A/N: I deeply apologize for the mess up with the previous chapter. I am still trying to figure out what happened. When I was re-writing the chapter initially it was how it was supposed to be. I hope it will not happen again. Since the last one was supposed to be a nice long chapter and turned out not to be so…with any luck this one will be the really long chapter.

Though Reviews are not required, I still like them. I can't find the words to explain how it feels when I check my email to see all the Author/Story alerts and the Author/Story favorites; the feeling is substantially more to see that there is a review as reviews are helpful and encouraging.

I NEED THE HELP OF MY READERS! I have been toying with the idea of posting other stories that I am working on but I just don't know, due to as I have said that I want to finish my first FanFic before I adventure with another one. I have been thinking that by posting the other stories it would help with the gaps in the current one I am working on. I have decided to leave it up to my readers. Would you like for me to start posting other stories or wait until 'A Second Chance For Love' is finished?

Please let me know. I will give it until September 31, 2012 and then go with the majority.

Thank you all for sticking with me on this story.

A Second Chance For Love

Chapter 98

Harry was elated and surprised. The force of the shield had evicted Fudge and Snape, something Harry had not expected to result from creating the shield. Harry shook the emotions and feelings that had washed over him as he could revisit this moment at a later time when Hermione was more herself. It took Harry a few minutes before he was comfortable with lowering his hands. It was quite a relief for the wizard that all the shields and charms remained in effect with his hands at his sides.

Harry's mind was running wild, so wild that he couldn't think straight or at all really. He had forgotten all about the book at this point in time. After a several minutes passed, Harry still did not know what to do and could not sort out his mind and think, so he resorted to pacing. Harry had been pacing maybe two minutes when he started to hear a crackling noise that one usually relates to magic being used. This noise he heard was coming from where Hermione was suspended in place. Harry spun around to see stronger, larger bursts of magic erupting from Hermione and that the bursts were shooting through the shield that surrounded Hermione. Moving as quickly as he could and being thankful of the small room, Harry ran to Hermione's side to only freeze and cringe in anticipation of getting hit by a burst of magic. Harry was relieved, intrigued and surprised that the burst of magic had not hit his body, but he did feel the hit to his shield but not penetrate through. He opened his eyes to see tears slowly running down Hermione's face and the look of pure terror in her eyes.

"Hermione, I'm okay." Harry said reassuringly but not knowing if she could hear him. "I hope you can hear me as I am not sure what all I did. Can you hear me? I know that you can move your eyes and nothing else, so if you can hear me please look at me." Harry said softly, hopefully.

When he watched Hermione's eyes move in his direction and stop on him, relief washed over him. Harry was thrilled, relieved and feeling quite hopeful that everything would be sorted out and soon.

"Hermione please calm down. There's no need for tears or to have that look in your eyes. I'm fine. You didn't hit me with that burst. But, even if you had it would not have been your fault. The shield I have around me is holding up and blocked the burst. I know that it all happened so fast, every single protection I used is holding up." Harry reassured. "The shield and protections that I put around you, as you know, are faltering. The bursts that are happening are becoming stronger and larger in size. All I have to do is strengthen the shield and protections around you. In order to strengthen your protections I will have to drop my shield." Harry explained and could see the argument in Hermione's eyes. "I am doing it, Hermione. Look the stronger the shield and protections around you, the magic bursting out of you will be better contained. I do not know how long it will take to strengthen the shield and protections, but I have to buy some more time until I can figure out what to do. Hermione, I know that I need help but I can't…I refuse to leave until I am certain that you will be alright. I wouldn't be able to handle it if you were accidently injured or worse from these bursts of magic if I left…" Harry trailed off once he realized that Hermione was trying to tell him something, but it was difficult to figure out what she was trying to tell him. Though it seemed like several minutes or a few hours, it had only been several seconds when Harry had figured it out…Hermione kept shifting her eyes to a book that was lying around. "Book…the book! Merlin, do I feel like an idiot." Harry muttered feeling really stupid and feeling like an idiot. "Hermione, before I can retrieve the book I have to strengthen your protections. By dropping my shield, I can put all of my concentration and focus into it. The more, the better. You are my best friend, my cousin and too important to me and the wizarding world to have my concentration and focus divided." Harry said emotionally.

The terror in Hermione's eyes increased as Harry visibly dropped his protection shield. It did not matter to Hermione or lesson her fear and anxiety that she could feel the protections around her strengthen. The fear and terror she felt and that shown in her eyes continued to increase as the seconds ticked by. Hermione was becoming consumed by the anxiety and worry that she was going to hurt Harry, accidently of course but it didn't matter, there wasn't a difference as far as Hermione was concerned. Everything had built up as far as it could and just when Hermione was sure that the magic that returned to her and was being released to her was going to explode it fell apart like a storm does sometimes when crossing over land from the sea.

Seeing confusion and a new fear, Harry could not decipher in Hermione's eye's and where her eyes remained looking towards the door, Harry, though tense, quickly spun around to see who could have gotten through the barrier shield. Harry relaxed and relief washed over him the instant his eyes looked on Dudley.

"Dudley." Harry said while releasing a breath he did not know he had been holding.

"How can I help?"

"How did you get through the…"

"Harry, I'm blood family. Unless you specifically imbed the magic you invoked to keep me out, your magic will not deny me access to where you, Hermione and or my mum."

"How in the bloody hell do you know that?"

"It is the only thing I can come up with and the only logical explanation as to why I was able to walk through instead of being blasted back into the wall." Dudley answered as he resumed his approach to Harry and Hermione. "Not that that's out of the way…how can I help?" Dudley said as he reached Harry.

"Stand on Hermione's other side. I need you to help me strengthen the protection shield around Hermione." Harry instructed.

"Harry, how am I supposed to do that?" Dudley asked in a slightly anxious tone.

"I'll help you of course. It is not as difficult as it sounds or how others tend to make it out to be. Are you ready?"

"Yeah…nervous but yeah I'm ready."

"I don't think that it will matter really, but by chance do you have your wand?"

"Never leave my bed without it."

"Okay, copy what I am doing and focus on protection for Hermione and containing the bursts of magic that uncontrollably shoot from her. I'll explain what happened in detail another day."

"Here we go." Dudley said quietly as he mimicked Harry. "Um…Harry, would it help if I had my eyes closed? It's just that I am new at this and really nervous." Dudley worriedly asked.

