Recovery

Hermione began to feel a twitter of consciousness and slowly, groggily, became aware of her surroundings.

 

Her thoughts felt sluggish and her movements were stiff. She assumed she had been out for quite some time and that worried her.

 

As she struggled to lift her eyelids, the little light in the room nearly blinding her, she was able to notice that the bed she was reclining on was surrounded with a thick white curtain, blocking her view of the rest of the room. She heard murmuring from beyond the curtain and the sounds of people moving about.

 

She let out a sigh of relief. She must either be in St. Mungo's or a Muggle hospital, so she tried to relax. She reflexively groaned in discomfort as she attempted to shift her position on the hard, uncomfortable bed.

 

"I think we've got another one." Hermione heard an unfamiliar female voice outside the curtain.

 

The curtain was quickly whipped back, and Hermione saw a wide-faced, blond woman in the lime green robes that marked her as a Healer enter her small, private area. Her kind, green eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled down at Hermione.

 

Hermione smiled weakly at the Healer and felt relieved.

 

St. Mungo's. Perfect. She didn't have to worry about trying to explain anything to a Muggle doctor.

 

"Don't try to move, dear," the Healer said in a gentle tone as she pressed a cool hand to Hermione's forehead. She took Hermione's wrist to feel her pulse and pointed her short, white wand at the prone girl.

 

"Where is... What is... How..." Hermione tried to whisper, but her mouth felt dry and her tongue heavy, as though she hadn't spoken in quite awhile. She noticed her skin had a greenish tinge to it, and she frowned at her wrist where the Healer held onto her. TheHealer put her arm down gently, and Hermione tried to look at herself, but her arms felt as if they were made of lead.

 

"Don't you worry, now." The Healer gently fluffed Hermione's pillow under her head. "Just lie still and save your strength. You've had quite the adventure."

 

Hermione tried to relax and closed her eyes, her stomach churning. "Am I a widow?"

 

The Healer was silent. Hermione opened her eyes and looked at the woman's worried expression.

 

The Healer glanced quickly over her shoulder. She shuddered.

 

"No, dear," she said as if she felt very sorry for Hermione. "He woke last week and has been waiting for you ever since. He must have stepped out for something to eat."

 

Hermione let out the breath she had been holding and smiled contently. How long had she been here? She found she didn't care as long as he had been waiting for her.

 

She hadn't expected that it would literally be by her bedside, but the idea gave her a small thrill.

 

"He is a good man," Hermione said as she tried to relax. She wanted to kiss him, to feel his skin under her fingertips. "Thank God he's all right."

 

Hermione closed her eyes so she couldn't see the expression on the Healer's face. The woman was obviously one of his former students.

 

To Hermione's surprise, she felt herself slipping back into sleep, but the little she had done had taxed her and made her too tired to care.

 

The next thing she knew, Hermione's ears recognized the low tone of Severus' voice on the other side of her curtain and the higher tone of the blond Healer that had seen her.

 

When Severus pulled back the curtain surrounding Hermione's bed, her eyes were open and she was smiling weakly at him.

 

"Hello, Severus," she croaked at him through parched lips.

 

He took the three large steps that covered the distance between them and took her hand in his. His eyes looked as if they were tearing up, and he pressed her hand to his cheek as he knelt by her bed. She felt it becoming moist, and he gently dabbed at his eyes with her sleeve. When his eyes rose to meet hers, they were dry, but red around the edges.

 

"I thought I might die without you," Severus whispered hoarsely, pressing her hand to his chest.

 

She reached up with her other hand, slowly, painfully, and caressed his cheek, her green skin tone bright against his pale white. She pulled him closer, and he kissed her gently on the lips, afterwards taking both her hands in his own and kissing each of her knuckles in turn.

 

There was a loud sniffle behind Severus, and he turned sharply to see the blond Healer, along with another female Healer with long brown hair, gazing wistfully at him and Hermione and looking quite sentimental. The blond Healer had the nerve to pause in her gawking to dab at her eyes with a small white handkerchief.

 

Severus frowned at them sternly. The blond Healer busied herself by scuttling to one of the other curtained beds while the other squeaked and all but ran out of Hermione's area.

 

"I've really got to learn how you do that," said Hermione softly as she tried not to laugh. The shaking hurt her ribs too much.

 

He dipped his head so his hair fell into his face so only she could see his smirk. "No. You'll do it to me."

 

"Smart boy," Hermione said, closing her eyes and relaxing on her pillow as he pressed her hand to the side of his face.

 

Severus smiled down at his wife and shook his head. He hadn't been called a boy for years, but didn't really mind when she did it. Though, he certainly hoped no one else had heard it.

 

He heard a small noise behind him and turned around quickly. The blond Healer quickly darted back behind the partition, silently wiping her nose.

 

He finally placed her. Brainless twit. Hufflepuff. Class of '90. Hopeless romantic. He briefly wondered if he should hit her with a memory charm, but then he figured he'd also have to hunt down the brunette one and anyone she might have talked to. It wasn't worth it.

 

Severus hoped his name wouldn't be tacked onto a propaganda article on the Marriage Law. Hopefully with the Ministry trying to piece itself together, they'd drop the whole idea. He and Hermione had been lucky but he knew not everyone had been.

 

He sighed in resignation and looked back at Hermione's green face.

 

No one knew exactly what had happened deep in the bowels of the Ministry when Harry and Voldemort had fought. What they did know was that the backlash from the final blow had knocked people unconscious for miles. The Ministry was now working closely with the British Muggle authorities in a frantic attempt to cover it up.

