Flashback 2/2: Human Decency

Late October 1999

After day twelve of detentions Hermione was about to skip school. Not for one second had she believed her impudent speech to go unpunished, but what Minerva had come up with was even more than she had an ill-tempered Severus credited for. It had only been that one night of scrubbing toilets for Filch. After that she had been able to avert her expulsion in favor of altered detentions. Minerva had changed them to a fortnight of a 24/7 simple sounding cleaning task: Hermione was in charge of seeing to everything her professors thought needed cleaning after classes, plus, which was the nasty part, cleaning everything that fell to the floor in- and outside the castle.

And due to not only working as a part-time house elf inside, but also as caretaker on the castle's greens, Hermione was probably the only student in a thousand years of Hogwarts to have fully acknowledged the remarkable amount of deciduous trees the Forbidden Forest had to offer, since she was in charge of taming the impressive amounts of foliage the autumn storms provided the castle's grounds with. It was tiresome and pointless work as it was, but the Slytherins added to it by reliably spreading her work again every late afternoon. The first couple of days the other Houses did as well, but they stopped as they had realized the extent of her detention task. Simply her fellow Gryffindors completely refrained from adding to her load, but only since they feared more point loss should she not get all the assigned work done. Together with all schoolwork and the increased panic-attack duration due to lack of recovery, this reduced her sleeping time to three hours per night.

Right now, she was not only mentally but also physically on her knees to sweep the mess away one of the latterly clumsy students had spread in the Potions classroom on vanishing potions rests.

Hermione was exhausted, they had managed to get to her, well Minerva had with her task and Severus apparently could not work against his nature of causing a student more adversity when the chance presented itself so invitingly.

Her movements were more automatic now than ever, but slower as well and she had to sit back on her heels for a moment, feeling dizzy. Her energy had been wasted this morning already when Leander Marquardt used the viscosity of pumpkin pancakes as obvious pretence for a feigned temper tantrum that resulted in lots of food and drinks on the floor of the Great Hall, which was hers to clean. At least now she could do it with only Severus to witness and wasn't it nice that he got this chance since he had missed breakfast this morning, she mused bitterly.

However, having forced her to clean the mess while everyone else was still eating was purposefully degrading her and that was just cruel given her general social stand and the fact that Hermione had once been cherished by Remus and Minerva made this whole situation even more grotesque. Hermione now tried to calm herself and to focus her thoughts on the task at hand and not the people responsible for it. She started telling herself that she could do it slowly now since there was no point in hurrying anymore, given that she was already late for Defense and would have to deliver a compensating essay anyway. Due to her overactive mind it immediately occurred her that she would very likely not be able to finish said essay, which would either lead to point loss or another essay. Her inner calmness returned to being a distant prospect again, but she immediately reminded herself that this would be manageable since detentions would be over soon. If not, she would just quit school. Meanwhile she felt extensively defeated. They had taught her their lesson and she had learned where they thought her place was. They had more pull and knew how to use it and if she wanted her degree, she had to go for it from the place they assigned her. Her line of thoughts was interrupted by the annoyed Potions master.

"Don't dawdle. You're wasting my time and running late for class."

She wiped some stray curls from her right eye. "I am too late already, so there's no need to hurry, but don't let me stop you. If I will have finished properly will be visible anyway-," she offered.

"I understand that you're not to use magic for this, so some supervision wouldn't go amiss, I trust," he answered.

"I'm not under 24/7 supervision, so it would surely be right as rain not to waste your time watching me," she returned.

"Which is indeed careless of the headmistress," Severus stated and was credited with an arched eyebrow and a puzzled look from his student. "Anything unclear, Miss Granger?" he asked sourly.

"Professor McGonagall is having my wand for the remainder of the detentions. That was part of the deal to stay," she clarified.

Hermione now hoped he would just leave her alone for a couple of minutes. Severus always reminded her of the fact that detentions could have been brewing or cutting ingredients, well, something productive at least. They had once been partners in this. Pressing her lips together she gazed back to the mess in front of her when tears started to pool in her eyes and returned to floor scrubbing.

"And you agreed to that?" he asked with genuine surprise.

"I'm here, am I not?" she countered unnerved without looking up, busy drying her eyes by blinking.

"You do have classes in which wand-waving is required-," he weighed in.

"Yes, and I'm currently not exactly top in them," she quietly admitted, knowing she was giving him ammo for later blackmailing. Due to the silence, Hermione believed Severus to contemplate what she had just offered.

