(Disclaimer: Don't own Sev, Hermione, or Dumbledore. I do own Sevolod.
Thanks, those of you who reviewed the other chapters!)
Chapter Three: Sevolod
Hermione awoke, and immediately checked her watch. Oh, hell. It was four in the morning, and she was refreshed and ready for the day. Well, she supposed that was to be expected, since she had fallen asleep around three in the afternoon the previous day. Hermione threw her legs over the side of the couch, and padded into the kitchen. She had only just noticed how ravenously hungry she was. As she looked around, wondering if it would be acceptable for her to grab something to eat. As shoe pondered the question, a house elf appeared in front of her. "My name is Pearl, Miss," she spoke, and with better grammar than all of the house elves Hermione had met before. "My master has instructed that when you awoke, you are to be given any food you wish, so what can I serve you?" Hermione also noticed that Pearl did not wear the traditional garb of house elves, but was dressed in a long black skirt and baby blue blouse.
"Perhaps a cup of tea, and mmm…" Hermione considered. "Toast, please."
"Very good, miss." And Pearl immediately went off to make the snack. Hermione sat down at the table, and picked up the book that was lying on the table. When she saw the title, she nearly had a heart attack. It was one of her favorite plays, Shakespeare's Macbeth. "Is this a dagger which I see before me?" she quoted softly to herself.
At that moment, Pearl reappeared in the room, carrying Hermione's food. Hermione thanked her, and the house elf curtsied, and then informed the young woman that Snape would be up in about twenty minutes. "He always awakes this early," Pearl said, before disappearing. Hermione ate quickly, and with relish, for she hadn't eaten for something like 36 hours. As she was sipping the last of her tea, and feeling much more content, the Potions Master himself entered the kitchen, looking quite different from how she remembered him. She supposed that she hadn't been quite in command of all her powers of observation yesterday, or she'd have noticed then. He wore Muggle clothes now, black jeans and a black short-sleeved tee shirt. His hair, slightly longer than she remembered, was still wet from his shower. He did not acknowledge her, but went straight to his coffeepot, which Pearl had started for him. He poured the delicious-smelling liquid into a mug, inhaled deeply, and finally took a sip. It was heaven. When he was awake enough to speak, he spoke to Hermione.
"How are you feeling today, Miss Granger?"
"Much better, thank you, sir. Please, call me Hermione."
He inclined his head slightly. "If you wish. You may call me Severus."
She smiled slightly, then spoke again. "I noticed this copy of Macbeth lying here. I didn't know you read Muggle literature."
"I always have, since I was a teenager. I read everything, wizard and Muggle alike, that I could get my hands on. Macbeth has always been my favorite play."
Hermione smiled. "Mine, as well." There was a pause, and she spoke again. "I didn't know you drank coffee, either. Seems a rather un-British practice to me."
He took another sip of his coffee. "I suppose, but I spent two years in America after I graduated from Hogwarts. There's a Starbucks on every bloody corner. Anyone who can live in America without becoming addicted to coffee has my complete respect. I certainly didn't last two months without buying a coffee machine."
Hermione laughed. Then Severus asked her a question.
"Hermione, why were you at a Muggle bar, anyway? Er – where are you living right now?"
Her eyes dropped, and she stared into her empty teacup. "Well – you see, I was living with – with my fiancée, but I moved out last month. The only place I could get was in the Muggle part of London."
Severus nodded, not wanting to press her. "I see. Well, perhaps you should collect your things, and find a place in Hogsmeade. We don't have that much time until we should be at Hogwarts. Albus said to be there on the 20th, but that's really being optimistic. From experience, I can tell you that I arrive on the 10th, because there is so much to do. Today is – he checked his watch – the 2nd of August, so you really wouldn't have that much time to find a place. If you want -" Severus cleared his throat – "you could live here, for the next week. I've certainly got the room."
