Author's note: I'm really sorry this took so long, I had it all written down, I did about three quarters of this on vacation, but it was written not typed. So it took me a while to get it on my laptop. I am already working on 8 so please have patience. I did not send this to my beta, so any mistakes are all mine and any american sayings that are not brittish, are completely my fault. Please make sure to review!! Enjoy!
Angel
Chapter 7 Explanations
Hermione went up to the tower to try to process what had happed and figure out what she was going to tell her friends. By the time lunch came around she had decided to ask Ginny and the boys to wait for her after her extra-credit project with
. When she went down to lunch she sat between Harry and Ron. They were too busy eating to manage a greeting so they nodded to her. Luckily Ginny was sitting across from them rather than with her usual group. Hermione elbowed the boys and raised her eyebrows at Ginny.
"I need to speak with the three of you this evening after I get back from working in the dungeons, please." She spoke with more conviction than she thought herself capable of at the moment.
"Sure 'Mione, what's wrong?" Ron asked his brow furrowing.
"I have something to tell you guys."
"We'll be there Hermione." Ginny replied with a hint of understanding in her voice.
"Thanks guys." Hermione said looking gratefully at Ginny. The rest of Hermione's day went as smoothly as she could have hoped for, considering the way it had begun.
She went to dinner as soon as she could so that she could get a head start on her homework before her extra-credit with Snape. Hermione made her way down to the dungeons ten minutes early because she had gotten through more of her homework than she thought during the say, trying not to dwell on the morning's events. She knocked and entered when Snape replied. He eyed her inconspicuously trying to asses just how much her father's appearance had affected her that morning. He noticed that her eyes were puffy and dark as though she hadn't slept in days. Finally he spoke as she set her schoolbag on the table,
"Miss Granger, I would like you to assist me with marking essays. I believe the first and second year essays shouldn't be too strenuous; I do not wish to add to your already stress-filled day."
Even as he said it he wondered whether or not that last bit had been too far over the line. Hermione smiled for a minute before she answered him,
"I greatly appreciate it Professor." He handed her the stack of essays and a quill spelled to write in this handwriting and she began.
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Back in the common Room Ginny, Ron, and Harry say together discussing Hermione.
"You guys didn't hear her that night. She was more terrified than I've ever seen her. And that letter she got this morning wasn't good either. This talk tonight is going to be very serious so you guys need to be on your best behavior."
"You really think it'll be that serious?" Ron asked truthfully.
"I think Ginny's right Ron; something's been different with Hermione lately." Harry spoke up unexpectedly.
"Well then we're going to help her." Ron said determinedly.
"Ron, she may just need us to listen, not necessarily help." Ginny said trying to get Ron to understand.
"Yeah, you know if she needed help she'd have come to us earlier." Harry said, his expression indicating deep thought. Ginny smiled at his sudden foresight into the mind of a woman. They fell into a comfortable silence.
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Hermione had just finished the last essay in her stack when the clock struck nine.
"I'm finished sir." She announced tiredly.
"Very well Miss Granger, you may go." As she gathered her things he spoke again, in a softer voice, "If the need arises I shall be in my office until eleven or so."
"I'll keep that in mind Professor." She replied a little stunned. The door shut behind her and Severus' Mark began to burn. Damnation I didn't think He'd find out this soon! He thought to himself. He entered his quarters and gathered his cloak and mask. Once he had everything he began to prepare himself for what lie ahead. He went over to the fireplace and to let Dumbledore know where he was going.
Once he passed thought the gates he pressed his wand to his Mark and turned on the spot, heading off towards the Dark Lord. When he arrived he reconised the dark outline of Malfoy Manor. As Severus approached the door a small house elf opened it and bade him entrance. The little elf led him down the long hallway to the main sitting room. Voldemort was seated on a throne-like chair by the fireplace, Nagini at his right on a large pillow. Severus bent to kiss the hem of the Dark Lord's robes. When Severus stood again Voldemort addressed him.
"Severus I have called you here this evening because Malfoy had informed me that you are privately teaching one of Potter's little friends." With as much of a grimace as he could muster Severus answered,
"Yes my Lord, but it most certainly not my choice. The old fool thrust the mudblood upon me so that she can brew for the Hospital Wing."
