A/N: YAY! If you're reading this that means the idea of a parallel story
doesn't completely freak you out... Or make you think I'm the laziest
author in Fanon... Which I very well might be *grins*
BTW, as I forgot to mention last chapter, this story was conceived pre-
OOTP, so the prophesy does not exist as far at this story is concerned. I
will be using some stuff that happened in OOTP, just not that because it
ruins my integral storyline.
summary:
Harry's dead, blood is shed,
Zabini skulks, Ginny sulks,
Ron throws a fit and, for once, gets away with it.
Hermione, to a tolerable degree,
helps out Severus, who's not as impervious
As she once thought, Dumbledore's still an old crack-pot
The chapter's long, there's not one song,
except for this one, which I am now done.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing. If I did own anything, they wouldn't be the Harry Potter books, they'd be the Hermione Granger books, and no one would have bought them, ever. Sooo... be glad I'm not JKR. If you want to sue me... Go for it. I have no money; you'll be wasting your time.
Carefully Crafted World
Chapter 2
Sobs shook Hermione's body, despite her valiant efforts to suppress them. She bowed her head further, hiding her tears behind the veil of her hair. She would not let him see how much she hurt. It wasn't like he would even care, slimy bastard. She was standing rigidly in the corner of the potions classroom; a freely bleeding cut on her palm held protectively to her chest was rapidly staining her uniform darker. This was her first detention of twenty and she didn't want his pity, if pity was even something he was capable of feeling. The bitter thoughts did nothing to improve Hermione's mood, although the accompanying anger had slowed the rapidly seeping tears.
Glancing up from his desk Severus noticed Hermione's shaking form and a wave of pity washed over him. She had been through a lot, but his position as a spy, and in fact his very life was dependant on his continued hostility to Harry and his friends and the blatant favoritism of his own house. If he were to ease up on her punishment, or even show an ounce of humanity to her, it could compromise everything, and at this point in the battle, with Harry dead, they couldn't afford a single mishap. He rose slowly, schooling his features to a carefully bored expression, and walked to where Hermione stood.
Her body was trembling all over with silent sobs and there was a faint smell of blood. "Let me see," he commanded. She held out her hand for his inspection, keeping her tearstained face averted and hidden behind a wall of hair.
Blood cascaded from a deep cut in the center of her palm. "Why did you not tell me you had injured yourself?" he asked gruffly, annoyed that she had been so afraid of him that she had stood here bleeding. It shouldn't have surprised him he'd had the last fifteen years to perfect his act as Snape-the-Evil-Bat and the act was a good one. Not that his true self was much better, he thought ruefully, possibly more fair but no less caustic. No one would ever accuse Severus Snape of being nice and he wouldn't want them to, but he was – despite rumors to the contrary – capable of human feelings.
Taking Hermione's hand softly in his own he led her to a chair, "Sit." he ordered leaving her while he gathered the potions necessary to deal with her injury. "This will sting," he informed her, his voice emotionless, as he poured a cleansing solution over the gash. The potion bubbled pink and let off an orange mist, letting Severus know that she had at least retained sense enough to stop work on the potion immediately after the injury. He poured the healing solution over it next and, with a soft hiss, the wound closed leaving a thin silver line that bisected her hand.
Handing her a third potion he said, "This will heal the scar." She took it with a watery smile. "You may go." He said, turning his head to the door. She left without comment.
When she had gone Severus cast a locking charm on the door and went to see if he could salvage the pepper up potion she had been making. The liquid that was supposed to be transparent was a putrid yellow and bubbling towards the edge of the cauldron. With a quickly muttered charm Severus cooled and disposed of the substance and started the potion afresh, so much for his promise to Albus about letting Hermione handle the medi-potions and getting more rest.
Out in the corridor Hermione slumped against the wall, tears once again staining her cheeks. She was furious with herself for losing control like that. A first year could have done a better job than she did, hell, Neville Longbottom had done better than that in first year potions and he was atrocious at the subject.
"Well, well, what have we here?" a silky voice spoke from the shadows, snapping Hermione to attention.
She recognized the voice almost immediately. "Fuck off Zabini." She snarled her distress was obvious in the simple fact that she could think of nothing to say other than the vulgar curses that she loathed using.
Blaise smiled mirthlessly at her. "The cat has claws." He moved stealthily towards her, his movements reminding her of a serpent. "What are you doing in the dungeons Mudblood?" he had reached her side, he leaned close, his lips practically touching her ear. "Trying to seduce Professor Snape won't improve your potions mark; he would never even touch you. You're disgusting, untalented, Muggle-born filth —"
Whatever else he had been planning to say was cut off abruptly as her knee made contact with his groin. "Don't you EVER say anything to me again," she hissed savagely, "you prejudiced asshole!" Holding her wand out protectively in front of her she walked quickly backwards until she was a safe distance from him and then turned on her heel and fled.
---
Severus heard the commotion in outside his door too late to do anything about it. As soon as he heard noises of confrontation he hurried to see who it was, only to open the door and see Hermione disappearing around a corner and Blaise Zabini doubled over in obvious pain. Struggling to maintain his professional expression Severus looked down his nose at Blaise and said disdainfully, "I thought you were instructed to stay away from her."
Blaise stared open mouthed at him. Severus realized that his prejudice had been overplayed if his students thought they could get away with assaulting students from other houses right outside his door without being punished. "She attacked me sir!" Blaise protested weakly.
