Chapter Two

Hermione felt the headache grow fierce as she finally dragged herself through the gates and reset the wards. She stumbled up the now empty grassy hill toward the castle. She was completely exhausted. Now she understood why she was suffering the headaches.

Snape had been trying to find someone to help him. He had found the initial connection through Hermione touching the stain of his blood from minor injuries, which had seeped into the wood of his office desk over the years. Now, within the Shrieking Shack, the connection was so much stronger because of the massive blood stain caused when he suffered the snake bite. His mind, affected by Muggle drugs, was fighting to communicate.

As the nausea threatened to overwhelm her, Hermione thought ruefully, Why me? ...then, Why not me? I still have nightmares about not helping him. I will do all I can. She collapsed, feeling the grass against her cheek before the blackness overtook her.

Waking again, she saw Hagrid's concerned face and felt his big arms holding her close. She could feel he was walking quickly. "Hermione, I'm taking you to the infirmary. Can you hear me?" he asked urgently.

Her eyes closed again, and the next thing she saw was the stark white ceiling of the infirmary. Poppy's face swung into view. "Professor Granger, can you hear me?" she asked briskly.

Hermione tried to nod, then groaned as even the flesh on her eyelids hurt. Poppy brought a vial to her lips, and she drank the bitter liquid. She closed her eyes in relief as the pain receded and the nausea abated.

She heard Hagrid's voice ask, "Will she be okay? Should I call Harry and Ron? Them's being her only wizarding family."

Hermione replied, "No... I'll be okay... thank you, Hagrid." She felt a huge hand pat her arm and give it a squeeze.

"I'll be goin' then," Hagrid said. He always felt out of place in the infirmary.

Hermione opened her eyes to see Poppy looking at her with concern. "Legilimens again? I will skin the child alive if I find out who's doing this."

Hermione groped blindly until she found the Medi-Witch's hand. Gripping it with her own, she informed her, "He's not a student, Poppy."

"Then who?" the woman asked, her brow creasing in a frown.

"Professor Snape," Hermione told her.

"What? The man's dead, gone for years now!"

,

"No, he's in a Muggle care facility, dosed with Muggle drugs."

The woman's face paled. "He's alive? I must get Pomona in here, she has to know."

"Professor Sprout? Why would she care?" Hermione was confused.

"She was like a mother to him after his own mother died. She knows that man better than anyone here." Poppy turned away and conjured her Patronus. A winged snake flew gracefully around the room and then off through the window.

"Poppy, you were a Slytherin?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"No, I'm only a healer. Most healers' Patronuses are winged serpents of one form or another," Poppy informed her.

"Oh, I didn't realize! Of course it makes sense," Hermione said, thinking about how Muggles used the winged, twin serpents as their medical symbol. "I can't see Professor Snape allowing Pomona to mother him. He's such a hard man," she mused thoughtfully.

"Well, he was a lonely, scared boy when he first arrived. He had such a thirst for knowledge, and Pomona took an interest in his abilities. Herbology is a huge part of Potions now, isn't it? He often took refuge in the Herbology green house when he was being heckled by the likes of James Potter and his lackeys." Poppy set about puffing up Hermione's pillows, helping her to sit a bit higher.

Hermione glanced at her fingers that were unconsciously twisting together, "It was hard for Harry to realize his dad didn't walk on water, and that he had been so cruel to Professor Snape," she said softly.

"I imagine it was," Poppy replied.

The door flew open and Pomona Sprout puffed into the room. Her hat was crooked, and sticks and leaves stuck about the band. Her short gray hair stuck out in all directions and she had a smudge of dirt on her nose. The apron that covered her robes was stained with dirt and green streaks. Hermione saw a deep kindness overlaid by a worried look in her eyes. She had never really studied the woman before.

"Poppy, what's wrong! What's happened?" she stammered, rubbing her dirty hands on her apron. Her wand was tangled in her hair above one ear. She pulled it out and, with a flick, vanished all the dirt, leaving herself in clean, but worn robes.

