Both men left Hermione to her thoughts moving to the kitchen to possibly discuss what would be best for dinner. It left her feeling unbelievably cold. Despite the warm fire that burned in the fire place she felt so desolate. Like a small singular flower growing in a vast desert. Her eyes were red but her tears had finally stopped, small sniffles disrupted her breathing from time to time but nothing overwhelming. Her eyes were apathetic as she stared into the flames. She could hear his screams echoing through her inner space, but they too slowly started to lose their effect. She was growing comfortably numb to the tortures that tempted her. Her shoulders sagged with resignation as she watched the dance of flames over the wood. Her heart was locking itself away, burrowing deeply inside of her to avoid the painful stabs of something she couldn't fully identify.

"You sure it's okay to leave her like that?" Draco asked bravely starting to feel a bit guilty. He leaned on the counter watching the human wall of indifference move about collecting ingredients for dinner.

"What do you mean?" He sounded bored as he leaned into the ice box pulling out a cold roasted beef.

Draco looked uncomfortable, "I mean she nearly ripped me apart when she woke..." His eyes followed Snape looking for anything, anything at all, "She was really upset..."

"And...?"

"I don't know..." He drawled trying to sound bored but his tone was laced with concern he didn't even know he possessed about the situation. "Do you think she needed a hug or... something?"

"Did you miss her pawing?" He kept his face turned away as he started cutting. "She got what she wanted."

Draco winced his voice dropping, obviously, the man wasn't getting what he was trying to say. "I don't think she got what she needed."

Severus set down the knife heavily on the cutting board. The boy had known him long enough. He wasn't a coddler. But you have supported her through this. His own mind betrayed causing him to grind his teeth.

"If you're so worried why don't you go Molly coddle her." He flicked his hand at him sharply, picking up the knife again he cut harshly into the roast obviously upset.

Draco sighed heavily, "She doesn't want me and you know it. " It was a low jab and he knew it. He jerked from the look that was thrown at him. There it was, he thought to himself, that was what had gotten the man wound tighter than a drum. He raised his hands in surrender, side stepping to the door without another word.

Draco ran a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh. He pulled a random book from the shelf in an offer of peace and moved towards the open chair near the fireplace. He had been expecting her to still be crying, curled up defensively against the world. The sight that greeted him roiled his stomach coldly.

It was the same look his mother had in her last days. A cold listless look staring into something beyond. She had her back slouched against the chair, her hands in her lap neither folded or clasped. They laid as they fell, he almost would have thought her unconscious if her eyes wouldn't have moved to his approach. Her legs were bent in the seat in front of her, relaxed but looking uncomfortable from the angle. Draco swallowed as he pulled the other chair parallel with hers so he could watch her but still be far outside her personal space.

Hermione watched him dispassionately settle into the chair before pulling her eyes back towards the fire. She didn't even jump when his voice started reading. She suspected he was doing it for her benefit but found she couldn't have cared less. Even still, she allowed the words to fill the silence that had swept through her thoughts allowing them to take her into the world trapped inside the pages.

Severus battled with himself as he set the potatoes on the stove. He could hear Draco reading but it was hardly enough to distract him from his internal voice chastising his poor handling of the entire situation. He argued against himself as he worked. The girl had taken up almost every aspect of his life by now and it only felt more suffocating the more she regained her health. He bounced back and forth pushing away all the thoughts his traitorous mind threw at him.

He refused to listen at all to the part of him suggesting that he enjoyed her company. That talking and discussing academia with her would be an enjoyable experience. The very idea made him uneasy. He had never been one to share his thoughts and ideas with others. His mind was trying to convince him that she was worth talking to, that she wouldn't use anything she learned against him. That even as damaged as her mind was she was just as highly logical and keen sighted as he was.

He let the thoughts build to a dull headache letting them go in circles knowing if he kept pushing against them he'd only wind up with a migraine. As he stirred the gravy he paused, Draco's words had pierced through his inner monologue.

