Décimo

Forbidden Obsession

Décimo

Hermione’s eyes opened and she looked around slowly.

“Welcome back, Miss Granger,” said Kingsley, “I was worried that you would not return.” Hermione immediately recognized Kingsley’s voice and turned to face him. The confusion on her face was apparent.

“We are in the infirmary at Hogwarts, in a private room. You have been here for two days, unconscious, but never fear, child, you will be okay,” he reassured Hermione.

Closing her eyes, she began to recall the events that led her here. Remembering her wounds, Hermione’s hand immediately went to her side, and found her wound was bandaged.

Her eyes flew open and she turned to face Kingsley. “Professor Lupin? Professor Snape?” she struggled to speak. Her throat was dry. Kingsley poured a glass of water for her. She took it and sipped it slowly while he spoke.

“Remus is being taken care of at the Order’s headquarters.”

“And Professor Snape?” she asked.

“You need to rest, child. Your body is still healing and I believe that Mister Potter and Mister Weasley would like to visit you,” Kingsley said. He walked over to the door and summoned Madame Pomfrey who was in her office, along with Harry and Ron who were waiting outside.

Madame Pomfrey bustled into the room and removed one of Hermione’s bandages. After inspecting the wound, she smiled.

“Miss Granger, I do believe that you will be fine, dear, but you still need your rest.” Harry and Ron were standing in the doorway, listening to Madame Pomfrey. “Your wounds need to heal on their own without the aid of magic or anything else,” she said sternly, warning Hermione not to use Muggle remedies.

“Yes, Madam Pomfrey,” said Hermione.

“Boys, you may come in, but only for a few minutes. Miss Granger requires rest,” said Poppy while securing Hermione’s bandage. Harry and Ron nodded, entering the room. Poppy looked sternly at them once more, making it clear that they should not overstay their welcome, and left.

“Hermione, what happened?” asked Ron. Harry and Ron each pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.

“Well, I’m not sure. After we were separated in the storm, Professor Snape found me. I remember him telling me to stay put and then he left. I then saw Remus and I ran to him. Before I could really talk to Remus, the storm let up a bit, allowing the moon to appear. Remus kept pushing me away and I didn’t understand why, but after Remus’ transformation, I realized he had not taken his Wolfsbane potion. He attacked me – I mean, the werewolf attacked me. That was not Remus. Remus would never do such a thing.” Both Harry and Ron nodded in agreement. “Then Professor Snape appeared and he was able to stop Remus just long enough for me to run away. The next thing I saw was Professor Snape leaning over me…” her eyes glanced at Kingsley who was slowly shaking his head ‘no.’ Hermione didn’t know why, but she listened to him and skipped the next part of the story. “… and then I woke up here.”

“Hermione, you are incredibly lucky,” said Harry.

“Yeah, if Remus had bitten you, you would be a werewolf,” gasped Ron. Hermione’s hand moved to her side, touching the bandaged bite wound, realizing Harry and Ron didn’t know about the bite. Her eyes glanced at Kingsley who slowly moved his head, saying ‘no,’ again.

“Yes, I am very lucky,” stated Hermione before taking another sip of water. “I think I need sleep. I still feel a bit weak,” she added.

“Oh, right,” said Harry, getting to his feet. “We’ll let you rest.”

“Yeah, Hermione, you get some sleep and we will be back to visit you later,” said Ron. They each put their chairs back and left.

“Mister Shacklebolt – ” Hermione began.

“Kingsley,” he corrected her.

“Kingsley, what did Professor Snape do to me? What I mean is, I remember what happened, at least I think I do, and if I do remember correctly, well, that means he is a – ” Hermione looked at him, waiting for some reassurance to what she had witnessed.

“Miss Granger, you will need to save your energy and get some rest,” he said gently.

“He is correct,” said Madame Pomfrey, who was standing in the doorway. “Your body and mind need plenty of rest so that it can heal.” She moved further into the room and handed Hermione a glass of pink liquid. “This will help you sleep.”

Hermione nodded and took the liquid. She did feel a bit edgy and exhausted. Lying back down, she stared at the ceiling. Her eyelids were getting heavier as she blinked. She looked at Kingsley who just nodded politely. Again she blinked. She could no longer focus on the details of the stone ceiling. She blinked one last time and her eyes remained closed.

It was an odd sensation. Hermione was aware that she was lying in the infirmary, asleep, yet her mind reeled from scene to scene of her most recent events with Remus and Professor Snape. Standing in the middle of the forest with Remus, Hermione could see the look of terror in Remus’ gray eyes after he looked at the moon. She could feel him throw her aside as if she was a rag doll, but persistently she returned. Mentally she yelled and screamed, telling herself to stay away, yet she continued. It was similar to a Pensieve. Seeing herself hold on to Remus in werewolf form, she was trying to reassure him that he would not fight alone. She felt each claw dig into her skin, but this time she did not feel the pain that accompanied it. She closed her eyes, blocking out the sight of the attack.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw Professor Snape leaning over her. He reached his hand down to her face and felt him wipe away her tears. She tried to look into his dark eyes, but his strands of hair fell across his face, blocking her view. She could tell that he was looking her, and talking to her, but she couldn’t see his eyes.

‘Why is it so important that I see his eyes?’ she thought. She continued watching, wanting to see this next part. Hearing Professor Snape speak to Kingsley, she watched Professor Snape carefully. His lips slightly pulled back revealing fangs.

Hermione gasped as he lowered his mouth down to her bite wound.

‘No,’ she thought. ‘No. He can’t be. He just can’t.’

Evening had arrived, and Kingsley sat silently in the corner of the room, observing Hermione. She was struggling in her sleep. Her eyelids were displaying the rapid eye movement that indicated she was dreaming. She would flinch and whimper, but didn’t wake.

“Hello, Severus,” said Kingsley. Severus’ arms were crossed as he stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the room of the dimly lit room.

“Miss Granger will make a complete recovery from the werewolf bite,” Kingsley stated. Severus acknowledged him with a slow nod, but he did not take his eyes off of Hermione. Kingsley continued, “Mister Potter and Mister Weasley are aware of nothing.” Again Severus nodded in silence.

Severus slowly walked around Hermione’s bed and leaned over her to observe her closer. Suddenly her eyes opened and she turned to face Severus. Her breathing increased as did her pulse, but Severus did nothing except to place his hand over her eyes. When he removed his hand, her eyes were closed and she was sleeping peacefully. Severus turned to face Kingsley.

“It is almost complete,” said Severus. Kingsley nodded in agreement.

Severus stepped back into the shadows and disappeared.

~TBC