Chapter Twenty-five
In which Harry and Snape make each other uncomfortable
Harry had matured a lot since the beginning of the war, but he still saw his potions' professor as his personal adversary, even if they supported the same cause. Nothing but a direct order from Dumbledore would ever have caused him to touch the man. But the headmaster had indeed ordered him to help Snape to the secret chamber where Hermione would be coming through her assigned looking glass. Harry had seen the marks on Snape's chest and thought them quite grisly, but he did not realize how serious, how close of a call it had been, until he rather unwillingly helped the professor down the stairs of the tower and toward their destination. Severus was still weak from the incredible loss of blood. His steps were ungainly, which was very surprising because of the gracefully gliding manner in which Snape normally moved through the castle.
For his part, Severus would rather have had the aid of almost any student or faculty member, but, no, he had to have the Boy-Who-Lived acting as his escort, walking through the hallway where anyone might see them. The gossip would not end for years and years if any student saw the menacing potions' professor walking with Harry Potter's arm around him. Severus was well aware that Potter's arm was the only thing that kept him from pitching either backward or forward and landing in a heap, but he still resented the possible implications. If Hermione were not in the forefront of his thoughts, that consequence might have been vastly preferable, but as it was, Severus felt as though he wouldn't be able to breathe properly until he saw her again, safe and sound, and hopefully smiling.
When they reached the chamber wherein the magical mirror hung, Harry deposited Snape upon one of the benches and took a seat on the other one himself. Severus looked pale and anxious in the dim light.
Of course, in Snape's opinion, Harry looked as though he had not been sleeping very well, which was perfectly true. All of his energy had gone into the search, but the professor didn't know that. Truthfully, he suspected it, but Severus also knew of Potter's penchant for after hours activities that were not authorized.
"Who taught my classes while I was ... indisposed?" questioned Professor Snape. Hermione's need to make conversation had already managed to rub off on him.
"Classes were canceled, professor." answered Harry.
Snape raised his eyebrows at this bit of news. He imagined that the headmaster had found someone to fill in for himself, not to mention Professor Lupin. Apparently not.
"Really?" he questioned.
"All of the professors took part in the searches as well as the prefects and Ron and myself. The castle was turned inside out at least twice." Harry informed him.
Professor Snape would probably have inquired more deeply into the matter, but just then someone came flying out of the mirror on the wall, landing on the floor with a loud smack and narrowly missing the rough hewn table with her head. Harry winced at how close she had come.
"That is one wild ride." said Hermione from the floor, laughing as she looked up at Severus and Harry.
"Are you all right then?" questioned Severus as she scrambled up and brushed off her robes.
"None the worse for wear, I suppose. You look ghastly, Severus. Or should I say I say ghostly? Honestly, don't you belong in the hospital wing?" she questioned, lifting his chin to examine his color.
Harry's eyes were as round as saucers as he watched Hermione brush Snape's hair back with her fingertips. Never mind the fact that she was calling him by his first name. Then Snape did something unexpected. He smiled. It was a condescending or mean-spirited sneer. Or a nasty and superior smirk. The thing that touched his lips was nothing less than an ordinary smile. And it was so weird to see it on his face.
"I told you that it was my intention to be waiting for you, did I not?" Severus questioned.
"Yes, but please tell me that you have been seen to in the meantime." she said.
"Of course I have. I am expected in the hospital wing soon."
Hermione turned to her friend who was still watching the scene before him in utter disbelief and asked, "Is it so, Harry? Did Madam Pomfrey examine him yet?"
"Yes, she did." he replied.
"Thank you, Potter." said Snape.
Harry frowned at him and waited for the scathing remark that was sure to follow. It never came. Or if it did, it was days later. The professor turned his attention back to Hermione. His smile became a slightly smirk.
"What of Remus and Ginny?" she inquired.
"Ginny is in the hospital wing. I don't know how it happened, but she was attacked, we believe, by one of those things." Severus told her gently. "Professor Dumbledore is still awaiting Remus's return." he added.
"He has a long way to go." said Hermione softly.
"He does, but Remus is a force to be reckoned with." Severus acknowledged.
Harry blinked. Had Severus Snape just complimented Remus Lupin, known werewolf and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? How uncanny was that!
"Maybe we should go check and see ..." said Harry timidly.
"Quite right." Hermione agreed, helping Severus to his feet. "Unless you would rather go to the hospital wing." she suggested.
"Not at all. I want to see if Remus has kept that sorry skin of his in one piece." chuckled Severus, putting an arm around her shoulder. She slipped an arm comfortably around his waist. He suddenly frowned. "Potter, run ahead, would you?" he ordered with a modicum of civility, which was quite a bit more than Harry was accustomed to. Harry nodded and left quite speedily.
"Severus?" Hermione questioned.
