Hermione woke up to the sound of loud yelling. She tried to sit up, but her head started to spin when she did. Madam Pomfrey came over when she saw that she was awake.
"No, no dear. Lay back. It's best to rest for a while longer."
Hermione closed her eyes, feeling sick. "mm..what happened? How long have I been here?"
Madam Pomfrey chuckled. "Only a few hours. Professor Snape brought you and Mr. Malfoy in. Though he is still asleep."
Hermione nodded. "Who is yelling in the hall?"
Madam Pomfrey shook her head at this. "I'm sure Professor Snape will tell you when he returns. Now you relax." Hermione nodded again and lay back into the pillows. Closing her eyes, she dozed off. She was woken again by the sound of the infirmary door slamming shut behind someone. Hermione opened her eyes to find Snape looming over her bed. He had dark circles under his eyes, and it was clear that he was winded and not to happy about something. He sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you well, Miss Granger?"
Hermione sat up a bit, slowly. "Yes. I'm fine." Questions started to bubble at the back of her mind as she got comfortable. Snape watched her and waited. Hermione smiled slightly. "What happened?" Hermione thought for a moment and then it started to come back. Snape waited as she thought it through a moment. She looked up at him, knowing in her eyes. "I remember Draco coming after me and then passing out afterwards. But wait..it wasn't Draco. It was someone else. It was his body, but not him. I'm sure of it.
Snape nodded. "Yes.." He got comfortable. "You are right. He did come after you but it was only Mr. Malfoy's body, though not his mind. You see. It turns out that since the start of term, Mr. Malfoy's father has been controlling him. Even though his father is not at home, he has access to things that would allow him to do such a thing. It looks as though he's been trying to take revenge on people here at the school. Me especially."
Hermione blinked slightly. "Because you betrayed Voldemort?"
Snape nodded again. "Yes. He was mostly after me for that reason. But also because I helped put him in jail and ruin his family name. Most of us were rather shocked that he didn't go after Harry. Though now we know why. Mr. Malfoy, even being controlled, would not allow his father to go so far as to hurt another student, though it looks as if he lost what control he had near the end."
Hermione looked over at the bed in which Draco lay. His breathing was normal, except there seemed to be something different. "What do you mean the end? He isn't dead is he?"
Snape shook his head. "No. Far from it. But he is going to be out for a long while. His young age and weak mind didn't allow him to push his father out. So we must wait for his own mind to return to him. Though where it is, is unknown. Dumbledore has asked me to aid in finding a potion while other teachers and even some students look for other methods. Though I don't think there is much we can do except wait."
Hermione nodded. Thoughts ran through her mind. Lucius Malfoy, controlling Draco. And using his own son to get to Snape and.. "Professor..Why was he after me?"
This made Snape sigh. "Because..he knew of my feelings towards you. Mostly because Mr. Malfoy knew I regarded you above most students, even if I didn't make it apparent. And after seeing us in the classroom, he had even more reason to make you suffer. Because of what I wanted. What we both wanted. He wanted to ruin it for both ends. He didn't think he would get caught, but it seems he was wrong, thanks to you."
Hermione blushed slightly, pushing aside her momentary surprise at his words. "Professor. Um. Will he come back?"
Snape shook his head. "No. Dumbledore made sure to banish him from his sons mind. And he will not have access to anyone else unless he is related to them by blood."
Hermione smiled. "I see. And what now? Now that we know?"
Snape chuckled. "We go back to normal."
Hermione looked away. "Do you think it will ever be normal between us again, Professor?" She was blushing like mad, but she had a point. After what had happened this year, she was sure it wouldn't be the same. And she still had one more year left at Hogwarts. And she was sure it would be different as well.
Snape frowned. "We will have to try and make it normal. No matter what we claim to desire, none of it is to happen, because of things like this happening. And I will not ruin your reputation because of some foolish desire to have sex." Snape got up. "I will return to check on you later. I've got things to do and things to look for. Good day, Miss Granger." Hermione didn't have time to say another word. He left quickly and she sighed. So that was all it was to him, sex? She sighed again. He didn't care about her?
