Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot on this fanfic and a couple
or more characters you certainly won't find in the HP books so when I say
anything I mean anything! Heck, I don't even own this computer! I'm just
renting it until I get my own. So please bear with me if my updates are
slow? ^___^;;;
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
PROLOGUE: Fetters of Death
A soft breeze flew over the far side of the lake that housed Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's gentle giant squid. The sky was cloudy and dark and the larks sang their lament for the unmarked grave of water.
A lone, figure in black school robes stood at the banks of the still lake with a bunch of small white flowers clutched in her hands, her already, waist long length of braided, curly, chestnut brown hair waving gently with the breeze. The delicate features of its owner was clear yet its sadness was well pronounced, but the most expressive of her features were the chocolate brown eyes that spoke of a pain too profound for noises of agony, and a sadness too deep for mere tears to express. There was none of the usual smugness on her features. None of the usual laughter of youth that ought to be there. Her face spoke only of tragedy and loss and grief too painful for words. Especially when no one would possibly understand.
Except for him...
How ironic. That a man like him would be the only one who understood the feelings and what was going on inside the heart and mind of this girl who never really had any direct connection with him...
Severus Snape watched her from a distance, his heart (or what's left of it in his opinion) turning over, making him hard pressed not to offer her comfort. No one knew of her grief. No one that is... except for him, Albus Dumbledore and what's left of the Malfoys. He swallowed hard, trying to school his features into his habitual harsh mask before he approached her. It was time he kept his promise, and the sooner this was done, the sooner he'll be able to fulfill it. He stopped about three feet from where she was standing before speaking.
"Miss Granger,"
She turned swiftly around, facing him. Clearly she didn't hear him approach and her eyes were wide in surprise as she looked at him. Snape felt his heart jump up in his throat and he had to swallow hard to put it back to its rightful place again.
He'd never seen her this vulnerable or so desolate and alone for all the years since he'd taught her in this school. Sure, there were times when she was younger that she has exhibited tears over her simpleton friends but never with this much sadness. Never with this much pain. It was as if... her soul was laid bare before him. Reaching out to him to be pulled back from the abyss it has fallen into. Begging him to save her! It lasted but a minute before she managed to hide some of it away, freeing herself from her world of grief to speak to him.
"P-professor Snape," she stammered, clutching the flowers close to her chest with shaking fingers and turning away. "I-I was just—"
Severus grabbed the opportunity for more confident speech in a flash and switched back to auto-professor mode. "You don't have to worry, Miss Granger. I know perfectly well whose ashes are now resting underneath this lake." She started to turn back to the water. "And I know what passed between you and Draco all throughout last year's term."
That stopped her at mid turn, causing him to view her profile. Framed by the glittering waves of the shimmering lake, she was the very image of a grieving likeness of the muggle religious idol known as the Virgin Mary. Pure even in her grief. She didn't turn back to him or face him. She just stayed where she was.
"When... when did you find out?" she asked him quietly.
He gathered his strength and answered. "Right after Christmas break last year."
A pause before she asked again. Her tone more softer than the last one. "How much do you know?"
All but the gory details..., he thought wryly.
And to say that he was astounded by the discovery was an understatement at that time.
So now he was in front of the same girl he promised to protect at all costs, asking him a simple question.
How much do you know?
"He told me he loved you." He answered her bluntly, trying to hide is discomfort.
He saw tears spring from her eyes and her mouth trembled the slightest bit at his words. He wanted to walk away from her. He wasn't used to being this close to an emotional wreck. With his other students, he held his distance from their tears. Clinically looking at it from the logical point of view. But Hermione Granger... her tears were like leaded iron to his soul. They share a common bond now. A bond made by the death of someone they have learned to care for greatly.
She quickly turned towards the lake to hide the sudden barrage of tears from him for which he was profoundly grateful. She took in several deep breaths before asking again. "And why talk this over with me now? Are you going to lecture me on the impropriety of relationships between Slytherins and Gryffindors? Because if you are then it's a bit too late for that."
Snape narrowed his eyes at her. He intended to speak harshly but his voice came out soft. "He wanted me to be your protector."
She started at that before turning back to him. Her eyes wide in surprise. "He bequeathed me to you?! Is that what this is about?!"
Severus inclined his head. His tone cold. "More or less. He implied that your safety must be placed above all else. I plan to honor that promise."
Her lips began to tremble once more but she refused to break down. "Thank you. I appreciate that. But its really not necessary."
He scowled at her. "I don't think you understand. Lucius Malfoy will stop at nothing to get to you now especially when you've led him to believe that you made is son turn! Once he gets the chance, he'll whisk you away and kill you! Or worse."
"Don't you think I know that?" she asked him quietly. She met his eyes then. Determination now laced the pain and she was obviously concentrating on it. "Don't you think I know what I was getting myself into the moment I told him what I felt? Of course I know what his father will do to me once he gets his hands on me. It's no different a fate if I had stayed as Harry's best friend or remained a muggle born. Why would I place your life in jeopardy now?"
