𝗔 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 [𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄] ✔️

SIX

Day by day. Hermione is still the same, laying on bed waiting for cures. Hoping to move, waiting to talk. Snape always visits her at midnight. He can't be seen in daylight.

What will the students see if he visits the hospital wing just for Hermione? What about Potter and Weasley.. they will think Snape is the greasy weird one.

NO.

He can't let it happen. Before he leaves, he will give Hermione a kiss on her forehead. "My boy.."

Dumbledore approaches behind him. "Tell me what I should do, Headmaster..." Whisper Snape. Dumbledore understands Snape's feelings. "Or should I run mad.."

"There's a lot of processing for the cures, Severus. Professor Sprout tries harder for the Mandrake. Miss Granger will be un-petrified and you will see her again around the castle".

Snape nodded his head. "Has anyone seen me here, Headmaster?" Snape asks.

"No". said Dumbledore. "Minerva.. She knows you care for Miss Granger. Just her thoughts. Nothing else. Minerva knows, you wouldn't get along with students, not even Miss Granger".

Snape nod relief. "That's good. I should keep my secret.." His eyes on Hermione. "That I.. had found.. love".

"That would do my boy". Dumbledore tapped Snape's shoulder. "Come along then".

Second floor. Corridor. Dusk days later. McGonagall stands before the desecrated wall, surrounded by the rest of the staff. Harry and Ron creep up the stairwell.

"As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the monster into the Chamber itself".

As the teachers react. "The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts".

Lockhart's bursting cheerily between the teacher. "So sorry- dozed off- what have I missed?"

"A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come, at last".

"My m-moment?"

"Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

"Well, that's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend".

"Very well- ah- I'll just be in my office getting, um getting ready".

Snape grabs Lockhart's arm. He snarled at him. "Aren't you Mr. Perfect sending a well card to Miss Granger". He whispered.

"W- what? Miss Granger. Yes, but that time she was still conscious and alive in bed. Just coughing hairballs, and her twitch tail. Well that's cute".

"Indeed. I'll make sure you never ever send Miss Granger anything that annoyed me, Lockhart".

Lockhart chuckles. "Miss Granger petrified on bed. Should I send her a card?"

Snape pushed Lockhart away to the corridor as he said to be ready.

"Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?"

McGonagall sighs sadly. "Ginny Weasley".

Ron's knees give way. As Harry catches him, the staff scatters, revealing what is written on the wall..

ʰᵉʳ ˢᵏᵉˡᵉᵗᵒⁿ ʷⁱˡˡ ˡⁱᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃᵐᵇᵉʳ ᶠᵒʳᵉᵛᵉʳ

"Ginny..."

Today is the day. Harry solved the mystery of Hogwarts again. Professor Sprout found the cures. The student who was petrified is now un-petrified, including Hermione.