She could have cried at this. All this time she had thought it desire for his body and nothing else. And not until now, after everything had happen did she realize she wanted more then that. She wanted more then his body, she wanted him. And not until she saw the way Draco had looked at her and the way he had spoken about Snape and herself did she truly see what she had been blocking out all this time. She closed her eyes tightly. Damn him, she thought. Damn him for making her feel so alone. Hermione started to get up, but her head started to spin. Laying back down, she sighed. Snape was the only thing that she could think about. His actions. His words. She rolled it all over in her mind.
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Two days later Hermione emerged from the infirmary. Nobody asked questions. She was sure they knew something and wanted to talk about it. But no one did. Except for Harry and Ron, who were waiting for her in the common room. The both got up and hugged her. Ron was beside himself with relief. Harry simply smiled at her.
"All right there, Hermione?"
Hermione beamed at him. "I've been better. But yes, I am fine."
Ron hugged her. "We were worried when you didn't come back. We were going to look for you, but McGonagall said we couldn't leave the tower. She even put wards on it to prevent us from using the cloak."
Hermione giggled. "Sounds like something she would do. But I'm fine now. Thanks to Professor Snape." The boys looked at each other and then her.
Ron frowned. "What does he have to do with it?"
Hermione sighed and leaned closer to them, where no one could here. "He saved me from getting raped, Ron." Ron's eye grew as wide as plates and he sat down, mumbling under his breath.
Harry was next to speak. "Who was it, Hermione?"
Hermione sighed. "Draco's father in his body. It was frightening at first and even more so when he made his intent clear. He was Draco's size with his body but his mind and magical powers were being used in Draco's body. I'm surprised he didn't kill Snape in his anger at being stopped." Harry and Ron both looked pissed.
Ron stood up. "Did he touch you? I swear Draco or not, I'll kill him if he touched you in any way what so ever."
Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron, he didn't. I think Draco reframed him for a while, but his father obviously pushed passed him. That's why he didn't go after Harry, because Draco wouldn't let him. Draco fought as hard as he could to stop his father, I'm sure. But in the end it didn't help. He's going to be out of it for a while. Until his mind returns. The teachers are working on it along with some students."
Harry nodded. "She is right Ron. Though I'm pissed too. It wouldn't be right to blame Draco for his father's actions, even in his body or not. We can't hold it against him." Ron muttered something and sat back down. Harry sighed. "Are you sure you are all right, Hermione? You look a bit stressed and lost."
Hermione sighed. "I kind of am. Snape, well. I don't know really. He was just acting strange in the infirmary. He acted as though he cared about me more then what he lets on." Ron growled and they both glared at him, making him instantly cower.
Harry hugged Hermione. "If you need to talk we are here. But I'm sure you aren't going to tell us right now anyway." He smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Thanks Harry, Ron. You guys are the best." Harry let her go. "I'll tell you guys when I sort it all out, I promise. But I'm going to go up to my room and think." They both nodded, though Ron was still muttering things under his breath. Hermione could only smile as she made her way up to her shared room. When Hermione got there, the only thing she could do was fall into her bed and close her eyes, letting her mind wonder over the past events. After a while sleep overtook her, even after all the time she had slept in the infirmary.
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Snape sighed as he lay in bed. He had seen her walking from the infirmary earlier that evening. She had looked somewhat pale, but better then before. Lucius Malfoy hadn't been caught and Draco Malfoy was not looking any better or any worse. Things were at a standstill for almost everything, except his heart and head. He had told her too much. He had told her that he regarded her above his other students. He sighed again.
Malfoy had dared to do the craziest thing in the world. He had used his own son to harm other students, all because of a grudge. Snape rolled over in his bed and then right back over with a small growl. His awareness of Hermione in his dreams was slowly fading but it still made him hard sometimes. And it bothered him. He wondered how he was going to finish out the rest of the year and next year without someone noticing. Yes, he would still become hard as he was now when he saw her. He couldn't stop it if he tried.
She made him feel like no other had. She made him want and need things no other had and it scared him. He felt that he had been too soft on her, too soft on others since he had realized that he was in love with her. And now he feared that she knew about his true feelings. Or did she? Snape sighed and closed his eyes. All he needed now was sleep. He just needed to sleep and clear his mind. And soon it came on swift velvet wings.
