A/N: This is a sort of companion fic to Emerald actually it is a parallel.
The basic elements of the plot of one will give away the basic plot of the
other, so it's your choice whether you want to read the plot twists with
the D/G pairing or the eventual Hr/SS.
Chapter summary: Hermione Hiccups, Severus Snarls, Albus Angers, Blaise Bleeds
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot... and I probably don't even own that.
Carefully Crafted World
Chapter 1
"Bell scores, another ten points for Gryffindor! They lead Slytherin ninety to seventy." Dean's voice was almost lost in the roaring of the crowd. The first game of the Quidditch season was well under way, with sixth year Gryffindor Dean Thomas replacing Lee Jordan as announcer.
On the pitch the Seekers hovered high above the rest of the game, staying well away from the bludgers that were all too often shot in their direction. From her place in the Gryffindor stands Hermione could just make them out. She had never enjoyed Quidditch much and she turned her head back to the book she had brought with her. It would have to be enough for her friends to have her listen to the commentary. Quidditch just simply bored her. It was always the same, every game, with Dean as the announcer and Harry winning every game he played. What was the point? She had often pondered the question, but knew better than to ask Harry or Ron, they would be offended that she thought their pastime was frivolous.
"The seekers have spotted the Snitch..." Dean's commentary brought Hermione head up from her book momentarily. She saw the boys dive, neck in neck and saw the snitch sweeping along well in front of them, disinterested she returned her eyes to her book.
On the other side of the Pitch Severus Snape watched the Seekers chase the Snitch with a critical eye. His Slytherins had been unable to best the Gryffindors since Harry had joined their ranks and he was determined to know just why. If it was the Potter luck, then he would just have to wait out Potters term on the team, only two more seasons were left in it and Severus was a patient man when he had to be, but if it was skill then he would be able to hammer some of that into Malfoy and the rest of the team. As far as the rest of the Gryffindor team went, they were obviously both more talented and more dedicated than the Slytherins, this he knew he could improve, and he scolded himself for not doing something about it before this match. Minerva never let him live down the humiliation of being resoundingly trounced on by her team.
Lost in his musings Severus noticed the bludger flying towards the side of Harry's head a moment too late. Cursing he whipped out his wand and attempted to stop or even slow the boy's plummet, but the restless crown in front of him would not allow him a clear path through which to cast the spell. Helpless to stop Harry's plummet to the earth Severus watched with a sick pit in his stomach at the boy hit the ground and lay still.
"A bludger hit Potter off his broom..." Hermione, who had looked up from her book upon hearing Dean's comment let out a cry. Tossing the book aside she ran from the stands to the pitch, she was to shaken to help him, tears of panic streamed hotly down her cheeks. The other students wisely let her push her way through them onto the pitch. She sprinted to where Harry had landed.
Ron saw her and grabbed her, forcing her into his embrace. "You don't want to see Hermione. I'm so sorry."
Knife-sharp agony ripped through her heart. "No!" she cried, pushing away from him and through the thin line of people cutting her off from where Harry lay.
Ron followed close behind her, shoving aside the others.
Harry's body lay in a pool of bloody grass, his skin was white and his lips had taken on a bluish tinge. There was an open wound at the side of his head that suggest her had been dead long before he hit the grass. Hermione gagged. His eyes, once so full of spirit and mischief, stared unseeingly up at her. She couldn't take it anymore. Turning she buried her face in Ron's broad chest and cried with loud hiccoughing sobs that threatened to choke her.
