(A/N: I know its been awhile since I've posted, but…Been visiting
colleges…scary thought, I know…)
Disclaimer: not mine. Only Sevolod is mine.
Chapter Nine
Severus led them down the hall, walking stiffly, his back uncomfortably straight. Albus laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he fought the urge to shrug off the human contact. After all, he might soon be joining Sevolod as a ghost. They all might.
They gathered in the dungeons, and apparated. Severus first, and the others followed. Minerva and Albus exchanged apprehensive looks, but did nothing to stop the austere Potions master from finishing what he'd started.
Albus, Minerva, and Hermione appeared in a small clearing, which Albus recognized as a forest in the northern part of Britain. Not far off, the three observed Severus speaking to a short, balding man: Wormtail. They all moved closer, protected by the invisibility charm, in order to hear the conversation.
"…vital information concerning Lucius, Wormtail. It cannot be delayed."
Wormtail sniffed. "Professor, I cannot just command our Lord to hear you. You, of all people should know this."
Severus rolled his eyes. "No one is asking you to command, Pettigrew, just to ask the Dark Lord to hear me out."
Wormtail, muttering about overbearing and bossy men, disappeared into a thicket. He emerged a moment later, followed by a tall, pale man in long robes of charcoal gray. He carried a wand out in front of him.
"This had better be worth it, Snape, or both you and Wormtail here will suffer."
Wormtail glared at Severus, who pretended not to see him. Severus just began to speak, calmly and arrogantly, even though his heart was pounding inside his chest.
"My Lord, with all due respect, Dumbledore has told me something I think might be of interest to you." He paused, waiting for the signal to go on. Voldemort nodded, ever so slightly, and Severus continued speaking. "I have heard that the Ministry is planning to execute Lucius, to make him an example." He waited for the Dark Lord's reaction.
He cocked his head to one side, carefully considering. Severus surreptitiously drew out the emerald green potion, and clutched it tightly in his hand. Voldemort spoke. "We shall go now, and rescue my servant."
Severus allowed a slow, lazy smile to spread across his face. "I thought you would say that, My Lord, and so I took the liberty of preparing a small potion for you. Nothing complex, simply a strengthener against the dementors." Severus handed the other man the potion, who looked at it carefully. Voldemort nodded at Severus, and drank it. It took a few moments for the potion to take effect. When it did, Voldemort sank to the floor of the forest with a hoarse cry of anger. Albus, Minerva, and Hermione emerged from their invisibility spell, and joined Severus at the fallen Dark Lord's side. They joined hands and formed a circle around him. They began the chant. Voldemort writhed on the ground in silent agony. You had to admire him, Severus thought, he didn't emit a sound to show the excruciating pain he must be feeling. Albus stopped chanting, and the three others soon followed suit. In the silence, Voldemort turned his head toward his former servant, and smiled a ferocious smile.
"Severus…" he hissed. "I should have known…" And with those last words he expired.
Albus let out a long breath he had been holding; Minerva and Hermione embraced joyfully. But Severus stood silently, clutching his left forearm. Albus sent the female teachers back to the school; he himself wanted to stay with Severus, to be sure he was all right. He walked over behind the younger man and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Severus did not shrug it off, nor did he acknowledge it's presence. He simply stood, staring off into space, alone with his thoughts.
*~*
Somehow, he wasn't sure how, Severus had ended up in his chambers, wearing his comfortable Muggle clothing, and holding a glass of wine. When he finally snapped out of his stupor, he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. He mustered enough strength to crawl into his bed, and slept without asphodel and wormwood for the first time in twenty years.
He awoke about two hours later, sweating and breathing heavily. However, it was not the sweat and heavy breathing induced by a bad dream. It was the type of dream that he had not had for years, in fact, not since Sevolod died. His symptoms were those of arousal. Severus threw back the covers, feeling flushed, and padded into his bathroom. Shedding his clothes, he stepped into the shower and turned the tap to cold. He closed his eyes and sighed as the water flowed over his body. When he had washed himself, he wrapped himself in his oversized black bathrobe, and ventured into his living room. Severus saw then that he was not alone: Albus Dumbledore sat in an armchair, in front of a fire that Severus had not started, and twinkled his blue eyes at him. "Well, Severus," he sighed deeply. "I'm just here to check on you. Minerva and Hermione are particularly concerned about you."