Hermione considered. Eight days wouldn't be so bad, she supposed. Besides, she really was in no condition to be living alone, just now. As she opened her mouth to give him her answer, a tall, lanky ghost popped up between them. He looked just like Severus, only about twenty years younger. He leaned casually against the counter, ignoring Severus' annoyed look.
"Well, Sev, entertaining a lady, now, are we?"
Severus groaned. "Go away, Sevolod."
But the ghost called Sevolod did not move. "No, I don't think so, not just yet, anyway. Introduce me," he hissed to Severus.
Severus sighed, and rolled his eyes. "Miss Hermione Granger, I would really I not /I like you to meet my idiot twin brother, the deceased Sevolod Snape. Sevolod, Miss Granger."
"Delighted to meet you, m'dear," said the ghost. "I turn up every once in a while, just to annoy the shit out of Severus. That's the real reason I became a ghost, you know," he confided, as if Severus was not even in the room. "Like I was going to let Severus go through his life free of annoyances and distractions! What kind of brother would I be, then?" He shook his head in mock sadness, and then turned to his brother, who was standing with his head in his hands. Hermione thought she saw the glint of slight smile upon his features, but it passed away so quickly she couldn't be sure.
"Severus, glad to see you've continued bathing. That period during the early eighties where you didn't, because of depression, now that was cause for depression, the way you smelled." Severus raised an eyebrow at his twin. Hermione stifled a snort.
"Don't let him fool you," Severus addressed Hermione. "Ghosts can't smell."
Sevolod pouted. "Well, no, not actually," he admitted, "But I had a good idea, so…Besides, explain the greasy hair, Severus."
Severus sniffed. "Genetics, Sevolod," he explained wearily. "Don't you want to tell Hermione about your hair, especially during Hogwarts days, brother?"
"Not particularly," answered Sevolod, unabashed. Hermione giggled. Severus continued to blast his brother: "Just how long was it, brother? To your arse?"
Sevolod was blushing, an amazing feat for a ghost. Severus looked utterly pleased with himself.
Just then, Silence the owl returned. He flew to Severus, who took the two letters he was offered, looked at the names on the front, and passed one to Hermione. She took it, a little surprised. Before either of them could finish their letters, Severus suddenly gripped his left arm. "Fuck," he groaned out. Hermione gasped, and jumped out of her seat. "Oh my God," she managed, as Severus, without another word, simply disapparated. Sevolod extended one transparent hand, as if to reassure Hermione.
"Don't worry about him," said Sevolod. Despite his words, he looked grim. "Sev'll come back. He always does."
**
Hermione tried not to worry, but she had never witnessed anyone being called to Voldemort before, and she had to admit that it had rattled her. She walked around the house, trying to distract herself from thinking about Severus, but she could not; and wandered about aimlessly. At about four o'clock that afternoon, about nine hours after Severus had been called, Sevolod appeared in the kitchen. "Still not back, is he?" he questioned worriedly.
Hermione wordlessly shook her head. "Is he – called often?"
Sevolod pursed his lips. "Not really…Well, this time, I'd say it would be to discuss Lucius – although I really can't think why, we know that Voldemort doesn't really trust Severus. So…he could just be looking for a new torture victim."
Hermione drew in her breath in horror.
"But, actually, I think somehow there is more to this summons. A task, perhaps," finished Sevolod.
"Shouldn't we call for someone – Albus Dumbledore, perhaps?"
Sevolod thought, and then responded, "Let's wait until Severus returns, all right, m'dear? Then we can decide what's best to be done." Sevolod favored her with a small smile, and bid her good-bye.
Hermione could not bear to be idle, especially during times of crisis. She always read when things went wrong; when she had broken up with Viktor she had read four extremely long novels in one sitting. So, she exited the kitchen, and took refuge in the library. She was amazed at his extensive collection of Muggle novels; he had first editions of all her favorite novels; a complete collection of the works of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Shakespeare, Tolkien, and Hawthorne. His library also contained classics like The Oddessy, The Illiad, and the Aeneid; all three in both Latin and English. Hermione was just reading Mr. Darcy's first proposal in Pride and Prejudice, when Sevolod came in to announce grimly, "He's here."
