A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned. I also have this story listed on Whispers, Adult Fan Fiction
and Lord and Lady Snape websites.. In case it gets deleted here.
Chapter Nineteen
"Hermione, my dear," Madame Pomfrey said as she came into the side room where Hermione had spent the night and morning. "I believe you can go back to light duties now. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you, Poppy," Hermione said smiling genuinely.
"Very well, you may leave the hospital wing but you cannot return to teaching. You must take things easy this week and I want to see you Friday for some more tests. I believe Mr. Potter and Mrs. Weasley are covering your syllabus for the week."
"Really? They never even took Arithmancy in school. How on earth can they therefore teach my classes?" Hermione asked taken aback. This was too much of a failing to her students, especially those about to take their OWL's and NEWT's.
"The Headmaster asked them to do it and I believe they are following your class plans. You have no worries at all, my dear."
"Well, I will run by my classroom to make sure if it's all the same to you, Poppy." Hermione said easing her way to the edge of the bed and standing up with some difficulty due to her pregnancy.
"Very well, I know you will only worry about their teaching abilities otherwise. Under no circumstance must you sit in on lessons though, and you are to rest as much as possible." Poppy warned.
"I fear I may go stir-crazy, Poppy." Hermione mumbled in protest.
"Go visit the library; you never seem to have time these days." Hermione smiled at the thought of getting lost in her old habits.
"What about my Gryffindor's?" She asked.
"You are relieved of all House duties as well. Minerva is taking over the House for the week." Poppy told her and Hermione nodded reluctantly. "I will leave you to get dressed. If you need me for anything then just let me know."
"I will, and thank you again, Poppy. I guess I'll see you on Friday for those tests." Hermione told her, genuinely grateful and smiling warmly at the medi-witch.
"You are welcome, Hermione." With that Poppy left Hermione in peace and moments later she was ready to leave the infirmary.
Taking a deep breath she left the hospital wing and headed off to her classroom, it was Monday and the first of the afternoon classes should be starting soon. She remembered she would need to speak to Poppy later about the tests she was to have, for a start she had no idea what they were for. She ascended one of the main staircases and climbed the stairs slowly. Lost in thought she didn't see Layton Frontera approaching from the opposite direction. Suddenly the stairs decided that they would move on her and she sighed in frustration noticing that where they seemed to be headed would mean that she would have to go the long way round, and grabbed the handrail to steady herself. Suddenly the stairs stopped moving, suspended in mid air and not attaching to anything at the top. Hermione looked up questioningly and noticed Layton standing on the opposite staircase.
"Hello, my sweet. Feeling better?" Layton asked from across the other side of the stair well. Hermione sighed inside and forced a grin onto her face. "Where would you be off to then?"
"I'm going to my classroom, Mr. Frontera," Hermione responded politely. "Unfortunately though this staircase seems to have something else in mind, and I don't quite know what." She said looking over the side and noticing with a gulp that there was nothing beneath her and it was a long way down. Looking back she noticed that the stairs were only partially attached as they had been in the middle of a change. What had happened to stop them?
"Fear not, my sweet. I will help you." Layton told her. He muttered an incantation and waved both hands in front of himself and suddenly the staircase began to move itself to attach onto the one Layton was standing on. Hermione grabbed the other side rail for extra support and her jaw dropped in disbelief. Layton Frontera had just performed exceptionally difficult wandless magic, totally overcoming the will of the infamous Hogwarts staircases.
"Th-thank you, Mr. Frontera," Hermione stuttered as the staircase locked in its new position and she quickly moved to the platform and off the stairs.
"No problem, my sweet. I told you I'm always there for you." He grinned evilly and reached out to her. Hermione flinched slightly and took an involuntary step back. "What's the matter?"
"N-nothing, I. nothing," Hermione stuttered and shook her head. "I must get to my classroom."
"Let me escort you there," he said holding out his hand to her again. This time she reluctantly interlocked her arm with his and he pulled her up the stairs to the next level. Taking a sharp right onto the Arithmancy corridor Layton pulled Hermione through the wooden door into another dark shadow. Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest and she was breathing nervously as she walked along with him. Suddenly Layton stopped and looked at her on eye level, the corridor was deserted and Hermione was scared, Layton had just proven how much power he had command of. He took her right hand and brought it up to eye view. "What are these doing on your hand?" He demanded less than friendly.
"What?" Hermione looked puzzled until she glanced at her hand and noticed the two rings that were there, her heart dropped into her boots. "Snape put them there. He put a spell on them and I can't remove them, I've tried everything," she said lying through her teeth and hoping he wouldn't pick up on it. He regarded her with narrowed eyes and bit his cheek as he considered the situation.
"Let me see what I can do." Hermione was about to protest when there was a commotion down the corridor. Layton released her hand quickly and stepped away from her. "I hope you are well soon, Professor." He said curtly before nodding and turning on his heel, heading off to his next class. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for the disturbance. She looked behind her and noticed what would have been her next class of fifth year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors heading along the corridor.
