Chapter 7

Resting on her bed, wand under her pillow again, Hermione found herself being given a vial to drink. Not knowing what it was she sniffed the substance. It smelt sweet, perhaps like fresh orange juice. Raising it to her lips at Ron's instance she threw back her head, downing the vial's contents. It was foul. The consistence of maple syrup, it tasted vaguely like overcooked greens. Spluttering she managed to keep the concoction down. After receiving a drink of water, she rested back on her pillows, the taste still on her tongue.

Lying there she concentrated on her surroundings, opening her mind. Now that she had calmed, she could sense the people around her. Harry was to her right, Ron her left and Madam Pomfrey was at the end of the bed. Absorbing her surrounding she could tell there was tension in the air and four other patients in the ward, one vaguely familiar. More information seeped into her mind. Harry was…tense, Ron was…worried and the Matron was…apprehensive. Then she realised it was him. He was there. Just across from her bed on the other side of the ward. The high emotions in her room were blocking her from making a more accurate reading other than he was there. She needed to get out of there NOW.

Sitting up she grabbed her wand and made to get out of bed but Ron stopped her, placing restraining hands on her shoulders. That was when the shakes began, causing her to pause. They started in her hands as they began to tremble. The involuntary movements intensified as they spread through her body, causing an all out seizure.

Slipping back she fell onto a hard stone floor, her hands above her head, her ankles tied. He was straddling her hips. He was light but muscular. In an instant her jumper was gone and he was unbuttoning her blouse. Hermione bucked against him only causing him to increase his grip on her hips between his thighs.

When her shirt fell open it too disappeared leaving her in her underclothes, skirt, shoes and stockings.

"Please don't do this," she begged her voice scratchy. His chuckle vibrated through her body, sending chills up her spine.

Before she knew it she was down to her underwear, her pleas had subsided to sobs. Cold metal touched her stomach eliciting a gasp. The gasp quickly turned to a piercing scream as the blade broke through her skin. His wand touched her throat and she was silenced.

"Just thought I might add," he drawled casually as if discussing the matter over tea as he continued to slice her body, "I prefer to use hands on methods. None of this silly, pointless wand waving. I like to get my hands in on the action. It adds a more personal touch. Don't you think?" Not waiting for an answer he returned her voice, enjoying the sound of her screams echoing through the empty room, his hands now covered in her blood.

Putting the knife away, her screams subsided to sobs and gasps. "You do know, Mudbloods are only good for one purpose. Well that's what father says anyway. For the enjoyment of us, so I will let you serve your purpose and…enjoy myself. Now I don't particularly like talking so why don't I let the little girl who can never say enough take the lead."

Before she knew it a fist was contacting with her face, again and again, sharp pain shooting through to the back of her skull. Then he was hitting her chest and stomach. Stopping he moved his hands up her torso to her unmarked breasts. Pinching and tormenting her.

Her cuts stinging, her face throbbing, her chest aching he moved off her. She couldn't hear anything from the blood rushing in her ears, although she knew she had been screaming. She thought it was over until her pants were ripped off her. Knowing what was about to come she tried frantically to get away but strong hands pinned her hips to the floor. Her ankles moved causing her to bend her knees against her will. Then he was between her legs, teasing her entrance. "I like it rough, so please feel free," he told her.

In a second he plunged into her tearing her in half as she fell into blissful, painless darkness.

Coming to her head throbbed, her torso ached and she felt as if she was torn in half. He was lying over her still body. "Now really, that's no way to treat a gentleman. Especially after all the…" but he stopped mid-sentence, "shit…I'll be back. Don't you worry." Getting up he dressed and cleaned in less than a second. Bending down next to his play thing he pulled out a potion vial.

"A little present," he told her tipping it down her throat. Flicking his wrist the bonds disappeared as she lay there alone on the cold floor.

As soon as he had gone she crawled over to her cloak, the only article of clothing left. Feeling her wand she picked it up and returned her sight. She had to get out of there and fast before he came back. Wrapping herself in her thin cloak, wand held tight she made her way out.