"He trusts you with her?" Voldemort asked obviously delighted at the opportunity before him.
"Yes my Lord, I have played my part well, Dumbledore is convinced that I am his spy."
"I believe this will work to my advantage."
"Shall we take her my Lord?" Malfoy asked a bit too eagerly.
"Don't be a fool Malfoy, Dumbledore is testing Severus' loyalty. If anything should happen to her Severus would lose his position as spy. No, what Severus should do is use the girl." He turned again to Severus, "Gain her trust, use her to spy on Potter directly."
"It will take time my Lord, The girl is distrustful of me."
"I have faith in you Severus, I have been patient before. You will find a way." Voldemort replied, making his meaning quite plain.
"I will do as you say master." Severus replied with a slight bow.
"You may go Severus, but I will expect an update as soon as you have some information. Malfoy, show Severus to the door." Malfoy rose, fury written upon his face.
"This way brother." Malfoy spoke, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.
They walked down the hallway towards the front door. Severus' hand had slipped stealthily into his pocket to grip his wand, preparing for the hexes to come. Malfoy opened the door and gestured Severus to precede him out the door. Severus slowly drew his wand and pointed it backwards. In a flash Malfoy sent a tripping hex at Severus who had already cast a silent shield charm. Malfoy, after having to dodge his own hex, was livid.
"Cushy little job you've gotten yourself Snape. Do you wish to know what I think? I think you're a traitor! You do nothing and yet the Dark Lord favors you above me!" He fired another hex and Severus lazily flicked his wand deflecting it.
"Perhaps the Dark Lord knows who he can trust not to get themselves beaten by a bunch of children and chucked into Azkaban." Severus sneered back. Malfoy threw a slicing hex that caught Severus off guard. He leapt out of the way, but it caught Severus on the forehead. He spun on the spot and disappparated to the gates of Hogwarts before Malfoy could throw another curse. Blood was running down his face and over his eyes. He hurried down to his office, thankful that it was just past ten so there were no students to dodge. He was in such a hurry to try to stop the bleeding that he left the door between his quarters and his office open.
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Earlier that evening
Hermione had just completed the long journey to the Gryffindor Tower her mind trying to work out where she should begin with her story. She gave the password and entered. Ron, Harry, and Ginny were over by the fireplace waiting for her. When she was close enough she said to them,
"Come with me, I don't want to talk in here." They all got up and followed her back out of the portrait hole and they walked in silence to the Rom of Requirement. Hermione was so deep in thought that she almost forgot that she was supposed to be concentrating on what they needed from the room.
"I need a quiet, private place to tell the," She thought to herself as they approached the door.
They entered the room which had made itself into a very warm and inviting sitting room. It was even complete with four very cozy looking chairs. When they were all seated Hermione looked up at them. She felt sick; her palms were sweaty and she had the sudden urge to just run away. She steeled herself and began to speak, "As you three know, I haven't been going home on holidays"
"Yeah, this summer was the first time you've been home in ages." Ron interrupted.
"Shut it Ronald, don't interrupt!" hissed Ginny who noticed how difficult it was for Hermione to talk about this.
"Yes, well there's a reason that I wasn't going home. The…" She cleared her throat in an attempt to stave off the tears she felt coming. Calming herself down she began again, "The summer I got my letter from Hogwarts and a visit from Dumbledore there was a…change in my father. He had never been a…gentle…man, if I misbehaved I got a spanking, most times he was sensible, but sometimes he lost control. My mother tried to interfere, but then he would turn on her too." She paused here to gather her courage. "After I got my letter the punishments came more frequently and moved from physical to…" The tears that had begun to fall now streamed in earnest, but she continued; her voice still quite shaky. "Something much worse."
"He didn't?" 'Mione?" This time it was Ginny that spoke.
"Didn't what? I'm not sure I understand." This was Ron. Harry leaned over and whispered in his ear, as thought he might ease some of Hermione's pain by not saying it out loud,
"He's been raping her Ron."
"No!!" Ron practically shouted in a disbelieving tone. Hermione looked up from behind Ginny's shoulder and nodded, sobs now overtaking her body.
