Three days had passed since Hermione's heroic confrontation with the beast dwelling inside her. Three days for Severus to get a grip on himself. He had let her rest for the better part of two days, only waking her to eat or take her regenerative potions. It had been the reprieve from her presence he had needed. Seeing her broken form had rattled something deep in his core and he found he didn't like the warmth that grew in his stomach when he was around her.
He had banished both Minerva and Potter from the house the first morning stating that their continued presence would only do more harm, as evidenced. Minerva nor Potter put up much of a fight on the issue though they did deeply insist that they aid him in his task in some way. He sent them away with a laundry list of books that he felt he required. Deciding to let them do the leg work while his mind worked towards a solution. On the third day, Hermione had managed to stay awake for much longer though her words were distressingly slurred. She seemed to have very little memory of how she came to be out of her damaged mind and Severus believed it was for the best. He had slipped a Muggle sleeping aid into lunch that had forced her back into rest.
Presently, Severus sat at his kitchen table, his charge tucked away upstairs in her own bed, he'd cast a charm to alert him when she woke. His magic had come back almost full force since that night. It flowed through him a new and without pain. Even his throat hadn't bothered him once since his return.
A new stack of books appeared abruptly, sliding over the edge of the kitchen table dangerously jarring his cup of coffee. He took hold of it quickly to preserve its contents leaning over to see the house elf's trembling legs.
"From the headmistresses sir." Its tiny voice quaking with fear.
He grunted and set his cup to a safer position, they had been appearing sporadically during the time he'd set the tasks and he had let his temper slip at the small creature once when it had popped in while he was brewing causing him to slightly graze his finger with his knife. He gave it a dismissive wave, his attention turning to the new stack. He heard the creature pop away before he pulled a tome from the middle.
He had focused his attentions on the vault he had seen inside her mind; he was sure that the creature had created it but he needed to know how. He opened the new book his eyes scanning the page slowly taking in anything that was new. His finger ran down the page as he read:
魂壁魔族 (Tamashiheki Mazoku)
Classification: Yurei Kami (Japanese) XXXXXX (Ministry of Magic: Britain)
Build: Humanoid
They are revered to be the darkest of creatures with God-like invulnerability and power. Traveling in packs, one Tamashiheki per group of eight to ten Jinshikin they are often found on battle fields. Seeking out the souls who have died in pain or torment. Attracted most by vengeful souls. They are hastily attracted to Dark wizards or witches feeding off their broken souls before they have a chance to move between realms. While the lesser Yurei feast on the broken souls of the dead. Tamashiheki are pulled insatiably towards paragons of good. Using the strength of the witch or wizard's magic against them. They gain their power through control of the mind. Believed to be the origin of the study of legilimens and occlumancy they use their host's memories to torture and break their soul feeding off the magic that seeps through the cracks before devouring the pieces.
Severus paused and subconsciously rubbed his chest thinking back to the red light that had shone from his soul. The creature, the few times he'd actually seen it, never did seem interested in him. The why, was starting to become clear to him now. He shifted his hand back down continuing on.
It was not just enough for a Tamashiheki to break the soul of its prisoner, it also sought to feed ravenously on the energy that seeped through the cracks of the afflicted. Paragons of good were thought to be the most sought after by the creature due to the holder's intense light that the soul provided. As creatures who lived permanent darkness, the light was like a beacon to them, and they were known to keep the victim alive for a long time just to savor the power they held within. The purer the heart, the more the victim found itself at its endless torture until every last little bit of light was drained leaving their soul a blackened husk before it would finally eat what was left.
Severus paused, his mind recalling the deep black light that had seeped from Hermione's soul. Had the creature taken her light? His brow furrowed, if it had why hadn't it simply finished the deed? He thought back to the destruction that he had seen. His eyes widened just a bit; she had fought back. That was what the energy he hadn't been able to identify had been. It had been her magic, her essence, that had pushed the creature back. He glanced toward the ceiling. The very idea that someone so young could harness that amount of power made him almost fearful. She was surely a witch to be reckoned with. He vowed to keep it in mind, turning his eyes back down to the page.
