Disclaimer: All characters and places associated with the Harry Potter book series and movies do not belong to me. All rights and ownership belong to J.K. Rowling.
Author's note: It's been a long time and I do apologize. I finally made it through the holidays in retail, and I survived (somewhat). I now have the time to start writing again, but I had to go back and read my story again and refresh myself as to where I left things. I hope to keep the chapters coming quickly from now on. It shouldn't be too much longer. If anyone has any good suggestions or ideas (plot wise) I would love the help. I seem to get a little writer's block when I try to finish the story...not sure how far to take it. Anyway, after the long wait...enjoy.
Chapter Eleven - A Sudden Realization
Two days after Severus's cruel remarks towards Hermione, Ginny was leaving Hogwarts to meet up with Harry. Ginny gathered up her robes for her trip while Hermione followed her around like a lost puppy.
"Ginny, I just don't know what to do. Severus pushed me away like I was a toy. He hurt me badly, and didn't even flinch while doing it." Hermione stopped and turned to face Ginny as they got close to the entrance gates of the castle. "Why am I such a loser? I have managed to fall for the meanest, cruelest, and most arrogant man in the wizarding world. Have I gone crazy?"
"You are not crazy, Hermione. You're just in love. You just happen to be in love with a very difficult man." Ginny hugged Hermione and comforted her one last time. "It will all work out. You said the two of you think you may have found the answer to your research. So let that be your focus now. Maybe when the two of you find the cure, you can celebrate. Perhaps Severus will loosen up then."
Hermione opened the door for Ginny and handed her a bag as she went to leave. "I am going to miss having you here to help me in this mess that I have created."
"Whatever you do, don't let him get to close to you again, unless you're sure that you are in control. That way you'll have more fun." Ginny flashed Hermione a sly, impish little grin and waved as she turned to leave in a cloud of billowing robes. "I love you, Hermione. Don't forget to call Harry soon; he's absolutely hopeless when it comes to creating a guest list for his side of the wedding. He'll need all the help you can give him."
Hermione watched as Ginny bounded down the path towards Hogsmeade. She took a deep breath and tried to come to grips with her impending meeting with Severus. She was due to meet Severus in his private labs in order to brew the latest version of their work. Thinking of the disaster she was in the last time she brewed with Severus only made it harder to go back.
But they were so close. Severus was certain they had finally found the answer to the after effects of the cruciatus curse. Hermione tested and retested the theory and knew he was right. It was only a matter of brewing the potion correctly and testing it on a willing patient.
Hermione turned towards the dungeons and stood up straight, it was time to face him again.
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"You're late." Severus scowled in his usual manner and acted as though no one had entered the room. Hermione simply took her usual place behind the cauldron and waited for Severus to put the instructions on the board at the front of the room.
Severus flicked his wand sharply and the instructions appeared on the board in his usual spidery handwriting. He looked up from his desk when Hermione began to gather the ingredients needed. "If you will prepare the ingredients, I will brew the potion today."
Hermione turned her head towards Severus and nodded in agreement to his statement. She mindlessly began to prepare ingredients. She had done this part of the process numerous times before. The mundane act of this process had caught her not paying attention to what she was doing. All of a sudden Severus grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away from her work.
"I do not know what it is you are hoping to achieve, but if you continue in this manner you will slice your hand severely." Severus pulled her hand away from the knife and released it once it was far enough away.
Hermione came out of her daze and took in the scene that she had caused. Realizing that she had almost cut into her own hand, she blushed profusely and became very aware of Severus's touch.
"If you could stop acting like a school-girl with a crush, let's continue. We are to close now to have your flighty behavior get in the way." Severus walked towards the cauldron and checked on the simmering potion that was already brewing. Hermione fumed hotly at Severus's remark, but continued to work. She tried her best to stay quiet during the brewing session; hoping to stay away from a repeat performance of their last encounter.
Hermione made sure to pay attention to every little detail after that moment. She was not about to let him get the better of her again. She watched his every motion and complete accuracy. She pondered the thought of whether Severus was ever capable of making a mistake. But she quickly reminded herself of his colorful past, and knew that he was not always as sure of himself as he was now. Hermione thought of ways to break down his cold exterior. She had learned that tricks and lustful glances were not the way to get his attention. He needed something more.
After a few hours, Severus was bottling the final product of their work. He scribed a label carefully and placed it on his desk. "I will have this potion sent to St. Mungo's in the morning. Hopefully they will be able to test the potion and send us the results." Hermione nodded and went to pass by Severus to make her way to her private quarters. "Where are you going?"
Hermione stopped immediately and turned to look Severus in the eye. "I was planning on going to my quarters, if that is okay with you?" Hermione drawled out the last part of her question with sarcasm.
"I only ask because I am in charge of your protection. Or have you forgotten that already?"
"I have not forgotten!" Hermione got louder in frustration and looked down at the ground for an answer. In a final attempt to smooth things over she looked up in defeat. "Can we just stop? I don't want to fight, I don't want to play games, and I don't want to do this anymore. I just want to stop. Please."
Severus read her frustration and defeat and knew it was time to stop the games. "Since you are the one who started these games, it is fitting that you end them." Severus searched Hermione's eyes for some sign of what he should do next.
"Then it's over? That's all I want from you." Hermione turned to leave once again, but stopped at the door. "It's too bad that we had to do things this way. I meant everything I ever said or did...I really..."
Hermione collapsed suddenly to the floor. The sound made Severus turn in just enough time to see her head clash dangerously hard with the stone floor.
"Hermione!! Hermione!!" Severus was at her side in a flash. He cradled her head in his arms and looked over her body for signs to explain her sudden fall. "Hermione, please can you hear me? Talk to me, move, anything. Oh, bloody hell!" Severus closed his eyes in concentration and apparated to the infirmary. "Poppy!! I need you now!" Severus ran to the nearest bed and laid Hermione gently down. "Poppy where are you!"
At that time Poppy came out of her office quickly and took in the scene before her. "My god Severus, what happened to her?"
"I don't know. She was talking to me in the labs and then she simply collapsed. She hit her head fairly hard on the floor; I think she may have a concussion." Severus was hovering over Hermione trying desperately to find something to do.
"Please, Severus, go sit down. You only get in the way when you hover around like that." Poppy pointed to a seat nearby and went to work as quickly as possible.
Severus sat in the chair she had pointed out to him and began to fidget nervously. It was driving him mad to be so useless in helping Hermione and being forced stay on the sidelines. He knew this had to have something to do with Lucius and his threats. Severus watched Hermione lying on the bed and longed to hold her in comfort. He didn't understand his need to be her protector at this time. All he knew was that he couldn't let her leave him now; not when he had so many questions. What was she going to say to him? What did she mean when she said that she meant everything she ever said or did? And why was he feeling this way?
Severus thought about the possibility of Lucius taking her away from him and hurting her. "I'll kill him." Severus mumbled under his breath, and caught the ear of Poppy.
"What did you say Severus?"
Severus looked up from his thoughts, realizing that he said that out loud. He quickly gained back his concentration and looked at Poppy. "I said 'I will go inform Albus'." Severus got up from his assigned seat and glided out of the infirmary towards the headmaster's office. His robes billowed behind him accentuating his fury with every step.
TBC
Author's Note: Sorry it's short and a little choppy. The sentences just didn't seem to flow as easily this time. Hopefully the writing flow will all come back to me soon.