Chapter 1

The last few moments before the Light, she remembered vividly.

Someone had been saying something. Singing? What had happened? She slowly opened her eyes and squirmed fitfully at the light. Merlin, was she sore. Ron was asleep in an armchair beside her. She recognized the room she occasionally used in Grimmauld Place. The wallpaper couldn't be mistaken, being as it pictured decapitated Troll heads interspersed with crossed wands. Delightful.

"Ron. Ron."

He blearily opened his eyes, then started awake.

"Hermione! How're you feeling?" He sat up and massaged the side of his face he'd been sleeping on. "Wait, let me just send a Patronus to Harry."

A small Terrier scampered off from the end of his wand and disappeared through the door. Hermione, still curled up under the warm duvet, asked,

"What happened?"

"Before you get all worked up, we've already submitted all the artifacts and notes to the Ministry so you can have a rest. All the documents are in order and we pretty much cleared the Báthory manor, so they're only half pissed some of the team got injured."

"That's actually nice to hear for once,"Hermione replied as she grinned, "But why am I in bed, feeling as though I've been run over by a herd of hippogriffs?"

"Ahh well, that. We don't know, honestly. It was all fine and good until you were dragged into that hidden room with Malfoy, and now, here we are."

"It's all really a blur, but I can remember some things, fleetingly."

She repositioned herself in bed, feeling all the sore spots cry out in protest. Images of glowing stones and fire and Malfoy's bewildered, scared face flashed through her mind, making her suck in her breath in a sudden pained gasp.

"Don't strain yourself. Harry's probably going to bring the Pensieve from Malfoy's house. Malfoy woke this morning and Harry went over to see him. We thought that our memories would be a good place to start. He doesn't remember much, either."

"Him, too? How long have we been out? What about Bill?"

"Bill was thrown back from the room. He banged up his shoulder a bit, but he's okay. Don't worry, you've only been out for a day and I've had longer 'naps'."

Hermione laughed at his admission.

"I'll go get you some tea while you, -er..freshen up." he rose awkwardly. "They'll probably be back soon. You'll be alright, then?"

Hermione nodded. She pushed back the blanket, and immediately screamed.

"Ahhh! Merlin, my hand! Why is it all bandaged up?"

"Oh, shite. Sorry, Hermione. Only, dittany wasn't working. Malfoy's mom got hold of some sort of salve and it helped Malfoy's hand. I'll get them to bring it. Do you think you can manage until then?"

"Umm, yes, I suppose. Only, now I really want answers."

Ron gave an understanding grimace.

"We'll get them soon enough."