Severus raised his eyebrow, "I may be your head of house and as such inclined to ignore some of your," he paused and sniffed derisively, "indiscretions, but I'm in no way unaware of them." His eyes narrowed as he moved in for the kill, "Perhaps a week of detentions with Professor McGonagall will teach you to obey my instructions?"
Blaise's eyes, if possible, doubled in size.
"Shut your mouth before you begin attracting flies. "I will speak to the Professor McGonagall, and she'll make the final decision." He schooled his features into the look of fatherly disappointment he had loathed as a teen, "I expected better of you. Now go, before it becomes a month."
Blaise didn't waste another second. Straightening painfully he murmured a 'Thank you, it won't happen again," and bolted down the corridor.
Severus watched him go, fury radiating from his every pore. Hermione had done nothing that wasn't well warranted and yet his Slytherins couldn't leave well enough alone. He sighed. Tonight would be another long one, pausing only to extinguish the flame under the second-time-ruined potion he had been forced to leave and swept up to Gryffindor Tower.
Two sharp raps brought Minerva to the door of her chambers. She had obviously been preparing for bed, her hair was in a loose plait down her back instead of its usual severe bun and she was wrapping a dressing gown tightly around her body even as she opened the door. "Severus?" her face clearly showing concern, Minerva opened the door for him to enter, revealing a comfortable looking sitting room, "Please, make yourself comfortable."
"I'm afraid we have an incident," Severus said, accepting the cup of tea she offered him.
"Oh dear," was her only reply.
"It seems that Mr. Zabini had an," he paused, his face contorting in distaste, he chose his words carefully "encounter with Miss Ganger."
"Is she alright?" Minerva leapt to her feet, her expression mildly panicked at the thought of one of her favorite students hurt. Her children had been through enough this year already without one of the best of them being violated by a Slytherin with less sense than a Blast-Ended-Skrewt.
"I believe she was the victor," Severus said with a bitter smile, "but she ran off before I could determine what he was able to do before she incapacitated him."
"I'll got get her now."
"Hold off a moment Minerva."
"Why?"
"Well obviously I still have things to say. Unless you think I came for the pleasure of your company. If I had simply wanted to inform you of the incident do you think I would have left a half finished potion to talk face to face?"
"I supposed not." Minerva seated herself again, "very well, continue."
"Thank you. I have a proposition for you. As you know Miss Granger is serving a month's worth of detentions with me for attacking Mr. Zabini in my potions class yesterday. I had thought that we might be able to use a similar tactic with Mr. Zabini. He is not hopeless at Transfiguration so you can give him the more tedious jobs to complete as punishment for his actions. I threatened him with a week, unfortunately because of my," he grimaced, "position it will be impossible to give him more than that. I trust you're resourceful enough to make use of what little time you have?" He raised an eyebrow in question.
"It's a shame I'll only have him five days," Minerva said with a wistful sigh.
"Seven." Severus said his tone definite. "Every day for a week for an unprovoked attack, don't you agree?"
"Utterly," For the first time that evening Minerva gave him a genuine smile. "Now," she continued briskly, rising form her chair, "wait here, I'll go collect Miss Granger."
Knowing an order when he heard one Severus stayed where he was, sipping his tea thoughtfully until Minerva returned with Hermione in tow.
"Professor?" Hermione asked her expression innocently perplexed.
Severus observed her calm faced and thought, not for the first time, that she would have made a great Slytherin. "We're sorry to have to disturb you so late in the evening Miss Granger, and be certain we will allow you to get back to your studies momentarily." He motioned for her to sit, "Tea?"
Hermione took the tea offered so she would have something to occupy her shaking hands. It was bad enough she had a month's detention with Snape and now she supposed he would add to it. He would have to after all she had assaulted Zabini right outside his door.
"No you are not in trouble Miss Granger," Severus smirked at the startled look she gave him, his talent for Legilimency had paid off, she looked genuinely puzzled, but her hands had stopped shaking and he could feel her defenses loosening. "But I believe you have something to tell us."
"Yes sir." Hermione said, not bothering to try and lie to her professors, they obviously knew some of what had happened or they wouldn't be there. Besides she was a Gryffindor, and they were notoriously bad liars. "I had a minor run-in with Blaise Zabini following my detention. He insulted me, and you Professor," she directed her gaze to Snape.
Severus blinked once, her eyes looked deeply hurt and surprised and from what he could feel of her emotions she was righteously angry on his behalf more than her own.
"Anyway, I don't trust him and if he tried anything I knew I wouldn't be able to get away - He's a great deal stronger than I am – so when he was close enough, I," she paused momentarily seeking a tactful way of saying what she had done, "incapacitated him and made my escape."
Snape smirked at the irony of her word choice. "So he did no actual harm to you?"
"No." Hermione's tone was matter-of-fact.
"I'm very glad." Severus said his voice soft.
Hermione sent him a curious glace. She had never heard that particular tone and wondered if she had imagined it. "Is that all?" she asked, directing the question to her Head of House.
"Yes dear." Minerva smiled lovingly, "Severus would you be a dear and escort Miss Granger to the Gryffindor Common Room?"
"Of course."
The walk back to the portrait hole passed with neither incident of conversation. Hermione was lost in thought, the final brief exchange between Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape puzzling her, she had seen a side of Snape that she wasn't sure she liked. He had been entirely too nice. They reached the end of their walk swiftly Hermione murmured a thank you and slipped into the common room, and Severus returned to the Dungeons.
