The carriage ride had been mostly uneventful. After Hermione had stopped looking out into the world with wonder, the height at which they climbed making her queasy, they discussed their current theories and by the time they come to land had formulated a sort of division of labor. Snape would focus on a way to open the curse lines, safely. While Hermione was tasked with dismantling the vault.
As the feeling of descent rolled through the carriage they neatly packed away the notes they'd pulled from Snape's satchel. Hermione turned looking out at the grounds as the carriage finally landed. Her breathing was becoming excited. She swallowed thickly as she looked up at the front of the Manor. Her face twitching as the sound of dragged footsteps on gravel ghosted through her mind.
Something hard was forming in her stomach as she climbed out. Her eyes uncharacteristically large as she turned looking up and down the drive. It felt as though she wasn't seeing it in real time. The sky was much darker like someone had overlayed a film on the sun. Her teeth ground as she felt frozen in place staring at the large iron gates. She didn't want to be there. She didn't want to be there at all.
Snape paused when he didn't hear a second set of footsteps behind him. Turning on his heel he searched, his eyes found her very impressive impression of a statue a few steps to the side the carriage. He looked beyond her to where she was transfixed. Sighing, he stepped around breaking her gaze, he watched her eyes snap to him as if breaking from a trance.
"Are you planning on becoming a permanent fixture or are you interested in finding a solution to your problem?"
She sneered, it was a very admirable impression of him and she dragged her head towards the entrance where Draco was waiting, hands in his pockets. Her feet jerked as if she were pulling against a sticking charm before she strode ahead towards Draco. His eyes narrowed slightly giving a last glance to the gates before following after her. Draco let them inside keeping a few paces ahead of Granger's stiff walk.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor." His voice drawled echoing around the space. "The east wing is the library and kitchens." He was looking at Granger who had gone very still again. "The west wing and upper floors are off-limits. There isn't much to see anyway. Most everything has been placed in the underground storage." He looked up as Snape came to shadow her.
Severus knew very well the layout and just exactly was hidden away. He did take note that anything that hadn't yet been moved was covered with a white sheet. He turned to follow Draco as he spoke. The young man moved around Granger, immediately updating the elder man on his success and failures at dismantling the wards and protections over the library.
Once more, their footfalls were one short. Snape turned again, a deep frown on his face. Was it going to be too much for her? The thought lightly passed over his mind as he noticed she was walking in the opposite direction her eyes trained straight ahead on the drawing room's doors at the end of the west corridor.
Hermione felt herself being pulled towards the doors. It was like she was on autopilot, sounds met her ears, and her vision felt tilted. She couldn't stop. Her hand was about to reach the handle of the drawing-room when she felt a someone roughly grab the neck of her sweater keeping her from moving forward.
"The library is this way."
She felt herself being pulled none too gently from her goal, a noise passing her lips as she was frog marched in the opposite direction. She blinked dumbly a few times before her feet started to obey her commands. She glanced over the hand that held her as a muffled scream pierced her subconscious. She closed her eyes tight allowing herself to be guided away from the horrific sound.
Draco's brows rose as he watched Snape all but drag her back. Her shirt had ridden up from the hold Snape had on her and he could see the scar that wrapped around her hip disappearing into the waist of her jeans. He shifted uncomfortably as they came closer. What set the man on edge this time? Worried about the man's temper, he simply turned and pushed the large double doors open.
The room was expansive, large steepled windows let in the light of the day. Each one encased with elaborate gothic molding accented with silver and green. Large rows reached towards the ceiling, each one holding hundreds of books, neatly organized and dusted. The shelves were a dark black contrasting the white marble floor. It was two levels high, a winding staircase in the middle leading to the second floor where the more precious tomes were hidden away in small alcoves protected from the sun's damaging light. A large fireplace sat on the far wall, easily large enough to heat half it not more of the large space. Two large comfortable looking black leather couches stood in front on a very ornate looking rug. At the very top was a large enchanted mural, depicting the changing of the moon and its phases with clouds swept lazily over. Beautiful silver candelabras flared to life as they came in further. The upper balcony glowing softly as its layers were hidden away from the large windows leaving only the candles to give it its shape. The banister that swept around the entire top floor was stone and heavily engraved with all sorts of different designs. It spoke to the meticulous care that had been taken during its creation.
Hermione's jaw dropped at the sheer size of the room. She didn't even notice the hand leave her sweater nor the locking of the doors behind her. It was breathtaking. Despite its location, she felt she could easily make a home here. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold. She stepped cautiously like a cat smelling its way around a new home, she paid neither man any mind as she turned down one of the rows.
