(A/N: Ok, I think Sev gets a little OOC here, but whatever. As always,
review, please!)
Chapter Five
Severus and Hermione apparated into her apartment's living room. She immediately entered her bedroom, and opened a closet. "Severus," she called, "Couldn't help me with this, could you?"
Severus followed her into the roomy closet, and helped her to remove the two suitcases she indicated. As he put them onto her bed, she spoke. "I'd really like to take you out to dinner tonight, to thank you, for all that you've done," she said.
He looked over at her in surprise. "Really, that's not necessary."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh for God's sake, don't you think you could shut up for once and allow someone to thank you?"
Severus was stunned into silence. Finding his tongue, he responded in that silky voice he was so famous for during her school days, he said, "I really do not see what the point of a dinner would be. It puts both of us in unnecessary danger. I am a Death Eater, did you forget?"
"Muggle restaurant, then! Or haven't you eaten in one of those abominations before, Professor?"
"Miss Granger," he stated coldly, "I believe that your Gryffindor nobility" he sneered out that last word, "has perhaps led you to believe common misperceptions about Slytherins. Not all of us hate Muggles and Muggleborns. It does seem, however, that Gryffindors are only too willing to believe the worst of all Slytherins, and think of the entire house as some Death Eater Youth Society."
This time it was Hermione who was stunned into silence. "Yes," he sneered, "I thought so." And with that, he apparated away.
**
Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon putting clothing listlessly into her suitcases. When she had finished, she surveyed her Muggle dress clothes, soon selecting a short and tight black dress with a v-neck. The dress never failed to earn her compliments, and she knew it wouldn't fail her tonight. She paired the dress with a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and wore her long, shiny hair down. Surveying herself in the mirror, Hermione knew she should feel pleased, but for some reason, she didn't. Shrugging, she locked her door and headed for the bar she had been at after Harry and Ron's funeral.
Hermione entered O'Flaherty's Pub and took a seat at the bar. She ordered a martini, from the bartender, who brought it speedily, admiring her figure as he did so. Gratefully, Hermione took it and drank it quickly, and wasted no time in ordering a second.
**
Severus knew exactly where he was going to go. Checking his watch, he saw it was nearly eight at night. He needed a drink, and he needed one badly. It had been years since Severus had really needed a drink, but he decided to allow himself the luxury of alcohol that night. He entered O'Flaherty's Pub, and immediately stopped in his tracks, causing a man behind him to crash into his back. "I apologize," Severus mumbled, his mind miles away. For there, sitting at the bar and looking absolutely stunning, was Hermione Granger.
She was wearing a short black dress, her hair long and shiny, falling almost to her waist. She was wearing heeled shoes, her long legs looking tempting him almost beyond control. Her long fingers drummed the top of the bar as she sipped at her martini. While Severus stood there looking dumbstruck, she chose that moment to glance over in his direction; she immediately did a double take.
My God, she thought, he looks so handsome. Severus was wearing dark trousers, a black collared shirt, and the long black trench coat from that morning. His hair looked sleek and shiny, and his black eyes glittered with something she could not quite identify. Surprise? Anger? Amusement? She couldn't tell.
Finally, he approached the bar, and ordered a whiskey. He sat down on the stool beside Hermione, not acknowledging her, just sipped his whiskey. "I'm sorry," they both said at the same time. Severus turned to her and raised his eyebrow, looking amused. Hermione bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
"We have the same taste in bars, anyway," Severus commented.
Hermione snorted. "We do, at that," she agreed, taking a long drink of her martini. Silence reigned for a moment, until Hermione spoke. "About your plan…"
"Not here," responded Severus tersely. "It's not safe," he said, lowering his voice to a level at which Hermione could only just hear him. "Let's go back, get your things, and Apparate to my place. Tomorrow we can go to Hogwarts."
She nodded, and signaled the bartender to bring her check. Severus did the same; and when her check arrived, he neatly sideswiped it before she had a chance to blink. "Severus!" she hissed. "Give that back!"
Severus simply ignored her, while the bartender looked on with amusement. Hermione tried to retake the check, but Severus, while seemingly ignoring her completely, was really quite alert. He swung around gracefully, holding the slip of paper in question high above her head. As he was half a foot or more taller than she, this was not very difficult. Severus flipped some Muggle money to the bartender, who caught it agilely. Hermione sighed, and threw up her hands in defeat. Severus grinned; the people in the bar applauded. Severus gave a mock bow, and followed Hermione out of the pub.
