Hermione slowly felt a stream of consciousness beginning to build, it was sudden yet subtle all at the same time. Like having a dream you are aware of dreaming. Her body felt exceptionally light and suspiciously pain-free. Carefully, she pushed herself up with an odd tugging feeling in her chest and came to her feet. When her eyes suddenly opened, however, she found her brilliant mind completely befuddled.

There directly beside her, she could see herself. Her other-self. Her body was as still as death and for a moment she actually believed herself to be dead. Her focus turned to Madame Pomfrey who was diligently casting spells over her cursed arm. She could make out something happening with it but could not find the words to describe it. Instead, she let her eyes travel over the various items that had now found themselves attached to her—what she could only assume—physical body.

Two IVs had been attached to either arm, one pulling blood out, the other putting blood in. She followed the trail of tubing to some sort of oddly shaped bell jar on the bedside table. Her blood dripped slowly into the top, its color dark, where it mixed with what Hermione could only guess before it was taken from the bottom in a much brighter hue and back into her body. A magical dialysis possibly.

Small pads had been placed under her shirt she could see dim lights pulsing on the tips of them, it wasn't a wild guess that they were monitoring her breathing and heart rate. The blankets were tucked neatly just below her hips and she could see similar pads across her partially revealed stomach, however, they didn't pulse but held steady colors that seemed to be shifting ever just so. Given their placement, she made the educated guess that they were monitoring her internal organs in some way.

Cautiously, she took a step, partially puzzled when she felt the floor come to meet her. It almost felt real, too real and she made her way around the end of the bed to look more closely at what Madame Pomfrey was doing with her arm.

Her wand work was extraordinary to witness, such subtle yet complex movements. However, her brow was deeply furrowed which led Hermione to believe that she wasn't getting very far in sorting out a solution. That and given that the wound was presently openly bleeding onto the towel beneath causing her to pause to wipe away the copious amounts of blood. The steel bowl that was beside her was nearly filled with her previous attempts at staunching the blood flow.

A sharp huff left Madame Pomfrey's nose and she set her wand aside turning to pull another tray forward.

Hermione could tell what she had planned to do next and so decided to turn her attention elsewhere. Her eyes turned down to her hands which to her looked completely solid. Yet obviously, Madame Pomfrey could not see her. She moved towards the door curious as to just how far she could go. However, when her hand reached for the handle she found it oddly cool, as though she were feeling it through a series of clothed layers. It felt solid but she couldn't find the strength to actually turn the handle.

Curious and frustrated all in one she looked for something else to touch. To move. She made her way towards one of the counters and took hold of the handle trying but failing to pull out the drawer. She huffed at herself before turning once more. Unfortunately, the peaceful pain-free existence she was enjoying came crashing to an end when a small tug came to the inside of her chest and she suddenly ceased to exist.

"Crisse..." Madame Pomfrey growled low in her throat. Hermione's arm that she had been working on began to tremble, causing the poultice she had been placing there to fall away. Her wand was back in her hand as she called the readings over her heart and lungs into the air. Her heart rate had suddenly spiked and her breathing stuttered as though she were suffering under the effects of the cruciatus curse. While mild by any standard, it still wreaked havoc over her entire systemic system.

She turned away as quickly as she dared and grabbed a potion from her cabinet. It took her only a second to press it through the tube but it was precious time Hermione could hardly afford. If—as she suspected, this had been happening nightly it was no wonder that her entire body was threatening to shut down. One could only survive so long under such an evil curse and if what she feared was true she had a lot more work ahead of her than she previously believed.

With a new goal in mind, Poppy set to work on protecting what remained of her systemic system. There was no cure for the curse's effects but if treated regularly some progress could be made in halting or even healing part of the damage it caused.

oOo

Ron limped slightly as he moved down the hall towards the spell damage ward. His arm was tied up in a sling and his other arm was occupied with the crutch that gave him the ability to hobble along. His injuries weren't too severe, a broken shoulder and ankle, some cuts, bruises, and scrapes. He would be back at work within a fortnight. Still, having ignored the healer's advice on resting for the rest of the night, it left him awfully achy and if he were honest cranky.

Harry kept beside him, his cuts and scrapes had been easily mended. He too was sore but definitely worlds ahead of Ron. When he'd found out where exactly Malenda had been taken he had told Ron. He hadn't expected him to wait for the doctors to clear him and so, as the team leader, signed him out to his watch.

"Yes, Hello. We're here to see Malenda Warren." Harry gave the secretary of the floor a soft smile.

"Room 364. Down the hall to your left." The nurse gave each of them a once-over but said nothing more before going back to her work.

By the time they'd arrived Ron was exhausted yet determined. Harry was quick to open the door and the both of them raised their heads to the figure resting comfortably in the almost blindly white bed. Her head was turned away from them, her arms resting over her stomach that rose and fell peacefully.

Ron moved in first, his heart somewhere in his throat, "Mal?"