It is widely believed that due to its extreme prowess in legilimency that the creature is able to create a world inside its victim. Able to mirror the one its victim has naturally to hide its true intentions, it keeps them trapped inside the faux realm. Legilimens who have been able to break into the realm of the afflicted often observed a heavy blackness coating everything, though only one wizard had managed to make any sort of record it. Unfortunately, the records were lost in a fire with only slight references keeping the account information alive.
He sighed heavily through his nose, rubbing a hand down his face, it wasn't anything really new to him, just more descriptive on its evil tendencies. His mind turned back to the vault and he tilted his head back towards the new stack, he pulled out the second from the top and flipped it open to its index over top the previous book. As he turned to the required page he paused at the full drawn picture on the left side. His finger trailed down to the inscription at the bottom bearing its name, "Firmamentum Suppressae Memorias." he snorted at its uncreativeness and turned his eyes to the information about it.
The Firmamentum Suppressae Memorias, is considered the most powerful occluding shield in all of the art. He read on filing away the names of the two masters of occlumency who had been able to conjure the door, he recognized the one but would have to research the other. The vault restricted access to memories placed inside preventing even the most skilled legilimens from entering without the consent of the creator. A vault such as this can be created by-
He was just getting to the part on how the door was created when a shrill scream pierced the morning peace. Severus pushed away from the table quickly, hastily moving up the stairs, the scream had been short and cut off, leaving him uneasy. He threw open the door to her room with the same dramatic flair he in his classroom days.
"Miss Granger?"
He saw her hunched over, her knees drawn up, her head in her hands as she sobbed. He paid her crying little attention as he moved closer, the scream had reminded him all too well of the time she had woke bleeding from the creature's attack. He had considered himself lucky that the creature hadn't attempted an encore performance but he took no chances. He moved swiftly to her bed pulling her shoulders a bit further forward trying to see at her back.
"Miss Granger, are you in pain?" His voice held a controlled calm, but she could see his concern from under her wet lashes by the way his nostrils flared with each controlled breath. She sniffled when she felt his hand on her and lightly shook her head, her hand raised against his chest trying to tell him that she was alright, though the words continuously failed to reach her mouth through her sobs. He paused at her press and leaned back just a hair, to take in her face. She sniffled and sought him out from under her wet lashes, her fingers slipping into the seam of his jacket between the taunt buttons.
"A dream?" He watched her nod her head through her hiccups and reached to the side table he had moved to her room. It held her variety of potions as well as a cup of water charmed to remain cool. It was then he noticed something pressing against him.
His eyes shot down to the hand that had slipped beneath his jacket. Her fingers felt like molten lava against him even with his shirt between them. He leaned back fearing she had earned herself another fever; though when the back of his hand touched her brow it felt cool. He turned his eyes to hers and waited for a confession that he could see twitching at her quivering lips.
"Prof-essor..." She hiccuped and made a face swallowing down, "I...I..." Her face pinched as a hard suppressed sob shuddered her frame. Her eyes raised to his taunt features, she could see the worry in the corner of his eyes and didn't let his fierce facade cow her.
He waited patiently for her to speak, his hand returning to his side, her lingering touch burned his skin and churned his stomach. He could have simply searched her thoughts but he felt she had had enough intruders mucking about in there.
A new sob passed her lips as she recalled her nightmare. She took a gulp of air pressing back the feeling that attempted to over take her again. When she felt strong enough to speak, her hand tightened to a quivering fist on his jacket and she leveled her eyes back to his. Tears fell freely down her face falling into her parted lips.
"I don't...I don't...want to die..."
It wasn't the proclamation he had been expecting. His back twinged at her desperate plea. He stood rigid against her as she used her hold on him to pull herself closer burying her wet face into his stomach. She released an even deeper cry of abandon repeating her words against the charcoal material and Severus felt compelled to do something. Anything. Against all his better judgment, he brought his hand to the back of her head.
