Summary: Recuperating from the attack

A/N: Thanks for reading! Severus and Hermione get a little closer in this chapter. Have fun.

Chapter 11

When Hermione left Severus and his dream, she was so exhausted that she just went right to sleep. When she finally woke up, her room was very bright. She blinked a couple of times before finding the clock. It was almost eleven in the morning. She must have needed the rest.

She mulled over everything that happened with Severus. She took her finger and traced her lips where he had kissed her so passionately. She couldn't believe it. He was attracted to her. Closing her eyes, she thought of his lips pressed to hers and a jolt of electricity went through her.

She sighed. What was she doing? Their interactions were a dream to Severus, but they were very real to her.

You're getting involved in something that has the possibility of exploding in your face!

She went to cover her eyes with her arm, but as she lifted it to her head, she remembered the word that Bellatrix had carved into her wrist. She turned her hand so she could see the epithet better and gaped at what she saw. The wound was healed as it had been in her dream.

She sat up and looked at it closely. Taking her finger, she traced the light white scar. How could his healing have transferred into reality? Could the fact she was using Tranferency to communicate with Severus mean that they could both benefit from its healing properties?

She jumped out of bed and went over to her beaded bag. She fished around in it, pulling out books here and there until she found the one on Empathic magic. She didn't remember reading anything about both subjects receiving benefits from the spell, but she may have missed it.

Twenty-five minutes later, she'd reviewed all the sections that spoke of entering another's dreams, but the text hadn't said anything about the dual benefits of healing within the dream. It had to be the Empathic magic, though. Maybe when this whole nightmare was over, she could do some extra research and see exactly what could be done healing-wise within dreams. Maybe Severus would want to experiment with her.

She blushed at that thought. Before she could indulge more in thoughts of Severus Snape, there was a knock at her door. Ron came in and rushed to her side.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Better," Hermione replied.

She realized it was true. The potion Severus gave her must have worked as well.

"You're not shaking. Bill said you'd still have occasional tremors today."

Hermione's eyebrows knit together. How was she to explain this so everyone would understand? She looked at Ron.

"Last night I used some of my Empathic magic to try and take away some of the pain. I guess I've found another use for my healing magic," she explained to him.

Ron's eyes got wide, and he grabbed her arm. "Whoa, how did this heal? Don't tell me you did that too?"

She grimaced at her arm. "I don't even really know how my magic cured that," she said. "I doubt I'd be able to replicate the results."

"That's brilliant, though," Ron said. "Wait until Bill sees this!"

"Yeah, he'll be surprised," she said half-heartedly.

She hoped Bill hadn't heard of Empathic magic or its abilities. He was a master in his field, and he would probably ask some serious questions. She'd need to be ready.

Ron reached out and grasped her hand, tracing circles on it with his thumb. Hermione felt very self-conscious and pulled her hand from his grasp.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Nothing, Ron. You just made me feel… odd."

He didn't say any more about it, but he looked upset. Hermione wanted to say something to soothe his feelings, but she didn't know what positive thing she could say that wouldn't make it sound like she wanted him to hold her hand, so she just let it be.

"Do you feel like coming downstairs?" Ron asked. "It's almost lunchtime, and Harry wants to talk to both of us before he talks with the Goblin."

Hermione thought about it. "Yes. Give me a minute to get ready. I'll be down soon."

"Right," Ron said as he rose. "I guess I'll see you down there."

Hermione nodded. Once he'd left, she shook her head at him. She knew he had some sort of feelings for her, but she didn't want to deal with it right now. If she were honest with herself, any feelings she'd had for him had disappeared when he abandoned them. And now, with her feelings for Severus growing, she really didn't want to think about it.

oooOOOooo

Hermione prepared herself for bed. She thought back on the day. Griphook had been surprisingly agreeable, but if Bill was right, which she had no doubt that he was, they would have to be careful. Bill had been surprised by Hermione's recovery but took her at face value about how it happened. She sighed in relief as she thought about it. She was now ready to visit Severus.

She got under her sheets and settled down.

"Transferi Selento," she said and felt herself travel into Severus' dream. She appeared in his sitting room again, right next to him on the sofa. She turned her head and smiled at him.

"Hi," she said as she grinned.

"Hi," he said softly.

He was looking at her shyly. Her breath caught in her throat at his gaze.

"You're wondering if I regret all those kisses yesterday," Hermione surmised.

"Do you?" Severus asked.

She reached out and caressed his face. "Of course not, Severus. As a matter of fact, I was looking forward to kissing you some more tonight."

"Really?"

"Really."

She leaned in and captured his lips. A chill ran through her as they deepened their affections. He groaned as she lavished his lips with hers. When they finally separated, they were both a little out of breath.

"Are you feeling better?" Severus asked.

She nodded. "You're a miracle worker, Severus Snape!"

He laughed, and her mouth dropped open in awe.

"What?"

"I don't think I've ever seen you smile, let alone laugh. The only thing you've done at Hogwarts is smirk."

"Sadly, I don't even do that anymore. There's no reason for it."

"I'm sorry. Do you have any idea when everything will be over?"

"I do not. With the taking over of the Ministry, really the only thing to be done is to defeat your friend. I guess it will be up to you and how long it takes to complete Dumbledore's mission for you." Severus paused. "Speaking of which, I believe I may have come up with something the Dark Lord would have used for his task. He spent some time in Albania a long time ago. Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem was reportedly lost there."

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "Do you know where it is?"

Severus shook his head. "Hopefully, you can locate it."

Hermione reached out and grasped Severus' hands. She squeezed them affectionately.

