Hand Talk

Disclaimer: Of course I own all of these characters. I keep them locked up under my bed and feed them table scraps. NOT! If I owned these characters I would be sending these stories to my publisher (which does not exist) and not sending them to Summary: Hermione is found bloodied and bruised, without her sight and hearing. Resorting to the only communication she knows, there is only one other who understands her. HGSS

Rating: M (mature themes, violence and language)

Chapter 20

Warning: Chapter Summary may contain plot spoilers

Chapter Summary: Phineas watches a discussion and Hermione starts private lessons.

Sitting comfortably in his frame, Phineas Nigellus watched the three occupants of Dumbledore's study with great interest. Severus Snape, the current Head of Slytherin and one of Minerva McGonagall's brood, a bushy haired brunette by the name of Hermione Granger, he had seen her during the summer at the Noble House of Black, a friend of Harry Potter, both sat in front of Albus' desk. They had been there for little over a quarter of an hour in which time the Gryffindor had mainly spoken. After a rather long passage of time Albus had questioned both parties. Severus had the most to say on the matter.

Currently, Albus sat at his desk regarding his student with a calculating gaze. Severus uncharacteristically sat in a chair opposite his employer beside the brunette. Normally he preferred to stand by the mantel or gaze out the window. That meant that what the girl had said about a dark place and a dungeon, was of some importance. His face betrayed nothing though, as blank as usual. It was only out of past experience with this man and his own Slytherin tendencies in general that he was able to come to this conclusion.

The girl, ever the Gryffindor, had told her tale bravely, but now sat there trembling. She failed trying to hide it, definitely not Slytherin material. The room was silent except for the occasional noise from Fawkes, the ever present tooting and swirling of the many silver objects and whispering of other previous Headmasters and Mistresses. They had all long given up pretending to be asleep. Phineas believed it was the calculative look which had drawn itself across the Headmasters features that gathered their attention.

Finally after many moments silence Dumbledore spoke, the two seated at his desk listened as well as the portraits around the room.

"As we have discerned, you do indeed have a link with Mister Nott. His awareness of it currently unknown." The aged wizard paused. "The dream you had was not a dream…Perhaps it would be best if you describe it, Severus," Albus suggested. "You do have a greater understanding of the workings of this sort of link."

Hermione was confused. What sort of link was it and how did Severus know more about it than the Headmaster?

"You have a link with Nott through your tattoo," he told her. Drawing her attention way from the Headmaster's blue, twinkling eyes, she fell into the Potion Professor's inky black ones.

"Do you understand the full implications of when a dark mark is burnt?" he asked her.

"Not completely," she admitted. "I have read a little about it."

'Figures,' Severus thought. 'Can't ever keep her nose out of the books.'

"The Dark Mark links servant to Master. Although the Dark Lord mainly uses the link as a method by which to summon his followers to his side, it also acts a porthole for the mind. Through this aspect the Dark Lord has the ability to probe the minds of his minions, or anyone who has willingly taken the Dark Mark from him. It is therefore a necessity for anyone who wishes to keep their thoughts to themselves to be proficient in Occlumency," he added with a certain amount of distaste. Hermione nodded slightly.

"The fact that the recipients of the Mark were willing participants and the Dark Lord understands the capabilities of the link he is creating, are some of the defining factors of the type of link created. Through these factors, aspects of the link are established. A major one being the control ratio I believe some books call it. The Dark Lord is in complete control when he wants to be. He is free to prod as he pleases whist being able to block out those who he does not wish to enter his mind. Of course that can only happen when he knows they are there. That in turn leaves the possibility of one delving through Legilimency."

Hermione was beginning to suspect that there was more to Severus's spy life than what Harry, Ron and she had originally suspected. Not all bowing, listening, torturing, raping and Occlumency.