Severus arched an eyebrow at his mentor, and, turning to the mirror, began to comb his wet hair back out of his face. "I'm fine," he said tonelessly. The mirror snorted; Albus smiled indulgently.
"Anything you want to tell me, Severus?" he asked neutrally.
"No, I'm afraid not," he answered.
"Well," said Albus, rising from his chair, "then I'll leave you to your thoughts. However, I do expect to see you at lunch." He swept from the room, his azure blue robes swishing as he exited.
Severus sighed. He did not really feel up to seeing people, actually, he did not want to see anyone until school began in a week and a half. As if one cue, Sevolod appeared in his rooms. Severus groaned, but stopped when he saw the look on his twin's face. It was, for once, serious.
"Sev," Sevolod began, seriously. "You did a good thing. Always remember that."
Severus, looking into the face so similar to his, felt oddly choked up. "I did it because of you, 'Lod, not out of nobility," he choked out, sniffing. "I'm so bloody sorry, 'Lod." He buried his face in his hands.
Sevolod bowed his head. "Listen, Sev…there was never anything for you to be sorry about. Please, don't lets dwell. Get on with your life, please. Stop living in the past, refusing to forgive yourself." He smiled suddenly, impishly. "And now, I will stop being serious, because it might scar me if I continue."
Severus chuckled. "Why I'm going to tell you this, is beyond me, my brother, but I had an…ah…interesting dream." He arched a brow at his brother and grinned boyishly.
Sevolod stared at his twin. Surely he didn't mean…oh gods… "Severus Snape – you're a bit old for that, don't you think, old boy?"
Severus straightened up in mock anger to his full height. "Sevolod Snape, I am in my prime. If I want to have sex dreams, then by the gods, I will."
"Who's the lucky woman?" he asked dryly.
"Ah, I have to leave some things to the imagination, don't I?" Severus answered wickedly.
Sevolod shook his head admiringly. "Cruel. You're so Slytherin sometimes, I could scream."
*~*
Hermione sat straight up in bed, breathing heavily, feeling odd. She lay back down slowly, trying to calm herself as her mind dwelt on her most recent dream.
She was talking to Severus, playing chess, when she had fainted. When she awoke, she was lying in Severus' bed and staring into his face. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, murmuring, "Are you all right?" against her mouth. They kept kissing, and, his lips never leaving her mouth, began to unfasten her robes. He stepped back, moving her robes rather awkwardly over her head, and looked at her. He ran his slim hands lightly down the curves of her body, making her yearn for more. "So beautiful," he murmured. Hermione, with trembling hands, reached up and began to unbutton the puritan-style buttons on his black robes. He cupped a breast, making her shiver, and suddenly, his robes fell away, and there he was: magnificent in the dim lighting. He kissed her breasts, and Hermione ran her hands over his pale chest. It was not overly manly, for he was a thin man, however it made her hot just to see him. He flicked an erect nipple with his fingernail, making her moan. Abruptly he stopped his ministrations, turned around, and drew in his breath sharply. "Oh, gods in heaven," he muttered. Hermione opened her eyes and looked towards the doorway. There stood Harry and Ron, looking disgusted. Ron started toward Severus, a determined look on his face. *
Hermione had then awoken, feeling aroused and also slightly embarrassed. If the austere Potions master had any idea that he was the subject of her amorous dreams…! She shuddered at the thought. Shaking her head to clear it of these thoughts, she decided to go for a walk. Perhaps it would help calm her.
As Hermione wandered through the castle, her mind wandered. As much as she attempted to keep her thoughts away from Harry and Ron, they stubbornly returned to her old schoolmates. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the old days – Harry's invisibility cloak, Nicolas Flamel and the sorcerer's stone when they were first years, the Chamber of Secrets, Sirius Black's innocence as third years, Voldemort's rise and Severus' double agent status when they were fourth years, and on the memories went. Her vision blurred by tears, she did not notice that she was in a part of the castle that she had never seen before. Only when she had reached an unfamiliar portrait and could advance no farther did she realize that she was in uncharted territory for her.
