A/N: I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to Alan Rickman. He was an inspiring man. Thanks for all the readers reviews are welcome.
Chapter 3- The Link
"Focus, Severus." She repeated for the fifth time. He thought about sending a hex her way but knew he would only receive one as well.
"I am." He ground out, sweat forming on his face. She sighed and straightened his posture. He had eventually given up on protesting about her manhandling.
"Try again." She commanded seriously. He broke eye contact, swearing. It was no use.
"Damn it. Its not that hard!" She muttered and he glared over at her.
"How long did it take you to send an image through the link? Hmm?"
She colored but held her ground, "At least I didn't give up."
"I'm not giving up, I needed a break. Its exhausting." But he really was seriously considering giving up. A month had passed since they destroyed the horcrux. Hermione was insisting that they master their link before traveling to the orphanage. At first he had no argument but when one week turned to two and then three he was becoming restless. He just wanted to destroy the bastard.
" Maybe I'm not explaining it right." She went on and got lost in thought. He closed his eyes briefly and then she was in his face beaming.
"I got it. Think of it as a push of magic. Do you remember the feeling when we went into each others minds? Try again." She instructed excitedly.
He sat up straight and let his eyes get lost in her and he had no control over the image that got sent. It just got sucked out of him. The image he sent was from the dream he had of her a while back. She was on top of him, covered in his blood but she was smiling.
He pulled back, instantly regretting the whole thing. She was astounded but the image and opened her mouth to speak and then kept silent.
They sat that way for ten minutes until she spoke, "I had that dream too."
His jaw dropped and he quickly closed it. "How is that possible?"
She remained silent once again. He groaned with frustration.
"Damn It woman I've had enough of this big secret!" He got to his feet and grabbed her shoulder.
"It obviously concerns us and I have a right to know." He argued and she smiled at him.
"I don't want to scare you away." She said and he frowned.
"I'm committed to this. I'm not going anywhere."
"We aren't just developing a link. Certain people activate a soul bond when entering another person's mind. We were both one of those people. I didn't tell you because it was so important that we did develop it, if we really wanted to win…" She started to stroke her hair nervously and he turned away from her, furious beyond belief.
His hands were clenched and he was shaking. How dare she trick him into something like this! He had trusted her. He was standing there, shaking when her arms wrapped around him from behind and she was sending calming feelings through the link. He slowly calmed and tore away from her. Her touch felt like poison right now.
"Severus, look at me. If it were reversed what would you have done?" She had him there and she knew it. He calmed completely and couldn't look at her.
"You had no right."
She sighed, "No I didn't. But I did it to save the future. You would have done the same."
"What type of bond is it?"
She winced and put more distance between them. "I think you know."
"Great. That's just fucking great." He shouted and she turned away from him and he felt only a bit badly. She was the liar here.
"Were you ever going to tell me? You can't be any happier than I am about this. You and me? I'm old enough to be your father."
She laughed and was stroking the scar on her arm as if it was comforting her. He sighed and moved closer.
"There was more to this wasn't there?" He asked taking her arm. She nodded with tearful eyes. Severus met her eyes to show he wasn't angry anymore.
"I didn't know you. I didn't even really know about you either. You treated me badly in all my memories of you. I was…afraid of it all. So that combined with the effects of the Room…. It was too much. I wanted to spare you. You know…the bond it cant make us do or feel anything. Its just there if we want it."
Severus took a deep breath and let her arm go. "I'm sorry you went through that. You know now I am not a pleasant man. I'm difficult and…stubborn. No match for you."
"I think I get to decide who's for me." She muttered and changed the subject.
"I think we're ready to go find the next horcrux."
So they headed to Albus's office using how own creation of an invisibility potion. As they passed by the kids coming back from dinner Hermione was sniffling a lot and he found it annoying.
"Stop." He said and she grinned over at him.
"Make me." She dared and took off in a run. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but she made him feel young again and he raced after her. He was faster than her and even though she had a head start he caught her and threw her over his shoulder with ease. He was definitely in shape. She was cackling something fierce and he laughed as he let her down abruptly and he crashed to the floor. She swore and got to her feet as she knocked on the door. Severus felt his smile fade as he saw her ignore him.
She wasn't laughing anymore and there was something in her expression that gave him pause. What was it?
"I'm fine. Lets go." She told him and he didn't believe her for a second but they had something to do. It could wait and he wouldn't forget about it.
"Nice to see you made it. I take it we're ready?" Albus was in traveling robes and Hermione nodded to him. Since Albus could apparate inside Hogwarts they each took an arm and disappeared.
They landed inside a condemned building that smelled awful. Severus sneered with disgust and saw Hermione looked just as disgusted. Albus looked like he might be smelling flowers.
"Lets go this way." She said and he moved to follow her. Albus trailed after them with silent footsteps.
After an hour of searching the place Severus finally said something.
"What if you were wrong?"
She glared at him but he held her gaze. "This just means it's not in the building."
She led them outside and just kept walking down a beaten path. Severus fell in pace with her and Albus was a few steps behind but Severus thought he was doing that intentionally.
"Look." She pointed he saw it, a cave with the poorest playground he had ever seen. It had a single swing and one slide. Hermione ran right to the swing and after making sure it was secure she got on. Severus crossed his arms, exasperated. Albus had a smile on his face as he watched her. Then he noticed the carefree expression on her face as if she were at peace. Until he never saw the huge difference in her face now and how it always was. She carried a lot with her, he realized. He didn't make it any easier.
She got extremely high and to his shock she jumped right off the swing and landed in the soft grass and she was laughing. Her laughter always brought a smile to his face.
