Chapter 6: "Legilimens"

The nightly routine began as Hermione did her best to get Snape comfortable in the bed before dimming the light and resting until morning.

Madam Pomfrey's note with the next breakfast was that Hermione was to give Snape a bath and use the potion in the included bottle in the bath water. The potion was designed to speed healing of his cuts and bruises. His back from neck to knees had been fairly well lacerated and the gashes were making his sleep less than optimally restful. The ointments were not getting the healing job done as Madam Pomfrey had hoped they would. Hermione had made mention of some thrashing about in his sleep trying to find a spot that did not hurt. His chest was equally abused by the torturers' design. If he balled himself up like Crookshanks, he could find a small amount of rest. However, this did nothing for his long legs, which would ultimately demand to be unfurled. Since he consistently refused sleeping potions, as well as most powerful pain potions, all that was left was the topical approach to healing. This was making the whole process longer and more uncomfortable for Snape.

As Snape worked his way through two pieces of buttered toast and weak Earl Grey tea this morning, Hermione willed a man-sized tub to appear. She was more than once happy that they were in the Room of Requirement that could see to most every need, or had so far. The bath water was slightly warmer than tepid but not steaming hot. She did not wish to burn his now sensitive skin. Next, she dumped in the potion, which quickly turned the water, an opaque white. Ingenious – it would help him heal and protect his privacy, too. Poppy Pomfrey thought of everything!

Dobby had kindly brought up fresh clothes and towels for them both. Hermione had designs of a nice hot bubble bath once Snape was tucked back in bed for a morning nap. Hermione rubbed her hands together with obvious pleasure.

"Well, Severus, Madam Pomfrey has prescribed a bath for you today."

Snape looked up with horror flashed across his face. It meant getting naked in front of her.

As his face returned to its normal hiddenness, "I think not."

"I think otherwise. Besides, the water is opaque, so I cannot peak, if that's what you are worried about," she held a grin in abeyance.

Snape shook his head and lay back down on the bed, rolling away from her.

"Doctor's orders," she spoke as gently as she could while she pulled back the covers yet again.

"So it's here we go again, is it?"

Hermione just nodded and seated herself next to him once he swung his legs over the bed's edge. She stood up with him, steadying his steps. They got to the tub, and Snape stuck his fingers in to check the temperature.

"Too cold? Too hot?" Hermione wanted to know.

"No, I think this will do," he offered. "No sense protesting about it," he thought. "I'll end up with both Poppy and Minerva up here if I'm not careful. One witch is enough."

Hermione conjured a chair for him to sit on and remove his bedclothes.

"Turn around," he commanded.

Hermione complied with the slightest of smirks washing across her face. She could hear him grunt as he sat down in the bath. Then she heard him sigh with relief.

"Can I turn back around, Severus?"

"Yes."

The tub was long enough to fit Snape. His legs did not stick out of the water and this was a fresh experience for him. He made a mental note to…well, if he ever got back to his own quarters, to extend the tub's length thus.

Hermione picked up a sponge and began washing his back, ever so gently. He leaned forward to allow her easier access. The warmth and the potion did soothe the injuries. He could almost feel them beginning to heal.

"Lean back a bit, if you would," Hermione said softly. "I'm going to wash your hair for you. I dare say your arms are likely too stiff to do a good job or even feel like you'd even want to try."

She poured water over his head, taking care to keep it out of his face. She applied some shampoo to her hands and began massaging it into his scalp. Snape tensed up on contact then began to relax under the gently moving fingers. Hermione thought she even heard a soft sigh as she worked out the knots. No one had ever touched him like that before. Then come to think of it, no one ever touched him period. Poppy did not count. That was purely professional. This felt like more.

He braced himself and sat up, "I don't need your pity!"

Hermione was completely caught off guard, "Professor, whatever are you talking about?"

He ducked under the water and rinsed his hair, "Get back! Go away!"

Hermione was confounded by his actions but complied, pulling the curtain around the tub area. As he thrashed around with trying to get out and dry, she ate her breakfast. She could hear him muttering and grumbling as he redressed himself. She knew the exertion and the extension of sore muscles must have been causing him great distress. Then it grew quiet behind the curtain. She wondered if he would try to get back to bed on his own or if he'd ask her for help. If he did try, would he fall on his face or worse?

"Hermione?" he said softly.

"I'm here, Severus," she replied with the same tone.

"It would seem that I am in need of your assistance if I am to get back in bed," he offered flatly.

"I'm coming," he heard the same tone.

She tucked her shoulder back under him and steered him to the bed. He lifted his legs back onto the soft surface and she pulled up the sheets. He sniffed them. They smelled fresh.

"Dobby made your bed while we were bathing," Hermione said.

He nodded and looked up at her.

"Severus, what was all that about?" Hermione had left enough silence between them to make him slightly uncomfortable.

He looked around for a Daily Prophet or book. Finding none, his gaze returned to the young woman. He scratched his chin.

"You know, I could use a shave," he tried to distract her.

"That can be arranged," she said in reply. "Again, what was that all about, just now?"

He fidgeted again.

"Severus, I thought that things were going pretty smoothly until half an hour ago. I fail to understand why you lashed out at me. I did nothing to deserve it," she spoke but without sounding defensive.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "No, you did not deserve it."

"Then what possessed you…"

"I hate being pitied."

"What makes you think I was pitying you?"

"It felt like you were."

"I was not. It was the last think on my mind, frankly," she responded.

"It felt like it to me. What did you think you were feeling?" he wanted to know.

"When I feel, I feel. I don't stop and think about it," she answered.

"Very well then. What were you feeling just then?" he asked again.

She gave it a thought before answering, "Compassion, I suppose."

"Compassion?" he mused; what was that.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. Do you trust me?" he asked her next.

"Yes, I trust you, but I will admit you also confuse me," she remarked with a note of genuine puzzlement.

"You know I lost my wand before the beating and torture session. I can only guess that the Dark Lord either has it or has broken it. But we can use your wand, if you like," he offered.

"What did you have in mind?" she wanted to know.

"Let's say I want to understand the difference between pity and compassion as you have experienced and articulated them," he began.

She nodded. Anything to end this ongoing uncertainty and volatility. She turned her wand around and handed it to him.

"Come closer. Sit here on the edge of the bed, next to me," he ordered her gently. "Now let go of your defenses for a moment…" he noticed her relaxing a little. "Look in my eyes…that's right…legilimens," he whispered as the spell took hold.