Hermione gasped as she was thrown against a wall and pinned there. The voice that whispered in her ear had a sickening silkiness to it. The man was too strong. She couldn't get free. And the fear that gripped her was relentless.
"Now..dont fight little one." The voice purred in her ear, making her shiver. "You know you want this." The man pressed himself closer to her. Making heat run like rapid fire along her body. Why was she reacting like this? What was making her want something she shouldn't. Hermione shook her head trying to stop it all.
"No!" She thrashed, wanting to get away. "Leave me alone!" He chuckled and whispered in her ear again.
"No, you know I won't." He smiled watching with cold eyes as she squirmed. "Come now, you know you want it." Hermione shook her head and jerked away only to be pulled back by strong rough hands. She thrashed, wanting him to let her go. The longer she stayed in the dream, the more fear seemed to take over her. She struggled more, crying out.
"Damn you, let me go!" Hermione tried to hit the person who held her.
"Miss Granger!" She fought more.
"No. Let me go!"
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione sat up straight staring at McGonagall. "Huh!?"
McGonagall shook her head. "My dear, please get up. It is already lunch and you have missed four of your classes."
Hermione stared at her and then realization hit her. "What!? Lunch!?"
McGonagall nodded. "Yes, dear, now hurry up and get dressed before you miss another class." McGonagall shook her head leaving the dorm room heading for the Great Hall. Fifteen minutes later, Hermione appeared at the Gryffindor table dressed and ready to go. Ron and Harry waved her over to a seat they had saved.
"Where have you been?" Ron mumbled his mouth full. Hermione glared at him. She wasn't in the best of moods and Ron being rude didn't help.
"I was asleep. No one woke me up this morning and I didn't hear my alarm." Hermione fixed herself a plate and started eating her lunch. She wasn't very hungry but she knew it would help to calm her down.
"You know what I think Harry? I think she was dreaming about you-know-who. The other girls said she was mewing in her sleep all last night." Ron laughed as Harry shook his head. Hermione knew they were about to start the joking again and her temper was already starting to rise.
"No, Here's what I think. I think that we had better stop before she gets pissed off and does something. Though you are right, she probably was.." This only made the two of them laugh harder. Hermione growled.
"Oh shut up, both of you. You know that there's nothing going on and that what they said wasn't true." She shut them both up easily with a wave of her wand and a few well chosen words. Both boys glared at her. She waved her wand again releasing their mouths.
"Sorry, 'Mione. I couldn't help it." Ron rubbed his jaw as he was able to feel it again. Harry nodded.
"Yeah, sorry. Don't see why you are so uptight. I mean we are only joking. You know that." Hermione nodded curtly and got up leaving them. She didn't have the patience to deal with them now. Once outside the double doors, she ran to the library. What Ron had said about he mewing in her sleep wasn't good. It meant that her dreams were taking a bigger toll on her than she though. She ran faster. The faster she got to the library the better. When she finally got there, she easily slipped inside and found a corner way at the back where no one would find her for a while. Setting her things down, she pulled out the book Snape had given her. Turning to the page that was marked, she smiled, deciding to read a bit before her next class.
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Back in the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, and all of the other students had finished lunch and were heading for their classes.
"Hey, Harry. Got any idea on what's bugging Hermione? I mean she's never acted like that before." Harry looked at him and shrugged. He didn't know anything about it. She had been acting strange few a while now. Her temper seemed to be getting the better of her and she didn't look well rested.
"Well, I honestly don't know. But you are right she's never acted that strange before. It was just like in the common room. I wonder what's eating her about Snape. Talking about him never bothered her before. Unless it's about something else?" Harry stopped as Snape looked right at him. Ron blinked. But it wasn't Snape Harry was thinking about, it was Hermione. She had been acting funny ever since school started. And the subject of Snape seemed to irritate her more now that he thought about it. "Ron. What you said about Hermione mewing in her sleep. Was it true?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah. The other girls in her form said that she had been mewing in her sleep. It was strange to hear. I'm sure it was just a nightmare. Are you okay?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, let's get going. We are going to be late." Harry was about to turn the corner when a firm hand grasped his shoulder.
