A/N: To those who've left a review, followed, and favorited my story, I thank you very much!
To those of you just tuning in, welcome!
Now, without further ado….
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Ch. 2— Hell is Repetition
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"Ron and I were in the Chamber. Voldemort, he'd created horcruxes—do you know what they…?"
Professor Snape glared at her, and she gulped, saying, "Right, I guess you would. Basilisk venom kills them, and we destroyed one with a fang from the dead basilisk. As we were leaving, I took a wrong turn, and then I was falling, seemingly forever, before being snatched out of the air by Slytherin himself. And the rest you know."
She bit her lip, but then continued, saying, "I'd have to take you down there, professor, to know for certain, but I think I can take us back to where I fell." Her eyes widened as realization finally struck her. "And dear God! Salazar Slytherin took down Voldemort! He took down Voldemort without even touching his wand! And then you killed him, but wait a minute, professor… you killed Dumbledore as well. Why did you kill Dumbledore?" Her tone was more mystified than accusatory
"We'll discuss it later, Miss Granger. Right now, we've got the equivalence of a little god inhabiting Hogwarts with power unrivaled to any wizard or witch left living. Not even Albus Dumbledore could come close to matching him in magical strength and knowledge."
"But he's the founder of your house, sir," Hermione said, genuinely confused. "Shouldn't you want to welcome him and his beliefs back whole-heartedly? After all, he'd see muggle-borns like myself bound without magic for the rest of their lives. But apparently, in terms of morality concerning dark magic, he's less evil than Voldemort, so that's a win."
Professor Snape scowled at her. "Think, Miss Granger! Salazar Slytherin was kept in check by the other founders; this is why he was exiled in the first place because they had the ability to do so. However, in this time, he now has unrivaled power. Think about the consequences of such extremist behavior left uncontested.
"Now, think upon this: he's from the Dark Ages where human life was expendable due to a profound religious belief in the afterlife as well as an increase in a dispensable population. And as you've certainly witnessed today, our new Lord casts the 'Avada' a bit too freely and can arbitrarily decide who practices magic. Not even the Dark Lord could do that. And too, at least the Dark Lord was relatively predictable, and we could anticipate his next move. With Salazar Slytherin unleashed, there's no telling what lies in store for us."
He looked at her pointedly. "He's the greatest threat modern wizardkind has ever encountered, far surpassing that of the Dark Lord in spades due to the sheer destructive havoc he could cause, not only for our world but for the global wizarding world as well. And should he so choose, Miss Granger, he could make us all lose our magic and everything else besides."
She gulped and nodded she now understood. "Alright, so what do we do, sir?"
Hermione waited for his reply and once more studied the bubbled cocoon they were in. She felt like that actually; as if she were cocooned and everything else was far away. And perhaps this was what shock felt like. Wasn't it supposed to make one feel disembodied?
"Salazar Slytherin was somehow confined," he said. "Perhaps, there's a way he can be so again. Follow me." With a wave of his wand, the silencing spell he'd used dispersed, and then he was billowing down the hall once more with Hermione having to jog to keep up.
Suddenly, he stopped by a portrait of a shepherdess and said, "Have each portrait search their parts of the castle and make sure all human inhabitants have left. And discreetly tell Albus to meet me in my study."
The shepherdess nodded and immediately left her frame.
Professor Snape wasted no more time, shouting over his shoulder, "Come, girl!" And Hermione snapped to attention. The castle was a mess of broken suits of armor, portraits blasted off the walls, and staircases that now refused to move. In fact, when they encountered their first broken staircase, Professor Snape had not asked permission, just drew her into his arms and flown them down two flights of broken stairs to the passage that led to the dungeons.
"Checkmate," he said with a wand wave, and the wards protecting his private study fell away.
Hermione looked around. The place had an air of neglect about it, but it had in the past been well-used. There was a worn, comfy looking leather chair and beside it a pile of books to read as well as a side table with a crystal decanter, its contents almost evaporated away, and a dusty glass tumbler beside it. Obviously, the house elves were not permitted here.
She watched as Professor Snape began searching through books, looking for something specific… he soon found it and began to read. And as he did so Hermione made a quiet study of him. It had been over a year since she'd seen him last, and he looked as if he'd aged lifetimes since then. But then, she probably did too. His robes hung gaunt on his frame, and the frown lines, always present before, seemed indelibly etched upon his brow now.
