All the way IIII: Change

"I'm not trying to frighten you, Severus." Poppy said solemnly, "But she's only taking in three breaths a minute. I can ask one of my friends for St. Mungo's to come over and take a look at her, but I can't detect anything wrong, internal or external, except the breathing. I... I just want to prepare you because, breathing at the rate that she is, she might not make it to sun set. And if she does... well, if she doesn't improve... what I’m trying to say is that unless her condition progresses, there isn't much anyone can do."


Three breaths a minute. It was impossible to see Hermiones chest moving. For two hours Hermione had been in the Hospital Wing. Poppy had done tests and waved her wand and injected potions the muggle way, so that there was no chance of blocking Hermiones air way.

Severus was worried - of course he was - but she had got through worse than this, right? Of course she had. She would be fine. She was always fine. Nothing ever got her down. Not even taking only three breaths a minute.

Severus gave himself a headache, trying to convince himself of these points.

The door opened behind him, but he ignored it. A hand curled over his shoulder.

"How is she?" Asked Minerva's voice. Severus still ignored her. "Severus, you have to talk to Miss Whitney. She is in your house and she really is in a state. Hermione would have done it herself if she could have, you know that. She would want you to talk to the girl. I'll get you straight away if anything happens, I promise. You have a responsibility to look after your Slytherins."

Severus stood up and turned to face the Head Mistress, "What am I supposed to say to her? I don't know what goes through a teenage girls mind when she decides to sleep with her so called teacher!"

"Severus..." Minerva sighed, "You know Hermione would tell you to stop being childish and go and talk to Miss Whitney. Your wife would want you to go and help that girl, because she needs you. You're her Head of House and she probably wants some one Slytherin to talk to. Now go; I’ll get you if anything changes."

He sighed, knowing Minerva was right, "Fine, but if anything happens - Any. Tiny. Thing - I want to know straight away."

Minerva nodded and Severus left the Hospital wing reluctantly.

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"All you ever do is eat." Eileen accused as she entered the living room, "You'll get fat."

Sirius stuffed the last of whatever rubbish he was eating into his mouth and made a noise - obviously trying to speak - showing all the mushed up food.

Eileen gave him a disgusted look and sat down in the in the chair furthest away, "You're so gross sometimes, Sirius! Do you even know how to eat, or do I need to draw you a diagram?"

He chewed vigorously and swallowed loudly, "What I was trying to tell you, was that they've created a potion for getting fat. It's not marketed yet, but my mum still talks to her friends at the Ministry and they told her that it's being sold to the public next year."

Eileen sighed, "I missed a lot these past few years, didn't I?"

Sirius nodded, "Yeah. You missed France beating Spain in the Quiditch World Cup... That was one hell of a match. Me and Harry went to see it, and afterwards, the Spanish team and their fans attacked the referee and he was in hospital for ages. You should have been there! I'll take you next year. My mum can get us tickets..."

Eileen couldn't help smiling as he rambled on about the sport. There was something about Quiditch that turned men into boys... and long winded lecturers, it seemed, as five minutes later Sirius was still talking.

"... And I said 'Fine, I bet England will win.' and Dad said, 'I don't think so.' So I -"

"ENOUGH!" Eileen screeched, putting her hands over her ears, "I don't want to hear another word about bets or Quiditch or broomsticks! I can't stand it any more!"

Sirius laughed, and even had the decency to look sheepish, "Sorry, I tend to forget myself when I talk about Qui -"

"NAH!" Eileen interrupted.

"When I talk about the Q word." He smiled. There was a pause. "Come here."

Slowly, Eileen got up and moved to sit next to him on the sofa. Sirius put his arm around her and she sighed, "You know, I’m really excited about tomorrow. I've never realized how much I miss my mum. And my dad. People might think it's strange that I miss him, but he's my dad. I don't care what he's done, I love him."

"Of course you do." Sirius agreed, "I mean, my dad was a werewolf, but I love him because he's... well, he my dad isn't he. Every one loves their families, whatever they are, or have been, or have done. It's a fact of life. Your dad loves you and my dad loves me, the way we love them."

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"Professor Snape? You don't have to... well, you don't have to be h-here. I'm alright. You s-should be with..."

"I'm very much aware of where I should be and who I should be with, Miss Whitney." Severus sighed, looking at her from across his desk, "But the fact of the matter is that I am here to sort you out."

The blonde girl shrank back in her chair, stammering, "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean... He was really... He..."

"It was his fault?"

She nodded quickly, "Y-yes."

"So... it was rape?"

"No!" She squeaked, "No... I mean... I just didn't..."

"So you were coerced?"

"Yes! That's it!"

"But you knew what you were doing, didn't you?" Severus said tiredly. She nodded, looking at the stone floor. "And you still let it happen... Alright, I've been informed of your situation at home, so - taking that, and the fact that Professor Swan was..." Severus could think of a few good, but inappropriate, words to say, "A manipulative man, into consideration - I am just going to warn you to never, under any circumstances, be so stupid again. Do you understand me?"

She nodded, "Yes, sir. I won't. I was just looking for some one to..." Ruby trailed off, realizing she had said too much, "I'm sorry."

"Alright, Miss Whitney." Severus sighed, leaning back in his chair, "Go and do some homework or something."

"Thank you, sir." She stood up and went to leave, but stopped at his office door, "Professor Snape?"

"Yes?" He hissed, impatiently.

"When your wife's alright again, could... could you ask her to come and find me? Please?" She asked quietly.

Severus nodded, "Yes, of course... When? You said when."

Ruby nodded, "When. When she gets better. She will get better. All the Slytherins say..." She trailed off again, biting her lip.

"Yes?" he prompted, "What do all the Slytherins say?"

"They say she's a cat." The girl whispered, "And that she has nine lives. So, you know, she'll be fine."

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Hermione didn't know what was wrong with herself. She couldn't breathe properly, no matter how hard she tried. She could hear Poppy telling Minerva that there was very little hope for her, but she could move or speak, to tell them that she was awake.

Severus had been with her and she had dearly wanted to tell him that she was alright. Minerva had sent him off to talk to Ruby.

Poor girl. She just wanted some one to give her a bit of attention and TLC. Taking advantage of a young girl in his care was worse than what Gary had done to Hermione. Ruby had trusted him and he had used that to use her.

Hermione hoped and prayed that Severus was gentle with Ruby when he spoke to her. Gentle had never really been his way, but perhaps he would be more careful because she was one of his Slytherins and because he hated Gary so much.