A/N: Sorry for the reupload. There were some errors that had to be fixed. I rewrote this at least three times so I may have missed some. Please enjoy! As always thank you for the kind reviews!
Minerva stepped into the kitchen, she put a hand on her heart and took a calming breath. Her mind was turning over everything she knew as she retrieved a small glass filling it with water. It wasn't much, Severus hadn't shared as much as she would have liked about her condition. She knew she wouldn't receive a daily report or anything but she had hoped she'd been aware of some progress. At present she was just glad she had woken earlier than usual. She didn't dare think what could have happened had she not arrived as promptly as she had. She pursed her lips a bit as a frown crawled across. The man was stubborn enough he probably would have forced himself to remain conscious even as his body shut down. She sighed softly as she tried to think of something positive. He did call out to her. He did ask for her help. She nod her head, it was a personal development on his part. He had never so much as asked for someone to pass the gravy let alone help him in his time of weakness. She looked towards the sitting area with a soft smile. He had certainly changed the past few days. Like something was loosening the tight vice he kept around his heart.
"Mi-Hermione?" She called softly as she returned to the sitting room. She decided to drop the formalities given the situation, hoping to coax the girl into a more relaxed state. The girl in question was laying very still, so still in fact Minerva's heart skipped a beat thinking she had stopped breathing. Though the girl had let out a soft sigh to calm her beating heart.
Hermione didn't jump as she called her name this time, but rather lazily shift her eyes around following her movements. She stopped scratching momentarily, a tiny bead of blood caught under her finger nail from opening the healing scab. She heard her name through the soft buzzing in her ears. She paused in her scratching to turn her head towards the voice. Her hand still stretched out holding onto Snape's index finger.
Minerva had given her a potion of some kind, it had lit all of her nerves on fire. It burned hotly, but faintly like the feeling you'd get if you stuck your hand on a live electric wire. It ran through everything; she even would have sworn to feel it through every one the hairs on her head. She hadn't made a sound through the process but her toes had curled and her chest tightened. In the end she did feel marginally better. Though it had tasted most awful. Like cherry flavored charcoal it left a horrible taste in her mouth but she didn't utter a single complaint as part of her knew this woman meant her no harm.
Her thoughts were more clear and she was actually able to lift free arm to her face and shift her legs into a somewhat more comfortable position. The grip on her professor's hand tightened as she regained a moderate amount of strength. The woman, who introduced herself to be Professor McGonagall, moved closer to her now. She still felt a bit wary but it was ebbing away slowly. She believed completely that Professor Snape would not have called someone dangerous to them in the current situation. That thought alone, gave her comfort. She had felt the trust and respect he had shown her during their argument. Though still her own mind failed to retrieve it's own consolation.
"You must be a bit uncomfortable." Her voice was gentle but very close, Hermione jumped ever just so having lost track of her movements, but didn't pull away this time. Minerva smiled gently at the small victory and slowly waved her wand in a lazy but exacting circle, "Alright now here we go..." The lounge started to rise up underneath the girl, bringing her to a more comfortable upright position. The chair groaned and creaked from it's transformation but otherwise didn't resist. Now Hermione sat, her legs slightly bent over a hump, her upper body elevated, high enough to simulate the real act of sitting up in a chair. Minerva did take note that one of her finger nails was slightly discolored and made a mental note to discern the reason at a later time.
Hermione winced only slightly as the shift happened, her legs protested the movement more than most, though burning feeling died out quickly. She was able to pull her arm into her lap now the blanket having pooled allowed her arm to rest comfortably. She took a slow deep breath using the back of the chair to keep her head up and turned her eyes towards the dark shadow that obscured the light that had been shining so warmly on her face.
