Wamrth and soft lavender filled Hermione's world. Her entire body heavy but painless. The constant ache, the burning need for release; gone. A soft cloth soothed away everything that had come to bring her to her knees. The magically infused water that surrounded her healing all that she'd endured that day.

Her soul felt as though a weight had been taken off of it. The air in her lungs more freeing, filled with possibilities. For the first time, in a long time. She felt human. Her mind, her will, her body; completely under her control. Though it made the void in her memory more noticeable, the presence beside her stilled all fear.

Her eyes opened slowly, her head turning into the hand that pulled the cloth from her cheek. She didn't want to sleep, though her body desperately called for rest. She didn't want him to disappear while she slept. A worry that kept her body in an odd hazed state.

"You need to rest." Severus set the cloth he'd been reverently cleaning her with aside. He was sure she'd passed out sometime between moving her from the bed to the bath, but when she would periodically open her eyes he found himself perplexed and concerned.

The dragon had come free without resistance. She hadn't even so much as sighed when he'd pulled it out. It had been coated red and initially he had believed it to be blood but when he'd looked closer he'd realized that the stone had pulled the poison from her somehow. He had returned it to the sheath before taking her to the bath. He'd been exceptionally gentle when cleaning between her legs and had been so relived when she hadn't reacted at all.

"Don't leave me..."

"You still want to go?" Severus couldn't stop his fingers from gliding over her cheek, moving the hair from over her eye.

"Yes..." Hermione closed her eyes to his touch, a small smile forming before she pressed her heavy head into his hand.

Before she'd realized, she was encased in cushioning fabric. Her body curled against his chest as he walked with her. Her brow twitched as she tried to open her eyes but her body was stronger than her will. The last thing her brain clung to was being laid down on familiar sheets and a heavy blanket being laid over her. It was simply a fight she could not win.

Severus let out a slow sigh running his hand over his sore chest, his eyes turning towards the clock silently ticking away over the fireplace. A little under six hours left. There was so much to do. Though despite the weight of the tasks before him, his success with removing the poison had given him the energy he needed. A small bit of hope that he so sorely lacked.

He set a charm for two hours. The time he would need to make sure that if he was going to do this. He was going to do it right. With one last lingering glance, he turned away.

oOOo

Chirping. Why could she hear chirping? A cold fear sparked in her stomach at the thought that everything she'd just experienced, everything she'd just gone through, had been a dream, a devilish trick. That she was back in the forest. Back in the hands of the man who sought to tear her apart. It took a few seconds for the rest of her senses to assure her that she wasn't, in fact, outside. That she was resting on a soft warm bed.

When her eyes finally opened to confirm her thoughts, she found herself alone. Her brain officially caught up then and she found herself sitting up in bed with surprising strength. A sharp pinch on the back of her hand turned her eyes down and her brow furrowed as she noticed the small end of what she would have called an IV sticking out of the back of her hand. It was no longer connected to whatever it had been but it was still a very curious observation.

The chirping continued as she pulled her legs over the side of the bed. Though she did toss a curious look towards the ceiling she found nothing that she could deem its source. As more of her vision cleared, she blinked the room into focus turning her head around to try and find the professor.

A small tingle grew in her stomach at the thought that he'd left her behind before the charm overhead finally silenced, "Professor...?"

A soft noise came from just behind and she found her way to her steady feet. An observation that, should have amazed her, was pushed aside for her more present thoughts. Just as she came around the bedpost her heart relaxed to the sight of him coming through the closet doorway. Emotion filled her throat when he raised his head from the deep red shirt he held in his hands.

Severus' brow rose with confusion at the face the girl made before she covered the distance between them. A soft grunt escaped his throat when her arms wrapped around his waist, her head pressing hard into the wound on his chest.

"Are you alright?" It seemed like the only thing proper to say in the given circumstance.

"Yes...I just...I thought you'd left me behind..." Hermione sniffled as she pushed down the tears of relief.

