Disclaimer- I'm a poor sod, who writes for free- the more fool I.

Author's Note- Thank you for reading

Date Modified- April 15, 2010

The War Won't Stop

Tow the Line

~*~

Hermione entered St. Mungos in the early part of the evening. She was dressed to blend in. Checking in at the Healer's Station, Hermione pulled aside the Primary Healer assigned to Harry. Business-like she delivered her intent. "In the time Harry has come here, he's not showed any sign of improvement, quite the contrary actually. Perhaps being closer to his friends, family and familiar surroundings may help bring some change about. I've enlisted the help of Poppy Pomfrey to help oversee Harry's care."

"Ms. Granger, surely you understand that Mr. Potter's condition may worsen with another move. The potions he's currently taking will need to be reduced gradually, to prevent nasty side effects. Perhaps he should stay here, until he improves." The Healer smiled indulgently.

Firm and no nonsense Hermione signed for Harry's release, provided with standard care instructions and a month's round of the sedative potion. "Harry, that's a lad, sit down while I get your clothes and things." Hermione magicked Harry's clothes onto him. The sedative potion wouldn't need to be given for another eight hours. Trying to get his feeble attention, "ready to see Madam Pomfrey, and Headmistress McGonagall? We're going to Hogwarts, they can't wait to see you. And Harry, Ron's coming to see you." Harry raised doleful eyes to hers. "Yes, Ron's coming. We can take the floo."

"Minerva McGonagall's study, Hogwarts." In no-time at all, the pair were expelled onto the hearth rug.

"You're here safe, thank goodness." McGonagall fussed. "Harry, we've been terribly worried about you." They ushered him off to the Hospital Wing. Harry was slow going under the influence of the powerful sedative. "Poppy, floo Severus please."

When Poppy returned she towed Snape with her. Harry was tucked up in bed, when both healers examined him. "Minerva, you're not going to want to hear this but we'll need to wean Mr. Potter off the potion before I go in." Severus pulled a sour expression. He and Hermione barely acknowledged each other.

Poppy added her bit, "we can do it within the week, but it won't be pretty. In addition to the PTS, he'll suffer tremors, sweats, chills, headaches and stomach upset. Well, like I said it won't be pretty. He'll need constant supervision."

McGonagall's pitch rose, "Poppy if it's not too much trouble, the sooner the better." Directing her question to both Severus and Hermione. "Can either of you help watch Harry?"

Hermione volunteered quickly, Severus took a little more time deciding, but agreed in the end. Minerva and Poppy returned to their respective studies. Hermione clucked around Harry as a welcome distraction, Snape took a seat. Neither was sure what to do with regard to the other.

The young Potions Master bounded into the Hospital. "Severus, McGonagall said you were here." Hermione stood, turning to face the newcomer. "I see. You're entertaining the biggest brain that come out of Hogwarts, since you of course." Malfoy coughed. "My you've changed Granger, come out so I can have look."

Hermione stepped away from the bed, blushing crimson. "Hello Mr. Malfoy."

"Where'd you get that wiggle, Granger? Did you see that Snape, she's got a wiggle." Draco was incredulous. Laughing slightly.

Hitching up her robes, displaying her knee-high boots. "These have a built in wiggle."

Draco bent down to touch them, "nice, tell me who makes them and I'll send you ten pairs for Boxing Day. They are hot, I confess I have a thing for shoes."

"Draco, get up it's not dignified to examine a witch's boots while her robes are hiked up." Snape shot Hermione a dirty look. "No more than it is proper for witches to lift their robes willy-nilly."

"Dignity? Who cares about that?" Seeing the look on his Godfather's face, he amended. "Right you are. So, how long will you be here?"

"Likely a week. How's the position suiting you?" Snape asked Draco.

At that Draco flopped down into a chair near Severus, talking about the whole thing. Hermione was opposed to summoning a house elf to bring her refreshments, she excused herself to visit the kitchen. The young blonde gave his companion a look of pure disbelief. "Severus, you're going to be spending the week in Hermione's company, aren't you even going to try." Snape's shrug hadn't properly conveyed how hopeless he believed the situation. "If you're not interested in her. I'd gladly see to our Ms. Granger."

