Chapter 14
A/N: Okay, you all are in luck! I have a friend who has agreed to do some typing for me, so I will be able to get the chapters out faster. I have through Chapter 23 written so far, and it isn't over yet! So without further adieu, here is Chapter 14, thanks to Angel.
"Oh Gods, Are You Sleeping With Him?" or "Ron is Having Kittens"
"Hermione!" Harry ran to Hermione and enveloped her into a large bear hug. "You weren't on the train; Ron and I were so worried about you. What happened?"
"Harry, slow down. It is a long story. Let's make sure we get a carriage to ourselves and I will explain everything to you."
"Alright. Come see Ron; he was having kittens when you didn't show."
"Okay. Let's find Ron and Ginny. Better grab Neville too."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Hermione endured another round of 20 questions from her remaining group of friends and she likewise stalled them until they got into their carriage.
"All right, now I will tell you everything, but you can't interrupt or I will never get through this. Okay?"
She received four nods from apprehensive faces.
"All right. First of all, I won't be living in Gryffindor Tower, nor will I be attending any classes with you."
Neville looked horrified, and the others were in shock.
"You all know what happened to my parents. So I decided to try this potion that I read about in the library. It had an unfortunate side effect in that it caused me to faint in the hall. I was taken to the hospital wing and Poppy ran some tests. I have a muggle illness: acute leukemia."
Harry's face fell and a tear ran down his cheek. The other three looked very confused.
"What's that?"
"Is that something like the flu?"
"They can fix it, right?"
It was Harry who spoke first. "No, Ron. They can't. It is a bad form of cancer. How long, 'Mione?"
"Harry! What do you mean, 'how long'?! You're acting like she has a death sentence!"
"Ginny, it is all right. He is right. I am going to die; Poppy gave me six months, a year tops."
Neville finally spoke. "So, not that we aren't glad, but why are you here and not in the hospital?"
"Because there is nothing a hospital can do for me. This is my home now, and I would rather finish out my life here, with you, as you are the only family I have left. I am taking my lessons with a private tutor so that I can take my NEWTS early and still graduate."
"Who is your tutor? McGonagall?"
"No, Harry. She is too busy with the Animagus class that is now being offered. My tutor is...Professor Snape."
"Snape! What is that overgrown bat doing? Has Dumbledore flipped his lid?"
"Sev...Professor Snape is the one who found me in the hall and carried me to the hospital wing. I have been working with him over the past few weeks, and he isn't as bad as you think he is, Ron. He can be really kind and considerate."
"Are you seeing him, 'Mione? 'Cause it sounds like there is something going on."
"Harry, don't be ridiculous. This is Snape you two are talking about. Hermione wouldn't stoop that low."
"Ron, you are an ass."
Ron stared at his sister in shock. "Not you too. Hermione, tell them it isn't true."
"I can't, Ron, because it is. We are seeing each other."
"Hermione! This is bloody Snape! He has been cruel to you since our first day of class! How can you possibly... Oh Gods, are you sleeping with him?!"
Ginny finally had enough. She hexed her brother so that the only sound he could make was the braying of an ass. She looked very satisfied with herself. Harry looked at Hermione, took her hand, and looked at her, straight in the eyes. His tear-stained face was sad and he looked tired.
"Does he make you happy, 'Mione?"
"Yes, Harry. He does. Very much."
"Then you have my support and blessing. I take it you are staying in the dungeons then?"
"Yes. My rooms are next to his. You can only get in through Floo. I will set the permissions to recognize all of you. Thank you for understanding."
Ron tried to say something, with no luck.
"Ronald Weasley, I will take the hex of you, but I swear, if you say ANYTHING to upset Hermione, I will make it permanent. Believe me, I know how. You forget that, like Mum, I specialize in Charms and Hexes." Ginny muttered something and Ron was capable of speech.
"I don't like it, 'Mione, but you deserve to be happy. If he makes you happy, I won't try to stop you."
"Thank you, Ron, for everything. Now let's go eat; I'm starved!"
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Severus was glad to see Hermione eating and laughing with her friends, but something in him made him wonder just how much she had told them. Had she told them about the extent of their relationship? When he saw Ron give her a half-hug as they laughed, he came to the conclusion that she had not.
