Damaged Goods

Damaged Goods

Part 21

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - Napoleon Bonaparte

****

Percy watched the scene from his position by a large tree at the edge of the forest. He was hidden from view by the invisibility cloak Lucius had given him to do his skullduggery.

Lupin was now exiting the hut. He paused and looked around intently. Squatting down he examined the dirt around the hut and Percy's heart lurched as Remus raised his head, staring straight at him. Percy could see the man's nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. Gripping his wand tightly, Percy waited, trying hard not to breathe. Remus finally stood up, glanced around once more, then shook his head and headed towards the castle.

Waiting until Remus was completely out of sight, Percy crept to the hut, peering into the open window. He saw Snape sitting in a chair with Hermione in his lap. He was murmuring softly as he held the girl, stroking her hair.

"Merlin's beard," Percy swore under his breath, moving back into the forest once more. So what Lucius told him was true. He would never have believed it had he not just seen it with his own eyes. Hermione Granger friendly with Snape and apparently Snape did care for the girl. Percy's brow furrowed as he remembered the conversation he had with Malfoy that night...

"And what's in it for you Malfoy? Why do you want to hurt Snape?"

"For one thing, I owe you Weasley and I do not like having unpaid debts. Your testimony was the piece de resistance in my rapid release. The board knows that the word of a Weasley is sound." Lucius allowed Percy a moment to digest this. "As far as Severus goes, I also have a debt to repay. You see Severus killed my father Marius." Lucius grinned at Percy's shocked look and he conveniently chose not to tell him that Marius murdered Severus' father, Silvanus, years earlier.

"Then why not just kill him?"

"What sport would that be? Really, Percy you need to learn that there are far more enjoyable ways of making others suffer than terminating their existence. The dead cannot feel pain, or so I am told."

When Lucius had told him whom he wanted to use to hurt Severus, Percy had laughed. "I do not know where you obtained your information Malfoy, but rest assured that girl would never be involved with Snape."

Lucius' superior look had wiped the grin off Percy's face.

He still thought Lucius' ideas were a bit strange. It would have made more sense to try and lure Harry and Hermione off the grounds or stun them and just take them. However Lucius had made it clear that he did not want Percy to do that, not yet. "The prey tastes much sweeter when the blood is filled with the nectar of fear," Lucius had told him.

So for the next few hours Percy was to play with the prey. He hated being Malfoy's messenger but his hatred towards Snape went deeper. Percy carefully noted the girls that accompanied Hermione. He felt a slight twinge of guilt as he looked at Ginny, but quickly pushed it away, knowing there was no place for mercy in his heart anymore. Still, if he could get the other girl, Tamara, it would be easier on him. Leaning against the tree, he closed his eyes and waited for nightfall.

****

Creeping out of the secret panel behind the Gryffindor fireplace, Percy quickly surveyed the room. Only Ginny and a small boy were still left in the common room, playing a game of Gobstones. The others had apparently already retired.

"Stupefy," he whispered and the boy fell off the chair, Ginny whipped around, her wand in her hand. Good reflexes little sister, he thought wryly.

"Who's there? Hey!" Ginny felt a strong hand clamp over her mouth as her attacker wrenched her wrist, causing her wand to fall from her hand. Percy then swore as she bit his hand and she quickly followed by elbowing him in the ribs.

She scrambled towards her wand but was knocked to the floor. Once again caught in his grasp, she let out a scream before his hands clamped over her mouth a second time.

"Bitch!" she heard a voice snarl as an invisible fist slammed into the side of her face. She felt dazed and blackness hovered behind her eyes. Still it didn't stop the blood curdling cry that escaped her lips as she felt something sharp pierce her right arm, plunging through muscle and sinew and pinning her to the floor.

Percy got up quickly, hearing people running down the stairs. He spun around and saw Harry, Ron, Hermione and several students burst into the room.

"Ginny!" Ron cried, hurrying to his sister who was moaning. Her arm was pinned to the floor by a wicked looking knife with a piece of parchment wrapped around the hilt. Percy hesitated, tempted to hex Potter and take him now. He raised his wand, but lowered it quickly as he heard more voices behind him, adult voices, as Lupin, Snape and McGonagall came through the portrait door wands at the ready.

McGonagall hurried to Ginny's side as Snape and Lupin went to stand in front of Harry. "Quiet!" Severus hissed and the room silenced. He and Lupin were straining to hear. Remus raised his wand and scanned the room, stopping in Percy's general area as his nose twitched.