---
Breakfast at the Gryffindor table had become a solemn affair. An empty spot was always left where Harry had sat, noticed by all. No one talked, no one laughed, and hardly anyone ate. Hermione was no exception; she pushed her scrambled eggs around her plate until they were too cold to even consider eating and then hurried off to the library. Every so often she would be forced, by the watchful gazes of her professors, to eat a piece of dry toast, but the food had no taste and she couldn't stomach much of it.
Ever since the attack on her home Hermione had been realizing how fragile her life, and the life of everyone around her, was. That terrifying realization had only been brought closer with Harry's death. Every day Hermione had to force herself to get out of bed, knowing that it was only a matter of time before she lost someone else. The owl post came every morning, and every morning she sighed with relief when no ministry owl landed at the Gryffindor table. The war was fast approaching and ministry owls only came with grave news.
The library was her only sanctuary. Losing herself in research, Hermione pushed aside her grief and anxiety and relentlessly pursued any knowledge she could find. In her first five years at Hogwarts she had read every book in the public section of the library and more than a few of those volumes placed in the Restricted Section. Now, with her only thought to find a distraction Hermione chose topics at random and reread any book she knew of on the subject, but even this project could not occupy her mind as thoroughly as she would like. She craved something new, she needed a challenge or her panic and sorrow would drive her mad.
If only... Hermione stopped the thought before it could form. There was no point in wishing, it didn't help anything. She would just have to start work on some Muggle subject if the Wizarding ones didn't present a challenge. Her thoughts were too scattered to do more than read and memorize books and there was no way a teacher would allow her free access to the Restricted Section simply so she could memorize it as well. She sighed deeply, it would take a few days for her Father to gather the books she would need and send them. Her parents were understandably wary of Owl Post, so communications were few and far between during the school year. Hermione knew the Weasley's often picked up mail that her parents sent through Muggle means to Little Winging and delivered it the final leg of its journey to Hogwarts by owl. This round about way of transporting her mail could take weeks.
"Well, if it's going to take weeks I'd best get started," she muttered, pulling out a piece of parchment. Thinking for a moment she jotted a quick note to her father,
Dad,
I'm doing as well as is to be expected. Ron's holding up wonderfully as well. I miss Harry, but that's normal. I'm worried about Ginny, Harry's Girlfriend, so if you or mom have any advice I would love to hear it.
Ok... that's it for news. The real reason I'm writing you is that I'm stuck for reading material and thought you might be able to come up with an assortment of books for me to go through. And don't even think about sending me your old encyclopedias, I've read them already. I was thinking something along the lines of a physics textbook, possibly some biology? They don't cover those sciences here and I'm getting a little rusty on them. I trust you know what else interests me. If you could send the books back with this owl I would be extremely grateful, I don't think I can wait the weeks that Muggle post takes.
Thanks a million. I love you.
- Hermione
PS: Tell mom that those romance novels she sent were atrocious, but I love her anyhow.
Satisfied that the letter would cause her parents no undue alarm Hermione rolled the parchment and headed for the owlry. Her parents had bought her a beautiful Barred Owl for her Seventeenth birthday which they names Aesop after the author of Hermione's favorite childhood story book, Aesop's Fables. The stories had always been able to make Hermione laugh, even as she queried their deeper meanings much to the pleasure of her parents.
When Crookshanks had passed away in the early summer Hermione had been devastated. A few days later her parents had presented her with Aesop, making no attempt to diminish her loss, but to give her something else to focus her attentions on. Hermione found it entertaining that her mother, who was even more intimidated of owl post than her father, had shed nearly as many tears over Aesop's departure in September as she had for Hermione's.
After sending the letter Hermione returned to the Common room. She hadn't seen Ginny at breakfast and knew she would probably have to force feed her something soon. Ginny had taken Harry's death harder than the others. It made sense, but it was hard to watch as she faded away in front of Hermione's eyes.
The red head was curled up in one of the oversized armchairs that flanked the fireplace. Hermione smiled at Ginny and seated herself in the chair immediately across from her. "You missed breakfast," she observed, quietly studying Ginny's pale face.
Blue-black circles under Ginny's bloodshot cinnamon eyes showed how little sleep she had been getting, and her creamy skin was now so pale she looked translucent. She didn't look at Hermione or acknowledge her presence even though she was staring right at her. Well not actually at her, she hadn't seemed to notice when Hermione sat in the chair and was looking past Hermione's body with a vacant expression.
"Ginny?"
There was no reply or change in this girl's expression.
Hermione sighed. She was sick and tired of Ginny's sulking. It was a horrible thing that had happened to them, but Ginny wasn't even making an effort to get over it. She rose slowly and went to find Ron, maybe he would help her force some life into his sister. She found him sitting in his dormitory, his potions homework spread out on the bed.
"Can I come in?" she asked, knocking on the door frame.
Ron looked up and summoned a smile, "Hullo." He said softly.
