Twelve

Many thanks to my beta, Soul Bound.

Hermione breathed in deeply, smelling the flax mat she was lying on. A gentle sea breeze touched her face, and with it came the sulphur smell of the rivers. Home, she was at home, and a sense of peace flowed through her. Hermione moved her head to snuggle deeper into the pillow, but there was awkwardness about the movement that pulled her from her tranquil sleep. Opening her eyes, she looked over a darkened room, which was gently lit by an orange glow of embers in a fireplace. There was a scratching noise, so the witch moved her head around to look and was surprised at the ease of movement. In fact, her entire body, though stiff, was free from the deep, all pervading pain coming from her back. It's worked, thought Hermione in relief.

Snape was sitting at the table with a lantern encircling him in a small pool of light. His forehead was furrowed in concentration; he had a pile of parchment next to him, but his posture was relaxed and unguarded. Was he doing marking, maybe? Of course, Hermione realized guiltily, he had to maintain his teaching commitments in spite of what had happened. Snape had been amazingly knowledgeable and accommodating of her and her situation, which made it hard to reconcile him with the vile teacher that had haunted her school days. As if sensing her eyes on him, Snape looked over; his brow smoothed and he put down his quill.

'My lady?'

'My teacher, it worked then,' stated Hermione with relief.

'Yes.' He allowed a small smile play on his lips. 'I approached it how you recommended and managed to transform the curse. It changed into a long sliver of metal, which I extracted successfully.'

'Thank you. I owe you my life.'

Snape looked away as if uncomfortable and shook his head slowly. 'It is the very least I could do, my lady. How are you feeling?'

'Good. I just had a wonderful dream,' she replied drowsily.

Snape's eyebrows shot up, and he moved anxiously over to sit near her. 'What sort of dream, my lady?'

Hermione wasn't sure if it was the complimentary dim light, but his face didn't look as stark nor as drawn as it had been. But that made no sense considering what his last few days had been like. No, it must be the dim lights, she told herself.

'Oh, no, not that sort of dream, my teacher...a normal dream,' she quickly assured, realizing what his startled response was about.

Snape's sharp eyes were examining her very carefully. 'A normal dream?'

'Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, my teacher. I thought I was back home. It made me happy. I haven't dreamt like that in such a long time, and it was just so nice to dream normally for a change.' Realizing she was rambling, Hermione pulled herself to a halt.

Snape must have been convinced as his face relaxed, and the intensity went out of his eyes. 'How is the pain, my lady?'

'Much better, thank goodness. I can still feel it, of course, but that intense ache has gone. I just feel stiff, I suppose.' Hermione then asked, 'What time is it?'

'Late.' Snape leaned back on his chair, stretching and stifling a yawn.

Hermione realized that these were the most relaxed movements she'd witnessed him do in front of her. He had obviously removed his teaching robes...they were slung over the back of the kitchen chair...and wore black shirt and trousers, similar to what he'd worn the other day. Boy, would the girls of her year be disappointed with that boring bit of information, Hermione smirked to herself. There had been speculation for years about what the Potions master wore under his teaching robes...most of it hilariously funny and none of it as mundane as shirt and trousers.

'Do you mind if I check the bandaging on your back?'

'Goodness, as if I'd say no considering what you've managed to do to heal me.' Hermione laid down straight on her stomach, her face buried in the pillow.

'True enough,' came an amused reply.

She felt the blankets lift from her back, him untying her hospital gown, and she realized suddenly that she didn't have any other clothes or belongings here. There was a prodding as he felt the bandaging.

'What's it like, my teacher?' Her voice was muffled by the pillow.

'Good, the bleeding has slowed down how it should. I will change the bandaging tomorrow at the same time as the others.'

The witch felt the weight of the blanket being pulled back up over her waist, and she shifted her head to see Snape moving towards the kitchen and coming back with a tray.

'Do you think you will be able to sit up, my lady? You need to drink this tea.'

'Yes, I think so. I'll give it a try at any rate.' She rolled to her side, and using her arm, she tried to lever herself up, but didn't quite have the strength to follow the movement through. Snape helped ease her up, and she found herself sitting up for the first time in what felt like days. Her body was incredibly sore and restricted in its movements, but there was no real pain. Snape had moved a pillow behind her, so she leaned back gingerly on it. As Snape still had his arm around her, she adjusted her weight so that she wasn't relying on him as much for support.