In fact, however, he was taken aback by Minerva's behavior. So far he had thought that the vilification in front of everyone during breakfast had been the height of her mercilessness. He hadn't witnessed it himself, but Rolanda Hooch had been indignant over the incident when she returned into the greenhouse where he had spent the early morning reaping ingredients for his afternoon class today. Even he never went that far, especially considering that Hermione was of age, an allied veteran, who had sacrificed herself and above all a human being. He clenched his fist around the quill he was holding. If only she finally found her fighting spirit again, he mused and on a whim decided to go for poking her some more.

"Interesting approach. I shall make a mental note for my repertoire," he said.

"That's sad to hear," she mumbled before she could stop herself and held her breath in shock.

"Pardon?" he growled at her and she immediately looked at him with pleading eyes; self-respect was no longer for her.

"I'm sorry, sir. I know I've maneuvered myself in this on my own, but I'm exhausted nevertheless and forget my place sometimes," she said sincerely and winced slightly at the realization of how natural this submissiveness came to her. Here she was, on her knees and begging to be forgiven for having uttered a vague opinion. Not so far in the back of her mind she faintly wondered if she started ironing her hands soon too. This was how hitting rock bottom felt like. The impact hurt.

If anything, Severus was not only taken aback by the sincerity in her voice, but by the defeat that was mirrored in both message and tone. She had shown some fighting spirit in Minerva's office when the detention had started, but this seemed suddenly all gone now. She forgets her place, Merlin! As far as he was concerned Hermione's was above the others' for many reasons. Those fighting spirits of hers obviously needed serious triggering otherwise she would be lost and they-who-are-too-narrow-minded-to-see would have won. Suddenly he sat up straight in his chair. Dangerous emotional territory, Severus, stop it, he chided himself mentally.

"Any opinion on my educational methods is misplaced. Five points from Gryffindor. However, regrow your backbone, Miss Granger- and now get out," he growled dismissively.

.o.O.o.

"Don't even think of arguing with me, Miss Granger," Poppy told her off, "You are in no condition to leave now. You'll keep lying still and don't you dare take that cloth away from the main wound."

Hermione's eyes brimmed with tears now. She nodded.

"That's better, dear! I'll inform Severus that we'll need more Burning Hex salve. It'll help," she said friendly and patted Hermione's cheek.

"Better don't tell him it's for me," Hermione suggested.

"Nonsense. He'll do as asked. Under my watch no one is preferred or left out when it comes to medical aid! I swore an oath on that."

Fifteen minutes later, Poppy called Severus again. Hadn't Hermione by then been suffering through her anxiety attack, she would probably have a lovely comment on how sad it was that Severus hadn't sworn said oath. But she was seriously distracted by shaking and sweating, while being cold and her muscles slowly cramped. She knew it had to happen at some point after the Burning Hex had hit her and was indeed thankful it did here in the infirmary. The mediwitch had been so nice to put her into a corner where she wasn't exposed to possible visitors and felt safer. Unbelievable as it sounded, she wished for Severus to finally arrive, but first Poppy came and sat down on her sick bed.

"Dear-, your parents answered the emergency letter. As you said, they won't come," the mediwitch said cautiously.

"Anything else?" the young woman asked in a whisper when a new wave of pain washed over her.

The older woman pressed her lips together. "They insist to be deleted from the contact list due to the severed ties."

"I see," Hermione returned shakily.

Despite having expected it, the young woman felt how a painful disappointment slowly tightened its grip around her stomach. She had been humiliated, attacked, hurt and now rejected again. This was close to taking its toll. She focused on breathing to postpone the outbreak.

"I'm a little shocked to be honest and I think there is no advantage in lying to you. The letter was very short and their tone rather unaffected. I'm so sorry," she added heartfelt and stroked her shoulder, "Is there someone else I should contact for you?"

"No, thank you, but may I ask a favor?"

"Of course, dear. What is it?"

"Could I make you my emergency contact? I mean the section mustn't be left clear and you'd be informed anyway and it would spare my pa- the Grangers and me emotional turmoil," Hermione asked under her breath. Her muscles cramped and willing her tears back was nearly impossible.

The mediwitch now padded her hand. "Sweetheart, you should pick someone close to you. Maybe your grandparents or an aunt, a cousin, or a friend – they must meanwhile all be of age as well, so that would work,"

Hermione managed a plagued half-smile. "Would you be so kind?"

The older woman understood and nodded as if to herself.

