If you see any mistakes like that, please do point them out to me! I want to make this story as good as possible. I still have a mini heart-attack every time I make mistakes. Thank you!
Well, I think that's everything! I enjoyed writing this chapter. I'll shut up now.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, etc.
"You think I wanted to be left alone? No, being left alone is something you do with Hungarian Horntails or Blast-Ended Skrewts, not with something or someone you simply can't bring yourself to look at!" Hermione practically yelled. At this, Severus was simply left wordless. Hermione waited, but he didn't say anything. Hermione made a noise that was something between a growl and a cry of exasperation and walked out of the dungeons.
After she left, Hermione felt stupid. She had agreed to be Sev- no, Snape's assistant to be able to help Harry and the Order and she had walked out the very first night. Not only that, she had messed up a simple potion and angered Severus Snape to volatile levels. And she had burned her arm. She remembered that part very clearly as the cool night air flowed over the raw flesh. It was then she realized in her anger she had walked all the way out of the castle.
Hermione sighed and paused for a moment, watching some first years run away from her near the door. She imagined she must have been a sight, storming out of the castle with a bloody arm. For a moment she imagined that Severus must get a lot of satisfaction from always storming around like that, terrifying everyone in his way. She did a quick charm to wrap her wounds. She would have to deal with them at some point, like she would Snape, but not now.
Hermione found herself wandering the dark grounds. It was now a few minutes past 9 and everyone was inside. One of Dumbledore's newer rules was to be inside by nightfall, but as a Prefect she could technically claim exemption from the rule, though it would be a very weak claim.
She found one of her favorite thinking places. It was off of the Lake, behind a boulder that sheltered her from view of the castle. She nestled down into the depression in the ground she had made over the years and stared into the calm waters.
She knew she would have to apologize to him. She knew she would have to do a lot of things. But she needed the moment of quiet and calm. She watched the lake for a very long time. She watched as the sky darkened to a deep black.
It was all very serene and unmoving, which is why it was so surprising for her to see a dark figure move around the edge of the lake near her some time later.
"You've got to be kidding me," Hermione said under her breath. Was the man psychic? How did he find her? And why now?
She watched as Severus moved to the edge of the lake and looked into it as Hermione was doing. But he didn't seem to notice her. She realized he didn't know she was out there. She studied him for a moment wondering what he was thinking when he seemed to sense he was being watched.
His eyes snapped around and landed on Hermione, still sitting comfortably against the rock. She didn't move or react, but just met his equally brooding gaze. They stared at each other for a few very long moments.
Severus seemed to be thinking over something. Eventually he sighed and jerked his head, indicating that she should follow as he turned to walk along the shoreline. He seemed unnervingly distracted. Hermione stood a bit painfully for she had been sitting for too long but hurried all the same to catch up his uncharacteristically slow pace.
The moment she was beside him he spoke. He seemed tired and looked like he was greatly burdened.
"It seems what you are looking for is for me to treat you like an adult. To tell you the truth. So here it is," he began in dark voice. "Not even in my wildest of nightmares do I imagine surviving this war. I'm sure the thought has crossed your mind that you may lose your life in this struggle, especially being so close to the Chosen One. Everyone has a good chance of dying. Considering what you have been forced into, the likelihood of your survival in particular has greatly diminished," he finished in a heavy voice, glancing at her in case he needed to catch her if she fell into hysterics.
Hermione almost laughed at his weighty admission.
"Are you going to tell me anything I don't already know?" Hermione asked not missing a beat.
Severus, on the other hand, stopped in his tracks, his eyes flashing in surprise at her.
"I knew from the second I stepped into You-Know-Who's headquarters how deep I was in. If you think for one minute that I didn't know what that might mean for me, you must truly think lowly of me. And it seems to me we have already had this conversation, but you continue to change your mind and go back to keeping me in the dark," Hermione said as she turned to look him in the eye. He saw the dark determination in her eyes; eyes that were too serious for a witch of her age.
