Chapter Nine

Severus woke in the late afternoon to find Hermione gone. He found that, with some effort, he could get into a sitting position. He sat still and waited for his head to settle. Sitting had made him dizzy. "Hermione?" he called.

He looked at the bedside table, and discovered that her wand was gone. He frowned and got to his feet. He used the wall to steady himself as he moved across the room to the door. "Hermione?" he called louder. He opened the door and leaned into the door frame for support. His heart flipped when he saw the little cabin's living room was empty as well as the open kitchen area. Had she left him? Had she thought things between them not worth the risk? He was finding a heart-wrenching fear slip over him when the front door opened and Hermione came into the room, slipping a small black device into her jean's pocket.

She looked up at him and smiled, but her smile turned to worry and she rushed to his side. "Severus, what are you doing up? You look about to topple over," she scolded.

"You came back," was all he said as he leaned heavily on her.

"Came back? Oh God, Severus, you didn't think I left? I had to go outside the wards to call my Mum and Dad," she explained as she helped him sit back down on the bed. "I'm so sorry. You were sleeping so deeply, I thought I'd have time to fill them in on what happened."

Severus lay back on the pillow, suddenly feeling foolish. He turned his face away from her, angry at himself.

"Severus, will you look at me?" she asked him.

When he didn't, she climbed over him and lay down facing him. "Don't feel bad. It's going to take some time for you to trust me. You haven't had reason to trust many people. I know you've been hurt..."

"Tell me about your conversation?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

Hermione could see he was not ready to talk about his feelings, so she indulged him. "Mum was home. I told her I'd found you and I gave her our location. I did ask her to owl Pomona and have her tell Poppy. I also asked her to tell Pomona they would need to talk to Minerva and let her know why I'm not there. It's probably best for me if she knows and can cool off before we arrive."

"What?" he asked.

"What what?" she asked in return, confused by his outburst.

"You want me to go back to Hogwarts with you?" he asked, seeming to be digesting that information slowly.

"Of course. Where else would we go? I live and work there, Severus. I have to go back."

"I doubt anyone there will want me back," he said as he reached over and tucked a curl behind her ear.

Hermione smiled and moved to cover his hand with hers. He threaded his fingers through hers. "I want you there, and Poppy and Pomona do too. I'm sure there will be others."

"I killed... Dumbl..." He stopped when Hermione stopped him with her other hand, covering his lips.

"You relieved him of a great deal of pain and a cruel death. You gave him what he wanted. Everyone at the school knows that."

"I doubt Vector will be happy to see me," he pressed on.

"Well, she will have to get over it," Hermione said unrepentantly. "We can easily keep an eye on her. I really haven't gotten to know her well. She doesn't seem to mingle much." Hermione reached over and, returning his earlier gesture, tucked his black hair behind his ear. "Your hair really is so soft," she commented in wonder.

"Really, not the 'greasy git' you knew?" he teased, happy to change the subject. His ending of Dumbledore's life was probably the worst regret of his life. Regret that his potions and Dark Arts knowledge had not been enough to stop the death of his mentor and friend.

"Hardly," Hermione said; she could see he was still deeply grieving for Dumbledore. There was a deep pain in his eyes, and she wished they were still mentally connected. Maybe she would have a better idea of how to help him. To further distract him she suggested, "Perhaps you would like to try that bath now. I can get the tub filled, and you can soak. It will do you some good."

He nodded. "I think that's a good idea. I may require some help with my hair... my back," he ventured.

Hermione let her eyebrow rise and she grinned. "I would be happy to help. I will add some bubble bath, to protect your dignity," she said saucily.

He chuckled and teased in that soft silky voice, "Afraid?"

"Hardly, Severus, but if we go there, I want you to be able to finish what you start. Now's not the time." She climbed off the bed, leaving him with an open mouth which turned into a grin of his own. She intrigued him more with each passing moment they were together. She was a slight woman with soft, small curves but he found she was so beautiful. She had spirit, courage, and he admired her spunk.

She came back from the bathroom about ten minutes later and helped him to his feet. She supported him into the bathroom. "Call me when you're ready for some help," she instructed.