When his touch reached her senses she pulled herself up more. Now onto her shaking knees, she wrapped her arms tightly around him pressing her face most uncomfortably into the buttons of his coat. Her movement stilled him for a long time. But she didn't release him. She found unmeasurable comfort despite his repeated attempts to stay clear of her touch. She rubbed her nose slightly against him, her legs were shaking but she didn't care, she needed to know he was there. Really there. Her hands clawed slightly against the stern fabric at his back, she felt her hold starting to slip when two strong arms finally completed the embrace.
His mind registered the feel of her body warm from sleep, pressing tightly against him. His brain ticked rather slowly as he weighed his course. Finally, his hands wrapped themselves around her lithe frame. One palm rested against her quaking ribs feeling every quivering breath while the other cradled her head, her riotous curls weaving through his long fingers. He felt her body struggling to maintain the position and slowly lowered to one knee. The shift raised her head from his chest to his shoulder. She adjusted without complaint hiding her face into his collar. Her arms came up his back to hook heavily along his shoulders. Her legs slipped from under her to fall to either side of his waist brushing faintly against the curve.
Hermione sniffled calming down against him. It had taken some effort on her part but the warmth of his body helped immensely in her endeavor. Finding her voice again, she opened her eyes staring into the scar that just barely peeked out from the edge of his collar.
"Severus..." She whispered his name so faintly she was almost sure he hadn't heard her, but a tense of the muscle in his neck assured her otherwise. You'll save me... won't you? Her lips trembled unable to ask her question. She felt his chest take in a tense breath the buttons of his coat pressing somewhat painfully against her sternum.
He had heard her words clear as day through his inner space. His heart gave a heavy thump at such a complex request. She wasn't begging him or pleading with him. It was different. Like she trusted him to do what she needed him to do. It wasn't the first time someone had asked him such a question but he was sure it was the first time he'd ever been asked in such a manner. He couldn't identify any possible ulterior motive for her plea. It left him with an odd feeling. He couldn't stop himself from shifting uncomfortably against her.
Hermione felt his tension rise in his body but still, she refused to release him. She waited for him to process what he surely must have heard. His reaction to her words was clear against her calming body. Her hands held him just a bit tighter; she trusted him, wholly, she needed him to understand that. She wasn't sure why she was so hard pressed for him to know. Only that it needed to be known. She was sure it was him who had come to her, that every time she had found herself in a state of need, he had been there to raise her up again. How could she not trust a man who had done this?
She held him tight until she felt him finally relax against her. Only then did she release her hold. She sniffled a bit and carefully pulled her head from his now wet shoulder. She slipped her arms from under his coming up to touch the spot she had left behind. His arms pulled away completely resting more to his sides. Her eyes ran down over the buttons of his jacket noticing another wet spot her tears had left behind. Her other hand touched it before her eyes rose once more to his. He didn't look pleased in the slightest by her touch and she almost jerked her hands back from the intensity at which he stared her down.
"I'm sorry about your coat..." It felt ridiculous to think let alone say but she felt something needed to break the tension that had wound between them. It snapped audibly as he shifted to stand. Her hands slipping from him to wrap around her waist.
"It'll dry." He dismissed grateful for the reprieve. He turned retrieving the water he had originally planned to get her before she turned into an octopus. He held it to her and relaxed marginally as she took it with no further comment.
"Are you hungry? It's nearly lunch." He took back the drained cup glancing at her disheveled appearance. He was sure she was well over due for a long hot shower. Her eyes were still red and puffy with little red splotches over her cheeks where she'd pressed against his buttons.
"I think I need a shower..." She sniffled wiping at her nose again shifting her gaze to the bed for a moment before looking down at herself. "I feel sticky..." She had woke in a cold sweat and she could feel the layer lingering over her skin.
"Do you think you can stand long enough?" He glanced at her legs that had ceased their trembling.