When he got outside, he saw her doubled up, laughing hysterically, almost rolling on the sidewalk with mirth. He grabbed her arm, and pulled her erect quickly. "Get up," he commanded. "People are beginning to stare."
She wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye. "But…you don't understand, if any Hogwarts student who has had you as a teacher could have seen that show in there…" she trailed off, not able to finish her sentence, being overcome with merriment.
"I think that you've had too much to drink tonight," said Severus grimly. "C'mon…We haven't time for this display…" He pulled her into a dark ally. He grasped her shoulders, and looked down into her eyes. "We've got to Apparate. To my house." He Apparated them away, still grasping her shoulders to ensure that she didn't end up somewhere else.
They Apparated into Severus' living room. He sat her down on the couch, where she continued to laugh uproariously. Severus turned around. "Sevolod!" he called. No response. "Sevolod, get your transparent arse down here right now!"
A brief pause, and Sevolod appeared, looking rather disgruntled. "You would think that people stop bothering you after you die, but no, it actually gets worse, because idiots like you, Sev, keep calling me to do them favors. Sevolod's dead, he'll do it!" Sevolod glared at his brother.
"You would think that once people die, they stop bothering their unfortunate relations, but that wasn't the way it worked with you, now was it, Sevolod?" Severus shot right back.
Sevolod grinned unashamedly. "Watch her," commanded Severus. "I don't want to be responsible if she chokes on a laugh or something." And with that, Severus Disapparated to Hermione's apartment.
He looked around, found her suitcases easily enough, and gripping one in each hand, he Apparated back to his house.
When he got back, he saw Sevolod rolling in mid-air, laughing just as hysterically as Hermione. Severus sighed. He supposed that while he was gone, Hermione had clamed down enough to tell his brother the story of what had happened in the bar. His suspicions were confirmed when Sevolod stopped laughing long enough to pantomime his previous actions while in O'Flaherty's. Then he returned to his occupation of laughing at his brother. Severus surveyed the scene for a moment, and shrugged and threw his hands up into the air. "It just goes to prove my point," he muttered to himself, "Try to do a good deed, it'll just come back to bite you in the arse."
**
The next morning, after Severus had had his coffee, the pair departed for Hogwarts. They Apparated to right outside the gates, and walked the rest of the way inside the castle. Dumbledore met them in the entrance hall.
"Hermione, Severus, so lovely to see you," he beamed.
"Albus, did you get my letter?" asked Severus anxiously.
"Yes, I did," responded Albus. "So you are going to do it?"
"Break Lucius out? What else can I do, Albus?" He sighed. "If I don't, it will be obvious that I am not loyal to Voldemort. He's not stupid, he'll cast Avada Kedavra on me before you can say Crucio."
Albus was silent for a moment, then changing the subject, he asked, "How was that potion coming along, Severus, the one that could perhaps strip Voldemort of his protections against death?"
Severus shook his head. "I had made something I thought would perhaps work, but when tested, it produced no results."
Hermione spoke: "What did you use?"
Severus looked at her, and responded, "Billyweed, leech juice, lace wings, and asphodel in its liquid form. Why do you ask?"
Hermione was silent for a few minutes, considering the ingredients he had told her. "Well, perhaps if you add…erm, well, I don't know how one would get this, but a bit of unicorn blood mixed with firefly wings. It might counteract the effects of the unicorn blood on You-Know-Who."
Severus looked at her piercingly, considering. "It might…" he said slowly. "But, Albus, how will I get unicorn blood?"
Albus' eyes twinkled at him. "If you think, Severus, you will remember that there is one way to gain unicorn blood. One that will not cost you your soul." And with that odd statement, he bowed slightly and left them alone.
"Whatever can he mean?" Severus mused. "I never was any good at Care of Magical Creatures…Perhaps we can ask Sevolod, he always loved that class." The two started off toward the dungeons.
When they got there, they saw that Sevolod was already there waiting for them. Severus got right down to business. "Sevolod, if you wanted to get unicorn's blood without killing it, and also retaining your soul?"