~I wonder why she didn't tell them? Perhaps the opportunity didn't present itself. Or could she be ashamed of you? I wouldn't be surprised. I knew this was too good to be true. Or am I jumping to conclusions? I just don't know what to believe anymore.~
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Hermione left her companions at the stairs, they to go to their dorms in Gryffindor tower, she to Severus' quarters in the dungeons. She walked to the nearest fireplace and took the pouch at her side, throwing a handful of Floo powder into the fire. "Potions classroom!"
She landed harshly on the floor. She picked herself up and walked over to the portrait.
"Good evening, Salazar."
"Good evening, Hermione. Glad to see you well."
"Thank you, Salazar. It is good to be well."
"Yes. Well, he and Draco are already waiting for you in his quarters."
"Thank you. Corinth."
Hermione quickly gave the password to the Black Wolf in the private poitions lab. She stepped into the now familiar quarters of her boyfriend. He and Draco were seated by the fire, which was charmed to give off no heat.
"You will have to teach me that charm, Severus. I often like the light of a fire, but it is frequently to warm for one."
"Well, Hermione love, you will have to ask Draco. He invented it."
"Really. Well, it's no wonder you made Prefect." Hermione drew her own wand.
Severus was anxious for a moment, thinking she might hex Draco right then and there. But then she turned her wand to the heatless, orange fire and charmed it to the purple she preferred.
"Nice one, Granger. Can you turn it green?"
Hermione charmed it green and then back to purple. "We'll trade a charm for a charm. If you show me how to turn it green, I'll show you how to make it heatless. Green will go so much better in the Slytherin common room and in my room."
"Sounds like a fair trade to me." Hermione and Draco chatted for a bit while Severus sat flabbergasted . Who would have guessed that these two got along as well. Finally after a moment or so he decided to get down to the business at hand. He was just about to start when Draco spoke up.
"Well, Uncle Severus, you obviously called us here for reason."
"Yes, Draco, I did. Judging by the fact that you two haven't tried to kill each other yet, both of you already have some idea that things are not as they seem. Draco, Hermione knows everything."
"Are you insane, Uncle? You have signed my death warrant, and hers."
Hermione started laughing when Draco made that statement.
"What is quite so funny, Granger? You find Death funny?"
"No, Draco, I don't. I have seen Death first-hand, thanks to your father this past summer. However, the irony of the statement made me laugh. I am already dying; a muggle illness. I will not live long enough to betray your delicate position, nor would I give up a thing if I were captured."
Draco looked awestruck and quite sad. "I am sorry, Hermione. I really am, and yes, Lucius was there. I stayed home to take care of our house elves who had been on the receiving end of Lucius' Crucios. I am sorry I could not be there to try and stop him."
"It's all right, Draco. I have found my peace with it. I am sure if you could have done anything, you would have."
"Well, that still doesn't explain why you are down here, with Uncle Severus."
"Well, Draco, I can explain that. Dumbledore has assigned me as her private tutor, so that she will be able to finish school. In our time together, I have grown rather fond of Hermione, and - by some miracle - she of me."
"You're lovers."
"Yes, I suppose if you want to put it bluntly. She is also staying in a secluded room here in the dungeons. It will be up to her to set permissions for you to her room. I want you to watch out for her, keep an eye on her when I can't. You are the only one in a position to do so that I trust. Will you?"
"Yes, Uncle. I will." Draco rubbed his cheek, remembering their third year. "Though, as I remember, she is more than capable of taking care of herself."
"I will set the permissions for you tomorrow, Draco. We will need to teach each other those charms."
"All right. See you tomorrow, Draco."
Draco left and Hermione left to the same, but was restrained by Severus.
"Hermione, I have to know: how much did you tell your friends?"
"Oh, Sev...are you feeling a bit insecure?"
"Can you blame me? I know that they don't think highly of me."
"Severus, I told them everything, both about my ilness and about our relationship. Ron is the only one who is having trouble with it, but they have accepted it. They want me to be happy."
"Do I make you happy?"
"You know you do, Severus, or I wouldn't be here."
"Thank you, love, I just needed to hear it."
"I know. I understand. I will see you tomorrow. When is your free period?"
"I have about an hour before lunch, an hour before dinner, and then after dinner."
"All right, I will be here before lunch then."
With that, she Flooed to her room, leaving Sev to watch the heatless, purple fire.
