Stories to be Told

Snape and Dumbledore both yelled a summoning spell at the same time, while running towards the edge. Hermione flew back up over the edge, falling onto Snape.

“NO!” She screamed, scrambling to get back up and heading for the ledge again. Snape grabbed her, she was pounding on him. “LET ME GO!!” she screamed, while trying to wrestle away. Snape held on to her, while Dumbledore hit her with a binding spell. She felt an invisible rope wrap around her arms and legs, then she fell onto Snape. He gently lowered her to the ground, Dumbledore and Snape kneeled down in front of her.

“Please” she sobbed, “Just let me go, I can’t do this, I’ve had all that I can take.”
Dumbledore wiped some tears from her face and gently spoke, “Child, I know you have been through so much, and the sight of Ms Lovegood would be horrible for anyone to witness, but I must stress that this isn’t how you should respond to it.”

Hermione, with tears rolling down her face, looked into his eyes, “I feel so alone with this, I just can’t bear it.” She started bawling again.

Dumbledore looked at Snape. “I believe we are in need of the use of your chambers again, Severus.”
Snape nodded, “I will take her down there, and give her something to make her sleep.”

“Indeed, I am going to retreat to my office and let Minerva and the boys know she is ok, then I will be back down.” Dumbledore said, getting up. Snape got up, deciding it was best to leave Hermione in the restraints until they got down to the dungeons.

He picked her up. “Ms Granger, I am going to put an invisibility charm on us until we have reached the dungeons”, Snape said softly. Hermione tried wiggling out of his grip, but Snape tightened his arms around her. She felt almost a sense of relief from being held, and she settled into his arms. Snape noticed some of the tension releasing from Hermione as they walked to the dungeons.
Snape walked Hermione into his chambers and laid her on the same bed she had occupied the previous night. “I need to go retrieve a potion, I will return in a moment,” Snape said to her, walking to the door.

“Can you unbind me, sir?” Hermione asked with a lifeless tone.

Snape glanced at her, “When I return.” He left the room, leaving Hermione alone. She glanced down at her bound arms and saw her blood-stained sleeves and the open wounds on her wrists. She stared at them, wondering why she had been saved.

Snape walked back through the door. “If I unbind you, you need to remain in this room, and no more attempts at your life.” he said, sitting on the side of the bed. Hermione nodded, then Snape murmured an unbinding charm and Hermione’s arms and legs were free.

“I have more dreamless sleep potion for you,” Snape said handing her the potion. Hermione was still staring at her wrists, he watched her for a moment. “I will treat your wounds while you are sleeping, as it can be quite painful for the skin to be reconnected.” Snape said.

“Do it now, I don’t care about the pain.” Hermione said, with a tremble in her voice.
Snape looked at the coldness in Hermione’s eyes, it reminded him of himself. He felt an overwhelming feeling of concern come over him, for Hermione.

“Hermione, take the sleeping potion, you need to rest”, Snape replied softly with concern in his voice.
The use of her first name and the sound of his voice made Hermione take the potion and drink. She instantly become drowsy, then laid her head on the pillow, and slept. Snape watched her sleep for a moment before picking up her wrist. He whispered a healing spell and the cuts on her wrist closed, but she was left with a vague scar. Snape then healed the other wrist, Hermione whimpered a little, due to the cut on the wrist being so severe and deadly. Snape rubbed his palm over her wrist and up her arm to soothe her, Hermione seemed to settle.

“Ah, I see she is sleeping.” Dumbledore spoke softly from the door. Snape turned and saw Dumbledore and McGonagall standing in the doorway. Snape got up from the bed and then the three of them walked together into the living room.

“I didn’t realize how badly this affected her Albus.” McGonagall said as they all sat down.

“I don’t think anyone did.” Dumbledore said rubbing his chin.

“What are we going to do with her?” Snape asked, while pouring everyone fire whiskey.

“Well, I think it would be best for her to stay in the castle, there’s no need to send her off to the hospital.” Dumbledore said quietly.

“I think the hospital would be the worst thing for her, she needs to be around people who care about her.” McGonagall added.

Snape chugged the fire whiskey, “I agree, but it seems she doesn’t care about anything, or she wouldn’t have tried to jump from the tower, or beg me to heal deep gashes while she’s awake.”

It was quiet for a moment. “Severus, I believe she trusts you.” Dumbledore commented. Snape didn’t show any expression and just listened. “I believe leaving her in your care would be best, she seems to be responding to you.”

Snape was quiet for some moments, then finally spoke, “Do you believe I am the right person for this?”
Dumbledore nodded, “I believe in your care, Hermione will recover quickly.”

“Just remember to be gentle, try to keep your temper under control,” McGonagall added. Snape nodded.

“I would advise eating all meals down in the dungeons, and we will have lessons sent down here to you. We will wait a little while to let the rumors die down about everything that has happened these last two days then let her return to a semi-normal life.” Dumbledore said.

“And my classes?” Snape questioned.

“They will be covered until all has settled and we can get Hermione back together.” McGonagall said.
Snape spoke, “Very well.” Dumbledore and McGonagall rose and walked to the door.

“We will return sometime tomorrow, if you have any trouble let me know”, Dumbledore said as he and McGonagall left Snape’s chambers.

Snape decided it would be best for him to sleep in the same room as Hermione. He walked into the room and sat on the side of Hermione’s bed. He noticed the calmness of her face and felt relieved to see the tension had lifted from earlier. Snape lifted his hand and stroked the side of her face, she sighed from his gentle touch. He felt warmth come over him and couldn’t understand why. He watched her for a moment more then got up. He walked over near the door and conjured a recliner. He blocked the doorway, so Hermione wouldn’t be able to leave the room if she woke up and he didn’t hear her. He sat down and kicked back, his eyes became instantly heavy, as he hadn’t realized how tired he was.