"There!" he shouted as he cast a spell. Percy ducked, the spell singeing the cloak, smoke rising from it as he dove into the secret passage.

"Stay, in case he doubles back!" Severus barked as he ducked into the passage. He raced down the steps, leaping down the last five and ran down the dark passage. Seeing nothing, he thought that the person had gotten away until he heard the scuff of stones up ahead.

"Impedimenta!" Severus roared, casting the spell down the hall. He was rewarded as he heard a dull thud as something struck the ground.

Searching around the area in which he had heard the sound, Severus was rewarded as his foot struck something. Reaching down he jerked the invisibility cloak off the stunned Death Eater. Pulling him up he grasped him around the neck as he tore the facemask off.

"Weasley!" Severus spat, his fingers tightening around the man's throat. "Now this is going to be very interesting to turn a Weasley over to the authorities," he said, releasing Percy.

"You won't turn me in Snape," he gasped, rubbing his throat. "Our Master would be very angry with you."

A nerve twitched in Severus' cheek. "You are not doing this for the Dark Lord but for Lucius. The Dark Lord would care less if I slaughtered you."

"But you won't, will you Severus?" Percy said smugly. "The Dark Lord knows nothing about you and Granger." The flash of fire in Severus' eyes betrayed him. "It'd be very awkward to explain why you hadn't brought her to him. Harry Potter's close friend, the pride of Hogwarts. Malfoy will tell him all about it if I do not return."

Severus started to retort that Lucius was in the same spot, but knew it wouldn't be worth the effort. "Get out of here!" he hissed.

Percy's eyes flickered towards the end of the tunnel. A priggish smile crossed his face before he turned to go. "Weasley." The menacing low voice sent a shiver down Percy's spine. He turned to look at the Potions Master. "I will look forward to the next expedition the Master sends us on. I do hope you have learned how to take care of yourself by then."

The smile disappeared, as he understood the implication of the threat. Percy felt the dark eyes pierce his back until he was out.

Staring at the exit of the tunnel, Severus felt the power flow through him. The stones around the doorway of the cave turned red, glowing with a fierce heat as they began to melt. Sweat streamed down his face, his head throbbing until he finally collapsed. Lifting his head, his eyes glittered, satisfied with what he saw. The stone was cooling on the now solid wall.

Severus returned to the Gryffindor common room to find it empty except for Lupin, who still held his wand at the ready. Lowering it when he saw that it was Severus, Remus looked questioningly at him.

"The intruder escaped," Severus said bitterly, holding the other man's gaze a moment. Remus nodded in understanding.

"They took Ginny to the hospital wing. Severus, this was tied to the knife." Remus handed him the blood stained parchment and the knife that Severus recognized. It was the one he had given Weasley to slit the Creevey child's throat with.

****

Standing behind Ron and Harry in the infirmary, she felt tears hot in her eyes. It was her fault that Ginny had been hurt. Hiding her face in her hands, she tried to stifle a sob.

"Don't cry Hermione," Ginny said. She was very pale, her arm bandaged. "I will be right as rain in a few days."

Hermione moved over to stand near Ginny. "I am so sorry Ginny. What...what happened to you... it is my fault."

Ginny snorted. "How could it be your fault?"

"There is something I should have told you. All of you. It is about what happened to me last Christmas," she said, breathing deeply. With a steady voice, she quietly told her three friends about her abduction. She chose her words carefully, not wanting to reveal the extent of the sexual abuse to which she had been subjected.

Finished with her story, she looked carefully to her friends. Ron's face had paled to the point that his freckles seemed to be the only color in his face. He opened his mouth and closed it again, then gripped his sister's hand tightly. Harry however was flushed and fire shone from his eyes.

"That son of a bitch," Harry said softly, his voice quaking, his hands balling up into fists.

"Oh Hermione!" Ginny cried, tears running down her cheeks. "I am so sorry."

"Me too," Ron mumbled not looking at Hermione.

"Draco is so dead," Harry said matter-of-factly.

"Harry," Hermione said reproachfully, "it will not help anything if you attack Draco. What's done is done and nothing can change it."

"What's done?" Harry yelled getting to his feet. "You stand there calmly and tell me not to do anything to Draco after he and his father raped you? That slimly piece of filth deserves to be castrated!"

"Well, I did try to freeze it off," Hermione said lightly, trying to smile. Ginny snickered.

Harry looked at both of them shocked. "How can you make a joke of this Hermione?"

Sighing, Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "It is not funny Harry, but believe me I am thankful that I am able to do so. It hasn't been easy..." Her voice broke. "I am just afraid...that none of you will ever be able...to look at me the same...not after..."

