-ANGELS OBLIQUELY
CHAPTER 8
I asked her to sit down, she seemed eager to ask me something and her eyes kept darting in the direction of my lab. I sat across from her and she gave me a small smile.
"You don't have to sit in the next State, you know," she said patting the empty spot next to her.
I frowned lightly, not quite knowing what she was playing at. She was different again, it was like the woman I saw at the party and this woman sitting here in my chambers, were completely different people. I stood up and sat next to her.
"Are you going to tell me what is going on, Hermione? I am as involved in this as you are by now." I tried to push her a little, she had been avoiding my questions since day one and I had no idea why I was putting up with the whole thing.
"I know you have the potion's formula and you probably have it done by now, don't you?" she asked.
"I have it done, but I think it's time we tell the Headmaster, so we can decide what to do next."
"There is no time for that, you have to give it to me, so I can hide it. Duane will be here tonight, I heard him talking to Malfoy," she said in a rush.
"No, absolutely not! How on earth are you going to hide it from them?"
"It's my formula, Severus, I have the right to decide what to do with it! I've searched for your help because I knew I could trust you. Why don't you trust me?" She put her hand on my knee and I pulled away automatically. I wasn't used to being touched and that wasn't a time I was willing to lose control of my good sense.
She looked at me a little disappointed. "Who hurt you so much to make you like that?"
"I don't think this is the time to talk about it." I scowled at her, I had to keep the distance, to bring back the intimidating Snape, so I could gain my control back.
"Why don't you put some iodine on it?"
I chuckled at that and turned to face her. "Is there iodine for such things?"
"Here's the bottle," she said leaning toward my ear, I could feel her warm breath softly touching my skin. I closed my eyes, trying hard to concentrate in avoiding the feelings she was stirring up inside of me.
She continued, "It stings for a minute, then you heal... heal clean, no festering. Won't you try... iodine..."
By this time her mouth had just touched my face and I couldn't take it any longer. I stood up and moved away from her.
She stared angrily at me, her lips parted in surprise. "Seduction doesn't agree with you," she said crossing her arms.
"Not when I know the main reason is to get me to do something I don't want to!" I said trying to put on my impassive face and failing miserably.
"Severus, it's not that, I really meant it." She looked hurt.
"I somehow find it hard to believe anything you say lately!" I replied coldly.
She stood up and rushed for the door, tears rolling down her cheeks. I went for her and held her from behind, she kept struggling to get rid of my arms.
"You don't understand it, do you? I want you more than you can imagine, but not like this, not in exchange for some potion. I want it to be sincere and natural," I whispered in her year and she slowly stopped fighting my arms.
I turned her around and kissed her slowly and for a second there, it seemed like a flicker of the old Hermione passed through her eyes. I knew kissing her wasn't the right thing to do. It was probably my biggest moment of weakness, but it felt right, it felt wonderful.
When I let go of her, she frowned a little, looking mildly confused. It was like she was fighting some inner battle. It didn't make sense to me then, but it would later.
She held my arm and asked, "Then give me the potion, I'll leave before Duane comes, and you can meet me at the roof of Ellyot's night club. We'll decide what to do with that from then."
"But Duane is going to want the potion and I won't have it."
"You can tell him it isn't finished yet, tell him you'll have it ready in a couple of days. That should give us time." She had a pleading look on her face.
My next step was exactly the reason why I never wanted to get involved, and always tried to block myself from having any feelings at all. My ability to make the right choices was obviously gone.
I went into my lab and got the formula, along with the vial containing the potion. She placed both inside her purse and squeezed my hand. "Meet me at 7 PM on the club's roof."
She disappeared through the door, again, leaving nothing but a faint scent of her existence in the room. And for a long time, that would be just about the only thing left of her.
.......................................................
I waited and waited and there was no sign of Duane. So I apparated to the club on the agreed time, with the sinking feeling I wasn't going to see her either. I sat at the roof for more than hour, letting the cool breeze brush my hair, as I organized my thoughts.
She had lied. Again.
And I let her, I let her get away with everything, I let her manipulate me and I would probably let her do it again had she got the chance... funny to think that a fragile, young woman could do what, not even the more fierce of Death Eaters, or even the Dark Lord had been able to do. To make me vulnerable and incapable of clear thinking.
