A/N:
Hello all!
I'm so sorry this one took me so long. I wanted to get the story moving but I got a bit stuck.
Have no fear this is a bit longer than average to make up for it.
I've upped the chapter count to 33 just to be safe.
I have so much outlined still and I don't want to try and cram it all in to the last three chapters because of some made up restriction I put on myself.
I promise this will be finished and never abandoned so don't freak out if I take longer than a week to update. (The principle speed I posted set a very high bar for myself. I only have myself to blame.)
Anyway, Happy reading!
I look forward to hearing what you think!
Also still unbeta'd so don't come for me about mistakes. If I proof this for too long I'll end up posting it even later.
Severus had been gently prodding the bond to see if he could coax some further connection with Hermione. The torture had continued in short bursts but he could tell that the Dark Lord was focusing his energy on a mental attack, based upon the splitting migraine that plagued him. His body ached, a shadow of the physical harm that had come to his bonded. Thankfully, the breaks between the torture kept his core far from being drained completely. She wasn't in mortal danger, yet.
The clinical room had been quiet as Potter brooded in the corner, no doubt wallowing in guilt and imagining all kinds of horrible scenarios. Not that he wasn't very nearly doing the same thing. His mental fortitude was being tested as he forced his own panic into its own box and locked it far away from the surface. Severus had the sickening feeling that Dumbledore may not deem Hermione's rescue as top priority unless Harry himself kicked up enough of a fuss. If confirmation would come it would be from Lucius. Severus knew that he would have to get word to Lucius and figure out their own plan to get the young woman home safe. The doors to the hospital wing opened and the group sent to the Room of Requirement returned, looking grim.
"What did you find?" He aimed the question at his godson who had a deep frown marring his face, brow furrowed in deep thought.
"She destroyed the diadem and the entire Room of Lost Things," Draco responded. He looked as if he wanted to say something more but was interrupted.
"You should've seen it, Harry. She's burned the whole place down and escaped through a window on a broom! Can you believe it? Our Hermione on a broomstick!" Ronald tried to give some hope to his best friend who had paled at the blond's announcement.
His sister smacked his shoulder, "Not a good time you idiot."
"Hermione cast fiendfyre to destroy it. It's obvious that she lost control of it by the state of the room. We inferred that she flew out a window on a faulty broom and landed in the Forbidden Forest. We found the remains of the broom and traces of her…blood. She was likely taken from there as she was outside the castle's protections. I could smell Greyback and his pack, and I know he was among those stationed around the castle," Remus explained quickly, a growl rumbling at intervals.
"So that has to confirm it then! Voldemort has her! We have to do something!" Potter seemed to come out of the trance-like state he had been in.
The doors to the wing opened up again as Dumbledore strode into the room, silence falling as a result. He paused as if it was necessary to add another bit of drama to an inappropriate time. His voice was flat as he delivered the news, " We have received confirmation from Lucius Malfoy, Miss Granger is being held captive at Malfoy Manor."
"Then let's go! Draco can get us through the Malfoy wards and we can save her!" Potter insisted but Severus knew it would not be so easy. He noticed then the odd look the young Slytherin was aiming at the Headmaster.
"All of you will stay here. I will inform the other Order members outside of the castle and we will devise a plan of action. I suggest that those who are students return to their dorms. I will send word when there is any news," Dumbledore said authoritatively, the twinkle in his eye wasn't present.
"No! You will not stop me from helping! This is Hermione we are talking about. Voldemort will make sure she suffers, not just because of me but because of Snape too," Potter raged, "You're the only one that he fears! Why aren't you going over there to save her yourself!"
"Enough!" Dumbledore's frame was imposing and it seemed like the light in the room dimmed. Draco had discreetly moved to the side of his bed, meeting his gaze, but Severus shook his head. "What you are suggesting is ludicrous. Harry, now is not the time for either of us to face Tom. The Order will save Miss Granger but we must come up with a plan that will not be detrimental to our side."
"Losing Hermione will be detrimental to our side, Professor! Because if you don't save her then you can say goodbye to your 'Chosen One'." The young man's pronouncement was met with shock. The Headmaster's eyes betrayed the flash of rage at the young wizard.
Deciding now was the time to intervene, Severus bellowed, "ENOUGH! Potter, if you want Hermione to live you will sit down and shut up. Albus I suggest you get word to the rest of the Order. We do not have the time to waste over who and when someone will attempt to save her."
