Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. A/N at end.

Some Scars Never Fade

WendyNat

Chapter 18

~~~~~~~~

"You shouldn't be out here alone, you know."

Severus turned at the sound of the voice, relaxing minutely when he saw that it was Remus. The other wizard approached slowly, coming to stand beside him as he stared out into the lake. "I'm on Hogwarts grounds, Lupin."

"True," Remus commented. "I didn't know how to tell you I was here - it was just the first thing that came to mind."

Severus smiled mockingly. "I presume 'Hello, Snape, it's Lupin' was a far too exotic phrase for you to come up with?" Remus chuckled in response.

"What's going on, Severus?" The black-haired wizard just shook his head. "I saw you from the window. You looked… a bit irritable."

"And that is unusual in what way?" Severus asked. Remus laughed outright, then.

"Too true, too true," Remus said. After standing in companionable silence for a few minutes, he ventured to say, "I assume it's something to do with Hermione."

"Perceptive."

"Not really. It's just that I rarely see you apart unless you're working." Remus stared out at the small waves that lapped the shore of the lake, waiting patiently for a response.

"You aren't going to leave until I tell you, I suppose?" Severus drawled. Remus shrugged, smiling faintly. "Very well. I would like our… relationship… to be in the open. She resists."

"Ah." Again, silence fell.

"No wisdom to impart?"

"I was wondering when… Hestia has told me how irritating that Justin boy has been lately. And you ran into him again today, right?" Severus nodded slightly. "I wouldn't worry, Severus. Hermione has no-"

Severus shook his head irritably. "You're missing the point, Lupin. I don't think she's going to run off with Finch-Fletchley, by any stretch of the imagination. I am merely… I'm not entirely sure what it is that I want." Severus turned to look at Remus, and gave him a half-smile. "I'm admittedly a possessive person, Lupin. I don't like the idea of her having to fend off other men's advances, clumsy they may be. It's not that I think she would act on them…"

"Well, that makes sense, actually. Did you tell her that?" Severus turned away, staring back across the lake. "I see." Another pause. "What did you say to her, Severus?"

As Severus filled him in on his earlier conversation with Hermione, Remus' mouth dropped open in astonishment. "You said that?" Severus glared at him for a moment before letting out a breath and nodding. "Well, my friend, you've just lost that fight. Whatever advantage you had in the beginning is gone now. Best to just go grovel."

"Snapes don't grovel."

"Do Snapes like sleeping on couches?" Remus said, barely holding back his laughter. "Apologize, Severus. Tell her what you told me earlier, and this time… try not to-"

"Yes, yes," Severus said, scowling. His face slowly took on a wry expression, and he glanced at Remus from the corner of his eye. "Thank you, Lupin. I believe I will act on your advice."

"Is that your way of telling me I was right?" Remus said, this time laughing outright. Severus scowled darkly at him before turning to head back to the castle. "Oh, Severus?"

"What is it, Lupin?"

"Best wipe that expression off your face before you see Hermione." Remus grinned widely. "I know you're not well versed in the fine art of apology, but giving an evil glare while doing it isn't the most effective way to go about it."

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

The bastard! Hermione fumed, pacing back and forth in the bedroom. Then, another little voice – one that sounded suspiciously like Susan's – said, But he was right, wasn't he? You're in the wrong here, Hermione. Face it, woman. The thought brought her to a standstill.

Sitting down on the bed and sighing, she thought back over their earlier conversation.  The evening had begun innocuously enough.

~~

"It's beautiful Severus – thank you!" Hermione exclaimed, holding the pendant up and watching it glitter in the firelight.

"You're welcome. Filius spent most of the afternoon adding the enchantments," Severus said, pulling his own chain out from under his robes. She looked at him, surprised.

"I thought you weren't fond of jewelry," she said slowly. Returning his steady gaze, her brows furrowed. "You really think that… that they'll come after one of us, don't you?" He nodded solemnly. "But… it wouldn't do any good, even if they had the Manere, there's still the Apparition problem. To brew a potion like that without puffer fish eyes… it would take years of work. They can't really think that what Fudge told the Daily Prophet was right… can they?"

Severus was silent for long moments. "Something about all of this doesn't feel right to me, or to Kingsley. I suspect… I suspect that there is more to this situation than is immediately evident. And until we know what's really occurring…" He gently took the chain from her hands and fastened it around her neck. "Please… never remove this."

She nodded, tucking the pendant under the collar of her dress, against her skin.