"Now, I'm sure you have a lot of questions." Minerva said as she picked up one of Snaps frock coat buttons from the floor and transformed it into a comfortable cushioned stool. "But, there will be time enough for that." Her voice was soft as she watched Hermione's emotionless face. "For now, I'd very much like it if you'd drink this." She came just a bit closer, hesitant as if she were approaching a stray animal. "It's water." She clarified moving her offering to rest in front of her charge. "It should help." She added softly as she watched Hermione shift her head looking over the top of the offered water. The girl blinked slowly, before trying to lift her hand. It made it halfway before starting to tremble. She grit her teeth and willed it to move. Minerva noticed instantly and reached over taking gentle hold guiding her hand to take hold of the glass. She would have bet her morning coffee that she saw a very Snape like sneer appear on the girls lips but it vanished too quickly for her to be sure. So then, with Minerva's help they brought the cup to Hermione's lips.
Her lips twitched as she felt the cool of the glass against them, she took a small sip coughing just a bit. Her throat didn't want to cooperate. She grimaced slightly before pulling it back to her lips again. More prepared for her bodies reaction this time, she took a reasonable drink. The liquid felt warm, like a soft burn as it slid down her throat. It left behind a cool tingle as it's natural magic got to work. The second and third sips were much easier, the muscles in her throat more responsive the more she drank. It tasted glorious, her body immediately wanting more.
It took some time before she licked her lips out of reflex and finally couldn't stomach anymore. She turned her head away as the glass was half emptied. Her stomach surprisingly didn't revolt. She made a face opening her mouth; she attempted speech once more, "..Tha..nk...s.." Each sound was more difficult than the last her throat protesting the movement. She heard the glass be moved to the floor.
Minerva gave her a gentle smile and reached over to give her forearm a soft squeeze. Hermione jumped slightly from the unexpected touch but didn't pull away. Slowly, she pulled her hand from under Minerva's only to take hold of it. She searched for the elder woman's face as she felt a surge move through her. Like a door being blow open and closed, a brief wisp of a thought like a loose page in a summer breeze wafting along in the wind. Her eyes widened as she searched the darkness in front of her try to hold onto the feeling. It was in that time that she felt over encompassed by a new feeling. A feeling so painful, so deep she leaned forward releasing Minerva's hand to clutch at her heart. A small cry passing her lips as she dug her nails into her skin. Her face showed a complex mixture of pain, anger and sorrow as she tried to come to grips with the overwhelming power of it. Tears started to well in the corners of her eyes from the power of it. At the same time, Snape shift in his chair, his brow furrowed with sorrow; his lips pursed tightly as he turned his head more into the arm of the chair. His chest shift and his hand twitched in Hermione's grasp as his breathing increased.
"Miss Granger?" She reached forward gently trying to pull her hand from her heart. "Hermione?" Minerva leaned forward urgency in her voice, imploring her to respond. Her eyes seemed to move as if seeing something that was only for her and didn't react to her presence. Hermione let out the softest of breaths as her hand released to fall limp in Minerva's hold. The headmistress sat her arm gently into her lap searching her face again. "Hermione answer me dear. Can you hear me?" She gave her a gentle shake at her shoulders, watching her head roll heavily to the side a lone tear rolling down the slope of her pale cheek. Minerva swallowed thickly and reached up to her neck pressing aged fingers onto the vein. She held her breath as she moved them just so. Finally, they hit the mark, vein's pulse was strong and steady. Minerva could have cried as she pulled her hand back. She raised her wand to run another diagnostic spell but paused remembering the rebound from before. She swallowed softly and looked towards her eyes, they shone with unshed tears and unfocused; soft around the edges and motionless. Minerva gently took hold of her chin, thumbing away another stray tear absently as she waited to see if she would react to her touch. Hermione's eyes remained still, it was then she took note that Hermione had released Severus' hand. It hung limply between the two chairs, with a bit of dried blood from the horrid words of a madwoman. Minerva swallowed thickly as she looked towards Severus. His brow had furrowed more deeply, the look of restful sleep having disappeared from his features as he struggled inside.
