Hello all, I'm back after quite a lengthy absence. Longer than intended at any rate. I was meant to work on my SGA fic but writer's block took over. This little bunny
came knocking at my door and took up permanent residence until I put him to rest. I thought this would quickly be out of the way but it spun out a little more than I had anticipated. This is a two-shot. The second part should be up some time next week as I still have to go back and edit any mistakes.
Disclaimer: Yada yada yada, don't own Harry Potter, yada yada yada. Did everybody get that? Good.
Hermione groaned as she opened her eyes to a blinding whiteness and promptly closed them again despite the sound of approaching footsteps. She could feel someone staring at her intently but kept her eyes closed in the hopes they would leave her to suffer in peace.
"Young lady I know you're awake. Now pay attention I need you to answer some questions for me."
Hermione blinked her surroundings into focus, zeroing in on the face of someone she knew to be dead. With a resigned air she shoved herself into a sitting position and nodded to the man.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir."
The headmaster frowned as the mystery woman reached for the wand on the nightstand and idly twirled it through her fingers.
"You appear to have me at a disadvantage miss. I don't know you."
"No, but you will. Tell me sir, what would you most like for Christmas?"
Dumbledore frowned as he suddenly found himself at wand point
"I don't see how that's pertinent, besides Christmas is a whole six months away."
Hermione shrugged but maintained her wand on him.
"What can I say, I like to shop early."
Despite himself, the headmaster smiled and leaned forward as if imparting a great secret.
"Do you know, I would rather like a pair of nice woolen socks. One can never have enough socks."
Hermione smiled wanly and lowered her wand.
"Yes sir, I'll remember that."
"I take it I passed your test."
"Yes sir. Constant vigilance, after all."
The headmaster's eyes twinkled.
"Ah, you must know Alastor."
"You could say that."
"Wonderful. But how did you come to be injured and why come here instead of to St. Mungos?"
A faraway look crossed Hermione's features as she turned her head to look out the window.
Hermione felt herself breaking apart inside as she recalled images of the battle: of the Death Eaters converging across the grounds as the Order and any able-bodied student grouped together to protect Hogwarts, of streams of bright light arcing through the darkness as witches and wizards of both sides fell to the curses being fired, of Harry, her Harry, standing alone against Voldemort. The duo fiercely locked in battle as Harry pulled out every weapon in his arsenal to defeat the Dark Lord.
'O gods, let it be enough, let him be safe.'
Dumbledore frowned when the young witch before him didn't answer his question.
"Miss I asked you a question."
Hermione shook herself from her reverie and turned to answer the headmaster's question.
"I received my injuries during a battle; as for how I got here, I really haven't the foggiest. But what better place to find answers to questions than a school?"
Dumbledore was pensive but a smile soon broke across his face.
"Yes, that is rather fortunate."
Hermione tried to smile though she could feel tears begin to course down her cheeks.
"Yes, fortunate indeed."
Feeling herself being drawn into a comforting embrace, Hermione could no longer contain herself as the pain from her injuries and the emotional trauma finally took their toll and great wracking sobs tore through her body. As Hermione's sobs quieted to hiccups one thought coursed through her mind, to get back. She had to get home. She would accept nothing else.
TBC
A/N: I know not a lot to work with regarding story direction. Still please review and tune in next time for the fun conclusion.
Legessa
Creator of Chaos and Destruction since 1982