"Severus, regardless of what is decided I suggest you stay here. Your bond with Miss Granger will aid her as she faces unimaginable perils at the hands of Tom. Fortify yourself, the longer you are alive the longer she may be able to pull strength from the bond; thus the more time we have to come up with a proper plan. Remus, come with me. I will need your help in contacting the rest of the Order. Harry, do not attempt to leave the castle. That is an order for you and your friends." The Headmaster scanned the room with a glint in his eye that was much sharper than his usual twinkle. Without any farewells, Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing.
Potter was seething with barely controlled rage. "Ron, Gin, let's go. They'll probably meet in the Great Hall. I don't care what Dumbledore says, we are going to help them rescue her."
The trio headed for the door only for the feisty Weasley witch to turn to the two Slytherins. She seemed to wait until the others were out of ear shot, then with a determined voice she said,"This isn't a job for a bunch of Gryffindors. Dumbledore is right, this is not the day for Harry to meet You-Know-Who in battle. I will try to keep them distracted. Draco, I'll let you know when the floo opens up using the charmed galleon. Then, you lot do whatever it is you have in mind. In and Out. Take no unnecessary risks. Get our girl back."
Then she was gone. Narcissa and Madam Pomfrey re-entered the room, having stayed out of the crossfire but had listened in. The old nurse looked pale, "Severus, I am well aware that you will do whatever you want regardless of what I say, but whatever plan you have, come back alive, both of you."
The healer disappeared back into her office and straight through into her rooms. She never was one to want to know what dangers he was putting himself into but he could count on her to be there when he came back.
"Lucius is already at the meeting point, " Narcissa spared him a glance then looked pointedly at her son. "Draco, you cannot go."
"I wasn't planning on it, Mum. Like Ginny said, we have to do it the Slytherin way. The less people involved the less people who have to make it back alive," Draco then turned to him, "Uncle, when you find her, make sure to take her straight here. Dumbledore…he had something to do with this."
Severus felt a heaviness in his chest at the pronouncement. But the Headmaster's duplicity would have to be dealt with at a later date. He stood, slipping his wand into his sleeve and donning his robes. "I have my suspicions but what makes you say that?"
Nervously, the boy pulled something out of his pocket as he spoke, "When we tracked the broom Hermione took to the Forbidden Forest, it was in the thick of it. Not somewhere that would be easy to get to if you were a student…I found this."
The young man opened his palm and showed the blue wrapper to the Potions Master. Severus slammed his mental walls down to contain his rage and anguish. Dumbledore had been there when she was taken and had done nothing, just stood on the sidelines with his blasted gum. He closed his eyes to center himself. He put his hand on his godson's shoulder, "After tonight Albus will have lost the trust of most of the Order. Be careful. We will talk more about this when I return."
Draco nodded, then reached into his pocket again to reveal the galleon that was the signal to the floo. "Go Uncle. Get her back."
Draco knew that his godfather and father would likely be risking their lives but far be it from him to stop Severus Snape from running headlong into the serpent's den for someone he loved. His godfather had let slip small details over the years of a girl he once knew that the Dark Lord had promised to spare. Of course the woman had died. But the few glimpses of emotion had told Draco all he needed to know about what his godfather would put on the line if he needed to. He could feel the nerves coming off his mother as they descended to the first floor to try and catch on to whatever meeting the Order was putting together. It was imperative that they keep them from running off on their own rescue mission to prevent them from interfering with the Slytherins' plans.
He could hear the yelling from the top of the last staircase as he and his mother reached their destination. Draco shared a look with his mother as they entered the Great Hall. It was late into the night at this point but the hall was rife with tension as a dozen of the most prominent Order members were gathered. Weasley and his father were doing their level best to keep Potter from lunging at Dumbledore.
"You old bastard!" Potter roared at the Headmaster who had his wand pointed at the-Boy-Who-Lived. Draco could see from the doors that it was taking everything theWeasleys had to hold the Gryffindor back. "What use are you to me!? What right do you have to stop me you senile crackpot!"
Kingsley, Remus, Moody, and Tonks had their wands half raised between the two wizards, obviously unsure who they should be pointing at. Remus was holding a second wand that Draco realized was Potter's. Mcgonagall looked appalled and outraged. Hagrid was helping Ginny up from the ground. It was chaos.
Draco ran to Ginny who was the nearest. She was holding her arm, wincing in pain. "Ginny, you alright?"
There were tears welling up in her eyes, "I tried to stop Harry and he threw me to the ground. I landed on my wrist."