Once she had calmed down enough she pulled away from Ginny and continued with her story.
"That letter I got this morning was from him. You see, there was an incident a few days again and Dumbledore got involved and he found out. He contacted my parents and my dad found out and that letter was my Dad telling me that he was coming to collect me."
"He is not." Ron said, quieter this time, but still forceful.
"Over my dead body!" Harry declared quite a bit louder.
"He came this morning. He was in Dumbledore's office when…I…went up there. Dumbledore handled it, and is going to turn him into the muggle authorities," She fell silent, having almost slipped about Snape. She knew this would be quite enough to handle for them…for now without adding that whole mess to it. She looked around at their faces and knew she was right. Ron and Harry looked murderous; Ginny looked as though this had explained a great many things.
"Is there anything we can do for you 'Mione?" Ron asked carefully.
"Not really Ron, I just thought you guys should know so that while I try to get my life straightened out you guys aren't too worried about me."
"Well, if in all of this straightening out you need something, anything, just let us know, ok?" She smiled briefly at their willingness to help even though they knew there wasn't anything to be done.
"I will, I promise." She answered.
It was ten o'clock by the time they had finished their talk.
"Well, you guys should get back, it's getting late." Ron and Ginny were first out the door because Hermione had asked Harry to wait a minute. "Harry, do you have your cloak on you?" Harry looked at her a bit strangely so she answered, "I would like to take a walk, but I don't want to be seen; it's past curfew."
"Ok Hermione, but please be careful, ok?"
"I promise to be careful." Harry took the cloak from out of his pocket and handed it to her.
"Thanks Harry, I really appreciate it. Goodnight." She called to him as she slipped under the cloak and started off towards the stairs.
She reached the Grand Staircase quickly turning to descend to the dungeons. When she reached Snape's office she knocked and the door opened.
"Sir? Professor?" She called looking at the empty office. Just then she was a door that was standing open that she had not noticed before. She walked across the room towards the open door. "Professor Snape?" she called again gently. Hermione walked a little ways into the room straining her ears to listen. She saw another open door and with a bad feeling in her stomach, her head screaming 'you shouldn't be in here!' Her heart racing she poked her head in. From where she stood in the doorway she could see into his bathroom. She saw his face in the mirror and rushed in.
She realised her mistake when she saw the look of surprise and anger on his face."Get out!" He said practically growling.
"Let me help you sir." She pleaded in a small voice.
"I said, get out." This time though it was more of a plea than an order. She advanced slowly, unsure of his willingness to accept help.
"Here, let me help you." She said, almost a whisper as she held out her hand for the essence of dittany. He passed the jar with trembling hands. He already had it everywhere on his face except the cut. Jar in hand, she dipped two fingers in and scooped out some of the salve. Putting the jar down on the counter she raised her fingers to the cut and gently began to massage it in. He winced slightly when she had first touched him, but as she continued to rub it in his eyes drifted shut for an instant. They snapped back open as though in surprise of his momentary lapse of emotion.
He saw her brow furrow as though she was afraid she had hurt him. He searched his memory trying to recall the last time someone touched him like that, without payment. The last person that had treated him like that was Lily. He knew he should stop her, he knew it crossed a line, but at the moment he didn't care. When she had finished she looked up into his eyes. Her brown eyes found his black ones and he got a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He brushed it off and spoke,
"Thank you Miss Granger."
"You're welcome Professor. I am sorry about barging in, but you left the door between here and your office open and I was worried." They exited the bathroom together and headed towards the sitting room.
"I appreciate your concern, but perhaps next time you would be wiser to enter by invitation. Sneaking up on me could be dangerous."
"Come now Severus, a simple thank you would have sufficed." A jovial voice said from across the room. Severus simultaneously drew his wand, stepped forward, and pushed Hermione behind him. Dumbledore help up his hands to show that he was unarmed and Severus lowered his wand.
"Bloody hell Albus, I swear the next person to sneak up on me is going to get hexed!" Hermione smiled and added,
"I didn't sneak, I made plenty of noise you just didn't hear me."
"Well at any rate, I see that you're back and in good hands, so I will let you two get back to whatever you were doing." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Hermione even picked up on the thinly veiled insinuation and flushed. Severus bristled at Albus' words, but Hermione came to his rescue,
"It's alright Headmaster, I was just leaving."