"I am not certain that it would be wise for us to be seen together in this fashion." he said. Her face fell. "No, you misunderstand, Hermione. I merely state this as a matter of necessity. You know of the roles that I play. There are those within the school that might find our association suspect."
"I can hide my affection for you, Severus. You need only ask me to do so. We are fighting a war. I'm not a little girl. I understand the facts quite well. But could you not tell them that you are trying to recruit me to use me for my skills? I am young, but I already have a reputation, do I not?" inquired Hermione.
"I could also say that I have you under a spell, but the result would be the same. There would be questions that I would be forced to answer in less than ideal circumstances."
"Under the Cruciatus curse you mean." she said flatly. He touched her hair and sighed softly.
"Don't think of such things, Hermione. I can see it in your eyes ..."
"What would you have me do?"
"It is a terrible thing to ask a woman to love in secret, but I would ask it of you, Hermione, at least for now, for a little while. The war will not last forever. We will prevail."
Hermione shivered and closed her eyes as the last written words of Grindelwald came back to her: evil does not die ... always stronger ... until the end of time.
"Are you so certain?"
"Look at me." he demanded, cupping her face in his hands for a second time.
Hermione slowly opened her warm brown eyes and peered into the earnest depths of his.
"In your eyes, I see the end of the war. I see the courage to fight the battles. I see the hope needed always to continue the struggle against evil. I see the strength to rise from the ashes if it is necessary. It's all in there. If only you could see it too." Severus told her fervently.
"I will try, Severus."
"Then until the war ends, we cannot show our feelings openly."
"So be it."
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A/N: Still a few more chapters to go.
Arsinoe: I always like it when Remus gets the girl too. I agree with you about the age difference. Twenty years would be more like ten with their life span. Not that twenty bothers me (I have friends *grins*). Thank you for reviewing!
miss_edith: That wasn't the end (though a surprising number of people thought so). Thank you for your compliments and for reviewing!
plastic: Ah ... sweet relativism! The struggle between good and evil is a thing of fiction, but it makes it more fun, like a sport. Pick a team and root them on. *shrugs* Good points though. I mostly agree. Thanks for the review!
Yukito Forever: Er ... I will keep that in mind. Thanks for reviewing!
Enfleurage: Thank you very much for reviewing!
Christine: They are? *blinks, does a quick head count, and wanders off* Thank you for the review!
LadyTiffany: Thank you!
Dramaqueen: Er ... not quite over. I'm working on a Grindelwald era companion piece (which might be done ... soon). Thanks for reviewing!
The Draven Cats: I try very hard to keep the characters IC (Severus tends to wander toward niceness and Remus wants to mope). It's weird. The mood was helped along by the fact that I write really late at night (when it's dark and all quiet and cold). I'm hope you were able to get enough sleep! Er ... it's not quite over yet. We've got loose ends here. Thank you for the very positive reviews!
hermia: I think this chaper answers some of your questions. Thanks for the review!
PhoenixFeather7: Thank you for reviewing!
Aine Deande: I would never have guessed that anyone would have enjoyed the head demon scene thing that much. I was concerned that people would be disappointed that it wasn't Grindelwald (I didn't re-write because ... I'm stubborn). I really appreciate on comments on that part. As for continuing the story (after the next few chapters, I mean) *sweats* I have some ideas for a sequel, mostly thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, but I started sketching it out and have gotten stuck ... already *smacks head on writing desk*. So I can't say what will happen with that. I hate writing summaries more than I can say, so the chapter titles give me an almost tongue-in-cheek way of updating the summary with actually having to do that. Glad you like them. Thanks for reviewing!
coolgirlchic16: Yeah, poor Remus. Thanks for the review!
Helen: Good question. Probably Severus looked more haunted, dazed, tired, or traumatized than usual (or some combination thereof). Sorry, I don't he's possessed or something, if that's what you're asking. It would have been a neat idea though. Thank you for reviewing!
AnnabelleElizabeth: Thanks for the review!
EmpressSarah: I'm glad you enjoyed that scene. Thank you for reviewing!
Serenity Raye: I'm sorry you feel let down. I thought the scariness of the approaching demons, not to mention the bones, would have been sufficiently bad for Hermione. Thanks for reviewing!
SlytherinQueen87: Thank you very much for the review!
Rhianna: I am endeavoring, as always, to update in a timely fashion. Thanks for reviewing!
JoeBob1379: This is amazing! You totally understand how Remus would have felt (even better than I do, I think). Very insightful. *counts escapees and scratches head* I've got three. Thank you for reviewing!
Kendall: *blushes* Thank you very much for the review!
Lily of the Shadow: Sorry to let you down about Grindelwald. Thanks for reviewing!
Aislinn: I'm glad you liked that part! Thank you for the review!
Elfmoon87: What happens next? That would be telling. Thank you for reviewing!
