Let Me Help You

DracoxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Let Me Help You

Chapter 8

During dinner Hermione almost couldn't contain her excitement. In just mere minutes she was about to start private lessons with Professor Snape. And better yet, Draco was going to be there taking lessons alongside her. She had changed out of her school robes and uniform before dinner and opted for a pair of black sweatpants and a light pink long sleeve t-shirt and her white tennis shoes on her feet. She was currently listening to Ron and Harry once again talking about the upcoming Quidditch match against Slytherin as it would be Ron's first game as Keeper. However she was looking over towards the Slytherin table trying to spot a certain blond haired wizard.

"Why are you dressed like that, Hermione?" Harry suddenly asked her.

Hermione looked over at her friend before looking down at her clothes. Quickly coming up with an excuse she said, "I plan on taking a jog after dinner."

"You exercise?" Ron asked around a mouthful of food. "Why?"

Both Hermione and Harry stared at their friend from across the table with deadpan looks, making Ron swallow his food and say, "What? Stop looking at me like that. You make me feel like you are judging me."

"We are," Harry and Hermione answered together, making Ron flush and those around them laugh softly.

A shadow fell over them and Ron's blue eyes widened as he looked over his friends' heads. Harry and Hermione turned around to see Professor Snape standing behind them, giving off a menacing aura. All of Gryffindor table went quiet as to listen to what the Potions Master was going to say. Black eyes looked down at Hermione before the professor said in his deep baritone voice, "Don't forget about your detention with me tonight, Miss Granger."

The brunette nodded and said, "Yes, Professor."

Professor Snape nodded before walking away and out of the Great Hall. As soon as he was gone Harry asked, "How did you wind up with detention?"

Before Hermione could answer Hedwig flew in and landed in front of her owner with a letter. Harry thanked his pet and fed her a piece of meat off of his plate before opening up the letter and reading its contents. After he did he stood up and said, "I have to go; Dumbledore wants to see me."

Ron and Hermione nodded and told their friend they would see him later before he left the Great Hall, Hedwig following behind him. Not long after Harry's departure Hermione stood and excused herself as well, stating she would rather get her "detention" over with as early as possible. She left the Great Hall and headed up the stairs towards the DADA classroom, excitedly anticipating her upcoming lesson in Occlumency and Legilimency.

Upon reaching the classroom door she entered and walked towards the professor's office. Knocking on the door, she heard the Potions Master's deep voice grant her entrance and she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. Snape was looking over a few documents at his desk as he said, "Overly punctual as always, Miss Granger."

"Maybe, but I can't wait to learn. Can we start?" the brunette replied taking a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the desk.

"Not yet; we are still waiting for my godson."

Hermione nodded and sat silently as she waited for her crush to show up to their private lesson. About ten minutes later there was a knock at the door followed by it opening and the blond boy stepped inside. After closing the door he said, "Hello, Hermione. Hello, Uncle Sev."

The young witch returned the wizard's greeting and Snape grunted before he stood and told the two students to follow him into his personal quarters. Looking around Hermione was very surprised at how cozy his private rooms were. She, like most, assumed it would be rather dark, but it looked very homey and she felt she could curl up by the fireplace that her professor just lit.

Snape looked at the two sixth years for a moment before saying, "As you know, you are here with me for private lessons on how to control your mind, your thoughts, and your emotions. During these trials I will attempt to enter and invade your mind and you will attempt to keep me out. This will not be an easy task, as it is much harder than it sounds. Miss Granger, I will start with you; take a seat."

Brown eyes looked at grey for a moment before sitting down on the sofa, Draco sitting beside her but putting more than enough space between them. Hermione looked at the tall man as he stood directly in front of her about five feet back, his black eyes looking square into hers. She watched him take out his wand and point it at her as he warned, "Prepare yourself."

Snape watched her as she braced herself, her hands clenched in fists in her lap before he said, "Legilimens."

