Hi everyone! A million I'm sorry. It took more time than I thought to write this chapter. Hope you all enjoy it! Pretty much Severus and Hermione in this one!
Next chapter, Hermione ventures into the Forbidden Forest in search of her king! YAY! Everyone screams, FINALLY! Will there be an evil cliff hanger where Hermione sees the man cloaked in darkness and you're forced to wait for another who knows how long? Or will the chapter continue? I don't know yet, but I'll let you know when I do ;)
Oh, I have a question for you guys. Do you think I should change the summary? If so, what do you think should be typed there instead?
Know on to the reviews! You guys rock, love you all! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review:)
PaintPro1000: It's about freaking time you remember ;) ! Chapter four, was that the lamster or the bat bo bogey hex? The lamster will make an appearance again! Please read the other chapters so you know what is going on! Need to read reviews...muhahahahha... Thanks for the review!
Patricia de Lioncourt: Hey! You thought it was fantastic? Tear... thank you.. another tear ;) I've got a surprise for you at the end of this chapter! Hope you see it soon if you're not on vacation already. evil glare. Lucky you ;p Thanks for the review!
Transylvanian: Thank you for the nice review! Sorry it took so long to update! Enjoy! ;)
Porthos the Pirate: Yay, it's Porthos! Snape does, doesn't he ;) My only way to write about him. Ah, you're married how sweet! That weren't my bits, they already exist in the Harry Potter world, I just read about their different effects and threw them all together. Should I list what they are? You know about the cat-hide-away, I originally had written in trees under there, but after reading it I was kind of like how the hell could there be full grown elm trees under Hermione's bed. The rocks seemed a better route to take ;) I like Hermione in the ass-kicking way, so thank you! And Draco not turning out to be the bad guy is a must for this story! I don't want you to die! The muse wouldn't kick into gear for me, so it took a little longer to type this one! Thank you so much for the review and remember, YOU ROCK ;)
wyspergrove: Thank you so much for your review! I remember you're story at Ashwinder and liked it very much! I haven't been there in quite awhile, so sorry if I haven't reviewed if you've updated. Put the story on my favorite's list here though! Please update soon! You want to beta for me? THANK YOU :) If you are still interested in being my beta please e-mail me at lazarus09 at msn dot com Sorry for having to spell that out, but for some odd reason ff. will not allow any sites to appear on stories anymore... Thanks again for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter. P.S. So I take it you liked my whole Hermione in another world?
Fiona McKinnon: Thanks for the wonderful review! Here is more NOW! Sorry it took so long! Hope you like it and thanks again for the review :)
Lady Urquentha: Interesting choice of reviews :) I normally type that when I'm to tired to leave a review, but want to leave one. So, anyway thanks for the review and I hope you find this chapter as interesting as the last!
Merewen/Itarilde: Ah, you don't like the Westman ;) Let me think, what did I type here is what I typed and here is the translation- Ai na Dunadan! Mae govannen! Which means- Ah, at last,Westman! Well met. Did you get it? Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoy this chapter, and did you check out the other story I have? The part with the elves of course. Chapter 15 or 16 is where they come in.
Pathatlon: WE WONDERFUL REVIEW! Thanks so much for the review! Hope you like this chapter and I hope the next one will be up soon! Enjoy:)
All right, I think that is everyone! Thanks again for all the reviews and I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I apologize for any mistakes, or any other things.. err.. you know what I mean.
Greenleaf
Hermione gave a small gasp of surprise, taking a startled step back, while reaching for the wand hidden in the depths of her robes.
A hand shot out of the darkened shadow, grasping her arm firmly, preventing it from retrieving the wand.
Hermione's mind kicked into gear. Strange person, grabbing arm, plus hidden idenity equals- assault. With the free-hand that hung nimbly by her side, she returned the favor of the grip with her own on this imposter's pale hand, arm cloaked in dark robes. ' Shit, it can't be Snape, can it?' Her mind screamed out to her, as an image of Snape flickered across her vision.
Snape or not, she'd be damned if someone would lurk in the dark corner of a classroom, and then touch her without identifying themselves. How the hell was she suppose to know if they were friend or foe?
Without a second thought, she swung herself around. Her back now to the person-thing- in the darkness, so the person aka 'foe' was taken off guard and was forced to adjust his or her grip over her shoulder.
