Chapter Four: Snivellus Snape
Months had passed since Hermione had initially found herself in 1975, yet nothing new had come up. The Christmas holidays had passed; it was 1976 now, and she was beginning to lose hope of ever finding her way back home again.
She was sitting in the library one day, when she finally snapped, throwing her books down and crossing her arms in frustration. "I'm never going to get home again, am I?" she asked her companion, who had also set his book down by now, only considerably gentler than she.
Remus stood from his chair, coming over to stand beside Hermione. He rested a hand on her shoulder comfortingly, until she turned to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his robes. He sighed, placing his other hand on her head and smoothing her hair. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I wish that I could do more to help you, but this is proving more difficult than I initially thought. I swear to you though, I will not give up until I find an answer."
She smiled, pulling her head back to look up at him. "I know you won't. Thank you for everything you've done for me. It's your fifth year... you should be studying for the O.W.L.s, but instead, you're doing pointless research on my part. You don't know how much I appreciate this, Remus."
He nodded, taking her hands in his and pulling her up beside him. "Come, everyone is leaving for Hogsmeade, so why are we wasting our time up here? We still haven't found time to get you new robes and books yet, have we? Perhaps today would be a good time."
She sighed, shaking her head. "You know I haven't got any money. Everything that I had is stuck in 1995, and I most definitely am not."
"What Remus is trying to say, Hermione, is that you stink and need new clothes before we all abandon you and you're left to find a way home on your own."
Hermione spun around, glaring at Sirius playfully. "You would like that, wouldn't you. Of course, you should be appreciative. While I'm occupying Remus's time, you're free to gallivant around the castle without a prefect tagging along to keep you out of trouble."
James smirked, coming up beside Sirius, with Peter in tow. "Well, when you put it that way, perhaps it is best if we get her clothes. That way, she can continue stealing away all of Moony's attention and save us the trouble of having him worry about us all the time."
"I would worry anyway," Remus said softly, but let the subject drop at that. "Shall we go then." Off Hermione's look, he said, "You know that I won't mind loaning you some galleons to buy some new robes, and quite frankly, if you don't get a set of books for yourself, I'm going to start studying in the boys dormitory where you can't flip my pages as I'm trying to read."
Hermione smiled sheepishly, "I suppose I am a bit touchy when it comes to studying, and perhaps it would be best if I had some new robes of my own. I'm sure I'm trying Lily's infinite patience by constantly nicking hers whenever I need a clean set."
Peter looked at her curiously, "Do you have any other clothes to wear underneath?"
James looked at him in shock. "Wormtail, that is none of your business, and I am thoroughly appalled by the fact that you asked her such a thing."
Peter looked a mix of terrified and apologetic all at once. Sirius on the other hand, looked bored, "Oh come now, James, you know we all were wondering the same thing. Except perhaps our dear Moony. He's too pure and proper for thoughts like that."
Remus blushed deeply, but Hermione cut in before he could speak. "If you don't mind, could we please get off the subject of my knickers and please hurry on before the rest of the students leave for Hogsmeade without us?" she asked testily. As much as she enjoyed the antics of the boys sometimes, at other times it got to be too much, and this was certainly one of those instances. It seemed, to her, as if she had Harry and Ron multiplied by two, with the added benefit of the Weasley twin's personalities spread between the group.
Hermione followed the boys down the stairs in silence. It seemed as if most of Hogwarts was gathered in the entrance hall, waiting to leave for Hogsmeade. Glancing around the crowd, Hermione was surprised to see Severus Snape standing with a group of people. Though he made it look like he belonged amongst them, none of them were even looking at him, leading Hermione to the conclusion that they honestly didn't notice, or care, that he was there. She almost felt sorry for him, but she had little time to consider what to do about it before she heard James snicker.
She hadn't any time to react before James bound across the room, coming to a halt beside Severus.
