Chapter Eight – Oh, Madness (And Memories)

Ron left the dormitory shortly after sunrise. Everyone else was still asleep. Dean's blanket lay at the foot of his bed and he shivered. Neville lay upside down, his feet on the pillow. Seamus mumbled incoherently and Harry smiled in his sleep. 'Probably dreaming of Ginny right now', he thought to himself. 'As if I don't know!' He shook his head. He'd waited for six years that Harry asked Ginny out, and from what he knew, this year he finally managed to ask her. 'And about bloody time!'

He hadn't slept much. After coming back from the Headmaster's office the night before, he went to bed almost immediately. Harry came in to check on him only moments later, only to be told to sod off. He had desperately wanted some time to think. He didn't even know why he was so angry at Snape and Hermione. It wasn't as if they'd planned the whole thing. 'I bet Hermione won't be too happy once this is all over', he thought and went down to the Common Room. Nobody was up. Of course not, it was Saturday and that meant no classes. But he didn't want to take any risks. He wanted to be alone, so he decided to go outside. 'Maybe a walk by the lake can help me sort out what exactly my problem is. Well, apart from the obvious.'

As he passed the Great Hall, he thought about skipping breakfast but decided against it. He was already a little peckish. He went in and grabbed some toast and an apple for later. Downing a huge glass of pumpkin juice, he looked around. No one was there. It felt strange to be in the Great Hall all alone. He shuddered and went outside.

Pulling his cloak tightly around him, he walked around the corner of the castle and towards the lake.

He sat down in the grass and threw little stones and dirt into the water. The giant squid didn't seem to mind.

He sighed. He went it over and over again and always came to the same conclusion: Snape had been right – he was jealous.

But why? Yes, he'd had a crush on Hermione, but that had been ages ago. He was completely over her… or wasn't he? Rubbish! Of course he was over her!

Then why did it bother him so to see her with Snape? Maybe it was because of the fact that it was Snape of all people. He knew that Snape wasn't half as evil as he'd always thought, but he wasn't a particularly nice person, either. He didn't like the thought of Hermione being close to him. He had the feeling that Snape would only hurt her. If not now, then later. What would happen when they had taken the antidote? Would he be especially mean to 'Mione just because he could? Ron was sure that Hermione got an insight into the Potions Master's… less evil side. And he never seemed to like people being close to him. So what would he do to Hermione? She was close to him, no doubt. He didn't even want to know just how close they actually were. 

He leaned back and crossed his arms behind his back. Still thinking about Hermione, he didn't even notice that he was about to fall asleep.

+~*#

Hermione and Severus spent the whole day in bed.

In the late morning, Severus summoned a house elf and ordered breakfast/lunch.

For the most time, they were content just to lie in each others arms and talk about… everything.

"Severus?", Hermione broke the silence. She lay on her back, his head resting on her stomach. One of her hands behind her head, the other one caressing his hair. He had his eyes closed and just drank in the sensation of her touch.

"Hmm?"

"Tell me about your parents."

He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her. "What do you want to know?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter. I just want to be part of your life and that includes your past", she said, still caressing his hair. She smiled and added, "And I love to hear your voice. You could read a telephone book and I'd still be happy."

He smiled and thought about his parents. "I don't know where to start. One of the first things I remember is my father teaching me how to fly. It was summer and quite hot. He told me how to sit on the broom and how to steer and everything. Except for the hair colour I look a lot like him. At least, that's what everyone else told me. Well, I really managed to get into the air, and it went pretty well at first, but then I got careless and lost control and fell down. I broke my right arm. Mother was frantic. She was so angry, I thought she'd hex Father. But she didn't. She was worried and took me to St. Mungos. That was the first time I ever went there… well, except my birth." He smiled at the memory. Mother had been almost hysteric.

"Are you an only child?"

"No. I had a brother. But he died when I was two. I don't remember him. So maybe you could say I was an only child. My parents never talked about him. Until I was fourteen, I didn't even know he existed. I found a photograph from my mother with a little boy on her lap. She was pregnant in the picture. I asked my parents and they told me about the brother I never knew."

