A Sense of Obsession, Redux


Disclaimer: In Chapter 1

Summary: In Chapter 1

Author's Notes:

Here it is, Chapter 2 of my revised version of A Sense of Obsession!

Again, I would like to thank my friend Slytherin Head for proof-reading this for me.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter! ^_^


Chapter 2


Harry, Ron and Hermione spent the rest of the morning, and afternoon, in Charms and Transfiguration respectively, briefly stopping for lunch in between classes. Hermione had managed to master the healing charm and conjuring spell wand movements first time, as always, while Ron and Harry ran into some difficulty. Nevertheless, both Professors Flitwick and McGonagall awarded ten House points to Gryffindor for Hermione's outstanding work.

The rest of the day passed rather quickly after that and, before the trio knew it, it was time for dinner. They made their way down to the Great Hall, where they took their usual seats and began to fill their plates with anything that caught their fancy.

Harry noticed that Hermione was glancing around the room and appeared to be somewhat anxious. Why, he didn't know. But, he assumed that her nervousness was something to do with the dark, dungeon bat they knew as their Potions Master. Harry could not understand Hermione's love of Potions. Snape had always insulted her in front their class, which was full of pureblood favouring Slytherins. He had always put her down, making fun of her intelligence by referring to her as 'an insufferable know-it-all'. Harry struggled to comprehend that as well. As far as he was aware, Snape appreciated cleverness and he could not stand 'dunderheads'. Hermione excelled at Potions so, in all technicalities, she should have been Snape's favourite student.

But, she wasn't.

Or, at least, Harry didn't believe she was. He wondered if the only reason Snape had been mean to her in the course of their education, was the fact that she was his friend... and a Gryffindor.

Yet, he knew Snape to be an intensely private person. He learned that in his Occlumency lessons in his fifth year. So, he figured, that internally anyway, Hermione could very well be Snape's most favourite student and he just could not let that be known in class.

He shook the thoughts from his mind and ate his rapidly cooling meal. Occasionally gazing back and forth between Ron, Hermione and the Head Table, where all of the Professors sat, he listened carefully to the chatter around him in case he was needed in the conversation happening amongst his friends. His eyes locked onto Hermione, who seemed to have a strange fascination with the Head Table. Her eyes were searching, and he noticed a flash of concern and wonder pass through them when she apparently did not find what — or who — she was looking for.

He remained silent with his observations. The last thing he wanted was to incur his friend's wrath because of his nosiness.

Soon enough, the trio had finished their meal; however Ron had decided to take second and third helpings. After saying goodbye to her friends, Hermione excused herself and left the Great Hall. It was a quarter to six and she wanted to make it down to the Dungeons with plenty of time to spare. She had told Harry and Ron that since Snape had requested her presence, by owl no less, it would be polite to not be late.

She took the quickest path possible and travelled down the Spiral Staircase, encountering a few less-than-friendly Slytherins along the way.

When she arrived at the Potions classroom, she knocked the door three times. As soon as she heard a rough "Enter" come from behind the wood, she slowly opened the door, being careful not to make too much noise, and then closed it behind her. She quietly stepped forward into the room and moved towards her Professor's large, medieval styled desk.

Snape wasn't sitting there; quite frankly, she didn't know where he was. She was certain that she had heard his deep, silky voice; she would recognize it anywhere.

She tentatively arched her neck sideways, trying to see whether the shadow that caught her gaze belonged to her surly soon-to-be mentor. She heard movement, coming from the direction of the Potions store cupboard, and again spotted a shadow from underneath its door.

"Professor?" she enquired softly, walking closer to the storeroom as she did so. "Professor, you wished to see me?" Her head inclined slightly in her attempt to peek through the gap between the door and the wall.

Suddenly, a loud crash caused her to vault backwards before rushing forwards.

"Professor!" she screeched, yanking open the door to find a rather flustered and sickly looking Snape. "Oh, Professor, are you all right, sir?" She already knew the answer to that question. He was most certainly not all right, but she thought it best to ask it anyway.

His response was a deep, frustrated sigh as he stepped down from the small ladder he was standing on. "Yes, Miss Granger... I am fine. My stores however... they are not."

She bent her knees, dropping down to inspect the mess on the floor. Shards of green glass were everywhere, lying on top of a pool of clear liquid. "Only a few bottles are broken, Professor. I'm sure they can be replaced fairly quickly."

He turned to face her and she stood, looking deep into his coal black eyes. He sounded exasperated when he said, "You are mistaken. These were my Veritaserum stores; these are not easily replaced." He ran a hand through his hair and stepped out of the room as he continued, "It will take weeks to re-brew them."

Hermione followed and observed him. He was still wincing when he moved in certain ways and he had a visible limp when he walked. This saddened her.

He was still in pain.

She decided it would be better not to bring it up, especially after their last conversation. "You, uhh... wanted to see me, Professor?" She strolled up to the workstation closest to her. "You said you wished to discuss some things with me?"

"Ahh." He took his seat at his desk, closing his eyes briefly as he felt a fresh wave of pain flood over him. When it passed, he continued, "Yes. First of all, I wanted to apologise to you, Miss Granger. I was... too harsh with you earlier today. There was no need for you to be the victim of my temper."

Hermione's eyes widened. She was shocked. He is apologising? Severus Snape does not apologise... to anyone... least of all to me. "I... thank you, Professor. I accept your apology."

He took a breath and let it go slowly. "I'm glad, as I wish to request something of you."

She was intrigued. "Yes, sir?"

His ebony eyes bore into hers. "I have heard from Professor Dumbledore that you are considering several options for further studies after you graduate from Hogwarts." He leaned back, trying to find a more comfortable position. "I understand that Potions is one of them?"

