Hey Everyone!! Sorry about the wait, and a I've hit a small block with my Muse, this is what you've got. Two words: Real Life. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but hopefully it will be earlier than this one took.
Don't forget to review!!
Chapter Fifty Two: Learning To Share
Hermione leapt from Blaise's arms as soon as the flames dissipated, whirling to stare at him, wide eyed and backing away.
"What the hell was that?!!!" she practically shrieked, feeling her hands shaking with the shock delivered to her system.
Blaise seemed unaffected by Hermione's current demeanour toward him, merely blinking at the sudden outburst. "That can be explained to you at a later time," he replied smoothly. He turned toward the door they'd appeared beside and opened it, stepping back immediately to reveal the staircase to the Astronomy Tower. "Not to worry, Granger. Harry already knows of me, and I of him, but as I said … that can wait." Hermione stood, stunned, but Blaise simply gestured to the staircase and said, "Go up and see him. You saw what happened, and you can talk sense into him. Maybe convince him to visit the village today with most of the others? He could use a simple stroll through Hogsmeade."
Hermione swallowed nervously and let her eyes flick to the open doorway before returning to the almost pleading eyes of the boy in front of her. It was true that she had noticed Cal's poor reaction to Liz pulling away from him like that in order to dash toward her father, but she didn't really understand why it had upset him so. Did Blaise know more than he was letting on? She was unsure, but then, she was also unsure of what he'd done to get them both up here so quickly. She only pondered the request a moment longer, deciding that she would try to get Cal to calm whatever was troubling his mind, and coax him to visit Hogsmeade with her. It was a Hogsmeade day due to Halloween, and Hermione agreed that a short trip to the quaint village might unravel Cal's nerves a little.
"All right," she nodded, stepping towards the stairs. Blaise merely jerked his head in thanks before turning around and striding down the corridor, disappearing around the corner. Hermione watched him leave, took a deep breath, and began to climb.
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Ron watched, self-satisfied, as the school owl flew away into the distance. He'd never felt so exhilarated before in his life, knowing what it was that was in the letter, and the subsequent actions that would be put into motion due to its contents. He almost felt all powerful, to know he had held such control over someone else's fate.
He was glad that he'd split off from his other Year Mates after they'd deserted the Room of Requirement, for this was an experience he never wanted to share with anyone.
Ron didn't know how long he'd stared dreamily from the Owlery, when a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention out on one of the taller towers. At first he couldn't tell who had suddenly emerged on the top of the Astronomy Tower, but the next moment, his eyes widened in alarm and recognition, as the figure suddenly changed size and sprouted a set of wings and tail.
"Harry?" Ron whispered almost wistfully. He abruptly shook his head, remembering that this was now "Callen Snape…" not his former friend. He let a malicious grin form on his lips, just staring at the statue-like body as the wings were extended slightly, as though for balance. It was only then that Ron saw that the Avatar was standing easily on the very edge of the parapet.
Too bad he's got wings, Ron thought viciously, a renewed resolve that the letter he'd just loosed was the right thing to do. Maybe the second attempt would work better than the first…? The smirk that momentarily lit up the red-heads features vanished just as abruptly as a second figure entered the highest classroom; their identity was extremely obvious due to the large amount of bushy hair blowing about in the breeze.
Hermione.
Ron scowled deeply, watching the pair as they shared a few words together. It seemed that they were having a mild argument, what with all the agitated hand gestures they were flinging about. Ron sneered when he saw Snape abruptly turn his back on Hermione, the large wings just barely missing the girl, steadfastly ignoring any further attempts to engage him in conversation. Ron harrumphed and turned away, not wishing to throw up his breakfast, which he was sure he'd do if he had to watch the couple quarrelling any longer.
