Hermione was lost in a haze she never wanted to come out of. Even as she felt herself being gently guided back down and large warm palms coming up to cup her jaw, she immediately felt the loss. What was she doing? How could she have allowed herself to be so easily disarmed? Why did it feel so right? Why did everything in her heart feel like it had just fallen into place? Air, she needed air.

Severus held her face in his hands. His own mind reeling from what he'd done. When her eyes rose to meet his, he felt trapped inside. He didn't know what was right, what was wrong anymore. Her world had been so twisted so warped as to believe that he was something more than he was. He was just a man. A cruel, heartless, self-serving, revengeful man.

"What have I done to you?" His words were nothing but a whispered exhale. His eyes so dark that he could only see the pain he'd left inside her. His thumb lightly brushed away a single tear that had made its way through. How could he make it right?

Hermione closed her eyes when she his thumb moved against her cheek. So many nights dreaming of his touch. His smell, his strength. She didn't want to think about anything else in that moment. She couldn't think about anything else. Even when his hands lowered down to take her arms she found her own coming up to curl into his shirt. A small fear sparking inside her.

"Please don't leave me..."

Despite everything inside him that told him it was wrong. That he was no better than the boy he'd cursed to protect her. He found his arms coming around to hold her tight to his chest. She smelled like a lost childhood memory. His control teetered on the edge. He lost the battle as he pressed his cheek against the top of her head. His eyes closing tight. He had expected many things but this...hadn't been it, "I won't..."

Hermione pressed her nose tightly to his chest, her hand curling tight into the fabric over his heart. This had to be a dream, there was no other explanation. The man she knew wouldn't have held her this way in reality. Though she had desperately wished him to do so. It was all too much, too confusing.

Severus' eyes snapped open as her body suddenly grew heavier. His hands that had been as light as a babies breath shifting to hold her like a man. His own breath panted past his lips as he shifted her frame. Her head remained hidden in his shirt and her hands stuttered to keep their hold. It was too much for her to handle. Too much for her weakened soul.

His brow furrowed as he brought her up into his arms, like so many times before. He turned slowly turning his eyes towards the house; her head pressed even tighter to his chest and the choice was made for him. He carried her towards the door without another word. His eyes narrowed with a mission that he had yet to complete. He had to make her whole again. He had to restore what had been stolen. What he had stolen.

Galia watched the door come open with a smile hidden behind her teacup. The woman in his arms hidden away protectively in his chest. She said nothing to his accusing glare as she took another small sip of her tea. She'd already transfigured her chair into a lounge and had retrieved the memories he had hidden away in his room. She knew it was going to be some time before either of them truly saw what the other could give but she hoped she might be able to speed the process along. Just a little.

Severus leaned down on one knee resting her against the lounge. As he pulled her hands from his shirt he watched her eyes come open one more time. The confusion, the fear, the hope, shining inside the deep golden hues. Just as he found the courage to speak the sound of heels on wood joined them.

"Severus."

Hermione's eyes turned from the man knelt beside her to a woman who looked undeniably beautiful. Her eyes alone more captivating than the setting sun. Her dress was modest but fell perfectly around her accenting her womanly figure. Her raven hair fell down over her shoulders smooth and shimmering. Her heart twisted inside her chest, had he found another? Had he too, moved on?

Severus instantly felt the turmoil rising inside of the young woman whose hand he still held in his own. He knew he had to explain Galia's presence, but he suddenly found no strength to lift his tongue. The hand on his back stilled had his tongue and he found himself frozen in place.

Galia smiled softly at Hermione, meeting her eyes, "Do not worry. All will be revealed." Galia lifted the cup she had in her hand and leaned around Severus to press the rim gently to Hermione's lips. The younger woman fell under her spell in an instant and took a small drink of the potion laced tea. Galia smiled more when Hermione's eyes went unfocused and she removed her hand from Severus' back so that he could catch her before she fell. She hummed softly as Severus did what she had expected him to do. What she knew he would do. As he came back to his feet, she leveled her eyes on his before raising her brow.

"Time is short." It was a lie, boldface but spoken as truth. Galia hid her tell behind the cup she'd just given Hermione to drink from and took a small sip for herself. "Draught of Peace should get you started." She turned away then, leaving the seething, confused man to handle his penance. She knew that the both of them had a lot to catch up on and knew they needed to be alone. Perhaps a walk would do her good.

Severus could barely contain the anger that flowed through him as Galia turned away. As much as she frustrated him, he knew she was right. He would deal with her later, for now, there was something much more important to tend to. His eyes turned down to the vials she had left behind, he had to do it. He had to return the pain they held inside. This time, he'd do it properly.

"Ipsum verum est." His wand took grand arch, calling out the memories within the vials. They burst forth in a brilliant light filling the room in a coleidascope of color. The room around him faded as more memories joined those that had been lost. The mind was not linear but relied heavily on the connection between events to keep itself whole. Lines and lines, circles upon circles formed around him, broken—in pieces. Everything he'd done to protect her from truth shimmering before him. Her entire life, from the first moment she opened her eyes, to now. Playing before him. Her entire world, every happy day. Every sad day.

