Hermione raised her head from the page she'd been trying to read five times now. Though her eyes weren't bothering her, her focus was anywhere but on the book resting in her lap. Snape had given it to her as a means to pass the time as her shoulder was still too sore to get back on track with her more physical training. While it was a nice change of pace, she just couldn't let herself get lost in the knowledge within. Even if it was just a magical fairytale book.

The day was new, the day before gone before she'd even known. She'd slept well enough but she was taking notice that the man with whom she shared a bed was not fairing as well. Her natural wont to care for others was starting to return as the ever-present fear started to recede, leaving her at an odd impasse inside her mind.

She turned slowly, looking over the arm of the chair towards the table where she would recently find the man working on something. If he wasn't there, he could be found in his office; a room she was no longer allowed in without expressed permission. Luckily, he was in the prior and she took the moment to just take him in.

His eyes were narrowed as he wrote out something on one of the many parchments in front of him. His shoulders were slightly rounded with his free hand idly rubbing against the seam of his ever-present frock coat. Her eyes turned upward towards his face that was partially shielded by his hair. His jaw was smooth but she'd never seen him shave, something she was sure she would have seen by this point. Though she had to admit that he was always up before her, usually showered and dressed.

A slow grin ticked at the corner of her lip; she liked the way he smelled when he was fresh from the shower. That mixture of his natural smell with the soap he used combining with the crisp mint of his toothpaste. He never smelled strong and she had to assume he didn't wear cologne as his scent would slowly shift through the day into something more subtle, like a fresh notebook. A smell only those willing to press their nose to the pages would ever smell.

His nose was strong but to her, it perfectly accented his face. His hair was devilishly soft. It truly was a sin to have hair that soft. She'd never noticed how soft it had been until now. It had a shine to it that made its color so deep that she almost couldn't describe it. It seemed as though it had gotten longer but she truly couldn't trust her memories. Her own was now sitting comfortably behind her shoulders providing a comforting weight to her back.

Her eyes drifted down to his hands, the very first thing she'd noticed when he'd first saved her. His fingers were long and thin, strong and dexterous. Her eyes closed as she thought back to the way the rough pads at the tips of his fingers soothed away the pain she had endured. The gentle way they moved through her hair when she hadn't had the strength to wash it. How his grip was firm but not painful. Guiding but not commanding. She licked her bottom lip as she thought back to how they'd tasted.

"You're scratching again." Her words stilled his hand and raised his focused glare in her direction.

"You're supposed to be reading." Severus set his quill down, trying to suppress a wince. Unfortunately, she was much more observant these days.

"It's boring." Hermione slowly uncurled her feet and came around the chair, "Why don't you take off the coat? It's just you and I..."

Severus' jaw twitched as he forced his hand from his chest to the table. He'd been trying to find an alternative solution to removing the poison from her system though thus far nothing looked as promising as his original plan. A plan that he had no way of knowing if it would cause more harm than good.

"I could help you put on more salve?" Hermione came to a stop a few steps away from the table, idly rubbing her bruised shoulder.

"No, you can't." Severus slowly came to his feet, collecting his papers so that her wandering eye wouldn't catch sight of what he'd written, "How's your shoulder?"

"This isn't about me." Hermione's tone grew impatiently sharp.

"If it hurts—"

"I'm fine." Hermione came just a bit closer, her hand covering his own, "Please, professor? Just take it off..."

A small pause settled between them before her hand moved, her touch seemingly having stilled anything more that he had to say. Her fingers slipped through the top two buttons before his hand clamped down on her wrist. Her eyes rose, a small spark of fear shining back at her in the reflection of his dark eyes before she swallowed it down.

"Please?" Her voice grew soft, losing the confidence it had originally brought with; sounding more like a lover's whispered plea.

Severus' entire back twitched in response and despite every alarm bell ringing in his skull, he released her hand. His breathing relaxed when she released the trick button setting in motion for the rest of the many buttons to release. Her small hands came higher then, pulling it open further. Like fire, they brushed over his irritated skin before he rolled his shoulders back enough to allow her to push it completely away.

