Chapter 21
The feeling in Hermione's legs slowly returned over the next two days. Eventually she was allowed to sit in the front area of the infirmary which also meant that she was finally allowed to have visitors. Hermione wasn't at all surprised when Harry and Ginny all but broke the door down when they found out. Ginny ran up to her, wrapping Hermione in a hug so tight that the curly haired witch could barely breath. "Merlin's balls Hermione, don't ever do that again" Ginny said. Harry hugged her next, though a lot gentler than his Weasley counter part. "Yeah, please don't," Harry said. The three teenagers sat and talked for a long time, catching Hermione up on what had been happening in the castle while she was bed ridden, it wasn't long before curiosity got the better of Ginny. "So what happened? The castle is buzzing with rumors on what went on that evening." She asked in a hushed tone. Hermione sighed and leaned her head back, "C'mon 'Mione, you cant just leave us in the dark. Katie told us that you had made it out and then ran back in." Harry explained. "Malfoy's cauldron exploded and it created a gas that filled the room. I made it out but once I was in the hallway I realized that we weren't all out there so I ran back in. Malfoy had been knocked unconscious, I pulled him out." Talking about the accident was almost as hard as watching it happen again. By the end of the explanation Hermione could almost feel her lungs burning again. Ginny got up and wrapped her arms around Hermione and Harry gave her knee a gentle squeeze. Hermione wiped a stray tear away and Ginny sat back down, "So, how did Ron react to me saving Malfoy?" Hermione asked. Ginny wrinkled her nose and Harry made a face. "That bad?" She asked, Ginny snorted "When he's not spreading rumors he's mumbling under his breath about Slytherins." The red head explained. Hermione just shook her head, she wondered if he would ever grow up.
About a half hour later the three students were interrupted by Narcissa Malfoy yelling for Poppy, who came out of her office stopping in the makeshift room before stepping out of the curtains to usher Harry and Ginny from the room. Hermione walked back into the curtain offed area to find that Draco had woken up. She sat down on her bed and watched as Poppy and Narcissa worked frantically to stabilize him while Lucius stood off to the side and watched. Draco couldn't speak because his lungs and throat were so damaged, all he could do was writhing in pain and gasp for air. Poppy worked quickly to provide the Slytherin some relief, pour potion after potion down his throat.
It took the Mediwitch several hours of work before Draco was finally stabilized and calm. It was well after dinner and the castle had long been quiet. Hermione sat and watched as Narcissa fussed over her son, it was the first time Hermione had seen the woman smile since she woke up. Lucius's response was different, it seemed that since his son was awake he was able to focus all his worry upon his best friend in the bed next to him. At some point Hermione felt compelled to say something, she stood up and walked to the end of his bed, Narcissa eyed her cautiously while Lucius gave a knowing look. She cleared her throat, "I'm glad you're ok Malfoy." She said simply. Hermione had no clue what she expected but it wasn't for the boy to start yelling at her, it was mostly nonsense but she made could make out the occasional "Filthy mudblood," and several "I'm sure Potter and Weasley had something to do with this," after the third or fourth iteration of mudblood Lucius stood up and turned on his son, "That is enough, Draco." He said sternly, "But father she-" Lucius held up a hand, cutting of his son's next statement. "You owe that girl your life, if it wasn't for her you would probably be dead on the dungeon floor." Draco's face paled and he quickly shut his mouth, seeming to chose to pretend that Hermione just didn't exist. The girl went back to her bed, a little hurt, she wasn't sure what she had expected from that but that wasn't it. It wasn't too much later that she fell asleep to the sound of Narcissa quietly whispering words of love to her son.