"Password?" asked the portrait, which contained a tall, bored looking man in wizard's robes. He arched his eyebrow at Hermione. "I'm waiting."
"Erm, well, actually, I don't know where I am. Can you help me?"
"Oh!" the man exclaimed, looking considerably more interested. "You are obviously not a Slytherin, then, or you would know that this is the entrance to their common room."
Hermione nodded. "I see. How do I get out?" For looking around, Hermione could not see the way she had entered the room.
The portrait laughed. "Rather ingenious, isn't it? No, sorry; I think it is terribly interesting to see people lose their way in here. Can't help."
"Just who are you, anyway?" she asked irately.
"Salazar Slytherin, at your service." He bowed slightly. Just then, the portrait swung open, and a tall figure clothed in black stepped out. It was Severus Snape.
"Oh thank the gods," breathed Hermione. "Severus, you have got to help me. I haven't a clue how to get out of here."
Severus looked at her, amused. "Didn't you ask Salazar?"
"He wouldn't help," she whined. "Is he really one of the founders?"
Severus laughed. "No. He is, however, Salazar Slytherin's son."
Hermione looked at him, surprised. "His son? Really…"
"A bit of a nuisance, really, but every time I get rid of him he somehow manages to get back here. Haven't got a clue how he does it."
Hermione giggled. "He's certainly quite the friendly one, isn't he?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Quite." He observed her for a moment, then: "Why, pray tell, are you hanging around outside of the Slytherin common room anyway?"
"Oh, I – I had an odd dream, and decided to take a walk, and before I knew it, I found myself here," she answered uncomfortably.
Severus nodded. "Do you want a potion? I can get something…"
"No, no…I'll be all right. Thank you for showing me the way out of here, Severus"
"No problem, Hermione."
And with that, they parted company.
Severus shivered, and turned around to face the portrait of Salazar, Jr. "Don't suppose you could have just shown her the way, could you?"
He grinned shamelessly. "No."
Severus climbed back through the portrait hall. He stood in the common room and shivered. Seeing her so soon after his dream…it had almost been too much for him, he reflected. He returned to his chambers, but refused to sleep, afraid of the dreams that he knew would either haunt or tantalize him.
Disclaimer: not mine. Only Sevolod is mine.
Chapter Nine
Severus led them down the hall, walking stiffly, his back uncomfortably straight. Albus laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he fought the urge to shrug off the human contact. After all, he might soon be joining Sevolod as a ghost. They all might.
They gathered in the dungeons, and apparated. Severus first, and the others followed. Minerva and Albus exchanged apprehensive looks, but did nothing to stop the austere Potions master from finishing what he'd started.
Albus, Minerva, and Hermione appeared in a small clearing, which Albus recognized as a forest in the northern part of Britain. Not far off, the three observed Severus speaking to a short, balding man: Wormtail. They all moved closer, protected by the invisibility charm, in order to hear the conversation.
"…vital information concerning Lucius, Wormtail. It cannot be delayed."
Wormtail sniffed. "Professor, I cannot just command our Lord to hear you. You, of all people should know this."
Severus rolled his eyes. "No one is asking you to command, Pettigrew, just to ask the Dark Lord to hear me out."
Wormtail, muttering about overbearing and bossy men, disappeared into a thicket. He emerged a moment later, followed by a tall, pale man in long robes of charcoal gray. He carried a wand out in front of him.
"This had better be worth it, Snape, or both you and Wormtail here will suffer."
Wormtail glared at Severus, who pretended not to see him. Severus just began to speak, calmly and arrogantly, even though his heart was pounding inside his chest.
"My Lord, with all due respect, Dumbledore has told me something I think might be of interest to you." He paused, waiting for the signal to go on. Voldemort nodded, ever so slightly, and Severus continued speaking. "I have heard that the Ministry is planning to execute Lucius, to make him an example." He waited for the Dark Lord's reaction.
He cocked his head to one side, carefully considering. Severus surreptitiously drew out the emerald green potion, and clutched it tightly in his hand. Voldemort spoke. "We shall go now, and rescue my servant."
