AN: Sorry for late update but you know life gets in the way. As always JK owns the Harry Potter universe and I do not. I make no monies and write for enjoyment.
Chapter 10. Direction?
He could have Apparated directly in the castle but he needed the fresh air to help him think. Closing the gates behind him, he turned and slowly walked up the path.
The full moon shone brightly on the grounds of Hogwarts and he reflected on his time spent here after he recovered. Hearing a splash in the lake he stopped and watched the Giant Octopus slapping tentacles in the water revealed by the brightness of the new moon.
He changed direction and moved to the tree near the lake and sat down, leaning against it as he did many years ago when he was a student here.
It was at this tree that he plotted against the Marauder's. Sometimes he succeeded and when he did they would come to him at this very spot and humiliate hiim in front of his fellow students. The very reason that led him to Voldemort when Lucius approached him and took him in as a friend.
Severus pushed back the memories of the past for he needed to think of his future. He held back his care for Hermione Granger when the Dark Lord asked of any witch he should know about. He cared for her for years despite his actions in the past and marriage to Ron and there was no way he would reveal his feelings for her. Not in a carnal way but more of respect. Hell he could not lie to himself. Since her arrival back here and her words that she would be there for him drew him to think the impossible led him to baser thoughts and then the ghost of her husband arrived back.
He forced himself from his thoughts of Hermione and thought of Potter. The boy that he hated became one of grudging respect. He moved up through the Auror ranks to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement in a short time. Once in that position he cleared out the graft. He was amazed that he stood down from his position when Kingsley denied Voldemort's return. The wizard was rich and never needed to work in the first place and could easily finance the Order and then some.
A black raven he did not recognize circled above him before swooping down and dropped a phial of blood into his hands before flying off in the night with a loud caw.
He held the phial in his hands feeling its warmth. It was enough for one week. Standing up he looked to the lake for a moment and then walked to the castle, long strides bringing him to the entrance. Damn he would have to go to his lab located in Potions. He would have to move it to another place in the castle later.
Severus entered the castle and moved swiftly through the darkened halls to the stairs leading down to the dungeons with in complete darkness. Soon he was in front of the door of the potions classroom and opened it, surprised at the bright light the door revealed. Moving in he observed Hermione sitting at his old desk and looked to him at the creak of the door.
"Headmaster, what can I do for you at this late hour?"
"Hermione, I require my old labs and apologize for disturbing you."
She stood up from her desk. "You're here because of Voldemot aren't you? It makes sense that he would contact you at the wake, taking the chance of finding you and Lord Malfoy together."
Severus silently observed her realizing the Hermione Granger he remembered years ago before the end of the war broke her stood before him. Maybe the ghost was right in his words. No doubt being the Head of Slytherin helped her come out of her shell. "Except in certain places, the castle has ears even here in your classroom. You must be always, always be on guard for our little darlings in your classes have undesirable ties. If you want to know more you may assist me. If you accept there is no turning back."
Hermione moved around the oak desk and joined him. "It's time to learn the path I am set on now Severus. I can't allow that madman to succeed."
Severus moved to the brown door that revealed itself when he drew near and pushed it open. "After you."
Hermione walked in, torches along the wall flaring up revealing an immaculate room. Gleaming cauldrons sat on a counter in the back. She moved to them noticing all types including a golden one and breathed out in appreciation for they were rare and used only with blood potions.
She watched the golden cauldron float away and land on a table in front of the room as Severus leaned down scribbling on a piece of parchment before holding it up to her. "Stop admiring my cauldrons and gather these ingredients Hermione." He growled out. "Ingredients are stored behind the door on the left."
Hermione moved to him and took the parchment from him trying to sense what happened tonight and found nothing, looking for some sign of emotion and found none. She took up the list and went to the door to gather the ingredients on the list.
She pulled jars from the shelf. Anise, Fennel. She paused at the last ingredient and held it up looking at the dark liquid in the jar. Blood herb. The gold cauldron floated made sense now for that was required to brew potions affecting blood. But that herb was illegal to own or even to collect. Those caught with it was guaranteed a stint in Azkaban for a minimum of ten years.
She carried the jar as the others floated behind her and went back to Severus, flicking the wand to allow the jars behind her move in front of here and land on the counter before him. She placed the jar of blood herb in front of him and looked to him with an even look.