"What was that all about?" Draco drawled watching Hermione turn the corner.
Severus' jaw twitched but didn't reply, he brushed past Draco heading towards the staircase where he knew the darker books were stored. He called out to Hermione as he passed her. His steps sharp on the stone steps.
Draco blinked, "Right then..." He waited for Granger to go scurrying after her keeper before following after them.
Draco sought to keep Hermione between them, she would pause from time to time but amazingly didn't touch anything. Snape stopped in an alcove near the end and set his satchel down on one of two desks nestled away in the space.
"How did your Father hide his Mother's texts from the Ministry's search?"
Draco waited for Hermione to start over to the desk before answering. If he didn't know any better he would swear the two of them were communicating in some way.
"He charmed the room they're being held in to appear like a broom cupboard. I don't know the password, I was hoping you'd have better luck at getting inside." He shifted a bit uncomfortably as Snape rounded on him.
"Show me."
Draco nodded sharply pointing to a door five rows down behind Snape. To the trained eye, it was easy to see that the wall and door were out of proportion to the rest of the room. To Snape it was as strong as a beacon, he smirked at the stupidity of those in the Ministry before following Draco.
"Ron, how're you healing?" Harry had made himself a bit scarce while he'd been on task trying to help Snape find out any new information. He had checked in on Ron immediately that following morning but the man had been too angry to talk to him.
"Been a lot better if my best mate would've stood up for me." He grumbled turning away looking down into a magazine he was pretending to read.
"What would you have had me do?!" His hands went up with his voice. He hadn't realized, until recently, how little of his friend he seemed to have left.
"I don't know, something!" Ron shot back pushing himself up. He'd been drinking again. Harry could smell it wafting from his spat words.
"You know, you didn't just insult Snape with that comment." Harry refused to back down standing toe to toe with the taller red head. "You did this to yourself." He picked up the finished bottle shoving it against Ron's chest. "I think Hermione deserves better than this," He pressed the bottle harder getting the man's attention. His voice lost its temper as he looked at him with soft caring understanding, "Don't you..?"
Ron completely deflated falling back to the couch, he held his hand in his hands as he fought down the emotions rising in his chest.
Harry set the bottle aside sitting down across from him. He let out a deep sigh, "Snape has us researching," He paused watching Ron closely, "Whatever has Hermione is extremely powerful...it..." Harry shuddered as he remembered the way her body looked against the lounge. "It's taken her memories," He decided to side track swallowing down the image, " She couldn't remember you. She looked like she wanted to, but she just couldn't..."
Ron sniffled a little raising his head, "What's he got you researching?"
Harry looked at him sadly, "Something called a Tamashiheki..."
Ron shook his pulsing head, it sounded like gibberish to him. "So what it's like cursed her or something we have to go find it and kill it?"
Harry grimaced slightly looking more uncomfortable, "Not exactly...the creature is...inside her."
Ron looked confused, "And how does Snape tie into all this?"
Harry shifted, "All I know Ron, is that Snape, is the only one powerful enough to reach her. You didn't se-"
Ron's glare halted his tongue and he looked down sadly, "I don't know what's happened, alright?g Snape kicked us out...What I do know, is that the best chance we have is to work together..." He put his hand on Ron's shoulder, "All of us..." He gave him a weak smile, "Will you help?"
Ron looked at him for what felt like ages, a small spark lighting in his glassy eyes, "Yea...for Hermione..."
Hermione sat hunched over a large desk, three books open in front of her, her pen furiously scratching away. Her mind had cleared after she had put her mind to work. She hadn't even noticed her surroundings or the half eaten lunch sitting at her elbow as she followed a lead. Her eyes moved over her calculations and diagrams. She pursed her lips absently taking a sip of tea before leaning over to turn a page in one of her books.
Severus sat much the same way, his brow and lips firm as he glanced at a text to his right, his own lunch forgotten completely. He was having trouble with the final piece; the counter curse. He had managed the opening part fairly easily, but without a matching counter to close the wound, she would simply be left to bleed out. He snarled as he crumpled up the paper he was working on and tossed it down to the side.
Draco was in and out periodically, checking on them and seeing to the packing away of the rest of the house. With his mother's passing the grounds fell to him, but he had no desire to inherit anything in that house. Everything all the way down to the pillowcases felt tainted with dark magic and it made his stomach turn at the very idea of bringing his daughter to the house.