"Actually it will help a great deal if your eyes were closed. With your eyes closed nothing could or would distract you, therefore, enabling you to concentrate." Harry reassuringly explained.

Dudley closed his eyes and concentrated, focused on what Harry had said. In a matter of seconds, Dudley discovered a thread. The thread felt familiar to him, but the odd thing was that it did not interfere with the task at hand. Going on a hunch, Dudley held onto the thread to only realize a second later that the thread was actually a blood familial thread. While holding onto the thread, Dudley put all his concentration on protection and concealment. He could feel the magic flow through him and add to what Harry was adding on to what he had done previously. Dudley was so consumed with what he was doing that he was not aware of anything around him, including his mother entering the room. Dudley didn't even hear his mother and Harry talking.

It wasn't until Petunia had taken Harry's place and began to assist in the strengthening of the protection and concealment charms that Dudley became aware of another person in the room. Dudley could feel the added magic and that it was not Harry's magic, this sent an alert through Dudley resulting in the young wizard opening his eyes to see his mother standing across from him with her eyes closed. Dudley relaxed and sighed with relief, there was no danger of any. He was also delighted that opening his eyes and the slight distraction had not caused his concentration or focus to falter, but he did quickly close his eyes and blocked out the emotions and feelings he had and that his mother was there helping him. Dudley only blocked what he did to ensure that he did not lose his concentration and focus.

"Aunt Petunia and Dudley you both are doing great. Keep doing what you are doing, I'll be right back. All of you will be fine…I just need to get something out of my room, it will not take long. I promise." Harry said softly, reassuringly as he headed to his room.

Harry wasted no time in his room to locate the book. Once he had the book in his hands he quickly returned to the little common room and sat down on the couch. Harry mentally chewed himself out for not thinking of summoning the book but then figured that with the shield that was covering his room could have prevented the book from zooming to him.

"Both of you should be quite proud of yourselves. I am impressed and I am not just saying that because we are family." Harry commented with pride in his voice. "I am not sure how long it will take me to find anything in the book that will help, if there is anything." Harry warned. "Until I find something or get through the entire book, keep strengthening everything." Harry said in a calm and even tone, hiding his panic inside himself. "Yes it is the same book Hermione used to heal me. For should I find something in the book that will help us and Hermione, I give you all my word that I will read every single word and letter and then we will discuss what to do. And we will get Hermione's input."

After a nod of agreement from Petunia and Dudley, Harry sat down on the couch and opened the book. He scanned over the table of contents his eyes stopped at a chapter title and wondered if that chapter had what he needed to help Hermione. Harry knew that there was only one way to find out and turned to the chapter titled, Legilimency. Harry began reading but started over from the beginning of the chapter as he had gone too fast. Reading slower since he did not want to rush reading through it and end up missing something. Harry was able to grasp and comprehend what he read. It was quite difficult to take his time reading through the book as the pages went on and on about the background of Legilimency and the theory of the art. Thinking that he was going to find out if Legilimency could help or not he found pages that were more lists of what Legilimency could help with. As much as Harry just wanted to skip the lists and skim through the rest of the chapter or look in a different section of the book, he instead read over the lists. As something in the lists would catch his eye and he wonder if it was what he was looking for, when it didn't pan out he would return to the lists. On the last page there was something that seemed quite possible, to Harry anyway. Harry felt that it could be what he needed to help Hermione as it seemed to be least likely.

It was not long into the section Harry turned to that revealed exactly what he need and was after. Everything that was being explained and described in the book mostly described and explained what was going on with Hermione than anything else. Harry was quite excited and began reading a bit faster than before, but was able to retain the information he read. Not only was Harry excited but he was intrigued as well. The explanations and descriptions were in clear detail. After reaching the end of the section, Harry reread it to ensure that he understood what was in the book before talking to his family retrieve Professor Snape from the hallway.

"I found something that will help." Harry blurted out excitedly once he had finished reading the section the second time. "Aunt Petunia, Dudley you can stop now." Harry said feeling bad that he had not let them take a break sooner.

Petunia and Dudley dropped their arms in relief and moved over to sit near Harry.

"Harry, how are you going to run everything by Hermione and be sure that she understands what you are telling her?" Dudley inquired.

"I have an idea but I am not sure if it will work or how to do what I have in mind." Harry replied nervously.

"This book hasn't done any harm to anyone and has been quite helpful with positive results. Why not check the book for something similar to what you have in mind?" Petunia commented.

Harry smiled at his Aunt and returned his focus to the book. After marking the page to help Hermione, Harry turned back to the table of contents. Nothing seemed to grab his attention.

"Where the hell would it be." Harry muttered under his breath. "There has to be a way that I can communicate with Hermione without using Legilimency and without the use of eye signal responses. I need to be able to talk with her. I need to be able to unfreeze her head and only her head." Harry continued to mutter under his breath frustrated.

The next thing that happened made Harry jump and nearly drop the book. It seemed to Harry that out of nowhere the book began flipping through pages of its own accord and stopping towards the end of the book lying open flat on Harry's lap. Harry looked down at the book and blinked several times. The book was open to a section that explained what he wanted to do. Harry smiled excitedly upon discovering what he had in mind to do and how to do it was dead on to what the book stated.

"I take it you know what to do." Dudley said excitedly.

"Yes I do and it is exactly what I had in mind to do. It will be easy…I just need the two of you to enforce the protections around Hermione. Just as a precaution. I'd rather be safe than sorry." Harry stated in a reassuring tone.

Petunia and Dudley nodded in understanding and agreement as they stood and returned to their previous positions. Harry stood and returned to his previous position, standing in front of Hermione. Petunia and Dudley were looking at Harry for further instructions.

"Hermione…I need to talk to you and will need a verbal response from you. In order to do that I have to unfreeze your head, I have to drop part of the shield and all protections I have in place around your head and only your head. The three of us can do this. Hermione…mostly I really need you to trust me." Harry explained to Hermione before addressing his Aunt and Dudley. "Enforce the protections around Hermione with the exception of her head. When the both of you are ready let me know and we will start."

"I'm ready whenever you are Harry." Dudley said without a second thought.

"I'm ready Harry." Petunia said with a smile.

