A soft pop sounded throughout the modest bedroom, though it didn't disturb either occupant of the room. The house elf trembled slightly as she looked upon the two, still asleep curled around each other so tightly.

Hermione had pulled his arm up, her head resting in his palm as she wrapped her arms around his forearm. Her lips lightly pressed into the heel her nose pressed tightly to the ridge. She had uncurled from her ball and his calf was now resting slightly over her ankle. Severus' face was pressed gently into the crown of her head his lips resting on her hair. Though they were still separated by the blanket there wasn't any other space between them.

The elf made a soft whining noise ringing their ears before popping out.

"Are they ready Tinie?" Her voice was kind but she could tell the elf was a bit distressed. "Tinie?"

"They are sleepings Miss..." she made a face as if she'd walked in on something.

"Still?" Minerva's brows rose and she turned grabbing her cloak. "Thank you Tinie, I'll see to it."

She shivered slightly when she landed. It was dreadfully cold. The grey sky overhead threatened rain as she moved inside. Her eyes took in the kitchen that had been untouched and pursed her lips. She rounded the sitting room next, her eyes narrowed as she looked for anything. Her eyes instantly noticed the dislodged side table, a fair amount of blood having dried down its corner. She swallowed thickly, turning toward the staircase. She noticed tiny little droplets every few paces making the worry in her heart grow.

The upstairs was frightfully cold. Her eyes instantly snapped to Hermione's open door. She could see from the hallway that the bed was empty. Her heart rose to her throat as she faced the partially closed door of Severus' room. She could feel a cold draft wafting through the frame as she carefully pushed the door open. Her eyes instantly turned to the broken window and with a stern flick set it to rights, the frigid wind shuddering against the repaired frame.

Her heart gave a heavy thump when  her focus fell on on the bed. It certainly wasn't the first time she had seen them sharing a bed but the idea that they were in his bed stirred something inside her. She didn't know whether to smile, cry or yell at the sight. She took note of the dried blood along Severus' temple and the blood soaked handkerchief on the side table.

Clearly, the blood on it wasn't his or it wouldn't have been dried against his forehead. She stood for a long moment wanting to carefully take in the image. Finally, she huffed, deciding that it was none of her business even though her inner voice chided that it certainly was. She turned to retreat to the kitchen. Coffee had worked once before, she was sure it would now. She glanced down at her watch, half past 11. At least she was early.

The warm smell of coffee wafted up accompanied by a warm fire's heat. Both parties stirred almost simultaneously. Hermione was the first to move, her head slowly turning away from his palm, her nose brushing his as she shifted. Her brows furrowing just a bit from the sensation.

Severus moved next, the muscles in his face jumping from the contact. He heavily lifted his head, blinking his eyes open. Close. Way too close. He took in a sharp breath lifting his head quickly, the arm that had been held in her grasp wiggling free to rub his tired dark rimmed eyes.

Hermione ignored almost all his protests as she rolled to her back stretching out her lithe frame. She mumbled something under her breath about coffee before letting out the deep breath from her stretch. Her brain was just taking into account that she wasn't alone in the bed. In fact, the weight that dipped and shifted beside her was rather close and very warm. She let out a soft sigh bringing her arms down to rest against her stomach. She had an idea of who her bed companion was and an odd tingling feeling fluttered over her stomach.

"Professor?" Her voice was thick and heavy and she winced at the very sound of it.

Severus rolled onto his back still rubbing at his face when her voice assaulted his senses.

"Mmm?" He grumbled having not come completely to rights.

"Coffee..." It was a gentle demand, for which he couldn't dispute.

"Mmhmm..." Severus carefully sat himself up, running his hands through his hair. His eyes flicked to the mended window and knew instantly who was to blame for the addicting black elixir.

He slowly took stock of himself as he looked into the brave new day. He felt—dirty. His clothes wrinkled and twisted. He made a face, laboriously coming to his feet pausing to take in the sight of the girl on the bed. Her head was turned away as she too was trying to rub feeling into her face. She seemed completely unaffected by their obviously intimate embrace.

