The night had waned and silence had fallen over the castle. The night lamps long having been lit. Midnight was quickly approaching and though most of the inhabitants of the castle had taken refuge in their beds to rest, high up in the tower overlooking it all, another was just waking.

Severus felt as though he'd gained ten stone. His normal tense and spring-tight muscles feeling like nothing but mash. His brain had sparked to sudden life when he was able to register the feeling of small cool hands touching his skin. They were too small to have been Granger's and had thus kicked his brain into overdrive.

He couldn't feel her beside him and even though his brain was heavy he was very certain she had been in his arms when he'd passed out. It took him precious seconds to open his eyes only for his heart to skip at the sight of the empty bed beside him.

He was on his back now, the hands doing something with his shoulder. His eyes rolled under his partially closed lids as he tried to get his brain to stop spinning. It was an admirable effort but one that was ultimately useless. His voice rumbled in the back of his throat before two large soft eyes came into his field of vision.

"It is alright Headmaster, Misty means you no harm. Misty is healing your shoulder." The elderly elf gave the man a soft smile. Dressed in clean white hospital wing attire. She was stationed to help Madame Pomphrey with daily tasks though was more than trained enough to handle his injuries and had even seen to him in the past.

Severus let out a soft grunt, his recognition of the elf only sating his worry for the moment before his tongue finally lifted from his dry mouth to speak. His head turned away to try and see to the side, "The girl?"

"Safe, she is resting." The elf pointed just beyond the large bed where she'd summoned a smaller bed for the girl to rest on while she worked on healing the headmaster. It had bars along the sides like a child's bed to keep her from rolling off as the girl had been more than disoriented when she'd first woken.

Now, Hermione was resting peacefully. Dressed in borrowed pajamas from the hospital wing. She laid curled up in a small ball inside the bed, her rest aided by dreamless sleep that had been a rather difficult challenge for the elf to administer. She had cleaned and washed her bruised frame after she had been put out before starting her work on Severus.

Severus let out a slow groan of pain rolling his head back towards the ceiling. The elf returned to her task in silence, his body more than grateful for her skilled hands. He had suspicions as to whom had summoned her but at present didn't have the capacity to feel grateful. Instead, he closed his eyes again; allowing the elf to work without his constant grumblings; drifting away once more.

oOo

When his body would feel like his own again the peek of the night had fallen, giving way to early morning. He could smell the sterile bandages that wrapped his shoulder in place before he'd even opened his eyes. His body felt strong and his mind clear as he roused himself from the deep clutches of unconsciousness.

A deep breath raised his head from the pillow beneath and he managed to push himself upright with his good arm. The wrap itself came around his bare chest and under his armpit. He could feel the various charms doing their best to keep the injured muscle still so that it would heal. An experimental flex of his hand brought only a dull pulse before his eyes finally opened to bring the dimly lit room into focus.

Immediately, his head turned seeking the girl he had rescued once again. She remained as she had been, swaddled up in a blanket no doubt taken from the hospital wing with clothes to match. Her head was hidden down into the blankets but he could just make out the shallow rise and fall of her side. The harsh breaths that had carried him into darkness had gone, leaving nothing but a soft sighing hum in their wake.

His body came up further and he turned so that his feet landed over the side of the bed in the small space between. The bars that held her inside were low enough for him to easily reach inside but still provided the safety of keeping her from rolling off.

Pushing all thoughts aside, he reached down, brushing the backs of his fingers along her exposed cheek. He couldn't even imagine what she had endured in the short time Marxan had taken her. What he had seen was enough to fuel his nightmares for at least another six months. Was what he was doing even right? Why—after all this—did he still trust Albus' words?

His mind slowed to a stop when her head turned. Her eyelids twitched and her nose scrunched to the unfamiliar smell of the sterile sheets. Before she became riled up, he leaned down further making sure his fingers brushed over her lips. It took only seconds for her to recognize his smell beneath everything else.

Hermione's heart fluttered to the feeling of his hand lightly stroking her cheek. The Medicine Man was there—still there. She had been awake for some time but had been held stock still in fear. The smell of everything around her had been overpowering and she'd not known at all what to do. Now, she could feel the fear trickling away; bringing a very hesitant smile to the corner of her lips.

Severus knew what he was about to do was wrong but having her out of his sight was no longer an option. He had thought his wards on the suitcase had been secure but hadn't counted on house-elf magic. It was something he would rectify at dawn but at present believed a simpler solution would suffice.

"Do you want to come into bed with me?" He had to give her the choice, it was the proper thing to do.

Hermione would have lept from the bed had she been able to. Instead, she nodded her head and pushed away the odd smelling blanket to raise her hands up. When his hand took one of her arms the other bumped into his face before falling onto his injured shoulder. She felt him jump from the contact and hastily tried to find somewhere else for her hand to be. Settling on the back of his neck, she managed to use the bars of her bed and his good shoulder to pull herself up into his lap.