As Petunia and Dudley worked on enforcing the protections around Hermione, Harry focused on her head. He raised his wand arm straight out in front of him with his fingertips pointed at the top of Hermione's head. A ripple of magic flowed from Harry's fingertips to the top of Hermione's head. The shield and protections around Hermione began to drop slowly as Harry lowered his arm. Once Hermione's head was freed from the magic that until a moment ago had her head engulfed, Harry closed his hand into a lose fist and lowered his arm. It was only a matter of seconds after Hermione's head had been freed and she began.

"Harry James Potter! What the bloody hell were you thinking dropping the protections around yourself to strengthen mine? You could have been hurt and really bad. I could have hurt you really bad or worse. Don't you ever do that again!" Hermione screamed.

"Hermione I knew what I was doing. Besides, the magic that was flying about couldn't have hurt me to bad. I have Morgan le Fay's blood coursing through my veins as well plus Merlin's. I do not think that you could have accidently hurt me."

"Harry, promise me that you will never put yourself in danger or harm's way again." Hermione requested in an order type of way.

"Hermione, I cannot make that promise and you know it." Harry replied softly, regretfully.

"Harry…" Hermione pleaded as fresh tears began to fall from her eyes.

"In order to rid the wizarding world once and for all of Voldemort…there is no avoiding being in danger or harm's way." Harry bluntly said in a tired tone.

"But…" Hermione choked out trying not to break and become hysterical.

"I'm not saying that I will be completely alone in the process, but it does not change the fact that I will be in serious danger and harm's way." Harry said in a way that showed that he was resigned to what he knew he had to do in the future.

Hermione could not keep her emotions and fears in control any longer and began to sob borderline hysterically.

"Hermione…Hermione…please calm down. I need to talk to you about something important as it concerns you." Harry said as he tried to calm down the hysterical witch.

"H-harry…I…d-don't…c-can't…help…" Hermione sobbed out struggling to get air into her lungs.

"You don't want anything to happen to me, you can't stop or control the sobbing and you want help to make the magic stop bursting and exploding from you." Harry quickly summarized for Petunia and Dudley's benefit.

Hermione nodded slightly.

"Okay, but I need you to calm down. I found something in the book that will help, that could quite potentially put you to rights. I can't exactly say normal since alongside your magic returning in full, it is retuning in full power all at once plus the magic of Morgan le Fey seems to have unlocked and been released. I really need you to calm down." Harry explained.

Hermione's only response was continued sobbing. It took Harry, Petunia and Dudley forty-five minutes to get Hermione to stop sobbing and calmed down.

"Did you say that you found something in the book to help?" Hermione asked softly.

"Yes and I want to talk to you about it. There is a way to help get control of the magic…at least temporarily. It will still take some time since you have to find your core magic. Obviously another witch or wizard will assist you, guide you and help you identify the correct path. Now, I cannot physically be the one to help. Nor can Aunt Petunia or Dudley." Harry explained as simplified as he could though it was vague.

"Harry, it could take…Merlin knows how long…I can't take this any longer…" Hermione sputtered beginning to cry again.

"Actually there is someone nearby that can help." Harry said with little hesitancy.

"How near?"

"In the castle."

"Who?"

"Professor Snape." Harry said with a faint cringe on his face.

"WHAT? ARE YOU INSANE?" Hermione yelled.

"Hermione…listen to me, please. I know that Professor Snape is not your favorite person. Yes, he is mean, cruel and can be rather insensitive. But, we know that he is one of the good guys and most of the time he is playing a part to save his own skin but also to protect the students of Hogwarts. And, yes, what he said to you was out of line there were circumstances surrounding the situation. I am not saying that it excuses what he said to you, I'm just saying that there were circumstances surrounding the situation. Neither one of you were in the best of moods. Plus, most recently he has apologized to for the incident and has agreed to let you be present when he returns the points he deducted from you. He has also been…dare I say…nice. I mean when the Minister was here…it was so obvious that the hundred points were being awarded to you even if silently."

"I know…just why him though?"

"Because he is the most skilled in Legilimency in the entire Magical world. It requires a really skilled Legilimens to help you. In the book it described an incident, though different situation or cause, it described exactly what happened with you. Back then a skilled Legilimens was able to sort out or help a witch or wizard to sort themselves out. Professor Snape is loads more skilled in the art of Legilimens then in the time the book was written. If it worked back then so effectively…just think of the effectiveness of now, of with Professor Snape?"

"I hear what you are saying…I just…I…"

"Hermione, I would really love to have you give consent to letting him do this, to letting him help you with this as he is the only one that can."

"And if I don't give consent?"

"As a direct relative of yours…I can give consent on your behalf regardless if you say 'no' or refuse. I do not want to do that, but if I have to then I will. I do not mean to put pressure on you about this…"

"Hermione you want this to stop and you can't do it on your own…it's simple really…"

"How is it simple, Dudley?" Hermione said in a biting tone.

"It is simply a matter of consenting to get control of this, even if it is temporary or refusing to get control of it. It is irrelevant as to who it is that will be helping you along the way."

"Dudley, thank you. I could not have said it better. Really, I couldn't have." Harry gratefully said in thanks.

"But…Harry…Legilimency…my memories…knowing that you are repeating your school years at Hogwarts…I know you are not ready for him to know that…"

"That's what you are worried about? Hermione…there is a way for you to occlude everything you know and for there to be a form of you that he can converse with to deal with and take care of the reason why he would be in your mind. It won't be just a dive in. I am sure that would make it difficult to communicate with you. Take some time to think about…not that I could prevent you from doing so. Not to add any pressure, but the more time taken to sort this out the longer you will remain as you are." Harry said in exasperated tones with a hint of teasing laughter thrown in the mix.

"Git." Hermione replied a bit sarcastically as she tried to not let the hysteria back in.

"I love you too cousin." Harry said with a smile.

"Fine, fine, fine. I give consent." Hermione said giving up, giving in.

"Are you sure? Take a few minutes to…."

"No…I mean yes I am sure Harry. I don't need any time to think about it. It's the only way…logically…a test of trust."

"Okay." Harry said relieved and happy.

"Now, where is Professor Snape?"

"In the hall just outside the barrier shield over the door." Harry reassured an anxious Hermione.

"Oh, I see…you are willing to give me time to think about whether or not give consent but no time to prepare…"

"He's nearby at least."

"Harry stop being like that. I am not a two year old having a temper tantrum . . . Bugger. . . I am exactly like that right now. Fine go get him."