Her words were cut off as Ron leaned over and pulled her into a big hug. Harry followed suit wrapping his arms around them both. Hermione was crying now as she felt the boys' arms around her. "You will always be the same Hermione to me," Ron said, his voice muffled. "Nothing will change that."

"That goes for me too," Harry assured her.

"Don't forget me," Ginny protested underneath the group. They broke apart and Hermione moved to accept Ginny's hug.

"Thanks," Hermione said gratefully, wiping at the tears that were running down her cheeks. Her spirit felt lighter as she looked at her friends.

****

Shutting the book, Severus ran a hand across his eyes as the small clock on the hearth struck. Three am. Three fucking am. Damn her.

Why am I so involved in that bloody chit's life? Severus sighed. "Accio brandy." He waved his hand and the bottle flew from the cabinet. Refilling the snifter on the table, he swirled the amber liquid a moment, thinking of how complicated this situation with Hermione was becoming. Damn her. It wasn't working. No matter how often he had tried to rage against her, remembering the annoying little girl, it hadn't worked.

His feelings towards her were a strange and foreign revelation to him, cluttering his orderly, albeit complicated life. This was something he could not abide, as he had little room in his life for the instability of feelings. The role he played working for both Dumbledore and Voldemort required precision and balance. He played each like a fine violin, always aware of any notes played off key, and he took great care never to tighten the strings too tightly. Dancing to the tunes of both men, Severus knew he was still in control of his choices. Then why the hell wasn't he in control of his feelings towards the girl?

The blood lust that had raged through him when he saw her in Weasley's arms confused him. He simply wanted the girl to stop with the uncontrollable sexual urges Lucius had awakened in her, or so he had told himself. Then why had he attacked her with such anger, or had it been hunger? Sighing, Severus thought it would be easier if she would just go back to being the annoying, brilliant Witch she had once been and had the potential to be again. It was all too easy to dream; her innocence was gone forever.

She needs to deal with it and move on, he thought bitterly. And leave me bloody well out of it. Draining the brandy, Severus set the glass down and picked up the blood stained parchment.

'Your chances are dwindling fast my dear. You know what to do.'

****

Severus entered Albus' office early the following morning. Minerva was sitting on a sofa talking quietly with Remus. Sitting down across from them Severus poured a cup of coffee from the pot on the small table between them.

"How is the Weasley girl?" he asked before taking a sip of the strong hot liquid.

"Poppy informed me that she can return to her dorm after breakfast. The wound was clean and fortunately did not damage any nerves," Minerva told him. She eyed him critically. "Remus informed me that you have sealed the tunnel."

Severus nodded. "No one will ever be able to use it again."

"Was that wise Severus? How will you leave the grounds now?"

"Like everyone else," he said sarcastically. "I will just walk through the gates."

"That could lead to suspicion..."

"Minerva," Remus interjected, "I agree with Severus' decision. The access the tunnel afforded is too dangerous, as we witnessed last night."

"I just cannot believe the audacity of Malfoy," Minerva said angrily, her cheeks flushed. "To risk getting caught to torment Miss Granger, it just seems ridiculous. I am just thankful the Fat Lady alerted us so quickly."

"I do not believe it was Malfoy who delivered the message," Severus said, his eyes catching Lupin's for a moment. "Though he was the instigator. It was far more likely a young recruit he coerced into it."

They were silent a moment as a House Elf brought a tray of biscuits and another pot of coffee. After the elf had left Remus spoke. "As I was telling Minerva, I did not mean to eavesdrop but last night in the hospital wing I overheard Hermione telling her friends about what had happened to her."

Severus sighed and closed his eyes a moment. He was glad that Hermione had found the strength to do so. It had been hard for her yesterday in Hagrid's Hut, to listen as Severus told Remus about her abuse at Lucius' hands. He had held her in his lap comforting her after Lupin had left, letting her come to terms with hearing the account again.

"It will be healing for her," Minerva said softly. "Those children have been through a lot together, and now that she has told them, it will help her deal with the pain." Her eyes locked with Severus' a moment. "Though I know no one has helped her more than you Severus. Thank you for that."

Severus shifted uncomfortably, noting the tears in Minerva's eyes. "Really Minerva, how could I help a stubborn Gryffindor? Everyone knows they are too thick headed to listen to anyone." Remus chuckled and Minerva smiled.

