Nothing and Everything: Chapter 15

As the days wore on, Hermione felt as though some of her fire had dissipated.
However, she still refused to tell anyone where Severus was. In fact, she refused to talk at all anymore.
It proved to be very irritating to those who continued to try and get information from her, and their efforts seemed to intensify, including one memorable incident with a thin rope and Hermione's neck.
Summer turned to fall and fall slowly became winter.
The open window allowed cold drafts to sweep through Hermione's room and while the breezes had been nice during the warmer seasons now Hermione lay on her bed at night, shivering under her thin blanket. The clothes the woman had brought so many months ago were now no longer sufficient, but Hermione knew somehow that the woman was not coming back.
The days were not much better and she almost looked forward to the now daily interrogations and beatings. They kept her warm.
One piece of luck stayed with her though. The jug of water the woman had brought not only continued to replenish its supply, but also continued to carry whatever healing properties it had.
Nevertheless, Hermione could feel herself weakening, getting sick. For the first time she really thought she might die here.
Her marks on the wall told her it was now December, although she couldn't be entirely sure of the date as she had forgotten when she'd been taken.
When the day she figured was Christmas came, she cried for the first time in months, thinking of her friends. She still didn't really know if they were alive or dead, but she missed them terribly all the same.
After Christmas they stopped coming into her room. She could tell something was going on but she didn't know what. They also stopped bringing her food and in her already weakened state, this only proved detrimental.
She lay in bed all day now, unable to find the energy to get up. The urge to sleep was strong and Hermione found herself dozing more and more. Eventually dozing turned into bouts of unconsciousness.
A week after Christmas Hermione could hear more voices than usual passing outside her door and she wondered dimly what was going on before she slipped away again.
She came to again, hearing voices in the room.
"Take the blanket and her clothes. She's almost dead anyway."
Hermione didn't have the energy to protest as they stripped her and she fell into unconsciousness again.
While all of this was happening, the Burrow, which had not burned down, was filled with Order members and Weasleys and Harry, none of whom had been killed.
Earlier that morning Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dedalus Diggle had come into the Burrow, looking excited.
They summoned Dumbledore to tell him their findings.
"It's the factory, Albus," Kingsley said. "All this time it's been under our noses."
Dumbledore nodded. "Let's go check it then."
Two hours later though their search turned up nothing.
"This doesn't make sense," Kingsley muttered, turning to Dumbledore. "We saw them here."
As the older Order members talked amongst themselves, Harry was staring intently at the factory.
"Harry?" Ron asked, walked up beside him.
"There's something else, something we're missing," Harry murmured.
Ron followed his gaze, failing to understand what Harry was getting at.
Then Harry's face lit up and he cried out, hurrying over to Dumbledore.
"What is it, Harry?"
"This factory. There's no storage facilities here. I mean, there's a couple of rooms, but not near enough for what this factory probably produced. There has to be a separate building somewhere."
"Is there a quick way to find out where it is?" Dumbledore asked.
"There must be an office. Paperwork."
"Of course. Kingsley, Remus, go look for it."
The two men nodded and disappeared into the factory. They emerged minutes later, brandishing a sheet of paper.
Dumbledore nodded and took it and they all Apparated back to the Burrow.
Over the course of the afternoon, blueprints were acquired and plans were made.
They set out at nightfall, under the protection of Disillusionment charms.
Before they entered, Remus pulled Dumbledore aside.
"Let me look for Hermione. I'm the one who lost her, I want to be the one to find her."
Dumbledore nodded, placing a hand on Remus's shoulder.
Finally the group entered the building and before long, Remus was alone in a long corridor lined with doors.
Silently Remus began to make his way down the hall, opening doors with his wand. Most of the rooms were empty but some contained prisoners, all of them dead.
With every body he found, his heart sank a bit more. Hermione's prospects looked bleaker by the minute.
He sent the bodies he'd found to St. Mungo's, which had been alerted of such a thing happening, and continued his search.