Though something else sparked inside his waking brain. The visage of the young woman stretched so comfortably out in his space, the morning sun lightly filtering in over her soft features illuminating her hair like some sort of Greek Goddess. It made his stomach churn with something unfamiliar to him.

His austere features twitched as he tried to decide what to do. His coat smelled of her. It was odd since she hadn't had anything of her own. But still, he could feel her lingering presence. He decided then, the jacket had to go.

He opened his closet pulling out a new dress shirt and coat, pausing only briefly to complete the ensemble. Thankful that Minerva had sent Draco after all. He glanced behind him starting slightly as she had turned to look directly at him a wisp of a smile on her face. Severus' frown only deepened as he remembered the words she had spoken to him before she passed out. His eyes narrowed just a bit as he watched her smile fall.

Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly at him as she felt his self-depreciation waft through their connection. She huffed slightly before lifting her chin, "Honestly," She chided her voice firm, "It's way too early to deal with your self-loathing." She turned her face from him putting a hand to her heart rubbing in slow circles as an ache started to fill her.

Her mind was waking slowly, she too, remembering what she had said just hours before. It changed nothing for her, but she could feel the man pulling back from her even now. The knowledge of who he was and what he had become were fighting for precedence inside her. Though at present, she just couldn't be bothered to weigh them against each other. She was completely focused on the man before her, now, in this moment. She felt him tense, the connection between them cutting off abruptly as he shielded his thoughts from her.

"I'll find you a proper set of clothing." He bypassed her returning wisp of a smile entirely, taking his clothes into the bathroom. He sat them on the counter as he passed before going into her room. He moved over to the drawers opening them slowly, he took note that they were filled with old and new clothes, items that must have been in the bag Minerva brought.

He didn't pause as he grabbed a short sleeve shirt, a thick long sleeve outer shirt and a pair of plaid lounge pants, completely off color. Though his hand jerked back as if burned as he noticed the assortment of under garments. They were modest, solid in color, clearly new, his jaw twitched when he picked them up next. All layers accounted for he turned, thankful that no one was around to see the flush on his face.

Hermione had managed to sort herself out in that time and even moved her legs over the side of the bed letting them dangle. She had lifted the neck of her shirt taking in his scent. She smelled like him, more than just his soaps, she smelled of him. The smell brought an odd feeling to her stomach again but her sleep foggy brain was unable to discern exactly what she was feeling.

She was undoing her hair and shaking it loose when she heard his heavy steps. She smiled gently upon his return and raised her hands, refusing to allow their previously tense moment to damper her spirit. Her clothes were promptly placed inside and she thanked his retreating back. She let out just the faintest giggle when she heard the door close heavily. She had felt the bra on top, no doubt the exceedingly prudent man was flustered.

She set the clothing aside and started pulling up her shirt,  managing to get it over her head without issue. She set it aside her hands going to her chest. She ran her fingers down the curse line. It was just as deep as before and warm under her touch, she wanted to linger but the chill of the room spurred her on. She managed the bra easily enough though made a face when the clasp fell into the curse line on her back. She didn't have much to hold anyway so she decided to leave it aside for now. Kindly, she wrapped the rejected item up in her used shirt before pulling the new top over her head.

Minerva listened to the movement above her, a small smirk coming to her face. She wondered if he actually got her all of the clothes she needed. She was tempted to ask when he came down but as she appreciated having all her limbs she decided that she'd better not. She followed their movements and set two cups of coffee down on the table, though she hadn't known if Hermione liked coffee or not, she also had her own tea ready, the cup warm around her hands.

"I want to try and walk." Hermione urged softly when she heard him return to the room. The man paused before dropping his clothing into the hamper.

"Do you feel strong enough?" His question wasn't as condescending as it sounded, she could easily make out the underlining care in his tone.

"I... I think so...still... I'd like to try." She heard him move closer and offered out the wrapped bundle of clothes, all private garments tucked away.

He accepted the offering stoically, "Not down the stairs, perhaps to the kitchen."

