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Chapter Eight-Truth

I woke up in the hospital wing. The teachers were sitting around my bed.

"Are you alright, Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked.

I nodded and sat up.

"How'd you find me?" I asked.

"Professor Robbins told us," Professor Dumbledore said, softly. "She had a vision, plus, she was able to get to you first and help you."

I looked at him bewildered, and then realization dawned on me.

"The wolf..." I began.

"Yes...that was Professor Robbins. Not only did she know Professor Lupin's teaching style....she was his sister," Professor Dumbledore said, gently.

"She was also bitten at the same time he was. Only, she had chosen to leave and live somewhere else. She also had a 'gift' like Professor Trelawney, but it only came in times of complete emergencies," Professor Dumbledore continued.

"Now, what on earth is going on here? Why were you and Mr. Potter in the forbidden forest?" Professor McGonagall asked.

I had to tell them the truth, even if it meant expulsion.

I lowered my eyes and began.

"When Harry fell from the roof, he didn't make it. I was so hysterical and distraught that I went to the restricted section on the library and took The Book for the Deceased. I used a Return potion to bring him back,"

There was silence, then Professor McGonagall spoke.

"That book is highly dangerous! There are potions in there even adult wizards and witches don't use or care to because they are unstable! Where did you get the ingredients?"

I felt even worse.

"Professor Snape's office," I replied quietly.

I heard Professor Snape angrily exhale.

Professor Dumbledore held up his hand.

"Why did you bring Harry back?" he asked, in a gentle voice.

I raised my eyes to his. Tears began forming.

"Because I loved Harry more than life! I wasn't ready to lose him! Neither was Ron!"

There was a silence again.

"I understand...but you did a dangerous thing," Professor McGonagall said, her voice softening.

The tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I know," I said, quietly.

"What are you going to now? Expel her?" Professor Snape asked.

Professor Dumbledore shook his head.

"No. I think she's had enough,"

"I will deduct fifty points from Gryffindor,though," Professor McGonagall said.

I nodded and just laid back down, curling up.

"Ron! Ginny!" I cried, sitting bolt upright again.

"They're fine. We were able to revive Ginny," Professor McGonagall said.

I breathed a sigh of relief and. Spied Ron and Ginny walking over to me from the hospital wing entrance.

Ron's cut had been healed and Ginny had fresh dry robes on.

They headed over to my cot.

"We'll leave you to it," Professor Dumbledore said, gently as he patted my knee and they left the hospital wing.

Ron sat down beside me. Ginny stood.

"Are you alright, Ginny?" I asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Ginny replied.

"I'm so sorry you two. I had no idea that Harry wasn't going to be the same. I just wanted him back," I said, quietly.

"We understand. We loved him too," Ron said, gently and softly.

"We're not mad at you," Ginny said, smiling. "I'm sure I would've done the same thing had it been me in your shoes."

I smiled, but then it faded.

"He's really gone for good now...isn't he?"

Ron nodded.

There was silence again.

"We'll leave you to rest," Ginny said, as she leaned over and gave me a hug.

I hugged her back.

Then, to my surprise, Ron hugged me. I hugged him back as well.

They left the hospital wing.

I fell into a troubled sleep.

Around three AM, I woke up to someone standing over my cot. I sleepily opened my eyes.

Harry stood. The collar of his robe was bloodstained and you could see where the puncture wounds were from the wolf. My eyes flew open.

"You think you can escape me?" Harry asked, his voice sounding watery and strained.

He raised the knife above my chest again.

I screamed.

The door to the hospital wing flew open. Madam Pomfrey entered.

She froze when she saw Harry.

She pulled out her wand and aimed it at him.

"STUPEFY!"

Harry was hit and fell backward.

"Are you alright, Miss Granger?" Madam Pomfrey asked, anxiously.

I nodded, but still shook violently.

"Who screamed?" another voice said as Professor McGonagall appeared next.

"Mr. Potter tried to attack Miss Granger again," Madam Pomfrey said to her.

"Very well. Professor Dumbledore will know how to deal with this," Professor McGonagall said. "Stay with Miss Granger."

She disappeared.

A few minutes later, she re-appeared with the Headmaster. Both he and Professor McGonagall started to carry Harry's stunned body out of the hospital wing.

"Might I suggest a little protection?" Professor Dumbledore suggested.

"Yes. Good idea," Madam Pomfrey said.

"What's going on?" Professor Robbins' voice asked as she appeared next.

"Would you mind staying with Miss Granger?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Not at all," Professor Robbins said.

They continued out of the hospital wing. Professor Robbins came and sat down beside me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, kindly.

I suddenly felt angry toward her.

I narrowed my honey colored brown eyes at her.

"This is all your fault," I growled.

She seemed stunned.

"What?"

"Had you not told us that Harry was going to die, none of this would've happened!" I shouted angrily.

"Miss Granger..." Professor Robbins began, but I cut her off.

"NO! LISTEN! I TRIED TO TELL HIM NOT TO GO ONTO THAT ROOF! BUT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT YOUR PREMONITION WAS A JOKE, HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME AND NOW HE'S DEAD!" I bellowed.

Professor Robbins had tears forming in her eyes.

"I didn't mean anything...I wanted to help," she said, quietly.

"WELL, I WANTED TO HELP AND IT MADE THINGS WORSE! NOW, I LOST SOMEONE I LOVED MORE THAN LIFE AND NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT!" I cried.

Professor Robbins wasn't getting angry at the fact that I was shouting at her, even though she was a teacher.

"AND WHAT'S MORE, YOU LIED! YOU ARE PROFESSOR LUPIN'S SISTER!"