"Professor Granger," Patrick Weasley said as he noticed her standing in the corridor. "We heard you were ill. Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern.
"I'm better now, Mr. Weasley but I will not be teaching this week. I'm just making sure your substitute teachers know where my curriculae are." She informed her fifth year prefect.
"Well, I hope we have you back in the classroom soon, Professor."
"Thank you, now come along or you will be late and I don't want Gryffindor losing House points." Hermione said as they moved along the corridor again and entered her classroom, which was lovely and bright this time in the morning. Actually, Hermione had windows on two sides of her classroom, which allowed natural sunlight in throughout the day. It was a very pleasant working environment indeed.
"Alright, sit down and be quiet. I am Professor Potter and I will be substituting for Professor Granger as she is currently ill." Harry said from the front of the classroom as the students entered and took their seats. Harry had been writing on the black board so he had not noticed Hermione approach him.
"Is that so, Professor Potter?" She asked grinning slightly when he jumped and turned abruptly. She noticed his attire; he was wearing a long charcoal grey teaching robe and black suit underneath. He had his long black hair tied back and still had a short black beard. He looked quite fetching and certainly much better groomed from the time she had seen him just before her wedding.
"Hermione!" He exclaimed in shock as the class slowly filed into the room. "I heard what happened are you alright?" Harry asked keeping his voice low.
"I'm fine now, still tired though." Hermione assured him with a smile.
"Well, Dumbledore told me to take over for the week." Harry began.
"Yes, I know. I'm to take things easy. I just popped in to make sure things were alright and that you found my lesson plans."
"Everything has been fine so far, though I'm sure you know I've no experience of anything related to Arithmancy. I'm just getting them to read through the chapters you've set and to complete the questions at the end."
"Fair enough, I can't expect anything else I guess but would you set them holiday homework as well? They are already a little behind, I fear." Hermione said apologetically.
"Sure, no problems," Harry replied as the class sorted themselves out and sat quietly awaiting instructions.
"Very well, I will leave you to it. I'll be."
"In the library, perhaps?" Harry asked jovially and raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. if you have need of me," she said blushing slightly and smiling back at him. Harry knew her so well. "Oh, let me just address the class a moment, Harry."
"Sure," Harry said stepping back slightly so Hermione could say what ever it was she had to tell them.
"Okay, class. Professor Potter is taking over from me for the week as he has already told you. I want you to know that I will still be available this week for any questions you have and that we will be having a mock test after the Easter holidays. So, no slacking, I do realise that we are a little behind so I want you all to co-operate with me. I'll be stepping up the revision classes after Easter so don't worry." Hermione told them and then turned to Harry. "Could you relay the same to my other OWL class and both of my NEWT classes as well please, Harry?"
"Will do, Hermione. Now, be off with you." Harry said grinning broadly at her.
Hermione grinned. "Have a pleasant lesson. Good day class." Hermione said as she left the classroom and headed off down to the library.
~~*~~
Severus dismissed his final class of the day and headed towards the library. He wanted to do some reading on binding spells. Albus had heard back from his friend regarding Sekhmet's Book; one Dr. Quentin Cardoba who was a specialist in rare and dark artefacts. He had been studying various artefacts that had been dug up from a variety of archaeological sites, some being from the likes of Egypt and Greece to early Pagan ceremonial places of worship. His work revolved around binding the Ancient magic into the artefact itself and therefore, stopping the item from carrying out its curse on anyone unsuspecting. He had said that he knew the Book of Shadows to be different but he was quite sure that a reworking of a strong binding spell may have the desired effect if cast by several wizards or witches. Dumbledore had various teachers working on the project and Severus would be meeting with Professor Clearwater the next evening to pool together their ideas.
He pushed open the doors to the library and noticed that thankfully it was very quiet inside. Apparently the students had had enough of learning for one day and had not bothered with the library; they would all regret it come exam time. especially in their Potions exams.
Severus noticed Wilhelm Blott, the librarian and nodded in acknowledgement. "Good evening, Professor." Wilhelm said and then got on with his own reading. Moving into the Restricted Section Severus headed for the Charms section. He knew the book he wanted; Moste Dark Charms, and it was lucky that Hogwarts actually had a copy of it, for it was very rare indeed and only about three copies had survived since they were all destroyed after the fall of Grindelwald; along with most dark magic books. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books and it was typical that the very one he wanted to read was not there. A large space on the shelf indicated it had been removed. So, not being deterred before he had even begun the research he picked several other books, and hoped they would have something of use contained somewhere within their pages.
Severus took his stack of books back to the nearest desk within the restricted section and sat down. He flicked through the first one, pushing the rest to the side for the moment and set about looking for anything on binding spells when a scent in the air reached his nose and piqued his interest. He knew that smell; it was the same as the perfume his wife used. He looked up and around for any signs of her and noticed she was sitting at a table just round the corner from his own and with her back to him. She had not noticed him and so could not either start an argument or actively ignore him. Severus didn't want to disturb her, she never had the chance to get to the library anymore and he was pleased that she was taking things easy since being released from the infirmary. He noticed her wedding and engagement rings were still on her finger when she moved her hand into view and he smiled, happy she had not covered them up again, and neither had he. He decided to watch her out of the corner of his eye while continuing on with his own research.
