The Beauty and the Beast Effect
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING; I MERELY ENTERTAIN MYSELF IN J.K. ROWLING'S WORLD.
A/N Alright, this will have a few reactions to Severus's attack, as well as a bit of the Friday when Severus is human again. I know you're all surprised. I'm supposed to be on vacation! We were going to leave early in the morning, but we now won't leave unitl sometime later, leaving me time ot update! I'm sure you're all so very happy!
Chapter Nine
Decisions
Hermione woke up the next morning remembering the look in Severus's eyes both when he was beating Malfoy and after. He had been so furious at the time. His gorgeous green eyes had darkened so they looked black. With every thing he did, he would grow angrier. But when he had finally stopped, horror at what he had done filled his eyes. Severus had looked so terrified of himself, but even more so, he had looked worried at what the onlookers where thinking.
In the corner of the bed, a bundle of fur also sat, deep in thought. Severus wondered what everyone was thinking right now. Were they angry? Would they still be friends with him? Only his next human outing would tell. Well, maybe not.
Gently, Severus pushed his mind into Hermione's trying to get to what she thought of his actions. He tried hard not to look at other things, but it was difficult.
Severus was shocked by the many terrible things Hermione had seen in her relatively short lifetime. There so much pain for one girl to have seen. He didn't blame her for the nightmares she experienced. Yet, this only made him feel worse. She would probably have nightmares about him now.
When trying to delve further into Hermione's mind, Severus came across a black wall in her mind. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get past the strange shadow. A repressed thought is hardly ever a good one, and he feared what he would see beyond the inky mist.
Slowly, nearly regretfully, Severus pushed himself out of the copper haired girl's head. He had lost his nerve when he had come across the veil in her thoughts. What right did he have to looking in her mind anyway? None.
"Adel," Hermione whispered, running her hand through Severus's silky fur, "I wish my life was as simple as yours."
Snorting privately, Severus merely purred while enjoying her soft touch.
"There is so much I don't understand," she continued, "Why did Sev look so disgusted after beating up Malfoy. Draco deserved it in the first place. Sev was just doing the right thing."
The cat's ears began to perk up. So she didn't think he was a monster.
"And then I don't understand why he did it. If he did it because Malfoy deserved it, surely he wouldn't have hated himself so much."
He himself hadn't really given much thought as to why he had done it. He just knew that he had to. Why? Maybe he was protecting her. Maybe he was... jealous that Malfoy could kiss her and he couldn't.
"What if…" Hermione shook her head, "That's impossible, he would never like me. He would never have a reason to be jealous."
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Harry sat by the lake with Ginny the day after the duel, discussing yesterday's events.
"I can't believe Lena actually said yes to Ron," Ginny giggled.
"Ha-ha, yeah and I can't believe he fainted when she did," Harry chortled.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Harry started laughing again, "And then, Ron's face when Malfoy started kissing Hermione,"
"Yeah that was pretty funny, but not as funny as the way Malfoy looked when Sev's spell hit him. Now that was priceless," Ginny snickered.
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"I would have stopped him Headmistress, but it all happened so fast," Speartail finished the story.
"There's nothing you could have done Speartail," Minerva calmed the distressed girl.
"Oh Professor I'm so worried about him. What if beating up on the poor boy ruined his chance with Hermione?" she whined.
"Having known her for years, I can safely say that it won't. If anything, it will make her like him more," Crookshanks chuckled.
"Oh," Speartail said trying to sound relieved. In her heart though, she was crushed. If only Severus had chosen her over Hermione.
After Crookshanks had left, McGonagall put a comforting arm around the silvery girl.
"I'm so sorry dear," Minerva murmured.
"There's nothing to be sorry about," Speartail said coolly as she pulled away and walked grimly out the door.
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Three days later
Friday
"How come Sev hasn't been here?" Hermione asked Lena at breakfast.
"He was suspended for beating up Draco," Speartail said, avoiding the truth.
"Suspended for that?" Ron doubted that to be true.
"It was my uncle's choice," Speartail shrugged her shoulders.
"It doesn't matter much anyways, cause he's back now," Ginny said nodding her head at the attractive boy waltzing towards them.
