Chapter 30: Concerning Hobbits
Back at school, Hermione found herself thrust back into the thick of things. Classes resumed as normal, teachers gave them homework, the D.A. was thriving, Potions Club was still going strong and she and Harry had regular training classes with Flitwick.
Everything was moving along at a nice pace until Potions came around. Snape had relaxed a little since November but he was still biased toward his own house and cruel to others. They were working on a shrinking solution when, out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Harry reach his hand out. Something dropped into her cauldron.
The solution started to roil and bubble. Harry threw himself in front of her just as the potion exploded. Harry's back was covered in the solution, causing his robes to shrink but a little got into the last place you wanted a potion: her eyes.
Snape was on them in an instant. She could hear him waving his wand, muttering different spells but, most disturbingly, she could not see anything. She heard him reach into the cauldron and pull something out.
"Who did this!?" Snape demanded of the class. Hermione didn't hear anyone reply but soon it was clear a culprit had been found. "Mr. Malfoy! That was reckless, stupid and caused injury to another student.30 points from Slytherin and detention tonight.
"Potter!" Hermione heard his voice get louder. "Take Miss Granger to the Hospital Wing at once. Tell Madam Pomfrey that Hermione got some shrinking solution in her eyes. I countered the effects but she will need the antidote."
"Yessir," Harry sounded furious.
Next thing Hermione knew, Harry hefted her up and guided her toward the Wing.
"How are you?" Harry said concern laced through his voice.
"I can't see!" Hermione said. "What if Madam Pomfrey can't reverse this! What if…"
"Shhh," Harry soothed her. He took her hand and put it through the crook of his elbow, onto his forearm. "We'll get you right. Just follow my lead. We're coming up on some steps."
On Harry led her, letting her know when they were at staircases. Before long, Hermione heard the usual chime and she knew they entered the ward of the Hospital Wing.
"Please state the nature of the medical emergency," Pomfrey said. "Back again are we?"
"It isn't me this time, Madam Pomfrey," Harry said. "We were in Potions. Professor Snape told me to tell you Hermione got a little shrinking solution in her eyes. He said he stopped the reaction but she will need the antidote."
"On the bed you go," Pomfrey said and had Harry led her toward one of the beds. "I have the antidote. It will need time to work. It is good that Professor Snape acted as quickly as he did. Any potion that gets into soft tissue is incredibly serious. This one could have shrunk your optical nerve, rendering you functionally blind."
Hermione gasped at this. Wizards didn't have any books in braille and it would be impossible for her to continue learning magic, to stay with Harry.
"Luckily, the antidote appears to be working," Pomfrey soothed. "It will take about a week but your vision will return. There will be a daily regimen for your eyes and you will soon start to see light. After a while, that light will soften and you will be able to see properly again."
Hermione heard the matron walk away. She felt very alone until she felt Harry grab her hand.
"Snape was furious," Harry said. "I've never seen him like that. I'm glad he acted so quickly."
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. "I know you blocked a lot of that explosion with your body."
"I am fine, Hermione," she could hear his smile. "My robes caught it all. They shrunk to the point where they would fit Dobby but otherwise, I am unharmed.
"What can I do for you?" Harry asked.
"I don't know…" Hermione was flummoxed as to what to do. She was still on edge and usually, she read to calm herself down. "Could you read to me?"
"Of course," Harry almost sounded like he knew that's what she would ask. "What would you like me to read?"
"I don't know…" Hermione was so used to just reading herself that she didn't know what to pick.
"I know!" the chair Harry was sitting on creaked as he sat up quickly. "I will be back shortly."
Hermione heard his footsteps move away, leaving her in a cold, soundless black void. She wrapped her arms around herself, gently rocking herself on the bed, trying to keep herself under control. Freaking out won't help anyone, she said. Even though she couldn't see, she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. As her heart rate calmed, she heard footsteps approach. A chair creaked. She heard a book open and pages turn. Then she heard Harry's voice.
"When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton."
On and on, Harry read the Lord of the Rings, complete with different voices for different characters and when he reached the end of chapter one, Hermione spoke.
"Would you like to come up on the bed?" Hermione asked. "I'm sure it'd be more comfortable."
"I don't think Madam Pomfrey…" Harry started to say before she looked in his direction.
"Pleeeease?" Hermione said. "It's weird just hearing you read. I think I'd like to know exactly where you are."
