Once again the disclaimer: I bow in awe of J.K. Rowling genius. All characters and things in the Harry Potter world are hers. Please do not sue me. I make no money and you would undoubted piss readers off if you delay in continuing the saga as we anxiously await your next book. I have cited other fan fiction articles which have inspired me to incorporate their ideas in this story as well. I encourage you to read them. Please read and review. Thanks~ Leyna
Chapter 17: Protection and Jealousy
Snape left to go to Hogwarts thinking about how he could protect her. He didn't think this was what Master Qian has in mind when he said 'take risks.' He didn't know which club she was going to, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let her go without someone watching her back. God, she can't even apparate. Bad idea, to judge her on one skill. She was damn clever.
His shoes clicked more loudly on the stone floors of the dungeon losing their usual silence as he rushed back and forth. He packed up the lycanthropy items, personal notes, books, and bottled potions and shrank them so they fit easily into a large trunk. Then, a faint tapping brought him to attend to the stained-glass window. He recognized the sound immediately as Hermione's bird. He frequently had gotten letters from her over the years with their hypothesis and research queries, light banter about Hogwarts days. It wouldn't take the owl that long to fly here from the flat, and she saw him for hours earlier. What are you up to?
He walked to the window to open it before Terra pecked her way through. She was a beautiful tawny owl, with earth brown feathers mixed with blondes and darker feathers not unlike, he noticed for the first time, Hermione's hair. He released the window catch and she cut through the dungeon air and back to him landing on his outstretched finger. A lovely and calm owl, she obviously liked him, nipping him affectionately, waiting patiently for a nibble of food. He took the small package from her leg, puzzled again. Why didn't Hermione didn't just give me this at breakfast? He broke her crimson wax seal on the paper which had disguised a plastic container covered by colorful art with Japanese themes. He opened the lid which slid off easily to reveal the inner seal and a folded up parchment.
"Tranquility-Energy-Wellness Tea : 3 parts black currant tea, 3 parts green tea, 1 part jasmine tea, 2 parts dried fruits (apple, cranberry, pear), ½ part lavender, ½ part chamomile, touch of lemon rind. (Then at the bottom,) For you private stores. H.G. "
He smiled a crooked smile, a thoughtful gift; she had packaged up the remainder of the tea she had created earlier and sent it without his knowing. She wondered if she made this particular tea often. His eyes glanced over the word "private." Private, between them? He recalled the pot she had used and the matching low cups, traditional in Asian culture. But when she had served Harry and Ginny, she had used different cups. Most sets came with five, and it was strange to see them drinking a brew from the squatty Chinese pot in a coffee mug. He smiled at his own thoughts and dismissed them again. He knew better than to set himself up for disappointment by reading too much into things.
The professor worked all day setting up the new workstation to his tastes until Hermione returned. He heard her come in and glided toward the den to greet her, wanting to make his presence known instead of waiting for her to accidentally find him. She swaggered in as if she had been drinking. She glowed. The skin on her shoulders looked a bit oily, and she smelled like a multitude of fragrances, floral and mint. Her hair was messy, she looked a little disheveled, but utterly relaxed.
"Hi, Severus. Settling in well?" she sang dreamily.
"Yes. What happened to you? You look very… well rested." He didn't want to sound like an annoyed parent whose child had broken curfew. It was only 7 pm but he worried about her today. Lucius was looking for her. He had broken and repaired several glass tubes that day as he thought of her plan. Suicide.
"I went for a spa day. Totally worth it, beats Dreamless Sleep Potions any day. I feel as limp as a noodle. I've been steamed, baked, painted, oiled, massaged and otherwise pampered until I'm well done. You pay to do nothing while others spoil you. It's terribly pricey, so I do it maybe once a year near my birthday. I couldn't wait until next week."
He arched an eyebrow, amused at her explanation. I love it when you do that eyebrow thing, and that lip curling, she thought. She didn't realize she was staring at him. Dark hair. No cloak today. Muscular shoulders, I knew it. "What time is it?"
"I think it's around seven."
"Well, that leaves me an hour and a half. I'm going to take a nap. Is all of your moving done?"
"Almost, I left a few things at the school I need to pick up. Thank you for permitting me to work here, Hermione. I think this will work out quite well. And Terradelivered the tea." He hadn't remembered to properly thank her before.