Sevolod considered. "Mmmm…If you ask the centaurs, they can help you."
Severus sighed. "Thanks, brother."
*~*
So that was how Hermione and Severus came to be out in the Forbidden Forest at three o'clock in the morning. Searching for centaurs. They had been wandering for nearly an hour, and finally Severus sighed and admitted, "I have no idea where they are."
Hermione tried to think what Harry and Ron had said about their numerous encounters with Firenze the centaur. It was enough to bring tears to her eyes, but she swallowed hard and focused. "Maybe we should have asked Hagrid."
"Too bloody late now," grumbled Severus as he sat down on a tree stump. They were silent for a moment, staring into the forest. Then, she saw it: a flicker of movement behind a tree slightly to their left. Then, Firenze himself came out into their sight.
"Firenze," Severus said, jumping up. "I am glad to see you."
"Severus Snape," responded the centaur. "I am glad to observe that you are still living." Hermione stifled a laugh, and Severus simply raised an eyebrow.
"I need to acquire unicorn blood, not for my own personal use, but to be used in the fight against the Dark Lord. Is there a way, can you help me?"
Firenze took a moment to gaze at the stars. Then he turned to gaze at the two humans again. He spoke. "It is difficult, indeed, Severus Snape. However, I think I can help you. All you must do is think. The answer to your query lies within your own minds, humans." Firenze bowed low, and galloped off, deep into the forest.
Severus sighed impatiently. "In our minds?" he repeated. "I confess I haven't the slightest idea of what that means." Hermione shook her head fervently in agreement. Discouraged, they began to make their way back to the school.
They entered the school, and went into the staff room. They sat wearily in fluffy armchairs and stared glumly at the fire. "Damn, and I really thought I had it that time," Severus muttered.
Hermione sighed. "I'm sure we can figure it out," she said, sounding doubtful. "I mean, I'm sure it's in some book. I could go to the library, and -- "
Severus cut her off with a shake of his head. "Books, unfortunately for both you and me, Hermione, do not hold the answer to everything." He sighed. "Many things, they do contain, but the mysteries of life, which include unicorn blood, they do not."
They stared, defeated, at the fire, for a long time.
Chapter Five
Severus and Hermione apparated into her apartment's living room. She immediately entered her bedroom, and opened a closet. "Severus," she called, "Couldn't help me with this, could you?"
Severus followed her into the roomy closet, and helped her to remove the two suitcases she indicated. As he put them onto her bed, she spoke. "I'd really like to take you out to dinner tonight, to thank you, for all that you've done," she said.
He looked over at her in surprise. "Really, that's not necessary."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh for God's sake, don't you think you could shut up for once and allow someone to thank you?"
Severus was stunned into silence. Finding his tongue, he responded in that silky voice he was so famous for during her school days, he said, "I really do not see what the point of a dinner would be. It puts both of us in unnecessary danger. I am a Death Eater, did you forget?"
"Muggle restaurant, then! Or haven't you eaten in one of those abominations before, Professor?"
"Miss Granger," he stated coldly, "I believe that your Gryffindor nobility" he sneered out that last word, "has perhaps led you to believe common misperceptions about Slytherins. Not all of us hate Muggles and Muggleborns. It does seem, however, that Gryffindors are only too willing to believe the worst of all Slytherins, and think of the entire house as some Death Eater Youth Society."
This time it was Hermione who was stunned into silence. "Yes," he sneered, "I thought so." And with that, he apparated away.
**
Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon putting clothing listlessly into her suitcases. When she had finished, she surveyed her Muggle dress clothes, soon selecting a short and tight black dress with a v-neck. The dress never failed to earn her compliments, and she knew it wouldn't fail her tonight. She paired the dress with a pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and wore her long, shiny hair down. Surveying herself in the mirror, Hermione knew she should feel pleased, but for some reason, she didn't. Shrugging, she locked her door and headed for the bar she had been at after Harry and Ron's funeral.
Hermione entered O'Flaherty's Pub and took a seat at the bar. She ordered a martini, from the bartender, who brought it speedily, admiring her figure as he did so. Gratefully, Hermione took it and drank it quickly, and wasted no time in ordering a second.