Harry smiled and quickly left the little common room and slipped through the barrier shield. A good twenty minutes later Sirius Black slipped through his eyes were closed and a fearful, unsure expression on his face.

"Sirius…" Petunia said surprised that he had remained behind.

"You didn't seriously think that I would have left?" Sirius asked in mock hurt as he opened his eyes.

"No…I guess I'm just surprised." Petunia replied.

"Sirius, what are you doing here? I mean…wait how did you get through?" Hermione stammered.

"Harry seems sure that my presence will be beneficial to you." Sirius said unsure if he could be of any help as he could not do anything really but, was thrilled that his Godson had that much faith in him. "Harry gave me direct permission to enter…invited me to join the party, so to speak."

"Interesting." Hermione said intrigued. "I mean the part about being given direct permission to enter, being invited." Hermione added quickly since was happy that Sirius was there as his presence was helping with her anxiety over giving Professor Snape permission to use Legilimency on her.

"Sirius, you might want to move out of the way. Once Harry convinces Severus that it will alright to pass through…I do not think that it would be a good thing if he were to collide with you." Petunia said worriedly.

A slight frown appeared on Sirius' face as he quickly moved from standing just inside the room. No sooner had Sirius moved out of the way, Severus Snape indeed entered the room. Severus had an odd expression his face that no one in the room could describe or explain. Though it was obvious to all in the room that Severus had walked thorough without any signs of physical hesitancy it was obvious that he had been hesitant to enter.

"Professor, you might want to move out of the way. I am sure that Harry will not be far behind you." Dudley mentioned in an advisory manner.

"Indeed that would be a good idea as I do not desire to have someone else collide into me." Severus drawled with a smirk as she stepped out of the way of the door as Harry walked through.

Harry carefully had stepped back through the barrier shield knowing that Professor Snape had barely walked through and did not want to walk into him.

"First off, Miss. Granger, do you give consent to the use of Legilimency to aid you in getting some kind of semblance of control of your magic?" Snape asked skeptically. He knew that if the witch did not give consent that Potter would in her place and making it difficult for him to help the witch.

"Yes, Professor, I give my consent for the use of Legilimency." Hermione replied softly, nervously.

"Are you sure?" Snape asked picking up on the underlying hesitancy though minimal.

"Yes, I am sure. You are the most skilled Legilimens I have heard of and therefore the chance of something going wrong is miniscule, so miniscule to the point that I have no doubt that it won't happen. I want to be able to do…well anything to be honest." Hermione answered and explained.

"There is something else that you are not saying, Miss. Granger." Snape said knowingly.

"Yes there is and I know you were not asking. It could also be test of trust…for both of us."

"I agree with that. But, there seems to be something that you are worried about though I am sure that your cousin explained…"

"Yes, Harry did explain…I don't really understand how I will be able to keep my thoughts, memories and other things I know that are private locked up, in a sense, in my mind yet allow you to guide me…"

"Miss. Granger, do you have trust in yourself?" Snape asked as he slowly walked towards the witch.

"Yes."

"Do you have faith in yourself?"

"Yes."

"Are you confident with and in your abilities as an intellectual as well as magically?"

"Yes."

"Do you doubt yourself, over analyze and go to the worst case scenario often?"

"Ye…hey." Hermione replied with a faint frown on her face.

"I know I should apologize for that last question but I cannot do so." Snape said as he came to a stop in front of Hermione.

Hermione's comment was a silent one…she rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"You trust and have faith in yourself and you are confident, so there is no reason why you can't do it. You may not feel that you can, I know you can. Do you think that it is enough that I believe and know that you can keep all personal and private things from me yet give me enough access to help you get control so that in time we can achieve you having complete control of your magic?" Snape said confidently.

"I…I guess…I don't…hah, there is only way to find out."

"Any questions before we begin?"

"Yes." Hermione all but yelled. "How do I keep it all separate, I mean keep most from you but allow..?"

"I have to admit that it is a bit surprising that you have not realized the obvious, but it is understandable with what you have been through tonight. Anything you do not want me to know organize it all into a photo album of sorts only showing clips like wizarding photos."

"Or even place walls around what you don't want another knowing about." Dudley thought aloud. "Would that work as well, Professor?"

"Yes it would, Mr. Evans. In fact I believe that it would be more effective…" Snape replied impressed with one of his own house. "But, with everything that has happened…I do not want to risk exhausting your cousin, physically, mentally or magically." Snape added.

"I think that I can do the photo album thing. But, how do I, with your guidance, gain control of my magic?" Hermione anxiously asked.

"Once you have organized what you do not want me to know, create a form or version of yourself. Not corporeal but more solid than a ghost so that we can communicate. I will explain further on that once you have achieved the photo album analogy and creating a form or version of yourself."

"I think I get what you are saying, although there is no way to know for sure…"

"Miss. Granger, take a few minutes to organize everything private and personal and put it away in the photo album we discussed and then we shall give it a try." Snape suggested with an air of insistence.

Hermione nodded in agreement and acknowledgement that it was the most logical and practical way. She closed her eyes and took several calming breaths before attempting to organize her thoughts, memories and other things she knew, particularly the knowledge of Harry sending himself back in time accidently. It wasn't as easy or as simple as she thought it would be but yet not as difficult as she imagined it could be. In her mind, Hermione created a photo album and one by one placed everything she did not want Snape to know into the photo album. Once it was all in the photo album, Hermione closed and locked it. Creating a form or version of herself was a bit more tricky, but after a half an hour or so she felt confident that she had it…at least for a test or trial run.

"Okay, I think I'm ready for the first attempt. I…"

"Miss. Granger, I assure you that if at any point anything that is not what we are…for lack of a better word, fixing I will not acknowledge and in the even that I am not able to ignore anything not related to what we are doing I will exit your mind so that you can iron out the problem." Snape explained. "Do not forget Miss. Granger, that…my father was a Muggle born." Snape added with the look he received from the witch.

"I…never mind. I am ready for the first attempt."

"Hold on." Harry said quickly. "Sirius I think that it would be better if you were a bit closer. You know sitting nearby…"

"It would actually help." Hermione added.

Sirius said nothing but complied by walking over and sitting near the group.

"Potter, I also think that it would help and be a good idea if you as well as your Aunt and other cousin enforced the protections around Miss. Granger." Snape suggested. "Just as a precaution." Snape added quickly to prevent the witch from having an anxiety attack.

