LUST | dramione

05 | nebulus

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C H A P T E R  F I V E | nebulus

spell. unleashes dense fog.

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SHE WAKES in a starchy bed that is not her own. For a moment, she assumes she must be in the Hospital Wing in Hogwarts, but when a nurse barges into the room suddenly, the woman informs her that she is actually in St. Mungo's.

"Why was I brought here, though?" She cannot recall anything that would have landed her at the hospital.

"Your chart says you fell unconscious. Diagnostics look steady though. Looks like there's a note here. Dr. Ceros wants to speak with you before you can be discharged. For now, why don't you take a shower? I'm sure you could use it. Tea just passed, but I'll see to it that you get a little something to nibble on as well."

Then the stout woman waddles toward the draped windows. She pulls the curtains aside, drowning the floor in liquid light from the warm morning sun. A soft breeze washes over Hermione after the nurse pushes open one of the two windows.

"I shouldn't be too long with that snack, but in the meantime, the washroom's in there." She points to the door near the windows.

"Towels are in the cupboard, deary." She gives Hermione a reassuring grin before heading into the hall, the door closes behind her with a soft click.

Alone, Hermione sees to her needs in the bathroom, where she suddenly remembers why she was away from Hogwarts - she had an appointment at the Ministry. Although she has had recurring fainting spells, Hermione believes that she will have to visit Kingsley to see if there was anything to cause her amnesia.

When she returns to her bed, fresh and warm, she finds a plate of finger sandwiches and a mug of steaming tea. She scarfs down the meal in a matter of minutes, finishing off the last bite with a final gulp of the sweetened drink. When she is done, she heads into the corridor. At the end of the hall, she wanders into a sunroom where half a dozen people sit in various positions around the room.

A familiar face glances in her direction, immediately drawing her attention. When they glance away to avoid detection, it only prompts Hermione to move closer. She approaches Gilderoy Lockheart, curious to know if he recognizes her.

"Hello," she says, catching herself before she refers to him as 'Professor.' "May I join you?"

His gaze is unsteady, darting between her face, his hands, and the room surrounding them. However, he nods and allows her to take the seat across from him.

"Do you remember me? My name is Hermione Granger. I was a student in your class at Hogwarts. You were the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor there." Instead of answering her, he simply warns her.

"Miss Granger? No. No, you can't be here. You're not safe."

Her brows knit together as she attempts to decipher his observation.

"What makes you believe that?" Again, he ignores her question.

"They come at night, through the tunnels, taking people for some Dark cause." His eyes scan the group of lethargic zombies silently going about their activities. None seem like a threat nor spies, but he continues viewing them suspiciously.

"Do you know who's orchestrating this?" It would likely have to be someone who has a great amount of authority in the hospital.

Suddenly, another voice joins their conversation.

"Miss Granger," the man says, addressing her formally. "I am the head physician today. Dr. Deyn Ceros."

He turns his attention to Gilderoy.

"Mr. Lockheart, I heard of your little outburst this morning. I believe that we should discuss increasing your therapy sessions. Anymore out of you and we may have to remove you from our facilities."

Gilderoy pushes himself from the table and leaves without saying another word, fumbling over chairs and his own feet.

Dr. Ceros stares after the man and Hermione can only assume that he is making a mental note to increase the dosage of whatever the disgraced professor is currently taking. A moment later, he turns his attention back to Hermione.

"We have a few things to discuss before you can be discharged but I expect you will be out of here before nightfall." He motions for her to follow him before he wanders out of the sunroom, down the hall, and into her private room.

She sits on the edge of her bed while Dr. Ceros flips through her paperwork. He clicks his tongue.

"Nurse Mithred told me you don't recall how you came to be under our care. Tell me what is the last event you can cite before you woke up."

Picking through her hazy memory, she can vaguely remember mixing a potion, but she doesn't know what it is that she made or even why she made it. She shakes her head.

"I can remember being at school, but then it's rather foggy."

He nods.

"Have you experienced fainting spells before this? Any other symptoms?"

She hesitates for a moment before explaining the previous times she'd fainted. Dizziness, lethargy, nausea.

He clicks his tongue once more before bringing the papers away from his face. Something has changed in his expression. Sadness? Guilt?

She isn't sure but it makes her uneasy.

"Well, there was something odd that came up during your initial exam. We registered two heartbeats, Miss Granger. Did you know you were pregnant before this moment?" His dark eyes watch her, studying her reaction.

She is silent, weighing her options.

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