A/N:Hi there. First I want to thank all of you for the reviews, they give me the kick in the proverbial butt to continue writing. Here is chapter four, which I hope you will enjoy as much as you did the first three. I know it doesn't have the answers you were maybe waiting for, but the next chapter will. So…here it is.
Chapter 4: The Forbidden Forest.
The night proved colder than he thought. Throwing a discrete glance towards his companion, he was satisfied to see that it didn't bother her…not yet at least. Drawing his wand and holding it by his side, he started walking purposefully towards the Forbidden Forest. The detention he had given her, he had to admit, was unnecessary…but seeing as it would bring suspicions, he felt it the right thing to do. He hadn't lied though, he did need the Moon Flower for the Wolfsbane Potion, and having her with him was quite…reassuring in some twisted way. He knew the dangers that lay beyond the tree-line at a full moon, he knew that there was a fully grown pack living there, although he'd never seen them. Hell, he may have lived all his life without seeing a werewolf if not for Black's 'prank' in his sixth year. Also knowing her abilities, he'd allowed himself to drag her with him…for company if not just for the… love of learning?
Half way across the grounds he started feeling a little awkward with the stretched silence between them. Honestly he'd expected her to start barraging him with questions the moment they set foot out of the castle, she certainly seemed to have questions.
Reaching he tree-line he murmured a soft 'Lumos' and stepped forward. Seeing as she didn't follow his example, he frowned.
''Miss Granger don't you thing you would see better with both mine and your wand to light the path?''
He saw her lips twitching in the soft light. ''I don't need it.'' She said simply.
''Meaning?'' he drawled, a bit annoyed that she wouldn't elaborate.
''I can see in the dark.''
His step faltered a bit. His brain searching for spells or potions that would have granted her the ability. He found none.
''Miss Granger…If I may, how is it that you can do that?''
She sighed. ''Within those three minutes that I was dead, I was transported both mentally and physically. I was literally in Hell. I had lost a great amount of blood…In order to heal me they also had to give me blood. Their blood. The wounds that Dumbledore healed were fake.''
God did he have to forcefully pull the answers from her mouth? ''So…you are no longer just human…''
''No. That's partly the reason I have wings. The previous Angels didn't. Just because they're called Angels, doesn't immediately mean that they have wings.''
He nodded. Another priceless piece of information. Having Demon blood also meant being a lot more powerful than a human wizard, no matter how many curses, hexes or combat ability they had. But it didn't mean that she had more power than a true Demon. His stomach suddenly clenched, and his eyebrows furrowed. She had to fight three demons. Three eons-old demons, fully trained…oh hell. Oh Hell indeed.
''Something wrong Professor?'' she asked.
''Miss Granger…What I said the other night…about helping you with whatever you needed…I meant it.''
''Oh professor…'' she cooed, ''…I knew you cared…somewhere deep…deep…deep down…or is it just the need to know and learn more?''
'Damn insolent cit.' he thought, turning his head and glaring at her. ''Wouldn't you like to know.'' he said, looking away.
''Don't care really…'' she said in a bored tone. Severus's eyes narrowed at her.
Why did he even care if she did or not? But it felt somehow right to have her trust him. He somehow needed it. Seeing as his 'masters' never did truly trust him. She may even be the only one to open up to him. He couldn't quite imagine Dumbledore or the Dark Lord having tea with him and spilling their darkest secrets.
A sudden move in the bushes in front of him jolted him out of his thoughts. Stepping slightly in front of her, he saw five centaurs stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight.
''Who are you and why are you trespassing?'' One of them asked. The leader?
''My name is Severus Snape and I am a Hogwarts professor. We are searching for some plants that grow only in these parts.'' Severus spoke calmly, looking the centaur in the eye…his wand never faltering.
''The plants that grow in these parts are under our protection, and you can not take them without our permission.'' Severus corked an eyebrow. 'That's a first'.
''We mean no harm. We need the plants to brew a potion. Once we have it, we will be on our way.''
The centaur's head shot towards the sky and he scowled. ''I see danger in your path, and I see the creature you have brought with you. No, Severs Snape, you will not pass. Turn now and you will not be harmed. But I can't guarantee for the creature.'' As for emphasis, the other four centaurs pulled on their bows and aimed at him.
Severus stiffened and made to step back, but Hermione's hand settled on his shoulder and she stepped in front of him, her brows furrowed and her eyes crimson.
''You expect wizards to respect you, you expect wizards to respect your land…and yet you call me a creature and consider me dirt. Why should we not treat you the same way you treat us?'' Severus stepped away from her as she was starting to change appearance. He could feel her anger cracking in the air. He'd never liked the centaurs, but right now he pitied them.
''We do not need your permission to pass. You know that as well as I do. These are Hogwarts grounds, I am a student and I am in the company of a professor. We will pass.''