**
Severus knew exactly where he was going to go. Checking his watch, he saw it was nearly eight at night. He needed a drink, and he needed one badly. It had been years since Severus had really needed a drink, but he decided to allow himself the luxury of alcohol that night. He entered O'Flaherty's Pub, and immediately stopped in his tracks, causing a man behind him to crash into his back. "I apologize," Severus mumbled, his mind miles away. For there, sitting at the bar and looking absolutely stunning, was Hermione Granger.
She was wearing a short black dress, her hair long and shiny, falling almost to her waist. She was wearing heeled shoes, her long legs looking tempting him almost beyond control. Her long fingers drummed the top of the bar as she sipped at her martini. While Severus stood there looking dumbstruck, she chose that moment to glance over in his direction; she immediately did a double take.
My God, she thought, he looks so handsome. Severus was wearing dark trousers, a black collared shirt, and the long black trench coat from that morning. His hair looked sleek and shiny, and his black eyes glittered with something she could not quite identify. Surprise? Anger? Amusement? She couldn't tell.
Finally, he approached the bar, and ordered a whiskey. He sat down on the stool beside Hermione, not acknowledging her, just sipped his whiskey. "I'm sorry," they both said at the same time. Severus turned to her and raised his eyebrow, looking amused. Hermione bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
"We have the same taste in bars, anyway," Severus commented.
Hermione snorted. "We do, at that," she agreed, taking a long drink of her martini. Silence reigned for a moment, until Hermione spoke. "About your plan…"
"Not here," responded Severus tersely. "It's not safe," he said, lowering his voice to a level at which Hermione could only just hear him. "Let's go back, get your things, and Apparate to my place. Tomorrow we can go to Hogwarts."
She nodded, and signaled the bartender to bring her check. Severus did the same; and when her check arrived, he neatly sideswiped it before she had a chance to blink. "Severus!" she hissed. "Give that back!"
Severus simply ignored her, while the bartender looked on with amusement. Hermione tried to retake the check, but Severus, while seemingly ignoring her completely, was really quite alert. He swung around gracefully, holding the slip of paper in question high above her head. As he was half a foot or more taller than she, this was not very difficult. Severus flipped some Muggle money to the bartender, who caught it agilely. Hermione sighed, and threw up her hands in defeat. Severus grinned; the people in the bar applauded. Severus gave a mock bow, and followed Hermione out of the pub.
When he got outside, he saw her doubled up, laughing hysterically, almost rolling on the sidewalk with mirth. He grabbed her arm, and pulled her erect quickly. "Get up," he commanded. "People are beginning to stare."
She wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye. "But…you don't understand, if any Hogwarts student who has had you as a teacher could have seen that show in there…" she trailed off, not able to finish her sentence, being overcome with merriment.
"I think that you've had too much to drink tonight," said Severus grimly. "C'mon…We haven't time for this display…" He pulled her into a dark ally. He grasped her shoulders, and looked down into her eyes. "We've got to Apparate. To my house." He Apparated them away, still grasping her shoulders to ensure that she didn't end up somewhere else.
They Apparated into Severus' living room. He sat her down on the couch, where she continued to laugh uproariously. Severus turned around. "Sevolod!" he called. No response. "Sevolod, get your transparent arse down here right now!"
A brief pause, and Sevolod appeared, looking rather disgruntled. "You would think that people stop bothering you after you die, but no, it actually gets worse, because idiots like you, Sev, keep calling me to do them favors. Sevolod's dead, he'll do it!" Sevolod glared at his brother.
"You would think that once people die, they stop bothering their unfortunate relations, but that wasn't the way it worked with you, now was it, Sevolod?" Severus shot right back.
Sevolod grinned unashamedly. "Watch her," commanded Severus. "I don't want to be responsible if she chokes on a laugh or something." And with that, Severus Disapparated to Hermione's apartment.
He looked around, found her suitcases easily enough, and gripping one in each hand, he Apparated back to his house.
When he got back, he saw Sevolod rolling in mid-air, laughing just as hysterically as Hermione. Severus sighed. He supposed that while he was gone, Hermione had clamed down enough to tell his brother the story of what had happened in the bar. His suspicions were confirmed when Sevolod stopped laughing long enough to pantomime his previous actions while in O'Flaherty's. Then he returned to his occupation of laughing at his brother. Severus surveyed the scene for a moment, and shrugged and threw his hands up into the air. "It just goes to prove my point," he muttered to himself, "Try to do a good deed, it'll just come back to bite you in the arse."
