It was nearly ten when Snape and Hermione had apparated back to the gates
outside of Hogwarts. They slowly started walking up the grounds to the
castle, the April air moist against their skin.
"Tell me, Miss Granger, why did you let Weasley go?" Snape asked, his black eyes focused on the castle ahead.
"I did no such thing." Hermione replied looking up at the clear night sky.
"Well we know bloody well Weasley himself didn't get out of that room." Snape sighed, impatiently.
"I don't know who let him out or why they would have." She lied.
"And you actually plan on spying on The Order?" snape raised one thick, black eyebrow into the air. "My, you have changed."
"Yes. I will do anything for the dark lord."
"Granger, are you aware of just how serious spying on them is?" Snape stopped and gazed down at her.
"Of course I am." She looked defensively at him.
"If Dumbledore found out --- he would surely have you sent to Azkaban. If the Aurors found out, they would kill you."
"Yes Professor Snape, and what about your relationship with Dumbledore? Does he know that you are playing both sides?"
Hermione saw something flash through his inscrutable black eyes for a moment, and saw that she had struck a nerve.
"Hold your tongue, girl." He hissed.
For a majority of her time at Hogwarts, Hermione wouldn't have dared speak back to Professor Snape; heaven only knew how dangerous he was when he was angry. Now, she felt a surge of anger towards him. He was back to treating her like a little girl again, someone who cannot make decisions for herself.
"Look, Severus," she sneered, "Do you take me to be incompetent?"
"No." His flat tone of voice gave nothing away.
"Of course I know just how dangerous it will be. I knew the level of danger I was putting myself in by merely asking to join Voldemort's side." She started to get louder. "I am sixteen years old, quite old enough to make these choices."
Snape looked at her breifly, his black eyes glittering. "You may possibly want to lower your voice." His eyebrow twitched. "Dumbledore's office happens to be that very window." He pointed up at the castle and a tiny window was illuminated against the black walls, high above.
Hermione lowered her gaze, slightly embarrassed by her rant. "It's a lot to think about." She said blandly. "I'm going for a walk." She said, walking away from him, feeling the dewy grass soak the hem of her robes as she did so.
"Granger - wait." He strode quickly after her down the lawn. She didn't stop and headed for the lake. She would have loved to turn around and see her Potions Professor running, the mere thought made her smile, but she kept focused on the glistening surface in the distance.
Hermione chose a spot near a tall tree and sat down on the damp ground. A moment later, Snape reached her, and she heard him slightly out of breath. She wondered what he would look like sitting on the wet ground, seeing as it didn't quite fit his persona. She couldn't help but frown slightly when he chose his spot, leaning on the tree behind her.
"Professor, do you know why I chose to serve Voldemort?" she said quietly.
"Because you want to be on the winning side. Understandable."
"Aside from that. I have been so hurt by everyone in this past year. Last summer I took Harry on holiday with me to New York. I had hoped he would slip out of his depression. It didn't help. He only depressed me. In the fall I attempted to get him to re-open the D.A.," she heard Snape snigger, but ignored it and continued, "he wouldn't. I've spent most of the past few months milling about in the library, barely speaking with him or Ron anymore." A faint quiver in her voice. Snape wondered if she would begin to cry.
He slipped his cloak off and placed it on the ground. As he sat down he looked thoughtfully at her.
"Miss Granger, is it safe to assume you are enjoying your work as a Death Eater?"
"I am. It makes me feel ---- alive again." She looked down at the wet ground. "I know many of the Death Eaters are wondering how I turned from being Harry's closest friend and having such a firm belief in what is right to becoming a wand wielding maniac. It would be a series of small things that lead me to my decision. The other side doesn't feel rewarding enough anymore. No matter what I do, it's always Harry Potter who receives the credit. I stand firmly by the choice I've made, I want to be on Voldemort' side, to one day be known as someone who was respected and possibly feared. Not someone who Harry Potter thanks in his private journals."
