Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Bellatrix is amongst the group of Death Eaters that were sent to the Ministry of Magic to intercept the Potter’s group of friends and obtain the Prophecy. Throughout the evening, they all get separated chasing the teenagers. Bellatrix is strolling down a random hallway hoping to run across someone to duel when her heart suddenly clenches. She cannot breathe. Her limbs are frozen. Bellatrix falls to the ground and begins to sob uncontrollably. After what feels like an eternity, she can finally drag herself to her feet.
What is happening? I'm not injured. Wait, if I'm not injured then something is wrong with… no it’s not possible. My daughter has been lost for many years. Is her life in danger? That is the only thing that makes sense. She must be injured. I will kill whomever has harmed her. I have to tell Roddy.
Moving with a new purpose, Bella rushes off to find her husband. Determined to tell him that their daughter is not only alive but also that someone has injured her. Bella is so distracted that she walks past the room with an eerie veil. After searching several halls, she runs into her brother-in-law.
‘Rab, have you seen Roddy? I need to speak with him.’ Bella grips the front of his robes to stop him in his tracks.
‘No, I don't think I have seen him. Oh! There is Lucius, let’s ask him.’ Rab raises his voice,
‘Lucius, have you seen Rodolphus?’
Lucius shakes his head. ‘The Dark Lord wants us to leave. I will see you both back at the manor.’ Lucius walks off before they can respond.
‘Maybe he is gone already. I will come with you, we will find him.’
Rab pulls her hands off his robes and begins to guide her to the nearest disapparation point.
Bella mumbles quietly, ‘Yes, we will find him.’
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Hermione wakes in the hospital wing a few days after the battle at the Ministry, her whole body sore. Her chest hurts. When she looks down, she sees more bandages than she expected. A soft groan escapes her as she tries to sit up. Madam Pomfrey is standing over her and with a firm hand pushing her back down.
‘Now is not the time to sit up. Let me check your wound, then you will take your potions.’
Hermione finds that she does not have the energy to argue with her as she is pushed back into her pillow. Madam Pomfrey casts diagnostic spells so quickly that Hermione doesn't even hear the incantations. A warm glow washes over Hermione; the bright yellow light causes her to close her eyes and rest for just a moment.
Shortly afterwards, Madam Pomfrey puts her wand away and walks across the room to gather the necessary potions. Hearing receding footsteps, Hermione opens her eyes and looks at the medicine cabinet. A frown forms on her lips at the number of vials her healer is removing. Hermione shakes her head refusing to believe she is in need of that amount. Hermione pushes herself up onto her elbows and looks around. Hers is the only occupied bed in the room. With a defeated sigh she flops back onto the pillows.
Madam Pomfrey finally returns to Hermione's bedside where she starts placing the vials in tidy rows. She then helps Hermione sit up before handing her various potions to take one right after the other.
‘I'm sure this is a bit overwhelming. You have been unconscious for several days. The train leaves tomorrow morning. Your friends should be returning within the hour. Professor Mcgonagal insisted they attend breakfast this morning. You will need to continue taking various potions until you are fully healed. But I am prepared to release you so that you can ride the train with your classmates.’
A house elf appears suddenly and places a tray of food over Hermione's lap.
‘You will need to eat before you can take the rest of the potions for this morning. I will bring your next round of potions at lunch. You will need to rest so that you can be released in time to head down to dinner after you take another round. You will have the potions needed for the next week in your room tomorrow morning.
‘Be sure to pack them into your trunk safely. Every week I will owl you the next potions you require. You will need to drip 5 drops of blood on the parchment that will arrive, before sealing it and returning it with the owl. If you fail to take the potions or do not return the parchment I will visit and inform your parents that you will need to return to the hospital wing with me. Is this clear?
Hermione sits there eye wide stunned. Slowly she nods her head. And begins to eat. Normally she would begin asking questions but right now Hermione knows she needs to think about everything she just learned. Hermione is 16 she will be turning 17 when school returns. Taking into account that she used the time turner for her entire 3rd year. She should be considered of age at this point.
Why was Madam Pomfrey so willing to let her out of the hospital wing if she still needs to be on this many potions? Whatever the reason this does make things easier. Maybe she will not have to go into too much detail with her parents. But surely they will notice her lack of energy and the amount of pain she is in, right? Her mind begins to race searching for a reasonable explanation for her parents.
Before she has time to come up with a reasonable plan she has finished her food. Madam Pomfrey returns to her side and hands her the remaining potions on her side table.
‘You are probably wondering why I am releasing you this evening.’ Hermione nods slowly.
‘I cast a diagnostic to determine what needed to be done to heal you. It told me you are approaching your 18th birthday rather than your 17th. I assume this is because of your 3rd year?’ Hermione nods again. ‘Because of this I am not required to inform your parents of this visit. And with your record of going above and beyond what is required I feel you will be able to follow my instructions to get yourself better without extra supervision.’ Hermione nods a 3rd time.
‘Simply put, I feel I can send you home safely. You will need to take an extra pain potion tomorrow to get through the train ride. I can send a few extra to use if you need it. If you would rather, you can stay here and a professor can go to your home to explain your condition to your family.’ Hermione quickly shakes her head. ‘I didn't think so. Please contact me anytime regarding your potions or anything else. Do you understand?’ Again Hermione nods.
Madam Pomfrey gets up and heads back into her office just as Harry and Ron walk through the door.
*.*