Of Purest Blood

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CHAPTER THREE


As Hermione crumpled to the floor, Snape swiftly drew his wand. A whispered charm suspended her like a ragdoll above the cauldron. Blood continued to stream down her fingers and into the potion. He cursed himself for being so careless, and cursed Granger for not bothering to prepare herself... stupid girl. Precious, stupid girl! But there. There! The potion wasn't ruined! Just a few more drops... Perfect! As the fluid darkened to deepest blue, Snape floated Hermione's limp body gently to the floor. He quickly doused the flame beneath the cauldron and healed his own wound. Then, he knelt to attend to her.

When Snape drew his wand to heal Hermione's wrist, she sat up and screamed. Her eyes were wide, unseeing, her mind still captive to the horror of Snape's memory. Another moment, and she dissolved into a heap of shuddering tears. Snape put an arm around the frightened girl and Occluded as best he could. Under the circumstances, it took great effort to keep her from his mind.

"Prof- professor! Wh- what h-happened?" she asked frantically, her terrified eyes searching his for answers.

"I need to heal your wound," he said evenly. "I will explain everything, but right now, I need to stop the bleeding. "

She nodded, still shaking, and presented her wrist.

"Vulnera sanentur," he chanted slowly, waving his wand over the separated flesh. The flow of blood reversed. After a few passes of his wand, the flesh knit together and finally sealed, leaving only a tiny scar.

As the wound closed, so did Hermione's eyes. She shivered against him, pressing closer in desperation for comfort. "I saw Nagini," she whispered hoarsely.

"I know," said Snape. "I was careless. What you saw was-"

"Your memory," she said. "You couldn't Occlude your thoughts because you're so weak... I'm so sorry, Professor! I wanted to help you, I should've--"

"Miss Granger, listen to me. Please. I ... I made assumptions I shouldn't have. I thought you would have realized the risks and prepared yourself for it."

"You never told me we'd have to--"

"I am sorry," he said. "You need to rest now."

Exhausted in body and spirit, Hermione succumbed to a deep sleep. Severus gathered her up and placed her in the chair by the hearth. He charmed the sticky blood from her skin, clothes, and hair, and transfigured the chair into a chaise so she could rest more comfortably. Then, he set to work completing the final steps in stabilising the Inversitoxin.

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An hour later, Hermione woke to a pounding headache and a bitter taste in her mouth. She sat up and glanced dazedly around the room. Severus was standing at the table, decanting the last of the potion into a small round flask.

"Professor?"

"The potion is flawless," said Snape, holding the bottle to candlelight. It was transparent blue, dark and brilliant, the colour of the sky moments before blackness devours the twilight.

"...What?" Hermione blinked.

"I was... able to save the potion," he said. "Can you stand?"

Coming more fully back to herself, Hermione began to piece together exactly what had taken place. "I think so," she said, with a sudden edge to her voice sharper than any dagger. She rose to her feet, and glared at him. "You lied to me... this is a Blood Binding! That's Dark magic! Voldemort even used it to--"

"It was the only way. You told me you wished to help me--"

"That's not the point!" cried Hermione, stalking towards him angrily. "With Legilimency, a Blood Binding is as good as the Imperius Curse. If you wanted me to, I'd probably throw myself off the astronomy tower!"

"I'm flattered, but that's hardly necessary," he drawled, and Hermione scoffed. "Thankfully for the both of us, the blood-bond is temporary, and I am honorable in my intent. Have I not proven time and time again that I am not your enemy? I should think you'd at least trust me enough not to--"

"Not to what? Bleed me while I'm unconscious? Keep secrets from the only person alive who could save you? I think you played double-agent too long, Severus. You don't know how to tell the whole truth. Well, believe it or not, even if you'd told me everything... I still would have helped you! ...Now take your bloody potion before you die and make all of this pointless!"

Snape exhaled slowly, tempering his aggravation as he regarded her. "Well, Hermione, if you're done telling me off, I'll have you know I've already imbibed in the fruits of our labour. And consider this, before you owl McGonagall calling for my resignation. It was not a one-way exchange. For the next thirty-six hours, I might not be able to keep a secret from you if I tried."

Immediately, Hermione felt as if she'd bungled an exam. Of course. He hadn't merely taken her blood; Severus had shared his blood with her, and made himself as vulnerable to her as she was now to him. It meant that he trusted her with his life -- with his mind. Too embarrassed to speak, she went back to the chair-now-chaise and plopped down. A few moments later, Severus waved a tiny phial under her nose.

"You need this, " he said. "Drink."

She took the miniscule glass tube and eyed it.

"But this is the potion we just made," she protested.

"Indeed. I already administered a Blood Replenishing potion to you as you slept, but it is possible your blood has become contaminated with remnants of Nagini's venom. A few drops should ensure you feel no ill effects. The blood in the potion has fully transmogrified, so there is no risk of further contamination."

She took his advice, and sucked the potion from the phial. It was terribly bitter; her eyes teared up even though she'd only taken a few drops. Moments later, however, she was relieved of her headache, her vision cleared, and she felt less tired.

"Better?" asked the potions master.

"Yes," she admitted. "And you, Professor?" she asked, anger gone from her voice.

"Oh, back to formalities, again?" queried Severus, quirking a brow. "I'm... well, Miss Granger. I'm delighted to report that I feel better than I have in more than a year. Thanks to you." He approached her, a small smile playing across his lips, which were already regaining their colour. When she looked up into his eyes, she felt herself being drawn towards him. She stood, entranced, but stopped herself short.

"Sev- Professor- what's happening?"

Severus' smile faded. He swallowed, eyes locked with hers. "I'm... sorry," he muttered. "I ..."

At that moment, Hermione thought that she would very much like to know what Snape was thinking. Immediately, her mind's eye caught a strange image. She saw herself through Severus' eyes, reaching toward her, pulling her close to him...

Her heart gallopped in her chest, and she staggered backwards, toppling back onto the chaise. Severus quickly looked away.

"Professor! What--"

His smile was gone, his eyes now fixated on his blood-spattered shoes. "You should go," he said, quietly.

"No," she said gently, and paused, considering what she'd witnessed. Finally, she smiled at him. "Professor . Severus. Snape! I had ... no idea." She shook her head, and began to laugh in spite of herself.

"Well, you don't have to humiliate me," he snapped. "Keep laughing, and while you're at it, tell everyone that the potions master is a lecherous monster bent on seducing his students. It isn't as if that would be the worst I've ever been accused of."

"I wasn't laughing at you," she said, recovering her composure. "I was laughing because, well... I don't know, I guess it makes me sort of ... happy...?" She chewed her bottom lip and furrowed her brow, as if trying to make sense of the words she'd just said.

"It's the Blood Binding talking, Hermione," he said, dismissively. "In less than thirty-six hours, you'll be appalled by the mere notion. It's dangerous for you to stay here with me now. If you've sufficiently recovered, I suggest you leave."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I ... we... can't be held accountable for anything that happens," he said, "And I would rather not test the capacity of my conscience any further."

Hermione considered his words carefully. Then she stood up, and took Severus' hand. He stiffened, but did not pull away.

"I will see you in thirty-six hours, then," she said gently, squeezing his fingertips. "Good night... Severus. Be well. You're looking better already."

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AN: Next chapter will be mostly Snape's perspective, and perhaps a little dream-sharing between Hermione and Severus. Thanks for reading!