Night had completely fallen, dinner had been had and the last reading lamp extinguished. A gentle calm had settled, soft sleeping breaths filled the otherwise silent room and the world laid seemingly at peace.

Severus was just falling into his own tumultuous nightmares when a soft breathy whine startled him awake. Partially confused, partly startled, he pushed himself from his pillow blinking out into the inky blackness of night. A soft spell lit his bedside lamp with a low light, chasing away the shadows leading towards the window.

His brow furrowed as his heavy mind tried to understand what he'd heard. Just as he was certain he'd imagined it the noise came again and he raised himself up further, sitting on his bed.

Granger was laying on her side, facing him. Her face flushed and her mouth open. Her breath passed her lips in soft yet heavy pants. Her legs were curled, halfway to her chest but he could guess what was going on between. She didn't seem conscious. Her body's response much more muted than when she was awake.

Severus' heart ached to do something—anything. Slowly, he pulled his head from the bed shuffling over until he sat down upon the bench. Her fingers were curled by her head, opening and closing with the unseen ryhthym. He reached forward wrapping her hand in his and held it tight.

Her hand curled around his own, not searching, not pulling or pushing. Merely holding on, as if he was the last life-line she had left. He lowered his head down, resting his forehead against the mattress as he brought her what little comfort he could. He had to do something, he had wasted too much time.

oOOo

"You promised me a willing whore, to slate my men's lust, now you stand before me with two of my men dead and nothing but a Stone dragon? Do you take me for a fool Wormtail?"

"Your men can find their release with this, I assure you. I will have her again."

oOOo

The next conscious feeling that would rouse Severus was of small fingers lightly tracing his eyebrow. His brain sparked to life with dizzying speed before his eyes fluttered open.

Dawn was just breaking, his back and neck stiff from the position he'd held himself, by some miracle, in all night. A deep groan mumbled past his lips and he shifted his head, the fingers slipping down the ridge of his nose as he pulled himself up.

He blinked dumbly for a few seconds before he registered a hand still laid in his. He shifted his head down, watching the hand that had explored his face retreat back under the blanket before slowly pulling out the blue firestone. He followed its path up to her lips before his brain supplied him with a reason for the action.

He gave her hand a small squeeze, trying to tell her he understood before he managed to pull the appendage back to his person. Thirsty, she was thirsty.

oOOo

Severus frowned deeply. He had removed her robe to assess how well her body had healed overnight. Her skin was improving exponentially with the salves but her frame was still weak. The meager meals she'd been able to eat, two small servings of mashed potatoes, was not going to suffice, she would need another nutrient drip. There was no question.

However, what worried him now was the blood that had dried along the backs of her thighs. The dragon's head had presumably made her raw. It was clear that the dragon's head had been active well after he had fallen back asleep. He cursed himself internally for having let himself find comfort in the dark void, having left her to suffer. His dreams did not wake him as he believed they would, in fact, he hadn't dreamed at all.

Severus turned her slowly, having given her another cloth to slate her thirst while he worked. The girl seemed to be floating somewhere between reality and whatever her mind had done to keep itself whole. He kept her knees together when he turned her before very gently guiding them down. They twitched and trembled beneath his fingers, the muscles exhausted.

She didn't part her legs for him this morning, in fact, he could feel her straining to keep them closed. Unfortunately, her body simply could not complete the action and his hands were able to gently part them to his will. As he did, a smell something he was very sure he recognized came forth just under the smell of blood and release. His brow ticked softly as he reached down gingerly parting her folds.

Hermione could hardly think through the poison induced haze that was running through her body. Her mind had been valiantly trying to place the man who had rested beside her all night. She had felt his hand in hers through it all. Was he a prisoner too? Was that why she had been denied her reward? Did he not have the power to give her what her body was so desperately craving?

His touch was far too gentle, his repeated withdrawal every time she'd seek something more only added to what he was doing now. Still, she couldn't be sure.

