Regaining

I have read a lot of fan fic. If I have borrowed anything from stories and not recognized the original, it is because plot bunnies hop in random order to various people coincidentally. Themes may seem familiar, but no ripping off is intended. :)

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Chapter 1: Reacting

Reacting - 4. responding to a stimulus

It was a beautiful late October day in Hogsmeade. Hermione, Harry, and Ron were enjoying their 6th year at Hogwarts so far. It had been quiet, and that was of utmost importance these days. Voldemort's power was on the rise, and there was little they could do about it. Last term had been the most harrowing one ever, what with the assassination of Cornelius Fudge and the ensuing chaos in the Ministry of Magic. The atmosphere at Hogwarts was one of tension and nervousness, as news of disappearances and bad portents trickled in daily by owl post. But today, at least, the students in Hogsmeade had a chance to relax and enjoy themselves.

The three teens were sitting at a corner table at the Three Broomsticks Pub, chatting about anything but the events in the Wizarding world around them.

"So you mean to tells us," said Ron incredulously, "that after passing all your O.W.L.'s with the highest grades you could have possibly gotten, you are worried you might not do well on the N.E.W.T.'s? Hermione, you have the whole of this year and half of next to study."

"I just want to do well," said Hermione. "I mean, if I want to work for the Ministry, my grades have to be top notch."

"Don't worry, Hermione, " said Harry, "Ron is just still reeling from passing all of his. Any thoughts of further study are absolutely impossible after that ordeal."

"Right you are!" laughed Ron, taking a drink of his Butter Beer.

"How are Fred and George doing with Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Inc.?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, really brilliant! They are doing brisk business with the 2nd year Hufflepuffs for some reas ---" Ron was interrupted by loud cracking sound, followed by bright sparks and yells coming from the back of the pub.

Everyone in the pub turned to look at two hooded strangers who were dueling with their wands in the back of the room. Rosmerta and one of her larger workers were rushing to the duo to break things up. The pub was filled with frantic whisperings and gasps. Hermione, Ron, and Harry were all watching as well, and so did not feel the whisper of air as their table was approached by a figure in an invisibility cloak. Nor did they see when an amber liquid dripped into Hermione's glass.

The dueling wizards had by now been subdued and were being guided out of the pub.

"No harm done," called out Rosmerta, as she roughly ushered one towards the door at wand point. "Just a slight disagreement over a Quidditch bet." Her voice seemed strained, and her smile fixed in place. The crowd in the pub slowly resumed talking and drinking, but there was a more subdued mood present now.

"It doesn't take much does it," said Harry, sighing.

"I know," replied Hermione, taking a drink, "I think we are all a little jumpy -- ugh, bitter ---" She screwed up her face and put down her glass. Her face had gone white, and she was starting to shake. She looked up, frightened and surprised. "Something's wrong --- feeling funny --- head..." With that Hermione, collapsed in her chair, grabbing her head and screaming.

The boys sat frozen a moment in shock. Then, as the crowd around them realized that there was something else unusual happening, panic took over.

"Hermione! Hermione!" Ron shouted, jumping down to where Hermione was lying writhing on the ground. "Harry get some help!"

Harry was already out of his chair running towards Rosmerta, who was trying to calm frightened customers fleeing towards the doors. She rushed over with her wand out.

"What happened?" Rosmerta asked, looking down at the screaming girl now sprawled in Ron's arms.

"I don't know," said Harry, bewildered. "She said her drink tasted funny and then collapsed."

Rosmerta held her wand over Hermione, muttering a charm to no effect. "Mirinda!" she yelled to one of the barkeeps, "Send our fastest owl to Dumbledore. Tell him we have a poisoned student who is not responding to the normal Halting Charm." She turned to the boys while she scooped Hermione up in her arms. "I am going to Disapparate to the edge of the grounds and then rush her up to the school. Hurry back to school- I am sure Dumbledore will want to talk to you. Bella, you're in charge!" With a pop, she and Hermione were gone.

Harry and Ron took one look at each other and then started running.

Headmaster Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey were waiting for Rosmerta and Hermione at the doors of Hogwarts. Rosmerta gave them the sketchy details of what had happened, and the name of the Halting charms she had tried, as they were whisking the conjured stretcher holding the still screaming and thrashing Hermione. Dumbledore was grave as they reached the hospital ward.

"Thank you for your speedy action, Rosmerta," said Dumbledore, "I am sure you will be needed back at Hogsmeade." Rosmerta nodded and went back the way she came.

"Headmaster, what can be wrong with her?" asked a frantic Madame Pomfrey. "None of my spells are working either." She magicked Hermione onto a bed and then conjured restraints to hold Hermione's writhing arms and legs down. "And I have never had to restrain a student. The Soothing charms aren't working either."

"Poppy, bring me the strongest poison antidote you can find and then go find Professor Snape." She rushed to a locked cabinet and touched it with her wand. She grabbed a vial and brought it to the Headmaster. Then she rushed out the door on the way to the dungeons.

As Madame Pomfrey left, Harry and Ron rushed in out of breath and faces full of fear.