Hermione threw a quick glance at the young man. Her heart started to beat just a little faster, her face began to flush, and her bonze eyes gained a new glow about them just at the sight of him. And then he looked at her. Her stomach dropped, and she quickly turned away.
"Good to have you back," Harry clapped him on the back.
"Hey Harry," Severus greeted.
"Sev," Ron nodded politely.
"Ron," He returned.
"Welcome back," Ginny smiled.
"Thanks Ginny,"
"Sev!" Speartail pulled him into a hug, "Glad Shank finally let you off.
"Yeah no kidding," Severus returned the hug and looked at Hermione, "Hey Hermione."
"Huh? Oh hi," Hermione faltered, and reddened even more, looking like a cherry.
"Should we go to class?" Severus suggested.
"Sure, whatever," was the general response.
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"Hee-hee, Lena almost blew up the cauldron!" Harry snickered that evening.
All the others except Speartail laughed along with him.
"Yeah and then Ron felt the need to be a gentleman and he just made it worse," Severus added with a smirk.
"Did not," Ron objected.
"According to Professor Slughorn you did," Hermione laughed.
"Speaking of Slughorn," Ginny changed the subject, "Do we know when Snape gets back?"
"Nope," Ron answered, "Personally I hope he never comes back,"
Most laughed and the conversation revolved around mean jibes towards their old Professor. During this time, Severus slipped away unnoticed by all except Harry and Hermione. Harry, who understood what was bothering his friend, decided that Severus would rather be alone.
Hermione, however, had no idea what was wrong and went off to find him. She followed him until he stopped at the astronomy tower. He stood facing the rising moon, gazing up at the stars.
Severus sensed her presence and began to speak without tuning around, "I find that being up high in an open sky helps me think."
"I usually just settle for the open sky part," Hermione said.
"That works too," he turned to face her.
"Did something we say offend you?" she asked in an honest tone.
"No, I just…" he paused to look back at the moon momentarily, "I don't know that I belong."
Hermione glided over next to him as she said, "Of course you belong. Have you not seen the way everyone welcomes you?" she carefully laid her hand on his arm.
"Oh I feel welcome. It's just I've missed so much of you guys' lives. I don't really know most of what you talk about," He said only partially lying.
Hermione squeezed his arm reassuringly, "It doesn't matter to us that we've only known you a week or so. And you can learn, Ginny missed a lot too you know. She felt just like you do I'm sure."
"I know," Severus sighed walking over to a telescope and playing with it.
"Sev," Hermione said sternly, "Look at me."
Severus turned so he was facing her.
"We all want you with us, but it's up to you," she paused, but continued on, "Only you can decide if you want to be a part of our lives. No one can make that decision for you."
"I made my decision when you first sat with me," Severus replied steadily, "I made it again after every glance you shot at me. I made my choice when I beat Malfoy to a pulp for you. And I've come to the same conclusion tonight. I will always be loyal to you and our friends."
Hermione's head spun. What exactly was he saying? Her heart thumped twice as fast as normal, as she thought what his words meant. Was he saying he felt the same thing as she did whenever he looked at her?
"Sev…I…"Hermione murmured.
"I don't know what days my uncle will let me come back, but I know for sure I'll be here for the Hogsmede trip. So I'd like to see you there if I may?" Severus asked.
"Yes, I'd like that," Hermione answered shyly.
"Aright then." He smiled, "Shall we go back down and join the rest of them?"
"Yes," she nodded and they walked arm and arm to the Gryffindor common room.
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"Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow, bloom and grow, forever. Edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my homeland forever," Hermione finished singing the song and looked down at her cat.
Severus lay asleep in her lap, lulled into dream land by her beautiful lullabies. She smiled slumbering animal. He was such a sweetheart. And for a fleeting moment, she found herself wishing he was human.
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A/N This chapter did not go as I planned. I didn't really mean for them to end up together yet, but oh well, my characters wanted it. So know I have some slight changes to my plan. Ah romance is in the air. YES!! I love it!! Kay next thing I have lined up, is Severus's' next human day.
In case any of you were wondering, the veil in Hermione's thoughts was her denying that she was falling for Sev.
P.S REVIEW! They make my day, seriously! I absolutley love it when I have reviews!