The centaurs were scowling down at her, but didn't release their hold on the bows. Severus wanted to step in front of her, but he knew better. He may be a powerful wizard, but one against five aggressive centaurs was not a good number, besides, he knew she could take care of herself.
''These are our lands. You will not pass demon.'' the centaur bellowed and arrows were flying towards them.
Before he could even comprehend what was happening, Hermione had one hand pointing at him and the other pointing in front of her. Seconds later, Severus realized that there was an impenetrable energy dome surrounding him and the speeding arrows had stopped mere inches from Hermione's palm, just hovering there. He couldn't see her face, but she could hear the rage in her voice as she tilted her head to the side, as if to have a better look.
''You will retreat and let us pass, or your herd will be short of five. NOW!'' she yelled.
The centaurs were obviously angry, but didn't protest further. Gathering their bows, they stepped back in the shadows.
''Professor…'' Hermione said, still holding her hand pointed at him, ''…you should walk in front of me.''
Severus just nodded numbly and stepped forward…a bit annoyed actually. The image just didn't fit. He was the adult, he was the one supposed to protect her…not the other way around. And yet here he was, leading the way towards the plant they were looking for, with the girl behind him and a protective force field around him.
''You know Miss Granger, you can walk beside me now.'' Severus said after a few minutes of silent walking. ''And let the shield down, I am not so helpless.''
''Oh…'' Hermione giggled, ''…did I bruise your ego professor?''
Severus stopped abruptly and turned around sharply. ''Don't you think you're a bit over the line with that comment Miss Granger?'' he growled. How dare she…tease me? What the hell is wrong with her?
''Come now professor Snape, I think that line was crossed when I woke up in your bathroom. Don't you think so?'' she smiled innocently at him.
Severus narrowed his eyes. This girl wasn't the Miss Granger he knew. This girl definitely had demon blood in her…or maybe she was a Slytherin in a lion's skin? He smirked back…Two can play the game.
''Really Miss Granger. I thought it was only my idea.'' He took a step towards her. ''I have to say, I enjoyed your display on the Quidditch Pitch, but…'' he reached and took a loose curl between his fingers. ''You may be right.'' he took another step towards her.
Hermione's eyes had returned to their amber color and were wide as saucers. 'Now this is fun.'
''..!..''
''Sorry I didn't catch that?''
''M...Moon Flower…'' she mumbled.
Severus wanted to laugh out loud. She was brave enough to tease him, but she wasn't enough to take some back. Or was it shock she was feeling?
''Of course.'' he said with a grin on his face and a glint in his eyes as he resumed walking.
''Would you like to have tea with me tomorrow evening Miss Granger? You know…for research. You still have some questions to answer.''
''Of course…sir''
''Charming.''
Half hour later, and quite a distance from the castle, the moon's rays revealed what they were looking for. She had been quiet all the way there, he'd tossed a few snide remarks her way, mocked her, teased her…but he didn't get an answer. Finally, frustrated by her lack of response, he had ceased and continued the walk…in the moonlight. Honestly, with his luck…or lack thereof…they would encounter some werewolfs on the way. He shuddered. One time with Remus in the same room was enough to satisfy his curiosity.
He instructed her to watch and crouched down. He always loved this part… the flowers sparkled silver at this time of the month, and they were simply beautiful. The Moon Flower was one of the very few ingredients that needed to grow in a wild environment and were always in blossom. No matter the season.
Having gathered enough for a six month supply, Severus stood, only to see Miss Granger in her Angel form, with a silver sword in her hands, her back to him.
Raising an eyebrow, he risked a glance over her shoulder. He groaned. He just had to go and even think about it. 'Why me…'
''Well, Severus…I didn't see you at the meeting, but I see you already have her.'' said a voice to his left.
''I wasn't. What are you talking about?'' Severus asked, his eyes scanning the forest.
''Then how did you know that the Dark Lord wanted her? And how is it that you are not startled by her appearance?'' Bellatrix Lestrange asked.
Beneath his robes, Severus let his wand slide from his sleeve in his hand. Risking a glance towards Hermione, he saw every muscle in her body tense and her wings gave an irritated flap.
''I always knew you were a traitor Sev…'' Severus growled at the use of the nickname…''…but now I have proof of it. If you were truly loyal, you would have brought her in the moment you saw her like that.''
Severus moved slightly backwards, his back almost touching hers, his eyes never leaving the deranged witch.
''Right you are Bella…pity it took you…what is it now? Nineteen…twenty years…to figure it out?'' Severus smirked.
''How dare you…how dare you defy him. He is the reason you are where you are now. He is the reason you are a potions master…he is the reason you are even alive…I would have killed you long ago if he didn't need you.'' Bellatrix's silver eyes were blazing. Her wild black hair seemed even wilder.
He heard Hermione having a conversation similar with his, but he couldn't concentrate on that now.