She smiled softly and waited for him to return her arms raised and ready.

Severus felt heavy when he picked her up, his body shuddering internally as he forced his sleep deprived body to function. He had done it countless times. He could do it again.

She felt his strength wavering and pursed her lips. She could sense his exhaustion through their connection and worried her bottom lip. Had he stayed awake all night? She rested her head against his shoulder lightly pressing against the closed connection but found herself completely locked out. She sighed softly as he felt him go down each step, it was still as dizzying as she remembered.

Minerva came to the doorway watching them as they came downstairs, she smiled softly as Hermione was set carefully to her feet at the bottom. His hand remained around her waist, hers around his stomach as she took a few hesitant steps.

"I got it..." She whispered softly reaching out a hand to check in front of her. Severus said nothing as he walked with her, his grip firm around her waist. He noticed she was starting to get more of a shape to her form. He could still feel her ribs when she shifted but it was nowhere near as sharp as it had been. He lifted his eyes brieftly to the tartan witch as she stepped aside to allow them to pass.

"Minerva."

"Severus "

It was as cordial as the man could manage before coffee. His steps slow as he helped the girl to the kitchen table.

Hermione sat down carefully, her hand moving over the bottom of the old wooden chair before she lowered herself down to it. Her legs burned as if she'd just run 5km but it felt good. It was nice to be up and feel part of the world around her. She shifted her head a bit as she felt her support pull away, his hand slipping along the curve of her lower back causing her stomach to flutter once more.

Minerva noticed the one track mind and gently placed a warm cup into the dark haired man's hand. He mumbled his appreciation before taking his drink to the corner, leaning back scowling like a child not ready to go to school for the day.

"Hermione do you like coffee?"

"Oh yes please..." She nearly moaned her request, stretching her arms over the table. "I may or may not be addicted, I can't really recall." She was in a lighter mood this morning Minerva noticed. She glanced at the man in the corner for answers but only received a grumpy scowl in return.

"How do you take it then dear?"

"No cream, two sugars and strong enough to peel paint." She gasped slightly as the words came from her mouth. She smiled a bit, she could hear those exact words echo inside a captured memory in her mind. They came from one of the memory books she had managed to save. She felt a swell inside her heart. She was becoming herself.

Minerva chortled softly but didn't miss the exchange of emotion over her face, "Right, here you are, not sure if it's strong enough for you but hopefully it'll do."

Hermione thanked her kindly wrapping her fingers around the cup taking a careful sip.

"Glorious..." She mumbled leaning back in the chair, her focus on nothing else but the warmth flowing through her.

"I shall get to work upstairs." She glanced to Severus waiting for him to recant on their agreement. However, he simply waved a dismissive hand at her—he too, completely focused on his vice.

Minerva glanced between the two of them, pondering their similar behaviors. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? She smirked to herself as she went upstairs.

Hermione brought her arm to the table, her hand slowly combing through the hair that she had released. She let out a large yawn as she leaned her cheek upon her palm. Her eyes closed as she took another slow sip. The feeling in her stomach finally abating to a true warmth. She let out a deep content sigh as she relaxed against the table.

A companionable silence fell between them, only broken by their soft slurps. Hermione's brain was starting to wake up and she sat up rather abruptly as she remembered what he had told her about the day. Severus raised his brow at her meerkat like behavior but said nothing as he watched her think. He waited as he watched her pile and sort the mountain of questions he knew were threatening to burst from her lips.

"Can you tell me about them?" She asked finally. She had chosen her words carefully as she could already feel the man shutting himself up even tighter.

"I do not think I am the one who can fairly answer that question." He dismissed hiding his frown behind his cup.

Hermione's face twitched just a bit her eyes searching through the recovered memories of him. She could skim from the top of them. That there was something about the way he behaved when she was with someone else but she wasn't able to piece it together completely. She pursed her lips slightly as she decided to leave her questions for the woman upstairs.

Hermione took another sip of her coffee before turning her self towards where she believed him to be. She was rather close, her eyes looking just left of where he was leaning.