She nodded absently leaning to take hold of the bed post. She reached her other hand towards him and he took it without complaint helping her to her feet. She thanked him under her breath as she pulled herself up. She swayed for only a moment before pulling from his hold. She wiggled her toes slowly before releasing the bed post. She felt light headed when she straightened, the room around her spinning dangerously and she felt the back of her legs hit the side of the bed. His arm shot out so quick holding the back of her bicep to keep her from pitching over the edge. Her hand clawed at his arm for a moment as she tried to blink away the spinning room.
"Perhaps a bath." He grumbled as he guided her to sit on the bed.
She let out a soft noise of frustration but didn't argue. She knew he was right, and personally, she didn't care as long as she got clean. She rubbed the side of her face watching him turn away from her. He rifled through her drawers for a new set of clothing. He had gotten over his prudence somewhat where her undergarments were concerned though he could feel her eyes watching him as he pulled out what she needed. Thankfully, she said nothing as he turned, the clothing tucked under one arm as he returned to help her back to her feet.
The trip to the bathroom was uneventful, he let her rest on the bench near the bath and started the taps. He placed her clothes into her lap then ran his hand under the water adjusting the temperature. He said nothing as he pulled fresh towels from their cubby setting them on the bench next to her. She continued to simply watch him move around for which he was immensely grateful.
She waited until he had finished gathering all the soaps from the shower placing them within reach from the tub before breaking their silence.
"Thank you..." Her voice was strong as she watched him straighten.
"I'll set a charm when you're ready simply request my presence." He knew the charm was hardly necessary given their growing connection but he didn't want to strain her frayed mind. She nodded and clicked her mouth shut cutting off a question.
"Take your time, but do not." He raised his finger in warning catching her undivided attention, "Attempt the stairs on your own." He narrowed his eyes at her, " I don't want to explain how you managed to break your neck." His turning head caught the corner of her smile as he stalked from the room, he left the door unlatched but closed as he started back downstairs to start their lunch.
Hermione listened to his retreating thumps before leaning over running her hands under the water running from the tap. She rubbed the water over her face with a happy sigh before she leaned back. She started on her pajamas top slowly undoing the large buttons, she pulled the fleece material slowly off her shoulders. She ran her fingers over the arch feeling the growing muscle underneath. She no longer felt like a bag of bones, it was a very nice feeling. The hollow was still deep but it didn't feel jagged anymore. She sighed softly and let the garment fall to the floor. Her hands drifted down her sternum, it felt lightly bruised, the deep scar that ran through was warm but smooth in its healed state. She couldn't stop herself from looking down making a small face at the size of her chest. It was still undersized but at least she didn't look like a 12-year-old boy anymore. She doubted she would need her bra still but she wasn't sure it would have been a good idea anyway; her back was still sore if she laid on it for too long and she didn't want to risk it. She tilted her head further looking to her stomach, her fingers lightly tracing the outline of her waist. She couldn't see her ribs anymore but she could see the small crevice where they split before her stomach. It was a vast improvement for sure and she didn't mind. She'd never been overly heavy there anyway.
She looked to the tub and deemed it full enough. She reached over turning off the taps before leaning back to slide her sleeping pants and underwear off in one go. Her eyes lingered over her growing thighs and calves, they were starting to go back to their normal size, though her knees were still a bit knobby. She ran her hands over them lightly reaching down to massage her calf. It was soft but firm in her fingers and she flexed her toes to gauge just how much was muscle. She was delighted to feel the muscle grow taut.
Her head was no longer spinning, it had been a tense few days whether or not she would keep her vision or not. The creature had not shown its face during that time and she wondered if she'd wounded it more than she thought. She didn't linger too long on the thought for fear that it would call it's presence to her. She clutched the side of the tub tightly with both hands and pulled herself up. She stepped in with great caution. The bottom of the tub wasn't slick and she was able to keep her footing sinking down into the warm waters with a grateful sigh.