"Filius altered the charms so they would activate with thought as well as voice. Other than that, the enchantments are exactly the same as those that Krum created," he said, watching as she lifted his own silver chain, inspecting the pendant with a small smile. "Filius assures me that you only have to think my name, with the intention of speaking with me, and the link will be opened. Skin contact is required, of course."

"Hmm," she said. Deciding to test the connection, she dropped his chain and thought, Severus?

Yes?

Thank you, again.

You're very welcome. Again.

She grinned at him. "It seems to work," she said teasingly, patting her pendant through her shirt. "I'm glad you chose a necklace instead – I don't have to worry about damaging it during my work, since it'll be hidden under my shirt."

Severus' face tightened.

~~

And the argument had begun. He had wanted to know why she would keep the necklace hidden, and she had answered that she didn't want unwelcome questions. The argument had continued in that vein for a time, until she had said, "You don't need to claim me, Severus. Don't you trust me?" She closed her eyes, remembering his answer.

~~

"Of course I do, you silly… I do not think it out of line that I would prefer other men to know that you are unavailable! Aren't you bothered by Finch-Fletchley hovering around you any chance he gets?"

"Well, yes, it is a little irritating… and I'm running out of excuses, but…"

"But what?"

"I… I don't want to hurt Viktor anymore. I don't want to cause him any embarrassment."

He turned away, then, and said in a cool voice, "I don't believe you need to worry – he and Tonks appear to be well suited. Hermione… you seem to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about Viktor. I had hoped that… at some point… you would turn that concern to me instead."

"Severus! Don't you get it? I left Viktor… I don't want to do anything else to hurt him if I can help it. You… of course I'm concerned about you, too. But… try to understand… I mean, it's different for you… the situation worked in your favor… you got the good end of the deal."

He turned back to her, then, and as she saw the expression in his eyes she realized with a jolt that the coolness of his voice had been covering something else… hurt. He was honestly hurt by what he saw as her… lack of concern. What would it matter, really? Viktor was happy now, with Tonks, he had even bought her an expensive bracelet and charmed it similar to their wedding rings… she was being foolish.

She opened her mouth to share this realization with Severus when his brows lowered and he sneered, "Getting a bit arrogant, aren't we?"

~~

She rubbed her face, shaking her head as she remembered how shocked she had felt when the insult hit home. Before she had been able to find her voice, he had swept around her and left the room.

That had been over an hour ago.

I really ought to go look for him and apologize, she thought morosely, fingering the ruby hanging around her neck. Suddenly, she felt like a fool. He had just given her the charmed pendant an hour ago, and she was already forgetting about its uses? Shaking her head with a small grin at her own stupidity, she held it and thought, Severus?

"Yes?" She jumped slightly, startled. The voice had come from the doorway, not from her mind. Looking up shyly, she saw him standing in the entrance to the room, holding a small pouch in one hand.

Her throat suddenly dry, she tried to speak. "I- I'm…"

"Wait," he said, walking further into the room. "I did not… express myself in the best manner earlier. I am aware of that." She looked at him and closed her mouth, waiting. "I… apologize, Hermione."

She shook her head. "It's not your faul-"

His voice interrupted her smoothly. "Don't finish that statement, Hermione. I… had no right to say what I did, at the end. You are far from arrogant, I know that all too well." She averted her gaze at his words, only turning to look at him when he came to sit beside her on the bed. "Please… I would like you to know what I really think about this, why it's important to me."

He opened the pouch and pulled out one small dried leaf. She glanced at it curiously, then back up at him as he asked, "Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Open your mouth," he commanded. She obeyed immediately, although not without a small amount of trepidation. He placed one of the dried leaves on her tongue before placing one in his own mouth. As it warmed in her mouth, she found that the leaf had a surprisingly pleasant taste. The taste grew stronger as it continued to mix with her saliva, and a warmth began to spread through her limbs.

What is this? she wondered silently, even as Severus' lips descended on her own. As their tongues met, she was assailed by… emotion. After a moment, she discovered…

… it was his emotion… his feelings… she was sensing them as her own, and yet not… she could tell hers from his, but they dissolved and separated in quick succession so that she felt each as strongly as her own. It was amazing… she knew.

She knew. She saw.

He was sorry. She sensed the bone-deep regret he felt at his final words, he had just been hurt, lashing out… she sensed his desperate want for others to know about them… he was proud, proud of her and of them and wanted… his anger that Justin and possibly others were bothering her, causing her distress… his possessiveness, which was, in and of itself, a high compliment from this taciturn man…

And, at the same time, she knew that he was feeling her emotions. Her own apology, her own pride in them, her own desire to avoid hurting anyone… her own desire to let people know about them…

They pulled back slowly, eyes searching. She found her voice first.