"Draco, I don't think that would be wise." Malfoy gave Snape a searching look, "I'm not sure, but I think she might have an interest in Harry." Harry heard everything they were saying even if he couldn't connect the dots. "You'll need to ask her to be sure."

"Thanks, I'll do that. Anyway I've got more charm than Potter here." The conversation moved on to more general topics.

~*~

She picked up tea, steak and onion pasties, potato croquettes, and chopped salad, then returned to the Hospital Wing. "I brought a light tea, I'm setting it over here. Help yourselves." Equipping herself, Hermione sat alone in the enormous window seat. Intently watching the grounds as she consumed her meal. The dark seemed to grow out of the forest. I can't read the man, he's so closed off. We should probably talk, without Draco present. Exhausted, setting the plate aside Hermione rested her head on a bolster and watched the sun's final rays wink out. Madam Pomfrey covered her.

In the dark of the Hospital Wing Severus sat beside her sleeping form and removed her boots. "Severus, McGonagall wanted me to take over so you two could get some sleep." Draco wagged his eyebrows at Snape.

"It's not like that Draco. Are my old quarters occupied?"

"No, I took quarters here on the second floor. Password is probably still the same, the portrait will recognize you, even with the bit of grey." Draco ribbed Snape.

"It's a good thing you're my Godson. I'm as tired as Ms. Granger looks." Snape stood, and swept Hermione up into his arms. Draco placed her boots reverently in her lap, with a good-night. Exiting Poppy's domain he muttered to himself, "I'll bit-of-grey you."

~*~

Sliding the down comforter over a sleeping Hermione, Snape stripped to his smalls and joined her. Severus wrapped himself around the sleeping Hermione. "Guess I'll take the consequences, do damage control in the morning."

~*~

Shoved roughly awake. "What is this? I said no more mind fucks Snape."

Still getting his barrings, "what?"

"You know what! Here you are curled up and kissing on me; when just last night, you acted like you didn't even know me. That Snape, is a mind fuck. You didn't have to bring me here, I was fine where I was."

Firing right back. "What, you wanted me to tell my godson to back off; because even though we've never been 'together' in public, we fuck. That sounds real respectable." His sarcasm had an audible bite to it.

"Had fucked, as in past-tense." Hermione jumped out of the bed and retreated to the Myrtle's loo. She wouldn't be bothered there. Bare foot and wandless she ran down corridors and up stairs.

Myrtle joyous at Hermione's misery, took to flying in circles, diving in and out of toilettes giggling madly all the while. No lounge to hand, she sat on the floor next to the chipped stone sink.

Passing by Draco heard Myrtle's raucous mirth, and decided to investigate. "Myrtle, settle down." Then he spotted Hermione sitting on the floor. "Granger, what are you up to?"

Hermione didn't even look at Malfoy. "Sod off, okay. I'm fine." Since it didn't look like she'd be ready to leave any time soon, Draco conjured arm chairs.

"You are not fine. Severus flooed me first thing, said you two had a row." Her mouth fell open in outrage. "I got the impression that it was a delicate matter," Draco ventured.

Hermione stood to go. "There isn't anything," opening the door, "going on between us. Not one blessed thing." Severus could hear Hermione's declaration all the way down the hall.

~*~

The rest of the week, Hermione kept her own company. Draco tried to draw her out. Leaving small considerations in the way of; books, dark chocolate and a plain but extremely comfortable throw. Snape made no effort. Harry hadn't been very much trouble, he took to sleepwalking. It wasn't a huge problem, she'd just led him back to bed and tucked him in.

Madam Pomfrey announced that it was time to cut Harry off the sedative and for Snape to go in to fix the problem. Once the crystalline fog was located, Snape was able to cast an effective Deleterius. Snape was venerated as Harry's hero. There was a high tea, in Snape's honour and a welcome back for Harry. As it transpired Harry wanted Snape to give him a 'welcome back,' Snape let Harry down gently. Ron tried to put things to rights with Hermione, "only friends, no more, no less."

Severus made a promise and he kept it, Hermione observed. Standing by Snape she warned, "absolute power, corrupts absolutely. She discretely passed a card to Snape.

~*~

Finite Incantatem

~*~

AN/ Special thank to IND520 for the most excellent challenge.

Promoting Literacy Through Smut, Varity Sinning