 

Most of the Muggles that had suffered physical damage were quickly healed before they were brought to. Their memories had been heavily modified, and the worst of them were being kept at a Muggle hospital for evaluation.

 

Voldemort's lifeless body had been found near Harry's unconscious form. It was presently on ice and in storage in one of Gringotts' highest security vaults until the Ministry could get to it.

 

Severus had had no idea that the goblins were in possession of that type of technology in their storage facility. It made him wonder what else they had, deep within the bowels of their facility. He decided it was safer not to think about it.

 

Harry had yet to regain consciousness, but the staff at St. Mungo's were observing him round the clock because of his injuries.

 

Harry now appeared to possess slitted eyes; his scar had spread, getting longer and wider, splitting his face in two and coming to rest on the left side of his jaw. No one had a clue as to the cause or the significance of it. He was confined to a padded room, bound to the table he rested on with wide, steel enforced leather straps. He was surrounded by Aurors at all times.

 

Ginny was now missing the little finger on her right hand. She was also sporting a large blue scar on her left arm in the shape of Italy, but had no recollection of how it had got there.

 

Cornelius Fudge and many, many other members of the Ministry had been killed in the attack.

 

Mrs. Weasley had managed to keep Percy, Fred, George and Arthur busy trying to subdue her, and they hadn't even been involved in the combat. She would look back in her later years and be terribly pleased with herself.

 

Neville was still unconscious. His grandmother sat by his side every day, repeating how proud of him she was with tears in her eyes.

 

Bellatrix Lestrange had lost what was left of her mind. Ironically, she had been placed in the same ward as Frank and Alice Longbottom.

 

At the first sight of her, Alice Longbottom had raised one finger, pointed it at Bellatrix Lestrange, and laughed. Her Healers said it was the most progress she had ever made.

 

The captured Death Eaters were being kept in a secret location so they could be tried and convicted.

 

The Amazons had lost thirteen girls in total, although many had gone back injured. Alexandra boasted proudly that she had encapsulated seven Death Eaters and driven four more to death by dragon.

 

Dumbledore was fiercely proud.

 

The Jotun had politely asked for the unclaimed dead humans. The few Ministry members that were left had granted them their request and had asked no further questions.

 

The onyx-skinned warrior with hair of slithering adders had given Alexandra a small wooden box to give to Hermione. He had explained it would assist her in her journey and that it was Hermione's by birthright.

 

Alexandra had been quietly relieved when the Jotun had retreated into their mountain and the door had disappeared. She had cautiously kept the box safe for Hermione, knowing better than to open a box which wasn't meant for her.

 

Ron had gained consciousness the same day as the attack and had been waiting in St. Mungo's for everyone to wake for weeks. He had known the Snape union had been consummated, but had weeks to think about it. In the end his arguments were weak and unenthusiastic at best when he confronted Severus.

 

After Ron had finished blustering, and after they had managed to talk to each other without shouting, they had sorted out their differences, waiting for Hermione to wake. Ron now waited on the other side of the curtain, practically dancing with excitement, waiting for Severus to call him in.

 

Ron burst into Hermione's area, not willing to wait anymore, and saw Hermione's face light up at him. Then she winced as her dry bottom lip cracked. Greenish liquid trickled from the wound.

 

"Don't hurt yourself," Ron said, sitting on the other side of the bed and taking her other hand. "You look a right wreck."

 

"I've been here for weeks," Hermione said. "At least it sounds like it. Why haven't I healed? Why am I green?"

 

"You got hit with an experimental potion," said Ron excitedly. "They didn't know if healing you quickly would complicate things."

 

Hermione frowned at this and turned to look at Severus.

 

"We'll save a bit of money on food for awhile," said Severus, smirking.

 

"What happened?" Hermione asked suspiciously. They both looked like they were trying not to snicker. Whatever it was, it wasn't serious.

 

"It was an experiment for the Aurors. When they have to go to remote locations, it was a way to conserve rations," Ron said excitedly. "I wish Neville could see you."

 

"Neville?" Hermione frowned and looked at Severus.

 

"You now possess the ability to photosynthesize," said Severus as his eyes swept over her face. "Open your mouth." She did so, and he used a small light at the tip of his wand to look inside. "It'll wear off eventually, but you were hit with the full supply. It's only supposed to be consumed a few drops at a time, but glass from the broken bottle cut you. It got directly into your bloodstream."

 

"You looked really cute a few weeks ago," said Ron teasingly. "You were really green and your eyebrows looked like bushy grass. Wish I'd thought to have Colin take a picture."

 

Severus couldn't believe Ron was joking at a thing like this, but Hermione chuckled and Severus felt himself relax a bit.

 

"I hope they were smart enough to observe me and gather more test results," said Hermione weakly. She pulled a strand of her bushy hair away from the pillow and up to her face. It looked as if long, curly blades of grass were intertwined with her bushy brown hair.

 

"I ran the tests myself," Severus said hoarsely.

Weasley had seen him break down in the last week, and that had been bad enough, but he didn't want Hermione to see him like this. He had been worried she had become too vegetative and would never recover. The idea had nearly driven him to madness. "I kept careful notes. You'll find them very interesting."

 

A brunette male Healer with a thick German accent and bushy moustache bustled in and told them it was time for Hermione to rest and she should not overtax herself. Severus tried to protest but the Healer finally managed to shoo him and Ron from the room.

 

Over the next week Hermione felt herself get stronger. She suspected this was because the Healers had finally moved her near a window. The color of her skin faded until it was just tinged with green and, thankfully, her hair had went to normal.

