These characters are not mine. I gain nothing but personal satisfaction from writing this.
Feathers in Time
Chapter Nine
Hermione was very sure of what she assumed the man before her wanted. Snape raised an inky eyebrow at her authoritative tone, finding it added to her allure, rather than take from it. If it wasn't for the lilt and candor of her voice, he would think she was imitating him. "Oh no, that's the evil voice."
A voice from the doorway had both turning to face Doft. Sandy brown hair and blue eyes laughed back at them. "She only uses that tone when we don't understand something she already taught."
Hermione stood from the bed with a scoff. "No, I use it when you don't pay attention like the dimwit you become during Quidditch season." Snape watched as she seemed to transform from the peer that sat with him for the last half hour to an unapproachable mentor that would take no surprises. "What do you need, boy?" Doft seemed to come back to himself with a snap of her voice and straightened.
"We have confirmation of e5 and e6." Hermione shook her head in exasperation.
"Then handle it. If they do not with to live out with family in secret, take the blasted choice from them. They are children and need a firm hand." The professors face did not betray his shock as the boy nodded fearfully and quick stepped out of the room. Snape watched her transform once again. The tension of her shoulders seeping out and her face becoming peaceful. Hermione flicked her fingers at the door and it slammed with a definite click and shine of wards being set in place. "Do you wish to see the memories, Professor Snape."
Her voice sounded confident, if not a little bashful. He was probably correct in assuming that she imitated his teaching styles, and much to his surprise, it sent a jolt of pleasure down his spine. "That was not in fact what I had intended, but if you are sincere, I shall not pass up the opportunity."
Hermione took a breath and sat again. This man was going to see all of her. For the first time she was worried, truly worried for his reaction. Much of what she had done, or fantasized of doing came to the forefront of her brain. Gulping, she realized that this man would be able to see everything. She had no doubt that she could keep him from her mind, but once he was allowed entrance, due to the great amount of mental connection his magical core already had with hers... There was a high likelihood she would be baring all.
"Before we begin, I need for you to understand something." He nodded, folding his hands with patience. "When I casted on your pensive, the spell gives me the link to your residual magical core connected to the memories. However, because of this, I have very little doubt that the safeguards I have on my memories will likely see you as not only invited, but will in fact be completely open to you."
Snape grinned like a Cheshire inwardly. So not only did he get a glimpse, he got the whole package. "That is fine, as you know my life, it is only fair I know yours." He said it with a haughty tone, being the git she knew he was. To his surprise, she didn't look concerned with the prospect.
"Then lets begin, Professor, but first I need that vow from you. You, Severus Snape, must vow to not interfere, pass along information about, or instigate a change about the future with any of what you glean from the future. Provided it is not part of a sanctioned mission, delivered by me."
Snape narrowed his eyes at her wording. What was he going to see that would make him wish to break the laws of time travel? "I, Severus Snape, vow." Vows are magic made of intention. To break it, is to break your magic. You don't lose it. You start with cracks before eventually attempting to light the tip of your wand caused a large sinkhole to appear.
Hermione smiled pleasantly before turning her body to him. "And please sir, if you should see or feel anything... unwanted, just ignore it." Snape had no intentions of any sort but nodded all the same.
"I think with the intimacy of what we are about to perform, you may call me Severus." Hermione blushed spectacularly and nodded before she felt the pressure against her shields. "This will not work if I must break into your mind, Hermione." The brunette gasped very lightly at the sound of her name on his lips, and he slid into her mind.
Hermione was surprised on the warmth that came from the connection of their minds. The magic flowed against the barriers keeping her private thoughts and feelings to herself, merely moving through them, over them. Hermione knew exactly what she wanted to show him first. It was the reason she began to truly become aggressive in her research. Forsaking relationships. Forgoing promotions until she could effectively have an entire department under her guidance. Severus didn't know why he thought Hermione wouldn't have her mind in perfect order. A silly thought when he considered the know-it-all.
He had also figured she would start with something important but not intrusive, but looking around the dank and untamed darkness, he recognized his childhood home. She would want it in order, for the whole story. His childhood was not good, and that is exactly where she started in her assessment of his character, and how he became the man he is.
Hermione was standing next to him, watching her young face morph from confusion and fear to anger and worry as a scream echoed from the desolate home. He knew this night. It was the first time he stood in front of his mothers cowering body, challenging his father. He held love for his mother, like any little boy does yet as he looked back, realized his mother was cold and unaffectionate. Hermione moved the scene into the front room, following the little boys vision. "Professor Snape was a small malnourished little one." Hermione's voice was jarring in the silence.
The boy pushed into his house, and Hermione gasped at the dark horror of his past. His mother, curled against a threadbare sofa, pregnant body pressed to the cushions. A dark man, standing over her, removing his belt in quick motions. His mother barely looked at him as his father pulled him into the house and tossed his body into the hall. Hermione gasped and turned to face the door jam, hiding from the terror she felt in her, knowing deep down that it was going to get worse. Severus watched her hand catch the markings on the frame, each one a little higher than the last. Little numbers marked in. Her fingers stopped on the highest one, the height of the boy getting to his feet in the hall. He was six, when this happened. Hermione took a deep breath and faced the room with determination.
"Oh god no. Please don't." Hermione's voice was trembling in fear and uncertainty. She pulled herself out of the memory, and Severus went to the next. It was the same scene, and Hermione looked much more determined, if a little changed. Her eyes caught a jaded apathy, looking at the little boy that he was. The scene was not something he would have thought her to come back to. He would have to ask why.
The little Severus had put himself between his mother and his father. Arms stretched wide and a look of self righteous determination, a scrap of a boy in front of a six foot man. Hermione seemed to inch forward, looking angrier by the second. "Don't you fucking dare!" Hermione's scream didn't startle Severus this time. The increasing desperation on the girls face was blatant. This was difficult to watch, but after that fucking belt came down the first time, and her screams echoed.
"What have I fucking told you, you disgusting freak?!" Even as his father screamed and hit his body, he watched Hermione, rather than the scene before him. He understood the fear of standing up against an evil you can't hope to fight. His father continued to scream obscenities at his son. As he watched her, the moment seemed to take its toll on her, her body jerking when his father landed another hit but her lips silent. Severus almost didn't continue watching, but felt compelled to see if she finished as well, what she stomached to understand him. The young boy was curled against his mothers legs taking deep sobbing breaths as his father finished drinking his beer. Pacing erratically, sweating and beginning to rave about how everybody hates him, he does everything for their family.
Hermione seemed to shake herself together, low mumbling and fists balled up tight but eyes focused. He nodded, proud. She would need it for this night.