''At least we made good use of your potions tonight…if we are to find a new potions master. You will die tonight Severus Snape knowing that we got the mudblood using your potions.'' She laughed. He didn't quite understand what she was talking about…until she shouted the name of a Death Eater he never wanted to encounter on a full moon.
''Greyback…bring your friends out to play.''
'Fuck' now he understood why Hermione was so tense. There were more than the two he had seen. She could see in the dark…she had seen them. Damn witch, of all the Death Eaters and magical creatures she could bring…she brought werewolfs.
Suddenly Severus found himself facing Bella, Dolohov, Lucius and Nott. Not one werewolf. He wanted to turn around and see if she was alright, he could hear claws against the silver blade, and the werewolfs howl, but he couldn't turn.
Curses started flying between the cloaked figures, but none touched Severus. The protecting dome was once again around him. Knowing that Hermione was protecting him at the same time as she was fighting those fowl creatures enraged him even more. Damn Gryffindor witch.
Crouching, avoiding a slicing curse in the process, he pulled a hidden wand from his boot and started fighting with a renewed determination. Slashing curses, Bone-Breaking hexes, Blinding charms, and numerous other were shooting from his wand at a lightning fast speed. Never an Unforgivable. One by one they were falling, until only Bellatrix remained. She was bleeding heavily from an injury on her throat when she gave an enraged cry and vanished with a flip of her cloak.
Quickly binding the others, Severus whirled around to see Hermione facing two werewolfs. Her clothes were torn in places, she had scratches on her arms and back, one wing was gathered a bit too tight to her back, but she didn't step back.
Both creatures leaped at the same time towards her. Hermione twisted her body out of the way, stabbing one of them in the heart in mid leap and slitting the other's throat while pulling it out.
Severus was looking at the scene with wide eyes and mouth slightly open. He thought facing four Death Eaters was tiring and difficult…well now he would be eating his words. Miss Granger had collapsed to her knees in a puddle of blood, shaking, her chest rising and falling quickly…around her in an almost perfect circle…slit throats, sliced members, gutted…were fifteen werewolfs.
With a frustrated yell, she slapped the ground in front of her and it started shaking. He didn't quite understand what she was doing until he saw the bodies starting to sink down, as if it was quick-sand, leaving no trace of the battle that had occurred only minutes prior.
With a wave of his wand he placed a portkey on each Death Eater, sending them to the ministry, then he approached the trembling witch.
''Miss Granger…'' he said placing a hand on her shoulder. She was freezing. Knowing what he had to do, but also knowing that students would be still roaming the corridors, thus making it difficult to slip inside the castle without Dumbledore being alerted, Severus threw his cloak to the ground and transfigured it in a double tub. Filling it quickly with hot water, and placing a constant warming charm over the water, he purposefully strode back to Hermione and pulled her to her feet, letting the sword fall with a thud. Snaking an arm around her waist to support her, he unclasped her cloak off with the other. When she was only in her school uniform, he picked her up and walked back to the tub, letting her body sink in the hot water, holding her head above the water with one hand and stroking her cold cheek with the other.
''Come on Miss Granger…you have to wake up…come on girl…it's over, wake up now…'' The words were meant for her, to calm her and wake her, but somehow he also felt that he was reassuring himself. Was it normal for her to react like that every time she used her powers? She must have some sort of remedy for her frozen state?
Severus shook his head and almost laughed out loud. For the second time in two days he had Miss Granger wet in front of him. In his arms. This girl…no, woman, he corrected himself…that he hated for five years because of her association with Potter and Weasley. This student that had him gritting his teeth every time her hand shot up in class. This angel that was slowly crawling her way under his skin…this beautiful angel…
''Sorry 'bout that professor…'' she said softly without opening her eyes, ''…seems I can't keep myself out of your arms lately…''
''No problem Miss Granger, believe me it doesn't bother me…at all…'' he smirked as a sudden blush appeared in her cheeks, ''…but don't make a habit out of it.''
She nodded. ''So, what do you think? My luck or yours?''
''Definitely yours. I'm not such danger magnet. If I remember correctly, there hasn't been one year for you and your…friends ,without some sort of dangerous experience looming around the corner.''
''Touché. I think I'm alright now.''
Severus nodded and helped her out of the water. Two quick drying charms, and his cloak back to normal, they started walking back towards the castle. Hermione had conjured a piece of cloth and was carefully cleaning her sword, Diamonds, Saphires and Emeralds sparkling in the moonlight.
''Sword of Justice…'' she said suddenly, ''…it was made by the angels of the light. It was the sword of Archangel Gabriel…until he fell.''
Severus felt grateful for the explanation, but it was nowhere near the amount of answers he wanted. He had planned in questioning her while walking back, but that deranged witch had to meddle. No matter…there was time.
Or so he hoped.
A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Leave me your thoughts.