"Will you be there? When they come?" Her tone was gentle and slightly pleading, a look of concern moving over her brows.

"I shall not be in the room." He said briskly, heavily setting down his cup, "Though I will be near by." He added crossing his arms protectively.

"Do they really bother you so much?" Her tone was full of curiosity rather than accusation. She didn't need to be an expert on emotional avoidance to notice the painfully clear edge in his tone.

"I have...had my fill of them." He said carefully his jaw twitching a bit.

"What if..." She started squirming a bit in her seat as she tried to hold herself back, "What if I need you?" She continued quietly after a pause her eyes staying down in her lap as if she were ashamed.

"I will be close enough to hear you." He said standing a bit straighter now, "Should you require me, simply call for me."

"What if I can't speak?" She said swallowing thickly as an anxiety filled her stomach.

"You've never needed words before." He said pointedly watching her face process his statement.

"Finished."

Hermione's words died in her throat when Minerva returned to the kitchen. Her eyes briefly flickered towards Snape before lowering back down to her coffee. She took a breath nodding her head, her body and posture going tight as if she were preparing to take an exam she hadn't studied for.

Minerva looked between the two of them. Snape simply adverted his gaze looking pointedly out the window, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, his cool facade having no effect on the life wisened witch.

oOOo

Harry and Ron paced the kitchen of the Burrow. Both young men were anxious and excited at the same time. Ron was holding a book he intended to give as a gift. His hands wearing down the leather as he fidgeted.

"Do you think she'll like it?" He asked for the tenth time.

Harry sighed heavily as he rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses, "It's Hermione, if there's anything she would like it would be a book Ron, now please stop asking."

"What time is it?"

"Ron, I swear to God if you don't stop asking me that every thirty seconds I'm going to transfigure you into a pocket watch."

The red head had the sense to lower his head, "Sorry, I just...it's been a long time since I've seen her..." He chewed his bottom lip a bit.

"Me too Ron..." Harry's tone lightened when he noticed the pain stricken face of his best friend. "Look, just stay calm and remember what Professor McGonagall said alright?" He moved over to him giving the taller man's arm a squeeze. "Just, stay calm alright?" He bent his head down trying to give him an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, alright." He gave him a weak smile scratching at his recently shaved face, "Do you think she'll recognize me?" He gave him a sort of lopsided grin.

"I don't think that hair is going to be easy to forget." Harry chuckled a bit as he pushed away from him. He too was extremely nervous. However, he had tried to understand what McGonagall had eluded too but he was confident that their meeting would go well. After all, she was their best friend.

Both men turned as they heard the distinct crack of apparation. They moved quickly to the door opening it in haste looking out as Minerva started towards them.

"Are you ready?" She asked as she paused just before the door step.

They both nodded eagerly stepping out without even thinking to close the door behind them. Ron clutched the book tighter to his chest as he took a calming breath.

"Take my hand, please. Clear your mind and hold on tight." She offered out her arm to Harry who took it and grabbed Ron's arm in turn. "One two-" On the third count, Harry felt the familiar pull of disapparation.

Ron and Harry stumbled just a bit when they landed. The room they appeared in was completely white, a small bed on the far wall with crisp white and neatly folded linens on top. Nothing else decorated the space, except a small dark wood dresser that held nothing atop.

Sunlight poured into the room and Harry's eyes moved immediately to the source. The window was opaque leaving him unable to see what lay beyond. He supposed it was part of the secrecy of the place and didn't linger on the thought. He took a deep breath as he saw familiar hair through the bars of the rocking chair that faced perpendicular to the window.

Hermione's clothes were a stark hospital white but what he really noticed was her slightly discolored arm under the hem of her sleeve. Her hair was gently pulled back into a loose braid, the plait resting over her shoulder. She looked older than he remembered, but he supposed they all did.