"No, no dear. Lay back. It's best to rest for a while longer."
Hermione closed her eyes, feeling sick. "mm..what happened? How long have I been here?"
Madam Pomfrey chuckled. "Only a few hours. Professor Snape brought you and Mr. Malfoy in. Though he is still asleep."
Hermione nodded. "Who is yelling in the hall?"
Madam Pomfrey shook her head at this. "I'm sure Professor Snape will tell you when he returns. Now you relax." Hermione nodded again and lay back into the pillows. Closing her eyes, she dozed off. She was woken again by the sound of the infirmary door slamming shut behind someone. Hermione opened her eyes to find Snape looming over her bed. He had dark circles under his eyes, and it was clear that he was winded and not to happy about something. He sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you well, Miss Granger?"
Hermione sat up a bit, slowly. "Yes. I'm fine." Questions started to bubble at the back of her mind as she got comfortable. Snape watched her and waited. Hermione smiled slightly. "What happened?" Hermione thought for a moment and then it started to come back. Snape waited as she thought it through a moment. She looked up at him, knowing in her eyes. "I remember Draco coming after me and then passing out afterwards. But wait..it wasn't Draco. It was someone else. It was his body, but not him. I'm sure of it.
Snape nodded. "Yes.." He got comfortable. "You are right. He did come after you but it was only Mr. Malfoy's body, though not his mind. You see. It turns out that since the start of term, Mr. Malfoy's father has been controlling him. Even though his father is not at home, he has access to things that would allow him to do such a thing. It looks as though he's been trying to take revenge on people here at the school. Me especially."
Hermione blinked slightly. "Because you betrayed Voldemort?"
Snape nodded again. "Yes. He was mostly after me for that reason. But also because I helped put him in jail and ruin his family name. Most of us were rather shocked that he didn't go after Harry. Though now we know why. Mr. Malfoy, even being controlled, would not allow his father to go so far as to hurt another student, though it looks as if he lost what control he had near the end."
Hermione looked over at the bed in which Draco lay. His breathing was normal, except there seemed to be something different. "What do you mean the end? He isn't dead is he?"
Snape shook his head. "No. Far from it. But he is going to be out for a long while. His young age and weak mind didn't allow him to push his father out. So we must wait for his own mind to return to him. Though where it is, is unknown. Dumbledore has asked me to aid in finding a potion while other teachers and even some students look for other methods. Though I don't think there is much we can do except wait."
Hermione nodded. Thoughts ran through her mind. Lucius Malfoy, controlling Draco. And using his own son to get to Snape and.. "Professor..Why was he after me?"
This made Snape sigh. "Because..he knew of my feelings towards you. Mostly because Mr. Malfoy knew I regarded you above most students, even if I didn't make it apparent. And after seeing us in the classroom, he had even more reason to make you suffer. Because of what I wanted. What we both wanted. He wanted to ruin it for both ends. He didn't think he would get caught, but it seems he was wrong, thanks to you."
Hermione blushed slightly, pushing aside her momentary surprise at his words. "Professor. Um. Will he come back?"
Snape shook his head. "No. Dumbledore made sure to banish him from his sons mind. And he will not have access to anyone else unless he is related to them by blood."
Hermione smiled. "I see. And what now? Now that we know?"
Snape chuckled. "We go back to normal."
Hermione looked away. "Do you think it will ever be normal between us again, Professor?" She was blushing like mad, but she had a point. After what had happened this year, she was sure it wouldn't be the same. And she still had one more year left at Hogwarts. And she was sure it would be different as well.
Snape frowned. "We will have to try and make it normal. No matter what we claim to desire, none of it is to happen, because of things like this happening. And I will not ruin your reputation because of some foolish desire to have sex." Snape got up. "I will return to check on you later. I've got things to do and things to look for. Good day, Miss Granger." Hermione didn't have time to say another word. He left quickly and she sighed. So that was all it was to him, sex? She sighed again. He didn't care about her?