Ron had changed since Harry's death. Hermione supposed they all must have but Ron's change was second only to Ginny's. He had aged ten years in the last three weeks and dealt with his best friend's passing with a sophisticated calm that had astounded her. His once boisterous and exasperating manners had smoothed into a calm control that some adults would never possess. Of course some of these changes were only surface deep and Hermione knew he would break the smooth exterior eventually. The maturity would stay with him his entire life, but he had yet to show the pain that Harry's death had caused, at least not in true Weasley fashion. Other than the fight he had gotten into with Seamus after Harry's funeral when Seamus had asked him something about the Quidditch team, Ron hadn't shown his temper.
"What's up?" Ron asked, breaking Hermione from her thoughts.
"It's Ginny."
"Oh."
Hermione smiled softly at him, sitting on the edge of his bed and looking over his potions essay. "Ron she hasn't eaten in days." Hermione couldn't conceal her worry. "We've got to do something."
"Why? She's just doing this to get attention." Ron's tone was bitter.
"Ron!" Shocked, Hermione could think of nothing further to say.
"What? The thought never crossed your mind?" He stood and paced the room irritation clear in his every line, "She's hurting, we're all hurting! Just because she shagged him doesn't make her pain any more valid than mine but you don't see me skipping meals or sitting, staring lifelessly into the fire. Mum's sick with worry, so are you and it's all her fault. What do you want me to do?" He came to a stop in front of her and finished savagely, "You know what I don't care anymore. Let her starve. I've got enough to deal with."
Hermione's eyes clouded over with tears as she wrapped her arms around her friend, rubbing his shoulders and he released the emotions he had been hiding for the past three weeks in heart wrenching sobs. She whispered soothing nothings, wishing there was more she could do, but knowing in her heart that the only thing that would heal was time.
---
Severus checked the time on the clock in the east corner of his workroom for the fifth time. Half an hour left. The amethyst potion in his pewter cauldron was simmering nicely. He gave it the mandatory two counter clockwise stirs with his wand and increased the heat underneath he cauldron, bringing the liquid to a slow boil. Three minutes of boiling and he would add the final ingredient, then all that was left was to cool, bottle and label the potion. He should have no trouble being ready in time.
He had just finished labeling the last bottle when a knock on his door told him Hermione had arrived, right on time. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. She did and took the seat he indicated without a word. He moved to sit in his deck, but a searing pain shot up his arm from the place where his dark mark lay hidden by several layers of cloth. The pain, worse than usual, spread to his head and brought him to his knees with a sharp gasp.
Hermione was at his side immediately. "Professor?" her voice was panicked. "Shall I get Dumbledore?" she rose to go find the Headmaster, but he stopped her with a hand.
This type of pain was not a summons; it was a reminder, a reminder that the Dark Lord was furious at Severus. Voldemort had grown increasingly angry over the past month. Potters accidental death had infuriated him. That the child who, as an infant, had nearly destroyed him could have died so senselessly was a thorn in his side that he refused to let Severus forget. The Dark Lord had even gone so far into his rage that he tortured Severus for not stopping the boy's fall. It had been ridiculous, but Voldemort's energy had been so focused on the Potter brat that he would rather have him alive than dead and gone, and since Severus was the only Death Eater he could blame with any accuracy, he had taken the blame for his Lord's displeasure. The punishment had been severe, and apparently Voldemort hadn't gotten all his anger towards Severus out in the last session.
Hermione conjured a blanket and pillow for him and tried her best to make him comfortable where he had collapsed on the floor. She felt better for the effort though she didn't know how much they would help. After settling him on the floor, deciding to apologize for her impertinence when that look of anguish left his face, Hermione tried a few basic pain relieving spells. She was please to see that, after several minutes, the pain seemed to b going away. She didn't know if anything she had done had helped and she didn't really care, so long as the terrible pain she could see in Snape's eyes would go away.
Severus slowly pushed himself up off the floor, fighting the blackness that tried to snatch his consciousness away. Hermione instinctively reached out and helped him to his deck chair. "Thank you." He said, his voice coming out hoarsely.
Hermione didn't bother to be shocked by the seemingly strange behavior. "Is there anything I can do? Or should I begin my detention tasks?" Hermione asked, inwardly wincing at how callous she sounded.
"If you could grab me that vial," he pointed t a solitary vial filled with amber liquid. "Then you may begin your tasks at my work station; you'll find everything you need in that cupboard." He indicated the proper cupboard with a nod of his head.
Hermione handed him the vial of potion, pausing to regard him for a moment longer than necessary. "Are you certain I can't summon the Headmaster?" she asked.
Severus narrowed his eyes at her. "Does it matter?"
"Yes." Hermione replied honestly, "he would want to know that your mark was hurting." Hermione realized what she had said a second too late and clamped both hands firmly over her mouth.
"Yes he would." A voice from the doorway saved Hermione from whatever reply Severus was going to make. Dumbledore walked into the room and took a seat across from Severus, "Sherbet Lemon anyone?"
________________________________________________________________________ A/N: Alright... I officially had too much fun with my chapter summary: P oh well. Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed. I wrote this chapter mostly to give insight into my characters... I have these freakishly detailed character sketches of them, and I want to get that across, hopefully I did somewhat. ( If you don't know what a Barred owl looks like, and you care.. a good photo of one can be found at - I think they're the cutest owls ever, which is why I wanted Hermione to have one.
Merry the Psychotic Coconut - ( the other Story was one of my earlier ones... Emerald, it covers Ginny and Draco's story after Harry's death. I haven't updated it in a few months, which is probably why no one knows what it is. *shrugs* anyhow... Thanks for your review!