Hermione heard them appear inside the room, their breathing dreadfully grating against her senses. She kept herself faced away from them. Still deep in thought after her brief conversation with Professor McGonagall. The witch had been very careful about what she said which only left Hermione's heart twisted tighter. She felt an overwhelming trepidation about meeting with them. Something she had fought against just hours before was starting to claw at her consciousness.

She could feel them so close now, their energies filling the room. She kept her face taunt as she held herself back. Reaching through the connection to lightly  brush against it just to make sure he was truly there with her. She felt his gentle response and allowed herself to take a slow breath. Gradually, she forced herself to turn her head, her gray eyes lifting from her lap to look where she believed them to be standing.

"Hermione..." Ron's mouth moved of its own accord, his heart lurching in his chest as she snapped her eyes directly to him. He felt locked in place when he realized the color was all wrong. They weren't the beautiful gold of his dreams, they were, grayed and cold. His brows furrowed a bit and his hands tightened around the book. His heart pounding away in his ears as he slowly took a step towards her.

Minerva carefully moved herself to the back wall her eyes sharp as she watched the scene unfold before her.

Harry came to his senses a bit quicker as he took in her gaunt appearance. She looked only marginally better than she had six months since he'd last seen her. Her frame was way too small for the chair she sat in. But that spark, that fire, he remembered her having was still there as she straightened up tilting her head just a bit as Ron continued to step even closer. He noticed her hands were clenched tightly in her lap and felt a worrying feeling in the back of his mind.

Hermione tried as best she could to place his voice, she had heard it in her memories, but it sounded deeper, older. She knew he was important. So important. Her chest constricted painfully as he took another step closer to her. She raised herself up tall as she fought down her fears, her eyes turning away from his as she brought her focus inward trying to see inside herself.

"I-" Ron chewed his lip wincing himself as he noticed her jump slightly. "I brought you a present..." He lowered his voice considerably as he looked down at the book in his hands. He felt so stupid in that moment. Harry came up to his side but didn't speak his face was lined with concern as he waited for Hermione to say something, anything.

Hermione curled slightly away from them while she calmed from the startle of his voice. She parted her lips taking in a slow breath before forcing a tight smile on her face.

"Thank you..." Her hands twitched in her lap but she didn't move to accept the gift. Harry noticed that she seemed to be restraining herself. He looked over at Ron's dejected face feeling his heart break for him. This wasn't the meeting he knew his friend had been dreaming about for five years.

Harry reached over taking the book from Ron's hands, "We'll just leave it here for you..." His voice was deep and soft as he pulled the book a little forcibly from Ron's hand setting it gently on the bed sitting next to it, keeping his distance as Ron just stood looking down at her in the chair.

Ron wet his lips, his hands opening and closing as he had nothing to cling to. He glanced over at Harry at an obvious loss of what to say or do. He fumbled a bit as he resisted the urge to pull her into his arms.  Glancing at Harry briefly before letting words spill from his mouth.

"How are you? Here I mean...with Snape...?" He winced as the former professor's name slipped past his lips.

Hermione's brow twitched as she took in his words, her own thoughtlessly passing her own, "Professor Snape."

Her tone was like so many times before but the smile that passed over her lips was different. Her eyes turned away from the both of them as she remembered how they had woke that morning. The feeling of his warmth pressed against her, his hand beneath her cheek. How safe she felt in that moment, the sense that everything would work out just fine and that she was in more than capable hands. The hands of an honorable, stout-hearted man.

Ron's stomach churned when he watched her face fill with a happiness. A happiness that he believed was meant for only him. She was his, he was hers. There would be no others. It took him back to the time with the locket and he felt his heart thump painfully inside his chest. His face turned red as he restrained himself. It couldn't have been what he saw. No, there had to be another reason.

Harry noticed the exchange and took a breath, "You look a lot better Hermione." He said softly trying to ease the tension between them. It was a white lie for sure but he knew he needed to say something before the entire situation blew sky high.

"Thank you..." Hermione nodded her head just a bit, "I feel better..." She admitted slowly moving her fingers in her lap. Her mind was racing through everything at once. It was painful if she focused too hard on it, but she wanted, needed, to talk with them. She knew they were so integral to who she was and she desperately wanted to know, why.

