Chapter 21 – Pickles

Severus Snape was never thought of as a cheery person. In fact, if he were ever accused of being cheery he would most likely curse whoever had said so quickly and be done with it. But today, he was so far from cheery that a black cloud seemed to be following him around.

Luckily for everyone else, it was rather late when Severus returned to the castle. He stealthily evaded all obstacles that were in his way while he stalked through the long corridors. He entered the dungeons and took comfort in the smell of brewing potions. He weaved through the complex systems of corridors until he found himself in the Slytherin Dormitory.

He then commenced in his cheerless pacing. It's been ages sense he had paced, he felt, he's been spending too much time in that damned library. And that was part of the problem, wasn't it?

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I planted my feet (should I say paws? I suppose I shall…). I planted my paws firmly on the ground next to Remus and squared off against the Therianthropes in front of me.

I sensed the other packs unease while I stood beside Remus. He was growling low in his chest, like a motor humming. I tried to remain passive, I did not want to fight with this group. They were obviously experienced in a way where survival was the only option. Remus, while more experienced than I, would never hold up against this pack of fighters.

The Therianthrope that was at the center of the line advanced a few paces, obviously confused as to why I was still standing with the werewolf.

Sister, a voicein my head said, join us. I looked up into the steady gaze of the Therianthrope in front of me. I looked at the group in confusion. Was it possible? Did they really talk to me telepathically?

I concentrated on the Therianthrope in front of me, she looked to be the leader in the group. I will not leave my pack-brother.

The air was filled with tension and after my declaration it became more pronounced.

Remus registered the tension and growled softly, low in his throat. The sound triggered an unmitigated response. Each of the moon creatures tensed, getting ready to defend themselves against the enemy.

I realized that Remus and I were in huge trouble. Remus was bigger than any of us in the clearing but he was truly wild, he contained a force inside of him that dwarfed any of the rest of us. But the Therianthropes were powerful as well. They also had a lifetime of experiences, all were fights to the death and all of these turned out well for them.

I got closer to Remus as James and Sirius came to stand next to us, readily joining our rag-tag pack. Remus let out a blood thirsty howl which was soon joined by others, mine included. We squared off and then, the battle began.

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Severus collapse onto his bed and glared at the canopy. The silk sheets underneath him served him no comfort as they once had. Now, all he could think of was Hermione's face, cold and pale without the spark of life burning in her eyes.

Severus Snape was in a pickle.

He knew this and was irritated with himself. The muggle saying that bubbled into his brain only served to infuriate him further. He glanced outside and watched as the sun slowly ascended into the pale sky.

Getting up from the bed he pulled off his Death Eater cloaked and changed into his dark green, velvety cloak. He stashed the ragged cloak into the hollowed out bed post and sighed heavily. He turned and left the Slytherin Dormitory. Hermione and Remus should be returning soon and he wanted to be there to apologize for not seeing her off. He tried to think of an excuse but finally decided to make up something on the spot, that always brought about the best stories.

Climbing the stairs that led into the Entrance Hall, Severus heard hushed voices and frantic steps, accompanied by the sound of something being dragged. Severus walked towards the sounds with insatiable curiosity. He turned the corner and froze.

His breath came in short spurts and his vision swam. All he could see was her pale skin and matted brown hair. He looked down and nearly fainted.

Blood.

It was all over the floor, pooling together and dripping down the stairs and through the cracks in the flagstones. His feet began moving towards her.

"What happened?" He asked hoarsely, his voice too quiet to shake.

Sirius looked up at Severus, his eyes haunted, "We shouldn't talk here." He struggled to get Hermione up the first stair, on his way to the Hospital Wing. Severus frowned and grabbed Hermione's arm and wrapped it around his neck. He put his other arm under Hermione's knees and lifted her up, bridal style.

"Help James with Remus," He commanded curtly, beginning to walk up the stairs.

Sirius looked back and frowned. He would have laughed if it weren't such a grim situation. James was holding onto Remus but was nearly falling over because of the unexpected weight of Remus. Sirius and James hefted Remus up and followed Severus to the Hospital Wing.

Peter was waiting at the door, holding it open for them. He had run ahead to make sure that Madame Pomfrey was ready for them. Severus entered the room and lay Hermione down on the bed as gently as he could. He brushed the hair off of her face, looking gently into Hermione's face.

He would be kidding himself if he said he wasn't looking for signs of life.

Severus was pushed out of the hospital by the stern young woman who was wearing a St. Mungo's uniform. He leaned against the wall, alone. He closed his eyes and remembered what he was imagining earlier in the morning. A lump began to form in his throat, the burning feeling that he had avoided for so long.

Severus put his face in his hands, remembering the face that had come to mean so much to him. He remembered the hair that he had looked at with disdain, but now he remembered it matted in blood and clinging to his chest. He shuddered as he remembered the way her arms limply hung at her sides and the way her head rested against his chest, not moving.

Severus looked down at his hands, still covered in her blood. His chest was covered in her blood as well.

Her blood, the only thing he had left of her.

He shook as he walked, thinking hard. Then, a solution. It came to him like a strike of lightening. Now all he had to do was talk to them…

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Julie Fleegle pushed the heavy oak doors open and entered the Great Hall with her friends behind her. Immediately upon entering the room Julie noticed a silence in the room, a silence so heavy and deafening that she felt its weight upon her shoulders.

Julie and her friends sat down at the Ravenclaw tabled and Julie folded her hands in her lap. She felt like she was about to be scolded for something and she didn't like it. The room was tense, every shoulder was rigid. Julie glanced at the Gryffindor and hoped for some reprieve from the gloom.

Her eyes scanned the table up and down but could not find a single Marauder. She had hoped that they were here, they always seemed to be able to lighten any situation.

Suddenly, Dumbledore was at the podium, clearing his throat.

Dumbledore looked older than ever, there were lines in his face that were nonexistent the day before and his eyes contained an immeasurable sadness. The tension increased leaving Julie feeling the ineffable effects. Finally, he addressed the students.

"Last night," he began, his voice cracking, "one of our students was out in the forest, blatantly disobeying school rules." The air around Julie became electrified. The Marauders. Was this why they weren't in the Hall? Everyone was aware of their late night romps in the forest, with them believing themselves invincible. "This student was confronted by a horde of rogue unicorns."

Dumbledore looked down at his hands, unable to continue speaking. He looked up and Julie wasn't sure if she was imagining the moisture on his face. "It's my duty to inform you all that that student was severely injured and passed away early this morning."

The silence that was previously in the room was broken as people received the news in shock and horror. Various first years and other emotional girls began to cry, some silently and some in loud sobs.

Dumbledore brought his hand up to his face and was silent. Suddenly, he turned and left the Hall from the door that was behind the High Table, apparently too overcome to continue on.

McGonagall stood and came to the front of the room and addressed the students. She informed them that there would be a memorial held in the Great Hall at noon and that classes for the next day would be canceled.

Julie Fleegle left the Great Hall amidst a flurry of activity.

She couldn't believe it. Hermione Granger was dead.