"Your link with Nott is different. The original defining factors changed. Firstly you were not a willing recipient and secondly, Nott did not understand the full repercussions of his actions. From what I have heard, I have made several well supported conclusions. The control ratio has changed which is one difference. It suggests that you have the greater control as you were simply pulled into the link. As you described that it was as though you were watching someone else's memories, it is most likely that that you were watching Nott as he was at that moment. This would also indicate that the link was more physical than psychological."

"Okay, I understand that. What was the darkness though?" Hermione asked

"The darkness, as you call it, was the porthole, the nothingness between you and Mister Nott. It was the Dark Mark. Whilst it is portrayed as a tattoo on your skin, it is a place where your mind can reside. The large serpentine creature was the snake represented in the Mark," Severus explained.

Hermione looked down at her hands clamped tightly in her lap. Looking at Severus she finally spoke. "Why was none of this ever mentioned before?" Her gaze moved to the Headmaster, her eyes pleading.

"It was not thought that it would be of consequence," the elderly wizard answered honestly.

"Not be of consequence?" she whispered leaning forward slightly. "I have a skull and snake burnt into my skin! How can that not be of consequence? It's the Dark Mark," she finally shouted at them both.

It was the Headmaster who spoke again. "We thought that it was simply a tattoo," he reasoned.

"There would have been no reason for you to become anxious over nothing. You were already of ill health," said Severus, his expression as impassive as ever.

"I'm not some poor little girl, Professor," she practically spat. "Why on earth would a tattoo simply burn?"

"Because of its direct link with Nott's tattoo, I thought that all connections would be severed after his was finally burnt," Dumbledore said.

Hermione looked at the Headmaster as he sat there in his comfortable chair, hands resting before him on the desk. "Well it looks like you were wrong," she told him acidly.

"Miss Granger, I am sincerely sorry for my actions. But please listen to what I have to say. The proposition I am about to offer you must never leave this room. Privacy in this issue is of the utmost importance." Breaking his eye contact with the Gryffindor he glanced around the portraits that suddenly became very interested in the state of their robes, or fussing around with the objects in their frame, seemingly unaware of the going ons of the office. With a flick of his wrist he continued his conversation with the other occupants, his words completely muted to all of the portraits.

Phineas watched on as several of his more noisy neighbours made their complaints known to all who could hear. From where he was seated, Phineas could not see Albus' face but from the way the others were looking at him he was speaking.

For a rather long while he continued. The Granger girl no longer seemed angry, she seemed to have forgotten all about what was previously said and the betrayal she had felt and was completely engrossed by what was begin said. Every so often Severus would speak, mainly to the girl. He seemed angry with the Headmaster. It was in his eyes.

The constant complaining from the portrait beside his was begin to give him a headache. "Louisa," he shouted over her racket.

"What, Phineas?" she demanded, a little pinked faced.

'Typical Hufflepuff.'

"Kindly keep that annoying trap of yours shut. You start yabbering at the drop of a hat."

With a ladylike snort she stuck up her nose and walked out of her frame to chat with her other neighbour in hushed voices. Turning his attention back to toward the desk, he noticed that the student was agreeing to whatever it was that Albus was suggesting. Rather enthusiastically really.

Severus appeared to be against it. For a while it seemed as though he was going to win the fight, but Albus prevailed. All three stood and the chairs and desk obligingly moved aside leaving the three standing in the middle of the room.

Not a sound was heard as Fawkes came to rest on Albus' outstretched arm. His wand was drawn by his side. They couldn't possibly be doing what he thought they were doing, definitely not. She was still a child.

The Phoenix took flight, circling the office, the tip of his wing barely missing the portraits. His circles became came smaller and smaller until he was simply circling the brunette. The bird began to glow, it's light so bright he had to look away.

ooOOoo

Some time later Phineas woke from the slumber he didn't remember taking. Glancing around at the other portraits he remembered that he had been watching something of importance in the office below. Jumping from his leather chair he looked down. There was nothing. Everything was in its place, right down to the last little tooting object, even Dumbledore who sat at his desk deciding on a Lemon Drop before turning his attention back to the paper that sat before him.