"You're more than welcome," she said sincerely. "It's my favorite blend so far and I have plenty here. In the top right cupboard? And, I'm sorry I didn't invite you sooner." Her olive green eyes bore straight into his. She walked into the bedroom and crawled right under the covers after setting her alarm for 7:45. She immediately slept.
Plenty made already... she could've just taken from what she had already made. Her gesture was not lost on him. He was flattered. She had opened her home in a way he would never have to anyone save Dumbledore. Even then he had his secrets. Everyone has their secrets. "Besame Mucho," he whispered. He silently entered the lab and cast a silencing charm on the entrance to make sure he wouldn't disturb sleeping beauty.
An hour later she was already busying herself in the bath preparing for her evening out. She seemed totally unshaken by the fact she planned war against Lucius Malfoy this evening. She magically shortened her hair so she could style it for dancing, and keep heat off her neck. She wrapped herself in a silk print robe, and peeked through the bathroom door. No sign of Severus. "Besame Mucho." She laughed to herself at the romantic command, and peered around the bookcase, "Severus?"
"Yes?" He looked up from the cauldron he had been tending.
"Stay in here for a bit, I need to dress, Ok?"
"Certainly." He smiled inwardly at the thought.
She closed the bookcase and walked back into the bathroom where along the wall behind the clawfoot tub there stood a large, elaborately carved wardrobe. She opened it and pulled a black garment bag marked with a large X. The X was spelled with a writhing snake's body. She hadn't needed this in a long while. She also pulled the close-fitting red dress from it's hanger and laid both on the bed.
She took off her robe and studied her body in the full length mirror on the bathroom door. Prepare for war. She took a personal inventory. Her skin was smooth and unblemished, barely a scar on her. That could change though, and tears threatened to fall as she remembered Rose's brutal rape. It was supposed to be me. Her jaw clenched. Malfoy, you're not going to know what hit you.
She harnessed her anger and wore it like a set of clothes before she dressed. She had planned expertly what she would say, and potential outcomes. She imagined facing a Death Eater crowd and Malfoy by himself. She suspected Malfoy would be a selfish bastard and want her for himself. He could be persuaded. She was, after all, a persuasive woman.
One of many private things about Hermione other wizards and witches were unaware of was her ability to perform wandless magic. It's secrets emerged at age 16 and she researched it thoroughly. Only until she had uncovered the truth about her heritage did she unravel the mysteries surrounding her first vision. Women were powerful and possessed the ability for powerful elemental magic. She felt connected with all things and she wanted to teach others to harness this magic. She was convinced after her next birthday, she could pursue this. Then the power to fight Voldemort would be so great that no one could stand against them. She could come out of the shadows, and help Harry in a more public way.
She reached for the black bag. It was from an S&M shop at the edge of Knockturn alley. She had seen some revealing ads in a magazine that Lavender had sneaked into the girls dorm in her sixth year. She borrowed it and came up with the idea of body armor. The attendant at the store was shocked to see her standing in the fireplace of the boutique. She was 16. And she came prepared. She knew exactly what she wanted. She was fitted immediately, and left the shop with a considerably lighter account at Gringotts than previously. 500Galleons, body armor indeed.
She unzipped it the bag and slipped the suit on. It looked like a bunch of loose fitting black rubber straps, until she cast the spell. "Corsetiere." It shrank slowly and she arranged. It squeezed in all the right places, like a corset. The rubber straps could barely be discerned from one another. It was surprisingly comfortable and she was flexible in it. It was hexproof and would disappear until the wearer was ready for it to be seen.
Her figure looked like a wicked thing and while wearing it she felt extremely confident about her body. She wondered if it might lessen the effects of the Cruciatus. It was an S&M shop. Maybe it would permit her to tolerate more? She put on the knee-length red dress over it and the rubber disappeared, revealing her own skin.
The skirt wrapped around at the waist with a diagonal ruffle across the front revealing a little leg if she stood at a certain angle. Very sexy. She grabbed some high heeled strappy shoes and snaked the laces around her ankles. Jake will have a heart attack. But what would Severus think? She decided against it and went to examine her cloak. She filled the inside slots with knives. She charmed the cloak to make it light. She was well armored. She smiled as her cleavage threatened the plunging neckline of the red dress. Her breasts wouldn't even giggle. A physical impossibility in the suit. Knock him dead, Granger. She placed her familiar necklace, an heirloom of her mothers around her neck and it settled just below the hollow of her neck. She fastened long thin earrings to her lobes and then had second thoughts, considering Malfoy may decide to rip them from her ears. She donned them anyway. That was the least of her worries.
