RETROUVAILLE // H. Granger x Male OC (Book 2)

37

Hermione sat in the quiet sanctuary of the Hogwarts library, surrounded by stacks of books. She had spent countless hours here over the past few weeks, delving into every tome that might hold a clue to Draven's mysterious condition. Her mind raced with worry and determination, piecing together fragments of information in the hope of finding answers.

She glanced down at her notes, scribbled hastily across several pages. Blurred vision, frequent headaches, trembling hands... the symptoms were all there, but no single illness seemed to fit. Frustration gnawed at her as she scanned another paragraph, hoping for a breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Ron had taken a different approach. He'd been visiting the Apothecary in Diagon Alley, asking discreet questions and gathering information on the potions Draven had been taking. Today, he'd found something promising. He hurried to the library, eager to share his discovery with Hermione.

"Hermione," Ron called softly as he entered, not wanting to disturb the peaceful silence of the library. He found her at a corner table, surrounded by a fortress of books. "I think I found something."

Hermione looked up, her eyes tired but alert. "What is it, Ron?"

Ron sat down across from her, placing a small vial on the table. "This is one of the potions Draven's been taking. It's supposed to help with blurring vision."

Hermione's eyes widened with interest. She took the vial, examining it closely. "Did they tell you what's in it?"

"Mostly common ingredients," Ron replied, leaning forward. "But there's one that stands out: Essence of Mandrake. It's used for restoring the senses and healing neurological damage."

Hermione's heart sank. "Neurological damage... that could explain the trembling hands and the headaches too."

Ron nodded. "But here's the thing, Hermione. None of the potions I found are cures. They're just... managing the symptoms."

Hermione sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "So, we're back to square one. We know what's helping him cope, but not what's causing it."

"Exactly," Ron said, frustration evident in his voice. "But there's one person who might know more."

"Sirius," Hermione whispered, her mind made up. "Draven is close to his uncle. If anyone knows, it's him."

Ron looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you want to do this? What if Draven gets upset?"

Hermione's resolve hardened. "I can't stand by and do nothing, Ron. If there's a chance we can help him, we have to take it."

Ron sighed, nodding. "Alright. But just be careful, okay? Draven's been through a lot."

"I will," Hermione promised, standing up and gathering her notes. "Thank you, Ron. You've been a big help."

Ron watched her leave, a sense of unease settling in his stomach. He admired Hermione's determination but couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much deeper, darker journey.