The Coldness Within

Chapter One ~ The Coldness Within

The room was small and held the unmistakable signs of neglect and decay. Despite the roaring fire in the hearth, Hermione felt cold. The events of the day had taken their toll on her. Watching the four black-robed figures destroy the house she had grown up in was one thing, hearing her parents' screams of agony another. There was nothing she could have done to save them. And so she had hidden like a coward until the walls began to shake and crumble.

She turned to her side, wincing at the pain that shot through her. "You shouldn't move," came the velvet smooth voice from across the room. "You've got at least two cracked ribs."

Not answering, she took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to comprehend her current situation. Snape had found her and brought her here. Wherever 'here' was. She was hurting and yet felt strangely numb all the same. Why did he bring her to this house? Was she a prisoner? She tried to move into an upright position and winced again.

"If you are going to kill me just get it over with," she said, not looking at her former teacher. "My life is worthless… I… nobody would miss me… Harry and Ron… they have each other… my parents…" The tears threatened to fall again, but she fought to hold them back. She didn't want to die snivelling at the bastard's feet. He had betrayed her, betrayed them all.

He stepped in front of her, wand raised. Hermione closed her eyes awaiting the curse that would end a once so promising future. It never came. When she blinked through her lashes, she found herself encased in a globe of mostly green light with a few yellow and orange flecks here and there.

"Two broken ribs and a concussion. Stay where you are. I'll be right back." That said, Snape left the small living room. Hermione exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. He wasn't going to hurt her. But what would he do instead? Would he take her to Voldemort? Was she to be a bait like Sirius had been? She had already lost her family, her friends had to live. She was expendable.

That thought in mind, she pushed herself from the worn-out couch, letting the cloak he had covered her with fall to the floor. Slowly, as quietly as her injured body would allow, she moved towards the door she guessed let outside. Keeping her eyes trained over her shoulder to see when Snape returned, she tried the handle. It didn't even move. The door was firmly locked. She searched her pockets for her wand but came up short. He must have taken it. He did not want her to leave – she was stuck.

She heard footsteps on the stairs. She had to get away and quickly. Her gaze fell on the sole window – yes, that could be her chance. It opened without problem. Climbing onto the window sill pained her, and she felt dizzy from moving too fast. 'I have to keep moving. I need to get out.' Like a mantra, the words kept repeating themselves in Hermione's head.

~o~o~o~

Severus Snape left the girl on the couch to gather the potions that would take care of her injuries '…and a sleeping draught,' he thought to himself. 'Kill her, indeed.' He would never do that. He had, after all, taken her home with him to make sure no one would attack her in her vulnerable state. Hermione Granger needed to live. In spite of what she had said, she was not useless. Potter needed her, and so did he, as much as it pained him to admit it. She was a shining example against the misplaced prejudices of the Dark Lord and his followers.

She was safe in his home. Few people knew its location. Nobody would look for her in this run down area. Muttering a password he opened a cabinet in his bathroom. Dozens of bottles of all sizes stood in perfect order on the shelves. He pulled down two vials of a light blue liquid and one containing a thick red salve. He unscrewed the lid and sniffed. It was a strong bruise salve, very relaxing. Its shelf life however was short and using it past date could have unwanted effects. It smelled neutral.

He closed the cabinet and returned to the staircase that descended into his living area. He froze in the doorway.

~o~o~o~

Hermione was about to jump out of the window when she rebounded off an invisible barrier, and the glass shattered. Shards flew into her face and cut her skin. She tumbled backwards and fell back into the room. In the distance, she vaguely registered Snape's shocked and frightened voice calling her name. But she couldn't react, everything started turning black around her. The last thing she was aware of was the sensation of floating.