Chapter 2: What Next?

Hermione woke to bright sunlight on her face which she found streaming through the white cotton curtains covering the big window to her left. She knew where she was; she was in 'her' room in Grimmauld place only someone must have magically enlarged her bed as it was now a double, not a single. Ginny had probably done it so that she could sit on the side of her bed; well that's what she had done at the end of the second war between the Order and Voldemort at the end of her 7th year.

Hermione looked around her room, everything was normal. Her bed had soft white sheets and was in the centre of the room opposite the door, with the large bay window to her left. She looked at the warm wooden furniture that lined the room, the wardrobe that was next to the door and the side table next to the window. There was a little wooden table next to her bed with a small magical lamp on it. To her right there was another door that went to her small en suite.

Her door creaked open; she immediately relaxed and pretended to sleep. Hermione just wanted to be alone. She shuddered, as she was reminded of what Lucius had done to her, she had never been in so much pain. Hermione didn't want to recall it but her mind forced her to think; the last thing she remembered was a flash of blue light and Harry jumping in front of her.

She rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.

"Not today, eh?" She heard Molly say as she gently stroked Hermione's forehead with the back of her hand. "Ginny, dear, go and fetch Professor Snape will you? We need that healing potion again."

"But mum…" Ginny pleaded.

"Ginny, just go." Molly demanded.

Hermione heard Ginny leave the room. The light intensified behind her eyelids as Molly opened the curtains; she was sharply reminded of the blue flash delivered to her by Lucius. Hermione's face cringed just as Snape entered the room which was lucky as it drew attention away from her consciousness.

"Must you send her Molly?" Severus Snape drawled. Molly knew better than to antagonise him and so just settled for an audible sound of disdain.

Snape been the last person she had seen before she was attacked. Snape had looked her directly in to her eyes, momentarily catching her attention resulting in her being slammed into a wall… and then Lucius-

Cold hands took the side of her face and turned it. Hermione instinctively gave a sharp intake of breath at the pain that had shot through her neck from moving her head.

"Hermione?" Molly asked quietly, moving closer to the bed.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, to her left was Molly looking intently at her face. She tried to smile but the pain in her face stopped her and she just pulled an uncomfortable grin. She then tried to sit up; bracing her arms by her side but a gentle hand touched the top of her arm.

"Don't sit up." A deep voice commanded.

Hermione slowly turned to her right, where Snape was stood,

"Not yet." He was looking at her face, studying it, she wondered what for.

Hermione tried to talk but nothing came out, she tried again but her throat was so dry. She looked at Molly, whose eyes were watering, witnessing Hermione's distress and so she settled to just make a motion for a drink.

"Oh! Of course dear!" Molly took the empty glass from her bedside table and took it out of the room.

She turned to Snape who was preparing something on the dresser next to her window. It smelt amazing, like rain and freshly cut grass. He turned to her and looked slightly surprised to find her staring at him. She began to try to talk again.

"Don't talk, Hermione. You've been unconscious for almost 2 weeks." He paused, "Just… lie still."

He brought over the clear liquid that she had seen him prepare. The smell became stronger – it was still as enticing.

"This is a complex healing potion, it will take away your wounds and remove the scars entirely… well, I hope." He sighed.

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she lightly touched her face; what if the scars didn't fade?

"No, Hermione… Please don't." The poor witch. Usually he would have found anyone crying, awkward but this felt… different. He wanted to help her. "Hermione, all of the scars of your face have healed so well, another month or so and they should be gone."

Snape lay the potion back down on the dresser and went over to her, and lightly ran his thumb under her eyes to catch her tears. His hands were a little cold but they were smooth, smoother than she would have imagined for a potions master. Hermione sniffed.

"I need you to trust me, Hermione. This potion knits your skin back together and creates new skin on top – it's not going to be pleasant." She looked into his dark, warning eyes and nodded.

He returned to the dresser and brought over the clear liquid and laid it on the side table. Snape took out a cloth from his pocket and poured some of the potion onto it. Snape sighed heavily and asked her to stay still. He took the left side of her face carefully in his protective hand whilst he slowly picked up the cloth in his right. Snape looked deep into her amber eyes that completely trusted him, knowing how much pain she was about to feel.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione." His voice stinging with pain.

Next blinding pain shot through her body, her eyes shut tight and she let out a piercing scream, her body writhed underneath Snape's hand. Molly burst into the room accompanied by Sirius.

"Severus?" Sirius shouted.

Snape was smoothly tracing each scar with the cloth. He looked up at Molly, avoiding Sirius' glare, with sincere pain in his eyes;

"We have to." He nodded at Molly who took up position next to Hermione.

"Hold my hand if you like, dear." She offered to Hermione who limply took her hand, unable to grip it properly; Molly held on tight. Sirius backed up against the wall.

Severus sighed again,

"Not long now."

And he brought the cloth back to a smaller scar above her lip.