"Thank you, Hermione," he said as she left the bathroom and shut the door behind her. He pulled his nightshirt off and used the loo. Once he had washed his hands, he turned to the bath, testing the water with his hand. He climbed into the tub and let himself down slowly. The water was rather hot, but it felt wonderful. He used the flannel and soap that was placed close for him and began to wash himself. When he had cleaned as much as he had the energy for, he slumped back against the tub and let the soothing water take the stiffness from his joints. He was dozing when there was a knock at the door.

"Severus? Are you okay?" Hermione called softly through the door.

"Please, come in," he called.

The door opened slowly, and Hermione tentatively peaked around it. "I'm sorry. It's been awhile, and I was worried you'd fallen asleep again."

He nodded. "I nearly did. It might be a good idea for you to help me wash my hair so I can get out of here before my muscles turn to jelly. The water is very relaxing."

Hermione pointed her wand at the tub, and a new batch of bubbles appeared, covering Severus to the chest.

He smiled at her. "You don't trust yourself, do you?" He laughed at the expression on Hermione's face – guilt mixed with desire. Her expression relaxed at the sound of his laughter. It was a wonderful, free sound. Hermione wondered how long it had been for him.

Severus had a startled look on his own face once he realized the laughter had come from him.

Hermione face had turned red. "I was just trying to give you privacy."

He turned back to facing the front of the tub. "Thank you," he said. He grinned privately.

Hermione went to the other end of the tub and took up the shampoo bottle. She was trying to give him privacy, but she found she could not really take her eyes off his bare shoulders within her reach and the tops of his knees above the bubbles. His long arms were stretched over the sides of the tub, and they had a dusting of dark hair. His lean fingers were relaxed and hanging over the edge... Was that a hint of dark hair on his chest?

"Hermione, my hair," he reminded her with amusement after there had been silence for too long.

"You love teasing me," she said, flustered. She transformed a small figurine, a decoration on the shelf in front of the small opaque window, into a cup.

"It is enjoyable," he said, leaning back so she could pour water from the cup over his head and not get it in his eyes.

Hermione averted her eyes from his body and concentrated on his hair. She wet it and soaped it up with the shampoo, working it into his thick hair and scalp. He let his eyes close and enjoyed her touch. She massaged his scalp for some time, and then he heard her sigh as she started to rinse the soap off.

When Severus' hair was done, she stood, "Do you need anything else before I vacate the room?"

"Could you scrub my back?" He was reluctant to let her go, and he was enjoying the attention.

"Of course," she said, but there was a bit of a quiver in her voice. The man had no idea how turned on she was by him even in the thin condition he was in. Hermione, it's been far too long, she thought to herself. She knelt back down and took up the flannel and soap. She rolled the soap over and over on the flannel and then said, "Lean forward." He leaned forward, exposing more of his bare back to her. Her eyes slid down his back, sadly noting his thinness as his backbone stuck out too much. She took a deep breath and began to wash his pale flesh. She saw there were a number of faint scars on his back but decided to not comment now. One day he would probably tell her about them. She had expected to find scars on the man. He had gone through hell being tortured by Voldemort. She had some of her own, and the thought of his seeing them unnerved her. She shook the thought away and concentrated on her task, but her eyes shifted to his soft shoulder again, and when the flannel fell into the water, she found her fingers suddenly touching his warm smooth flesh. "Oh," she said, flustered again. "I'm sorry."

"It felt good, Hermione," he whispered.

Hermione sighed and leaned down to lay her cheek against his bare shoulder. When Severus reached up to touch her face and she suddenly realized what she was doing, she pulled away and stood. "I'll go make dinner. I left my wand here for you to use to dry yourself and your hair...." She didn't look back.

Severus keenly felt her absence, but agreed this was not the time. He was a bit dismayed and pleased that he found his body had responded appropriately. He let the cooling water alleviate the problem, along with a recitation of potions ingredients in his head. He managed to climb out of the tub and found the use of the wand imperative as his strength was leaving him rapidly. He dried his hair and himself. After using a cleaning spell on the night shirt, he put it back on. Then he made his way back to the bed.

Hermione, in the meantime, had found a couple of cans of a thick chicken soup, which she warmed in a small pot on the stove. She made some more toast and placed some pear halves into small bowls and drizzled caramel sauce over them. She put the food on the bed tray and, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, headed back to the bedroom. Severus was again asleep on the bed. She took her wand from the bedside table and put a stasis charm on the food. She went to her bag and pulled out a book and sat in a chair next to the bed to read.

