AN: standard disclaimers apply!! Please R&R!!!
He tentatively reached out to check for a pulse. It was there, thudding weakly against his fingertips. He shuddered in relief. He grabbed her around the waist and dragged her back to the shore. He gently laid her on the ground and took stock of what he saw before him.
She was completely naked, beaten, battered, and probably had been raped. He rolled her over and froze. A skull with a snake curling out of its mouth stared back at him. Death Eaters had done this. He touched the angry marks and grit his teeth. She was shivering.
"Morte!" The horse trotted up. Snape took his cloak from Morte's back and wrapped Hermione in it. Her blue lips mouthed words soundlessly. He gently picked her up and walked a little deeper into the forest. He found a small clearing with dry wood in it.
He stacked the wood in the middle and lit the fire. The blue flames licked the wood. He moved Hermione closer to the fire. He knew there was no way he would be able to take her back, not tonight, not with her in this condition.
He stood up and paced around the clearing. He had no clear idea of what to do. He had no idea how long it would take to get back. He heard her teeth chattering uncontrollably. He stopped pacing and stared down at her.
He couldn't conjure a blanket. He couldn't just apparate at the castle. He sighed and walked towards her.
"I am so going to get fired for this," he muttered softly. He kneeled down next to her. He lay down and slowly wrapped his arms about her waist. Her shivering ceased almost immediately.
He lay there, eyes staring straight ahead, wondering what in the hell was going to happen next.
Hermione drifted back slowly from a state of deepness. She felt warm…and safe. She stopped. Safe? She hadn't felt safe in a very long time…ever since…She shuddered, not wanting to think about it.
She shifted slightly, and someone moaned. She froze. It took her only a second to realize she was wearing someone else's cloak and that a well muscled arm was flung around her waist.
Her heart began to race and her breathing quickened. Was it…one of them? She began to roll over slowly to see who it was. She shifted slowly as not to wake the man. She stifled a cry.
Professor Severus Snape. She was sleeping with Snape. She kept still. Where were they? She heard birds chirping lightly and the sound of water, the lake was nearby. She was so sore. She whimpered against his chest.
He unconsciously tightened his arm around her and drew her closer to his chest. She stayed completely still, not wanting to wake him. Her hand was pressed against his chest. She wrapped her fingers in the warm fabric of his shirt and sighed. She was safe…
She floated above a lake. The lake was the strangest thing she had ever seen in her life. It was shimmering silver. Pure silver, like unicorn blood. She felt the air beat around her and an odd strain on her back. She looked behind her.
She had wings. They were blacker than the blackest night. She looked around her. The lake was silent. She descended slowly.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" she cried into the shadows surrounding the silver. A voice responded. It seem to come from all around her and yet inside of her at the same time.
Why are you here, Hermione? It asked softly. She looked around wildly, standing just above the lake.
I'm scared.
Why did you follow the pale horse?
Pale horse?
You followed Death to this place. You are dead Hermione.
Dead? How did I die?
You know the answer to that. But others need to know.
I'm scared to go back…I don't feel safe.
Do you feel safe here?
I feel…nothing…here.
Is dying the only way to be safe?
I don't want to be dead.
Why not? Death isn't all that bad is it? It doesn't hurt anymore, does it?
I feel as if someone is waiting for me.
Go back Hermione. It is not your time.
I'm so scared
Don't be scared, I am always with you. Spread your wings and fly back. I will wait for you…
"Hermione? Hermione?! HERMIONE!!" Her eyes flew open. Snape was kneeling above her. She stared at him.
"Professor?" He was kneeling above her, his hands on her shoulders.
"What happened? You were screaming…'I'm scared.'" He looked at her oddly.
"Where are we?"
"Forbidden forest, far side of the lake, Christmas day."
"Bloody hell! I've been…gone…that long?"
"What happened Miss Granger?"
She shuddered and her head fell back to the ground. "I'm so tired…can I tell you later?"
"Of course, Miss Granger."
"Don't leave."
"I'll be waiting for you."