"Merlin," Harry sighed. "Even when blind, your doe eyes are still irresistible."
Hermione smiled triumphantly as she moved to allow Harry space to sit on the bed. Harry climbed up and got comfortable as Hermione cuddled into him like he was a gigantic teddy bear.
On and on Harry read to her. He read until it got dark and Madam Pomfrey sent him away. Then, the next morning, Harry would be there bright and early. Because she couldn't see, Harry was given the duty of feeding her breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After meals, Harry would return to the book and continue reading.
"Three rings for the Elven Kings, under the sky;
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men Doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his Throne
In the land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to Bring them all and in the darkness bind them"
On and on Harry read with Hermione burrowed into his side. She received a few visits from Neville, Parvati and Lavender but when they left, Harry stayed. On Sunday afternoon, Professor McGonagall stopped by and she was about to say something when Madam Pomfrey laid a hand on her shoulder. Minerva turned as Poppy put a finger to her lips, a smile gracing her face.
"Frodo woke to find himself lying in bed.," Harry recited the passage to an enraptured Hermione. "At first, he thought that he had slept late, after a long, unpleasant memory that still hovered on the edge of memory."
McGonagall couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"You got your bet in, right Minerva?" Poppy asked, seriously.
"I might have to double it," McGonagall answered. "Never have I seen something so tragically sweet. If only James and Lily were alive to see this."
"Mr. Creevey was here earlier to surreptitiously take a picture of them," Pomfrey said. "I don't often ask for pictures of my patients but this one I will want a copy of."
"I might have to ask the same. Why did you let them stay like this?"
"Maybe I'm going soft as I get older," Pomfrey said before turning serious. "She also needs it. She's so used to being in control of her environment. Right now, that's been upset and she needs as much security as she can get.
"When he leaves, I can see the terror set in. She needs him right now, more than she is willing to admit."
"In the house of Elrond," Harry said in a deep, serene voice not too dissimilar from Dumbledore's. "and it is ten o'clock in the morning. It is the morning of October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know."
"Gandalf!" Harry made his voice raise an octave and a half.
A smile blossomed on Hermione's face and a tear appeared in the corner of her eyes. She tried to blink it away but she couldn't. Suddenly more joined and tears fell freely down her cheeks.
"Hermione!" Harry said, suddenly worried. "Are you okay? Can I get you anything?"
"I am fine, Harry," Hermione said as she wiped her eyes.
"Then why are you crying?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"I am having flashbacks," Hermione said. "My dad used to read me this book whenever I was sick. He'd do different voices and everything. It made me feel safe, like I was escaping to another world."
"I know," Harry smiled down at her. "You told me when on the train ride up when we first met. I thought reading Lord of the Rings might be a nice way to pass the time."
"A very good choice," Hermione wiped fresh tears out of her eyes. "Thank you, Harry."
Harry wrapped his arm around her and brought her in closer. She wrapped her arms around this middle and somehow found a way to snuggle in closer. Without her eyes, she drank in everything with her other senses. She memorized his unique scent: the Eucalyptus of his shampoo, the broom varnish and something she couldn't label as anything but Harry. She felt his chest rise and fall as he breathed and memorized the sound of his voice, the voice that puberty was starting to deepen. While reading, it would crack occasionally.
"Well, it's good to see your eyes are healing," Madam Pomfrey bustled up, startling both kids. "You are producing tears normally. How is your vision?"
"I'm still just seeing white everywhere," Hermione said. "But it's getting darker and I'm starting to see some shapes."
"An impressive recovery," Pomfrey sounded impressed. "You should be cleared to leave by Saturday if this continues on pace. As you were."
Hermione relaxed and snuggled back into Harry when McGonagall spoke up.
"I spoke with Professor Snape," McGonagall said. "I wanted to follow up with you two as well."
"Ironic, considering my current condition," Hermione said. "I didn't see much. I saw Harry's hand move and then he dove in front of me."
"I only saw something heading toward her cauldron," Harry said. "I tried to knock it away but I couldn't react in time. I could not even tell you what it was, to be honest. I was more concerned about protecting Hermione."
"Thank you," McGonagall said. "This matches up with what Professor Snape told me. Draco Malfoy has been given a further four detentions and we made the point deduction an even hundred. That is all immaterial to me; I am just glad that you will recover, Miss Granger."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione looked in her general direction, at least she hoped so. While she was starting to make out shapes, she couldn't be certain if the shape was her professor or a coat rack.
