Oliver stared at her, unblinking. His hand was clammy and limp.

"Theo's dead."

Like ice water splashing down her back. Her lips parted on a silent gasp. She released his fingers as though burned.

"What?" A hammering in her ears.

He swallowed and looked away from her. "He didn't even fight, Hermione. He got out of bed, put his hands up, and they killed him."

Black spots filled her vision. "No. They wouldn't..."

"And the way they looked at me when I cried. Like I was broken."

There was a pinch behind Hermione's eyes, and a sinking feeling, like the walls were closing in.

"Malfoy's in Azkaban?" Oliver asked. His eyes were distant — clouded over. "I was sure they'd have killed him, too."

She shook her head violently. "He—he got out. I got him out." She could hear her voice rising, and she dug her fingernails into her palms. "Why are you at St. Mungo's, Oliver?"

His lips twisted in a smile. "Same reason as you, I suspect."

She blinked at him, her eye twitching. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Haven't figured it out yet?"

When she said nothing, he laughed — a dark, dry sound she didn't recognize.

"We're damaged," he said finally. "We can't be trusted."

The fine hairs on the back of her neck prickled. "I'm sorry for whatever they did to you, Oliver. But I think there might be some confusion." She tried to swallow. "I'm recovering from an injury. I only woke up an hour ago."

"Took them that long, huh?" He shook his head. "They knocked me out, too. I've been awake for two days. Every time I mention leaving, they excuse themselves, or go deaf."

Her lungs seized. Her legs jerked as she swiftly stood.

"That can't be. It's not safe out there right now, I'm sure—"

"Hermione—" Oliver paused, studying her. Looking more like himself. "Have you noticed what floor we're on?"

"I have to go. I'm—" She started toward the door. "I'll check back with you."

She bolted into the corridor, turning sharply to the left and running toward the lobby area. She passed her room, and her knees almost gave out when she saw the sign on the wall.

Fourth Floor
Janus Thickey Ward

Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she moved on. She recognized it now. The hallways she, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had gotten lost in while visiting Arthur in St. Mungo's.

Oliver was wrong. This could just be where there happened to be open beds. What had the Healer said? Overflow from the third floor?

The corridor opened up into a large windowed room with couches and chess tables. Hermione halted at the sight of two mediwitches standing on either side of the room, watching over people in mint hospital robes. Two girls played Exploding Snap. Another sat by the window, her blonde curls hanging limply as she stared outside.

The blonde turned, and met Hermione's eyes. Penelope Clearwater.

She quickly looked away.

"Hello! Granger?" an accented voice called out.