Hermione immediately jumped up, and ran out to see Severus. He didn't look particularly injured, but her former Potions Master looked as if he had aged ten years in the half a day he was gone. Sevolod stood anxiously in a corner, while Hermione helped Severus to a chair. Pearl the House Elf immediately came running. "Master, what do you need?" she asked him, getting straight down to business.
"I'll need the…" he paused, considering. When he had made his decision, he continued to speak. "…first two bottles in the wooden cabinet in the corner of my bedroom, Pearl." As Pearl left to get the potions he had requested, Severus turned to Hermione, and asked a favor of her, as well. "Hermione, if you don't mind, perhaps you could pour me some whisky…Actually, no, bring the whole bottle and a glass, I'll pour."
Hermione nodded, and she set the bottle and glass down in front of him. He thanked her, and tried to pour the whisky, but his hand shook, and he spilled it. Hermione quickly came to his aid; she finished pouring the drink, and handed it to him. Severus gratefully took a long drink, calming his nerves. When he had steadied himself, he called for Silence, the owl. Silence waited beside him while Severus scrawled a few lines to Dumbledore, and fastened the letter to his leg. To everyone's surprise, Silence complied immediately with his master's wishes, and flew off to Hogwarts without so much as a hoot in protest. Severus looked pensive. "Guess the headstrong beast could tell it was urgent," he muttered, but not unhappily.
At that moment, Pearl returned. She held two small glass bottles; one green, and one blue, out to her Master, who took them. He drank first the blue, then the green. He shuddered as though he were cold. In truth, he was more than cold. He was freezing. The blue bottle contained liquid to dull his emotions, something he desperately needed just then. Severus settled back into his chair, and began to tell his story.
(So, what do you all think of Sevolod? Read and Review, please!)
Chapter Three: Sevolod
Hermione awoke, and immediately checked her watch. Oh, hell. It was four in the morning, and she was refreshed and ready for the day. Well, she supposed that was to be expected, since she had fallen asleep around three in the afternoon the previous day. Hermione threw her legs over the side of the couch, and padded into the kitchen. She had only just noticed how ravenously hungry she was. As she looked around, wondering if it would be acceptable for her to grab something to eat. As shoe pondered the question, a house elf appeared in front of her. "My name is Pearl, Miss," she spoke, and with better grammar than all of the house elves Hermione had met before. "My master has instructed that when you awoke, you are to be given any food you wish, so what can I serve you?" Hermione also noticed that Pearl did not wear the traditional garb of house elves, but was dressed in a long black skirt and baby blue blouse.
"Perhaps a cup of tea, and mmm…" Hermione considered. "Toast, please."
"Very good, miss." And Pearl immediately went off to make the snack. Hermione sat down at the table, and picked up the book that was lying on the table. When she saw the title, she nearly had a heart attack. It was one of her favorite plays, Shakespeare's Macbeth. "Is this a dagger which I see before me?" she quoted softly to herself.
At that moment, Pearl reappeared in the room, carrying Hermione's food. Hermione thanked her, and the house elf curtsied, and then informed the young woman that Snape would be up in about twenty minutes. "He always awakes this early," Pearl said, before disappearing. Hermione ate quickly, and with relish, for she hadn't eaten for something like 36 hours. As she was sipping the last of her tea, and feeling much more content, the Potions Master himself entered the kitchen, looking quite different from how she remembered him. She supposed that she hadn't been quite in command of all her powers of observation yesterday, or she'd have noticed then. He wore Muggle clothes now, black jeans and a black short-sleeved tee shirt. His hair, slightly longer than she remembered, was still wet from his shower. He did not acknowledge her, but went straight to his coffeepot, which Pearl had started for him. He poured the delicious-smelling liquid into a mug, inhaled deeply, and finally took a sip. It was heaven. When he was awake enough to speak, he spoke to Hermione.