"I was just thinking that myself, Professor. It…" Harry began.

"It is logical considering my magic is erratic due to being unable to control it. Any way it would make me feel better and I'd be more relaxed if all of you were strengthening the protections around me as it will also protect everyone else in the room." Hermione frankly stated without coming across as a snooty know it all.

"As you can see she is quite worried about someone getting hurt even though it would be an accident." Harry muttered to Snape before taking his place in front of Hermione. Harry glanced at his Aunt and then Dudley before settling his eyes on Hermione. "Hermione, I believe you have to keep eye contact with…" Harry began.

"Eye contact is not always necessary. Yes, eye contact makes it easier and it is a stronger connection between the two. It could be done without the eye contact…."

"Professor…eye contact makes it easier and creates a…creates the strongest connection…wouldn't it be best for there to be the eye contact considering how erratic my magic is?" Hermione said cutting off her Potions Professor.

"Yes, Miss. Granger it would be best, but take into consideration that I have been teaching you for over three years. With that it would not be necessary to have direct eye contact or continued eye contact."

"And it works the same?" Hermione questioned.

"Yes it works the same, mostly."

"What is the difference?"

"Keeping direct eye contact prevents the Legilimens from exiting him or herself from…a targets mind. I apologize for the use of 'targets', you would be able to evict me at any point if you wanted to. If you were not inclined to evict me from your mind until you deemed it to be enough, there would not be anything I could do about it. Without direct and constant eye contact you would still be able to evict me at any point, but I could leave of my own accord as well. This only works with those that have a history, at least a two year history. I am willing to try this without the constant direct eye contact and then go from there."

"I…wait, it is attempted without the constant direct eye contact and does not work as desired future attempts could be made and if one shifts or diverts his or eyes the connection would still remain."

"What have you been reading Miss. Granger? I am simply curious."

"Anything and everything I am allowed to read."

"You have read quite a bit about Legilimency."

"Yes I have, but there is still so much that I have not read about. For example what Harry found out about Legilimency from the book that I used."

"Impressive, Miss. Granger and just the fact that you obviously find Legilimency intriguing but it is also impressive that you are not quoting it word for word. I do not mean to be cruel or anything of the sort…"

"I know. I have had a lot of time on my hands recently and figured out that the correct answer isn't always a direct quote from the text as it is just confirming that one has read the content. The only way for a teacher to know for certain if his or her students grasp the meaning or definition is for the student to take the written content and put into his or her own words. I can't promise or give my word that I won't at times quote word for word from the text, but I can try to break a habit that began to form before I knew anything about Hogwarts."

"Well then shall we get started? I am anticipating the different Miss. Granger in my class." Snape said in a teasing but honest tone.

"Whenever you are ready Professor." Hermione said with a small smirk on her face. "My cousins and Aunt are ready and have been for a little while." Hermione said with a faint laugh in her voice as she slightly shifted her eyes.

"Legilimens." Snape said firmly, catching everyone off guard but not enough to result in three to lose their concentration on strengthening the protections around Hermione.

Snape was rather surprised to see that the witch had done as well as she had considering the summarized explanation and little time to work on it. Snape looked around to see absolutely nothing but what looked like blank canvases everywhere. He was also quite impressed with the young witch. Snape had no clue as to how much time had passed but he had waited patiently. Well, compared to how the wizard normally was…he waited patiently. But even that had a time limit.

"Miss. Granger it is imperative that you create a form or version of yourself in order to succeed at what we want to do." Snape said loudly clearly uneasy about being inside a teenagers mind, a female teenagers mind at that.

Snape caught a glimpse of something or someone and directed his eyes in the direction he had seen movement. After what felt like several minutes, the wizard realized it was indeed a version of the witch. This version seemed shy, nervous and even fearful.

"Miss. Granger I will not hurt you, I give you my word on that." Snape said truly sincere. "But, I do need you to come closer so that I can see you better…you are quite a distance away and that will not do." Snape said calmly yet professionally.

Finally the version of Hermione began to close the distance in between them. Snape was aware that this version of the witch was trying to say something but nothing was coming out of her mouth. Once close enough, Snape could tell that her lips were indeed moving but no sound was coming out of her mouth. For a moment, a brief moment Snape was worried and nearly evacuated himself from her mind and then it hit him. He, Severus Snape, had forgotten to tell her something important.

"Miss. Granger, you have to actually speak. I mean your true self, the one in the room with your cousin's, Aunt and Potter's Godfather. Do not look at me like that. I know you can understand what I am saying. Your intelligence is years beyond your age so I know that you understand and comprehend what I have said." Snape explained.

This version of Hermione just looked at him with a partial frown as though she was in deep thought. The look she would have when she was contemplating something.

"Miss. Granger…no I do not need to have my true self speak aloud in the room where our bodies are as I am the Legilimens. You do though. I have not quite figured out why that it is as of yet but I am determined to find out why that is. Depending on your cooperation, I might at some point ask for your help with figuring out why the Legilimens does not have to speak aloud but the other does. It could be as simple as coming across another book or some journal from Merlin's or Morgan le Fey's time that has the explanation." Snape explained calmly, relaxed.

Snape watched the witch open her mouth but say nothing and instead go quite pale and her eyes seemed to bulge to the point of popping out of the sockets. He quickly glanced over his shoulder to where the witches' eyes were locked. In less than a second Snape knew that something he wasn't supposed to be privy to had found a way out and he left.

"Merlin! Professor I'm sorry. I didn't…"

"Miss. Granger stop." Snape said gently. "There is nothing for you to apologize for or about. I find myself quite impressed with what happened."

"But…"

"Miss. Granger, you have never done anything like this before and you certainly did not have adequate time to prepare for the intrusion…I suppose that is the wrong word considering you have given consent."

"I…my body here has to speak in order for you to hear what I say in my head."

"Yes. What I said stands Miss. Granger."

"With the photo album analogy…I just thought that blank canvases would go with it…"

"It was not a wrong idea Miss. Granger and I am sure that it will be most effective in time. I suggest you find something simpler to use for the background so to speak. The blank canvases takes a bit more control, more discipline to remain intact without anything seeping through. The photo album analogy it where most of your control, magic should be. Using blank canvases uses quite a bit of magic and with how erratic your magic is at the moment and the amount of magic being used to keep things you don't want me to know to remain that way it too much and in turn creating a hole in the fabric. Miss. Granger just because something simpler or uses not as much does not make it vulnerable and in fact can be even stronger than something else." Snape explained.

