The girl picked frantically at the stubborn jewels poking from her wrist. They were, as her professors had told her, entrenched deep underneath and some blood had appeared as a sign of her continued efforts.

She'd refused the viscous calming draught Professor Snape had handed to her almost immediately after her waking. To see him, to be anywhere near the castle, was not only confusing, but completely alarming. She'd had no intention of going back to school this year. The last thing she could remember was Harry Ron and herself in a diner just north of Rutland. They'd been a complete mess, unsure, completely exhausted. She hadn't been at her best. Had her Professors saved her?

"Where is Harry and Ron?" she asked, dropping her wrist for the moment, completely distracted by this new pressing matter.

Professor Snape stood stock still, his hands behind his back, as Professor McGonagall looked to him for a possible answer that she too had been looking for.

"I do not know. I apologize."

"What happened?"

He struggled quietly, hoping things would sort themselves out, that she could just understand. He wanted her to take the calming drought and postpone this conversation for just a little bit longer, completely unsure of how to tell her. Before he could open his mouth however, her hands were reaching for the phial and she was uncorking it, drinking the contents with wide eyes.

"Miss Granger?" McGonagall scooted closer to the girl, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. The girl in turn changed her expression from complete weariness to utter abandonment.

"You don't have to explain right now Sir. You look exhausted."

It seemed she was fighting against her words, her tone of voice completely different from the content of her speech. McGonagall looked back towards her co-worker again with wide eyes. Granger's eyes had started to water but she said very little.

"Sit back Miss Granger." The potions master stated and the girl heaved herself back against the couch forcefully as if pushed backby someone else.

"Severus?"

Professor Snape took the girl's pulse and kneeled down before her.

"The curse and the calming draught are in combat with her self will. I imagine-"

Suddenly the girl shot up and practically ran over to the store of potions Severus had brought with him for her. She picked the smallest phial out from its pocket and uncorked it, holding the contents to her mouth.

"You want me to drink this." She said, her hand shaking slightly. She looked at her potions professor in earnest, as if she truly did aim to please him, the shadows of the fire darkening her eyes and haunting the shallowness of her cheeks.

"Yes I do." He stated, getting up and walking towards her. She nodded and drank the entire content of the tube, reaching for him as her senses became dulled and sleep over took her once more.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

It had rattled the professor and that was not something he had expected.

He didn't want to be too far away from her, if she woke and couldn't find him but received any commands, he was afraid she might hurt herself. So he rested her in his bed and sat wearily outside the door, in his study.

He hadn't expected the intensity of her connection either. It was as if she could read his mind. No, it was as if she could anticipate his thoughts before he had even thought them. As if she knew what he wanted before he even knew he wanted it. Was there no limit? Would every waking second be a losing battle for this girl?

It was a curse that had been in existence for over ten thousand years. Books on the subject were no longer in circulation. There was only one reference of it in his personal collection and it spoke little of the experience of the victim. It was, unknowable, the connection between a master and his servant, but something akin to a voice in one's head, telling them what to do. There was no known counter curse but death and no way to dull the connection.

His owl came back from the Weasleys' makeshift home, with no return letter. The dark sky was lightening now and soon breakfast would be served for the staff. It was the first day of school, and expected students were to return today on the train. He buried his head in his hands and gave in to the ache of his eyes, closing them despite his buzzing mind.

He would have to explain all of this to her, as soon as possible. Everything.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Amycus Carrow, and his sister Alecto had made new of the school in a matter of days. The fine goblin architecture that had made the school so famous, had been dulled to its highest peak. The once great hall was continuously drabbed in perpetual darkness, with small candles lighting the tables now. They were more acting than Severus, appointed deputy headmasters in his wake. They knew not of Hermione Granger's situation but he was sure it would only be a matter of time before it came to light. For her safety, he withheld the information from the Order but instead wrote a small note to the acting head, Remus Lupin, that the girl was in fact missing. He warded his fireplace against unexpected visitors and changed the password to his personal rooms. There was no one, he was sure he could trust.

By the time she was awake, he was ready to have the conversation with her, hoping to push out any possible desires or personal thoughts.

"You look exhausted Professor." She stated as he took some breakfast in to her. She looked down at it with ill appetite but then up at him and then slowly started to pick at the food on her plate.

"Miss Granger." He stated "I-"

"If it's uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me."

"You were kidnapped, by the Dark Lord." He finally managed to say. He hadn't realized how easy it would feel to give in to her reprieves. "And cursed."

She lifted her wrist to show him and he nodded. The dried blood still caked the red ink.

"What curse?" she asked.

"It is rare, dark magic. Wandlore I have little knowledge of. You've been cursed by the Family Crest- my family crest. You will feel inclined to do as I ask, you can probably hear a voice in your head-"

"Your voice Professor."

"My voice, telling you things I would like."

"Yes." She looked back down at her wrist. "like a servant."

"No. I won't ask anything of you." He already knew before speaking that it was a lie. He had no control over what the girl heard. Neither did she. He shifted slightly as he stood tall before her, his gaze instilling a different kind of fear in her now. She hadn't seen him since her last potions class of the semester in sixth year but Harry hadn't been resistant in telling her and Ron about his murder of Professor Dumbledore. It scared her to be under his complete control now, to answer his every whim. She imagined she would be forced to do every kind of evil and it would somehow mean the end of her life.

But then there was almost instantly, that urge, his voice in her head, telling her to eat and she found her body complying and eating despite her upset stomach. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to fight against her arms, but it was no use, they did not even falter as the food was scooped in her mouth.

She gagged as she tried to swallow the porridge.

"Stop." He said. Relief washed over her as the urge depleted and her mind became clear again.

"I will do everything I can to make this easier Miss Granger." He stated and she acquiesced.

"There are certain things I cannot keep hidden – no human can. I want you to tell me when you are uncomfortable and we will find a solution together. Do you understand?" she nodded again. It seemed as if she had no more questions. If it was the curse that made her nature soluble or if she merely understood he could not say. She instead started scraping again at the newly acquired jewels and said nothing more about it. The silence made him uneasy.

"What would you have me talk about?" she asked suddenly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You don't want the silence. I can talk if you like."

"No." he brushed his hands over his disheveled robes. "Please rest."

"Alright Sir."

He was just as rattled and unsure as he left her once again.