AN: Thanks for all the follows and favourites, as well as the reviews. Sorry this has taken so long to put up (a bout of chicken pox and a leak through my ceiling are to blame). Please review they make me smile.

-x-

Her body was discarded onto the hard floor, she could taste blood in her mouth and her jaw was aching. One arm hung uselessly from its socket and her throat hurt, had she been screaming?

Snape crouched down next to her, he pulled her head up by her hair and hissed into her ear, "Come to my rooms when you return and we shall talk." He then violently pushed her head down, where it met the marble with a resounding crack. Blood poured from her nose and mixed with the tears that fell from her eyes.

A soft black blanket fell over her and cocooned her in warmth. Timidly she raised her head and looked into the cool grey eyes of Draco, he held a wand at her causing her to flinch before realising that it was her own being offered to her. She took it carefully, wincing at the pain each movement caused.

"I'll take you back," he stated simply. "You must walk."

He offered her a hand and helped her to her feet. She noticed that most people had left as she pulled, what she realised was the young man's cloak around her. Slowly and steadily they walked, or rather staggered, outside and beyond the wards before Apparating away.

-x-

The first thing Hermione registered on opening her eyes was that she was tucked into a warm bed and that nothing obviously hurt.

"Decided to wake up then Granger?" Malfoy's voice cut through and the memories of the previous evening rushed to the forefront of her mind.

"Where am I?" she croaked.

"Slytherin house, I couldn't exactly take you back to your dormitory in your state, especially with that on your arm." She looked down to see the angry mark glaring back at her. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" she asked quietly, realising that beneath the quilt she was still naked.

"You're not stupid or have some family obligation to live up to so why did you take that mark?"

This was a dangerous situation, one that she had prepared with Snape. But it was down to her judgement as to how she was to react. Was he testing her? Was he genuinely intrigued and possible capable of being dissuaded from his own ties to the Dark Lord? Could she trust him?

"Why do you think?" she asked, her eyes narrowed at him.

"Urg," he growled, his hands running through his hair. "I don't know Granger, I have absolutely no idea why you would be..."

"I'm not allowed to want to..."

"Don't you realise how fucking horrible tonight was?" he snapped. "Watching my Godfather act like that? I've never seen Severus... I looked up to him; thought he was better than the rest of them. I tried to help you, I would have looked after you, I thought he would have too."

Anger radiated from Draco, it was so strong that the air felt charged with negativity. He was gulping in air, his fists clenched in tight balls.

"I..." Hermione began to speak but was cut off.

"No! You signed yourself over to him and for what purpose, fame, glory, power?" he sneered.

Deciding to change the topic she asked, "Did you heal me?"

"No, I asked your rapist to come in here as my head of house and fix you up." The acid practically dripped from the words.

"He... Thank you. I appreciate the help Draco." She looked around the room and saw some spare robes hung up by the door. "I'd like to dress and leave please."

"Fine, I'll leave you. If the common room isn't empty when you go, don't say anything, they'll just assume I've been shagging you. It's not like I've not seen you naked is it." He turned on his heel and stalked from the room.

Hermione sighed with relief, she had to see Professor Snape. He'd violated her and injured her but she had to see him. Had to know it wasn't real.

-x-

The dungeon corridors were empty as she walked them, trying to navigate her way to the Potion Master's chambers. Her mind was preoccupied with the strange feelings she could only attribute to the new branding she now wore, at least that was what she tried to force herself to think about. In reality she was fighting back the fear of confronting Snape.

"Now now girly." The voice cut through all thoughts and its suddenness caused her to jump.

"Mr Filch, I..." she began to explain.

"I don't need t' 'ear excuses, you should be in bed. It's well past yer curfew," he stated with just a hint of glee. "I'll be tekin' yer..."

A drawl sliced through from shadows. "No need to bother anyone Argus, I'll take the wretch."

Hermione looked between the Professor and the Caretaker, unsure who she'd rather be with. Her eyes were wide and haunted.

The elder man looked between the two saying, "very well Professor. I'll leave 'er to you." Then with a nod he turned and stalked away, his cat prowling behind him.

Snape reached out a hand to her, "come with me."

Silently she moved towards him, ignoring the hand he had offered. He watched the young woman walk, and appreciated that she was healed before arriving at his door. It made it easier for him.

Together they walked through the passageways until they reached a portrait of an ethereal witch. Hermione had never seen this portrait before, but she watched intently as the Professor whispered something to her. The witch scowled, but nevertheless swung open and together the two entered directly into Snape's quarters.

"Sit," he ordered. "Eat some chocolate and have a drink of tea."