'It is best to try and move your body as soon as you are able to. Do you feel all right, my lady?'

Hermione nodded. It felt good to be sitting again. Snape removed his arm gently and picking up a cup, handed it to her. Using her left hand to hold it, she slowly sipped at it. The over riding taste was parsley, which luckily she didn't mind. Snape moved from her side and sat back in his chair.

'It's good to be sitting again. It's like everything is getting back to normal.' She sipped the tea again; it was as if her body was hungry for it. 'This is good.' She drained the cup in three big gulps, and he took the cup from her.

'Your body is needing liquids to restore its balance.'

There was a pause, and then Hermione fixed her eyes on Snape's. 'I want to thank you for everything you have done. I know it's not what you want to hear, and you looked uncomfortable when I said it before, but I do need to say that I am in your debt, and if you need anything of me and mine, you only need but ask.' She leaned forward, clumsily moving her heavily bandaged hand, and placed it under his chin, as was the way of showing deep gratitude and indebtedness amongst friends.

The wizard dropped his eyes, and the slightest tinge of pink touched his cheeks. But he covered her hand with his to indicate acceptance of her thankfulness. 'I truly do not deserve this, my lady; I truly do not.' He hesitated as if unsure whether to continue or not, then quietly added, 'It is I that is thankful. Through these unfortunate circumstances, I had an opportunity to act for the betterment of all. That alone allows me to try for an internal equipoise after all the ills I have committed in my time, my lady.' He dropped his head, gently sandwiching her hand between his chest and his hand. Then after a moment, he released it, but his eyes still did not lift. 'I am pleased beyond all measures that it was successful.'

'I am too...I can quite assure you,' said Hermione with a smile. 'I only now understand how ill I was becoming. When I try to think back, it's all quite blurry, and I can only remember pieces yet they somehow don't seem related.'

He looked back at her with his dark eyes and said in a normal tone, 'My lady, you must rest now. We can talk later about what happened. Your body needs rest more than anything.'

Hermione nodded, feeling tiredness flow through her and tendrils of sleep pulling her in. Snape gently eased her back down until her head was on the pillow once again. Sleep engulfed her, and she knew no more.

+++

Hermione saw swirling oranges, reds and browns through her eyelids that pulled her from sleep. She opened her eyes carefully and squinted at the brightness; it must be the middle of the day. The hut was empty, although there was a fire crackling in the fireplace and cups and saucers on the table. Hermione yawned, very gently moving her head and stretching her stiff muscles. She heard the door click open and glanced over to see a hooded figure pause for a time at the entrance, then scurry in. The person then stopped with a start, throwing back the hood.

'Hermione, you are awake.' It was Professor McGonagall, who moved quickly beside her. 'How are you feeling?'

'Much better now, Headmistress.' She gently eased herself up into a sitting position, pleased at how much easier the move was to make.

'Good,' the older witch said sharply. 'Professor Snape will be back later this evening to check on you once he has finished his teaching duties. Here is some tea for you to drink. He is concerned about getting nourishment back into you.'

Hermione looked at the Headmistress and was shocked to see how drawn she was. Every one of her many years was etched deeply into her face, and she had an annoyed looking frown. Hermione smelt the tea; it was the same as last night's, so she drank it down hungrily. The professor refilled her cup without looking at her. Feeling more sated, the younger witch took smaller sips, but felt awkward with the silence. The Headmistress seemed different. Aloof, cold, and every so often she would close her eyes as if under considerable strain. Hermione felt guilty at the burden she was placing on Snape and McGonagall, who were both already busy people. She wondered if McGonagall resented her time being taken up like this.

'Thank you so much for being here, Headmistress,' she said, needing to fill the silence.

'You are welcome,' McGonagall curtly replied, but she avoided looking at her, making it seem insincere.

Hermione was baffled at the abrupt change in her, but tiredness flowed through her again, and her body wanted the nourishment of sleep. 'Headmistress, I think I'll just lay down and have another sleep.'

The professor nodded and promptly got up, hurrying away to the kitchen with the teacup and teapot. Hermione closed her eyes and felt the healing sleep take her away.