"Harry?" Her voice was soft with unsure tones, she lifted her head turning it towards where she believed him to be, her eyes rounding with the hope that she had called the wizard by his proper name.

Harry smiled brightly letting out a sighing laugh. "Yea, it's me." He leaned forward his hand moving to reach out to hold her own before he stopped himself, he brought the hand to run through his messy hair instead, his lips pursed with his restraint.

Ron felt his chest swell with all the heartache he had suffered through over their time apart. He bit the bottom of his lip as his eyes shone with unshed tears. It was always going to be someone over him. He didn't want to believe it but he couldn't stop himself from feeling that he deserved it. He had spent so many nights spinning down exactly as he was at that moment. His lips twitched with the need to pour something burning down his throat to make the pain go away. He hadn't had a single drop since he'd heard he would be able to see her, but now his body trembled from withdraw and he felt his addiction clouding his thoughts.

However, as he tried to clear his mind his mouth betrayed him, "I'm so sorry..." He blurted out unable to help himself.

Hermione's eyes closed tightly and she turned away from him completely. If one was Harry no doubt the other was Ron. Her head hurt, it hurt so much, she hissed sharply and raised her hands to her temples. She could feel the creature inside smiling devilishly at her pain as the memory of that day flickered across her mind's eye. Ron, the boy she had pushed down from in front of her. The boy she had called to over and over. She shook her head as she tried to push it back. She didn't want to see it, not now.

Harry noticed her pain first and slowly stepped up, gently putting his hand on Ron's chest as he had taken a step closer. "Don't..." He whispered but his words went unheeded as the red head pushed closer moving to lean over her, his hand going to her shoulder.

He wanted so much to bring her comfort. However, her reaction to his words had hurt his very being. He believed still, that she blamed him for that day. Seeing her reject his apology had hit something so deeply in his core, bringing a repressed anger to the surface.

Hermione cried out softly when his hand touched her shoulder. She tried to curl away but found herself stuck in place by the memories that forced their way forward. She bared her teeth as the pain rolled through her frame. "No..." She gasped pleadingly.

"Ron!" Harry's voice was stronger now as he tried to pull his mate's hand from her. "Ron let go. Can't you see you're hurting her?" His voice was urgent, he looked to McGonagall who had pushed herself from the wall rushing over.

Ron couldn't hear them, not clearly. Though when his hand was forced back he saw her arm, it wasn't his own hand it was someone's much larger, a bruise, a hand print left upon her bicep. He felt the anger of all the past years welling to the surface.

"I'm not the one who's hurt her." He spat stepping back as he shook his head pointing accusingly at the mark on her arm, his hand had pulled up the sleeve in the brief struggle and the faint outline of a hand shaped bruise that had been hidden under her sleeve could be seen.

After his hand left her she slouched heavily into the back of the chair, she felt lightheaded and dizzy. "Ron..." She repeated his name as she felt the creature inside her circling. She rocked her head slowly, "Harry..." Her eyes remained closed moving quickly under her lids.

"Oh, you're sorry?" She heard herself laugh high pitched and mockingly. The memory faded and swirled on its end as she reached for it. "-He could have been dead for all we knew!"

Hermione rocked her head as she tried desperately to bring it into focus. She needed to see it, force it into a page that she could take hold of. It hurt so much.

Minerva stood sentinel by the bed pursing her lips watching Ron with sharpened eyes. The girl was fighting, as she always had, she didn't need hers or anyone in that room's comfort.

"Yea...it's me..." Ron's voice rose with hope as he pushed lightly away from Harry coming to his knees beside her chair, "Do you remember me?" He asked tilting his head to try and see her face. All he saw was pain and it twitched around his heart.

"I love you..." His voice was soft as he felt lost in his own world. His eyes shone with so much hope as he waited for her to look at him not even registering the agony on her face.

"I love you." He said again when she didn't react. His eyes searching more frantically as his heart started to break.