He must have been dreaming. Yes that was it. Tossing the silly notion away he sat back in his chair intent on getting in a nap before Viola came visiting with daily news (and gossip) of the school and all the noisy students.

ooOOoo

Hermione opened her eyes, blinking at the ceiling. She didn't remember how or when, but she was lying flat on her back in the middle of…where was she again…oh yeah, that's right, Snape's Chambers. Pushing herself up unsteadily, her head began to spin causing her to tightly shut her eyes. She remembered what she was doing now. Placing a hand to her forehead to try and stop the pain, she felt the perspiration across her brow.

Who would have guessed this would be such a workout? Standing back up, wand in hand she turned to face Severus as the both stood before the hearth, furniture moved out of the way.

"Are you ready?" he asked, wand still limp at his side.

"Just a sec," she panted her head still facing the ground, willing the pain to subside. It felt like someone was trying to forcefully pull her brain out of her skull through her eye sockets. Taking a deep breath in…and out, she relaxed, the pain ebbing away. The only way to get better at something was to keep practicing. "Okay," she said raising her eyes to the man before her.

The rooms were quite warm despite the dropping temperature outside as it neared winter.

He was currently only dressed in a plain white shirt and black pants, feet bare. His hair was hanging around his face, framing his ebony eyes. Unknown to him, several of the buttons of his shirt had come undo, revealing a rather nice patch of skin.

Hermione herself had worn a pair of baggy Muggle jeans and a plain, white singlet top. Her hair was in a French braid, the usual bits falling out. She too was bare foot.

Careful not to look anywhere else other than his eyes, save her attention waver, Hermione braced herself.

Raising his wand he spoke, "Legilimens."

The room quickly deteriorated along with Severus as images flashed before her eyes like an old style movie.

She was sitting at home with her mother has she read Shakespeare for the first time…Ron had his wand pointed at a huge Mountain Toll…she groaned as she coughed up another hair ball…Victor and her walked arm in arm to the Great Hall…

With a horse shout the room became clear once more. She was on her knees panting heavily.

"Good for your third attempt, but you could do better," said Severus helping her back onto her feet. "I think that should be enough for tonight."

"One more," she said, the determination evident in her voice. "I know I can do this."

"Hermione, it is highly unlikely that you are going to be able to master this tonight. It takes time…"

"One more, please, Severus," she asked.

"Fine," he said stepping back from her. "Clear your mind of any and all emotion. Like a blank slate. No emotion, no feeling, no thoughts, nothing."

She did has he said, concentrating on a spot some foot or two behind his head.

Slowing her breathing everything disappeared from her mind, no emotion, no feeling, no thoughts, just black.

His blurred face became distorted as the room became hazy.

She was standing in Diagon Alley, holding Crookshanks for the first time as the boys commented on scruffy appearance and flat face.

The image faded as the room began to rebuild itself before her eyes, Severus standing before her. The pressure behind her eyes eased while her deep breaths remained constant. She watched as Severus lowered his wand, his eyes still locked on hers.

Exhaustion took over her body as she slumped down to her knees, her own wand fall lightly to the floor. Her limbs were so heavy it felt like her arms were going to fall off. Her legs just kind of puddled beneath her body. Her eyes were so heavy she could have mistaken them for lead weight. The room got smaller and smaller as she strained to keep her eyes open. She had to get up and go to bed. Just a quick cleansing charm and then bed that delightful… soft… warm… silky… spicy… bare skinned… downy haired…

Hermione's eyes shut against her minds protests as her head lolled forward against her chest. Half her mind was telling her to brace herself for impact with the floor; the other half was already asleep.

She didn't reach the floor though.

ooOOoo

See Hermione slump to the ground Severus watched as she fought with unconsciousness. Her wand cluttered softly to the floor. Her legs crumpled beneath her as her arms hung loosely by her sides. Her fingers lay on the ground.