"Did you… I felt… what was that leaf? Do you feel my emotions, too?" she stammered.

He nodded slowly, twining his fingers in hers. "Yes. I felt your emotions, also… it was… informative. Hermione… I am sorry."

She smiled. "I know. And so am I."

"I know," he echoed. He looked away for a moment, regaining his composure by answering her initial question. "It is a leaf from the hellebore plant. I was told… in the utmost of confidences… that the dried form of the leaves can be used between… people who are close… between lovers… to exchange basic emotions." He looked at her then with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I was informed to use it when I had angered you sufficiently… and of course, when I felt genuinely sorry for doing so. I believe Neville said that a snarky bastard like myself needs all the help he can get."

She burst out laughing. "Neville obviously knows what he's talking about," she teased.

"In this instance, I believe he does," Severus said, pulling her into his arms. "I do regret one thing, however."

"What?" she asked as she maneuvered into his lap.

"I'm going to have to tell Neville that he was correct."

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

Tonks looked at Viktor, smiling. "This place is great," she said, looking around at the small Chinese restaurant they were dining in. "How did you find it?" It was definitely off the beaten path – she would have walked right past it if Viktor hadn't been holding her hand.

"Harry and I discovered it vun night ven ve vere valking around," Viktor said. "I vas surprised at how good the food vas. And it looks much different inside than outside."

Tonks laughed. "You can say that again. I wasn't sure where you were taking me at first – this is really surprising."

"I try," Viktor said with a small smile. "I am glad you like it."

"Well, I'll hold my final opinion until the food arrives," Tonks said, winking. "Oh, and here it is." The waitress delivered their meals and they both began to eat. "Wow."

Viktor grinned. "And your final opinion?"

She finished her mouthful and nodded. "I love it." They ate in silence for a time, the food too good to delay eating long enough to speak. After they were finished, they sat back and struck up a conversation about the upcoming Quidditch season. After he made a particularly cutting remark about the Chudley Cannons, she reached out and lifted her glass in a mocking salute, laughing. As she did so, her sleeve fell back and the bracelet he had given her sparkled in the dim light.

"It looks good on you," he said softly. "The bracelet."

She met his eyes and flushed slightly at the intense look he was giving her. She smiled faintly and said, "Thank you – I really do love it, Viktor. You have excellent taste in jewelry."

"Not just in jewelry," he commented casually, catching her eye. To her irritation, she flushed again. I probably look like an idiot… why am I so nervous? she thought, although she knew the answer. Earlier, she had decided to do whatever she could to move things forward. Shaking off the nervousness, she smiled.

"Oh, is that so?" she asked flirtatiously. He gave her a slow smile in response, and nodded.

"Yes," he said, sitting back.

"And what else do you have excellent taste in?"

He pretended to think. "Vell… Quidditch teams, of course. And broomsticks… interior design-" She nodded and chuckled at that, remembering how surprised she had been when she saw his new flat. He sat forward, grasping her hand as he added, "Vomen…"

"Ah. Well, I guess I can agree with you on… all of those," she said, her lips curving in a smile. He stared at her for a moment, seemingly engaged in an internal debate.

"Come, ve should go. People are vaiting for tables," he said, standing and holding a hand out to assist her out of her chair. As he led her from the restaurant, he ran his hand up her arm and to her shoulder, pulling her against him while they walked. She snuggled against him, wrapping her own arm around his waist.

"Do you haff to… do you haff any early meetings tomorrow?" he asked hesitantly. Hope blossoming in her chest, she shook her head.

"No – not abnormally early. I have to go in, but just at the regular time."

Viktor nodded and stopped, turning to face her. He placed both hands on her upper arms as he leaned forward and kissed her slowly. He ran his thumbs slowly up and down her arms as he pulled back to look at her. "Vould you like to come back vith me to my place?"

Normally, that would seem to be a silly question. They often went back to his flat to talk or play chess – if they didn't start out there to begin with - it went without saying. This time, however… there was a difference in what he was asking her. And they both knew it. Taking a deep breath, Tonks answered him.

"Yes," she said, smiling.

Minutes later, they stood inside his flat, staring at each other. Her stomach fluttered as his dark eyes gazed into hers intently. He bent his head and kissed her again, this time deep enough that she was breathless when he pulled away. An instant later, she put her hand behind his neck and brought his lips back to hers, kissing him passionately. She reveled in the feel of his arms crushing her against his chest and she moaned into his mouth. He pulled back again to look at her, raising one arm to lightly run his fingers down her face, outlining her lips and jaw, the unspoken question in his eyes.

