Foolish Hearts

Five

Hermione's Pov...

I could barely move as my eyes blinked open. I was looking up at a grand roof that had lovely crown mouldings along the paneled walls, and an elegant fireplace burned cheerily in its hearth. I glanced over at my left arm, and an IV was stuck in there, pumping nutrients into my veins. Why? Where was I? It wasn't St. Mungo's, because otherwise the room would be white and sterile.

But then again, it wouldn't be the first time that Harry Potter, or Luna Longbottom had to check me into the hospital, because of some injury Ron inflicted on me. Ron, or his mother, would quickly try to get me out, and used the crutch of 'being family,' as their excuse for bringing me back to the London flat. Not this time, though. I was in someone's home. But who was rich enough, or kind enough, to take care of an ailing witch, and a muggleborn witch at that? The answer was not too many people.

The room was elegant in a dark Victorian kind of way, and I had to wonder who lived here, and why they would take me in. Then a house elf popped in, a female one from the look of her, and I was pleased to see that she wasn't wearing rags like Dobby did when he served the Malfoys. She wore a miniature black and white maid outfit that looked very cute on her.

"Oh! Mistress is awake!" She squeaked, which made me smile. "I am so glad. Master was so worried, and so was Doctor Malfoy. He has been by your side the whole time."

Doctor Malfoy? Okay, now the world has really gone haywire if Draco Malfoy of all people is helping me. "Um, okay," I said, my mouth feeling like sand was poured into it. "But I don't even know where here is. What is your name?"

"Oh! Smocky, mistress," The elf said. "I run a small team of house elves here at Spinners End. You are Mistress Hermione. Master gave you the run of the house when he is away at Hogwarts as Headmaster."

I stared at the house elf in disbelief. Severus Snape was alive, and reinstated as Headmaster of Hogwarts?! It was a lot to take in. "Snape is alive?" I asked.

Smocky nodded, "Well, of course he is. He had to step out for a bit, but Doctor Malfoy is here. Shall I fetch him?"

"Yes. And, can I have some water, Smocky? My mouth is so dry," I said.

The elf came by and plumped up my pillows, and patted one of my hands gently. "Of course, Mistress. Ah, it is so good to finally be able to serve a nice, pretty witch. I would say too much if I spoke of Master's less than desirable choices knocking on the door, demanding he let them back in after he broke up with them."

I couldn't help but smile at that. Smocky disapparated with a pop, and minutes later, Draco Malfoy came in, dressed in a white lab coat, and crisp black wizard robes underneath. He kept his hair short, and looked quite distinguished, I had to admit.

"Hey, Granger," He said, going over to my IV and checking it. "How are you feeling tonight?"

"Tonight? What time is it?"
Malfoy looked at his Rolex watch and said, "About ten thirty at night. Your vitals look good, though it was very touch and go with you for four months there. You finally came out of your coma, I see. When you arrived half dead on my Uncle's doorstep, he feared the worst, and contacted me when you fell into your coma. I had wanted to bring you to St. Mungos, but he wouldn't hear of it."

"Where is Ron?"
"Oh, he's in the psychiatric ward at St. Mungos," Malfoy answered, smirking. "You don't have to worry about him any more, Potter took care of that. I was shocked that Weaslette and his own brother George signed the admission papers. But based on your charts, I'm not surprised."

"And my marriage?"
Malfoy sat by my side, and sighed, "I've been kind of sent to ask if you even want to stay married to him. Your charts indicate that Weasley broke several of your ribs, punched and kicked you multiple times, and that he...well, raped you on multiple occasions. Your chart revealed evidence of a miscarriage as well. How many times did you get pregnant and you lost the baby, Granger?" Malfoy asked this last part kindly, unlike his usual sassy tone of voice, which grated on my nerves at school.

I began to cry, and said, "This would have been my third baby."

Malfoy nodded, understanding, "I suspected as much. Well, I think you could do with some solid food for once. But please, eat it slowly, I wouldn't want you to puke on yourself."

He was halfway to the door when I said, "Draco?"

He turned to face me, lifting an eyebrow. "Yes, Hermione?"

"Thank you," I said. "For helping me realize that I would rather be single than live with such a monster. I'm sure Voldemort would have been a kinder husband."

Malfoy laughed. "Yeah, no doubt. He wouldn't have abused you though, he would have just killed you."

"Some things are worse than death," I said. Malfoy looked at me seriously, and nodded. He left, and as soon as he left the room, Smocky popped in with a few other house elves.

Some were girls, others boys, and they were all dressed in cute maids and butler outfits. She set down a platter fit for a Queen, and said, "Smocky didn't know exactly what Mistress wanted, so she brought steak, mashed potatoes, veggies, and a key lime pie that Master loves personally for dessert. Oh! Your water, of course. I'm so sorry it took so long, but the cooks aren't used to serving a witch, so they went a bit overboard."

I chuckled, sitting up. "Thank you, everyone. It looks very good."

"Will there be anything else, Mistress?" Smocky asked.

"No, I'm good. Thank you."

Smocky and the other house elves left me alone, and I tied into my dinner. I ate every bite, and was halfway through the key lime pie, when Snape came in, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a gray sweater. He had a plate of key lime pie in one hand.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. I could only stare at my former potions professor in shock at him being alive. I shook my head, as his black eyes met my amber ones.

"Much better, thank you, Profess--" I began, but he cut me off.

"Severus, Hermione," He put in. "I haven't been your Professor in six years. You can call me by my name if you wish. I mean, you are in my home, after all."

I blushed at his use of my name. I think it was the first time he called me by my first name; it was nice, I liked it.

"I'm sorry if I've been such a bother," I blurted. "I come here a lot, and I wondered what would have happened if you had lived. It...it was terrifying watching you, well, die, in front of me like that. I know it sounds silly, but I think you didn't deserve to be hated as you have been, by everyone."

Snape listened to me without comment as he ate his pie, and when he was done, he wiped his mouth on a napkin, and set it aside next to my dirty dishes.

"Your romanticising of my character is undeserved," Snape finally said quietly, "But I thank you for your high opinion of me. Just know that I am not altogether blameless. I have blood on my hands."

I nodded. "I know. But if you want me to pay for your services in taking care of me, I'm more than willing to pay, of course."

Snape flashed me a ghost of a smile. "I will not hear you speak of price ever again. You are my guest, Hermione. Now, rest. We will talk again soon, I have lab work to do."

He snapped his fingers, and house elves appeared and cleared away our dishes. They left a pitcher of ice water on my nightstand, and I drank some more water gladly. After a minute or two, I began to get very sleepy, and then I fell into a peaceful rest for the first time in a very long time....