"Your name is Hermione Granger. You are 19 years old and a former student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Severus kept his voice level despite the hours that had passed trying his patience. His eyes watching every minute change on the girl's face. He had promised her that he would sleep beside her that night if she completed all the exercises he gave to her.
He had left her side once she had fallen to sleep the night before, only to be woken in the early hours by her screams that came from the mirror he'd set on his bedside table. She had had a nightmare, a powerful one that had nearly taken away all the progress they had made thus far. She hadn't told him what she'd seen but the sheer terror on her face was enough to make him stay. That was nearly 6 hours ago.
Now, they sat inside the sitting room. Showered and with full stomachs. Severus was attempting to do what the snatchers had done but with a more positive twist. It was creative thinking that had come to him in the dead of night. A thought that was worth a try. After all, how much more damage could possibly be done?
"Repeat." Severus didn't like the idea of bribing her with food, though he saw little harm in bribing her compliance with snacks. He'd found out that morning that she had a particular liking for strawberries when her wandering hand had taken his instead of her own.
"My name...is... Hermione... Granger. I'm...19 and a former student..." Her head rocked back and forth, her face pinched as she forced the words through. Her throat was still a little sore but it was the sound of her own voice that grated on her senses, "Of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."
"Good." Severus leaned forward brushing her turned cheek softly before pressing the sliced strawberry to her lips. She resisted for only a moment before taking the piece into her mouth. His jaw twitched when she shook her head as though to shake the words from taking hold in her mind.
"You are a witch. Powerful, intelligent, and strong."
"I'm...a witch, powerful, intelligent...and strong..." Hermione could barely get the words out. Even with the sweet taste of strawberry on her tongue the words tasted bitter. She pulled her legs tighter to her chest, lowering her forehead down after receiving her reward. This game was familiar...but different. She couldn't understand what he was doing but she didn't want him to go. She didn't want to be alone anymore.
Severus let out a slow breath and wiped his hands on a towel. It was more than he had expected from her. He knew when to give it a rest. Switching gears, he pushed himself up from the chair and slipped his wand into his palm. Her mental exercises might have been finished but still more to do.
"Imperio."
Hermione gasped softly as her mind began to float, all her thoughts fading out to a soft soothing wave. A voice, whispered in the distance but she had no power to resist its command. As her legs uncurled from the chair she could feel her body crawling with fear. When the world tilted and her legs trembled with the weight of her frame she wanted to resist, to beg for him to stop though she had no control over her tongue.
Severus stood back to take her in fully. Her height was more than he had expected. The top of her head easily coming up to his chin. When she took her first step he could feel the torment inside her trying to push through his spell but he was stronger. Her steps forward were awkward though they didn't appear to be weak just unpracticed.
"Come to me..." Severus released his spell, fully expecting her to collapse but when she took her first step under her own power he felt her world changing, "Come to me..."
Hermione panted slowly through her open mouth, everything inside her screamed at her but his voice—his words alone—gave her strength she didn't even know she possessed. Her body trembled and the fear churned her stomach.
"You are strong, you are powerful." Severus extended his arms slowly; she was just two steps away, "Say it."
"I-I am... strong, " another step, "I am..." His touch, his hands taking her arms, "Powerful?" Tears of emotion bubbled up the back of her throat as her will to remain on her feet went out. Her body started to crumple when his hands tightened, keeping her up.
"You are safe." Severus kept his grip firm but unabusive. When he felt her left leg buckle he pulled her up against his body. His arms shifting to hold her up against him. One held her around her waist and the other at the back of her head, "You are safe."
Hermione clung tightly to his coat, her feet slipping slightly on the floor before she finally managed to support some of her weight. Her eyes closed tight when he pressed her head into his throat though she didn't protest. The feel of his body against hers was all she wanted in that moment.
"I am...safe..."
oOOo
"What were you thinking? Have you lost all sense?" Remus growled low, wanting very much to shake the teen in front of him. As it was, his wife was between them working on mending Ron's shoulder.
"It needed to be done... They're... prosecuting people Lupin! They're arresting them just because of their blood! You of all people should understand!"
"This isn't about me or them there is a bigger picture here. This is war Harry! And you being alive is anyone's hope of surviving."