She nodded and replied, "Yes, I have been considering a further education in Potions for a while now, Professor."

He hummed in approval. "I believe that to be a very wise choice. Your grades are exceptional."

Was that a compliment? "Thank you," she murmured.

"If you are serious about pursuing Potions, then...perhaps it would be useful for you to attend some extra lessons, with me of course, throughout the course of this year." He paused for a moment, looking over her face to gauge her reaction. She was pretty readable; the idea interested her. "It would give you some valuable experience with the art of potion making and potion research; however, it does not guarantee you a place at a Wizarding university. But, it does give you a significantly high chance of being accepted into one."

She grinned widely and it was positively infectious. His lips curled into a sly smirk, a small one, but a smirk nonetheless at her response. "I understand, Professor. I would be very grateful for that, if you are willing to teach me."

"I am, Miss Granger, if, and only if, you follow my precise instructions. Some of the potions we will be brewing in these lessons you have not come across before and, therefore, are exceptionally dangerous." Hermione bobbed her head, signalling her appreciation of what he was saying, and watched as he reached for his quill, dipped it in black ink and scribbled something down onto a relatively short piece of parchment. "Very well." He handed her the note. "Take this to Professor Dumbledore, if you please."

She smiled again. "Of course, Professor... right away." She then walked towards the door; he noticed that there was a skip to her step that he hadn't seen before.

"Oh and... Miss Granger?" Hermione spun around to face him. "I would be grateful to you if you did not let slip my little... accident... to your... friends."

She shook her head. "Of course I won't, sir. And, if it's any consolation to you... I hope you feel well soon." Hermione then open the door and left.

Alone in his classroom, Severus Snape allowed himself a sad sigh. He knew he wouldn't feel better any time soon, for the torture he had suffered was unlike any bestowed upon him in his past. Yet, he refused to take anything to help soothe and relieve the pain. He would not be portrayed as weak by doing such a thing; he could —and would— handle it.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Hermione paced the long corridors, heading in the direction of Albus Dumbledore's office. Dinner had been over for a while, so she guessed that the school's beloved Headmaster would have promptly returned to his room.

She soon arrived at the gargoyle guarding the entrance, and she quickly surveyed the area before uttering, "Popping candy."

The sound of rumbling graced her ears and the gargoyle moved to reveal a stairway. She stepped onto it and waited patiently until the movement ceased. She then walked out into the small hallway and knocked the office door.

She entered a few seconds later and marched up to the ornate table Dumbledore was sitting behind, where he was engrossed in a playful debate with Minerva McGonagall.

"Excuse me, Professor?" she said timidly. "Professor Snape has given me a note to pass along to you."

The two Professors gazed at her. "Why, of course," he replied, reaching his hand out to grip the piece of parchment Hermione offered him.

His eyes, as well as Minerva's, swept over the clear script. They twinkled upon reading the final words. However, Minerva appeared to be considerably dejected.

"So, you have decided to take a further education in Potions then, Miss Granger?" the elder witch asked.

"Yes, Professor McGonagall," Hermione confirmed. "Professor Snape has told me that he will prepare extra classes for me. He said it would give me 'valuable experience'."

"Indeed it would, Miss Granger," answered Dumbledore. "Severus Snape is by far the best Potions Master I have had under my employment. Even if his teaching methods are... harsh... on occasion, with him as your mentor, you will go far."

Hermione beamed. She knew Dumbledore's words were true. Snape could be cold, mean and fully deserve to be called a "git" at times, but she wholly believed he was her best Professor.

Minerva stuttered as she asked, "So... Transfiguration... is not an option, Miss Granger?"

Hermione reassured her. "Oh, no, Professor, Transfiguration was most certainly an option for me. But, I decided that my interest in Healing outweighed it, unfortunately. I chose Potions because I can create so many different remedies, draughts and elixirs... I chose it because I can help people."

Minerva smiled softly. "Very well," she replied. "I support you in your choice, Miss Granger."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

Hermione was soon dismissed from the office and then made her way back to the Gryffindor Common Room. As she passed the first floor, an idea struck her. She speedily entered the Hospital Wing and left clutching a small phial. She pocketed it before she reached the Fat Lady's portrait on the seventh floor and calmly spoke the password.

When she entered her Common Room, she knew she should let Harry and Ron know of the news. She doubted they would be happy with her choice, but, she truly believed that they would support her.

xXxXxXxXxXx

His left arm burned. He instantly understood the reason why and, without a second thought, he answered the call. He Apparated to the location and walked into the old building, following the noises until he reached the correct room.

He slowly, cautiously, stepped inside, searching for his Master. He spotted several other Death Eaters standing around...it seemed as if they were waiting for his arrival as all of their eyes descended on him, following him as he strode closer to the Dark Lord.

He ambled across the floor, bypassing the large and deadly snake his Master had as a pet, and knelt before him.

"My Lord," he said, his voice laced with respect.

"Do you know why I have called you before me?" hissed Voldemort, his expression stoic and unchanging.

"No, my Lord," he replied. He kept his head down and listened for his Master's next words.

"I want you to keep an eye on Severus." The large snake slithered passed the man, winding itself around the chair, and allowed its owner to stroke its head. "I sense that our old friend may be confused as to where his loyalties lie."

"Certainly, my Lord. As you wish."

"Do not let him know of your intentions, Lucius. He must believe that you trust him. How else will he trust you?"

Lucius Malfoy nodded his understanding, before leaving to accomplish his task.


A/N 2: I would love it if you could review. Could we aim for 10 maybe 15 reviews before Chapter 3, I wonder? ;-)