Severus pushed his way into the crowd, ordering students who had yet to see Harry's prone form to return to their house common rooms. Slowly the mob of students was reduced to a manageable crowd. He saw most of his Slytherin Quidditch team in a silver and green huddle off to one side, talking softly amongst themselves, Madeline Flint was crying on her brother's shoulder. Draco was suspiciously absent from the huddle, but a quick glance around the field revealed the blond, his arms wrapped protectively around Ginny Weasley's shaking form. Severus felt a rush of pride for the boy. There was no love between the Weasley's and the Malfoy's but Draco had worked past that to comfort a girl in need.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team had formed a semi circle around the body, most of them paired off, wrapped in another's arms, seeking any comfort they could get. He caught sight of Minerva, her expression desolate. He moved to her side and gave her a brief embrace, it wasn't his preference, but there was no one else there to offer her comfort. Dumbledore was taking care of her Gryffindors, as Sinistra was with his Slytherins, so that left only them, Madame Pomfery and Madame Hooch on the field. Poppy conjured a stretcher and magicked the body onto it and, with Rolanda following closely, transported Harry off the field.
Minerva watched them disappear into the castle before turning to Severus with tears in her eyes. "Oh lord Severus." She whispered, her voice breaking on the last syllable, she burst into tears.
With no other option, Severus wrapped his arms gently around the woman offering no other comfort than the uncharacteristic willingness to be clung to. He had no tears to cry, but his heart was heavy as he waited for Minerva to regain some control. His Slytherins needed him, but at that moment Minerva needed him more and he would have to wait out her tears.
Finally, after several minutes of tears Minerva pulled back and gave him a watery smile. "I'll be alright," she said more to convince herself than him, "go see to your students."
He went gladly. His students looked shell-shocked as he shepherded them into the building and to the dungeons.
Minerva pulled herself together, assuming the most sympathetic face she could without breaking into tears again she went to gather her own children. The sun was setting and shadows lengthened, washing the pitch in darkness.
3 weeks later...
"... Since Potter's not here anymore..."
"...Such a relief...."
"...Doesn't really matter d..."
The whispers of her Slytherin classmates were enough to shatter the calm that had surrounded Hermione since Harry's death. She could feel the tears welling at the back of her eyes and blinked rapidly to keep them from making an appearance. She would cry later, late at night when no one was around.
Dumbledore had, on her request, give the Head Girl title to a deserving Ravenclaw a few weeks back, but he had insisted she continue to use her Head girl privileges. One of these was her room; large, spacious and hers alone. There were comfy armchairs and a couch near the fire and then behind a door was her sanctuary, also known as her bedroom. The canopy bed was huge and soft covered with green satin. (It had been red originally but she had felt free to alter the color to something she liked, since the suite was hers alone.
She could still hear the murmurings from Slytherin.
"...Quidditch..."
"...Ours this year without Harry's they're nothing!"
"...What they deserve."
For a moment she thought they might have moved on to a new topic, but she was sadly mistaken. Of course Malfoy and his cronies would exploit this opportunity to taunt her being she was the only Gryffindor in the class – Ron had dropped his Auror ambitions after Harry's senseless death. She clenched her hands into fists, making sure to dig her nails in until she bled. The warm blood trickled down her palm from scratches that burned. A small satisfied smile crossed Hermione's face, it felt good to know that despite the pain in her heart, it was apparently still functioning. The potion she was supposed to be brewing sat ignored and untouched on the desk in front of her.
"... The house cup will be ours too, what with no Potter for Dumbledore to give the cup to. It's about time."
The last comment snapped every thread of self control Hermione possessed. Unaware that she was doing it, Hermione stood advanced on the Slytherin cluster. Her eyes were narrowed into slits and her bleeding hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white. "How DARE YOU!!!" she screamed, launching herself at Zabini.
There was a satisfying crunch of bone meeting bone as Hermione's fist made contact with Blaise's nose. Blood began to seep rapidly from both nostrils as he lay on the ground. His body was pinned beneath hers and his attempts to ward off her attack were completely ineffective.
"MISS GRANGER!!!" Professor Snape had been in the storeroom gathering a set of ingredients that the student cupboard had been strangely empty of but the sound of the brawl had brought him running. He had chosen - probably unwisely he later thought- to ignore the whispering coming from the Slytherin side of the dungeons, he had assumed they were talking about Potter, everyone was these days, but he hadn't thought Miss Granger would be so quick to react to their baiting. He reached out with both hands and grasped Hermione by the shoulders, pulling her away from the Slytherin with no small effort. "FIFTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR!" he bellowed gleefully, "And I'll add 100 to that if you give me any reason."
