AN: standard disclaimers apply
Hermione was drifting back to the deep place again. She felt the wings explode from her back and she shuddered in excitement. She flew to the silver lake.
"Hello!"
Why are you back Hermione?
"I have some questions."
You may ask, but I can not promise an answer to all of them.
"Why do I feel safe here?"
I thought you felt nothing here?
"Safe, I feel safe."
You will know the answer in time.
"Is this heaven?"
What is heaven? What is hell? Places, simply places. What would your heaven be like? Your hell?
"My heaven would be safe…with no bad people."
What about the Professor that saved you, is he bad?
"No! Of course not!"
But he's killed people before. You once said yourself you hated him. What changed?
"He saved me."
What if Draco Malfoy had saved you?
" I don't know…"
What about your hell Hermione?
"It would be dark…it would be like…like Azkaban."
Like Azkaban? Is that place really all that bad?
"It's full of bad people."
Death Eaters.
"Yes…after what they did to me…"
Understandable. But Severus Snape was a Death Eater, and yet you feel safe with him?
"He…he's a spy for our side! He said he would wait for me!"
And wait he will.
"Is he bad?"
You must discover that for yourself Hermione. I can not guide you in all things. Some discoveries must be made alone.
"But I'm so scared."
Severus said he will wait. You are under his protection now, never forget that.
"I have to go now, don't I?"
Correct.
"But I don't want to!! Please!! Let me stay!"
How do you think Severus would feel if he found you and then you died?
"What?"
You ride a pale horse Hermione. Whenever you come here, you, in effect, die.
"I'm dead?"
Not yet. Now…GO! Leave me!
"Severus!"
Yes?
"Hermione? Hermione? What is it? God girl! Wake up!" He screamed. Her eyes flew open. She was looking into the terrified face of Severus Snape.
"I died?"
"Your heart stopped." Snape confirmed. "But enough. We must leave!"
"Why, what's going on?" She sat up and let out a yelp of pain. His hand flew and covered her mouth.
"What is it?"
"My back…" she whimpered. He gently removed the cloak from her and stared at the angry cut. He pulled the cloak back over her naked body.
"Take this; it's a pain killing potion."
She took the potion from his hand and downed it in one gulp. She shuddered.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes."
"Good." He scooped her into his arms. She gasped in shock as a large black stallion trotted over to them. Severus set her on its back then climbed on in front of her.
"Hold on." Morte spun and began to pick up speed. A sudden drop off loomed in front of them.
"Eh...sir?"
He didn't respond. Instead, Morte leapt from the cliff. Hermione screamed. Her professor was suicidal! She felt an odd sensation, and then realized that they were flying.
"He's a Pegasus?" she asked faintly.
'Yes, I am.' She started.
"He can talk?"
'Indeed.'
She fell silent. She began to feel drowsy. 'What's going on? Hello? Hello?' She was being dragged into the deep place again. She felt something burn its way into her back, and she smiled wickedly, and tightened her arms about Severus' waist.