"I do believe that class is this way, gentlemen." Harry and Ron both looked at him and realized where they had been going.
"Oh. Imagine that. Thanks, Professor." Ron smiled trying to get on his good side. Snape glared.
"And where is your third party member, Miss Granger?" Both boys shrugged.
"Dunno, she left lunch early." Harry said as he saw the classroom door close. "Um, Professor. We need to go. The bell's about to ring and we don't want to be late." Ron and Harry both took off running for their classroom, not wanting to be late, and not wanting to stay and be questioned by Snape about Hermione.
Snape growled as he watched them leave. Turning to his right he headed for the stairs leading up to the Library. When he got there, he entered and stalked to the back, knowing he would find her there.
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Hermione had been so lost in the book that she hadn't heard Snape's footsteps. She hadn't even realized that he had been watching her for more than ten minutes. As she read further into the book, she realized that someone must have spiked a drink of hers during the first day of school. It could be the only answer. Just as she was about to turn the page to read more, Snape cleared his throat.
"I do believe this qualifies as skipping, don't you?" Hermione's head snapped up at the sound of his voice. She stared at him, wide eyed. She hadn't even seen him come in.
"What?" She blinked slightly confused. Snape rolled his eyes. Clearly, he thought, she had been too wrapped up in the book. Looking at it, he noticed it was the same book he had given her. He snorted.
"It's almost time for your sixth period. You have been in here since lunch, have you not?"
Hermione gasped. She nodded as realization dawned on her for a second the time that day. She hadn't even heard the bells for class. She couldn't believe it. She had been in here for nearly an hour, since fifth period was almost over. Having gotten so wrapped up in the book and about finding out what her dreams meant or who was controlling them that she had skipped her Charms class. Hermione looked up at him, speaking.
"Yes, sir. But I didn't realize how much time had passed. Honestly, I didn't. I just came in here to read a bit out of the book you gave me yesterday. I thought I could get a few pages in before fifth period started." Hermione looked afraid. This only made Snape smirk cruelly. He liked the way she reacted to him. But then there were times when he wished she wouldn't fear him so. He wished she would smile like she did with McGonagall and her friends. But she would never - Snape stopped his line of thought before it got any deeper into the matter. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him. Giving himself a mental shake, he came back to reality.
"Well, since you didn't realize how much time had passed and you were obviously doing your reading for a reason I won't report you to Dumbledore or McGonagall. But I will give you a week's detention."
Hermione gasped. "A week!?!?" She didn't understand. A week for missing a class period. Ron and Harry would have a fit if they found out. Which she was sure they would pry the information out of her eventually. She sighed. "Really, Professor. Must you give me a week?"
Snape nodded. "Yes. Starting tonight after dinner. Come down to my room and I will have a few things for you to do." He pulled out his wand, creating a slip of paper and quill. He wrote a note on it and signed it. "If anyone stops you, here is your pass. Now I suggest you get to class. And if anyone asks where you were, just tell them that you weren't feeling well so you returned to your room."
Hermione nodded and got up, putting her book in her bag. "Thank you, Professor." She quickly left the library, heading for the Transfiguration Class room. She was just glad that he hadn't given her more. Slowing her pace, she thought about what she had read. It made her sigh. She hadn't retained as much information as she would have liked to. But it wasn't really the book on her mind now, it was Snape. He had paused for a few moments and she could have sworn she saw some kind of emotion pass through his eyes. A longing of some kind. Something she didn't understand, even more so coming from him. Coming to the Transfiguration door, she waited for Harry and Ron.
When they came around the corner, she smiled.
"Ron, Harry!" She waved to them. They came over. Harry was the first to speak.
"Where were you 'Mione? You missed charms. Flitwick was worried that you had gotten yourself into trouble."
Hermione sighed. "I got wrapped up in a book in the library." She sighed again. "Snape found me there." Harry and Ron looked at each other.
Harry blinked slightly. "What happened?"
Hermione gave a small smile and a little laugh. "He gave me detention." She blushed crimson, feeling embarrassed. Ron and Harry stared at her. Together they spoke.
"HE DID WHAT!?!?"