In which Harry and Snape make each other uncomfortable
Harry had matured a lot since the beginning of the war, but he still saw his potions' professor as his personal adversary, even if they supported the same cause. Nothing but a direct order from Dumbledore would ever have caused him to touch the man. But the headmaster had indeed ordered him to help Snape to the secret chamber where Hermione would be coming through her assigned looking glass. Harry had seen the marks on Snape's chest and thought them quite grisly, but he did not realize how serious, how close of a call it had been, until he rather unwillingly helped the professor down the stairs of the tower and toward their destination. Severus was still weak from the incredible loss of blood. His steps were ungainly, which was very surprising because of the gracefully gliding manner in which Snape normally moved through the castle.
For his part, Severus would rather have had the aid of almost any student or faculty member, but, no, he had to have the Boy-Who-Lived acting as his escort, walking through the hallway where anyone might see them. The gossip would not end for years and years if any student saw the menacing potions' professor walking with Harry Potter's arm around him. Severus was well aware that Potter's arm was the only thing that kept him from pitching either backward or forward and landing in a heap, but he still resented the possible implications. If Hermione were not in the forefront of his thoughts, that consequence might have been vastly preferable, but as it was, Severus felt as though he wouldn't be able to breathe properly until he saw her again, safe and sound, and hopefully smiling.
When they reached the chamber wherein the magical mirror hung, Harry deposited Snape upon one of the benches and took a seat on the other one himself. Severus looked pale and anxious in the dim light.
Of course, in Snape's opinion, Harry looked as though he had not been sleeping very well, which was perfectly true. All of his energy had gone into the search, but the professor didn't know that. Truthfully, he suspected it, but Severus also knew of Potter's penchant for after hours activities that were not authorized.
"Who taught my classes while I was ... indisposed?" questioned Professor Snape. Hermione's need to make conversation had already managed to rub off on him.
"Classes were canceled, professor." answered Harry.
Snape raised his eyebrows at this bit of news. He imagined that the headmaster had found someone to fill in for himself, not to mention Professor Lupin. Apparently not.
"Really?" he questioned.
"All of the professors took part in the searches as well as the prefects and Ron and myself. The castle was turned inside out at least twice." Harry informed him.
Professor Snape would probably have inquired more deeply into the matter, but just then someone came flying out of the mirror on the wall, landing on the floor with a loud smack and narrowly missing the rough hewn table with her head. Harry winced at how close she had come.
"That is one wild ride." said Hermione from the floor, laughing as she looked up at Severus and Harry.
"Are you all right then?" questioned Severus as she scrambled up and brushed off her robes.
"None the worse for wear, I suppose. You look ghastly, Severus. Or should I say I say ghostly? Honestly, don't you belong in the hospital wing?" she questioned, lifting his chin to examine his color.
Harry's eyes were as round as saucers as he watched Hermione brush Snape's hair back with her fingertips. Never mind the fact that she was calling him by his first name. Then Snape did something unexpected. He smiled. It was a condescending or mean-spirited sneer. Or a nasty and superior smirk. The thing that touched his lips was nothing less than an ordinary smile. And it was so weird to see it on his face.
"I told you that it was my intention to be waiting for you, did I not?" Severus questioned.
"Yes, but please tell me that you have been seen to in the meantime." she said.
"Of course I have. I am expected in the hospital wing soon."
Hermione turned to her friend who was still watching the scene before him in utter disbelief and asked, "Is it so, Harry? Did Madam Pomfrey examine him yet?"
"Yes, she did." he replied.
"Thank you, Potter." said Snape.
Harry frowned at him and waited for the scathing remark that was sure to follow. It never came. Or if it did, it was days later. The professor turned his attention back to Hermione. His smile became a slightly smirk.
"What of Remus and Ginny?" she inquired.
"Ginny is in the hospital wing. I don't know how it happened, but she was attacked, we believe, by one of those things." Severus told her gently. "Professor Dumbledore is still awaiting Remus's return." he added.
"He has a long way to go." said Hermione softly.
"He does, but Remus is a force to be reckoned with." Severus acknowledged.
Harry blinked. Had Severus Snape just complimented Remus Lupin, known werewolf and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? How uncanny was that!
"Maybe we should go check and see ..." said Harry timidly.
"Quite right." Hermione agreed, helping Severus to his feet. "Unless you would rather go to the hospital wing." she suggested.
"Not at all. I want to see if Remus has kept that sorry skin of his in one piece." chuckled Severus, putting an arm around her shoulder. She slipped an arm comfortably around his waist. He suddenly frowned. "Potter, run ahead, would you?" he ordered with a modicum of civility, which was quite a bit more than Harry was accustomed to. Harry nodded and left quite speedily.
"Severus?" Hermione questioned.