A/N: Okay, you all are in luck! I have a friend who has agreed to do some typing for me, so I will be able to get the chapters out faster. I have through Chapter 23 written so far, and it isn't over yet! So without further adieu, here is Chapter 14, thanks to Angel.
"Oh Gods, Are You Sleeping With Him?" or "Ron is Having Kittens"
"Hermione!" Harry ran to Hermione and enveloped her into a large bear hug. "You weren't on the train; Ron and I were so worried about you. What happened?"
"Harry, slow down. It is a long story. Let's make sure we get a carriage to ourselves and I will explain everything to you."
"Alright. Come see Ron; he was having kittens when you didn't show."
"Okay. Let's find Ron and Ginny. Better grab Neville too."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Hermione endured another round of 20 questions from her remaining group of friends and she likewise stalled them until they got into their carriage.
"All right, now I will tell you everything, but you can't interrupt or I will never get through this. Okay?"
She received four nods from apprehensive faces.
"All right. First of all, I won't be living in Gryffindor Tower, nor will I be attending any classes with you."
Neville looked horrified, and the others were in shock.
"You all know what happened to my parents. So I decided to try this potion that I read about in the library. It had an unfortunate side effect in that it caused me to faint in the hall. I was taken to the hospital wing and Poppy ran some tests. I have a muggle illness: acute leukemia."
Harry's face fell and a tear ran down his cheek. The other three looked very confused.
"What's that?"
"Is that something like the flu?"
"They can fix it, right?"
It was Harry who spoke first. "No, Ron. They can't. It is a bad form of cancer. How long, 'Mione?"
"Harry! What do you mean, 'how long'?! You're acting like she has a death sentence!"
"Ginny, it is all right. He is right. I am going to die; Poppy gave me six months, a year tops."
Neville finally spoke. "So, not that we aren't glad, but why are you here and not in the hospital?"
"Because there is nothing a hospital can do for me. This is my home now, and I would rather finish out my life here, with you, as you are the only family I have left. I am taking my lessons with a private tutor so that I can take my NEWTS early and still graduate."
"Who is your tutor? McGonagall?"
"No, Harry. She is too busy with the Animagus class that is now being offered. My tutor is...Professor Snape."
"Snape! What is that overgrown bat doing? Has Dumbledore flipped his lid?"
"Sev...Professor Snape is the one who found me in the hall and carried me to the hospital wing. I have been working with him over the past few weeks, and he isn't as bad as you think he is, Ron. He can be really kind and considerate."
"Are you seeing him, 'Mione? 'Cause it sounds like there is something going on."
"Harry, don't be ridiculous. This is Snape you two are talking about. Hermione wouldn't stoop that low."
"Ron, you are an ass."
Ron stared at his sister in shock. "Not you too. Hermione, tell them it isn't true."
"I can't, Ron, because it is. We are seeing each other."
"Hermione! This is bloody Snape! He has been cruel to you since our first day of class! How can you possibly... Oh Gods, are you sleeping with him?!"
Ginny finally had enough. She hexed her brother so that the only sound he could make was the braying of an ass. She looked very satisfied with herself. Harry looked at Hermione, took her hand, and looked at her, straight in the eyes. His tear-stained face was sad and he looked tired.
"Does he make you happy, 'Mione?"
"Yes, Harry. He does. Very much."
"Then you have my support and blessing. I take it you are staying in the dungeons then?"
"Yes. My rooms are next to his. You can only get in through Floo. I will set the permissions to recognize all of you. Thank you for understanding."
Ron tried to say something, with no luck.
"Ronald Weasley, I will take the hex of you, but I swear, if you say ANYTHING to upset Hermione, I will make it permanent. Believe me, I know how. You forget that, like Mum, I specialize in Charms and Hexes." Ginny muttered something and Ron was capable of speech.
"I don't like it, 'Mione, but you deserve to be happy. If he makes you happy, I won't try to stop you."
"Thank you, Ron, for everything. Now let's go eat; I'm starved!"
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Severus was glad to see Hermione eating and laughing with her friends, but something in him made him wonder just how much she had told them. Had she told them about the extent of their relationship? When he saw Ron give her a half-hug as they laughed, he came to the conclusion that she had not.