Severus closed his eyes pulling in his strength. Pulling the memories out was one thing, putting them back was another. Voices rose and fell around him, distorted and mixed together. So many memories, playing all at once. Year by year, he pulled them free; watching days in what took only minutes. Years that took hours. A spiderweb of thought formed around him, a gilded cage of life.

When he saw his face through her eyes, it was most amazing sight he could ever behold. How she looked at him, what she thought of him. All those years he spent before her, changing, warping, into something new. Even he, in all his brilliance couldn't understand. The nights she sought had his comfort, the day she had saved his life. Everything open and raw. It was more powerful than words could ever express. How could one person have been so kind, to see what so was deeply hidden inside him?

He didn't understand, but it wasn't his place to. His eyes turned up to the large web as he called the memories he had taken into their rightful place. The dark lines that held their place shined brighter than the sun as he put them back where they belonged. He could feel the change they brought with. The pain, the torture, the fear. It threatened the very breath in his lungs.

His power was waning. The day had gone. Severus could feel his concentration wavering. It was time, time to put back everything that made Hermione Granger. He turned slowly, pulling the bottom of the web free, his eyes turned down to her open eyes, blank and listlessly staring. He literally had everything in his hands. His breath came out slower, shallower as he came to her side once more. His free hand took her face into its palm and his wand came down to press into her temple.

As the light of her life flowed through her eyes he watched the bravest woman he had come to know come back together. Like a puzzle whose piece had been found, so complete, so perfect.

"Severus..." Her words ghosted along his chin, a small wisp of magic coloring her breath. Then just as the brilliant light gave way to the darkness of night, he watched with a heavy heart as her eyes closed. He had done it but at what cost?

His own body failed him next. His hold on the lounge weakening as he collapsed sideways. His own vision swam as he too lost sight of the world. The magic in his core grown dim from the power he had commanded. He never felt the floor.

Galia lifted the two of them gingerly into the air. Her eyes calm and focused. It was finally done. A soft smile formed over her face as she spared her hand to extend the lounge. She turned them both so they would lay on their backs, side by side; like it was meant to be.

The day was gone but a new one was near. The day they could finally live in peace.

oOOo

Harry groaned deeply turning his head away from the light that came through the living room window. His dreams filled with fearful conjurings. One friend in the hospital, the other missing. He had stayed on the first floor in the hopes that he would hear Hermione coming through the door. Or Fred and George's call from the floo. They had stayed at Hermione and Ron's apartment looking for clues but thus far hadn't contacted him.

A small tapping at the kitchen window roused his sleep muddled brain and he found some strength to push himself up. He stumbled into the kitchen with eyes that simply couldn't focus. Groaning deeply, he rubbed his eyes under his glasses as he made his way over to the window.

He blinked dumbly at the large owl chittering oddly at him before his eyes finally focused enough to see the missive on his outstretched leg. He took the small scroll with care and offered out a treat. The large owl took it and without waiting for a reply, turned and spread its wings. The large burst of air quickly cleared Harry's sinus' and he turned his eyes down to the letter.

Instantly recognizing his name and just who exactly had written it he pulled off the string and enlarged it. His eyes scanned through paragraphs of apologies before finally coming to the end, his eyes growing wide. He had to tell the others. He had to let them know. He needed help. But who? Who could possibly help him?

Harry ran his hand through his messy hair with a look of determination. The words of a wise if misguided wizard floating through his mind. He pushed the letter into his pocket with resolve. His shoulders squared and his jaw tense. He marched himself straight into the living room and without doubt, grabbed a handful of floo powder. His voice reverberated with a strength he didn't even know he was aware of.

"Hogwarts Head Office."

oOo

"Mr. Potter, I must say this is a surprise. How did Hermione's Birthday Party go?"

"You didn't hear?" Harry's sudden spout of confidence faltered slightly as he came through the hearth. He was just thankful that the connection between the Grimmauld place and Hogwarts had miraculously remained in tact.

"Hear what? I was out myself that evening. Taking care of some school business." Minerva set down her quill, slowly lowering her glasses to look at the young man properly.

"Hermione's gone." Harry pulled the letter out of his pocket coming up to the desk, "Ron is in the hospital. Attacked. Though I'm pretty sure he deserved it."

Minerva pursed her lips looking down at the letter, "Obviously you have come into more information otherwise you wouldn't be here."

Harry let out a slow breath and nodded his head. "She's written where's she gone, but she sounds frightened. I've also never heard of this place, I was hoping you did?"

Minerva took the letter carefully, the boy was on edge that much was clear. She pushed her glasses back onto her nose and opened the letter, her eyes widening just as Harry's had when she got to the end.

"Are you sure this is from her?"

"Without a doubt..." Harry frowned deeply knowing that Minerva felt just as he did when he'd read what had been written. The pain betrayal clear on his face. "It came this morning. She's been gone at the very least 36 hours, the date says she sent this yesterday. She left before her party. Meaning she's been alone at the very least one night possibly two. The fact that she hasn't returned..."

