Private Justice
A/N- *deep breath and walks in, and before anyone can throw a curse, she speaks* Ahhhh, I'm really sorry about the cliffhanger in the last chapter!! Really, I was feeling pretty bad about it after reading some reviews. Luckily, I talked to Romy (Angel-Wing), and she helped me feel better about the whole thing. Thanks girl!
I'll let you know, this chapter does not end with a cliffhanger.
Oh, and to clarify. In the A/N of the other chapter, I said that you guys are probably not going to like how H/Hr's problem works out… I worded that all wrong. Just forget I even said it. When I re-edit that chapter, I'll be keeping that part out. Just erase it from your mind.
Matt and Nitya, thanks for the great beta work!
**********
Hermione sat on the couch and stared at the wall, tears still running down her face. The morning's events were still in her mind, and they wouldn't leave. She remembered how scared she had been when she realized Harry had been shot. His face had gone deathly pale and blood poured out of his head. She remembered screaming for help and people running up to her. Security guards came up and took Harry, Hermione trailing behind.
He was rushed into the emergency room as soon as they got to the hospital, and she hadn't seen him since. He had been in there for two hours. She knew nothing of what was happening. She didn't know if Harry was still alive. He had got shot in the head. People don't survive things like that… But this is Harry. He can survive anything…
Through all the commotion on wives being targeted and killed, she only thought of herself being the one who would get shot; she never considered thinking that Harry would be the one who would be hit. And now that it happened, she couldn't bare it.
Bottom line: She couldn't lose him. Going through this experience, coming to the reality of almost losing the man she loved… she realized she didn't want to let him go. She had just been stubborn because of what she had seen that day.
It had hurt her so much when she saw Harry's arms around Cho. Maybe if it hadn't been Cho, she wouldn't have reacted the way she did. But she had never trusted Cho ever since their fifth year… And maybe it was the fact that Cho had been Harry's first crush, and how pretty she was. To her, Harry hadn't cared how hurt she had been. He didn't take any responsibility for his actions… He still did things with Cho… But…
Thinking back, she knew she had probably been overreacting. She had been unfair to Harry, not hear him out. She couldn't take back what she had said or done, but she knew at least one thing. That bullet was for her… And Harry took it to save her. Why? Because he loves me… She cried into her hands and her body shook with sadness and guilt. If Harry lived, she would find a way to make amends with her husband…
**********
In the magical world, the news about Harry's attack spread, but the ones who found out about it first were the reporters. Knowing it would be a bad idea to come into a Muggle hospital as wizard reporters, they came to Hermione as regular ones. She was not pleased when they wanted to question her, but she would rather face annoying reporters than go crazy doing nothing.
Upon seeing them, Hermione knew they were wizard reporters, no matter how much they acted like Muggle ones. There was only one question on everyone's mind…
"Mrs. Potter," one asked with an oily voice. "How is Harry Potter doing?"
"I'm… I'm not sure," she said slowly, trying to control her tears.
"Do you think he will live?" another one said.
Hermione looked around at the reporters, taking in their faces. "You don't think he's gonna make it, do you all? What do you know?"
The reporters glanced at each other. "Nothing at all. Honest," the oily voiced man said.
Hermione exploded, her tears breaking free. "What do you think? He was shot in the head! No one lives through that! Of course he's gonna die!"
Hermione wept right there, her soul feeling empty. Her Harry would leave her… How could he survive?
**********
As Hermione wept at the hospital, things were not much better back in London. As soon as Terry Boot heard about Harry's dilemma over Wizard Wireless Network (WWN), he began shouting it all over the Auror department.
"Harry's been shot!" he yelled out in a panicked voice.
Everyone froze and stopped what they were doing to stare at Terry. They were all waiting for the terrible punchline. It didn't come. Remus could tell by the look on Terry's face that this was no joke. Remus jumped up and ran for the door as everyone else realized that it was true. Paul Mounty stopped Remus at the door. "You can't just leave, Remus. Percy won't let you off."
"Percy can go shag a goat, I have to get to Hermione. She needs someone with her," he exclaimed, trying to get past Paul.