Reporters from the Prophet and the Quibbler came to her room in a steady stream; although Hermione was quick to point out someone like Neville or Ron knew more about the initial attack than she did.

The Healers tried to discourage them at first, but after the third reporter tried to sneak in on the food cart, they reluctantly gave in.

On the day she was released, Severus had led her down to the main lobby where her parents were waiting for her, her father trying to politely sidle away from a young wizard that was reading a newspaper, his hair replaced with daisies. The daisies were humming a cheerful tune and bobbing along with it.

The reunion was tearful and Hermione was grateful to know she and Severus would be returning to her parents' house for a few days.

"Why didn't you come see me?" Hermione asked her mother as they climbed into the car the Ministry had sent for them.

"No Muggles or unregistered persons allowed in!" Severus snorted. "They wouldn't have let them come with me to pick you up if I hadn't raised a bloody riot over it."

Hermione laughed, and her father had gave and Severus a strange look before cocking a corner of his mouth at them.

Hermione found the time spent at her parents was more relaxing than she had given it credit for. Severus didn't stay with her, but Flooed over every night for dinner. To Hermione's relief, her father was civil, and they actually managed to have several conversations without incident.

Time passed so quickly, Hermione was startled to learn the new school year would be starting soon. She assured her parents that she would be safe at Hogwarts with Severus, and after several false starts, she said goodbye to her parents and rejoined her husband at Hogwarts.

Early one morning, a few days before the start of term, Hermione found herself facing Helga Hufflepuff as she walked from her rooms into the common area in their quarters at Hogwarts. (Severus still snored from time to time and Hermione appreciated a place to retreat to.) Helga's powder-blue, pointed hat was in her hands and her white hair was swept up into an untidy, loose bun.

 

"Your friend has finally awakened," Helga said gravely. Helga's mirror had been returned to Severus' quarters, but an empty blank canvas had been placed in Dumbledore's office so she could take her place with the other headmasters if she so chose.

 

"Which friend?" Hermione said, thinking of both Harry and Neville.

 

"The Potter boy," said Helga. Her fingers were working the brim of her stiff hat from nervousness.

 

"How is he?" Hermione asked anxiously.

 

"Alive," said Helga grimly. "Dilys Derwent is reporting to Dumbledore as she finds out information."

 

"How does it look?" Hermione asked, afraid to know the answer.

 

"No one is sure," Helga confessed. "I wish I had more to tell you, but Derwent hasn't come back with any more news yet. The boy is still fairly groggy at this point."

 

"We'll meet you in the Headmaster's office," said Hermione quickly as she went to find Severus.

 

-=-

 

Severus and Hermione hurried through the halls of Hogwarts to Dumbledore's office as quickly as they could, Severus revealing several passages that Hermione didn't remember seeing on the Marauder's Map.

 

"Key-Lime Truffle!" Severus boomed when they finally reached the statue of a gargoyle on the seventh floor that guarded the headmaster's office. It hopped to one side and allowed them to proceed.

 

When they entered, Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, a grave look upon his face. The frame Dilys Derwent usually occupied was floating, empty, in the air near Dumbledore's desk.

 

Severus and Hermione quietly sat down in pair of the black leather chairs in front of the heavy desk. Hermione folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. She wished someone would say something, but it was obvious they were waiting for Derwent to return.

 

After a few moments that seemed like an eternity to Hermione, the former headmistress finally appeared in her frame and gave a distasteful look to Dumbledore.

 

"The boy seems to be, in fact, the boy," said Derwent with a sniff. "I don't think anyone would stop you from going to see him if it really is what you want to do. His face will take some getting used to."

 

"Thank you, Dilys" said Dumbledore brusquely as he waved his wand and the portrait was whisked through the air and back to its usual location.

 

Derwent scowled as the frame thumped into place on the wall.

 

It was the best they was going to get from the painting, Hermione knew. She snuck a glance at Severus. He was frowning, but said nothing.

 

She felt very uneasy, but couldn't put her finger on why.

 

-=-

 

"Hermione," Harry said, giving her a tired smile from his reclined position on the hospital bed.

 

He was still in the padded room, but his restraints had been removed, and he had an untouched pile of comic books next to him that Ron had left.

 

Two dark-haired Aurors, one tall and whip-like, the other of medium height and stocky, flanked the bed, their eyes evaluating everything that went on.

 

Hermione smiled weakly at the men. Severus stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder. They were to be expected. It was for Harry's protection as well.

 

Harry looked frightful. His scar had cleaved his face in two. Cold, reptilian. slitted eyes stared out at her in the same bright green they had always been, from sockets that crinkled at the corners in a familiar way, and Hermione couldn't help but think back on the prophecy.

 

When the mark of thunder shines upon one

And Darkness retreats into the night to rest

The midnight sun shines bright in the sky

One with fathers taken twice shall rise into the light

Plunging darkness into he will fall

Within him power will grow

Two paths here are laid

Light and Dark will be inside

Cleaving one into two

The answer lies with the givers of life

To show the path

Under the sea

 

How are you feeling?" said Hermione tentatively as she approached the bed. A shiver went up her spine, but she couldn't say why.

 

"Really tired," Harry admitted as he shifted, the sound of the rough hospital sheets loud in the tiny room. "My brain feels slow."

 

Hermione nervously sat on the edge of the bed, but Severus stood near the door, his arms folded as he watched them. "Has anyone told you anything about what happened? Do you remember anything?"