The woman took in a deep breath a soft smile curling her lips. She turned her head to his voice, her smile only growing, "Hey you..."

"Hey..." Ron gently cupped her cheek and thumbed the rise, "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes opened slowly, her normally bright shining sapphires dull in the dim light. She looked exceptionally exhausted, "Mm...tired..." She whispered slowly, tilting her head up to see him, "You look like shite."

Ron laughed, though it was gravelly and thick. He leaned down pressing a soft kiss to her lips, "You're not going to hex me again if I say the same to you?"

"Mmm, I might." She smiled again and kissed him once more before letting out a deep sigh. Her head rolled a bit to finally notice Harry standing somewhat awkwardly. He was trying to pretend like he wasn't worried but she'd worked with him long enough to understand his tells.

"Hey, Harry...did we get him?"

"Yeah...we got him." Harry gave her a slight smile before looking around the room for a chair to let Ron get off his feet.

Ron shifted slightly looking down her covered body unable to see anything obviously wrong, "So...what did the healers say?"

Malenda made a small face lifting one of her hands to take his. Her mouth opened and closed for a moment before she gathered enough courage to speak, "They said...that the curse that hit me did a lot of damage to my spine...I...I may not...be able to walk again..."

Ron's world came crashing down, it was only thanks to Harry that he didn't fully collapse to the floor. The chair Harry pushed under him saving him from the fall. Tears welled in his eyes and he took Malenda's hand tightly in his own and brought it shakily to his lips, "Are they certain.... there's nothing to be done?"

"There is a chance...but it all depends on how well their treatments take..." Malenda's eyes teared up, "Either way... I'm out of the field...for good."

oOo

"Miss Granger? Can you hear me?" Poppy gently opened one of Hermione's eyes. The tip of her lit wand moving side to side as she waited for her pupils to react. When Hermione groaned she let the lid close and leaned back, "Miss Granger?"

Hermione mumbled airily and her head turned away from the light still coming from Poppy's wand. Her hands clumsily came up towards her face to try and block it out.

Poppy gently took her hands and pulled them back down, concerned she might be a bit sore from the bruises that had formed there. Though she had treated them, she was still worried. Gradually, Hermione's eyes opened, though unfocused, she rolled her head towards her voice obviously disoriented.

"There's a girl." Poppy smiled slightly when Hermione finally looked at her clearly, "You'll feel very sleepy for a short while but it should pass quickly enough."

Hermione mumbled her understanding before letting her head roll to the side. She practiced simply blinking for a short time before she raised her hand again to rub at her eyes. Gradually, she started to feel her mind grinding, her senses and feeling in her body returning.

"Easy now." Poppy had returned, helping her to sit up on the bed. Her hand running down her back in a comforting motion.

Hermione closed her eyes, comforted by the gentle touch. A deep breath and she ran her hand through her hair, "I'm fine..."

"Mm, so you've said." Poppy pulled back to look at her properly, all of the medical equipment had already been removed. Aside from a fresh poultice on her arm, she was back to how she'd come to her.

Hermione felt oddly strong as she continued to come round. The normal ache of simply existing gone. Even the dull pulse she often felt in her arm was numb. She ran her eyes down both arms, not too surprised to see some bruising where the IVs had been placed. She had always had trouble with them and it seemed even in the magical world that held true. Despite not having eaten her stomach felt full and warm and she took a moment to rub her hand over it.

"You should feel significantly stronger than before but I must warn you this is only temporary. You will lose strength again and you will find yourself collapsing if you do not restrain yourself."

Hermione nodded dutifully, pausing only briefly before speaking, "How long before I need to do this again?"

Poppy pursed her lips for a moment, "A fortnight, though if you overwork yourself or continue to skip meals you will find yourself here much sooner."

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath, her eyes moved around the room at the various empty potion bottles scattered over the counters. At least thirty by her lazy count. Her attention pulled away when Poppy came back beside her.

"These are all the potions you will need to take to maintain this level of strength." She opened the moderately sized box she'd prepared while Hermione came out of the anesthesia, "Instructions can be found here," she pointed to the small envelope that was attached to the top of the box.

Hermione took the box into her hands, the volume of potions inside reminded her of her fifth year all over again, "Thank you..."

"Of course," Poppy placed her hand over Hermione's arm, "When you're ready to return home, I shall walk with you."

Hermione nodded and closed the lid on the box. Poppy moved to begin cleaning the mess she'd made giving Hermione the time she needed to recoup.

In little under an hour, Hermione found herself confidently stepping back through the fireplace at Grimmauld Place. It was still dark and silent as she'd left it. The stillness of the air left her immediately on edge and her wand was in her hand. However, before she'd made it three steps from the hearth it glowed green and Harry came through.

"Ah, Crisse Hermione!" Harry had had plenty of wands in his face for a day, his tone especially sharp.

Hermione lowered her wand with a snap about to give him a piece of her mind but his physical appearance stopped her. Instead, she moved out of his way as he rushed past, "Where's Ron?"