"You can't go! We need you here, we're already low on staff," Paul said. He added quietly. "Look, I know you want to be there for Harry and Hermione, but Bones and Percy will have a nasty tantrum if we lose any more Aurors."
Remus stopped pushing. He sighed. "Then we have to get someone, a friend. Hermione shouldn't be alone."
"Try getting a hold of Lavender," Paul said.
**********
Lavender rushed down the hall in the hospital. As soon as Remus had told her about Harry and where they were, she was out of her house. She was almost out of breath when she got to the recipient.
"Can you tell me what floor Hermione Potter is on?" Lavender asked, trying to collect her breath.
"The third, but you can't go up there…" the lady told her but Lavender didn't listen. As soon as she heard 'third' she rushed for the stairs.
She regretted taking the stairs. Stupid Lavender. You were trying to keep your breath, not lose it again…
She looked wildly around for Hermione when she got to the third floor. She caught sight of her sitting on the bench, face buried in hands. "Hermione!" she called.
Hermione looked up at the sound of her name. "Lavender!" she exclaimed as she rushed towards her friend. "I'm so glad you're here," Hermione cried as she hugged Lavender. "It's been horrible here… I haven't heard anything…" Hermione told her all that had happened at the airport.
"Shhhh, it'll be okay," Lavender whispered.
Hermione pulled back. "He was shot in the head, Lav. How can it be okay?"
"Because he's Harry. He's strong, he won't just give up."
Hermione sighed and sat back down. "I know he's strong… But even a strong person can't always survive something like this."
Lavender sat down next to her. "You need to have faith, Hermione; faith that Harry won't give up. That he won't give up on you…"
"Why? I did that to him. I didn't listen…" Hermione started crying again. "Maybe if I hadn't gotten so mad when I saw him and Cho, or that I was just thankful when he tried to help… I messed it all up."
"Hermione, don't blame yourself," Lavender said. "You two both made mistakes. But don't dwell so much on the past. It will ruin your future."
"What future? If Harry does survive, do you think he'd want to be with me anymore? He just got shot because of me. He'll want to stay as far away from me as possible now," she said as she put her hand on her forehead.
"Stop!" Lavender commanded. "You're being ridiculous. Harry loves you, that's why he took the bullet. He chose to take it for you because of his love."
Hermione smiled. "I know he loves me; and I love him."
"That's all that matters, my friend," Lavender said, putting her arm around her friend's shoulders. "That's all that matters…"
**********
"Both of you can't go!"
Percy was not going to change his mind, that's for sure. Ron and Remus were not happy.
"Listen, Percy," Ron gritted between his teeth. "Harry and Hermione need me. I'm their best friend!"
"Lavender is already over there with Hermione now," Percy replied. "Right now, Hermione does not need a lot of people around her."
"You don't know what Hermione needs," Ron said angrily. "You never cared before!"
"Ron, calm down," Remus said urgently. "Yelling will not solve anything."
Percy glared at Ron. "One of you may go, but not both. But…" He turned to Remus. "I would rather you go."
"WHAT?" Ron yelled.
Remus turned to Ron, understanding why Percy made that decision. "It might be better if I go, Ron."
Ron's angry eyes were on Remus. "Why?"
"You're in no condition to help Hermione. You're just as upset as she is," he said slowly. "Hermione needs someone to calm her down. In your state, it won't help."
Ron threw his mug against the wall. "I'm more upset because of this conversation. I've known Hermione longer than any of you. And no offense to you Remus, I'd be able to protect her better than you would."
"Just because I'm a little bit older than you, does not mean I'm not capable of protecting her. In fact, I've had more experience in protecting people than you have."
"Both of you, just shut up," Percy snapped. "Hermione doesn't even need protection right now. Now Ron, you go back through that door and get to work, and Remus, get to the hospital before I change my mind."
Remus could tell Percy wasn't doing too well either, emotion well on his face. Ron kicked his chair and went for the door. "Tell Hermione I wanted to be there for her."