Just over halfway through his search he came upon another body, illuminated dimly by moonlight.
Remus sighed, expecting to find another poor dead soul as he walked into the room. The room was so cold he could see his breath and he shivered.
His breath hitched as he got close enough to see the figure and he crossed the rest of the room in three steps.
Hermione lay naked on the bed, unmoving, her back to Remus. He touched her shoulder, fear clenching his heart as he felt how cold her skin was.
He turned her carefully onto her back, gently touching her face.
He was almost scared to lower his ear to her mouth, afraid that he wouldn't hear anything. He waited, holding his own breath until he was able to finally detect her shallow breathing.
He exhaled, his heart racing as he felt for a pulse. It was faint, but it was there.
Remus excitedly removed his cloak and wrapped it around Hermione's body. He touched her face again, stroking her cheek.
"Hermione?" he whispered, staring intently at her face. Her eyelids twitched, the smallest of frowns creasing her brow, but she didn't wake.
Placing his wand between his teeth, Remus lifted Hermione into his arms, holding her close as he made his way back outside and Disapparated.
He appeared in the hospital wing at Hogwarts, the Apparition block placed on the school removed just for that instant.
Remuse paused a moment, still holding Hermione close as he waited to see if he'd been followed.
Satisfied, he straightened and carried Hermione to the nearest bed, calling for Madam Pomfrey.
The older woman bustled in and Remus looked up.
"She's alive."
Madam Pomfrey's pace quickened and she pulled out her wand as she reached Hermione.
"Remus, there's a tray in my office. You'll know it when you see it."
Remus nodded and hurried to retrieve what she asked for.
He watched anxiously as Madam Pomfrey worked, unable to take his eyes from Hermione's unconscious form.
After an hour, the color had returned to Hermione's cheeks and lips and her breathing had acquired a more normal rhythm.
Remus helped Madam Pomfrey dress Hermione in a gown and they laid her gently down, covering her with the sheets.
"How is she?" Remus asked.
"She's stable." Madam Pomfrey paused.
"Poppy?"
"Remus, I scanned her body. She had numerous healed injuries, but a lot of the healing is sloppy." Madam Pomfrey glanced back at Hermione, then again at Remus. "She's been raped multiple times."
Remus flinched, closing his eyes.
"They used contraceptive charms, but again, the work is sloppy."
"Sloppy?"
"There's evidence of at least two abortions, probably not intentional, most likely the result of the charms performed too late. I'll know more about her injuries when I can examine her better, but for now she needs to rest."
Remus nodded. "Dumbledore told me to, uh, stay with her."
Madam Pomfrey nodded as well. "Let's move her to the back of the ward, away from obvious prying eyes."
After they switched the beds, Madam Pomfrey erected a curtain around Hermione's bed and Remus pulled up a chair to sit with her.
He reached up, taking her hand in his, and studied her face. There were scars and some still healing wounds.
Remus stood slightly to look at her neck. An angry red line circled her throat and he could see it had been healed only enough to prevent her bleeding to death.
Anger surged through Remus as he stared at the wound. For the first time in his life he wished Severus were here, if only because he knew that he would go and personally kill every man who had hurt her.
Remus sat back down, still holding Hermione's hand. Right now he was all she had and he wasn't going to leave her side for a second.
He watched her for hours until she stirred. Remus sat up; Hermione's lips moved, but no sound came out.
"Hermione," Remus whispered, standing. He brushed her hair from her forehead, leaning to hear what she was murmuring.
"Severus. Where's Severus?"
"He's not here right now. You'll see him soon though."
Hermione's eyelids fluttered open and she frowned, focusing on Remus.
"Remus?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"They told me you were dead."
"I'm very much alive."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak again but Remus stopped her.
"Shh. Sleep. You need your rest."
Hermione nodded, her eyes closing again.
Remus soon fell asleep as well and was awakened some time later by a hand on his shoulder. He first looked at Hermione. She was still fast asleep.