His mother immediately began administering aid. Closer to the fray, Draco was able to see that Potter's eyes were glowing an unnatural color and the sneer on his face was so out of character it made a shiver run down his back. It was the same look from that night at Grimmauld Place. But he knew for a fact that this time, Potter wasn't wearing a horcrux.
"You're all fucking cowards!" Potter growled as he bodily threw Ron and his father off of him in an act of strength beyond what he normally would be capable of. "Give me back my wand Remus!"
"I can't do that Harry. You need to calm down. We cannot even begin to plan Hermione's rescue if you continue acting like a wild beast!" Remus was forceful. Then he softened, stepping closer to the teenager, "Harry, there is something wrong with you. Let me help you."
Potter was emanating a dark power. It felt familiar to Draco but in a distant sense. It was slimy, thick and cold. Unlike his mother, Draco rarely was able to feel other's magical signatures unless the wizard or witch was particularly powerful. There was no mistaking that this was not what Potter's magic should feel like. It was sickening and dark, like the Dark Lord. Draco paled at the realization. Maybe they were right, maybe Potter is a horcrux and the soul fragment was growing stronger or even taking over.
"None of you see it! Dumbledore is the great and powerful wizard with all those titles but he isn't confident enough to get Hermione back. None of you are! So I'll do it myself. Don't get in my way, Professor, or I'll make you get out of it." Potter sounded vicious as he berated the occupants of the room. Then he stalked confidently towards Dumbledore in spite of all the wands pointed at him, staring hard into the taller wizard's eyes.
There was a flash of emotion in the Headmaster's eyes that made Draco move out of fear for what would happen to his school rival. With the agility he had honed as a seeker, Draco crossed the room and slapped Potter hard across the face, sending him toppling to the ground. Before the Gryffindor could get up, Draco was on top of him and back handed him again. Over and over until the glowing in his eye faded to their usual green.
Panting, he shook Potter by the collar, "Get a hold of yourself you git! I know you want to save her. I do too. We all do but this is not helping. We already know that the Dark Lord has some kind of connection to you. If you keep feeding it, a few slaps won't be able to pull you back. How am I supposed to explain to Hermione that we had to lock you in the dungeons? She'll kick my ass!"
Potter went limp, staring up at him with a look of shock followed by shame and guilt. He threw an arm over his face and Draco felt that it was time to get them off the floor. It took a moment to get them up and Potter wouldn't meet anyone's eyes. The young man shook and looked down at the floor. His breathing was stilted.
Remus appeared at their side and handed Potter his wand back, despite some murmurs of protest. In a low voice that only he and the scarred boy could hear he advised, "Draco stay close. Harry, I need you to focus on staying calm regardless of what you feel about Hermione. Can you do that?"
"Yea, Lupin," Draco said, dragging Potter away from the other Order members who were arguing amongst themselves in low voices. "You owe Ginny an apology."
The dark haired teenager looked even more grief stricken as he was moved across the room. Rather than admonish him, Ginny hugged him and spoke into his ear at length. It seemed to calm him down and Draco was finally able to unclench. Looking around the room, the Slytherin locked eyes with his mother before she joined the rest of the adult Order members. He shifted his attention back to the two Weasleys and Potter who were looking less horrified but still subdued. The floo in the Great Hall burst into flames as the rest of the Weasleys and more Order members arrived, having finally been informed of what had happened to Hermione. Draco thanked Merlin silently that the more tertiary members hadn't seen Harry's outburst.
With a heavy sigh he closed his eyes and thought of his father and his godfather. Whatever you've got planned, Godfather, you better hurry.
Were it not for his occlusion, the constant ache that he felt in tandem with whatever suffering Hermione had experienced would have had him on his knees. But he couldn't focus on that now. Severus went over the plan mentally once more as he stood disillusioned in the secret passageway. In a few moments his role would come into play. At this point Black was distracting some of the werewolves who would be chasing him out to the grounds.
Yes, Severus had swallowed his pride and asked for Black's assistance in their rescue mission. It became incredibly obvious, as he and Lucius had spoken, that they would need one other person to succeed. Someone who could get the lesser werewolves' attention while Lucius handled their leader. A quick consideration of the known animagi that would survive an encounter with a group of werewolves, that was also an Order member, gave an obvious answer. It thankfully hadn't taken much convincing. The ex-convict was more than willing to get out of Grimmauld and help rescue Hermione. There was no lessening of the sniping between him and his former bully, though. Lucius had, ironically, become the voice of reason, and reigned the two in by reminding them how dangerous the plan was and if they didn't succeed it wouldn't just be Hermione that died.
