A/N: Sorry for the delay. Very busy week. Hope you continue to enjoy. Kind Regards-R

Severus looked up from the chair he'd created to make himself comfortable inside her sitting space. He'd carried her from the bedroom to the sitting area before lowering her back to rest on a small pile of cushions and pillows. She'd remained as she'd been lain for quite sometime. Merely extending out her arms to explore the new space.

Severus set aside one of the many lesson plans that had been changed to fit Voldemort's more nefarious agenda before just leaning forward to take her in. She was still thin but her arms and legs seemed to be able to support her well enough. She was still wearing a robe but this one was more of an over the head sort of style, like an elaborate night gown. It fit her frame well and didn't restrict nor reveal any part of her that was in any way demeaning. Her hair was starting to shine again, the health of the regrown locks evident.

She was taller than he would have expected, though having carried her enough times, it was more evident now as she stretched out. Her face was relaxed, peaceful even. Though every once and a while she'd scratch just under the ear he'd put the potion into and make a very familiar face. The face she often made when she had been concentrating in class or on a complex problem. He recognized it because it was the face he most often saw.

Her face, though still rather thin, did not look childish any longer. No, despite his continued reference to her inside his mind as a girl, she was most definitely a child no longer. No, she was becoming something more and it was he who had given her the chance to find out for herself what that would be.

A deep sigh left his chest as he set his things aside, "Miss Granger, can you hear me?"

Hermione turned her head towards a deep rumbling sound that came to her bandaged ear. Curious, she touched her hand to the cotton inside before shifting her body towards where she believed the sound to have originated. A new sensation, a small tremor through the floor beneath told her that whatever had made the sound was growing closer. This caught her attention and she carefully pushed herself up just a bit straighter.

Hands—his hands— came next pulling her palms into his. Her head tilted to the side when a similar deep rumble came again. Curious she reached out of his hold, using her newly acquired sense to reach towards where she believed the sound to originate. When her fingers met soft thinned lips, her lips ticked and she tilted her head up.

Severus narrowed his eyes marginally, her face begged a question but with her eyes closed he could just barely feel her curiosity. Then, as though granted insight from an outside force, he spoke again.

"Miss Granger, can you hear me?"

Her fingers stayed on the outside of his mouth, his breath wafting over her small digits. Her brow furrowed and her fingers ran down the line of his jaw, tracing the high collar of his jacket. Her head leaned in dangerously close to his own before lowering down under his chin. She pressed her good ear just beneath his jaw and went still, desperately trying to discern the significance of this new sensation.

Severus spoke again, though this time, just her name. She was uncomfortably close but he was just as curious as she was and thus let it pass. His head tilted just a little when her hand pressed over his chest and he would have guessed that she could feel his words vibrating through. She was obviously hearing something, to what he was unsure. The alternative—that she'd forgotten her own name— something he didn't even want to contemplate.

Hermione pulled back as the feeling passed. Her brow still lined with deep thought. It had been so long since she'd heard anything, that she feared that she had lost the ability to understand the spoken word. The fear was barely given attention when hands had come again, running down the lines of her jaw. A soft content sigh passed her lips and she turned her head to their guidance.

Severus pulled the cotton from her ear before pulling the vial from his pocket. It was time to give her a second dose. She seemed extremely content, only her knees pressed gently to his chest, so he took the moment.

Hermione jumped slightly when the cool glass stopper was pressed on the outside of her ear. When the warm liquid ran down, a loud rush like raging water, flooded her senses. She made to pull away but the hand returned keeping her jaw in place. A sharp pop came from inside and a soft grating sound filled her silent world.

She squirmed in his hold only to hear the sounds of her resistance against his clothes. The sound immediately caught her attention and she went still. There was a heavy moment where all she could hear was her own breath leaving her chest before a deep rumble filled the air. Her head tilted, the liquid inside shifting, exposing more of the world around her. Then, she heard him.

"Miss Granger?"