It was a rather interesting sight but when Hermione felt the heat of his bare skin through the clothes she was wearing she couldn't help but sigh with contentment. She shifted in his lap, pressing herself as close as she could before nestling her face into his neck on his good side. Her hands lowered down, running under the wrap that went across before settling in the dip of his spine. Despite her previous ordeal, she found comfort being so close as though trying to absorb his very essence.

Severus hadn't expected such an expedient reaction to his question. He'd been left to merely guide her as best he could over the gap, unknowing of just where exactly she would settle herself. She was much more nimble than he believed her to be capable of and had fully expected her to be in pain. He had to silently thank Misty for taking care of her needs when he'd been unable to.

When she settled down he did as well, the feather-light touch on his back making his face twitch, "Are you in pain?" His words were soft against her good ear.

Hermione shook her head, she wasn't in any discomfort anymore. Just feeling his skin against her cheek pushed out all other thoughts. Her senses solely wrapped up in feeling him in every way she could. Her fingers lightly moved against his lower back, tracing ridged lines.

Severus brought his hand up to cradle the back of her head, letting his fingers slip into her repaired locks. His injured arm rested beside her knee, his thumb idly moving against the bone. He could feel her smelling him, her head moving beneath his ear into his hair. It was an odd sensation but he didn't stop her. The tension that had been radiating off of her was gone, allowing him to regain his own senses.

Hermione let out a soft noise when the hand that had held her head gently guided her from his shoulder. She could feel his warm breath against her lips and she couldn't stop herself from licking them. Her chin tilted back to his guidance swallowing against the wrap that had been placed around her neck.

Severus dipped his fingers into the gauze that had been put in place to protect the bruise salve from getting all over the bed, "How's your breathing?"

Hermione inhaled rather deeply, showing him that her throat was well enough. It was still swollen, making it feel as though she were breathing through a straw but it wasn't impossible. A small cough tickled the back of her throat and she turned her head to the side to avoid coughing into his face.

Severus pursed his lips but released the bandage when she turned her head to cough. It didn't sound deep and for that he was grateful. He used his fingers to try and see down the neck of her shirt but she was much to close to see anything. When she rested her head back down onto his shoulder he let out a soft sigh.

"Are you hungry?"

"Mmm..."

Severus turned his head; he was quite sure that removing her from his person was not an option and wondered if his requested meal was still waiting in the office. He tried to shift himself to see the door making the girl in his lap let out a soft whimper. He paused in his movement, his legs having forced her to open her own. It was then his brain reminded him that he'd recovered the second half of the Dual Dragon.

He waffled on the proper course; seeing to her dietary needs or her physical ones. He had already accidentally lied to her once and feared her trust in him was fragile. Deciding that it would be better to feed her, he shifted just a bit farther.

Hermione adjusted herself as he moved. Her lower half had been numbed by the potion the elf had forced her to take so she didn't feel strong discomfort. She did idly wonder if he would leave her again. The fear of what would await her should he leave her caused her arms to take him tighter.

"I'm right here..." Severus grunted from her tightened grip, his shoulder pulsing from the pressure, "It's going to be alright..."

It was the first time he'd spoken words of possible hope; he had no idea if they would even affect her but it had felt natural to say. He had no possible way of knowing if she'd even see the light of dawn; let alone if her life would ever be 'alright' ever again. The words felt empty and the more he thought about what he'd said the more he regretted saying anything at all.

Hermione didn't feel anything from his words, just enjoying the sound of his voice. She settled herself back down, adjusting herself back against his chest. The sterile smell of cotton was lingering under his natural scent and it was making her agitated as though her world was tainted.

Severus grunted softly when her face pressed fully into his neck, her nose and lips pressed into his throat making it odd to swallow. His hand came back up to her hair gently massaging the back to try and encourage her to shift further onto his shoulder. Her present position didn't hurt but it did feel rather odd.

"I'm not leaving, but I need to turn. Can you sit beside me so that I can retrieve your dinner?" He was sure he could have easily carried her had he been at his full strength. Unfortunately, his shoulder would need a full day to heal, her desire to be attached to his person was worrying but he was unsure what could be done about it.

Hermione pursed her lips; she didn't want to move but she also didn't want to lose the chance to be so close to him. He had invited her to be beside him and it was with great will that she forced herself to move off of his lap.

His arm came out, safely guiding her over the soft mattress and into his side. She nestled her head over his chest listening to the steady beat of his heart. His arm was a welcome weight around her shoulders, stilling the fear that was bubbling inside her.

"Allerio." Severus turned further, keeping his arm tight around her shoulders. The door leading to the office came open and his eyes instantly landed on the desk. A soft sigh of relief left his nose when he saw the covered tray of food. Another spell called the entire lot into his rooms settling it down onto the end of the bed.

Another flick closed and warded his rooms. Setting his wand aside he pulled the cover from the tray filling the room with the smell of Sunday roast. His own mouth watered to the smell and his stomach growled loud enough to be heard. The bowl of mashed potatoes sat to the side but he wanted to offer her everything. She deserved it, and so much more.