A sharp gasp skipped past her lips when his thumb brushed against her swollen womanhood. The venom inside, igniting the small bundle of nerves, winding her up for more. Despite her complete and total exhaustion, her body thrummed.

She turned her head weakly when the hands pulled back. She could feel him moving away again and couldn't stop the desperate sound winding up her throat. The man with the steel hand had not come. Was she being punished? Was the man who was with her keeping him away? Had something happened?

Her body jolted when she felt the tip of a wand between her legs. Her toes curled as she waited for the spell that would rip her world apart in white pain.

Severus narrowed his eyes as he called out the light green liquid from the blood that covered her folds. Separating it in the air to a separate vial for his inspection. As the poison was pulled away he could see her body slowly unwinding. Her head rocked weakly against the mattress before she'd gone completely still, her toes that had been tense slowly uncurling.

His eyes narrowed, holding the liquid up to the morning sun. He would have his answers. Today.

With a new resolve, Severus made quick work of cleaning every part of her that he could reach. He was quick but thorough. Replacing the sheets, her robe and refreshing the mattress beneath. He swaddled her skin in more healing balm before taking her frail wrist in hand. She had remained still and heavy through it all. Though occasionally she would let out a soft sigh. His hands having seemingly relaxed her.

He placed the potion IV in the back of her hand this time, wrapping the back so that she wouldn't accidentally—or on purpose— be able to remove it. He also refreshed the water he'd set beside her bed before making a lid that would allow her to drink but not drown herself.

Giving her back a sense of control would be his first step. He would still need to control her meals but for now, she should be given the security to know that one of her basic needs could be fulfilled.

By the time he was finished the small dose of dreamless sleep potion was in full effect. He turned his attention then to the wrap around her eyes. It was time to let the wound breathe. He just hoped his salve had been as beneficial as the others had been.

A cleansing breath pulled the soft cotton away and his heart pulsed in his chest. The red band that had masked her was no longer rivaling her house colors. It was still present but was now a light fleshy pink of healed skin. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to make the discoloration go away but it was a far cry from what it had been. His fingers lightly traced the patch of skin on her nose and found it exceptionally soft. New skin had replaced the burned flesh. It was a step in the right direction.

Trepidation filled his frame when he reached down, very lightly thumbing open her eyelid. It wasn't far, just enough for him to see what the color beneath had become. His heart dropped to his feet when blood red came into view. The white part of her eye was completely filled with blood just as dark—if not more so—than the house she hailed from. He would need to rethink his entire plan regarding her eyes.

Letting the lid close, he brushed back the hair that had fallen over her cheek from his handling. Her face was starting to improve as well. A minor friction abrasion the only thing left on her cheekbone. A touch more salve would be able to heal it by nightfall.

His medical duties complete—for now— he let her rest. Pulling a fresh blanket over her form, he turned away to begin his long list of tasks for the day.

oOOo

Severus set down the stirring rod, leaning over the softly simmering cauldron. He had managed to find a potion for her ears in one of his mother's old childhood maladies texts. They'd never had much money in his youth so going to the doctor was simply out of the question. He was amazed he still had it after all these years, yet there it had been on the bottom shelf pushed nearly to the back behind the other texts he'd double layered on the shelf.

He'd set the liquid he'd retrieved earlier that day into his special decanter. One designed to pull apart all ingredients of any liquid placed inside. A charmed parchment would record the results but as of yet, nothing had been excessively telling as to what it was.

He pulled the cauldron from the fire setting it down to cool naturally before the pocket chain started to glow. He moved around the table to see which of the stones had been activated. A small barely there smile ticked at his lip when he saw the blue firestone. Just the opportunity he needed.

He glanced at the clock, 9:45. She had slept nearly 5 hours, he had hoped the potion he'd given her would have let her sleep longer but he would imagine that the nutrients that were flowing into her system were counteracting its effects.