Hermione was gently shaken awake the next morning, she opened her eyes to find Professor Dumbledore standing over her, "Ms. Granger, we've found out who did it." He said gently. Hermione sat up quickly, "Really?" She asked, cringing when she realized how loud her voice was. "The Aurors are here now, along with a Ministry Representative for us," Lucius explained. Hermione's mostly asleep brain was confused, "What do you need from me?" She asked, "We'd like you to come meet with the Representative, he has some questions for you." Lucius said, Hermione nodded and pulled on her shoes and with Lucius's assistance they three of them made their way up to Dumbledore's office. Waiting for them inside was, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, A tall man she didn't recognize, and sitting in front of Dumbledore's desk was Eddie Carmichael, a Ravenclaw who was a year above her who got in trouble last year for selling Baruffio's Brain Elixir to younger students during O. . He sat with his parents who looked ready to kill. Lucius helped Hermione to a seat before moving to sit in a seat by the man Hermione didn't know. Dumbledore took his seat behind the desk before addressing the room. "Mr. Carmichael, I assume you know why you're here?" He started, Eddie sneered "Is it about the prank in dungeons?" Hermione saw Lucius's eyes narrow, "Let's be honest here, it was more than a prank." Dumbledore's voice was still gentle. Eddie's father sat up straighter before clearing his throat, "I'm sorry headmaster but what are you accusing my son of?" Dumbledore went on to explain what happened, the more the story went on the angrier Eddie's father got, but not for the reason you would think. "This is outrageous!" He yelled, "Nobody was seriously harmed, there is no reason for all of this." The man sputtered. "Contrary sir, two students and one professor have spent the last several days in the infirmary due to this. Both students have only just woken up and Professor Snape is still unconscious." The man snorted, "Sorry for not having sympathy for your Death Eater's pain." Hermione was offended on Severus's behalf but she kept that to herself. "And what of the two students?" The headmaster asked calmly. "What? The Death Eater's son?" Mr. Carmichael said while jerking his head in Lucius's direction, "And before you ask, Eddie has told us that despite being a Gryffindor, Ms. Granger here spends a lot of time with the Slytherins, he was even told by one of her close friends that is suspected that she's involved with your Professor Snape." He said smugly as if he had just won the argument. Hermione did her best not to blush at the idea though she wasn't sure how successful she was. "Despite that being a nasty rumor, Ms. Granger's nonexistent relationship with Professor Snape does not discount the pain she was caused." Mr. Carmichael's eyes narrowed. "We are not here to debate what happened, we are here to figure out what is going to be done about it." The headmaster said before turning to Lucius, "Mr. Malfoy, I believe you wanted to press formal charges against Edward?" Lucius stood up and straitened his robes, "My son was greatly harmed and even now we have no clue what permanent damage was done to him, my wife and I will being charges, and as Mr. Carmichael is over the age of 17 he will be tried as an adult." Eddie and his parents paled, "B-but that means," His mom sputtered, "Until his trial he will be held in Azkaban." Mr. Carmichael stood up, "This is outrageous! You're crazy!" He yelled "The charges won't stand! You have no evidence." He bowed up to Lucius as if expecting to fight the man. "Actually Auror Tonks and Auror Kingsley here both veiwed Ms. Granger's memories of the accident." Dumbledore explained. Kingsley cleared his throat while stepping forward, "We're here to take Edward into custody." He left no room for argument, the two Aurors restrained the boy who was now yelling obscenities and escorted him to the fireplaces before Flooing away. "You're going to regret this." Mr. Carmichael said before taking his sobbing wife and leaving. Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Dumbledore stood from his seat and gather the two Heads of House to the side and started discussing something with them. The tall man approached Lucius and set a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, we've got this." He said, Lucius smiled and turned towards Hermione. "Ms. Granger this is Hyperion Greengrass, he's a Legal Representative from the ministry." He explained. "Oh, you're Daphne's father." Hermione responded, shaking the man's outstretched hand. "Yes, you and Daphne are partners in Potions, correct?" Hermione nodded "Yes, sir" Mr. Greengrass gave a cautious smile. "Ms. Granger we a request for you." Lucius said gently, "Would you be willing to testify at the hearing? We believe that if the Wizengamot hears from a student separate from Draco we'll be more likely to get a proper conviction." He explained. "Yes, absolutely." Hermione agreed with no hesitation.
About an hour later Hermione was finally allowed to go back to the infirmary, escorted back by Professor McGonagall. Narcissa had apparently gone home at some point, a little more at ease now that Draco was awake. McGonagall left the two students together, Hermione sat down on her bed and pulled out the book she had been reading. "Granger," She looked up sharply, it obviously had come from Draco but he was doing his best to avoid eye contact. "Yes?" She asked, "Mother told me, said that you agreed to testify at the hearing." He said, still avoiding eye contact. "I did." he nodded before taking a deep breath. "Thank you. For testifying," he paused. "and for saving me." Hermione could tell that it was very hard for him to say all of that. "You're welcome."
A/N Ello! We'll just pretend that I haven't been completely AWOL for almost a year. Yeah... Wear your masks!