The Serpent and the Lioness

Chapter 44

"Hermione?"

"Mm?"

"Madame Pomphrey says you should take this?" Harry had drawn the short straw, quite literally, and had been tasked with approaching the witch who now sat inside one of the library's oversized chairs. She glanced up from the book she was reading looking at the potion in his hand.

"Oh, thank you." She set the book she was looking through aside, taking the sickly pink vial. She didn't even pause when she tipped it back. She made a small face at the taste but just licked her lips, absently setting the vial aside. She leaned back into the chair, pulling the book back into her lap. When she realized he was lingering, she raised her brow looking up through her lashes.

Hermione had taken the time to share Severus' theory with everyone. Minerva and Draco were immediately on her side but Harry, Ron, and Hagrid were still a bit at a loss. Poppy had decided to stay at least until he returned, in the case, he did actually come back injured and to make sure Hermione took proper care of herself in his absence. After a few light arguments, mostly between Ron and Hermione, everyone had a task to complete.

Minerva would look into any possible connections between the Aurors and officials present during the clean up after that night and the current state of affairs in the ministry by means of the school records that hadn't been destroyed during the final battle.

Hagrid would try and speak to the creatures left in the forbidden forest for any leads on any possible remaining Tamashiheki or Jinshinkin, and try to pinpoint the exact time they would have arrived in Britain.

Harry, Ron, and Draco had taken to the library with her, splitting up to search the voluminous stacks for anything they could find that might be useful in the coming days. From magical law, Ron; containment of dark creatures, Draco; and any recorded incidents of the Tamashiheki or Jinshinkin having ever been present at Hogwarts in the past, Harry.

Hermione stayed on the task Severus had given to her, but there were a lot of years to cover and her mind wasn't as focused as it should have been. She was worried, she could feel the wall between their connection and it only made her unease grow. The pain that had been kept at bay had been slowly returning as well, though thanks to Harry, it was starting to fade out again.

"What?"

Harry let out a heavy breath through his nose glancing behind him to make sure they were alone. When he was sure he took a knee beside the chair and lightly placed his hand over hers. "Are you really alright?"

Hermione's hand twitched beneath his and she did her best to hide the sorrow in her eyes, "Yes."

"What about..." Harry glanced nervously to the side once more before lowering his voice to a whisper, "The baby? Was...was all that blood...?"

Hermione took in a sharp breath forcing it through her nose as her jaw clenched tight. Of course Ginny would tell him. She pulled her hand a bit sharper than intended from under his hand and tightly took hold of the book in her lap. Her eyes refusing to meet his, "I lost it..."

Harry went still for a few long moments just taking in the concealed hurt on his best friend's face. It pained him to see her that way, regardless of the circumstances and he wanted to do anything he could to bring the happy friend he had grown up with back to him."I'm... I'm sorry..."