Hermione suddenly felt the book tugged from her fingers, and her eyes flew open to find Severus peering at her from the edge of the bed. "You fell asleep," he said, setting the book on the bedside table.

She ran her fingers through her hair and stretched. "Oh Merlin, why am I so tired all the time? Every time you sleep. I do too."

He looked concerned, then something seemed to dawn on him. "Do you still have the pendant on?"

Hermione reached inside her blouse and produced the little potion bottle on the chain. "Yes, I have it here."

"Your empathy is strong, and you're still in contact with me through the blood bond. You can wear it, but don't let it touch your skin all the time. It will lessen the bond we have."

"We have? This won't break it?" she asked confused as she let the pendant fall against the material of her blouse.

He looked uncomfortable.

"Out with it, Severus," she demanded.

"We have dreamed together through the blood bond. It made a connection that is not easily broken." He waited for her to get angry that this had happened without her knowledge.

"Good," she finally said, "I don't want it easy for us to separate." She stood and came to sit by him on the bed. "Despite my flight from the bathroom earlier, I find I want you very much. Now is just not the time." She covered his hand with hers.

Severus took a deep breath and let it out. Did he dare hope that she really could care for him? She knew his worst and now knew he was capable of feeling for her, yet she was still here. He raised their hands and kissed the back of hers. "Do I smell the faint odor of chicken soup?" His stomach rumbled on cue.

Hermione laughed. "A man and his stomach. You're trying to change the subject." She retrieved her wand and released the food from the stasis charm. "Lay back against the pillows, and I will set the tray over your lap," she instructed.

Severus slid back into place and looked with relish at the thick soup. He was feeling weak from hunger he was sure. He looked forward to each meal because he knew it would make him stronger and he would be able to respond to Hermione in a more physical way.

Hermione crawled onto the bed again and sat cross-legged on his other side, and they ate their meal. Neither talked much during the meal as they were quite hungry and concentrated on their eating. It was late in the day, and they had only had breakfast.

"Tomorrow we will have three meals," she promised as she watched him sop the rest of the broth up with his toast. "I have another dose of potions for you to take tonight. It will help you get a good night's rest and we can try walking in the garden tomorrow. There's a bench swing just outside the back door. Fresh air will do us both good. I fear I have run myself ragged as well."

"You are a bit pale, Hermione. I guess that's a hazard of the job being in the dungeon so much." He sat back, content with his dinner and where he found his life to be right now.

"It's your fault!" she accused him with a grin. She took the tray from him and set it down on the floor. "You were such a good teacher it made Potions seem like the only avenue for my life to go."

He laughed again and held his arms out to her. She came to him and laid full length against him. "Hermione, your singular wit is a treasure."

"You are a treasure as well, Severus. You need to realize that. You need to know how much you are loved..." Her voice faded as she felt embarrassed and wondered if he might be ready to love again.

"Can you love me?" he finally whispered.

"Yes, Severus, I truly believe I can," she whispered in reply. She cupped the side of his face with her hand and caressed it.

Severus turned his face and kissed her thumb. "That's good because I think I can love you, too." He shifted a little, uncomfortable with his confession. He changed the subject again as he had been doing all day when they came close to a discussion of their feelings and what the new status of their relationship might be. "Why don't you pick a book out of the bag of yours and read me to sleep. I dare say it will be quick." He stifled a yawn with his other hand.

Hermione agreed and quickly climbed off the bed. She banished the tray and dishes back to the kitchen and retrieved the potions Severus needed. He made a quick trip to the loo after drinking them, and then he came back to settle under the covers. Hermione could sense a faintly minty smell as she smoothed the bedclothes around him, inwardly smiling at how he had obviously cleaned his teeth to get rid of the nasty taste of the potions. She started to pull a chair up to the bed.

"Aren't you going to join me? I'd be very disappointed if you didn't. Besides, you can't sleep on that little couch in the front room, and I quite enjoy waking up with you in my arms."

"Well, I could transform this chair into a cot. I didn't want to presume that my place was in your bed, now that you're so much better," she said as she took a book out of her bag.

