CHAPTER ELEVEN
There was that unwelcome feeling of Disapperation again. Hermione's head felt like she had the worst head cold, and to top it all off, she was sitting thirty thousand feet in the sky, in an airplane. The uncomfortable feeling however, soon disappeared, and Hermione found herself standing on the front step of the house she called home for the past week or so.
"You can let go now."
Severus' voice penetrated though Hermione's already beating head, and caused her to flinch from the sudden invasion of sound. A small smirk played on the edge of Severus's mouth as he looked down at the young woman, still wrapped tightly around his waist.
Realizing that she was still indeed clinging to her ex-professor, Hermione snatched her arms from around his waist and placed them at her side.
With the man's body heat no longer warming her small body, the brisk, cold air of the twilight hour, crept through Hermione's clothes causing her to shiver.
"Shall we proceed inside? Or would you prefer to stay outside and catch your death?"
Severus moved forward and pulled his wand from his sleeve, then proceeded to unlock and open the large door for Hermione.
Hermione moved quickly through the front door, not sending a second glance to her ex professor as she passed his dark looming figure. She jumped slightly as Severus entered after her and slammed the large heavy door behind him, causing the whole house to shutter and moan. As if on cue, the portrait of Mrs Black sprung to life and began to shout her usual slurs and rants. Hermione, still shaking from the fright of the door hurried toward the portrait and snapped the curtains shut.
"Horrible woman" Hermione huffed as she brushed past Severus and made her way to the kitchen. Severus followed gingerly and sat himself at the kitchen table and watched as Hermione proceeded to make some tea.
"I hope someday someone can find a spell to get that portrait of the wall."
Severus' wand lay on the table, his long pale fingers moving it slowly back and forth.
"There is a spell"
Hermione's head lifted at his words and she turned her body to look at him.
"A spell?"
He didn't look up, only continued to fidget with his wand.
"An incantation of sorts. It dissolves the magic connecting the painting to the wall."
Hermione's hands moved to her hips as her brows furrowed.
"How long have you know about the spell?"
"A while"
"And when where you planning on telling someone, or...or doing something about it?"
The tea long forgotten, Hermione moved to table and sat across from Severus.
"Why would I do that?"
Hermione's face burned with anger as her jaw hung open, shocked by his words.
"You're looking at me as if I killed your cat." Hermione could see the smile in his eyes that did not touch his mouth.
"Well, I'm glad you're amused" Was all she spat before she stormed from the room.
***
Sleep came all too easily for Severus that night, and although his sleep was broken and filled with nightmares, Severus awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. His calm feeling soon disappeared however as his eyes settled on a small envelope that sat at the foot of his bed.
Pulling his wand from its constant hiding place up his sleeve, and blasted the letter into a million pieces, then proceeded to climb out of bed. Severus could recognise that familiar writing anywhere, he didn't need to read the letter to know it was Minerva requesting a meeting.
Pulling on his robe, Severus trod lightly as he made his way down the dark hall and quietly opened Hermione's door. As expected, her bed was empty and neatly made. There was only one place she would be.
The quiet squeak of the bookcase ladder, told Severus his assumptions were correct. Fighting not to roll his eyes, Severus made his way quietly into the dimly lit room.
Hermione stood on the very top shelf of the ladder, her left foot dangling dangerously off the step, while her right foot stood on tippy toes. Her hands stretched high above her head, reaching for a rather large book on the top shelf.
Severus moved briskly to the foot of the ladder and looked up at the woman, his hands planted firmly on his hips.
"Miss Granger!" He hissed.
Just as suddenly as the words had left his mouth, Hermione jumped with fright, causing her to lose her balance and fall from the ladder.
Wrapping her arms around her head, Hermione prepared herself for the impact with the hard wooden floor below. When the impact did not come, Hermione reluctantly opened her eyes.
Severus had caught her, his arms wrapted securley around her legs and back.
Hermione had seen Severus angry on several occasions, but either she had forgotten just how thin his mouth could go, or that wasn't anger, but fear, plastered all over her ex-professors face.
"Feeling suicidal this week, Miss Granger?"
Her lips moved as if to say something, but no sound came out of her mouth.
"I don't have time to play the hero every time you are feeling reckless."
His words were meant to be snide and hurtful, but the concerned in his voice was to over powering.
Pushing herself away from his body, Severus instinctively placed Hermione's feet on the ground and let her go.
"I wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't snuck up on me. " She aspirated curtly, brushing off her jeans as if she had dust on them. Once she was satisfied that she was composed, Hermione looked up to the man looming over her.
His head dipped to one side and he was looking at her strangely, as if he was working out a maths problem. All of a sudden he moved forward, reaching his hand up to Hermione and brushed his fingers down her cheek.
"You're burning up, are you feeling well?"
Her head was spinning, and her breath caught in her throat. His fingers where so soft, it sent a tingling feeling running down her spine. And oh Gods, his smell, it was a mix between a sickly sweet honey smell and burnt sandalwood. It radiated of his body and teased her nostrils.
"Toilet." She moaned, and suddenly she rushed from the room.
Severus stood in the middle of the library and listened to the sound of the toilet door slam open, then the sound of Hermione emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet.
