"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 12 Leaving the Hospital
A/N: The usual disclaimer, JKR owns these characters not me.
Thanks to all who read and to all that review.
"Harry, I want to thank you for helping with my parents' affairs. Professor Dumbledore told me you played an instrumental part in an important aspect of their arrangements, or something like that. He wouldn't tell me what it was, but said when the time was right that you would tell me. It all sounded very confusing," said Hermione.
Harry smiled to himself.
"I know what he's talking about. When you have sufficiently recovered, I will explain it to you," said Harry.
"Oh, I almost forgot, how silly of me. Healer Osbourne said I can be transferred to Hogwarts. They feel I'm doing so much better than expected and Madam Pomfrey can administer the potion, however, I'm under strict orders not to over exert myself. They say that I am to get some rest," said Hermione.
Harry thought for a moment, then a mischievous look came on his face.
He finally said, "Hmmm. No exertion, huh. I guess there will be none of this."
He leaned closer to her and kissed her gently, his hand slowly rubbing circles on her back. She kissed him back a little firmer, moaning softly while playing with his hair. He detoured from her mouth and began kissing her gently along her cheek, down along her neck, and finally up to her ear lobe which he gently teased for just a moment. Hearing the gentle sounds coming from Hermione, he knew he must have been doing something right. It's not like he's ever done this with anybody else. He eventually turned his attention back to her mouth. They snogged for quite awhile. When they finally broke apart they were quite flushed.
"Well, oh my, I guess we'll have to see, hmmm, how I'm feeling. We may have to make, uh, a bit of an exception to the over exertion restriction," said Hermione with a wickedly mischievous look in her eye.
Harry was sitting in his usual chair, Hermione curled up in his arms. They were just enjoying each other's company.
Harry broke the silence, "When were they letting you leave the hospital?"
"I'm suppose to be discharged later this evening. Mr. Weasley came by, just for a moment, while you were gone and he said, due to my 'delicate condition,' the Ministry will be supplying transportation to Hogwarts," said Hermione.
"That's a good idea. I don't think you would be up to the Floo network or a Port Key. Hey, I have an idea. How about I get my Firebolt and I will fly you back to Hogwarts?" said Harry.
She hit him with one of her most deadly looks. However, she couldn't keep it up and ended up smiling at him.
"Mr. Potter, you know very well that I am deathly afraid of flying," said Hermione.
"Hermione, love, you are the brightest witch of the age, and possibly the brightest to come along in a century. How can you be afraid to fly? A witch is suppose to fly around on a broom," said Harry mockingly.
"Oh, we are, are we? I think it's my choice on how I transport myself around," Hermione retorted, and stuck her tongue out at him.
Before Harry could fire back another cheeky remark, there was a knock at the door. Healer Osbourne entered the room and smiled at seeing their current seating arrangements. Harry grinned sheepishly while Hermione blushed a light pink.
"Miss Granger, your discharge papers are complete and Mr. Weasley is waiting downstairs to take you to Hogwarts," said the Healer cheerfully.
Hermione was so happy to be getting out of the hospital and going back to school. All she needed to do was change clothes. Then she realized she didn't have a change of clothes.
"Hmmm. What about clothes? I can't go out in this hospital gown," said Hermione a bit put out.
"Why not?" asked Harry, sarcastically.
"Oh, shut up!" she said with a scathing look.
"Oh, not to worry dear, Mrs. Weasley dropped you off some clothes earlier this morning. They should be in your lavatory," said Healer Osbourne.
Hermione carefully untangled herself from Harry who assisted her in getting to her feet. She stood for a moment holding on to Harry making sure she was steady. She slowly made her way to the lavatory. Hung up neatly behind the door was a complete change of clothes and a hair brush. She would have to remind herself to thank Mrs. Weasley the next time she saw her. In a few minutes she had her hair brushed and was fully dressed, ready to go.
As they approached the Healer station, several had queued up there to tell her goodbye and to wish her well. Healer Pruitt told her how lucky she was to have such a caring friend that stayed with her nearly round the clock. She looked at Harry and smiled at him. All he could do was smile back and give her hand a squeeze. After they finished with their goodbyes, they made their way to the ground floor.
Mr. Weasley was waiting for them in the main entrance by the large front window. When he finally saw them approaching, he stared at Hermione in awe.
"Hermione, it's a miracle. Are you okay?" asked Mr. Weasley still quite amazed.
"Never been better, sir," she said smiling.
"The car is right outside," explained Mr. Weasley.
They walked over to the large glass window to make sure the coast was clear of any muggles outside. When it was, they stepped through the glass onto the sidewalk outside. They made their way to the car, a large black four door sedan. They got in and situated themselves for their trip to Hogwarts.
"Nice car, Mr. Weasley," said Harry.
"Yes, Harry, this is one of the newer Ministry cars with some special additions. It's quite a bit different from the last one you rode in. Watch this," said Mr. Weasley.
He pressed a silver button on the dashboard and the car vanished. Harry remembered Mr. Weasley's old Ford Anglia having a similar feature, but it didn't work all the time. Mr. Weasley started the car, put it in gear, and it shot straight up in the air. Once they had reached the proper altitude to clear all buildings, Mr. Weasley shifted again and the car started moving forward at incredible speed.
"Mr. Weasley, I would definitely say this car isn't a standard Ministry model," said Harry grinning.
Hermione was quite terrified, as she really was petrified of flying. She snuggled closer to Harry and buried her face into his shoulder while he put his arms around her hoping to calm her down.
"No, Harry, this is a special model for special situations. The new Minister of Magic felt these special options could come in handy in some situations," said Mr. Weasley.
They traveled on in silence, with Harry and Hermione snuggling up in the back seat. After awhile, Mr. Weasley broke the silence.
"Hermione, I still can't believe how quickly you recovered from your ordeal. How do you feel?" said Mr. Weasley.
"I feel much better, although I'm still a little sore and a bit weak, but the potion should take care of any remaining problems," she said.
"I guess we should be glad Professor Snape is such a good potions master, and he came to the rescue in the nick of time," said Mr. Weasley.
Harry felt Hermione tense up at Mr. Weasley's words. She was now looking up at him with concern and curiosity in her eyes.
Talking so only Harry could hear, she asked, "What is Mr. Weasley talking about? What does Professor Snape have to do with this? What does he mean by 'in the nick of time'?"
"Hermione, don't ask me here. When we get back to Hogwarts I'll tell you. I promise, I will tell you everything," whispered Harry.
He put his arms tighter around her as they continued on in silence.