Her hand shot upwards, as memories from her self-defense classes with Ron and Harry drilled into her mind crossed her mind at the present time. She clasped the dark material of the shadowed person's robe, forcing the material to rise. Thus giving her clean, pale skin to grip onto.
Bending down a little, Hermione's grip increased upwards on the assailant's forearm, with a firm jerk and roll of her hips said person was flying over her shoulder.
It was most unfortunate for Hermione that this person's grip did not lessen, for it seemed to increase, dragging her down with them.
As their bodies tumbled for what seemed like slow motion to Hermione. She said one thing. " Shit." Was the only word she uttered before her body assumed the expected position for the headlong pitch of smashing into the hard, cold stone floor of the dungeon, by chance splitting her head open and bleeding to death whilst some maniac watched with enjoyment; but instead she landed into something warm and soft. Soft being the optative word there.
Peering an eye open, all Hermione saw was darkness. The smooth silky feeling of something buried around her face smelled vaguely of sandalwood and some kind of spice she could not put her finger on.
That is until a deep voice mumbled, " Must you always be so skitterish, Miss Grang- Hermione." The voice was not questioning, merely stating and was definitely Severus Snape's voice.
This was the moment Hermione realized her face was not only buried into Severus's, but she was laying on top of him, literally.
" SEVERUS, I'm so sorry, you... startled me... and.. I ...just..." She said pushing herself out of the cloak of sweet smelling darkness.
" Reacting? " Severus finished for her. " I guess the term head over heels is true."
Hermione felt herself blush with embarrassment. " Are you alright, sir? Did you bruise anything?" She asked peering forward into his face, looking for bruising or any bleeding.
This movement brought them inches away from one another's face. " You alright, Severus? " she said a little breathlessly.
" Always cordial?" Snape drawled, eyebrow arched in amusment. Hermione inhaled the sweet aroma of his breath. Faint traces of myrrh and fennel.
She leaned back crossing her arms, brows furrowed together in a scolding manner. " May I remind, Professor, you were the one who was lurking in the shadows and reached out and grabbed me. You scared the sh- frightened me." Her expression softened before continuing. " You just happened to achieve that reaction out of me. I've taken some self- defense classes from Ron and Harry," she added a bit sheepishly.
" Ah, I see. That explains the whole tossing your professor over the shouler and into the ground." Severus finished wiggling his brows.
Hermione broke out in a fit of giggles, leaning forward into his chest. She had tears leaking out of her eyes. " It is all a bit bizarre, isn't it?"
" Indeed," he mumbled into her hair. This was the moment Hermione realized not only was she laying on top of Snape, laughing into his chest, but she was straddling him!
Severus either did not notice or he chose to ignore it. She went very still, listening to the sound of his heart's normal pace. Hers must have been beating so rapidly he had to have felt it against his chest, but he made no comment of it. Instead, if Hermione would go to the lenghts of saying, he seemed to be enjoying himself. She could have sworn she heard the faintest sound of him smelling her hair, but quelled the thought. It must be the imagination playing tricks.
So, as Hermione layed there, not sure if she should fling herself off him with an apology and await the snarkish remarks or just lay here, in the warm blanket of their bodies together and wait for him to shove her off and throw curses at her.
It seemed hours instead of minutes before anyone spoke. Surely, he would want her off him by now, but no just gesture was made.
She lifted her head off his warm chest, to look deeply into his dark orbs, to try and find a sign of disgust or remorse, but what she saw shocked her to say the least. For his eyes were closed, and he had one hand wrapped lightly in her thick mass of curls. Her eyes lingered over the small crow's feet that no one had ever had the opportunity to see. She saw an image of him smiling, and those lines traced ever slighty around the eyes were a sign of happiness.
The dark brows that graced his face and always held such character. They matched the inky blackness of his hair, but they were not overly bushy or uni-browed. Their elegant shape was a sign that he maintained his appearance.
The long curtain of ebony that wrapped its way well past his shoulders, hung loose and straight in a way Hermione had never noticed before. Normally, Severus kept his hair tied tightly back in a leather clasp to keep it out of his way when in the potions lab, and that happened to be all the time.