"Remus."
He looked up, seeing Dumbledore standing next to him.
"Albus. What happened?" Remus asked, sitting up.
"They're all dead."
Remus stood, moving away from Hermione.
"All of them?"
"Every Death Eater we could find."
"What about-"
Albus nodded, seeming to radiate a quiet pride.
"Harry performed admirably."
"Is he alright?"
"He's at St. Mungo's right now. He should be fine."
Dumbledore stepped around Remus, towards Hermione.
"How is she?"
Remus told Dumbledore what Madam Pomfrey had told him the night before.
Dumbledore's eyes hardened at Remus's words, then softened again as he looked down at Hermione.
"Has she said anything?"
"Nothing significant. She asked where Severus was." Remus paused. "You don't think she's forgotten-"
"No, no," Albus said quickly, "it's probably just confusion. Disorientation."
Remus nodded. "Sir, I think Voldemort told her we were dead to try and break her, she seemed relieved to see that I was alive. And that's not even the worst of it. There are cuts all over her body, scars. She was naked when I found her, unconscious, nearly frozen to death. That and what Poppy found... they tortured her, Albus. And when they knew we were coming, they left her for dead." Remus looked over at Hermione. "Can we make her forget it all? She doesn't need to live with those memories."
"It's up to her, Remus," Dumbeldore said quietly.
"Do you think she wants to live with those memories?" Remus asked disbelievingly.
"No, I don't, but that's not up to either of us to tamper with her mind without her consent. If and when she wants the memories removed, we'll do it, but until then we'll let it alone. She's already been through enough."
Remus nodded, sighing.
A familiar flash of red hair caught his eye and he turned his head to see Ginny Weasley enter the ward.
She rushed towards them and Remus grabbed her.
"Ginny, relax."
"Is she alright?" Ginny asked, her features etched with concern as she gazed at Hermione.
"She'll be fine. She needs to sleep, but she'll be fine."
Ginny pulled herself from Remus's arms and walked over to Hermione, staring down at her friend.
"Will you let me know when she wakes up?"
"Of course."
Ginny nodded, lightly touching Hermione's hand.
"Go on up to your dorm," Remus said gently.
Ginny nodded again and started to leave, then turned back and hugged Remus. She pulled away after a moment and left the room.

Hermione slept all day and all night and still Remus stayed with her.
Sometime during the night Hermione began to squirm, moaning in her sleep.
Remus stood, bending over her.
"Shh," he murmured. "Hermione, you're okay. You're sake, no one can hurt you now. Shh."
Remus stroked her hair, her cheek, until she calmed down, then settled back in his chair.
He was awakened hours later by Hermione moving; he realized he'd fallen asleep with his head on Hermione's bed.
"Remus?"
He looked up at Hermione and smiled. "Morning."
Hermione grinned in a bemused sort of way. "Morning."
"How do you feel?"
"Better." Hermione started to push herself up into a sitting position and Remus helped her, placing pillows behind her back.
"I'm at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, looking around.
"Dumbledore figured it was safer. We'll move you to St. Mungo's soon."
Hermione nodded absently, a faraway look in her eyes.
"What is it?" Remus asked softly.
"I'm just... thinking." She seemed to be fighting back tears and Remus touched her hand.
"It's okay to cry, Hermione. I know you had to put on a tough face for them, but you don't need to do that anymore."
Hermione shook her head, staring straight ahead.
"I'm afraid that if I start crying, I won't be able to stop."
Taking her hand in his, Remus sat on Hermione's bed. Her eyes slowly shifted to his face and before she could stop it the dam broke and she began to sob, raw and unrestrained. Remus pulled her to him and she clung to him, six months of pain and loneliness wracking her body, coursing down her cheeks in hot streaks of tears.
Remus blinked rapidly, trying to hold his own tears back, but they came too, silent and unbidden, and he held Hermione in his arms, rocking her gently.

