Chapter Seven
Acceptance
(Here is chapter seven...finally! Thank you for all the favourites, follows and comments. I hope you guys can see some sort of improvement. To coin a phrase 'lots more to come! Sorry if this is all in the center of the page. The app keeps doing it!!)
Severus sat in his usual leather chair while other staff members took their own seats. It was the morning of the annual 'back to school' meeting with Albus Dumbledore who was late as usual. Severus was his normal cantankerous self especially when Remus Lupin flounced in wishing everyone a good morning to which Severus replied with a glare.
Severus adjusted his sleeves and became inpatient.
No doubt he will be filling his pockets with leftover food or those damn strawberry shortcakes.
"Good morning everyone and Severus"came the booming voice. Dumbledore walked in and took his place at his desk.
"Miss Granger and Miss Sprout will not be attending this morning as they are both unwell. It seems to be catching as six students will not be here for the start of term on Monday.
Minerva looked at Severus who raised one eyebrow in defiance.
"Severus, are you still planning on going to Shetland next weekend? If you are can you stop off at Betty MacGregors and bring me back some shortbread" He said looking at a displeased Severus.
"If that is what you wish I shall do so. Would anyone else like anything? Live haggis perhaps, I hear it is the season for it" came the sarcastic response.
Dumbledore gave a slight laugh while other joined in to break the atmosphere. Minerva continued to give him daggers.
"I would quite like..." Remus trailed off when Severus looked at him.
"Actually I think I have some, silly me" Remus gave a nervous smile and straightened his position trying not to look anxious. Severus was a love hate relationship but he did rely on his Potions to prevent turning on a full moon. He didn't want to annoy him too much for fear of poisoning.
The staff continued their meeting while Severus thought about Hermione. She was always so precise with meetings even when she was struck down with flu. This was out of the ordinary and he knew he would have to go to her to clear his name.
Dumbledore concluded the meeting and they all made their way out.
"Just you hold your fire Severus" the Scottish tone she had went right through him at times. He stopped and turned to face Minerva who halted him in the corridor. Folding his arms and raising one eyebrow he awaited her inquisition.
"Miss Granger is not well and I cannot help but think you are involved. I am aware that you spent the night together but she was seen in her own room this morning."
"I wish not to discuss this with you at this time. Miss Granger is perfectly fine" he said bluntly before turning on his heel and stalking down the corridor.
"Professor Snape..." she called out looking appalled as he raised one hand and disappeared round the corner.
XX
'Alohomora'
He shook his head as her door opened with no problems and slowly crept in. He could see her bedroom door was ajar, as he turned to close the door her beloved Cruikshanks came running over. Severus was not a cat person and shooed the cat away which was met with a hiss. Straightening out his robes he made his way over to her room.
She was lying on top of the bed covers with a patchwork blanket draped over her. He walked right up to her and sat on the corner of her bed. Her eyes opened to analyse him.
"Severus, I had the door locked. What, wait, please, not again. I can't do this..." came her weak response. She remained curled up and didn't make eye contact.
"Hermione I'm not going to hurt you, please, I need to explain a few things," reaching out his hand to her knee that was hidden by the blanket. She flinched at his touch while flashbacks of the previous evening went through her mind.
"I know, it was a dream but you frightened me. You wouldn't stop and your face was so full of rage."
Severus lowered his head. He knew that he had to explain some of his past as she needed to understand. He was however, concerned by her weak appearance and pale skin.
"I'm...sorry. It's a reoccurring dream that I have had for many years since the war. When I was a Deatheater there was an expectation for men to...
He stopped as her eyes widened on him.
"Claim a woman for ones own use. A show of power if you like. I'm ashamed to admit that I tried to complete the initiation but I couldn't do it. I'm not proud of it but it haunts me. Unfortunately, last night you were that woman" his head lifted to look at her. Why is she not reacting to this?
"But you didn't..."he shook his head.
"No I did not. I couldn't. It's a heinous crime. Lucius finished it on behalf of me" he replied as he put his hand to his head.
Hermione uncurled herself but winced as she tried to straighten up. Severus watched this and immediately became concerned.
"Bad landing with the Floo powder?"
"No, that went well. I'm currently experiencing the curse of the month and it's excruciating."
"Oh, erm, right" he backed away slightly with a slight shocked expression.
"Why do you men get so put off by these things. It's perfectly natural and..." she put her hands to her abdomen as the cramps became intense. For years she had suffered with the pain and not one doctor could give her a reason. She was just unlucky.
"Straighten yourself out and lie back...if you can bear it" she looked quizzically at him and did as she was advised.
He placed his hand on her abdomen and a beautiful golden green light emitted from it. She felt a great heat and a lot of pulling then the pain lifted.