"But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we—

Of many far wiser than we—

And neither the angels in Heaven above

Nor the demons down under the sea

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul…"

Severus' lip curled as he shut out the boy. He knew exactly what book he had chosen all the way down to the page and publication date. He took in a deep breath fighting against all the aching loneliness of over 20 years. It was the poem he read on his darkest nights during his darkest hours. He had almost changed the text in the book to match his tongue as he read alone in the dark. Why had he chosen that book of all the thousands he possessed? Why did her face have to shine so brightly smiling so kindly at him from his inner eye?

He closed his eyes tight as her face started to shift, beautiful green eyes turned deep gold, red hair turned riotous.

"Severus..."

His brow ticked.

"Severus."

The voice shifted mid syllable and he took in a sharp breath.

He snapped open his eyes forcing all imagery from his mind. He was a weak man.

Draco continued on unaware of the war he created in the kitchen, glancing up at her between passages for any change. She still sat immovable as stone, he sighed through his nose as he turned to the next poem. The time passed, all the same, Draco found his mouth dry from reading by the time Snape announced that dinner was ready. He hurried to the kitchen hoping to give them some unobserved time as he sought out something for his parched throat.

Snape watched with a raised brow before coming to the side of the chair. His jaw twitched as he saw her. It pulled on something very fragile inside his own psyche. "Miss Granger, dinner is ready." He repeated in the case she hadn't heard him. He offered out his hand to help her stand.

Hermione looked at the hand offered to her and blinked slowly into the face of its owner only briefly before turning her head away. Sensing his tension, she stilled her refusal to join them for dinner. She wasn't all that hungry and didn't fancy getting up. Though still, she abided his request for her presence and uncurled her legs from the chair.

Her shoulder brushed his palm as she came to stand, as much as she wanted his comfort she couldn't bring herself to accept his assistance. She turned around the opposite side of the chair using the arm to steady her feet before she pushed off. Her steps were slow but sure, she could hear him moving behind her but he didn't reach out to her.

The pain of rejection pulsed through both of them.

Hermione moved silently to her chair sitting down very softly, she crossed her legs at her ankles and leaned back into the hard back, her cheek twitched as one of the bars pressed into her scar but didn't move away from the pain. It was oddly soothing, grounding in a way that nothing else seemed to be working. She blinked slowly her hands remaining in her lap even as a plate was placed in front of her. She could see them moving and taking their places and the clink of silverware being raised before she finally allowed herself to lean forward taking hers as well. It did look absolutely delicious but her stomach just knotted tighter. She played with a bit of broccoli moving it in and out of the dark gravy before feeling brave enough to take a small bite unaware of the two sets of eyes watching her.

Draco watched her sadly playing a bit with his own food as he chewed on his beef. He turned his eyes to Snape trying to get his attention with his expressions. When the man finally looked over he bounced his eyes between them making a face begging him to say something to her. Severus had a healthy bite in his cheek as he narrowed his eyes at the blond. He scowled deeply at him hoping to spur him from the path he was treading so dangerously down. Draco was uncowed as he gave him a glare of his own, a look of disappointment in his features.

Snape looked across the table chewing slowly as he watched her pick at the branches of the broccoli she had barely taken a bite of. She did look a sorry state; he sighed through his nose as he tried to think of something to say. There was one thing that would possibly work but he wasn't so sure his tongue could even form the words without a sneer. He swallowed down his bite as he tried to think of something else. He glanced to Draco who was watching his every move. There was no way he was going to get himself out of the situation.

"Miss Granger?" His voice was soft sliding through the tension of the room. He waited for her to raise her eyes to him glancing at Draco as he gave him a get on with it motion with his hand, "I would like to apologize." His lip twitched as the words came from his mouth and he quite actually looked like a snarling dog that had a bad taste in its mouth.

Draco let out a heavy sigh thunking his head back against his chair dramatically, with a face like that who would even believe he was serious. Draco's brows raised up though as he heard her take in a breath, he raised his head to watch.

"You've done nothing wrong." Her eyes held his, the outer edges were rounded with sadness but her words sounded genuine. Was this what she had expected from him all along?

Draco's head snapped to attention watching them even more closely.

"I would...still like to make amends." Severus' voice was articulate his eyes watching hers so intently.

Draco couldn't believe it; even watching with his own eyes. He had never heard him apologize for anything let alone make restitutions.