Two hours later Severus pushed the last book to the side in frustration. He had not found much of use at all. Perhaps he should take a look for a potion that would bind magic instead, after all, Charms and foolish wand waving was not his particular forte. He was only researching the Charms at Albus' request but he did know that Professor Clearwater would research the topic herself anyway and being a Ravenclaw he knew that she would also be quite thorough. He stood and took the books back and heading down the next aisle towards the Potions section he looked for a book entitled Moste Potente Binding Potions. He sighed frustrated as he came upon another space on the shelf where the book should be. He was beginning to look for an alternative book yet again when he heard a voice over by the desk his wife was sitting at, he moved closer for inspection.
"So, my sweet, hiding in the library, are you?" Layton Frontera asked moving closer to her. Severus noticed that she jumped when she heard his voice. He also wondered what his fourth year Slytherin student was doing in the Restricted Section.
"Mr. Frontera, you are not permitted to be in this section of the library. Twenty points from Slytherin." Hermione replied and shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Do not tell me what to do! I can go where ever I wish to." Layton hissed back and Severus strained his ears to try to catch the words. "I see you still have that on your finger." He said disgustedly and pointed at the rings. "Remove them. Now," he demanded.
"I can't, I've already told you that they won't come off. He did some kind of binding magic on them. hence the books." She lied and indicated what she was reading although she knew he had already seen them.
"I don't th." Frontera started but was cut off.
"Mr. Frontera," Severus said slowly and glared down at him. "Now, what would a fourth year Slytherin student be doing in the Restricted Section of the library?" Layton jumped up at the sound of his Head of House's voice but was cocky enough to not be intimidated much by it.
"I needed to speak to Professor Granger. Sir." He added the title as an almost after thought and with just a big enough pause for it to be noticed.
"Oh?" Severus said incredulously, "and did you not perhaps know, that Professor Granger is currently on sick leave and therefore not to be hounded by students at all?"
"No, Professor. I had no idea. I'm sure Professor Granger would give me a pass to be in here though." Layton said looking to Hermione with a hard and commanding stare.
"I will do as you ask, Mr. Frontera. After all I feel I should repay your kindness for helping me out these past weeks." Hermione said as her eyes glazed over and she pulled out a blank piece of parchment. Severus knew she was being controlled again and had to put a stop to it, he needed to get them away from each other.
"Professor Granger, perhaps you are not aware that you are not permitted to write such a pass when you are on sick leave?" He drawled in a bored sounding voice.
"I was indeed not aware, Professor Snape." She replied uncertainly, "perhaps you would be so obliging for Mr. Frontera then?"
"No. I will not. You have no reason to be in here Mr. Frontera. You have no assignments that warrant the use of such potentially damaging tomes. You must leave immediately and twenty points from Slytherin, this is strike one against you for this infraction of the rules." Severus told him in no uncertain terms.
"Very well, Sir. I am sorry to bother you. I trust you will be well soon, Professor Granger and I'm sure I will see you around the school before the holidays." Layton bowed slightly and left the library.
"Thank you, Severus." Hermione said quietly. Severus looked at her in surprise; it was his Hermione back for as long as she could keep control of her own mind.
"You are welcome, my love. I will try to keep you safe from him for as long as possible." Severus told her in a hushed tone of voice.
"I know you.will. can't." Hermione trailed off and her eyes glazed over again. "What do you want, Snape?"
"What are you reading?" He asked curtly. e
"What's it to you?" She shot back at him.
"You have the two books I need." Severus stated bluntly.
"Well, I guess that's just tough luck on you." Hermione stated sharply before turning back to her research and ignoring him completely.
Severus sighed before turning back to look in the Potions section again.
~~*~~
Layton Frontera was angry. He had not been able to get close to Hermione for the remainder of the week as her husband kept popping up whenever he saw her. He knew she had managed to break through his control a few times, if only for short amounts of time and he was becoming desperate. He needed to see her and make sure she knew that he was still in control and to give her instructions for the holidays. He had decided it would be best to separate the couple himself as much as possible and so he would tell her she had to leave Hogwarts.
Layton knew that Hermione was to spend another night in the infirmary while Poppy ran some tests; he had heard their conversation in the corridor as he skulked in the shadows. He decided the only way to see her would be to injure himself long enough to be in the infirmary over night as well. So, on the last Quidditch practice he had deliberately got himself hit with a high-speed bludger. oh, how it had hurt but it would be worth it. He couldn't let a Hogwarts professor slip out of his control and he had staked a claim on the Mudblood for himself anyway. The bludger had hit him on the arm, shattering his thumb and he had deliberately fallen from his broom about ten feet to the ground, hitting his head and causing a nose bleed. His teammates had taken him up to the hospital wing, this being an evening he would have to spend the night but he would be fit and well to catch the Hogwarts Express home the very next morning.