"Thank you, Severus."

oooOOOooo

The next morning, Hermione broached the subject of the Horcrux over breakfast.

"I was thinking…"

"Surprising," Harry quipped.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, and he became quiet.

"As I said, I was thinking, and we need to figure out what would represent Ravenclaw to You-Know-Who for a Horcrux. Have either of you heard of Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem?"

"What's a diadem?" Ron asked.

"It's like a tiara," Harry replied.

"Oh, so it's some sort of crown?"

"Right, Ron. And Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem has been lost for years."

"So, how does that help us?" Harry asked. "How could it be the Horcrux?"

"Well, it's rumored that it was lost in Albania, and You-Know-Who evidently spent time there. Maybe he found it and turned it into a Horcrux," Hermione mused.

"Well, if he did, wouldn't it somehow be at Hogwarts?" Ron asked.

"Why would it be?" Hermione asked.

"Well, we know You-Know-Who wanted the Defense position and came to Hogwarts to talk to Dumbledore about it. Wouldn't that be a good time to hide something like that?"

"That's right. Maybe he used the meeting with Dumbledore to gain access to the school so he could hide it," Hermione mused.

"I think you're right, Ron. We'll need to get to the castle at some time," Harry remarked. "For now, though, we need to concentrate on the cup in the LeStrange vault."

"Right," Hermione said. "One thing at a time."

She rose and wandered outside, folding her arms as she gazed at the sea. Ron followed her out and stood next to her.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she remarked.

"Yeah."

They stared at the waves for a while. Suddenly, Hermione felt Ron's arm around her shoulders. She looked over at him before slipping away.

Ron scowled. "Are you still upset about the attack?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "Of course I am! It only happened two days ago. For Merlin's sake, Ron, do you think I can just forget about something like that in so little time?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. I just wanted to comfort you, you know? Why'd you pull away?"

She looked away and concentrated on the sea once again. She didn't want to have this conversation with him. Not now. Not with what truly needed to be said. She had been serious about the attack still affecting her, and she didn't want any more stress added to that while she tried to heal mentally. Quickly, she made up a story that would hopefully appease him.

"Your arm on my shoulder made me feel confined. I know, it's crazy, but it brought me right back to the floor with Bellatrix over me."

"Oy, Hermione, I'm sorry. I just want to help, you know?"

She looked at him again. "I know. I just need some time. Time to myself. I'm still trying to work through it all, yeah?"

"Yeah, sure." He looked out at the sea quickly before turning back to her. "I'll just leave you be."

"Thanks," she said with a small smile.

He left her. She wandered over to a chair and sat, watching the sea for a long time before heading back into the cottage.

oooOOOooo

"How are you?" Severus asked as she appeared in front of his fireplace.

She crashed into him, her arms surrounding him in a well-needed hug. He embraced her for a while before leading her to the sofa, where they settled in together. She leaned into him as he quickly put his arm around her.

"I find that although you healed me well, the emotional effects of my attack are still with me."

"What can I do to help?"

"You're already doing it. Just hold me, please."

He kissed the top of her head as they sat on the sofa. He rubbed her arm while they snuggled together, and she reached up and made circles with her hand on his chest. They stayed like that for a while before Hermione lifted her head and looked at him with sad eyes.

"Why is she so insane? How does someone become like that?"

He pulled her back to him and squeezed her affectionately.

"She's always been a little off, but Azkaban really sent her plunging into insanity. She's overly suspicious of everyone. She's sure I'm a spy."

Hermione chuckled. "Well, she'd be right about that."

"Mmmhmm. People react to the Dementors in very different ways. Some of them are able to save their sanity despite the constant feeding of their happy memories. Others… well, she falls into that category. It stripped her of any type of empathy she may have had before. It hardened her. She's the perfect Dark Lord follower now, and he treats her as such."

"Aren't you his right-hand man?"

"Yes, but she is just as important as I. He trusts us both equally. Me because I killed Dumbledore, Bellatrix, because she will do anything for him."

Hermione shivered. "I can't imagine being so evil."

"No, of course not. You are innocent and pure."

Hermione huffed. "I wouldn't label myself innocent!"

"No?"

She pulled back again. "No. Merlin, I've been on the run for months on end now, and I can be devious when I need to be."

"Do tell," Severus said with a smirk.

"Are you making fun of me? Just because I'm not Slytherin doesn't mean that I can't be devious. You know what I did to Marietta Edgecomb when she divulged the secret about Dumbledore's Army."

"That was you?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You know it was me. She didn't stop blabbering about it until I removed the curse. She told everyone she could find how horrid I was."

"Well, that was a rather nasty little curse. If I do admit it, I was surprised that you had it in you."

"I do what needs to be done."

He arched a brow at her. "You're sure you're not Slytherin?"

She huffed at him. "Slytherins aren't the only ones capable of being ruthless, you know."

"Yes, but Gryffindors are usually bleeding-heart whingers."

Her mouth dropped open at him. He took one look at her and smirked.

"You are trying to get a rise out of me!" she exclaimed.

"Is it working?"

"What…?"

"You've forgotten your melancholy for a moment."

Thinking for a moment, her eyes met his. "You're right. I have."

Leaning in, she kissed him. She thrilled as he took control and entered her mouth, plundering her for all she was worth. They separated after a while, and she smiled saucily at him.

"That helped me forget, too."

He chuckled at her, and she marveled at him letting his guard down enough to laugh. Leaning back in, she put her head on his shoulder and rubbed his chest.

"Thank you, Severus."

She felt his kiss on her forehead and smiled into his chest. She couldn't imagine a better place to be at that moment.