"Hermione, we are in this together. I would love it, when you're ready for bed, if you would come read to me."

"Sure, I would enjoy that." Hermione put the book down at the foot of the bed and grabbed her bag. She went to the bathroom and shut the door. Her heart was hammering as she used the loo, brushed her teeth, and changed into a nightgown. It was flannel, and she wondered if he would laugh at her. It had long sleeves and a curved neck which barely showed her clavicle. She was afraid to let him see her scars. It was, however form-fitting over her breasts, which was attractive. It flowed to the tops of her feet in soft folds. She left her hair loose in soft curls about her face and down her back. She stepped from the bathroom, expecting him to be asleep, but his eyes lit up with appreciation as he looked her over.

Severus held out his hand. "You're beautiful," he complimented, drawing her to the bed.

"For a granny," she laughed nervously.

"No, for a beautiful woman," he said.

She took his hand and squeezed it, bent close and gave him a light kiss. She picked up the book, crawled onto the bed and under the covers. She arranged some pillows so she could be comfortable. All the time she was aware of his heat next to her, his eyes watching her. Taking a deep breath, she opened the book for distraction and started to read, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom,it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope...."

When she glanced at Severus ten minutes later, she saw he was already asleep. She put the book down, slid under the covers, and moved up against him. He reached out instinctively and pulled her close, and they both slept.

The next morning Severus woke feeling much stronger, and after they had showered and dressed, Hermione made them a breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast. She helped Severus into the little garden at the back of the house. There was a table there, and they ate, marveling at the flowers and the warm air. When they had finished, Severus stood and walked slowly toward the fence. Hermione rose to go with him.

"Stay, finish your tea," he said considerately. He made his way across the small yard with slow even steps, relishing the fresh air. When he stepped into the sunlight, he raised his face, closed his eyes and let the warm rays bathe him. It had been years since he had simply stood in the sun. The warmth sank into his skin. It all made him feel alive.

Hermione watched him enjoy such a simple thing like the warmth of the sun, and tears burned at her eyes. Tears for all the sunrises he had missed and joy for the fact that he was now here with her, free of the paralysis that had kept him a prisoner so long. She made a note to somehow alert the authorities to the treatment patients where getting in that hospital. There might be others on the verge of waking, if only they were allowed to. Perhaps her father could whisper into the right ears.

Some minutes passed, and then Severus was aware that Hermione had joined him, slipping her arms about his waist and laying her cheek against his back.

He covered her hands with his. "I look forward to going back to my home. Hogwarts was the best of times and the worst of times. But it is home."

"You did hear some of what I read..."

"Yes, I -" he stopped.

An owl had come flying over the fence and dropped a packet by their feet. Hermione released Severus and stooped to pick it up. "Oh, Merlin, it's from Minerva." She pulled the envelope open, and three packages fell out.

One packet tore itself from her fingers, and a face appeared. "A howler," Severus said reaching for her and pulling her close. She was trembling.

"Hermione Granger! How could you keep such a secret from me! Severus is important to all of us! I could have helped you! How dare you risk your health and the welfare of your students by working nineteen to twenty hours days with little food and no rest? I dare say we will have some words when you get back! I want you to come as soon as Severus is able!"

Hermione shrank away from the howler, and Severus held tightly to her.

The thing glared at them with Minerva's best glare, and then astonishingly it smiled. "Severus, Pomona, Poppy and I are waiting. I have asked Vector to find another school. She will be going to Beauxbatons for this next year.

Hermione sighed, expecting it to shred itself finally.

But then it finished, "Hermione dear, good work." The howler finally fell into soft pieces and floated to the ground.

Hermione gasped, and tears fell down her cheeks, the release of pent-up emotions being allowed free reign now that she knew Minerva was not truly angry with her.

"You know she had to pretend to be harsh. You may get a reprimand, but she will welcome you back with open arms. You are her prize Gryffindor." He laughed, hugging her close. "Now come on, dry those tears. It's okay."

"She must be disappointed in me," she cried.

"Hermione," he took her face in his hands and made her look at him, "she loves you. That's just Minerva venting steam. By the time we get there, she will be crying and hugging both of us."

"You think so?"