Headmaster Dumbledore appeared in the frame above the fireplace and said, "Severus, every witch or wizard be they adult or child besides Salazar, you, and Miss Granger has left the castle. And this all due to quite an unusual turn of events if I do say so, myself."
"You have Miss Granger to thank for it, Albus," he said, as he looked pointedly up from the book he held towards the former headmaster.
Professor Dumbledore nodded at her. "Miss Granger, you've saved a great many lives I should think."
"Or begun an apocalypse," Professor Snape said laconically.
"Unintentionally, Severus."
"Yes, and Pandora unintentionally opened a box."
"But she also gave it a grain of hope," the headmaster said, his expression serene as he looked pointedly over at her and winked. "That being said, you are quite on your own now regarding future events. My plans, as they say, are in the wind."
Hermione bit her lip but couldn't keep her question contained, asking the headmaster's portrait, "Sir, what were the circumstances surrounding your death?"
Professor Snape looked at her, his eyes flashing warning.
She gulped and took a step back.
"Now, Severus," Dumbledore said, "the girl deserves to know. I daresay the entire wizarding world will know come tomorrow."
Hermione watched as Professor Snape turned back around to face the headmaster, his expression stony. "Albus, what have you done?"
Professor Dumbledore returned his scathing look with a mild, unimpressed one of his own. "Severus, in the event of your survival at Tom's demise, I set a time retrieval charm upon my memories of a few of our talks together, including the fact you assisted me in my last request and my rationale for it with a magically bound and signed document as proof. In addition to this, there is unassailable physical proof you were feeding Tom misinformation and giving us credible information in return."
The headmaster looked pointedly over his spectacles at Professor Snape. "I left your reasons for turning from Riddle yours to keep, but as of now the Daily Prophet and the Ministry of Magic have my memories so there's no use trying to call them back," he ended with a self-satisfied smile.
Hermione read Professor Snape's body language in an instant. There was a flash of hot anger, followed by a moment of white-faced panic, and then relief as the professor made the comment about Professor Snape's reasons for turning being his own to keep. Whatever it had been to make him turn must've been incredibly personal. And finally, there was liberation. Oh, yes. She was literally watching as a burden was being lifted from his shoulders.
Professor Dumbledore looked pointedly at her. "I can tell you, Miss Granger, I trusted Professor Snape with my life and my death. That being said, I'll let Severus fill you in on the particulars. Now, I believe we are only going to get one shot at containing him. Severus, as Slytherin's former head of house, do you know of any lore that might help aid you in your quest?"
He looked thoughtful before replying. "Perhaps. The portraits have me thinking… did you know the portraits of the founders existed, Albus?"
The headmaster nodded. "Yes. And like previous headmasters before me, I tried everything I could to call them forth. But it was in their wisdom, I believe, that they let Hogwarts and its inhabitants make their way without interference."
"It was long ago postulated," Professor Snape replied, "that Salazar Slytherin's portrait was hidden somewhere in the castle. In fact Slytherins have, in the past, made it a game to go searching for it."
Hermione interjected, asking Professor Dumbledore, "Sir, what are the limits of portraiture magic? Is it possible to embody a portrait, perhaps attach one's soul to it?" she asked. "I only ask because, in the last year, I've been trying to understand soul magic, and this feels a lot like it."
"It could yet be, Miss Granger," the headmaster replied. "Salazar Slytherin at one point in time was very deep into soul magic. He and Herpo the Foul were very close. It wouldn't surprise me if he found a way to embody his portrait. Perhaps having it frozen in time…"
"And then I somehow unleashed him."
The headmaster nodded. "But there might, yet, be a way of containing him. Severus, I have a feeling that if you find the portrait, you can confine him once more. After all, now that the other three have been re-animated…"
"Do you think you can talk to the founders' paintings, Albus?" Professor Snape asked. "Would they be receptive to such things?"
Professor Dumbledore turned away from his frame but came back and said, "The four of them are still at it. Not that it matters, Severus. I cannot understand what's being said."
"Headmaster," Hermione asked, "can you perform magic in your portrait? I know it can't manifest out here… but does it for you if you were to use your wand?"
She watched as the former headmaster produced his wand and performed 'Expecto Patronum'.
The phoenix sprang from his wand.
