Gone and Back Again

Chapter Three

The pounding in her head was only combated by the heavy dampness in the air around her. Struggling to breathe was hard alone, but the sound of twigs snapping and footsteps coming up on her was enough to cause her to panic. Blurry eyed, she stumbled to her feet and aimed her wand at the offending sound.

"Are you alright?"

The voice was...familiar. She blinked rapidly before her vision cleared enough for her to make out dark hair and large hands, raised in a kind of surrender.

"Quite. I-I fell, is all" she all but groaned as she pressed the heel of her free hand to her temple and shook her head. What in the bloody hell did he do to me?

"Would you like some help back to the castle, miss...Er...sorry I didn't catch your name?" He, tilted his head, eyebrow quirked, as her eyes shot up to the tall observer in front of her

"Hermione." Damn. Stupid!

She stared at the boy wide-eyed for a moment as she realized he was the younger self of her former potions master. He still stood over a full foot taller than her, however he looked healthier than she remembered. His pale, sallow skin had life to it. Some of the faded scars appeared recently healed, others she had memorized were completely gone. His usually greasy, raven hair was clean, and his eyes, although still the same taunting obsidian she knew, seemed softer. She stared at his hands a moment. His long, slender fingers were still peppered with calluses, and cuts, though not as many as she remembered.

This was not Professor Snape, indeed.

Severus cleared his throat, snapping Hermione from her reverie. "I was asking what you were doing out here to begin with. It's not something most students are fond of." His baritone gave her little comfort as her the pressure in her temples spread to behind her eyes.

"I could ask you the same thing, sir." she grumbled as she slipped her wand back into her sleeve. His eyebrow quirked, a smirk slipping across his face, as he reached for his leather satchel.

"Severus." He ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes never leaving he small, dirtied form in front of him. "I was actually collecting potions ingredients for something I'm putting together for a friend."

He's terribly friendly. Maybe I got here before his fallout with Lily.

Brushing her body off, she made her way towards him "may I ask what and whom? Or is that too many secrets told?" She winked as she pulled her riot of curls into a ponytail.

Severus stiffened, her proximity too close for comfort as the gentle sent of vanilla and jasmine assaulted his senses. How was he supposed to prove himself to Lily if this stranger was twisting his insides? Her amber eyes felt as if they were sending flames across his face. Her porcelain skin was tempting him to touch it. Her slender frame and the mess of copper blonde curls that surrounded her, even pulled back, called something foreign inside of him.

Lily will not like this at all. Pull yourself together. Take her to the castle and the other brutes will help her.

The pressure became too much as black spots danced across her vision. Hermione's eyes rolled and closed, her body softly jarring itself to keep awake. Severus noticed the blood trickling from her ears. He pulled his wand, and, making a mental note of the way she subtly flinched, began to asses for injuries.

"I should take you to Madame Pomfrey, you seem to have fractured your skull."

He threw his bag over his shoulders, and scooped Hermione up. The squeak that escaped her mouth caused an unwelcome smile to briefly cross his face as he cradled her to his chest. He began briskly walking back to the castle.

One arm wrapped around his neck, the opposite hand holding onto his shoulder, Hermione's head lulled against his chest. Severus did his best to keep his composure. Injured or not, he felt a comfortable warmth spread through his chest for this strange girl.

It's just because I'm close to her. Everyone feels comfort from touch.

"So, tell me about this potion for your friend. Do you need any help?"

Severus shook his head. "I usually brew a few potions at a time in my room. My best friend asked if I could make wide-eye and wit-sharpening for exams."

The dense woods began to open up to a pasture in front of the castle. "I'm sure he's very grateful you're making the equivalent to muggle adderall." Hermione mocked, weakly. The headache was becoming unbearable, her vision tunneling.

"Well, he is a she. I've known Lily since I was young."

"You should introduce us after I get my classes sorted."

Severus chuckled "We'll see. Her boyfriend is a right arse."

"Hmm" was all she was able to manage.

Hermione began to go slack, her hand falling from his shoulder to dangle
"Stay awake, Hermione. We're almost to the hospital wing." He cooed as he broke into a sprint for the corridor to the hospital wing.