Lotus.

I do not own any part of Harry Potter.

The Death Eaters sneered as they fiercely threw their newest victim against his cell wall. He whimpered slowly as he slid down the grimy cell wall. He started coughing harshly as the bitter cold rushed through him. They had finally let him "rest", after 2 days of continuous torture. Severus hoped he would be able to get Bellatrix's psychotic laugh out of his head. It pierced through his hazy mind whenever he was close to falling into the heavenly blackness. He tried to get as comfortable as possible against the unforgiving stone, as tendrils of pain flashed through his well-beaten body.

It had been about a week since he had been captured after killing his best friend/mentor. Severus believed that this was where he truly belonged. He should have to suffer for all the wrong he had done. He had stared blankly at his punishers as he was Crucio'ed by at least thirteen Death Eaters. He never screamed once much to the displeasure of his torturers. His indifference to the torture fueled the other Death Eaters into furiously punishing their once equal brother. He knew he would never be seen in the light again, so why try to preserve his health for escape. There was nothing in the world for him anymore. As that being his last thought, Severus fell into an unconsciousness filled with pain and nightmares.

Hermione had secretly been spying on the other Order members whenever she had the chance. She had brewed many invisibility potions during her first few months at Hogwarts in her 6th year, ordering the ingredients through owls to not to be suspicious. She had developed a distinct interest in her potions professor, Severus Snape. He was gloomy, dark, and mysterious. She had seen him coming back from Death Eater revels multiple times, but knew what his true intentions were. She wished she could help him in some sort of way, but for now she knew that she had to stay away. Dumbledore was probably the only person to witness the breakdowns of Severus Snape, if he ever had one. She often wondered about the secret life of Severus. Dumbledore cornered her a few days before his death. He brought her up to his office and offered her a lemon drop, which she decline. He had sighed and started talking although it looked like it pained him as his ever-present twinkle was gone. He said, "Hermione, I don't have much time left in this world. I know of what you have been doing" He then looked down at her through his small-rimmed glasses. She had the decency to look down sheepishly. "I understand your persistence for truth and knowledge. Just know that it can lead you to dark places and I pray for your safety. Anyways, the reason why I called you here today is because I want you to know the truth. In a few days time I will be dead" Hermione gasped, and tears started flowing down her face. "I'm sorry dear, there is nothing anyone can do. I want you to know that I begged Professor Snape to kill me. He had no intention of killing me. I made him do it. When the time comes, you must tell the world. I do not want to see him suffering. Please keep him safe like he has done for all of us". Hermione sniffled and said that she understood. Dumbledore got up and gave her a hug and said "Okay its late, You should go back up to your dormitory now".

She had weeped and mourned at Dumbledore's funeral, knowing that she had a mission. She had to safe Severus Snape from the Order and the Death Eaters. A week of secretive planning is what brought her to her current position. She had left a note in her dormitory telling everyone that she was leaving Hogwarts for a bit, for a family matter. When her friends were happily shopping in Hogsmeade, Hermione had snuck away easily. She downed an invisibility potion and watched in slight wonder as her form camouflaged seamlessly with her surroundings.
She took out her wand and whispered "Point me Severus Snape", she hoped on her disillusioned broom and set off in search of her professor. A few hours later, landed her in front of Malfoy Manor. She should remain invisible for another hour, but she took another potion just in case. She knew that there were probably strong wards up, so she waited about an hour until someone apparated on the grounds. Hermione snuck in right behind the unsuspecting Death Eater and quickly made her way around the gathering until she came upon the dungeon. She soundless walked along the cells until she found the one containing her Potions Professor. She quickly used an acid on the bars of the cell. No Death Eaters came running down the hall so she stepped inside the cell and gathered her Potions Professor in her arms and after casting a lightening spell on his body and pouring an invisibility potion down his throat, Hermione slowly and carefully made her way out of the manor. As soon as she left the Manor, sirens went off signaling an escape. "Fuck!" thought her Hermione as she made her way over to her broom. She carefully put Severus on the front of her broom and took off towards the nearest city. She had packed a bag full of potions, ingredients, clothes, and money. All off it was shrunken to fit in her pockets. Severus moaned softly as they made their way into a small town in what she thought to be a province in Italy. "Shh, It will be okay" She said. He curled a bit into her body as her invisibilty potions wore off. She ordered a room in a motel.

Hermione got straight to work on healing Severus, he was a mess. She scourigified him three times. Once for the blood, once for the grime, and once for the smell. She applied salved to his cuts and wrapped them up. She took out her own potion for mending bones and made him drink that as well as a nutrition potion and a dreamless sleep. Hermione them collapsed onto the bed next to Severus and was sleeping in seconds.