"How are you feeling today, Miss Granger?"
"Much better, thank you, sir. Please, call me Hermione."
He inclined his head slightly. "If you wish. You may call me Severus."
She smiled slightly, then spoke again. "I noticed this copy of Macbeth lying here. I didn't know you read Muggle literature."
"I always have, since I was a teenager. I read everything, wizard and Muggle alike, that I could get my hands on. Macbeth has always been my favorite play."
Hermione smiled. "Mine, as well." There was a pause, and she spoke again. "I didn't know you drank coffee, either. Seems a rather un-British practice to me."
He took another sip of his coffee. "I suppose, but I spent two years in America after I graduated from Hogwarts. There's a Starbucks on every bloody corner. Anyone who can live in America without becoming addicted to coffee has my complete respect. I certainly didn't last two months without buying a coffee machine."
Hermione laughed. Then Severus asked her a question.
"Hermione, why were you at a Muggle bar, anyway? Er – where are you living right now?"
Her eyes dropped, and she stared into her empty teacup. "Well – you see, I was living with – with my fiancée, but I moved out last month. The only place I could get was in the Muggle part of London."
Severus nodded, not wanting to press her. "I see. Well, perhaps you should collect your things, and find a place in Hogsmeade. We don't have that much time until we should be at Hogwarts. Albus said to be there on the 20th, but that's really being optimistic. From experience, I can tell you that I arrive on the 10th, because there is so much to do. Today is – he checked his watch – the 2nd of August, so you really wouldn't have that much time to find a place. If you want -" Severus cleared his throat – "you could live here, for the next week. I've certainly got the room."
Hermione considered. Eight days wouldn't be so bad, she supposed. Besides, she really was in no condition to be living alone, just now. As she opened her mouth to give him her answer, a tall, lanky ghost popped up between them. He looked just like Severus, only about twenty years younger. He leaned casually against the counter, ignoring Severus' annoyed look.
"Well, Sev, entertaining a lady, now, are we?"
Severus groaned. "Go away, Sevolod."
But the ghost called Sevolod did not move. "No, I don't think so, not just yet, anyway. Introduce me," he hissed to Severus.
Severus sighed, and rolled his eyes. "Miss Hermione Granger, I would really I not /I like you to meet my idiot twin brother, the deceased Sevolod Snape. Sevolod, Miss Granger."
"Delighted to meet you, m'dear," said the ghost. "I turn up every once in a while, just to annoy the shit out of Severus. That's the real reason I became a ghost, you know," he confided, as if Severus was not even in the room. "Like I was going to let Severus go through his life free of annoyances and distractions! What kind of brother would I be, then?" He shook his head in mock sadness, and then turned to his brother, who was standing with his head in his hands. Hermione thought she saw the glint of slight smile upon his features, but it passed away so quickly she couldn't be sure.
"Severus, glad to see you've continued bathing. That period during the early eighties where you didn't, because of depression, now that was cause for depression, the way you smelled." Severus raised an eyebrow at his twin. Hermione stifled a snort.
"Don't let him fool you," Severus addressed Hermione. "Ghosts can't smell."
Sevolod pouted. "Well, no, not actually," he admitted, "But I had a good idea, so…Besides, explain the greasy hair, Severus."
Severus sniffed. "Genetics, Sevolod," he explained wearily. "Don't you want to tell Hermione about your hair, especially during Hogwarts days, brother?"
"Not particularly," answered Sevolod, unabashed. Hermione giggled. Severus continued to blast his brother: "Just how long was it, brother? To your arse?"
Sevolod was blushing, an amazing feat for a ghost. Severus looked utterly pleased with himself.