"Why is this so important to you?" His words were soft but cautious. He just couldn't understand her sudden obsession.

"Because..." Hermione took a slow breath, her arms that had been like a vice relaxing their hold, "I don't want to run... If you... If you... don't come back... I... I'm scared that... they'll find me... They'll take me away again..."

The tension that had built from her hold slowly released, a look that no one had ever seen falling over the dark man's features; a look—some would have called—compassion. His arms that had been held captive by her embrace gently worked their way free to cradle her head into his palms, tilting her chin to meet his gaze.

"I won't let that happen."

Hermione was sure she could have fallen for an eternity in the darkness of his eyes. The strength inside, the power, the hidden pain. They weren't just words, they were a promise. A promise she was certain he would never break. Her heart had never felt so sure, so confident in something before as she did then. There was nothing more to say.

As her hands fully released their hold on his person, he could feel a change inside her, a new life just beginning to take shape. When she released him completely, he felt an odd sort of loss. The desire to hold her close, rose and fell while she leaned down to pick up the shirt he had dropped.

"Is this... for me?"

"Yes."

"It's beautiful..." Hermione explored the silken fabric with her fingers, her mind imagining what it would have felt like with him inside it.

"It'll help protect you." He pulled the fabric back kindly, "How do you feel?" His eyes ran up and down her frame. He had given her a rather large assortment of potions while she'd slept. He'd been careful to watch for any adverse reactions but had gone full force when her diagnostic scans came back clean.

"Strong...?" Hermione only then realized how little effort it took to stand. How all the aches and pains that had worn down her soul were completely gone. Even her shoulder felt as good as knew, a small fact she tested with a not so subtle roll of her shoulder, "Normal..."

"It is temporary, though hopefully not for long." His confidence in what he'd done restored, he moved around her towards the fireplace where a seamstress' dummy stood. He had been slowly building her a magically protected outfit, though while not fool proof, it would provide her temporary protection against some of the more basic offensive spells. It was similar to the magic used in dueling vests when such a sport had been popular.

"What are you making...?" Hermione did her best to keep the pout off of her face. His dismissive tone ruffling her feathers just a touch. Especially considering what they'd just done, where his fingers had been. Her face flushed as she tried to push the thought away. Trying to ignore that tiny little voice that was growing in the back of her mind, telling her that she wanted more.

"If you are going to leave these rooms, you will need protection." He gave her a small glance through the corner of his eye before pulling the long tailed frock coat from the stand.

Hermione could only nod, coming just a bit closer to have a better look. She idly scratched at the tape over the IV before wrapping her arms protectively around her waist. She watched him from afar place the red silk shirt over the dummy before shrinking it down to fit.

"Will I uh... have a wand?" She licked her lips coming just a bit further, the movement of the soft robe she was presently wearing reminding her once again just what he'd done.

"Yes." Severus replaced the coat onto the stand adjusting the sleeves just a bit more. While he wasn't a master at transfiguration he was quite skilled at adjustments. When he finished, he let out a slow breath turning to fully face her, "I think it's time I return it to you. But first, you should dress. There are under clothes and slacks waiting for you in the bathroom."

"Thank you..." Hermione knew when she was being dismissed and turned herself towards the bathroom door. Her mind was turning with excitement but she couldn't understand why. The void inside her mind called out to be filled but she had nothing to feed it. Could she even cast a spell anymore? Would she need to?

Her hand stilled on the handle of the door and for a long moment her mind ran circles around itself. There was something else that was beginning to bother her. Something that, now that she had a much clearer head and keener recollection, puzzled her. Why hadn't he...?

"Miss Granger?" Severus narrowed his eyes when his voice made the girl jump. He could already begin to see her shoulders growing tense from where he stood. She was thinking about something but what could wind up someone under the effects of a draught of peace so tightly? His frown deepened when instead of answering his inquiry, she pushed herself into the bathroom closing the door tightly behind her.

