Nightmare
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She slammed the wood door behind her close not caring if it woke the five sleeping companions. Hermione had not stopped running since she returned to the castle. Her mind as well as body was at its wits end. Heart hammering, lungs burning, she sunk against the door allowing herself a moment's respite.
Twenty or so calming breaths later she looked at her companions. All unconscious completely oblivious to the danger she faced in the Black Forest as well as the trials beforehand. Feeling safe she stood momentarily surprised that her legs felt so weak. She hobbled to her bed holding onto each thick bedpost until she came to her own.
Her bed. She had never been so thankful to see it in her life. Too tired to give a damn about her wardrobe she flung herself into the welcoming plush of her thick red quilts. Pulling her gold pillow just so under her head she fell asleep.
What seemed to only be seconds later she awoke. Instead of the canopy of her bed boasting its proud griffin she was greeted by the moon.
"Where am I? How did I get here?" She sat up just now realizing how cold the ground was. Had she fallen asleep outside? Was the panther nothing more than a bad nightmare conjured up by one lone distressed Gryfindor?
Sitting she examined her surroundings. To her front was the same iced over pond. To her right and left she saw a mass of trees and behind her was the path she took to get her barely discernable from the forest itself.
"Better get back. Wouldn't want anyone to worry." She said when the sound of a twig snapping from her front caused her to look forward. Panicked she took one cautious look only to be greeted by her reflection. It was then that she laughed. Had she always been that paranoid?
When she felt she would rip from the sheer force of her giggles she stopped willing to take another quick look in the ice however this time she was greeted not only with her reflection but, that of the panthers.
She turned quickly to her left just in time to see its mouth open as it lunged at her then all went blank.
"!"
Hermione snapped up from her bed that seemed to, despite its thickness, have lost its warmth.
"Thank Merlin it was only a dream." She sighed as sleep once again grasped her.
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"I am telling you now Ms. Granger that there are NO panthers in the Dark Forest. Perhaps you are mistaken."
"No Professor", Hermione insisted looking much like a crazed person, "You are the one mistaken and if there is no such thing as panthers then what tried to attack me last night?"
"I haven't the faintest," Minerva sighed, "But what I do know is that you shouldn't have been there in the first place."
"True as that may be I am telling you that there is a man eating panther out there that has possibly escaped from a muggle zoo and is running rampart just outside Hogwarts borders! If you don't believe I'll just pull the memory out in a pensive!"
"Calm yourself…"
"But you simply MUST believe me!" Minerva watched as Hermione spoke of angry jungle cats whose favorite meal is wizards and witches. She was beginning to think that she had indeed gone mad.
"Hermione," she interrupted, "How about a week off from classes. You seem to be confused …"
Gripping the desk, "I AM NOT CONFUSED!"
"Ms. Granger steady yourself."
"But Professor McGonagall panthers are real and there is really one in the forest!"
"Is it," Hermione turned to the sound of the voice. How did she not here him come in, "A trait of those of your house to spout lies?"
"Professor Snape." Hermione greeted.
Pretending as if he didn't notice her, "I have the potions you asked for Minerva."
"Very good very good. Just put them over there and do you mind escorting Ms. Granger back to her common room. I believe that she had a bit too much excitement at the ball last night."
"Or a bit too much to drink …" he suggested causing Hermione to glare at him.
"Severus." The elder witch scolded.
Narrowing his eyes, "It would be an honor to escort her back to her dormitories since she lacks the capability to do so herself." He said sarcastically.
"Good now be off with you." She waved them away.
Hermione began to follow Snape whom stride made the easy walk to the common room seem like an exercise.
"Professor could you possible slow down?" She asked.
"I will not do anything that allows me to see your face for a moment longer than necessary."
"But you're not even looking at me. I'm behind you!"
"Trust me it hurts to look at you from here. If I were to turn around I might be rendered permanently blind."
That hurt. She followed him with heated eyes muttering under her breath, "It's a wonder you can see beyond that nose of yours."
Hearing her, "Just as it is a wonder you had managed to even tame that bushy hair of yours. Did you spell it or simply purchase a colored wig from India after shaving your head off?"
"Why must you be so mean?"
"Why must you keep ruining the perfect silence with your voice?"
"The same reason that you do."
Stopping outside of the portrait of the Fat Lady, "I only have to deal with you for a few classes and can't stand you! You always have to talk! Your voice grates on my ears as fingernails to a chalkboard. Which is why I should give credit to where credits due. I have yet to figure how Weasley and Potter manage to put up with your incessant chatter! And you wonder why your friends don't even like you now," he pointed to the painting, "remove yourself from my sight!"
Snape watched as she ran away then took off himself. The one person he would die for he had to hurt in order to play his part in the defeat of Voldemort. It was unfair. He loved her so much and yet all he could show her was hate. Disdain for he was the dungeon bat and she the beautiful virgin maiden in the high tower awaiting a prince charming that may never come to rescue her.
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