+++

Hermione woke when Harry came bursting through the door, his teaching robes flapping, holding a large, brown parcel.

'Hello, Headmistress. Here's the parcel from Snape.'

'Professor Snape,' McGonagall reminded him absently. She was doing something in the kitchen and wiped her hands before taking it

'Yeah, sorry,' came the insincere reply. 'Hey, Hermione, you're awake.'

Harry charged across the room. Hermione was amazed at the vitality in him...he seemed like a burst of sunlight in a closed up room. He looked good too, and the green jumper under his robes made his eyes stand out incredibly. No wonder he was popular with the students.

'Hi, Harry. Yeah, I'm awake...amazing, isn't it?' The witch smiled warmly at him; she really was pleased to see him.

Harry promptly sat down next to her on the bed and stroked her arm sympathetically. 'How are you feeling now? Are you in much pain?' He had such a depth of concern in his voice and his eyes.

'A bit battered and bruised but much better now. I'm so pleased to see you.' Hermione clasped his hand in her good one and gave it a squeeze.

'Yeah, me too.' Harry's face became flushed with emotion. 'You gave me one hell of a fright, Hermione. I thought I was going to lose you too.'

Hermione saw tears well up in his green eyes, and he furiously blinked them away. His intensity of feeling overwhelmed her, and she could feel her own eyes start to fill as well.

'No, no, Harry, it takes a bit more than mere Death Eaters to get rid of me,' she joked, trying to lift the mood.

Harry smiled at her and shook his head slowly. 'You're a tough one that's for sure. Everybody is saying how you've managed to get away with it twice. Once all those years ago and now you've done it again.' He then added half jokingly, 'Have you got some sort of secret weapon we don't know about or something? 'Cause Voldemort will now be very interested in you.'

Hermione swallowed nervously. 'I think it's a simple thing known as sheer and absolute terror. I never, ever, want to be in those situations again. It was bloody frightening both times.'

'Oh, god, I would imagine.'

'Do you really think Voldemort will be more interested in me now?' Hermione asked with a knot of fear in her stomach.

'That's what everybody is saying. So welcome to my existence. Your world has now been reduced down to the size of Hogwarts and its wards.'

'Oh.' Hermione knew she had to stay close to Harry after her first vision, but the idea of being stuck here made her feel claustrophobic. All she wanted was to work out the visions like usual, advise McGonagall and go back home. Her heart sank.

'Yes, somebody is watching you; otherwise that attack would never have happened. The moment you step outside the wards, I imagine there will be another attack.'

'But I will need to get back home at some stage,' Hermione protested weakly.

'Yeah, but there are only a few Apparation points active down there, so they can easily monitor them.'

'Oh, God.' Hermione realized Harry was right. Nobody had expected her to go South after the first attack, but this time they would know where to wait. Anyway, she reminded herself firmly she did have to stay here. The unusual way the visions had been presenting themselves indicated something big was brewing.

Harry rubbed his scar the way he did when he regretted something. He wasn't supposed to tell me any of this, realized Hermione.

'And what's this about you having some sort of reaction and being sent out here to the middle of nowhere? That's a new one on me.'

'You and most people. Apparently, it's a rare magical reaction. I don't know a lot about it, but it's to do with different types of magic or something like that,' explained Hermione, deciding to play the topic lightly.

'I've never heard of different types of magic before.'

'Not many people have. Anyway, I'm out of danger, and I'll be right in a couple of days once all my cuts and scrapes have healed.'

'I'm just so pleased you're feeling better.' Harry smiled and then looked up at the darkening room. 'Hey, I've got to chop some firewood before it gets too dark. I'll come back and sit with you when I'm finished. Don't you know I'm only needed here because of my brawn?'

'Well, get to it then, and flex those fine muscles of yours.'

'Now I know you are feeling better,' he said laughing over his shoulder as he peeled his teaching robes off, flung them over a chair and walked out the door.

