The Boy Who Lost

Disclaimer: Sadly, they are not mine.

SS

Rape.

Severus stares intently at the red glow emitting from around Hermione's sleeping form, silently berating himself for his earlier insensitivity.

The noble Potter, even worse than his despicable father... Not even taking the time to coerce the poor girl, instead just stealing what he wants.

Sighing heavily Severus begins to pace back and forth, trying to determine the best course of action. He is angry at himself for all the times he touched Hermione inappropriately and he hoped she would be able to easily forget it. Each of his caresses and grazes must have felt like sand in an open wound.

It is no wonder she held such fear in her eyes...

He snorts.

Yes, it was all because of this, not because you are a Death Eater holding her captive. I'm sure that had she not been raped, she would be begging to come to your bed.

Severus shakes his head as if that will clear the thoughts he doesn't wish to have. It doesn't work, and he is left wondering if he truly wants her to desire him.

Being a man quite capable of multitasking, Severus is able to muse silently over the recently discovered question while he sets about his newly decided task. He flicks his wand and watches as Hermione's clothes transform from boxers and a button down shirt into a silky green peignoir.

Another flick adds a few tears to the fabric and cut to Hermione's lip. She doesn't feel it, though, while being so far under sedation.

Severus reaches out and rumples the blankets beneath her, and then noticing the red glow has faded, he casts the spell again.

"Revelio actes sexuals!"

The glow returns and Severus concentrates hard on the scene before him, wanting it to be a clear memory. When he is positive it is etched permanently in his mind, he moves on transforming the peignoir into a black bra and panty set. He slightly heals the cut on her lip, making it look older and then adds what looks like red welts to her upper arms. He concentrates again.

Severus continues this for almost forty-five minutes, finally finishing with Hermione lying face down, back covered in fingernail scratches, and wearing nothing more than a hiked up pleated skirt and a Slytherin tie around her neck.

He makes enough memories to keep the Dark Lord happy for two weeks and to keep Severus feeling guilty for a lifetime. He doesn't feel guilty about making the memories; after all, they are going to protect her as much as they will him. But he does feel guilty about his reaction to seeing her in those highly revealing outfits.

He runs his wand down her back removing any signs of the scratches and then gently turns her back over. He tries extremely hard not to look at her exposed breasts and fails. Severus quickly transforms her clothes back to normal and erases all the other bruises. He kneels beside her and places a hand on her cheek.

"I'm sorry."

Hermione shifts at his touch and turns her face further towards his hand. Severus sighs and wishes he could be the comfort her sleeping form mistakes him for.

HG

"Missy? Missy Hermione? It is being time for breakfast."

Hermione shifts groggily and opens her eyes, finding herself face to face with a very worried house-elf.

"Ah! Mazy, you frightened me." Hermione gasps.

"I is sorry, missy. That not being Mazy's intention. I was just wanting to inform you breakfast is ready."

Hermione sits up in bed and looks around, trying to recall going to sleep.

The last thing I remember is having dinner with Professor Snape... Shit! I must have fallen asleep because of how much I was pushing myself yesterday practicing wandless magic. I bet he is furious.

Hermione bites her lower lip and looks down at the nervous little elf next to the bed. Mazy is wringing the hem of her toga worriedly, watching Hermione for any signs of anger.

"Don't worry, Mazy, I know you didn't mean to scare me."

"Oh no," Mazy exclaims, letting out a sigh of relief. "I is just telling you that..."

"Breakfast is ready."

Mazy nods and rushes over to the table.

Hermione quickly swings out of bed and slides into her slippers. After a quick trip to the loo she follows the delicious smell of sausage and potatoes to the table.

"Is Professor Snape joining me this morning?" she asks, noticing the table set for two.

"He will be down shortly."

He must not be too angry then...

Hermione busies herself by preparing her tea just the way she likes it, with a dash of milk and two lumps of sugar. The familiar actions soothe her nerves slightly, and she finds herself less agitated when the room dings, notifying her of her visitor.

Snape sweeps in, morning paper tucked under his arm, and nods curtly at her as he takes his seat.

"Good morning, sir," Hermione says sheepishly while staring down at her plate.

"Morning. I trust you slept well?"

"I am so sorry, Professor," she rushes to say, looking up at him. "I did not mean to fall asleep in the middle of dinner last night."

Snape arches an eyebrow at her and picks up his cup of tea. After a long sip and a pointed look he finally responds.

"Just don't let it happen again. My time happens to be very valuable, and I have many other ways I could be spending my time aside from entertaining a captive Muggle-born." His voice is the cool condescending tone Hermione is used to from class.

Hermione feels her cheeks flush and finds herself too angry to hold her tongue.

"I am oh-so-sorry to encroach on your very valuable time," she huffs sarcastically. "Here's an idea: let me out of this miserable dungeon, and you'll no longer have to entertain me."

Snape's eyes flash.

"Or perhaps," he offers, "I could leave you down here to starve and rot."

Hermione chooses not to respond and instead stares intently at her plate as she picks at breakfast.

Great work on being nice, she chides herself.

Oh shut up.

Professor Snape is the first one to break the silence.

"I brought you the Prophet. There is an article I think you'll be particularly interested in." He slides the paper across the table.

Unable to control her curiosity, Hermione reaches out to take the paper. It doesn't take long for her to find the article.

Oh no.

Overwhelmed, tears start streaming down her face uncontrollably. On the front page is the headline "THE BOY WHO LOST" stamped over a sickening image of Harry's lifeless body on display in a glass coffin near the Great Lake. Hermione tries to read the article but only manages to barely skim it. Bits and pieces stick out.

The Dark Lord proclaims triumph...

No more human shields could protect him...

But by far the worst are the closing lines: "Potter's body will remain on display permanently. His decomposition will be proof that he was no more than a foolish boy with a large amount of dimwitted followers willing to die protecting him."

Hermione throws the paper onto the table.

"I'm going to be sick," she gasps, getting up to rush to the bathroom.

SS

Sounds of the girl emptying her stomach echo out of the bathroom, putting Severus off his breakfast.

Nice work, he sarcastically congratulates himself.

If he were to admit it, Severus finds her response rather confusing. He had assumed seeing the humiliating fate of her rapist would bring her peace.

He sighs loudly, snatching the paper from the table and incinerating it with his wand.

Leave it to Granger to feel pity for those undeserving of it. She did after all, momentarily, consider your innocence.

Slow, careful footsteps alert Severus to her return.

"Excuse me, I am...erm...sorry, about that display," she offers, looking anywhere but at him with her bloodshot eyes.

He can tell from the expression on her tearstained face that she is moments from another "display."

"Despite all of his... faults," Severus grinds out, "you did, for whatever reason, view Potter as a... friend. Your response is understandable."

Granger glances up at him.

"However," he stresses, "I will not tolerate these outbursts so graciously in the future. If you expect me to keep bringing you news, you must learn to control yourself."

She remains silent.

"Do you understand me?" he asks.

"Yes, sir," she answers quietly, returning her gaze to the floor.

"Good. Seeing as I no longer have an appetite, I'll be on my way. I will see you at dinner."

Then, without giving her even the slightest chance to respond, Severus stalks out.

Author's Note: Please, please, please forgive the ridiculous amount of time it has been since my last update! A lot has happened to keep me away. My husband and I started trying to get pregnant around the last update, and we were very quickly successful. My pregnancy was a very rough one which kept me in bed most of the time, feeling sick. Then I had my son, and he has been keeping me very busy the last 8 months. The next five chapters are already written and will be up very soon. Please review and let me know what you think!