(A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys…Private Lives was great. Seeing Alan
Rickman up close was so much fun. I'm desperate to go again. I'll try to
update more frequently now.)
Chapter Sixteen
Hermione collapsed onto the couch as soon as she reached her rooms. She lay for hours in the same position, unable to do anything. She couldn't believe that Severus had just called her a 'piece of ass.' She hadn't thought him like the other men she had always been accustomed to dating. A fat tear left her eye, and trailed slowly down her cheek. She felt dirty, used, unclean.
Sometime during the night, Harry, Ron, and Sevolod joined her, comforting her as best they could.
*~*
Severus was doing about as well as Hermione was. He knew that he had hurt her, and the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her. However, he knew that it was all for the best. If Voldemort ever found out that he loved her, well – he shuddered to think what would happen. It would mean the end of her life, of that much he was sure. And he couldn't risk that happening, precisely because he loved her. But that fact that he had hurt her out of love did nothing to sooth his mind.
Severus sighed moodily and stared into the fire that he had built, in the Muggle way to give his hands something to do. He was once again down in his dungeons, having moved himself there when he awoke from his troubled sleep. He took a sip of his brandy and sighed again. Suddenly, quite possibly the person that he least wanted to see at that moment appeared in front of him. It was Sevolod.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Sevolod had inquired angrily.
Severus jumped slightly in his chair. He glared up at his twin. "Oh, hello, you must be my conscience, here to tell me what I can and cannot do. Lovely to see you."
"Shut up. Hermione's distraught, you know."
He shrugged delicately. "And? Your point is?"
Sevolod glared at him. "Are you going to sit here and tell me that you do not care for her?"
"As you bloody well know, I care for no one."
His brother just raised an eyebrow skeptically. Severus rolled his eyes. "This is for the best."
"Do tell why, then," Sevolod invited.
"Because bloody Voldemort is back, that's why."
"Oh Jesus," muttered Sevolod. "Sev…if I'd known…I didn't think."
"That's bloody obvious," replied his twin. "It's safer this way, I don't want her to get hurt."
"I see…but couldn't you tell her this?"
"She'll know that I am trying to protect her, and then she'll be angry. You know Hermione…" he trailed off.
Sevolod nodded. "All right, then I won't tell her either."
"Thank you."
*~*
Severus was still in his chambers, alone, late that same night, when he was paid a visit by the Headmaster.
"Severus," Dumbledore said gently, laying a hand on the younger, taller man's shoulders. "You know, you have more than paid your debt."
Severus closed his eyes and swallowed hard. "You know I haven't," he whispered.
Dumbeldore shook his head in sorrow. "You always were the hardest on yourself, Severus."
His eyes burning, Severus looked at the Headmaster. "I will go back."
Dumbledore spread his hands. "There is nothing I can do to stop you. But, I would counsel against it. Voldemort will kill you."
Severus looked him square in the eye, and said: "So be it."
*~*
Hermione awoke early on Sunday morning. Stretching, she yawned deeply, and then the events of the previous day came flooding back to her. She dropped her head heavily back down onto her pillow; for a moment she had almost thought it was a dream. She rose from the bed, slipped on her bathrobe determinedly. She would get over him, today, if it was the last thing she did.
With a flick of her wand, she filled the tub with hot water and fragrant bubbles. A muttered spell, and Hermione heard the first strains of The Goo Goo Dolls in the air, and she smiled slightly. Then she went and fetched the most important ingredient for her day: a tub of ice cream, chocolate chip. She grabbed a spoon, and began her day of pampering.
Several hours later, Hermione was finished. She looked gorgeous. She was wearing flattering periwinkle robes, a tad too tight, the way Viktor had liked them. Her nails and toes were done, and she had put makeup on. She really looked rather pretty when she put a little effort into it, she reflected as she surveyed herself in the mirror. "Go, girl!" commented her mirror, and Hermione laughed. She checked her watch, and decided to head to the Great Hall for lunch.
Hermione walked in, and sat at her customary place at the table, next to the Potions master. She smiled innocently at him. "Good afternoon, Severus."
He seemed to be having trouble focusing. His eyes kept flickering down to her chest, which was rather emphasized by her robes. After a few moments, Severus realized that a response was required of him, so he managed to splutter a short "Good afternoon." He looked to his right, and saw Albus, who seemed to be finding something very funny. He fixed one of his famous glares at the Headmaster, who was not in the least discouraged by the professor's disapproval. Severus soon found that he could not eat while Hermione sat next to him, for she kept finding excuses to move her lush body into his range of vision. He feared that she would notice his raging hard-on. After a few moments of this torture, Severus just could not take it anymore. He rose and left, without so much as a good-bye.
Hermione looked to her right, and did a double take. She saw Minerva and Albus, laughing their heads off, without so much as a care that the students were watching in bewilderment. Hermione just shrugged, and went back to her meal.