"Professor, in the over three years that you have taught her when has she ever done anything simple?"
Harry asked as though it was the most obvious thing.

"Good point, Potter." Snape agreed.

"Would something like the black lake be something optimal to use?" Dudley asked.

"It would indeed, Mr. Evans. Not only is that something simple but pliable. For should another Legilimens attempt to go into your mind and search for things he or she should not or does not need to know you can simply cause a ripple to go through the water resulting in the Legilimens becoming distracted and aiding you in putting your walls or wards up stronger yet flawlessly. It would also be an easier, quicker way to alert me to something that is slipping out and I can leave."

"I see what you mean."

"Take some time Miss. Granger to prepare your mind. I realize that you are anxious to be…more in control of yourself, but a little extra time spent will have the best result and in the end take less time than repeated attempts that are rushed."

Hermione thought about what Snape had said and knew that he was right. Hermione closed her eyes and kept her breathing in a meditative control as she took the time to bring up the image of the black lake and every detail that she could remember. The outline of the lake was in place and then she shifted gears and put nearly all of her focus on the photo album until she felt sure that nothing would escape the confines of the photo album. With that done, Hermione then put her focus and attention on finishing up with the black lake. Over all the witch had spent close to an hour working on this and as she started to open her eyes she realized that she had to take a little more time with the form or version of herself in her mind.

"Okay, I'm ready." Hermione said with confidence.

"LEGILIMENS." Snape said once again and found himself surprised at the detail as well as impressed.

It was rather dark but not to the point that Snape could not see anything. All around was washed in a glossy black almost like glass or crystal giving an eerie feel to the surroundings. Off to one side there was an image of the black lake and from his recollection it was an identical copy. The lake in the witch's mind had gentle, natural ripple as most lakes in the Muggle world have.

Snape continued to look around for anything that might show any sign or indication that there would be a third attempt but could not see anything of the sort. He did not have to call out for her this time as he could hear her approaching him.

"Miss. Granger I am surprised yet pleased that I did not have to call for you this time." Snape said with relief in his voice. "Remember, your being has to speak in order for me to be able to properly communicate with you." Snape reminded the witch.

"Yes, sir, I remember. It does not seem fair that it has to be this way." Hermione said quietly.

"Like I said before, about you assisting me with fixing that little snare with Legilimency…in this aspect of it that is. I know this is a redundant question but I have to ask you, would you be interested in assisting me on figuring out why it is so and to hopefully fix it. I say hopefully because there may not be away to change this snare."

Hermione nodded her head excitedly. She was relieved that he had understood her response to be her answer in the affirmative as she really did not want to say it out loud to those that surrounded her physical form.

"It seems that you do not want to let anyone else know about this adventure. I think that I understand, but we will discuss it another time. Oh, and Miss. Granger non-verbal responses do not extend beyond here in your mind. I am sure that I do not need to say much more on this subject. Now, however, we need work on the reason why I am here in your mind."

Hermione's reply was a smile and a nod of her head.

"Are you going to respond like that the entire time I am here?"

"No."

"Good. Now all you have to do is concentrate on your magic, feel your magic flowing through you and be aware of it. You do not need to put all of your concentration on this it does not take much to be honest." Snape said as a smirk started to show on his face before saying, "Mr. Longbottom would be able to pin-point his magical center or more commonly referred to as your magical core or as some say core magic."

"It's all the same thing then? Just different names to call or refer to it."

"Yes. I see that you are not commenting on what I said about Mr. Longbottom. I take that as your understanding and knowing that I would deny ever saying it."

Hermione smiled and nodded in confirmation.

"Okay so I just have to concentrate on it, be aware of magic and feeling it flow through me."

"Precisely."

"Couldn't I have just been explained that? I mean why do I have to have you in mind?"

"Because once reaching your magical center we will then sift through to find the point where your magic is uncontrolled and reign it back in. You will be able to identify the magic you have known for most of your life and the new magic that has unlocked and released to you. Mostly my presence in your mind is more to help you stay focused and distracted from your thoughts, memories, fantasies and such."

"It makes sense." Hermione agreed.

Hermione closed her eyes and concentrated on her magic to become aware of it flowing through her. She was surprised that it didn't take much concentration to do this.

"I take you that you have tuned into your magic by the smile on your face."

"Yes." Hermione said softly confirming what Snape had said.

"Okay, now hold on to your magic. Figuratively, grasp a string of the magic to follow the flow of the magic coursing through you or let it pull you towards your magical core. Once you have succeeded open your eyes so that I can in turn follow you and if need be help you get back on track. Many witches and wizards have lost their minds due to becoming distracted by what they see. You will more than once feel the desire to in a sense feed off of the magic you will see and feel. I tell you this so that you are informed of what can happen. I do not think that you will have much difficulty in ignoring the pull to feed off your magic and staying on track. You are a strong witch Miss. Granger. Stronger than any witch or wizard I have seen and have heard about since I attended Hogwarts as a student and since then."

Hermione opened her eyes and it was obvious that she had a hold of a link to the magic that would lead them to her magical center. Though, Snape had the knowledge of how a Legilimens could tell that a witch or wizard had achieved holding onto a sliver of magic the sight before him was shocking, intriguing and frankly took his breath away. The form of the witch standing in front of him was aglow, her eyes were sparkling and Snape was able to see that the witch's warm brown eyes were actually a deep, caramelized caramel color. Snape could not keep from being mesmerized by what he was seeing.

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Hermione asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

"No, nothing is wrong Miss. Granger. There was and is no way that one could be prepared, truly prepared to see one who has a hold on a sliver or string of his or her magic. There are no words to explain. I do believe that I will be able to extract this moment from memory and therefore be able to show you what I am seeing, what I am unable to describe."

"Oh. So, now what do I do, Professor?"

"Do you feel a pull? Not a pull to feed off of the magic but a guiding pull of sorts."

"Yes I do."

"Do not resist this pull and let it lead you towards your magical center. I will be right behind you."

"Are you sure that you will be able to follow?"

"Yes, Miss. Granger. I have known you long enough to be able to follow you through your magic as I am as of now attuned to your magical signature."

"That's reassuring." Hermione commented sarcastically.