"What did you have in mind?" Her eyes wavered slightly from his for just a moment before catching his searing gaze again. She didn't look anymore interested than when he began but there was a small spark in the far corner of her right eye if one were quick enough to see it.

Draco had and he couldn't stop the quirk of his lip as he turned his eyes back towards Snape.

The man inhaled deeply sitting back just a bit as he raised himself up, "Perhaps, your idea from this morning should be explored further."

They could have been discussing the evening paper with their dryness but Draco couldn't have cared, this was the most intense conversation he had ever had the pleasure to witness. He was very curious as to what her idea had been but even more, he was interested in her response. He turned his head back towards her catching the twitch at the corner of her lip.

"I have no objection." She picked up her fork again pushing a bit more broccoli, "Was that all?" She glanced up at him declaring quite clearly that the conversation was over.

Draco hissed and winced looking at Snape. The man had all but bared his soul to the girl and she was either oblivious or insanely cruel. He watched the emotion drain from the elder's face and knew her words had the desired effect.

Snape lowered his head back to his plate, a grunt her only response as he prejudicially stabbed a bit more meat onto his fork. Draco was about to lose his mind. It was like having a clone of the grumpy old man. He made a face and slammed his hand down on the table jostling both of them to look at him.

"No that is most certainly not all!" He wasn't sure if he was puffed up from his emotional rollercoaster of a day or if he'd lost some sense on the way into the kitchen but he felt the undesirable urge to fix whatever was going on between them. He remembered how his Godfather had been when she couldn't see and it was nothing like he was acting now. They were both acting like insolent brats and it was more than nerve racking.

"He's sorry for being a prat and leaving you alone to cry." He pointed to the man catching Hermione's shocked gaze, "And she's sorry for climbing all over you like a spider monkey. Even though she probably wouldn't have if you'd had just leaned down and hugged her in the first place!" He was huffing now as the reality of what just burst from his mouth finally hit him. His Godfather looked ready to kill him on the spot, while Granger...he chanced his eyes towards her and blinked dumbly.

She had a suppressed smile on her face. A small bubble of a giggle burst from her lips, cracking the coldness that had stuck on her features all evening. Both men looked at her in shock as she leaned back covering her mouth as another giggle rippled up her throat.

"Oh my God..." She pulled her hands from her face sniffling a bit as she looked across the table. It was all so simply put. It was ridiculous how much she had let him get to her. She knew the kind of man he was, who he truly was, inside. She didn't have any doubt in her mind, despite the way he treated her, had treated her. She gave him a small smile and shook her head just a little, the kindness slowly warmed her eyes as she sat up in her chair retaking her fork.

"Draco," She took a nonchalant bite of her beef letting her words linger, she glanced over at Snape who looked extremely put out, believing her to be laughing at him, she could feel his tension boiling under the surface, "You're going to be dead by daylight." She licked the gravy from her lips as she took another bite, the mirth in her eyes remained as she watched the darkness wash away from Snape's eyes. She gave him a gentle caress through their connection letting him know that he truly was forgiven. That she still wanted him around and that he was still very much needed and purposed. It was the same thing she would have wanted to know in that moment and she knew it was what he needed to know as well.

Severus felt the tension wash away from his entire frame, his eyes watching hers warm so quickly had pressed against his heart. He hadn't permanently damaged her, he hadn't sent her spiraling down into the darkness he so often found himself trapped in. She was, as always, strong and willing to be so kind. He felt truly undeserving of her glance as she pressed against their connection. When he let her inside and felt her thoughts comforting his own he didn't know how to really react. It was everything he didn't know he needed to hear. Everything that had needed to truly be said. When he caught her final words he smirked just a bit, "Better sleep with one eye open." He glanced over at Draco who was sitting very still with wide eyes.

Draco watched Granger hide a giggle in her plate before letting a slow smile spread across his face, he chuckled a bit nervously but still good-naturedly as he tucked into his dinner. The tension in the room evaporated over time. Severus asked Draco how his mother's service went. Being careful of the boy's fragile state. Hermione stayed mostly quiet, listening to them catching up while feeding her suddenly ravenous appetite. She pouted softly when Snape pushed her potions towards her but blinked when it was one short. She raised her brow pulled the two offered towards her.