Her brow ticked as tears of emotion welled instantly in her eyes. Her name. He'd said her name. It sounded muffled, as though from far away but the vibration in his chest told her he was right there with her. Tears spilled down her cheeks when she turned her head, presumably to look at him and let out a shakey noise of her own.

Severus released the breath he'd been holding, watching the tears rain down. He knew she'd heard him this time. The ambivalence was clear on her face. The small sound she made, one of affirmation, even though it lacked the syntax of speech. It was a step in the right direction.

He pushed a new piece of cotton inside her ear before leaning back on his heels. Taking her in, he let her hands come up to her face to wipe away her tears. No sob accompanied them, they were pure emotional release. When her hands reached out again, she made another soft noise, her fingers curling into his collar lightly caressing his skin.

Hermione shifted on her knees, she wanted to hear him speak. She wanted to give him a name. Would he tell her now? Or was it too dangerous? The man with the metal hand had not come. No one had come since he'd removed the stone from inside her. Though her body lacked the poison that was keeping her on edge the habit of their deeds upon her flesh had warped her mind.

A new need had taken its place, a new addiction to the hands that touched her now. A gentle need, calling to her. So kind, caring, the medicine man had taken away her pain and restored something she believed to be forever lost.

Her tongue shifted in her mouth, trying to make the words she wanted to say. His hands retreated, running down her arms to pull her free. Her heart sparked with fear that he was going to leave her side again. Despite having become comfortable in solitude, having learned being alone was the only time she was safe, she wanted him to stay.

"Mm...mmm..." Her voice rumbled in her chest and ghosted through her ear, as light as a whisper muddled and barely recognized by her our mind. She pushed herself harder to make the words she needed to say, "Medi... medicine..." She swallowed thickly, her words had halted his retreat and she knew this was her chance, "Man...stay..."

Severus felt many things in that moment, none of which he would ever reveal, even under duress. He didn't know how but this stubborn Gryffindor had done something to him that hadn't occured in many decades. He didn't know how to respond verbally to her words. What could he possibly say? Tell her that she was wrong? That he hadn't come to heal her? That he didn't care about her well being?

Instead, he brought his hands up and brushed them along her jaw to run through her hair. The action awarded him with a very faint—if hesitant smile before she leaned in closer, pressing her ear over his heart. His eyes closed and for a moment he took her head and held it in place.

Hermione could hear his heart, feel it beating in his chest. It meant so much more than it should have but to her, he was her world. Her hero, her savior. Even for just that moment, she allowed herself to believe that the hands that had come to harm her were gone and that she was safe. Safe from the torture that had plagued her world. It was in the next moment that a sharp ache jolted between her legs and she pressed her knees together, shifting harder against him.

Severus instantly noticed the change and released her head to push her back away from him. The ring that he'd placed on a necklace to keep hidden away was growing warm and he could only guess that the person who had the second half of the Dragon was attempting to use it. He shifted as best he could, trying to lean back enough to see her face but she kept it right to his chest.

Hermione whined softly, the sound thumping against her skull. The noise she made sounded like a wounded dog but she couldn't stop her throat from making the sound. She wracked her brain trying to remember their system, how she could express to him her need. Thus far, the medicine man had been there to take away her pain but now she needed the pleasure his hands had brought to her.

She reached down, fiddling with her necklace before pressing the stone for pain to her lips. She wasn't exactly hurting but she did have a need she desperately wanted him to fill. The absence of the stone inside her had left a void, making her body ache. She didn't know how to even explain to herself what she was feeling only that she wanted him—and only him—to fill that need.

A part of her feared that he would call forth the man with the metal hand, though her heart hoped that he would take care of her as he had done since the night she had come to be in his care. It was a warped sense of loyalty, of possession that she wanted him to claim. The months she'd spent in capture lowering her self worth to that of a mere tool to be used leaving her conflicted.

"Are you in pain?" Severus spoke slowly and softly into her ear, watching her face closely. The girl in his arms furrowed her brow for a moment before very slightly nodding her head.