Keeping her head lowered, she sat on the sofa and followed his instructions.

"Do you need anything? Have you any injuries?" Hermione thought she could detect genuine concern in his voice, but shook her head. He stood in front of her and waved his want over her form, scowling at the various colours that hung over her body. "This healing is inadequate. Am I to assume you did it yourself?"

She shook her head and looked up at him through lowered lids. "Draco," was all she said.

"Really? The boy's efforts..."

"Don't," she stated flatly. "He helped. After you left I was alone, but he brought me back and patched me up."

He crouched down and grasped her ankles. Her body stiffened, but she didn't pull away, as he lifted her legs, twisting her body around until she could lay on the sofa. Walking away he asked, "how was he?"

"The kindest he ever has been to me." She replied, unsure of what to think of the man who was preoccupied with collecting bottles and jars from a cupboard by the door.

He looked back to her, his left eyebrow raised. "Then the standard is fairly low." She snorted, a small smile crossing her face. He returned to her side and knelt on the floor. "You were wonderful earlier." He started to look at her nose, as he did so, he brushed an errant curl from her face and felt her wince. He scowled and withdrew his hand.

"When was I wonderful?" she asked quietly. "When I was screaming in pain after receiving the mark or whilst you..." She broke down, tears flowed freely down her face and sobs shook her body. The injuries she thought had been mended were aching and whatever pain relief she had been given had worn off.

"Hermione, listen to me." She did not look up or acknowledge his word in any way, though her cries quietened. "I did not enjoy this evening. I was proud of you and the way you maintained appearances throughout it all. You could have said any number of things that would have made it impossible but you kept to a role."

"You kissed me." He laughed a low chuckle.

"I did. Is that why you are upset?" he asked.

"You said that kisses..."

He interrupted, "kisses show intimacy, something that despite everything that I have done to you and with you we have never had. What do you think my intention was with that? You are here, in my private rooms, why?"

"I don't know. I.. I wanted to understand. Why?"

He sighed, sounding frustrated. "To throw you off. To make you act uncomfortable and to make everything I did seem unpredictable to you. Do not read any more in to it than that."

"But... How can I trust you? How can I trust myself?"

"The path you have chosen is dangerous and filled with deceit and layer upon layer of lies. Oh, what a tangled web we weave*. I could tell you it will all be all right and that Potter will emerge victorious with minimal losses, but I will not. I have prepared you as best as I can for any upcoming tasks, what happens next is down to intelligence we can gather and the actions of others. Who you choose to trust is a matter of momentary judgement. Until now you have trusted me implicitly and whilst you may have decide to revoke that trust based on my actions earlier, I would like you to consider your motivation for doing so and that you ask any questions that may be preying on your mind." His speech was honest and truthful, he hadn't asked for her involvement, she had begged him for his instruction and guidance.

She looked at him, watching him closely. "We had prepared so much, I could have faced anyone in that room and then have walked in here to relay what I had learnt. But, I was faced with you. You. It could have been easy, should have been. You have beaten me and seduced me, you taught me all about sex, made me understand what men like. You prepared me for tonight, explained who would do what to me if they were allowed me, but I got you."

"You would have preferred Greyback then?"

"That is not what I meant, and you know it." His eyebrow lifted at her waiting for a response. "No. But... "

"Then what?"

"Tonight was pointless, we learnt nothing," she huffed.

"Didn't we?" She looked at him waiting for him to elaborate. "May I heal you properly now? Tomorrow's lesson will be most difficult if I have to see you wince with each movement."

She nodded. He slowly and methodically finished repairing her face before speaking again. "We learnt that I am in favour, but am being watched, tested to see what I would do. We also learnt that Draco was willing to help you, even though he shouldn't have nor would he have done previously. May I?" He asked gesturing to the robe she wore. She nodded, not quite trusting her voice. "Did he say anything that may be of interest?"

She watched him look over her naked form, look at the blossom of purples and blues that Draco hadn't healed. He picked up a jar and scooping some of the balm onto his fingers he cautiously began to apply it.

"I think he could be an asset to us, he said things about 'family obligation' and he seemed to hate you for what you did, he sounded betrayed. I think you should speak to him tomorrow." She watched his hands move over her body, the movements were clinical. He had injured her before, but always sent her away to lick her own wounds. Tonight was different, the dynamic had shifted. She finally relaxed as he massaged and slipped into sleep.

He finished and cast a diagnostic spell to ensure that she was fully repaired before summoning a blanket and covering her nude form. "Sleep, tomorrow is a new day and you will face many challenges."

With that he slipped from the room to face his own demons in private.

-x-

*not mine, but a quote from Sir Walter Scott.