Severus allowed a slow, lazy smile to spread across his face. "I thought you would say that, My Lord, and so I took the liberty of preparing a small potion for you. Nothing complex, simply a strengthener against the dementors." Severus handed the other man the potion, who looked at it carefully. Voldemort nodded at Severus, and drank it. It took a few moments for the potion to take effect. When it did, Voldemort sank to the floor of the forest with a hoarse cry of anger. Albus, Minerva, and Hermione emerged from their invisibility spell, and joined Severus at the fallen Dark Lord's side. They joined hands and formed a circle around him. They began the chant. Voldemort writhed on the ground in silent agony. You had to admire him, Severus thought, he didn't emit a sound to show the excruciating pain he must be feeling. Albus stopped chanting, and the three others soon followed suit. In the silence, Voldemort turned his head toward his former servant, and smiled a ferocious smile.
"Severus…" he hissed. "I should have known…" And with those last words he expired.
Albus let out a long breath he had been holding; Minerva and Hermione embraced joyfully. But Severus stood silently, clutching his left forearm. Albus sent the female teachers back to the school; he himself wanted to stay with Severus, to be sure he was all right. He walked over behind the younger man and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Severus did not shrug it off, nor did he acknowledge it's presence. He simply stood, staring off into space, alone with his thoughts.
*~*
Somehow, he wasn't sure how, Severus had ended up in his chambers, wearing his comfortable Muggle clothing, and holding a glass of wine. When he finally snapped out of his stupor, he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. He mustered enough strength to crawl into his bed, and slept without asphodel and wormwood for the first time in twenty years.
He awoke about two hours later, sweating and breathing heavily. However, it was not the sweat and heavy breathing induced by a bad dream. It was the type of dream that he had not had for years, in fact, not since Sevolod died. His symptoms were those of arousal. Severus threw back the covers, feeling flushed, and padded into his bathroom. Shedding his clothes, he stepped into the shower and turned the tap to cold. He closed his eyes and sighed as the water flowed over his body. When he had washed himself, he wrapped himself in his oversized black bathrobe, and ventured into his living room. Severus saw then that he was not alone: Albus Dumbledore sat in an armchair, in front of a fire that Severus had not started, and twinkled his blue eyes at him. "Well, Severus," he sighed deeply. "I'm just here to check on you. Minerva and Hermione are particularly concerned about you."
Severus arched an eyebrow at his mentor, and, turning to the mirror, began to comb his wet hair back out of his face. "I'm fine," he said tonelessly. The mirror snorted; Albus smiled indulgently.
"Anything you want to tell me, Severus?" he asked neutrally.
"No, I'm afraid not," he answered.
"Well," said Albus, rising from his chair, "then I'll leave you to your thoughts. However, I do expect to see you at lunch." He swept from the room, his azure blue robes swishing as he exited.
Severus sighed. He did not really feel up to seeing people, actually, he did not want to see anyone until school began in a week and a half. As if one cue, Sevolod appeared in his rooms. Severus groaned, but stopped when he saw the look on his twin's face. It was, for once, serious.
"Sev," Sevolod began, seriously. "You did a good thing. Always remember that."
Severus, looking into the face so similar to his, felt oddly choked up. "I did it because of you, 'Lod, not out of nobility," he choked out, sniffing. "I'm so bloody sorry, 'Lod." He buried his face in his hands.
Sevolod bowed his head. "Listen, Sev…there was never anything for you to be sorry about. Please, don't lets dwell. Get on with your life, please. Stop living in the past, refusing to forgive yourself." He smiled suddenly, impishly. "And now, I will stop being serious, because it might scar me if I continue."
Severus chuckled. "Why I'm going to tell you this, is beyond me, my brother, but I had an…ah…interesting dream." He arched a brow at his brother and grinned boyishly.
Sevolod stared at his twin. Surely he didn't mean…oh gods… "Severus Snape – you're a bit old for that, don't you think, old boy?"
Severus straightened up in mock anger to his full height. "Sevolod Snape, I am in my prime. If I want to have sex dreams, then by the gods, I will."
"Who's the lucky woman?" he asked dryly.
"Ah, I have to leave some things to the imagination, don't I?" Severus answered wickedly.
Sevolod shook his head admiringly. "Cruel. You're so Slytherin sometimes, I could scream."