"Miss. Granger, I know that I have not done anything to deserve or have earned this but…trust me, I will be able to…" Snape trailed off as he felt a hand wrap and firmly close around one of his. "Do you really need to have this type of reassurance?" Snape inquired as he lifted their hands up in the air.

"Yes, sort of. Mostly it is to ensure that I don't lose sight of what is supposed to happen through all of this. And a sign…"

"A sign of your trust in me."

"Precisely, Professor."

"I do suppose that I shouldn't be questioning anything as I am supposed to help you along the way in any way that I can." Snape muttered more to himself than to anyone or a form of anyone and closed his hand around hers.

Snape was quite impressed with the witch. She had not become side tracked and reached their destination quickly. Snape did not say anything to her and instead watched her for a moment while she began to sift through and identify the old and new magic. After an amount of time, Snape turned his attention to the task at hand. Several minutes passed and they found what they were after. Their entwined hands fell to their sides separating.

"Why does it resemble a tear?" Hermione inquired.

"Through the…ordeal with the Minister and the returning of your magic in full and the full of the magic that had been dormant releasing to you the way it did was more than your magical core could handle all at once. You were really angry, enraged and I bet somewhere within you were feeling threatened and a strong sense of needing and wanting to protect yourself and defend yourself. All of that at once confined in a small area…the magic had to release from the small confinement. Not having a way to slowly expel the magic it burst…literally burst from you causing the resemblance of a tear."

"How do I fix the tear?"

"Let the desire and strong want and need to begin to achieve control of the new magic as well as to merge your magic together fill you, consume you , while focusing on the tear try to tap into the uncontrolled escaped magic…only slightly though. Just enough to help repair the tear will not cause any harm to you in any form."

"I don't know if I can do it. I…"

"It is completely understandable that you are a little scared…Miss. Granger I am only asking you to try the best you can. If need be, I will be able to lend a little magic to help repair the tear. Yes, I can use my magic in your mind. I have only done so once in my lifetime and that was during the time I was going for Mastering in the art of Legilimency."

"What are you not saying?" Hermione asked with a playful tone to her voice like she would with her friends and recently discovered family.

"Try to repair the tear on your own first. I will tell you what I am not revealing to you at this time after you try to repair the tear. If you require my assistance I will tell you before I lend you some of my magic or I will tell after you make the repair."

"Fair enough I guess."

"Miss. Gra…hell with it, I am in your mind and no one can hear me but you…Hermione if I tell you now you will more than likely try to repair the tear yourself hastily and that would be dangerous if not potentially lethal."

"What do I need to do again?" Hermione asked quickly.

"Allow your strong want and need and desire to begin to achieve control of the new magic to consume you. The want and intent to have the old and new magic merge together as one and not two separate strains…let it consume you. Once you have achieved that, while focusing on the tear tap into the escaped magic but only enough to aid in repairing the tear. Clear your mind of everything except for the tear and the escaped, the uncontrolled magic. Keep your eyes open."

Hermione followed Snape's instructions as to what to do word for word. Hermione was doing quite well but only managed to repair part of the tear. She felt quite weak out of nowhere and nearly abruptly evicted Snape from her mind.

"I think maybe a bit too soon for me to do this. I just don't have it in me right now. I just haven't recovered enough to do so."

"You have a point, Hermione."

"So, what is that you weren't telling me before?"

"First, I will completely understand if you would rather wait a few hours or days and try again on your own. Lending you a little bit of my magic to repair the tear will create a connection between the two of us. The amount I would be lending to help you repair the tear will infuse with your magic."

"What do you mean exactly by connection?"

"The fact that you repaired about half the tear the connection…it could just be that we are more aware of the other. Yes there could be more than just being more aware of each other, for example compatibility on a friend level. I believe it would happen over time… since less than half of the tear needs to be repaired there is one result that will not happen."

"And what is that exactly?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Magically bound mates, and I do not mean like Weasley and Potter type of mates."

"Oh…wait, you said that you…"

"I lent very little of my magic during the time I was going for Mastering in the art of Legilimens. The amount was insignificant at least magic deemed the amount insignificant. Now Hermione, how much time do you need to…"

"No time needed, Professor. I want the freedom to do things…I have barely started to get back to classes, I think that Pomfrey is about to give me the all clear…or well she was about to I think…I want to repair this sooner rather than later."

"Are you sure?"

"Professor, I am quite sure. Tell me what has to be done now?"

"We are going to need the help of your family."

"Huh?"

"The only way I can use magic while in your mind is if our physical forms have skin contact."

"There is a simple way to achieve that, right?"

"Yes, Hermione there is. We only have to grasp the others forearm, similar to how two individuals would have to be for a ritual like the Unbreakable Vow. No vow needed for this, just the contact of skin. Potter will have to free your wand arm from the protections."

"No, Professor…"

"Hermione it is the only way and with the repair you have done your family members have notice a dramatic change in the magic emitting from you. Do not worry about zapping me, I will be fine. I believe that it will help…"

"But…"

"Hermione trust me."

"I…I just…if…"

"Hermione I am sure that I will hardly feel anything that could happen with your magic uncontained. I have been through…things that make this pale in comparison."

"So our physical forms need to be in contact… skin contact by grasping each other's forearms. What about here in my mind? I mean wouldn't we have to be in the same formation in order for this to work?"

"You are correct Hermione." Snape said as he stood directly in front of the witch and rolled up his sleeves on his right arm. "Your wand arm Hermione." Snape said as he extended his wand arm towards her. "You will have to describe in full detail so that our physical forms are in the exact same formation as we are in your mind."

"But how will we know?" Hermione asked as she extended her wand arm and grasped Snape's.

"There is a way for you to remain in your mind and be aware of what is going on around your physical form. Do you feel that you are strong enough to do it?"

"How much would it take me to do it?"

"Not much to be honest. All you have to do is keep your eyes open and focused on the form of me in your mind and reach out with your mind and magic to your physical form."

"Whoa…I can see everything." Hermione said after a minute or two.

"Now describe the formation you see in your mind."

"Harry." Hermione said and smiled the instant he looked at her. "Professor Snape needs to be directly in front of me. I'd say eighteen inches apart."

"Indeed." Snape commented. "So have they followed your instruction?"

"Yes they have and I have a strong desire to smack you for that question." Hermione said hotly.