Hermione eased herself up into a sitting position. She felt a lot better. McGonagall walked towards her with a tray. Hermione had never seen her look so strained before, and the guilt came rushing back. She smiled at the professor and graciously accepted the cup. McGonagall curtly nodded, then promptly went back to the other side of the room and picked up the package that Harry had brought. As Hermione drank her tea, she watched the older witch pause with her eyes closed, as if pulling herself together, and then start walking slowly across the room towards her again. Hermione hoped McGonagall was not becoming sick; her behavior was so strange. She drained her cup and leaned forward to place it back on the tray. She smiled to herself; all these little insignificant movements were becoming easier and easier. Hermione looked up when McGonagall sat down in the chair next to the bed.

'Do you want some more?'

'Yes, please.' She accepted the refilled cup of tea, sipping it slowly.

McGonagall opened the parcel, and Hermione looked curiously at the contents. It was black material. The professor shook out a black cloak. 'These clothes are for you. Professor Snape got them especially made by his tailor.'

'Oh.' Hermione was surprised. Didn't she have some clothes back at Hogwarts? Why would Snape do something like that?

'But before you put them on, I need to sew runes into the inner seams. Good, he sent the book as well.' McGonagall picked up a note attached to the book and started to read.

'Runes? What do you mean?'

'I will leave Professor Snape to explain the details to you, as I don't entirely understand it myself. All I know is that I must follow these instructions exactly and hand sew these runes into every piece of clothing before you use them.' McGonagall looked totally put apon. 'Now, Hermione, if you have finished your tea, I will start this sewing at the table in the stronger light.' She quickly bundled everything together and almost ran back to the other side of the room, but in her haste forgot to take the tray. Hermione was now seriously worried about McGonagall's state of mind.

With a perplexed sigh, Hermione settled herself down and dropped into that lovely netherworld between sleeping and waking. Every now and then, she would hear an exasperated 'Oh Merlin!' or 'By Merlin's Balls!'...but mostly she heard the crackling of the fire and the noise of Harry chopping the wood.

Her eyes snapped open when she heard Harry come loudly through the door.

'Headmistress, are you all right? You look awful!' Harry must have finally noticed. He had his sleeves rolled up and was rosy cheeked.

McGonagall looked up from her sewing with the foulest look on her face. 'Thank you, Mr. Potter. I feel so much better for your astute observations. And I take it you feel fine?' Hermione winced at the ice in her tone, but Harry blithely ignored it.

'I'm fine. I'll make you a cup of tea,' he offered and turned to the kitchen. 'I don't know if there is anything to eat here.'

'Tea will be fine, Mr. Potter,' said McGonagall hastily.

'And you, Hermione? Or are you drinking this medicinal tea here?'

'Medicinal tea for me, thanks.'

'Sure, no problem.'

Waiting for the water to boil on the small wood range, Harry walked back to where the professor sat sewing. 'What are you doing, Headmistress?'

McGonagall frowned over the top of her glasses at him. 'I have to sew these runes into every article of clothing here.'

'I can help if you want me to.'

McGonagall's eyebrows raised in surprised. 'Really?' she said with disbelief in her voice.

'Yes, really. My Aunt Petunia was an avid sewer, and I used to help her when I was younger. I'm actually pretty good. Show me what you need doing, and I'll do it for you if you want, Headmistress. You look like you need to have a rest.'

'Let me see what you can do. This needs to be done accurately.'

Harry shrugged his shoulders. 'Sure.' He sat down next to McGonagall and read the instruction page. 'So, it needs to be sewed using the red, gold, green and blue threads? And it's these runes here?'

McGonagall nodded.

'This is like cross-stitch, actually. Hey, Hermione, please don't tell anyone about this, okay?'

'Yeah, no problem, but I actually think it's sweet,' said Hermione with a smirk.

There was silence as Harry worked on the cloak with McGonagall observing closely. Obviously satisfied with what he was capable of, McGonagall let out a sigh of what sounded like relief.

'So, is this good enough, Professor?'

'It appears so, Mr. Potter. You really have done this before.'

'I'll stay with Hermione and do this if you want, and you can go back to get some rest. It looks like you might be sickening for something.'

Hermione noticed the amount of concern in Harry's voice; he must be close to her after all these years.

'I think I will. I am not feeling well, but I'm pleased that you feel all right, Mr. Potter.'

Hermione thought that was an odd comment and saw Harry frown in puzzlement as well. The professor got up rapidly and left the hut without looking behind once. The kettle started to whistle.

'Hermione, do you still want that tea?'