Remus suddenly felt horrible for the 'fight.' It seemed stupid to him now. "I will Ron, and… sorry."
Ron stopped. "Yeah, me too…" and he shut the door.
**********
Hermione did feel better when there were more people. Lavender was still there; Angelina and Fred were now there, as well as Remus. Still, it wasn't much better. That is not until the surgeon came out.
"Mrs. Potter?" he asked.
Hermione stood up quickly, holding on to Remus's arm. "I'm her. How is he? Is he-?"
"He's alive and fine," the man said with a smile.
Relief washed over Hermione and she felt as though she might faint. "He's alive? Really?" She felt Remus's arm un-tense.
"The bullet didn't reach his brain; it was a glancing shot. It was bad and he lost a lot of blood, but he's going to be fine, though it may take a few months for his wound to fully heal. We had a surgeon stitch him up. We'll keep him under close supervision until he wakes up." He took a breath. "We're afraid of brain damage, so we'll keep him here for a while. But I'm an optimistic fellow…"
Hermione burst into tears, though not of sadness. She rushed up to the doctor and threw her arms around him. "Thank you!"
She turned back to her friends and hugged them all.
**********
The nurse led Hermione into Harry's room, and Hermione thought her heart would break as she stared at him. He looked so different. His face was bruised, and she could see that part of his hair that was shaven off because of the surgery. His face was still pale… she felt numb.
"He's very lucky," the nurse said. "If he had turned his head an inch in either direction when he was shot, he would have been a goner."
Hermione closed her eyes, not wanting to remember that day. "It doesn't look like him."
"It will soon," the nurse said kindly. "Now, I'll leave you alone with him for a while. If he wakes up, let me know."
"Thank you," Hermione said softly. "Do you want me to try and wake him up?"
The nurse smiled. "That would be a good idea. He was awake for a few seconds a while ago, but that's it. Try your best." Then she left.
She sat down next to Harry, and slightly touched his face. He felt warm, and she pressed her lips to his cheek, wanting this painful nightmare to go away. "Harry," she whispered. "Harry, wake up."
He didn't stir. "Why did you do it, Harry," she asked desperately, her voice cracking. "Why didn't you run?"
But she already knew the answer. From the very beginning, he was there by her side, protecting her, worrying about her. And she tried to push him away. If he had loved Cho, he would have been there for her. But he hadn't, because he didn't love Cho… he loved her…
"I love you, Harry," she cried softly. "And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything… just don't leave me…"
She laid her head on his bed and just cried, not knowing how she would live on if her husband died.
**********
Harry never did wake up for Hermione when she was in there. But as long as he was breathing, Hermione was okay. Lavender told her to eat. "I don't want to eat," Hermione replied. She didn't even eat when her parents came.
Hermione had almost forgotten she had called her parents after she had talked to Lavender. They told her they would be on the next flight down to her.
"How is he?" Sarah Granger asked her daughter as they hugged.
"He's alive."
"Has he woken up?"
"He had for a little while, but not since." She smiled at her parents. "Thanks for coming down and checking in."
Sarah and her husband, David, exchanged glances. "Hermione, sweetheart," her father said. "We didn't come down just to check on you."
Hermione frowned a bit. "What do you mean?"
Sarah took a deep breath. "We want to take you back to Liverpool with us. It will be safer there."
"When?" She had a feeling when though.
"Now, and before you protest, listen. There is a killer on the loose, and it's not safe. You can't do anything for Harry-"
"No way, I'm not leaving him," she said stiffening.
"He left you two months ago," her mother protested.
"Today, he took a bullet for me. I won't just walk away."
Before her parents could say anything else, Lavender walked up. "Hermione?"
Hermione, who was grateful for the interruption, focused her attention on her friend, who looked unsure. "What is it?"
"There is, um, someone here to see you."
Hermione looked behind Lavender and saw Cho Chang. Hermione froze for a second. I don't want to deal with this.
Her mother shot curious glances. "Who is that?"
Hermione decided it was better not to mention who she was, if she wanted her mother to stay under control. You have to face her, Hermione. You might as well do it now.
