Summary: The wizarding world is at peace finally. Can Hermione and Severus find what's truly missing in their lives? Or will a new darkness pull them apart, leaving their body, souls and hearts in shambles. SS/HG
Disclaimer: I Do NOT own Harry Potter
The morning came much too slowly for Severus' liking. He wanted run to the infirmary and make sure Hermione was all right, but he couldn't. He wouldn't.
His mind kept telling him that he was no good for her, that she would never be happy with him, but yet his heart was saying the opposite. What did he have to loose? It's not like he would put her in danger now that the Dark Lord was gone, in fact maybe he could even protect her from these attacks.
Sighing he made his way to the shower. As he washed, his mind kept spinning. What was it all of a sudden about this nosey know-it-all Gryffindor that he was suddenly infatuated with?
As he thought about it, he tried to ignore the little voice in the back of his mind. The little voice that he knew was telling the truth. He had always been attracted to her. Even as a student, although it wasn't until her sixth year when he realized it. She was brilliant, a mind that rivaled his own. It was those two dunderheads she was always with that made him dislike her so. But for the couple of days she had been here, she didn't seem to have much contact with them anymore.
He stepped out of the shower, and grabbed his wand from the nearby counter. All in one fluid movement, he was dry and dressed, and his hair neatly combed.
Tucking his wand in his sleeve, he quickly stocked out of the bathroom, through his living quarters, and out into the cold dungeons of the castle.
He wanted to check on Hermione before his meeting with Minerva. Hopefully Hermione would be well enough to join him.
It was almost 7:30am when he entered the infirmary and made his way to the closed curtain in which Hermione lay behind. He was about to pull the curtain aside, when he stopped, hearing whispered voices.
"I don't know Minerva, it doesn't make sense, and she should have awaken by now. Oh I wish I knew more about these muggle injuries…who in the wizarding world would do something to primitive?"
"But Poppy there has to be some reason."
Severus pulled the curtain aside and made his way to Hermione's bedside. Muttering a few spells and seeing the results before him, he turned to the two women. "It's called a coma. Her brain as swelled so much, that it has shut her body down in order to repair itself, hopefully she'll awaken in a day or two. If not, we may have to take her to a muggle hospital."
"A muggle hospital, you can't be serious!" Minerva gasped.
Severus nodded, "In the mean time, even if she awakens in the next few days, she won't be able to teach for at least a week, Minerva, you'll have to teach the defense class, I'll give you my lesson plans, and I'll have to see to Hermione's classes. Hopefully it won't be like this for too long." He sighed and looked down at the sleeping woman, wishing there was more he could do.
There was silence for a few moments, before Minerva cleared her throat. "I talked to the house elves Severus."
He tore his look away from Hermione. "And…"
"They didn't see anything."
"Then we'll have to questions the teachers."
"I've done that too. Professor Flitwick was the first one in the dining room, but Ginny Weasley joined him a few moments later, and then he left, forgetting something in his rooms that he promised to Professor Binns. Ginny says she was only alone for a few minutes when Poppy joined her and then Ginny left to use the loo. And it continues from there, almost everyone was alone at one time or another in the hall. We really can't accuse any of our teachers, too many of them had opportunity, but none had motive. We start accusing, and we'll have an uproar."
Severus growled in frustration, there were no closer to answers on these attacks then they had been the first day.
Minerva placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder, "We'll figure it out Severus, in the mean time, and Hermione will need constant supervision."
"What do you propose?"
"I will be moving your room's right next to Hermione's. As well as your classroom will also be beside Hermione's. I suggest you be with her as much as you possible can."
"Minerva, why me, can we not just bring in someone?"
Minerva gave him a small smile, and with a twinkle in her eye, that rivaled Dumbledore's, "Because we are going to try to not alert the other teachers. We don't want teacher to worry. When teachers worry, students worry. When students worry, parent's worry. Remember what happened when the chamber of secrets was opened. We don't want to make that same mistake again."
Severus sighed, "Fine." He said. "But I need to finish the wards for her classroom, would you stay until I return?"
Minerva nodded, and watched him as he stormed out of the room.
"I've given you a chance with him dear." She whispered to the young girl on the bed, "I hope you take it."
Severus returned to the infirmary a few hours later. It had taken him longer to set the rest of the wards without the help of one clever young witch, and it frustrated him even more. He was going to do everything in his power to protect her.
As he entered the infirmary, he noticed Madam Pinch, sitting in a chair beside Hermione's bed. She had nodded off, and her chain was resting on her chest.
He cleared his throat, as he walked towards the bed, startling the sleeping librarian, "Oh Severus, I didn't hear you come in."
"You were sleeping." He commented rudely.
"Oh yes, of course, of course…I must go."
"Madam Pinch"
The librarian stopped her rush to leave, and turned to look at him.
"Not a word of this to anyone."
She nodded her head, and hurried out the door.
Severus watched her go, and then looked back to the sleeping witch. A soft hoot from the bedside table caught his attention, and he turned to see a small grey owl standing on it, a letter tied to its leg.