Making her way unsteadily down the hall her sight and hearing quickly deteriorated. In less than 10 seconds she was deaf and blind, having extreme difficulty walking. Feeling a recess in the wall she hid behind the stone block on display hoping and praying he didn't find her.

ooOOoo

Watching his drink sparkle in the light of his fire, Severus Snape recalled the events of the afternoon and how his resolution had crumbled in less than twenty-four hours. It had all started here in his rooms.

He had been marking essays when the head of Harry Potter popped into his fireplace. "Potter," he roared. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" he continued as he stood from his desk situated behind the sofa. "What gives you the right…" But he was cut off by the boy.

"Sorry to interrupt, sir, Madam Pomfrey sent me. This is her fire. It's Hermione. She took the potion, something's gone wrong. She's having a fit or something. Madam Pomfrey sent me to get you and for you to use the floo to get here," he blurted out.

"Out of the way," he sneered grabbing his floo powder.

When he had arrived Miss Granger was having a fit, literally. Upon administration, the potion had resulted in an allergic reaction and there was nothing which could be done, it simply had to be waited out. Her body had gone into shock, shutting off until she was ready to regain consciousness.

Weasley had been panicking, Poppy frantic and Potter in mild shock. Sending the trouble makers out of the room, he restrained the thrashing student until the seizure stopped. There was no way to tell when she would recover. The Gryffindors had valiantly vowed to stay by her side until she woke. "Bloody Gryffindor loyalty," he grumbled for no particular reason.

Downing the rest of his drink he left his rooms, making the usual rounds of the castle. Before he knew it he was outside the infirmary doors. Under the pretence of checking for after curfew visitors and his Quidditch player who had shattered his leg and was still in the hospital wing he entered through the double doors.

After finding no after-hours visitors, he proceeded silently over to Miss Granger's curtains. Sneaking a glance between the screens, he spotted no one except for the sleeping witch restlessly turning under her blankets. Sliding into the room, he shut the screens behind him before moving to the bedside. Taking a seat on the bedside chair, he took her hand, stroking the back of it with the pad of his thumb. Quickly she calmed under his caring hands.

In silence the two figures sat in the darkness, the only light spilling through the window above the bed, falling across her perfect face, framed in a mane of brown hair, just like the Gryffindor lioness she was. Severus was unsure how long he sat there with her, lost in her features until she began to wake. Standing, he slowly increased the candles until the whole room was bathed in a soft light.

ooOOoo

Waking from her sleep, Hermione was met with darkness, but quickly it became light. Rubbing her eyes she rolled over staring at the high roof before her line of vision was invaded with the sight of her Potions Professor. He was saying something but she couldn't hear anything. It took several seconds for it to kick-in; she could see! Doing the first thing that came to mind she reached up and threw her arms around the Professor's neck, tears coming to her eyes. These tears were unlike those she had shed recently, they were tears of joy.

Setting her back against the head rest, she watched his face. He was talking, but she couldn't hear him. She could see, but still not hear

Sighting the confusion etched across her features he sighed. Either she wasn't paying attention or she hadn't regained her hearing.

He had an option but he didn't like it. It would mean giving this student, student, something which was him. But what did he have to loose? Between the Dark Lord and Albus Dumbledore there was nothing left that was totally his. He was lost and there was nothing left to loose.

"Miss Granger," he signed, "can you understand me?" Shocked Hermione nodded slowly. "Can you hear at all?" he continued. This was met with a negative answer. Pulling out his wand he began his diagnostics.

ooOOoo

What was she to think? Her teacher, her hated Potions Master, the greasy git of the dungeons knew sign language. Not only that, he was conversing with her! Hermione was flabbergasted, which didn't happen very often. This man was full of surprises. He could show compassion and caring, kindness and understanding, and, thank the Gods, he could converse in sign language. Since he had found her that night he had shown a completely different side of him to her, and she really liked it. This new discovery was just apart of this unseen side of him.