Hermione grinned and told him the translation spell.
"Transfiglotto Eramundi," Professor Dumbledore exclaimed with a wand flourish and a pink mist erupted from his wand to his ears. He shook his head and then peaked from his portrait back to the Headmaster's Chambers. "Now, Lady Hufflepuff is grandstanding about muggle versus wizarding rights."
"It's a wonder Hogwarts was founded at all," remarked, Professor Snape.
Looking pensive, Hermione said to her old potions professor, "You're still the headmaster, sir. According to Hogwarts: A History, aren't all school portraits bound to do your bidding?"
Professor Snape's eyebrows rose. "They've taken an oath to the school, yes."
"Ah," Professor Dumbledore said, "If we find his portrait, then perhaps. But the odds of it being somewhere in the castle are minimal. If it hasn't been found in all this time, it's doubtful it will be."
"It's probably within the Chamber of Secrets," said Professor Snape. "It's hardly been explored after all." And then he was searching through his books again, reaching deep into a shelf. "Allegedly, there's a map that guides the way." He pulled out an old, bedraggled copy of… The Divine Comedy?
"Dante's Inferno?" Hermione asked.
Professor Snape nodded. "It's alleged by some that the Chamber is modelled after it. These accountings are from hundreds of years ago, but they do exist." And searching deeper into his shelves, Professor Snape came back with another book; this one looked to be one moment away from crumbling to dust.
He performed a spell to protect the pages from the oil of his fingerprints and very carefully he turned the pages, scrolling one long finger down the book before finding the passage he sought. "The Codex of Mordrid specifically states there are nine levels of the Chamber to explore."
"Isn't that—?"
"King Arthur's illegitimate son and his eventual murderer. Yes, Miss Granger it was. He and Lord Slytherin were also good friends. The text goes on to describe the Chamber to be filled with all manner of curiosities and horrors that must be overcome before one journeys to its center in order to return above."
"If Salazar has created this museum of horrors, then it's to protect something precious," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Something as valuable as a horcrux, perhaps?" Hermione added.
"Quite, Miss Granger. Severus—"
Professor Snape gave the portrait a long-suffering look. "Say no more, Albus. Miss Granger, you may use my floo to take you to Potter's holdings." He nodded to the fireplace and began re-shelving his books. And Hermione agreed, feeling a bit relieved her part in this adventure was over.
"Ahem," Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Severus, I would not be in such a hurry to dismiss Miss Granger. The girl was the one to awaken Slytherin after all. There might, yet, be a part left for you to play, my dear," he ended, looking toward her.
Hermione gulped and looked up at Professor Snape. His jaw was locked tight, but he wasn't discounting the headmaster's words.
"After all, Dante did not walk his journey alone, Severus, and I should think you've quite had your fill of that."
Professor Snape looked unimpressed but nevertheless replied, "Miss Granger, you will take me to the approximate point you believe you lost your way, and then you'll return to your friends."
His tone brooked no rebuttal, and she watched as he began gathering bottles and philters from his private potions' stores, secreting them in the numerous folds of his robes.
"Professor Dumbledore, may I ask you one more question?" she asked his portrait.
He nodded. "Of course, my dear."
"How long did you suspect Harry was a horcrux?"
He smiled sadly. "From the moment I discovered Tom had made them."
"And that's when you knew—"
"That's when I knew he would have to die by Riddle's hand. Yes, Miss Granger."
She gulped and said as evenly as she could, "That's cruel not to tell him so yourself, sir. To leave him with a sword, a snitch, a book, and nothing but bumbling ineptitude from Ron and myself…" She bit her lip and continued, "So without Salazar Slytherin's interference, Harry would be…"
"Dead." Albus Dumbledore again smiled sadly. "Yes, Miss Granger. He would be."
She gulped, but then after a moment gave an ironic grin. "Well, then, I'd say unleashing the greatest, most powerful threat to the wizarding world to date was worth it for saving the life of my friend, wouldn't you?"
"But, of course," Professor Snape remarked dryly as he checked to make sure he had everything he wanted to take.
"I think Mr. Potter is lucky to have a friend such as you, Miss Granger. Now, Severus, time wanes. I would say you've a little over twenty-two hours to get through these trials before Salazar will begin to suspect. And I needn't tell you that should he find out what it is you're doing before you've completed your quest, death is most likely imminent so best you hurry, children."