Lucius, for his part, had confirmed that the Dark Lord was off on some secret endeavor with his snake in tow; when he would return, they didn't know. It was now or never. This however left Hermione alone with a group of werewolves, not least of all, Fenrir Greyback. That had caused all three grown men to shiver with unrestrained fear. Who knew what state they would find her in? Severus refused to think about it too much. He knew she was still alive and that's all that mattered.
Lucius had revealed a singular secret passage that the Death Eaters had not blocked off. It was an abandoned tunnel used when old purebloods kept muggle slaves in addition to house elves. It would let out into a storage room only a few meters from the sitting room where Hermione was being held. Black, in his dog form, was leading off the lesser werewolves as they attempted to capture the interloper. Lucius was distracting Fenrir and would hopefully be able to tempt the monster with some of his pricier liquor; few knew that the wolf was quite the drunkard when he wasn't on the hunt.
Severus focused his breathing and listened, intently. He could hear Lucius putting on the charm and convincing the wolf of a bit of lackadaisical fun while the Dark Lord was away. After some grumbling, Fenrir followed the Malfoy patriarch down the hall. Once Severus knew they were out of earshot, even for a werewolf (the vastness of the estate finally useful instead of aggravating), he made the move.
His years as a spy aided him in remaining silent and swift as he exited the hidden passageway, crossed the hall, and backed into the sitting room. The door was left ajar so that he would know the moment anyone came near. When he turned at first he didn't see her. Panic took hold for a moment when he thought they had moved her. But then reality set in as he stepped further into the room and found her sprawled in the middle of the floor, partially blocked from view by the sofa and armchairs.
He forced his occlumency shields up even higher, bracing himself for what he would find. His dark eyes took in her body as he rounded the sofa and knelt down next to her. Severus had seen many horrible things in his nearly 40 years of life. He had experienced first hand, some of those atrocities whether on his person or done by his own hand. But seeing Hermione, his bonded, the young woman he had grown to love, a bloody and broken mess before him nearly broke him.
Hermione's chest rose and fell shallowly but her eyes were open and blank. Her hair was limp and caked with blood. One of her cheeks was swollen and she had a black eye. The petal soft lips he knew so well, were split and cracked. From the state of her clothing, Fenrir had taken his claws to her. A flair of unmitigated rage rose within him but he stayed the urge to find the beast and kill him with his bare hands. Severus continued his catalog of her injuries, his eyes flitting back and forth, taking in every detail. One of her ankles was broken and so were the fingers of her right hand. Her skirt was torn, her knees bloodied and bruised, while her thighs were dashed with blood and dirt.
Severus's hand shook as he flipped the hem of her skirt up and was nearly overcome with emotion to find that the blood didn't reach up to the apex of her thighs, but her knickers had been ripped up the side without exposing her. He hoped that was a good sign. Realizing he had been ruminating too long he touched her cheek tenderly. "Hermione, love. I'm here. Let's go home."
Severus knew that he would have to enter her mind soon and pull her from her deep occlusion but it had to wait until they were away from here. Gingerly, he cradled her into his arms and did his best to not jostle her as he stood. Inching the door open with his foot, the dark man exited the room with his bonded. The copper scent of blood was overwhelming. The knowledge that it was Hermione's made him desperate. Almost there. Hold on.
The manor felt even darker and more oppressive than usual as he strode down the hall. The illusion covered alcove was visible through the storage room door just up ahead. He had just crossed the threshold of the room when he heard an eruption of yelling and the harried noises of spells being cast. He spared a glance behind him to see Lucius hurtling down the long hallway, haphazardly throwing spells over his shoulder. Behind him the hulking mass that was Fenrir was gaining on him, barrelling through the once pristine manor sullying it with gouges from his claws.
"SEVERUS GO!" Lucius screamed, blood flowed from a deep cut on his forehead, blinding his left eye.
In a split second decision, Severus dropped Hermione's legs, holding her to his body with one arm around her waist. His wand hand lifted, he yelled, "DUCK!"
Lucius lunged to the ground as the silent curse hurtled in a dark purple bolt of energy into Fenrir's chest. The howl of pain and the wet sound of bloody flesh hitting the carpet was ignored as Severus rushed forward and dragged Lucius to his feet and through the passageway. They did not stop running until they were long past the entrance of the tunnel and into the hills just beyond the Malfoy Estate. Two cracks of apparition later, Severus dropped to the ground a few yards from the castle gates, still clinging onto Hermione. Lucius appeared next to him, holding his side, panting like a dog. As if summoned by the thought, Black appeared a few yards away in his animagus form and trotted over, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he too huffed loudly with exertion.