"I know that! Don't you think I know that!" Harry pushed himself up in a huff, his hand going up to tangle in his hair. The anger inside him was so strong it hurt. A snarl turned him towards his bag and he ripped through pulling out the file he'd taken from Umbridge's office. Without comment he stepped around Tonks pushing it hard into the man's chest, "Lot of good being alive did her."
Remus furrowed his brows in confusion, taking the file. He turned his head to watch as Harry stormed from the room, kicking over a table as he went. A slow breath deflated his own temper and he pulled the file from his chest.
When the it fell open in his hand his heart fell down into his feet. The red ink burned his heart and his eyes filled with stinging tears. Months they had searched, following lead after lead. He had been sure they'd found her, they'd just been too late. The camp they'd found had already been destroyed, they had been so close—he had been so sure.
"Remus?" Tonks lifted her head, worry filling her words.
Remus said nothing, merely folding back the front cover and setting it down on the table beside Tonks. As the love of his life lowered her head to look, he turned away following the same path Harry had taken.
oOOo
Hermione pressed her head tighter to the warmth of the Medicine man. Her body rocked in his lap, a self soothing action aided by his hands rubbing small circles over her back. She didn't understand why he hadn't come. Why their space was still safe after what she'd done. It was in this time her body reminded her that another had been absent in the time that had passed. Where was the man with the metal hand?
Her legs shifted as her hand left the soft stuffed animal she'd been holding, lowering down between her legs to try and sate the pain that his memory brought. Why hadn't he come? Did she dare to ask? Did he know?
"Are you in pain?"
His soft question stilled her hand and she shifted her head back towards where she believed his face to be. Her legs rubbed together for a moment before she went still, her face twisting with confliction. He had said they were safe but she was sure he'd promised that before. Did she dare to trust his words now?
Severus waited for an answer, clearly she was thinking of something, to what he couldn't be sure. They had been sitting in relative peace, her body pressed close as he read through one of the medical texts Misty had been able to find him. If onIy she would open her eyes to look at him so much confusion could be avoided. As it was, he knew the action was painful even with the salves and potions he'd be giving her.
"It's time to put in the potion for your eyes." Severus shifted his body so that her legs would slip from his lap to the floor before setting the book aside. She wasn't so much of a rag doll anymore and for that he was more than grateful.
Hermione turned her body but did not raise herself up. It wasn't until his hands came under her armpits that her body jolted. Her previous thoughts came back full-force causing a soft cry and a small begging plea to pass her lips.
"Please...I don't want him to come... please... don't make me... Don't make me..." Hermione curled her hands around his arms digging her nails into his coat as she refused to let her knees lock. Her mind had switched over, the calm peace of the room shattering.
Severus grunted from her weight flopping about. The injury to his shoulder pulsed but he refused to release her. This was the first time she'd actually vocalized her fear and it took his mind a moment to understand. He pulled her back against him, slowly sitting back down with her between his knees.
"Who?"
"The man... with bloodstained hands..." Her voice was a whisper choked with fear as though just mentioning him would cause him to appear. Her body pressed back heavily against him as her hand rose towards her still partially bruised neck.
The action cleared up any confusion he had and his heart ached. The memory of her laying on Marxan's bed, so close to death instantly coming to the forefront of his mind. His hands shifted into a comforting embrace, "I won't let him hurt you. You are safe here."
Hermione whimpered softly to his words, she wanted to believe him. Trust him. She wanted it with every part of what was left of her soul.
Severus held her close, his dark eyes glaring over the top of her head. It was a dangerous thing to promise. He knew the man still lived but also knew Marxan was smart. There was no way he was going to risk taking her, especially since he hadn't actually wanted her in the first place. Not with such a spectacular failure last time. No, Severus was sure.
Despite this, he didn't force her to stand. Instead, he gently guided her down to the floor, "The bed is straight ahead..."
Hermione let out a deep breath and settled her palms onto the floor. When she felt him move around ahead of her, she immediately crawled after him. Her body lingered with his warmth, their day having gone so well despite being forced to walk. She was willing to trust him. She desperately wanted to. As she climbed up onto the bed, she swallowed thickly putting her arms down by her sides. When the soft bands came around her wrists her body tightened.