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Once they left the dungeons, Hermione had to run to keep up with Professor Snape. They'd come to another broken staircase, and he'd once again grabbed her to him and flown them straight to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
"After you, Miss Granger," Professor Snape said.
And performing 'lumos', she led the way down the pipe as they went deep down to the bottom of the Chamber.
The corpse of the basilisk lay there, its eyes vacant, golden jewels flashing dully in her wand light. Hermione turned, intent on determining which direction she'd gone, remembering it was to the left of the basilisk's head. She took a step around it, now knowing for certain, and said, "Professor Snape, it's this w—" that was as far as she got before she was pitching forward and falling headlong into the abyss.
Again, she screamed as she fell, seemingly forever, but her scream was soon cut short as arms came around to snatch her out of the air.
"Hold on to me, girl!" Professor Snape barked; his eyes meeting hers.
Her expression still one of shock, Hermione's arms flew around his neck as she held on tight.
"I'm going to fly you back up, and the moment you reach the landing, go to the nearest classroom and floo to Potter's holdings, stay there, and say nothing of this to anyone. Do you understand?"
Gulping, Hermione nodded and held on tighter as he began to fly them upward.
She could see the landing, a pinhole of light, and Professor Snape made for it, flying them fast, but still it seemed so far away. Some moments later, when it seemed the pinhole of light wasn't getting any larger, she hesitantly voiced, "Professor Snape, it doesn't seem like we're making any progress."
He grit his jaw, and adjusting his hold of her, whipped out his wand and performed a spell. It hit something like an iridescent, nearly invisible shield and then dissipated. And Hermione pursed her lips, dismayed. There was some kind of ward preventing them from returning above.
Mumbling something under his breath, Professor Snape flew them backward, and then with a sharp wand movement, cut through the shield.
He flew them on.
Still the pinhole did not get any bigger.
"Professor Sna—"
"Quiet!" he hissed acidly.
Looking around, he found a small rock ledge and flew her to it, sitting her down and hovering beside her. She saw him use his right hand as a grounding control as he began to cast once more. And the fine hair on Hermione's arms and the back of her neck stood on end from the gathering of his power. Oh, holy shite!
A deafening blast of magical current exploded from his wand in a wave that looked like a bullet, and then he was grabbing her and hurling them upward, following in the bullet's wake. They shot forward, and Hermione held on tight.
But after a moment, it became apparent the pinhole of light was growing no larger.
He stopped and looked around, and Hermione saw what he did at the same moment. The rock ledge was beside them; they hadn't moved a single inch.
"We aren't going to be able to go back the way we came in, are we?" she said softly looking up at the pinhole of light up above.
"It appears not."
She gulped and turned in his arms, for the first time looking down at what was below them.
Far below was a moat, and in the center of the moat rested Salazar Slytherin's Chamber within the Chamber of Secrets.
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"So, let me get this straight… we're about to break into what's the equivalent of an upside-down mansion with god only knows how many obstacles within it, and somehow, we've got to find a way to recapture what amounts to a demigod and make him go dormant again. Oh, and by the way, the most known of the creatures we'll encounter is a dead basilisk that used to guard the mansion's gates. And we have twenty-two hours or less with which to complete this quest, or we die."
"Precisely, Miss Granger," Professor Snape said dryly as he hovered them to the bottom. "Three points to Gryffindor."
They landed gently, and then he was releasing her, and she quickly disentangled herself from him, feeling a little embarrassed. Then she looked around. It was a dark, dreary place befitting its entrance. Seemingly carved from the Earth itself, the black granite glistened with damp.
"Since, due to your incompetence, you'll now be coming along, you'll obey me in everything I say without question. Do you understand, Miss Granger?"
He gave her pointed glare, and she quickly nodded. "Y-yes, sir. I understand."
Their surroundings were coldly beautiful in their way, if one's taste ran toward something from a Tournier horror film. There was very little light to be found, and since she anticipated she'd need her wand for other things besides 'lumos', Hermione cast a nimbus of blue-bell flames held in glass jars and had them float all around them. The front doors were made of granite and looked large and imposing, the stained-glass windows beside them were dark, and her trainers clomped dully on the stone with every step they took.
It was quiet. Eerily so.