'Yeah, that would be great. Are you having one?'

'Only the normal sort. Hey, I haven't heard one of these kettles in years.'

'Me neither.'

Harry brought the tea over and handed her a cup. He settled into the chair and started threading the needle with gold thread. 'Why am I doing this again? I didn't think I'd ever be in a situation of needing to put my sewing skills to use again.'

'I'm not entirely sure.' Hermione had an inkling of what it was about, but didn't want to say too much.

'Oh, well, I'm used to these sorts of mysteries after how many years of living at Hogwarts.' He grinned and shook out the black cloak. 'Don't tell me the man in black got you these clothes.'

'No, I don't usually mix in those musical circles...but my mum had all his records.'

Harry snorted and rolled his eyes, but wasn't distracted. 'It's strange that Snape got you these. Although, I dare say I probably could have guessed by the colour and the cut.'

'Yeah, well, he's actually been... very... quite... um... accommodating... really. If it wasn't for him, I doubt I would be alive right now.'

Harry gave a disbelieving grunt. 'Just be careful about him, Hermione. He hasn't changed one bit since our school days. I know...I still work with him. And don't forget what happened to Dumbledore.' He looked like he was about to say more, but only added with a growl, 'Snape is a very dangerous, crafty man, and he is out to do harm...I know it.'

Deciding to drop this prickly topic, Hermione sipped her tea and watched Harry's needle glint in the darkening room as it dove in and out of the material. Occasionally he would pause and recheck the instruction sheet, taking a sip of tea.

'So, Hermione, you must be happy living in the South.'

'Yeah, I am. It's my home now, and I feel I have family again.' Hermione knew Harry understood what it was like to have no family left and the almost instinctual drive to find another one. It was why the Weasleys were so important to him.

'That's just wonderful. I bet you they are nice people too. I have to say I did miss you when you went...it was awful you not just being around. I know Ron missed you heaps, and I think it took him years to really get over you.'

'I missed you guys so much...you have no idea.' Hermione's throat tightened.

'It was a tough time for everyone, but I am happy that you found what you needed.'

'It would be great if you could come and visit me...if and when I get back. I'd love you to meet everyone. I've talked loads about you, and believe it or not, they don't know anything about the famous Harry Potter, so they'll just be meeting you as you.'

'Boy, that would be a first.' Harry grinned and rolled his eyes.

'And besides, it's beautiful down there...warm too. I'd love you to come and see for yourself.'

Harry sighed heavily. 'Yeah, me too, but you know what it's like here. It's a major security operation if I want to go to Diagon Alley to pick a few things up. And London, well, that would take at least six months of advance planning and three high security meetings before it could even be considered.' He then perked up with interest. 'Is it really beautiful? Only, nobody actually talks or writes about what the place is really like.' Hermione knew Harry was being polite by not mentioning what was said.

'It's stunning. Sometimes it's hard to believe it's even real, and the food's great as well. Listen to me, I sound like a travel brochure.'

'No, it's interesting for me. I love hearing about different places...it makes the world seem more real, somehow,' Harry said, glancing up from his sewing with warmth in his eyes. 'Are you still studying? I was awfully impressed with the Latin you used at Ron's service.'

'I am.' Careful now, thought Hermione to herself.

'So, what subjects then?'

'You're never going to believe this.' Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.

'Go on then. I'm waiting.' Harry looked up again with curiosity in his eyes.

'Divination and Ancient Languages.'

'What! No way. I don't believe it. You of all people studying Divination.' Harry roared with laughter. 'This is too good. I now believe that life is full of ironies.'

'Yeah, it's true,' Hermione admitted, laughing, and then pointed out with a smirk, 'Mind you, look at you, the person who hated Snape the most at school is the only one who has ended up working at the same place as him. That's got to be considered a joke too.'

'You are so right, Hermione, and I still hate him,' chuckled Harry, shaking his head, and then he looked skywards and asked, 'Oi, what's going on here?'

'Oh, that's not all. McGonagall has asked me to stay here for a bit to look over the Divination and Ancient Runes curriculum. But I couldn't...'

Harry drowned out the rest of her sentence with laughter, doubling over. After a bit, he calmed down enough to wipe the tears from under his glasses. 'That's one of the funniest things I've heard in ages.' He then added softly, 'Ron would have loved it too.'