"Oh no," she muttered, following the rest of the group closely. She knew that by stepping in, she would anger James, and more than likely, Sirius as well, but this was starting to occur far too often for Hermione's taste.
"Hello there Snivellus. Pleasant day, eh?"
She watched as he turned to look at James with a glare. "What now?" she heard him ask. It still surprised her that he sounded exactly the same as he did in the future. Some things never did change.
"Just wanted to make sure you were having a nice day, mate," James said quickly as one of the professors wandered by. He lowered his voice, "See you in Hogsmeade, Snivellus," he muttered as Remus grabbed him by the arm and led him away. Hermione once again followed behind them, being sure to keep the boys in her sight the entire time. I think I'm beginning to understand how Peter feels, she thought as she watched the mousy little boy prance excitedly about around James, Sirius, and Remus. The current target of his excitement, it seemed, was James.
Hermione glanced back at Severus, but he refused to catch her eyes. I'll have to talk to him later, I suppose, she decided. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and she snapped back towards her group. It was Remus, as she might have expected. "You seemed a little predisposed. I thought you should know that we're leaving,"
Hermione nodded absently, "Thank you, Remus." She took the arm that he offered, but kept glancing back as Snape faded into the background of students. She only hoped that he had decided not to go because who knew what kind of trouble James and Sirius were up to.
The trip to Hogsmeade village passed quickly, and Hermione was pleased to see that it was just the same as it had been in her time. Little things had changed, sure, but most of it was similar. Stopping in front of a small shop, her breath caught in her throat. Inside the small Flourish and Blotts was Severus Snape, and James Potter was not too far behind. She had been hoping for a little more time, but it was obvious that it wasn't to be.
"I know you want to do something, but he won't listen. Neither of them will, and Peter's not much better," Remus said into her ear. He was standing behind her, watching the action take place over her shoulder. He put his hands on her waist, turning her away from the scene inside. "I can tell by the look in your eyes that you think I should be in there, but it wouldn't do any good. Don't you see... they thrive on this sort of thing. By going in there and trying to get them to stop, it'll be like adding fuel to the fire because they'll know that they have my attention."
Hermione looked away from him, taking a deep breath to regain her focus. Being this close to him was intoxicating, and she knew that if she didn't get away, she would be lost. "That still doesn't mean we shouldn't try. I know what it's like to be where he is right now. I've heard the taunts, but not quite so outright. I should be helping him."
Remus took her hand, leading her away from the bookstore. "Perhaps another time. You know Severus would never appreciate the help you wish to give him. It would make him look weak, being protected by a woman, and being thought weak is far worse than what they're doing in there."
Hermione merely nodded absently, following him throughout the village. They stopped in Gladrags Wizardwear to order her new robes (promised to be at Hogwarts within the week, or they're free), and then on to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to gather some of the necessities.
After a while, James, Sirius, and Peter finally caught back up with them, and the group headed off to The Three Broomsticks for a round of butterbeers. Once they were seated, Hermione stared at James pointedly. "Have a bit of fun earlier, did you?"
"Why whatever do you mean, Hermione dear?" he asked innocently.
She noticed Remus give him an exasperated look and sighed. "You may not find anything wrong with what you're doing to Severus, but I guarantee that it will leave lasting damage that your children will have to suffer through someday."
Remus looked at her with raised eyebrows. She bit her lower lip, remembering the promise she had made to herself not to tell them about the future.
"So old Snivellus is going to be a professor, eh? Well, I pity the children who have to sit through the greasy git's lessons," Sirius said coldly.
Hermione took a sip of her butterbeer, leaning her elbow against the table with her chin resting on one fist. Setting her mug down, she turned her head to look over at Remus. "I think we should go get those textbooks now. Don't you agree?"
"Quite right," he said softly, setting his mug down on the table beside hers and standing. "I suppose we shall see you three back at the school if you don't catch up with us on the way."
As they were walking out, Hermione was quite certain she heard Peter say, "D'you think we'll ever get him back again?"