Severus watched her place the jar containing blood herb in front of him noticing her look. "I see you recognize the blood herb and know the fact that I have it is illegal."
"Why in the world would you have it? The reason it is illegal is because with a witch or wizards blood you can control them."
Severus chuckled. "I wonder how you know of it Hermione. Only the Darkest of witches or wizards know of its existence." Watching for a reaction from the young witch and finding none. "Not only can you control them you can kill them as well. I created a potion years ago while in service to Voldemort that would do exactly that. I created an antidote as well as Voldemort had his minions administer the poison and with the antidote held like a carrot brought several politicians in line on his last takeover. The poison is effective for a year and as long as the hapless victim took my antidote everyday they lived. Think back at the amount of deaths of the Wizengamot and other officials while I was incapacitated."
Her eyes widened. "You and Malfoy were forced to take the same potion?"
"We are two that he needs and do not trust and this ensures our loyalty. Watch carefully Hermione for if Lucius fails you must brew this for me. We are dependent on one another now."
Hermione said nothing and watched him brew, picking up the phial of Voldemort's blood and tilted a few drops of blood into the gold cauldron and heard the brew hiss as a small plume of black smoke rise up and disappear.
She watched him brew and distinguished the fire and lowered a phial taking the contents up and called to his owl.
The brown owl landed on the counter hooting softly and held her leg out watching her familiar tie the phial of potion her leg. "Lord Malfoy Thanantos and you need not wait for a reply."
Hermione watched Severus place a spoon into the cauldron and looked to her evenly , dark obsidian eyes glittering while he placed the spoon in his mouth grimacing for a moment before placing the spoon back down.
Severus moved around the counter and placed her arm into his. "Professor Granger I wish to discuss your classes to date. Walk with me."
"Of course Headmaster Snape." Falling to the change of address in stride and allowed him to lead her through the dark corridors of the school and out of the castle.
The full moon shed light on the grounds while they walked in silence and soon found herself at the lake, soft movement from him guiding her to sit on the white rock shining bright in the moonlight.
Severus knelt down in front of her, soft wind allowing his black robe billow around him for a moment before settling around him before tasking her small hands into his.
"I'm not the wizard that you remember in the past Hermione. I admit I was angry when I came to your house years ago and pulled your husband into another room and had words with him before he told me to enjoy my new life. I cursed him as I left and I regret it now."
Hermione listened to his soft silky voice feeling pulled into his words continuing to listen to his tale. "When Ronald was buried and you left me he spoke to me of Voldemort's return. I realized it was true and every year I went to his grave and gave him updates on you and promised to look after you as I knew I held a debt and with him as a ghost confirms it."
"I don't want to be part of that debt Headmaster. After all you had enough of that in the last war and I know you do not care for me." She spoke back softly. "It is unfair for you."
Severus shot up and crossed his arms and looked to her, dark eyes glittering in anger. "I was foolish to think that you were up to the challenge and being the Head of Slytherin bringing forth your potential. I should have known that a Gryffindor would never change or think outside of the box or that you truly recovered from the past to act for the future. Tell Potter that I will not spy for the Order as there is no one I can trust. I find I do enjoy the life given by your departed husband and will not risk it. Forget about what happened earlier if you value your life."
Severus turned his back and walked away from her sitting on the rock and turned. "Do not presume to know how I feel Professor Granger. No one knew in the past and they do not know in the present."
Hermione watched him melt into the night shocked at the sudden turn of their conversation.
She tucked her legs in and put her face into her hands and sobbed. "I've failed the Order and I think I failed him too."
Ron appeared and floated in front of her. "I don't think so Hermione."
"Ron! What are you doing here?" Hermione screeched out.
"I told you Hermione, I'm here to look after you. Actually I think I am here to watch over you both based on what I've seen tonight."
She followed Ron's gaze and found a book next to her. She picked it up and found that it was an advanced book on Occlumency and tucked it into her robes. "What have I done Ron?"
Ron observed her sadly. "Think about his last words that no one knows what he thinks in the present. I think Severus Snape trusts you and its barking mad to believe. It's late Hermione. Go to the castle and to bed and think of a way to reconcile with him. The Order needs him and I think that he needs you to help him travel the dark road ahead."
Hermione pushed herself off the rock and walked back to the castle in silence with Ron floating beside her. She caught the sadness in his eyes. The only time she saw his eyes like that was when he found out his brother Fred died during the Final Battle.
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