He turned off the flame before picking up the small bowl of oatmeal he'd made that morning. A light brown sugar and cinnamon mix. With final check over his workspace he turned and ascended the stairs.

Hermione had woken feeling odd. Like she'd been floating on a cloud. The sharp ache between her legs that had kept her up all night had gone. Her entire body feeling stronger than the day before. She'd instantly noted the fresh clothes and bed linens. She had been amazed by their appearance though everything about this new world made little sense.

She'd noted the tube running from her hand as well but had fearfully left it alone. The man that had become her companion had not been near when she'd woken but being alone was not something she feared. The only discomfort she had had was the light sticking of her tongue to her pallet. It had taken her nearly thirty minutes to remember what she'd learned yesterday, though once she had; she had immediately pulled the stone into her mouth.

Severus took a heavy seat, his daily routine had only loosened his back marginally and it was only through potions that he was moving at all. Still, he could not allow himself to fall victim to his fatigue. If the girl in his care was able to survive her hellish nightmare he should have been able to find the will to move after an uncomfortable sleep.

A small wave of his wand raised the bed but he'd forgotten to warn her before-hand causing her to jolt harshly. He sneered at himself before canceling the spell leaving the bed at an angle that would provide support but also allow rest. Another deep breath brought him closer. His knees resting just below the lip as he lowered the bed down to be adequate for his sitting height.

Hermione felt like her stomach was going to turn inside out from all the movement going on around her. She desperately clutched the sheets beneath the blanket to try and keep her world from feeling like she was tumbling through a void. Despite everything happening in one solid motion it still left her feeling as though she'd left half of her organs behind. It wasn't until a hand came to her trembling cheek did she think to reach out. Clinging tightly to the man's jacket as though he was gravity itself.

Severus started when her hands shot up, desperately clinging to him. He could feel her body shaking, vibrating like a kitten in a rainstorm. He didn't understand, she'd been just fine before, calm and relaxed. Despite his better judgment he let her take hold of him, bringing down his other hand to rest over her clawing fingers.

He patiently gave her the time she needed to calm down before slowly pulling his arm from her grip. He gave her a few more moments to orient herself before raising his hand up so that she could smell—or taste— that it was him. Her lips brushed lightly over his fingers but she didn't open her mouth, instead she turned her head to the side pressing the Firestone once again to her lips.

Severus took her hand then, gently guiding it out towards the table. He'd thought to place an anti-tipping charm over the glass so he wouldn't have to worry about her knocking it from the table.

Hermione pursed her lips when she felt the smooth cool texture of glass being wrapped into her palm. Her fingers flexed nervously before she wrapped her hand around it. Together with his help, they raised it from the surface and back towards her face. She jumped slightly when instead of a lip something else pressed against her. His pinky came and she opened her mouth cautiously taking an odd shaped piece into her mouth.

Severus helped her raise the cup and together she took her first small sip. He kept her hand in place letting her guide it herself the second time. The lid he'd fashioned resembled a muggle toddler's cup with the added magic that she'd be able to take a measured drink every time she tilted the cup.

Hermione felt his hand pulling back but kept hold of the cup, she paused only a moment before a gentle nudge at the bottom prompted her to drink again. She took the last sip completely on her own before going still once more. The hand returned, guiding her wrist to set the cup down.

Severus kept hold of her wrist waiting until she'd swallowed before pressing the stone to her lips with his other hand. He guided her hand to the cup, then back to the bed, repeating the action, praying that his message was understood.

Hermione took the chance at understanding and slowly settled back, she kept the cup under her chin cradling it like a child with a teddy bear. When the hands didn't make a move to remove it from her person, the tension in her shoulders released.

Severus' lip twitched and he reached out running the back of his fingers over her cheek, his singnal that she had done what he'd wanted. Her lashes fluttered briefly but her did not see her eyes move beneath her lids. An observation that only worried him more. Still, his priorities were set. He was going to find a way to remove the Dragon's head from her person. Today.

oOOo

Wormtail grinned darkly watching adjusting the Duel Dragon's head. This was more than he could have hope for. The small detection spell he'd cast over the dark manor told him that Snape had fled. No doubt to look for a way to cure her ailment. Though he was sure the man would not find his answers in any text.