"You will stay beside me at all times," Professor Snape ordered. "I don't want us to get separated. Be silent and watchful, Miss Granger," Professor Snape said lowly, and Hermione nodded she understood.
They approached the door, and he performed a series of spells from 'Homenum Revelio' to the detection of magical creatures, of wards and curses. Nothing was revealed.
He tried the door.
It was locked.
He performed 'Alohomora' to no effect.
That's when Hermione got the idea to say, "Door Open," except she didn't just say it, she hissed it. For, in performing the translation spell when he'd tapped her mouth with his wand, Salazar Slytherin had gifted her with the ability to speak Parseltongue.
And this was THE Chamber of Secrets.
The door opened on silent hinges while flamed sconces in emerald flame lit either side of them, and Hermione had her blue-bell flames trail along after them as they began walking through the entryway.
It was a grand edifice, if ever there was one, devoted to everything lavish 1,300 A.D. could afford. There were at least twelve fireplaces lining each of the walls, all of them lit with emerald flame, rugs of every large creature, be it magical or not, lining the sides of the path through the hall. Large tapestries were hung on the walls, each depicting a famous scene in wizarding history, and she was saddened to say, she couldn't identify some of them, lost as they were to the annals of time.
They reached the end of the hall and faced a doorway lined with pillars of polished silver. And wrapped around the silver to either side were the gray and black forms of large hissing Adder snakes poised and ready to strike. The eyes of each of the snakes were encrusted with the purest emeralds she'd ever seen, glittering as they were in the green firelight. As she watched, the snake's eyes began to blink, and an ethereal voice surrounded them, hissing in Parselmouth, "A test of virtue it shall be, which of you has purity?"
Hermione looked at Professor Snape and blushed scarlet. He looked down at her, his jaw grit tight. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, intent on volunteering herself, but then he was pulling her back, saying, "it could be about blood status, Miss Granger, or more about 'purity of intent'. Wait."
Suddenly, a bright white light flashed forward encompassing them both.
And she felt as the ancient Egyptians must've felt when approaching the gates of the afterlife. Everything about herself seemed to be quantified at that moment—all of her thoughts and deeds—both good and bad, weighed and measured.
She bit her lip, anxiety gripping her as the light continued to assess.
What would happen if she was found wanting?
Although, she had a pretty good idea she'd only be alive long enough to have the realization before death would find her. She prayed her soul was as light as a feather, as the Ancient Egyptian God Maat had required.
And what of Professor Snape? What if he was found wanting?
Could she do this without him? Did she have a choice?
She held her breath, praying to God they both passed through this trial, and it was many moments before that ethereal voice hissed, "You are both of pure mind, body, and soul. You may proceed." The gate swung open with a hiss, showing another hallway.
Relieved, Hermione took a step forward, but then gasped in horror.
She was nude!
She heard Professor Snape inhale sharply and, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him look over at her. And when Hermione realized—Oh, Holy Shite! He's nude too! She slammed her eyes shut tight, keeping them firmly closed and drew her arms about herself as she turned away.
"Professor…" she said, averting her eyes from him as she looked around. She didn't have her wand; it had vanished with her clothes.
And every inch of Hermione's skin burned. Every single inch.
He was looking at her. She knew it. Her professor was looking at her, his eyes drinking in their fill, and only then did he avert them. Thank God he looked away!
This was another trial. Modesty, it seemed, was not allowed in this place, and she looked up to find Professor Snape was in front of her with his back to her. She couldn't help but feel grateful. After all, she wasn't yet ready to see that side of him. Not at all.
"Do you have your wand, girl?" he asked lowly, his tone one of deepest disgust, but for once she didn't think his vitriol was directed at her.
"No sir." The only items of magic she had were the jars of blue-bell flame she'd cast from before that had been trailing behind her obediently.
"Then follow me," he said softly.
And drawing a deep breath, Hermione did so, trying hard not to look at her professor's fish-belly pale, yet well-toned, arse.
They walked through the gates and the torches surrounding them began to grow fewer and fewer as the floor began to slope downward until the final torch illuminated a stairway. Before the darkness grew black as pitch. Hermione cast her nimbus of blue light in an arc around them, searching.
The place was barren.
There was nothing but stairs waiting to lead them further down to the depths far below, her blue-bell flames lighting their way.
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They walked in silence. The only things around them being her halo of blue-bell flame and the stone stairs below their feet.