Melwasul - yes... When I first wrote Emerald several people were enraged that I would dare kill him off in such a mundane way *rolls eyes* Thanks for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jinxd n cursed – thanks for your review... I hope you still feel that way after this chapter. (
summary:
Harry's dead, blood is shed,
Zabini skulks, Ginny sulks,
Ron throws a fit and, for once, gets away with it.
Hermione, to a tolerable degree,
helps out Severus, who's not as impervious
As she once thought, Dumbledore's still an old crack-pot
The chapter's long, there's not one song,
except for this one, which I am now done.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing. If I did own anything, they wouldn't be the Harry Potter books, they'd be the Hermione Granger books, and no one would have bought them, ever. Sooo... be glad I'm not JKR. If you want to sue me... Go for it. I have no money; you'll be wasting your time.
Carefully Crafted World
Chapter 2
Sobs shook Hermione's body, despite her valiant efforts to suppress them. She bowed her head further, hiding her tears behind the veil of her hair. She would not let him see how much she hurt. It wasn't like he would even care, slimy bastard. She was standing rigidly in the corner of the potions classroom; a freely bleeding cut on her palm held protectively to her chest was rapidly staining her uniform darker. This was her first detention of twenty and she didn't want his pity, if pity was even something he was capable of feeling. The bitter thoughts did nothing to improve Hermione's mood, although the accompanying anger had slowed the rapidly seeping tears.
Glancing up from his desk Severus noticed Hermione's shaking form and a wave of pity washed over him. She had been through a lot, but his position as a spy, and in fact his very life was dependant on his continued hostility to Harry and his friends and the blatant favoritism of his own house. If he were to ease up on her punishment, or even show an ounce of humanity to her, it could compromise everything, and at this point in the battle, with Harry dead, they couldn't afford a single mishap. He rose slowly, schooling his features to a carefully bored expression, and walked to where Hermione stood.
Her body was trembling all over with silent sobs and there was a faint smell of blood. "Let me see," he commanded. She held out her hand for his inspection, keeping her tearstained face averted and hidden behind a wall of hair.
Blood cascaded from a deep cut in the center of her palm. "Why did you not tell me you had injured yourself?" he asked gruffly, annoyed that she had been so afraid of him that she had stood here bleeding. It shouldn't have surprised him he'd had the last fifteen years to perfect his act as Snape-the-Evil-Bat and the act was a good one. Not that his true self was much better, he thought ruefully, possibly more fair but no less caustic. No one would ever accuse Severus Snape of being nice and he wouldn't want them to, but he was – despite rumors to the contrary – capable of human feelings.
Taking Hermione's hand softly in his own he led her to a chair, "Sit." he ordered leaving her while he gathered the potions necessary to deal with her injury. "This will sting," he informed her, his voice emotionless, as he poured a cleansing solution over the gash. The potion bubbled pink and let off an orange mist, letting Severus know that she had at least retained sense enough to stop work on the potion immediately after the injury. He poured the healing solution over it next and, with a soft hiss, the wound closed leaving a thin silver line that bisected her hand.
Handing her a third potion he said, "This will heal the scar." She took it with a watery smile. "You may go." He said, turning his head to the door. She left without comment.
When she had gone Severus cast a locking charm on the door and went to see if he could salvage the pepper up potion she had been making. The liquid that was supposed to be transparent was a putrid yellow and bubbling towards the edge of the cauldron. With a quickly muttered charm Severus cooled and disposed of the substance and started the potion afresh, so much for his promise to Albus about letting Hermione handle the medi-potions and getting more rest.
Out in the corridor Hermione slumped against the wall, tears once again staining her cheeks. She was furious with herself for losing control like that. A first year could have done a better job than she did, hell, Neville Longbottom had done better than that in first year potions and he was atrocious at the subject.
"Well, well, what have we here?" a silky voice spoke from the shadows, snapping Hermione to attention.
She recognized the voice almost immediately. "Fuck off Zabini." She snarled her distress was obvious in the simple fact that she could think of nothing to say other than the vulgar curses that she loathed using.
Blaise smiled mirthlessly at her. "The cat has claws." He moved stealthily towards her, his movements reminding her of a serpent. "What are you doing in the dungeons Mudblood?" he had reached her side, he leaned close, his lips practically touching her ear. "Trying to seduce Professor Snape won't improve your potions mark; he would never even touch you. You're disgusting, untalented, Muggle-born filth —"
Whatever else he had been planning to say was cut off abruptly as her knee made contact with his groin. "Don't you EVER say anything to me again," she hissed savagely, "you prejudiced asshole!" Holding her wand out protectively in front of her she walked quickly backwards until she was a safe distance from him and then turned on her heel and fled.
---
Severus heard the commotion in outside his door too late to do anything about it. As soon as he heard noises of confrontation he hurried to see who it was, only to open the door and see Hermione disappearing around a corner and Blaise Zabini doubled over in obvious pain. Struggling to maintain his professional expression Severus looked down his nose at Blaise and said disdainfully, "I thought you were instructed to stay away from her."
Blaise stared open mouthed at him. Severus realized that his prejudice had been overplayed if his students thought they could get away with assaulting students from other houses right outside his door without being punished. "She attacked me sir!" Blaise protested weakly.
