Chapter One

~ Chapter One ~

Hermione was heartbroken at the desolation of the grounds. As the three approached the Whomping Willow, Hermione saw that many of its branches lay scattered. It barely resisted the trio of invaders.

Arriving at the shack, Hermione performed the diagnostic charm she'd been too shocked to perform earlier that morning. It confirmed that Professor Snape was alive, but showing only minimal life signs.

Speaking as little as possible, the three were soon returning to the castle with Draco in the lead, levitating a Disillusioned Professor Snape. Draco had insisted he be the one to take the man to his dungeon. Now, removed from the pool of blood and resting on a sofa in the Slytherin common room, it was easier to believe that Snape was only under the influence of a potion.

While Draco stood watch over his mentor, Hermione and Neville returned to the Great Hall. The crowd had thinned considerably. McGonagall told Hermione that many had gone home and many others, having no home to return to, were staying in the castle, which had recognized McGonagall's authority. Some had been Floo'd to St. Mungo's, and the dead had been carefully placed in waiting for their proper burials.

Except for Ginny and Ron, the Weasleys had returned to Shell Cottage.

"Where did you go?" Ron tiredly asked as he pulled Hermione into his arms.

"I'll tell you later," she answered quietly. "Sorry I kept you waiting."

"It's okay. I told Ginny to let Harry sleep, but she went to get him anyway. I'm headed back up to the tower now. McGonagall's going to let us Floo from there."

"Okay. Tell Harry I'm staying here."

"Aren't you coming with us?"

"No, I think you need your space. Owl me soon, though--maybe after a good sleep."

"We could all do with some sleep," Madam Pomfrey interrupted.

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione answered, pulling away from Ron. "But I need to ask you something... or tell you." She looked between the matron and her friend. "Go ahead, Ron. I'll see you soon."

When Ron was out of earshot, Pomfrey began again. "Mr. Longbottom informed me that someone needs care in the dungeon, but would not give me any more information. Would you care to?"

Looking around her again, Hermione answered. "It's Professor Snape."

"The Headmaster?"

Hermione nodded. "He didn't die, but he might have taken a potion. Mr. Malfoy was under the impression you might have the antidote."

Pomfrey shook her head. "Most of my potions store was lost in the attack. I've yet to take an inventory, but I'd be surprised if any remained intact.

"But you know what he took?"

"I have a good idea. Let me see him before we start making plans."

After being the sensible one for so long, Hermione was relieved by Madam Pomfrey's calm assessment of the situation. She quietly followed the matron down the steps and watched her use a complicated wand movement to enter the Slytherin common room.

Pomfrey performed a much more complex set of diagnostic spells before declaring that he had a preventative antivenin in his system, as well as a standard dose of the Draught of Living Death.

They decided to leave the professor where he was since the Malfoys had already committed to remaining with their comrade until his situation was resolved.

"What if--" Hermione stopped herself, suddenly aware of who was with her. "What if the Slytherins know a way in here?"

Before Lucius could answer, Pomfrey harrumphed. "There isn't a way that any student can use."

"How do you know?"

"You students all think that I must be some kind of Hufflepuff, but I was a Slytherin and Head Girl to boot. There aren't any secrets of this room that I don't know. Professor Snape has a passageway, but no one will be using that whilst he is lying here."

Draco found his voice to ask about the antidote, but Pomfrey reassured him. "The Headmaster is in no immediate danger. The Draught is keeping him in a deep sleep, almost like stasis. We'd all be better off getting some sleep. He'll keep. It would be a much greater danger to wake him before we have the proper potions that he'll need. I would also be concerned about an attack on his person if I wasn't positive that the dungeon would seal itself from invaders. The castle will not allow the Headmaster to come to harm in his sleep."

Hermione, who had never heard Madam Pomfrey speak so much all at once, suddenly realized that the adrenaline was draining from her system. As she grew tired, her body began to ache--she'd noticed that remnant from her bout with the Cruciatus.

She trudged up to Gryffindor Tower to find McGonagall nearly asleep at a table in the common room.

"I'm surprised that you're staying, my dear. Molly assured me that you were welcome to join them, but Mr. Longbottom said you'd want to stay."

Hermione appreciated Neville's consideration that she would want to share the news personally. "It's Professor Snape." Hermione dropped herself in a chair. "He's alive."

McGonagall pulled herself up straight. "Alive? But Mr. Potter reported--"

"We were wrong," Hermione interrupted, a mark of just how long a day she'd had and how much she hurt. "We were so stunned by what we saw, I couldn't bear to look at his body; I didn't even think. I had Dittany; I could have done something, but Madam Pomfrey said it was Living Death. He's stopped his bleeding and kept the poison from spreading through his body. She thinks he even took some antivenin ahead of time."

McGonagall started for the door. "I must go to him at once."

"Professor." Hermione caught up with her. "The Malfoys are taking turns keeping vigil. Madam Pomfrey insisted we all sleep."

"She's right, of course. Let me show you to your room. I've had an elf make up the Head Girl's room for you for as long as you choose to remain. It should have been yours, but you were better off away from here..."

The heavy silence stretched between them.

"Thank you, Professor. I'll probably see you at supper. I want to help in any way I can."

When Hermione entered the Head Girl's room, she felt a pang. She'd read about it in Hogwarts: A History, but for it to be hers, even temporarily... If things had been different, she might have spent her final year here, studying and perhaps sneaking off with Ron. If Voldemort could have just had the decency to die the first time! Well, if he had, there wouldn't have been a troll in the girl's room her first year--their first battle.

She prepared for bed, mulling over the what-ifs in her mind. She and Ron had finally kissed, but what did it mean?

