Serendipity

Chapter 10:

Hermione blinked twice. Sun streamed through the tall castle windows. Her whole body ached and an acute pain came from her hip. She was aware of the smell of clean sheets that she associated with safety and being home. Opening her eyes again and they soon adjusted to the light and the familiarity of the Hospital Wing surrounded her.

The light was the bright freshness of early morning sunlight. Around her, three of her friends were asleep and in the office Hermione heard Madam Pomfrey moving around. Ron lay in the bed next to hers, his head turned from her. Harry was across the aisle next to Adrian, both asleep as well.

The longer Hermione lay awake the more aware she became of a dull pain in her head. It was too much to even lie in bed with her eyes open. Closing them, she heard Madam Pomfrey enter the main room. There was a soft knock at the door.

"Oh, Mr. Zabini. Good morning."

"Morning. Is it too early?"

"Aye, they're all asleep. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger still haven't woken at all."

"It's been four days. I just thought I'd come by to see."

"Of course. You can come by later, after lunch."

"Thanks." Hermione heard the door shut with a quiet click. She waited another moment before blinking again. Her eyes took another moment to adjust to the light. The room was empty of the head nurse and the other students remained asleep.

Hermione took the quiet few moments she had while everyone was sleeping to organize her thoughts. She was groggy and her memories came slowly. She remembered the abandoned city where she ran from Death Eaters. The fear she felt that night came back to her. She immediately sat up and looked at the boys sleeping around her. Calmed by seeing that they were all right she lay back into her bed to relax her heavy breathing.

Last she remembered she was fighting Blaise as Ron and Adrian went to look for Harry. They all looked safe now. It didn't seem as if they could have been in any real trouble. Adrian now sported a large bruise on his forehead above his left eye and Harry had a few bandages. There seemed to be so many holes in her memories, but from what she could tell, everyone appeared all right.

Hermione's throat was parched. Reaching for a cup from the side table she noticed the splint on her right arm. Using her clumsy left hand the cup fell to the floor and the clatter caught Madame Pomfrey's attention.

The nurse poked her head around the door before coming in. "Oh, Miss Granger. You're awake." Madam Pomfrey disappeared behind the door for a moment before walking into the room carrying a tray with food and medicine on it. "We've been worrying about you," she said quietly as she placed the tray on the table. She picked up the fallen cup and began to inspect her patient.

"Everyone will be pleased that you've finely woken up." The older woman's smile warmed Hermione's spirit. She still felt exhausted even after the days of sleep she'd done, but it was washed away as Madam Pomfrey took care of her. She began by giving Hermione some potions that tasted bad, burned, and made her feel better all at once.

Taking a cold compress, Madam Pomfrey washed Hermione's face. "I'll never understand how you three take it upon yourselves to save the world every year," she tutted. "Leave it to someone else more qualified, I say. You're too young to take on all that burden yourself."

Hermione smiled. "It's not as if we have much choice, is it? At least Harry doesn't."

The nurse nodded, but said nothing.

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Just before lunch Ron and Adrian woke up. They were both pleasantly surprised that Hermione was conscious and, as far as anyone could tell, not seriously injured. Both suffered minor traumas and were okay beyond some scratches and bruises.

Madam Pomfrey had decided that it was best that they stayed in the Hospital Wing a few days for observation. It would have been a nice vacation if Snape hadn't dictated that both boys could still take their exams. So Adrian began studying for his N.E.W.T.s as soon he finished asking Hermione if she was all right.

Ron pushed himself to a sitting position in bed. He winced as he moved his leg. "It was hit by a bad curse," he explained to Hermione.

"Are you all right? What happened?" she asked.

Ron filled her in on most of the story. They'd found Harry fighting off Bellatrix and a couple other Death Eaters alongside Kingsley Shacklebolt. Making quick work of the three attackers Kingsley set up markers to find the unconscious and tied Death Eaters later and then the group made their way back towards the portal. They came across a few more Death Eaters in their journey back. Ron's leg was the casualty of one such fight.

They arrived at the portal and found it closed. Waiting there for more members of the Order, they became anxious as the city became eerily silent again. Fighting had ended and most of the Order had found their way to them. The last person to arrive was Tonks, who had been crying. Remus comforted her as they all learned that Dumbledore had been seriously hurt.

An unseen Death Eater came from behind him and Tonks as they fought with Crabbe and Goyle. Tonks hadn't seen what happened, but one minute he was at her side, the next he was on the ground motionless. She barely made it away from the three Death Eaters herself.

A small group, headed by Kingsley and Tonks, organized as the search team for Dumbledore sending the others back to Hogwarts immediately. Working with their more cooperative contacts within the Ministry, a Floo fireplace was set up and they returned to Hogwarts. Harry, like Hermione, has passed out during travel. As for Voldemort, no one had seen him since leaving the plaza.

"So, Dumbledore's ... he's not, dead?" Hermione asked.

Ron gulped. "That's just it. Tonks never said that. She said he was hurt." He lowered his voice. "Madam Pomfrey doesn't want us to know about this at all, but I overheard some teachers talking the other night. Dumbledore is alive and he's here, but it sounds like he's barely holding on."

Tears fell down Hermione's cheeks. "He's going to be all right though, right?"

"Hermione, I don't know," Ron said simply. "They're doing everything they can, but it sounds like he'll be a different man after this regardless."

Hermione nodded trying to take it all in and what it meant. Wiping away her tears with the heels of her hands, Hermione was sure that she looked splotchy. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't be. It's hard." Looking up at Ron, Hermione saw that his eyes were also over bright with unshed tears. "Anyway, I should be the one saying sorry."

Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"For the kiss."

"Oh, Ron, don't worry about it. I understand. These are hard times."

Ron nodded and that was all that was said about that.

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Harry woke up the next day and Madam Pomfrey deemed that they could leave the Hospital Wing together at the end of the week. Everyone wanted to know what happened as the only other students involved either stayed at one of the portals during the action or quietly avoided the spotlight altogether.

Malfoy was livid at the news that Hermione Granger was (however indirectly) the cause of his father's death. He cornered her in the hallway after the final Potions lesson only to have Adrian Pucey come to her rescue. Once Adrian had made such an impact on the concept of inter-house unity others followed.

A few days later, Millicent Bulstrode came to Hermione sitting near the lake studying for exams. Hermione was first alerted to her presence by the shadow cast across her book. Thinking Millicent was there for another such moment of inter-house unity she said "hello" to the other girl very politely.

"I don't like Gryffindors," Millicent said striking down Hermione's notion that this had anything to do with inter-house unity.

"Sorry?"

"I don't like Gryffindors," she stated again. "Ever since first year when Slytherin rightly won the House Cup and then Dumbledore recalculated the points for a Gryffindor win. That's why I was on the Inquisitorial Squad. You lot get away with too much."

"I see." Hermione wasn't quite sure where this conversation was going.

"But, regardless of what I think of you, Blaise still seems to like Gryffindors. You particularly." Hermione blushed at this. "But I think that you are trying to get away with something right now in true Gryffindor fashion."

"Sorry? What's that?" Hermione was trying to be careful with her words, worried that she would incite the larger girl to physically show her dislike.

"Do you like him?" Millicent asked bluntly.

"Uh, yeah."

"Then what's this nonsense about him thinking you and Weasley are together?"

"We aren't."

"Well, he thinks you are. If you say you aren't I'll tell him that, but if I hear that you are trying to pull another fast one on him, I will hunt you down." Hermione gulped. "I'll let you get back to your reading then."

"Thanks."

The brief encounter answered many of Hermione's questions, however odd it was. That was why Blaise had visited constantly while she was unconscious, but now seemed to have no time for her. He was giving her the space she needed thinking that she was confused or even worse in a relationship with Ron. It explained a lot.

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A week and a half after they'd been released from the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore made his first appearance at dinner. He gingerly made his way to his usual spot with help from Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall. The students all waited for him to sit and then cheered loudly as he raised his glass to them. Once they had quieted he began to speak. It was concise and to the point.

"We have been through much this year, and there is still a week more left." Dumbledore smiled at his students warmly. "I should be the least of your worries. I am an old man. My age was bound to catch up with me yet. More important though, I have been hurt in a fight that I believe in. I would be more upset if I lived to be 250 and not seen any action for which I was passionate. This wound will only hold me back, but only a little. I will keep fighting as I hope all of you will. For wherever evil triumphs, there can be no true happiness."

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The last night before the students left the seventh year Prefects put on their event. Outside as the sun set the entire school gathered for a celebration. Music was played by a group of students that had volunteered for the event. Led by Tomas Merkel, a fifth year Hufflepuff, the small band of four musicians represented every house. It was a relatively quiet affair, but a nice closing to the year.

Blaise came to stand next to Hermione watching the event. "The music is all right, I suppose. At least it is right for this atmosphere, but nothing like the Fantastic Beasts' set."

Hermione turned towards him. "Well, nothing can beat what we had - did. What we did."

"No, you were right the first time." He looked into her eyes. "Do you want to dance?"

"You don't dance," she said.

"If it's with the right person."

She looked at his offered hand for a moment. "There's no music."

"You are making excuses. Another song will begin in a moment." He smiled at her. "Please?"

Another song did begin and they danced in slow circles on the lawn. Watching his eyes, there were multiple moments where he looked ready to speak, but didn't. "What is it?"

"Nothing." Blaise shook his head. He was mesmerized with her.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Blaise's brow wrinkled.

"For everything, this year. It was such a mess."

"No, it wasn't." He held her closer. "It ended well enough. After all, despite everything I still get to dance with you."

"Took long enough." Hermione smiled and agreed. "All's well that ends well?"

"I think." Blaise looked down at her. "So, now what?"

"I don't know. I've never done this."

"Neither have I."

They smiled at each other shyly as they kept dancing.

"Well, then. Let's just see where this goes."

"Another excellent plan." Blaise turned Hermione and then quickly brought her back to him. "What are you doing this summer?"

"Going home, probably off on holiday for a couple weeks somewhere, and my guess is that I'll end up at the Weasley's with Harry by the end of the summer. Yourself?"

"I'm off to my aunt's house. The one with the muggle husband? Professors and family don't think it's safe for me to stay in the Wizarding World over holidays." Hermione nodded. "I won't be able to be contacted."

"But you only mean by owl post, correct?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Muggles have many other forms of communication. Don't they teach you anything at this school?"

"No, I suppose not enough. My guess is that you'll clue me in, however."

"I'll see what I can do. You have a very educational summer in store."

"You make it seem so exciting." The music had stopped, but they kept swaying another moment.

"And it isn't?" Hermione stopped, placing her hands on her hips.

"Of course it is." Blaise gave her a smile that sent chills down her back. "I'll miss you." He pulled her into a hug and as she pulled away they stopped, frozen for a moment. Standing on tip toe, Hermione reached up for a kiss.

"I'll be right here when you get back."

"Then I hope holidays fly by."

*fin