The first thing Hermione noticed was the brightness. Everything was white. She knew this without opening her eyes. In the distance she heard a train whistle. She pried open her eyes to find that she was at King Cross station. But it wasn't right. Everything was clean and solid white. No trains rolling in and out. No hurried passengers rushing by her. She saw a lonely bench in the distance with a figure beconing her forward. As she walked towards it she saw Harry swinging is feet.
"How is this possible? Where am I? Am I dead?" she asked as she approached him. Gone were his broken glasses. He was in a white t-shirt and jeans. He studied her face for several moments before answing.
"No, you're not dead." He motioned for her to sit with him.
"Then why am I here?"
He didn't answer but instead looked at the ground continuing to swing his feet. "I'm sorry Hermione. This was never supposed to be on you. This was supposed to fall to me. I failed you."
"What do you mean Harry? You didn't fail me. You did you're best." Harry continued to stare at the ground.
"Hermione…."
"I don't want to go back Harry. Please! Can I go with you? Please, don't leave me here!" Hermione went to throw her arms around Harry but her arms went straight through him to hit the bench. Harry turned his head and looked at the spot where her arms should have landed.
"Hermione, I can't take you. You have to go back. You have to stop him!"
"It's impossible Harry! He's won. You, Dumbledore, my parents, EVERYONE….everyone is gone Harry. He won!"
In the distance the a train slowly pulled into the station. Harry stood to his feet and began walking towards it. Hermione attempted to stand but found that she was unable to lift herself off the bench. It was if she was glued to the bench.
"Hermione, there is a way. I wish….I wish I could tell you more. Trust them….promise me…trust them. Things are not as they seem. You can beat him…I believe in you. We all do!" Harry glanced back at Hermione before turning forward and boarding the train.
" Harry wait! Harry please! Harry don't leave me!" Hermione cried and fought against the invisible force pining her to the bench, but it was no use. The harder she fought, the harder she was stuck. She watched as the train rolled away and the fog closed in on her.
Hermione found herself once again waking to a place she didn't know. She help her eyes shut, taking in as much information as she could. Who had Harry meant? Trust who. The first thing she noticed was the smell. Instead of the musky basement she smelt flowers; the surface she was lying on was soft. She could hear voices and began to pay attention.
"Did you have to hit her so hard?"
"What was I supposed to do? Let her get herself killed? She is our last hope Draco?"
"I'm well aware of this fact. Are you sure she can help? I mean after all that time with that rat…"
"She's not broken Draco….I…I saw it in her face."
Hermione was aware of a pain to her cheek. She brought her hand up instinctively to touch her face.
"Granger are you awake?" she heard as she opened her eyes to see the faces of Snape and Draco above her.
"Thank goodness. I'll fetch some tea and biscuits." Draco said as he retreated from the room. The room was a bedroom Hermione found. The paint was a faded bright pink with cats lining a border to the top of the room. The soft surface she was lying on was a large four poster bed with pink bedding. She set up clutching the blanket to herself. It was an instinctive move. She wasn't cold, and the blanket wouldn't protect her from Snape. She grimaced at the ignorance of such a move. Why was she here?
"Miss Granger. I apologize for my actions yesterday. I would not have struck you under other circumstances."
"Where am I?"
"You're in my family home. Spinners End."
"Why am I here? What do you want with me?" Severus winced as he saw the thoughts in her head. Draco may be more correct than he had originally guessed.
"Miss Granger my intentions towards you are nothing of the sort I promise. Though the dark lord does expect some sexuality on our part, I will only touch you when forced. And if that occurs I will…do everything in my power to make it easier for you."
Hermione continued to stare at his face.
"The Dark Lord requires a potion from me. I need your help. You are exceptional at your potions. Always were. I'm afraid you are our only hope. "
"A potion?" Hermione was confused.
Draco reentered the room carrying a silver tray with 3 mugs of tea and a plate of biscuits.
"Hermione I know you are a muggle. Have you heard of the fountain of youth?" Draco asked while handing Hermione a cup of tea. Hermione carefully took a sip and then once realizing it was good, drained the entire cup. Draco smirked and handed her his cup.
"Sorry….it's been ….I haven't….I "she took his cup and glanced down at the duvet.
"It's ok. I understand."
Hermione thought for several moments, "It's in America correct? The Spanish Ponce de Léon searched for it and never found it."
"He found it." Draco corrected and looked at Severus to explain.
"Ponce de Leon was a wizard and the fountain was actually a potion. It's a rare potion used to restore youth. It will take the wizard back to early 20's. Ponce was a potions master. Unfortunately the potion recipe died with him. We …I mean to say several potion masters have attempted to rediscover this potion. But ….It has not been easy."
"So…you need my help…to discover this potion….because the dark lord requests it?"
"Yes and no. Tell me Miss Granger, what do you know about McCormick's theory of potion reversal?"
"Any potion can be reversed to create the opposite effect."
"Correct."
"So you want to develop this potion and reverse it to do what exactly?" They had her interest now.
"In theory a potion that reverses aging would end the life if reversed."
Hermione thought for several seconds, "Ok. I'll help. When do we start?"
"When you're stronger, with all due respect Miss Granger, you've been through hell. I tried to help you. I spiked the rats drink with a contraceptive potion before finally convincing the dark lord of his betrayal. I'm afraid you're part will be more than simple potions. We must convince the dark lord you are my sexual partner and that you answer to me and me alone. For the time being I'm going to request you remain in the room, as he is convinced you are answering to me, I will allow you to begin to move around the home, eventually to my potions lab. First though, you will notice that you have your own loo to the right. The door to the left is the door to the hall. It will remain locked. A house elf will assist you with anything you may need. Take this time to read and study as much as you can. I will supply you books." He waved his wand and the bookshelf to the left filled completely. She noticed that the armchair beside the fire place was also pink.
"Noxy!" Snape called and a small house elf with huge glasses popped into the room.
"Yes Master?" the elf bowed and awaited his orders.
"Noxy this is miss granger. She is a guest, you will assist her with any of her needs. She is not to leave this room, nor is she to harm herself. "
"Yes Master!" Noxy bowed to Severus and to Hermione before popping out of the room again.
"I'll take my leave then." Draco stated as he backed out of the room. "she's expecting me home an hour ago."
"Alright, use the floo!"
As Draco retreated from the room Severus set on the edge of Hermione's bed. "Miss Granger, I have provided you with clean clothing, And I attempted every spell and potion I could to help your hair. Unfortunately I'm afraid there is nothing I can do. We will have to cut it. "
Hermione ran a hand through her matted hair. "Ok."
45 minutes later Hermione had a short pixie cut. She was clean, for the first time in over a year. She was alone in a bedroom and not a dungeon. She was to help Severus. Was this who Harry had meant? Noxy had brought her dinner which she inhaled and she was tucked into her bed. Severus had promised he would allow her a wand in a few weeks time once he found her trustworthy. For the first time in over a year, her life had purpose again and she intended to fight…..