They moved her to St. Mungo's the following day, into her own room, and the visitors began to pour in.
By the end of the day, Hermione was exhausted and she groaned as she heard a knock on the door.
"Go away, please," she called. The door creaked open anyway and Hermione sighed, turning her head.
"What-" She broke off, surprised, and then sat up happily.
"Mum! Dad!" she exclaimed and they rushed towards her, engulfing her in hugs from both sides.
"Oh, I missed you so much," Hermione murmured.
"We missed you too, sweetheart," her mother said, leaning back to look at her daughter's face. Her hand gently caressed Hermione's cheek and she sighed.
"What they did to you," she murmured.
"Mum, I'm fine."
"You're not," Mr. Granger said gruffly. Hermione looked over at him.
"Daddy-"
"He said you'd be safe. That you were vital. If this is what he thinks you being vital is-"
"Daddy, please. It's not Professor Dumbledore's fault, it's not my fault, it's not anybody's fault. I was vital to Harry because of his love for me. Not just for me, for Ron, for Dumbledore, all of Harry's other friends." Hermione looked down at her hands. "Maybe this had to happen."
"I don't buy that."
"It doesn't matter. It's over now." Hermione reached for her father's hand. "I know you'll always be angry, but for now, please just be happy that I'm alive."
"I am, honey," he murmured, tears glistening in his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.
Hermione's parents stayed until a mediwitch made them leave, stating that Hermione still needed rest.
A little while later her dinner was brought in.
Hermione picked at it, looking up as the door opened.
Dumbledore walked in, smiling as he closed the door behind him.
"Ah, dinner," he murmured. "How is it?"
"They fed me while they had me. This isn't much better than that."
Dumbledore chuckled and Hermione grinned wryly.
"How are you?" he asked, sitting in the chair beside Hermione's bed.
"Better. Stronger."
"Good. That's very good."
Hermione smiled, starting on her dinner.
"I have something to ask you, Hermione."
"Sir?"
"We can make you forget all that happened to you," Dumbledore said softly. Hermione was already shaking her head.
"I don't want you to."
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore leaned forward. "We can do it with no ill effects."
"I know you can. But I've already been thinking about it. I don't want to forget what I did for Severus, what I went through."
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes, sir. I am."
"You're a very brave girl," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Or very foolish," Hermione murmured.
She and Dumbledore sat in silence for a moment, then Hermione drew in a breath.
"Sir, I want to see Severus."
"You're not well enough to leave yet."
"Then let me tell you where he is, you can bring him to me," Hermione said earnestly.
"Hermione, no."
"Why can't I tell you where he is?"
"Because it's still not entirely safe."
Hermione sighed.
"I promise, Hermione. You're healing quickly. Soon you can go to him."
Hermione shook her head, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. Dumbledore touched her shoulder.
"Soon."
That night Hermione dreamed she was back in her cell. It was a memory, one of her worst nights. She remembered the pain, the door slamming shut and then opening again just minutes later.
Hermione began to cry as the man approached her, pushing herself up and back.
"No," she murmured. "Please."
He continued towards her and Hermione struggled to her feet. The man rushed towards her and Hermione raised her arms to cover her face, screaming as he grabbed her.
She struggled against him, shrieking and clawing until she realized he was speaking to her.
She opened her eyes and found herself staring into Remus Lupin's concerned gaze.
"Remus," she gasped, breathing heavily. Remus moved his hand to her cheek, keeping his other hand on her arm.
"You were dreaming," he murmured.
"I'm okay."
"You're not," Remus argued, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and patting the sweat from Hermione's forehead.
"Why won't you let us get rid of those memories?"
"Because I won't be me without them. Knowing what I went through for Severus, for Harry even." Hermione pushed Remus's hand from her forehead. "Get me a pensieve if you like."
"Hermione-"
"Remus, we've talked about this. I'm tired of arguing with you."
