The End ... Or Is It?

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to JKR. The original plot and story belong to Velvet Song. Any resemblance to anything living or dead is purely coincidental.

Author's Note: This is a continuation of Velvet Song's story "Damsels & Dragons", which she has graciously allowed me to adopt. You will find the first thirteen chapters of her story here: http: //www. thepetulantpoetess.com /viewstory.php?sid =18337 (remove the spaces first). I might suggest you read her story first in order to understand what has been happening.

Virtual hugs to Fizzabella and WriterMerrin for the beta of this chapter. The story is now complete and will be posted as each chapter is beta'd. Thank you for all the lovely reviews.

The End ... Or Is It?

Hermione woke to find herself in the hospital wing, an all too familiar place during her six years as a student. She started to sit up, only to have the Headmistress push her back down onto the bed. "Severus?" Hermione asked, or rather croaked, her throat dry as dust.

Minerva picked up a glass of water from the bedside table and held the straw to Hermione's lips so she could take a few sips. Once she set the glass back down, Minerva beamed at her Potions instructor. "Severus is alive and mostly well," she reassured the younger witch.

"Mostly?" Hermione coughed to clear her throat.

"Even Skele-Gro takes time to repair most of the bones in a body," Poppy said, popping her head around the privacy screen. "However, he's human again, praise the gods. Bill Weasley is up and about as well."

"What happened to Bill?" Hermione had to ask. "All I remember is him starting to cast the counter-curse. Is he okay?" She started to sit up again.

"Professor Granger," Poppy scolded, joining Minerva at her bedside to hold her down. "If you don't stay in this bed on your own, I will have to restrain you."

Hermione relaxed back down to the mattress. "What happened to Bill?"

"Apparently, casting the counter-curse eight times drained his energy," Poppy explained. "After a good night's rest, he's fine. You, on the other hand, have been unconscious for the last two days."

"Two days!"

"Yes, two days. Now lie back and let me check you over." Poppy held her wand over Hermione's head and starting casting diagnostic spells. As she moved the wand down over the younger witch's body, she made note of the different auras the spells produced. Once the check-up was completed, she smiled at Hermione. "Everything checks out fine," Poppy reassured her. She summoned a vial from her office. "I need you to drink this, however."

"Dreamless Sleep?" Hermione recognized the potion straight away. "I can't take that. I need to get to Severus." She started to sit up once more.

"Severus is going nowhere, Professor Granger," Poppy scolded her. "And neither are you. Now, I will give you two choices. Either you drink this on your own or I spell it into you. Which do you prefer?"

With a sigh, Hermione reached for the vial and drank the potion down.

"Good girl," Poppy cooed as Hermione's head fell back against the pillow and she drifted to sleep.

When Hermione awoke again, she found Narcissa sitting at her bedside, holding her hand in a light grip.

"Good morning," Narcissa said, smiling brightly. "Are you thirsty? Minerva said you were when you woke up last night."

Hermione nodded, her mouth and throat too dry to talk, so Narcissa conjured a glass of water and held the younger witch's head as she took some sips. "Better?"

"Yes. Thank you," Hermione croaked. "How is Severus?"

"Still unconscious," Narcissa informed her, "but Poppy says he is healing quickly." She gave the younger witch an awkward hug. "I am so proud of you."

"It wasn't just me," Hermione protested. "Everyone..."

"You were the one Severus trusted to get the job done," Narcissa insisted. "If you hadn't come back when you did, we might have lost him forever." The older witch swallowed hard and delicately touched a handkerchief to the corners of her eyes. "Now," she said briskly, "are you hungry?"

Hermione blushed as her stomach rumbled and Narcissa laughed. "Never mind. I'll go ask Poppy what you're allowed." As she slipped out between the screens and into the main room, Hermione heard her softly greet someone.

Pink hair preceding her, Tonks stuck her head around the screens. "Wotcher, 'Mione," Tonks said cheerily. "I hear it's your fault my Bill spent a day in bed."

"Tonks," Hermione said, struggling to sit up, "I am so sorry."

"For what?" Tonks grinned cheekily. "I've been after him to take a break and relax. You managed it for me." She smiled lightly at the other witch. "The Headmistress called me and Kingsley in and told us what's going on. She figured we would be the best to help out when the time comes."

"The best?" Hermione looked confused. "For what?"

"When word gets out about the professor being alive, it might get dicey."

"He's a hero!" Hermione shouted, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

Tonks shushed her and forced her back into the bed. "It's as much as my head is worth to let you up," she whispered, glancing at the screens. "Don't get me in trouble, please?"

Hermione allowed herself to be helped back into bed, and Tonks pushed pillows behind her shoulders so she could sit up. "There ya go," she said loud enough for anyone on the other side of the screens to hear. "All comfy cozy."

"Now, let me tell you the latest gossip from the Ministry." Tonks grinned cheekily. "Did ya know Scrimgeour's been arrested as a Death Eater?"

