Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.
Thanks goes to Snapebbwlover for beta reading.
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The Gifts of Love
Chapter 3: Love or Death?
A few hours later, Hermione cautiously opened her eyes. She looked up at the plain white ceiling and knew immediately where she was... the hospital wing, she closed her eyes before anybody noticed she opened them. Why am I here? Hermione thought about the last thing she remembered.
Walking down the hall to go to her room with Draco and Ginny by her side. She heard a whisper and then nothing. She had blacked out after hearing. What had I heard? Hermione focused and tried to remember....
Verus amor aut letum.
Oh, god!
She knew the curse. She read about it from a book in the Restricted Section. Hermione's eyes started to water but she forced herself not to shed any tears. She opened her eyes again and looked around seeing Ginny and Draco talking quietly to themselves. Hermione sat up slowly, her friends noticed the movement and immediately kneeled by her side.
"How do you feel Hermione?" Draco asked with concern.
"All right."
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
"I was hit with a curse," Hermione explained.
Madam Pomfrey came in before they could ask which curse. The medi-witch sent word to Dumbledore and McGonagall immediately then checked Hermione making sure everything was all right.
After a few minutes both professors came in with relief apparent on their faces.
"Miss Granger, I'm happy to see you are awake. You gave us quite a fright." Dumbledore spoke with a twinkle in his eye.
Hermione didn't know how to act... she knew the curse she was hit with and what the results of the curse. She looked up into her professor's eyes and she noticed the twinkle disappear when he realized something else was wrong.
"Miss Granger, do you know what happened?"
Hermione nodded her head.
"Please tell us." Dumbledore asked.
Pomfrey, McGonagall, Draco and Ginny surrounded her bed with Dumbledore at the end. "Sir, would you please put up a silencing charm?"
Dumbledore did as she requested with no questions asked.
"Draco, Ginny and I were walking to our common room when I was hit with a curse... then I blacked out."
"Do you remember the curse?"
"Yes, sir," Hermione said softly.
"What was it?"
Hermione hesitated, "Could some one please retrieve the book 'Ancient Latin Curses and Hexes', it's in the Restricted Section?"
Dumbledore nodded to McGonagall and she immediately left. Pomfrey decided to leave also, another student had come in needing her attention. There was nothing more she could do for Hermione at that instant.
"Hermione please tell me what it was."
"Verus amor aut letum," Hermione admitted quietly.
"Are you positive?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore was quiet for a short moment. "What do you know about this curse?"
"Just what is in the book... that is why I asked for it."
"Will you be all right for a minute? I need to fetch a book myself," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, of course."
Dumbledore moved quickly for a man of his age.
Hermione looked to her friends they themselves knew of the curse and were shocked. It was rare... more than that even. It was unheard of to have it being cast. They all knew about the curse if you didn't find true love -soul mate- within a week, you... die. She was in love but the chances of the person she loved, loving her back were one in a million. Thus, only a week to live... she couldn't believe it.
McGonagall arrived back first, "Where's the Headmaster?"
"He said he needed to get a book himself," Hermione explained.
Within a minute Dumbledore returned next to McGonagall, "Do you have it, Professor?"
"Yes."
"Please read the curse Verus amor aut letum." Dumbledore instructed.
McGonagall looked horrified and her hands trembled as she struggled to find the page.
"Verus amor aut letum - True love or death. The person who has this curse cast upon them has one week to find their true love or they will face death. There is not much known about this curse or why or when it was created. Very few people are able to cast it, to cast this curse you must have recognized your true love."
McGonagall closed the book, "There isn't anything else." The Head of Gryffindor House stared at Hermione in either shock or disbelief.
"Miss Granger, said she heard this curse cast upon her today."
"But it can't be..." McGonagall trying to deny it, Hermione was her favorite student even though she didn't really show it.
"I'm afraid so, that is why I went to get this book. It has more information about the curse." Dumbledore opened his book 'Myths and Truths of Old Hexes and Curses' and handed it to McGonagall to read out loud. "Please."