Severus worked silently in the kitchen, his coffee had gone cold and he had disdainfully tipped the liquid down the sink starting a fresh pot. He cut the vegetables for the salad and checked on the pasta that was boiling. It was nice to have a fully stocked ice box with a connection to Hogwarts. He merely had to think about what he wanted to make and the required ingredients would appear fresh and crisp. His garden had been neglected for too long to make any of it viable for human consumption. He glanced out the back window at the thought noticing a white hare nibbling away at one of his cucumbers. At least someone was getting some use from them he mused as he swept the carrot over the salad.
A harsh crack brought his eyes back up the knife stilling over the cucumber he was just about to slice. A flash of blond hair glimmered against the afternoon sun betraying the identity of the intruder. His eyes narrowed at the slumped over shoulders and formal attire. He wiped his hands on a towel before moving to open the back door.
Draco looked up from his reverie hearing it open, his face was pale and his eyes darkly rimmed betraying his weakness. He saw his Godfather's brow furrow with unspoken questions but found he didn't have the energy yet to proclaim what had put him into such a state. He lowered his head as he passed by him into the kitchen, he took a seat heavily into the chair becoming engrossed in the patterns of the old wood table.
Severus closed the door softly turning towards the young man, he crossed his arms and waited for his explanation. He leaned slightly against the counter to try and lesson his ascetic presence hoping to urge him to speak quickly.
"Mother's dead." Draco finally managed without lifting his eyes from the table top.
Severus swallowed slowly flicking his hand towards the stove cutting the heat to the pasta that had come to boil. He suppressed a sneer that threatened his face; if it wasn't one thing it was another.
"When?"
"Last night." Draco swallowed deeply leaning back in the chair, "In her sleep." He continued, running his finger around a knot, "Peaceful they said." He chanced a glance towards Severus but his face betrayed nothing. "They're burying her today. At sundown." Draco's lips sneered sightly, "I just thought you'd want to know..." His voice was distant as he let his hand drop back to his lap.
Severus took a slow breath, "My condolences, your mother..." He paused searching for the right words, "Did all she could for you, she was...an honorable woman." He watched the boy smile ruefully and nod tensing his jaw to keep from crying. He could see how hard the boy was trying to remain strong. "It's alright to cry Draco." Severus had moved to stand before him, though his posture was still as hard as ever. "She is worthy of your tears."
It seemed that was all the boy needed as he let out a coarse sob, he leaned his head over his lap hiding his face in his hands as he let his grief wash through him.
Severus let him cry himself out before moving to stand beside him, "Enough." His tone was gentle as he pressed his palm against his back, "Go clean your face." He pulled back as Draco straightened in his chair pushing away to do as he instructed. He shuffled towards the downstairs bathroom quietly closing the door behind him.
Severus sighed heavily and looked to his partially prepared lunch. With a deep breath, he started adding more it, it would seem he would have a guest for lunch.
Hermione jolted slightly as her head dipped underwater, she sputtered and coughed hastily pushing the water from her nose sneezing in quick succession as she shook out her head. She hadn't meant to fall asleep but the water had been so comforting, it washed all the fear away from her nightmare leaving her in a sort of drug induced bliss. The water was still lukewarm around her which to her relief meant she hadn't fallen asleep for long. She shook out her head again before reaching for the soap, at this rate she'd be a raisin when Severus returned. She paused her hand on the wash clothe. When did she start referring to him as Severus? She had spoken his name just that morning but it felt like it was something she needed to do in the moment. She pulled the clothe to her wetting it in the water, while she tried trace the reason in her mind.
As she washed she found herself just thinking in circles, nothing useful came to mind about the man in black. She knew he had been her professor and even could recall the memories she held of him, but she was no longer his student. She still respected him, that was very clear to her, but the title that once felt so comfortable to her lips tasted bitter in her mouth now. Like it was insulting. She tried to linger on that thought as she dipped back her hair to wash it. Why would saying the title of a man she respected feel insulting? It made such little sense to her. She recalled the way he tensed when she'd spoken his name, but he hadn't chastised her for saying it. It wasn't like it was some secret to her, Professor McGonagall constantly called him by name. Though, as she thought back on it, she'd always elicited a rather aggressive response from the man when she did. She made a slight face as she massaged his shampoo into her scalp, his smell wafted into her nose clouding her senses.