 

"I killed him," said Harry, letting his head fall back on his pillow. His eyes closed and he looked serene. "Voldemort is dead. I know that much."

 

Hermione reached out and took Harry's hand. It was easier with his eyes closed.

 

"Now you're really a hero, Harry," said Hermione, quirking a corner of her mouth at him.

 

He barely lifted his eyelids at her and chuckled. "Guess I am. Nice to be able to live up to it for a change."

 

Severus snorted from the doorway.

 

"Well, you'll always have people around you to keep your head from swelling," said Hermione, shooting Severus a look. He scowled at her.

 

Harry snorted.

 

"Now, what's so amusing?" Hermione asked gently as she brushed a wild lock of black hair out of his eyes.

 

"I heard you two fancied each other, but this is hilarious," Harry said. "I never would have guessed it would have turned out like this."

 

"How did everyone find out?" Hermione demanded. "I mean...," she spluttered.

 

"The house-elves told Charlie," said Harry, chuckling.

 

"Charlie was spreading gossip about our marriage?" Severus frowned.

 

"Well, he had to tell Mundungus," said Harry, beginning to snicker harder.

 

Severus saw where this was going quickly, and his cheeks flushed in both embarrassment and anger. He felt his fingers clench and unclench and the tic under his left eye begin to act up.

 

"Mundungus?" Hermione asked, confused. She looked from Harry to Severus and wondered what she was missing.

 

"Well, he was the one running the betting pool," said Harry, laughing and suddenly regretting it as his body was wracked with pain. He took a deep breath and groaned.

 

Hermione gasped, obviously appalled. If Harry wasn't in such a state, she would have been shaking him.

 

The Aurors looked as if they were trying not to smirk.

 

"There was a betting pool?" Hermione managed to squeak out.

 

"Who won?" asked Severus curiously. Hermione was obviously upset enough for the both of them, and any curses she threw would probably be overlooked.

 

"Fred and George," said Harry with a twitch of his upper lip. It was apparent he had lost whatever he had bet.

 

Severus sniffed.

 

"You're all disgusting," said Hermione, scowling and folding her arms.

 

"I didn't bet anything," lied Harry. "And Ron didn't even know about it until the end. He was furious."

 

Hermione relaxed a little but would be having a word with both Mundungus and the twins later. She shivered at the idea of having to marry the dirty little wizard. What would he have pulled if she was his wife?

 

She entertained a small evil thought about having him framed and put away, leaving her to live an independent life.

 

"What do you remember, Potter?" Severus said evenly. "Do you remember any details about the incident at the Ministry?"

 

Harry took a breath and acted like he was trying to determine the best way to word things. "We locked wands, and Voldemort tried to get in my head," said Harry. "We fought in our minds." Harry stared into a faraway place for a moment.

 

Severus knew what had happened. Harry had seen the life of Tom Riddle, and they had exchanged memories. Severus could only imagine what horrors he had seen, but a part of him vaguely worried about what Harry had learned about his own life.

 

"I believe I won," Harry finally said as he snapped out of it.

 

Severus knew they'd never get much more of an explanation than that. He looked at Hermione sharply, and she closed her mouth before she could persist with any questions.

 

"Potter, have you seen a mirror?" asked Severus cautiously.

 

"A mirror?" said Harry, confused. "Why would anyone give me a mirror?"

 

"Your scar is now quite a bit larger," Severus said slowly, glancing at the Aurors. "I'm guessing it was because of the level of the melding."

 

"Well, I'm a hero," said Harry, feeling like he could rest peacefully for the first time in years. "I don't have to be pretty." Harry secretly hoped it made him look cool.

 

"And your eyes, Harry," said Hermione trepidatiously. "They look like a snake's."

 

Harry reached up to realize he wasn't wearing his glasses.

 

"What happened to me?" Harry asked as he felt his face. His expression went blank for a moment. "Oh, that makes sense, I suppose."

 

"What makes sense?" Severus asked warily, taking a step forward.

 

"The knowledge of Abraxas would change my appearance, and I am a Parselmouth, aren't I?" said Harry.

 

This made almost no sense to Severus, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Knowledge would be enough to change your appearance?"

 

"This knowledge would," said Harry, placing his hand on the side of his head as if it ached.

 

The door to Harry's ward opened and Dumbledore walked in, his thick robes swishing around him in his haste. He was closely followed by Arthur Weasley in tweed and Kingsley Shacklebolt, whose deep red robes looked as if they had been slept in for several days.

 

Arthur tried not to show anything in his face, but a muscle in his jaw twitched. Kingsley had been there when Harry had woken up. He had no reaction to Harry's appearance.

 

"Hello," said Harry, sitting up. "Where's Ron?"

 

"In the waiting room with the rest of the family," said Dumbledore, trying to look cheerful although worry lines deeply creased his forehead. "We wanted to see how you were before Molly got the vapors over you."

 

Harry chuckled. "I feel a little tired. Really groggy."

 

"I think the family reunion can wait for another day," said Arthur as he cleared his throat. "You've been through a lot, Harry."

 

"I really think he's right," Hermione said quickly before Harry could protest. "Tomorrow will be here before you know it, and you'll feel a little bit stronger."

 

Harry scrunched his face at her before laying his head back onto his pillow.

 

"You'll thank us later," said Kingsley, thinking of what Molly's reaction would be without any warning about Harry's appearance.