"I suggest that you wait until we have repaired the tear so that you can properly smack my physical form. Now, someone has to roll up the sleeves on my right arm and Potter has to free your right arm."

"The sleeves on Professor Snape's right arm need to be rolled up. And…I really do not like this part…Harry, you will have to remove the protections from my right arm. You will also have to position our arms so that we will be able to grasp each other's forearms. Harry, just do it please and I promise you that I will explain everything to you once achieving control for the time being."

"Is Potter having a difficult time..?"

"Just a little. Okay, they have our physical formation identical to out forms in my mind. What happens now, Professor?"

"Return fully to your mind. Now…that was interesting. I am quite surprised that I felt that…it doesn't matter Hermione, do not let go." Snape said as he slightly tightened his grip on the witches arm…both forms. "Let your magic reach out to me... send a small amount of your magic to me. It is the only way to barrow magic from me as you and I are not related by blood or any way for that matter. There you go…and I didn't have to go on for an unknown amount of time. Relax Hermione and that is enough, now you have to allow my magic to flow through our connection. And yes, those around our physical forms will see the transfer of magic."

Both forms of Hermione rolled their eyes as well as allowed and accepted the magic from Snape.

"Talk about a rush." Hermione said softly knowing that it was not soft enough for other's to not hear.

"A rush indeed."

"Now what?"

"We do not need to keep our eyes on the tear but only recall in detail the condition of the tear and repair it…together. Are you ready Miss. Granger? The connection has already formed."

"I'm ready Professor."

"I should warn you that once the tear has been repaired completely, I will be in a sense blasted out of your mind. There is a chance that the protections around the majority of your physical form might be blasted from you…"

"This is the only time I will be saying this…forget about the protections around me and focus on yourselves. As a precaution so don't freak out…take cover. Do it now as time is running out."

"Hermione Granger...it will take some time before I am ejected from your mind. They have time to protect themselves."

Hermione only shrugged her shoulders with a faint smirk as she did not want to voice anything to alert her family members of the not so soon impending potential danger.

"Wait…about your physical form?"

"I can assure you Hermione that I have been slammed with worse than I could very well face soon."

"Let's just do it already."

"No rushing this Hermione. The consequences could be something…unpleasant."

"No rushing this…the consequences could be unpleasant…what…" Hermione stammered.

"Hermione…we are…dealing with…magic…to rush…could be…quite unpleasant…" The form of Snape within Hermione's mind managed to sputter out though consumed with laughter.

"Git."

"My apologies Hermione." Snape said as calmly as he could. "Time to be serious…and yes I am saying that to myself and not you."

Hermione glared at Snape but began to work on the remaining repair of the tear in her Magical Core. It did not take long for the tear to begin to continue to repair. Snape's and Hermione's magic passed back and forth between the two of them all the while without taking more than necessary from one to the other and back. In a matter of seconds it became really bright in Hermione's mind. So bright that it was blinding but neither blinked or turned away to shield their eyes from the brightness. The next second Hermione found herself alone in her mind and the tear repaired. She also noticed that the tear had indeed been repaired. The last thing she saw was that a seal had formed over where the tear had been.

xxxXXXxxx

Hermione was aware that she was on her back and could hear the distinct roar of laughter.

"Hermione, the fact that we could only hear what you were saying…it was wrong…wrong, wrong, wrong." Harry chuckled.

"Piss off Harry." Hermione growled as she opened her eyes. "Where's Professor Snape?" Hermione asked quite concerned.

"Well…it was quite similar to an explosion. Professor Snape was blasted from you and flew across the room and on through the barrier shield. Aside from that I…" Harry abruptly stopped as he could hear Snape growling at someone with pure agony in his voice.

Harry and Hermione both ran out of their little common room and into the hall.

xxxXXXxxx

Severus could not see a thing as the brightness of the magic filled the witches mind. Severus knew what was to come next but could not have imagined or anticipated how it would feel. He felt as though he was being ripped or shredded into tiny pieces. It was a shock to feel a slight twinge of pain as he was tossed out of the witches mind. Severus in one second comprehended that he had returned to his own body and in the next flying backwards in the air on through the barrier shield, colliding with Albus and slamming both of them into the wall directly opposite from Harry and Hermione's temporary living quarters.

"It seems I underestimated." Snape muttered as he slumped to his knees before falling onto his left side.

"Albus…are you alright?" Minerva asked anxiously.

Before Albus could reply a yell of pain, severe pain ripped out from Severus.

"Poppy…" Snape growled though his jaw was clenched.

"Severus…" Poppy answered with a question in her tone.

"Either kill me or cut off my left arm." Severus all but screamed.

"Whatever for Severus?" Poppy asked in alarmed tones.

"P-pain…severe…searing…burning…"

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed as she quickly reached where he lay on the floor. "I…is…what…sor…"

"Do…not…blame…yourself…underestimated…" Snape softly growled doing his best to keep the pained bite out of his voice.

"I sincerely apologize Professor." Harry said as he silently placed a body-bind on Snape.

"Harry…"

"Hermione, I had to for his sake. Look he feels no pain and clearly is not…furious."

"Did he say 'left arm'?" Draco asked.

"Left?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Professor Snape indeed said 'left arm'." Poppy replied.

Harry crouched down next to Snape's left arm, waved his hand over the limb from fingertips to shoulder while muttering an incantation. Harry then freed Snape's left arm from the bind and carefully rolled up the sleeves until the wizard's forearm was bared. Harry softly gasped at what he saw.

The Dark Mark was writhing and pulsating. It was all Harry could do to not cover his ears from the high pitched screaming he could hear. The serpent part of the Mark had its mouth open wide and screaming. Harry knew that the other's in the hall only heard strange hissing. As time passed, Harry watched the black colored in areas move like the rising and recessing tide of the ocean and then slowly fade to light black to a dark grey, to a light grey , to a faint pigment in color and then to see only the flesh of the arm with an outline of the Dark Mark. Harry continued to watch as the outline slowly faded, receded leaving a shimmering silver trail that faded as time passed. Harry now had no doubt as to what was happening.

"Finite." Harry said quickly. "Professor." Harry said with his eyes locked with Snape and then glancing down at Snape's left arm.

Snape sat up slightly and glanced at his left arm to only gasp in shock. All he could see was the flesh he had been born with.

A/N: I hope that this chapter lived up to my plan for a long chapter.