And his nose, ah the infamous nose of the Potions professfor. Most described it as hideous, those who did not get to see the true Severus beneath his harsh exterior. Aside from his eyes, Hermione loved his nose the best. It showed such character. He almost reminded her of a god.
Hermione reached a tentative hand out slowly, touching the long dark lock that had fallen in over his cheek. For it shined brightly in the candle light of the Potions Room. It felt just like it looked, smooth and silky. Like the down of a newborn hare or foal.
She envisioned him under a pale moon. Long cloak of midnight hair sprawled lazily across his shoulders, barreling down to his chest in wind blown waves. Bare from his chest to his waist. For she could see past his waist, everything was a blur of shadow. He seemed to be holding something in the blurred shadow, but nothing her eyes could detect. His eyes were all she needed to see. The dark orbs had a far away look, haunted one might say.
She quickly brushed the lock away from his face. " Feel something you like, Hermione?" Severus asked amused yet again, but his eyes remained shut. For this Hermione was glad, if they had not remained closed, he would have witnessed her blush a true shade of crimson.
" Why Severus, I thought you had become unconscious. It seems you are fine, since you still have the ability to flirt," she finished still blushing.
" Why Hermione, I didn't know I was flirting," he said with a devil of smile playing across his features.
Hermione gasped in outrage as she quickly untangled herself from him and stood, brushing the invisible dust off her robes. Severus cracked one eye open, staring at her. The expression registered in his eyes was very abtruse to her. He looked almost-sad.
" You're not just going to leave me here, on the floor?" The question broke Hermione out of her examination of his expression.
Eyeing him with disdain for a moment, contemplating whether or not he looked better sprawled out on the floor, or looming over her.
" Come now, I'm an old man without a cane. Surely, Hermione Granger would not walk away," he drawled sarcasticly.
Hermione broke out in another fit of giggles at his comment. Not only from the comment, but the picture of him walking with a cane was too much. Reaching down towards Severus, she clasped his hand and dragged herself backwards, bringing him with her.
A bolt of electric current passed through the two. Bringing an onshadow of incorherent sounds, and voices whispering to the two of past lives, untold stories, angst from long ago, and unfinished business. If not for the book that lay safely in a hidden pocket against Hermione's breast, these voices would have been most overwhelming. But it was also the book that had caused this as well, but that is another story for later.
You see, the book held many things, things from their lives of long ago, longing to be released and returned to their rightful places in the world.
To long had they been locked away, banished from the memory, but always promised release- eventually. For you must understand, in order to protect Harry Potter, all had to be forgotten, until the end would draw near in the hopes of saving the world from evil, yet again. This will be revealed in good time, fear not dear reader for this story will not remain untold. Too many things are left untold, things that should not be forgotten. We must return to the story at present, much is left of these two to tell.
Hermione and Severus quickly broke the contact of their hands. Each lay heavily at their sides, forlorn of the comfort of another's warm embrace.
" Did you hear that? " Hermione whispered, confused while staring at Severus for an explanation.
" Yes, but it was incorherent babbling, nothing to grasp onto. Like the wind, whilst it blows carrying messages and secrets from lands that no longer exist. Yet, you try to listen, but alas, they refuse to be bottled by the incompetent mortal mind."
Hermione looked to Severus surprised. Indeed surprise was the word to use, for Severus easily read it on her face.
" I always try to listen. Something in me longs to sit and listen to those tales of old, and try to help if needed, but I always feel a hole, with a fathomless bottom brewing in the pit of me. Gnawing away, nagging me for this emptiness, as if I brought it upon myself. And no matter how many times these happens, I always repeat it. I just," he paused a moment, as if continuing pained him, but continue he did. " I just ignore it, as if it will all go away."
Hermione reached forward to try and comfort him, but he raised a hand to ward her away. " No, " he gasped, turning away from her.
" I've said too much. You shouldn't have to listen to the ramblings of an old man."
" You're not an old man, you're an old bat. Immortal vampire of Hogwarts. " Hermione stated, offering him a weak smile. Which he could only return.
A small smile graced the corners of his mouth as he said, " I do like that title. Maybe I can have it inscribed onto the walls."
Hermione's grin continued to grow. " Perhaps, Peeves would like to be of assistance?" The question was rewarded with a slight raise of the brow and his trademark smirk. " Perhaps," he said with his ever-growing smirk.
