Here is yet another chapter, I don't know how I feel about where this story is going (because I'm not in control it is) so hopefully the next chapter is a bit less strange.
Thank you all for reading and reviewing, you're wonderful for coming back to this after I'd taken such a long break.
enjoy.
Hermione came back to the bathroom her medical supplies in hand. She knelt down in front of Severus's hunched frame making sure he saw her before she started seeing to his injury.
Severus looked at her with eyes that spoke of disbelief. Hermione couldn't believe how different he seemed. This time he'd been there was not nearly as long as he'd been there before, why was he so greatly altered.
"I'm going to clean out the wound first, then heal it." Hermione said softly, putting her right hand under his chin, and taking a cloth filled with rubbing alcohol in the other. "This'll sting a bit," Hermione said before starting to dab the wound gently. Severus flinched a little at the sting of the disinfectant, but relaxed soon after almost enjoying the pain.
Hermione watched his face grow from pained to peaceful. He hadn't spoken since he'd said her name, and she didn't know what to say to get him to talk. So instead Hermione continued to gently clean his face, and then to stitch the skin back together with her wand.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help the scar," Hermione said examining his face one last time.
Severus continued to stare at her silently.
"Would you like to get cleaned off, I have your clothes here?" Hermione asked standing.
Severus nodded his head slowly and tried to stand up on shaky legs.
Hermione instantly took his arm to make sure he wouldn't fall. Severus would have lashed out at her for helping him so readily. This new Severus though didn't say a thing and let her keep him steady.
"I think a bath is probably a good idea." Hermione said letting Severus sit down on the closed toilet seat, while she began filling the tub with warm water and bubbles.
Hermione got up leaving the tub to fill and went to grab some clean clothes for Severus. She bustled back in with the same outfit she'd had him put on after he'd come into her library soaking wet.
"Would you like me to wait outside?" Hermione asked, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable.
Severus merely shook his head and began to undress.
Hermione watched in horror as Severus took off his shirt revealing at least a dozen new scars.
"What happened?" She whispered.
Severus shook his head and proceeded to take off his pants.
Hermione had to hold in a gasp as she saw the many scars that crossed his buttock.
Severus didn't look at her as he sunk down into the warm soapy water.
Hermione crept forward to the side of the tub. "Would you mind if I washed your hair?" Hermione asked. She wanted desperately to comfort him. He shrugged his shoulders.
She took that as a yes and grabbed a bottle of shampoo off the ground.
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She put a hand behind his head and helped him lower his dirty hair into the water. Hermione was trying not to think about what the scars on him meant, or what the crusty bits of white stuff in his hair was. She concentrated on washing him, getting him clean.
An hour later Hermione decided Severus should really get out of the tub before he pruned beyond repair.
"Are you ready to go to bed now?" Hermione asked as she toweled him off. Severus nodded his head, he was back to looking down, and avoiding eye contact.
Hermione walked him to the master bedroom, she tucked him into the bed and made to leave him in peace when a hand stopped her. Hermione looked down to see Severus's hand gripping her arm painfully tight.
"Please don't leave," he wheezed, looking like a spooked horse.
"I'll stay, don't worry," Hermione said sitting down on the ed beside him and taking his hand into her own.
He nodded his head and turned his eyes up to the ceiling.
Hermione rubbed a finger over his tense knuckles. "I'll never let them take you again," she whispered reassuringly.
"It was my fault," Severus croaked.
Hermione looked at him sadly. "Not entirely, no. I definitely hold some of this blame." Hermione said. "Can I ask why?" Hermione said eventually, her tone slightly exasperated.
Severus shook his head and continued to stare at the ceiling.
Hermione didn't want to push him so she stayed silent, and stayed with him the whole night. He barely slept, and when he did he was plagued by nightmares. Hermione tried to help him, but he didn't want her comfort, and with each minute seemed to be pulling farther away.
Morning came and Hermione was able to excuse herself long enough to shower.
She washed quickly and dressed rushing back to Severus's side in record time. She was afraid to leave him alone, she kept seeing his blood on her hands, kept watching him give her that lazy smile as he tried to die.
Hermione shook her head as she looked down at Severus. He was awake, but he didn't seem to know she was there.
"House elf?" Hermione asked quietly. Instantly a tiny house elf appeared in front of her.
"My name is Riles what will the miss need?" The tiny elf squeaked.
"Riles, if you could bring me some broth soup, and bread please?" Hermione asked politely.
Severus didn't even blink as the house elf popped out of the room.
"Are you hungry?" Hermione asked him retaking her seat on the edge of the bed.
Severus nodded his head a little.
"Good," Hermione whispered tears leaking out of her eyes. The initial joy at having him safe was gone replaced by a deep feeling of unease. Hermione didn't know what to do to help him, and he wasn't talking to her.
Riles popped back a tray that had a large bowl of steaming soup on it accompanied by a bowl of bread pieces and a glass of water.
"Thank you," Hermione said carefully taking the tray.
"You are welcome miss, if you need anything else just ask." He squeaked before leaving again.
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Hermione had the tray of soup levitate by Severus. "Would you like soup now?" Hermione asked.
He nodded.
Hermione waited for him to take up the spoon to eat, and when he didn't Hermione took it instead loading it with broth and bringing to Severus's lips.
He hesitated a second before drinking the broth slowly.
Hermione fed him like that until the soup was gone. "Would you like bread?" She asked.
He shook his head and continued to stare straight ahead.
"I hope that you'll talk to me eventually." Hermione whispered.
Severus briefly flashed his eyes over her face before staring ahead again. He reached out with a shaking hand and took hers.
Hermione gripped his hand like a life line, his grip also tightened.
"I'm sorry," He whispered.
"So am I," Hermione said back.
They stayed like that for hours quietly gripping each other hands.