"Nonsense! Severus you can speak with me later this evening or tomorrow morning." Severus looked annoyed, but nodded. "Very well, good evening to you both." He exited Severus' quarters, shutting the door that led to the classroom behind him.
"I assume that you wised to speak with me?" Severus said turning to face her again. She looked at him a little uncertainly, the memory of what had occurred in the bathroom rushed back to her causing her face to flush slightly again.
"Well, er, actually….I guess I just wanted to tell you that I spoke with Harry, Ron, and Ginny and I told them about my dad."
"And…"
"And I do feel slightly better." He nodded.
"Well, I suppose that I should be going."
She turned towards the door, but he spoke, halting her with his tome. She turned to face him and he looked her in the eyes as he spoke,
"Thank you for your…assistance this evening." Looking into his eyes she saw something soften in his black eyes. It was then that she understood; he was thanking her for caring. Careful to keep pity out of her voice and off of her face so as not to offend him,
"Any time." She replied trying to send him every once of sincerity that she could.
"Good evening Miss Granger." He replied, his emotional mask back in place.
"Good evening Professor." With that she turned and left. Before she opened the door that led to the hallway she slipped on the cloak.
Harry tapped the Marauder's Map whispering, "Mischief managed." Harry's brain was working very fast. Why the hell did she go to see him? He crept quietly from his room to intercept her in the Common Room. When Hermione stepped through the portrait hole she was surprised to see Harry up and waiting for her.
"Ha…Harry. What are you doing up?" He held up the blank Marauder's Map.
"Interesting reading…Why did you go to see him?"
"Harry…I…" She looked terrified.
"Hermione, what the hell is going on?!"
"Calm down Harry." She looked around to make sure he hadn't woken anyone up. "Keep your voice down Harry. I'll tell you, but you have to promise you won't tell Ron…or Ginny." He studied her carefully, considering his options.
"I won't tell them." She sat down.
"You remember when I told you that Dumbledore found out about my dad?" He nodded. "Well he found out because…because…" She paused to take a deep breath. "The night I had a detention Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini tried to rape me." She held up her hand to quell his outrage. "They didn't get far. Before they got more than my clothes off Professor Snape burst through the door. He gave them a convincing speech about slumming, but once they had left he conjured a robe to cover me. He inquired about what had happened, but I couldn't tell him so I let," She emphasised the word so that it was clear that he did not force her, "him use Legilimancy, but I happened to have a flashback to some of what my father had done over the summer. He said I should tell Dumbledore and when I agreed he practically carried me to Dumbledore's office because my head was hurting so bad I could barely see straight. Professor Snape showed Dumbledore his memory of what had happened. The next morning the Headmaster revealed his plan for Professor Snape and me. He thought we should work together to help keep me safe while making Voldemort think that I might unwittingly pass valuable information on you. It would be mostly false or insignificant information, but it would help keep me safe, and gain Professor Snape ground in Voldemort's Inner Circle."
Harry's face was mutinous. He began angrily but in a quiet whisper,
"So you've put yourself in more danger to help the greasy bastard?!"
"Harry, no. Professor Snape is doing this to protect me."
"Is that what he's been telling you?" Harry retorted, rage filling his features.
"Harry," She began patiently, "While Voldemort thinks that Dumbledore assigned me to Snape to test his loyalty, I am safe from any other attacks from Death Eaters or Malfoy." Harry looked a bit more calm, but still quite confused. "Harry, Voldemort won't risk the information he could possibly get out of me, not to mention that Professor Snape would lose his position at Hogwarts and the Order." Slight comprehension dawned on Harry's face. "Professor Snape knew that I wasn't really ready to tell you three what had happened, but he said I should at least inform you about my home situation. Tonight before I left the extra credit project he told me he'd be in his office later if I needed to talk."
"I'm trusting your decision Hermione, but if he betrays you…"
"I trust him Harry. I know in class he still had to act his part, but underneath it he's…well, he's not as bad."
"You should go up to bed. I'm sorry for getting angry, but I…I worry about you guys."
"I understand Harry. I appreciate it. Goodnight."
"Night."
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