Getting his attention she asked; "How did you learn to sign?"

"That is none of your concern," he replied curtly.

"Alright then. Sir, may I please have a glass of water?" she asked hopefully, seeking to moisten her dry throat. Handing her a glass of water, she sipped it enthusiastically. About to hand the now empty glass back she dropped it, the colour fading out of her face. 'Oh Gods,' she thought, remembering what she had sensed before she…well…she wasn't sure what had happened, but before she lost consciousness.

"Is he still here?" she asked urgently.

"Who?" he asked cautiously at her sudden change in mood as he repaired the glass and put it back.

"Him," she signed watching the door as if he was suddenly about to jump through the curtains.

"Miss Granger, you will need to be more specific if…" but he didn't get to finish as she stared franticly signing.

"The one who did this to me!" she told him pointing to her ear. Seeing his confusion she continued; "The one who fucking raped me!" Stillness fell over the room as Hermione's hand darted under pillow, pulling out her wand and pointing it at the doorway.

Turing to the doorway, Severus saw Madam Pomfrey enter.

"Oh thank Gods," she said upon spotting Hermione sitting up in her bed. "Severus, what are you doing here?" she asked accusingly.

"I was checking for out of bed students when I came across Miss Granger here," he lied easily.

"Alright then. I better run a diagnostic," she told no one in particular, moving beside the bed and whipping out her wand.

"No need. She's fine. She has her sight back but still can't hear. I can't tell about the disorientation," he drawled.

"That's fine," she said pocketing her wand. "We better get you back in bed Miss Granger," she told her, snatching Hermione's wand off her before she could react.

"Is he here?" Hermione asked the Professor as if the Matron had never entered.

"You still haven't learnt have you dear," she told her shaking her head. "No one can understand what you are saying."

"Miss Granger, there is no reason for the person who hurt you to come back," he signed.

"Severus!" the Matron accused. "Why didn't you tell us you could understand her?"

"There was no need," he said holding up his hand to the student between them, halting her movements.

Leaving the subject be, she asked enthusiastically, "What is she saying?"

"She want's to know if the one who tortured her is here," he stated.

"Why would he come back?" she asked.

Turing back to Hermione the Professor signed, "What were you going to say when you interrupted?"

"Why would he not? He has already come back once," she said slowly.

"What did she say?" the Matron enquired.

"She said he has already been back."

"That's preposterous!" she cried.

"Miss Granger, I assure you, he has not been back as you say. It was most likely a figment of your imagination," he told Hermione.

"It was not!" she told him. "He was here and left his mark." Lifting up her top she revealed her stomach. The Matrons shrieked. The last time anyone had seen her without a top was before he came to visit her.

There were freshly healing wounds over the tiny white scars from where the Matron had healed her when she first came in. Cuts covered her torso, all hidden from view by her long sleeved pyjamas.

Madam Pomfrey was at loss as to what to do. The wounds were too old to do anything with now. A balm would have to be applied in the morning.

"Believe me now?" she asked Severus, but neither said a word.

"Miss Granger," he said finally, "you need to get some sleep. I assure you, you will not be harmed this night. I will ward the room and we will leave. You need sleep to recuperate from your ordeal today."

"Don't leave me, please," she pleaded, the desperation written all over her face.

"The room will be warded, there will be no possibility of anyone getting in," he signed.

"I know, but please, stay with me. I don't want to be alone."

Her pleas were genuine and how could he deny her his presence when she desired it. When had anyone desired his presence? This was something he had always wanted and it was being given for him to take. The question was not how could he, but how could he not?

"If you two will excuse me, I'm going off to bed," said the Matron. "Severus, Hermione."

As soon as she stepped out the door the Professor drew his wand, warding the room and turning back to the bed.

"You should get some sleep. The room is safe and I will be staying."

"Thank-you," she said wriggling down under her covers, hoping for a peaceful sleep, her saviour at her side.