"Hermione, I do believe you will be able to fulfill your duties to the Dark Lord."
Hermione couldn't help but smile. Snape was treating her like an adult. "Why did you go back to the dark side?" she asked.
"I've always known that is my rightful place." He said supremely. "Dumbledore and others think I'm so - noble," he spat that word out with obvious disgust, " for working for The Order, and 'spying' on the Dark Lord. Truthfully, Granger, I favor being by his side. I am a Pure Blood Slytherin... some people tend to forget that."
Hermione didn't say anything, she just looked at her potions master quietly.
"It certainly makes me feel more - alive - like you had said, to wield so much power. When I'm working for Dumbledore it's usually just teaching Potions and grading essays. Dumbledore rarely has work for me. He hasn't even sent me to spy on the Dark Lord in months. I believe he fears for me. Fear that the Dark Lord will find out."
"I always feared that." She said quietly.
"Feared what?" He spoke softly.
"That you would go out on a mission for Dumbledore and not come back." She looked into his glittering black eyes. "Last semester you were away and we had a substitute teacher for Potions, I remember being terrified that Voldemort had killed you. I wouldn't leave the Professor alone until she said you were just away on business and would be back to teach the next day."
Snape gave her a half smile. "Do you honestly think I can't take care of myself, Granger?"
"Of course I do, but the fear was always present in my mind."
"I find it hard to believe that Hermione Granger, Gryffindor, who called her Professor a prat last year in front of the entire class, would worry about me."
"Didn't you know you're my favorite teacher?"
"Am I, now? I would have suspected McGonagall."
"McGonagall? She's too, by the book, you could say. I love how brilliant you are."
"Its true I am quite the genius." He said vainly. Hermione looked at him in surprise.
"And conceited.." She added playfully, nudging him with her shoulder.
Snape cleared his throat and looked up at her. She was truly a beautiful girl, her petite facial features and big brown eyes. He suddenly felt an impulse to kiss her, but fought it. "What did Draco want to show you in his bedroom?" he smirked. "And please you don't have to be too explicit."
Hermione opened her mouth and made a face. "He wanted to show me his Butterbeer cap collection."
"Oh of course he did. Yes, Draco does seem the type to save rubbish."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Professor you really should be more like this in class."
"No, I like the students to fear me. When was the last time anyone in Potions didn't do their homework?"
He was right. Every student at Hogwarts always did their Potions homework out of pure fear for the dark Professor. "I suppose fear is a useful teaching tactic." She teased.
"Miss Granger are you mocking me?" Snape's voice had taken on a dangerous tone.
"Yes. Yes I am, Professor Snape. What are you going to do about it? Spank me?" she smirked.
"Oh I may actually take you up on that offer." He beamed back.
"Professor I had meant to ask you something. When you went into my mind tonight, that was an incredibly strange feeling. How do you do it?"
"It's a gift Miss Granger, not something taught easily. Would you like me to show you sometime?"
"Possibly. Professor when you were in my head, no one has ever been that close to me before. I've never been touched like that."
"Hermione, my intentions were not to make you uncomfortable. If the Dark Lord thought you knew about Weasley.."
"No, no." she bit her bottom lip. "It was enjoyable. I rather liked someone being that close. No one has ever really been so close to me. It was a refreshing feeling from the lack of contact I've had with people over the past few months."
"I see." He said quietly, looking back onto the shimmering lake surface.
"I was hoping you would go back into my mind, again, sometime."
"I suppose that would be alright."
Hermione then inched over closer to her teacher, resting her head on his shoulder. She felt him wrap a strong arm around her and gently stroke her opposite arm. She couldn't help but smile. "Thank you Professor Snape."
"For..?" He asked.
"Everything." She replied.
_______ ________
Okay. Did this help you all out? This was my first chapter using my wonderful new beta, Serpens Potio. I love her, you can all thank her for making the story better then it was before. I hope I cleared some stuff up for you all. Review and drop me an email letting me know your thoughts and opinions. shaddowkatt@yahoo.com
"Tell me, Miss Granger, why did you let Weasley go?" Snape asked, his black eyes focused on the castle ahead.