"Yes," she whispered, leaning back up to kiss his neck as his arms once again tightened around her. As their lips and tongues met, he lifted her feet off the floor and carried her through the flat to his bedroom.

She did not leave until daylight. 

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

The next morning, Hermione and Hestia were getting closer to solving the Manere adjustments for the Skele-Gro potion. Luckily it wasn't as complex as the lycanthropy cure, and if they continued with the type of progress they had been making then it would be a matter of days before the Manere was ready.

"This is going even quicker than I thought," Hermione commented absently as she completed the stirring and set the glass rod on the worktable.

Hestia nodded from her stool. "I agree – almost makes me wonder if we're missing something. But… then I remember we're both fabulously intelligent and talented Potions Mistresses-"

"Right you are, Hestia!" Both women closed their eyes for a moment at the sound of that voice.

"Justin," Hestia stated flatly, without turning around on her stool. She gave Hermione a pointed look. "I thought that Auror outside the door was supposed to be protecting us," she whispered. Hermione shushed her. Ron had installed a junior Auror – Ernie Macmillan - at the door to the lab for added protection. When they had to travel to and from the offices, one of the senior Aurors would be sent. Hestia and Hermione thought that was going a little overboard, but evidently Kingsley had backed the plan wholeheartedly. Severus was right – Kingsley is worried, she thought, remembering the conversation from the night before.

"Whispering about me? I'm flattered," Justin said with a wink. Hestia gave Hermione another dirty look before hopping off of the stool and heading for the door, her black robes swirling around her as she walked.

"I'm going to go through the mail in my office, Hermione. I'll be back before the simmering cycle is complete," Hestia said with a final cool glance at Justin. She shot a meaningful look at Hermione before closing the door to the lab. While they had worked on the current test batch that morning, Hermione had promised Hestia that she would speak to Justin that day.

"Alone at last," Justin said in a teasing tone. The tone was at odds with the sudden nervousness displayed in his stance. Hermione sighed inwardly. It would have been so much easier if he wasn't such a nice guy. Irritating, definitely, but nice all the same.

While she wracked her brain to find a way to bring up the subject, he unwittingly helped her. "What's this?" he asked, coming forward to get a closer look at the pendant Severus had given her the evening before.

She almost smiled in relief at the wonderful opening. "Oh, yes, isn't it lovely? Severus gave it to me last night."

Justin's eyebrows rose almost to his hairline. "Severus? As in…"

She nodded, smiling. She pretended not to notice his reaction and continued, "Yes, Severus Snape."

"Oh," he said, looking a bit confused. "Are you… I mean, you and he are…" She nodded. "Well. Um… that's… a surprise. Severus Snape? Potions Master at Hogwarts?" She nodded again, flipping her hair over her right shoulder, taking care to "accidentally" expose the love bite on her neck in the process. He stepped back a pace before stammering, "Well, I'm… I'm happy for you. Does he… are you happy?"

"Very. He's really a good person, Justin," she said calmly. "He treats me very well."

"Severus Snape?" Justin said again before grinning ruefully. "I'm sorry, Herm – it's just… I can't see him with anyone, you know? But, as long as you're happy."

"Thanks, Justin. It took me a while to get used to Severus as a person rather than as Snape, evil Potions Master… so I know where you're coming from," she said, smiling.

"Yeah, well. What I was really coming in to ask you about was-" Justin began, changing the subject. Hermione smiled and listened attentively to his question, relieved that she had gotten the point across without anyone becoming embarrassed. And without damaging her working relationship with Justin.

A short time later, Justin had returned to his own lab and Hermione was reading through some paperwork in her office, waiting for the simmering cycle to complete. A knock on the door leading to the lab interrupted her, and she looked up to see Ernie Macmillan standing there. "Yes, Ernie – what is it?" she asked.

"Hermione, I've just received a message from Auror Weasley that I'm needed elsewhere. Katie Bell will be relieving me. I just wanted to let you know," Ernie said. She nodded and thanked him absently, returning her attention to the mountain of paperwork.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

Ron Weasley shook his head, looking at his partner. "What do you think, Tonks? This make any sense to you?" They were standing, with a half dozen other Aurors, in front of Azkaban prison. Someone had set off several explosions around the walls of the prison that morning.