She took her cloak into the den just as she heard a knock at her door. She closed the bedroom door behind her and greeted her friend.
"Jake!" She hugged him.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione. Oh my God Girl! What did you do?" Jake was loud and boisterous as he usually was, and Severus could hear them through the door. He quickly put away the research and attempted to listen through the bedroom door for clues about their departure.
"You look too fine, girl! Now, tell me again why I couldn't hook you up?" He held the club's flyer in one hand and discarded it on the chair as they spoke.
She smiled sheepishly, "No more about that please. Just dance with me ok? I can't wait to hit the floor."
"Alright. That dress is fabulous." Severus wished he could see through the door.
"Is Megan meeting us there?" Hermione asked.
"Oh yeah, something about a new guy." He rolled his eyes.
"What happened to what's his face?"
"Who Bill? No wait, David…"
They laughed. "I can't remember. Let's go?" She slipped on her cloak.
Jake left through the door, and Hermione said, "Wait a sec ok?"
She walked to the bedroom door, and opened it. Severus heard her and had backed up, pretending he had just left the lab. "I'm about to leave, just wanted to let you know."
"You don't need to report to me. But if you're so concerned, you could still back out."
His sharp words stung a bit, but they weren't intended to. You don't need to report to me. If I don't need to report to you then why were you listening at the door? She frowned at him and he could tell there was no convincing her. She turned and left locking the door behind her. He had the urge to run after her and drag her by her hair, kicking and screaming if need be and tied her to a bedpost. Stupid stubborn Gryffindor madness. I can't believe you're doing this.
He made his way to the front window of the den, trying to get a glance at their direction. Then his eye found the flyer. He flicked it with his finger. "Soulkata." Bingo.
Severus changed into Muggle clothing, and apparated to the street outside of the nightclub. His wand was ready, his eyes canvassed the grounds looking for ensign of trouble. After waiting a few minutes, he saw the car pull up. She was meeting the same man who gave him the ticket. He noticed the friend that must have been Jake, step out of the car to open the door for Hermione. He was a handsome man. He wore Black leather pants and a stylish striped shirt with a wide collar. His skin was dark and his head, shaved clean. He wondered to himself if Jake might be a potential suitor for Hermione, but knew that was inaccurate. He was too relentless in trying to set her up.
When she stepped out of the vehicle he glanced at her ankle. It's amazing the power the Victorian period had to hide every square inch of a woman so that if a bit of bare skin were revealed it was considered a scandal. She was still wearing her cloak, and when she stood it covered her legs again. Until of course, Jake slipped it off her shoulders and put it in the trunk of the car…
Bloody hell. He was transfixed. Bewitched. Never had he seen her wear so little. But what she did wear, she wore well. He noted the other women climbing the steps. Where Hermione had grace, they appeared repulsive. Every one seemed to wear tight fitting leather pants and strings that peered out, bellies exposed. Multiple piercings. Some were quite athletic and toned. Some serious dancers were here. Many were already demonstrating their skills in the street, gyrating to the bass thrumming from the doors of the club.
Jake and Hermione ascended the steps together arm in arm, chatting amicably, the best of friends. There was a long line of impatient patrons to the right, but the pair walked up to the side door and Jake mentioned some words to the bouncer. He greeted Hermione with a warm handshake and a smile. Jake was connected. They slipped in the door and the bouncers eyes followed Hermione's hips through the door. He let out a low whistle to himself, all too obvious to Snape. He watched a couple be turned away from the side door that Jake and Hermione had stepped through, apparently thinking they could avoid the line. They were quickly redirected.
Snape was a man with no connections.
His eyes darted around. There must be another way in. He loathed the thought of standing in line, looking more out of place than Yanni at a rap concert. There it was. People were exiting down side stairs from the second story. He saw a large burly man lead a rather intoxicated girl forcibly down the stairs. He muttered an incantation and he felt limp, almost falling the rest of the way down the steps. Snape lead the young woman back up the steps away from what likely would have been a violent evening. He walked to the side of the building and marched up the steps. When no one was looking he muttered a spell at the flat door where people were intended to exit only. The drunk woman took no notice.
