Chapter 7
Chapter 7 of 9
HermioneWeasley1972Thank you to my anonymous beta. You are wonderful.
Severus sat by Hermione’s hospital bed, his hand holding on to hers.
“Your wife was hit by a powerful curse across the chest. She has lost quite a bit of blood, but there doesn’t appear to be any permanent damage.”
“And our child?” Severus asked, fearful of the answer.
“We were able to save the baby. Your wife and child are very lucky. If the curse had hit her just a few inches lower, she would have lost the baby. The curse hit her just below her chest, so your child was saved by mere inches.”
He felt Hermione’s hand move, and he looked at her to see her opening her eyes.
“Severus?” she asked weakly.
“I’m here. How are you feeling?” he asked, looking at her pale face, her dark hair a stark contrast against her skin that was as pale as his own.
“I’m sore and very tired,” she said with a sigh. “Severus, what about the baby? Is the baby alright?”
She truly amazed him at times like this. “The baby is fine. Do you remember what happened?”
She shook her head slowly. “No.”
“Maybe it’s better if you don’t,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or not. “The Healer said that you are going to be just fine and that there doesn’t appear to be any permanent damage.”
Smiling wanly at him, she tried to shift and grimaced in pain. “How did the Sorting go? What House is Nicoletta in?”
“I think she’d like to tell you that. Are you up to another visitor?”
“Of course I want to see her.”
“OK, I’ll bring her in.” Severus bent down and kissed her gently, then stood back up and left the room.
***
Nicoletta sat impatiently with the nurse. She looked up at the door, where her father had disappeared, from time to time, hoping to see him coming out, but he never did. She wished someone would tell her something.
“Don’t worry, dear,” the nurse beside her said with a smile.
“He’ll be out soon. What House were you Sorted into?”
“Gryffindor.” Nicoletta was distracted; her voice held nothing of the excitement that had been in it less than an hour ago.
The door opened, and her father walked out. She could tell that his face was stern and that he looked worried.
“Dad? How’s Mum?” Nicoletta asked, standing up and going over to him.
“She’s fine, and she wants to see you. Just be careful – she had a little accident and got a cut on her chest, so if you hug her, be gentle.” He father turned and looked at the nurse who had been sitting with her. “Thank you for staying with my daughter.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nicoletta walked with him to her mum’s room and went in slowly. She was glad to see that her mum was sitting up, propped up on pillows, and looking okay.
“Mum! I was so worried about you," she said, going over to her and giving her a gentle hug like her father had told her to do.
“I’m going to be fine, Nicoletta. Your father tells me that you have some news for me.” Her mother’s voice was soft, but clear.
“I’m in Gryffindor, Mum, just like you were!” she said excitedly. She felt a lot better knowing that her mother was going to be okay. “Mum, is the baby okay?”
“Your brother or sister is fine. We are both fine,” Hermione said with a smile.
***
While Nicoletta was visiting with his wife, Severus was making plans. He couldn’t let her stay at the house anymore by herself. It wasn’t safe. Seeing the Healer who had taken care of Hermione, he went over to him.
“How long will it be before my wife can be discharged?”
“I would like to keep her here overnight at least to make sure that there aren’t any lasting effects and so that we can monitor both her and your child’s vital signs. If she is still doing well tomorrow, I can discharge her then.”
“At some point tonight, I will need to return to Hogwarts. You will station an Auror at the entrance to her room. I want no one entering who does not have permission or who the medical staff do not know.”
When Severus returned to his wife’s room, she had fallen back to sleep. He stayed as long with her as he could, but he had to take Nicoletta back to Hogwarts.
“Hermione,” he said, taking her hand and giving it a kiss, “I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise. Please be alright.” On his way to the Floo, he stopped at the desk. “I will be leaving now. I was assured that there would be an Auror here to keep an eye on my wife’s room.”
“Yes, the Auror is on his way. Your wife is in good hands.”
“She had better be,” he said, then made his way to the Floo with Nicoletta.
***
A few hours later, Hermione awoke and looked around. There was a man that was standing at her door, but he didn’t look like Severus.
“Excuse me, do you know where my husband went?”
The man turned so that she could see his face along with his bright red hair.
“Ron!”
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Lesson in Friendship
156 Reviews | 5.22/10 Average
Are you going to write anymore? It's a great story!
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. Yes, I just got busy with RL. :) Thanks for the review.
Response from Grace52373 (Reviewer)
Thank you for responding! i was afraid this was abandoned, and that would be a real shame, since it is such a great story! Looking forward to the next chapters! Grace
Please, PLEASE don't leave me hanging! Ron's in trouble... And Lav isn't being very nice.
Ron's lucky he didn't lose his job. Lavender is no better. What's her problem? Why is she so resentful of Hermione?
Great update, Ron got off easily in my book, I would have put him in Azkaban, if not for anything else than being a prat.
So, who is the one who listened with great interest to Ron and Kingsleys conversation? A friend of Hermione or Ron, or neither?
