11.
You are what you believe.
Her "training" was to start early Saturday morning, while the rest of the students went to Hogsmead. Hermione had asked that they sit in Severus' personal chambers while they went over the properties of her Dark Mark.
" You mean to say I'll be able to willing change into any animal?" she asked shock etched into her face. He nodded.
" Yes…" He said with a slight annoyance. ' You touch the wand to your mark while imagining the particular animal you are trying to impose as. However, you must understand that it's imperative that you imagine in as much detail as possible."
She nodded in agreement. " May I try it?" she asked hopefully, reminding him of the eleven-year old she used to be.
He mentally smirked at her eagerness. " I suppose. I'd rather be in your presence than have you gallivanting around the halls as some half animal. " He tried to inject as much coldness into his voice.
He watched as she sat up straighter rolling her sleeve up. Severus' heart contorted painfully as his eyes landed on her mark, he wanted to grab her and scream: "It's not worth it, no matter what you might think you're getting out of this its not worth torturing yourself over. Leave him, leave him now before there's blood stained into your soul! It'll eat you from the inside out, Hermione."
" Severus?" He focused back to her; she was standing in front of him her hand on his shoulder.
" Why did you leave last night?" He asked suddenly, hoping to push her away. He couldn't do this anymore. It was like watching a recap of all his bad decisions.
She looked startled for a moment before smiling.
" It wouldn't look very professional if the Head Girl was found resting comfortably in the lap of her Potions Professor, wouldn't you agree." She cooed sliding her hand into his hair as she playfully kissed his cheek. He pulled away from her.
" I don't particularly like being someone's toy." He spat out, crossing his arms defensively over his chest.
She arched an eyebrow at him, deep down she felt a twinge of remorse for the hurt that flashed in his eyes but as quick as it came it was gone leaving a small throb in her left arm. " You have a job to do, Hermione." She reminded herself.
" Severus, ' she hummed ' I am sorry I left you last night. I just didn't want to draw any suspicions to you. We need you on the best of terms with the headmaster. I hardly think our involvement would help you gain favor with the old man." Her voice was low and silky as she stretched out arrogantly on the chair.
Severus' blood was boiling, how dare she show such disrespect to Albus. " Calm down, this is a game to her. She's trying to call your bluff." He raised his eyebrow in contempt.
" How you can stay here, I'll never know." She said as she flipped through her notes.
Severus' gritted his teeth. " This isn't her, Severus! You know it isn't. It's her mark. Do your job, you're her only hope."
" Hermione?" He asked as he stopped in front of her kneeling down and placing his hands on her knees. ' What do you hope to gain from your service with our Lord?" Trying to keep his voice light.
She smirked. " Knowledge, Severus." She looked down at her arm. " Its such a small price to pay for the library alone. Don't you agree?" She looked up at him, her eyes holding such life.
" I do." He said. " And I have to say I am very happy about this…" He ran his hand up her thigh willing it not to tremble. 'Added bonus."
She laughed softly, leaning in to kiss him quickly. " We have work to do, love."
As soon as the word left her mouth her stomach clenched. " Love? Where had that come from?" She smiled hoping he didn't see the fear that washed through her eyes.
He watched the panic and pain rush through her eyes. " It hurts doesn't it? A lot harder to love than it is to hate." He spat mentally while verbally telling her that indeed they did have work to do.
They practiced her transformations for the next few hours, and completed the next three steps of Hermione's potion, stopping for dinner in the lab.
" Severus, why are you not allowed to touch another's mark?" she asked generally curious.
He nodded. " I was beginning to wonder when you'd ask."
" Well?" She asked frustration laced in her voice.
" It creates a mental bond with the other person. It's a very valuable gift that our Lord only allows if the two people are united in vows as well. Very few have the bond; in fact I do believe the Lestranges are the only ones at the moment."
She nodded. They ate in silence for the next few minutes each in thought.
" Hermione, have you thought about your plans for after graduation?" He asked as he finished his lunch waving away his plate.
" Mmmm, actually I've received three offers already." Wiping her mouth.
" Three? May I inquire to where?"
" Of course. One is an acceptance letter to Uni to continue my studies, the other one is an apprenticeship with McNeal; studying charms, and the other which I have been giving the most thought to accepting is from Mr. Malfoy."
Severus' eyes widened.
" Lucius Malfoy?" He asked in surprise.
" The very same, he's offered me my own lab along with funding and a personal research team." She smiled; it had come as quite a surprise to her as well. The sheer fact that Malfoy wanted her for his personal research was amazing, it made her feel honored, but deep down she felt nauseous every time she thought about it, she swallowed the treacherous thoughts. This was what she wanted; she knew it, there were no time to be getting scared. She was a death eater, proud that she was chosen. The first Muggle-born to be accepted, she nodded finalizing her thoughts.
Severus felt ill; he had known Lucius for a long time, since before Hogwarts. The man was evil, and charmingly so. There was no way he'd let, her accept his offer. If what she wanted was her own lab, funding, and personal research team then he'd make sure she'd have it but Malfoy would in no way be involved.
" I see, perhaps you'll add another choice to your list." He said smiling brightly at her. " I to would like to offer you a proposal. I have a small potions firm set up. However, my free time is sparse, and I would be honored if you were to direct the company. I would of course provide funding for your research and the continuation of your studies if you wish and I only ask that you would please spare me from hiring Mr. Longbottom as one of your associates. "
She knew the crack at Neville was a joke and smiled lightly at his attempt.
How would this play out if he indeed was a spy? She wondered. For some reason working under Severus wasn't nearly as alarming as working for Malfoy.
" I'd be allowed to attend classes at Uni? " she asked.
" Indeed, in fact I'd prefer it. It would be very beneficial if you did." He stated.
" Where is the lab? " she asked.
" London. It also has an attached flat for your personal use."
" It does sound like quite the offer, Severus." She smiled. " Are you sure you'll be happy with Gryffindors insufferable know-it-all?"
" I hardly find you insufferable, now my dear." He said as he kissed the back of her hand.
She laughed softly at him. " I accept and I must say, the Dark Lord will be pleased. He truly values our skills, Severus, and for us to be working together once I'm free from this school will satisfy him greatly."
Snap nodded, for one minute he was sure he saw the real Hermione, and it made him infinitely sad to hear her speak of Voldemort. Why did it come to this for her, she was so intelligent, he knew she was advanced beyond her years but, this life she had chosen was a road to ruin, he knew first hand how much you could loose at the hands of his once master, and he'd be damned before the girl was lost to him. He cared about her too much, and it was only a matter of time before she was summoned into the other "rooms" Voldemort offered his minions, and a moments hesitation would forfeit her life. He was so frustrated, if he made one wrong move he'd loose his cover, there was a time where he'd welcome death but now now he wanted to live to see her through this.
As soon as he stood getting ready to return to work he gasped in pain, as did Hermione.
" Think he
heard us talking about him?" she joked arrogantly; gritting her teeth.
They both dressed for the
meeting.
" Give me your hand, love. We'll go together." Severus spoke as he reached for her while vanishing out of the room.
A/N: This chapter is a little slow I know, I didn't want it to be slow but I was informed that I had a bit of explaining to do and then she went on and on about how there should a " post-coital discussions" anyways. There is much more to come and I assure you that Hermione is having a hard time being mean to Severus and if it weren't for her remorse I'd kill her off :0) (no-one messes with Severus!)
-P.S: I apologize for the mental imagery of Voldie licking Hermione. :0)
