Touchstone

~*~*~*~

Dumbledore's idea that Severus and Hermione were linked was correct. He was now inside of her conscious mind and had made contact with her. There was one problem however, among others he supposed. She did not know who he was. His mind raced thinking what that could mean, wondering if she was so far gone she had forgotten everything about her life. 'Well for the gods' sake man, tell her who you are before you scare her off!'

Snape arched a delicate eyebrow, his trademark, in confusion. He blinked, tried to gather his thoughts, and replied. "Ah, hello." 'Excellent greeting Severus,' he thought after the words were out.

Hermione continued to watch her visitor warily. Snape cleared his throat, "My name is Severus Snape." Judging by her lost look she did not recall the name so he continued. "I was your Potions professor at Hogwarts?" Nothing.

"We fought together in the war?" Her gaze faltered.

'Ah,' he thought. 'That struck a chord.' "I suppose you are wondering why I am here Miss Granger," he watched her reaction. There wasn't one. "Or, at least *how* I got here?"

After a beat she replied, "It has crossed my mind."

Snape laughed inwardly at the irony of that statement. 'Now what...'

"From the apparent fact that you do not remember who I am, it has occurred to me that you may not retain all of your memories. Can you tell me what exactly it is you do remember?" He shifted uneasily on his feet. The girl looked as though she was trembling and she continued to stay silent.

"Miss Granger," he softened his tone a bit, "I can assure you I mean you no harm, otherwise I would not be here. You and I are linked; that is why I am able to be standing before you," he even gave her a small smile.

Hermione had not thought about that. All she knew was that a familiar and desperate presence had been nagging at the back of her mind, asking for permission to come in. Feeling weak and distracted she allowed the presence to enter. She had watched him in her mind's eye, and feeling no immediate danger approached the stranger. He said she knew him and the longer she thought about it, the more she seemed to remember.

She was terrified of him when she was younger. She remembered detentions and other horrid punishments. Only, he looked a bit different...the facial expression, was that...concern? It certainly wasn't a look she recognized from that man. And of course he couldn't hurt her, well physically at least. Realization slowly dawned on her and she took a feeble step towards the Potions Master.

"Hello Professor S-snape."

"Do you remember now?" Snape winced at his rhetoric question.

"Yes. It is slowly sinking back in," her face remained impassive.

Snape took another step towards her. "Would you like to have a seat? Excuse my unnecessary insight, but you look a bit time worn," he stopped his advancement as she shook her head vigorously. He sighed.

"Alright. Would you care to tell me why you're here Miss Granger?" He opted for a firmer tone; it usually produced better results than what he was getting at the moment.

Hermione started at that. "Perhaps you should begin telling me why you're here Professor Snape. This is my mind in the first place." She was getting tired again, this discussion was draining and her trembles doubled.

"Very well. Out there," he motioned at the vast space around them, "there are...concerns, particularly about your health. Dumbledore- you do know who that is right?"

She nodded. "He said, ah, that I may be able to reach you; consequently here I am."

"Why?"

Snape bit his tongue. 'Impertinent little... patience Severus.' He took a calming breath, "To try and persuade you to come back of course. That is, if you want to come back. He seems to think you would be better there than here."

Hermione blinked, was that a joke? This just gets weirder and weirder.

Her knees felt weak, and with as much dignity as she could muster she took a small step backwards to clumsily lean against the doorjamb. "I'm perfectly satisfied where I am now thank you. I appreciate your concer-"she inhaled.

Images were floating back to her mind. The ones she had been keeping at bay since her little retreat. Dark wizards...blood and death...death. 'Oh my God...' Her bottom lip trembled and her knees gave way. "Oh, Ron..." she whispered as the tears welled up and she slipped down the doorway.

Snape crossed the distance between them in three strides and grabbed her before she sunk to the floor. Hermione flinched violently and raised her arms in defense so he wrapped his arms around her tightly to keep them from flailing about. Her breath was ragged as she tried to banish the awful sights. Poke them back into their hiding space. Snape held her as she gained her composure. He wondered if she had dealt with everything, but was assuming she hadn't. This would undeniably be a delicate situation indeed. He'd have to tread lightly if he was going to convince her that there was a reason for her to come back.

Snape gently rocked her back and forth and whispered soothing words in her ear. Words that surprised even him. He stroked her hair, remembering that when he was little the same actions used to calm him. But those affections didn't last long. Hermione eventually relaxed and let herself be held. Denial. Denial was bliss. How odd that such a strange and generally unappealing man could provide her with solace.

After what seemed like a good ten minutes Snape spoke up. "Miss Gra- may I call you Hermione?" She inclined her head. His silky baritone voice vibrated inside her chest.

"Thank you. Hermione, might I suggest we move to more, er, comfortable positions?" he said having sensed her lessened tension.

She nodded and he helped her to stand wrapping an unexpectedly strong arm around her waist and guided her to one of the large wingbacks. Having her situated, he slid his own chair so that it was directly in her line of vision, and sat down as well. They sat in an awkward silence.

"I don't suppose there is any chance of getting some tea?"

Hermione glanced at him. "I suppose not then." He sighed. "Well then, I am still in need of a response Miss Granger, "he was using his most formal tones to try to bring her out of her silence. "Will you not come back?"

Hermione's face remained blank as she looked at the fire, "I'd rather not."

"Fair enough. May I enquire as to why?"

"I don't- that is, I don't feel a need to," she whispered.

He snorted, "That seems rather selfish."

Hermione's eyes flashed. "You're one to talk!"

"Oh really," he sneered. 'Provoke her,' he thought.

"Yes! You-"'No...best to forget. Close off Hermione." Snape watched her expression change from fury to nothing.

"Well, regardless of your opinion of me, my opinion of you is that you are still selfish. And deciding to stay in here and hide, while hurting others outside is not changing that fact. You cannot stay in here and sulk forever Miss Granger."

She looked up at him, her evident plan clear as day on her face. "I don't plan on it."

Snape paused, and then rose to stand. "I don't believe you. You don't have it in you."

"Try me," her voice was fierce and her eyes narrowed. 'How dare he antagonize me?!'

"I will." He bent down and leant near her face, his nose mere inches from her own. "You see Miss Granger, I believe that if you were serious, you would not have waited this long."

He went a bit further to whisper in her ear, his voice low and dangerous. "I think you are just looking for an excuse to come back. You want someone to fret over you, maybe force you back. Now tell me that is not selfish." He lingered for a few seconds before rising, his breath in her ear.

Hermione's chest was heaving with rage. He stood back and looked at her; she was staring at the fire, the light dancing on her cheeks. He stared hard at her for a few moments daring her mentally to reply. Having decided to end this meeting while he was still ahead he took a step back. "Hermione, I know you do not want to do this. And in spite of my general view on Gryffindors, I would think you would be much braver than this." He shook his head, gave her a disapproving sneer and left, leaving Hermione to ponder.