Labyrinth

Chapter 7

He had encouraged her to leave his mind so she could rest with the promise that he would try to as well. She'd finally agreed to it because she knew her body would be hungry and exhausted with the power she exerted in being here.

"I'll be back soon, I promise."

He gave her a curt nod and the briefest upward quirk of his lips, "Eat something for me. I fear I haven't had a good meal in a very long time."

"I'll do just that. See you soon, Severus."

Pushing her way out of his mind, she let her body rest in her recliner for several minutes, collecting herself.

Severus Snape was alive, pleasant, and so much more than she had bargained for. The man's past held many aspects that lent her a greater understanding of who he was as her professor. She had enjoyed his company and their conversations more so than she did with most of her other acquaintances.

Finally feeling up to it, she stood, her legs wobbling but supporting her enough to take a few steps. She made herself another glass of water before going to relieve herself. As she walked to the loo, she wondered if she should update Erin on her progress. It didn't take long for her to decide to keep it to herself. If Erin was aware of her quick work of his mental walls, they might assign others to assist her in moving him through his memories. Hermione had an inkling that Severus would not tolerate much prodding of his mind from other prying eyes.

She was in uncharted territory and wanted to continue to explore it on her own. But for now, her first order of business was finding food and sleeping in her bed for a few hours.

When she awoke, she quickly returned to the Ministry, a bagel in one hand and tea in the other. The lift chimed its usual Department of Mysteries, and she nearly ran straight into Erin as she exited.

"Hermione! Are you alright?" she must have appeared as flustered and rushed as she felt.

Nodding, a mouthful of bagel lodged in the side of her mouth, "Of course, just excited to work on the project."

Erin appraised her, and Hermione feared they were suspicious. Thankfully, the lift started to close, and Erin quickly jumped on, "I'll get an update from you later; let me know if anything changes."

She nodded avidly at them as the grate clanged shut and rose away from her. Swallowing her bagel with a final gulp, she ushered herself back to Severus.

She sipped her tea and dropped her bag to the floor with a decisive thud. It was filled with snacks, a pillow, a blanket, and a few books for light reading. She was determined to live in this room until she succeeded in her task.

The chair was as she left it, as was Severus. His lower half was still covered in the towel she had left over his translucent bath water, and she smirked at the thought of her old Professor Snape knowing what she knew now, memories and all.

What she did know... was not unattractive. She had never had a crush on the man as a student; that was reserved for Lockhart, who was traditionally handsome and, unfortunately, very ignorant. Severus, though, his face was not handsome in the same way, but it was striking in its own respect. The angles of his face formed a strong jawline that had some stubble at the moment. His nose was imperfect, adding character to the stern face. And though she could not see his eyes at the moment, she recalled from her memories of being in his mind they were the darkest of browns. It was nearly a direct opposite of the shade of brown hers were. His were like cedar, hers more of a caramel.

The body beneath that head, though, was extremely attractive, in her opinion. His thin torso gave him the lanky appearance he had when in robes, but he had clearly evenly toned muscles without them. Severus's fingers were long and delicate, the nailbeds still worn as though he had been brewing just that morning. His waist dipped at his hips, and —