Broken

Hermione's Heartache
Chapter 14

Severus paced the corridor of the lobby of St. Mungo's. He was told that Hermione should be alright, but she was very ill. She had overdone it, the Healer had told him. The fact that Hermione was still reeling from her bout of malnourishment, and the fact that she was pregnant, forced her body into shock. The baby seemed to be taking all the nourishment it could get, leaving Hermione with nothing.

Severus had left the hospital long enough to see the Headmaster. He told Dumbledore what had taken place. Dumbledore proceeded to tell Severus about Draco's ardent search for the girl. Severus had been a Death Eater and spy for most of his life. He learned to read the actions of people. In his mind's eye, he saw Hermione Granger, risking the lives of herself and her child, fleeing the castle, and Draco. When he found her, she had been crying and desperate. And Draco searching everywhere for her after she made up a story to get rid of him. It didn't take a genius to gather that Hermione didn't want Draco to find her.

Severus was at a loss. He felt compelled to tell Draco where Hermione was, simply because Draco was his godson, and his loyalties were with the young Slytherin. However, he didn't want to say anything until Hermione awoke. If something terrible had happened between the two, he didn't want to be the one responsible for bringing them back together. Feeling confident that Dumbledore wouldn't give in and tell Draco where he could find Hermione, Severus continued to pace.

Moments later, the Healer emerged from Hermione's room. "Sir, the young lady is awake, and she'd like to speak with you."

Severus nodded and moved swiftly to the inside of Hermione's room. "Well, I hope you're happy, you silly girl. You have outdone yourself this time. What seems to be the problem? Why did you flee the castle?"

"Well, you don't waste any time, do you? I don't want to talk about it." Hermione turned her head as tears threatened to spill.

"You have had a terrible time of things lately, Hermione. I wish you to tell me what it is that is troubling you so. I assumed things with Draco were alright. Lucius is dead, so you aren't under house arrest any longer."

Hermione hesitated. She gave a resigned sigh and spilled her guts. When she had finished recounting her tale of what she heard, she was in tears once more.

"I see, Hermione. Did you happen to ask Draco about what you heard?"

"Of course I didn't. He would just lie to me and tell me that I misunderstood."

"I can say a lot about my godson, Hermione, but he is not a liar. Quite the contrary, he is sometimes a little too open with the truth."

"That's not the Malfoy I remember. The one I remember used to lie just to get us into trouble."

"I believe you can agree with me that he has grown up considerably since he was a student. He is no longer an adolescent boy, and you are no longer an adolescent girl. He deserves to know your whereabouts. And he deserves to give his side of the story."

Severus watched as Hermione drank in his words while absentmindedly stroking her belly. He felt a pang of guilt, but did not back down.

"Severus, are you going to tell him where I am?"

"No, I won't. But I will inform him that you are currently safe." Severus was not asking her permission, which Hermione was well aware. She was very thankful that he wouldn't tell where she was.

He watched her for a few moments and then asked her, "Will you allow me to ask him about the conversation that he had with Miss Parkinson? It would be tragic for the two of you to have come so far in your friendship to have it come to a conclusion due to an eavesdropped conversation.

Hermione had the grace to blush slightly. "I don't care. You can do whatever you want. But what makes you think he would tell you the truth?"

Severus' only answer was a penetrating stare, which she acknowledged with an, "Oh."

"Fine, ask him. See what he tells you. I, for one, am not buying into it."

Severus gave a disgruntled sigh, but didn't comment. "I believe I shall leave you now. I have some business that needs my attention. You really need to get some sleep. You really did a job on yourself this time."

"I know," was Hermione's only response.

**********

Draco was still lying on the cot, staring at the ceiling, when the door to the hospital wing opened.

Draco jumped. "Hermione!"

"No, sorry, Draco, it's just me." Severus stalked over to the bed.

Draco paled. "So, have you heard that she's gone missing?"

"I've heard she's run away, if that's what you're asking. That's why I'm here. I know where she is, and she's safe, but we need to discuss what's happened."

"Where is she?" Draco asked, irritated.

"I'll not divulge that information until I've asked you a few questions. She is convinced that you will lie to her, if she were to ask you; however, I've convinced her that you will not be able to lie to me."

Draco nodded.

"I need you to tell me of your conversation with Miss Parkinson."

"What do you mean? Pansy came in here to see me; I told her I was getting married, end of story."

"Really, that's all? I'm surprised Hermione would be upset by hearing that," Severus said sarcastically. "Now, why don't you tell me exactly what was said?" Severus asked patiently, albeit cursing whatever gods put him in the position of a mediator. He wished more than anything that he could go back to not giving a damn.

"Why don't you just come into my head and find out? I'm too tired to play games with you, Severus. And I don't want to play games with Hermione either. So come on in. Maybe you'll find something."

Severus nodded and did just that.

After a few moments, he pulled out of Draco's memories and sat back with his fingertips in a steeple. He looked over at Draco, who had his head in his hands.