"Of course," she answered straight away, but then was distracted by a dark figure in the ward, "Severus, what took you so long? I'm having an emergency here," the mediwitch chastised him, while closing the distance and taking salve and potion from the man before immediately walking back to Hermione.

"Argus briefly informed me more detailed in the corridor and I went back to fetch a more potent potion," he answered sourly, while starring at the young and messed up woman in the bed, who intuitively knew that he had overheard their conversation. She had felt sick before, but knowing that the unsociable man now had first-hand knowledge of the true extent of her pitiful situation, put her over the edge.

"Sick," she mumbled and Poppy Accioed a bowl just in time to hold it for Hermione to vomit into.

"It's alright dear, just let go," she soothed her and held back Hermione's hair. When she was done, the Mediwitch held the pain potion to her mouth. "Drink this. Then I'll apply the salve and you'll be better in no time."

After having pulled the curtains halfway close Poppy started to work the salve onto her burning skin. Hermione managed to stifle a scream as the salve made contact. She additionally trembled with pain now and honestly wished to pass out for some minutes.

"Severus, since you're lingering, come and make yourself useful by holding her hand. I'm faster when I can use both of mine," Poppy commanded the dark man.

At her words Hermione's eyes opened in shock. Poppy could not be serious about this. He had likely already witnessed their talk, definitely her vomiting and her overall pathetic condition. Now Hermione saw how Severus stopped at the curtain likely contemplating what to do. She caught herself feeling something like relief on at least not spotting disdain in his eyes, which would be hard to bear right now. Another wave of pain washed over her, which forced her eyes shut and made her grunt deeply.

She shortly startled when a warm hand gently got hold of hers, but before thinking she clutched it and started crying in earnest: pain, sorrow, self-pity, humiliation and the longing for her rejecting mum blazed their trail.

"What exactly happened?" he asked, while squeezing her hand slightly and fighting the urge to pat her hair soothingly. Forcing himself to stay calm took some effort. Although differently, it stirred disturbing memories of her at the Manor and seeing her like this and having physical contact made him want to comfort her more. This confirmed his conviction of better keeping a profound distance between them.

"She was caught by a curse. In class," Poppy informed him with a knowing look.

"Has Remus been informed?"

"He's currently not at Hogwarts. But Minerva knows-, it happened when she covered for him in Defense if I got it correctly?" she asked Hermione, who nodded, but kept her eyes closed. "However, we have it under control, don't we, dear?" she asked Hermione rhetorically, "I'm done. Now try to sleep a bit. We'll leave you to it. And don't hesitate to shout."

Without opening her eyes, as she couldn't stand looking at him, Hermione understood the dismissive gesture of Severus when he squeezed her hand once more before relaxing his own. When she equally tried to let go of his, she did so in vain.

"Sorry, sir, cramps," she murmured.

Now that potions and salves worked its magic she had her wits about herself again and processed that she indeed helplessly clung to the hand of the most unlikely man on earth to do that with. She cringed inwardly and in the same moment unexpectedly felt his other hand softly massaging her cramping fingers lengthwise until they indeed relaxed and instead of simply dropping her hand, he put it equally softly down on the bed. Neither did anyone say a word nor did Hermione open her eyes once during this. She just enjoyed the comfort this gesture provided her with, while deeply hoping he would not let her pay for it later.

Poppy, who had meanwhile stored everything away and dimmed the light, now shoved the Potions master towards her office.

"Severus, I don't know why, but this is getting out of hand. As far as the girl was willing to admit, Minerva had confiscated her wand, but nevertheless made her participate in the active part of Defense. She is severely injured. And I hope we all remember at some point that this is absolutely unacceptable for any student, but especially for those with extensive torture experience! And moral dubiety is no excuse either."

Severus nodded – his thoughts precisely. Next he Accioed Hermione's medical record, which made Poppy protest, but the dark man gestured her into silence. Then he took his wand and deleted her parents' names before taking a quill and putting Poppy Pomfrey's and his own in the emergency contact section.

"I trust it's understood that this remains between us. The two of us, and that it is to be changed back immediately when they have come to senses again," he not really asked a flabbergasted mediwitch, who simply nodded. After that the irritating Potions master simply turned around and left. He needed to make a plan concerning the 'accident'. The mediwitch, however, stared after him and slowly started to smile widely.

