It started because Hospital policy would not allow her, or anyone, in his room. Insisting that only family would be allowed in the recovery room. Everyone knew very well he had no family. They wanted him to be isolated by design. The ministry hoped he would slip away quietly while no one was watching. Ridding them of an inconvenient hero. Hermione had petitioned everyone she and Harry knew to allow them access to him. Oh, they resisted at first. Particularly the head of this ward.

Dr. Luis Mamani had a countenance that evoked another time. His swarthy skin, sharp features and slight accent spoke of his ancient heritage in the Americas. Always impeccably dressed, he is a feather in the cap of St Mungos who needed a skilled specialist for the treatment of traumatic injuries. He had taken command of this ward having been lured here only a few months ago. But the good doctor had been impatient with the constant disruption of reporters and the curious. Claiming that Snape's mere presence frightened the other patients. He didn't want any of the death eater's compatriots showing up to seek revenge on the living vegetable. Possibly causing collateral injury to others. There were even stacks and stacks of bags, filled with letters for Snape, in a nearby cleaning cupboard. Hermione had opened a few and read them to him. They ran from horrible letters vowing bloody vengeance to lonely witches wanting to heal his heart with their love. Snape will take great pleasure in incinerating all of them when he gets the chance.

Harry and Hermione had told Dr. Mamani time and again that Snape was not a threat to anyone, and all those he had associated with were either dead or in Azkaban. To no avail. Terrible weeks went by as Snape teetered alone between life and death. He was so helpless in this condition, and few people there sincerely cared about his welfare enough to safeguard his life. Dr. Mamani had stubbornly told them that he made the rules, and they were to "get out". He had even instructed his staff not to give out any information about Snapes' condition.

Harry and Hermione were not going to keep still when it came to Severus Snape. While keeping pressure on the ministry for visitation rights, they also decided they would try to clear his name. Together they immediately petitioned the wizengamot to drop any charges against Snape and declare him a hero to the wizarding world. The investigation and gathering of testimony took time and patience. When the inquest finally came, Harry unfortunately had to show them Snapes private memories. Dumbledors portrait and others testified to the truth. Harry and Hermione's impassioned speeches lasted for hours. In the end they agreed, and Snape was cleared of all charges. Hermione suspected it was partly because everyone expected he would die soon and so it would make no difference. A chance to make themselves look merciful and noble. An easy reward to give to 'the chosen one' and his friend for saving everyone's bacon.

The why, didn't matter to Hermione. He was free. After the judgement was public knowledge, Hermione now had a weapon to fight Dr. Mamani's prejudice. With threats to go to the press and hold him personally responsible for his condition, they were finally granted access to Snape.

Harry and Hermione raced to his room, horrified at what they found. His hair was matted into clumps that no brush could correct. He was filthy, lying in his own waste. There were bruises, welts and long abrasions on his body, as if he had been used for someone's target practice. His eye was slightly swollen with a possible fractured skull. The skin turned yellowish green as a black eye healed. His left forearm was red and mis-shaped, a probable fracture over his now fading dark mark. But worst of all he was terribly thin, as if he had not been given any food for days at a time. Hermione was between absolute fury and utter despair as tears slid down her cheeks.

Harry wasn't between anything, and began to hex the staff that had crowded outside the door. It didn't matter who was guilty of this misconduct. They were all responsible for his care and would pay the price for letting this happen to Snape. The stinging jinxes hit their targets as yelps and the sound of running feet were small payment for their inaction. Harry knew they would soon be feeling the daily brunt of Hermione's abiding wrath as well.

For now, they decided to care of the man themselves. Hermione, having many spells to control her hair, patiently returned his to its proper condition. A quick scourgify cleaned his body and sheets, Hermione had bruise paste in her bag and dared to episkey his face and arm to straighten and solidify the bone. Harry would angrily go to Dr. Mamani, (who denied any wrongdoing by his staff), demanding that Snape immediately receive around the clock care or be held personally responsible for his current condition. Mamani reluctantly agreed of course. Hermione knew the doctor's repeated assurances for Snapes care were hollow. She decided then that she would stay with him herself, no matter how long it took.

oopOqoo

Hermione was reading to him from The Tempest, when the impossible happened. His eye lids fluttered. She had looked up quite by accident when she saw it. Stunned and elated, Hermione ran from the room in search of a doctor. When she found Dr. Mamani, he smiled indulgently and told her that it wasn't possible, and she must have imagined it. Hermione huffed and dragged him by his coat's lapel back to Snape's room. Once there she spoke to Snape gently but loudly. "Professor Snape? Professor, can you hear me?" His eyelids fluttered again.

Doctor Mamani immediately drew his wand and ran a diagnostic to see if the movement equated to true consciousness or just a muscle spasm. The readings left no doubt. He was not quite there yet, but some part of him had healed enough to be aware of his surroundings. Despite the results Dr. Mamani was not convinced. "What did you do?" He was almost accusatory.

Hermione, overcome with joy, was a bit too emotional to hear the doctor's question at first. She was looking to him for confirmation when the question registered. "What? I…I was just reading to him when I looked up and saw his eyelids flutter."

"Ms. Granger, I don't want to give you false hopes, but it does seem that he is at a certain level of consciousness, a twilight sleep if you will. Neither awake, nor asleep. I've no idea if it goes much farther than that or how long it will last. In fact, with the damage he sustained to his brain and body he… Well let's just say he will never respond to you or even know you exist. Mr. Snape's body is just reacting to simple stimuli. In short, it doesn't mean anything. Now if you will excuse me, I have other patients."

Hermione had to restrain herself from hexing him on his way out. "Simple stimuli! Do you hear that quack!" She turned to the man in the bed. His eyelids were still fluttering as if he were trying to wake from a nightmare that wouldn't let go. She took his hand and squeezed tightly "I'm here Professor. I know you're in there and I will not abandon you."

Hermione conjured her patronis to send to Harry. The happy otter swirled around her and came to rest in front, waiting for instructions. "Go to Harry and tell him to come as soon as possible."