Polyjuice

Chapter 9: Hospital





A large crowd was gathered outside the hospital wing waiting to hear news on Hermione’s condition. Albus decided to let the assembled students stay once he saw that Slytherin and Gryffindor students were together holding vigil for their fallen classmate. This wasn’t the way he pictured the houses coming together, but he seized every opportunity possible to foster inter-house unity.



Severus pushed his way into the hospital wing with the extra potions Poppy requested. He didn’t know what was going on yet, but it must be bad with the number and strength of potions she requested. When he reached the room he saw Minerva, Albus and Poppy huddled around a bed. As he stepped closer he saw Hermione’s prone form with blood gushing through a huge gash in her left side.



“Merlin. What happened?” Severus asked.



“I’m not sure yet Severus. I think it was a duel in the forbidden forest. Although I am quite unsure who would challenge Ms. Granger.” Ablus replied. Everyone knew she was the smartest witch of her age, and she knew more curses and counter curses than many of the professors.



“I will go talk to my Students and see what I can find out.” Severus replied.



“Thank you Severus. I am going to stay with Ms. Granger.” Ablus said to the empty spot Severus had been standing in.



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Severus spotted his Godson immediately when he left the hospital. Draco was sitting on the floor against the wall with his knees drawn up to his chest and had tears running down his face. Blaise was sitting next to him in the same condition. What surprised Severus was the red haired witch that was obviously consoling the pair.



“Draco. A word with you three please” Severus said in a strong voice letting them know it was an order.



Ginny helped Draco and Blaise up before following after Professor Snape to the next hallway where they could have a little privacy.



“Tell me what happened Draco” Severus commanded.



“At dinner Harry challenged me to a duel. Of course I accepted. It was over really quick. I dodged his first curse and disarmed him. Then sent a bat bogey hex and accioed his wand. I stuck it in my pocket and we started celebrating. I kissed Hermione on the cheek and she hugged me, then she was bleeding all over. I didn’t see or hear who cast the curse.” Draco finished quickly. “Is she going to be okay?”



“Right now I only know that Hermione is in critical condition. Poppy is working on her, but it looks like she lost a lot of blood.” Severus replied. “Is there anyone who would want to hurt Hermione?”



“Pansy isn’t to happy with her right now, but she wasn’t at the duel. Godfather, I think that curse was meant for me.” Draco said, drying his tears with the sleeve of his robe.



“Do either of you have anything to add?” Severus asked turning to Blaise and Ginny.



“No” Ginny replied while Blaise shook his head. “Everything happened just like Draco said.”



“You three wait here. I will relay this information to the headmaster. I am sure he will want to question Mr. Potter about tonight’s events.”



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“I think I have the bleeding under control, but her heart is in an abnormal rhythm and she is not responding to any of the spells or potions known to correct this type of arrhythmia.” Severus overheard Poppy say as he walked back into Hermione’s room.



“I will floo St. Mungos for a cardiac mediwitch. Maybe they will have another option.” Ablus said, walking toward the emergency floo in the hospital room.



A loud beeping noise began from above Hermione’s bed. “Merlin Severus. Her heart just stopped” Poppy said running to Hermione’s bedside. She waved her wand frantically, but nothing happened. “Go to St. Mungos and bring Albus back with that specialist now!” Poppy shouted.



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Everyone in the hallway stopped talking. The alarm coming from the hospital ward could not be a good sign. Draco, Blaise and Ginny stood up at the first sound. They burst through the door and into Hermione’s room before Professor McGonagall could stop them.



Draco stopped quickly, nearly falling over as Blaise and Hermione ran into him. Hermione was stretched out on a bed. Her robes and shirt had been removed. They noticed immediately that she wasn’t breathing. Her skin was a translucent blue color that became deeper with every second that passed.



Ginny was the first to move. She stepped around Draco and brushed passed Poppy. Poppy looked completely helpless and Ginny realized that Hermione wasn’t responding to the witches treatments.



“Blaise come over here please” Ginny commanded. “We are going to try this the muggle way. I am going to compress her chest to get her blood circulating. When I stop I need you to pinch her nose and breathe into her mouth two times. You should look at her chest to make sure it rises a little with each breath. You start with your two breaths.”



Draco followed Blaise to the bed and took Hermione’s right hand.



Blaise nodded and bent over Hermione, breathing into her mouth. He saw her chest rise and quickly repeated the action while Ginny climbed onto the bed with Hermione. When Blaise sat up, Ginny began compressions. After thirty, Blaise repeated the breaths. Poppy watched in fascination as the blue tint began to fade and color started to fill Hermione’s face and limbs.



The floo turned green and Albus, Severus and a wizard from St. Mungos walked out heading toward the bed.



“What is going on here?” The new wizard asked.



“Her heart stopped” Poppy replied. “She wasn’t responding to any of my treatments. Ms Weasley and Mr Zabini are doing muggle CPR. It seems to be working. Her color has improved drastically.”



Ginny sat up as Poppy finished speaking. “Her heart just started beating on it’s own. She’s still not breathing though. Give her a breath every three seconds now Blaise.” Ginny climbed down from her spot on the bed.



After a few minutes Hermione drew a weak breath. “She’s breathing.” Blaise said moving away slightly. He reached down and grabbed her left hand as the others completed the circle around her bed. Poppy performed a diagnostic spell and concluded that Hermione was out of the woods for the moment.



“It looks like you have this under control” The wizard from St. Mungos said. “Call me if you need further assistance.” He stepped back into the fireplace to return to work.



“Enneverate” Poppy said, pointing her wand at Hermione.



Hermione opened her eyes and grimaced in pain.



“Drink this.” Severus handed her a vial of purple potion.



The pain lessened immediately. Hermione obediently drank the rest of the potions that were handed to her including blood replenishers, antibiotics and a dreamless sleep potion.



“She will be asleep until morning. You three are welcome to stay.” Ablus addressed the students standing next to Hermione. “You will be excused from classes tomorrow. I will go let the others know Ms. Granger will be okay.” Everyone followed Albus out except Madame Pompfrey who stayed to monitor Hermione throughout the night.



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Author\'s Note: Thank you very much to those of you who have reviewed. I really appreciate your input!



Annie