Seemingly they walked down and down and down, and Hermione grew uneasy, for it seemed the stairs went on and on without stopping.
"Professor," Hermione stated cautiously, "If this place is modeled after Dante's Inferno… well, could we possibly be in Limbo?" She continued, "I don't know how familiar you are with Judeo-Christian theology, but the doorway we went through was the Gate, I think, and according to the some religious texts, Limbo is neither heaven nor hell containing the souls of those dying of original sin but free from personal sin as well as the worthy pagans who came before the time of Christ."
"Where are you going with this, Miss Granger?" he asked impatiently, his eyes still facing forward.
She gulped. "Our souls were weighed and found worthy. If we hadn't, we would've been killed."
"Undoubtably."
"Perhaps this is a test… a test of faith. We cannot journey onward as this place seems to go on forever, and we've only one other way to go besides back. And since we can't go there…" Hermione peaked over the side of the stair she was currently standing on and saw that there was nothing but air and black abyss far below.
With a gesture, she made one of her jars float downward and watched as it flew down and down and down.
She released the spell on it, allowing gravity to take control, and immediately it was arrested in motion, floating midair before hovering and then stopping at what appeared to be the bottom. Having a niggle of intuition, and not pausing to think too much on it, she took a leap of faith and stepped off the edge.
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"Miss Granger!" Professor Snape bellowed, his voice echoing up and down the stone chamber.
Hovering beside him, she slowly began to be lowered to the ground below.
It wasn't like when Professor Snape flew them, but it was a curious sensation, almost as if she were a part of gravity. As if, from her naval, there was a force pulling her downward.
Leaving one of the blue-bell flames for him so he wouldn't be in the dark, she drew the rest to herself in a circle of light and watched as she made her way slowly to the now-visible ground. And looking around, she saw that the stairs were like something from an Escher drawing going every which way—up, down, side to side, upside down and backside up. And no matter how much they walked, it's obvious there would've been no way they could've overcome them.
They would've been trapped in Limbo forever.
Professor Snape was at her side in seconds, hovering beside her until he landed and got right up in her face. "Of all the idiotic, impulsive, Gryffindorish—he made that sound like quite the insult—acts of stupidity! You will not be that impulsive again. Do you understand me, girl?"
She looked up at him and meeting his stare, said softly as she pointed, "It was a highly-educated guess, and I can't help it if I was right. And now we've arrived, professor."
"Not the point," he grit. "You should've at the very least told me what you were going to do. Better still allowed me to go first."
Shaking her head, she said, "I don't think that's how it would've worked. According to Alighieri, this place, this level required a test of faith. If you flew us, I don't know if we would've had the same result. In fact, I have a feeling it would've been like trying to go back the same way we came in all over again."
He leaned down and narrowed his eyes at her. "Be that as it may, you will never do anything like that again. If you do, I'll make sure you live to regret it."
She gulped and drew back from those words, nodding abruptly.
It didn't even occur to her until much later she'd been facing him fully in her nudity, and at the time, she never thought to feel embarrassed about it. She was too afraid of incurring more of his wrath.
But upon further reflection, she could honestly say, the thing she noticed about her professor most was his eyes. They did not stray from hers for a moment.
And neither did she let her eyes wander. Being in this situation was not something either one of them could help, and by mutual silent accord, they'd both agreed not to mention it as they continued in their much familiar roles of him being the caustic, irritable professor, and she being his irritating, Gryffindor student.
It was a comfort, actually.
There was a small boat that was an exact duplicate of the ones Hagrid used to ferry over the first years, and it was moored close to the shore.
"No Charon?" Hermione asked tightly looking around.
She watched as Professor Snape crouched low and inspected the boat. "Give me one of your flames," he ordered.
Please, she mutely mouthed behind his back, sending a jar winging his way.
"Watch it, Miss Granger," he said, not looking at her.
What? How the hell?
"You're not occluding, and due to the little stunt you've just pulled, I'm reading your thoughts, mundane as they are."
Hermione closed her eyes and counted to ten, feeling him there in the back of her mind, lurking. With a snap she put up her shield, closing it around him like a beartrap. She heard him draw a sharp breath before immediately withdrawing from her thoughts. Had he stayed, she would have had him imprisoned within a repetitive thought of her choosing inside her mind.