"I understand, Mr. Potter." Minerva set the letter gently on her desk turning her eyes up to those who had come before her. "I do know of this place. Though I myself am not entirely sure where this...village is located... However, I'm certain there is someone here who does."

"Anything...I can't leave her out there... she's... she's not herself."

"That much is clear..." Minerva came around the edge of her desk offering out the letter. "I shall assist you in any way I can."

oOo

"Be still, your magical core is weakened." Galia pushed gently on Severus' chest keeping him pressed back into the lounge.

"Granger...?"

"She is right beside you." Galia turned her eyes so that the man would follow.

Severus turned his head slowly, catching sight of the woman resting peacefully beside him. Her eyes were moving beneath her closed lids flickering back and forth as though in a dream; though her brow showed no sign of distress. His hand shifted and he felt her small fingers beneath his own. He went still then and raised his eyes to the late morning sun shining through the window.

"How long?"

"You've both slept through the night."

Severus pursed his lips. His body felt nearly useless; heavy and numb in odd places, his magical core nothing but a flickering flame at the end of a candle's life. He needed something, a potion, anything. He had to-

"Severus, the war is over. Take the time to rest. Let your body do what it's meant to do, all on its own. You're safe here, she's safe here. I promise you, I won't let anything happen to either of you. Now please cousin, rest." Galia moved her hand from his chest to his forehead forcing him to close his eyes.

oOOo

"I've found it, or rather Albus knew exactly who to ask."

"That's great. When can we leave?"

"We shall leave tomorrow morning."

"Why wait so long?" It was only early evening surely she wasn't afraid of the dark.

"Aside from you needing to get your affairs in order at the ministry, this place cannot be entered at night. It would be pointless to try." Minerva moved slowly around the edge of the table where Harry hung his head. "Who knows, maybe by then she will have come back on her own..."

"Yeah... Maybe..." Harry lifted his head trying to find comfort in her soft smile but all he could think about was how long this night would be. How alone he'd have to spend it.

Minerva watched the young man fold in on himself. She had seen that look before, many times in fact. She knew the rules but she also knew that sometimes it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. She hummed to herself softly as she turned to make her way out. Their conversation clearly over.

oOo

"You are more beautiful in person. It's no wonder you have captured my cousin's heart." Galia's words were soft, like a child's lullaby, gentle and soothing. "Such a mind you have, no puzzle would ever stand a chance against it. Your will to fight, unparalleled. Even in all this darkness, you have found your way here, into the light where you belong." She gently ran the backs of her fingers over the girl's resting cheek eliciting just the faintest of sighs, "He is here, waiting for you." Her eyes turned to Severus' for a brief moment before she bent further to return to her task.

oOo

Severus woke once more, though this time, it was to a darkened room. He felt marginally better than he had the first time. His head wasn't threatening to split open and his body no longer felt as though he were laying beneath a boulder. The next thing he registered was a warmth filling his hand. He eyes and head turned down to the modest space between them and he found her hand gently wrapped around his own. His hand flexed and he found her shifting in response.

He turned his head to see her face but found it just as it had been before. Eyes moving, brow relaxed. His heart filled with worry that perhaps he had possibly done something wrong when a sound behind him caught his attention.

"Let her be, she will wake when it's time." Galia set down a tray laden with food.

Severus turned his head away and suppressed the growl coming up the back of his throat. He pulled his hands up to aid him with sitting up, desperately trying to ignore the feeling of loss when Granger's hand left his own.

"Granger?"

"She is fine. Now eat." Galia came over, wrapping her hands around his arm, much to his displeasure and helped to draw him back to his feet. "You've done well Severus. Just relax, and her name is Hermione."

Severus pursed his lips tightly, giving her a glare that would have sent any student inside Hogwarts running for their mother. As it was, she just gave him that all-knowing smile and released him down into his chair.

"You've been taking Draught of Peace...I can feel it."

"Mmm, ever since she came actually. I find it more fun when I can't feel your insufferable self-loathing cluttering my thoughts."

Severus snarled slightly but found himself without retort. Instead, he sighed heavily through his nose as Galia sat down in the space he'd left behind. Her head turned to the girl still resting. He had to concede, it didn't look as though Grang-Hermione had moved at all since the last time he had opened his eyes. It wouldn't do to starve while her brain rebooted itself.

Galia paid little attention to the eyes that watched her like a hawk. Her fingers lightly tracing down Hermione's arm, a caring touch, a mothering touch. Her hand raised up lightly carding through her hair moving it further from her face. She could feel the rising ambivalence from the man in the chair and gently pulled her hand back.

"She isn't broken, Severus." Her hand came down to rest at her own hip, "She never was." Her eyes turned to his then, a piercing look, a powerful look. "Neither are you." Galia pushed herself up, a smile hidden in the dim light, "Loving another will not tarnish her memory, Severus. It will not make your journey mean any less. You're a great man and she never wanted you to suffer this way." Galia paused looking down at Hermione, "But it was how it needed to be." Galia glanced back down at Severus before turning out of the room. It was late and she was tired.

Severus seethed silently, too many emotions for his fatigued mind to even begin to process welling up inside at her words.