Poppy had given him skele-grow to fix his shattered thumb, that was still working and his whole arm was aching. His nosebleed had been fixed after a simple spell. He had slept like a log that night until the first rays of sun had woken him. Hermione had had her brother stay with her all night and Layton lay on his hospital bed waiting for him to leave when the door to her room suddenly opened and Chris came out silently. Layton closed his eyes, watching Chris creep across the hospital wing and leave altogether- he would be off to pack and would return after breakfast to say a final good bye. Layton left it a few minutes before getting up out of bed and creeping across to Hermione's room. Opening the door silently he crept inside and muttered a lumos charm to light one torch as he approached her sleeping form.
"Hey, my sweet," he said softly in her ear and shaking her shoulder. She opened her eyes and turned over to face him.
"Lay-Layton? What are you doing here?" She whispered confused at who she saw leaning over her.
"I've missed you. Are you alright, my sweet?" He asked keeping his voice hushed.
"I-I'm fine. You shouldn't be here though." She said as she fought to regain complete consciousness.
"But I am, so do not tell me otherwise." He commanded in a harsh whisper. "Did you have your tests?"
"Yes, the baby is fine." Hermione replied.
Layton nodded slightly but still very peeved that she had been kept apart from him all this week. He pulled back the blankets covering her. "Move over." He told her.
"What? No. you can't get in here with me." She protested.
"Do not defy me!" He said more loudly and dangerously.
"Poppy will see us." She said trying to reason with him in any way she could.
"No she won't, she's still in bed. Now, let me in." Hermione was shocked, this couldn't happen. he was a student, she was married. She shook her head vigorously. "Right, I've had it with you." He pulled his fist back and swung it into her chest with as much force as he could muster. She hissed in pain as she heard a loud crack and her breath escaped her immediately. He stood staring at her non-compassionately. With her lungs entirely empty she fought to drag air back into them again and wheezed involuntarily, doubling over in bed trying to keep her baby safe from his onslaught.
"Poppy!" She cried as loud as she could but it wasn't loud enough and in fact barely a whisper escaped her mouth. She coughed violently and tears streamed down her face at the immense pain she had raking through her chest and she started to feel light headed.
"I told you before, Mudblood. Do as I say in future. Now, I'll summon you in the holidays and I expect you to come. Is that clear?"
"Aww, yesss." She cried in immense pain, her chest was hurting so much and she was clearly not getting enough oxygen in her system at all as she began to feel very hypoxic.
"You will go back to your parent's over the holidays and tell Snape to stay away from you." He said grabbing her hair and pulling her straighter as she slumped towards her more injured side.
"Yes." Hermione said, trying to fight her mind control but to no effect.
"You will tell no-one I punched you." He demanded grabbing the fistful of hair more tightly.
"Alright," she cried out in agony as Layton finally let her go, turned on his heel and left the room; Hermione losing consciousness soon after.
~~*~~
Hermione regained awareness again a few hours later and moved very slowly as she felt a searing pain in her chest. She remembered what Layton had done and thought that she was deserving of it, well being under his mind control still she would not begin to think anything else after all. She rolled onto her side and gasped as her chest muscles protested and her ribs shifted under the strain. Sitting up slowly she found it far less painful to breathe. Madam Pomfrey came through the door.
"Oh, good. You are awake, Hermione. I'm afraid you missed saying good bye to Chris, the Hogwarts Express just left."
"That's alright, Poppy. I'll be going back to my parent's for the holidays anyway so I'll see him later today." She strained to say as she was still having difficulty breathing deeply.
"Oh, well, you should have a nice break and I'm sure that your parents must miss you." Poppy said as she began to take some more base line observations with her wand. "Hmm. Are you having difficulty breathing? Do you have a painful chest?"
"Yes, it hurts like hell." Hermione replied in clear pain.
"Who did this to you?" Poppy asked concerned.
"I can't say." Hermione replied simply.
"Was it Chris?" Poppy asked, although she couldn't imagine him summoning so much force.
"No!" She shouted as forcefully as she could.
"Then. who? No-one else was here with you last night." Poppy said with a frown on her face.
"No-one, Poppy. Just help with the pain and leave it at that, please." Hermione replied sharply as she ran a hand through her hair. She was in too much pain to bother about being nice.
"You have two fractured ribs and severe bruising as well as low blood oxygen levels due to shallow breathing." Poppy said examining her more closely, "I will get you some skele-grow and an analgesia, and beg of you to reconsider and tell someone who is assaulting you."
"No. You are to tell absolutely no one about this, Madam Pomfrey. I have a right to patient confidentiality and I demand that you adhere to my wishes." Hermione said.
"As you wish, but I still beg of you to reconsider." Poppy said, sufficiently reprimanded.
After taking the potions and allowing them to work Hermione was allowed to leave the hospital wing- although she self-discharged much to Madam Pomfrey's protestations. She packed some clothes quickly and within the hour she left Hogwarts and apparated to her parents spare bedroom without another word to anybody.