"At the hospital, he's fine but Malenda is going to be there for a while! I've just come home to grab some of his things!" His voice trailed off as he disappeared up the stairs.

Hermione stood there just trying to process everything he'd just shouted down at her. She stayed as she was waiting for Harry to come back down. It took him no longer than five minutes to grab whatever he needed for Ron and he was coming back down.

"What happened to her, Harry?" Hermione kept her tone even though she gently took hold of his arm to stop him long enough to talk to her.

"Avery put her under the imperious curse, she was hit in the back with some sort of slicing hex causing significant damage to her spine." Harry shouldered Ron's bag obviously overwhelmed by two of his best friends needing medical attention within twenty-four hours. While he did notice that Hermione looked significantly better than she had at lunch he presently didn't have time to speculate on it. He did, however, notice the box in her hands.

"I hope it's just temporary..." Hermione let him go and watched him step into the fireplace.

"Me too." Harry gave her a once over, "Where did you get that?" He pointed to the box in her hands, his tone low.

"I...went out..." Hermione lied, the taste of her own words like salt on her tongue.

"You were supposed to be resting." Harry nearly growled, "Can you do me a favor?" He nearly spat while taking a hand full of floo powder, "Stay in until I get back."

Hermione felt as though she'd been physically slapped, her eyes widening from his callous tone. She made no move either way, too shocked that Harry of all people would have spoken to her that way. Then he was gone.

Hermione stood there for a length of time she couldn't have possibly measured. The weight of her own secret in her hands. If she were to tell them, it certainly wasn't going to be then. Her fingers lightly traced the edges of the box while her feet led her to the stairs. The house felt oddly cold with no one in it. Not that it bothered her to be alone but rather the reason for its emptiness.

She made it to her room settling the box in the corner of her desk before letting her eyes trace the outline of the journal that had started her on this journey. A desperate need for company filled her heart and though she knew that she was deliberately playing with fire, she raised her wand to its pages, closing her eyes as it took her away.

Hermione waited for the light to come, her head partially bowed. When the dark shadow appeared she finally raised her head. A sudden urge to run and embrace him did flitter briefly through her inner eye. Not for the comfort of the man himself but for any sense of security at all. While her body had been partially restored her mental strength was no stronger than before.

Snape came around the lectern languidly, his body moving silently through the illuminated darkness. When the light traveled far enough for him to see her, his eyes dangerously narrowed.

"Why are you crying?" His voice, deeply rich and nearly void of all compassion filled the space between them. His words were more of a curiosity than of care.

Hermione hadn't even been aware that she was. Her brow twitched and she raised the backs of her fingers to her cheek with the shake of her head, "I didn't know I was..."

Snape raised a single brow before turning and making his way back to the lectern, "Obviously... something has upset you. Though curious, I find myself why you would come here, in your distress."

Hermione's lip quirked a little, her feet taking her just a bit closer though not close enough to touch him, just close enough to see him properly, "I must confess I find myself as curious as you... Though I do have some information that you might find... pleasurable."

"Go on," his voice dragged, though his eyes did not stop in the examination of her person.

"Avery is no longer on the loose, he was captured by Aurors this evening." She chose her words very carefully. She had no idea if this form of Snape was capable of retaining new information but she could certainly gauge how he would react to the news even if it was only temporary.

A slow smile crept across his face, an unsettling sight to be seen. His hands lightly ran over the wood of the lectern before he locked his eyes on hers, "I find myself overfilled with joy at the news."

Hermione swallowed thickly, his words had been monotone but the look in his eyes was near deadly. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see the thirst for blood gleaming in the corner of his eyes. Truthfully, the look on his face turned her blood cold. She had never seen a man so dangerous as the one that stood before her now.

"I'm...glad..." Hermione whispered if only to break contact, her eyes tearing away with extreme effort, "As for my tears...my friends were hurt in the process..."

Snape made an odd noise in the back of his throat, his back straightening a bit, "They are Aurors then? What does that make you?"

Hermione's eye snapped back towards his own, the air felt dangerously thick, "I'm a ward breaker... I'm not like them..."

Snape moved closer, his brows somewhat relaxing, a bored look slowly forming on his face when he closed the distance between them, "No... You're something else aren't you?"

Hermione's head jerked back a bit when he inhaled deeply by her temple. She wanted to ask what he was doing but she could have sworn she felt his lips press against the shell of her ear.

"Why are you here...?" His words were like a siren's call, so soft yet alluring.

Hermione swallowed again her lips parting, a fresh tear rolling over the hill of her cheek, "You're all I have left..."

"Your friends live..." His lips did not move, his chest was dangerously close to her own. The soft smell of sage and lemongrass tangling in the air.

"But I won't..." Hermione turned her head, whispering her own words into his ear. When his head pulled back she watched him from beneath her lashes, a wry smile tugging at her lips, "I'm dying..."