"I did no such thing." Hermione replied looking up at the clear night sky.
"Well we know bloody well Weasley himself didn't get out of that room." Snape sighed, impatiently.
"I don't know who let him out or why they would have." She lied.
"And you actually plan on spying on The Order?" snape raised one thick, black eyebrow into the air. "My, you have changed."
"Yes. I will do anything for the dark lord."
"Granger, are you aware of just how serious spying on them is?" Snape stopped and gazed down at her.
"Of course I am." She looked defensively at him.
"If Dumbledore found out --- he would surely have you sent to Azkaban. If the Aurors found out, they would kill you."
"Yes Professor Snape, and what about your relationship with Dumbledore? Does he know that you are playing both sides?"
Hermione saw something flash through his inscrutable black eyes for a moment, and saw that she had struck a nerve.
"Hold your tongue, girl." He hissed.
For a majority of her time at Hogwarts, Hermione wouldn't have dared speak back to Professor Snape; heaven only knew how dangerous he was when he was angry. Now, she felt a surge of anger towards him. He was back to treating her like a little girl again, someone who cannot make decisions for herself.
"Look, Severus," she sneered, "Do you take me to be incompetent?"
"No." His flat tone of voice gave nothing away.
"Of course I know just how dangerous it will be. I knew the level of danger I was putting myself in by merely asking to join Voldemort's side." She started to get louder. "I am sixteen years old, quite old enough to make these choices."
Snape looked at her breifly, his black eyes glittering. "You may possibly want to lower your voice." His eyebrow twitched. "Dumbledore's office happens to be that very window." He pointed up at the castle and a tiny window was illuminated against the black walls, high above.
Hermione lowered her gaze, slightly embarrassed by her rant. "It's a lot to think about." She said blandly. "I'm going for a walk." She said, walking away from him, feeling the dewy grass soak the hem of her robes as she did so.
"Granger - wait." He strode quickly after her down the lawn. She didn't stop and headed for the lake. She would have loved to turn around and see her Potions Professor running, the mere thought made her smile, but she kept focused on the glistening surface in the distance.
Hermione chose a spot near a tall tree and sat down on the damp ground. A moment later, Snape reached her, and she heard him slightly out of breath. She wondered what he would look like sitting on the wet ground, seeing as it didn't quite fit his persona. She couldn't help but frown slightly when he chose his spot, leaning on the tree behind her.
"Professor, do you know why I chose to serve Voldemort?" she said quietly.
"Because you want to be on the winning side. Understandable."
"Aside from that. I have been so hurt by everyone in this past year. Last summer I took Harry on holiday with me to New York. I had hoped he would slip out of his depression. It didn't help. He only depressed me. In the fall I attempted to get him to re-open the D.A.," she heard Snape snigger, but ignored it and continued, "he wouldn't. I've spent most of the past few months milling about in the library, barely speaking with him or Ron anymore." A faint quiver in her voice. Snape wondered if she would begin to cry.
He slipped his cloak off and placed it on the ground. As he sat down he looked thoughtfully at her.
"Miss Granger, is it safe to assume you are enjoying your work as a Death Eater?"
"I am. It makes me feel ---- alive again." She looked down at the wet ground. "I know many of the Death Eaters are wondering how I turned from being Harry's closest friend and having such a firm belief in what is right to becoming a wand wielding maniac. It would be a series of small things that lead me to my decision. The other side doesn't feel rewarding enough anymore. No matter what I do, it's always Harry Potter who receives the credit. I stand firmly by the choice I've made, I want to be on Voldemort' side, to one day be known as someone who was respected and possibly feared. Not someone who Harry Potter thanks in his private journals."
"Hermione, I do believe you will be able to fulfill your duties to the Dark Lord."