Chapter Nineteen
"Hermione, my dear," Madame Pomfrey said as she came into the side room where Hermione had spent the night and morning. "I believe you can go back to light duties now. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you, Poppy," Hermione said smiling genuinely.
"Very well, you may leave the hospital wing but you cannot return to teaching. You must take things easy this week and I want to see you Friday for some more tests. I believe Mr. Potter and Mrs. Weasley are covering your syllabus for the week."
"Really? They never even took Arithmancy in school. How on earth can they therefore teach my classes?" Hermione asked taken aback. This was too much of a failing to her students, especially those about to take their OWL's and NEWT's.
"The Headmaster asked them to do it and I believe they are following your class plans. You have no worries at all, my dear."
"Well, I will run by my classroom to make sure if it's all the same to you, Poppy." Hermione said easing her way to the edge of the bed and standing up with some difficulty due to her pregnancy.
"Very well, I know you will only worry about their teaching abilities otherwise. Under no circumstance must you sit in on lessons though, and you are to rest as much as possible." Poppy warned.
"I fear I may go stir-crazy, Poppy." Hermione mumbled in protest.
"Go visit the library; you never seem to have time these days." Hermione smiled at the thought of getting lost in her old habits.
"What about my Gryffindor's?" She asked.
"You are relieved of all House duties as well. Minerva is taking over the House for the week." Poppy told her and Hermione nodded reluctantly. "I will leave you to get dressed. If you need me for anything then just let me know."
"I will, and thank you again, Poppy. I guess I'll see you on Friday for those tests." Hermione told her, genuinely grateful and smiling warmly at the medi-witch.
"You are welcome, Hermione." With that Poppy left Hermione in peace and moments later she was ready to leave the infirmary.
Taking a deep breath she left the hospital wing and headed off to her classroom, it was Monday and the first of the afternoon classes should be starting soon. She remembered she would need to speak to Poppy later about the tests she was to have, for a start she had no idea what they were for. She ascended one of the main staircases and climbed the stairs slowly. Lost in thought she didn't see Layton Frontera approaching from the opposite direction. Suddenly the stairs decided that they would move on her and she sighed in frustration noticing that where they seemed to be headed would mean that she would have to go the long way round, and grabbed the handrail to steady herself. Suddenly the stairs stopped moving, suspended in mid air and not attaching to anything at the top. Hermione looked up questioningly and noticed Layton standing on the opposite staircase.
"Hello, my sweet. Feeling better?" Layton asked from across the other side of the stair well. Hermione sighed inside and forced a grin onto her face. "Where would you be off to then?"
"I'm going to my classroom, Mr. Frontera," Hermione responded politely. "Unfortunately though this staircase seems to have something else in mind, and I don't quite know what." She said looking over the side and noticing with a gulp that there was nothing beneath her and it was a long way down. Looking back she noticed that the stairs were only partially attached as they had been in the middle of a change. What had happened to stop them?
"Fear not, my sweet. I will help you." Layton told her. He muttered an incantation and waved both hands in front of himself and suddenly the staircase began to move itself to attach onto the one Layton was standing on. Hermione grabbed the other side rail for extra support and her jaw dropped in disbelief. Layton Frontera had just performed exceptionally difficult wandless magic, totally overcoming the will of the infamous Hogwarts staircases.
"Th-thank you, Mr. Frontera," Hermione stuttered as the staircase locked in its new position and she quickly moved to the platform and off the stairs.
"No problem, my sweet. I told you I'm always there for you." He grinned evilly and reached out to her. Hermione flinched slightly and took an involuntary step back. "What's the matter?"
"N-nothing, I. nothing," Hermione stuttered and shook her head. "I must get to my classroom."
"Let me escort you there," he said holding out his hand to her again. This time she reluctantly interlocked her arm with his and he pulled her up the stairs to the next level. Taking a sharp right onto the Arithmancy corridor Layton pulled Hermione through the wooden door into another dark shadow. Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest and she was breathing nervously as she walked along with him. Suddenly Layton stopped and looked at her on eye level, the corridor was deserted and Hermione was scared, Layton had just proven how much power he had command of. He took her right hand and brought it up to eye view. "What are these doing on your hand?" He demanded less than friendly.
"What?" Hermione looked puzzled until she glanced at her hand and noticed the two rings that were there, her heart dropped into her boots. "Snape put them there. He put a spell on them and I can't remove them, I've tried everything," she said lying through her teeth and hoping he wouldn't pick up on it. He regarded her with narrowed eyes and bit his cheek as he considered the situation.
"Let me see what I can do." Hermione was about to protest when there was a commotion down the corridor. Layton released her hand quickly and stepped away from her. "I hope you are well soon, Professor." He said curtly before nodding and turning on his heel, heading off to his next class. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for the disturbance. She looked behind her and noticed what would have been her next class of fifth year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors heading along the corridor.
"Professor Granger," Patrick Weasley said as he noticed her standing in the corridor. "We heard you were ill. Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern.