"What did you do to scare Madam Pinch off?"
Severus didn't even look at Poppy, but kept his eyes on the owl. "I caught her sleeping."
"Humph. Just because she was dozing doesn't mean you have to be a pompous jackass. I doubt something could have happened to Hermione without waking her up."
Severus just shrugged, "What's with the owl?"
"Came soon after you left. But it won't let anyone take the letter off his leg. It's for Hermione."
Severus reached into his robe's pocket and pulled out a few owl treats. Holding them in his hand, he stretched his hand out to the owl, which hopped over. As he ate, Severus reached up and untied the letter from the owl's leg.
Poppy just shook her head, "Minerva and I both tried that and the owl refused. Wonder if the letter is for you and Hermione."
Severus ignored the mediwitch as he unrolled the letter;
Dear Hermione,
What a pleasure it was to receive your letter last night, although the late arrival shocked me some. You must have been talking to Severus. What I am doing in completely confidential and that's why I did not tell you. Although I'm now glad you know, I trust you won't relay this information to anyone.
I was quite shocked when you asked about the prophecy, I know of one that is similar to what you're describing. I was a little shocked when I recorded it as I assumed it had to do with the defeat of the Dark Lord…could there be another evil wizard?
What shocked me even more was I went to retrieve the document and it's gone! As well as the orb! I have no idea where they could've gone. Thankfully, I remember most of what it said.
The love between the snake & lion
Impossible, but cannot be denied
Hardships & death be known to them
To be doomed, their love must die
To survive, their love must be nourished
To live, their love must thrive
To Defeat, their love must create
Hope, peace and love depend on them.
My dear friend, I must ask you to be careful, whomever or whatever must have gone through a great deal to rid us of this prophecy. Ever since the Hall of Mystery battle, the hall has been heavily guarded.
Be safe my friend and say hello to Severus for me…. I'm sure he'll be reading this over your shoulder.
Your dearest friend
Narcissa BlackSeverus rolled the parchment back on, and placed on the now empty bedside table. The owl must have taken off while Severus was reading the letter.
Poppy was still standing on the other side of the bed, watching Severus intently, "Well…"
"Well what?" Severus snapped.
"What's it say?"
Severus promptly stood up and tucked the parchment into his robe. "I do not believe that the letter was addressed to you Madam Pomfrey, so therefore, it is none of your business." He turned to leave, "I will be talking to Minerva and as long as my rooms are set up accordingly, I will be transferring Ms. Granger to her rooms."
"But she's my patient; I need to be able to tend to her!" Exclaimed Poppy.
"Did you not say yourself that you have no experience in muggle injuries?"
"Yes but…"
Severus turned back around to face her, "In that case, she is no longer your patient, but mine. I have extensive knowledge in muggle injuries, and will tend to her care…unless you would like to talk to Minerva about this."
Poppy shook her head, "I will arrange for a stretcher and some of our strongest house elves and have her prepped for the transfer."
Severus nodded his head and left the infirmary. Once he had Hermione settled in her own rooms, he had other business to attend to. He was going to need help, and that's what he really needed to talk to Minerva about.
As he stalked towards the Headmistress office, he couldn't keep his mind from wandering. He wonder what Hermione's bedroom looked like….no doubt it was much like her sitting room, decorated like a Gryffindor. Not that he could blame her. He'd never tell anyone, but if you were to look at his own sitting room, there would be no doubt that he is a Slytherin…but look at his bedroom and you would think he was a Gryffindor through and through. Something about the colors made him feel closer to his former student.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts he realized that he almost walked right by the gargoyle statue. Speaking the password, he stepped onto the spiral staircase, and waited for it to carry him up to the main office.
He reached the heavy wooden doors to the office, still partially lost in thought, and raised his hand to knock.
"Come in Severus." A voice called from the other side.
Severus lowered his fist and shivered, he swore that woman was getting more and more like Albus everyday. Pushing open the large wooden doors, he walked into the office and took a seat in one of the chairs.
"Your quarters are ready. We've even added an extra door between Hermione's sitting rooms and yours so that you do not always have to walk around and through the portraits. You quarters are behind the portrait of the four founders, password is Gemini. I've already had Poppy move Hermione, although I hear you've already scared her into having Hermione ready to be moved."
Severus nodded, but continued to sit in the chair. Minerva waited for him to say something, or to get up and leave, but he didn't move. "Was there something else Severus?"
"Yes, do we have space for another teacher?"
Minerva looked confused, "I suppose Madame Hooch could use some help with her flying classes. First years are difficult to keep an eye on when they're learning how to fly. Why do you ask?"
Severus took a deep breath, he hoped he wasn't going to regret this, "I think we should bring Harry Potter in. He's an Auror, he can help Hermione. We can bring him in as a teacher. No one needs to know the real reason."
Minerva contemplated Severus' idea. Then nodded her head, "I agree, on one condition."
Severus raised his eyebrows.
"You will ask him yourself."