A small bottle labeled "Dreamless Sleep: 4 hours" stood on the nightstand. She knew she needed much more sleep than that, but was glad she wouldn't be spending the entire day in bed.

As she lay down, her back twinged. Her last thought was that she needed to ask Madam Pomfrey what was good for lingering Cruciatus pain.

She woke up to find that six hours had passed. Her clothes had been laundered, and there were some plain robes in the closet.

She surveyed the damage on the way to the Great Hall and was pleased to see she hadn't missed supper. Four long tables had been arranged in a square, illustrating unity. She slid in near Professor McGonagall and was rewarded with a status report of much of the Wizarding world. She handed Hermione a note from Ginny while explaining that the Burrow had taken heavy damage, but Shell Cottage was being used as temporary housing for all of the displaced Weasleys.

Molly had issued Hermione a written invitation to come soon, and Ginny's letter repeated it. She reported that she was writing from Harry's lap. Hermione had thought it would have taken longer for them to reunite but conceded that exceptions must be made for that epic kind of love. She pictured her friends cuddled up, then tried to picture herself in Ron's arms. It didn't seem quite the same thing--maybe because Harry and Ginny had been nigh inseparable for those weeks the previous year.

The elves had prepared comfort food: shepherd's pie and hearty stews, warm bread and fragrant pastries. Soon, she was immersed in the conversations around her: O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s for those who had experienced another abbreviated school year, whether Shacklebolt would remain Minister after the vote, repairs for the castle and replacements for the staff. No one mentioned Professor Snape, but Madam Pomfrey appeared whilst Hermione ate a warm apple turnover.

Getting a nod from McGonagall, the two of them followed the matron out of the hall. Hermione nodded as they descended the stairs.

"How much sleep did you get, Miss Granger?"

Hermione dutifully reported her hours, trying not to resent the intrusion, then added, "Was there any of the antidote in stock?"

"No, and none in the Headmaster's personal stores. It seems giants were throwing things around the hospital wing; I'm just glad that none of the potions combined to make toxic fumes."

"I also wanted to ask, is there a potion that eases the after-effects of Cruciatus?"

Pomfrey's eyes widened, then softened. "There is a balm. With proper hydration and rest, the pain should subside within a week with daily use. I daresay if you know your potions, you can prepare it yourself."

"What about the antidote for Professor Snape? Is that hard to brew?"

"If we had all of the ingredients, it wouldn't be a problem. An improperly brewed draught or the incorrect dose would take a Potions master to counteract, but I can't imagine our patient was anything short of meticulous. The standard antidote will do."

Hermione was cheered by the thought that Madam Pomfrey deemed her capable of brewing the needed potions, but her thoughts were refocused as they entered the Slytherin common room. The Misters Malfoy were picking at plates of food whilst Mrs. Malfoy slept in a large chair at Snape's side, his hand clasped loosely in hers. Hermione pondered the longstanding friendships represented in this room whilst the men rose to meet the ladies.

"No visible changes, Poppy."

"Thank you, Lucius."

The movement nearby woke Mrs. Malfoy, who apologized unnecessarily. Then, Pomfrey and McGonagall took turns holding the Headmaster's hand and speaking to him. McGonagall indicated that Hermione should as well.

Shyly, she took his hand and said, "We'll do what we can--all we can to help you, sir."

Pomfrey then declared it was time to move him. She and McGonagall opened a portrait door, and Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy levitated the Headmaster through it.

Hermione followed into a private study. She was interested to discover that even as Headmaster, he'd wanted to stay close to his house. They went through the study to his bedroom, Hermione and Draco waiting in the doorway, listening to intense whispering. Then McGonagall gestured for them to back away whist Mr. Malfoy shut the door behind him so Pomfrey and Mrs. Malfoy could bathe Snape and dress his wounds.

Hermione watched as Mr. Malfoy summoned an elf. Apparently, the three were going to set up housekeeping in Snape's study rather than in the dormitory.

McGonagall led Hermione through another door in the study that led to his unused public office, which led to the classroom. "I'm going to establish a password you may use to access the classroom and store cupboard."

When McGonagall had done so, Pomfrey entered and handed Hermione three scrolls. "You will have access to everything you will need. The ingredients with checkmarks are those we have. Those without can be found on the grounds. I will procure the blood-replenisher from St. Mungo's, where I will be assisting starting tomorrow, but Sprout should be able to help you gather most of the ingredients in the morning."

When Hermione returned to her room, curiosity warred briefly with fatigue, but the ache gave weight to fatigue. She didn't open the scrolls until she was in bed. The first was a standard balm for muscle aches with fresh willow bark added in the second stage. She'd run out of the standard balm and had to brew more in the forest about five months into camping.

The antidote to the Draught of Living Death was more complicated, but most of the ingredients she needed for that were grown in the greenhouses. The ingredient sure to be the most trouble to procure was unicorn hair. Further study was definitely required.

The third potion was to heal Professor Snape once he'd been awakened. Once his metabolism returned to normal, they'd have to heal his wounds and continue counteracting the venom. Pomfrey was sure he'd taken an antivenin, but it could only slow the effects. She'd need to get the moss fresh from the forest, and the potion had a short shelf life, needing to be brewed fresh every forty-eight hours. Hermione imagined that after the first seventy-two hours or so, Snape would be demanding to brew his own potion; then she could move on.

Curiosity satisfied, she went to sleep.

A/N: When I wrote this, I had misunderstood the amount of time the trio had stayed at Shell Cottage. Though I now know that it had been weeks and not just days since Hermione was tortured, it was too important to the story for me to change, so we'll just call it AU ;)

More thanks to Lauren and Southern for rescuing the readers from my random spelling.