. With every unsuccessful attack of Smith, Neville gained another two steps as he quickly closed the gap. Like Hermione he was more of a defensive fighter, but in this moment he saw red. Tapping into his emotions as Harry had taught him, Neville cast a crackling shield. Trusting it to absorb quite a number of those puny spells Smith was sending his way, he responded with a number of medium-powered Reducto spells.
Like a rabbit on the run Smith dodged the spells, took shelter behind beds and tried to break Neville's shield. At his side Nott went to the ground, no match for Harry's anger after seeing his girlfriend hurt – again. At last Smith's luck ran out like the covers around him. Neville's spell hit him into the chest and sent him sprawling through the air until a wall stopped him. With a thumb he crashed onto the ground and lost his consciousness. The darkness took away the pain.
.
With a deep frown and a hardly suppressed groan Harry watched Snape enter the Hospital only seconds after Neville had knocked out Zacharias Smith, his cloak billowing behind him. He felt proud. Neville had gone far from the shy boy of the past. But now Snape would start his usual line of insults and putting every fault at Harry's feet. It was no surprise when Nott hurried towards his House Master and started to babble about evil Gryffindors attacking him. But Snape's reaction certainly was.
His powerful backhand caught Nott completely unprepared and sent him flying away. "I told you not to mess with her, Nott." Without waiting for an answer and under they wide-eyed stares of everyone he cast body bind spells on Nott and Smith, before he hurried to the girls.
Daphne was still shocked by her abrupt awakening, but seemed to be uninjured. Hermione's wounds on the other hand were heavily bleeding, the appearance even worse. "Send a Patronus to Poppy."
Without waiting for Harry's nod and successful casting of the spell, Snape began to treat Hermione's wounds. After superficially closing her wounds he carried her surprisingly gently to one of the beds – one of the few Neville and Smith hadn't damaged in their fight – and fetched a Blood Replenishing Potion from his cloak. "Drink this."
Hermione, totally shocked by his behaviour, nodded weakly but still didn't drink. Snape sighed. "Miss Granger, drinking… you know… open mouth and all. This will help you. Poisoning is part of the schedule of next Friday." Snape cracking a joke was nearly too much, but at least Hermione followed his order now and drank the potion.
They had to wait for Poppy for a while – Harry and Neville were sitting beside their girlfriends, Snape collected the culprits' wands and glared at Nott and Smith. Both boys winced, but stayed silent after their first try to 'explain' was answered by Snape's deepest growl.
"He tried to kill me." Hermione's voice suddenly broke the silence. She started to tremble violently, apparently now fully comprehending what just had happened to her, cold shock hitting her. "Smith I mean, not Nott." Snape turned towards her and watched her thoughtfully. After some moments he gestured Neville to slide onto the bed and embrace her. Flabbergasted Neville didn't obey instantly and stared at the weird behaving Potions Master.
"Now, Mister Longbottom." This tone at least he knew and Neville happily obeyed this time. He put his arms around Hermione, her head on his shoulder.
"He tried to kill me," Hermione repeated shakingly. "He used Reaper Spells against me."
Snape paled slightly. "You mean cutting curses?"
A tiny bit of the usual Hermione shone through when she answered with a hint of annoyance in her voice: "While I certainly don't use such spells, I know the difference. He used the Messorius."
Snape shortly glared at Smith, his look promising dire repercussions.
"And he tried to Imperio me."
Snape was stock-still for a moment, before he curtly nodded. "I see." His reaction shocked Harry. Snape really seemed to believe Hermione without further proof.
"He admitted that he used the spell before." Hermione whispered.
"On Miss Bones I assume." Snape asked with a controlled voice.
"Yes, sir."
"I understand."
Steps became audible in the corridor outside the Hospital. Snape jolted around and with a flick of his wand cast his own Patronus spell. In awe Harry watched a beautiful silvery doe appear in the room. "Not a single word, Potter." Snape growled, before he sent the Patronus away. "Mrs. Bones, your instant attendance is needed at the Hogwarts' Hospital Wing."
The door opened and a few teachers as well as the Headmaster and Poppy entered seconds before the doe left. Dumbledore appeared none too happy and his mood only worsened when he heard that Snape had sent his Patronus to inform the DMLE. "Severus, that was a bit rash. First we should try to…"
"First," Snape simply interrupted him "we should wait for the DMLE and allow Poppy to do her work." In a much softer tone, he explained to the Mediwitch: "I closed her wounds and gave her a Blood Replenishing Potion. I think it would be better to allow her a few moments with Mister Longbottom to conquer her shock, before we continue her treatment. Perhaps you could have a closer look at Miss Greengrass first."
Poppy cocked her head and watched the Potion Master intensely. Everyone expected some comment about not explaining her job to her, but instead a slight smile appeared and after a short nod she walked at Daphne's side.
Shaking his head Headmaster Dumbledore looked around. The hospital was a real mess. With a frown he noticed that the culprits were still in body bind and he freed them. The moment he opened his mouth – certainly to start his usual speech about unnecessary harshness and 'second chances for everyone' – Snape renewed the binding spells.
"They aren't silly boys doing some pranks, Albus," Snape growled. "They're criminals and I'm sure that at least Mister Smith will see the inside of Azkaban in the near future." Several gasps could be heard, but Snape wasn't finished. "And Mister Nott would be wise to testimony against Mister Smith to avoid the same fate." He walked in front of the trembling boy. "Do you understand me, Mister Nott?" Theodore Nott stared wide-eyed at him and nodded weakly.
"Good," Snape stepped back. With a flick of his wand he removed the silver and green stripes on the boy's robe. "Mister Nott… you disobeyed my direct order. You attacked a housemate for the second time. You brought dishonour to the House of Slytherin. I evict you from the House of Slytherin."
"Severus, you can't do this." Dumbledore exclaimed.
"I can and I did," Snape growled back. "As the Master of House Slytherin I'm allowed to evict a student from my house if I assume him to be a danger for my other students. And in this moment I exert this right."
"Severus," Dumbledore tried to plead, but Snape only shook his head.
"It is unusual, Albus," Minerva stated quietly. "But it is his right to do so." These bastards had injured one of her cubs. If Severus was willing to punish them, he would get every support from her side.
"Severus," Albus tone was much harsher now. "Your position as the Master of House Slytherin…"
"Is safer than your own, Albus," Snape smirked. "Good look with convincing Lucius and the others to sack me."
Before the discussion had time to escalate, a new group arrived: Mrs. Amelia Bones and her Aurors. Instantly Albus tried to shoo her away and convince her that he had everything under control. But to his disgust she simply ignored him: "Whose Patronus informed me?"
Snape stepped forward: "Mine." He curtly explained what had happened and made a special mentione of Smith's use of the Imperio on her niece. "I'm quite sure that Mister Nott will be willing to testify and explain everything in exchange of a more lenient sentence. I assume that he'll leave Britain for a while after that. I heard Durmstrang is nice at winter time."
Amelia Bones threw a scrutinizing look on the boys. She accepted the offered wands of the culprits – "You'll find a newly used Imperio on the black oaken one" – and ordered her Aurors to take them away. Before she left, Amelia sent a last glare towards Albus: "I'll inform Augusta about this – especially about your newest attempt to cover all of this up."
A beaten Headmaster left the room together with the teachers, shooed out by Madam Pomfrey. "Not you two," she ordered Neville and Harry. "You'll stay here this night – with your girls."
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A/N
Riddle around the Poisoning solved at last.
I originally planned to use Neville's Patronus in this chapter. But I have no idea what it could be. Do you have any ideas? I don't know if he ever used the spell in the books.