As Hermione undressed and got into bed, she tried desperately not to feel how tired and hurt Severus was. She could tell he hadn't slept in days, and his body was a mass of bruises. And he possibly had a broken rib – she couldn't quite tell where the pain was coming from, but she knew it hurt more when he tried to take a deep breath.
You need to rest, Hermione told Severus. That rib needs to heal and your body won't be doing anything to help in its exhausted state.
Have you ever tried to sleep on a dungeon floor, Hermione? It's not an easy task. Not to mention the fact that it's incredibly difficult to relax when the dulcet tones of Lucius Malfoy may be waking you from that sleep at any second. Severus didn't voice the fact that he was past caring whether his rib healed or not. Soon it would all be over, and what was the point in fixing himself to just be broken all over again?
Hermione turned over in her bed, trying to find a position she was comfortable in. She finally relaxed her body and then put her hand on her stomach, which was finally starting to swell a little; not enough for anyone to really notice anything, especially under the robes she usually wore, but her jeans were tight and she was half dreading and half looking forward to the day when she would be forced to transfigure them.
You're showing, Severus said, his voice gentle.
You can feel it? Hermione asked, her hand still lightly stroking her stomach.
I can feel it, he confirmed, his voice betraying an element of awe. I can feel what your hand touches, if I concentrate.
There's a tiny version of you in there, Hermione said, her mind's voice gentle to match Severus'. Probably with his very own little cauldron and snarky expression.
I thought you were going to sleep, Severus said, closing his eyes in pain; except this pain was more mental than physical. He couldn't allow himself to wonder, to care about the child he had conceived with Hermione. It would make finally dying hurt so much more.
You can take your barriers down you know, Hermione said, her voice even more gentle than before. What have you got to lose now?
More than you know, Hermione, Severus' said, turning to try to get comfortable on the cold stone floor and wincing in pain as he did so.
I meant what I said, you know, Hermione said, cringing with him as she felt the stabs of pain as if they were running through her own body. What I said to you earlier tonight, in your storeroom…
Severus tried to clamp down on the rush of emotion that threatened to overwhelm him.
For God sake, girl – go to sleep.
Come and lie with me, Severus, Hermione said, sleepily. She closed her eyes and imagined his head on her shoulder, his body cushioned against hers. She pictured his arm around her waist and her hand in his hair. She could almost feel the silk of his hair under her fingers as the 'Hermione in her head' stroked his hair in the most soothing way she knew how.
Severus groaned, before letting go; letting his mind be cushioned as finally sweet oblivion overtook him.
xxx
I insist you end this charm at once, Severus said, his voice stern in her head. I absolutely refuse to sit through Seventh Year Charms again. I will find a way to make you pay for this.
Hermione was amused. She shouldn't have been in such a good mood really, because nothing had really changed. But nonetheless, she found the ranting in her head rather like having an amusing sarcastic voice over for her life.
Severus had tried to distance his mind from hers and had found it almost impossible to do so. He had been woken from the first real sleep he had had in the last two weeks by Lucius Malfoy, who had been hugely irritated to find Severus relaxed enough to be lightly snoring in his cell. Now Severus was trying to brew heavy duty healing potions, while having to listen to Hermione's professors drone on. He was only glad Hermione didn't have any contact with Professor Binns at all that day, or he might have been driven to throw himself into the large cauldron he was currently stirring.
Bloody Filius – I'll give him 'swish and flick.'
Hermione grinned and avoided Harry's eyes as he gave her a funny look. She'd been preoccupied all day and now she was randomly smiling to herself, and he didn't think that there was much chance that it had anything to do with his proposal the night before.
"Something's cheered you up," Harry whispered, wincing as a stab of pain ran through his head and Professor Flitwick walked past. He wasn't sure whether he was whispering to keep from being heard, or to keep his head from splitting open. "Thought any more about that question I asked you?"
"Harry, this isn't the time or place to talk about this," Hermione whispered back, sending him a stern look. Sod whether people overheard, she just didn't want Severus to hear.
What question, Hermione? You're hiding something…Severus raised his eyebrows in suspicion, before adding the chopped Mandrake root to the bubbling cauldron.Bugger off.