"I only thought-"
"That I might not be able to take it? I saw how you looked at me just then. Don't worry; I'm quite used to being undervalued and underestimated by most in this war," she said half-bitterly.
"A mistake I won't make again. You're obviously quite mature judging by your actions earlier this evening," he said coolly, though without malice. Hermione shifted.
"A lapse in judgment that will not happen again. Believe when I say I know that losing my calm may really get me in trouble in other situations," Hermione spoke softly, "I'm sorry."
Severus mouth hung open a little. A willing and genuine apology was something he expected as much as to see Hagrid leap down the halls of Hogwarts in a tutu.
Before he had time to recover and speak again, a shrill voice pierced the air.
"What are you doing out here at this time of night?" McGonagall demanded as Dumbledore soon joined her at her side; he had obviously been following her, trying to calm her.
"Please, Minerva, it's such a nice night. Perhaps we should all take a walk together sometime," he said in a most serious but genial voice.
"Albus do not make light of this! A Professor out with a student on grounds at this time of night! Not only is it entirely inappropriate, but it's not safe for anyone to be out here. Why on Earth are you out here at almost midnight?" McGonagall demanded again. As quick as ever, Hermione jumped in.
"We were going to collect some Potions ingredients we needed," Hermione said calmly, as if proving her point from the last thing she said to Severus.
McGonagall looked sharply at Severus before inquiring, "Then where are the ingredients you've come out here to collect?"
"We came down here to locate some hellebore," Hermione said indicating the bunch of purple flowers she had just seen at the base of a nearby tree, "We must wait until exactly midnight to collect the hellebore, or else it will make any potion we add it to poisonous. Madame Sprout doesn't start growing any of her own until spring, but the wild variety makes better potions anyway," Hermione finished smoothly. Severus almost smirked as he nodded in agreement, though he felt nervous trusting Hermione to smooth this over.
"Why on Earth are you picking it tonight? The only things Madame Pomfrey asked for was some Blood-Replenishing Potions which she was expecting some time ago, which is why we came to see where you were when neither of you were in the dungeons! What Potion did you need to make so desperately tonight?" she demanded as Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in Hermione's direction. Severus grew more nervous; what was she going to come up with?
"The Draught of Peace," Hermione said simply.
"And why would you need that specifically tonight?" McGonagall asked, exasperated.
"Well as you know, it soothes agitation. And as you know, I am working closely with Professor Snape," Hermione said very matter-of-factly and had to fight back a smile. After a moment of consideration, so did McGonagall.
"Are you satisfied Minerva? Severus and Hermione are not doing anything untoward to each other, and it seems they are making the proper preparations to keep it that way!" Dumbledore smiled. "And goodness, we do not want to keep them! It is almost midnight! I would hate to hinder their quest tonight. As long as they intend to return to the castle soon, I see no problem." Hermione and Severus both nodded calmly.
McGonagall sighed but gave Hermione a very tight smile.
"Very well. Hermione. Severus," McGonagall nodded to each of them and gave Severus a sharp look before reluctantly turning and walking back toward the castle. Dumbledore looked over his glasses at the two with twinkling eyes before smiling and following McGonagall.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Hermione looked at Severus. He gave her the most incredulous look and she couldn't help the smile that crept across her lips.
"That was all off the top of your head?" he asked disbelievingly.
"It was all correct academically, was it not?" she asked innocently. She couldn't believe she was teasing Severus Snape.
"Well yes. But was it necessary to say a Draught of Peace is necessary to work with me?" he asked, annoyed.
"Well, they seemed willing to believe it," Hermione smirked. Before he could retort, Hermione brushed past him and picked a few of the purple flowers.
"What are you doing?" Severus asked watching her pick the hellebore.
"Do you think McGonagall will not come looking to see if we actually made the potion?" Hermione asked.
Severus had to admit, though not out loud, that he hadn't thought of that.
"You need not worry about making it. I will. You need to go to bed," Severus said sternly, though without the usual hardness. Hermione sighed.