"Snape, don't tell me they…" Black asked upon transforming back into his human form. He was eyeing the young woman in Severus's arms with unmitigated horror.
"No, I don't think so. Probably every other form of torture but it doesn't seem like he let Fenrir have her completely," Severus answered solemnly, closing his eyes for a moment to collect himself. Exhaustion was setting in as his occlusion wavered, but he held onto the curly haired woman firmly. He opened himself to the bond and pushed as much of his magic towards her as he could. Maybe it was the proximity, but he felt his magic funneling straight into her. Take it Hermione. You can have it all, just please survive.
"Thank Merlin for small mercies," Black intoned, the most solemn Severus had ever heard him.
"My cover's been blown. We might have also killed Fenrir in the process," Lucius surveyed their surroundings. "Looks like we've got company."
At that comment, Severus looked up alarmed but then saw a familiar group rushing towards the castle gates. With a wave of his hand Dumbledore threw open the gates. With little preamble Potter ran to them, kneeling before Severus and Hermione, looking pale. From the corner of his eye he saw Draco and Narcissa run to Lucius. He caught Lupin's eye as the wolf passed. A stiff nod and a flash of relief came over the tired man's face as he continued to Sirius's side.
"Professor…" Potter's voice was monotone as his eyes roved over the girl's body, his hands twitched slightly as he took in her injuries. His green eyes, Lily's eyes, looked at him with anger. The wizard was no doubt offended that he had not been included in the rescue effort. But now was not the time for things to be hashed out between them concerning the witch they both loved. Over the Gryffindor's shoulder he could see the rest of the main Order members fussing. But standing right at the threshold of the gate was the headmaster who was seething and looking directly at him.
Hermione was his first priority.
"She is alive, Potter. But already draining my magical core. You must get her to Poppy," Severus had no energy to sneer at the young man or snap at him. Potter looked confused as the Potion's Master gently pushed Hermione into his arms. He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted as Dumbledore swooped down upon them.
"Mister Potter, take Miss Granger to the hospital wing. The Order has much to talk about," Dumbledore did nothing to hide the stoniness of his voice. With a nod to the dark haired boy, Severus urged him to leave. He then turned his attention to the headmaster who glared harshly at him before turning to those still congregated. "Mister and Miss Weasley, young Mister Malfoy, accompany Mister Potter back to the hospital wing. Miss Granger will be better off with her friends by her side. Kingsley, Tonks, contact those who were sent to collect intelligence or prepare for our rescue mission as it is now…unnecessary. The rest of you will accompany me in my office. There is much to discuss."
Everyone scattered to their individual tasks. The Weasley and Malfoy matriarchs followed the students, not wanting to be involved in the turmoil of the coming meeting. Severus desperately wanted to follow as well but the look on Dumbledore's face was unforgiving. Lucius supported his wobbling frame as they walked up to the castle with the remaining members.
Upon arrival to the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey and Mrs. Malfoy whisked Hermione away behind some curtains to give them privacy. On the way up no one had spoken as if any noise would disturb their unconscious friend. That had given Harry time to take in the extent of Hermione's injuries. Each one was a stab to his own heart. What good is the bond I have with her if it can't help heal her? If it was like Snape's I would give her my whole core to make her better.
Her clothes had been soaked with her blood, staining Harry as he carried her. He was too overwhelmed to go through the process of cleaning off the evidence of her injuries. That bastard Snape! He had to steal all the glory! Hermione will think he's the only one who had wanted to save her. No, you git! She won't think that and you should be thankful that Snape did what he did. You saw how Dumbledore was acting. In the time it took them to get her, which was hours, the headmaster had barely come up with the outline of a plan.
The anger and spite that had been rising was once more tamped down as he examined the concerning responses of the headmaster that had started when Hermione had nearly died during the ritual. He couldn't trust that Dumbledore would keep the people he loved safe.
"Harry," Ginny was in front of him pressing a damp cloth into his hands. He didn't respond or take the cloth causing the girl to begin wiping the blood off his hands for him. "You can't just sit here covered in her blood, it's horrific. Don't you want to look good for Hermione when she wakes up?"
Harry glanced at the closed curtains again then back into the eyes of the red head, "She's going to wake up isn't she? Snape said she was in deep occlusion…"
"Professor Snape will bring her back," Ginny assured him. Her gentle touch had transformed to her pressing her wand tip over bits of his clothing and casting a silent scourgify as she went.