Poppy went to her and held out her hand, taking Pomona's hand in hers. "Brace yourself, dear."

"What... what's happened?" She noticed Hermione in the bed. "Do you need some rare herb or dangerous plant?"

"No, Hermione has been plagued with bouts of intrusive Legillimancy. She knows who is doing it."

"Who?" The woman's face was very perplexed now.

"Severus, Pomona. It seems he's alive!"

Poppy saw the older woman's face go pale, so she let go of her hand, whipped out her wand, and conjured a chair behind the shocked woman, just as Pamona's knees gave out and she slumped down into it.

"Severus... alive? I don't understand! How is that possible? Where?" the kind woman asked desperately.

"It appears he is in a Muggle facility for long-term care of coma patients," Poppy explained.

Pomona's face paled even more. "Oh Merlin, my boy. I know just the plants we can use to brew Potions to help him," she said briskly. The idea of seeing the boy she had practically raised restored to them filled her with joy and a sense of purpose.

Hermione looked down sadly at her twined hands. Pomona did not notice as she continued, "We must go retrieve him immediately!"

Poppy touched her shoulder. "We have no idea where he is. He doesn't know the name of the facility, or even what country he is in. It will take time, and it will be difficult to locate him. Spontaneous Apparition, when you're drugged with potions or out of your mind with pain, can take you quite far from home. Someone must have found him and taken him to a hospital. If he's still under the paralyzing influence of Nagini's venom, then Muggle medicine will never help him," she said gently.

"How was he able to communicate with you, Hermione? And please, forgive this question, but why you? There are people here who are far closer to him." Pomona could not hide the hurt in her eyes.

Hermione hung her head. "I'm sorry. I don't think he had a choice. He said something about 'blood magic?' The fact that his blood has seeped into the wood of his desk over the years must have made it possible for the rudimentary connections. Earlier today I was compelled to go to the Shrieking Shack and touch the stain caused by his blood there. It enabled a far stronger connection. He was finally able to tell me who he was."

Pomona stood somewhat shakily and came to stand next to the bed Hermione lay in. She reached out and touched the younger woman's hand. "I'm sorry, my dear. What you say makes sense. Don't pay any attention to me. I'm just an old woman."

"Hardly," Hermione said with a small smile, turning her fingers to squeeze the old Herbologist's. "We will find him. Summer is just a few months away. I can go to my parents' house on the weekends between now and then and do some research on my computer. I might be able to find Unidentified Person Files."

"Computer?" Pomona asked in a confused way.

"It's an electrical device that allows you to search nearly all the information in the world other than classified stuff. If I don't find any information there, we can theorize the areas he might have gone to. We also might ask Professor Vector to do some calculations." Hermione warmed to her subject.

"No!" the two woman cried together.

"Why not?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Snape and Vector didn't see eye to eye on much, and she is quite a Death Eater hater. She lost a son to them," Pomona informed her.

"Oh," Hermione said, "I didn't know."

"She might put the authorities or worse, vigilantes on your trail."

"Well, so what? He's been totally exonerated!" Hermione said indignantly. She and Harry had worked hard to bring the information Professor Snape had entrusted to them to the public light. She squirmed a bit. There would now be a reckoning for those actions. Since he had been dead, it had not mattered at the time, but now he would know that all his secrets were out. She paled at the thought of his anger.

Poppy stepped forward. "What's wrong, Hermione? Are you feeling nauseous again?" She raised her wand to set forth a diagnostic spell.

Hermione blushed. "No, I was just thinking. Professor Snape will be pretty angry when he knows so many people have seen his memories."

Pomona laughed. "He will just have to get over it." She patted Hermione's hand. "Severus..." she whispered to herself.

Hermione saw the professor's eyes fill with tears and wondered at the relationship between this Mother-of-the-Earth and the dour Potions Master. She could see the woman loved him, and she wondered if he felt the same way.

"Should we tell Minerva?" Pomona asked, snatching her patched hat off her head and running her fingers through her choppy hair.