Remus ran a hand through his now liberally grey hair and sighed.
"You're too young to look so old," Hermione said softly. Remus smiled humorlessly.
"I know you blame yourself for what happened to me," Hermione continued. Remus looked away.
"I wish you wouldn't."
Remus turned back to face her, looking surprised.
"Did you actually think I blamed you?"
"I don't see how you wouldn't."
Hermione reached forward, placing her hand on top of Remus's. He turned his hand over so they were palm-to-palm.
"I don't blame you, Remus. You tried to save me. It was partly my fault for not leaving when you told me to. But really, Remus, it's nobody's fault."
Hermione lay back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling.
"I did blame someone though. Just for a second, but I swear, it was the longest second of my life."
"Who was it?" Remus asked quietly.
Hermione swallowed hard and blinked rapidly a few times.
"Severus," she whispered. "For that one second, one second that felt like hours, I blamed Severus." Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and Remus could almost feel the guilt radiating from her. "I blamed him for trusting me, for loving me, for caring about me so much that he would trust me with his life, and I cursed him for being so... selfish. And then I realized that he wasn't being selfish. He trusted me with his life because he believed in and loved me enough to know that I wouldn't give him up. And that I was strong enough to keep his secret. And then I realized I loved him so much that I would've done it all anyway, regardless of whether or not he asked me to."
Hermione sniffed and looked at Remus. "So this probably would've happened anyway."
Remus stroked the back of Hermione's hand with his thumb and she smiled at him. He nodded, closing his eyes briefly.
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
"That's the last time you get to say that."
Remus laughed and Hermione grinned.
"You're okay now," Remus murmured.
Hermione nodded. "I am."
"Then I'll leave you to get back to sleep." Remus stood and kissed Hermione's forehead, then turned off the bedside lamp and left the room.

Harry and Ron came to see Hermione the next day and the three of them spent the day together. Despite the bandage over Ron's left eye and the sling holding Harry's left arm against his chest, injuries the boys told her would heal fine, they had an enjoyable time, playing chess and exploding snap.
Hermione could tell they were curious about what happened, but they knew better than to ask. She didn't know if she would ever tell them, but she knew they had an idea.
It wasn't until the next morning that Hermione finally looked at herself in the mirror.
A scar bisected her left eyebrow and another, smaller scar adorned her upper lip on the right side.
Raising her chin, she gasped at the red line encircling her neck. She had felt it, but looking at it now was so different.
She stepped back, pushing her robe from her shoulders and reaching behind her neck to untie her hospital gown. She pulled the gown down, gazing at her chest. More scars peppered her flesh, most of them small, from cuts that hadn't been properly healed or not healed at all.
Hermione ran her fingers over her skin, tears blurring her vision. She looked back up at her reflection and saw Mrs. Weasley standing in the doorway.
"You're still beautiful," the older woman murmured.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't feel like it."
"You will, dear." Mrs. Weasley stepped forward, pulling Hermione's gown back up and retying it.
"What if Severus doesn't think so?"
"He loves you. I don't think he'd care if you were shaved bald. He might tease you though."
Mrs. Weasley grinned and Hermione giggled, sniffling.
Later that day a team of mediwizards and witches checked Hermione over.
"She's healing very nicely," the lead mediwizard announced to Dumbledore and Hermione's parents.
"When can I leave?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Tomorrow morning," the mediwizard replied after a moment.
Hermione beamed.

Hermione's parents came to take her home the following morning, bringing with them some clean clothes.
Most of Hermione's friends had gone home days ago, but the Weasleys and Harry came to see her before she left.
"I'll see you all later," Hermione said, hugging them each. She was a little disappointed that Remus wasn't there, but she figured she'd see him soon.
She and her parents left, Hermione walked between them.
They had reached the waiting room when Remus appeared. He smiled when he saw Hermione, looking relieved.
"I was afraid I'd missed you."
Hermione hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you didn't."