'"Of course he will. I'm the useless one," He couldn't even help them heal her. Even Draco and Ron had been called over to bring new towels, more water, and anything else the older witches needed while they helped the young witch. Harry admonished himself for being so lost in his own emotions that he wasn't even aware enough to be a helping hand, and now Ginny was stuck babysitting him.
The Weasley in question smacked his shoulder hard, "Don't be daft! The girl you love was tortured by You-Know-Who and Fenrir Greyback! If you weren't nearly catatonic over it I wouldn't believe you loved her at all! Harry Potter, you pull yourself together so that when she's awake you can be the strong man she is going to need."
Harry was surprised at the younger teenager's vehemence. He noticed then that she was nearly in tears. "Gin-"
"You're not the only one worried about her either! She's one of my best friends…and you don't get it…I'm a girl, I know-" She choked a sob before taking a deep breath to collect herself, then she continued, "There are worse things that can be done to a woman than the Cruciatus or cuts and bruises Harry. If any of that happened to her then I think she was better off in deep occlusion. It might have spared her. Regardless, she will need all the love you can give her."
Harry paled as he finally grasped what she was saying. He thought back to all the injuries he saw but there was so much blood he couldn't say for sure if any of it was from…he felt ill. He wanted to feel the rage again. It was better than the unmitigated dread that had taken over. But a moment of respite arrived when Ginny pulled him into her embrace. The familiar act of friendship and love allowed him to finally release the fear, anger, and finally relief that at this moment Hermione was alive and safe. The two Gryffindors cried softly, taking comfort after the tumultuous events of the day.
Dumbledore had been…furious wasn't strong enough of a word. The man had lost control in front of the inner circle of the Order as he railed at him for being reckless and at Lucius for losing his position. Effectively, they no longer had a spy in the Death Eater ranks. A huge disadvantage. But Severus didn't have it in him to regret it. Nor could he be very angry or indignant at the headmaster who had calmed down enough to address Black and get the rest of the story of events. Surprisingly, Black had been vehement in his support of the rescue mission. Severus didn't want to dwell on the fact that he probably owed the mutt a favor. His mind then focused on the pain that was becoming more and more unbearable.
Hermione was safe now. Poppy would take care of her physically. He could already feel Narcissa funneling some of her magic into Hermione, lessening the burden on his core so that his own magic could heal the mirrored damage on his body. From what Lucius had told him as they prepared their rescue mission, the ministry would soon fall and the final battle was imminent. A battle that Dumbledore would allow to take the lives of everyone in the room if it kept Potter alive long enough to die at the right moment.
If Potter dies, Hermione's soul will be forfeit. Even if her body lives, she will be an empty shell, as if she received the Dementor's Kiss. If I face mortal peril before that then Hermione will already be dead. His heart clenched at the futile fight they were engaged in. They would likely save the wizarding world, defeat the Dark Lord, and none of them would survive to see the peace that followed. Narcissa said that only the one who placed Vitas Vittae could remove the bond. He focused back into the meeting and took in the stoic headmaster, who had calmed since his earlier outburst. Can we make him remove it? Hermione could survive my death if Narcissa is there to perform Healer's Bain. But her soul has to be her own. Can I force his hand?
As if he could feel the Potions Master contemplating his resistance to the old wizard's plans, Dumbledore turned his twinkling blue eyes on Severus. His protective walls were weak after the emotional turmoil and his physical exhaustion. The headmaster ripped through his mind with ease. But rather than the gentle and fleeting sweep he would normally implement when Severus would show him a memory, Dumbledore was shuffling through his mind with a heavy hand leaving a raging migraine blooming in his forehead.
In rapid succession his memories were viewed by the Headmaster. The rescue mission. The retrieval of the Hufflepuff cup and abandonment of a cursed Bellatrix. The intimacy between him and Hermione. The meetings in his living quarters as they researched horcruxes. Flashes of being in Hermione's mind library. But the flood of memories all stopped at the moment in his sitting room as Narcissa and he considered the slave bond between Harry and Hermione. As abruptly as the Headmaster had invaded his mind, he was gone.
When Severus could focus his eyes once more he found the Headmaster staring at him, his eyes twinkling and a smirk on the familiar face that froze the blood in his veins.
A/N:Oh how things have progressed.
What will happen to the slave bond?
Can Snape pull Hermione back to the surface?
Does anyone even trust Dumbledore anymore?
You'll find out in the next episode of "author's have too many ideas with a much too small WPM average"
Thank you for reading!