Severus shifted her so that she was more or less laid over his arm. She had resisted the movement only briefly before slowly bringing her legs around to stretch out in front of them. Her head turned into his arm before reaching down. Confusion lined his brow when took hold of herself. Her hips rose and she parted her legs as she'd done many times before.

A soft whine filled the room and Hermione grimaced at the sound she'd made, however, despite this she reached for his hand pulling it down between her legs. She didn't know how else to express herself. So long—too long she'd gone without speach that she didn't think to speak. Didn't want to speak.

Severus curled his fingers into his palm when she pressed his hand against the bone of her hip. Despite having sought to her care there before, something was churning in his gut. No longer was she unaware, she was alert and as clear as she could possibly be. It was difficult to rationalize touching her in such an intimate way with her being so aware. There should have been no reason that she would want him there willingly and thus pressed the idea that discomfort was giving her the need.

The decision to help her was slowly made, though many things inside him protested, there weren't any lines that she hadn't been forced to cross. It was with heavy conscience that he relented to her unspoken want. Turning her away, he laid her down on the pillows resting her down gently before he came to his feet to retrieve the potion that would soothe the damage that had been wrought inside her.

Hermione let out another soft noise when she felt and heard him move away. Her chest fluttered with anxiety before she rolled herself onto her hands and knees. A residual pain ran through her loins as the memory of what had forced her to remain in that position at all times fluttered through her mind.

A phantom pain, she could almost feel the chain, connected with the piercing no longer present, that had bound her to the floor. Forcing her to receive their pleasure and her reward in the deminunative position. Her body shivered as the memory left but her want to stay beside the Medicine Man over took the fear and she found herself moving forward to follow the faint sounds of his footsteps.

Severus turned his head nearly immediately when he'd caught her movement from the corner of his eye. His frown deepened as she cautiously held out her hands searching the floor for obstacles as she made to follow him. His jaw twitched and he found himself turning on his heel to stop her. It wasn't that he didn't want her to explore the space, it was the sight of her doing such a thing—that way— that riled his nerves. He wanted her to stand, walk properly, not crawl around like an animal.

His brain ticked when he came to stand just before her, her searching fingers jumping back from the feel of his dragon hide boots. He wracked his brain, trying to think of a way he could get her to stand in the least stressful way possible. Pulling her to her feet hadn't worked and despite her being able to somewhat hear him now, he didn't believe words would convince her. No, he needed a new plan.

He turned his head out towards a swath of blocked off space he'd left bare before coming to his idea. A glance down at his feet, her head tilted up towards him waiting expectantly pushed him forward. He silenced his footfalls so that she wouldn't be able to easily follow his path before he made a doorway in the half-wall. Another series of complex spells lowered the floor inside the magical suitcase and another began filling the moderately sized pool with warm water.

It was large enough to fit the two of them comfortably and would allow for him to strengthen her muscles with laps. Of course, he'd need to always be present but it would be the perfect place to retrain her body. A glance back over the wall found Hermione sitting back on her heels, seemingly smelling the air. She was so clever.

Severus left the pool to fill before making a wide walk around her to retrieve the salve he'd originally meant to retrieve, a quick glance to his watch told him that night had fallen. That his time with her should be in uninterrupted as the castle settled for the night. He'd charmed the stones leading to the office to alert him to anyone seeking him, allowing him enough time to safely leave the suitcase and appear in his office from the attached chambers.

Hermione felt the air shift when he passed, the soft smell that she'd come to know wafting under her nose. Her heart eased knowing he was still there but her mind turned with what he was possibly doing. Was he going to bring the man with the metal hand? Was he calling on another? Was he going to put the stone back inside her? What could he possibly be doing?

Her fears and anxiety compounded the longer he stayed away. The previous burst of courage to follow him had quickly left her, forcing her back into her previous training. Her mind ground trying to think of the proper course before she decided that simply laying on the floor was her best choice. She pressed her forehead to the floor hiding her face with her fists.