"There... isn't that better?" Hermione felt hot, her face flushed and her eyes dark. She wasn't sure why but the simple act of removing a coat had run all the way to her core. Was former professor's rooms seeing something that—though she had seen many times before—she was certain very few people on the earth had been privy to?

A slow breath left her nose as she trailed her fingertips over the soft white shirt. It was like an allegory of his life. Dark outer shell, a soft pure white beneath. Her lips twitched when he gently brushed her hand away and she had to blink a few times to try and clear her more carnal thoughts.

"What...uh...are you working on?"

"Nothing..." Severus banished away the entire lot. He'd just been thinking in circles anyway.

Hermione pressed her lips but didn't push farther. Instead, she rolled her shoulder and turned her head towards the bathroom, "Maybe a bath would do us both some good?"

Before Severus could answer, the charm requesting his presence chimed. A heavy sigh turned him away and with a fluid motion returned his heavy frock tightly around his frame and he was out the door.

Hermione sunk herself down in the chair he'd left behind, her head hanging down into her hands. A deep breath stilled her heart and calmed her mind. What was she to do now?

oOo

Severus released the wards over his office door before taking a seat down in his chair. He'd removed the destroyed frames overhead but hadn't made any effort to replace them. It was much easier to complete his tasks without so many eyes judging him for his misdeeds.

"Severus."

"Poppy."

The elder Matron entered the office with a rolled parchment tied with a black ribbon, her eyes dark and filled with sadness, "Mr. Thackett..."

Severus accepted the scroll with reverence, "When?"

"He was found this morning by Miss Lovegood. She tried to save him, but it was much too late." Poppy took a slow breath watching the man's face for any clues, "It seemed...he had been trying to cut something off his arm...a very curious scar."

Severus knew of course what she was alluding to. After all, he'd been the one to take him from the castle. Still, he did not let anything show, "The ministry has been contacted?"

"Yes, I requested they come this evening, after curfew, to spare the other students of this tragedy." Poppy accepted the freshly signed paper with a growing scowl, "I still mean what I said."

"I know." Severus came slowly to his feet, "I shall send condolences to the family."

"Quite." Poppy tucked the scroll safely inside her apron, giving him one more long look before turning to take her leave. It wasn't the first student death at Hogwarts and she was very sure it wasn't going to be the last.

Severus closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His only prayer was that the Dark Lord had much bigger things to worry about. Just as he was about to turn back into his chambers a voice stopped him.

"We've found him."

"Where?"

"The Forest of Dean. A group of snatchers are slowly closing in on his position though they don't seem to be searching for him."

"Severus?"

Snape turned on his heel to Albus who had suddenly joined the conversation. His stomach churning, already knowing what he was going to suggest.

"Take her with you."

"She's not ready."

"She is."

"I didn't spend the last three months bringing her back to life just so she could be killed by a half-cocked plan." Severus' temper grew as the words growled passed his lips, "She can't even run for more than a minute, let alone handle a wand. Something I'm very sure you're aware of as its presently locked away in your desk!"

A small noise turned his head completely around and he instantly knew his voice had grown too much in volume. His eyes flared dangerously before turning back towards Black.

"How long before the snatchers stumble across him?"

"Two days at the most. If they continue their current pattern."

"Two days..." Severus shook his head at the ridiculousness of the entire situation.

"Tom is growing stronger inside him. You must move with haste." Albus tried not to make his words sound desperate but a plea was a plea.

"Where is the Weasley boy?"

"Shell Cottage. With his brother."

Severus closed his eyes tight. He needed at least 12 hours. Yes, 12 hours. "Black, make sure the Weasley boy is set to cross Potter's path but not the Snatchers. Hold his bloody hand if you have to. I'll make sure Potter runs across the sword and keep the snatchers from getting too close."

"Be careful Severus, I am very sure he will not be so happy to see you."

Severus had his own plan, but he couldn't be in two places at once. Something he was very sure Albus knew. His eyes snapped towards the chamber door, "12 hours."

He pushed himself onto the rise, his temper pulling open the door with barely restrained force. The startled girl on the other side looked up at him with wide eyes before his mere presence backed her into the room.