Severus stood before the house that had started it all. His heart beating a vicious rhythm. It's exaggerated structure and deeply shadowed frame creaking in the storm heavy winds. He had stood before it so many times before, countless nights, he knew this scene well. The faint sound of an orphaned child breaking through the darkness called out to him, pulling a pain so deeply buried inside to the surface. Severus felt himself lured forward into its depths. Stepping in slowly, the shattered remains of a happy life crunched beneath the heal of his boot as he rounded the landing. The wave of trepidation that filled him, kept him in place as he stood, staring up at the twisting stairs, he knew, he always knew, what laid at the top. He closed his eyes as his contrition washed through him. The sound of Harry was filtering down slowly winding itself around his heart.
He took each step carefully, his hand leaving behind consternation on the banister as he forced himself to ascend. The dread that weighed down his heart slowed his body as neared the final judgment. He reached out slowly his long fingers pushing open the half hinged door. The crying in his ears swelled as he pushed through. He saw her instantly, her sightless eyes staring right into his soul. He'd felt it then, the resounding crack reverberating in his darkened soul, as he collapsed sideways to support his grief upon the scorched door frame. As he collapsed beside her, all sound drifted from him. He pulled her in close, his hold unwavering as he let out his own cry of grief.
As he released his lament, the image around him started to melt to a more recent memory. As he clung so tightly and rocked her body in his, tears heavy with regret called out into the heavens. The walls of the nursery slowly started to melt away and Harry's mournful cries flew away on unseen winds. A large door appeared behind him; a brilliant light filtering in through the seal casting him and his sin in it's dark shadow. He pressed his cheek tightly to the top of her head, refusing to let her go, his tear filled eyes hazily taking in the change of the floor. The soft carpet melted away to a deep grey stone, the light from behind accenting the dark cracks. He choked back a sob and closed his eyes curling his frame around her more tightly. He would protect her, now and forever. His arm wrapped around her back, his hand cradling her soft red hair.
Then, ever just so, the most gentle of touches reached the back of his own head. A sudden rush of peace pierced through his heart rattling his core. The hand that held him was petite, smaller than he remembered Lily's hands to be, it slipped its way into his ink black locks. An arm, just as slender pressed into his own and kept him close. He sniffled softly a new scent reaching his nose, it wasn't hers, he knew, slowly his eyes opened and in a flash, the light shook and surged, the door behind them breaking free; blinding everything but two deep chestnut eyes, haloed in massive curls, staring unwavering into his own.
He found his arms empty and himself on his feet. His head turned in pursuit of his missing crime. The brightness dimmed and he found himself standing in a field of beautiful green grass and endless periwinkle blue skies. He raised his shaking hands up looking upon their innocence. His black clothing had vanished away leaving him a long light grey tunic, a chain of silver wrapped about his waist to keep the it in place. His heart beat fervently as he lowered his hands down, his mouth slightly parted as he looked just ahead. She stood before him now, haloed in that beautiful peace. She smiled gently and stepped closer, all the pain that had filled him slowly flowed away as he reached out towards her. She said nothing, but spoke so many things to his heart. As Lily bridged the gap, her fingers twining in his, he felt over whelmed with a serenity he had never once in his entire life, felt before. Tears of pure release, fell from his eyes as the feeling wrapped around him secure and safe, his eyes closed as the feeling started moving through the cracks of his soul, turning those furious red lines a pale blue. As he opened his eyes he started slightly. No longer was Lily taking his hand, no it was her, it was the one who he'd chosen to selflessly risk his own life for.
Hermione stood, dressed similarly to him, though her tunic was a brilliant white, fluttering with her hair in the gentle breeze. She said nothing as she pulled his hand closer to her. He swallowed so thickly as he watched her approach him with no fear, no wariness, no anger nor hatred. She smiled most beautifully at him as she laid her hand over his heart. Her eyes turned up from under her dark lashes, she gently pulled their twined hands down to rest between them, while the hand on his heart spread out it's fingers lightly running over the fabric of his tunic. She was waiting, waiting on him, as she watched those complex features of his face turn.