"Severus, do you have any idea which part Hermione came in on? Seeing what you've just seen, I can guess what she heard."

"Draco, it sounded to me like you were trying to give Miss Parkinson hope of a future with you. However, by your body language, I'd say that probably isn't the case."

"I was trying to get rid of her, Severus. I just wanted to mollify her so she'd leave. But if one were to only hear that from, say, the other side of the door, it would be taken completely out of context."

"Which is why Hermione fled," Severus said.

"Yes, that has to be why. We have to go and find her and tell her the truth." Draco stood and grabbed his trainers. He tied his laces and walked toward the door. He turned when he realized Snape wasn't following him.

"Aren't you going to take me to her?"

"No, I'm not. I think it would be better if I talked to her first. She needs to have the chance to make her own decision on what she believes. Draco, she's very fragile right now. Her health, as well as the baby's, is in jeopardy. The last thing she needs is more stress."

Draco sighed in frustration. "Very well, I will wait. Can you at least tell me where she is?"

Severus rubbed his eyes. "If I tell you where she is, can I have your word that you will not look for her until you've heard from me?"

"I give you my word. I just want to know that she's alright."

"She is at St. Mungo's, Draco. She overexerted herself, and she's fallen ill."

Draco gasped. "This is my fault. I should never have left her alone. I should have insisted that she stay with me when I spoke with Pansy."

"Second guessing yourself isn't going to help you now, Draco. Let me speak with her. I'm sure I can smooth things over while you wait."

"I'll stay right here. Please contact me as soon as you speak to her."

Severus gave a curt nod and left the hospital wing, leaving Draco to stew in his own frustration.

*********

Severus opened the door to Hermione's hospital room and was surprised to see that she wasn't in her bed. He knocked on the door to the bathroom, and there was no answer. He was about to find a Healer and ask for her when the door opened and an orderly entered the room.

"Excuse me, sir, I didn't realize there was someone in here. I just need to change the linens."

"Where," Severus growled, "is the girl who occupied this room only a few hours ago?"

"I'm not sure where she was off to, but she checked herself out of here. I don't know anything else, but I'm sure you can ask one of the Healers."

Severus stalked out of the room and headed straight for the Healer's station. The sight of the renowned, and angry, Potions master standing at the desk was enough to stop all activity at once.

A shy Healer in training asked quietly, "May I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I would like to know why the girl in Room 216 was released."

A Healer sitting at the desk in the back replied, "I released her. I had my orders to do so."

"Who gave you the orders?" Snape hissed.

"The Healer in charge of this wing did," the Healer said with a bit of annoyance. Severus looked closely at her tag and noticed that she was Healer Pickett.

At that moment said Healer walked out of her office. "Professor, is there something I can do for you? Is Miss Granger alright?"

"I wouldn't know, Healer Davis, she's not in her room. I have been informed that you released her," Severus said, barely able to restrain himself from hexing everyone.

"I did nothing of the sort," Healer Davis retorted. "I wouldn't have released the young lady; she was too ill."

Healer Pickett glared at her in a panic. "Healer Davis, you told me to grab her chart because she was going home. I took it to her, and she was eager to sign it. She seemed fine."

"I told you to release the patient in Room 260," Healer Davis spat. "Mrs. Tinklebaulm is the one who is to be release; Mrs. Tinklebaulm in Room 260. NOT Hermione Granger in Room 216. Did you even look at the name on the chart?"

Healer Pickett lowered her eyes to the floor. "I didn't hear the name, I just heard the room number, and the number I thought you said was 216."

Severus took a deep breath and whispered in a voice full of venom, "You do realized that you have released a very ill, not to mention pregnant, woman. Because of your mistake, she could die." And just in case the poor Healer didn't feel bad enough, Severus added, "She also happens to be one-third of Harry Potter's famed 'Golden Trio,' that I'm certain you read about in all the news papers. She is a member of the Order of the Phoenix and was a key factor in bringing down the Dark Lord. And she hasn't even gotten her Order of Merlin, yet. For your own good, you stupid girl, you had better pray to what ever deity you deem necessary that we find her ALIVE!"

After Severus had reduced the girl to tears, he turned on his heel and left in a flurry of billowing robes.

**********

Hermione had just Apparated into a Muggle neighborhood. She walked down the familiar street, slightly dizzy, with only one thought. She would go to the only one who never judged her, the only one who didn't ask questions, the only one who, in Hermione's eyes, would take care of her the way she needed to be cared for - her mother.

Hermione's feet seemed to take her right to the two-story, brick home without Hermione's notice. She was exhausted from the day and still dizzy from the Apparition. She made her way up the cobblestone walk and rang the doorbell. The house was dark, but Hermione assumed her mother must be in the bedroom.

After a few minutes, Hermione stepped back onto the walk. She looked up to see if any lights were on. As she tilted her head back, the dizziness took over, and Hermione fell to the ground. She tried to sit up but couldn't get her bearings.

Hermione's last thought, before consciousness left her, was of her mother finding her dead on the cobblestone walk.