Hermione sat up and hugged Severus. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay. I didn't know him", Severus said and kissed her. "Tell me something about your parents."

"They are dentists. Both of them. They always smell of disinfectant and soap – because they wash their hands maybe thousand times a day. It's strange but every time I smell that I feel at home. Maybe that's why I'm more comfortable at the Infirmary than other people." She leaned back. "When I was eight years old, there was no snow on Christmas. I was so disappointed that I cried. My Dad noticed and told my Mum to get the car. We went to the mountains and I had my snow. I guess that was one of the best presents I ever got."

"Well, I know what the best thing is I ever got", Severus said seductively and turned around so that he could lie next to her.

Hermione giggled. "You are so strange, you know that?" She rolled her eyes when he nodded. "It's gonna be so weird when we took the antidote."

Severus nodded, this time with a more serious expression. "I know. But I will try to treat you just like any other student. Despite the fact that I know you have a set of 'Winnie the Puh'-panties."

"Oh, you", Hermione screamed and poked him in the ribs. "Don't you dare use that against me! Or maybe, one day at breakfast, or lunch, or dinner, or at every meal… I'll let it slip that you… have coconut-scented hair conditioner, and own a set of curlers!"

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me!", she dared and was forced to giggle much more when he attacked and tickled her to the ground.

"Ha, I know your weak spots, and I'm not afraid to use my knowledge! Besides, those were a gift from Albus. Who am I to turn him down? Not that I ever used them."

"Obviously", she stated dryly.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?", he asked, half-serious.

"Nothing. I just… It couldn't hurt to actually use the conditioner once in a while, you know. It does wonders for the hair, like, lets it look less greasy", she teased.

"You do know that this is a spell? In my first year as a professor here, a… let's say… not-so-gifted student set a potion on fire and… well, I had to live without most of my hair, my eyebrows and eyelashes for some time. After that I swore that it would never happen again. And I'm glad I took this precaution. Do you remember your fourth year when Longbottom tripped over his own feet and knocked his cauldron over? The content – of course not correctly brewed – came into contact with the flames and half of the classroom caught fire. Goyle, Thomas, Crabbe and Longbottom himself had to go to the Infirmary, Finnigan had to regrow his hair. He was lucky I invented a potion to accelerate hair growth."

"Oh, yes. I remember that one. We weren't harmed because you wanted to talk to me in your office."

CLUNK!

Hermione jumped, causing Severus sit up. "What was that?", she asked, looking around in the room.

"I don't know." Severus stood up and went to the door.

CLUNK! CLUNK!

"Sounds like knocking", Severus said and went to the door. He came back moments later. "No one there."

CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK!

"Hey, it comes from the window", Hermione said and went over to the huge window. It was magically enhanced and let in the early afternoon sun. Severus had told her he normally would have basement windows down here but didn't like it, so he had bewitched them. She pulled it open and saw a ruffled owl sitting on the window sill.

"Hello", she said. The owl hooted and stuck out its leg. A red letter, addressed to Severus. Hermione took it and thanked the owl. Instantly, the owl took off. She didn't take the time to admire the view over the lake she had from here. She shivered. After all, it was late October. Halloween was in four days and it wasn't warm anymore. Admittedly, she only wore her panties (not the 'Winnie the Puh' ones) and a top.

"What is it?", Severus asked and came up behind her. Her embraced her, and the chilly feeling decreased because of his warmth. 'Maybe the fresh air isn't that bad', she thought. 'if he stays this way.'

"It's for you", she said, holding out the letter.

"Uh-oh", he said and took it, carefully.

"What?", he murmured. She had her eyes closed and thought she would be content just to stand there in his embrace.

"It's a Howler", he said. Her eyes snapped open. For the first time, she really looked at the letter, and yes, it looked like a Howler.

She frowned. "Who would send you a Howler?", she asked. She grabbed the envelope and turned it. Nothing.

"Well", he sighed. "Better open it now before something nasty happens", he said and grabbed for the bright red letter.

