Chapter Text
Severus could see light behind his eyelids. It had been all darkness before… Before… What was before? He couldn’t remember. He lay there, wherever he was, listening. Contemplating his next move. Sometimes it was wise to not let your opponent know you were conscious. To try and gather as much intelligence as possible before you make your move. It was basic spy protocol that had given him the edge many times. Second only to listening at corners.
Spy? He realized he couldn’t actively remember anything. It was all instinct at this point. He didn’t feel anything. Not hot or cold, pain, hunger, fear. He wasn’t even sure of his name. Where was he? What was happening to him?
The room was absolutely silent. He couldn’t even hear anything outside it. Was he a captive? In any prison there would be the sounds of his jailors or other captives. His instincts told him he needed more information to know how to proceed. He decided to risk the smallest hint of opening his eyes, but it didn’t really give him any more than his eyes closed. The room, as far as he could tell, was just a room. Plain white walls and ceiling. Certainly not the stone of his quarters at Hogwarts, nor the elegance of his rooms at Malfoy Manor.
Severus gasped a breath as if he were breaking the surface from deep water. It had all suddenly come back to him in a mind blowing, instant burst of information. He couldn’t control the panic attack that overtook him, and he quickly scooted across the floor to the corner of the room to protect himself. Standing with his back to the wall gave him a feeling of safety, he scanned the room for combatants. It was a moment before he even realized he had his wand in his hand ready to strike.
But there was no one and nothing in the ten by ten foot room. Literally, nothing. No table or chair, window or door, not even a light fixture, though there was light coming from somewhere. Nothing. There wasn’t even anything painted on the walls or simple seams on the floor.
He didn’t like this. Not one bit. An opponent can be fought, but this, nothingness, left him in a state close to helpless. It was torture beyond the physical and that did not bode well. It took a truly twisted mind to want to pick apart your psyche. Severus tried to be calm and work this out. What was his last memory?
The battle of Hogwarts had begun and the outcome at that point had still been uncertain. The order was putting up a better fight than the dark lord thought possible. He had summoned Severus to talk about the elder wand. He’d finally figured out it didn’t belong to him, and blamed Severus. Then there was pain as blood gushed from his neck, falling, then the snake, then Potter… He clutched his neck to staunch the bleeding, but there was no blood. He tore at his collar to get to the skin. No marks. He remembered Nagini’s violent attack. How could there be no injury?
This was all just too bizarre. Severus closed his eyes and put his palms over them to block out the bright light that seemed to surround him, squatting down on his haunches. He needed the comfort of the known to refocus, as he had done so many times when tortured. Severus imagined he was home at Spinner’s End. Going over the details one at a time. As retched a place as it was, at least he understood things there. A safe point of reference to venture from.
His eyes were closed tightly as he felt a strange sensation. Almost as if he were floating. When it passed, he could smell…well…home. The dusty furniture, the moldy baseboard and plaster walls, the tang of his ancient books and…bacon??
Severus opened his eyes and clutched at the arms of his favorite leather chair as if he were in danger of falling. He was home. How?! He looked around and mentally cataloged everything he saw. It was all there as he remembered it. The empty teacup and plate from his last meal. The book beside him, opened to the chapter he had been reading. The fire burning low in the grate. Everything was the same. Except… Bacon?
There were sounds in the kitchen. Pans and utensils and a woman humming. That was definitely new. For a moment he fancied it was his mother and he was a young boy again waiting for breakfast. No. That was ridiculous. He was a grown man and knew of no woman would cook for him, especially here. He never brought anyone here.
Severus stood on admittedly shaky legs and crept up to the kitchen. He peered around the corner and saw his table covered in a cloth and set with dishes and tableware. Looking up he saw the one who was making breakfast. Of all the weirdness he had experienced today this one topped them all. It was Hermione Granger of all people!
“Good Morning Severus.” Her cheerfulness was frightening in its own way. “Come on. Sit down and have your breakfast before it gets cold.” She continued to hum as she made her own plate and poured the tea. “It looks like it will be a lovely day. Perhaps we can go out later and…” She stopped and looked at the man who was staring at her and smiled. “You’re going to be okay Severus.” She spoke gently. “You’re in no danger. Please. Sit down and eat. It will make you feel better to do something normal.”
He nodded and sat as she began to eat. “How… Where am I? What’s happening to me?”
She was calm and patient. “Don’t you recognize where you are?”
“YES OF COURSE!” Pounding on the table to relieve some of his tension. She jumped slightly as the plates and cutlery jingled. His nerves were on edge, and he needed answers, but being belligerent was not the way to ask someone for help. “I apologize. This appears to be my childhood home, but that was not the spirit of my question. I don’t wish to banter the obvious with you. Please tell me what’s happening to me! What was that room? How did I get here? What are you doing here!?”