Severus took a shuddering breath and looked just over her head, Lily stood there, smiling so proudly at him, before slowly turning away disappearing into the light. His mouth moved to call out to her but his tongue stalled, the hand on his heart wasn't holding him in place, but he still felt it, he felt it's need to keep him there. She needed him, he was needed. More now than ever in his life, he was needed by someone who meant him no harm. Someone who needed him just as much as he wanted to be needed. All encompassing with a purpose greater than himself. A promise, of something more. His head turned down looking upon those riotous curls, his free hand rose and rest calmly against her cheek. His heart skipped a beat as he awaited her judgment. Her eyes remained fixed on his as she every so lightly leaned into his touch, those soft brown eyes closing with perfect trust.
Severus woke with a soft gasp starting slightly in the chair. His face felt wet and he instantly reached to rub his eyes, finding tears on his fingers. He snarled slightly, before that same peace from before softened his features. His jaw twitched a bit as he looked down at the shining remains of their connection. Why on earth had his dream turned in such a way? He had never had any of his nightmares take such a daring twist. What had summoned the girl to his mind? His teeth ground slightly as the very idea started to bring a churning feeling in his stomach. She was his charge and nothing more. This girl was no more there for him than anyone else in his life had been.
"Severus?" Minerva rose, great concern on her features, "Severus, are you alright?" She started to stand to go to his side when his hand raised to stop her. He said nothing as he brought that hand to his face rubbing his tired dark rimmed eyes.
There was a moment of heavy silence before Severus grunt, pulling away the blanket with great prejudice letting it fall to the floor. He pulled his legs from the extension resting them over the sides as he ran his fingers through his hair where her touch still lingered; his head hung low. He just wanted silence, and calm controlled thought.
Minerva seemed to take the hint as she carefully sat back down. His eyes catching the movement through his curtain of hair. "I'm going to shower..." He grumbled pushing himself to his feet very carefully. He'd not rested for more than 4 hours though his body was surprisingly light, filled with a new sort of strength that a heavy soul such as his hadn't felt in a very long time.
Minerva pursed her lips, pressing them tight as to control her tongue. She watched him move to the stairs something seemed lighter in his step as his strong facade fall away. She wanted very much to help him up but knew that he still would have enough energy to push her aside. He always seemed to have energy to push others away. Her face turned to sadness as his form finally disappeared up the stairs.
She let out her own small huff and turned her eyes downward, Hermione had the faintest of smiles on her face. Minerva's eyes narrowed just a fraction, before a smirk came slowly to her own lips. Her chest puffing up with pride, "You clever girl." She whispered.
As the sounds of pipes rattling with their purpose filled the downstairs Minerva pushed herself up. She had been keeping a close vigil on the two but now she seemed to realize that her presence was going to be greatly protested. In the intervening time she had removed the broken temporal reader from Herimone's forehead placing it into an inner pocket of her robes. Planning to summon Draco that evening. She had even taken care to mend Severus' most beloved frock coat. It's buttons were sewn tightly back into place, the worn fabric on the fringes neatly woven back into place. It appeared brand new in it's finished condition. A small token of her appreciation for the man's work. She gave one last look to Hermione's sleeping smile before moving towards the kitchen. She summoned her personal house elf to her side, she kept her conversation low not wanting to disturb Hermione. She sent the elf off to Madam Pomfrey to collect a variety of potions she knew Severus was more than capable of brewing but knew he'd have neither the time nor currently possessed the resources. The elf popped out with it's orders and Minerva nod her head taking a deep calming breath.
She had watched the man's face contort with his dreams, the pain, the sorrow that had filled his being as he fought against himself. She knew the man had a deep and difficult past, having watched him grow up herself. She knew that he was a insurmountably strong when the occasion was called for. Though she also knew that he was an exceedingly broken man. A life too hard, for anyone, he had rose above it all only to be held captive by his own heart. She knew she was the lesser to have light the flame and that it was his privilege to have been the great to have walked through the fires. For it was always the privilege of lesser men to light the flames that great men to be forged by.