Remus stroked Hermione's hair and kissed the top of her head.
Hermione finally pulled away from him, sniffing. Her parents were standing slightly to the side and Hermione cleared her throat.
"Mum, Dad, this is Remus Lupin. He's the one who saved me."
Mr. Granger stepped forward and grasped Remus's hand.
"Thank you."
Remus nodded, looking slightly embarrassed, and Mr. Granger released his hand.
"I'll see you later," Hermione murmured, kissing Remus's cheek before leaving with her parents.
The day was spent under her parents' constant surveillance, but Hermione didn't mind. She had missed them terribly.
But as she lay in bed that night, her heart ached for Severus and the next morning she hugged her parents and told them she'd see them soon, and Apparated to Georgia.
It was early afternoon there and a light cold rain was falling. Hermione pulled her cloak tight around her and started up the drive to the house.
Severus had cleaned it up and it now looked almost quaint. Hermione smiled slightly and stepped onto the porch. The front door was locked; Severus didn't seem to be home.
Hermione shivered and hoped Severus would be home soon; she wasn't much a fan of the cold anymore.
Soon after Hermione sat down, an old truck came rattling up the drive. Hermione smiled again to herself and her heart fluttered as Severus appeared. He looked the same as she remembered, although the perpetual scowl had disappeared.
Severus opened the screen door to the porch, his keys jangling as he searched for the right one.
Hermione stood and Severus jumped, dropping his keys. His face flashed anger until he looked at her.
"Oh my God," he murmured, staring at Hermione as though he wasn't sure it was really her.
"Hermione?"
She nodded, smiling slightly, then rushed to Severus, throwing her arms around him. He squeezed her tightly, lifting her from the floor.
Hermione buried her face in his neck, breathing him in, reveling in his warmth.
She realized she was crying as she raised her head and looked at Severus. He set her on the floor and lightly touched her cheek, wiping her tears.
"I've missed you so much," Severus murmured, pulling her to him again, holding her close. Hermione closed her eyes, resting her head on his chest.
"C'mon, let's go inside," Severus said a moment later. Hermione nodded and retrieved his keys from the floor.
Once inside, Severus checked the heater.
"I've learned to appreciate some Muggle amenities," Severus said in response to Hermione's grin as he adjusted the thermostat.
Hermione made her way into the livingroom as Severus disappeared into the kitchen to make tea. She gazed around the room, surprised at how much it resembled Severus's character.
She was surprised to see a picture of herself on one of the bookshelves and Severus saw her looking at it as he came in with the tea.
"It was here when I came in," he said softly. "Albus must've placed it there."
"It's not a magic photo though," Hermione said quietly. She looked up at Severus and he looked back at her, his expression troubled.
His fingers lightly brushed her neck and Hermione flinched. Severus withdrew his hand, looking pained.
"What did they do to you?" he asked softly.
Hermione turned and walked over to the couch, sitting with her knees pressed together and her hands clenched around her tea mug.
"They hurt me," she whispered. "A lot."
"Just to get to me," Severus said angrily. Hermione stood and set her tea on the coffee table, shaking her head.
"Don't do that. I refuse to let anyone take any blame for this." She moved forward, placing her hand on Severus's cheek. "Especially you."
Severus stepped around her, moving to the couch. She turned to face him and he gestured for her to come to him.
Smiling, she walked over and sat down beside him. He put his arm around her and she snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest.
"Tell me what you've been doing," Hermione murmured. Severus began to talk and Hermione closed her eyes. She wasn't really listening, not that she didn't care. All she wanted was to hear his voice. Before long she was asleep.
Her dreams weren't peaceful though. This time it was the memory of the day they hung her that plagued her sleep.
Lucius Malfoy and another man entered her room, startling her out of a doze. Lucius pulled her from the bed and turned her around, bringing her hands around and trying her wrists together behind her back.
He whirled her back around and dangled the end of a long thin rope in front of her face.