Severus raised his eyebrow, "I may be your head of house and as such inclined to ignore some of your," he paused and sniffed derisively, "indiscretions, but I'm in no way unaware of them." His eyes narrowed as he moved in for the kill, "Perhaps a week of detentions with Professor McGonagall will teach you to obey my instructions?"
Blaise's eyes, if possible, doubled in size.
"Shut your mouth before you begin attracting flies. "I will speak to the Professor McGonagall, and she'll make the final decision." He schooled his features into the look of fatherly disappointment he had loathed as a teen, "I expected better of you. Now go, before it becomes a month."
Blaise didn't waste another second. Straightening painfully he murmured a 'Thank you, it won't happen again," and bolted down the corridor.
Severus watched him go, fury radiating from his every pore. Hermione had done nothing that wasn't well warranted and yet his Slytherins couldn't leave well enough alone. He sighed. Tonight would be another long one, pausing only to extinguish the flame under the second-time-ruined potion he had been forced to leave and swept up to Gryffindor Tower.
Two sharp raps brought Minerva to the door of her chambers. She had obviously been preparing for bed, her hair was in a loose plait down her back instead of its usual severe bun and she was wrapping a dressing gown tightly around her body even as she opened the door. "Severus?" her face clearly showing concern, Minerva opened the door for him to enter, revealing a comfortable looking sitting room, "Please, make yourself comfortable."
"I'm afraid we have an incident," Severus said, accepting the cup of tea she offered him.
"Oh dear," was her only reply.
"It seems that Mr. Zabini had an," he paused, his face contorting in distaste, he chose his words carefully "encounter with Miss Ganger."
"Is she alright?" Minerva leapt to her feet, her expression mildly panicked at the thought of one of her favorite students hurt. Her children had been through enough this year already without one of the best of them being violated by a Slytherin with less sense than a Blast-Ended-Skrewt.
"I believe she was the victor," Severus said with a bitter smile, "but she ran off before I could determine what he was able to do before she incapacitated him."
"I'll got get her now."
"Hold off a moment Minerva."
"Why?"
"Well obviously I still have things to say. Unless you think I came for the pleasure of your company. If I had simply wanted to inform you of the incident do you think I would have left a half finished potion to talk face to face?"
"I supposed not." Minerva seated herself again, "very well, continue."
"Thank you. I have a proposition for you. As you know Miss Granger is serving a month's worth of detentions with me for attacking Mr. Zabini in my potions class yesterday. I had thought that we might be able to use a similar tactic with Mr. Zabini. He is not hopeless at Transfiguration so you can give him the more tedious jobs to complete as punishment for his actions. I threatened him with a week, unfortunately because of my," he grimaced, "position it will be impossible to give him more than that. I trust you're resourceful enough to make use of what little time you have?" He raised an eyebrow in question.
"It's a shame I'll only have him five days," Minerva said with a wistful sigh.
"Seven." Severus said his tone definite. "Every day for a week for an unprovoked attack, don't you agree?"
"Utterly," For the first time that evening Minerva gave him a genuine smile. "Now," she continued briskly, rising form her chair, "wait here, I'll go collect Miss Granger."
Knowing an order when he heard one Severus stayed where he was, sipping his tea thoughtfully until Minerva returned with Hermione in tow.
"Professor?" Hermione asked her expression innocently perplexed.
Severus observed her calm faced and thought, not for the first time, that she would have made a great Slytherin. "We're sorry to have to disturb you so late in the evening Miss Granger, and be certain we will allow you to get back to your studies momentarily." He motioned for her to sit, "Tea?"
Hermione took the tea offered so she would have something to occupy her shaking hands. It was bad enough she had a month's detention with Snape and now she supposed he would add to it. He would have to after all she had assaulted Zabini right outside his door.
"No you are not in trouble Miss Granger," Severus smirked at the startled look she gave him, his talent for Legilimency had paid off, she looked genuinely puzzled, but her hands had stopped shaking and he could feel her defenses loosening. "But I believe you have something to tell us."
"Yes sir." Hermione said, not bothering to try and lie to her professors, they obviously knew some of what had happened or they wouldn't be there. Besides she was a Gryffindor, and they were notoriously bad liars. "I had a minor run-in with Blaise Zabini following my detention. He insulted me, and you Professor," she directed her gaze to Snape.
Severus blinked once, her eyes looked deeply hurt and surprised and from what he could feel of her emotions she was righteously angry on his behalf more than her own.
"Anyway, I don't trust him and if he tried anything I knew I wouldn't be able to get away - He's a great deal stronger than I am – so when he was close enough, I," she paused momentarily seeking a tactful way of saying what she had done, "incapacitated him and made my escape."
Snape smirked at the irony of her word choice. "So he did no actual harm to you?"
"No." Hermione's tone was matter-of-fact.
"I'm very glad." Severus said his voice soft.
Hermione sent him a curious glace. She had never heard that particular tone and wondered if she had imagined it. "Is that all?" she asked, directing the question to her Head of House.
"Yes dear." Minerva smiled lovingly, "Severus would you be a dear and escort Miss Granger to the Gryffindor Common Room?"
"Of course."
The walk back to the portrait hole passed with neither incident of conversation. Hermione was lost in thought, the final brief exchange between Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape puzzling her, she had seen a side of Snape that she wasn't sure she liked. He had been entirely too nice. They reached the end of their walk swiftly Hermione murmured a thank you and slipped into the common room, and Severus returned to the Dungeons.