She frowned. "None. How would any criminal in their right mind think that a simple exploding charm would work on the walls of Azkaban?"

Kingsley let out a breath, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "How many criminals are in their right mind, Tonks? But I take your meaning. I'm mostly interested to find out how they got away so quickly… there was no sign of anyone, and we arrived immediately after the explosions occurred. Ah – here's the Charms expert now, let's see what they've found."

"Auror Kingsley, correct?" the sandy-haired woman asked. "I'm Mandy Brocklehurst," she said, holding out her hand.

Kingsley shook it, then looked up at the prison, squinting in the sun. "What did you find, Miss Brocklehurst?"

"Well, sir, it appears to have been a series of timed exploding charms. We're still not sure what the charms were embedded in, of course, but there was enough residue for us to determine the type of charm used," Mandy answered.

Ron looked at Kingsley, alarmed. "Timed? A diversion?"

"To get us away from the Ministry," Kingsley muttered, already walking quickly towards the Apparition point. "Damn!" He sped up, the other two following closely behind him. "Who's watching over Hermione and Hestia?" Kingsley snapped.

"Ernie Macmillan, sir, like we discussed," Ron said.

Kingsley nodded sharply and increased his pace. Just before they reached the Apparition point, they stopped in shock.

Walking towards them, in no particular hurry, was Ernie Macmillan.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

"Miss Granger! Come quick!"

The yell startled Hermione. It had come from the lab. Cursing under her breath, she jumped up and flung the door open, revealing a frightened-looking Katie Bell. "What is it?"

"Just look, Miss Granger – your cauldron, it's doing something strange…" Katie said, pointing to the worktable that held the newest trial. It was bubbling wildly, and smoke was beginning to billow out of the cauldron as they watched. But – none of the ingredients we used are at all volatile, she thought. Just then, a hissing noise began to emanate from the cauldron, and Hermione grabbed Katie's arm.

"Come on! We have to get out and seal the room," Hermione ordered as she dragged the other woman out of the lab, her mind already going over the possible causes of the reaction. Could they have gotten hold of a contaminated ingredient?

Before she was able to seal the room, the cauldron exploded, sending smoke billowing into the hallway. Just then, Hestia appeared, her dark green robes fanning behind her as she strode towards them. There was something odd about that… she couldn't remember what, though.

"We need to get outside – we have no idea what effect this smoke will have, Hermione – hurry!" Hestia commanded. Obediently, Hermione followed the other two women out of the small side door at the end of the hallway. It was for emergency use only, but she rather thought that this incident would qualify.

Once outside, she turned to Hestia and asked, "What could have happened? We didn't use anything volatile." Hestia gave her a disconcerting smirk. "Hestia?" Suddenly, Hermione's blood ran cold. Hestia had been wearing black robes earlier… these were dark green. Before she could reach for her wand, Katie had both of her hands wrenched behind her back.

"This was far too easy, Mudblood," Hestia said.

The pendant! Severus! her mind screamed frantically as Hestia raised her wand.

The chain grew warm on her neck as she heard Severus reply, Hermione! What is it?

Hestia… Polyjui-

"Stupefy."

Everything went black.

_______________________________________________________________

A/N: Okay, I know that was mean… but the next scenes are going to be fairly long and really deserve a chapter of their own. So, another cliffhanger. Please read and review! I have a long weekend off from work, so hopefully I will get the next chapter up quickly.

Lizzie and KES – Thanks for reviewing!

Keket – Thanks again for reviewing! I find that I need an outline with longer fictions (okay, this is only my second, but I've already outlined "Cloak of Courage" – my third)… it helps me construct the scenes and chapters. There are a lot of scenes that just come up while I'm typing, though – it's not a strict outline. As far as the mystery in the previous chapters… they were, as you said, setup chapters. I'll have to comment more on that after everything is revealed… there was more of the mystery in there than it initially appeared. I do agree with you about the thoughts on the brain about it… when I do a rewrite I will do more of that. Thanks! (ps – there will be an additional Severus/Viktor meeting… )

Electryone – Thanks! I felt bad for almost going a week on this update. I'm not commenting on any plot items… ;) LOL @ liking Hestia least – I remember you saying that back in "Time…" I see her as a good drinking buddy type woman, not necessarily a close friend type. But she is loads of fun to write!

Dru – Thanks for reviewing!!

Jinxd  n cursed - :) No diamond ring… I don't know if that would be Sev's style, even if he was buying an engagement ring. But… it's a bit soon for those two. Hermione's just now telling people about the relationship lol! Thanks for reviewing!