"Your training restarts now."

oOOo

Hermione panted heavily as she tried to drag herself out of the pool. Her entire body ached in places she didn't even know could ache. That coupled with a growing need made it even more difficult to focus on the task at hand. While she hadn't fully understood what she'd overheard, she had been willing to follow the professor to the ends of the Earth. A decision she had voiced at the beginning before he turned her peaceful day upside down.

A strong hand clamped down on her bicep and she stifled the soft cry that bubbled passed her lips as she was pulled the rest of the way out of the water. She stayed on her elbows and knees as she tried to ease some of the ache in her chest.

"Do you still wish to come?"

"Yes..." Five hours they'd spent inside the trunk and every time she'd complete one of his tasks he'd asked her. Again and again. She didn't want to see him go, not alone, left to wonder if this was it. If this was the time he wouldn't return. She wanted—no needed— to go with him this time. Even if she didn't fully understand why he had to go.

"Please... I'm so hot...I just...I need..." She didn't want to say it but she was sure she didn't need to.

Severus frowned deeply as he cast a quick drying charm over her quivering form. She had performed amazingly well physically but his fear that the poison would hinder her progress had been well founded. She wouldn't be running any marathon's but she was fit enough to make an escape.

"There is something...perhaps I can do to...help..."

"Please... I'll do anything..." Hermione panted slowly, her hands rising to take hold of his slacks.

Severus swallowed down the bile that had risen in his throat. Those words, from her mouth, in that position; knowing all that he knew made his throat burn. He reached down, mindful of her bruised arm and brought her to her feet, his eyes looking deep inside. Her mind was no longer her own. It was clear as day to him.

A sorrowful look fell over his face as he led her from the pool room into the small sleeping area. As he pushed her to sit down on the bed, he had to find strength inside him to do what he was about to do, "Stay here. I shall return. Do not. Leave this bed. Am I clear?"

"Yes..." Hermione licked her lips in a vain attempt to taste his words. Her body was a mixture of too many sensations to do much else. Her hands wandered over her skin and her eyes closed as she let her mind turn her small fingers into something larger. Stronger.

By the time his scent filled her nose her hand had already wandered beneath the shorts of her swimsuit, moving in a desperate attempt to relieve the pressure building inside her stomach. When his hands ran down her arms she relented to their gentle pull, running up the strict fabric of his coat. Using it as leverage, she pulled herself up onto her knees pressing her head into his chest to just feel his heat.

"Your coat...take it off..." Her hands pawed uselessly against his waist as she buried her nose in the seam. Her actions outside of her control.

Severus was careful, but her unexpected strength in her desire to become closer to him momentarily set him off guard. When he did manage to get control of her, he wasn't sure what to do with her. Her request to remove his coat seemed like a logical way to sate her need, at least for the time being, and he did so silently. When her warm breath slipped through to his skin he found his own body beginning to react.

With all the control he was known for, he gingerly pried the girl from his chest to lay back onto the bed. Her eyes fluttered open then and he couldn't help but be locked inside her gaze. His own eyes closed when she raised her lips up, lightly running them along the bottom of his jaw to tuck her head into the pulse on his neck.

The only thing that kept his mind clear was the thought of the amount of pain she must have been in for her to react this strongly. He didn't even want to begin to understand how intense it had to be. He had pushed her—hard and now they were both paying the price.

Hermione whimpered with need when he pulled away, her eyes rolling closed to simply fall into the world of sensation around her. His hands guided her arms over her head and she eagerly took hold of the pillow beneath to try and concentrate on where he would go next.

Severus knew what needed to be done. The only question was, did he have the strength to do it? His hand opened and closed at his side before he turned his head down to look at the dual dragon he'd retrieved. He didn't want to cause her any more pain. He didn't want her to be controlled by her urges anymore. He wanted her to be free; to make her own choices.

A slow arch of his hand removed the layer of clothes between her and him. It wasn't anything he hadn't seen before yet still it felt wrong. She had no way to consent to what he was about to do, yet still, her body was ready to accept him. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her slow breaths moving the hair that had come to encase her face. So young.

"Please... professor... hurt me... inside it burns...I need..." Her words trailed off when her eyes rolled back. Her legs coming up at the knee. Her face contorted with pain as she struggled to keep hold of any rational thought.

