Minerva looked up as the blanket on the lounge slowly lifted into the air. She lowered her reading glasses watching it follow its summons up the stairs before smirking knowingly. She said nothing turning back to their notes. She would see herself out when she finished.
She had managed to understand most of what they were planning and it was starting to worry her more and more. She knew that they would need five people to create the protective circle Severus and she had discussed that morning. But actually seeing what they were planning to do to extract the creature had left her more than on edge. Most of the equations went well over even her head, she'd only seen something as remotely complicated in the books in the headmaster's office, but she trusted both of them implicitly.
Minerva worried her lip with her finger as she set to work making copies of their notes, she had noticed that Hermione's normally neat and precise writing had taken on a sort of tilted appearance and she hadn't missed the similarity between it and the brooding man's. That was something else to worry about. If Draco had been correct something more was brewing under the surface and she doubt either of them were truly aware. She would leave that conversation to a much later date.
She lifted her head when the floor creaked over head and pushed herself up from her chair. She doubted very much that she'd see either of them anytime soon. She pursed her lips folding away her new information setting out to see to the task she was assigned. She gave one passing glance to the stairs as she passed.
Severus had managed to replace the sheets beneath the woman who watched him so intently from the bed. Her eyes were heavy but he was sure they wouldn't close until he returned to her side. He pulled out an older smaller button up from his closet knowing full well she would attempt to rise to stop him should he try to go her room to retrieve a proper set of clothes. He turned holding it up for her approval.
Hermione nodded meekly, she could see the rising tension in his body, she knew she was pushing him well beyond his comfort zone. Had she been able to move at all she would have helped him take her room, as it was, she could barely keep her eyes open. Her last ounce of strength had left her when she pleaded with him to stay. His response gave her the strength she had now knowing full well the weight behind his promise.
She watched him return, her eyes following his hands as he tucked the shirt under her back. It was an odd sort of feeling like she was watching a movie of her own life. Her body tingled where ever he touched but her muscles refused to respond. The ache in her chest was thrumming in time with the beating of her heart and as he shifted her a dull pain shot all the way down to her toes. It was like stepping on a foot that had fallen asleep. Small pins and needles pricked over every moved muscle and she didn't even have the strength to hiss.
Severus pulled her arms through the oversized button up laying them gently near her side before he worked down the buttons. It was easy work, the hem met her mid thigh, and he pulled back using his wand to vanish the layers beneath. He watched her sigh deeply as the stained fabric left her skin. He turned his attention to her jeans, he knew he'd have to replace them as well. The blood had soaked through into her hips, he made a bit of a face as he decided the best course. He, of course, had his own sleeping pants but they would be just as over sized as the shirt. He looked down over her and decided not to risk her coming after him and with another wave vanished them away.
Hermione's toes attempted to curl as the cool evening air grazed over her legs but even that was impossible, she could feel the hem of his shirt touching the tip of her knees and didn't feel exposed or embarrassed. She let her eyes close trying to tell him she was okay with his decision.
He had seen them close and let out a slow breath pulling up the new top sheet to keep the chill of the night away. He turned away again pulling the summoned duvet and started to put it back into place. As he tucked the fabric around her shoulders he felt her lips brush against the back of his hand. Her eyes fluttered before falling closed again. She was mere seconds from just succumbing. He pressed his lips as he moved to the opposite side. He moved over top of the covers just as he had so many nights before. Too afraid to actually touch her he simply rested near her letting the weight of his presence bring her comfort. He watched her chest slowly fall into a steady deep rhythm before he let his own eyes close. His mind was churning over all the information he knew about magic inside the mind. He was completely at a loss on how he had summoned the fire from his hands. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
Harry looked up from his breakfast at the knock on the door and he tried to feed another bite of eggs to the squirming boy in his lap. Ginny wiped her hands on her work slacks as she moved to the door opening it curiously.
"Professor! What a pleasant surprise. Please come in." Ginny smiled brightly as she guided the headmistress into their home.
"Mind the mess, " She said with a chuckle pushing a toy broom from the entrance way as she led their guest into the kitchen.
Harry smiled and shifted Albus in his lap. "Morning Professor." He could tell by her controlled stance that she wasn't there for a social call.