Love to. Release me from this charm and I will be happy to obey. Admittedly, he didn't actually want her to, but being connected to Hermione's mind like this was giving him hope that he didn't want, or need. The situation was hopeless and feeling like this was just going to make everything so much harder.
You've stopped taking points from me now, I see, Hermione thought to him, with a smile.
If I had carried on, there wouldn't have been any more for me to take, Severus replied, adding the final ingredient, before sliding down onto the hard floor for a rest.
Have you thought of perhaps making a potion that could get you out of there, Severus? Hermione asked, the idea suddenly coming to her as her hand copied down every word Professor Flitwick was saying.
I have limited supplies and I am constantly watched, Severus said, sighing. And Lucius had the foresight to leave the only Death Eater who had any talent at potion making as my guard. I taught him myself three years ago – I knew there was something not right about him then.
Why couldn't that man have made the healing potions then? Hermione said, her mood suddenly blackening. It all seemed so hopeless. Why go to all the trouble of kidnapping you? Healing potions aren't all that difficult.
I am offended that you need to ask that question, Hermione, Severus said, his mind's voice superior. Hermione imagined him in front of her, black robes billowing as he strode around the room, lecturing her. I am one of the top Potions Masters in my field. There are only two or three of my standard in the entire world.
So why on earth do you choose to work at Hogwarts? Hermione asked, smiling at the arrogance that only he could carry off so well. It was somehow sexy.
Think, girl.
Dumbledore? she asked, scrunching her nose up. You started working here just so you'd be useful as a spy? No wonder you don't seem to like us – you must resent the hell out of the whole lot of us.
Severus snorted, making the Death Eater at the door glance sharply at him.
I don't resent my students, I just think most of them are utterly brainless and in desperate need of discipline. Professors such as the one who is droning on at the moment do not prepare students for life, let alone war. My methods are harsh, but those who survive them become stronger for it.
Harry was giving Hermione a funny look.
"What?" she asked, looking puzzled.
Harry gestured to the piece of parchment in front of her. The last line, My methods are harsh, but those who survive them become stronger for it, jumped out at her.
Oh God.
What? Severus' concerned voice only made Hermione cringe more.
I appear to have been writing down everything you've been saying to me over the past few minutes, Hermione reluctantly told him. My concentration appears to be a little bit impaired with you lecturing in my head.
I was not lecturing, I was merely answering your question, Severus said, sharply.
I like it when you lecture, Hermione said, feeling his hurt and being a little taken aback by it. Being in Lucius' dungeons must have really been taking it out of him.
Of course, Severus said, his tone sarcastic.
You really have no idea what that voice of yours does to people, do you? Hermione asked, almost shyly. She had given up taking notes now and was just looking down at her desk, pretending to be reading the open book in front of her.
I'm sure Potter and Weasley just sit there in ecstasies while I lecture, Severus said sarcastically. I bet they can hardly contain themselves.
Hermione's mind drifted back to the classes she'd been in where she's listened to his voice, as it sent shivers down her spine. The odd few times she'd even had to disappear to her room during her lunch hour to help herself wind down a little.
That is hardly appropriate, Miss Granger, Severus said as the images bombarded his mind. He tried desperately not to picture Hermione lying on the top of her bed, her hand clenched between her thighs as she made herself come. Was she thinking of him when she did that?
Back to formalities again, are we? Hermione said. If we are then it would definitely be inappropriate for me to answer that question.
Bloody, buggery charm, Hermione was amused to hear Severus mutter in her mind. Shouldn't you be concentrating on the oh so scintillating Professor Flitwick, Miss Granger?
That's not as much fun… Hermione said, grinning. If she could just forget everything, just for one day – go back to being happy, just for a day.
Forget about everything for the day. Forget about me. End the charm and put it back tomorrow, Severus said hearing her thoughts, his heart going out to her. She was far too young for all the awful things she had been through and was going to go through.
I can still be happy for a day with you in my head. The thought of not knowing what was happening to Severus filled her with a sudden dread that she tried hard to stamp down, before he felt it too.