 

A dark-haired male Healer walked into the room with a gold potion bottle on a tray. Severus stopped him before he got to Harry's side and took the bottle with a suspicious look at the Healer. He unstoppered and sniffed the contents of the bottle before putting it back on the tray. The Healer seemed taken aback by the intrusion, but allowed the examination. Severus nodded after returning the bottle, and the Healer continued to the bedside before gently tipping the potion into Harry's mouth.

 

Harry almost immediately fell into a relaxed, dopey state, and the Healer told the other men that Harry would need more rest.

 

"That's fine," Dumbledore nodded, smiling through a strained expression as his long, grey beard brushed against the front of his robes. "Thank you for taking such good care of him."

 

"It's the very least we could do," the Healer said with a surprised expression on his face. "After all he's done for us."

 

"We'll see you tomorrow, Harry," said Hermione, smiling at her friend in a way she hoped looked close to cheerful.

 

"I promise to be more awake tomorrow," said Harry sleepily.

 

"Of course you will," Hermione said softly.

 

-=-

 

Molly Weasley spooned hot, thick potato chowder into the long line of deep, polished wooden bowls running along the long table in number twelve, Grimmauld Place and tried not to worry about Harry by concentrating on the fact that there were mouths to feed.

 

Molly had been unusually silent since Arthur and Dumbledore had taken her into a quiet room, away from all the others, to tell her about what had happened to Harry.

 

Since the complete destruction of the Ministry, Grimmauld Place was being used as a temporary place for Aurors to gather information, rest, eat, and plan the reconstruction of their department. There was room to spare and Molly rather liked it. She felt well protected with all of them about, even though she knew that she and Arthur would be relocating back to the Burrow soon.

 

The Aurors had been a tremendous help to Molly in her seemingly endless task of getting the old house livable and the last of the questionable dark objects removed or destroyed. Some of the more dodgy items were in observation where the Department of Mysteries had been temporarily relocated to.

 

"I'll serve, Molly," Remus Lupin offered, taking two of the bowls from the counter. Remus looked older these days, but he had a peace about him that he hadn't possessed before. "You sit down. You've already done more than your share."

 

It was a sign that not all was right with Mrs. Weasley when she sat down wordlessly, not even bothering to protest. When Remus set a bowl of chowder in front of her, she ate without saying a word.

 

The few Aurors that had been milling around the kitchen grabbed bowls and took seats at the table. They all started eating when Tonks slipped into the room with a few more Aurors, brought out by the smell of good food, and took a seat between Molly and Remus.

 

"How's Harry?" Remus asked her quietly.

 

"Awake and talking to Dumbledore," said Tonks, shrugging. "Harry's seen a mirror."

 

"And?" Remus asked, raising an eyebrow as he waved his wand and a bowl floated down the length of the long table before coming to rest in front of Tonks.

 

"He seemed to take it well," said Tonks as she picked a spoon out of a pile of silverware. "But you never can tell."

 

Remus nodded and laid a basket of bread on the table as other Aurors filed into the room.

 

The fireplace suddenly leapt to life, and Severus and Hermione, who was still slightly green, walked through the hearth with a whoosh of green flame.

 

Molly looked up at them and shook her head at Severus.

 

He frowned at her. How dare the woman insinuate he had seduced Hermione? He had kissed her, he admitted that much, but Hermione had returned it, and she was a perfectly capable, logical young lady.

 

Severus decided not to voice his opinion. Molly had enough stress, and Severus didn't want to be her target when she finally snapped.

 

"Harry's really awake now," Tonks said to Hermione and Severus as they approached the table.

 

Tonks' view was Hermione seemed perfectly fine with her marriage and frankly, Tonks had other things to worry about. Severus had an attitude but he was mostly bark, Tonks knew that. Hermione could handle him.

 

"How is he?" Hermione asked as a young red-haired witch in bright green robes bustled her way past to get her meal.

 

"Feeling much better," Tonks said, waving to a handsome, middle-aged blond wizard in dark blue robes as he grabbed a bowl and swept out of the room. "He's up and talking to Dumbledore."

 

"Are there any insights into what happened to him?" Severus asked, getting jostled by an ancient little wizard in orange robes trying to balance four bowls of chowder on a tray for people elsewhere in the house.

 

"As far as we can tell, Voldemort's brain went wonky during battle," said Tonks as she blew on a spoonful of chowder. "Harry got all of it. Sort of like a memory download."

 

"What?" Molly whispered, looking up from her bowl, her face pale.

 

"Voldemort's not hiding in there," Tonks said quickly. "Dumbledore examined him extensively. Harry said it was like watching a movie in fast-forward."

 

"My God," Hermione said, collapsing onto the bench across from Molly and Tonks.

 

The green-robed witch sat beside her and started eating quickly.

 

"He'll be alright," said the witch between mouthfuls of food. "Listened to some of the interviews. Very informative. We'll learn a lot from him."

 

Molly sighed and stirred her chowder absentmindedly.

 

"He was born to do this, Molly," said Lupin, handing her a generously buttered hunk of bread. "Nothing we could have done. We did try, you know?"

 

Molly nodded and nibbled at the bread. Hermione reached across the table and squeezed Molly's hand. Molly didn't look up but clutched Hermione's hand.

 

Green flames leapt up in the hearth again, and all of them turned to look at Dumbledore as he entered the kitchen. No one said a word.

 

"I have never seen all of you looking so glum," Dumbledore said, a tired smile playing around his lips. "Harry will recover, though he's been through more than anyone should ever have to in any one lifetime."

 

"He'd been through more than anyone should by the end of his fourth year," Severus said under his breath. Only Dumbledore heard him, but the older wizard ignored him.

