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A Hermione/Severus fic.
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Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Harry Potter.
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A/N: I really shouldn't be posting new stories until I've completed my other ones, but I had to get this down. I've been reading so many fics lately that I got the "writing bug" back, and had to do something.
I highly doubt I'll be posting anything for a bit after this, as I'm not on my regular computer, and the owner of the one I'm on does not appreciate me saving stories onto their computer.
Anywhoo ... I hope you guys like this. I know I'll love writing it!
Also, this story is obviously AU, as it takes place during their seventh year, Voldemort is not so much as mentioned, and Snape is still the Potions Professor.
As always, please read and review, I live for feedback!
It seemed to be a Monday like any other at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students filed into the Great Hall, their bleary eyes rejuvenated with sparkles when they feasted their eyes on the delectable meal the house elves had created for them.
The somewhat older - but by no means less enthusiastic - persons at the Head Table enjoyed the breakfast set before them quietly, occasionally pausing to comment to a neighbor, or eye a student that might be out of sorts.
The morning post arrived, and the owls soared in, dropping their packages and envelopes in front of their intended targets, and exiting through the windows they flew in through to roost in the Owlery. The noise in the Great Hall dipped slightly while the students who received news from home skimmed through their parchments.
It would be incorrect to say there was a sudden, deafening silence at just the right moment, though there might as well have been, as one voice roared above all others, backed by the fire of a true lioness's menace.
"Son of a bitch!" a female's voice boomed loudly, staring with wide, angered eyes at the words in front of her.
The voices of the Hall's inhabitants truly did stop then, and all eyes turned to one girl.
At 18 years of age - thanks to the Time Turner - Hermione Granger could scarcely be called a girl much longer. Her once bushy hair had long since been tamed, and now hung in cinnamon-brown ringlets down her back. Her once gawky and immature figure had blossomed into a thin-but-curvaceous form, and though she wore no make-up, her natural beauty was unmatched by anyone in attendance.
Of course, very few paid any attention to the differences in her body, as all were focused on one small attribute - her mouth. To be exact, what had come out of her mouth.
From the Head Table, one man eyed her with interest. He'd never imagined such words could escape her lips, let alone with such spite behind them.
Oblivious to the stares of those around her, as well as Harry and Ron's questioning looks, Hermione shoved herself away from the table, grabbed her book bag from the floor in front of her and stormed out of the Great Hall in a huff, her face darkened several shades.
"I wonder what's gotten into Miss Granger?" Albus Dumbledore inquired, glancing at Minerva and Severus.
Professor McGonagall shook her head, gazing at the doors her young Gryffindor had left open in her escape. "I have no idea."
Severus grunted noncommittally, glancing down at his plate with disinterest.
"Well, I do hope that nothing is wrong," the old man added, surveying the students through his half-moon spectacles.
"As long as it doesn't affect her actions in my class, I really couldn't care less," Severus informed them, standing up from his chair and making his way to his classroom to prepare for the agonizingly long day he knew was in store for him.
Hermione had retreated to the Head Girl's dormitory immediately following breakfast, and no one had been able to talk to her since. The students in her Advanced Astronomy class didn't know her well enough to bug her about it, so it wasn't until Potions later in the afternoon that Hermione could be hounded by her best friends.
"What was up with you this morning?" Ron asked bluntly.
Harry inquired with a softer tone, "Is everything ok? Do you want to talk about it?"
Hermione had barely uttered the words, "Definitely not," before the Potions Master silenced the class and drew their attention to the chalk board.
As he began his lecture, his eyes occasionally drifted to the steely ones of his brightest student. Being perfectly honest with himself, he knew his curiosity was peaked. Cussing in public was not something that the proud Gryffindor made a habit of doing, and he dearly wanted to know what could have made her done so. He contemplated using legilimency to attain his answers, but grudgingly told himself that the circumstances did not warrant the use of such personal means.
He resigned himself to the fact that he might have to wait for the gossip to make its way back to one of the more loose-lipped Professors. Anyone but Trelawny, he begged internally.
He instructed the class to begin, and they set about gathering and preparing their ingredients.
While he normally scrutinized each and every student in his classes, his eyes were constantly drawn to one in particular. Her chops were more forceful than necessary, and a few times she nearly chucked the ingredients into the cauldron, instead of placing them gently into the mixture. The task was to make the Draught of Living Death, and Severus decided that the potion certainly fit well with her current mood. She looked as though she might actually use the potion on someone when she was finished.
When she bottled her completed potion and brought it up to him for inspection, he met her eyes with questions in his. Her eyes were bloodshot, but did not appear puffy ... he assumed she hadn't been crying, though it was clear she was intensely upset. Her posture was rigid as she held the potion out expectantly, and he accepted the vial, nodding for her to return to her seat and pack up her things.
Very curious, he thought to himself, but didn't say so much as a word.
It was three days before Hermione spoke to anyone. Three days of leaving her hand down when the class was asked a question, three days of answering with shrugs and gestures whenever a teacher asked her specifically.
It was Thursday before Hermione asked Ron if he could pass the hash browns, and everyone assumed that whatever had upset her was over with. Her friends wanted to press the issue, but they knew better than to further aggravate her, so they left it be.
Her schoolwork had not suffered, and while she answered when called upon, her focus was clearly not on what it should have been. She began to withdraw from her friends, spending more time outside and alone, a bitter, lost expression on her face at all times.
A week later she was called into the Headmaster's office to discuss her apprenticeships with Binns and McGonagall. Hermione had previously shown interest in taking over the position of History of Magic one day, but also wanted to continue with her education of other subjects as well, and so was to be taking two apprenticeships the first year after she graduated, and then completing her education degree within Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was concerned about Hermione's apparent lack of interest in Hogwarts of late, and wanted to be sure that everything was alright with her.
"Come in," he called when he heard the light rap on the door.
Hermione entered the office to find several of her professors there, including McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and of course, Dumbledore.
"You wanted to see me, Headmaster," she began, glancing at the others.
He nodded. "Indeed. Do have a seat, Miss Granger."
She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, looking at the lone chair in the middle of the office. "Did I do something wrong?"
His sparkling eyes turned soft and reassuring. "No, of course not child. I just wished to discuss what will happen after graduation."
Her eyes were alight with momentary panic, but she pushed it away quickly. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Dumbledore smiled easily. "Regarding your apprenticeships with Professors Binns and McGonagall."
Hermione nodded in understanding, a sad expression sliding onto her features. "I meant to come talk to you about that, sir. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay at Hogwarts after graduation after all. I won't be taking any apprentice positions."
Silence reigned in the office for a moment before Minerva spoke up. "Why not, child? Has something happened?"
Hermione folded her hands neatly in her lap, fixing her gaze on Fawkes. "I'd really rather not talk about it ... it's personal."
Dumbledore insisted, "I'm afraid we're going to need a little bit more than that, my dear. This is your future we're talking about. Surely nothing could be so important that you would abandon all the hard work you've done. This is what you wanted."
Hermione sighed, bringing her eyes around past Minerva and Filius, pausing momentarily at Severus's stoic form before finally settling on the old man with the flowing, white beard. "I won't be able to return to Hogwarts because I'll no longer be a witch. I'm getting married, sir ... to a muggle. I will be renouncing my magic upon graduation."
End of chapter one.
I thought about making this a really long one-shot, but I couldn't resist this little cliffhanger.
I hope you guys like this ... reviews make my world go 'round!
I will try to post the next chapter soon ... I should be able to work on it tomorrow, but I make no promises.
... A few reviews might entice me to finish ...?