That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard you say, Severus said with a mental derisive snort. I defy even Albus and his bloody Lemon Drops to stay cheerful with me in their head. It's only for a day, Hermione.
I'm scared of losing you, Hermione admitted, biting her lip. Don't make me break the connection – not now when I've thought you were dead for so many days and I've finally got you back.
"Hermione!" Harry's voice jolted her out of her unhappy conversation with Severus.
"What?" she asked, annoyed.
"Class is over, Hermione," he said more gently, looking concerned. "And we're going to be late if you don't pull yourself together and come now."
xxx
My God, is he tryingto get everyone blown up? Severus ranted in Hermione's head. Tell Albus to put the top back on that Dragon's blood, before it reacts with the air and you all end up in little, ignorant pieces.
Ignorant? Hermione eyed the jar on Severus' desk and wondered how he managed to see through her eyes. It was… disconcerting.
Do something!"Erm… sir?" Hermione said, as Albus walked past her desk, checking on everyone's potions and giving them words of praise and helpful suggestions. "Would you like me to cork that Dragon's blood for you?"
Albus grinned at Hermione, his twinkle infectious, making everyone in the class twinkle back at him, except for maybe Draco and Pansy.
"No need to worry, Miss Granger," Albus said, his smile knowing. "I have put a spell on the vial, letting the blood out when it the vial is tipped, but not letting anything in. The blood will not react with the air; never fear. Ten points to Gryffindor for being so observant though."
Hermione could feel Severus' inner scowl.
Bloody man. Thinks he knows everything. And now I'm managing to help you accumulate points for Gryffindor! My life is complete. I may as well poison myself now.
Hermione's smile turned into a grin when Albus caught her eye and winked.
If you poison yourself, how am I meant to construct a suitably dramatic rescue plan? It's my turn to rescue you – do you really want to deny me that?
How on earth do you plan on rescuing me? Severus was seeing his potions room through Hermione's eyes and his fingers were just itching to interfere. He could see people doing things wrong everywhere he looked and the Headmaster was doing nothing about it!
Calm yourself, Severus, Hermione thought to him with a grin. Or you'll have a stress induced heart attack and I still won't get to save you.
And again I will ask how you are planning on rescuing me? Severus almost allowed himself to hope. Hermione was brilliant, there was no denying that and if anyone could be relied on to think of something everyone else had missed, it would be her.
Thank you, sir, Hermione said, blushing at Severus' thoughts of praise. I didn't think you'd really noticed me until a few months back, when we were thrown together because of Draco.
Hermione, every professor in the school is quite aware of your brilliance – I would have to have been blind not to notice it. I cannot be seen to notice you while the Dark Lord has so many spies in our midst.
Hermione smiled again, attracting more curious looks her way, from Draco as well as Harry. For his part, Draco wasn't concerned about Hermione's strange behaviour, but was more trying to think of a way to get out of spending the evening in her company. He was thinking of excuses, each more inventive than the last, but still couldn't find one that Granger would let him get away with.
Draco is watching you, Severus told Hermione, warning her. He felt a feeling of protectiveness surge through him and tried to clamp down on the feeling.
I know, Hermione said, still chopping her ingredients. I think he's trying to get out of spending the evening with us all tonight.
Spending the… what?! Severus' voice was loud in Hermione's head, making her wince. Are you completely insane? Don't you remember what that boy has tried to do to you; what he wants from you?
It is because of what Draco Malfoy wants from me that I am arranging this, Hermione told him, trying to soothe his angry feelings with her own calmer ones. I need to make him see me as a person, Severus. I need him to feel more guilt than he's feeling already.
Guilt doesn't always make people act in positive ways, Severus told her. If he feels guilty, he is just as likely to resent you for it and try to punish you as he is to back away from you and leave you alone.
Getting Draco on my side is my only way of getting out of this, Hermione said, avoiding Harry's gaze as he watched her. And my only way of rescuing you.
My only chance of escape relies on you and Draco Malfoy putting six years of hatred and prejudice behind you, all in the space of three weeks? Severus asked, the misery in his voice only half put on. Oh great. Just great…
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:o) I love you people! You're all so nice!