Ginny to sensed the mood and plucked their son from Harry's lap, "I'll drop him off at preschool before work. I love you." She gave him a quick kiss goodbye before grabbing her satchel. "Alright big boy, who's ready to go on a broom ride with mummy?"
The boy shrieked with excitement waving to Minerva as they passed. The woman gave him a small wave in return watching as they set out.
"No work today Mr. Potter?" Minerva raised her brow at his t-shirt and muggle jeans.
"National Holiday or something." He said absently clearing away the table for her to take a seat.
"I see." She thanked him before taking a seat pulling out the copied notes she had acquired just over 2 days ago. "I've actually come to discuss a matter with you privately."
McGonagall laid out the papers over the table placing the most relevant one on top. It held a diagram of a pentacle with blanks next to the points, her name was written in at the spirit point, while Draco's had been written at the water point.
Harry narrowed his eyes seeing his school time rivals name. He hadn't realized the blond had been so deeply involved. Even after they had caught him when they snuck into Hogwarts. Harry rubbed his face sitting down looking at the drawing.
"What's this supposed to protect against?" He asked glancing to the garble on the other papers it may as well have been written in Chinese for as much as he could understand.
McGonagall took on her lecturing tone, filling Harry in on all the new progress the couple had made. The boy made a face at hearing just how deep Draco had been involved but relented to his former head of house's assurance that he could be trusted.
Hermione looked up from her breakfast to the grumpy man who sat opposite her. His mood had grown worse with each passing day and it was starting to grate on her nerves. Only this man, would become more distant at an offer of care. She sighed heavily into her eggs picking at them as she felt him gearing up for the same conversation they had held four times since she had rejoined the functioning human world. Her soul felt wary and her magic was becoming unstable. Her wand had even rejected her call during one of their small arguments and she had decided to leave it upstairs for the time being.
"Why did you step in front of me?"
Hermione rolled her eyes picking up her coffee. She took a drink and glared at him over the rim.
"The same reason I have told you before." She sighed into the cup setting it down heavily. "I couldn't let it into your mind." She had decided to stay away from anything too emotional as it always seemed to go over his head anyway. Sticking to the facts she repeated herself once more, "One of us needs to remain as they are. I couldn't let it take your memories."
Her temper flared as his glare intensified she could see his jaw working, "For all I know I'm just some useless beggar that happened to fall into the middle of some big battle that had nothing to do with me." It was flimsy logic but it was pressing on the point she was trying to make. "Yes, I know I have friends. Yes, I know that I have some life that I've lived but none of that matters right now." She leaned forward a bit meeting his glare evenly. "You matter, whether you like it or not. You matter to me, and I'm not about to let you go and get yourself killed when I can do something about it." Her gaze softened and she let out another exasperated sigh. "You're important to me, here and now. I don't care what you've done."
"What of your reclaimed memories?"
His even tone was even worse than his low hiss, she shifted back into her chair crossing her arms over her stomach. "They're there just someplace else...I can still feel them but they're not accessible at the moment." She had told him this too, many times over.
Severus sat back lowering his gaze, "Would you like to see your...friends again?"
Her brows shot up, this question was new, she opened her mouth before quickly snapping it shut. What was he playing at? She tilted her head trying to catch his eye to dip into the surface of his thoughts but the connection between was firmly closed. She could remember the last time they had come, it was foggy and felt distant but it was there.
"Sure." She watched his face closely, "But I want to be the one you test the spell on." She raised her chin defiantly. "There's no sense in trying it on anyone else anyway. It won't matter if it doesn't work on me."
They had tried the potion for a second time yesterday and she had suffered no ill effects or unexpected consequences. She was itching to try the spell but she knew it was risky even in the best of health and as this was the first day she was actually able to feed and dress herself without any assistance she had personally deemed herself healthy enough to at least try.
Severus' eyes snapped to her raised chin and he narrowed his eyes. She was more determined than ever to see to the destruction of the creature notwithstanding her brush with death. It was like the girl lived off near death experiences. Bloody Gryffindors. He gave her a low snarl and pushed himself from the table taking his coffee with him.
"Fine." He would have to concede sooner or later, he was on the same track as she was where the spell was concerned. He had been hoping a visit from her idiot friends would be more tempting than dancing with the grim reaper.
