8.
Holding it under cover.
Hermione had spent an hour in the massive library, although she would have transfigured a chair into a bed and lived there if given the chance. However, she took Professor Snape's words of wisdom to heart and just briefly glanced at all the shelves before she made her way back to her room at Hogwarts.
She didn't think she'd be able to sleep her skin was throbbing and oversensitive. The meeting was remarkable in a horrifying sort of way, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry when Voldemort burned his emblem into her, she was elated with all that she would be exposed to in that library alone, but what scared her the most was the conflicting feelings she felt as her Potions Professor was "reprimanded". She felt it justified and at the same time deplorable. She wanted to run to him and ease his suffering but not before pulling out her wand and doubling his pain. Pain…saying the word made her skin and bones ache. Her breath was coming in short gasps, muscles clutching tightly, blood boiling as she replayed his cries over and over in her mind. She felt invincible and all-powerful yet she shook with fear, this was too much… it was making her sick; she could feel the bile moving up into her mouth as the room went dark.
~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~
Severus sat with his head in his shaking hands across from Headmaster Dumbledore as he quietly spoke.
" You weren't there, old friend. You didn't see the pleasure that lived in her face as he carved into her arm. She had tears streaming down her face her body was shaking yet she smiled like it was the happiest day of her life…" Severus inhaled slowly. ' I believe we've lost her she can't see past the intensity of the magic that now flows through her." He looked up into Albus' eyes and spoke quietly. " I am sorry, I know I've failed you…again."
"No my boy, I should have never let it go this far. However, we now have a larger problem on our hands. Miss. Granger is in possession of very volatile magic. A seed has been planted and is now growing as we speak. She needs someone to help her keep this rage in check. Severus, I know I have asked much of you more than I should be allowed."
Severus' head snapped up at this.
" Please, Severus. You know if I go to her I will do more harm than good."
" Albus, I believe she will seek me out, now that I have portrayed the delightful death eater, but, her potion can not be put off much longer or she shall suspect me."
" I understand, Severus, do as you must."
Severus nodded and left quietly, his limbs trembling as he slowly moved to his chambers.
The next morning Hermione awoke with a feeling of arrogance. She glided to the nearest mirror inspecting herself. She seemed taller and leaner; her hair had a golden tinge to it. She rolled up her left sleeve. The dark mark gleamed up to her she could feel her pulse beating underneath the snakes face. It made her smile. She dressed quickly and left for the Great Hall she felt ravenous, like she hadn't ate for days.
She took her seat quickly and begun filling her plate, just as the owls were delivering the mail. A letter dropped down in front of her.
She broke the seal.
Miss. Granger
Please come to my office directly after dinner.
-S.S
She tucked the parchment into its envelope, and opened the second envelope breaking the black wax that secured it. She knew it was a letter from Voldemort, only it wasn't sent by the same owl. She shrugged as she read:
Miss. Granger
I want Severus working with you on your potion. I will inform you privately on the other details concerning his help.
She tucked both letters into her wand pocket as she finished her breakfast; she ate quickly she only had ten minutes till her Transfiguration class. Hermione had learned a year earlier not to expect much of a challenge from her classes, in fact this observance alone pushed her to seeking "outside" learning. She took it upon her self to complete all assigned reading before the new term would start and would finish assignments months in advance, so it was that made her classes less than appealing. However, Transfiguration and potions still held enough excitement to keep her interest. Today was no different, except she felt confident.
" Class today we shall work on a complex yet achievable spell. The "L'animale temporaneo" spell shall let you be momentarily transfigured into an animal. Now I want you all to cast a barrier around your seats. I have no desire to break up any cat and dog fights. Also, note that a mirror charm should be cast so you'll be able to see what you've transformed into. Once you have cast your shield you need to touch your wand to your forehead and say "L'animale temporaneo" practice it first please."
The class repeated the words once then built a shield around each of their desk.
" Now before you begin, can anyone tell me how long this spell should last?"
Hermione's hand automatically went up.
"Yes, Miss. Granger?"
" Approximately five minutes. Although its been timed up to fifth teen."
" Correct. Now please begin."
Hermione concentrated, she sat up tall closed her eyes and touched her wand to her forehead.
"L'animale temporaneo." She spoke as she felt a tingle between her eyes in the pit of her skull. Slowly she felt her body shrinking as her skin began to itch. She opened her eyes starring back at her was her own reflection.
She looked up to Professor McGonagal.
"Professor?"
" Miss Granger what is wrong?"
" The charm didn't work." McGonagal gave her a stern look.
" There are two reasons for this, Miss. Granger one you've preformed the charm wrong, or two you're already and animagi."
Hermione was annoyed. She had never botched a charm and she knew for a fact she wasn't an animagi. " Professor, I've preformed the charm exactly as you had said and I've never even attempted the training for becoming an animagi."
McGonagal stood dumbstruck; Hermione had never taken such a tone with her.
"Then I suggest you research this effect, Miss Granger."
" Yes, Professor."
The rest of day was uneventful, and she soon found herself standing in front of Snapes office, hand poised to knock.
She heard his voice beckon her in. He waved her into a chair to the left of his desk. He then stood up and took out his wand warding the door and casting a silencing charm.
" Miss. Granger, I trust you received your additional assignment from our Dark Lord this morning?" He sneered.
Her heart fluttered a bit, she didn't know the full extent the Dark Lord had implied; so far Snape just kept her well stock in ingredients
" Yes, he informed me that he wanted me to use your "expertise" to my advantage as to quicken the potion's progress." She looked intently into his obsidian eyes feeling a shiver run down her spine.
" Indeed. I've also been informed that you'll need to be trained."
She sneered. " Trained?" She spat the word as if it were dirty.
" Yes you impertinent little…"
" Tsk.tsk.Professor is that anyway to treat a colleague?" She laughed.
Snapes face hardened as he came around the table and stood directly in front of her.
" I would think you'd welcome my advice as it seems you've already drawn suspicions to yourself in front of your classmates." He raised an eyebrow, challenging her. " Miss. Granger, the benefits that come with the Dark Mark are endless." He paused and shifted his weight. " However, if not controlled you will find yourself in a very difficult predicament. You need to harness this new power or you will be consumed by it. Unfortunately, for you, this is not something your studious little mind can read in a book. And, I have been assigned to "train" you." His eyes narrowed his voice was harsh.
Hermione contemplated this carefully. She didn't trust him however she had no desire to draw any more attention to herself. She stuck out her left hand.
" Agreed."
He shook.
" Now I do believe we have work to do, we will begin your training this weekend." He moved towards the lab door taking the keys out of his pocket. She followed him into the room and walked directly to her potion. She had just picked up the ladle before an excruciating fire shot into her left arm. The ladle dropped to the floor as she looked up at Snape.
" I…sir… " She stammered as she pulled her cloak and mask out of her robes pocket, charmed to be portable. The pain was surging towards her heart she was having trouble breathing. " I'll… be back as soon as I can, P--Professor." She then stuck her finger into the face of her pocket-watch, leaving Severus starring at the spot she had evaporated from.
" Let us pray so, Miss Granger." And he set out to stir the potion, fear carved into his face.
A/N: Oh no! Hermione gets called to the Dark Lords side and not Snape… There's trouble a-brewing. :0) Stay tuned folks…and while you wait drop me a line.