"Is she okay?" asked Ron as Harry said, "I think she was poisoned."

Dumbledore was sitting by Hermione, with his hand over her forehead. Her screams had now quieted down to low moans, but she was still fighting her constraints. The look on her face was one of the most abject despair and pain. Dumbledore was trying to guide the contents of one of the vials down Hermione's throat.

"I don't know what is wrong," said Dumbledore quietly. "I only know that something magically strong is working inside of her. Professor Snape may have some insights to help in this case."

"Snape?" snarled Ron quietly to Harry, "He'll probably be glad to see her out of commission."

With perfect timing, Professor Snape glided into to the room, his expression sour as usual when in the same room as Harry. He shot an evil look at Ron as he passed by him and replied coldly, "Perhaps, Mr. Weasley, you would like to get out of my way so that I can attend to Miss Granger." Madame Pomfrey bustled in behind him, wringing her hands.

Harry and Ron stepped back, and Harry said, "She had just taken a drink when this happened. She said there was a bitter taste, and her head felt funny. And then she started screaming."

"Severus?" said Dumbledore, regarding the Potions master seriously. Snape was feeling Hermione's pulse and then opening her eyelids.

"Have you tried the Intoxicatum spell?" asked Snape, eyes only on Hermione, who was still crying out pitifully.

"Yes," said Dumbledore, "Madame Pomfrey did right before I sent her for you."

"But did she do it correctly?" snapped Snape looking up.

"Of course she did, Severus," replied Dumbledore calmly as Madame Pomfrey "humphed" with disgust. "I tried every other Poison Halting and Soothing spell the others hadn't. I also tried to give her the strongest purgative we have here. She can not be calmed enough to swallow. Do you have an idea about what this could be?"

The Severus put his hands to his face, rubbing his eyes. "I do," he said grimly and then got to his feet. "There may be nothing... but maybe... I will be right back." He stood up and hurried out of the room.

"Headmaster," said Harry, realizing the seriousness of the situation, "Is Hermione going to die?"

"Couldn't we fly her to St. Mungo's?" said Ron, panic raising his voice, "Or Apparate her there or something?"

Dumbledore slowly stood up and walked to them. "I don't think she will die, but I know that her situation is grave. We have an expert on poisons here at Hogwarts, and he will do better for her than anyone at St. Mungo's could. Boys, may I send you on an important task?" When both boys nodded their heads, he continued, "Please go back to the Three Broomsticks and see if you can get the contents of Hermione's glass."

"We will, straight away," said Harry. He and Ron both took one last glance at Hermione, and left for Hogsmeade.

Dumbledore closed is eyes. 'Just as well to get the boys out of here,' he thought. 'It will keep their minds busy. Much better than waiting and watching.'

Snape rushed back into the hospital ward, a black vial in his hand. He walked to Hermione's bedside, more concern on his face than Dumbledore had seen in a great while. Dumbledore asked, "Is this poisoning what I think it is?"

"It is the Leeching Elixir, although I can't imagine how it has been replicated," said Severus, his voice monotone with shock. "I destroyed all notes on it when I left the service of the Dark Lord. It had never gone past a hypothetical phase... Oh gods, what have I done?"

"Severus," said Dumbledore kindly, "please judge yourself not on what you did then, but on what you are doing now.

"Headmaster," Severus said quietly, " I need to give her this antidote, but she needs to be able to drink it all, not one drop spilling. Do you have any suggestions to help her?" Snape looked at Dumbledore, desire to help Hermione fighting against the fear of what he thought he might have to do.

With a sigh and a look of complete neutrality, Dumbledore replied, "I have no suggestions for you on how to give her this palliative, but I think drastic measures are required. Poppy, would you please accompany me to the library? Perhaps we can find some information to help Miss Granger there."

"Of course, Headmaster," replied Madame Pomfrey, and she hurried to the Headmaster's side. As they walked out the door, Dumbledore turned and said, "Severus, remember that you are trusted. Whatever you think must be done has my full approval."

Severus grimly nodded his head. He knew exactly why he had been left alone with Hermione. He was going to have to use drastic measures indeed to break through the magical influence she was under. He also knew why the Headmaster should not do it, even though he was fully capable. Enough time had been wasted.

"Imperio!" cried Snape in a ragged voice, focusing all of his will on making the poor girl before him relax.. Hermione stopped moaning. Her contorted face relaxed, and she took a deep breath. Snape put his arm under her shoulders and lifted her up enough to drink down the vial's contents. Once she had drunk, he guided her limp body back down to the bed. "Imperio finitum," he said and then muttered, "Please let this work."

Hermione convulsed once, but she did not start struggling again. Nor did she resume screaming and moaning. Snape flicked his wand to remove the restraints from her wrists and then carefully placed her arms under the warm blankets. He relaxed back in his chair with relief, but he was still very concerned for this child's future. She had been given a Leeching Elixir, a potion concept he had invented as a Death Eater. It was designed to leech the magical capabilities out of Muggle born witches and wizards.