"That is all," McGonagall gave Harry a rare smile. "Well back to it. You don't want to leave your audience hanging, do you?"
With the approval of their head of house, Harry dug back in and kept reading. It was almost curfew and Harry was determined to finish the first book.
"'Coming Mr. Frodo! Coming!' called Sam and flung himself from the bank, clutching at the departing boat. With a cry and a splash, he fell face downward into deep swift water. Gurgling, he went under and the River closed over his curly head."
Hermione zoned out as Harry kept reading, her eyes growing heavy. As Harry finished the last passage with Frodo and Sam seeking a path over Emyn Muil, down into the Land of Shadow, Hermione fell fast asleep.
Quietly, Harry closed the book and gently lay Hermione down to sleep. He tucked her in and leaned down. For the first time, he returned the favor and kissed Hermione gently on the cheek.
"Sleep well, Hermione," Harry said, placing the book on the bedside table and walked out of the ward.
As she slept, Hermione dreamt of Middle Earth. She pictured herself flying on an eagle, walking across the picturesque landscape and battling the forces of Mordor.
She was on one of the eagles, being flown around the different locations of Middle Earth. She looked down on Minas Tirith and felt scared of the height. That was when a pair of arms wrapped around her. She didn't have to look back to know it was Harry.
"I've got you," he soothed as she relaxed back into him. "You're safe with me."
Hermione didn't have to question it; she knew that to be true.
That morning, Hermione woke with Harry by her side. He wanted to visit before classes started and every night that week, he came and read a little more from the book, crossing through the first book and moving deep into the second yet still he sat there, reading to her.
"At Helm's Gate, before the mouth of the Deep, there was a heel of rock thrust outward by the northern cliff. There upon its spur stood high walls of ancient stone, and within them was a lofty tower."
On and on Harry read, his eyes occasionally flicking to hers to ensure she was still enjoying it. She wasn't being read a story; she was being transported. She was back in her room at home and simultaneously she was watching Aragorn, Theoden and the Rohan army defend the gates of Helm's Deep.
"'Come!' said Aragorn. 'This is the hour when we draw swords together!'" Harry kept on reading.
Soon it was Friday and Hermione opened her eyes. She could see again. Shapes were still a little blurry still but she could easily make them out. With gleeful cheer, she hopped out of bed and ran to the restroom, easily able to return to her morning routine.
"Well it looks like you're feeling better," Madam Pomfrey exited her office. "Sit back on the bed and let me run a few tests."
Like every other test she had ever taken, Hermione passed with flying colors.
"I still want to keep you until Monday evening just to be extra certain but I do not foresee any issues or setbacks."
Hermione was so happy she squealed in joy.
"Guess you don't need me to read to you anymore," a voice said from the doorway. She turned and saw Harry standing there, a huge smile on his face. After not seeing him for a week, she drank in the sight of her best friend. She noticed there was something, sadness maybe, in his eyes that she couldn't quite make out.
"I am glad you are recovering quickly," he said.
"Well…" Hermione said as she picked up the book. "My vision is a little blurry still. Would you mind…"
"Yes I will read to you again today," Harry might have sounded hesitant but his voice could not hide his joy. "But only because you're sick."
For the rest of the day, Harry read to her except this time she got the experience of watching him read. She got to focus on how his facial expressions changed with the characters and could see how he re-enacted the scenes on the page. Her eyes got misty again as she watched her best friend replay one of her favorite books. It was a memory she would cherish for the rest of her life.
The next thing she knew, Harry was closing the book, having finished the Two Towers.
"It's too bad I'm getting released tomorrow," Hermione said. "It would have been nice to finish the trilogy."
"Maybe someday we just might have to do that," Harry nudged her with his elbow. "If you're REALLY good."
The following day, Hermione was released but she would forever remember this week when Harry became more than a best friend. This week, he became a kindred spirit, a friend she could not bear to live without. And hopefully, she thought he'd be more than just a friend one day.
Looking back at the bed she occupied, she turned away morosely and walked out, ready to return to her normal life.
(A/N: This scene is based on one referenced in Lowten's "Best Laid Plans," wherein Harry reads to Hermione which brings them closer and is the catalyst into them becoming a couple. I always loved the idea of that and wanted to explore what that scene might look like.
If you haven't read "Best Laid Plans," I highly suggest it. A fun, endearing and unique fiction that is a joy to read and re-read.)
