A/N: Short chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.
Severus opened his mouth to stop Dumbledore, but it was too late. The old codger had already muttered, "Legilimens." Mina's eyes flew wide open, her pupils dilated in fear. Dumbledore flinched, but kept the tip of his wand in contact with Mina's forehead. The girl started thrashing about, obviously not seeing the world around her. Still, Dumbledore kept contact. Without really thinking, Severus drew his wand and pointed it at Dumbledore. A Disarming Spell flew through his mind and Dumbledore's wand went flying across the room, clattering to the floor. Mina sat up and brought her knees to her chest, resting her forehead on them and using her hands to protect her neck. She began rocking back her forth, her entire body quivering.
A low growl sounded in the back of Severus' throat. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" The question was barely audible.
"I want to help her, Severus," Albus responded in a low voice. "But I can't do that unless I know what happened?"
"So you decided you'd mind-rape her to find out?" Sparks flew out the end of Severus' wand, several landing in Albus' overlong beard, and he closed his eyes, listing the top ten most poisonous potions ingredients backwards in order to calm himself. Then he counted down from one hundred in Latin. Eventually, he was calm enough to interact with people once more and he opened his eyes. Doing his best to ignore Dumbledore's presence, Severus stowed his wand, cautiously approached Mina's bed, and conjured a chair.
"Mina?" he said softly. She had stopped rocking and trembling now, but her head was still on her knees and her hands were still protecting her neck. Severus lightly laid a hand on her back and she jumped as though she'd been burned. He snapped his hand back and raised both, showing his empty hands as her head snapped up to look at him. "It's just me," he said quietly. "I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."
Mina frowned and leaned back when Severus tried to touch her again. She glanced to the bedside table where she saw a fawn cowering against the bed, a doe standing in front of him with her legs splayed wide, and a phoenix hovering nearby, seemingly curious about the fawn behind its protective mother. Turning away, her arms wrapped around her legs and her eyes barely topped her knees as she cowered from the Potions Master. He frowned in confusion, then realized she must have thought it was him that had invaded her mind. But he was wrong. She was simply distraught at having her mind invaded by the same phoenix that had tried to help her not so long ago as the Death Eaters had done for so long.
At that moment, Albus decided to retrieve his wand. He stood, his chair squeaking as the legs rubbed against the floor, and Mina flew back against the pillows. Dumbledore seemed not to notice Mina's change in position and continued to pick his wand up from the floor. Mina's breath started to come in pants when he picked it up and turned back round. Severus growled and pulled out his own wand. Mina threw her arms around her knees and buried her face between her chest and legs as though she thought if she couldn't see anyone else, they couldn't see her or hurt her. Severus gave her a sad look, but his face hardened when he turned back to Dumbledore.
"Albus, put your wand away now and get out," he said in as neutral a voice he could muster. "You're scaring her into a panic attack."
"What?" It seemed Albus only then noticed Mina's completely terrified state. "How-?"
"It doesn't matter, you old fool," Snape said. "The damage is done. Now get out so I can see if I can repair it."
Albus opened his mouth to protest, but then realized he should listen to Severus. The Potions Master had always dealt with the cases of abuse at Hogwarts and the Headmaster knew that shouldn't change now. He had wanted to help Mina, but it seemed all he had done was push her backward.
One of his many mistakes.
With a small nod to Severus, Dumbledore stowed his wand and strode out of the Hospital Wing.
Snape sighed and replaced his wand. Somehow, he had to convince Mina he hadn't been the one to invade her mind and regain her trust again. How he was going to do it, he had no idea. The old codger clearly had no idea how much of a setback this truly was. He'd have to shout some sense into him later.
Quietly, so as not to startle her again, Severus settled back in his chair, crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap. "Mina," he said quietly. She looked up at him from under her arm with wide eyes. Severus couldn't help but smile a little at the sight – she reminded him of a mouse. He tried to make the smile comforting. If it was too much like a smirk, Mina might think he was going to hurt her. It appeared his attempt had been successful – Mina withdrew her head and placed her cheek on her knees, looking at him sideways. He smiled even wider. Now she looked like an owl.
Mina was looking at him quizzically, so Severus cleared his throat, uncrossed his legs, and leaned forward slightly. "I am…sorry…about what just happened. I should have stayed to make sure the Headmaster attempted no such meddling. But trust me when I say, I would never invade your mind like that." Mina's eyes turned dark and she nodded emphatically before looking back at the bedside table pointedly. He looked past her, expecting to see something but merely seeing the bedside table and the floor of the Hospital Wing. Then he remembered when Mina had shown him the animi and how his doe and her fawn had been together against the bedside table. When she turned back to look at him, he gave her an understanding smile and she gave a small twitch of her lips in return.
That's twice, I believe, he thought. I believe that's twice I've gotten this girl to smile.
It was progress. Small. But progress.