He crept in and found himself on a second story catwalk looking down on the back of the dance floor. Severus deposited the young lady to the care of a bouncer on the far side of the walkway. He leaned against the wall, and began noting the exits one at each corner of the room. Red dress… red dress… He scanned the room and saw her. She was hugging other friends they had met at the far side near the bar. A waitress brought a tray of shots to the group and they toasted Hermione. She blushed, and laughed. They clinked their tiny glasses and appeared to count. Then all four threw their heads back downing the shots.
…You've got me looking, so crazy, my baby… I'm not myself, lately I'm foolish, I don't do this…
Distasteful music. He preferred classical. After sneering at the musical choice of the club, he lips curled with a half grin at her laughter. She was enjoying herself and Hermione needed a break from her stressful worries. Jake pulled Hermione by the arm to the middle of the dance floor. And he twirled her into an embrace that began a number which showed his skill as a dancer. I never saw those moves at the Yule Ball. He twirled her quickly and she snapped out her foot as she spun outward, tight movements in a crowd of people. It was a mix of different dancing styles which oddly fit together. She an Jake were dangerously close, but he admonished himself for his assumptions. Dancing can mimic desire but not be real. Other nearby couples appeared to bump and grind against one another, others still dancing by themselves in artful but jerky movements that drew spectators.
After several more songs he saw them adjourn to the bar where Snape was relieved to see Jake hand her a bottle of water instead of another shot.
She broke the seal on it and drank heartily. She held the bottle up to cool her forehead. "Jake I can't remember when I've had so much fun. Thank you for bringing me." She was hot. She felt as if she was in Neoprene and heat couldn't escape. She fanned herself with her hand.
"It's like old times. You haven't lost your touch on the floor I see."
"You're too kind, I haven't done the whip in years. Actually you're the only person I can dance with that way."
"Hermione, you work too much. If you'd just let me call someone…" He glanced around the room…Hermione gave him a cold stare, "then I could really whip you into shape. I know the perfect guy." Jake would not let this go. The he eyed a friend at the bar and she knew she was done for.
"What did you do, Jake. You are the limit." She looked irritated but put on smile as the man Jake made eye contact with sauntered over. He seemed nice enough, but Hermione felt like only obliging him.
"Hi, I'm Hermione," she said with a forced smile and shook his hand.
"Stuart. Nice to meet you. Jake tells me you're quite a dancer." And Jake abandoned them for a new dance partner behind him and the air hung around them. She felt…awkward.
"Care to dance?" Stuart broke an uncomfortable silence.
"Sure."
Jake, you're in the doghouse. Can't use hexes, curses. Damn MOM rules. She scanned through possible revenge tactics as a jealous scowl overhead threw daggers on her behalf toward Jake.
She said her life was complicated Jake. The chap who was with Hermione was quite handsome, and her age. He was impeccably dressed, and had short wavy hair, muscular arms pushing at the fabric in his shirt. He's not Hermione's type. And they were dancing now, but not like she an Jake had been.
After one song had played out a slow rhythm enveloped the crowd and Stuart placed his right hand on the back of her left shoulder properly.
"Stuart," she leaned in toward his ear trying to make herself heard over the music, "I don't know what to say. You seem very nice, and I have to confess Jake has be entrying in vain to set me up for ages. I'm here to dance, but not really to hook up. You understand?"
A sigh of relief swept over his face. Hermione was grateful for the expression and she laughed.
"He was setting you up too then?" He laughed unable to speak, and they both stepped back trying to catch their breath. Jake was pleased with his matchmaking froma distance giving himself a mental pat on the back and focused his attentions to his date.
Stuart started to explain, "Jake hasn't figured out yet…"
"What??" Hermione yelled, she couldn't hear over the crowd.
"I don't swing that way Hermione." Then she laughed hard at the thought of Jake repeatedly trying to set up his gay friend with straight women. She thought she had it bad. She wiped he tears from laughing and they decided to lay it on for Jake's benefit, dancing closer than ever.
Snape face stiffened as he watched the whispered exchange from above. They had hit it off.
They adopted a dance that resembled a Latin variation except they were close, just barely not touching. It looked as intimate as it could be. Stuarts lips were near her neck, and palms faced each other not touching, and invisible shield between them. She cha-cha-ed her hips and moved her shoulders. They fit together like old partners. Now that the ice was broken they felt comfortable and unthreatened. Getting Jake back for this would be priceless.