Hermione wasn't called the smartest witch in her year for nothing. Mumbling an apology she slunk back to her desk.
"Everyone out," Severus growled menacingly, "class is over for today. And I' sure you'll be glad to know you will all be receiving failing grades." He smirked evilly at them as one by one his students filed out of the room, most with heads hung, the brave among them openly glaring. "Not you Miss Granger," he said, placing a restraining hand on her arm. "You are coming with me. I'm certain the Headmaster will have something to say about this."
Hermione allowed herself to be dragged to the headmaster's office. She barely listened as Snape shouted the password (Sherbet-lemon). The guarding gargoyle sprang into action and a stair case unwound before her eyes. Snape still holding onto her arm with an iron grip the two ascended the stairs. He pushed her more roughly than necessary in the direction of a chair and finally released his grip to go sit in his won chair - which was much closer to the door.
"Good morning." Dumbledore greeted them with a smile that was, in both Severus' and Hermione's opinions, far too cheery for the situation. "What can I do for you?"
"Miss Granger attacked Mister Zabini in my class this morning." Severus said coldly, narrowing his eyes dangerously and aiming this glare at Hermione.
Dumbledore wisely, a noticeable twinkle in his clear blue eyes, "I assumed it was something of that nature, but then your Slytherins have not been acting very sensitively of late." Severus opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off with a wave of the Headmaster's hand. "I'm not finished yet professor." Dumbledore turned his gaze on Hermione, his expression reassuring. "Mister Zabini's behavior was still no excuse for you to lose your control Miss Granger, I expected more from you."
Hermione grit her teeth and tried her best to look contrite. It was infuriating how Slytherins seemed to get away with everything they did. She could remember countless instances in the past years where prefects and professors alike had turned a blind eye in their direction.
"You will serve detention with Professor Snape every night for a month," Dumbledore continued.
Hermione opened her mouth to protest the harshness of the punishment but shut it again settling with glaring hostilely at the Headmaster. She had figured that he would be lenient because of the stress she was under, but she had obviously been wrong.
"You may return to your dormitory now." He said, dismissing her with a single glance. "Severus if you would be so kind..."
Hermione didn't wait to hear the rest of his request, rising quickly she ran from the room, tears already staining her cheeks.
"A month Headmaster?" Severus asked, his voice puzzled, "Isn't that a little much?"
"Why Severus, I thought you enjoyed having a competent student in detention to complete your mundane chores for you." Albus replied, an undertone of steel in his voice brooking no disagreement.
Severus rolled his eyes, "You know she had reason for the attack. And on top of that, it's hardly fair to stick me with a distraught teenager with a volatile temper for an entire month. Even the Dark Lord wouldn't have been suspicious if I had let her off with just one detention." He turned towards the window, his face suddenly dour, it had been several hours since he had thought about Voldemort, and the reminder brought with it a bitter resentment so strong he could taste it. Resentment was a taste that he was all too familiar with, souring his mouth whenever he made the mistake of looking too closely at his life.
"It's not the Dark Lord I'm worried about," Albus said softly, "I am worried for Hermione and I am worried for you." He sighed, "I'm afraid I've given you a heavy burden to carry and no one willing to help shoulder the weight. Miss Granger is more than competent in Potions. She should be able to brew all the potions required for the infirmary, allowing you to have time for yourself."
"I'm not suffering from a lack of help." Severus said gruffly, "And I certainly don't want that of an over-emotional Gryffindor."
