Angel Of Mercy

Angel of Mercy--Chapter 11

"Has she moved at all?"

"I'm afraid not, but it's only been a few days. However, if she doesn't stir soon, I feel that we may need to send her to St. Mungo's."

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that. Good day to you, Poppy."

"Good day, Severus."

The three students crowded around Melody's bed shared a look, the same thought on their minds.

"Why the hell would Snape be concerned about a Gryffindor?" asked Ron.

"Search me," Harry replied, shrugging. Both looked at Hermione for an answer.

"What makes you think I have an answer?" she asked. Harry raised an eyebrow, and Hermione sighed in defeat. "Maybe Snape feels a duty or need to watch over her because he was the one that brought her in. However, there's one hypothesis that's been eating at my brain for a while."

"And that would be...?" prompted Ron.

"Well, you know how you inherit things from your parents, like how Harry has his mother's eyes and you have your parents' hair, right?" began Hermione.

"Right," agreed Harry and Ron, wondering where this was going.

"Well, sometimes you also inherit different mannerisms from your parents as well," Hermione continued.

"What does this have to do with your theory, Herms?" asked Harry.

"I'm getting to that. And don't call me Herms," replied Hermione. "Anyway, I've noticed things about Mel. She's so much like her mother in her mannerisms, but they look nothing alike. Mel's really pale, but her hair and eyes are really dark, whereas Julia has tanned skin and brown hair and blue eyes. Oh, and Mel's hair is extremely greasy without her special anti-oil shampoo. Just don't tell her I told you; she'll kill me."

"But what does that have to do with your hypothesis?" asked Ron. "I mean, why would having greasy hair, dark eyes and pale skin have anything to do with Snape being concerned for my girlfriend?"

"Use your head Ron," replied Hermione, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips. "Who else do you know that has greasy hair, dark eyes and extremely pale skin?" Harry's face dawned with comprehension. Ron, as usual, looked lost.

"But...how?" asked Harry.

"Well, you take a man and a woman who love each other very much..."began Hermione, fully prepared to give the "where did I come from?" speech that her parents had given her when she was five.

"I know the mechanics of that," said Harry. "I meant, how could he be her father? He's a total bastard!"

Ron was beginning to look a little green. "I hope you aren't talking about who I think you're talking about."

"If you think we're talking about Snape, then you'd be right," said Hermione. Ron paled and was speechless. "But don't go getting worried about it yet. After all, it's just a hypothesis, a theory, and theories can be proven wrong. Even I can be wrong, though it's rare."

"For once, Hermione, I hope you're wrong," said Ron.

***

There was a movement from the sole patient in the hospital wing. The dark figure that had taken to sitting at her bedside, like some sort of guardian gargoyle, watched as Melody stirred.

Her dark eyes fluttered open and for a moment they just stared blankly at the ceiling. When she tried to move, her eyes squeezed shut in pain. "Shi-it," she muttered, drawing out the word.

"Very eloquent, Miss Phillips," said a dark, sarcastic voice from her left. She jumped, startled, then flinched. With a visible effort, Melody rolled over so that she could face her companion.

"Definitely didn't expect you to be at my bedside," Melody remarked. "What the hell are you doing here anyways? Where are my friends?"

"It's just after midnight; if they are good Hogwarts students, they will most likely be tucked into their beds and sleeping soundly," replied Snape. "Of course, being the troublemakers they are, they're probably under Potter's invisibility cloak, prowling the school to keep their minds off your situation."

"Are you implying that this is entirely my fault?" asked Melody. "Because I assure you Professor, I was pushed into it." By Ron, a little voice in her head pointed out. Melody pushed the thought aside.

"I should go and alert Poppy that you're awake," said Snape, seemingly averting the subject. Without another word, the Potions Master got up and left the room to locate Madame Pomfrey. Melody fell back onto her pillow with a frustrated sigh, ignoring the pain that rippled through her body.

How much trouble could one act of appeasement cause? After all, Melody knew that Ron would have been hurt if she hadn't accepted his offer of a flying lesson. Ron had tried, though he didn't like it, some tofu she had had for dinner one night.

But there is a difference between trying new food and trying something dangerous without a trained instructor, the logical part of her brain argued. You could have died, you know.

This brought up another thought: what if Ron decided to do something else extremely dangerous? Would he put her in danger again?

Melody was still pondering her dilemma when Madame bustled in, wearing her dressing gown and curlers. If the situation hadn't been so serious, Melody would have burst out laughing.

"Oh good, you're awake," she said as she shoved a spoonful of potion down Melody's throat. The girl grimaced; the potion didn't want to go down easily. However, her aches and pains began to disappear as the fluid flowed down to her stomach. After a few more medications, Melody began to get drowsy and soon drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

***

Hermione ran down the girls' staircase, a piece of parchment in her hand. She scanned the common room, and when she didn't see who she was looking for, she rolled her eyes and ran up the boys' staircase.

"Wake up, you lazy bums!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing open Harry and Ron's curtains.

"Where's the fire 'Mione?" asked Harry, still half asleep. He placed his glassed in front of his sleep-filled eyes.

"Harry, I love you, but if you call me 'Mione' again, you'll be looking for a new girlfriend," Hermione replied as she shook Ron awake. The other boys in the dormitory were beginning to stir, and with their stirring came grumbling.

"Go back to bed, Hermione."

"Yeah, it's too early!"

"Mimblewimble."

"Oh shut it, all of you," Hermione retorted. "I'm sorry to have disturbed your Saturday morning lie-in, but this is extremely important."

"What's so important that it couldn't wait until about noon?" asked Ron, irritated.

"Your girlfriend is awake and we can go see her after breakfast," Hermione replied.

That woke Harry and Ron up.