Her eyes drooped heavily as she began to loose out. He really shouldn't have let her have that last round. Stepping forward he caught her shoulders as her head lolled forward and her body attempted to find the ground.

Sighing to himself he prepared his own tired body for what was coming.

Somehow he managed to lift her off the floor into his arms like he had done many times before. The witch murmured, her head turning to find him, nuzzling into his neck as a weary hand attempted lift from her lap in search of his neck. Instead it only made it half way before her fingers slid down his exposed chest and catching in his shirt.

Setting off toward his bedroom he tried very hard not notice how every time he took a step her delicate little nails grazed against his chest sending lightning shots through his body, how she every time she breathed she sent a little puff of hot air against the sensitive skin near his collarbone, how her oh so delicately breasts pressed against him through the thin fabric of her top.

Finally he reached his bed carefully lowering her down onto the silk. Stepping away from the bed he gathered his pyjamas. He definitely needed a cold shower.

ooOOoo

As Hermione lay in bed, snuggled into the comfortable chest beneath her, the warm skin soft to her touch, its rise and fall slow, steady and rhythmical. Despite the early hour she felt mischievous, unusually so and in a very un-Hermione way.

Cracking her eyes open just a slither she got a very nice view of a well toned stomach. A light dusting of hairs disappeared below the low waist band of a pair of silk boxers.

Grinning mentally she allowed the hand rest only inches away from her face to innocently travel down. Her fingers skimmed slowly through the downy hair that disappeared from view. Sliding her fingers lower they encountered the waistband. Ever so gently her fingers began to slip below the elastic, her first knuckle, and then her second knuckle. The breathing below her steadily became shorting until it stopped momentarily. Severus was awake.

Slowly she slid her hand across his stomach to his hip where her fingers slowly edged out. Sliding her hand up again she rested it where it had previously been resting followed by a sleep like mumble.

Oh how she would love to do this to the real Severus, not that she would ever dare though. Within moments timeless darkness engulfed her.

ooOOoo

When she finally awoke the bed was empty. Professor Snape must have already gotten up. Lifting her head slightly she glanced at the clock. She still had a few minute's rest before she had to get up.

Flopping onto her back she looked at the canopy as her mind wandered back to two days before in Professor Dumbledore's office. Even thinking back now she couldn't believe what had happened.

First she had that freaky dream only to find out that it really wasn't a dream. That really made her feel sick but at least she wasn't coming up with those gruesome images herself.

Then Albus Dumbledore had offered her something she would never have been offered before graduation. None of her or her friends had though they would even though they knew enough to be able to.

It was true however, what her mother had once told her, every cloud does have its silver lining.

Even though she had a horrible, throbbing, black tattoo of the Dark Mark on her leg, she was now an official spy against the forces of Lord Voldemort and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

How she had wanted to sit in on those meetings during the summer and now she could. She was finally able to make a difference. As soon as she learnt Occlumency that was. Then a little more training in moving her mind and then she was a spy. Not a conventional, James Bond, action hero, stereotypical spy, but a spy nonetheless.

Sighing happily she tried to remember why she was so contented. Then she recalled the dream she had had before she woke. Remembering what she had done a blush came over her cheeks.

Well at least she thought it was a dream. Luckily she was a very convincing actress when it came to pretending to be asleep.

ooOOoo

Authors Notes: Thank-you once again to everyone who has reviewed. I hope you like this new twist in the plot and I hope it clears up all your questions on that matter. I hope it was long enough. If there is anything you are unsure on or confused about please tell me so that I may be able to sort it out as best as I can.

I'm going back to school on Monday (groans), so it might be a little while between posts but I will try to keep writing.

As always Reviews are appreciated as they remind me to write and remind me of all my wonderful readers.

(Just wondering if there is anyone that would like to proof-read future chapters and such. A beta if anyone wants to. )

P.S. Dad's getting heaps better.