The End Is The Beginning Is The End

‘Let me die.’

‘Well I’m afraid I can’t do that Ms. Granger.’ Came an amused response.

Hermione refused to turn around to face whoever Lucius sent to torment her next. 

‘Then be quick,’ she mumbled into her pillow.

‘I thought Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, was also known for her kindness.  But it seems the patient I am treating is someone else.  Someone not familiar with etiquette.’

Hermione slowly turned her around to see who was making fun of her now.

A young man with blood red hair, pulled back, and very fine, very pretty features.  In fact, were it not for his great height, broad shoulders, and somewhat thin lips, she might have mistaken him for a women.

‘Who are you?’

He pulled a chair [fixed, thanks to Min] up to the bed but did not sit in it like a normal person. Rather he turned it so the back faced her and then swung around. Resting his chin on the back, he watched her all the while smiling.

‘Are you Hermione Granger?’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’

‘Will you keep answering all of my questions with questions?’

She blinked several times, not really up to another battle, even if it was of wits.  She was tired and ready to surrender.

‘Yes, I am.’

He smiled, ‘My name is Doctor.’

She blinked, ‘Doctor…?’

He shrugged, ‘I’ve been instructed not to tell you my real name.’  He looked thoughtful for a moment, ‘Not really sure why.  But those are the rules.’

Hermione turned away and rested her head on the pillow.  She could barely move.  Her entire body hurt. 

‘Alright, let me see, can you roll over onto your back?’

‘Why?’

‘You like to ask questions, don’t you?’  He stood and moved the chair; she knew because she heard its legs scrape along the floor as he set it back.

‘I can’t roll onto my back.  It hurts.’ She flatly said.

‘Very well.  I guess we can do this from behind.’

And she felt the bed sink in.  And her heart began to speed up.  A feeling like fear washed over her.

Was he going to rape her too?

He must.  Why else would Lucius send someone like him in?

She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting…and waiting…

She felt the light, gentle touch of fingers on her back.  And then his hand pressed gently against her back.

She tried to be strong, but as his hands gently moved down her back, and down her calves, she was breathing heavily, tears threatening to fall.

‘Can you turn your head to look at me?’

She turned towards his voice. 

The Doctor was kneeling at eye level.  His face looked…sympathetic.

She turned away but he repeated again, ‘Would you look at me?’

Hermione grudgingly obeyed.  But she couldn’t handle sympathy.  Or compassion.

It was strange, how when you were without something for so long….it felt worse than any physical injury because she was reminded of something that she had been missing for years.

She burst into tears.

It hurt to cry, but she couldn’t keep it in, and the doctor very lightly stroked her head.  He didn’t say anything.  He just gently stroked her hair.

When she ran out of tears, he still continued to stroke her hair 

And she stared into his warm gray eyes. 

Funny, because up until now she had only ever seen cold gray eyes.  She liked these eyes far more.

‘I’m leaving with you a couple of potions.’  His voice was low and gentle, ‘I want you take them.  One will help speed up your recovery.  The other will help you sleep. Both are going to be administered by the house elf.  Those are the rules.’

‘Do you have anything that can make me immune to pain?’

He sighed, ‘I don’t, unfortunately, but if I did I couldn’t help you.  Because—

‘—those are the rules,’ she finished for him.

This caused a wide smile to brighten up his face, and she found herself giving him one back.

Am I that desperate?

‘Now I must leave.’

She opened and shut  her mouth. He waited, a small smile on his face, but she decided it was better not to say anything.

She probably would not see him again.

He made a polite bow, and then Hermione was left alone.

_

Once out the door the Doctor was met by Lucius, who waited with arms crossed.

‘It will be very easy, your grace.  One of the potions will hasten her recovery, but I think you will enjoy the effects of the second.’

Lucius raised an eyebrow, ‘Very good.’

The young man bowed, and then left.