"Ah," Albus picked up a fizzing wizzbee from its dish on his desk, "Fortunately the decision is not up to you. You will allow Miss Granger to help you this month, and I will turn a blind eye to the late night library sessions you think no one knows about. If you refuse my offer I will be forced to give your head of house duties to Professor Sinistra and give you a curfew and possibly a bed-time. You'll be of no use to us if I let you die of exhaustion." Albus had never had much success in getting Severus to consider his own welfare, but he felt that the bargain he had just offered would suffice to make the man slow down, even if it was only for a month.
"And what of when I'm summoned?" The brooding man snapped irritably. "It's bad enough that there are students that know of my role without having one of them witness its affect."
Albus smiled, "Miss Granger is the sole of discretion, as am I. If you are summoned either I or Madame Pomfrey will oversee her work. You needn't worry about that."
"I see you have left me with no options." Severus moved to lean against the wall opposite Albus' desk, "Alright, I will allow Miss Granger to take some of my workload, and I will dispense with my late nights as often as I am able. You have completely disrupted my routine, are you satisfied?"
"Not entirely."
"What now?" Severus asked, exasperated.
"Take care of the girl will you? She's had a rough year so far."
Severus nodded his acquiescence. Miss Granger had indeed suffered a difficult year. Her parents' house had been attacked over the summer holiday, fortunately the family had been out when the attack occurred, but it had left all three very deeply shaken. After the incident the Grangers had attempted to pull Hermione out of Hogwarts. Hermione had won the battle, but at a cost, her parents had, understandably, been hurt and angry that their daughter would abandon them in such a way. They had refused to allow Dumbledore to put wards up at their home, and there was a constant fear that another attack would occur at the Granger residence, only this time it might be successful. Then with Harry's death less than a month into the year, it was a wonder the girl hadn't broken completely.
"Thank you." Dumbledore said simply.
Severus nodded again and left the room.
_ _ _ A/N: I don't know if it's strange or not to write two parallel stories like this, I know I haven't ever read parallel fics, but I didn't want to combine these two stories because each has a unique tone despite sharing some plot pieces. For those of you who have read Emerald you might notice that the first paragraph and a bit are the same between the two stories, I though I needed to include the Quidditch game into this story to make it capable of standing alone and I got lazy when it came to starting the chapter. :P Anyways... I hope you enjoyed this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!
Chapter summary: Hermione Hiccups, Severus Snarls, Albus Angers, Blaise Bleeds
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot... and I probably don't even own that.
Carefully Crafted World
Chapter 1
"Bell scores, another ten points for Gryffindor! They lead Slytherin ninety to seventy." Dean's voice was almost lost in the roaring of the crowd. The first game of the Quidditch season was well under way, with sixth year Gryffindor Dean Thomas replacing Lee Jordan as announcer.
On the pitch the Seekers hovered high above the rest of the game, staying well away from the bludgers that were all too often shot in their direction. From her place in the Gryffindor stands Hermione could just make them out. She had never enjoyed Quidditch much and she turned her head back to the book she had brought with her. It would have to be enough for her friends to have her listen to the commentary. Quidditch just simply bored her. It was always the same, every game, with Dean as the announcer and Harry winning every game he played. What was the point? She had often pondered the question, but knew better than to ask Harry or Ron, they would be offended that she thought their pastime was frivolous.
"The seekers have spotted the Snitch..." Dean's commentary brought Hermione head up from her book momentarily. She saw the boys dive, neck in neck and saw the snitch sweeping along well in front of them, disinterested she returned her eyes to her book.
On the other side of the Pitch Severus Snape watched the Seekers chase the Snitch with a critical eye. His Slytherins had been unable to best the Gryffindors since Harry had joined their ranks and he was determined to know just why. If it was the Potter luck, then he would just have to wait out Potters term on the team, only two more seasons were left in it and Severus was a patient man when he had to be, but if it was skill then he would be able to hammer some of that into Malfoy and the rest of the team. As far as the rest of the Gryffindor team went, they were obviously both more talented and more dedicated than the Slytherins, this he knew he could improve, and he scolded himself for not doing something about it before this match. Minerva never let him live down the humiliation of being resoundingly trounced on by her team.