Hermione let out the breath she'd been holding and gracelessly slumped down onto the small bench in front of the full length mirror. When she finally lifted her head her eyes turned towards her own face, the sadness that painted her features prickling at her heart.

She couldn't even recognize the image as her own. Her face, her eyes, they were haunted. Dark. The wide band that ran temple to temple giving her a soft red mask. A warriors scar. She didn't feel like a warrior. She didn't feel like anything. Just a shell. Who was she? Why was she even there? What life was she so desperately clinging to?

She forced her hands to move despite the weight that had come to them. Her eyes trailing down her body as she pulled the soft blue fabric open. She couldn't stop the grimace that covered her face as she let the garment fall off her shoulders. She looked like a puzzle. Long scars criss-crossing into various patterns. Some light, some dark, shallow and deep. It was like someone had taken her apart piece by piece before hastily putting her back together.

Her hands ran down over her chest, lightly cupping her breasts. The skin was still tight, the amount that had grown with her return to health barely enough to fill her palm. Her hands release to travel lower, her fingertips gliding over a rather deep scar that ran just over her hip bone. It was pulled taunt, slightly pink with jagged edges. A curse scar.

A look of disgust pushed her forward, lower to her legs. She ran her hands over the top before very slowly parting her knees. Though she could not feel anything inside her and the need to find release had gone she was curious as to what had been left behind.

Her breathing slowed as she examined herself. Small fingers parted her folds, an action that would have made her heart race, was now merely all that it was. An examination. There was nothing to see, just healthy pink flesh. She released herself, turning her eyes lower until she was no longer able to stand her broken reflection.

She pulled the clothes from the counter, trying to ignore her reflection; though once she finshed, she stood as tall as she could manage. Trying to imagine herself bigger than what she was. She didn't know how long she stood, starring at her reflection though it was long enough to attract the attention of the man who had come to take care of her. Her eyes fluttered when she felt his hands take her shoulders, her ear twitching when he spoke, though her brain could not process his words.

She turned without comment, taking his offered hand. The world around her became a blurr of color. A bright whispering light floating all around her. It was warm, like a gentle kiss beneath an umbrella during a Summer's rain. She let herself fall inside, absorbing every smell, every touch, every lingering thought.

Severus lowered his wand, releasing the small band of memory. He had planned on returning the memories from the orb slowly, while she slept but when he'd come to check on her and found her lost inside herself he knew he had to give her something to remind her, to reaffirm the words he'd made her say.

The memories came from her early childhood, well before she'd met Potter or Weasley. They were her core, the foundation on which she had grown to be. They carried no pictures, but the pure emotion that came with knowing who you were. What your values were. Her personality, as it was then, strong, fearless; before the age of doubt and insecurity had taken its hold.

"Who are you?"

Hermione's eyes opened to deep black fabric but her heart thumped stronger in her chest. Her mouth opened gradually, her tongue wetting her bottom lip before her eyes rose to answer the man's question. The words he had trained her to say filled her tongue, filled with confidence in their meaning. When she finished, her eyes turned down to the small smirk, an approval, forming at the corner of his lips. She had questions yes, many but she knew he would answer them all in time. That her trust in him, something that had been merely for survival had now shifted to something deeper.

"Come."

oOo

Ron groaned heavily as he slung his new bag over his shoulder. His brother had given him enough supplies to last at least 2 months. It was becoming clear to all involved that this war was going to take a long time, even longer if they couldn't find the rest of the horcruxes. A task that he should have been seeing to.

He turned his head up into the tall trees overhead, searching for the moon to guide him. Black had informed him and Bill that Harry had set up camp in the Forest of Dean before offering, quite curiously, to help Ron reunite with him.

While it hadn't been Ron's intentions to return at all, the choice was made for him when Bill threatened to tell their mother just exactly what he'd done. Personally, he'd rather fight off a wild pack of Snatchers than face his mother's wrath. So there he was, holding an old palm sized picture frame walking blindly through the darkness.

"Are you sure it's this way?"

