six ~ ten
Chapter 2 of 13
Ladymage SamikoHermione acts… and both of them reflect…
So damned tired. He watched her crestfallen features from behind his invisibility. Too damned tired. Couldn't think. Not even a decent Obliviate left. Hell, couldn't even shove the cat off his legs.
He leaned his head back. Think, dammit, think. Before... He had planned to wait, regain his strength, disappear. Spinner's End was already disenchanted and sold. Arrangements had been made. Later... a house deep in the Canadian mountains, perhaps. Or in Cathay, Nippon, Indochina... The world had been open to him.
But now... He was faced with a girl and her cat.
He dropped his invisibility. Useless now, anyway.
~ ~ ~ ~
He looked ghastly. It was her first reaction and though she was ecstatic to see him, the evaluation was correct. His features were haggard. His clothing had been pulled back; Nagini's bite showed horribly dark and ragged against pale skin. She bit her lip. She'd come so close to losing him. Her fingers twitched but she left them in place. She couldn't afford to lose her control now.
After a single, ragged breath, she turned to her cat. "Crooks, fetch Bubo for me, would you?" A yowled opinion, a glare, and Crookshanks leapt off of Snape, vanishing through the doorway.
~ ~ ~ ~
Still vaguely stunned, Severus gazed at the room around him. There was, apparently, quite a bit about Miss Granger that nobody knew. For instance, the fact that she possessed an owl, an ordinary-looking thing called 'Bubo.' Or the fact that she owned- owned!- a two-story cottage on the east coast of Scotland.
She'd brought him here. A place nobody had ever seen or even known of. And he still didn't know why.
If she'd wanted him alive, she'd have taken him to the Order. If she'd wanted him dead... that would have been even easier. So why bring him here?
~ ~ ~ ~
Hermione watched him in her kitchen mirror as she boiled water for two instant soups. Too damned tired to make anything else. She was afraid to take any potions; she only vaguely remembered what she'd been on the receiving end of- rather not think about it whatsoever, actually- and didn't want to chance an adverse reaction. It was the same reason she'd not yet given Sever- Proffe- Snape anything either. Not that he'd take it, anyway.
Well, then, instant soup would just have to do for now. She hefted the tray and made her way upstairs, Crookshanks leading the way.
~ ~ ~ ~
He blinked at the white plastic bowls.
"It's got calories." Hermione shrugged. "We both need something."
"Something," he drawled, poking it dubiously with his spoon, "is precisely what it is."
She sighed, leaning back into the chair she'd pulled up to the bed. He watched her curiously. "You're exhausted," he commented.
"Oh, excellent observation," she replied dryly. "Being tortured by a madwoman and then fighting for your life will do that to a person, you know."
"I do."
She glanced at him. "We're both in damned sorry states, aren't we?"
He rather thought she wasn't just talking about the physical.
9/19/07
A/N:Cookies to those who recognize the origin of the owl's name.
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Latest 25 Reviews for And Ye Shall Find
162 Reviews | 7.02/10 Average
Hmm, fascinating. I've just finished reading all 100 of your stories. Very enjoyable. Life is a bit traumatic and the quick short drabbles were perfect for most days. I was surprised to end with this one and see it unfinished. Would love to see the rest of it. THANKS for writing all of them!
I'd love to see this continued too! Such a bittersweet and compeling tale. I'm anxious to see how they become unlost!
looking forward to reading more.
Any hope of this being finished? I am just rereading this, and I love it. Please let me know!
Response from Ladymage Samiko (Author of And Ye Shall Find)
With any luck, yes. It's on my list of things to do, which has gotten a bit stalled due to RL. It may take a while, but I _do_ want to finish.
beautifully done! thanks
Have the gypsys come for Severus?
I agree with Hermione that going back to her muggle roots is the place to go. Clearly she could use some mental health assistance as well. PTSD is no laughing matter.
Dumbledore, she realized, had avoided Crookshanks. Amen to that! 
I like the way your HG took the hint and left with out any overt pouting.
This is awesome - can;t wait for more, I am totally engrossed.
The first other people to impinge on their mutual lostness - very, very interesting.
Yay! I love this story and I'm so glad to see an update.
Both of them searching, and both of them lost. Wonder what their new aquaintances will do for them? Great chapter. :D
Oh I love the old lady 'intruders' telling Severus and Hermione they were lost! I can't wait to see what these old gals suggest!
Thank you for such a deep, emotional portrait of both characters. I love your writing, not only in this case but in your other stories.
I've read this last year, way before finding the gut to begin to review, and it still is a favourite.
I hope you'll find it in yourself to give it a continuation 
*off to check whether I DID mark it as a favourite - I've never really paid much attention to how they work :)*
Wow - great take on Dumbledore's motives here. I totally agree. Thank you very much for posting this, Cat
Hmmm...Dumbledore was distinctly Machiavellian, wasn't he... >.<
another wonderful chapter exploring lots of rich emotional territory. i loved your description of snape's journey to Nowhere - very poetic. i feel sad for hermione. i look forward to whatever happens next in this beautiful story you are weaving.
Poor Hermione. She is really lost. As is Severus. I hope they can find themselves soon. They're both too intelligent to be wasting away as they are.
Lots of momentous decisions.
I wouldn't be surprised if it never dawned on Severus as to why she was so upset with his leaving. It wasn't that she was caring for him so much, it was that he was caring for her and her alone. She finally had someone whose priority was her and not someone else. He was her support and he left her. I think it will be quite some time before Hermione can really face that.
they had to come apart so they could come together. thanks so much and i look forward to the next installment.
Anonymous
What an interesting turn of events! Now what will the both of them do, and how on earth are they going to get back totgether? For I simply can't believe that you're letting them out if it, now, will you? ;o)
He will be back. I'm sure.
Anonymous
Well done, very well done!