"No, it was my fault we didn't finish the Potions. It's my fault we're out here, and it's my fault we'll have Professor McGonagall breathing down our necks. I will come back and make the potions," Hermione said apologetically. Severus was immediately uncomfortable again. He didn't need her help. He squared his shoulders getting ready to argue.
"Please, let me make the potions. I made a commitment and I intend to see it through," she said determinedly as she stood with her arms full of the flowers. His shoulders fell. Why was she able to disarm him so completely like that? He sighed heavily.
He then realized he had dodged a bullet. After her actions earlier on, he was sure was going to drag him into a conversation about emotions and about what had happened between them. But she had just wanted acknowledgment and the courtesy of truth. In all honesty, which he now felt he owed her, he was lucky to be stuck with her of all the witches it could have been.
"Very well then. Ah, I suppose you may go ahead and redo the Blood-Replenishing potions while I will make the Draught of Peace. It seems you will already need to return to the dungeons to treat that anyway," he said looking at the bandaged arm. Hermione's hand automatically moved to feel the bandages on her right arm. She had forgotten. She was glad McGonagall hadn't noticed in her interrogation. She would have had a fit.
"Ok," she said simply.
They both walked in silence back to the castle and back to the dungeons, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Hermione couldn't have explained what had just happened even if she wanted to.
"Albus, do you really think it is wise to have them work together? They are…very different," McGonagall said worriedly. She had always liked Hermione and wanted to watch out for her.
"Minerva, Voldemort is working Severus harder than ever! The Order is leaning on him as well. I think he needs someone to help shoulder the burden. Besides, I think it has been a while since Ms. Granger has had a good challenge, as working closely with Severus will undoubtedly prove to be," Dumbledore said as they made it back to the castle.
"But to make a Draught of Peace just to work with each other the first day?" she exclaimed. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"I believe I am correct in saying Severus has met his match. Two such strong and brilliant minds will undoubtedly clash, but I think they will end up being able to work quite well together," he said and turned to go up to his office.
McGonagall was not convinced as she walked away, but could not help but smile as she remembered how boldly Hermione had called Severus out- and to his face no less. He had met his match in deed.
Once back, Severus disappeared and returned with a burn salve for Hermione's arm. After making sure it healed correctly, they worked in relatively agreeable silence. She made the entire batch of Blood-Replenishing potion before Severus had finished the Draught of Peace. It had to boil for a good bit of time during which Hermione bottled and labeled the Blood-Replenishing Potion.
"The black cabinet behind my desk- it connects directly to the infirmary. Place them inside there. Madame Pomfrey will get them," Severus said as she finished labeling the last vial. She nodded and carefully carried the racks of potion back to the classroom she had sat in for so many years. She felt weird to step behind his desk.
Once she returned, Hermione observed what stage in the potion Severus was at and wordlessly hand-ground some moonstone which was the last ingredient in the Draught of Peace. He silently accepted her help. If there was one thing he understood, it was commitment to a promise.
As the potion finally reached the desired hue, Hermione looked at the clock. It was already 3am. As Hermione cleaned up, Severus bottled the potion into vials and labeled them. Hermione started to collect her things to leave when Severus' hand appeared in front of her holding out a box filled with individual doses of the Draught of Peace.
"I have kept some to appease Professor McGonagall. I thought you could use these to help you sleep. Ah, for you nightmares," Severus finished uncomfortably.
Hermione felt her chest tighten uncomfortably.
"I, uh, thank you. I mean, I hope you know that I was telling the truth earlier. The nightmares are not concerning you and me. Just Lucius and You-Know-Who. And sometimes my parents," she finished sheepishly. Severus tensed for a second before nodding curtly.
Hermione blew out the breath she was holding.
"Good. That's all that needs to be said I believe," Hermione breathed out. Her eyes met his. There was a moment of mutual appreciation.
Hermione turned and walked to the door but paused. She chewed her lip in deliberation before choosing to say "Goodnight, Severus."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione stepped through the portrait into Gryffindor common room and met two pairs of eye looking at her accusingly. Hermione sighed; she was never going to get to sleep. It was 3:30 am and apparently Harry and Ron had waited up for her.