"I'm better now, Mr. Weasley but I will not be teaching this week. I'm just making sure your substitute teachers know where my curriculae are." She informed her fifth year prefect.
"Well, I hope we have you back in the classroom soon, Professor."
"Thank you, now come along or you will be late and I don't want Gryffindor losing House points." Hermione said as they moved along the corridor again and entered her classroom, which was lovely and bright this time in the morning. Actually, Hermione had windows on two sides of her classroom, which allowed natural sunlight in throughout the day. It was a very pleasant working environment indeed.
"Alright, sit down and be quiet. I am Professor Potter and I will be substituting for Professor Granger as she is currently ill." Harry said from the front of the classroom as the students entered and took their seats. Harry had been writing on the black board so he had not noticed Hermione approach him.
"Is that so, Professor Potter?" She asked grinning slightly when he jumped and turned abruptly. She noticed his attire; he was wearing a long charcoal grey teaching robe and black suit underneath. He had his long black hair tied back and still had a short black beard. He looked quite fetching and certainly much better groomed from the time she had seen him just before her wedding.
"Hermione!" He exclaimed in shock as the class slowly filed into the room. "I heard what happened are you alright?" Harry asked keeping his voice low.
"I'm fine now, still tired though." Hermione assured him with a smile.
"Well, Dumbledore told me to take over for the week." Harry began.
"Yes, I know. I'm to take things easy. I just popped in to make sure things were alright and that you found my lesson plans."
"Everything has been fine so far, though I'm sure you know I've no experience of anything related to Arithmancy. I'm just getting them to read through the chapters you've set and to complete the questions at the end."
"Fair enough, I can't expect anything else I guess but would you set them holiday homework as well? They are already a little behind, I fear." Hermione said apologetically.
"Sure, no problems," Harry replied as the class sorted themselves out and sat quietly awaiting instructions.
"Very well, I will leave you to it. I'll be."
"In the library, perhaps?" Harry asked jovially and raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. if you have need of me," she said blushing slightly and smiling back at him. Harry knew her so well. "Oh, let me just address the class a moment, Harry."
"Sure," Harry said stepping back slightly so Hermione could say what ever it was she had to tell them.
"Okay, class. Professor Potter is taking over from me for the week as he has already told you. I want you to know that I will still be available this week for any questions you have and that we will be having a mock test after the Easter holidays. So, no slacking, I do realise that we are a little behind so I want you all to co-operate with me. I'll be stepping up the revision classes after Easter so don't worry." Hermione told them and then turned to Harry. "Could you relay the same to my other OWL class and both of my NEWT classes as well please, Harry?"
"Will do, Hermione. Now, be off with you." Harry said grinning broadly at her.
Hermione grinned. "Have a pleasant lesson. Good day class." Hermione said as she left the classroom and headed off down to the library.
~~*~~
Severus dismissed his final class of the day and headed towards the library. He wanted to do some reading on binding spells. Albus had heard back from his friend regarding Sekhmet's Book; one Dr. Quentin Cardoba who was a specialist in rare and dark artefacts. He had been studying various artefacts that had been dug up from a variety of archaeological sites, some being from the likes of Egypt and Greece to early Pagan ceremonial places of worship. His work revolved around binding the Ancient magic into the artefact itself and therefore, stopping the item from carrying out its curse on anyone unsuspecting. He had said that he knew the Book of Shadows to be different but he was quite sure that a reworking of a strong binding spell may have the desired effect if cast by several wizards or witches. Dumbledore had various teachers working on the project and Severus would be meeting with Professor Clearwater the next evening to pool together their ideas.
He pushed open the doors to the library and noticed that thankfully it was very quiet inside. Apparently the students had had enough of learning for one day and had not bothered with the library; they would all regret it come exam time. especially in their Potions exams.
Severus noticed Wilhelm Blott, the librarian and nodded in acknowledgement. "Good evening, Professor." Wilhelm said and then got on with his own reading. Moving into the Restricted Section Severus headed for the Charms section. He knew the book he wanted; Moste Dark Charms, and it was lucky that Hogwarts actually had a copy of it, for it was very rare indeed and only about three copies had survived since they were all destroyed after the fall of Grindelwald; along with most dark magic books. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books and it was typical that the very one he wanted to read was not there. A large space on the shelf indicated it had been removed. So, not being deterred before he had even begun the research he picked several other books, and hoped they would have something of use contained somewhere within their pages.
Severus took his stack of books back to the nearest desk within the restricted section and sat down. He flicked through the first one, pushing the rest to the side for the moment and set about looking for anything on binding spells when a scent in the air reached his nose and piqued his interest. He knew that smell; it was the same as the perfume his wife used. He looked up and around for any signs of her and noticed she was sitting at a table just round the corner from his own and with her back to him. She had not noticed him and so could not either start an argument or actively ignore him. Severus didn't want to disturb her, she never had the chance to get to the library anymore and he was pleased that she was taking things easy since being released from the infirmary. He noticed her wedding and engagement rings were still on her finger when she moved her hand into view and he smiled, happy she had not covered them up again, and neither had he. He decided to watch her out of the corner of his eye while continuing on with his own research.