"Wait! Don't you want to cast a Silencing Spell or something? What if someone hears? It could be about… you know", Hermione said.

He chuckled. "My chambers are warded and I used every spell I know to ensure my privacy." She felt stupid. Of course he would have guarded his rooms already. "Besides", he added with a smirk, "isn't it a bit late to worry about that? After all the noise you made last night?" He watched her blush. She looked so beautiful.

"So what? You surely didn't complain. Now, open it", she tried to focus his attention back to the Howler. "It's smoking already."

He stepped back and ripped the envelope open. The Howler flew out of his hand and hung in mid-air. The paper formed a mouth and began shouting.

"PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE TOLD ME ABOUT YOU TWO! DON'T YOU DARE TO DO ANYTHING INAPPROPRIATE! I EXPECT YOU TO ACT REASONABLE, SEVERUS. MISS GRANGER IS ONLY A CHILD AND YOU WILL NOT USE HER IN ANY WAY, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?", the magically enhanced voice of Madam Pomfrey filled the room. Severus frowned. She sounded angry. He hadn't known she was so protective towards Hermione.

"OH, JUST WAIT UNTIL I COME BACK! I ALWAYS TOLD YOU TO KEEP THE DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS OUT OF REACH BUT YOU NEVER LISTENED. NOW YOU SEE WHAT YOU GOT. IF IT WEREN'T FOR MISS GRANGER I'D SAY YOU DESERVE THIS BACKFIRE OF A POTION!" He stole a glance at Hermione. She seemed furious for some reason.

"I'M WARNING YOU, SEVERUS, DON'T HARM HER, OR ELSE…" The voice faded and the Howler fell to the ground, burning to ashes.

"I didn't know you were so close", he said, just to say something. "She seemed very… protective."

Hermione snorted. "Yeah, sure", she said sarcastically.

"What?"

"She's just jealous!" Hermione began pacing.

"Wait, jealous?", Severus asked, alarmed. "Why would Poppy be jealous?" Hermione stopped pacing just to give him a 'Don't be stupid!' look and sat down in her new favourite armchair. She started muttering something under her breath he couldn't understand.

Severus swallowed. Poppy… having a crush on him? He never thought about that possibility. Yes, she always cared for him and before Voldemort's defeat she had always tended to him when he came back from one of the torturing sessions. But he never… it just seemed impossible. She was a Mediwitch, after all. It was her job to care for her patients. She surely didn't…

"No", he said out aloud. He needed to hear this. He went to sit down beside Hermione.

"Yes", she said. "The old hag is jealous. Bet she can't stand the thought of you with someone other than her. And until now she didn't have a problem. You didn't socialise with anybody. But now she sees she doesn't have a chance." Hermione stood up. "Child!", she spat. "She called me a 'child'. I don't believe it. I'm not a child any more. I haven't been for some time. Oh yes, I could battle Voldemort together with Harry and Ron, and you and the Headmaster, of course, but I'm too young to have a boyfriend? Where's the logic in that? That woman is unbelievable. She should worry about her own life, and let others live their lives in peace!"

A thought crossed Severus' mind. He stood up and blocked Hermione's way. When she looked up, he saw the insecurity and fear in her gaze. She tensed and looked back down.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?", she said without looking up. He sighed and put his hand under her chin, forcing her to lift her head. She bit her lip unconsciously.

"You do know that I love you, and only you and that I would never so much as look at another?", he asked, gently. Almost immediately, he felt the tension vanish and the worried look left her eyes. She finally nodded and he kissed her softly.

+~*#

Ron woke with a start when something wet touched his face. He sat up and saw one of the giant squid's tentacles slide back into the lake. He made a face and wiped his face clean with the hem of his robe.

'Uargh', he thought. 'Squid goo!' He shuddered, noticing how could it was. The sun hid somewhere behind the clouds and he checked his watch. Almost after lunch. But as it was Saturday, the mealtimes were a little more open. He didn't even have to hurry.