He withdrew his hand and blew into it. White sparks of light flew into the air and dissipated.
"That should resolve your issue for this month Miss Granger. After all, it isn't normal for something to bleed for seven days and still live to tell the tale." He said smirking in his usual manner which earned him a pillow to the side.
"Five for me usually." Came her curt response.
He got up and made his way to her door.
"I shall stop by later. If you would like me too?" He had one hand on her bedroom door and turned to face her.
"Yes please" she smiled and decided not to forget the the previous evening but would give him another chance.
XX
The day passed quickly. Severus completed all the lesson plans for the next three months and began to plan his weekend trip to Shetland. He had a few contacts up there who were reliable for hard to get supplies. There was a one bedroom Bothy that would see him through the night but it was dreary without company.
Should I ask Hermione? Would she trust me again. Best to take a sleeping draught with me.
Without warning his door flew open it was Minerva who was visibly in a foul mood.
"Severus Snape, don't you dare walk away from me when I am speaking to you!" She shouted walking over to his desk. He took a deep breath and met her piercing stare.
"Minerva, the dream is back again"
She put her hand to her mouth and looked worried,
"Oh Severus, I'm sorry, I didn't know" she immediately sat down on the wooden chair opposite him.
"I've already been to Hermione and explained without too much detail. I am ashamed to admit that I acted it out on her in my sleep. She had to use her wand in defence and left via the fire to her room. I do believe the shock may have caused her cycle to arrive early hence why she has been in her private rooms today." He said whilst Minerva listened closely.
"Have you two...you know...
"Most certainly not. Really Minerva!" He hissed.
"Right, hang on! She used defensive magic on you?"
"Yes" He said through gritted teeth. His back was still sore from striking the bookcase.
"Right, well. I will leave you to it as you seem to have a handle on things. Remember, be honest with her and don't forget to tell her about Lucius. He will be due soon and you and I both know what he is like." She walked out of his room and closed the door behind her.
Oh yes. I know what he is like. Lucius the rapist and womaniser. That man will never be out of my memory.
He took a quick glance at the clock and decided that his work was complete for the day. He had the notion to go for a walk down to the loch and talk with Harmione although it did look a touch breezy outside. Still, a bit of fresh air would do the two of them good and would clear out the cobwebs as his grandmother would often say.
XxX
Severus had managed to convince Hermione to take a walk with him to the loch. It didn't take much as she was feeling much better but he wasn't keen on her intricate description of her current uterine state. That was Hermione though, always describing things in detail which is why her students had done so well under her wing. Her thirst for knowledge was insatiable and he hoped that her need for physical pleasure was the same.
Slow down Severus came the voice of reason.
"Severus, what made you become a Deatheater?" Hermione asked bluntly while taking a seat on the rock and looking at the gentle roll of the water. He shifted and crossed his arms.
"There was nothing for me. My father hated me and my mother had gone. I needed a sense of belonging and I was weak. The Dark Lord promised me a rich life where people would look up to me. I didn't realise they would look at me out of fear instead of respect." He remained looking out over the water, the breeze catching his robes.
"I've always seen a broken spirit within you. Even when I was a girl your behaviour never frightened me like your other students. As I grew older I could see that you just needed to be fixed."
He gave a very stiff smile but remained in the same position.
"Hermione I need to apologise for last night. I'm so sorry. My behaviour was an absolute disgrace. I...don't know how to make it stop. For a long time Minerva became my therapist but she too couldn't stop the dreams..." he trailed off.
"Come here and sit next to me, as she gestured to the space next to her. As he sat down she took his hand and encased it in hers.
"Last night was one of the best nights of my life. You are the first man who has ever spent time with me in that way. I feel from that moment we do have something here and it would be a shame to throw it away and forget it."
Severus placed his hand on hers but still couldn't look at her. He could feel her energy making a connection with his.
"Let's put a line through it and move on. I want to understand your mind Severus. I wish I could take away the past but we both know that is against the law. I can be here though, through the good and bad. If you wish it that is" her hair blew as the breeze picked up. There was a smell of rain in the air and a dark cloud was brewing on the horizon.
Without saying a word he pulled her close to his chest which took her by surprise. She wrapped her arms around him and could feel the warmth of his body. His head rested on her shoulder and for the first time in a long time he cried silently. Acceptance was something he had always wanted and how wonderful it felt when he received it.
"Come with me to Shetland on Friday night?" He whispered while still locked in their embrace.
"Of course I will. I would love to bring back some shortbread."
"You are as bad as that bloody Albus" he said and the two of them gave a brief laugh.
Shetland here we come, she thought as she felt him hold her tight.
(To be continued...)