Several owls came flying into the room carrying large brown packets. "O.W.L.s results," Minerva announced, taking a package from a handsome owl. "They are a bit late this summer." The larger packets were placed on Albus' desk while Minerva opened the large envelope attached to one. It was the summary scores of the students, the highest listed first. The other packets held each student's exam and comments for each professor on staff.

Minerva grinned broadly as she scanned the long parchment. "Aha! It has finally happened!"

Severus frowned, getting up to take the parchment from her. He knew what she was on about. Every year Minerva teased him about his OWL scoring. She wanted someone to beat him. Severus had had the highest total scoring at Hogwarts in the last forty years, narrowly eclipsing Sirius Black by one point. Since then the closest student had been five points behind him. They had an ongoing wager. When a student finally beat his score he was going to have to serve Minerva breakfast in bed for a week.

Seeing the name on the top of list, Severus' mouth twitched as he tried to scowl. "You are mistaken Minerva. I haven't been beaten, only tied."

Her eyes sparkling she took the list from him and gave it to Remus. "True, but just think it was a Gryffindor who tied you."

"Amazing," Remus said quietly. "After all she has been through Hermione tied you Severus. I wonder how much higher her score might have been."

Looking at the two Gryffindors, Severus silently agreed.

****

Hermione had badgered Ron, Harry and Ginny until they finally had agreed to take the Potions Medica class. She knew they were only doing this for her and her heart felt fuller that her friends thought so much of her. Harry's anger toward Snape had not lessened though he kept his remarks to himself as he sat in the back of the class. Ron sat with his eyes always downcast whenever Severus looked in his direction.

The class was very different than the Potions classes during term. Severus did not hover over them as they worked over their cauldrons and held his tongue whenever a potion went wrong. He was still an exacting taskmaster giving them assignments to complete outside of class though he did not collect them. Though loathed to admit it, he held a deep sympathy for the majority of the students sitting before him.

Remus Lupin's class turned out to be a surprise to the quartet. They were the only students that knew the real reason that he was there and had expected him to teach DADA. It turned out that he taught a class on survival skills, leading them into the Forbidden Forest, showing them edible plants and charms to purify water, how to track and camouflage.

Although Remus kept the treks light hearted with his calm manner, even the youngest student understood the reason behind this class and Snape's. They were preparing for war.

****

"Such a wanton girl, Hermione," Lucius' voice caressed her ear, as he invaded her body. Her hands were tied above her head, a rag stuffed into her mouth. "Look," he told her grabbing her chin and forcing her to turn her head. "See the disgust on their faces. They know what you are. A slut. My slut. Do you honestly think they will accept you now?" he purred.

Tears filled her eyes as she saw Ron, Harry, Ginny, Tamara, Remus and Severus standing in the small cell. The look of contempt and utter disgust was evident on their faces. She tried to plead with them to help her but she only gagged as the cloth cut off her words.

"Told you she was nothing but a Slytherin whore," Ron said coldly.

"Sorry I doubted you mate," Harry said, his eyes flashing fire. Hermione could feel the hate in them.

Ginny gagged and shook her head.

Remus stared at her, his face set. "I use to think she was the cleverest witch I had ever met. Pity. To throw it all away for this. Come, before I lose my dinner."

Hermione screamed for them to stay, though it only sounded guttural through her gag. With one last look of contempt they left. All except for Severus. He stood there impassive, his eyes never straying from hers.

Lucius finished, his cry of completion interrupting the silence. He looked at Severus and grinned. "Do you want her old man?"

Severus nodded and Hermione's heart sunk as Lucius moved off her, the grin on his face widening. In a flurry of dark robes, Severus grabbed Lucius and flung him hard against the wall. He looked shocked as he slowly slid to the floor.

Sighing with relief, Hermione waited for Severus to release her and take her out of there. He sat down on the cot, his dark eyes studying her, making no move to untie her. Instead his hand reached out to stroke her breast. Confused she watched as him as he began to stroke her skin, softly, lightly, almost reverently. After several minutes of his ministrations Hermione was no longer concerned about being released but moaned softly as she felt her body respond to his touch.

He smiled slightly as he ceased his stroking. His hand moved to her face and she felt the gag pulled away just as she saw a flash of metal. "No!" she cried as she saw Lucius behind Severus, the blade of a knife streaking down towards Snape's head...

Hermione jerked awake, sitting up quickly and looking around the dark room. She put her face in her hands trying to still her racing heart.