Hermione's lip curled up in disgust as the page disappeared from her inner eye. She had barely heard the words that were desperately spoken to her. She turned her head towards him her eyes snapping open.

"Who are you?" Her voice was so despondent and helpless as she turned her eyes towards where she believed him to be, unknowingly starring right into him.

Harry winced at her words his eyes shooting over to Ron, he watched him grow pale and felt a cold fear grow in his stomach. He barely had time to react as the red head lurched forward unable to control himself any longer. Ron's body shook with desperation, his eyes wide as tears streamed down his face. The illusion he had created shattering bitterly against him.

"You're supposed to love me!" His voice cracked with emotion, his hands taking hold of her shoulders as he gave her a sharp shake. He could feel Harry trying to pull him away, his words in his ear but he was unable to comprehend.

"Don't you see? Why can't you see?" He let out a sob as he tried to get her to look at him. But she refused to lift her head, her face pinched tight as she tried to push off his hands. "It was always supposed to be me!"

A black smoked appeared directly behind Ron causing both Minerva and Harry to pull back just a fraction. A large white hand shot out from the smoke curling around the back of the redhead's neck pulling him roughly away. The shock of the hand curling around his neck had forced him to release before he was promptly thrown back into the opposite wall.

Minerva moved quickly wrapping Hermione in her protective embrace, feeling her tremble against her. She watched over the top of her head with wide eyes as Severus stepped out of the smoke rounding on the redhead who stood slumped stunned against the wall. He moved with speed a man his age shouldn't have been capable of as he lifted the younger man to his toes slamming him back into the wall cracking the plaster.

"She is not an object to be claimed." His voice was dangerously low dripping with venomous poison his nose level with Ron's. His dark black eyes pierced straight into the redheads mind rifling through everything in a matter of seconds.

"How dare you?"

"Snape." It was Harry's voice that rose with awe and fear as the man held his best friend aloft. He remained at Hermione's side but his eyes were watching his emotionally damaged friend face down a man both of them had feared so deeply in their childhood.

He's scared...

Hermione's inner voice was light against his overwhelming urge to throttle the sense out of the red head.

"How dare I?" Ron squeaked trying to push against the elder's chest, "You're the one who's got her locked up like some king of the castle!" He gritted his teeth as they struggled.

He managed to get a bit of leverage but as soon as he thought he'd out weighed him, his head was slammed back again bringing stars to his vision. His hands went to Snape's throat pushing hard as he tried to get the man to release him.

"That's not true..."

"Ron!" Harry's voice went unheeded as he rose unsure of what to do. His head turned slightly as he thought he heard Hermione speak but her words were too soft for him to make out over the other two.

"I can see inside your mind Mister Weasley, " he hissed through the pain, "Your lecherous thoughts seep from you. Has your addiction left without a single brain cell? Or have you always been this ill conceived?"

He's hurting...

"My lecherous mind?" He squeaked as Snape pressed him back into the wall once more, causing his hand to fall from his throat to re-grasp his arms, trying to keep the man back. His attempts were feeble at best as he stared into his cold face, "I seen the bruise! What, she didn't want to play pattycake with the dungeon master so you had to teach her a lesson eh?"

He didn't hurt me...I hurt him...he helped me...

Severus snarled as he threw Ron to the floor his entire frame seething with raw power. The only thing that was keeping him back was the soft sadness of Hermione's words inside his mind. Harry had a mind to retreat further with Minerva. His friend was on his own for his stupidity.

"You're nothing but a loused up fool." Severus felt his control wavering as he stood over the boy charading as a man.

He's broken...

Ron pushed himself up in haste panting heavily as he kept his distance from the man in black. His chest heaving as if he'd gotten the upper hand. His chin raising as he snarled back at him determined to be unafraid.

"Yeah, that's right! I'm the fool! I've been there for her longer than you ever have! I was there! You weren't Snape! We both know the only reason you're here now is because you let Harry's Mum die!"

No one moved a muscle as the room grew icy cold. All seeing eyes snapped to the dark man.

Do it.

No one moved to stop him.