**
The next morning, after Severus had had his coffee, the pair departed for Hogwarts. They Apparated to right outside the gates, and walked the rest of the way inside the castle. Dumbledore met them in the entrance hall.
"Hermione, Severus, so lovely to see you," he beamed.
"Albus, did you get my letter?" asked Severus anxiously.
"Yes, I did," responded Albus. "So you are going to do it?"
"Break Lucius out? What else can I do, Albus?" He sighed. "If I don't, it will be obvious that I am not loyal to Voldemort. He's not stupid, he'll cast Avada Kedavra on me before you can say Crucio."
Albus was silent for a moment, then changing the subject, he asked, "How was that potion coming along, Severus, the one that could perhaps strip Voldemort of his protections against death?"
Severus shook his head. "I had made something I thought would perhaps work, but when tested, it produced no results."
Hermione spoke: "What did you use?"
Severus looked at her, and responded, "Billyweed, leech juice, lace wings, and asphodel in its liquid form. Why do you ask?"
Hermione was silent for a few minutes, considering the ingredients he had told her. "Well, perhaps if you add…erm, well, I don't know how one would get this, but a bit of unicorn blood mixed with firefly wings. It might counteract the effects of the unicorn blood on You-Know-Who."
Severus looked at her piercingly, considering. "It might…" he said slowly. "But, Albus, how will I get unicorn blood?"
Albus' eyes twinkled at him. "If you think, Severus, you will remember that there is one way to gain unicorn blood. One that will not cost you your soul." And with that odd statement, he bowed slightly and left them alone.
"Whatever can he mean?" Severus mused. "I never was any good at Care of Magical Creatures…Perhaps we can ask Sevolod, he always loved that class." The two started off toward the dungeons.
When they got there, they saw that Sevolod was already there waiting for them. Severus got right down to business. "Sevolod, if you wanted to get unicorn's blood without killing it, and also retaining your soul?"
Sevolod considered. "Mmmm…If you ask the centaurs, they can help you."
Severus sighed. "Thanks, brother."
*~*
So that was how Hermione and Severus came to be out in the Forbidden Forest at three o'clock in the morning. Searching for centaurs. They had been wandering for nearly an hour, and finally Severus sighed and admitted, "I have no idea where they are."
Hermione tried to think what Harry and Ron had said about their numerous encounters with Firenze the centaur. It was enough to bring tears to her eyes, but she swallowed hard and focused. "Maybe we should have asked Hagrid."
"Too bloody late now," grumbled Severus as he sat down on a tree stump. They were silent for a moment, staring into the forest. Then, she saw it: a flicker of movement behind a tree slightly to their left. Then, Firenze himself came out into their sight.
"Firenze," Severus said, jumping up. "I am glad to see you."
"Severus Snape," responded the centaur. "I am glad to observe that you are still living." Hermione stifled a laugh, and Severus simply raised an eyebrow.
"I need to acquire unicorn blood, not for my own personal use, but to be used in the fight against the Dark Lord. Is there a way, can you help me?"
Firenze took a moment to gaze at the stars. Then he turned to gaze at the two humans again. He spoke. "It is difficult, indeed, Severus Snape. However, I think I can help you. All you must do is think. The answer to your query lies within your own minds, humans." Firenze bowed low, and galloped off, deep into the forest.
Severus sighed impatiently. "In our minds?" he repeated. "I confess I haven't the slightest idea of what that means." Hermione shook her head fervently in agreement. Discouraged, they began to make their way back to the school.
They entered the school, and went into the staff room. They sat wearily in fluffy armchairs and stared glumly at the fire. "Damn, and I really thought I had it that time," Severus muttered.
Hermione sighed. "I'm sure we can figure it out," she said, sounding doubtful. "I mean, I'm sure it's in some book. I could go to the library, and -- "
Severus cut her off with a shake of his head. "Books, unfortunately for both you and me, Hermione, do not hold the answer to everything." He sighed. "Many things, they do contain, but the mysteries of life, which include unicorn blood, they do not."
They stared, defeated, at the fire, for a long time.