Severus wanted nothing more than to collapse back into his bed as he entered his bedroom. The duvet was missing but at this point he couldn't have cared. His body felt an odd sort of mix of exhausted and refreshed, his dream was fading slowly from his mind and he couldn't stop himself from ruffling the back of his hair as he shook the feeling of her hand from his mind. He took a deep breath and leaned his head onto the door frame of the bathroom before thunking it hard enough to make himself wince and rub the spot. Pain cleared things up, yes, he grunt softly as he regret his decision. He pad softly into the bathroom as a gentle headache was starting to prick at the back of his senses. He glanced at himself very briefly in the mirror catching nothing but his scowl in return he pulled off his clothing tossing them haphazardly behind him into the hamper. He turned the taps and waited for the water to settle before stepping in. He hissed slightly as the water flowed over his frame. The sound of water helped drown out his thoughts before something pressed through. Something over the walls of his shields that he always kept so tightly in place. It's voice was soft and timid. He paused in his washing and sought out the intruder. The voice drifted away and seemed to tease him, before winking out completely.
Hermione inhaled deeply arching her back from the chair, her eyes opening slowly. She felt heavy again, but this time she believed it to be simply malnutrition weighing her down. She brought a heavy hand to her face, she hadn't wanted to fall asleep. She hadn't even realized she had until she appeared somewhere else. A place she had never been. It wasn't her mind, she knew, she was in someone else's. It was a startling revelation when she had realized just whose mind she had ended up inside. Her actions were completely her own she knew, but she couldn't watch the man who had saved her relish in such pain. She had physically felt it before she slipped into the void. His pain, his years of torment, all flowed through herself. She hadn't known why the connection was there but it clearly was. However, she found that she wasn't able to just feel what he was showing others on the surface, oh no, she was able to feel even deeper than that. Things that he had hidden away even from himself. She wanted to cry for him, scream for him. Tear the world apart for him. The injustice he had suffered through his entire life. It wasn't fair. Life wasn't fair, she of course knew that, but it was the actions of others, deliberate and thought out plans that had sought to the man's eternal torment. For that, she couldn't sit by and be another guilty person. She couldn't bring herself to just forget all he had done to help her. The way he had risked himself inside her mind. She didn't care if that was the only memory she ever had for the rest of her life. It was powerful it was what made him, who he was, deep down she knew. He was a good, honorable man, worthy of so much more and she, was going to do everything in her power to bring it to him.
"Are you sure about this mate?" Ron spoke lazily as he tried to take in his dinner. He was a still a bit hung over from the night before even though it was late evening now. He hadn't really taken the holiday very seriously having slept most of it away.
Ginny grimaced at her brothers behavior and turned her head to lean on her hand. Her mother and father had taken their son out for a night out watching muggle fireworks. Something her father greatly enjoyed and figured their son would enjoy as well. She took a bite of her own food as she glanced over to Harry who was taking a sip of his beer.
"How else are we going to get the truth about Hermione?" He said bluntly stabbing a bit of potato trying to keep himself calm. "I mean McGonagall told us she had taken care of everything and that she was safe and all, but doesn't that beg the question as to why we're not allowed to visit her?" He took a bite of his potato swallowing it down. His guilt was returning full force, he felt responsible for the entire situation. If he had taken more attention to her care, McGonagall wouldn't have so easily convinced the ministry to give her over. He stabbed a bit of meat, he was still arguing with the department of magical heritage trying to get Hermione's name added to the list of emancipated witches and wizards, to give her some sort of independent status. However, there was nothing he could do until her health was officially cleared. She had no parents, no relatives they explained, and so it was in her best interest that she be given to a reputable magical house to be taken care of. Apparently, his name carried only so much weight. They deemed him too young to care for someone not only older than himself but he too had no actual living relatives in the magical world that the care could default to. He sighed through his nose as he took another drink, it was his own fault but he was bound and determined not to let his bad decision make Hermione suffer any more than she had.