A quick look through the dingy deserted street preceded his body lowering down. His rodent form scurrying across the dirty cobblestone through the broken cellar window that he'd often used when he'd been a house guest of the man in black.

His body twisted and turned taking the path that he knew would lead him to his goal. He was sure she was waiting for him. Pleading silently for his touch. No doubt her body was thrumming now, wantonly calling out to be touched.

He peeked cautiously from the kitchen, his rodent senses telling him that he was alone in the home. He turned his head towards the stairs that would surely lead him to her. His mouth was already watering with the promise of tasting her again.

oOo

Severus walked up the old broken steps towards a dark home. His eyes turned up to the Phoenix head that rested over the lantle before simply walking through the door as though it wasn't even there. He didn't very much like leaving his charge unprotected but there was simply no safe way to transport her the distance he had traveled. He would need to be quick.

"Albus!" His voice echoed through the dark abandoned home. His ears perked for the sound of his requested arrival.

Severus moved swiftly towards the study that he was sure would hold the answers he sought. His gaze turning to an empty frame that was sure to be filled.

oOo

Wormtail was almost vibrating with his lust. The mudblood was just before him, resting so beautifully in the daylight washing over her form. She looked like an angel, calling out to him. Begging, pleading for his touch. His mouth salivated and his slacks grew tight as he covered the distance between.

Hermione found herself being roused from her blissful haze. A sharp smell that she knew all too well filling the air. He had come. Finally, he had come. Her body's response was not her own. Her skin burned with the memory of what awaited her should she resist though she'd long passed the point. Cup still held tight to her chest, she turned her head, lifting her chin and opening her mouth.

Dirty fingers, tasting of sweat and earth ran up her tongue and her stomach lurched. Still, she didn't dare to push them away. Her other senses picked up the blanket being pulled away before cold steel slipped beneath the robe that had protected her all this time.

The fingers inside her mouth retreated then and her stomach roiled. The steel hand had made quick work on the tie holding her robe in place and had instantly sought her core. Her back arched when the Dragon's head began to move, its heads splitting to part her most intimate places. Her legs moved of their own accord opening herself up in offering.

"Oh, yes. You have been waiting for me." Wormtail smirked darkly, his eyes traveling down her repaired frame. Snape had done well, she was almost as he remembered her that first night. At least in his warped mind, "You want your reward, don't you my little minx?"

Wormtail grinned, pushing a hand into his slacks, a small caress to keep himself in control before he pulled out a small red vial. A highly illegal substance, yet surprisingly easy to brew given its effects.

Causing extreme euphoria, it clouded the mind filling it with a want for carnal pleasure. It was fatal in large doses though it was excessively addictive. Three days without the liquid would leave the afflicted completely at odds end to find a release that could not be found outside of the potions aid. Many a witch and wizard had gone mad without it. A brother to what coated the dragon's head when used in tandem could leave the afflicted on constant edge. Disrupting all other thought.

"You've been a good girl, waiting for me. I think you've earned a treat." The man moved back towards her head, taking no more than three drops of the thick liquid onto the tips of his fingers. It was less than the full dose but it was just a taste, a reminder of what awaited her should she do as she was told.

Hermione gasped, taking the fingers that had returned hungrily into her mouth. Her body arching as the potion flooded her remaining senses. All thought that she had ground to a halt, all the aches and pain that had filled her body washed away leaving behind nothing but bliss.

Wormtail slowly pulled his fingers free before moving towards the end of the bed. Her scent wafted up to him now, stronger than before, its creation aided by the potion. He took a tight hold of her legs and gave her a rough pull towards the end of the bed the pain that the action would have caused turned to euphoria on her brow.

Yes, she was ready.