Hermione couldn't help but smile. Snape was treating her like an adult. "Why did you go back to the dark side?" she asked.
"I've always known that is my rightful place." He said supremely. "Dumbledore and others think I'm so - noble," he spat that word out with obvious disgust, " for working for The Order, and 'spying' on the Dark Lord. Truthfully, Granger, I favor being by his side. I am a Pure Blood Slytherin... some people tend to forget that."
Hermione didn't say anything, she just looked at her potions master quietly.
"It certainly makes me feel more - alive - like you had said, to wield so much power. When I'm working for Dumbledore it's usually just teaching Potions and grading essays. Dumbledore rarely has work for me. He hasn't even sent me to spy on the Dark Lord in months. I believe he fears for me. Fear that the Dark Lord will find out."
"I always feared that." She said quietly.
"Feared what?" He spoke softly.
"That you would go out on a mission for Dumbledore and not come back." She looked into his glittering black eyes. "Last semester you were away and we had a substitute teacher for Potions, I remember being terrified that Voldemort had killed you. I wouldn't leave the Professor alone until she said you were just away on business and would be back to teach the next day."
Snape gave her a half smile. "Do you honestly think I can't take care of myself, Granger?"
"Of course I do, but the fear was always present in my mind."
"I find it hard to believe that Hermione Granger, Gryffindor, who called her Professor a prat last year in front of the entire class, would worry about me."
"Didn't you know you're my favorite teacher?"
"Am I, now? I would have suspected McGonagall."
"McGonagall? She's too, by the book, you could say. I love how brilliant you are."
"Its true I am quite the genius." He said vainly. Hermione looked at him in surprise.
"And conceited.." She added playfully, nudging him with her shoulder.
Snape cleared his throat and looked up at her. She was truly a beautiful girl, her petite facial features and big brown eyes. He suddenly felt an impulse to kiss her, but fought it. "What did Draco want to show you in his bedroom?" he smirked. "And please you don't have to be too explicit."
Hermione opened her mouth and made a face. "He wanted to show me his Butterbeer cap collection."
"Oh of course he did. Yes, Draco does seem the type to save rubbish."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Professor you really should be more like this in class."
"No, I like the students to fear me. When was the last time anyone in Potions didn't do their homework?"
He was right. Every student at Hogwarts always did their Potions homework out of pure fear for the dark Professor. "I suppose fear is a useful teaching tactic." She teased.
"Miss Granger are you mocking me?" Snape's voice had taken on a dangerous tone.
"Yes. Yes I am, Professor Snape. What are you going to do about it? Spank me?" she smirked.
"Oh I may actually take you up on that offer." He beamed back.
"Professor I had meant to ask you something. When you went into my mind tonight, that was an incredibly strange feeling. How do you do it?"
"It's a gift Miss Granger, not something taught easily. Would you like me to show you sometime?"
"Possibly. Professor when you were in my head, no one has ever been that close to me before. I've never been touched like that."
"Hermione, my intentions were not to make you uncomfortable. If the Dark Lord thought you knew about Weasley.."
"No, no." she bit her bottom lip. "It was enjoyable. I rather liked someone being that close. No one has ever really been so close to me. It was a refreshing feeling from the lack of contact I've had with people over the past few months."
"I see." He said quietly, looking back onto the shimmering lake surface.
"I was hoping you would go back into my mind, again, sometime."
"I suppose that would be alright."
Hermione then inched over closer to her teacher, resting her head on his shoulder. She felt him wrap a strong arm around her and gently stroke her opposite arm. She couldn't help but smile. "Thank you Professor Snape."
"For..?" He asked.
"Everything." She replied.
_______ ________
Okay. Did this help you all out? This was my first chapter using my wonderful new beta, Serpens Potio. I love her, you can all thank her for making the story better then it was before. I hope I cleared some stuff up for you all. Review and drop me an email letting me know your thoughts and opinions. shaddowkatt@yahoo.com