She could have cried at this. All this time she had thought it desire for his body and nothing else. And not until now, after everything had happen did she realize she wanted more then that. She wanted more then his body, she wanted him. And not until she saw the way Draco had looked at her and the way he had spoken about Snape and herself did she truly see what she had been blocking out all this time. She closed her eyes tightly. Damn him, she thought. Damn him for making her feel so alone. Hermione started to get up, but her head started to spin. Laying back down, she sighed. Snape was the only thing that she could think about. His actions. His words. She rolled it all over in her mind.
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Two days later Hermione emerged from the infirmary. Nobody asked questions. She was sure they knew something and wanted to talk about it. But no one did. Except for Harry and Ron, who were waiting for her in the common room. The both got up and hugged her. Ron was beside himself with relief. Harry simply smiled at her.
"All right there, Hermione?"
Hermione beamed at him. "I've been better. But yes, I am fine."
Ron hugged her. "We were worried when you didn't come back. We were going to look for you, but McGonagall said we couldn't leave the tower. She even put wards on it to prevent us from using the cloak."
Hermione giggled. "Sounds like something she would do. But I'm fine now. Thanks to Professor Snape." The boys looked at each other and then her.
Ron frowned. "What does he have to do with it?"
Hermione sighed and leaned closer to them, where no one could here. "He saved me from getting raped, Ron." Ron's eye grew as wide as plates and he sat down, mumbling under his breath.
Harry was next to speak. "Who was it, Hermione?"
Hermione sighed. "Draco's father in his body. It was frightening at first and even more so when he made his intent clear. He was Draco's size with his body but his mind and magical powers were being used in Draco's body. I'm surprised he didn't kill Snape in his anger at being stopped." Harry and Ron both looked pissed.
Ron stood up. "Did he touch you? I swear Draco or not, I'll kill him if he touched you in any way what so ever."
Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron, he didn't. I think Draco reframed him for a while, but his father obviously pushed passed him. That's why he didn't go after Harry, because Draco wouldn't let him. Draco fought as hard as he could to stop his father, I'm sure. But in the end it didn't help. He's going to be out of it for a while. Until his mind returns. The teachers are working on it along with some students."
Harry nodded. "She is right Ron. Though I'm pissed too. It wouldn't be right to blame Draco for his father's actions, even in his body or not. We can't hold it against him." Ron muttered something and sat back down. Harry sighed. "Are you sure you are all right, Hermione? You look a bit stressed and lost."
Hermione sighed. "I kind of am. Snape, well. I don't know really. He was just acting strange in the infirmary. He acted as though he cared about me more then what he lets on." Ron growled and they both glared at him, making him instantly cower.
Harry hugged Hermione. "If you need to talk we are here. But I'm sure you aren't going to tell us right now anyway." He smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Thanks Harry, Ron. You guys are the best." Harry let her go. "I'll tell you guys when I sort it all out, I promise. But I'm going to go up to my room and think." They both nodded, though Ron was still muttering things under his breath. Hermione could only smile as she made her way up to her shared room. When Hermione got there, the only thing she could do was fall into her bed and close her eyes, letting her mind wonder over the past events. After a while sleep overtook her, even after all the time she had slept in the infirmary.
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Snape sighed as he lay in bed. He had seen her walking from the infirmary earlier that evening. She had looked somewhat pale, but better then before. Lucius Malfoy hadn't been caught and Draco Malfoy was not looking any better or any worse. Things were at a standstill for almost everything, except his heart and head. He had told her too much. He had told her that he regarded her above his other students. He sighed again.
Malfoy had dared to do the craziest thing in the world. He had used his own son to harm other students, all because of a grudge. Snape rolled over in his bed and then right back over with a small growl. His awareness of Hermione in his dreams was slowly fading but it still made him hard sometimes. And it bothered him. He wondered how he was going to finish out the rest of the year and next year without someone noticing. Yes, he would still become hard as he was now when he saw her. He couldn't stop it if he tried.
She made him feel like no other had. She made him want and need things no other had and it scared him. He felt that he had been too soft on her, too soft on others since he had realized that he was in love with her. And now he feared that she knew about his true feelings. Or did she? Snape sighed and closed his eyes. All he needed now was sleep. He just needed to sleep and clear his mind. And soon it came on swift velvet wings.