Soon, Ron thought to himself as he walked briskly toward the Library, intent on looking up a particular spell that would achieve his desired effect. Soon it'll be all over for you, little Snape … and I will be the victor, basking in my spoils…
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The Potions classroom had only just emptied of the last few celebrating stragglers, finally leaving for Hogsmeade due to Halloween, and leaving the last four occupants to their troubled thoughts.
Severus was sitting on his desk, Liz sitting beside and leaning against him. Severus' arm was slung over the smaller girl comfortingly, for the girl seemed most distraught about something. Severus himself seemed dazed, his eyes unfocused and blank.
Jessica had taken a stool at the desk right beside her immediate family, her forehead resting against her palm, staring at the stained and pitted wooden table her elbows rested on.
Albus Dumbledore was standing off to the side a bit, his blue eyes gazing at the door to the room, almost as though he were expecting someone to come barging in at any moment.
All in all, the silence was incredibly stifling and uncomfortable, almost demanding that someone make some sort of noise or say something, but no one knew of any words to say, even if all their minds were replaying Callen's abrupt leave-taking when Severus had finally been cured of his mind-altering ailment.
The door opened all of a sudden, making everyone look up or turn to face it, in time to see Blaise Zabini stroll in and look around inquisitively.
"Party finish early, did it?" he quipped.
"Where's Callen?" Severus blurted immediately, ignoring the Slytherins slight jibe. "You followed him and Granger … what happened?"
Blaise held out his hands in a calming motion, "Now take it easy, Professor. Harry decided to take a jaunt up to the Astronomy Tower, as always, so I dropped Hermione off to talk to him sensibly about his barging out of here …" he trailed off as he noticed everyone staring at him. "What?"
Without wasting a second, Severus had drawn his wand and waved it at the door, slamming it closed and casting half a dozen silencing charms on it, before lowering his gaze back toward the slight young man in front of him.
Quite, yet deceivingly calmly, Severus said, "Mr Zabini, would you care to repeat that sentence for me, if you'd be so kind?"
Blaise looked mildly uneasy, but still obliged. "What? All said, was that Harry had – oh…" Blaise swallowed noisily as he glanced at the three adults, clearly fearful of their reaction to his knowledge about Callen's former identity.
"How do you know of that?" Severus ground out between his teeth, shooting a glare that would have felled even Voldemort on the spot. He stood from his seat on the desk and took two steps forward, bringing himself within two feet of the nervous boy. "Who could have possibly told you?!"
"N-no one, Professor Snape, sir," Blaise answered, stammering slightly at the Potion Master's fearsome demeanour. "I - I worked it out on my own ages ago!"
Severus just stared blankly. "You worked it out?" he sneered. "How, pray tell?"
Blaise looked around at them all, seemingly weighing his options, before his shoulders dropped noticeably, clearly in defeat. "Well … um, actually, Professor Snape, I've … ah … I've known what Harry was … ever since fourth year…"
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"Harry…"
"Don't call me that!"
Hermione fell silent, but Cal dutifully kept his eyes forward, gazing over the Forbidden Forest. He couldn't tell how much time he'd spent up here already, nor how long it had been since Hermione had come up to him and demanded why he'd fled from the Potions room. He, himself, couldn't fully explain it in words, so after a long one-sided conversation on Hermione's part, Cal had turned and told her to leave him be.
It obviously didn't happen.
He heard a soft sigh behind him, "Harry, will you please talk to me?"
Callen shook his head wearily, leaning heavily on the edge of the parapet and letting the breeze blow through his hair and feathers. "What do you want me to say?" he finally replied, his voice projecting just how drained he was.