"He has? I wasn't at the hearing..."

"Yeah, walked into the hearing for that Coombs fella with a load of arrest warrants just as Beckley...you don't know him...asked if the fella could identify his kidnapper. It was real dramatic. Coombs points at Scrimgeour and says, real dramatic like..." She deepened her voice. "'That's him! Right there!' The Wizengamot had ol' Rufus trussed up and on Veritaserum before he could move." Tonks smiled nastily at the memory. "He admitted everything. Even had the Dark Mark on his forearm. Now he's in Azkaban with the other Death Eaters, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer wizard."

"Nymphadora dear, don't wear Hermione out, please." Narcissa parted the screens and levitated a tray of food over to the bed. "I'm sure what you have to say can wait until Poppy releases her."

Tonks made a face at her aunt behind the other witch's back, then assumed an innocent look when Narcissa looked back at her. "Why don't you go and see what your husband is up to," Narcissa said. "He and Thaddeus have been talking very seriously with Filius. I'm sure they're discussing that dreadful curse."

"I thought it was going to be destroyed after Bill used it," Hermione gasped. "Minerva said so."

"And it was," Narcissa reassured her as she placed the tray across Hermione's lap. "They're really talking about how it felt to cast such a spell so many times in a row." She winked at Hermione as her niece hurriedly left the Infirmary in search of an errant husband. "Poppy says you can have soft food this morning and, if you do all right with this, something a little more substantial for your dinner."

On the tray was a plate of scrambled eggs, a slice of toast with marmalade, and a glass of pumpkin juice. Hermione smiled. "This looks wonderful," she said. "I really doubt I could eat much more."

Narcissa sat in the visitor's chair as Hermione started to eat. After taking a sip of pumpkin juice to wash down her bite of eggs, Hermione asked, "What's going to happen when the Ministry finds out Severus is alive? They won't send him to Azkaban, will they?"

Narcissa patted her hand. "Of course not. Severus is a hero of the war. Once we tell them the full story, he'll be treated as one."

"I hope so." Hermione grimaced. "Narcissa, I can't feel him anymore."

"What do you mean, Hermione?"

"When Severus was a dragon, even when he wasn't talking to me, I could feel him in the back of my mind, you know?" Narcissa nodded. "Now, I can't feel anything of him anymore. What if..."

"Don't borrow trouble," Narcissa said with concern. "Eat your breakfast, dear. Time enough to worry when Severus wakes up."

Hermione sighed and did as she was told.

* * *

Severus came awake suddenly and almost groaned from the pain. Only his training as a spy kept him still, his eyes still closed. He reached out with his other senses and realized he was in a bed, someone seated next to him.

"Welcome back," Lucius said cheerfully. "I know you're awake, old friend."

"What happened?" Severus croaked, then tried to clear his throat. Lucius let a few drops of water land on Severus' lips and he licked them clean.

"Don't try to talk just yet," his old friend said. "Just listen." Severus nodded. "Bill Weasley was successful in using the counter-curse. However, almost every bone in your body was broken during your transformation back to human. We had a devil of a time trying to set them. Somehow, Poppy managed to spell Skele-Gro into your system, and you've been recovering ever since."

"How long?" Gods, that voice didn't sound like his.

"You've been here almost four days. No, don't try to move." Lucius held him down. "I'll send for Poppy." He sent his Patronus, a white peacock, through the screens that surrounded the bed. "Hermione's fine, by the way."

"Hurt her."

"Yes. That was rather unexpected."

"Gone."

"Who's gone?"

"Hermione."

"No, she's in a bed on the other side of the room."

"No." Severus shook his head and hissed at the pain. "Gone from head."

"Hmmm. She told Narcissa you were gone from her head as well. Ah, Poppy. Our friend is awake."

"Good evening, Severus," Poppy said cheerfully. "Welcome back. Now, let's see what's what. Shall we?" She cast the same diagnostic spells as she had on Hermione. "Hmmm. Not bad. Not bad at all." Pointing her wand at the curtains, she summoned a potion. "Another dose of Skele-Gro and you should be right as rain." She held his head and helped him swallow the potion, then laughed as he made a face. "I know," she said in sympathy. "If it helps, that's the same reaction I get from the Quidditch players."

"Doesn't help," he croaked. "Water?"

"Of course. Accio glass." She caught the glass easily and set it down on the bedside table. "Aguamenti. Just a sip, now," she cautioned, holding the now filled glass to his mouth. "We don't want you getting sick. You can always have more later."

He rolled the water around his mouth. Already, his tongue and throat felt less swollen. "Thank you." He cleared his throat noisily.

"You're very welcome, Severus. It's good to have you back." Poppy bustled about, setting the glass down again and straightening the bedcovers. "I'll see to getting you some broth," she said, grinning as he made a face. "Sorry, dear, but you haven't eaten in almost four days. Broth first, solid food later." She made her way out through the curtains, and the two wizards heard her tell someone, "Five minutes. He's only just awakened."