The salve worked its magic and Hermione fell asleep for three hours. At nine Poppy allowed her to retreat to her quarters, when she had convinced her that she needed to be somewhere with walls and firmly lockable doors. Although not far away, it took her quite long to manage three quarters of the way to her private quarters. Then she decided to lean to the wall, feeling dizzy and suddenly cold again. She contemplated how her knock-out would affect the duration of detentions. Very likely Minerva would add a complete day, well, seeing her state now, two days more likely.

"Fit enough again to wander the corridors," he said, seemingly approaching out of nowhere.

"Moving at a snail's pace rather, but it allows a closer look at the portraits. I normally hardly value them," she tried to lighten the mood. She wasn't fit enough by any means to put up with Severus now and suddenly missed his soothing presence from before. Merlin, no matter how often she tried to convince herself differently, she needed someone.

"Which may not be recommended security-wise-," he weighed-in.

"I'm meanwhile well-known for being unarmed and lately even for coming like this to duels. So I trust everyone, who had fancied a go, had very likely gotten over it during the last fortnight," she said matter-of-factly.

"Something like this has happened before?" he asked her seriously.

Now she shot him a look if incredulity. "It has and I'm more than pleased by the thought that my real murderous fans must be disappointed by the halfhearted attacks of their tender-hearted companions here at school," she said with feigned joy. "But I'm rambling. I don't intend to stop you from your rounds. There surely are insolent students to catch at the Astronomy Tower. Have a good night, Professor," she dared dismissing him.

"Five points from Gryffindor for being an insolent student yourself. Now move on, Miss Granger," he snarled to not betray his shock at her revelation.

"I think I'll need another minute," she admitted although she had wanted to prevent this, "but will be gone then. Please."

As a matter of fact, she needed far more than a minute. The last five meters to her quarters had proven unmanageable, even on all fours. Meanwhile she sat on her heels; her heart beat significantly to fast, she was cold from the sweat and trembled, while her muscles cramped and didn't allow her to move further. At least she hadn't vomited so far. This was highly embarrassing in front of the portraits, but now that she heard Severus approach for a second time this evening, she painfully realized that she had indeed some pride left or otherwise wouldn't feel this amount of humility now. She faintly wondered how many points he would take now that she had apparently not followed his orders- or would he rather present her with extending her lovely detentions? When she felt him stand behind her she became aware of the exposed position she was in and had to fight down emerging memories from the Manor and the accompanying panic. She reminded herself that he had been the one saving her and swore to herself not to cry in front of him again.

"Snail's pace from a snail's angle. That's getting into a performance."

"I overestimated myself," she whispered.

"With the Burning-Hex wounds I rather levitate you inside. Wingardium Leviosa," he incanted and moved her towards her door, where she thought her password to let them in.

After having settled her on the sofa, he put a blanket from one of the armchairs over her. She looked terrible.

"Thank you, sir," she said quietly, but Severus ignored that.

"Miss Granger, the distribution of your injuries proves a somewhat extended experience. Are you sure it wasn't rather some fighting between students instead of training Defense? I take it Minerva wouldn't be careless enough to leave students unsupervised."

There were three ways to answer this question and every single one would get her into trouble. Hermione was bound to admit that he really was a natural. She could now either say that Minerva hadn't been there or that Minerva hadn't intervened or that Hermione didn't want to answer- or something along that line.

Answer the direct question, ignore the implication. "It was training Defense, sir," she said.

"Minerva is getting slow in her reactions, I take it?" he asked.

"I trust she would disagree with you there. Slowness of her reaction had nothing to do with the outcome, sir."

He assessed her, impressed by her Slytherin way of answering. He had underestimated her. He had thought she would blurt out what had happened.

"Did she intervene when you were unable to ward the curse off?" he asked slowly, towering over her now.

Bugger! That was bad. "Sir, I'd rather not answer that," she subdued.

This, of course, was practically screaming no. But getting the mere information was never enough with the dark Potions teacher. He wanted to be obeyed and that meant answering direct questions or facing punishment.

"Enlighten me, Miss Granger, since when that was an option with me?"

"I'm aware of your standards, but I'd rather not do more than implying anything. I'd like to have my wand back soon since I fancy outliving the remainder of my school time and I thus think it wise to refrain from mentioning anything that might add to my special detentions."

"And it has not occurred to you that I might add to those, too?"

"It has, sir. In the moment you asked the question I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. My reasoning has likely been clouded by your—recurring assistance. I mean no disrespect," she sighed and had to swallow hard to fight back her tears at the memory of how comparably supportive he had been some hours ago, "Sir-, I just want my degree and I promise to leave you all for good the same day, but I'm lost without my wand- in more than one way," she heard the begging undertone herself – submission and rather easily again.