He stood up and began to walk back towards the main entrance but was distracted by an owl flying from over the Forbidden Forest across the lake and over his head towards the castle. He followed the owl with his gaze and was surprised when it didn't fly to the Great Hall but to one of the lower windows. He watched the owl tapping at the window.

He moved closer. 'Must be one of the teachers' rooms. Or Slytherin Common Room', he thought. 'Ah no. The Slytherin Common Room is at the other end of the castle.' He knew that due to a trip with Harry in their second year. They'd taken Polyjuice Potion and looked just like Crabbe and Goyle.

'Curiosity killed the cat', he thought as he changed his direction so that he walked towards the window and not the entrance. 'But I'm not a cat.' He laughed inwardly as the owl tapped more furiously at the window. Finally someone opened it and he nearly tripped over his own feet.

It was Hermione!

He quickly hid behind a tree. If she saw him, it would look as if he was spying on her. 'Well, technically, I am. But I didn't mean to.'

He saw how Hermione took the letter and the owl flew away. Hermione seemed to be cold. 'No wonder. Doesn't seem like she's wearing much', Ron thought. He didn't even want to think about the 'why'.

They talked, but he couldn't hear a word. Soon both of them turned away from the window and Ron took his chance. He wanted – needed – to know just how close the two were. He hadn't been able to see it clearly, but it had looked as if Snape had a bare chest. Ron moved closer and soon stood under the window sill. Luckily no one else was outside. He surely looked suspicious lurking under an open window, eavesdropping on his best friend and his Potions professor.

"Wait! Don't you want to cast a Silencing Spell or something? What if someone hears? It could be about… you know", he heard Hermione say.

Snape chuckled. Ron wanted to throw up again. This man was making him sick. "My chambers are warded and I used every spell I know to ensure my privacy."

'Of course you would', Ron thought. 'Wouldn't want anyone to notice… well, whatever you do in there.' He was furious. Snape was a bastard, whether he had been a spy for Dumbledore or not, whether he had helped to defeat Voldemort or not.

"Besides, isn't it a bit late to worry about that? After all the noise you made last night?"

Ron's stomach felt as if it wanted to turn its insides out. Ron bit his lip not to make a sound. The last thing he wanted was to get caught and explain himself to Snape. Or to face that dirty smirk that would surely be on his face. And the disappointment in Hermione's expression.

Ron waited desperately for Hermione to say something… anything to correct his statement. To deny it, or turn it into something harmless. Maybe they'd just played exploding snap the whole night… or argued about potions. 'Oh, yes, of course. Stop being so naïve!', he chided himself.

"So what? You surely didn't complain. Now--"

Ron's mind went blank. So it was true. The two really-- 'Oh, Goddess. Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't think about it.' He repeated this over and over again. He didn't even hear the outburst of the Howler.

A quiet cry brought him back to reality. He looked around but didn't see anyone. It wasn't before he heard another noise that he knew where it came from – from out of the open window above his head.

He frowned. He wasn't hurting her, was he?

But then Hermione giggled and he heard Snape moan. He briefly closed his eyes and shook his head. They were… right now… and he was… He started to walk away but before he made one step towards the main entrance, he heard Hermione cry out. It sounded like "Oh, Severus. Oh God, don't stop!"

Ron managed to get to the huge doors and pushed them open, stumbling into the Entrance Hall. He went straight towards the Gryffindor tower, not paying attention to his surroundings. When he crossed the Common Room (after shouting the password at the fat lady), Colin stood up.

"Hey, Ron. You look pale. Are you all ri-" Ron didn't even slow down. He stormed up the stairs to the boys' dormitory and cast a locking spell on the door.

Finally, he was alone. He went into the bathroom, filing through the various vials and bottles standing in one corner. Finally, he found the one he was looking for and cursed as he saw how little was left of the potion. Harry must've used it more often than he'd thought. But after all, he was the one with the nightmares. And he'd been given the potion almost three years ago.

Ron shrugged. He'd see that Harry got a new one. But for now, he needed it. He downed the last bit of the 'Dreamless Sleep Potion' in one and went back into the bedroom, falling onto the nearest bed.