Minerva poked her head through the curtains. "May I come in?" she asked.

Lucius quickly vacated his chair and offered it to her. "I'll just check on Hermione," he said. "You enjoy your visit, Minerva."

She sat down and promptly burst into tears. Hurriedly drying her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief, she sniffed and smiled at him. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's just... I thought we'd lost you forever after the Final Battle."

"Understood," Severus croaked. "Water? Please?"

"I heard Poppy say you could have a sip," she said, holding the glass for him. "Not too much now." She put the glass back on the table. "Feeling better?"

Severus nodded. "Thank you."

"For the water?"

"For believing."

"It was hard not to, given the evidence I was presented with. Now, we just have to deal with the Ministry."

"Bunch of..."

"Severus!" Minerva placed her hand on his mouth, effectively silencing whatever he was about to say. "I brought Kingsley and Tonks in on this because I knew we'd need someone who's neutral to help explain. You don't mind, do you?"

Severus shook his head and grimaced. "Good man."

"What of Tonks?"

"Clumsy."

"But an excellent Auror."

"Yes."

* * *

"Severus?" Hermione poked her head around the privacy screen.

He looked up from the potions journal he was eagerly reading and gave her a slight smile. "Are you alright?" he asked nervously.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" she replied with a smile of her own. "I'm fine, by the way. Poppy's letting me go this afternoon."

Severus made a scoffing noise. "Damn woman won't let me go yet. She's been force-feeding me Skele-Gro." He grimaced. "That stuff is just nasty."

Hermione giggled. "Maybe that should be an assignment for my NEWT-level students. 'Improve the flavour of Skele-Gro'." She grinned at him in comradely fashion. "Or maybe you might want to do it? I believe I have a decent enough potions lab."

He let his head fall back against the pillows, suddenly exhausted. 'Maybe Poppy is right,' he thought. 'I do seem to tire easily.' Out loud, he replied to Hermione's question. "Perhaps we could discuss the execution of such a plan after I am freed from this prison?"

"Oh, of course, Severus. I'll talk to you later, then."

Severus sighed and closed his eyes, listening to Hermione's movements as she left the room. Opening his eyes, he placed the periodical on the bedside table, only then noticing that she had left his wand there as well.

* * *

Several days later, after Poppy deemed Severus healed enough to be allowed out of bed, the Wizengamot held a special session at Hogwarts in deference to his condition and situation. While none of the witches and warlocks could grasp his spending eight years as a dragon, the Pensieve evidence of everyone involved...with a few minor adjustments pertaining to Coombs...was admittedly compelling. In short, Severus was released with no stain on his character and presented his Order of Merlin, First Class, which had been awarded to him posthumously, or so the Ministry had thought.

Afterwards, he sought out Hermione, finding her sitting at her desk in the first floor classroom. "Not much like the dungeons," he said, looking around the room. "Not as safe, either."

"Maybe not," she said, not meeting his eye, "but I like it."

"Then that's all that matters right now." He walked up to the desk and bent over, trying to see her face. "What's wrong?"

Hermione looked up, her face stricken. "Are you going to want your job back?"

"Gods, no!" Severus all but shouted as he reared back. "Go back to teaching dunderheads and fools? I'm not that stupid." He looked at her as a single tear streaked down her cheek. "You enjoy teaching, don't you?"

Hermione nodded, twisting her hands together nervously. "I feel like I can make a difference here. I didn't feel that way at the Ministry."

He pulled her hands apart and smiled slightly as her fingers...subconsciously perhaps...interlaced with his. "I miss hearing you in my mind," he said, squeezing her fingers slightly. "It's seems so quiet in there now." He chuckled at the thought.

"Me, too," she admitted, gazing up at him. "What will you do now?" She started to chew on her lower lip...a nervous habit he remembered from her days in his classroom...and it made him smirk in remembrance.

"Now? I get my life back together somehow and continue on." He paused and took a deep breath. "I know you now own everything I ever had, but..."

"I hear Pansy Parkinson's actually a rather decent solicitor." Hermione interrupted with a smirk. "We could see if she'd be willing to do the paperwork to give you back your life."

Severus looked down at their linked hands, then back up to her face. "Hermione, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

The End?

Author's Note the Last: I want to thank Velvet Song once again for allowing me to adopt this wonderful story rather than simply abandoning it. She and I have been in communication over the summer, and with her kind permission, I am starting to work on a sequel. As my habit is to not start posting chapters until a story is finished, this might take a while. However, I do promise that the story will eventually be completed.

Also, much thanks to the incomparable WriterMerrin, who took over as my beta when Velvet Song could no longer do so. She has kept me on the straight and narrow when my commas threatened to take over, even with her job as an Admin of TPP. Thanks, sweetie.

MsTree