Poppy was thoughtful. "I think not. She feels so bad about how she treated Severus that last year," she reflected.

Pomona said, "I've tried to tell her that was how she was supposed to treat him since he was deep undercover. She feels betrayed by Dumbledore and Severus... them not telling her of the role he played with Dumbledore's consent. It hurt her deeply."

Hermione said thoughtfully, "Well, let's see what we can find out before we decide whether to let her in on this situation. We may not be able to find him. He's got to get better at his part of the connection, too. I cannot be incapacitated every time he speaks to me."

"If you leave here, how will he connect with you?" Pomona asked.

Hermione replied, after a few moments' thought, "I will have to go back to the Shrieking Shack and take a piece of the floor with me. It will be stronger than the traces of blood in my office."

Poppy agreed, "The power of his mind must be formidable for him to be able to break through the condition he is no doubt in. I will work to procure knowledge about Wizarding comas and, Hermione, you can work on the anti-venom with muscle restoration and strengthening potions. His physical condition might be pretty bleak after all this time. It's really quite a wonder he's alive!"

"I will go harvest the items you need, Hermione. We'd best make the potions out of the freshest ingredients I can find," Pomona said.

Hermione nodded. "I will make a list and have a House-elf deliver it to you. Poppy, when can I get out of here? I want to go to St. Mungo's tomorrow and talk to a healer versed in Occlumency. If I can learn how to Occlude the over load and just let Severus' thoughts come through, I should have fewer side effects."

"That's an excellent idea. I would feel better if you stayed here tonight, though. If you go back to your rooms, he might try to speak to you again and you will weaken once more," Poppy explained.

Hermione nodded. She'd rather be free of this place, but Poppy had a point. "Alright... for tonight then. Tomorrow's Saturday, and I can go without alerting Minerva to anything. She knows I often go on the weekends to purchase ingredients."

"You might not be strong enough for Apparition. Best you try a shorter distance first. We don't want you ending up in a Muggle hospital half way to St. Mungo's. Now get some rest. I will wake you in the morning." Poppy patted her shoulder before leaving her alone.

Hermione snuggled down under her down comforter and let her eyes fall closed. She slept and dreamed. She was walking through a long hospital corridor with closed doors on both sides. When she tried the doors, however, they were all locked. She traveled further down the hall to some double doors.

She pushed them open and quite a sight met her eyes. Beds lined the walls and stretched in rows and rows. The room was huge, and buzzed and beeped with machines that were designed to breathe life into the bodies that were stretched out on the beds. Tubes carried fluid, blood and nutrients to the many comatose patients who lay in stony silence. There were no attendants present in the huge room, and Hermione shivered as she walked through the center aisle, searching the faces. The still faces were from all races and all walks of life.

She wondered if they were all forgotten, or if anyone came to visit them. Why were they left to sleep like this? Would they linger like this for years to come? Some had plump faces, but most were thin and gaunt. She assumed the thin, gaunt ones were patients who had been there for some time.

Every thing was clean and white, and she smelled the usual hospital antiseptic. She neared the end of the room and suddenly, there he was. The blanket was pulled up to his chest. His long dark hair fanned over the pillow. His face was as gaunt as ever. He was perhaps thinner than she'd ever seen him. His hooked nose appeared even more prominent.

Somehow, he looked younger. His face was relaxed and the lines smoothed. He didn't have the perpetual smirk or the nasty glint in his eye. Hermione stood looking down at him. She laughed softly as an idea occurred to her, and she bent over him and placed a small kiss on his thin lips.

Arms came around her and held her warmly as she felt the kiss returned and deepened. She parted her lips slightly and a warm tongue slipped over her bottom lip, meeting her tongue...

A hand shook her and Hermione gasped as the dream faded and she found herself looking into Poppy's face. The woman sported a curious look and her eyebrow rose when Hermione blushed a bright red. "Nice dream?" Poppy asked with a smirk.

Hermione shrugged. "Unusual, I'd say. Surprising! I never have romantic dreams!"