"Feel like talking?" Lucius murmured, his face very close to hers. Hermione shrank back, unable to move far as his hand was tightly clutching her left arm; she said nothing.
"Very well."
Lucius handed the end of the rope to the other man, who suddenly looked rather pleased, and led Hermione to the other end of the room.
He held another bit of the rope in his hands and slowly pulled on it until the other end was visible.
Hermione felt her stomach drop as a noose was revealed to her.
She tried to back away, but Lucius was too quick as he slipped the noose over her head. He shoved against the wall and the rope tensed. Hermione looked up and saw it had been magically attached to the ceiling in two places, where two hooks might be placed.
Lucius grabbed Hermione's chin, forcing her to look at him.
"Most hanging ropes are thick. Leave a pretty bad rope burn. But this one is thin. Thin enough to cut into skin when pulled tight enough. I can only imagine how much it would hurt to be suspended from such a rope."
"You should try it," Hermione whispered venemously. "Permanently."
Lucius waved his arm and the rope tightened suddenly around Hermione's neck, lifting her very slightly off the floor, though her feet still mostly touched.
She gagged, her hands twitching as reflex tried to use them to remove the rope.
A moment later and the tension was relieved. Hermione gasped, sucking in air through her now sore throat.
Lucius moved closer to her, his hand rising to brush her hair from her face in a gesture that would've been tender from anyone else.
"That was just a taste," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear. "Surely you don't want anymore. Just tell me where he is."
"Go to hell," Hermione replied. Lucius waved his arm again and the rope tightened once more, this time lifting Hermione completely from the floor. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears rising in her eyes from the pain in her neck.
Then the rope loosened again and Hermione collapsed to her knees, her trembling legs unable to support her.
"Next time will be longer," Lucius muttered, pulling her to her feet. Hermione remained silently. Another arm wave.
Hermione was lifted a full foot from the floor this time and she closed her eyes again. Her lungs burned and she felt a searing pain in her neck, followed by a trickle of warm liquid running down her chest.
And then the pressure was relieved and Hermione collapsed fully to the floor, coughing.
"We'll heal the wound and go again," she heard Lucius say.
"No," she whispered hoarsely, tears spilling down her cheeks. But Lucius was reaching for her and he grabbed her arms and-
Hermione awoke with a start, clasping her hands to her mouth to keep herself from screaming, squeezing her eyes shut again. She had almost regained her composure when a hand moved across her stomach, the arm pulling her close.
Hermione shrieked, jumping to her feet and whirling around. Severus stared at her from where he lay on the bed.
"How... why..." Hermione murmured, confused.
"You fell asleep," Severus explained quickly. "I thought you'd be more comfortable in here. I didn't want to leave you, so I laid with you. I must've fallen asleep too. The rain..." Severus trailed off, watching Hermione worridly. She had backed herself against the wall; her hands covered her mouth and even from where he was, Severus could see her shaking.
He got off the bed and carefully approached her.
"Hermione?"
She opened her eyes and the anguish and fear Severus saw pierced him straight through the heart.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered.
Hermione nodded. "I know, it's just... the memory of Lucius... and the rope... and you put your arm around me and I thought it was him and I just..." Hermione gave a strangled cry and covered her face with her hands.
"It's only me now, Hermione," Severus said softly, pulling her into his arms. "It's only me, now and forever. They can't hurt you anymore. No one can. I promise."
Hermione nodded against his chest, her hands clutching his shirt.
"We'll go home," Severus murmured, stroking Hermione's hair. "Back to London. We'll get you some help, or, at the very least, a pensieve."
Hermione nodded, sniffling. "You can talk to Dumbledore about your job."
Severus nodded as well. "Everything'll be fine soon."
Hermione sighed, holding Severus a little tighter.
"I love you," she whispered.
Severus kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too."
He looked up, gazing out the window at the rain falling. He lightly rubbed Hermione's back and nodded absently. Everything would be just fine. Chapter 14