He had come back to check on them during one of his breaks and noticed their similar positions. It really was uncanny how much they mirrored each other. A thought lingered over his brain; he wondered, that if Granger had been older, would Snape had fallen in love with her? He tried to picture the extremely solitary man with anyone by his side and made a bit of a face. It was impossible for him to picture. He glanced towards Hermione, she too seemed difficult to place next to someone. Draco had a small spark of inspiration and slipped passed them completely unnoticed into the row that held soul magic. He remembered something about soul bonds his aunt had raved about. He smiled as he found the text and made his way back out leaving the two of them to their own devices.
Afternoon melted into evening, a soft golden glow filling the large library. Hermione let out a muted yawn and sat back rubbing her tired eyes. She had made excellent progress, but it was all theory. She'd still have to be able to attempt the magic herself. She looked down at her hand flexing the cramped grip. Her back burned like she was sitting too close to a fireplace and she had to stretch. She mewled loudly as she stretched her arms over her head eyes closed tight. She didn't notice she had disturbed the man across from her. She felt the rush of blood through her body and sank back into the chair. She left her eyes closed as she let herself relax.
Snape took her actions under advisement and slowly sat back as well. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, a small headache was thumping against the back of his eyes. He was rather impressed with how well a study partner the girl had been. She'd not so much as asked him one question. She didn't hum or talk to herself, it wasn't until she stretched did he remember she was even there. Though tired, he felt the day had rolled through rather pleasantly. He shifted in his chair stretching his legs under the desk.
"Find anything plausible?"
Hermione opened her eyes at his gentle tone. " I think so. You?"
He hummed pushing his pen from the top of his equation.
"Switch?" She asked leaning forward holding up her paper in offering. She always did appreciate a new perspective on her work, she just hoped the man did as well.
He looked at the paper being offered then down to his own. He was reluctant to let a wisp of a girl critique his work, but he had reached a dead end. Perhaps a new set of eyes wouldn't hurt. He exhaled deeply offering out his paper. They exchanged the others work as if it were the Treaty of Versailles. Each taking hold with the utmost care as they started to read.
Hermione looked over the complex equations with awe. They were so much more than she would have thought anyone capable of. Though she furrowed her brow when she believed she spotted a mistake in one minor computation. She glanced over before grabbing a spare bit of paper, she copied down the part she believed held a mistake and went to work on correcting it.
Snape merely switched from black to red ink, glancing over her diagrams. He made small notes in the margins before noticing a list of potions ingredients. They were nearly the exact same list that he had given to Minerva what seemed like a lifetime ago. He pursed his lips as he read through her instructions on how to create the brew. He tilted his head before making a few small corrections. Know-it-all indeed. He hummed softly to himself, her intellect hadn't been affected in the slightest. He was officially impressed, a new respect for the young woman settling squarely in his mind.
Draco rounded the staircase, the book he'd chosen had proved most valuable in his study of the pair. Deciding to keep the information to himself, he made to walk past the two of them to replace the book. Snape, however, glanced up halting his steps. Draco raised a brow before slowly coming over to the unspoken request. He awaited further instructions before glancing over at Granger who was chewing on the end of her pen.
"Yes?"
"I think our time is about up." He stated, setting the paper back down on the desk.
"Ah, I'll prepare the carriage. Will you be returning tomorrow?" He felt like an errand boy, and couldn't keep the look of contempt and the false tone of respect from dripping from his words.
Severus gave him a harsh glare, sufficiently telling the boy to knock it off, "I think it will be easier to just take a few of the useful books with us." He noticed the book that Draco was hiding behind his back but didn't comment. "Do you object?"
"No, take all you want." He said leaning back taking a bite of his apple, "I was going to give them all to you anyway." He said flippantly as he strode away, a swagger in his walk as he made to return the book before he was caught.
Snape glared at the boy's retreat, always taking the easy way out, he looked over at Hermione who put the last of her touches on her corrections before leaning back.
"Finished?"
"Mmm..." Hermione stacked the two papers together holding them out to him.
Snape glanced at the paper she had put behind his briefly noting her small changes to his equations and vowed to take a closer look once they were back at the house. He set them atop his corrections and started to clean up his desk.
"We're leaving?" Hermione pouted glancing around just now taking into account that the sun had gone.
"Yes."
She couldn't stop the dejected look from crossing her face, she quite liked it there. It was nice to study at a desk instead of hunched over some small table in dim light. She didn't object however as she stood to clean her own mess. She moved to return the books when his hand came out to stop her.
"We're taking them with us." He explained pulling them gently from her grasp and placing them inside his expanded satchel. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye noticing she seemed to perk up a bit at the news. Now he just had to get her out of there before her mind wandered her down another dark corridor.