Hermione stared back at them and laughed. "Ron, Harry, it's just for a week. Honestly, you act as if I killed someone. Though I really don't see why it has to be a week." Hermione sighed slightly. Her mind traveled to her dream. Her expression changed from amusement to troubled and puzzled.
Harry sighed, seeing the change. "'Mione. Something's wrong. You look like something's bothering you. What is it?"
Hermione shook her head. "It's nothing. I am just wondering how I'm going to get through a week down in his dungeons." She shuddered. "Come on. Let's go get our seats." Harry and Ron nodded. They all walked into the classroom. As Hermione passed McGonagall's desk, she saw a look of concern. Obviously Flitwick had told McGonagall of her absence. Hermione sighed, taking her seat, she waited for the end of the day to come.
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That night, Hermione made her way down to Snape's room rather slowly. When she got there, she knocked.
"Come in." Hermione entered his room and waited for him to look up at her. But he didn't. "You are rather late, are you not?"
Hermione blinked. "Sorry sir. I got stopped a few times."
Snape smirked as he graded more papers. "Don't lie to me Miss Granger. You do a very poor job of it." In fact had it been any other student, he would have expected more of a made up lie, not one so simple.
Hermione sighed and nodded. "Yes, sir."
Snape looked up at her with cold eyes. "I want you to go through the supply cabinet and refill all the jars that need to be refilled. I also found the jar of crushed spiders. It was in your desk."
Hermione looked at him wide eyed. "What?!" Her jar. She must have left it. Great, now he had even more of a reason to keep her here. Just what I need, she though. More time with Snape. Hermione sighed. "Sir..the jar you found was of my own supply. I must have left it here."
Snape nodded. "Yes well, either way I suggest you get to work." Hermione nodded. There was no use in trying to get the jar back, Snape obviously didn't believe her. Hermione looked at the cabinet and then saw all the new supplies in large jars sitting on a nearby desk. With a sigh, she got to work. As she made her way through the cabinet she came to the jars she couldn't reach. Getting a chair she got them and replaced the necessary contents. Upon coming to the very last and highest shelf, she realized she couldn't reach it alone. She was about to pull her wand out when Snape spoke.
"And you cannot use magic to help you." He smirked as he marked another paper.
Hermione gaped at him. She didn't believe it. No magic to reach the highest jars. Sometimes she despised being average height. With a sigh, she tried to reach them again. With no luck, she mumbled her reply to his statement about no magic.
"Yes, sir." Hermione tried to reach them a third time but couldn't. "Professor, could you please help me?" Snape sighed, got up, and pulled up another chair. He reached up, getting the last three jars.
"Here." Handing them to her, he got down. Hermione followed suit. Once she had finished replacing the contents of the jars, she got back up on the chair. She could barely push the jars back onto their shelf. Just as she was pushing the last jar up, she lost her balance. The chair beneath her started to tip. Snape seemed to look up just in time, for within seconds he had caught her.
Hermione stared up at him, their faces mere inches a part. She was shaking slightly. Slowly as she calmed down, she started to realize just who was holding her. Snape's rather strong arms, at least stronger then she expected, were holding her in a tight embrace. She could feel heat spreading through her cheeks as she began to come back to reality. Snape seemed to be having problems as well. For he himself didn't seem to realize that she was all right. He seemed to be lost in his own mind. Hermione finally spoke, her voice shaky.
"Th-thank you Professor. I think I can stand now." Snape nodded, slowly setting her on her feet. Taking a step back he took a deep breath, one he hoped she hadn't noticed. Just the mere feel of her against him had him wanting more of her. He couldn't believe it. He was lusting after a student. A bossy know it all student at that. Composing himself, he spoke.
"Since you seem to be done with that chore, you may go once you have finished closing the other jars." Hermione nodded. Walking over to the jars, she started closing them. When she was finished, she picked up her things, heading for the door. Snape called out after her. "Be on time tomorrow night." Hermione nodded.
"Yes, sir." Snape wasn't even looking at her but he nodded. Hermione left and he was glad. He didn't think he could stand another minute with her in the room with the way he had reacted to holding her. Snape growled, mad at himself for the fact that he wanted her. Or did he, he thought? Maybe it wasn't her he wanted, maybe it was just a woman that he needed. Snape sighed, clearing his desk off. Getting up, he left the room.