"Five points from Gryffindor for disobedience," Severus snarled. Astonishingly enough she was not even irritated that he took points from the injured victim for not wanting to get more trouble.

On a whim the dark man simply turned around, but before he reached the door, she called for him.

"Professor, could you please Accio a glass of water?" she asked politely. A carafe and a glass appeared next to her on the coffee table before he left without another word.

At the sight of her literally crawling on the floor, repelling and perturbing memories had been evoked and now that his suspicion concerning Minerva was confirmed, he felt like taking his turmoil out on someone. For the third time in two weeks he purposefully headed for the headmistress' office to discuss matters concerning this special Gryffindor student. The school regime had gone topsy-turvy.

.o.O.o.

After having spent the whole Friday in bed and having finished two of her essays, she felt quite content with herself. Suddenly Winky appeared with a crack and Hermione startled.

"Miss must eat. Winky brought food for Miss," the elf beamed at her, "Is Miss feeling better?"

"Thank you, Winky, and yes, I am better. How do you know, I'd need food?"

"Defense professor told Winky."

Hermione nodded. Thus, Remus had returned and been informed about what had happened. And due to her complete absence all day he had sent an elf to see if she was still alive.

"Winky, may I ask you to get me some tea?"

"Of course, Miss," and the elf disappeared only to return within a minute carrying a tray with a pot of tea, a mug, sugar, milk and some sweet scones.

Now it was Hermione's turn to beam.

"Lovely. I cannot thank you enough."

"Miss may call Winky anytime. Good night."

And with a plop the elf disappeared, leaving Hermione to her thoughts. It was rather obvious that investigating her condition was not any professors' priority. Human decency would have demanded Minerva to visit her and apologize, but it had been clear that this was not going to happen. A small part in her seemed to have had the hope that Remus might indeed shortly drop by at least. Before the war he would have arrived next to her bed within ten minutes after her absence from the morning class would have been announced. The times they are changing. Hermione wondered how long she would have to stay in here before a human would decide to check on her. It would have been more tempting to find out if it hadn't entailed a slew of compensational work. She decided to sneak to the teachers' room and put her essays in the post box. It should be unlikely to meet Severus in the corridors at this time of day since he would probably still supervise detentions.

After having successfully circumvented teachers and Slytherins on her way, she met Jason in the Entrance Hall on his way to visit her in the infirmary. He explicitly apologized for what had happened in class. Given his blushing, stammering and fidgeting, Hermione decided his remorse to be authentic and forgave him. After all, most damage had happened due to his lack of control when he had recognized in shock what he had done by attacking her as ordered. The young man even offered her his material from the classes she had missed to copy, which Hermione had thankfully accepted.

.o.O.o.

On her return to her quarters she wanted nothing more than going back to bed, but in the doorframe to her bedroom Hermione came to a halt and glanced back into her sitting room. Carafe and glass were on the coffee table and filled. Severus had provided her with both, but when she had tried to get the glass without magic - since her core didn't allow wandless magic right now - her hurting muscles and the Burning-Hex wound over which she had to roll, had made it impossible. So she had only managed to tear everything onto the floor: the glass first, followed by the carafe. She had been thirsty. And she had been negligent, since as a result of the straining days, she hadn't managed to bring herself to care and pick up the stuff, but had just walked into the bathroom to drink from the tap anxious to go to bed and finally sleep undisturbed.

She stared at the riddle in front of her. Who had done this? Hermione further tried to reconstruct her steps of last night again. Suddenly she realized that she missed the part of having walked from her bath- to her bedroom. Without warning the memory of a crack at the bathroom ceiling plopped up. Had she lain on the floor? Hermione walked into the bathroom and bravely looked up at the ceiling and there it was – the crack in exactly the shape she had just remembered.

She walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed. Whilst trying to further reconstruct, it dawned on her that she was missing even more, because when she had woken up this morning, she had been clean and fresh. Hermione's hands started to sweat at the uncertainty the holes in her memories had left her with.

"Winky," she called and the elf arrived immediately.

"Yes Miss."

"Have you been putting me to bed last night and put carafe and glass from the floor back on the table?"

The elf looked confused. "No Miss. Winky only came here tonight."

"Thank you. Good night," she dismissed the elf, who took a bow and left.