" My, look at the time. I must intervene this conversation, as pleasant and enjoyable as it has been. Though, may we continue it in my private chambers?" He added a bit lazily.
Taking a sharp inhale of breathe, Hermione decided now would be the best time to question him of his early behaviour. Severus had already moved towards the door that lead into his chambers.
Hermione quickly covered the few feet that separated them. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she asked. " Severus, if I might have a word?"
He turned around and looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. " Of course, Hermione. Please ask away."
Hermione stuck her small chin out stubbornly. " What makes you think that I was going to ask you anything?"
He rolled his eyes at her childish behaviour in a mocking manner. " Hermione, when have you not asked a question." The way he worded it, she knew it was more of a statement then a question. " At least I am not shiftless, as some of your- select students are."
Severus allowed his sinister of a glare peek through.
" This has nothing to do with anything," Hermione said, throwing her hands around before continuing, " I wish to speak with you about what happened earlier today."
Severus looked at her with interest, pondering where this conversation would be leading them. He decided to play dumb, knowing full well she would be ruffled, very ruffled. " Whatever, are you talking about? " He drawled in a lazy manner.
Hermione looked quite dumbfounded for a moment. And a moment was all it was before she stomped her foot against the cobblestone floor in anger. " What am I talking about? I think you know exactly what I'm talking about."
Severus merely looked on in amusement as she stomped her foot in anger. He indeed had ruffled her feathers. " Please do tell, because I have not an inkly of what you speak of."
" I speak of your manner towards me earlier this day. The malice and the glares. It was almost if you truly felt that way. I cannot go in there and work with you before we settle this."
If Hermione had expected him to agree with her, laugh even at her question she would have been prepared, but his reaction she was entirely not prepared for.
He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, preventing her from backing away. He observed her face with full scrutiny. " Hermione, do not doubt for a second that I meant any of it. I thought you and I had agreed on that course of action. To keep appearances up. My not deducting 50 or more points from Gryffindor was probably a shock to all." he added jokingly.
" I must praise you for the that ingenious hex you cast on Miss Parkison. Pomfrey as yet to find a counter-spell for it. It looks like dragon dung will be on Miss Parkison's menu for the next three days."
With that said, they both started to laugh joyously. " So, the whole scrubbing cauldrons and floors is just a cover-up?" Hermione teased.
" Of course, unless you really do vex me, then perhaps I will have to rethink that." Hermione punched him playfully in the arm. "Did you bring the book, Hermione?"
" Yes, it is right here." She patted her robe pocket where the book lay. "Good," he said while nodding. Taking a step forward once again, Severus muttered the password at the wall. A door rippled from thin air in front of them.
" Impressive." Hermione stated.
" I try," Severus said casually with a shrug of the shoulder, causing Hermione to grin. " After you, my dear." He gestured forwards with his hands.
As Hermione entered the room, she noticed they were in a library of sorts. The room was huge and its customary colors were green and silver, and black of course. The room was in the shape of an oval. Say you were standing here, you would be utterly and completely surrounded by thousands upon thousands of books.
A large fireplace was also surrounded by two over-sized black leather armchairs. Their stiching upon closer inspection was of finely woven silver. The chairs looked very comfortable, which would come as a surprise to those who did not know the Potions Master. One would expect a very sterile looking room, adorned with stiff and unwelcoming furniture, but it was not so.
One would think Severus a man of leisure after viewing this space. For his fireplace was charmed the color of silver, and if you would believe it, there were also windows. Charmed of course. How could one have windows in a dungeon one might ask. Very good question, but you'll have to ask Severus Snape that one.
The windows were decorated with stained glass. Displays of vines crawling up and down the window in various shades of olive, deep purples and blues, hues of red and gold, green and silver, looking almost alive. Which is possible at Hogwarts, it is of course a school of Witch Craft and Wizardry.
Looking at the windows caused Hermione to look upwards towards the oval ceiling. She let a small gasp of surprise out. Hermione beheld not an oval ceiling, but the night sky. The moonless sky was littered with twinkling white, and blue stars, with clouds brewing in the backround. The clouds were a dusty shade of midnight purple. There would be a storm tonight. Very rare in the early fall.
