Hermione sat in the hospital bed, gripping the crisp white sheets like they were a lifeline. She was surrounded by professors all watching her intently.
Severus Snape gazed at her with a special scrutiny. Every time she coughed or sneezed, he would pinch her cheek or peel back her eyelid, inspecting Hermione for any sign that the antidote had not succeeded. He had complete and utter faith in his brewing prowess, but even the wisest man double checks his work.
There was a long drawn out silence before Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat and asked, "Miss Granger, why did you poison yourself?"
His tone was kind and soothing, but there was an edge to it that made her flinch.
Hermione looked away, right into the deep, dark eyes of her Potions Master. He was kneeling by her side in a way that might have been romantic if not for the frown on his lips. It turned into a grimace and in that moment, she knew he had failed in picking through her mind.
"She has a barrier," he said, scowling. "I cannot break it. It is tethered to her very life force."
Hermione spoke then, unable to stay silent.
"I had a dream," she said. Tears were falling down her ashen cheeks and slipping off her chin. "He spoke to me."
"Who, my dear?" Minerva murmured affectionately, though her eyes showed the fear inside.
"You-know-Who." She could have said his name, but she knew it hurt for the potions professor to hear it. She didn't want to hurt anyone.
The adults were silent as they absorbed her words. Severus turned to Hermione.
"What did he say?" His voice was hard and cold and made her want to draw away from the man.
"He wanted me with him. He wanted me at his side. He said I may refuse, but I must…" she gestured to the empty bottle of Weedosoros on the bedside table. "Drink."
She put her head in her hands, burying her guilty face. "Why was I so foolish?"
"Miss Granger." She felt a cold hand touch her wrist, making her shiver. "May I look at your arm?"
She nodded and peeked through her fingers as the professor rolled up the flowing sleeve of her nightgown.
Everyone else's faces showed shock and repulsion, but Severus' expression did not change as he touched the raw and bloody Dark Mark carved into her forearm with a surprisingly gentle hand.