"I haven't done that in years." She wiped off the grass and hooked arms with Albus.
"I say we all see what's in that cave."
"I believe you are correct Hermione." Albus said and together the three of them made their way there. There was a small river blocking their path but Albus solved it easily but conjuring a boat.
Hermione leaned into his shoulder as the boat entered the cave and came to a stop. Inside the cave was a high stone ceiling with jagged rocks. Hermione exited the boat first saw a podium of stone holding a basin of water.
"The Albus from the future told me this potion makes you relieve your darkest pasts. He also said in his timeline this was a fake. He believes we have changed enough of the past and it might be here. I guess we'll find out." She went to take the shell cup but Severus's hand stopped her.
"I don't think so. I'll do it."
She frowned. "No. You have more darkness than I do. And so does Albus. It wont be as bad for me. Theres no discussion Severus."
Before he could argue she began to drink and he watched her closely. What if it put her in pain?
She fell into his arms and to his astonishment Albus reached forward and began shoving the liquid down her throat despite her protests. She was mumbling about being forced to do something.
"No!" She screamed and Severus had to hold her down. She fought him but he was easily stronger than her.
Once all the potion was gone Albus retrieved a locket but once it opened without a fight Severus knew it wasn't the real thing and Hermione had just gone through that for no reason.
She was moaning in his arms and he carried her to the boat careful not to disturb the water. Albus had a disappointed look but steered the boat out of the cave and back to land.
Albus apparated them easily to his office, Hermione in his arms, only to find Potter and Weasley sitting in chairs.
"Hermione!" They shouted in sync. Severus held onto her tightly, unsure of what to do. Albus looked just as surprised as he did. Hermione was a dead weight in his arms, no signs of stirring. Potter had just noticed his presence and started to shout.
"What did you do?"
Severus sighed and adjusted Hermione in his arms.
"Severus take Hermione while I explain things to the boys." Albus's tone brooked no room for arguing but that didn't stop them.
"She cant go anywhere with him!" Weasley said but Severus was already out the door wandlessly casting a notice me not charm. He could only do small things but he'd been practicing.
He took her to the Room of Requirement and laid her on the soft bed and took off her shoes.
"Hermione." He called but she remained still.
Hermione He sent and she stirred, opening her eyes. She smiled when she saw him and reached for his hand.
"It was awful. I'm glad you didn't have to do that."
He snorted. "I could have handled it."
"I know. But you shouldn't have to."
Severus pulled a stray leaf from her hair and then remembered their little problem.
"Potter and Weasley were waiting for us in the office. They saw me carrying you….they were not please when I took you away."
"Fuck. I wasn't meant to include them until after we destroyed this horcrux." She sat up and stretched.
"I think its gone now. I feel normal."
"Good." He murmured and she caught his mood.
"Were you that worried?" She asked, expecting the negative answer. He saw no reason to lie so he said, "Yes."
She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. He remembered this feeling from his dream. She did give the best hugs, or maybe he was bias.
"Thank you." She told him and let go.
"Now I say I need to take the boys to the Room." She caught up and Severus got to his feet.
"It'll be easier with you there, I think. They'll see I trust you."
"Anything you need." He said and he meant it. He would do anything for her. He was in so so much trouble.
"Alright. Lets head to the office."
With their charms in place they passed through the halls without notice. Not that many people were out since it was near curfew.
Potter and Weasley were still arguing with Albus when they arrived. He looked thankful for their presence. Hermione immediately spoke.
"Shut up, both of you." They instantly fell silent. Hermione gestured for him to close closer so he followed her lead and stood by her side. He felt their glares but found he cared very little if at all.
"This is my friend. A friend I trust if I even think you're thinking bad things about him I will hex you. I'm your friend and you are going to trust me whether you want to or not. Got it?"
"How can he be your friend?" Potter asked completely not convinced. Weasley looked ready to pop.
"Hermione," He spoke softly, "I think it would be easier to show them."
Potter stood up, "What did you call her?"
"Hermione, that is her name isn't it?" Severus couldn't resist a little remark. Hermione elbowed him sharply right in the ribs and he winced and glared at her.
"Not helping. But you're right. Lets go boys. Albus we'll check in later, okay?"
"Very well dare, good luck." He told her and then she was pulled out her time turner. He stood by her side as she lowered the chain over his head. She pulled Potter and Weasley under and he detested having to be this close to them.
She spun the turner and time rolled out. He found it very satisfying to see them fall on their faces when they landed.
"Boy this is the Time Room. It exists outside of time and only time travelers can come here. So lets go meet everyone."
The boys were deadly silent as they all walked down the many stairs. Once in the room Hermione introduced them to Tatianna and the future Albus. Future Molly was in tears at seeing her son again. Severus took a seat and felt Hermione sit right next to him. Her shoulder touched his and her thigh was along his. She didn't seem to notice and started speaking to the Potter and Weasley.
"We lost the war. But I'm working with Severus to stop it and I need you guys trained up. Are you in?" She grinned at them and he saw it replicated in their faces.
"Hell yes!"
Hermione pulled out a second time turner and handed it to Potter. "Albus will teach you. Be careful. You'll learn magic, and physical fighting, okay? Tatianna is quicker than she looks. I'll see you once your done okay? Good luck."
She pulled Severus up and hugged Potter and Weasley before dragging him up the stairs. She turned to him with a smile he didn't recognize.
"You did so well in there." She said and he shifted uncomfortable with her gaze. She was right against him but he couldn't do it. It wasn't right. He took the chain from her and put it over their heads not missing her disappointed look.