One Young Heart
Chapter 2: Alone
Hermione took a graceful step down from the carriage, ignoring Ron and his unending questions about Viktor Krum. Taller, her hair tamed by a lasting spell, her nutmeg eyes alight with enthusiasm for the school and knowledge. Throughout the summer, Hermione had hidden behind Ron and Harry, being unobtrusive as she continued to amass knowledge of charms and curses without using her wand. Now, back at Hogwarts, she was eager to resume her role as resident know-it-all of her grade. Making excellent OWLS on everything but Astronomy, she had happily signed up for Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts... and Potions. The other acceptance letters had come en masse, but it was two weeks before the response came admitting her to the N.E.W.T.-level class. Together with Harry, who was absolutely arrogant now that he'd passed his O.W.L.S., she struggled through the difficult classes, dragging Neville with her through the classes he needed to liaise with Muggles, and trying to be terribly kind to Ron. Ron hadn't followed them into any of their classes, and refused to reveal his chosen career. Harry, on his part, was irritated by Ron's reluctance, and so Hermione did twice the work.
The first month spun by, until Hermione was called for her secondary career advice. The first news was good: she must take a fellow student under her wing and help train him to prove her devotion to others. That was easy enough, Neville would be glad of the help, but the second bit horrified her: she had to assist a teacher for the remainder of her two years, and the only available professor? Snape, of course.
---
Severus staggered into his room, knocking over a desk and three tons of paperwork as he did so. Looking dimly at the topmost paper, he saw through eyes blurred with pain the words Severus- you MUST accept Miss Granger as a teacher assistant. I will not yield. He lurched past the desk and collapsed, fully clothed, on his bed. Laying silent in his room, he waited for his breath to slow, the pain to abide. Alone in the dark, he thought, as always, "Why do I do this? for myself? no. For the mudbloods? no. For Albus. Albus bedeviled Dumbledore ruined my career and my life and for it I gave him my life. For him I use myself to protect the world, and the old fool who controls it." In the morning, he will remember all the good Dumbledore has done, the way he saved Severus' life, and the oath he took. He will protect dumbledore, and lie about the pain, the fear. For now, though, it is dark, and he is utterly unloved. Utterly alone.
Chapter 2: Alone
Hermione took a graceful step down from the carriage, ignoring Ron and his unending questions about Viktor Krum. Taller, her hair tamed by a lasting spell, her nutmeg eyes alight with enthusiasm for the school and knowledge. Throughout the summer, Hermione had hidden behind Ron and Harry, being unobtrusive as she continued to amass knowledge of charms and curses without using her wand. Now, back at Hogwarts, she was eager to resume her role as resident know-it-all of her grade. Making excellent OWLS on everything but Astronomy, she had happily signed up for Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts... and Potions. The other acceptance letters had come en masse, but it was two weeks before the response came admitting her to the N.E.W.T.-level class. Together with Harry, who was absolutely arrogant now that he'd passed his O.W.L.S., she struggled through the difficult classes, dragging Neville with her through the classes he needed to liaise with Muggles, and trying to be terribly kind to Ron. Ron hadn't followed them into any of their classes, and refused to reveal his chosen career. Harry, on his part, was irritated by Ron's reluctance, and so Hermione did twice the work.
The first month spun by, until Hermione was called for her secondary career advice. The first news was good: she must take a fellow student under her wing and help train him to prove her devotion to others. That was easy enough, Neville would be glad of the help, but the second bit horrified her: she had to assist a teacher for the remainder of her two years, and the only available professor? Snape, of course.
---
Severus staggered into his room, knocking over a desk and three tons of paperwork as he did so. Looking dimly at the topmost paper, he saw through eyes blurred with pain the words Severus- you MUST accept Miss Granger as a teacher assistant. I will not yield. He lurched past the desk and collapsed, fully clothed, on his bed. Laying silent in his room, he waited for his breath to slow, the pain to abide. Alone in the dark, he thought, as always, "Why do I do this? for myself? no. For the mudbloods? no. For Albus. Albus bedeviled Dumbledore ruined my career and my life and for it I gave him my life. For him I use myself to protect the world, and the old fool who controls it." In the morning, he will remember all the good Dumbledore has done, the way he saved Severus' life, and the oath he took. He will protect dumbledore, and lie about the pain, the fear. For now, though, it is dark, and he is utterly unloved. Utterly alone.