"Why hasn't this woman been fired? My son is in a magically induced coma and nothing has been done to pull him out!" Narcissa Malfoy was the epitome of social decorum, but her tone spread ice through all present persons in the headmistress' office.
Trelawney looked positively terrified of the woman and all but hid behind Headmistress McGonagall as she calmly sat at her desk with her hands folded and back straight. Ever the mediator, she addressed Mrs Malfoy in a calm, monotone voice. "Please sit, Mrs Malfoy. While this is a most unfortunate choice that was made by one of our professors…" She glared at Trelawney. "…Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger are not comatose, they are merely sleeping."
McGonagall gave a nod to Trelawney as if it was a cue to begin her explanation. "Oh yes, you see, erm, Draco and Hermione are destined for greatness. They are fated to be the beginning of a bridge to mend the rift caused by Voldemort and this infernal war. I've known that since their sixth year before the war even began, you understand. However, the path they were on, constantly bickering and at each other's throats, just seemed to make matters worse. It was going to lead to the same division and hatred that led to the war, so I had to stop them."
"And your brilliant plan for doing so was to knock them out cold? In the middle of breakfast?" Mrs Weasley finally spoke up.
"Why are you even here?" Narcissa looked down her nose at the woman, then turned away to stare at something on the shelf.
"Mrs. Malfoy, Mrs. Weasley is Hermione's emergency contact and guardian of sorts. Her parents were lost in the war." A look of shock and perhaps even sympathy flashed across Narcissa's face. It only lasted a millisecond, however, before her indifferent mask was back in place. "What a shame," she said coldly.
"Anywho, please tell them the details of this spell and how it can be broken, Sybil," the headmistress returned to her seat. Having already heard all of this, she was more focused on the reactions the two women would have, and hoped it wouldn't lead to something she couldn't diffuse.
"Well, the spell works almost like legilimency. But instead of one person invading another's mind and memories, both parties are put into a dreamlike state and taken through each of their most important memories, not just seeing them but feeling the emotions of the memory's subject. And to get out, they simply have to watch the memories and come to an understanding of the other person, most likely born out of compassion. There is no quick fix for this. If we try to force them out of their mental state, it could be damaged beyond repair. This is a spell they will have to finish in their own time."
"And what if that never happens?" Narcissa had returned to her seat, shocked at how the rather ditzy divination professor could've come up with something so complex.
McGonagall chose this moment to intervene, not wanting either mother to panic. "I believe they will come out of this. Both Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger are the brightest minds I've seen in a long time. We just have to be patient. We will keep them here under Madame Pomfreys constant care, and will alert you both should there be any change."
Molly Weasley stood up and silently walked to the floo. She turned around and shot a glare at Trelawney before stepping into the green flames.
Behind her, Mrs Malfoy also turned and stated in an ever polite tone, "This isn't the last you'll hear from me, Minerva." When they were both gone, Headmistress McGonagall slumped into her chair and placed her head in her hands. "You've really done it this time, Sybil."