Lost in his musings Severus noticed the bludger flying towards the side of Harry's head a moment too late. Cursing he whipped out his wand and attempted to stop or even slow the boy's plummet, but the restless crown in front of him would not allow him a clear path through which to cast the spell. Helpless to stop Harry's plummet to the earth Severus watched with a sick pit in his stomach at the boy hit the ground and lay still.
"A bludger hit Potter off his broom..." Hermione, who had looked up from her book upon hearing Dean's comment let out a cry. Tossing the book aside she ran from the stands to the pitch, she was to shaken to help him, tears of panic streamed hotly down her cheeks. The other students wisely let her push her way through them onto the pitch. She sprinted to where Harry had landed.
Ron saw her and grabbed her, forcing her into his embrace. "You don't want to see Hermione. I'm so sorry."
Knife-sharp agony ripped through her heart. "No!" she cried, pushing away from him and through the thin line of people cutting her off from where Harry lay.
Ron followed close behind her, shoving aside the others.
Harry's body lay in a pool of bloody grass, his skin was white and his lips had taken on a bluish tinge. There was an open wound at the side of his head that suggest her had been dead long before he hit the grass. Hermione gagged. His eyes, once so full of spirit and mischief, stared unseeingly up at her. She couldn't take it anymore. Turning she buried her face in Ron's broad chest and cried with loud hiccoughing sobs that threatened to choke her.
Severus pushed his way into the crowd, ordering students who had yet to see Harry's prone form to return to their house common rooms. Slowly the mob of students was reduced to a manageable crowd. He saw most of his Slytherin Quidditch team in a silver and green huddle off to one side, talking softly amongst themselves, Madeline Flint was crying on her brother's shoulder. Draco was suspiciously absent from the huddle, but a quick glance around the field revealed the blond, his arms wrapped protectively around Ginny Weasley's shaking form. Severus felt a rush of pride for the boy. There was no love between the Weasley's and the Malfoy's but Draco had worked past that to comfort a girl in need.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team had formed a semi circle around the body, most of them paired off, wrapped in another's arms, seeking any comfort they could get. He caught sight of Minerva, her expression desolate. He moved to her side and gave her a brief embrace, it wasn't his preference, but there was no one else there to offer her comfort. Dumbledore was taking care of her Gryffindors, as Sinistra was with his Slytherins, so that left only them, Madame Pomfery and Madame Hooch on the field. Poppy conjured a stretcher and magicked the body onto it and, with Rolanda following closely, transported Harry off the field.
Minerva watched them disappear into the castle before turning to Severus with tears in her eyes. "Oh lord Severus." She whispered, her voice breaking on the last syllable, she burst into tears.
With no other option, Severus wrapped his arms gently around the woman offering no other comfort than the uncharacteristic willingness to be clung to. He had no tears to cry, but his heart was heavy as he waited for Minerva to regain some control. His Slytherins needed him, but at that moment Minerva needed him more and he would have to wait out her tears.
Finally, after several minutes of tears Minerva pulled back and gave him a watery smile. "I'll be alright," she said more to convince herself than him, "go see to your students."
He went gladly. His students looked shell-shocked as he shepherded them into the building and to the dungeons.
Minerva pulled herself together, assuming the most sympathetic face she could without breaking into tears again she went to gather her own children. The sun was setting and shadows lengthened, washing the pitch in darkness.
3 weeks later...
"... Since Potter's not here anymore..."
"...Such a relief...."
"...Doesn't really matter d..."
The whispers of her Slytherin classmates were enough to shatter the calm that had surrounded Hermione since Harry's death. She could feel the tears welling at the back of her eyes and blinked rapidly to keep them from making an appearance. She would cry later, late at night when no one was around.
Dumbledore had, on her request, give the Head Girl title to a deserving Ravenclaw a few weeks back, but he had insisted she continue to use her Head girl privileges. One of these was her room; large, spacious and hers alone. There were comfy armchairs and a couch near the fire and then behind a door was her sanctuary, also known as her bedroom. The canopy bed was huge and soft covered with green satin. (It had been red originally but she had felt free to alter the color to something she liked, since the suite was hers alone.