Just then, Silence the owl returned. He flew to Severus, who took the two letters he was offered, looked at the names on the front, and passed one to Hermione. She took it, a little surprised. Before either of them could finish their letters, Severus suddenly gripped his left arm. "Fuck," he groaned out. Hermione gasped, and jumped out of her seat. "Oh my God," she managed, as Severus, without another word, simply disapparated. Sevolod extended one transparent hand, as if to reassure Hermione.
"Don't worry about him," said Sevolod. Despite his words, he looked grim. "Sev'll come back. He always does."
**
Hermione tried not to worry, but she had never witnessed anyone being called to Voldemort before, and she had to admit that it had rattled her. She walked around the house, trying to distract herself from thinking about Severus, but she could not; and wandered about aimlessly. At about four o'clock that afternoon, about nine hours after Severus had been called, Sevolod appeared in the kitchen. "Still not back, is he?" he questioned worriedly.
Hermione wordlessly shook her head. "Is he – called often?"
Sevolod pursed his lips. "Not really…Well, this time, I'd say it would be to discuss Lucius – although I really can't think why, we know that Voldemort doesn't really trust Severus. So…he could just be looking for a new torture victim."
Hermione drew in her breath in horror.
"But, actually, I think somehow there is more to this summons. A task, perhaps," finished Sevolod.
"Shouldn't we call for someone – Albus Dumbledore, perhaps?"
Sevolod thought, and then responded, "Let's wait until Severus returns, all right, m'dear? Then we can decide what's best to be done." Sevolod favored her with a small smile, and bid her good-bye.
Hermione could not bear to be idle, especially during times of crisis. She always read when things went wrong; when she had broken up with Viktor she had read four extremely long novels in one sitting. So, she exited the kitchen, and took refuge in the library. She was amazed at his extensive collection of Muggle novels; he had first editions of all her favorite novels; a complete collection of the works of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Shakespeare, Tolkien, and Hawthorne. His library also contained classics like The Oddessy, The Illiad, and the Aeneid; all three in both Latin and English. Hermione was just reading Mr. Darcy's first proposal in Pride and Prejudice, when Sevolod came in to announce grimly, "He's here."
Hermione immediately jumped up, and ran out to see Severus. He didn't look particularly injured, but her former Potions Master looked as if he had aged ten years in the half a day he was gone. Sevolod stood anxiously in a corner, while Hermione helped Severus to a chair. Pearl the House Elf immediately came running. "Master, what do you need?" she asked him, getting straight down to business.
"I'll need the…" he paused, considering. When he had made his decision, he continued to speak. "…first two bottles in the wooden cabinet in the corner of my bedroom, Pearl." As Pearl left to get the potions he had requested, Severus turned to Hermione, and asked a favor of her, as well. "Hermione, if you don't mind, perhaps you could pour me some whisky…Actually, no, bring the whole bottle and a glass, I'll pour."
Hermione nodded, and she set the bottle and glass down in front of him. He thanked her, and tried to pour the whisky, but his hand shook, and he spilled it. Hermione quickly came to his aid; she finished pouring the drink, and handed it to him. Severus gratefully took a long drink, calming his nerves. When he had steadied himself, he called for Silence, the owl. Silence waited beside him while Severus scrawled a few lines to Dumbledore, and fastened the letter to his leg. To everyone's surprise, Silence complied immediately with his master's wishes, and flew off to Hogwarts without so much as a hoot in protest. Severus looked pensive. "Guess the headstrong beast could tell it was urgent," he muttered, but not unhappily.
At that moment, Pearl returned. She held two small glass bottles; one green, and one blue, out to her Master, who took them. He drank first the blue, then the green. He shuddered as though he were cold. In truth, he was more than cold. He was freezing. The blue bottle contained liquid to dull his emotions, something he desperately needed just then. Severus settled back into his chair, and began to tell his story.
(So, what do you all think of Sevolod? Read and Review, please!)