"Hold still... I know it hurts..." Severus leaned over carefully, lifting one of her fragile eyelids. He'd had to bind her to the bed as she'd completely lost herself in whatever dark space still filled her mind during her first treatment of the day. Her time on her feet had been longer than he'd expected but the emotional results had been unexpected.
He'd only left her for a short time, having gone to retrieve their lunch. When he'd returned he'd found her curled up in the corner of the room tearing at her hair. When he'd approached, she'd lashed out, getting in a rather impressive swing to his nose before he'd been able to subdue her.
"That's it..." Severus pressed a cool cloth over her eyes, letting her take a moment, "You're safe..."
Hermione whined and pulled against the binds holding her arms at her sides. It was a natural response to the pain and she desperately wanted to rub at her eyes. When she felt him shift off of the bed she kicked her legs trying in vain to push up against the strap over her waist. Though he had explained to her what he was doing her mind just simply didn't want to comply.
Severus pursed his lips as he cleared away the potions he'd set out. He really wished there was a better way, he wasn't even sure this method would work and if all her suffering would be worth it. He just hoped Misty had better luck than he.
Hermione let out a low whine as the pain started to fade, her body relaxing down. She turned her head slowly, not wanting to dislodge the cloth but wondered where he'd gone. As her mind cleared she could hear distinct footsteps moving away before coming back again. The next moment she was released and a soft stuffed animal was being pressed into her chest.
She took the animal tightly, its smell oddly comforting. As she was guided up she lowered her head down into its soft fur and inhaled. A niggling feeling like a long forgotten song pressed into thr back of her mind. Her remaining senses lowered her heart rate and relaxed the tension in her body. When his hand took her elbow she didn't resist, slipping her legs over the edge of the bed though she did pause, waiting for him to pick her up.
"I have a special treat for you, if you can walk beside me to get to it." The words he spoke tasted sour in his mouth but he'd chosen them carefully.
Hermione's face scrunched as she tried to decide on what she was going to do. She wanted the treat very much though she wasn't so sure she had the strength to achieve it. A soft noise came out of her mouth as he pulled away. Her body rocked on the edge of the bed and she waffled back and forth before finally, her feet went flat onto the floor.
Severus took her searching hand kindly in his own, as if he were bringing her up to dance. His eyes remained sharp as her body came up. Her tremble ran from her body into his own before she took her first step. He took his own back pulling her gently to follow him.
He had never moved so slowly in his life but eventually they made their way, step by small step through the doorway and down the small hallway. Just when her resolve seemed to crumble, they'd reached the sitting room. He brought her close, supporting her under her arm and carefully turned her by her waist towards the large overstuffed chair he'd made.
"Just a little further." He helped her climb into the chair before pulling his limbs back. His hands came up to gently brush away the silent tears that had fallen down her face before gently pushing her hair back over her shoulders.
"You're safe." He punctuated his words with a gentle caress over her cheek with his thumb before pulling away completely.
"I'm going to retrieve your treat. I am not leaving you, just stepping into a different part of this room." Severus waited for her small nod before straightening himself up. When he was assured that she was alright he quickened his pace towards the small kitchenette.
He had ordered a small cake with ice cream before their dinner. It wasn't something he normally indulged in but given the upcoming date, he felt as though he'd make the effort. He was quite sure she'd lost all sense of time but he didn't know what the world would be like in two weeks time. The Dark Lord was furious, there was no way to tell what would happen next.
Severus took the plate with a grim look painting his features. He couldn't even understand how his life had become so complicated. Why he was doing any of this. Even if he could heal her, what purpose did she have in this war? What did he possibly gain? How could she be of any use to anyone? What was he even doing?
It was like having a pet. A pet that was completely dependant on him. On the one hand, his lonely heart enjoyed the human company. While on the other, he knew just what sort of dangerous game he was playing. There was nothing there for him. She was a child. A severely injured and mentally corrupted child.
Severus sat down beside the chair on an ottoman. The dark thoughts creating a hallowed look to his deep eyes. A slow breath through his nose did not lift his eyes but he did place the plate lightly against her curled legs.
"Happy Birthday."