 

"He can see visitors tomorrow," Dumbledore said as he gave a pointed look at Molly. "Although it was advised that no one excite him. His system is still frail."

 

"I'm sure we can manage to hold it together," Hermione said before anyone else could say anything.

 

Molly sighed resignedly, but nodded in agreement.

 

-=-

 

Hermione, Severus, and Ron sat quietly in a waiting room at St. Mungo's, the only sound the scuffing of Ron's feet on the white marble floor and the sound of shuffling cards.

 

This room had only two doors: one going out into the main hospital and the other the only door to enter or exit Harry's room.

 

The Aurors that had been assigned outside, in the hospital hallway, stood erect on either side of the door, impressive looking and grim.

 

The Aurors that had been assigned to the waiting room were playing cards on a small plastic-covered table. Most of the Aurors had been called back for other assignments, but six were on duty here at all times, including the two in Harry's room.

The Ministry was taking Harry's condition very seriously.

 

Molly, Arthur and Dumbledore had been in there for nearly thirty minutes, and Ron was beginning to fidget more and more with each passing moment.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, the door swung open.

 

Molly looked pale and slightly ruffled, but had a tired smile on her face. "He's going to be all right, I think. Considering."

 

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath.

 

"You can go in and see him now," Dumbledore said as he put a hand on Molly's back and guided her away from Harry's door. "I'm sure he will appreciate seeing someone acting fairly normal."

 

Molly gave him a sharp look, and Arthur tried to hide a small smile at this, but Hermione and Ron practically leapt to their feet and ran to Harry's door.

 

Hermione stopped Ron quickly with a hand on his arm before he flung open the door.

 

He stopped in his tracks. She gave him a meaningful look, and he took a deep breath before opening the door calmly.

 

Severus watched cautiously as Hermione and Ron quietly entered the room that held their friend.

 

"Hello, Harry," Hermione said as the door closed softly behind her and Ron, leaving the older adults in the waiting room.

 

"Well?" Severus asked Dumbledore, steeling himself for anything.

 

"Are you familiar with the idea of mind-melding?" Dumbledore asked.

 

"It's part of a Muggle fable, is it not?" Severus asked with a curl to his lip.

 

"Not such a fable anymore," said Arthur, running a hand through his receding red hair. It seemed to have become much lighter in the last few weeks.

 

"He has all of the Dark Lord's knowledge?" Severus asked cautiously.

 

"All of it," said Molly brusquely. "He's lucky to be alive."

 

"Or sane," Severus said bitterly. He wondered exactly what depraved knowledge Harry had been exposed to. Specifically, what Harry knew about his own life.

 

"But apparently he's completely Harry," said Arthur, shaking his head. "Horrible burden for a boy to have to bear."

 

Dumbledore sighed. "If he travels the right path, he'll become a very wise man."

 

No one could think of anything to say. No one wanted to think about what would happen if he travelled the wrong path.

 

-=-

 

"Wow, Harry," said Ron, shaking his head and looking at his friend's deformed face.

 

Harry had dismissed the Aurors on duty in his room, assuring them that Hermione and Ron wouldn't attempt to poison him or worse. They now stood out in the waiting room with the card playing Aurors.

 

"The Healers say they're working on it," said Harry, shrugging. "But I wouldn't hold your breath."

 

"You thought people stared at you before," Ron mused.

 

"Ron!" Hermione said sharply.

 

"He's right, you know?" said Harry quietly as he set down the hand mirror he had been holding. His light blue pyjamas looked rumpled, and a stack of Ron's comic books sat scattered near the bed.

 

Hermione didn't know what to say to Harry. She had a stint as a cat once and felt deep sympathy for him, but she had recovered from the Polyjuice Potion. He would probably never recover from this.

 

"Well, look at the bright side, Harry," said Ron cheerfully. "You'll probably never have to wait in line for anything ever again."

 

Hermione and Harry both looked at Ron in bewilderment.

 

"Never mind," muttered Ron.

 

"You'll probably never be able to return to the Muggle world," said Hermione softly.

 

"I know," said Harry as he smoothed out his bedclothes. "I don't know if that upsets me or not."

 

"Wouldn't be that upset if I was you," snorted Ron.

 

"Why is that?" Hermione asked curiously.

 

"A scout for the Wasps happened to be in the Ministry the day of the attack, trying to get a Floo connection for his new house," said Ron excitedly. "Saw you on your broom, Harry. He was really impressed."

 

"What did you do on your broom?" Hermione asked Harry curiously.

 

"Well, there was a bit of trouble getting in," said Harry, shrugging. "It was kind of tricky, trying to maneuver around everything that was going on."

 

"Are you joking!?" Ron exclaimed incredulously. "It was some of the best flying I've ever seen. You should have seen it, Hermione!"

 

"You're lucky you're such a good flier," Hermione snapped at Harry. "I can't believe you just ran off to do this yourself. It was stupid and thoughtless of you!" Her stern tone had risen in pitch and was approaching a screech. She had finally snapped.

 

Dumbledore opened the door to Harry's room to see what the commotion was. Hermione shot him a look and he backed out quickly.

 

"Hermione..." Harry began.

 

"Don't you start!" Hermione boomed. "You could have got killed, or worse. You should have waited for the others."

 

"They never would have let us go," protested Ron.

 

"With good reason!" Hermione yelled. "What if the Death Eaters had got a hold of Harry?"

 

"Well, they didn't," said Harry, raising his eyebrows. His green serpentine eyes flashed with annoyance.

 

"Well, isn't that convenient," Hermione said testily. "Just because it worked, it's justified!"