"Yes. Now keep your eye out. You're certainly not alone out here. These woods have been known to house some very dangerous creatures." Black glared at the boys entire lack of stealth. He might as well have thrown up a signal flare with the way he was tromping through the under brush.

"I think I can handle it." Ron's tone was flippant at best as he pushed through another tall bush.

Black snarled, thankful that he was already dead. He could now completely understand Snape's attitude regarding the boy.

oOOo

"I feel like a super hero..." Hermione couldn't resist running her fingers down the many buttons that held the coat taut. The neck wasn't high collared allowing the deep red of the long sleeved button up to show through. The waist was narrow and sharp with equally dark red accenting the sides. The top and bottom opened up to a small V, allowing the collar of the shirt to rest comfortably while not restricting her movement at her waist. The belt she'd been given shined just under the bottom V, modest yet intimidating. The back and sides of the coat were long. Easily hiding her legs, with a folded part in the back to allow the two halves to move freely. Her boots came up mid calf, tied tight with black steel buckles. They had no added height but felt amazingly comfortable.

She looked powerful. She felt, powerful.

"I feel like I could fight a God." She looked down at her hands, the sleeves were tight around her forearms but didn't feel restricting in any way. The fabric came to the middle of her hand, protecting the back with the magical protection infused in the fabric.

"Not a wise endeavor." Severus came back to his feet having made some minor adjustments to the tail of the coat. He too, was reset impressed with the image he'd created. A child no longer stood before him. No, now stood a warrior. He tucked his wand up his sleeve before reaching to pull her hair behind her shoulders. He bunched the lot in his hand before releasing half. A wandless charm pulled it tight and he lifted his head to look in the conjured mirror.

Hermione caught his eye on the reflection before turning her focus to the red band over her eyes. While her hair still accented her face, the present style brought a large amount of focus to the scar, an idea formed in the front of her mind. Though, before she could voice her thoughts, the scar began to change, an illusion.

"No... leave it."

Severus paused giving her a curious look before relenting to her request.

"Can you make it darker?"

"Darker?"

"Like blood?"

She wanted to look like a demon. A force that should not be rivaled. She wanted to create nightmares in those who would come to destroy her. A slow smile formed over her face as the space around her eyes grew darker, the light pink turning crimson. When the whites of her eyes began to change as well, a full smile formed on her lips.

"It's perfect."

"What should we call you?" Her own ideas had sparked some of his own. He knew that if anyone were to recognize her that it would be the end for him. That this small mission was just the beginning. He couldn't very well go about calling out her real name. No, she needed something new. Something fit for the woman before him.

"Crimson Phoenix."

"Fitting." Severus hid his amusement behind his shoulder as he moved to retrieve her wand. There was only a few hours left now. It was time to see if all his work, all her progress, had made any difference at all.

Hermione turned slowly on her heel, trying to maintain the strength her new persona should possess. She knew it wasn't a game yet still, she couldn't help falling into the pretend.

"There's a place for this in your right sleeve. Though before that, I think it best to try some of the more basic defensive spells." Severus held the wand hilt out, his keen mind searching for any wavering thoughts.

"Right..." Hermione swallowed thickly as she reached for the sacred wood. How long had it been since she'd held it in her hand? Where had it even come from? How had he acquired it?

As her fingers took hold, she felt a surge of energy inside her chest. Like a dam that had broken. Her core resonated outward filling the room with crackling air. It lasted only moments but it felt as though she had finally come home. That part of her soul had been reunited.

"Your coat will protect you from smaller, more basic of spells though it may fail if you are struck in quick succession. It is important for this, and everything that you will do that your defense is stronger than their offense." Severus could feelthe shift in the room, to say he wasn't mildly impressed would be a lie. He had no way of knowing how she would react. He was just glad that the wand hadn't refused her call.

"I uh...I can't remember...any spells..."

"You will in time, for now I want you to practice this one." Severus took a few steps back, pulling his wand free with an exaggerated motion, "Protego."