'Yeah, he sure would have. Oh, god, I would have so got it from him,' said Hermione with a soft smile. They both thought of Ron in comfortable silence.

'And are you going to take it?'

'Yes. I haven't had a chance to tell McGonagall yet, but I will as soon as I can.'

'It's actually not so bad, is it? I mean, you're going to have to be here for a little while until they figure out what's going on with the security, so it gives you something to do while you are here.' Hermione knew that Harry was trying to be positive to make up for dumping the bad news on her at the onset of the evening.

'That's true, I suppose. How about you? How's the Transfiguration professor coming?'

'It's great, but the theory has been a challenge. I've only got one more thing to submit, and then it's a done deed. I can't quite believe I'll actually be a professor...it sounds so grown up and serious. Mind you, the teaching part is fun...I enjoy that.'

'So, you're going to be Professor Potter. My, my, doesn't that sound grand,' teased Hermione.

'It still sounds very strange to me...I'm not use to the idea yet.' Harry ran his hand through his hair, looking embarrassed.

'Well, you should be. You've worked hard, and you deserve it. I knew you'd do well in whatever you settled on doing.'

'Thanks for that, Hermione; that means a lot to me.'

'What's it like working with McGonagall?'

'She's tough but fair. The good thing is that she never asks me to do anything that she isn't prepared to undertake herself. I've heard some horror stories about apprenticeships, so I guess I'm lucky. It worked out well for both of us actually. McGonagall had just taken over being Headmistress and was in the process of becoming head of the Order, so she was swamped with work. After what had happened, I needed to stay close to Hogwarts and was looking to get an apprenticeship, so it kind of clicked into place really. We actually get on well.' Harry shook out the cloak. 'There, that one is done.' He then unfolded a rather masculine black shirt. 'Oh, aren't you both going to be matching twins then.'

'Ha, bloody ha.' Hermione rolled her eyes. 'I guess they're better than no clothes at all though, which is my present predicament.'

'True enough, I suppose, although if I'd known, I could have tried to get you something a little less black. At least you don't have to worry about mixing and matching.'

'Thanks.' Hermione laughed and finished up her tea, lying back down on the bed, and watched Harry sew.

'So, do you have a significant person in your life?' Harry asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Hermione inwardly tensed...what on earth was she going to say? She hated to tell lies, but there was no way she could tell the truth here. 'Ah, well, you see, it's a bit complicated,' she hedged vaguely.

To her relief, Harry grinned in agreement. 'Tell me when it is not? I think that's relationships for you. They are never easy. That old, boring saying, 'you can't live with them...you can't live without them,' is so bloody true. It's the same with me and Gin, but mostly we get on nowadays.'

'I always knew you two would end up together.'

'But that sometimes is part of the problem. Yet I also couldn't imagine my life without her. And there you have it.'

'Hmm, I could see that becoming a pressure. But anyhow, I think it's wonderful that you guys are together. She's such a nice person. I hope I can catch up with her when I get back to Hogwarts.'

Harry looked for a moment a bit hesitant. 'Sure, that would be nice. There you are; the trousers are done as well...you have a complete outfit in black.' He put the clothes back into the brown bag and collected the cups, yawning.

'You haven't had dinner yet, have you?'

'No, I came straight from class, but that doesn't matter.'

'I don't think there is any food here. Honestly, Harry, if you want to go, you can. I am perfectly fine here until Snape comes. I'm just going to sleep.'

'Are you sure? It's just I haven't eaten, and I've got loads of marking to get through. I should have brought it here with me, but I forgot. Also, Gin was sort of expecting me to go over to her family's house tonight as well. I'm sorry about this. If I'd known that I was going to stay, I would have cancelled.'

'No, not at all, Harry. It's really important that you are there for all of them. They'll really need you now. Of course, I'll be fine. But come back and see me when you can. I actually don't know how long I'll be here for, but I really want to make use of my time here and at Hogwarts and see loads more of you.'

Harry leaned over and planted a kiss on her head. 'Yeah, me too. I'll be over as soon as I can get away tomorrow. Are you sure you'll be okay? Sorry about this.'

'Listen...don't worry. I'll be fine.'

'Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow.'

'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight.'