"I understand that, Harry I do." Ginny said gently, "But breaking into Hogwarts, to see if she is possibly there is not only risky but it's dangerous." She urged softly trying to catch her husbands averted eyes, "We're not students anymore. We could get in serious trouble. And what if she's not even there? What if she's in some far off place that we've never heard of? Why can't we just go to McGonagall again and simply make a polite request?"
"I don't want to be lied to anymore." Harry said pushing his plate away for his cistern. "I just, want straight forward answers." He took another drink, "I'm tired of being played like this. It's not fair to me, nor Hermione."
"When did you stop trusting everyone Harry?" Ginny said sadly as she rose taking her plate from the table, to hurt to even look at him properly.
Ron watched his sister move into the sitting area with her dinner before looking back at Harry, he leaned forward a bit, "I'm in." He said a small smile coming back to his face, "Anything for Hermione." He said as he reached forward the boys bumped fists before returning to their dinners. A new purpose filling them each for their own reasons as evening waned on.
Harry pulled the invisibility cloak around their large frames. It didn't seem possible that they could both hide under it but there it was. It did reveal their feet from time to time, but the darkness around them kept it from being too obvious. As they neared the secret entrance. It was unused during their time in Hogwarts, but Harry had noticed it as they neared the castle while looking on the Marauders map for any sign of Hermione. He suspected that she was probably cloaked in some way he frowned and folded the map away. "It's this way, just behind that stone." He said hurriedly as a lone wolf howled in the darkness of the forbidden forest.
They hurried towards it, Ron muttering a spell to move it aside. They both glanced in either direction before Harry climbed in first, lighting the old and partially collapsed tunnel. Ron followed next pulling the cloak from his head and putting into Hermione's beaded bag. It had been found with her that night and Ron had begged to keep it. Not simply for it's use but because it held everything Hermione owned inside. He didn't want it lost or damaged in any way. It was his own personal shrine. He hadn't dared, in all five years to remove a single thing that he himself hadn't put in. Though he had been tempted many sleepless nights to pull out an old T-shirt of hers and hold it to his chest like a child with a teddy bear, always remembered to replace it the next morning.
Harry had been a man on a mission since his conversation with McGonagall. She had calmed his temper after a few rounds of self loathing screaming matches but ultimately he had conceded to his foolish and rash behavior. Hermione was like the sister he never knew he wanted. He owed so much of his life and success to her. He had dedicated the first two years into seeing into her care, even cried secretly at his wedding when she hadn't been able to attend. Though the time had passed and his first born had come. His life was taken over by a new purpose. To be a good father. He had thought of her daily but couldn't bring himself to take time away from his family. He felt torn between them. His duty and privilege of being a father; and his admiration for his best friend's and the responsibility he felt in her recovery.
Ron had taken it the hardest, actually having been there, he had watched the way her eyes had filled with so much pain, he could still feel her fingers digging into his shoulders as she pushed him down. The way her body unnaturally crumpled to the ground before him. He had tried his best to reach her. But he had been frozen still with a dread that he had lead to her death because of his distraction. His memory had been extracted for evidence, but the pain was left behind. He could remember very little in detail, he had never actually seen the creature but had he felt it. It's shimmering form hunched over her. The sound it made as it opened its shining jaws. It's long fanged teeth glistening in the waxing morning light. The deafening scream that still haunted his waking and sleeping mind. The blinding white light that sent him into pitch darkness. He remembered the feeling of hands as he was pulled away from her, his mouth moving with no comprehensive sound. Alcohol was his current vice, it helped to dull his mind and keep her screams away. He hadn't meant to become so reliant on the substance but with everything that followed he felt it's pull stronger and stronger with each passing day. When he walked the streets, he could feel their eyes on him, judging him, blaming him. When he'd seen her, he wasn't able to contain the pain that grew inside with each passing day. No matter how many apologies he had placed upon her still form it never felt enough. He had seen it in his best mates eyes too. Though Harry had never verbally blamed him, he knew the other held him responsible. So there he was, woken from another night of drunken sleep to aid him. He couldn't refuse, even now as her screams echoed through his consciousness. The years had passed now and the pain inside had grown so powerful it had kept him away. He couldn't bear the weight of his agony.