…But I know y'all wanted that 808… Can you feel that B-A-S-S bass?... I love the way you move…
The waitress offered Snape a drink from the bar. She tried three times to acknowledge him before he responded and ordered a double scotch. His look of contempt scared her, he thought, and she walked quickly away. He was left wondering if she'd ever dare return with his drink. Relax man. Get a hold of yourself.
Hermione stopped immediately, and turned to Stuart to excuse herself as she fled the dance floor. She needed air, and privacy. She felt the wave coming and wondered what had triggered it. He followed her briefly and then approached the bar for cool water. She ran to the back door on the left and exited the club. Snape downed his drink after paying the waitress and was immediately regretted it as he saw Hermione flee the scene.
Snape ran down the stairs out the side door. No sign of Malfoy. He peeked around the corner as Hermione was in a huddle on the ground in a familiar way. She let out a groan and a wave of energy burst from her skin and seeped into the ground beneath her feet. She still has problems with that? He had dismissed it long ago as some rare adolescent phenomena and figured that Poppy had sorted it out. Now he wasn't so sure. Everyone has secrets.
She sighed and steadied herself, standing up brushing off the dirt from her knees with her hands. An arm reached through the door…it was Stuart. The gentleman handed her the bottled water which he had opened for her and she drank.
"Thanks."
"Are you ok? You look overheated. You know you need plenty of water if you dance that much."
That's not it. "Thanks, I needed this." She lied and took another long drink. "Let's go back inside. When should we tell Jake?"
"Which part, that we're not an item or that I'm gay?" Snape refrained a laugh as he scoffed at his previous assumptions.
She chuckled. "That we're not a couple. But we could fake it a while if it gets you off the hook!"
"You're a sinister girl," he joked. "But I can't keep my secret much longer, my other friend should be here any minute."
Snape returned the way he had come to his previous location, smiling to himself and still amused at his relief that Hermione was not on a "date." Why should I be relieved? Come on, she's twenty years your junior!
Hmmph. She felt him. She shook her head with a quiet smile, approached Jake, gave him a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and a playful slap on his arm as she excused herself thanking him for the birthday party. It was an hour and a half since she arrived and she had a stop to make.
She slowly strode toward the door and Snape watched her…ascend the metal stairs. The agonizing dress slinked, over her hips as she took each step slowly, making eye contact with him. She didn't avoid his stare. He looked guilty. He didn't know if he felt seduced by her gaze or scolded by it. Caught again.
"I guess I can't fault you for wanting to follow a foolish girl," she said with raised eyebrows. She looked amused.
"Foiled again, Miss Granger."
"I told you not to call me that." She smiled and his realized he was forgiven. How long had she known he was here?
"What's that?" She pulled our a silver handle from the inside of her skirt and he recognized Malfoy's ornate wand handle. Lucius had to replace it years before after it went missing. She had pocketed it.
"It's belongs to him. Rose removed it from his wand during the assault and kept it."
"And you're going to use this to locate him." He wore a look of worry.
"He's not here yet."
"You can sense him?"
"Yes, the handle is old but it's still connected to him. I'll have a warning before he comes for me." Hermione gaze was a quiet and scary stillness. No fear. Hatred. Loathing. Revenge.
"You're baiting him." Snape was stunned. How dare she put herself in the line of fire? But he recognized she wanted things on her own terms.
She nodded. "Don't worry about me. Please excuse me." She descended the stairs quickly and he followed a bit behind. He watched her from the downstairs door as she approached the trunk of Jake's car to retrieve her cloak. She had muttered the 'alohamora' privately and the lamplight that had once illuminated the car winked out. Snape drew his wand in a reaction and hid it under his left arm. She donned her cloak. He could barely make out her face as Lucius grabbed her from behind. No aim was possible without hitting Hermione. Snape thought he saw a look of satisfaction on her face before Malfoy disapparated with her.
In the action surrounding the club, the crowd was oblivious to what had happened. Stupid girl. Gods, Hermione— be careful.
Author's Notes:
"What did you do , Jake?" is a spin off of one of my favorite lines from Ghostbusters. Bill Murray says to Dan Ackroyd, "What did you do, Ray?" after he chooses the StayPuff marshmallow man as their destroyer. Hey, he tried to think of the most harmless thing.
One lyric is from the song entitled "Crazy in Love" from Beyonce's Dangerously in Love album.
The next song reference is to Outkast's "The Way you Move" from the album Speakerboxx.
Don't make the tea. I doubt it's palatable.