I decided to pay a visit to Duane and see if I could get something out of him. As I arrived the mansion, something already looked amiss. It felt quiet, too quiet for a house full of servants. I knocked several times and when no one answered, I performed an unlocking charm. The foyer that once was beautifully decorated with paintings and rugs, was bare. The walls showed a faint hint that paintings had been hanging there, for it left the off-tone marks on its surface. My boots echoed on the stone floor, now devoid of its soft rugs.
As I walked through the long corridor I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to find in the drawing room. Nothing. The mansion was empty, abandoned, no furniture, no trace of anything. My mind kept telling me the truth, but I didn't want to listen, I didn't want to admit that Hermione was in this with Duane.
After spending a long time thinking, I did the only thing left to do, I looked for help on the people who knew her better... her friends.
.............................................................
Potter and Weasley came as soon as they received my owl. I couldn't contact them by floo for they were in the Ministry and it would be too risky, if it got to Fudge's ears.
After telling them everything that went on, since the day she came into my office to ask for my help, they looked more surprised with Hermione's behavior than the fact that I had basically let go of a fatal potion in my own free will.
"Something is not fitting in this story, we know Hermione would never do a thing like that," said Potter.
"I mean, she could be stubborn and even manipulative, but never deceiving or dishonest..." Weasley seemed to be talking more to himself than to us.
"Well, she certainly didn't think twice before..." I stopped mid sentence when the answer hit me on the face like cold water.
Both young men looked at me with questioning looks.
"Of course, how could I not see what was so obvious!" I stood up and started pacing around the room, I don't think I could sit down a minute longer.
"What?" both asked.
"Imperius Curse."
In a silent agreement, we decided right there and then that we had to find her as soon as possible, before it was too late.
............................................................................ ........................................................................
A/N : Here goes the Thank Yous -
Stacey Pointe - Thanks I'm glad you liked!
EvieBlack - I'm glad you liked it, it's actually a little hard to make the characters fit into the genre without making people freak out because they seem out of character, but eventually, it all falls into place.
Scary Person - Well, I suppose now you know why Hermione is acting so strange. Patience people, you have to give me a little credit here, and as for Snape, I still see him as Snape, the only difference is that he fell in love and doesn't quite know how to deal with it. That's as Snape as it can get.
SnapesFavoriteMistress - Thanks for reading, I hope this one was long enough LOL oh well and thanks for the hints on the dialogue thing.
Happynutcase - Thanks for reviewing!
The Grim - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
CHAPTER 8
I asked her to sit down, she seemed eager to ask me something and her eyes kept darting in the direction of my lab. I sat across from her and she gave me a small smile.
"You don't have to sit in the next State, you know," she said patting the empty spot next to her.
I frowned lightly, not quite knowing what she was playing at. She was different again, it was like the woman I saw at the party and this woman sitting here in my chambers, were completely different people. I stood up and sat next to her.
"Are you going to tell me what is going on, Hermione? I am as involved in this as you are by now." I tried to push her a little, she had been avoiding my questions since day one and I had no idea why I was putting up with the whole thing.
"I know you have the potion's formula and you probably have it done by now, don't you?" she asked.
"I have it done, but I think it's time we tell the Headmaster, so we can decide what to do next."
"There is no time for that, you have to give it to me, so I can hide it. Duane will be here tonight, I heard him talking to Malfoy," she said in a rush.
"No, absolutely not! How on earth are you going to hide it from them?"
"It's my formula, Severus, I have the right to decide what to do with it! I've searched for your help because I knew I could trust you. Why don't you trust me?" She put her hand on my knee and I pulled away automatically. I wasn't used to being touched and that wasn't a time I was willing to lose control of my good sense.
She looked at me a little disappointed. "Who hurt you so much to make you like that?"
"I don't think this is the time to talk about it." I scowled at her, I had to keep the distance, to bring back the intimidating Snape, so I could gain my control back.
"Why don't you put some iodine on it?"
I chuckled at that and turned to face her. "Is there iodine for such things?"
"Here's the bottle," she said leaning toward my ear, I could feel her warm breath softly touching my skin. I closed my eyes, trying hard to concentrate in avoiding the feelings she was stirring up inside of me.
She continued, "It stings for a minute, then you heal... heal clean, no festering. Won't you try... iodine..."
By this time her mouth had just touched my face and I couldn't take it any longer. I stood up and moved away from her.
She stared angrily at me, her lips parted in surprise. "Seduction doesn't agree with you," she said crossing her arms.
"Not when I know the main reason is to get me to do something I don't want to!" I said trying to put on my impassive face and failing miserably.
"Severus, it's not that, I really meant it." She looked hurt.