Hermione was relieved she would not have to read right then, her eyes were too watery to focus on any words she was positive.
"Verus amor aut letum - True Love or Death.
"The wizard/witch who is cursed with this charm will have one week to find their true love if not they will die along with the wizard/witch who cast the curse. To cast this curse the person must also be affected by the curse themselves. If the castee does find their true love, the soul mates will have newfound powers. The soul mate of the cursed wizard/witch will experience great abdominal pains until they admit their love for one another or the cursed wizard/witch has died."
As McGonagall read the last part Snape entered the curtained area. Dumbledore spotted him, "Professor Snape is there anything I can do for you?"
Hermione and Severus were both staring at each other for a few seconds before they both realized Dumbledore was trying to his attention. "You said, Headmaster?" Severus said in his usual distant tone.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, I was informed Miss Granger woke up. I came to see if there would be a potion you needed me to brew."
"Not necessary. We know what has happened."
Severus directed his attention to Dumbledore. "What was it?"
"Miss Granger was cursed with Verus amor aut letum."
Severus's faced showed no reaction; he had years of experience hiding his emotion. But he knew of the curse and the facts around it.
Dumbledore looked at Hermione again, "Miss Granger, I'm sorry to pry, but are you in love with some one?"
Hermione didn't know if she should answer with him in the room. Glancing from the dark figure next to McGonagall and returned her gaze to Dumbledore. "Yes."
Dumbledore could feel the hesitance from the young lady about her two professors. "Will you both wait outside," he directed at the two professors.
Snape and McGonagall left not questioning the Headmaster. Dumbledore looked back at his student in silence. He knew his Potions Master was in love with this woman. Even if it was unusual for a professor to harbor feelings for a student, it was not unheard of. But this student was beyond normal. While sitting at the Head Table he had watched the professor sneak glances at the Gryffindor in front of him. What Dumbledore didn't expect was the Head Girl to return the feelings. Maybe this curse wasn't a bad thing after all.
Snape always believed himself unworthy of love and friendship. The young man still didn't believe when Dumbledore told him he had repaid his penance for mistakes of his youth. Dumbledore also watched his Head Girl, nose was often buried in a book. While she had friends and great ones at that she needed more in her life, she seemed to be searching for something else.
"Miss Granger, the person you love are they aware of your feelings?"
Hermione shook her head no.
"Please tell me who it is."
Hermione was hesitant, she was looking from her friends to the professor.
"If you wish your friends not to know they can leave," Dumbledore offered thinking that was the reason of her silence.
"They already know, sir."
"Then may I?" Dumbledore asked, he was surprised the two students knew.
"Professor Snape." Hermione said clearly but softly.
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled brightly. "All right my dear. Please get dressed and come to my office I will have Professor McGonagall escort you." To Ginny and Draco, "Mister Malfoy, Miss Weasley please tell no one of this. Not even your other friends. If they are asked say she was cursed with a sleeping spell that is harmless."
"Yes sir." Both answered.
Dumbledore left.
Severus and McGonagall were outside waiting for news. Severus wanted to pace but he refused to. Mia admitted she was in love with some one, he thought. Even with jealousy running through is veins, it was good she was. There would be a chance that the curse could be broken. But he swore he would find the culprit who put this curse on her and strangle them with his bare hands.
Dumbledore came out, "Minerva, Miss Granger is getting dressed. In 15 minutes please come to my office." McGonagall nodded and headed back into the infirmary without question. "Severus, I need you to bring Veritaserum to my office."
Severus nodded, "Albus do you know who cursed Miss Granger?" His voice betraying the hatred he felt for the person already.
"No, not yet."
Severus nodded again and left for his dungeons with his robes billowing around him to get the potions.
Hermione had asked Ginny and Draco to sit outside while she got dressed. Before they could talk McGonagall was ready to escort her to Dumbledore's office.
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To be continued...
Thanks goes to Snapebbwlover for beta reading.
