The Power of Pain

Chapter 34

They had been at it for hours. Draco groaned shifting in his chair. It had been entertaining at first, watching Granger struggle with something that even he had managed when he was at Hogwarts. But now it was just bordering on torture.

"Miss Granger you must concentrate." Severus had his best teaching tone on full force.

"I am! You're pushing me out." She half whined.

"Then stop me."

A low growl passed her clenched teeth.

Severus reached forward again. He was pushing her to the breaking point and he knew it but he had to see if she really had it in her to survive. Her attitude earlier that evening had eluded to something that could be very dangerous if it was allowed to fester.

Hermione couldn't understand. Why couldn't she bring herself to stand in his mind space? Every time she would be able to project herself he would elude her. His mind never formed around her. She just felt trapped in some nether space before snapping back like a taunt rubber band. He hadn't even walked her through like he had last time. She let out a low whine of frustration. She could hear him speaking but it was muddled like she was underwater.

She hissed when she felt her mind snap back again, his finger tips lightly pulled back and he let out a deep sigh. She glowered up at him from beneath her lashes. He looked completely unaffected and it was grating on her. Blinking away tears of frustration, she tried to think back to the time she had slipped into his mind without his notice.

Her eyes lost focus as she fell into her own mind. She looked around with purpose. She turned and circled the center area until she felt a small pulse. She focused on it until a small light pulled away from her chest. It was slow moving unlike the times before where it raced ahead. She followed it at a quick pace until she found herself at a broad white line.

She watched the thread extend beyond the border and took a breath. She pressed her hands against the border. It was firmer than she remembered, like trying to push through drying concrete. Was this how his mind was normally? She gritted her teeth and continued. The thread pulsed slightly from her effort and she dropped her hands down to it. A sharp spark ran through her entire being but she didn't let go. She used its invisible anchor to pull her over the line. Falling to her knees as the last of the border rolled off her back, she released the thread to keep her face from hitting the floor.

She'd done it. She smiled wryly as she looked down at the smooth tile and knew. Inhaling slowly, she lifted her head to look around. The space was dimly lit but it seemed to grow brighter the further away from her it got.

Carefully, she pushed herself up onto her feet, nervously running her palms over her jeans as she took a few steps. A ring of doors started to appear, moving lazily in their path. It was then it suddenly struck her, this was the first time she'd ever been in his mind simply because she wanted to be there. Not out of fear, or desperation.

She measured her steps, mindfully stepping around the slowly spinning doors. The thread continued to lead her where she needed to go. It didn't take her long to near the center. She saw his back between the last row and smiled softly.

She came into the center ring straightening her shoulders. "I made it."

Severus had felt her well before she reached him. He was impressed that she had found a way around his defenses and didn't allow herself to be led by her curiosity and open any of the doors. He turned slowly on his heel, his arms lightly clasping behind his back.