"I somehow find it hard to believe anything you say lately!" I replied coldly.
She stood up and rushed for the door, tears rolling down her cheeks. I went for her and held her from behind, she kept struggling to get rid of my arms.
"You don't understand it, do you? I want you more than you can imagine, but not like this, not in exchange for some potion. I want it to be sincere and natural," I whispered in her year and she slowly stopped fighting my arms.
I turned her around and kissed her slowly and for a second there, it seemed like a flicker of the old Hermione passed through her eyes. I knew kissing her wasn't the right thing to do. It was probably my biggest moment of weakness, but it felt right, it felt wonderful.
When I let go of her, she frowned a little, looking mildly confused. It was like she was fighting some inner battle. It didn't make sense to me then, but it would later.
She held my arm and asked, "Then give me the potion, I'll leave before Duane comes, and you can meet me at the roof of Ellyot's night club. We'll decide what to do with that from then."
"But Duane is going to want the potion and I won't have it."
"You can tell him it isn't finished yet, tell him you'll have it ready in a couple of days. That should give us time." She had a pleading look on her face.
My next step was exactly the reason why I never wanted to get involved, and always tried to block myself from having any feelings at all. My ability to make the right choices was obviously gone.
I went into my lab and got the formula, along with the vial containing the potion. She placed both inside her purse and squeezed my hand. "Meet me at 7 PM on the club's roof."
She disappeared through the door, again, leaving nothing but a faint scent of her existence in the room. And for a long time, that would be just about the only thing left of her.
.......................................................
I waited and waited and there was no sign of Duane. So I apparated to the club on the agreed time, with the sinking feeling I wasn't going to see her either. I sat at the roof for more than hour, letting the cool breeze brush my hair, as I organized my thoughts.
She had lied. Again.
And I let her, I let her get away with everything, I let her manipulate me and I would probably let her do it again had she got the chance... funny to think that a fragile, young woman could do what, not even the more fierce of Death Eaters, or even the Dark Lord had been able to do. To make me vulnerable and incapable of clear thinking.
I decided to pay a visit to Duane and see if I could get something out of him. As I arrived the mansion, something already looked amiss. It felt quiet, too quiet for a house full of servants. I knocked several times and when no one answered, I performed an unlocking charm. The foyer that once was beautifully decorated with paintings and rugs, was bare. The walls showed a faint hint that paintings had been hanging there, for it left the off-tone marks on its surface. My boots echoed on the stone floor, now devoid of its soft rugs.
As I walked through the long corridor I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to find in the drawing room. Nothing. The mansion was empty, abandoned, no furniture, no trace of anything. My mind kept telling me the truth, but I didn't want to listen, I didn't want to admit that Hermione was in this with Duane.
After spending a long time thinking, I did the only thing left to do, I looked for help on the people who knew her better... her friends.
.............................................................
Potter and Weasley came as soon as they received my owl. I couldn't contact them by floo for they were in the Ministry and it would be too risky, if it got to Fudge's ears.
After telling them everything that went on, since the day she came into my office to ask for my help, they looked more surprised with Hermione's behavior than the fact that I had basically let go of a fatal potion in my own free will.
"Something is not fitting in this story, we know Hermione would never do a thing like that," said Potter.
"I mean, she could be stubborn and even manipulative, but never deceiving or dishonest..." Weasley seemed to be talking more to himself than to us.
"Well, she certainly didn't think twice before..." I stopped mid sentence when the answer hit me on the face like cold water.
Both young men looked at me with questioning looks.
"Of course, how could I not see what was so obvious!" I stood up and started pacing around the room, I don't think I could sit down a minute longer.
"What?" both asked.
"Imperius Curse."
In a silent agreement, we decided right there and then that we had to find her as soon as possible, before it was too late.
............................................................................ ........................................................................
A/N : Here goes the Thank Yous -
Stacey Pointe - Thanks I'm glad you liked!
EvieBlack - I'm glad you liked it, it's actually a little hard to make the characters fit into the genre without making people freak out because they seem out of character, but eventually, it all falls into place.
Scary Person - Well, I suppose now you know why Hermione is acting so strange. Patience people, you have to give me a little credit here, and as for Snape, I still see him as Snape, the only difference is that he fell in love and doesn't quite know how to deal with it. That's as Snape as it can get.
SnapesFavoriteMistress - Thanks for reading, I hope this one was long enough LOL oh well and thanks for the hints on the dialogue thing.
Happynutcase - Thanks for reviewing!
The Grim - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!