Severus almost groaned, but knowing he needed to get his way agreed. He got up from the chair and headed for the door.
"We'll find out whose doing this Severus, don't give up." Minerva called after him.
Severus nodded and left the office. Hurrying down the spiral staircase, he thought about the letter he was going to have to write.
Severus veered away from his rooms and towards Hermione's. He decided it would be in her best interest to check on her first, before writing Mr. Potter. Walking towards the portrait of Celeste and Rayin, he could see concern in their eyes.
"Severus!" Celeste exclaimed when she saw him coming, "What happened to Hermione? She left late last night and never came back!"
"And now she's been brought in on a stretcher!" Rayin added.
Severus looked at them and sighed, "This CANNOT be spread around, keep it to yourselves." Celeste and Rayin nodded, "There have been a few attacks on Hermione. At first we thought it was randomized, but then she was brutally attacked last night. Hit over the head with a muggle weapon of some sort. Now she's in what the muggle's call a coma. Her brain has swelled and as result, she has fallen into a deep sleep of sorts. Our only concern is she may not wake up."
Celeste gasped and buried her head in Rayin's shoulder. Rayin looked at Severus, whom told him the password. "Take care of her Severus." He said.
Severus nodded and the portrait swung open, allowing him to step into Hermione's sitting room, which looked no different then when he had left in the night before. "Oh Hermione." He muttered as he made his way towards the door he assumed was her bedroom.
Passing the desk in the sitting room, he noticed a new door that had appeared beside it. He assumed that was the door that led to his own rooms. He felt comforted knowing he was going to be so close.
He reached for the knob of her bedroom door, and turned it, not knowing what to expect.
He gasped as the door swung open; this was defiantly not what he had been expecting.
Hermione swam through the darkness, desperately reaching for the last bit of light she could see in the distance. She wasn't ready to die yet; she wasn't going to give up. Using the last bit of strength she could muster, she mentally shot herself towards the light…
It got so bright she had to shield her eyes, and when the light faded away she blinked once, then twice, before they focused themselves on the familiar site of her bedroom, and the unfamiliar sight of Severus Snape looking shocked.
She opened her mouth and took in a few deep breaths, "So I guess you know my secret." She croaked.
Severus couldn't believe his eyes, the room was one that any Slytherin would dream of. The color an exact match to their banner, and the décor beautiful and exquisite. He was so busy staring; he didn't notice Hermione open her eyes.
"So I guess you know my secret." Came a raspy voice from the bed.
Severus hurried over to the bed, the décor of the room forgotten, "You're awake, how are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a bus." Hermione groaned, and she propped herself up on her elbows.
Severus chuckled, "Well it wasn't a bus, more like a baseball bat, any idea who did this?"
Hermione looked at him confused, "Did what? What did happen?"
Severus frowned, "You don't remember what happened?"
Hermione shook her head, then groaned in pain at the agony, and gently lowered herself to the pillows, "What happened Severus?"
"You were attacked two nights ago, in the corridors. I assume you were heading back from the owlery."
"I remember sending a letter to Narcissa, and I remember walking down the stairs away from the owlery, but after that it's a blank." Hermione stated, and she scrunched her face, trying to remember the events of last night.
Severus laid a calming hand on her shoulder, "Don't try too hard to remember, you'll hurt yourself. It'll come to you."
Hermione nodded and gently closed her eyes, "I'm so tired Severus."
"I know, go to sleep, I'll be here when you waken."
Severus had not even finished his sentence when Hermione's breathing slowed to an even rhythm, and he knew she was fast asleep.
The letter was the hardest thing Severus ever had to write. As he sat in a chair, watching Hermione peacefully sleep, he tapped the quill against his cheek. Who would have ever thought that he, Severus Tobias Snape, would be writing Harry James Potter, and asking for help. Sighing, he looked down at the blank parchment that lay on a book in his lap. Deciding he needed to get it over with, he began to write.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I write this letter to insist that you return to Hogwarts immediately. As I am sure Ms. Granger has informed you, we are in immediate need of your help. Specifically more, Ms. Granger is in need of your help as I fear she is in great danger.
Ever since Ms Granger arrived at Hogwarts three days ago, there have been two attacks on her, the last one more severe.
As the students arrive tomorrow night, I cannot keep a constant vigil on her and I hoped you would help us with her protection.
You will be posing as an assistant flying teacher to Madam Hooch, but for the most part will not be tied down to a class.
Please owl ASAP with your reply.
Sincerely
Professor Severus T. Snape
Deputy Headmaster, Potions Master, & DADA Prof.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.
He summoned a house elf and when he arrived, gave him the letter to take to the owlery, with instructions that the owl should not return until he had a reply from Mr. Potter and the reply should come straight to him.
The house self nodded and popped out of site, and Severus leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, until his eyes grew heavy and he fell into an uneasy sleep.
Uh oh, will Harry accept? Will Harry & Severus get along? And….does Ron make an appearance? Keep reading.
Please R&R…no flames please.