So encapsulated in her own thoughts she hadn't heard nor smelt his return. It wasn't until his long fingers pressed themselves between her arms and her side did she register him. Her body saged heavily when he pulled her chest from the floor to rest her back onto her shins. Her knees opened from the position before she raised her head questioningly.

"I am here..." Severus didn't know what else to say. Her fear was clear to him but he didn't know its cause and thus how to abate it. Instead, he released her back onto her heels before opening the jar he'd retrieved. "I have your medicine. I want you to try and put it on..."

Hermione heard about every third word clearly, his voice was clearer now, deep and somewhat recognizable to the deepest part of her mind. The ache between her legs returned and the need for him to touch her kept her hands curled to her chest. It was the first time she outright refused an order. Something she was sure would lead to something most awful. Still, the need had to be filled.

A soft sigh pushed the hair back from her face and she parted her lips ever just so, the fear of reprimand was great and her hands reached towards his legs. Her face turned to that seeking forgiveness while her fingers sought out the fly on his slacks.

"Don't." Severus stepped out of her reach before taking her by one of her outstretched arms. Instead of pulling her to her feet like he wished, he turned her in the direction of the pillows she'd just left. "Lie down."

Hermione crawled forward at his command, her body turning once she felt the pillows under her palms. Her chest fluttered when she did as she was told, laying back. His instructions were sharp but not cruel and it only wound her heart tighter.

Severus opened the salve before using his wand to make a seam along the side of the skirt. He took the bottom before pulling it up just far enough to stay out of the way. He wanted her to become more independent but also knew he'd have to teach her a skill she never seemed to have been lacking before. He prayed silently that her mind would just click back into place but the reality was starting to press heavily on his mind.

"Give me your hand." Continuing with verbal commands, he waited for her to follow before dipping two of her fingers in the salve, "This should ease the pain...You can use it anywhere you hurt except your mouth."

With her hearing partially restored, he had faith that she wouldn't try and taste the salve. Her small nod assured him before he guided her wrist down, "You can even put this inside..."

Hermione nodded again but didn't stop the small pout from forming on her face. She wanted him inside her, not the salve. Her plan to feign pain in her nether regions had not worked and her mind was quickly trying to find a way to change the situation. His hand stayed with hers until it rested between her legs. Her hips shifted as she pressed her fingers very gently between her folds focusing on his scent and his warmth beside her to trick herself into believing her fingers were not her own.

oOo

Marxan lowered his head down, a dark grin forming over his heavily scarred face. The head that bobbed between his knees was making great work of their imperio assisted task and he could feel his release building. His eyes rab over the moonlight blond hair before snapping up to the tent door that had opened.

"Malfoy wants the girl in his cellar by months end. He's willing to pay a hefty sum to avoid doing all the dirty work." The lacky paid no mind to the girl under the table, it wasn't the first time and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

"Then I suppose," Marxan drawled turning his eyes back down, "We've got some time don't we?" A small shift of his wand turned the girl's hazed baby blues towards his face, "What of the elf? Was he able to get in?"

"Seems that way sir, he's just waiting on an opportunity."

"Ex-cellent." His restrained release filled the girl's mouth and he let out a deep sigh, "I want my Dual Dragon back." He didn't care what happened to the girl. He could always train another, a weaker-willed girl.

Though he did hope that Snape hadn't damaged her too much, he would love to have one more romp before ending her life. He would have done the deed weeks ago had it not been for Wormtails interest in her. Taking her exclusively had left the others for his men's consumption and no one had made any complaints. Though now with him gone, he saw no reason to keep her alive. He just wanted his property back.

"Take her to the cages. Make sure she's properly fed, we wouldn't want Lucius sniffing about." A sharp grab pulled the petit girl from her knees, her vision starting to clear as the imperio task had been completed.

Her body swayed as she was taken by another, her flight or fight response kicking in on what had just happened. "Wh-ere's my Dad?" Her voice didn't tremble but the unease was hidden in the corners of her dreamy look.

"All in due time, Lovegood. All in due time."