Braving the Past

Chapter 55: Hospital of Horrors

Hermione and Malfoy flew to London above the clouds. The air was cold and misty, so she clung to Malfoy both for warmth and safety.

Even after all these years, she still hated flying.

She tried to distract herself from thinking about Malfoy's rather surprising physique, but the only other place she could get her mind to go to was Tom. She didn't much like that line of thinking either.

It was a blessing when they finally made it to the old, decrepit department store in London. Hermione only remembered being here once, when she'd met Neville's parents and seen Gilderoy Lockhart post-memory loss.

Merlin, she hoped they wouldn't run into him again.

Hermione hopped off the broom the moment her toes touched the ground and wrapped her arms around herself.

Malfoy looked at her in amusement, an almost knowing look in his eyes. She turned her head to hide the sudden blush that bloomed in her cheeks.

"We're seriously just going to walk right through the front door?" Hermione questioned. "No disguises, no back entrance. Nothing?"

"It won't be necessary," Malfoy said.

He smoothed out his wrinkled clothes and ran a hand to tidy his hair. Then he took a deep breath and walked through the window that would lead them to St. Mungo's.

A strong chill went through Hermione's entire body upon walking inside. This was not the St. Mungo's she remembered. This felt rather different than a hospital should with every wall and ceiling painted a bright pink. Even the floor was a pink checkered tile.

Just being there made her feel sick to the stomach. They walked through the main entrance hall, walls of portraits hissing at them as they passed. Hermione wondered if any of these cats had been hung in Umbridge's office at Hogwarts, but she didn't care to get a close enough look to find out.

They were greeted at the reception desk by a Welcome Witch. She had not moved a single muscle since they walked in, just stared blankly ahead with her hands neatly folded in front of her. Hermione wasn't even quite sure she had seen them enter.

But then her eyes flicked up to their faces, and an eerie smile widened her lips. She looked human, yet there was something off about her gaze. Her wide eyes were unfeeling despite her mouth being stretched wide.

"How can I help you?" the woman asked hazily, almost as if she were in a dream. Her eyes stared, unblinking even in the harsh light.

"Visiting Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy."

Hermione's head whipped up to look at Malfoy and her mouth dropped open in shock. His parents were here?

"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," the receptionist responded. She turned her head to look at Hermione. "And your guest?"

"Astoria Greengrass," Malfoy said.

The woman looked at Hermione for just a second too long before returning her head to a neutral position.

"Welcome to St. Mungo's."

Hermione jumped at the voice that had come up behind her.

She and Malfoy turned around to find a witch in a pink nurse uniform. Hermione looked hard at her and judged that this woman was far more sane than the Welcome Witch had been. She didn't smile, but still had a feeling of humanity about her.

"Right this way, Mr. Malfoy," the nurse said, gesturing with her arm.

They moved to follow her down the hall, passing only a couple other witches and wizards who seemed to be residents here. They shuffled around aimlessly, no human emotion to be found. Their skin looked almost painted on, stretched too thin over their bones.