 

Ron threw his hands up behind her in frustration, and she wheeled around on him. He stepped back and stumbled into a chair.

 

"And you!" Hermione began. In Ron's eyes, she seemed to get bigger than she really was. Her nostrils flared and her eyes flashed with anger. "You should have known better. Of all people."

 

"What, 'of all people?'" Ron exploded back at her. His fingers were white clenching the arms of his chair. "You weren't here, Hermione! It was pandemonium! No one could organize, the Ministry was in pieces, Dumbledore was missing..." Ron rattled out.

 

"I know," Hermione muttered. "I had to go get him."

 

"You knew where he was?" breathed Ron. "Everyone's been really secretive about it."

 

Harry was politely silent. He knew nothing about this, Hermione could tell, but was curious.

 

"I-I don't know if it's something he really wants everyone to know," said Hermione. "I really wish I could tell you."

 

Harry nodded in understanding, but Ron's face screwed up at her.

 

"Oh, come on, Hermione," Ron persisted. "It's all over now."

 

"It may not be," said Hermione. "The Amazons have an obscure prophecy that still might come to fruition."

 

"How many prophecies can one person have about them?" Ron asked, looking at Harry.

 

Harry shrugged. "If it makes you feel better, I'd rather there were no prophecies about me at all."

 

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione said. "But you idiots had me so worried and I was so far away..." Hermione trailed off.

 

"How was Russia?" Harry asked, interrupting her.

 

"Oh, you don't want to hear about my trip," said Hermione, shaking her head.

 

"Of course I do," Harry said insistently. "It will be a normal subject for a change. Maybe you'll even stop yelling."

 

He quirked a corner of his mouth at her. It made him look slightly sinister.

 

She made a face at him and told him about her trip.

 

"Snape's mother sounds desperate for grandchildren," laughed Harry. "Be careful if you don't want a brood."

 

Hermione blushed furiously.

 

Ron didn't look deliriously happy, but he managed to shake his head at her and give her a small smile. He kept repeating to himself that Snape could offer her more and she loved him. The pain would pass. Percy could councel him that much.

 

Ron awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. Hermione felt a pang of regret.

 

"I just don't think it's the practical time to start a family," said Hermione. "I mean, if a family were to ever happen."

 

"You haven't even got that far, have you?" Harry asked, laughing.

 

"Well, it's not as if we've had a lot of time to talk about it," Hermione said, flustered.

 

"You haven't even talked about it?" Ron asked incredulously.

 

"We haven't been ... intimate for that long," Hermione said, annoyed. She could not believe she was having this conversation. "I've known you for years and I don't know how many kids you want."

 

"None," Ron said firmly.

 

"None?!" Hermione and Harry echoed.

 

"I'm sure I'll have plenty of nieces and nephews to entertain me," chuckled Ron. "Then I can give them back and go far away."

 

Harry laughed.

 

"You'll change your mind when you meet the right girl," said Hermione. "That's the same thing Viktor said and look at him and Tristan."

 

Ron scowled at being compared to the Quidditch player. Hermione ignored his look.

 

"I'd like a couple, maybe," said Harry thoughtfully. "Although I'm not sure who'd be with me now."

 

"Don't say that, Harry," Hermione said sympathetically. "And that's stupid. I can think of someone."

 

"Yeah," said Ron, sitting on the edge of the bed and picking up a comic book. "If you aren't married to Ginny by the time you're thirty, the Ministry will assign you a wife. She might even be nice."

 

"Ron!" Hermione said, shocked.

 

"I'm sure that's going to be one of the first things to go," Harry laughed. "I have a feeling a lot of things at the Ministry are going to change."

 

"I don't doubt that," Hermione said. "Mr. Weasley has been working really hard. There's talk he may become Minister of Magic."

 

"My dad?" Ron asked, stunned. "Minister of Magic?"

 

"Well, there's not many from the Ministry left, are there?" Hermione asked. "A lot of people remember Fudge trying to discredit your father when he wanted to prepare for the Dark Lord's return."

 

"Your dad's a hero, Ron," said Harry softly.

 

"Wow," said Ron, looking surprised and a little proud. "Might get a little respect out of this after all."

 

"We've always respected you, Ron," said Hermione exasperatedly.

 

He grinned at her and hugged her back when she flung herself in his lap and threw her arms around him. It was good to have her back as part of the trio. They had felt like they were missing something when they had gone to the Ministry without her.

 

"I leave for two minutes and I find you in the arms of another," came a cold voice from the doorway. Ron felt the color drain from his face.

 

Hermione looked at her husband's expression and burst out laughing.

 

"Stop doing that!" Hermione demanded. "They're not your pupils anymore."

 

"I am aware of that, wife," said Severus, sneering at her.

 

She blew a raspberry at him. Harry was fine. Ron wasn't mad at her. She was in a fine mood.

 

Severus felt his lips tremble and finally let out a small chuckle.

 

"How am I ever to keep up my reputation if you keep amusing me so?" Severus asked, placing his hands on his hips.

 

"Not my fault your façade is so easily shattered," Hermione snorted.

 

Ron wrapped his arms around her, feeling her weight in his lap. He firmly nodded in agreement. It was easy to do when he could hide behind her if need be.

 

"Just don't let it get out," Severus sighed.

 

"Mum's the word," said Harry with a smirk.

 

Severus looked at the slitted green eyes and shivered. The boy truly looked frightful. "I would hope so."

 

"Hermione, Ron, can you please leave us for a moment?" Harry asked. "We have a bit to talk about."