Hermione gasped for air desperately as she was once again released from her mind and Professor Snape's Legilimency. Panting heavily she looked down at herself as she pushed her hair away from her sweaty face. Her pick t-shirt was rolled up to her elbows and was damp with sweat, her leg wouldn't stop shaking, and neither would her hands. Damn it, this shouldn't be this difficult! Draco had told her to try and throw up a mental shield, but every time she tried, Snape would barrel through and both she and he would witness an onslaught of her memories and emotions. She even threw up the first two or three times it happened, the Potions Master banishing it before starting again.

Taking a look over at the clock settled above the fireplace on the mantel, she was surprised to see that they had been at this for two hours. Two hours, and have accomplished nothing! Frustrated tears sprang up in Hermione's eyes at the realization but she quickly batted them away. Looking back at her mentor she said, "Again."

Shaking his head Snape replied, "I believe that is enough for tonight for you, Miss Granger. You've already thrown up three times and are bound to lose consciousness should we try this another time. Rest and let Draco have a turn."

She was about to protest, but as soon as she opened her mouth a wave of dizziness swept over her. Hermione leant over on her side and rested her head on one of the throw pillows on the sofa, watching Snape move on to his godson and cast Legilimency on him. Like her, Draco tensed up as Snape began to invade his mind, but the blond didn't seem to be struggling the way she had been. As tired as she was she forced herself to stay awake to watch the Slytherin's session. However, her exhaustion took over and before she knew it, her brown eyes had closed and she had dozed off to sleep.

"Hermione. Hermione, wake up."

Hermione jerked awake, her brown eyes staring into Draco's grey ones. Blinking she took in his appearance and saw that he looked rather sweaty and his usually perfect hair a bit disheveled. Internally, she thought he looked rather hot and briefly wondered if this same look was his afterglow look. Sitting up she asked, "What happened?"

"You fell asleep as you were rather tired from your first lesson," Snape answered from his armchair. "I have written you both passes should you get caught on your way back to you Houses. Your next lesson will be in two days at no later than nine sharp. Don't be late."

"Thank you, professor," both of the students said as they took their passes and left Snape's private quarters, office, and the DADA classroom altogether. Draco decided to walk Hermione up to Gryffindor Tower again before returning to the dungeons.

Walking up the stairs towards the seventh floor, Draco said, "You didn't do too bad for your first go-round, Hermione."

Hermione blushed and asked, "You think so?"

"I do," Draco replied easily.

The brunette grinned and told him how she wished that she could have done better, but the blond assured her that she was doing just fine and that the lessons would get better in time. He smirked and said, "After all, you can't be good at everything on the first try, Granger."

Hermione rolled her eyes before playfully saying, "And yet I still have higher marks than you, Malfoy."

The two of them laughed softly as they walked together, ignoring the agitated grumbles of sleeping portraits as they walked by. Just as they reached the seventh floor, Draco let out a sudden hiss and gripped his forearm. Alarmed Hermione grabbed his arm and asked, "Draco, what is it?"

The blond looked at his companion and replied quietly, "The Dark Lord, he's summoning us."

Hermione felt her heart clench and she immediately felt conflicted. She wanted Draco to ignore it and stay put in Hogwarts, but that would risk him getting in trouble. Knowing he had to go, she sighed and said, "Be careful."

Draco nodded and turned to flee back down the stairs to go back to his godfather's room, but before he did and gentle hand tugged on his arm. Turning Draco was about to ask the brunette what was wrong, but was surprised when Hermione planted a kiss on his cheek. Blushes rose up on both of their cheeks before Hermione quickly said 'goodnight' and hastily ran towards the portrait of the Fat Lady. Draco stood staring after her for a moment, the place on his cheek where she kissed him feeling really warm and tingly before the burning on his arm began to intensify. Rushing back down the stairs, the blond hurried to make it to Severus, reminding himself to think about Hermione's sudden action later.