Another thing; Lavender, does she find it acceptable that Ron is still so hung-up about Hermione? Her jelousy towards Hermione after so many years, and with Hermione so obviously not wanting Ron, makes me think that Lavender is bottered by Rons remaining feelings for Hermione. Indifference should have been preferred compared to continued hang-ups over an ex-girlfriend, so maybe Lavender feels seccond best and blame Hermione for Ron's feelings?
I look forward to read more.
Good for Kingsley. I was afraid that Ron would escape with just a slap on the wrist. I wonder who the ears belong to?
Oooohh! Who's the third set of ears??!!
I'm glad you gave us another Ron scene - very curious about him. I'm glad he's upset, but he should be glad he wasn't fire - the bonehead!
Nice touch there with Kinglsey's rerort "And I thought you and Hermione were friends." !!!
Awesome. Looking forward to reading more.
"Did that goody goody bookworm report you?" Lavender asked, making a face at him.
Nice to see that Lavender's matured every bit as much as her charming husband. *Insert eyeroll*
And the fact that Ron never once expressed remorse over his appalling behavior towards the pregnant victim of a brutal attack--who happens to be a kind-hearted former friend-- is proof that he desperately needs and deserves the suspension that he's so furious about.
Of course, Ron's more upset about the fallout for himself rather than what he did to earn it. Knowing Ron, he'll probably blame Hermione, even though she wasn't the one who reported him.
I'm curious, though, about who was eavesdropping on Ron's ill-fated meeting with the Minister. My first thought was Rita Skeeter, but...?
Great story BTW, I look forward to seeing how things further unfold.
Another great part! I just have one critique, NOT LONG ENOUGH! I want to read more! Anyway, however way you write it, long or short, I still can't wait to read more!
I think you should add another category for this story under "Potions Under Duress." I know that lots of Hermione/Severus fans would enjoy reading this story.
Hurray - an update! I am so glad - I really liked this story. I am glad Hermione is fine. I am also glad that Severus told Ron off. Great job - I look forward to an update.
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of A Lesson in Friendship)
Thank you. I have good news for you. An update is pending in the queue and I fixed it. As soon as an admin releases it, it will be up. :)
At least he's a little angry at himself.
It's so good to see this story continued - thank you! And what a promising chapter...
You are such a tease. Now you've re-opened a can of flobber worms, so you can't quit now. It was good to see the update.
Nice job!
I am trilled to see an update to this story, I love it! So, Ron had to be a git still, I guess he will never grow up. Severus were rigth to warn him and for standing up for his wife, that is what a decent man should do.
Ron, Harry and the rest of those who turned their back on Hermione for daring to marry the man she loves should all be ashamed of them self, not to mention preferably put in their place!
The culprit (Lucius?) should be publicly humiliated and punished, preferably by Severus and Hermione, but as long as it is painful I guess I can live with it no matter who gets the honor:-))
And you should feel guilty Ron!! As should Harry!!
Lol. I was so excited when I saw an update! Woo-hoo! 
Just loved how Snape was all sweet and threatened Dunderhead!Ron.
I'm very curious how Ron's guilt will influence his next actions.
I'm also very curious about how the children's friendships develop and what they will think when they find out about their parents' estrangement.
So glad Hermione's baby is okay!!!
Look forward to reading more!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I have been looking forward to a new chapter for awhile now! I can't believe Ron, but then again, he has always had the maturity of a teaspoon! Ha! Ha! It was great to see Snape stand up for his family! Ron deserved that and more! I can't wait to see the next chapter!
Grace
Ron was out of line, he deserved what he got and more.
Nice to see how much Ron has matured over the years.
I guess it's fine for he and Lavender to keep building their own personal Quidditch team, but how dare Hermione have a second child with her husband, the man that she loves? So naturally Ron thinks it's a fine idea to antagonize his former friend, a pregnant woman who's just been brutally attacked and barely avoided a miscarriage?
What an ASS!!!
Harry's son James showed much more class and maturity when he stuck up for Nicoletta when that creep Brian tried to start something about a Snape in Gryffindor.
Sounds like James could teach Uncle Won-Won a lesson or two!
So glad to see this story back on the boards. I was really enjoying it. I look forward to your next chapter. Thanks, JoAnne
I hope no one considers Ron Hermione's friend anymore. Jeez. What a loser.
ron the eternal git. wonderful update. thanks and smoochies
I was over at Granger Enchanted when I came across this fic - it stopped at chapter 4 over there - and i just needed to read more. A good search was able to bring me here where you've got 7 chapters. It's very good. I've read several "broken trio friendship" fics, and this is defiantely one of the better ones. I love little Nicoletta and look forward to seeing what happens when Hermione and Ron confront each other at the hospital.
I'm hoping for heaps of guilt from Ron and Harry for being such jerks. I dunno if this fic is abandoned but i really hope it isn't.
Look forward to reading more and catching the bad guy!
Ron doesn't see what he did wrong? And if the healers turned him in, eh. He and Lav are going to blame Hermione anyway.
Ron! How awkward!Ooh, I like this story so far. I hope for another update soon!I'm glad that Hermione and the baby were safe, I was really worried that she would lose the baby. I hope that she can go live with Severus at Hogwarts (although I have a feeling he won't let her stay at home by herself).