They crawled in relative silence each occupied by their own thoughts, before too long they found themselves standing in front of a large rune protected stone. The tunnel had opened slightly to allow them both to stand before it. The map made no mention of the stone and Harry wondered if it had been put in, after the battle, to protect the school. It definitely didn't look as aged as the rest of the tunnel. "Lumus Maxima." He said softly lighting the small cavern. It was completely walled in with protectively inscribed stones. They only way they were going to get in was through the stone door. Harry scratched at his face a bit, his tongue twitching as he almost called out the wrong name of his companion. His mind instantly thinking, that Hermione would have been able to instantly solve the puzzle before them. There was a dull ache in his chest as he looked to Ron. "Any good at Runes?" He said finally as he lowered his wand down so they could attempt to read the inscription. Ron shook his head making a bit of a face, "I guess this is the end of the journey huh?" He sighed heavily leaning heavily against one of the walls his hand running down the cord to the beaded bag as he thunked his head back.
"Hey, wait a minute." Harry said striding towards him making a grab for the bag before Ron snatched it out of his reach holding it protectively to his chest.
"Hey what?" He snapped glaring lightly like a cornered pup, "Use your words." He said holding the bag against his heart now.
Harry took a calming breath not really offended about his friends behavior, he waved a finger towards the bag, "That's Hermione's bag right?" He said slowly watching Ron nod suspiciously. "Then there should be something in there about Runes, a book maybe?" He coaxed trying to get Ron to jump on his thought train.
Ron blinked dumbly as his foggy brain tried to jump on track, when it finally did he let out a most comical squeak and pulled the bag from his chest opening it. "I wouldn't even know where to-"
Harry cut him off as he pushed his wand into the bag, "Accio Rune's Textbook." There was a big of rumbling from inside the bag before a large tome jumped forth, Harry caught it with a small omph before looking to Ron with a triumphant smirk.
"You better not have broken anything." Ron quipped sullenly before pushing the bag back down. Harry just shook his head a bit as he opened the book for them to read.
It took them a good 20 minutes to find something worth trying. Ron stepped back holding the book open as Harry raised his wand to remove the protections. It was slow work but he managed to pull away the last protective rune. He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair before raising his wand again wary of the possible failure, "Wingardium Leviosa." The stone trembled slightly before slowly raising. Harry carefully moved it to the side before releasing the spell. "Come on." He said as he squeezed through the opening he'd made. Ron snapped the book shut quickly stuffing it back into the bag jogging after him just as the stone shuddered and started to shut once again. A blue light showing that it was sealed once more.
They both looked back at it before turning forward again, Harry recast his lumous spell and they both started forward again. It wasn't long before the cavern walls turned to Hogwarts stone. The tunnel was starting to open up as well, the smell of stale water assaulting their noses. They each held their arm under their nose as he came to a small cross ways. They looked at each other as they started to recognize the inner tunnels of Hogwarts water system. They looked each way down the numerous channels before Harry pulled the map out again. It showed them directly under the dungeons. No doubt way below as the map miss-read their location to be near the Slytherian common room.
"Hey!" Ron barked pointing to the map. "Is that who I think it is?" He said urgently his eyes widening in shock.
"Draco Malfoy." Harry said deeply watching the footsteps, "He's going to..." He flipped the map open a bit more, "Severus Snape's quarters?" Harry furrowed his brow in confusion. So many questions, the first of which was why did Snape even have quarters still in the castle? How had they not been purposed or otherwise removed? Secondly, if not just as important. What the bloody hell was Draco bleeding Malfoy doing in Hogwarts?