She could still hear the murmurings from Slytherin.
"...Quidditch..."
"...Ours this year without Harry's they're nothing!"
"...What they deserve."
For a moment she thought they might have moved on to a new topic, but she was sadly mistaken. Of course Malfoy and his cronies would exploit this opportunity to taunt her being she was the only Gryffindor in the class – Ron had dropped his Auror ambitions after Harry's senseless death. She clenched her hands into fists, making sure to dig her nails in until she bled. The warm blood trickled down her palm from scratches that burned. A small satisfied smile crossed Hermione's face, it felt good to know that despite the pain in her heart, it was apparently still functioning. The potion she was supposed to be brewing sat ignored and untouched on the desk in front of her.
"... The house cup will be ours too, what with no Potter for Dumbledore to give the cup to. It's about time."
The last comment snapped every thread of self control Hermione possessed. Unaware that she was doing it, Hermione stood advanced on the Slytherin cluster. Her eyes were narrowed into slits and her bleeding hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white. "How DARE YOU!!!" she screamed, launching herself at Zabini.
There was a satisfying crunch of bone meeting bone as Hermione's fist made contact with Blaise's nose. Blood began to seep rapidly from both nostrils as he lay on the ground. His body was pinned beneath hers and his attempts to ward off her attack were completely ineffective.
"MISS GRANGER!!!" Professor Snape had been in the storeroom gathering a set of ingredients that the student cupboard had been strangely empty of but the sound of the brawl had brought him running. He had chosen - probably unwisely he later thought- to ignore the whispering coming from the Slytherin side of the dungeons, he had assumed they were talking about Potter, everyone was these days, but he hadn't thought Miss Granger would be so quick to react to their baiting. He reached out with both hands and grasped Hermione by the shoulders, pulling her away from the Slytherin with no small effort. "FIFTY POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR!" he bellowed gleefully, "And I'll add 100 to that if you give me any reason."
Hermione wasn't called the smartest witch in her year for nothing. Mumbling an apology she slunk back to her desk.
"Everyone out," Severus growled menacingly, "class is over for today. And I' sure you'll be glad to know you will all be receiving failing grades." He smirked evilly at them as one by one his students filed out of the room, most with heads hung, the brave among them openly glaring. "Not you Miss Granger," he said, placing a restraining hand on her arm. "You are coming with me. I'm certain the Headmaster will have something to say about this."
Hermione allowed herself to be dragged to the headmaster's office. She barely listened as Snape shouted the password (Sherbet-lemon). The guarding gargoyle sprang into action and a stair case unwound before her eyes. Snape still holding onto her arm with an iron grip the two ascended the stairs. He pushed her more roughly than necessary in the direction of a chair and finally released his grip to go sit in his won chair - which was much closer to the door.
"Good morning." Dumbledore greeted them with a smile that was, in both Severus' and Hermione's opinions, far too cheery for the situation. "What can I do for you?"
"Miss Granger attacked Mister Zabini in my class this morning." Severus said coldly, narrowing his eyes dangerously and aiming this glare at Hermione.
Dumbledore wisely, a noticeable twinkle in his clear blue eyes, "I assumed it was something of that nature, but then your Slytherins have not been acting very sensitively of late." Severus opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off with a wave of the Headmaster's hand. "I'm not finished yet professor." Dumbledore turned his gaze on Hermione, his expression reassuring. "Mister Zabini's behavior was still no excuse for you to lose your control Miss Granger, I expected more from you."
Hermione grit her teeth and tried her best to look contrite. It was infuriating how Slytherins seemed to get away with everything they did. She could remember countless instances in the past years where prefects and professors alike had turned a blind eye in their direction.
"You will serve detention with Professor Snape every night for a month," Dumbledore continued.