When she had calmed down, she lay back down, listening to Ginny's steady breathing from the other bed. Ginny had moved into Hermione's dorm after the attack. A tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed at it angrily. Knowing that if she closed her eyes she would see the visions again, Hermione tried to think about something else. Her body was tingling with need and she bit her lip trying to squelch the desire running through it. I am not wanton, I am not, she repeated to herself.

Minutes passed and she knew she could not go back to sleep. Fear gripped her heart. Getting out of bed she walked out of the dorm.

****

She found him in the Potions classroom. He had taken off his robes and stood over a steaming cauldron, the sleeves on his white linen shirt rolled up and the top buttons undone.

As she walked down the tiered aisle, he glanced up at her and motioned for her to be quiet.

Sitting gingerly on a stool, Hermione sat very still, watching him. His face was set in concentration, a narrow line furrowing his brow, as he stirred the cauldron. Long tapered fingers were crushing the leaf as he narrowed his eyes in concentration. Sweat ran down his face, a drop threatening to fall from the tip of the long, hawkish nose. His thin lips were pursed as he watched the mixture before him and she could feel the tension emanating from his body from her distance.

Studying him, Hermione was surprised to realize she was no longer seeing her Potions Master before her. She was seeing Severus, a man. Testing his name in her mouth she thought of it. Severe. It suited him. His teaching style was severe, strict and sometimes unfair. That she did not agree with, but knew she didn't understand enough about the man to know why he was this way. Perhaps it was part of the persona he had to play, or perhaps it was just a part of him to be petty and vindictive.

Still, he had shown her kindness, even gentleness and understanding. Remembering the day in the changing room when he had shown her his back and in turn had caressed hers, she knew at that moment she could no longer look at him without seeing a man, flesh and blood, with wounds and feelings.

She felt the surge through her stomach as she remembered his caresses on her flesh. Perhaps he was only trying to prove a point so that she might accept her scars as part of her. His touch had more affect than that and she had been ashamed and puzzled as her body reacted, feeling damp between her thighs as he held her afterwards. That night she had berated herself for having such feelings, but it had not kept the thoughts away. What would it be like to have him kiss her, touch her? Not to teach her a lesson but because it was what he wanted to do.

And would I want him to? Hermione's eyes roamed over Severus once more. No one could ever describe him as handsome that was a certainty, but then again she had never judged anyone by his or her looks. Malfoy was the ultimate example of that. Lucius was a very handsome man by anyone's standards, with depravity within that would have made the ugliest troll look like an Adonis in comparison.

The crushed leaf was added and the steam rising from the cauldron turning brilliant emerald green. Expelling his breath, Severus removed the ladle from the cauldron. Picking up a towel, he wiped the sweat from his face and neck before looking at Hermione.

Seeing the lust in her eyes he mentally prepared for whatever was to come, not relishing the thought that he may have to 'teach' her another lesson. His eyes flickered over her, and lingered longer than he thought proper, noting how her gown clung to her body, tantalizing his senses. Internally berating himself for his wandering thoughts, Severus then schooled his features to the calm, indifferent mask he wanted to present to her.

"The dreams, I couldn't sleep. These feelings...desires," she explained as he approached her.

"Perhaps if you took care of them. I told you there was nothing unnatural about satisfying your body's demands yourself."

"I know, I tried." Her cheeks flushed pink. "It's just I need something else. I need to know...I want to know that I am capable of being loved properly," she said with a tremor in her voice.

"Hermione," he said gently, "you are. How many times must I tell you this?"

"I don't want you to tell me, I want you to show me." He frowned at her. "I know you believe it's just a reaction from my abuse and I won't deny that part of it may be, but I know there is more out there. You have shown me that."

"Hermione it will happen in time. You are young. You will find love and wholeness some day."

"But how can I when I don't know what is real and what is programmed? No one would understand, no one but someone who has been there themselves." The request hung in the air; an invisible force that made his heart beat a little faster.

He looked at her, his heart aching, understanding what she was suggesting. "I cannot do what you are asking Hermione, it isn't right," he said softly.

"Right for who? For me? I think it would be the most right thing I could do for myself in a long time." He waited. She smiled wryly. "No, I will not resort to self flagellation anymore. See Professor, you have already shown me so much. I will ask as one hurting person to another, please Severus." It was the first time she had ever used his name and it sent a small shiver down his spine. "Teach me that everything can be beautiful again. Give me a starting point."

"This cannot happen," he said as he reached out and gently cupped her face in his hand, feeling her lean into it. "I am your teacher, and an adult. Do you not understand Hermione? I will be the one with the power. You need to be on equal grounds to understand what it means to be with someone."