There was a moment of silence, then Hermione spoke softly, "Nothing. I want you to say what you want – "
"I don't know what I want!" Cal whirled around and stared at Hermione, almost regretting raising his voice when he saw that he'd frightened her a little. Taking a couple of deep breaths to calm down, Cal raised his eyes back to Hermione and silently pleaded with her to understand. "Have you ever wanted something, Hermione?" he asked suddenly. "Wanted something, so strongly, even knowing that you will never have it in your lifetime … only to find it had been in your grasp for years, but you didn't know it?" Hermione remained silent, but Cal could see she was listening to him attentively. "Then, you have it. You feel as though something inside has finally fitted into place, but then you have to share it!" Cal blinked away the dampness in his eyes, noting that Hermione was doing the same. She knew what he was referring to. "You care about the ones you share it with, so much," he whispered, his voice thick, "So very, very much …" Cal paused and tried to regain his control, but it was a futile effort. "I found him first!" he choked out, morphing back into Harry Potter, balling his fists at his side. He saw Hermione's face tracked with tears for only a moment, before she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, offering him the comfort he'd so rarely had while growing up. Cal let himself crumble into her embrace, clinging as though his very life depended on it, burying his face into the mass of bushy hair his friend had in such abundance. His shoulders shook with his sorrow and he could vaguely heard Hermione whispering comfort in his ear, her hands gently running up and down his back in a soothing motion.
"I found him first … but he loves them more than he does me…" he added silently
Cal slowly settled down, though his breathing would hitch every now and then, but didn't ease his hold on Hermione, nor hers on him. Absently, Cal thought just how different it was to be held and comforted by Hermione, compared to the way Lizzy made him feel when she held him also. There was a whole new dimension to this, as though another piece of his soul had slotted into place, bringing with it a new perspective he'd never dreamed of before. There was something more, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
Beside him, Cal felt warm breath travel beneath his collar, as Hermione sighed softly into his shoulder, making him shiver involuntarily with the unexpected pleasure he derived from it. Hermione must have felt it, for she lifted her head and, while remaining in his arms, gazed at him with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Cal felt his breath leave him as he stared back at her. Dried tear tracks marred the already blotchy skin on her cheeks, and Cal was sure he looked similar, but for him it was as though he was seeing a completely different person. Hermione had always been so supportive toward him, and had never once turned her back on their friendship, even after the disaster he'd lead her and others to at the end of the previous term. She understood him on a level that only one other had come even close to accomplishing. Cal smiled, realising that yet another aspect of life that he'd desired so strongly for, was standing right in front of him. Affection of an entirely different level.
"Harry?" Hermione whispered, almost as though anything louder would break the moment they seemed to be immersed in.
Cal gave her a soft smile and moved his hand from Hermione's back, to rest it gently across her cheek, their eyes never diverting from the other. Cal bent his head cautiously, feeling his heart beat a little faster when Hermione made no move to stop him. His eyes darted to her lips for a moment before returning to brown eyes that shone with nervousness, alongside anticipation. He could feel her breath on his lips as they hovered, just a shadow away from touching, when Hermione closed her eyes and finally closed the gap between them.
The kiss was feather light to start, chaste and tentative, almost as though they feared the other would pull away. But soon, their lips were firmly pressed against the other, its intensity growing between them for every second they remained wrapped in each others arms. Fingers lacing through each others hair as they pressed their bodies closer together, their lips opening and closing rhythmically, the only sounds being that of their strained breathing and parting lips for momentary gasps of air.
Neither had any recollection of how much time had passed, but soon the kiss had lessened in intensity, and they stood, gazing at each other breathlessly, each recognising the profound affection they held for the other. Cal's hands rested lightly on the curve of Hermione's hips, while her arms had yet to remove themselves from around his neck. Almost simultaneously, both felt the warmth of a blush blossom across their features, also seeing the same on each other, causing them both to laugh with embarrassment.
Though, neither stepped away.
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Ginny chewed on her bottom lip as she watched Professor McGonagall striding briskly down the hallway ahead of her, having only just finished informing the Deputy Headmistress of what her brother, Ron, had been about to do. She remembered the way the older woman's face had turned grey before she had practically leapt from her chair and beckoned her to follow. As soon as they had reached the Entrance Hall and turned down a side passage, Ginny knew precisely where they were headed.
The Dungeons.