"Today." She called after his retreating back. Hermione heard him mumble his agreement before leaning towards her plate again chomping down harshly on a piece of bacon. Insufferable.
Severus sat down in his chair. He hadn't been able to close his eyes without seeing her body draped over his arm, lifeless, her soul fleeting. He shook out his arm resting it on the arm of the chair. His mind had been useless ever since. His heart was over riding his logic at every turn and it left him on edge. He was a man who liked to live within very strict confines and one by one the girl was breaking away at the walls he had placed around himself. He thought that perhaps he could push her back to a safe distance with his temper but it only rewarded him by raising her own making her more determined than ever.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to push the images back. He could hear her soft footsteps coming to join him but didn't raise his head. Only when he felt her fingers lightly touch the hand that held his nose did he finally release. He jerked his hand out of her reach and glared up into her face. That smile, that soft, beautifully hidden, smile at the corner of her lips shone down on him.
"Yes?" He drawled his best Professor tone in place.
Hermione was nonplused and just let her fingers back to her side. She slowly came around the front of his chair and pressed her knees lightly into his to keep his attention. When they jerked open to keep from touching her she moved between as it had been her plan all along. She leaned down slowly holding onto the wings of the chair trapping him by the risk of her touch.
"Please stop doing this to yourself." Her voice was kind but held no pity. "I don't want to fight you. I want to work with you, along side you." She paused searching his face, "You are more than Professor Snape, you have always been more than what you appear." She shifted her stance resisting the urge to climb into the chair, the tension was so clear on his face. "I know what you're trying to do. It's not going to work." Her hand lightly touched his shoulder when he turned his eyes away, "I'm not afraid of you." As if to accentuate her point she finally allowed herself to move closer, she pressed one knee to the inside of his thigh but didn't fully come into the chair.
"You're only hurting yourself this way." Her hand came up from his shoulder lightly touching the side of his cheek. Though still, he refused to look at her, he was so still that she had to be sure he was still breathing. It made her heart ache to see that her caring touch only managed to push the man further away. Gradually, she pulled herself back, her eyes lowered with sadness as she moved over to her lounge. She sighed heavily stretching out on her side, watching the man who continuously occupied her thoughts.
Snape watched her retreat his hand slowly released its hold on the arm, she had nearly broken his resolve. He did want to take her hand, he did want to feel her palm against his cheek. He wanted it so bad it was terrifying. He could only recall one other brief time in his life where he had actively sought the affections of another and he dutifully remembered how that turned out. His jaw twitched as he refused to fall back into the same trap. He had been careless before, too careless.
Hermione sighed softly, she needed something fun and light to do. If the rain cloud got any bigger over her companion's head she was going to need an umbrella.
"I want to go outside." She sat herself up a bit suddenly, the house felt dreadfully small at the moment and between her temper and his something was bound to explode.
Severus turned his eyes sharply towards her. He couldn't think of any logical reason why she shouldn't be allowed outside. So without much thought, he waved a dismissive hand in her direction before turning his eyes forward to a new stack of books he was currently working through.
Hermione smiled and pushed herself up, she all but skipped toward the front door, that no one ever used, and pulled it open with a dramatic flair. The crisp air of early Autumn filled her lungs and she felt all her stress starting to ebb away. The sun was bright, she shielded her eyes as she took the first steps out into the front yard. It was large, a small clearing with slightly over grown grass and a winding gravel drive that disappeared into a forest of trees. She had seen the small circular clearing when they had gone in the carriage but now it seemed so much bigger and more beautiful. She pulled the door shut behind her letting the sun wash her face.
She let out a soft giggle as she ran into the grass falling down purposefully to roll around in its soft texture. She desperately needed this. She nodded to herself spreading her arms over her head, the scars on her back and chest were still warm but the pain had been limited to a dull tingling feeling. It was easy enough for her to ignore especially in times like this. She did manage to put the salve over her chest that morning before she came down so she was certain she had time to truly enjoy her time outside.
An undeniable urge to run and frolic like a school girl filled her and she pushed herself up with a smile. Who knew just being outside would be so cathartic.
Severus glanced towards the window, he could see her running through the yard, he watched her fall and pressed himself forward before she pulled herself back up in view. She'd rolled. On purpose. He blinked at her childish behavior before leaning back again shaking his head. The girl was a never ending puzzle.