Two hours later Severus pushed the last book to the side in frustration. He had not found much of use at all. Perhaps he should take a look for a potion that would bind magic instead, after all, Charms and foolish wand waving was not his particular forte. He was only researching the Charms at Albus' request but he did know that Professor Clearwater would research the topic herself anyway and being a Ravenclaw he knew that she would also be quite thorough. He stood and took the books back and heading down the next aisle towards the Potions section he looked for a book entitled Moste Potente Binding Potions. He sighed frustrated as he came upon another space on the shelf where the book should be. He was beginning to look for an alternative book yet again when he heard a voice over by the desk his wife was sitting at, he moved closer for inspection.
"So, my sweet, hiding in the library, are you?" Layton Frontera asked moving closer to her. Severus noticed that she jumped when she heard his voice. He also wondered what his fourth year Slytherin student was doing in the Restricted Section.
"Mr. Frontera, you are not permitted to be in this section of the library. Twenty points from Slytherin." Hermione replied and shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Do not tell me what to do! I can go where ever I wish to." Layton hissed back and Severus strained his ears to try to catch the words. "I see you still have that on your finger." He said disgustedly and pointed at the rings. "Remove them. Now," he demanded.
"I can't, I've already told you that they won't come off. He did some kind of binding magic on them. hence the books." She lied and indicated what she was reading although she knew he had already seen them.
"I don't th." Frontera started but was cut off.
"Mr. Frontera," Severus said slowly and glared down at him. "Now, what would a fourth year Slytherin student be doing in the Restricted Section of the library?" Layton jumped up at the sound of his Head of House's voice but was cocky enough to not be intimidated much by it.
"I needed to speak to Professor Granger. Sir." He added the title as an almost after thought and with just a big enough pause for it to be noticed.
"Oh?" Severus said incredulously, "and did you not perhaps know, that Professor Granger is currently on sick leave and therefore not to be hounded by students at all?"
"No, Professor. I had no idea. I'm sure Professor Granger would give me a pass to be in here though." Layton said looking to Hermione with a hard and commanding stare.
"I will do as you ask, Mr. Frontera. After all I feel I should repay your kindness for helping me out these past weeks." Hermione said as her eyes glazed over and she pulled out a blank piece of parchment. Severus knew she was being controlled again and had to put a stop to it, he needed to get them away from each other.
"Professor Granger, perhaps you are not aware that you are not permitted to write such a pass when you are on sick leave?" He drawled in a bored sounding voice.
"I was indeed not aware, Professor Snape." She replied uncertainly, "perhaps you would be so obliging for Mr. Frontera then?"
"No. I will not. You have no reason to be in here Mr. Frontera. You have no assignments that warrant the use of such potentially damaging tomes. You must leave immediately and twenty points from Slytherin, this is strike one against you for this infraction of the rules." Severus told him in no uncertain terms.
"Very well, Sir. I am sorry to bother you. I trust you will be well soon, Professor Granger and I'm sure I will see you around the school before the holidays." Layton bowed slightly and left the library.
"Thank you, Severus." Hermione said quietly. Severus looked at her in surprise; it was his Hermione back for as long as she could keep control of her own mind.
"You are welcome, my love. I will try to keep you safe from him for as long as possible." Severus told her in a hushed tone of voice.
"I know you.will. can't." Hermione trailed off and her eyes glazed over again. "What do you want, Snape?"
"What are you reading?" He asked curtly. e
"What's it to you?" She shot back at him.
"You have the two books I need." Severus stated bluntly.
"Well, I guess that's just tough luck on you." Hermione stated sharply before turning back to her research and ignoring him completely.
Severus sighed before turning back to look in the Potions section again.
~~*~~
Layton Frontera was angry. He had not been able to get close to Hermione for the remainder of the week as her husband kept popping up whenever he saw her. He knew she had managed to break through his control a few times, if only for short amounts of time and he was becoming desperate. He needed to see her and make sure she knew that he was still in control and to give her instructions for the holidays. He had decided it would be best to separate the couple himself as much as possible and so he would tell her she had to leave Hogwarts.
Layton knew that Hermione was to spend another night in the infirmary while Poppy ran some tests; he had heard their conversation in the corridor as he skulked in the shadows. He decided the only way to see her would be to injure himself long enough to be in the infirmary over night as well. So, on the last Quidditch practice he had deliberately got himself hit with a high-speed bludger. oh, how it had hurt but it would be worth it. He couldn't let a Hogwarts professor slip out of his control and he had staked a claim on the Mudblood for himself anyway. The bludger had hit him on the arm, shattering his thumb and he had deliberately fallen from his broom about ten feet to the ground, hitting his head and causing a nose bleed. His teammates had taken him up to the hospital wing, this being an evening he would have to spend the night but he would be fit and well to catch the Hogwarts Express home the very next morning.
