Broken

Love from Friends
Chapter 6

As soon as Harry and Snape emerged from Dumbledore's chamber, all four men made their way down to the hospital wing. When they rounded the corner, and the door to the hospital wing was in sight, Harry and Ron broke into a run. Regardless of the early morning hour, they burst through the door.

As soon as the door opened, light penetrated the room. Draco only got a glance at Hermione's face before her friends got to her.

"Hermione!" Ron was the first one to her. Hermione spun around and wrapped her arms around her friend. Not waiting for them to let go, Harry stepped in and wrapped his arms around both of them. Hermione couldn't speak. This was exactly what she needed.

Entering the room, Dumbledore gave Snape a knowing glance that clearly stated, "I told you so." Snape rolled his eyes accordingly. They waited for the emotions to die down before anyone spoke.

Ron pulled back and looked at her. "Is that what that bastard did to you, Hermione? I swear I'm going to kill him." There was no venom in Ron's voice, just honesty, which seemed more frightening.

Hermione just nodded and pulled away from her best friends. Although she was still crying, she gave them a genuine smile. "You two... have... no idea... how happy... I am... to see... you." Hermione sat down and buried her face in her hands. She shook with suppressed sobs.

Clearing his throat, Dumbledore spoke up. "Ah. I see you are awake, Mr. Malfoy." Snape jerked his head in Draco's direction. He was so caught up in the scene before him that he didn't even notice that Draco had awoken. He rushed over to Draco's side. "How are you feeling, Draco?"

But Draco was staring at Hermione. It had been so dark in the room that he couldn't see her before. "I'm fine, Severus. I'm just a little weak. I want to see what he did. Hermione, I want to see your face."

Hermione raised her head and looked at him. Draco winced and said softly, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Hermione gave Draco a weak smile. "You know it's not your fault."

Snape looked somberly at Draco. "No, it's not your fault. Draco, we need discuss... things."

"I don't really remember much."

Snape furrowed his brows. "Miss Granger seems to be missing some of her memories as well. I performed Legilimency on her, and there is a hole in her memories. I wonder... "

"Go ahead. I don't have anything to hide from you. It would be easier than trying to explain things."

Snape turned to the headmaster, who gave him a nod. That was all the encouragement he needed. Snape looked into Draco's eyes and then entered his mind.

Draco wasn't as generous with his memories as Hermione was. Snape saw, from Draco's perspective, the same memories that he had seen in Hermione's mind. When he came to the moment of the curse, he got quite a shock.

Snape pulled himself out of Draco's mind and exchanged a look with his godson. "Well, the two of you seem to be missing the same memories. I'm not surprised, actually. I had a feeling that Lucius did something, but I don't really understand why. Why would he not want you to remember?"

As Snape sat in thought, something clicked with Ron. "Hermione... what, exactly, did Lucius Malfoy do to you? What is so bad that he didn't want either one of you to remember it?"

Hermione looked surprised by the question. "Well. I don't know. Obviously, I can't remember. All I know is that he tried to send a curse at me that would turn me into his slave."

Ron and Harry both drew an audible breath, but Snape was in complete shock. "You mean you know what he did? Miss Granger, do you understand the consequences of Lucius' actions? You and Draco are bound."

"WHAT?" Ron yelled in outrage.

Harry looked at Snape. "What are you talking about, Snape?"

Draco had had enough. "Will you all stop shouting? I'm not going to explain things in detail because I've already done that once this morning. I'll give you the gist of things though, with Hermione's permission."

Draco glanced at Hermione, who nodded in affirmation. Ron and Harry exchanged a look at the mention of Hermione's first name, but didn't say anything.

"Alright, there is a lot in between, but in the end, Hermione and I... um... we're married - sort of. My father used the binding curse for a house-elf."

Ron paled. "You mean to tell me that your father used Necto Infinitas?"

Everyone gaped at Ron except for Dumbledore and Draco. Draco and Ron shared an understanding look.

Hermione was visibly shaken. "Ron, how do you know what that means?" Before Ron could answer her, Draco did. "He knows because he's a pureblood."

"My great-great uncle had an arranged marriage. My mum told me. I just don't understand why Lucius would want to hit Hermione with it."

"That's an easy one, Weasley. He would want to physically harm her whilst he psychologically harmed her. It was his way of being clever." Draco spoke with obvious discust.

Harry's eyes were darting from Draco to Ron. "Hang on. What is this Nito Infito?"

"Not 'Nito Infito.' It's Necto Infinitas. I'm surprised that you don't know what it is, seeing how close you are with MY house-elf." Draco tried to keep the bitterness at bay. "It means eternally bound."

The room was silent for a moment. Harry walked over to Hermione and put his arm around her. She buried her face in his neck, but didn't cry. Ron came over and put his hand on her back. "Hermione, we're here for you. You know that. You don't have to be alone. No matter what happens, we'll always be here for you. We're your family."

At Ron's words, Hermione did start to cry. Harry wrapped his arms tighter around her, but didn't say anything. He just made soft shushing noises and rocked her a little.

"Oh, this is so sweet." Snape was back in prime form. "I think what Miss Granger needs is a nice hot bath and an examination. She and Draco need to get hidden as soon as they can."

Harry and Ron both turned angry glares at Snape, ready to protest.

Dumbledore raised his hand, and the room went silent. "Miss Granger, you and Mr. Malfoy will need some time to talk things over. I'm sure you can come to some sort of arrangement. For the meantime, Harry has kindly offered for the two of you to stay in the rooms of the Order's headquarters. I think, as Professor Snape suggested, it would be best if you could get there immediately. I know that Mrs. Potter has to stay in bed, but perhaps she could give you an examination whilst you are there."

Hermione gave Dumbledore a strange look. "What is this business about an examination? I told you that I'm fine. Professor Snape healed my wounds when he found me. I would like a shower though. And I'm sure you'd like your robes back, Professor Snape."

Professor Snape exchanged a very confused look with Dumbledore.

"Miss Granger, you do understand why you need to be examined, don't you? After what Lucius did to you... don't you remember?"

The look of confusion on Hermione's face was all the answer he needed. He would speak with her about it in private. "You and Draco need to get going."

"We will. I just need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right out."

As soon as door to the bathroom closed, Snape turned to Dumbledore. "She acts like nothing happened. But, when I found her... she must know."

"Perhaps she blocked it out, Severus."

At that moment, Dobby the house-elf popped into the room.

"Dobby!" Harry and Draco both shouted together.

"Dobby is sorry, sir. But Harry Potter must come now. Harry Potter's Ginny is having a baby."

Harry paled. "I have to go." Harry was out the door, closely followed by Ron.

Dumbledore and Snape exchanged glanced. With no twinkle in his eyes, Dumbledore sighed. "It seems we have some plans to make."

Snape nodded. "Indeed."

There was silence once again. Then a bloodcurdling scream filled the castle.