Severus closed his eyes tight before settling his knee on the edge of the bed. It wasn't that she wasn't beautiful, any man could see that, it was just... it just wasn't the way two people were meant to bring each other pleasure. It wasn't how it should be.

Hermione gasped deeply when his hand ran up the bone of her shin, her toes curling tight in response. Her hands came down from overhead, reaching out for him to come further. His weight shifted as he answered her silent plea, her knees opening wider to rub against the soft fabric of his shirt. When his thumb brushed against her swollen mound she couldn't stop the breathy moan from filling the room.

Her fingers typed along the back of his hand, encouraging him to go further. Her hips jerked from the pain and pleasure his fingers brought with and her own hands rose up to claw at her hips. She didn't want to feel her own hands. She wanted his. Inside her, filling her. She needed it more than the air she breathed.

Her hips rose when his fingers trailed lower. So slow, so soft. A deep moan tumbled passed her lips when she finally felt him where she needed him most. Her eyes closed tight, her hand

coming up to hide the pain over her face. He was doing everything she wanted, everything she needed and it still left her floating in agony.

In a desperate attempt to ease the pain, she forced her hips to move in time with his steady rhythm. While partially helpful it wasn't enough. She needed more. Her eyes opened just enough to see his face from beneath her arm. To her great surprise, he was not looking at his deeds but rather at her face. Her brow twitched when her eyes locked with his.

Severus was doing everything in his power to sate her needs. Though everything about the situation was making it exceptionally difficult. Her smell, the soft whimpers, the way she pulsed around him. When her eyes opened, he could hear everything her mind was screaming for him to do. Begging him silently for. He had to end this... he had to bring her to the end.

"No... no... please..." Hermione's eyes had snapped away from his dark abyss to the stone he brought closer. She wanted more, but not that. She didn't want that, she wanted him.

Severus lowered his eyes as he forced himself to ignore her pleas. His fingers slipping free completely unhindered to take hold of the stone. His hand came down to hold her hip in place, lest she attempt to turn away at the last moment. He knew it needed to be done.

Hermione reached down, trying to stop him, she didn't know what had possessed her to think she had a choice. That she was more than just a doll to be used up and thrown away. Some part of her had hoped, prayed that he was different than the others. The thought was given strength by the way he had touched her in the past.

Severus took hold of her hand, twining his fingers through her own to let her know, that he was there, that he didn't want to hurt her. That it simply needed to be done. When the stone was completely inside, he felt the stone begin to move on its own. Even without the collar to lock it in place a slow rhythm began to form. He watched, critically as the eyes began to glow and he knew the new potion had started its course.

He found himself moving up, her hand still held tight in his own. He had only his instincts to guide him as he centered himself on his forearms and knees over her trembling frame. To his great surprise, the hand he had not taken hold of reached up into the back of his hair, pulling him further down.

The feverish tempo her body had taken on was slowly turning into a gentle wave. Her gasps of pain slowed to deep sighs and her face began to relax into pure euphoria. When he chanced a look into her eyes, he felt only peace, a resolve. Her eyes as dark as his own before she hid her face into his neck, breathing in deeply.

His arm came under her back, completing the embrace and as she moved against him he could feel her body building towards something greater than she'd ever felt before. No words were shared as they held the other close, the only space between them at his knees.

Hermione was sure she had left this world for an all-new wonderous place. The fire that had burned through had gone out, leaving a gentle warmth behind. Though it hadn't been what she'd wanted it was exactly what she needed.

As she neared the precipice her hold on the man who had brought her this salvation grew tighter, her lips pressing almost painfully into his jaw as she fell over the edge. Her fingernails clawed, buried deep inside his hair as her world exploded into a rainbow of color.

Severus was slow to lift his head when her fingers finally released him. His eyes dark and his chest heavy. Her body had slowed to a heavy stop and he could only look into her face for the answer to the question he was too afraid to ask.

Her eyes opened slowly, deep chocolate, a soft shimmer filling the bottom. A slow, hesitant smile crawled its way over her swollen red lips. Then, words he had never expected whispered into the air between them.

"Thank you..."