In the spaces where part of the wall would peak through, they had also been charmed to reflect the night sky. She looked down to examine the floor as well. Half-expecting to be walking in the clouds ( pun intended there) Hermione's vision was greeted with the sight of large, black planks of wood. So, Severus had a wooden floor. Quite fitting, the black of course.
Hermione twirled in delight. She already loved this room. The feeling of being surrounded not only by books beckoning her to read, but having the ability to be under the night sky as well was almost overwhelming. She wondered if what was charmed to follow the night into day or remained the same all the time.
" I take it you like it?" A voice questioned, very close by.
Hermione raised a hand in surprised. " Oh, Severus I forgot you were standing there! Like it? I absolutely love it! I imagine this would be they way I would have my library as well. The room itself is positively enchanting!" she exclaimed.
Severus seemed quite taken by her delight. No one who had ever stepped in this room had twirled in delight before. It pleased him very much.
Hermione had made her way over to the lower bookselves that would permit her height. Her fingers trailed gently over all their bindings, as she walked from row to row. Absorbing the titles of each, and noticing the anicent books she knew and those she did not.
" Severus," she exclaimed, " Look at some of these potion books! They are so rare, I thought no one still possessed these, amazing. You'll have to teach me some of the potions in here."
Severus began to laugh at her enthusiasm. " Indeed, Hermione, I will have to because there will be no end to the onslaught of questions and curiousity now that you have seen them, but I believe there are more grueling tasks at hand that need to be attended to."
Hermione slapped her forehead lightly. " Right, how stupid of me. Let me get the book out. Where would you like to work?"
Severus gestured towards the fireplace and the two black armchairs. Hermione took a seat next to Severus and instanly felt a warm but pleasant glow from the fireplace. " If you get too warm, just tell me. The fireplace has a- I believe they call them air-conditioners in your world- of sorts."
Hermione nodded her head. " I'm quite comfortable, thank you." Reaching into her hidden pocket that lay so closely to her heart, Hermione withdrew the book.
She still marveled at the exquisite craftmenship of the symbols that adorned the cover. Not that book itself wasn't exquisite. How often do you encounter a book that communicates with you.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione concentrated solely on her thoughts and the direction of them.
' Please show me what we need to see.' Is what she thought if you wished to know. Pausing for a moment before opening the book. She took another deep breath. For some odd reason she was nervous, very nervous. Perhaps, the fact Severus was sitting with her and the fact that she had to kill Voldmort within the coming moon might have been a factor.
So, she opened the book slowly with the hopes of seeing the riddle written boldly in large letters in front of her, but the view she and Severus were greeted with was absolute blankness.
Hermione stared blankly at the book, not sure of what had happened. Severus spoke after a few moments of silence. " Hermione, what did you do before?"
Hermione fixed her blank stare on Severus. " I did what I just did."
" And what exactly was that?" he prodded.
" I asked the book..." she trailed off thinking. " I can't remember exactly what was said, but I believe... Severus look. " Hermione whispered. Her voice was directed towards the book. It seemed the small conversation between the two had awakened the book, for a message was beginning to appear.
Yawn. Good heavens, what time is it? You know, Hermione, I expected more from you. You leave me in your pocket all day, and now after who knows what time it is, demand I start showing you things. If I could speak, I would snort right now. Not like a pig of course, but in the way a person..
" Stop it!" Hermione exclaimed.
Manners dear. Don't forget those, I may be just some book you talked to every blue moon, but I am still a person. Figuratively that is.. you know I remember the days when I was just a young... " Merlin, please! We have more pressing matters then manners. I apologize for not- speaking with you more so than I do, but did you forget about the fact that I, Hermione Granger, have to find Voldmort by the full moon and save the this world! " She exclaimed yet again.
Well- I never- in all my-
" STOP THIS INSTANT! I DEMAND YOU SHOW US THE RIDDLE, NOW!" A fuming Severus exclaimed.
Is that you, Severus Snape? Well, it has been-
" The riddle." Severus hissed.
Oh, all right then. Have it your way. I'll just be over here if you need me. If I had legs I'd be stalking off right now.
Spirit is yet Air but not Air " This, is the riddle?" Severus questioned thoughtfully rubbing his chin. " Yes, this is the riddle." Hermione replied.