"Now..dont fight little one." The voice purred in her ear, making her shiver. "You know you want this." The man pressed himself closer to her. Making heat run like rapid fire along her body. Why was she reacting like this? What was making her want something she shouldn't. Hermione shook her head trying to stop it all.
"No!" She thrashed, wanting to get away. "Leave me alone!" He chuckled and whispered in her ear again.
"No, you know I won't." He smiled watching with cold eyes as she squirmed. "Come now, you know you want it." Hermione shook her head and jerked away only to be pulled back by strong rough hands. She thrashed, wanting him to let her go. The longer she stayed in the dream, the more fear seemed to take over her. She struggled more, crying out.
"Damn you, let me go!" Hermione tried to hit the person who held her.
"Miss Granger!" She fought more.
"No. Let me go!"
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione sat up straight staring at McGonagall. "Huh!?"
McGonagall shook her head. "My dear, please get up. It is already lunch and you have missed four of your classes."
Hermione stared at her and then realization hit her. "What!? Lunch!?"
McGonagall nodded. "Yes, dear, now hurry up and get dressed before you miss another class." McGonagall shook her head leaving the dorm room heading for the Great Hall. Fifteen minutes later, Hermione appeared at the Gryffindor table dressed and ready to go. Ron and Harry waved her over to a seat they had saved.
"Where have you been?" Ron mumbled his mouth full. Hermione glared at him. She wasn't in the best of moods and Ron being rude didn't help.
"I was asleep. No one woke me up this morning and I didn't hear my alarm." Hermione fixed herself a plate and started eating her lunch. She wasn't very hungry but she knew it would help to calm her down.
"You know what I think Harry? I think she was dreaming about you-know-who. The other girls said she was mewing in her sleep all last night." Ron laughed as Harry shook his head. Hermione knew they were about to start the joking again and her temper was already starting to rise.
"No, Here's what I think. I think that we had better stop before she gets pissed off and does something. Though you are right, she probably was.." This only made the two of them laugh harder. Hermione growled.
"Oh shut up, both of you. You know that there's nothing going on and that what they said wasn't true." She shut them both up easily with a wave of her wand and a few well chosen words. Both boys glared at her. She waved her wand again releasing their mouths.
"Sorry, 'Mione. I couldn't help it." Ron rubbed his jaw as he was able to feel it again. Harry nodded.
"Yeah, sorry. Don't see why you are so uptight. I mean we are only joking. You know that." Hermione nodded curtly and got up leaving them. She didn't have the patience to deal with them now. Once outside the double doors, she ran to the library. What Ron had said about he mewing in her sleep wasn't good. It meant that her dreams were taking a bigger toll on her than she though. She ran faster. The faster she got to the library the better. When she finally got there, she easily slipped inside and found a corner way at the back where no one would find her for a while. Setting her things down, she pulled out the book Snape had given her. Turning to the page that was marked, she smiled, deciding to read a bit before her next class.
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Back in the Great Hall, Harry, Ron, and all of the other students had finished lunch and were heading for their classes.
"Hey, Harry. Got any idea on what's bugging Hermione? I mean she's never acted like that before." Harry looked at him and shrugged. He didn't know anything about it. She had been acting strange few a while now. Her temper seemed to be getting the better of her and she didn't look well rested.
"Well, I honestly don't know. But you are right she's never acted that strange before. It was just like in the common room. I wonder what's eating her about Snape. Talking about him never bothered her before. Unless it's about something else?" Harry stopped as Snape looked right at him. Ron blinked. But it wasn't Snape Harry was thinking about, it was Hermione. She had been acting funny ever since school started. And the subject of Snape seemed to irritate her more now that he thought about it. "Ron. What you said about Hermione mewing in her sleep. Was it true?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah. The other girls in her form said that she had been mewing in her sleep. It was strange to hear. I'm sure it was just a nightmare. Are you okay?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, let's get going. We are going to be late." Harry was about to turn the corner when a firm hand grasped his shoulder.
"I do believe that class is this way, gentlemen." Harry and Ron both looked at him and realized where they had been going.