---
Breakfast at the Gryffindor table had become a solemn affair. An empty spot was always left where Harry had sat, noticed by all. No one talked, no one laughed, and hardly anyone ate. Hermione was no exception; she pushed her scrambled eggs around her plate until they were too cold to even consider eating and then hurried off to the library. Every so often she would be forced, by the watchful gazes of her professors, to eat a piece of dry toast, but the food had no taste and she couldn't stomach much of it.
Ever since the attack on her home Hermione had been realizing how fragile her life, and the life of everyone around her, was. That terrifying realization had only been brought closer with Harry's death. Every day Hermione had to force herself to get out of bed, knowing that it was only a matter of time before she lost someone else. The owl post came every morning, and every morning she sighed with relief when no ministry owl landed at the Gryffindor table. The war was fast approaching and ministry owls only came with grave news.
The library was her only sanctuary. Losing herself in research, Hermione pushed aside her grief and anxiety and relentlessly pursued any knowledge she could find. In her first five years at Hogwarts she had read every book in the public section of the library and more than a few of those volumes placed in the Restricted Section. Now, with her only thought to find a distraction Hermione chose topics at random and reread any book she knew of on the subject, but even this project could not occupy her mind as thoroughly as she would like. She craved something new, she needed a challenge or her panic and sorrow would drive her mad.
If only... Hermione stopped the thought before it could form. There was no point in wishing, it didn't help anything. She would just have to start work on some Muggle subject if the Wizarding ones didn't present a challenge. Her thoughts were too scattered to do more than read and memorize books and there was no way a teacher would allow her free access to the Restricted Section simply so she could memorize it as well. She sighed deeply, it would take a few days for her Father to gather the books she would need and send them. Her parents were understandably wary of Owl Post, so communications were few and far between during the school year. Hermione knew the Weasley's often picked up mail that her parents sent through Muggle means to Little Winging and delivered it the final leg of its journey to Hogwarts by owl. This round about way of transporting her mail could take weeks.
"Well, if it's going to take weeks I'd best get started," she muttered, pulling out a piece of parchment. Thinking for a moment she jotted a quick note to her father,
Dad,
I'm doing as well as is to be expected. Ron's holding up wonderfully as well. I miss Harry, but that's normal. I'm worried about Ginny, Harry's Girlfriend, so if you or mom have any advice I would love to hear it.
Ok... that's it for news. The real reason I'm writing you is that I'm stuck for reading material and thought you might be able to come up with an assortment of books for me to go through. And don't even think about sending me your old encyclopedias, I've read them already. I was thinking something along the lines of a physics textbook, possibly some biology? They don't cover those sciences here and I'm getting a little rusty on them. I trust you know what else interests me. If you could send the books back with this owl I would be extremely grateful, I don't think I can wait the weeks that Muggle post takes.
Thanks a million. I love you.
- Hermione
PS: Tell mom that those romance novels she sent were atrocious, but I love her anyhow.
Satisfied that the letter would cause her parents no undue alarm Hermione rolled the parchment and headed for the owlry. Her parents had bought her a beautiful Barred Owl for her Seventeenth birthday which they names Aesop after the author of Hermione's favorite childhood story book, Aesop's Fables. The stories had always been able to make Hermione laugh, even as she queried their deeper meanings much to the pleasure of her parents.
When Crookshanks had passed away in the early summer Hermione had been devastated. A few days later her parents had presented her with Aesop, making no attempt to diminish her loss, but to give her something else to focus her attentions on. Hermione found it entertaining that her mother, who was even more intimidated of owl post than her father, had shed nearly as many tears over Aesop's departure in September as she had for Hermione's.
After sending the letter Hermione returned to the Common room. She hadn't seen Ginny at breakfast and knew she would probably have to force feed her something soon. Ginny had taken Harry's death harder than the others. It made sense, but it was hard to watch as she faded away in front of Hermione's eyes.
The red head was curled up in one of the oversized armchairs that flanked the fireplace. Hermione smiled at Ginny and seated herself in the chair immediately across from her. "You missed breakfast," she observed, quietly studying Ginny's pale face.
Blue-black circles under Ginny's bloodshot cinnamon eyes showed how little sleep she had been getting, and her creamy skin was now so pale she looked translucent. She didn't look at Hermione or acknowledge her presence even though she was staring right at her. Well not actually at her, she hadn't seemed to notice when Hermione sat in the chair and was looking past Hermione's body with a vacant expression.
"Ginny?"
There was no reply or change in this girl's expression.
Hermione sighed. She was sick and tired of Ginny's sulking. It was a horrible thing that had happened to them, but Ginny wasn't even making an effort to get over it. She rose slowly and went to find Ron, maybe he would help her force some life into his sister. She found him sitting in his dormitory, his potions homework spread out on the bed.
"Can I come in?" she asked, knocking on the door frame.
Ron looked up and summoned a smile, "Hullo." He said softly.
Ron had changed since Harry's death. Hermione supposed they all must have but Ron's change was second only to Ginny's. He had aged ten years in the last three weeks and dealt with his best friend's passing with a sophisticated calm that had astounded her. His once boisterous and exasperating manners had smoothed into a calm control that some adults would never possess. Of course some of these changes were only surface deep and Hermione knew he would break the smooth exterior eventually. The maturity would stay with him his entire life, but he had yet to show the pain that Harry's death had caused, at least not in true Weasley fashion. Other than the fight he had gotten into with Seamus after Harry's funeral when Seamus had asked him something about the Quidditch team, Ron hadn't shown his temper.