*~*
Hermione sat straight up in bed, breathing heavily, feeling odd. She lay back down slowly, trying to calm herself as her mind dwelt on her most recent dream.
She was talking to Severus, playing chess, when she had fainted. When she awoke, she was lying in Severus' bed and staring into his face. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, murmuring, "Are you all right?" against her mouth. They kept kissing, and, his lips never leaving her mouth, began to unfasten her robes. He stepped back, moving her robes rather awkwardly over her head, and looked at her. He ran his slim hands lightly down the curves of her body, making her yearn for more. "So beautiful," he murmured. Hermione, with trembling hands, reached up and began to unbutton the puritan-style buttons on his black robes. He cupped a breast, making her shiver, and suddenly, his robes fell away, and there he was: magnificent in the dim lighting. He kissed her breasts, and Hermione ran her hands over his pale chest. It was not overly manly, for he was a thin man, however it made her hot just to see him. He flicked an erect nipple with his fingernail, making her moan. Abruptly he stopped his ministrations, turned around, and drew in his breath sharply. "Oh, gods in heaven," he muttered. Hermione opened her eyes and looked towards the doorway. There stood Harry and Ron, looking disgusted. Ron started toward Severus, a determined look on his face. *
Hermione had then awoken, feeling aroused and also slightly embarrassed. If the austere Potions master had any idea that he was the subject of her amorous dreams…! She shuddered at the thought. Shaking her head to clear it of these thoughts, she decided to go for a walk. Perhaps it would help calm her.
As Hermione wandered through the castle, her mind wandered. As much as she attempted to keep her thoughts away from Harry and Ron, they stubbornly returned to her old schoolmates. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the old days – Harry's invisibility cloak, Nicolas Flamel and the sorcerer's stone when they were first years, the Chamber of Secrets, Sirius Black's innocence as third years, Voldemort's rise and Severus' double agent status when they were fourth years, and on the memories went. Her vision blurred by tears, she did not notice that she was in a part of the castle that she had never seen before. Only when she had reached an unfamiliar portrait and could advance no farther did she realize that she was in uncharted territory for her.
"Password?" asked the portrait, which contained a tall, bored looking man in wizard's robes. He arched his eyebrow at Hermione. "I'm waiting."
"Erm, well, actually, I don't know where I am. Can you help me?"
"Oh!" the man exclaimed, looking considerably more interested. "You are obviously not a Slytherin, then, or you would know that this is the entrance to their common room."
Hermione nodded. "I see. How do I get out?" For looking around, Hermione could not see the way she had entered the room.
The portrait laughed. "Rather ingenious, isn't it? No, sorry; I think it is terribly interesting to see people lose their way in here. Can't help."
"Just who are you, anyway?" she asked irately.
"Salazar Slytherin, at your service." He bowed slightly. Just then, the portrait swung open, and a tall figure clothed in black stepped out. It was Severus Snape.
"Oh thank the gods," breathed Hermione. "Severus, you have got to help me. I haven't a clue how to get out of here."
Severus looked at her, amused. "Didn't you ask Salazar?"
"He wouldn't help," she whined. "Is he really one of the founders?"
Severus laughed. "No. He is, however, Salazar Slytherin's son."
Hermione looked at him, surprised. "His son? Really…"
"A bit of a nuisance, really, but every time I get rid of him he somehow manages to get back here. Haven't got a clue how he does it."
Hermione giggled. "He's certainly quite the friendly one, isn't he?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Quite." He observed her for a moment, then: "Why, pray tell, are you hanging around outside of the Slytherin common room anyway?"
"Oh, I – I had an odd dream, and decided to take a walk, and before I knew it, I found myself here," she answered uncomfortably.
Severus nodded. "Do you want a potion? I can get something…"
"No, no…I'll be all right. Thank you for showing me the way out of here, Severus"
"No problem, Hermione."
And with that, they parted company.
Severus shivered, and turned around to face the portrait of Salazar, Jr. "Don't suppose you could have just shown her the way, could you?"
He grinned shamelessly. "No."
Severus climbed back through the portrait hall. He stood in the common room and shivered. Seeing her so soon after his dream…it had almost been too much for him, he reflected. He returned to his chambers, but refused to sleep, afraid of the dreams that he knew would either haunt or tantalize him.