That her first thoughts were for his safety completely caught him off guard. He stood there, speechless. It took him a while before he could think properly again. "I gave him my word that I will protect you. I intend to keep my word."
She looked away and looked down at the flowers still clutched to her chest. For anyone who looked, she would seem serene and undisturbed, but he knew better. He knew just how much she was struggling to keep sane.
"Draco loved you like a father. Did you know that?" she said all of a sudden. Severus fought to keep the surprise from his face. "It was our mutual respect for you that got us together. He cares for you so much, that's why he did all the necessary precautions to keep your secret. We agreed that you are far more important as an asset to the Order than either him or me. Before we parted for the summer break, he asked me the same thing... for you."
It took him a while before he understood what she meant. He bit off a curse. "He bequeathed me to you too?!"
She smiled wryly. "I told you, Draco cares for you, and he always makes sure his loved ones are taken care of. Even when he's dead. So unless you want me hogging your steps day in and day out, I suggest we continue on with our lives and help each other only when its necessary. Like you, I plan to honor my promise, but I am also willing to compromise, professor."
Severus was speechless. The girl had a point and they would only be a danger to each other if they insisted on faithfully following Draco's wishes word for word. His cover would be blown and Hermione would be in even worse trouble if the Dark Lord asked him to bring her to a Dark Revel once word comes to him that he and the girl were close! Finally, he was forced to grudgingly bow down to her logic. A feat only Dumbledore has ever accomplished. He also felt his respect for the girl reluctantly rising up a notch. He watched as she silently looked out to the lake, before silently turning on his heel and walking away...
Hermione looked out to the lake where her beloved's ashes were scattered and felt her tears fall, like the way they did every single day since she came back here to Hogwarts after the summer break.
And now she was standing here gazing at the banks of the lake watched over by the school she loved so much. They burned his remains as per wizarding tradition so his body would be safe and not be used in any rituals, dark or light. A final reverence for the dead.
How she would love to jump into the waters and let go. Just get in there and join him in oblivion. That would not impress him but she didn't care. She just wanted to be with him. Was that too much to ask for?
She hugged herself and closed her eyes. Wishing that she was still in his arms and she was still happy with him. Oh if only she could follow him. But she promised him she'll take care of Snape, and she couldn't do that if she's gone. She had to honor that. She'll just have to accept the things fate has laid before her now.
Despite herself, she smiled sadly at his cunning. Making sure she had something to hold on to when he's dead. How very Slytherin. How very, very Slytherin indeed.
With a last huge gulp of air, she threw the flowers she held onto the water. The same flowers she threw onto the lake every single day since his ashes were scattered there. Hoping in her heart that he will now find rest. Before she turned away and proceeded to plan Voldemort's downfall.....
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
PROLOGUE: Fetters of Death
A soft breeze flew over the far side of the lake that housed Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's gentle giant squid. The sky was cloudy and dark and the larks sang their lament for the unmarked grave of water.
A lone, figure in black school robes stood at the banks of the still lake with a bunch of small white flowers clutched in her hands, her already, waist long length of braided, curly, chestnut brown hair waving gently with the breeze. The delicate features of its owner was clear yet its sadness was well pronounced, but the most expressive of her features were the chocolate brown eyes that spoke of a pain too profound for noises of agony, and a sadness too deep for mere tears to express. There was none of the usual smugness on her features. None of the usual laughter of youth that ought to be there. Her face spoke only of tragedy and loss and grief too painful for words. Especially when no one would possibly understand.
Except for him...
How ironic. That a man like him would be the only one who understood the feelings and what was going on inside the heart and mind of this girl who never really had any direct connection with him...
Severus Snape watched her from a distance, his heart (or what's left of it in his opinion) turning over, making him hard pressed not to offer her comfort. No one knew of her grief. No one that is... except for him, Albus Dumbledore and what's left of the Malfoys. He swallowed hard, trying to school his features into his habitual harsh mask before he approached her. It was time he kept his promise, and the sooner this was done, the sooner he'll be able to fulfill it. He stopped about three feet from where she was standing before speaking.
"Miss Granger,"
She turned swiftly around, facing him. Clearly she didn't hear him approach and her eyes were wide in surprise as she looked at him. Snape felt his heart jump up in his throat and he had to swallow hard to put it back to its rightful place again.
He'd never seen her this vulnerable or so desolate and alone for all the years since he'd taught her in this school. Sure, there were times when she was younger that she has exhibited tears over her simpleton friends but never with this much sadness. Never with this much pain. It was as if... her soul was laid bare before him. Reaching out to him to be pulled back from the abyss it has fallen into. Begging him to save her! It lasted but a minute before she managed to hide some of it away, freeing herself from her world of grief to speak to him.
"P-professor Snape," she stammered, clutching the flowers close to her chest with shaking fingers and turning away. "I-I was just—"
Severus grabbed the opportunity for more confident speech in a flash and switched back to auto-professor mode. "You don't have to worry, Miss Granger. I know perfectly well whose ashes are now resting underneath this lake." She started to turn back to the water. "And I know what passed between you and Draco all throughout last year's term."