~I wonder why she didn't tell them? Perhaps the opportunity didn't present itself. Or could she be ashamed of you? I wouldn't be surprised. I knew this was too good to be true. Or am I jumping to conclusions? I just don't know what to believe anymore.~
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Hermione left her companions at the stairs, they to go to their dorms in Gryffindor tower, she to Severus' quarters in the dungeons. She walked to the nearest fireplace and took the pouch at her side, throwing a handful of Floo powder into the fire. "Potions classroom!"
She landed harshly on the floor. She picked herself up and walked over to the portrait.
"Good evening, Salazar."
"Good evening, Hermione. Glad to see you well."
"Thank you, Salazar. It is good to be well."
"Yes. Well, he and Draco are already waiting for you in his quarters."
"Thank you. Corinth."
Hermione quickly gave the password to the Black Wolf in the private poitions lab. She stepped into the now familiar quarters of her boyfriend. He and Draco were seated by the fire, which was charmed to give off no heat.
"You will have to teach me that charm, Severus. I often like the light of a fire, but it is frequently to warm for one."
"Well, Hermione love, you will have to ask Draco. He invented it."
"Really. Well, it's no wonder you made Prefect." Hermione drew her own wand.
Severus was anxious for a moment, thinking she might hex Draco right then and there. But then she turned her wand to the heatless, orange fire and charmed it to the purple she preferred.
"Nice one, Granger. Can you turn it green?"
Hermione charmed it green and then back to purple. "We'll trade a charm for a charm. If you show me how to turn it green, I'll show you how to make it heatless. Green will go so much better in the Slytherin common room and in my room."
"Sounds like a fair trade to me." Hermione and Draco chatted for a bit while Severus sat flabbergasted . Who would have guessed that these two got along as well. Finally after a moment or so he decided to get down to the business at hand. He was just about to start when Draco spoke up.
"Well, Uncle Severus, you obviously called us here for reason."
"Yes, Draco, I did. Judging by the fact that you two haven't tried to kill each other yet, both of you already have some idea that things are not as they seem. Draco, Hermione knows everything."
"Are you insane, Uncle? You have signed my death warrant, and hers."
Hermione started laughing when Draco made that statement.
"What is quite so funny, Granger? You find Death funny?"
"No, Draco, I don't. I have seen Death first-hand, thanks to your father this past summer. However, the irony of the statement made me laugh. I am already dying; a muggle illness. I will not live long enough to betray your delicate position, nor would I give up a thing if I were captured."
Draco looked awestruck and quite sad. "I am sorry, Hermione. I really am, and yes, Lucius was there. I stayed home to take care of our house elves who had been on the receiving end of Lucius' Crucios. I am sorry I could not be there to try and stop him."
"It's all right, Draco. I have found my peace with it. I am sure if you could have done anything, you would have."
"Well, that still doesn't explain why you are down here, with Uncle Severus."
"Well, Draco, I can explain that. Dumbledore has assigned me as her private tutor, so that she will be able to finish school. In our time together, I have grown rather fond of Hermione, and - by some miracle - she of me."
"You're lovers."
"Yes, I suppose if you want to put it bluntly. She is also staying in a secluded room here in the dungeons. It will be up to her to set permissions for you to her room. I want you to watch out for her, keep an eye on her when I can't. You are the only one in a position to do so that I trust. Will you?"
"Yes, Uncle. I will." Draco rubbed his cheek, remembering their third year. "Though, as I remember, she is more than capable of taking care of herself."
"I will set the permissions for you tomorrow, Draco. We will need to teach each other those charms."
"All right. See you tomorrow, Draco."
Draco left and Hermione left to the same, but was restrained by Severus.
"Hermione, I have to know: how much did you tell your friends?"
"Oh, Sev...are you feeling a bit insecure?"
"Can you blame me? I know that they don't think highly of me."
"Severus, I told them everything, both about my ilness and about our relationship. Ron is the only one who is having trouble with it, but they have accepted it. They want me to be happy."
"Do I make you happy?"
"You know you do, Severus, or I wouldn't be here."
"Thank you, love, I just needed to hear it."
"I know. I understand. I will see you tomorrow. When is your free period?"
"I have about an hour before lunch, an hour before dinner, and then after dinner."
"All right, I will be here before lunch then."
With that, she Flooed to her room, leaving Sev to watch the heatless, purple fire.