"Hermione, where the hell have you been? And with Snape? I know you said you were working with him, but until 3am? Do you know how that looks?" Ron half-yelled. Hermione's eyes narrowed.
"And you know I have been with Professor Snape this entire time how?" she demanded.
Harry looked a little guilty and pulled out the Marauder's map.
"Sorry, Hermione. We didn't want to invade your privacy or anything, but we were-"
"You were what?" she snapped, though she started to feel bad for her anger.
"Worried, Hermione, we were worried. We swear," Ron said, looking a little fearful. Hermione sighed.
"I was working with Professor Snape. We were working on a potion when we realized we needed a particular ingredient we were out of. We went out to the grounds to find some and it took a lot longer than we expected, but we had to finish the potions tonight, so we worked until it was all done," Hermione explained much more calmly. She wished she could be completely honest with them, but she also knew Dumbledore meant for her to keep their work to herself. And she didn't particularly feel like discussing Severus with the two anyway; she knew their attitude toward him.
Harry and Ron both nodded in understanding and apologized again.
"It's okay, honestly. I'm sorry I snapped. But that's what happens when you work with Severus Snape for hours," she half-joked. Ron and Harry laughed. But then they stopped and looked at each other.
"Um, there was something else we wanted to talk about with you," Ron admitted.
"What is it?"Hermione asked, sitting down on the floor across from them by the fire. Harry looked around and cast a Muffliato charm around them.
"You remember last year when I found out about the Horcruxes and Dumbledore and I tried to learn about them? Well, even then I wanted to leave school and go on a search for them, but Dumbledore said I shouldn't, that I needed to remain under protection. And I know we talked about it and agreed not to, but things are different. I mean, I'm 17 so now we all are. I mean, you're almost 18," Harry began cautiously, not sure how Hermione would react.
Hermione frowned. She couldn't leave now. Severus needed her help. Not to mention if she left, Severus would undoubtedly be tortured and punished by Voldemort, if not killed.
"Harry, I am not dismissing your idea. In fact, I feel something bad is coming and we should be doing more about the Horcruxes. But before we do anything drastic like leaving Hogwart's, let's think about this. I mean, we have really good resources here. Why don't we do our research? Let's try to find out where these Horcruxes may be before we go looking for them. Also, we can actually plan how we might go about doing this. Please Harry, I do hear you. But let's actually prepare for this if we are going to do it," Hermione pleaded.
Ron laughed.
"I knew she would say something like that. Let's research this and research that," Ron joked. Harry sighed.
"You know Hermione, I don't think we would have survived past first year without you," Harry conceded.
"Does that mean you will listen to me about this?" Hermione asked unsurely.
After a few moments and thought, Harry reluctantly said "Yes." Hermione smiled and leaned over to hug Harry and then Ron.
"Thank you guys. I know how much you want to do this, I just want to make sure we can do our best," Hermione said, "And don't you ever think you can get away with using the Map to invade my privacy ever again. I will set Ginny on you," Hermione threatened.
Ron cringed and Harry laughed. They both knew of the power Ginny was capable of when she wanted it.
Ron headed upstairs, but Harry stayed behind.
"Are you really okay? I mean, I'm fairly sure there are things you haven't told us, but I also know you have a good reason if that's true," Harry said, looking worried. Hermione sighed, though not unhappily.
"I've told you everything I can tell you, Harry, believe me."
"I do. I just worry. If you weren't my friend you would never have gone through any of this," Harry said.
"But, as you pointed out, if I wasn't your friend, you wouldn't have even survived first year," Hermione offered a small smile.
Harry cracked into a grin.
"That's true."
Harry wrapped Hermione in a bear hug. Hermione felt guilty when it occurred to her that Harry wasn't as firm-chested as Severus. Hermione shook the thought from her head and returned the hug.
Hermione said goodnight and went upstairs to her dormitory, trying not to wake Lavender or Parvati. Fay and Kellah, her other regular dorm-mates had not returned for their 7th year, and neither had returned any owls. Hermione hoped both were safe. She wasn't particularly close to either of them, but after living with them for six years she did care about them.