"I am not certain that it would be wise for us to be seen together in this fashion." he said. Her face fell. "No, you misunderstand, Hermione. I merely state this as a matter of necessity. You know of the roles that I play. There are those within the school that might find our association suspect."
"I can hide my affection for you, Severus. You need only ask me to do so. We are fighting a war. I'm not a little girl. I understand the facts quite well. But could you not tell them that you are trying to recruit me to use me for my skills? I am young, but I already have a reputation, do I not?" inquired Hermione.
"I could also say that I have you under a spell, but the result would be the same. There would be questions that I would be forced to answer in less than ideal circumstances."
"Under the Cruciatus curse you mean." she said flatly. He touched her hair and sighed softly.
"Don't think of such things, Hermione. I can see it in your eyes ..."
"What would you have me do?"
"It is a terrible thing to ask a woman to love in secret, but I would ask it of you, Hermione, at least for now, for a little while. The war will not last forever. We will prevail."
Hermione shivered and closed her eyes as the last written words of Grindelwald came back to her: evil does not die ... always stronger ... until the end of time.
"Are you so certain?"
"Look at me." he demanded, cupping her face in his hands for a second time.
Hermione slowly opened her warm brown eyes and peered into the earnest depths of his.
"In your eyes, I see the end of the war. I see the courage to fight the battles. I see the hope needed always to continue the struggle against evil. I see the strength to rise from the ashes if it is necessary. It's all in there. If only you could see it too." Severus told her fervently.
"I will try, Severus."
"Then until the war ends, we cannot show our feelings openly."
"So be it."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Still a few more chapters to go.
Arsinoe: I always like it when Remus gets the girl too. I agree with you about the age difference. Twenty years would be more like ten with their life span. Not that twenty bothers me (I have friends *grins*). Thank you for reviewing!
miss_edith: That wasn't the end (though a surprising number of people thought so). Thank you for your compliments and for reviewing!
plastic: Ah ... sweet relativism! The struggle between good and evil is a thing of fiction, but it makes it more fun, like a sport. Pick a team and root them on. *shrugs* Good points though. I mostly agree. Thanks for the review!
Yukito Forever: Er ... I will keep that in mind. Thanks for reviewing!
Enfleurage: Thank you very much for reviewing!
Christine: They are? *blinks, does a quick head count, and wanders off* Thank you for the review!
LadyTiffany: Thank you!
Dramaqueen: Er ... not quite over. I'm working on a Grindelwald era companion piece (which might be done ... soon). Thanks for reviewing!
The Draven Cats: I try very hard to keep the characters IC (Severus tends to wander toward niceness and Remus wants to mope). It's weird. The mood was helped along by the fact that I write really late at night (when it's dark and all quiet and cold). I'm hope you were able to get enough sleep! Er ... it's not quite over yet. We've got loose ends here. Thank you for the very positive reviews!
hermia: I think this chaper answers some of your questions. Thanks for the review!
PhoenixFeather7: Thank you for reviewing!
Aine Deande: I would never have guessed that anyone would have enjoyed the head demon scene thing that much. I was concerned that people would be disappointed that it wasn't Grindelwald (I didn't re-write because ... I'm stubborn). I really appreciate on comments on that part. As for continuing the story (after the next few chapters, I mean) *sweats* I have some ideas for a sequel, mostly thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, but I started sketching it out and have gotten stuck ... already *smacks head on writing desk*. So I can't say what will happen with that. I hate writing summaries more than I can say, so the chapter titles give me an almost tongue-in-cheek way of updating the summary with actually having to do that. Glad you like them. Thanks for reviewing!
coolgirlchic16: Yeah, poor Remus. Thanks for the review!
Helen: Good question. Probably Severus looked more haunted, dazed, tired, or traumatized than usual (or some combination thereof). Sorry, I don't he's possessed or something, if that's what you're asking. It would have been a neat idea though. Thank you for reviewing!
AnnabelleElizabeth: Thanks for the review!
EmpressSarah: I'm glad you enjoyed that scene. Thank you for reviewing!
Serenity Raye: I'm sorry you feel let down. I thought the scariness of the approaching demons, not to mention the bones, would have been sufficiently bad for Hermione. Thanks for reviewing!
SlytherinQueen87: Thank you very much for the review!
Rhianna: I am endeavoring, as always, to update in a timely fashion. Thanks for reviewing!
JoeBob1379: This is amazing! You totally understand how Remus would have felt (even better than I do, I think). Very insightful. *counts escapees and scratches head* I've got three. Thank you for reviewing!
Kendall: *blushes* Thank you very much for the review!
Lily of the Shadow: Sorry to let you down about Grindelwald. Thanks for reviewing!
Aislinn: I'm glad you liked that part! Thank you for the review!
Elfmoon87: What happens next? That would be telling. Thank you for reviewing!