*~*
Severus paced the length of his room angrily. What in hell did that chit of a girl think she was playing at? He was a grown man, old enough to be her father, and she was attempting to seduce him? What foolishness. Besides, he reminded himself, he had to return to Voldemort, and he couldn't risk her. But that's just not fair, a voice in his head argued. Ah, but you lost your right to fairness when you became a Death Eater all those years ago, a nastier voice in his head spoke up. He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts, and left the room. He decided to make some potions that he had been meaning to make for Madame Pomfrey's stores. Perhaps it would relieve some of his stress.
As he passed the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, he heard quite a commotion from inside that room. He rolled his eyes; even on a day off students plagued his existence. Severus stuck his head into the room, ready to deduct points, when he saw the cluster of students standing around something. He could vaguely make out a body lying on the floor. He sucked in his breath; had something happened to a student? He pushed his way through the crowd of seventh year Slytherins and Ravenclaws, and he saw who was lying on the floor, unconscious. It was Hermione Granger. Immediately, he picked her up, and gasped softly when he saw the small pool of blood that had collected underneath her. Severus immediately started out of the room with her. He had to get to Poppy's.
"Miss Granden, follow me," he called over his shoulder as he hurried away. The seventh year Slytherin girl started after him. She had to run to keep up with his broad strides.
Severus banged into the infirmary. "Poppy?" he called. Poppy came hurrying into the room. She sucked in her breath when she saw Hermione, pale and limp, in Severus' arms.
"Put her down, there," she ordered. He did so. "Now, you need to leave, Severus. I'll update you later."
He was about to protest, but he saw no use in it. So he nodded, and beckoned for Granden to follow him out of the room. She did so.
They headed for his office. When they got there, he sat down behind his desk. He was almost nervous. "Sit, sit," he said to Miss Granden, and she did.
"Now, perhaps you could tell me what happened to Professor Granger."
She shrugged. "I'm really not sure, Professor Snape. One minute she was fine, and we were talking, and the next, she was doubled up, moaning on the floor. Then she passed out." Miss Granden paused, as if she was about to say something else but thought better of it.
"What?" asked Severus.
"Well, sir," she began nervously, "I know this probably isn't true, but…It seemed as if she had been pregnant, and she had miscarried. That was the impression I got, from, ahh…the way the blood was." She looked down into her lap, slightly embarrassed.
Severus was shocked. He looked down at his hands in his lap, which were shaking. "You may go." He dismissed her quietly. She left the room without another word.
Severus did not move from his position in his office for a long time.
Alan Rickman: So, is Hermione pregnant? Hmmm?
Juleya: You know, Alan, you're going to have to wait until the next chapter to find out.
Alan: I know, I know…and the only way for Juleya to post the next chapter is if you review!
Chapter Sixteen
Hermione collapsed onto the couch as soon as she reached her rooms. She lay for hours in the same position, unable to do anything. She couldn't believe that Severus had just called her a 'piece of ass.' She hadn't thought him like the other men she had always been accustomed to dating. A fat tear left her eye, and trailed slowly down her cheek. She felt dirty, used, unclean.
Sometime during the night, Harry, Ron, and Sevolod joined her, comforting her as best they could.
*~*
Severus was doing about as well as Hermione was. He knew that he had hurt her, and the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her. However, he knew that it was all for the best. If Voldemort ever found out that he loved her, well – he shuddered to think what would happen. It would mean the end of her life, of that much he was sure. And he couldn't risk that happening, precisely because he loved her. But that fact that he had hurt her out of love did nothing to sooth his mind.
Severus sighed moodily and stared into the fire that he had built, in the Muggle way to give his hands something to do. He was once again down in his dungeons, having moved himself there when he awoke from his troubled sleep. He took a sip of his brandy and sighed again. Suddenly, quite possibly the person that he least wanted to see at that moment appeared in front of him. It was Sevolod.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Sevolod had inquired angrily.
Severus jumped slightly in his chair. He glared up at his twin. "Oh, hello, you must be my conscience, here to tell me what I can and cannot do. Lovely to see you."
"Shut up. Hermione's distraught, you know."
He shrugged delicately. "And? Your point is?"
Sevolod glared at him. "Are you going to sit here and tell me that you do not care for her?"
"As you bloody well know, I care for no one."
His brother just raised an eyebrow skeptically. Severus rolled his eyes. "This is for the best."
"Do tell why, then," Sevolod invited.
"Because bloody Voldemort is back, that's why."
"Oh Jesus," muttered Sevolod. "Sev…if I'd known…I didn't think."
"That's bloody obvious," replied his twin. "It's safer this way, I don't want her to get hurt."
"I see…but couldn't you tell her this?"
"She'll know that I am trying to protect her, and then she'll be angry. You know Hermione…" he trailed off.
Sevolod nodded. "All right, then I won't tell her either."
"Thank you."
*~*
Severus was still in his chambers, alone, late that same night, when he was paid a visit by the Headmaster.
"Severus," Dumbledore said gently, laying a hand on the younger, taller man's shoulders. "You know, you have more than paid your debt."
Severus closed his eyes and swallowed hard. "You know I haven't," he whispered.
