Chapter 9
For a long time, Hermione stared at Snape. She wanted to hurt him, make him feel what he put her through. At the same time, she longed to reach out and comfort the man before her. Opening her mouth to speak, she found she had nothing to say. Reaching down she pulled the knife from the desk and gently laid it on the desk. Then without another word she turned and left.
Snape watched Hermione leave guiltily. Far too many lines had been crossed this time. And besides the turmoil he had raised in Hogwarts, his role in the circle of deatheaters was not forgotten. He knew it was only a matter of time until Voldemort came for him. Looking at his arm he saw the black burn glow green. Snape knew what it meant too well. Another life had been lost tonight. Fighting the urge to collapse where he was, he moved to find Dumbledore to inform him.
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"Should we be worried about him?" Madame Pomfrey asked Dumbledore anxiously.
"Perhaps, but whatever happens we will have to cope" Dumbledore said quietly, "There is a lot that must be done! Now please find Hermione, and see that she gets some sleep tonight"
Madame Pomfrey nodded, "Yes, headmaster"
With Madame Pomfrey gone, Dumbledore sank into a chair. He had known since the night Harry's parents died, that the battle was not yet over. But all the same, he still felt like thing had happened so suddenly. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself a few moments of long needed rest.
Snape entered unnoticed. He stopped as he saw Dumbledore just starting to drift asleep. Backing away, he chose to not disturb him. He slipped out and went to Mcgonagall instead.
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"What does it mean?" Mcgonagall asked, staring at the glowing green on Snape's arm.
"It means whatever Voldemort's plans for tonight were have been completed successfully" Snape said, "The mark serves many purposes in the circle of deatheaters"
"Have you shown Dumbledore?" Mcgonagall asked nervously.
"He's asleep, and I did not wish to wake him" Snape said averting his eyes under Mcgonagall's stare.
"I will speak to him then when he awakes" Mcgonagall said, "However, I believe you and Hermione will need to speak tomorrow"
"Of Course" Snape said turning sharply.
"Severus!" Mcgonagall said, "Don't be so hard on yourself! You can't blame yourself for everything"
"Good night, Minerva" Snape said, as he left.
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After what had seemed like an endless night, morning finally came around. The events of the previous night hadn't gone unforgotten, students whispered amongst themselves about what had happened. Hermione's empty seat did very little to help matters.
"Do you think Hermione's ok?" Ron asked looking around. His eyes skimmed the teachers table, and realized Dumbledore, Snape, and Mcgonagall were all missing. The rest of the teachers were doing their best to act like nothing was going on.
"I think so" Harry said uncertainly, "Professor Mcgonagall would have told us if something had happened to her, right?"
"Right," Ron said not sounding convinced, "You don't think Fudge took her down to the ministry with him?"
"I don't know!" Harry said, "But we have potions first today, so we can ask Sna- What's wrong?"
During their conversation the mail had arrived. Ron had picked up Hermione's subscription of the Daily Prophet. His face was pale and sick. Harry leaned over to see what had upset Ron.
"Oh God!" Harry said, staring at the article, "How many people were found dead?" he asked unable to read the article.
"3" Ron said quietly.
"I never understood it before, why everyone was so scared before" Harry said softly, "I think I understand now"
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"Miss Granger?"
"What do you want?" Hermione asked coldly hearing the sound of Snape's voice made her stomach twist into knots.
"I think we need to talk!" Snape said.
"We tried that already" Hermione said dully.
"Then we are going to have to try again" Snape said, "We have to talk! You have to understand"
"What I understand, is that the sight of you makes me sick and excited at the same time" Hermione said, "I'm not going to talk to you"
"Fine!" Snape snapped, "But by god, Hermione, you are going to at least listen to me!"
He took a deep breath and finally managed to speak what he had needed to tell her for so long.
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Thanks everyone for the lovely kind words! It's very encouraging to know people are enjoying what you're writing. Anyway, I know, once again, I stop short, but I will have the next chapter up very very soon!