"Where'd you learn that?" he asked, sounding somewhat impressed.
"Occlumency: A Practical Defense. It was in the Restricted Section. I read it fifth year when it was obvious you were failing at teaching Harry occlumency, sir."
She saw him grit his jaw. Alright, well she probably shouldn't have said it like that….
He did not rise to the bait, however, instead saying, "The boat requires some form of payment, and if we do not find out what the fare is, we could be left to wander these shores for—"
"—the next one hundred years," she finished. "Alright, the question then becomes what would Salazar Slytherin demand in payment?" She looked at him as he rose and turned to face her.
"Blood, perhaps." And subvocalizing a spell, Hermione watched as her professor cut his thumb with a downward swipe and let a few drops fall on the prow of the ship. The ship began to glow. He gestured she should proceed him, but Hermione was stopped as if by an invisible shield.
She shook her head. "I'm not permitted, professor. Not until I pay the toll." She looked up at him. "And something tells me I'm going to be denied admission due to my blood status."
His eyebrows rose as he weighed her words. "Perhaps, Miss Granger, but keep in mind, you've already been judged once by this place and found worthy. This is no different. Now, give me your palm."
Hermione held it out to him, and he took her hand in his. With a murmured spell and a tap of his finger, the smallest prick was made on her thumb, and a little rose-red droplet of blood glistened there. She rubbed it on the boat and was relieved to see the it glowed brighter. Stepping inside, she braced herself as Professor Snape pushed them away from the shore.
The boat rocked as he leapt in, and then they were making their way across, the light of her blue-bell flames guiding them on their way.
Pointing a finger, she sent a jar forging ahead, saying more by way of making conversation, "The next canto is a bit troubling."
"Which troubles you more?" Professor Snape asked, his tone wry, "The part that means we must stand by our conviction? Or the part where hornets and wasps chase after us, forever stinging us while worms feast at our feet on our blood and tears?"
She snorted and said, "Rather the latter I should think."
"The fool focuses on consequence," he said, "the wise sees the action to avoid it."
She looked behind her and up at him. "Is that a Slytherin tactic?"
"No. It's common sense. I urge you to think, Miss Granger. Every single step of the way, there has been a test of some kind, from logical to spiritual to sacrificial, the consequences getting more and more dire as we go. And you better believe once we get to the other side, we'll find out exactly what Salazar Slytherin's idea of Hell is like. And if you don't have a healthy dose of fear and respect for that, girl, then you are as ignorant as I once thought."
Her mouth suddenly dry, she nodded.
He continued, "This next level is for the souls of the uncommitted, and so, it's to be expected our commitment will be tested in some way."
"How, do you think?" she asked. "Will we be forced to undergo torture while they try to get us to renounce our beliefs? Or do you think it will be more about temptation?"
"Either would suffice. My only hope is that you've done a little introspection—a tall order, I know— and are somewhat knowledgeable about yourself and your convictions. If not," he added viciously. "then I hope you aren't allergic to wasp stings."
Hermione drew a deep breath, knowing he was more than likely right. However, in her year spent on the run, she'd had a lot of time to think about where she stood on the topics of bravery, friendship, and what it meant to love as well as sacrifice.
This was a challenge she could meet head-on.
The boat suddenly scraped bottom, and she squinted looking for her jar of blue-bell flame that flew up ahead. The river looked as if it continued forever, but then she looked again, and she could see the reflective glint of their boat.
The gate was a mirror.
Looking at their reflection, she saw her arms held braced before her on the prow of the ship, slightly leaning into the direction of the shore, while Professor Snape stood straight and tall behind her, his pale skin tinted blue and flickering from the light of her flame, his hair a shining black curtain hiding his features from view.
But even as she watched, he shook his head and his hair parted, revealing eyes that met hers in the mirror.
His were center-most calm.
Hers looked very uncertain.
Hermione drew a deep breath and occluded her anxiety away, finding her center. And looking at her reflection, she appeared almost as calm as he. Professor Snape tilted his head in acknowledgment before turning his attention towards the next gate where screams could be heard coming from within.
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A/N: I got this little plotbunny from watching the show 'Naked and Afraid', wanting to pair our favorite duo in an action/adventure setting where they'd have to completely rely on one another to survive. I hope I've come close to hitting the mark.
Thank you all!
Another update soon.
—K