Hermione slipped into bed with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She would now have to divide all her time between her work with Severus, her research for Harry, and her classes which were quickly taking a lower priority. She was going to keep her grades up, but she couldn't shake the feeling she wouldn't be at Hogwart's for the NEWT's. She had a feeling Voldemort wouldn't be so nice as to let them all finish their seventh year before he planned another attack or something. And he didn't know what she was going to do about Harry ad Ron wanting to leave to find Horcuxes. She had bought some time with her well-intentioned excuse of needing to research, but what would happen when they were prepared?
Hermione fell into a restless and anxious sleep.
Hermione slept as late as possible, which was until about 9. She quickly showered and grabbed an apple for breakfast before hurrying to her first class on Tuesday; NEWT level Defense Against the Dark Arts at 10 am.
For their first lesson, Lupin taught them in detail about the Unforgivable curses, as well as some other equally nasty curses and hexes. Though the Ministry had not approved it, Dumbledore had approved a more in-depth curriculum for the course, especially now during the war.
By the end of class, Lupin made them all try to fight off the Imperius Curse, which all of the trio could now easily do.
Hermione was also happy to hear Lupin talk about Occlumency at the end of the lesson. He offered to set up lessons with anyone who was interested, but anyone under 17 had to have parent's permission. Hermione was pleased with her ability in Occlumency, but she pressured Ron to take lessons. He was the only one of the trio who hadn't learned it.
Hermione had a break between DADA and advanced Transfiguration, which she decided to spend in the library researching anything she could find on Horcruxes. She ventured to the Restricted section which she long ago got a pass to get into, thanks to Dumbledore. He trusted her to use the resources there wisely and carefully.
She went to one of the backmost shelves for a book she needed for Horcrux research titled Secrets of the Darkest Art. She saw where it should have been shelved, but it was gone.
"What are you doing back here?"
Hermione almost jumped out of her skin. She had been on her tiptoes to see the shelf and quickly toppled over, though she didn't have far to fall because Severus was mere inches behind her. She twisted and fell face first into his chest with an 'oomph.' One of her hands caught onto his arm while the other landed on his chest.
"You should be more aware of your surroundings," he commented smoothly while pulling her back up to an upright position. Her hand lingered on his chest when she felt a jolt of electricity sprout out from where he was touching her arm. Hermione could have sworn he felt it too because she saw a momentary flash of intensity on his face.
"You should be more aware of your affect on people," Hermione quickly quipped, clutching her hand at her rapidly beating heart as she took a step back from him. He had very much startled her.
"I am aware of my affect on people, and I am quite happy with it. But I believe I asked you a question. What are you doing here?" he repeated in a very low tone. Hermione supposed he meant his voice to sound menacing, but it did not... And what did he mean, he was happy about the affect he had on people? She wondered if this was all in her head. Perhaps after having all those dreams, she was just imagining things now. Those damn dreams. The dreams were vivid. She couldn't help it. She couldn't help the way she found him oddly and darkly intriguing, even though she had to convince him to trust her every other day.
"I have a pass," she finally responded, showing him the slip Dumbledore had given her the year before.
"That still did not answer my question," he repeated, suddenly seeming annoyed. "And here I was, thinking you valued honesty above all between us," he said referencing their conversation from the night before as he sneered and began to walk away.
"Hey, stop! If you must know, what I am researching is something I should not talk about out freely," Hermione said quickly, looking around as if anyone else would be in the Restricted Section.
Severus seemed to be intrigued and turned back to an exasperated Hermione. His mood swings really exhausted her.
Severus cast a Muffliato charm and quirked an eyebrow, asking for her to continue.
"Listen, it's something to do with You-Know-Who and how he has managed to stay alive. Dumbledore and Harry have investigated it, and I am just-"
"Horcruxes," Severus interrupted looking at her as if he had just now seen her properly.
"Oh, so Dumbledore has told you?" Hermione asked stupidly. Severus scoffed.