 

"Of course," said Hermione, realizing that Harry possessed knowledge of Severus' Death Eater days. She imagined they would have quite a bit to talk about.

 

"Want us to smuggle you in anything, Harry?" Ron asked as he and Hermione rose to leave the room.

 

"Chocolate frogs, if you can find any," said Harry. "There should be some money in my pouch. It's in the drawer over there. Get whatever you want, as well."

 

Ron walked over to a small, wooden chest of drawers that held Harry's personal belongings. He rustled a bit in the top drawer and came up with a heavy blue coin purse that jingled.

 

"Thanks, Harry," said Hermione. "We'll be back in a bit."

 

She looked at her husband worriedly before retreating from the room. She and Ron left with a soft click of the door.

 

Severus turned and looked at the face split by a lightning scar. The slitted green eyes narrowed at him.

 

Severus looked into the eyes of his two greatest enemies rolled into one. He could do any number of things. He could Obliviate him. Hex him. Tie his tongue into a knot.

 

However, Severus chose the most painful option, for the sake of his wife. He told the truth.

 

"I love her," Severus said uncomfortably.

 

Harry examined Severus, as if for the first time. Severus looked very tired and worn.

 

"You must," said Harry. He paused. "I do remember everything that ever happened in Tom's life."

 

Severus looked at Harry quizzically. "Tom?"

 

"Well, no matter how much power he got and what titles he gave himself, he always thought of himself as Tom," said Harry, rubbing his forehead and the area between his eyes. "He hated himself for it."

 

Severus felt sorry for the boy. Historians would be bothering him for the rest of his life.

 

"It..." Severus started. "Your knowledge must be..."

 

"Incredible," said Harry, looking very tired. "You have no idea."

 

"I have a small idea," Severus said as he raised an eyebrow.

 

"You..." began Harry fumbling for words that he didn't ever think he would hear himself say. They had a difficult time coming out of his mouth. "Are an incredibly brave man."

 

"Thank you," said Severus sincerely, bowing his head slightly.

 

"Take care of Hermione," Harry said, a very serious look on his face. "If you don't I will be most displeased."

 

Severus shivered for the second time that day. "I will."

 

-=-

 

"What do you think they're talking about?"

 

Ron and Hermione were walking back to Harry's room from the cafeteria, their hands full of vending machine candy and sandwiches.

 

"Probably about Severus' time as a Death Eater." Hermione shrugged. "I wonder if Harry can activate the Dark Mark."

 

"How much do you know about Snape's past?" Ron asked curiously as they turned a corner.

 

"Not a lot," Hermione admitted. "He tells me in bits and pieces. I think he's more embarrassed about it than anything."

 

"Aren't you curious?" Ron asked.

 

"I'm not sure I want to know, honestly, " Hermione said with a shake of her head. "I've already seen his library."

 

Ron suddenly stopped in front of a door with a small glass panel set into it. Hermione stopped and looked to see what he was staring at.

 

A stuffed vulture perched on a witch's hat. It bobbed slightly as the witch talked. It didn't look as if anyone was sitting up and talking back to her.

 

Hermione looked at Ron and he looked at her guiltily.

 

Hermione pushed the door open and the witch turned around.

 

"Hello, Mrs. Longbottom," said Ron as he and Hermione walked into the room.

 

"Hello, children," said Mrs. Longbottom in a tired voice.

 

Hermione mused they'd be grandparents and Mrs. Longbottom would still be calling them children.

 

"How's Neville?" Ron asked and was instantly sorry. He winced slightly.

 

"Still sleeping." Mrs. Longbottom sighed. "He did have a bit of a shock. It will probably take him a bit longer than you did to come around."

 

"Probably," Hermione said, forcing herself to smile.

 

"They say he can hear people when they talk to him," said Mrs. Longbottom, gesturing to the prone body in the bed. "You should say hello."

 

Hermione forced Ron to walk forward and go around to the foot of the bed. Neville lay motionless on white sheets. His face looked thinner than she remembered it ever being. His new blue pyjamas looked crisp and his hair freshly combed.

 

"Heya, Neville," Hermione said cheerfully. "We miss you terribly."

 

"We sure do," said Ron. "Harry beat you in waking up. You need to catch up with the rest of us."

 

Mrs. Longbottom beamed at them. "I keep telling him he managed to avenge his parents. I don't know if he understands yet."

 

"I'm sure he does," Hermione said softly. "I was there when the wave hit."

 

Mrs. Longbottom's smile seemed frozen for a moment, but she nodded at Hermione. "Good. He was very fond of you, you know? If he'd been of age, he'd have petitioned for you himself."

 

Hermione blushed slightly.

 

Ron stiffened beside her. How much competition had he been up against, anyway?

 

"He's always so thoughtful of others," Hermione said a bit awkwardly.

 

"That's our boy," said Mrs. Longbottom proudly. "Just like his father."

 

Ron smiled and nodded politely, a forced smile frozen on his face.

 

"Look at the time!" Mrs. Longbottom exclaimed. "If I want to see Frank and Alice, I have to get going."

 

Hermione and Ron said their good-byes to Mrs. Longbottom and Neville, then quickly left the ward.

 

"Well, that was creepy," muttered Ron, walking quickly along a corridor. Hermione had to quicken her pace to keep up.

 

"Most of her family is here, Ron," chided Hermione. "I can't imagine how she holds it together."

 

Ron was quiet for the remainder of the walk back to Harry's ward, though his pace had slowed down to a stroll instead of a retreat.