The Musings of Dumbledore

A/N: Thank you so much to my wonderful betas, RobisonRocket and juliannanight! I also want to thank carmille for the great reviews. In a perfect world I would get a review from everyone who reads.

The Musings of Dumbledore

Chapter 3

Hermione was sitting on the bed, going through the events of the day, when a knock at the door startled her.

"Miss Granger, it's time to go. Are you ready?"

Hermione stood and opened the door. Her eyes widened as she watched Professor Snape levitating an unconscious Draco Malfoy into the room.

"Is he g-going to be alright?" Hermione's voice shook as she moved out of the way, making room for Draco.

"I believe so. We just need to get him to the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Once he has been cleared by Poppy, the two of you will be taken to Black's."

"Professor, what exactly is wrong with him?"

Snape sucked in a breath. "I will tell you everything I know when we get to Hogwarts and when I know Draco will recover."

Hermione followed Snape and Draco to the Floo. Once inside, Snape took Draco's unconscious body into his arms. Hermione grabbed the Floo powder and looked at Snape expectantly. He stuck out his elbow, and Hermione laced her arm through his. As she threw the Floo powder, engulfing the three of them in green flames, Snape called out, "Dumbledore!" Moments later, they stepped into the private quarters of Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah. Severus, there you are. Poppy is expecting Mr. Malfoy. You may proceed to the hospital wing. Miss Granger, would you like a lemon drop?"

Dumbledore always seemed to make any situation better. No matter what the gesture, it always seemed to fit the mood and make it lighter. Hermione knew that was what he was doing now.

He didn't want her to worry about Draco, but she couldn't help herself. She didn't know what had happened to him, but she knew he was in this predicament because he was saving her from a curse sent by his father. And knowing Lucius, Draco knew the curse could have been fatal, but he took it anyway.

"Miss Granger, what is troubling you?" Dumbledore asked in a gentle voice. He glanced at Hermione and noticed her worrying her bottom lip.

"It's just... it's my fault, isn't it? Malfoy -- " Hermione sighed. "Draco... is in the state he's in because of me."

Dumbledore didn't immediately answer her. He looked at her, seeming to weigh his response, and sighed. "Miss Granger," he spoke softly, "I'm not sure you are seeing the whole picture. I remember, not so long ago, that you yourself were in the hospital wing. You were petrified. You had been the innocent victim of a Basilisk. Do you remember? Of course you do. On with my story... dear Ginevra Weasley was feeling much the same way you do right now. She thought all of what happened to be her fault."

"It wasn't Ginny's fault. It was Tom Riddle's fault," Hermione interrupted.

"I'm aware of that, Miss Granger. However, it took a while for Ginevra to acknowledge her own innocence. Why, I don't think she really realized it until she and Harry became an item. She tried so hard to make him stop blaming himself for Sirius that he forced her to take her own advice. You see, it was Tom's fault then, and it's Lucius Malfoy's fault now. You didn't ask young Draco to take that curse. He did it of his own free will. I will be much mistaken if he doesn't come out of this feeling quite guilty himself."

"It most certainly wasn't Draco's fault," Hermione said indignantly. "He saved my life."

"Ah... he did save you. Even though the curse didn't kill him, it could have. He didn't know what Lucius was going to do. However, if it had hit you, it might not have killed you either. But it probably would have left you with a fate worse than death. Therefore, Mr. Malfoy ensured that you not merely survived, but that you would live. Do not waste his sacrifice by dwelling on guilt, Miss Granger. He deserves better."

Before Hermione could respond, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," said Dumbledore.

Snape had returned from the hospital wing. "Headmaster, Draco is resting now." Snape put a hand up when Hermione started to speak. "He will be fine, Miss Granger. You may go and see him. If you hurry, you can pester Madam Pomfrey with questions before she takes her leave."

"Her leave? Where is she going? Doesn't she need to look after Draco?" Hermione voice was rising.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the use of Draco's given name. Hermione ignored him and waited for an answer to her question.

It was Dumbledore who answered her. "Madam Pomfrey's sister is the nurse for Beauxbatons. She has taken ill and asked if Poppy could step in. The term has already begun for Beauxbatons. She should return by the start of our term. She was about to go when word came that Draco needed her attention. I am assuming, Severus, that she has given Mr. Malfoy the all clear or she wouldn't be leaving."

"Yes, Headmaster. He is sleeping right now. However, Miss Granger will not disturb him with her visit." Snape looked at Hermione pointedly.

"I'm going to see him." Hermione was out of Dumbledore's chamber in a flash.

Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Alright Severus, you've gotten rid of Miss Granger. Tell me. How bad is it?"