Then she thought about Poppy, who had announced her visit for tomorrow as if it were business as usual, but hadn't come today. Hermione floo-called her. She needed clarity for she felt unsafe most of the time anyway and the feeling of being committed she had now, didn't do her any good. Quite the contrary actually.

"Hermione, what is it dear?"

"I'm sorry to disturb again, but have you been here in my quarters last night or this morning to assist me?"

"No dear. I haven't left the infirmary but for mealtimes. Something went wrong with the first-graders in Herbology and almost the whole class got hospitalized a couple of hours after you left, but the last four will return to their Houses tonight-, however, is there anything wrong? You look distraught."

"Well, some things are different from how I left them and I cannot remember some others, like going to bed," she conceded increasingly uneasy.

"Oh, I trust it must have been Severus. He brought in five sick Slytherins around two. We talked about you shortly and he volunteered to check on you again to buy me time here until tomorrow. You were totally exhausted. I'm sure when you've rested a little more, your memory will return soon. Get some sleep so you get stronger again. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hermione couldn't quite believe what Poppy had just said. "Thank you, good night-, oh, wait please," Hermione half-shouted. "But how could he have entered?"

"Universal teacher password. Remember, dear?" Poppy asked concerned, "Go back to bed and sleep. Contact me should you need something."

How could she have forgotten about the emergency password for the staff, which overrode the wards of all dorms and guest rooms? She shuddered at this option while walking back into her bathroom to simply stare at the floor, where she had obviously lain the night before. All of a sudden, very unlikely memories popped-up that didn't make sense to her; memories in which she looked into the black and concerned eyes of her Potions master above her, while lying on the bathroom floor. Memories in which they didn't even break eye-contact when he poured water into her mouth, while encouraging her in a soft voice to swallow it. Her mind now even wanted to convince her that he had carried and tucked her up in bed after having cleaned her magically. Oh Merlin, had she really begged him to stay until she slept and had he indeed agreed so gently and told her to keep on fighting? Was that even possible or was her mind playing tricks on her and just transplanting a memory of something that had indeed happened long ago in a far-away place into a current environment? Maybe as a result of wishful thinking after the man, whose acceptance she longed for so dearly had shown some decency by holding her hand to comfort her.

While looking around the room she started to feel lost and dizzy and decided to just go to bed. The last two weeks had been exhausting and the last 24 hours alone qualified for enough mental and physical stress for a whole month or rather more, given her overall condition. She decided to just stay in bed for a couple of days and smiled at the memory of Poppy last night, who had ordered her to. Of course only after having provided her with three vials of pain potion, one pot of burning salve and the offer to have a nice little chat with everyone, who thought Hermione fit to attend classes before Tuesday. It felt good to have someone on her side. Looking at the ceiling, she suddenly bolted upright at the memory of Severus pointing his wand at her: he had Obliviated her last night, but given that he was one of the most powerful wizards of their world, obviously only half-heartedly, because otherwise she definitely wouldn't remember anything anymore.

Rain pattering at her bedroom window woke her early on Saturday morning. A small smile occurred on her face. This had always been one of the coziest moments for her: being tucked up warmly, ideally with a book while listening to a thunderstorm outside. With the calming sound surrounding her, Hermione slowly moved under the blanket to pull it faster around her. She immediately felt every muscle that had cramped during the last two days and the scars burned again. This reminder of reality made her decide to stay in bed for another day at least to make up for her sleep deprivation, the sufficiency of which she would measure in the intensity of the shaking of her hands.

.o.O.o.

On Sunday evening, Remus knocked at her door and after hesitating shortly, she let him in.

"I wanted to see if you need something. Poppy informed me that you'd likely be able to attend classes again on Tuesday," he said awkwardly.

She bit back a Thank you, better. How are you? "I need to know how my detentions are affected by this delay. An exact deadline would be helpful," she answered, "I have to catch-up leeway, too, so I need to administer my time."

"Your duty has been fulfilled," he said and produced her wand from a hidden pocket and handed it to her. She took it from him and nodded.

"I'm sorry that you were injured in class."

"There's no need for you to be," she returned matter-of-factly. What else to say when it took your Head of House three days to show up after you have been seriously injured in class, but without interest in your condition?

Now Remus nodded slowly and appeared contemplatively, but although he didn't seem to have finished whatever else he might have wanted to say or do, he bid her goodnight and left.

She couldn't really make sense of the turn of events and what had activated them. The gloomy man that had investigated on the circumstances and apparently had secretly looked after her came to her mind.