"Oh. Imagine that. Thanks, Professor." Ron smiled trying to get on his good side. Snape glared.
"And where is your third party member, Miss Granger?" Both boys shrugged.
"Dunno, she left lunch early." Harry said as he saw the classroom door close. "Um, Professor. We need to go. The bell's about to ring and we don't want to be late." Ron and Harry both took off running for their classroom, not wanting to be late, and not wanting to stay and be questioned by Snape about Hermione.
Snape growled as he watched them leave. Turning to his right he headed for the stairs leading up to the Library. When he got there, he entered and stalked to the back, knowing he would find her there.
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Hermione had been so lost in the book that she hadn't heard Snape's footsteps. She hadn't even realized that he had been watching her for more than ten minutes. As she read further into the book, she realized that someone must have spiked a drink of hers during the first day of school. It could be the only answer. Just as she was about to turn the page to read more, Snape cleared his throat.
"I do believe this qualifies as skipping, don't you?" Hermione's head snapped up at the sound of his voice. She stared at him, wide eyed. She hadn't even seen him come in.
"What?" She blinked slightly confused. Snape rolled his eyes. Clearly, he thought, she had been too wrapped up in the book. Looking at it, he noticed it was the same book he had given her. He snorted.
"It's almost time for your sixth period. You have been in here since lunch, have you not?"
Hermione gasped. She nodded as realization dawned on her for a second the time that day. She hadn't even heard the bells for class. She couldn't believe it. She had been in here for nearly an hour, since fifth period was almost over. Having gotten so wrapped up in the book and about finding out what her dreams meant or who was controlling them that she had skipped her Charms class. Hermione looked up at him, speaking.
"Yes, sir. But I didn't realize how much time had passed. Honestly, I didn't. I just came in here to read a bit out of the book you gave me yesterday. I thought I could get a few pages in before fifth period started." Hermione looked afraid. This only made Snape smirk cruelly. He liked the way she reacted to him. But then there were times when he wished she wouldn't fear him so. He wished she would smile like she did with McGonagall and her friends. But she would never - Snape stopped his line of thought before it got any deeper into the matter. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him. Giving himself a mental shake, he came back to reality.
"Well, since you didn't realize how much time had passed and you were obviously doing your reading for a reason I won't report you to Dumbledore or McGonagall. But I will give you a week's detention."
Hermione gasped. "A week!?!?" She didn't understand. A week for missing a class period. Ron and Harry would have a fit if they found out. Which she was sure they would pry the information out of her eventually. She sighed. "Really, Professor. Must you give me a week?"
Snape nodded. "Yes. Starting tonight after dinner. Come down to my room and I will have a few things for you to do." He pulled out his wand, creating a slip of paper and quill. He wrote a note on it and signed it. "If anyone stops you, here is your pass. Now I suggest you get to class. And if anyone asks where you were, just tell them that you weren't feeling well so you returned to your room."
Hermione nodded and got up, putting her book in her bag. "Thank you, Professor." She quickly left the library, heading for the Transfiguration Class room. She was just glad that he hadn't given her more. Slowing her pace, she thought about what she had read. It made her sigh. She hadn't retained as much information as she would have liked to. But it wasn't really the book on her mind now, it was Snape. He had paused for a few moments and she could have sworn she saw some kind of emotion pass through his eyes. A longing of some kind. Something she didn't understand, even more so coming from him. Coming to the Transfiguration door, she waited for Harry and Ron.
When they came around the corner, she smiled.
"Ron, Harry!" She waved to them. They came over. Harry was the first to speak.
"Where were you 'Mione? You missed charms. Flitwick was worried that you had gotten yourself into trouble."
Hermione sighed. "I got wrapped up in a book in the library." She sighed again. "Snape found me there." Harry and Ron looked at each other.
Harry blinked slightly. "What happened?"
Hermione gave a small smile and a little laugh. "He gave me detention." She blushed crimson, feeling embarrassed. Ron and Harry stared at her. Together they spoke.
"HE DID WHAT!?!?"
Hermione stared back at them and laughed. "Ron, Harry, it's just for a week. Honestly, you act as if I killed someone. Though I really don't see why it has to be a week." Hermione sighed slightly. Her mind traveled to her dream. Her expression changed from amusement to troubled and puzzled.