"I'll be right back," she said as she walked over to Cho.
Cho's eyes were moist as Hermione reached her. The two of them just stared at each other for a while, clearly both of them not knowing what to say to the other. Cho talked first. "I just had to come. To see how he was."
"He's unconscious, but the doctors say he will be fine. But we won't know for sure until he wakes up." Hermione hoped she was handling this the right way.
"I'm glad you're okay, Hermione," Cho said softly. "You don't know how lucky you are to have a husband that loves you that much and would take a bullet for you."
Hermione's eyes slightly widened. Didn't Cho know that she was the reason of the separation? Hermione didn't say anything, because she wasn't sure what to say. Cho took the silence as her cue to leave. "I guess it was a bad idea that I came."
She turned around. "No, I'm glad that you came," Hermione said suddenly, surprising herself. "Really, it means a lot. Harry will appreciate it."
Cho's back was still turned and she took a breath. "Not as much as you think." She turned around to meet Hermione's eyes. Hermione saw sincerity in those eyes, and she knew. Cho wasn't out to steal her husband. Maybe she had been at one point, but not anymore.
Hermione gave Cho a soft smile. "Would you like to come over and sit down with us?"
Cho quickly shook her head. "No I better be getting back. Once Ron finds out that I came, he'll be demanding release and come."
Hermione laughed. Remus told her about what happened back at the Ministry. In all truth, she did need to see Ron. She needed her other best friend. The one who knew her well, like Harry. They hadn't spent much time together since the separation, and Hermione realized that she missed that. She missed hanging out with just Harry and Ron, the way they used to. She missed both of them…
"Thanks for stopping by, Cho."
Cho nodded. "I'll see you around, Hermione."
**********
"I will not eat," Hermione said firmly. "Not until Harry wakes up."
"You're not thinking clearly," her mother said calmly. "You need some food in your system."
"Mum, I told you-"
"Alright, why don't we all just stop talking for a while, okay?" David said.
And that's what they did, or tried. Sarah tried to convince her daughter to eat, but Hermione wouldn't. She didn't feel like eating.
"Mrs. Potter?"
Hermione looked up and saw the nurse standing there. "Yes?" she asked, holding her breath as she stood up.
The woman smiled. "Your husband is awake."
**********
Hermione walked back into the room she had been in a half hour ago. Only this time, she was much happier. She sat down next to the bed. Harry squinted and looked over to her. "Hey, you," he said with a grin.
"Hey, back." Hermione's eyes glistened with tears; tears of happiness. "Now, what's the idea about you getting shot?"
He closed his eyes. "That's why I'm in here?"
Hermione could only nod. It still hurt her too much, knowing that she should be in that bed, and not Harry.
He started talking again, slowly and weakly. "I saw the bullet hit your bag. I couldn't think straight…"
Hermione smiled. "You threw yourself over me to protect me."
"Yea, and now my head really hurts."
Hermione gave a choked up laugh. Harry looked at her with mournful eyes. "I'm sorry, Herm."
"Why?"
"I can't protect you now." He stopped for a second, to catch his breath. "You need someone to protect you."
Hermione took a hold of his hand. "No, I'll be okay…"
"No. He's getting desperate. You're not safe anywhere." His tearful eyes turned to her. "God, I wish I could keep you safe."
Hermione closed her eyes as she lifted his hand to her face, loving the way it felt on her cheek. "Don't worry about me, Harry. Just concentrate on getting yourself better."
"I can't do that when there's a mad killer on the loose," he said. "Hermione, you need to go somewhere, away from here."
"No, I'm not leaving you. Don't even try and make me," she cried.
"You can't…" but he didn't say any more as he drifted off into sleep. She knew it wouldn't make any difference if she went five miles away or five hundred miles away. The killer would find her somehow. But she wouldn't leave Harry.
Hermione stood up as the nurse walked back in. "He's asleep," she said with a small smile, looking down at him.
"Is there anything I can get for you, dear?" the kind lady asked.
Hermione looked at her. "Yes. Can you get me something to eat?"
**********