He smirked, "Yes, I know so. I've known Minerva many, many years, and she's really quite an emotional softy."

Hermione scrubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I hope you're right."

"Now, let's see what's in the other two packages," Severus suggested. Hermione retrieved the packages and handed one to him. Severus' name was written on it, and he tore the paper away, suspecting what it held. It was a gleaming dark wood wand. Oak and phoenix feather about 17 inches.

Hermione said, "It's beautiful."

He touched it with reverence. "It is a wand Albus gave me. It was a backup wand. I often took it with me when I went on missions. He kept it with him when I didn't need it. It was his first wand. I seemed to have an affinity for it. He never used it once he had procured the Elder Wand. The feather comes from Fawkes. It was given to Gregorovitch long before the bird bonded with Albus. It has a fascinating story. It saved me on a number of occasions. I wonder how Minerva knew it was special to me."

"She's Headmistress. I think the castle actually communicates with the Headmaster or Headmistress," Hermione ventured.

"Well, it never spoke to me." His voice was bitter. "I knew it was sentient, but it knew I was evil..." His voice broke off.

Hermione grasped his arm. "I don't think that's true, Severus," she said earnestly. "It saw what you tried to do for the students. But, it knew you had to report to Voldemort. It had to protect a part of itself for the greater good."

Severus looked back toward the sun and saw the green vines and flowers and said, "It doesn't matter. That's the past, and I want to live in the future." He tucked the wand up the sleeve of his shirt that Hermione had produced from her bag.

"What's in that third package?" he asked.

Hermione opened it and found a cloth covered object with a note. This is your Portkey home. It will deliver you to my office Sunday at 2:00 p.m. I trust you will want some time to be ready for your classes on Monday. I have spoken to Kingsley, and he has agreed not to file charges for the illegal Portkey use. He agrees it was necessary... though he said, 'Tell that woman to come talk to me before she goes off half-cocked the next time.' Minerva

Whatever the object was, they would leave it wrapped in the cloth.

Severus smiled when Hermione said, "Shewww, another bullet dodged."

Severus deposited the object in the pocket of his trousers. "Now, you promised me a walk about this garden. If we have to go back to that dungeon in a few days, we best start soaking up some of this sun," Severus said to distract her from her worry. He knew no matter what he said she would still worry until they saw Minerva.

Later, that evening after their walk, they sat again in the garden, and Hermione used her mobile phone to call Inspector Mayfield. "Hello, Inspector Mayfield, this is Hermione Smith.... Yes, sir. I did find my father; he's right here. I was right; they were drugging him. No... it's true. He has been waking up for months, and each time they gave him more drugs. We barely got out of there... Yes, he's is right here. I'll ask him." She covered the speaker on the phone so the Inspector would hear only muffled voices. "Will you talk to him, Dad?" she asked as per their agreement.

Severus had agreed to play the part of her father. He wanted to see that place inspected, even if he and Hermione had to come and testify. He reached for the phone. "Hello, yes, sir, I'm doing as well as can be expected. Thank you so much for aiding my girl in finding me.... Yes, she is a treasure. What she said is true. I don't know if the agency was involved. The men who cared for me wanted to keep their jobs and felt that if the patients all stayed in their vegetative state they would have job security. Sir, we would be more than happy to send your people the money they put out for Hermione to come find me... No. Well your help to my daughter and making sure she was safe is very much appreciated. We will keep in touch, and if you need us to testify as witnesses, we can do that once I am recovered. I am very weak, and even walking to the loo is taxing... Thank you for alerting the Irish Police.... Yes, sir, I will take good care of my girl.... Goodbye."

He handed Hermione the phone because he did not know how to turn it off. She ended the call and said, "That should get the process going. I hope they will find other patients in need of help, others that can be returned to their lives. The idea of more people trapped there like you...it tears my heart out, Severus."

"Your Inspector seems like a smart man, and he will get this case going immediately. Don't worry, Hermione, those people will get helped."

He held out his arms and held her close as they watched the sun set.

Merrin, thank you so much for your beta work. It's a pleasure working with you.

Suzanne, thank you for Brit picking and clarifying some of my sentences.

The above book and quote that Hermione reads Severus is from The Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 1, by Charles Dickens.