"Dumbledore has asked me to try to find out about them and where they might be. Even being in the Dark Lord's most inner circle, I have not been able to find anything out. I must beg the question, why are you researching this?" he asked.
"Well, I'm trying to help Harry figure it all out. I think the war is coming to a head soon and seeing as You-Know-Who can't die with the Horcruxes still existing, I feel like we need to be doing something. Even if I am just researching things that Dumbledore already knows, I want to understand it the best I can myself," Hermione defended herself, feeling somewhat annoyed at him for questioning her like that.
"Which is why you were looking for Secrets of the Darkest Art?" Severus asked smoothly, looking at the empty space on the shelf.
"Uh, well, yeah," Hermione said, "How do you..?"
"Since learning about the Horcruxes, Dumbledore has done plenty of research himself. I believe he has that particular book in his office. But I must ask, how do you know of the book?" he asked, genuinely curious. It was Hermione's turn to smirk.
"Perks of being an 'insufferable know-it-all' and a bookworm. I am aware of a great many works, both good and evil. Though I've never practiced any of the Dark Arts I've researched and read about, I know many of the books, including that one," Hermione said, tilting her head to the side to gauge his reactions. She mentioned studying Dark Arts which she knew may be a touchy subject for him. Dumbledore had explained Severus' past as a Death Eater and his current position as a double-agent to Harry at the end of the previous year. Severus shifted uncomfortably.
"Very interesting. Well then, Ms. Insufferable Know-It-All," he relished the words in a way that told Hermione he remembered speaking them before, "you wouldn't happen to know a book that tells how to temporarily induce death?" Severus asked as he scanned the shelves, apparently looking for something himself.
"Immortalirituals," she said absent-mindedly, as she looked at a few titles herself that caught her eye.
"What?" he asked.
"Were you serious about the subject you are looking for?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Yes," he answered, raising an eyebrow.
"Immortalirituals, the book accidentally took from Romania? The one I had to give to You-Know-Who?" she asked hurriedly. Severus saw her eyes brighten with an idea.
He sighed in disappointment. "I told you, it can't help-"
"It doesn't just cover how to become immortal," Hermione said, and quickly continued at the look he gave her, "Even though you told me I had nothing to worry about for giving You-Know-Who the book, I went ahead and researched what topics that book covered for my peace of mind! Based on my research, I believe it covers some spells or potions or something that can induce temporary death in the target," she said the last few words excitedly, quoting what she had found in her research word-for-word. "Didn't you say that Professor Dumbledore examined a copy?"
"Yes, but he destroyed it afterward for protection from the Dark Lord for fear he may find some other use for it," Severus said though he was looking at Hermione in amazement. Who went through that much trouble to cover all their bases? How the hell did she remember all that?
"…Does You-Know-Who still have that copy?" Hermione asked slowly. When he didn't answer, she went on.
"Can you tell me what you are researching it for? If it is something for the war, that's what I'm supposed to be helping you with," Hermione insisted. Severus considered her for a few long moments.
"Come to the dungeons tonight at 8. If Dumbledore allows me," Severus said seriously and walked past her to leave, but paused. "I do not think Dumbledore will give you the copy of Secrets of the Darkest Art even if it is to research Horcruxes, but if you want to start with a general understanding, find Magick Moste Evile," Severus said thoughtfully.
"I read that last year. But thank you," Hermione smiled.
Surprisingly, Severus returned the smile, even if it was more of a smirk.
"I should have known," was the last thing he said before walking away hurriedly.
Hermione watched Severus leave the library, curiosity almost overwhelming her. She also felt somewhat worried. If they were to retrieve that book, that would mean going to Voldemort's headquarters again. She didn't know how she was supposed to concentrate on anything until 8 that night.
Take note that I used harrypotter dot wikia dot com to find out their birthdays and year. Hermione's birthday is September 19, 1979. Ron: March 1, 1980. Harry: July 31, 1980. This means going into their 7th year, Harry and Ron are 17, and Hermione is about to turn 18. Just to clear up any age questions.
Reviews are valued and appreciated!