* ~ The Burn ~ * Chapter 1
Severus Snape was sitting in his private chambers, drinking a cup of tea and staring at the fire, when a tentative knock came at the door. Severus was depressed and angry, and at that particular moment had no inclination to leave his spot by the hearth to open the door. It would only be someone who's presence would serve to annoy him more anyway. The rapping on the door came again. Severus, very irritated at this point, yelled, "Who's there?!?!" He thought to himself, 'Who dares to disturb me at this time of night?' Perhaps I have neglected to mention the time on Severus' grandfather clock - 3:00 AM. A small voice answered him, "It's Hermione, Severus."
*** *** ***
Why was Hermione calling him Severus instead of Professor Snape? Well, it would not be very comfortable calling your colleague Professor, would it? Three years after Hermione had graduated, Professor Vector had retired, and Dumbledore had hired Hermione to take the esteemed professor's place to teach Arithmancy. Hermione loved the subject and was happy to teach it. Of course...that was not the only reason for her return to Hogwarts...
*** *** ***
Severus slowly got up from his chair, and opened the door, grumbling as he did so. When he opened the door, he could not believe the sight that met his eyes. Hermione was bloody and sweaty, and looked as if she would faint at any moment. He quickly ushered her into the room and laid her down on his bed. 'Damn!' he thought to himself. He knew what was wrong with her. With the last bit of strength she had, she pulled up the sleeve of her robes, revealing the Dark Mark, before lapsing into unconsciousness.
Severus Snape was sitting in his private chambers, drinking a cup of tea and staring at the fire, when a tentative knock came at the door. Severus was depressed and angry, and at that particular moment had no inclination to leave his spot by the hearth to open the door. It would only be someone who's presence would serve to annoy him more anyway. The rapping on the door came again. Severus, very irritated at this point, yelled, "Who's there?!?!" He thought to himself, 'Who dares to disturb me at this time of night?' Perhaps I have neglected to mention the time on Severus' grandfather clock - 3:00 AM. A small voice answered him, "It's Hermione, Severus."
*** *** ***
Why was Hermione calling him Severus instead of Professor Snape? Well, it would not be very comfortable calling your colleague Professor, would it? Three years after Hermione had graduated, Professor Vector had retired, and Dumbledore had hired Hermione to take the esteemed professor's place to teach Arithmancy. Hermione loved the subject and was happy to teach it. Of course...that was not the only reason for her return to Hogwarts...
*** *** ***
Severus slowly got up from his chair, and opened the door, grumbling as he did so. When he opened the door, he could not believe the sight that met his eyes. Hermione was bloody and sweaty, and looked as if she would faint at any moment. He quickly ushered her into the room and laid her down on his bed. 'Damn!' he thought to himself. He knew what was wrong with her. With the last bit of strength she had, she pulled up the sleeve of her robes, revealing the Dark Mark, before lapsing into unconsciousness.