"Ah, you had the cat-that-ate-the-mouse smile," the Medi-Witch said, smiling. "Romance is a nice thing, even if it's only in our dreams. Well, dear, I think you are strong enough to leave. I want you to have a good breakfast first though... none of this toast and tea thing. Eggs most certainly and ham as well. You will need the nourishment to keep you strong today."

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed for a moment and then slipped to the floor. Her legs felt sturdy under her, thankfully. She grinned. "I feel so much better, Poppy. Thank you for your help. I'm going to my parents' house first, where I'll use their computer to make a list of facilities in this country and the surrounding countries. I can probably find some John Doe files and get descriptions. After that, I'll go to St Mungo's."

"What are you going to tell the healers at St. Mungo's?" Poppy asked. "They will be curious. You know what they say about curiosity. Besides they may very well see what's in your mind."

"You know some of them," Hermione answered. "Can you tell me which ones were Order Members? Which ones can keep a secret? They should be bound by their professionalism, but it is better safe than sorry." Suddenly, she feared for the whole plan. The more people who knew this secret, the more likely it would leak out before she had a chance to find him.

Poppy blushed. "Well, I could write a note to Chance Leurantte. We knew each other at University."

"How well did you know this man, Poppy?" Hermione couldn't help teasing.

Poppy smiled a funny, secret smile. "Well enough, Professor Granger, but, it was a long time ago. I wanted to work here and he wanted to be in London. He has since married and had a family, and I came here. There was no way around it."

Hermione reached out and touched her hand. "I'm sorry. Are you sure I can trust him if you had a breakup?"

"There were no hard feelings. We lost track over the years, but are good friends when we happen upon each other. I haven't seen him for six or seven years now, but I see his papers in the medical journals," Poppy assured her.

Hermione saw a look on Poppy's face that she'd seen on her own when looking in the mirror. Poppy continued, "It's very hard to see them happy and not be part of it yourself. I feel that way at the Burrow. There are all the happy couples, Harry and Ginny and their baby and now Ron with his new wife and baby. It could have been me but I made other choices. I wanted to come here to teach. I wanted a career more than children. I would have ended up hating him and he was my best friend. I do understand."

Hermione reached out and hugged the older witch, receiving a hug in return. As she stepped back she said, "Thank you for confiding in me. I will keep it just between us."

Poppy wiped a tear from her cheek. "Thank you, Hermione. Now, you go make that list for Pomona, though I'd be surprised if she didn't have them all gathered. She knows what her plants are for. She will make an excellent educated guess on what will be required."

"Yes, she will," Hermione confirmed. "I have found her to be very helpful more than a few times."

"I will write the note and send it through the Floo to your office. Don't stay in there too long," Poppy cautioned.

Hermione slipped into her robe and said, "Thank you." She strode away and vanished through the infirmary doors.

Poppy turned to go to her office to write the note. She wished she were the one going to St. Mungo's.

***

Hermione ate her breakfast quickly, trying her best to fend off questions from the other staff. She told them she'd been working too hard. She'd put in too many hours, and had not eaten enough. It was partly true. Although she did not feel like having a big breakfast, she followed orders and ate.

Since it was Saturday, she informed Minerva that she was going home for the weekend. She left right after packing away the potion ingredients Pomona had sent. This weekend she would do her research, and on Monday, she would begin to brew the potions that would help Severus return to consciousness.

She had a small vial of Nagini's venom and one of the snake's blood. Slughorn had collected it after the final battle, and she had found it among the stores when she had taken over. She had never opened it, thinking it no longer necessary to study, but now she was grateful to the former Potions teacher for his foresight.

By mid-morning she was ready. She clutched her small bag, stuffed with shrunken clothing, parchment and quills for note-taking, and the note Poppy had given her, introducing her to Healer Leurantte. Hermione walked to the gate and once she had cleared the wards, Apparated to Hogsmeade. When that worked well, she Apparated to her parents'.

Thank you, Suzanne and Lydia for your Beta work. A special thank you to my sister, Linda, who gave the chapter a final check over.