"Miss Granger, I had to lie. Parents would have the same reaction as they did with Professor Lupin. I don't think people would like a 'psychic' werewolf," she replied.

I just glared at her, my breath sawing in and out.

"When I was bitten, I had decided to leave and live somewhere else, in case I bit someone I loved. While Lupin stayed here, I went to Ireland. About a month later, I met someone. I knew I couldn't tell him my secret. Well, one night, when it was a full moon, I changed. I had no idea he had planned to come over my house and surprise me with an engagement ring. He entered the house and...I jumped on him and attacked him," she said, quietly.

"Did you kill him?" I asked, feeling my anger ebbing away and grief filling my chest.

She nodded.

"When I realized what I had done, I was completely devastated and I blamed myself. It took Remus a while to convince me that it wasn't my fault. I had no idea that he was coming over. But the feeling still never went away," Professor Robbins said, quietly.

"I miss Harry so much," I said, bursting into tears.

Professor Robbins put her arms around me and hugged me.

I buried my face into her chest and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I know. It doesn't get any easier. But you have to know that this wasn't your fault. You were just trying to do something to bring a loved one back. There's nothing wrong with that," she whispered.

"I miss him so much," I sobbed harder.

"You don't have to say good-bye. He'll be in your heart forever," Professor Robbins said, gently as she pulled back from the embrace.

I wiped my eyes and sniffled.

"I know that sounds kind of lame, but it's the truth. No one's gone for good. He'll always be with you,"

One Heart...you are following...

You can run...and you can being in a place...where you don't fit in...cause love will find a way.

When your down, you can start again, turn around. Anything you're in...love will find a place...

If you've got...One Heart you are following...One dream keeps you wondering love lights your way though the night.

One wish keeps you trying, what's your silver lining, love lights your way through the night.

You can fall, a thousand times, you can feel like you've lost your mind, but love will find a way.

In a minute, it can change your life, In a moment it can make it right...love will find a place...

If you've got...

One heart you are following, one dream keeps you wondering. Love lights your way through the night.

One wish keeps you trying, what's your silver lining? Love lights your way through the night.

Everyone needs something to hold on to...Everyone needs something to hold on to...

Love will find a way in your heart.

After Professor Robbins sat by my bed as I dozed, I started to feel a little better...not much though. I ended up drifting off into a troublesome sleep.

THE NEXT MORNING.

I awoke to see Professor Dumbledore's face.

"What is it Professor?" I asked, sitting up right.

"I've decided to send you and the Weasleys home early. Your parents have already been contacted. Don't worry about the end of the year exams," he said, softly.

"What?" I asked.

"I think it's for the best," he said, gently.

I sighed.

"You've been through a lot, Hermione. Both you and Ron. You need some time to rest and get better," Professor Dumbledore said, gently.

"Okay," I said, quietly.

"Come. Your belongings were already taken care of by Miss Brown," Professor Dumbledore said as he stood up.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

He led me out of the hospital wing and down to the Great Hall where Ron and Ginny were already standing there with their luggage with Professor McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall will be taking you to the train," Dumbledore explained.

Nodding mechanically, I went over and stood beside Ron.

Professor McGonagall began leading us out of the school and over to the station. The Hogwarts Express was already in at the station. Professor McGonagall helped us onto the train.

We found a compartment to ourselves and sat down. It was all-mechanical though...like the seats didn't exist.

I sat, staring out the window. As the train moved, and the trees whizzed by in a blur, my thoughts shifted to everything that happened these past few days. I closed my eyes. Crookshanks I had released from his wicker basket. He meowed and jumped onto my lap and curled up.

I absentmindedly began stroking him. I glanced at Ron. He too, had this blank stare and expression on his face. Ginny's eyes seemed lifeless and dull. She was just staring at the floor. Pig and Crookshanks were quiet.

He began purring gently and licked my hand.

I lost Harry, brought him back, only to lose him again. But I knew the truth was that he wasn't himself...he was different.

He killed two people, almost three if it hadn't been for the teachers and Professor Robbins.

I couldn't believe that she was a werewolf and Lupin's sister. She saved me as well. If she hadn't, Harry would've killed me for sure.

I just couldn't understand the whole situation. It felt more like a nightmare then reality.

Just then, the compartment door opened. I jumped and looked up.

It was Harry.

I screamed.

I woke up. Crookshanks leaped down from my lap. The compartment door was closed. There was no one there.

"Hermione?" Ron asked, alarmed.

Ginny was watching me too.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, concerned.

I burst into tears and slumped against Ginny. I began sobbing.

"I thought I saw Harry at the compartment door," I sobbed.

"It's going to take some time for you to adjust. It's not going to be easy," Ginny said, gently as she began stroking my hair.

"But we're here to help you," Ron added.

I just sobbed.

The train pulled into Kings Cross Station. My parents were there, along with the Weasleys.

Once we were off the train, Mrs. Weasley came rushing over to us, followed by my parents.

"You poor dears!" Mrs. Weasley said, throwing her arms around Ginny, Ron and then me.

"I can't believe he's gone," my mum said, quietly and sadly.

Ron, Ginny and I were hugged again by everyone. I said good-bye to Ron and Ginny and then followed my parent's home.

I had nightmares for the next week. I kept seeing Harry. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I ended up having to see a Muggle psychiatrist. I knew enough not to tell her where I went to school. Little by little, I was able to get through it. It wasn't easy, but I managed to do it. Ron kept in touch with me during the year. I didn't know how I was going to be able to go back to Hogwarts next year for the last year without Harry. It was going to be tough, but Ron would help me through it.