Fire but not Fire
Water but not Water
Earth but not Earth
" You know I did not expect this one. The one Dumbledore read was the one I thought we had to decipher."
" Does it make a difference? I am sure they're both as confusing and abstruse as the next one." Hermione replied.
" What is this, Hermione Granger, stumped?" Severus teased with a smiling playing across his features.
Hermione grinned back. " I just need time to study it, and it would be very helpful if you would join me."
" Aye, so the truth comes out. You dragged me here, only to use my brains and connections. How careless of me thinking you wanted to be friends," he said dramatically.
" Oh, stop it!" Hermione laughed. " We have to figure this out. Dumbledore thinks this will be the only way in defeating Voldemort."
" You're right, but we will have to discuss this afterwards." Another dramatic arch of the brow before putting on his serious face. " Let us think here, the riddle goes like this- Spirit is yet Air but not Air, Fire but not Fire, Water but not Water, Earth but not Earth. Curious wording, peculiar as well. "
" Hermione, I want you tell me everything you read in the book about the elements while I search in my library for anything that might be remotely useful." He rose from the large, black armchair with the finely woven silver threading and with this large stride covered the distance to the shelves in no time.
So it was for the next few hours Hermione speaking of the most peculiar stories and spells read in the wonderous book, while Severus listened tentively and searched his library top and bottom for books related to the said subject. If it might be said, he had quite the handful of books, stacks of books. Only three they would find would be of any help.
I wish not to bore you with the monotone hours that widdled by. Nothing of importance happened that night, just that they enjoyed themselves. Enjoyed the company of each other.Some may find it impossible to conceive one would be able to enjoy one's self when the end could be drawing ever so closely. The world would not have been worth saving if one could not laugh every now and then, don't you agree?
But, I will not end this chapter of the book there. All for your enjoyment of course. For Severus and Hermione were both keen and brilliant minds, and these kinds of minds did not stop to wisk away what precious time they might have. So, they worked late very late. One might say it was no longer late since the dawn of the next day was drawer nearer.
Only around this time did Severus notice the departing mask of night drifting away, in it's stead the dusky blue color of dawn fast approaching began to touch the halls of Severus Snape's chambers.
" Hermione, it will be dawn soon. You must retire to your chambers and we will continue our research tomorrow."
Hermione nodded her head bleary eyed. The night was catching up with her. A large yawn from her was in agreement with Severus, causing him to chuckle.
Hermione approached the fireplace to floo back to her rooms, she paused and turned towards Severus.
" Severus, thank you." If her eyes had not been so blurred, she would have seen the look of pleasure cross his face and fill his eyes.
" Goodnight, Hermione."
" I think you mean good morning but, goodnight to you too." She threw the floo in the fireplace and called out her destination.
Entering her dorm, she cast a quick cleansing spell on herself and collapsed into her bed. Exhaustion finally taking its toll.
If Hermione had lingered but a moment longer in Severus' quarters, she would have heard him utter, " Good morning, Hermione." Into the darkness.
She also would realized that tomorrow was the new moon, and she would not be in the company of Severus or his warm, welcoming room, but wandering the Forbidden Forest in search of her king.
This song is dedicated to my friend Patricia de Lioncourt, avid Lestat fanatic and we now have a song to place with the face. Enjoy girl ;)
P.S. Don't forget to crank your volume...
I'm over it
You see I'm falling in the vast abyss
Clouded by memories of the past
At last, I see
I hear it fading
I can't speak it
Or else you will dig my grave
We fear them finding
Always winding
Take my hand now
Be alive
You see I cannot be forsaken
Because I'm not the only one
We walk amongst you
Feeding, raping
Must we hide from everyone
I'm over it
Why can't we be together
Erase it
Sleeping so long
Taking off the mask
At last, I see
My fear is fading
I can't speak it
Or else you will dig my grave
We fear them finding
Always winding
Take my hand now
Be alive
You see I cannot be forsaken
Because I'm not the only one
We walk amongst you
Feeding, raping
Must we hide from everyone
You see I cannot be forsaken
Because I'm not the only one
We walk amongst you
Feeding, raping
Must we hide from everyone
Everyone
Everyone
Everyone fading out