Draco had returned to the kitchen slouching heavily in the chair, he said nothing only accepting the invitation for lunch knowing he hadn't eaten since his mother had passed. His stomach growled appreciatively at the smell that filled the kitchen, a light pasta with cream sauce and a salad sounded more than wonderful to him at that moment. He started slightly as a soft chime rung out around him, he looked up confused before looking to Severus.
"Miss Granger." He explained as he set the final plate on the table. Draco merely raised his brow but held his tongue watching as he left to answer her apparent call. Had he been in his normal state he surely would have made a comment but as it was he just let the elder man answer the call in peace.
Severus moved up the stairs swiftly, passing into his room he knocked on the bathroom door.
"I'm dressed." She called through the wood.
He pushed open the door, his bathroom wasn't in disarray as he feared, in fact, it looked like she had kept her intrusion limited to the bench. Her used clothes somewhat folded in a neat stack. The towel she had used hanging over the empty tub to dry. She had plaited her wet hair but it hung loosely at the end. He noticed her holding it absently and moved to the medicine cabinet. He pulled the final tie he had in his possession and offered it to her.
She smiled shyly taking the elastic quickly winding it around the end of her hair. She wiped her wet hands on her lounge pants before pushing against the seat. He took her bicep helping her to her feet. Once she was steady she walked with him towards the staircase. Her arm tucked in the crook of his elbow, her steps were slow but steady as they took on the stairs.
Her legs burned at the bottom but she held firm, her breath was a bit tight in her chest and she felt him pause. "I'm fine." She assured taking a step ahead of him. He said nothing meeting her steps and they proceeded further moving into the kitchen.
Draco turned his head as he heard them come in, his eyes went to Granger immediately. She looked exceptionally better than when he'd seen her last. He stood and politely offered her the chair, it was the closest to the door and he could always conjure another. He saw his Godfather's brow rise at his actions but he remained silent as he helped her to the chair.
"Thank you." Hermione turned her gaze to the blond, her words were genuine and kind. She watched him blink dumbly for a moment before muttering something.
Severus watched the two of them, "You can transfigure the stool." He nodded towards the corner where his potion's stool sat, he liked it better than and actual chair when he brewed it was just enough to lean against to keep his knees from screaming at him for standing in the same position for too long.
Draco tore his eyes away from her wet hair with effort mumbling again as he moved to take it from the corner.
"It smells really good." Hermione leaned over the plate that was presented to her, looking down at the small portion that she knew was perfect for her growing stomach.
"Go ahead." He waved a hand at her moving from the room to find something to transfigure for himself.
Draco took the end of the table transforming the stool into something similar to the one Hermione sat in. He lowered himself down pulling a plate towards him. He glanced over to her; the last time they had met flittered over his mind and he wondered just what she must be thinking. He was tempted to use what little legilimency he had learned but feared that it might be a dangerous adventure. He pulled his fork toward him and settled for the old fashioned way for getting information.
"You look better." He took a bite watching her reaction.
Hermione was chewing slowly on a bit of salad when he spoke and delayed her response until she swallowed, "I feel better." She looked more closely at him noticing the red that underlined his crystal eyes. "How are you?" It was a cautious tone as she took another bite of her salad. Her mind was slowly forming his name but it was taking its sweet time. She felt nothing towards him at present and didn't see any reason why she shouldn't be cordial with him, after all, he'd offered her his chair.
He sniffed a bit stabbing a piece of his pasta, "Been better."
Hermione pursed her lips but let it go. She took a small bite of her pasta humming at the taste. "He's a really good cook." She tried to change the subject. The man of reference returned with a chair he had transfigured from a spare pencil.
"Yeah he is." Draco glanced as Snape sat across from Hermione, he didn't say anything to the complement taking his portion just as stoically.