"What's up?" Ron asked, breaking Hermione from her thoughts.
"It's Ginny."
"Oh."
Hermione smiled softly at him, sitting on the edge of his bed and looking over his potions essay. "Ron she hasn't eaten in days." Hermione couldn't conceal her worry. "We've got to do something."
"Why? She's just doing this to get attention." Ron's tone was bitter.
"Ron!" Shocked, Hermione could think of nothing further to say.
"What? The thought never crossed your mind?" He stood and paced the room irritation clear in his every line, "She's hurting, we're all hurting! Just because she shagged him doesn't make her pain any more valid than mine but you don't see me skipping meals or sitting, staring lifelessly into the fire. Mum's sick with worry, so are you and it's all her fault. What do you want me to do?" He came to a stop in front of her and finished savagely, "You know what I don't care anymore. Let her starve. I've got enough to deal with."
Hermione's eyes clouded over with tears as she wrapped her arms around her friend, rubbing his shoulders and he released the emotions he had been hiding for the past three weeks in heart wrenching sobs. She whispered soothing nothings, wishing there was more she could do, but knowing in her heart that the only thing that would heal was time.
---
Severus checked the time on the clock in the east corner of his workroom for the fifth time. Half an hour left. The amethyst potion in his pewter cauldron was simmering nicely. He gave it the mandatory two counter clockwise stirs with his wand and increased the heat underneath he cauldron, bringing the liquid to a slow boil. Three minutes of boiling and he would add the final ingredient, then all that was left was to cool, bottle and label the potion. He should have no trouble being ready in time.
He had just finished labeling the last bottle when a knock on his door told him Hermione had arrived, right on time. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. She did and took the seat he indicated without a word. He moved to sit in his deck, but a searing pain shot up his arm from the place where his dark mark lay hidden by several layers of cloth. The pain, worse than usual, spread to his head and brought him to his knees with a sharp gasp.
Hermione was at his side immediately. "Professor?" her voice was panicked. "Shall I get Dumbledore?" she rose to go find the Headmaster, but he stopped her with a hand.
This type of pain was not a summons; it was a reminder, a reminder that the Dark Lord was furious at Severus. Voldemort had grown increasingly angry over the past month. Potters accidental death had infuriated him. That the child who, as an infant, had nearly destroyed him could have died so senselessly was a thorn in his side that he refused to let Severus forget. The Dark Lord had even gone so far into his rage that he tortured Severus for not stopping the boy's fall. It had been ridiculous, but Voldemort's energy had been so focused on the Potter brat that he would rather have him alive than dead and gone, and since Severus was the only Death Eater he could blame with any accuracy, he had taken the blame for his Lord's displeasure. The punishment had been severe, and apparently Voldemort hadn't gotten all his anger towards Severus out in the last session.
Hermione conjured a blanket and pillow for him and tried her best to make him comfortable where he had collapsed on the floor. She felt better for the effort though she didn't know how much they would help. After settling him on the floor, deciding to apologize for her impertinence when that look of anguish left his face, Hermione tried a few basic pain relieving spells. She was please to see that, after several minutes, the pain seemed to b going away. She didn't know if anything she had done had helped and she didn't really care, so long as the terrible pain she could see in Snape's eyes would go away.
Severus slowly pushed himself up off the floor, fighting the blackness that tried to snatch his consciousness away. Hermione instinctively reached out and helped him to his deck chair. "Thank you." He said, his voice coming out hoarsely.
Hermione didn't bother to be shocked by the seemingly strange behavior. "Is there anything I can do? Or should I begin my detention tasks?" Hermione asked, inwardly wincing at how callous she sounded.
"If you could grab me that vial," he pointed t a solitary vial filled with amber liquid. "Then you may begin your tasks at my work station; you'll find everything you need in that cupboard." He indicated the proper cupboard with a nod of his head.
Hermione handed him the vial of potion, pausing to regard him for a moment longer than necessary. "Are you certain I can't summon the Headmaster?" she asked.
Severus narrowed his eyes at her. "Does it matter?"
"Yes." Hermione replied honestly, "he would want to know that your mark was hurting." Hermione realized what she had said a second too late and clamped both hands firmly over her mouth.
"Yes he would." A voice from the doorway saved Hermione from whatever reply Severus was going to make. Dumbledore walked into the room and took a seat across from Severus, "Sherbet Lemon anyone?"
________________________________________________________________________ A/N: Alright... I officially had too much fun with my chapter summary: P oh well. Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed. I wrote this chapter mostly to give insight into my characters... I have these freakishly detailed character sketches of them, and I want to get that across, hopefully I did somewhat. ( If you don't know what a Barred owl looks like, and you care.. a good photo of one can be found at - I think they're the cutest owls ever, which is why I wanted Hermione to have one.
Merry the Psychotic Coconut - ( the other Story was one of my earlier ones... Emerald, it covers Ginny and Draco's story after Harry's death. I haven't updated it in a few months, which is probably why no one knows what it is. *shrugs* anyhow... Thanks for your review!
Melwasul - yes... When I first wrote Emerald several people were enraged that I would dare kill him off in such a mundane way *rolls eyes* Thanks for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jinxd n cursed – thanks for your review... I hope you still feel that way after this chapter. (