Severus then smiled when he heard some very colourful swear words he wouldn't think to come from Hermione.
His smile quickly faded however when he realized the reason of her sickness. He would have to tell her soon, maybe he should take Poppy up on the offer to tell the girl.
Realizing he was late for his meeting with Minerva, Severus grabbed his cloak from the entrance hall and threw it around his shoulders before turning back to the direction of the toilet.
"I have prior engagements with Professor McGonagall, I shall return before Lunch. Kreacher has been instructed to not let you out of his sight, so please refrain from leaving the house."
He fastened the cloaks buttons then muttered to himself "I don't want to have to save your life again."
"Third time's a charm" Came Hermiones soft voice behind him. His eyes scanned over her briefly before he reached for his wand and turned from the girl.
"You look like hell, clean yourself up and get some rest."
Severus placed a disillusionment charm on himself before he left the house.
He hadn't realized just how long the walk to the headmistress's office was. He had only been away from Hogwarts for a year, and already the castle seemed strange and unfamiliar. He trod quietly through the empty hallways, as not to alert the student or professors of his presence, and stopped only briefly when he passed the entrance of the Dungeons. He did miss his lab, and his brewing, but not his students.
No, defiantly not the students.
The stone staircase was already open in preparation for his arrival. Severus ran quickly up the stairs, eager to get his meeting over and done with.
"Good morning Severus" Came Minerva's curt greeting as he stepped on to the landing.
"I hope you're hungry, I had a house elf bring us some tea and scones." Severus nodded in response and sat himself down in the large comfortable armchair.
"How is Hermione?" Minerva asked timidly as she stirred her tea slowly. Her eyes locked to the tea cup as if her life depended on it.
She knew! Of course she would know. Severus couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Can you woman keep nothing secret!" His voice was rather harsh, but he couldn't help it. He had called Poppy in hopes of keeping Miss Grangers dignity intact.
"Poppy came to me quite distressed. She was reluctant to tell me, but she thought it best to do so."
Severus crossed his arms and dipped his head, urging the elder woman to continue.
"She was concerned about leaving Hermione in your care..."
"Miss Granger is perfectly fine in my care!" Severus interjected, obviously hurt by Minerva's insinuation.
"Yes, but considering Hermione's....situation, we think it wise to reconsider her living arrangements. Poppy was also concerned about your knowledge in potions and healing. She told me you didn't know what to do with a healing potion she gave you for Hermione?"
This made Severus smirk.
"The woman obviously has no sense of humour"
"Be that as it may, we think it best that Hermione spend the rest of her recovery here at Hogwarts. Or at least until her parents are found, and she finds her feet."
"No!" His answer was clear and sharp, leaving no room for argument. Minerva sent a quizzical look to Severus before her eyebrows raised in realization.
"Severus" She started seriously.
"I understand you're very fond of the girl, but..."
"Pardon me?" He spat unbelieving
"My eye sight may have deteriorated in my old age, but I can still see the admiration you hold for Hermione."
"Minerva, I assure you...."
The Headmistress held her hand up to silence the man.
"I can see the similarities between them both, not only in intellect but also personality. I always thought that Harry radiated towards Hermione because she is so much like his mother."
Realization dawned on Severus and he broke eye contact with Minerva.
"From the first day I started teaching Hermione, she reminded me of Lily. Her kind nature, her natural beauty and of course her exceeding intelligence. I can understand why you are in love with her"
His mouth hung open, but his face betrayed no emotion. Minerva simply sat there in front of the dumb struck man, watching him intently.
Time passed, Severus continued to stare into the distance, deep in thought.
"I...I'm not sure I know what you're talking about"
Minerva chuckled lightly then took a long sip of her tea.
"You have always been a stubborn man Severus. Always disagreeing."
"I have not and I do not. Now if you don't mind, I'd suggest we move on to the matter at hand, Kingsley."
"I did not call you here for Kingsley."
"Then why did you call me here?"
"Why Hermione of course."
Severus slammed his fists on the arm rests, causing Minerva to jump, then he pushed himself up from the arm chair.
"I don't have time for your match making"
Severus turned on his heels and headed to the door.
"You gave her two of your most priceless and precious books"
Severus stopped in his tracks and turned back to the woman.
"How did you..."
"Hermione, I have been keeping in touch with her by owl. You shouldn't be so hard on the girl. She has been through a traumatic experience and she has no one to help her stand on her own two feet."
"It's not my place to baby her."
"Your right, but she is not a child"
Severus scoffed.
"I'm not asking you to give her your heart; it will fall into her hands in its own time. I'm simply asking you to just be there. She appreciated the books, that's a start."
Severus nodded sullenly
"Anything else?"
"Only this, when you find Lucius, give him hell form me."
Severus turned quickly and left the office.
"Stay safe!" He heard her call.
A/N: Ok, before you grab your pitch forks and light your torches, I should explain that I have had a very traumatic 4 months. I'm not going to go into detail or do the whole Oprah thing, but I am going to say I'm sorry and that I'M BACK!! Yay! So let me know what you think of this chapter!! Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing 3
Snellee
P.S. Reviews help me write...that's not black mail at all !! :D