Senses

Chapter 18

"Your name is Hermione Granger. You are 19 years old and a former student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Severus kept his voice level despite the hours that had passed trying his patience. His eyes watching every minute change on the girl's face. He had promised her that he would sleep beside her that night if she completed all the exercises he gave to her.

He had left her side once she had fallen to sleep the night before, only to be woken in the early hours by her screams that came from the mirror he'd set on his bedside table. She had had a nightmare, a powerful one that had nearly taken away all the progress they had made thus far. She hadn't told him what she'd seen but the sheer terror on her face was enough to make him stay. That was nearly 6 hours ago.

Now, they sat inside the sitting room. Showered and with full stomachs. Severus was attempting to do what the snatchers had done but with a more positive twist. It was creative thinking that had come to him in the dead of night. A thought that was worth a try. After all, how much more damage could possibly be done?

"Repeat." Severus didn't like the idea of bribing her with food, though he saw little harm in bribing her compliance with snacks. He'd found out that morning that she had a particular liking for strawberries when her wandering hand had taken his instead of her own.

"My name...is... Hermione... Granger. I'm...19 and a former student..." Her head rocked back and forth, her face pinched as she forced the words through. Her throat was still a little sore but it was the sound of her own voice that grated on her senses, "Of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."

"Good." Severus leaned forward brushing her turned cheek softly before pressing the sliced strawberry to her lips. She resisted for only a moment before taking the piece into her mouth. His jaw twitched when she shook her head as though to shake the words from taking hold in her mind.

"You are a witch. Powerful, intelligent, and strong."

"I'm...a witch, powerful, intelligent...and strong..." Hermione could barely get the words out. Even with the sweet taste of strawberry on her tongue the words tasted bitter. She pulled her legs tighter to her chest, lowering her forehead down after receiving her reward. This game was familiar...but different. She couldn't understand what he was doing but she didn't want him to go. She didn't want to be alone anymore.

Severus let out a slow breath and wiped his hands on a towel. It was more than he had expected from her. He knew when to give it a rest. Switching gears, he pushed himself up from the chair and slipped his wand into his palm. Her mental exercises might have been finished but still more to do.

"Imperio."

Hermione gasped softly as her mind began to float, all her thoughts fading out to a soft soothing wave. A voice, whispered in the distance but she had no power to resist its command. As her legs uncurled from the chair she could feel her body crawling with fear. When the world tilted and her legs trembled with the weight of her frame she wanted to resist, to beg for him to stop though she had no control over her tongue.

Severus stood back to take her in fully. Her height was more than he had expected. The top of her head easily coming up to his chin. When she took her first step he could feel the torment inside her trying to push through his spell but he was stronger. Her steps forward were awkward though they didn't appear to be weak just unpracticed.

"Come to me..." Severus released his spell, fully expecting her to collapse but when she took her first step under her own power he felt her world changing, "Come to me..."