That stopped her at mid turn, causing him to view her profile. Framed by the glittering waves of the shimmering lake, she was the very image of a grieving likeness of the muggle religious idol known as the Virgin Mary. Pure even in her grief. She didn't turn back to him or face him. She just stayed where she was.
"When... when did you find out?" she asked him quietly.
He gathered his strength and answered. "Right after Christmas break last year."
A pause before she asked again. Her tone more softer than the last one. "How much do you know?"
All but the gory details..., he thought wryly.
And to say that he was astounded by the discovery was an understatement at that time.
So now he was in front of the same girl he promised to protect at all costs, asking him a simple question.
How much do you know?
"He told me he loved you." He answered her bluntly, trying to hide is discomfort.
He saw tears spring from her eyes and her mouth trembled the slightest bit at his words. He wanted to walk away from her. He wasn't used to being this close to an emotional wreck. With his other students, he held his distance from their tears. Clinically looking at it from the logical point of view. But Hermione Granger... her tears were like leaded iron to his soul. They share a common bond now. A bond made by the death of someone they have learned to care for greatly.
She quickly turned towards the lake to hide the sudden barrage of tears from him for which he was profoundly grateful. She took in several deep breaths before asking again. "And why talk this over with me now? Are you going to lecture me on the impropriety of relationships between Slytherins and Gryffindors? Because if you are then it's a bit too late for that."
Snape narrowed his eyes at her. He intended to speak harshly but his voice came out soft. "He wanted me to be your protector."
She started at that before turning back to him. Her eyes wide in surprise. "He bequeathed me to you?! Is that what this is about?!"
Severus inclined his head. His tone cold. "More or less. He implied that your safety must be placed above all else. I plan to honor that promise."
Her lips began to tremble once more but she refused to break down. "Thank you. I appreciate that. But its really not necessary."
He scowled at her. "I don't think you understand. Lucius Malfoy will stop at nothing to get to you now especially when you've led him to believe that you made is son turn! Once he gets the chance, he'll whisk you away and kill you! Or worse."
"Don't you think I know that?" she asked him quietly. She met his eyes then. Determination now laced the pain and she was obviously concentrating on it. "Don't you think I know what I was getting myself into the moment I told him what I felt? Of course I know what his father will do to me once he gets his hands on me. It's no different a fate if I had stayed as Harry's best friend or remained a muggle born. Why would I place your life in jeopardy now?"
That her first thoughts were for his safety completely caught him off guard. He stood there, speechless. It took him a while before he could think properly again. "I gave him my word that I will protect you. I intend to keep my word."
She looked away and looked down at the flowers still clutched to her chest. For anyone who looked, she would seem serene and undisturbed, but he knew better. He knew just how much she was struggling to keep sane.
"Draco loved you like a father. Did you know that?" she said all of a sudden. Severus fought to keep the surprise from his face. "It was our mutual respect for you that got us together. He cares for you so much, that's why he did all the necessary precautions to keep your secret. We agreed that you are far more important as an asset to the Order than either him or me. Before we parted for the summer break, he asked me the same thing... for you."
It took him a while before he understood what she meant. He bit off a curse. "He bequeathed me to you too?!"
She smiled wryly. "I told you, Draco cares for you, and he always makes sure his loved ones are taken care of. Even when he's dead. So unless you want me hogging your steps day in and day out, I suggest we continue on with our lives and help each other only when its necessary. Like you, I plan to honor my promise, but I am also willing to compromise, professor."
Severus was speechless. The girl had a point and they would only be a danger to each other if they insisted on faithfully following Draco's wishes word for word. His cover would be blown and Hermione would be in even worse trouble if the Dark Lord asked him to bring her to a Dark Revel once word comes to him that he and the girl were close! Finally, he was forced to grudgingly bow down to her logic. A feat only Dumbledore has ever accomplished. He also felt his respect for the girl reluctantly rising up a notch. He watched as she silently looked out to the lake, before silently turning on his heel and walking away...
Hermione looked out to the lake where her beloved's ashes were scattered and felt her tears fall, like the way they did every single day since she came back here to Hogwarts after the summer break.
And now she was standing here gazing at the banks of the lake watched over by the school she loved so much. They burned his remains as per wizarding tradition so his body would be safe and not be used in any rituals, dark or light. A final reverence for the dead.
How she would love to jump into the waters and let go. Just get in there and join him in oblivion. That would not impress him but she didn't care. She just wanted to be with him. Was that too much to ask for?
She hugged herself and closed her eyes. Wishing that she was still in his arms and she was still happy with him. Oh if only she could follow him. But she promised him she'll take care of Snape, and she couldn't do that if she's gone. She had to honor that. She'll just have to accept the things fate has laid before her now.
Despite herself, she smiled sadly at his cunning. Making sure she had something to hold on to when he's dead. How very Slytherin. How very, very Slytherin indeed.
With a last huge gulp of air, she threw the flowers she held onto the water. The same flowers she threw onto the lake every single day since his ashes were scattered there. Hoping in her heart that he will now find rest. Before she turned away and proceeded to plan Voldemort's downfall.....