I have created a mailing list for those who wish to receive updates of stories I write by email. If this isn't working view my profile.
The Gifts of Love
Chapter 3: Love or Death?
A few hours later, Hermione cautiously opened her eyes. She looked up at the plain white ceiling and knew immediately where she was... the hospital wing, she closed her eyes before anybody noticed she opened them. Why am I here? Hermione thought about the last thing she remembered.
Walking down the hall to go to her room with Draco and Ginny by her side. She heard a whisper and then nothing. She had blacked out after hearing. What had I heard? Hermione focused and tried to remember....
Verus amor aut letum.
Oh, god!
She knew the curse. She read about it from a book in the Restricted Section. Hermione's eyes started to water but she forced herself not to shed any tears. She opened her eyes again and looked around seeing Ginny and Draco talking quietly to themselves. Hermione sat up slowly, her friends noticed the movement and immediately kneeled by her side.
"How do you feel Hermione?" Draco asked with concern.
"All right."
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
"I was hit with a curse," Hermione explained.
Madam Pomfrey came in before they could ask which curse. The medi-witch sent word to Dumbledore and McGonagall immediately then checked Hermione making sure everything was all right.
After a few minutes both professors came in with relief apparent on their faces.
"Miss Granger, I'm happy to see you are awake. You gave us quite a fright." Dumbledore spoke with a twinkle in his eye.
Hermione didn't know how to act... she knew the curse she was hit with and what the results of the curse. She looked up into her professor's eyes and she noticed the twinkle disappear when he realized something else was wrong.
"Miss Granger, do you know what happened?"
Hermione nodded her head.
"Please tell us." Dumbledore asked.
Pomfrey, McGonagall, Draco and Ginny surrounded her bed with Dumbledore at the end. "Sir, would you please put up a silencing charm?"
Dumbledore did as she requested with no questions asked.
"Draco, Ginny and I were walking to our common room when I was hit with a curse... then I blacked out."
"Do you remember the curse?"
"Yes, sir," Hermione said softly.
"What was it?"
Hermione hesitated, "Could some one please retrieve the book 'Ancient Latin Curses and Hexes', it's in the Restricted Section?"
Dumbledore nodded to McGonagall and she immediately left. Pomfrey decided to leave also, another student had come in needing her attention. There was nothing more she could do for Hermione at that instant.
"Hermione please tell me what it was."
"Verus amor aut letum," Hermione admitted quietly.
"Are you positive?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore was quiet for a short moment. "What do you know about this curse?"
"Just what is in the book... that is why I asked for it."
"Will you be all right for a minute? I need to fetch a book myself," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, of course."
Dumbledore moved quickly for a man of his age.
Hermione looked to her friends they themselves knew of the curse and were shocked. It was rare... more than that even. It was unheard of to have it being cast. They all knew about the curse if you didn't find true love -soul mate- within a week, you... die. She was in love but the chances of the person she loved, loving her back were one in a million. Thus, only a week to live... she couldn't believe it.
McGonagall arrived back first, "Where's the Headmaster?"
"He said he needed to get a book himself," Hermione explained.
Within a minute Dumbledore returned next to McGonagall, "Do you have it, Professor?"
"Yes."
"Please read the curse Verus amor aut letum." Dumbledore instructed.
McGonagall looked horrified and her hands trembled as she struggled to find the page.
"Verus amor aut letum - True love or death. The person who has this curse cast upon them has one week to find their true love or they will face death. There is not much known about this curse or why or when it was created. Very few people are able to cast it, to cast this curse you must have recognized your true love."
McGonagall closed the book, "There isn't anything else." The Head of Gryffindor House stared at Hermione in either shock or disbelief.
"Miss Granger, said she heard this curse cast upon her today."
"But it can't be..." McGonagall trying to deny it, Hermione was her favorite student even though she didn't really show it.
"I'm afraid so, that is why I went to get this book. It has more information about the curse." Dumbledore opened his book 'Myths and Truths of Old Hexes and Curses' and handed it to McGonagall to read out loud. "Please."