He pulled the two-way parchment over scratching down his request from their conversation before. He only stated that they should come that day and nothing more.
He pulled the new text into his lap thumbing through the theory behind magic in the mind. He was going to get his answers, he was going to be more prepared for the creature next time they faced it.
Hermione giggled even more as she explored the front yard. She noticed a patch of wild flowers near the tree line and made her way towards them. She moved down onto her knees taking a few deep breaths; she definitely wasn't going to be running marathons any time soon. As she let her body rest she leaned forward picking a few of the more beautiful ones before shifting to rest against the bark of the nearby tree. The shade was cool but the wind was calm and she settled for just relaxing and enjoying the day. She let her hair down from its ponytail and let her eyes close as she listened to the sounds of the birds in the trees around her.
Her mind wandered over the days past. She was certain something between them had changed. Though she wasn't exactly sure of what it was, only that the connection between them was even stronger now. She had thought he might let her in just a bit more after she had shown him what lay inside her heart. Her lips tingled at the memory and she lightly traced them with the petal of a flower. Yet, even now it seemed, she had made some grievous error.
Her brow furrowed as she remembered the promise he had made her. While it was true he hadn't left her side, she still found herself at a bit of a loss when he continued to pull away from her affection. She hadn't even hesitated when she had shielded him, and while her words were true, they felt so heavy in her heart. She could partially understand his reluctance to accept her bravery. She had seen, from his own eyes, the path that life had given him. She knew what he wanted, what he so desperately needed. What she couldn't understand was his reluctance to accept what she so willingly offered him.
Did he think she pitied him? That she felt obligated to repay him for his care? She shifted her knees up resting her chin on them. She never pitied him. It was never a thought that even graced her inner most thoughts. She thought he was brave, even more so now. She had felt the change in his hands when he cared for her needs. They had been clinical and cold but now...they were gentle and warm. She shifted just a bit looking into the side of the house. His mind was always so focused. She wondered if he even had the ability to let his mind wander. If he had ever just let himself go. She snorted as she recalled the many buttons of his coat. It was like an allegory for his life. So neat, so pressed. So tightly controlled. A mischievous thought rolled through her mind and she allowed herself to fantasize removing that damn coat button for button.
She laid back against the tree letting her legs stretch out in front of her. She closed her eyes letting her mind play out it's a ridiculous fantasy. She had already seen what lay underneath, if only briefly, but what she hadn't experienced, was removing it herself.
When the clock in the kitchen chimed noon Severus slowly pulled his eyes from his book. He had a wealth of new information to occupy his thoughts and that had left him feeling a lot less grumpy. He glanced to the empty lounge a small ping of loneliness running through his chest.
Pushing himself up he stretched his stiff shoulders before moving towards the front window. His eyes scanned the empty clearing, a frown came to his lips. Where had she wandered off to? He moved quickly to the front door pulling it open wide, he squinted in the noon sun before moving into the yard. He turned his head, sharp eyes scanning the treeline when he spotted her on his far left.
She was, breath taking. He felt an odd sort of pressure in his stomach as he moved closer. The sun was directly over head shining down through the canopy, the light danced over her face giving her skin a Goddess like glow. Her hair had a sort of halo around it as the sun caught the lighter patches giving it a sparkling mirage. Her head was tilted slightly to the side and as the gentle breeze flowed, her loose tendrils wafted over her neck teasingly. He noticed her hands folded in her outstretched legs two vibrantly blue chicory flowers lying in her relaxed fingers. Why would she have picked those above all else? It made him pause. As a potions master, he had a very extensive knowledge on traditional magical flowers. These were meant to protect the user from harm, make them invincible to their enemies. It was a common ingredient used in basic protection potions.
She turned her head to his approach sighing softly, she was sleeping lightly, but still not completely aware. All her stress had completely melted away, Severus would have to admit, even if only to himself, that it was a most becoming look. He felt a tiny speck of guilt at having been the one to cause her distress. As penance, he leaned down carefully bringing her up into his arms. She shifted and adjusted to his hold her head turning into his shoulder with a happy hum. As he turned, her hand slipped down, he paid it no mind as he made his way to the house. Unaware of the flower that had slipped from her fingers.