"You shouldn't need the last." He explained vaguely taking the last bite of his meal. "It was designed for bedridden patients." He was trying to be delicate considering they were just finishing their meal. He waited for her to understand before taking his plate to the sink.

It took a little longer than she would have liked but when she did she blushed all the way down her neck thanking him softly for the information as she pulled her juice towards her to chase down the two remaining potions. It didn't even occur to her that she hadn't needed the loo since she woke, well not until that moment. She took her potions without complaint making a face as the magic rolled through her. Draco raised a brow but she waved off his concern taking a breath as the pain passed. She took a sip of her juice washing away the horrid taste. She couldn't wait to be finished with all of them. Though she wouldn't mind more of the salve he'd used earlier. That had been a most pleasurable experience to say the least, though she was very sure Snape would be very resistant to another treatment so soon after their apology mishap. She decided to tough it out as long as she could.

"Where is your wife Draco?" He took Hermione's plate for her letting the boy be his own servant.

"Ah, She's got the baby with her, she went to her grandmother's house in the Highlands." He explained taking the hint to bring his own plate to the sink. "She was going to return when she heard of mother's passing but I assured her I would be alright, that you would let me stay here if I felt I needed it." His tone was light but there was a pain in the undertones.

Snape just nod his head taking the dish from the boy setting a cleaning charm to work on them. He turned away watching Hermione slowly push herself back to her feet. He straightened himself surreptitiously but didn't move to help her to the door. She managed just well that morning but he still kept a close eye on her.

"Quite." He took a breath glancing at the clock. It was a quarter to nine, he wondered just how late the boy would stay up but it was clear that he was getting close to his fatigue point. "I don't have an extra room, but you can sleep on the lounge."

"Thanks, I really do appreciate it, Severus." He gave him a brave smile glancing over his shoulder as something jostled in the next room.

"I'm fine!" Came the hasty response followed by some agitated mumbling.

Severus gave a noncommittal hum and moved to retreat into the sitting room. He noticed the book Draco must have been reading knocked onto the floor and bent down to pick it up. He placed it on the shelf before scanning for the bushy haired pain in his arse. She was back in his chair again rubbing her socked foot with a small hiss. She must have knocked it into something.

"So what do you two do for fun around here?" Draco drawled as he came in sitting in the chair he'd previously occupied leaving only the lounge left as a place to sit.

"Normally we just look really deep into my mind trying to sort through the debris." Hermione's voice was lazy as she huffed setting her foot onto the ground.

"Seriously?" Draco rolled his head to Snape who had come to stand at the back of his chair.

"To put it bluntly." His tone was dry as he curled his hands into the back of his chair. He was a rather possessive man by nature. "Is there something wrong with the lounge Miss Granger?" He drawled looking down into the face that tilted up.

"I don't want to sit in it." She said dumbly blinking at the odd angle, "It hurts my back."

His lips twitched just a bit, "Perhaps I could transfigure it for you?"

She blinked at his suggestion. What was wrong with the chair she was sitting in? She quite liked it, it smelled mostly of him. "I suppose that would be alright." She straightened her head back turning to watch the lounge shorten and adjust itself to a similar shape to the one she was in. She waited until he tucked his wand back into his sleeve before pushing herself up. She made a small face as she sat on its firm cushions. She squirmed for a few moments trying to get comfortable watching as the man settled back into the chair she'd just relinquished.

Draco watched the two of them lazily. It really was an interesting show. He just wondered which one of them was going to break first. He wasn't as dumb as he pretended to be. He could already see some of the stone that his Godfather had built himself out of starting to break away. He just wondered if Granger had it in her to strike the final blow. He rubbed his chin as he pondered just how it would happen, a sly smirk over his features as he played through scenarios. Who would have thought the Gryffindor princess would have even the slightest inclination to the dark man. He wondered if her memory loss had anything to do with the obvious imprinting. She sort of reminded him of a baby duck taking to the first thing it saw as its mother. He snorted at his own thought as he watched them talking. No, this was something else. Just what had he missed?