She looked at him, pleading in her eyes. "I will not ask again Severus, but this once. Please make me feel whole. Give me a chance at being normal."

"Ask me again in a few years and I promise you will be in my bed before you finish the request." He smiled at her, noting the pain in her eyes. "I am sure by then you will have forgotten that you ever even knew this greasy haired git." She shook her head. "Hermione, I am not rejecting you. I will probably curse myself later for not complying with your request. It just cannot happen, do you understand?"

She nodded, looking miserable. He knew it had taken every ounce of courage she had to ask this of him and a part of him wanted it as much as she did. He wanted to find, if only a moment, a chance for both of them to feel normal, to experience sex as more than a weapon. Though he believed what he had told her about it not being equal because of his station, it was more out of fear of hurting her. Never did he want her to look at him with regret.

"Professor will you... kiss me? Not because you need to teach me a lesson or because you think I need it, but because you want to. If you want to that is..."

He definitely wanted to, more than he realized ever since he had kissed her in the classroom on the day she had received Lucius' letter. She was so sweet and he had felt as if he was lying in a green field on a warm summer day chewing on a piece of sweet lemongrass. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was telling himself that it would be wrong, because it was not coming from a need to teach her a lesson, but from a need within himself he hadn't known was there.

She watched his face, as he seemed to struggle for a moment. Finally he spoke. "I most surely want to, but I cannot and will not."

He watched as her cheeks flushed and she looked down. Severus brought her face up to look at his. "Hermione," his voice was soothing, gently caressing the air. "I will not be a replacement for either Malfoy." She started to open her mouth to protest but stopped at the knowing look he gave her. A small sob escaped from her.

"It's alright," he said gently, wrapping her in a comforting hug.

It was so tempting to introduce her into the darkness. Lucius for all his arrogance and self-assurance had not taken her there and could not, for he only learned his lessons through visual means. Marius had taught Severus personally, with hands on experience. The young woman in his arms could be his, his alone. He could bend her to his will, his command, his whore and the blackness lured with siren song around him, beckoning and cajoling him to submit.

Severus was glad Hermione could not see his face, as she pressed her face into his shirt crying softly. He knew that his lust and anger would be evident as he snarled against the abyss. It was the same dark path that Marius Malfoy had led him into that now threatened to entice him one more.

Hermione, my brave little girl, he thought as the rage subsided. He held her tightly, one hand caressing her hair as he felt her tremble against him. She has touched my heart completely; he thought, fear and amazement flowing through him, and nothing good can come from it.

****

Saturday brought with it one of the hottest days of the summer. The students were reluctant to leave the cool halls of the school and only did so after Remus and Flitwick suggested that swimming lessons were the order of the day. Hermione sat on the bank watching Ron, Ginny, Tamara and several other students organized a game of water tag. She did not want to swim to subject herself to more questions should anyone see her back. Besides, her mind was too full of him, and of what had happened last night.

Harry sat beside her, sweat trickling down his face.

"You don't have to keep me company," she told him again.

"I've seen what's in the lake," he said with a small laugh. "Believe me, I have no desire to swim." Hermione smiled at him. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and still the heat made her feel as if she were wearing a polar suit. "Want to go for a walk?" Harry asked.

"Sure. Better than baking in the sun." Getting up she headed over to Remus and told him that she and Harry were going to walk around the lake. They were under orders to always let someone know where they were at all times after the incidents of the previous week.

They walked around the lake to the far side. Hermione chewed on her bottom lip as they passed the spot where the Dementors had surrounded them in their third year. Glancing at Harry, she noticed a nerve ticking in his cheek as they increased their pace. After they were out of sight of that spot Harry stopped and leaned against a tree, wiping his glasses with the edge of his shirt.

"You alright?" Hermione asked.

"Sure," Harry said, though his voice sounded a little tight. "Darn things," he pulled his glasses off once more trying to get the smudges off them.

"Here," she said gently, taking them from him. She cast a spell to keep them from fogging and a cleaning spell.

"Thanks. You know Hermione I'm the one that should be asking if you're alright."

"That's not necessary Harry. I'm fine."

Harry put his glasses back on and looked at Hermione. "Are you really?" he asked softly, moving to stand in front of her. She looked into his brilliant green eyes and saw the many questions as he reached out to brush a lock of sweaty hair from her face.

"Truly. Thanks for asking Harry."

Hermione watched as Harry flushed, his eyes straying down to her mouth. She leaned towards him as he turned his head, their noses bumping lightly before he pressed his lips against hers.