Snape gave Dumbledore a grim look before he sighed and sat down.

"Albus, to be honest with you, it's not Draco I'm worried about. Well, not his health anyway. I believe I know the curse that Lucius used. I didn't hear the incantation, but what I saw was unmistakable."

"What did you see, Severus?"

"Black light. It shot straight from his wand and engulfed Miss Granger and Draco. Draco jumped on top of her just as the jet hit them. I don't even think Miss Granger is aware of what happened. I'm not even sure that Draco is aware. But I am positive they are bound."

The twinkle was gone from Dumbledore's blue eyes. He sat heavily behind his desk and thought. "They are just children, Severus. They are already risking their lives for the cause. What happens after the fall of Voldemort? What will happen to them, Severus? I must say, I am deeply worried for them."

"I agree with you, Albus. I can't imagine what they will do when they find out. But what if Draco hadn't been there? Albus, she would be a slave to Lucius Malfoy. She would be no more than a house-elf."

"We need to speak to them as soon as Draco wakes up. They need to know what this means. Their lives will forever be changed by the circumstances of today. Severus, I am not sure what Miss Granger will do when she hears all of this."

"There's more, Albus. When I looked into her memories, it was apparent that Miss Granger was assaulted. Unfortunately, there were some memories missing, so I can't say for sure. However, the state that I found her in indicates that Lucius may have raped her as well."

Dumbledore sat up quickly. "Dear God, Severus! What has he done to that poor girl? I didn't think that was his style."

"I've never seen him like this, Albus," Snape continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "Lucius has always been vile, but he's never lost control. I spoke with Narcissa by Floo earlier this morning, and she told me she was leaving, but she wouldn't say where she was going. After losing his wife, and Draco not taking the Mark, I expect Lucius has finally gone mad."

"Severus, Miss Granger is no doubt on the verge of going mad herself after being violated by Lucius Malfoy. She will need the support of everyone when she finds out that she is eternally bound to the Malfoy heir."

"Indeed," said Snape.

Dumbledore looked pensive for a moment, and then he remembered something that had been troubling him. "How did you come to find the two of them, Severus? How did you know they were at the Malfoy manor?"

"When Lucius failed to produce Draco, he was punished. After he fled, Voldemort called a meeting for all the Death Eaters. He told us that Lucius had fled after refusing to kill Draco. I know Lucius. The first place he would have gone is the Manor, looking for Draco. I was pleased that Draco was at Black's, so I Apparated there immediately to warn him."

"When I arrived, Potter informed me that Draco had gone to the Manor and had taken Miss Granger there to help him get his things. That's when I went straight to the Manor. Being a close friend of the Malfoy family, I had no trouble getting through the wards." Snape looked unsettled for a moment, and then he continued. "I found them in Draco's bedroom. Draco's trunk was packed and undisturbed, while his suitcase and clothing were strewn all over the floor. They must have been surprised."

Dumbledore regarded him for a moment. With a gentle voice he said, "Why don't you go to the hospital wing and look in on them? I have a couple of letters to write. I think we need the services of the only two people who have ever been able to break through Miss Granger's tough exterior."

Snape grimaced. "Yes, of course. I will go while you write your letter to Potter and Weasley. I believe I saw that bloody owl of Potter's hunting the grounds this morning."

Dumbledore gave Snape a sad smile. "She will be traumatized, Severus. The circumstances of what she's been through will hit her, and when it does, she will need those boys."

Snape nodded and stood to leave.

Before he reached the door, however, he was stopped.

"Oh, and Severus?"

"Yes, Albus."

"It's alright to feel a sense of betrayal. Lucius is your oldest friend. You have known Draco since he was born. Whether you want to admit it or not, I know all of this bothers you. However, you did the right thing, Severus. Your actions got those children out of there as quickly as you could. Merlin only knows where Lucius is."

Snape chose his words carefully. He didn't want the old man to think he was getting weak. "Albus, my concerns are not for Lucius. To be honest with you, they are not completely for Draco either. Miss Granger, as you say, will probably suffer more than anyone."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at this admission. Snape knew the Headmaster could see right through him without using Legilimency.

Snape sighed. "She was one of my students, Albus. She is also a child who shouldn't be involved in a fight that started so long ago. None of these children should. Not even Potter. And yet, here we are. So if it makes you happy, yes, I am concerned. And before you give me any more praise, I should have gone straight to the Manor as soon as I left the Dark Lord. If I had, perhaps none of this would have happened."

"Severus."

"No, Albus. I will take my leave now. I want to check on Draco and the girl. Write your letter."