Harry sighed, seeing the change. "'Mione. Something's wrong. You look like something's bothering you. What is it?"
Hermione shook her head. "It's nothing. I am just wondering how I'm going to get through a week down in his dungeons." She shuddered. "Come on. Let's go get our seats." Harry and Ron nodded. They all walked into the classroom. As Hermione passed McGonagall's desk, she saw a look of concern. Obviously Flitwick had told McGonagall of her absence. Hermione sighed, taking her seat, she waited for the end of the day to come.
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That night, Hermione made her way down to Snape's room rather slowly. When she got there, she knocked.
"Come in." Hermione entered his room and waited for him to look up at her. But he didn't. "You are rather late, are you not?"
Hermione blinked. "Sorry sir. I got stopped a few times."
Snape smirked as he graded more papers. "Don't lie to me Miss Granger. You do a very poor job of it." In fact had it been any other student, he would have expected more of a made up lie, not one so simple.
Hermione sighed and nodded. "Yes, sir."
Snape looked up at her with cold eyes. "I want you to go through the supply cabinet and refill all the jars that need to be refilled. I also found the jar of crushed spiders. It was in your desk."
Hermione looked at him wide eyed. "What?!" Her jar. She must have left it. Great, now he had even more of a reason to keep her here. Just what I need, she though. More time with Snape. Hermione sighed. "Sir..the jar you found was of my own supply. I must have left it here."
Snape nodded. "Yes well, either way I suggest you get to work." Hermione nodded. There was no use in trying to get the jar back, Snape obviously didn't believe her. Hermione looked at the cabinet and then saw all the new supplies in large jars sitting on a nearby desk. With a sigh, she got to work. As she made her way through the cabinet she came to the jars she couldn't reach. Getting a chair she got them and replaced the necessary contents. Upon coming to the very last and highest shelf, she realized she couldn't reach it alone. She was about to pull her wand out when Snape spoke.
"And you cannot use magic to help you." He smirked as he marked another paper.
Hermione gaped at him. She didn't believe it. No magic to reach the highest jars. Sometimes she despised being average height. With a sigh, she tried to reach them again. With no luck, she mumbled her reply to his statement about no magic.
"Yes, sir." Hermione tried to reach them a third time but couldn't. "Professor, could you please help me?" Snape sighed, got up, and pulled up another chair. He reached up, getting the last three jars.
"Here." Handing them to her, he got down. Hermione followed suit. Once she had finished replacing the contents of the jars, she got back up on the chair. She could barely push the jars back onto their shelf. Just as she was pushing the last jar up, she lost her balance. The chair beneath her started to tip. Snape seemed to look up just in time, for within seconds he had caught her.
Hermione stared up at him, their faces mere inches a part. She was shaking slightly. Slowly as she calmed down, she started to realize just who was holding her. Snape's rather strong arms, at least stronger then she expected, were holding her in a tight embrace. She could feel heat spreading through her cheeks as she began to come back to reality. Snape seemed to be having problems as well. For he himself didn't seem to realize that she was all right. He seemed to be lost in his own mind. Hermione finally spoke, her voice shaky.
"Th-thank you Professor. I think I can stand now." Snape nodded, slowly setting her on her feet. Taking a step back he took a deep breath, one he hoped she hadn't noticed. Just the mere feel of her against him had him wanting more of her. He couldn't believe it. He was lusting after a student. A bossy know it all student at that. Composing himself, he spoke.
"Since you seem to be done with that chore, you may go once you have finished closing the other jars." Hermione nodded. Walking over to the jars, she started closing them. When she was finished, she picked up her things, heading for the door. Snape called out after her. "Be on time tomorrow night." Hermione nodded.
"Yes, sir." Snape wasn't even looking at her but he nodded. Hermione left and he was glad. He didn't think he could stand another minute with her in the room with the way he had reacted to holding her. Snape growled, mad at himself for the fact that he wanted her. Or did he, he thought? Maybe it wasn't her he wanted, maybe it was just a woman that he needed. Snape sighed, clearing his desk off. Getting up, he left the room.
