MY COLLECTION...Various songfics, either for contests or for personal pleasure, all in one location. Each chapter is a new Songfic and in no way is a continuation of the one before it, however I have thought of stringing them together somehow. Oh well, that bunny hasn't fully developed and is hopping around on one leg at the moment. So we shall just enjoy them as they are. Enjoy!
AUTHOR NOTE: Contest submission for the Hideaway. Written to the song "Someone Says" by Editors. One shot. COMPLETE!
He had walked the street many times before, mulling over his thoughts. He never suspected that he would miss his old life. Every day had been filled with anxiety, frustration, even hope. Yes, Severus Snape had hope. He hoped to find himself free of the daily torment of little children whining about their writing hand cramping. He hoped to find himself free of the ever-daunting presence of Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom. He hoped to find himself free of a life filled with fear, desperation, loneliness, and enslavement. His hope became reality.
Three years ago, the Dark Lord fell by the hand of Harry Potter. It was a lengthy battle, and had its fair share of casualties. Such a soft word for such harsh terrors. Casualties of war. As if it's customary and accepted that many should die in battle.
Severus left the battlefield that day clutching his left arm, the mark all but disappeared. It had no meaning other than to remind him from here on out that even the most cunning can make mistakes and must learn from them.
He was living in a small village just south of Hogwarts. His name had been cleared of the murder of Albus Dumbledore, however he decided the wizarding world was not ready to accept it. He would rather leave it entirely than live every moment under scrutiny. Only a few believed with all their hearts that he was innocent: Minerva McGonagall, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin, and Hermione Granger. There were a few others, but only these four meant anything to him. Hermione Granger meant something to him.
She helped uncover the truth behind what happened that night on the Astronomy tower. She was the one to bring the pensieve evidence to the Wizengamot, and ultimately got his named cleared. She saved his life. A small debt in his eyes, but a wizard's debt no less.
Therefore, when she disappeared after the battle, after finding Ron Weasley dead, he made it his new life's journey to find her. To find her and thank her.
Several months had passed when he received word that a girl matching Hermione's description was seen outside Surrey. Within moments, he was casing the street side shops.
Someone said they saw you
In the night and on your own
There's beauty in the lonely
You're the moonlight in this town
Seems like every moment
Is another from before
Your eyes have nothing behind them
Your arms and legs are sore
It was a wizarding community he soon discovered. The apothecary held many fascinations that he had used rarely. He kept the idea to visit the shop in the back of his mind. The children running the streets were dressed in their best robes, wands extended and emitting sparks. "Foolishness," he chided in his mind. His walk became a run when he caught a glance at the corner before him. Hermione was there.
Her usually unruly hair was pulled back in a bun with a few wispy curls framing her face. Her robes were fitted in the bodice and dark forest green in color. The neckline plunged slightly, yet the ensemble was demur enough for a public outing. Severus was ten feet away from her when she looked up. The shock on her face told him that she didn't want to be found.
Neighbour
You've fallen in with the wrong crowd
I've got so much to tell you
In so little time
Oh neighbour
Keep things close to your heart
If no one can help you
Then how can I?
"Miss Granger."
"Professor?"
They stood staring at each other for what seemed like hours.
"Why are you here?" Hermione asked him.
He looked her over and noticed the difference. Her eyes were smeared with charcoal gray. Her lashes were thick and long. Her lips were blood red. Her skin was as porcelain. She was wearing a heavy coat of makeup and the template was completely out of character. This troubled him.
"What have you done with yourself, Hermione?"
She did a double take at his usage of her given name. "I beg your pardon, Severus, but I asked you a question. It is only polite that you answer me."
He straightened up and glared at her. "I, Miss Granger, am here to bring you back to your family."
"I don't have a family. You know that. They were killed. What do I have to go back to?"
He didn't say anything. He knew it was true. Voldemort made an example of her parents. Anyone who was associated with Harry Potter would learn what pain was. And for Hermione, that was one lesson she would have rather skipped.
"I understand. However, you were not the only one to lose someone close to them. Mr. Longbottom lost his grandmother. Miss Weasley lost Mr. Potter. I lost…when you…Let's just say I lost someone I didn't know I would care to lose until it was too late." He took a step closer to her. "You saved my life, Hermione. I have to repay that debt. I must take you back with me. Being here," he motioned around them, "will ultimately destroy you."
"What makes you say that? I am fine on my own. I have my own flat. I have a job…"
"But do you have friends? Do you have someone that loves you?"
She didn't say anything. She knew it was true. She didn't have any friends here. Everyone was busy within their own lives trying to live since their world was free from the tyranny of Voldemort. This was one of several communities lost in celebration. They had no fear. They had no inhibitions. It was the Sodom and Gomorrah of the wizarding world. Hermione thought that was what she wanted. To be free to do whatever she wanted. No tests, no rules, no war, no parents. Just freedom. She never realized how lonely freedom was.
"Come with me, Hermione. Let's take you home."
Someone said they saw you Neighbour
Said they saw it as a sign
Well every single second
Catches up the next in line
You've fallen in with the wrong crowd
I've got so much to tell you
In so little time
Oh neighbour
Keep things close to your heart
If no one can help you
Then how can I?
"Why? Why you? Why couldn't Ginny come? Or Minerva?"
"I offered to come. I have yet to thank you for everything you did for me. And as such, I have a debt to repay."
"You already said that."
He was taken back. "Yes, indeed I did. I could say it again, but it would not depreciate the importance of paying it."
She smiled. "I suppose not."
Hermione looked around the intersection. Muggle cars, wizard carriages, and thestral and broom riders were traveling along the streets. She looked back to him. His hands were in front of him clasped gently together in front of his lower abdomen. His hair was lank as usual. His jacket was fitted nicely along his ribcage, the sleeves of which outlined the muscles in his arms. His long slender legs continued until the tops of his trouser legs rested on top of worn black leather boots. He looked inviting to a witch who had not been with someone in months, regardless of his demeanor or sour expression. For a split second, she wondered what it would take to break him down.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"No, no. Nothing's wrong. I was just wondering why you didn't just send an owl when you discovered where I was. Why come in person?"
"I had to see you. To thank you…in person."
"Well, you've done that. And you're welcome. Now, I must be going."
He reached his hand out and caught her arm just as she twisted away. His other hand reached up to stroke her cheek.
"No, I need to thank you." He leaned in and kissed her deeply.
Neighbour Someone said they saw you
You've fallen in with the wrong crowd
I've got so much to tell you
In so little time
Oh neighbour
Keep things close to your heart
If no one can help you
Then how can I?
Someone said they saw you
Someone said they saw you
Someone said they saw you
He stepped back from the kiss and looked her in the eye. "I came to save you. You can't live without your family. Arthur, Molly, Minerva. They are you're family."
"What about you?"
"I am anything you want me to be."
She looked around once more. She wasn't sure she wanted to go back to the daily reminders of her former life. She had escaped for a reason. But now there was a completely new reason to live on standing in front of her.
Her eyes lifted to the night sky above them. The clouds seemed to roll in on a breeze. Within moments, the town was covered in a hard rain. She gazed back at Severus.
His hair was sodden and falling in his face. Tiny raindrops were trickling off the ends of the strands. The anxiety, desperation, and hope in his features made it seem as if the sky was crying for him and his tears were dripping through his hair.
"Be my savior. Help me go home."
His arms wrapped around her and held her close to his heart. The rain washing away all the insecurity, all the fear, all the sense of loss between them. They say water is a sign of rebirth. A sign of regrowth. A symbol of new existence.
With that thought, he apparated the two of them home.