Poppy had given him skele-grow to fix his shattered thumb, that was still working and his whole arm was aching. His nosebleed had been fixed after a simple spell. He had slept like a log that night until the first rays of sun had woken him. Hermione had had her brother stay with her all night and Layton lay on his hospital bed waiting for him to leave when the door to her room suddenly opened and Chris came out silently. Layton closed his eyes, watching Chris creep across the hospital wing and leave altogether- he would be off to pack and would return after breakfast to say a final good bye. Layton left it a few minutes before getting up out of bed and creeping across to Hermione's room. Opening the door silently he crept inside and muttered a lumos charm to light one torch as he approached her sleeping form.
"Hey, my sweet," he said softly in her ear and shaking her shoulder. She opened her eyes and turned over to face him.
"Lay-Layton? What are you doing here?" She whispered confused at who she saw leaning over her.
"I've missed you. Are you alright, my sweet?" He asked keeping his voice hushed.
"I-I'm fine. You shouldn't be here though." She said as she fought to regain complete consciousness.
"But I am, so do not tell me otherwise." He commanded in a harsh whisper. "Did you have your tests?"
"Yes, the baby is fine." Hermione replied.
Layton nodded slightly but still very peeved that she had been kept apart from him all this week. He pulled back the blankets covering her. "Move over." He told her.
"What? No. you can't get in here with me." She protested.
"Do not defy me!" He said more loudly and dangerously.
"Poppy will see us." She said trying to reason with him in any way she could.
"No she won't, she's still in bed. Now, let me in." Hermione was shocked, this couldn't happen. he was a student, she was married. She shook her head vigorously. "Right, I've had it with you." He pulled his fist back and swung it into her chest with as much force as he could muster. She hissed in pain as she heard a loud crack and her breath escaped her immediately. He stood staring at her non-compassionately. With her lungs entirely empty she fought to drag air back into them again and wheezed involuntarily, doubling over in bed trying to keep her baby safe from his onslaught.
"Poppy!" She cried as loud as she could but it wasn't loud enough and in fact barely a whisper escaped her mouth. She coughed violently and tears streamed down her face at the immense pain she had raking through her chest and she started to feel light headed.
"I told you before, Mudblood. Do as I say in future. Now, I'll summon you in the holidays and I expect you to come. Is that clear?"
"Aww, yesss." She cried in immense pain, her chest was hurting so much and she was clearly not getting enough oxygen in her system at all as she began to feel very hypoxic.
"You will go back to your parent's over the holidays and tell Snape to stay away from you." He said grabbing her hair and pulling her straighter as she slumped towards her more injured side.
"Yes." Hermione said, trying to fight her mind control but to no effect.
"You will tell no-one I punched you." He demanded grabbing the fistful of hair more tightly.
"Alright," she cried out in agony as Layton finally let her go, turned on his heel and left the room; Hermione losing consciousness soon after.
~~*~~
Hermione regained awareness again a few hours later and moved very slowly as she felt a searing pain in her chest. She remembered what Layton had done and thought that she was deserving of it, well being under his mind control still she would not begin to think anything else after all. She rolled onto her side and gasped as her chest muscles protested and her ribs shifted under the strain. Sitting up slowly she found it far less painful to breathe. Madam Pomfrey came through the door.
"Oh, good. You are awake, Hermione. I'm afraid you missed saying good bye to Chris, the Hogwarts Express just left."
"That's alright, Poppy. I'll be going back to my parent's for the holidays anyway so I'll see him later today." She strained to say as she was still having difficulty breathing deeply.
"Oh, well, you should have a nice break and I'm sure that your parents must miss you." Poppy said as she began to take some more base line observations with her wand. "Hmm. Are you having difficulty breathing? Do you have a painful chest?"
"Yes, it hurts like hell." Hermione replied in clear pain.
"Who did this to you?" Poppy asked concerned.
"I can't say." Hermione replied simply.
"Was it Chris?" Poppy asked, although she couldn't imagine him summoning so much force.
"No!" She shouted as forcefully as she could.
"Then. who? No-one else was here with you last night." Poppy said with a frown on her face.
"No-one, Poppy. Just help with the pain and leave it at that, please." Hermione replied sharply as she ran a hand through her hair. She was in too much pain to bother about being nice.
"You have two fractured ribs and severe bruising as well as low blood oxygen levels due to shallow breathing." Poppy said examining her more closely, "I will get you some skele-grow and an analgesia, and beg of you to reconsider and tell someone who is assaulting you."
"No. You are to tell absolutely no one about this, Madam Pomfrey. I have a right to patient confidentiality and I demand that you adhere to my wishes." Hermione said.
"As you wish, but I still beg of you to reconsider." Poppy said, sufficiently reprimanded.
After taking the potions and allowing them to work Hermione was allowed to leave the hospital wing- although she self-discharged much to Madam Pomfrey's protestations. She packed some clothes quickly and within the hour she left Hogwarts and apparated to her parents spare bedroom without another word to anybody.