Hermione was relieved she would not have to read right then, her eyes were too watery to focus on any words she was positive.
"Verus amor aut letum - True Love or Death.
"The wizard/witch who is cursed with this charm will have one week to find their true love if not they will die along with the wizard/witch who cast the curse. To cast this curse the person must also be affected by the curse themselves. If the castee does find their true love, the soul mates will have newfound powers. The soul mate of the cursed wizard/witch will experience great abdominal pains until they admit their love for one another or the cursed wizard/witch has died."
As McGonagall read the last part Snape entered the curtained area. Dumbledore spotted him, "Professor Snape is there anything I can do for you?"
Hermione and Severus were both staring at each other for a few seconds before they both realized Dumbledore was trying to his attention. "You said, Headmaster?" Severus said in his usual distant tone.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, I was informed Miss Granger woke up. I came to see if there would be a potion you needed me to brew."
"Not necessary. We know what has happened."
Severus directed his attention to Dumbledore. "What was it?"
"Miss Granger was cursed with Verus amor aut letum."
Severus's faced showed no reaction; he had years of experience hiding his emotion. But he knew of the curse and the facts around it.
Dumbledore looked at Hermione again, "Miss Granger, I'm sorry to pry, but are you in love with some one?"
Hermione didn't know if she should answer with him in the room. Glancing from the dark figure next to McGonagall and returned her gaze to Dumbledore. "Yes."
Dumbledore could feel the hesitance from the young lady about her two professors. "Will you both wait outside," he directed at the two professors.
Snape and McGonagall left not questioning the Headmaster. Dumbledore looked back at his student in silence. He knew his Potions Master was in love with this woman. Even if it was unusual for a professor to harbor feelings for a student, it was not unheard of. But this student was beyond normal. While sitting at the Head Table he had watched the professor sneak glances at the Gryffindor in front of him. What Dumbledore didn't expect was the Head Girl to return the feelings. Maybe this curse wasn't a bad thing after all.
Snape always believed himself unworthy of love and friendship. The young man still didn't believe when Dumbledore told him he had repaid his penance for mistakes of his youth. Dumbledore also watched his Head Girl, nose was often buried in a book. While she had friends and great ones at that she needed more in her life, she seemed to be searching for something else.
"Miss Granger, the person you love are they aware of your feelings?"
Hermione shook her head no.
"Please tell me who it is."
Hermione was hesitant, she was looking from her friends to the professor.
"If you wish your friends not to know they can leave," Dumbledore offered thinking that was the reason of her silence.
"They already know, sir."
"Then may I?" Dumbledore asked, he was surprised the two students knew.
"Professor Snape." Hermione said clearly but softly.
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled brightly. "All right my dear. Please get dressed and come to my office I will have Professor McGonagall escort you." To Ginny and Draco, "Mister Malfoy, Miss Weasley please tell no one of this. Not even your other friends. If they are asked say she was cursed with a sleeping spell that is harmless."
"Yes sir." Both answered.
Dumbledore left.
Severus and McGonagall were outside waiting for news. Severus wanted to pace but he refused to. Mia admitted she was in love with some one, he thought. Even with jealousy running through is veins, it was good she was. There would be a chance that the curse could be broken. But he swore he would find the culprit who put this curse on her and strangle them with his bare hands.
Dumbledore came out, "Minerva, Miss Granger is getting dressed. In 15 minutes please come to my office." McGonagall nodded and headed back into the infirmary without question. "Severus, I need you to bring Veritaserum to my office."
Severus nodded, "Albus do you know who cursed Miss Granger?" His voice betraying the hatred he felt for the person already.
"No, not yet."
Severus nodded again and left for his dungeons with his robes billowing around him to get the potions.
Hermione had asked Ginny and Draco to sit outside while she got dressed. Before they could talk McGonagall was ready to escort her to Dumbledore's office.
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To be continued...