He took a small bite of roast onto the fork before shifting to bring her more upright, "Chew slowly." Wary of her damaged throat he gently pushed the bite into her waiting mouth before taking a bite for himself. His attention remained fixed on her, ready to intervene if it was too much.

The flavor of the gently roasted beef exploded on her tongue. It was more delicious than she could even comprehend. Her stomach growled with appreciation as she chewed, wanting to savor it for as long as possible. When the heat of the next bite came under her nose she swallowed and opened her mouth again. A bit of vegetable this time, the carrot melted against her tongue and she turned her head up licking the corner of her lips in gratitude.

Severus used his thumb to wipe a stray bit of gravy from her chin before giving her the next bite. On and on they went. Taking turns until the entire meal was finished, even the small side of mashed potatoes. As he set the fork down he took notice of her weight steadily increasing against him. He shifted slightly, gently pressing his hand against her firm stomach before pulling her down against the mattress. Her face twitched as she fought the call to sleep. Her hand weakly clinging to his arm before he guided it up beside her head.

"I'm here..." Severus pulled the mussed blankets from under her frame, her body rolling trying to get closer. As he shifted further onto the bed she followed until her head was pressed into his waist. A pillow behind his back kept him upright and a secure arm over his waist kept him in place. His own eyes grew heavy and before he was even aware the world had gone out.

oOOo

Morning light was an unwelcome visitor to the slumbering pair. Severus had adjusted in his sleep coming down further onto the bed, leaving only his shoulder and head propped against the pillows. Hermione too had shifted, her head coming up from his waist to rest over the bandage over chest. Her arm had remained around the broad expanse to tuck into the space between his arm and side. His hands had come down to hold her head and arm respectively. Keeping her secured in her position.

As the rays grew larger the Severus turned his head trying to escape the brightness. His body ached in too many places to count the salve that had numbed the pain, having lost its effect. Begrudgingly, his eyes opened to the light of a new day and his brain tried to process the extra weight over his person. Mother nature was calling to him and he was certain that the girl in his arms would wake as soon as he made to leave to answer the call.

Praying that the girl would remain asleep despite believing otherwise, he started to pull himself from beneath her warmth. Her face pinched from the movement and he could tell she was starting to wake. Unwilling to have an audience, he pulled down one of the pillows to take his place before slipping off the far side of the bed.

Without looking back to see if his plan had worked, he rushed towards the bathroom. At the very least he would be back quickly to console her fragile mind.

Hermione woke just as the door closed softly. Her mind grinding slowly as her senses started to come alive. The natural sounds that came with the castle filled the white noise that had so often filled her mind. The smell beneath her nose told her that she had remained in his bed but the cool fabric of the pillow beneath her outstretched arm told her that the Medicine Man had gone.

Her throat pulsed with constricting fear as she turned her head towards the warmth that came from overhead. Her body ached in ways she hadn't even known possible, even the hair on her skin felt as though it had been damaged. As she forced herself onto her back a twinge in her stomach made her pause.

It took her brain a moment to understand what it meant before a wet warmth started to grow between her legs. Her body's natural ability that had been dampered by her severe malnutrition now coming back into function. Tears of shame rolled down her face as the bed beneath her grew warm.

Severus had moved as quickly as possible, coming back into the room to the sound of weak choked sobs. His eyes moved towards the bed and his feet moved quickly. His mouth opened to reassure her before taking in the dark spot slowly forming over the blanket. The smell hit him next, not over-powering but definitely recognizable. His lips pursed as another choked sob filled his ears.

"It's alright...Miss Granger? Miss Granger, it's alright... calm down..." His wand banished away the soiled sheets with barely a thought exposing her to the light of day. Her body recoiled as the warmth was pulled away, curling onto her side to hide her face into her knees.

Another silent spell removed the liquid from her pants. Coming closer, he sat onto the edge of the bed reaching over to place a hand upon her quaking shoulder, "Let's take a bath... you'll feel better after you take a bath..."

Hermione couldn't control the noise of heartbreak that passed her lips. She felt disgusting like an animal. The words that he had spoken to her ringing in her mind, forcing her to believe every epithet that he'd thrown her way. Her eyes closed tighter when a hand entered her hair, something that normally brought her comfort only making her heart twist painfully. She didn't want to be there anymore, she didn't want to breathe anymore, she didn't want to hurt anymore.

Severus could feel the pure emotional outpouring echoing out from her cries. Soft, muted, yet so desperate for an answer. He had wondered when she would finally break. When her mind would be too broken to find something to cling to. It was at that moment that his own life, his own pain was reflected back at him.

Hermione barely reacted to the hands that came beneath her; her body shaking and gasping for air through her sobs. The hands that guided her up made her world turn on its end but she found no strength to cling to him. Her body was heavy as he pressed her to him. Her head fell against his chest; the beating of his heart like a bass drum pulsing through her shattered mind.