Dumbeldore shook his head in sorrow. "You always were the hardest on yourself, Severus."
His eyes burning, Severus looked at the Headmaster. "I will go back."
Dumbledore spread his hands. "There is nothing I can do to stop you. But, I would counsel against it. Voldemort will kill you."
Severus looked him square in the eye, and said: "So be it."
*~*
Hermione awoke early on Sunday morning. Stretching, she yawned deeply, and then the events of the previous day came flooding back to her. She dropped her head heavily back down onto her pillow; for a moment she had almost thought it was a dream. She rose from the bed, slipped on her bathrobe determinedly. She would get over him, today, if it was the last thing she did.
With a flick of her wand, she filled the tub with hot water and fragrant bubbles. A muttered spell, and Hermione heard the first strains of The Goo Goo Dolls in the air, and she smiled slightly. Then she went and fetched the most important ingredient for her day: a tub of ice cream, chocolate chip. She grabbed a spoon, and began her day of pampering.
Several hours later, Hermione was finished. She looked gorgeous. She was wearing flattering periwinkle robes, a tad too tight, the way Viktor had liked them. Her nails and toes were done, and she had put makeup on. She really looked rather pretty when she put a little effort into it, she reflected as she surveyed herself in the mirror. "Go, girl!" commented her mirror, and Hermione laughed. She checked her watch, and decided to head to the Great Hall for lunch.
Hermione walked in, and sat at her customary place at the table, next to the Potions master. She smiled innocently at him. "Good afternoon, Severus."
He seemed to be having trouble focusing. His eyes kept flickering down to her chest, which was rather emphasized by her robes. After a few moments, Severus realized that a response was required of him, so he managed to splutter a short "Good afternoon." He looked to his right, and saw Albus, who seemed to be finding something very funny. He fixed one of his famous glares at the Headmaster, who was not in the least discouraged by the professor's disapproval. Severus soon found that he could not eat while Hermione sat next to him, for she kept finding excuses to move her lush body into his range of vision. He feared that she would notice his raging hard-on. After a few moments of this torture, Severus just could not take it anymore. He rose and left, without so much as a good-bye.
Hermione looked to her right, and did a double take. She saw Minerva and Albus, laughing their heads off, without so much as a care that the students were watching in bewilderment. Hermione just shrugged, and went back to her meal.
*~*
Severus paced the length of his room angrily. What in hell did that chit of a girl think she was playing at? He was a grown man, old enough to be her father, and she was attempting to seduce him? What foolishness. Besides, he reminded himself, he had to return to Voldemort, and he couldn't risk her. But that's just not fair, a voice in his head argued. Ah, but you lost your right to fairness when you became a Death Eater all those years ago, a nastier voice in his head spoke up. He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts, and left the room. He decided to make some potions that he had been meaning to make for Madame Pomfrey's stores. Perhaps it would relieve some of his stress.
As he passed the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, he heard quite a commotion from inside that room. He rolled his eyes; even on a day off students plagued his existence. Severus stuck his head into the room, ready to deduct points, when he saw the cluster of students standing around something. He could vaguely make out a body lying on the floor. He sucked in his breath; had something happened to a student? He pushed his way through the crowd of seventh year Slytherins and Ravenclaws, and he saw who was lying on the floor, unconscious. It was Hermione Granger. Immediately, he picked her up, and gasped softly when he saw the small pool of blood that had collected underneath her. Severus immediately started out of the room with her. He had to get to Poppy's.
"Miss Granden, follow me," he called over his shoulder as he hurried away. The seventh year Slytherin girl started after him. She had to run to keep up with his broad strides.
Severus banged into the infirmary. "Poppy?" he called. Poppy came hurrying into the room. She sucked in her breath when she saw Hermione, pale and limp, in Severus' arms.
"Put her down, there," she ordered. He did so. "Now, you need to leave, Severus. I'll update you later."
He was about to protest, but he saw no use in it. So he nodded, and beckoned for Granden to follow him out of the room. She did so.
They headed for his office. When they got there, he sat down behind his desk. He was almost nervous. "Sit, sit," he said to Miss Granden, and she did.
"Now, perhaps you could tell me what happened to Professor Granger."
She shrugged. "I'm really not sure, Professor Snape. One minute she was fine, and we were talking, and the next, she was doubled up, moaning on the floor. Then she passed out." Miss Granden paused, as if she was about to say something else but thought better of it.
"What?" asked Severus.
"Well, sir," she began nervously, "I know this probably isn't true, but…It seemed as if she had been pregnant, and she had miscarried. That was the impression I got, from, ahh…the way the blood was." She looked down into her lap, slightly embarrassed.
Severus was shocked. He looked down at his hands in his lap, which were shaking. "You may go." He dismissed her quietly. She left the room without another word.
Severus did not move from his position in his office for a long time.
Alan Rickman: So, is Hermione pregnant? Hmmm?
Juleya: You know, Alan, you're going to have to wait until the next chapter to find out.
Alan: I know, I know…and the only way for Juleya to post the next chapter is if you review!