Hermione opened her mouth to protest the harshness of the punishment but shut it again settling with glaring hostilely at the Headmaster. She had figured that he would be lenient because of the stress she was under, but she had obviously been wrong.
"You may return to your dormitory now." He said, dismissing her with a single glance. "Severus if you would be so kind..."
Hermione didn't wait to hear the rest of his request, rising quickly she ran from the room, tears already staining her cheeks.
"A month Headmaster?" Severus asked, his voice puzzled, "Isn't that a little much?"
"Why Severus, I thought you enjoyed having a competent student in detention to complete your mundane chores for you." Albus replied, an undertone of steel in his voice brooking no disagreement.
Severus rolled his eyes, "You know she had reason for the attack. And on top of that, it's hardly fair to stick me with a distraught teenager with a volatile temper for an entire month. Even the Dark Lord wouldn't have been suspicious if I had let her off with just one detention." He turned towards the window, his face suddenly dour, it had been several hours since he had thought about Voldemort, and the reminder brought with it a bitter resentment so strong he could taste it. Resentment was a taste that he was all too familiar with, souring his mouth whenever he made the mistake of looking too closely at his life.
"It's not the Dark Lord I'm worried about," Albus said softly, "I am worried for Hermione and I am worried for you." He sighed, "I'm afraid I've given you a heavy burden to carry and no one willing to help shoulder the weight. Miss Granger is more than competent in Potions. She should be able to brew all the potions required for the infirmary, allowing you to have time for yourself."
"I'm not suffering from a lack of help." Severus said gruffly, "And I certainly don't want that of an over-emotional Gryffindor."
"Ah," Albus picked up a fizzing wizzbee from its dish on his desk, "Fortunately the decision is not up to you. You will allow Miss Granger to help you this month, and I will turn a blind eye to the late night library sessions you think no one knows about. If you refuse my offer I will be forced to give your head of house duties to Professor Sinistra and give you a curfew and possibly a bed-time. You'll be of no use to us if I let you die of exhaustion." Albus had never had much success in getting Severus to consider his own welfare, but he felt that the bargain he had just offered would suffice to make the man slow down, even if it was only for a month.
"And what of when I'm summoned?" The brooding man snapped irritably. "It's bad enough that there are students that know of my role without having one of them witness its affect."
Albus smiled, "Miss Granger is the sole of discretion, as am I. If you are summoned either I or Madame Pomfrey will oversee her work. You needn't worry about that."
"I see you have left me with no options." Severus moved to lean against the wall opposite Albus' desk, "Alright, I will allow Miss Granger to take some of my workload, and I will dispense with my late nights as often as I am able. You have completely disrupted my routine, are you satisfied?"
"Not entirely."
"What now?" Severus asked, exasperated.
"Take care of the girl will you? She's had a rough year so far."
Severus nodded his acquiescence. Miss Granger had indeed suffered a difficult year. Her parents' house had been attacked over the summer holiday, fortunately the family had been out when the attack occurred, but it had left all three very deeply shaken. After the incident the Grangers had attempted to pull Hermione out of Hogwarts. Hermione had won the battle, but at a cost, her parents had, understandably, been hurt and angry that their daughter would abandon them in such a way. They had refused to allow Dumbledore to put wards up at their home, and there was a constant fear that another attack would occur at the Granger residence, only this time it might be successful. Then with Harry's death less than a month into the year, it was a wonder the girl hadn't broken completely.
"Thank you." Dumbledore said simply.
Severus nodded again and left the room.
_ _ _ A/N: I don't know if it's strange or not to write two parallel stories like this, I know I haven't ever read parallel fics, but I didn't want to combine these two stories because each has a unique tone despite sharing some plot pieces. For those of you who have read Emerald you might notice that the first paragraph and a bit are the same between the two stories, I though I needed to include the Quidditch game into this story to make it capable of standing alone and I got lazy when it came to starting the chapter. :P Anyways... I hope you enjoyed this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!