{Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe was created by J.K. Rowling and rights are owned by, but not limited to Warner Brothers and Scholastic Books. I, therefore, own no parts of this.}
Chapter 10
Bump In The Road
Hermione woke up earlier than normal, still not used to the strangeness of Snape Manor. The bed was comfortable, but it was the concept of sleeping in her ex-Professor's house that bothered her most. He had been pleasant enough, considering his usual disposition. She was surprised there had only been one major argument so far, though she suspected there would be more in the future.
At least this was a change of pace from the Ministry work she had been doing. No longer was she forced to making calming draughts or Veritaserum or any of the other crap that was too simple for her mind to fully enjoy. Sure, making the Veritaserum was educational the first few times, but after that it got monotonous. She wasn't sure about the payment she was going to receive for the work she was doing now. She was saving Hogwarts after all. It would be enough just to know that she helped keep the school standing.
Almost anything was better than what she had before. She no longer had to deal with rent, preparing her own meals, bills, or any of the other problems that come with living alone. The only difficulty she had to deal with now was Severus Snape.
He wasn't so bad when she actually thought about it. He had treated her with enough respect. Naturally, he was still snarky and moody, but that was typical Snape behavior and was to be expected. She could deal with his personality problems if only because of his brilliant mind and to save Hogwarts.
She remembered him mentioning that they would start gathering the ingredients today and wondered where that would take them. Maybe Helga's garden or somewhere else she had never been. A thought flickered through her head about whether Severus knew where Helga's garden was located. This thought was followed closely by a second one saying she should look it up in the library.
Hermione quickly went through her morning routine, finding her shower here was much more enjoyable than the one in her apartment that tended to lose pressure every so often. It was very irritating when the water would suddenly die at the point when her hair was full of shampoo. Thankfully, those days were over at least for a while.
A set of robes were pulled over a skirt and sweater. The outfit reminded her of her Hogwarts days though it was missing the house badge and Gryffindor-colored tie. A satchel completed her attire as she needed something to carry note-taking materials. She set out for the library that, if she recalled correctly, was only a few doors down the hall. She entered through the top door and climbed down to the lower section where she quickly lost herself in the books, searching for information on Helga Hufflepuff's elusive garden.
Severus came down to breakfast at his normal time, hoping to find Hermione already there. She was neither in the kitchen nor in the small dining room they had been using. His house elves had set the small table with assorted pastries for the morning meal. They looked untouched. "Nolly, has Hermione been down for breakfast yet?" he questioned the small creature that had popped in with a plate of toast.
"No, Master," it shook its head. "Mistress has not eaten yet."
"She's still sleeping," he mused to himself.
"Mistress is in library with Binky," Nolly squeaked. "Binky is helping find books for Mistress."
Severus nodded slowly; he should have expected as much. He had wondered how long Hermione Granger could survive without going through his supply of books. Obviously the answer was not very long. "Very well, I will find her when I am finished." Snape ate his breakfast at his normal pace, scanning the Daily Prophet's headlines for any interesting news. There was something about Malfoy being sighted in Siberia, but he doubted it was true.
Finishing his coffee, Snape decided to locate the missing girl. He found her as Nolly had stated: in the library, surrounded by piles of books with a frantic Binky searching for more texts. "Find anything interesting?"
Hermione jumped, hearing his voice come from just above her shoulder. It took her moment to comprehend that it was her colleague. "I'm working on it. I've been trying to find the location of Helga Hufflepuff's private gardens, but nothing I've looked through so far has any mention of their whereabouts."
Snape pulled a chair next to her. "Did you ever think that she may not want them to be found?"
"I thought about it, but I figured that it would be best to at least try to find a location."
"You haven't had any luck with these texts?"
"Correct," she turned her eyes back to the page she was reading. "They all talk about the plants she grew and how magnificent her gardens were, but there is nothing about the actual location."
"Which stack have you gone through?"
"That one," she gestured to the piles to the right of her parchment. "The other ones I have yet to look through. I was having Binky do a search for anything related to Hufflepuff and herbology."
He picked up a random book, flipped through it and set it back on the stack. "I'm not certain if my library will have what you are searching for. We may have to look in other places that have more information. Most of the books here tend to be more practical than informational."
She set down her quill. "Where would you suggest?"
"The only safe place we know that's away from prying eyes," he smirked.
"Hogwarts?"
"Hogwarts. Gather up what you have. I believe we will be paying Albus a short visit."
Hermione gathered up the few notes she had taken and put them into her satchel. Binky was already busy returning the tomes to their rightful places. "Will he mind us just showing up?"
"Not at all." Severus had a few other things he wanted to discuss with the Head Master. Now he wouldn't even have to bother sending out the letter he had written; he could tell it to the man in person. "We'll Apparate and walk to the castle. I don't know if the Floo connection to his office is still operational. Albus closes it every so often to keep out unwanted guests. You can Apparate, can't you?"
"Of course I can. I took the test just before my seventh year."
"Good," He could never be sure of these things. He led her out the doors of the manor to a spot outside of the wards. "We can Apparate from here. Think of the area just outside the gates." With one pop following the other, they both disappeared and reappeared outside Hogwarts castle.
Hermione stumbled as she materialized on the uneven path, staggering into the steady form of Severus. He caught her before she could fall further. "Sorry," she said meekly. "I landed funny."
"Silly girl. Did you manage to hurt yourself?" he helped her stand upright, but not before getting a whiff of her cleanly scented hair. It was lavender tinged with vanilla and mint, he recognized almost immediately, and it smelled heavenly. He shoved that thought out of his head. What did he care if she smelled delectable? He shouldn't give a damn how she smelled! She was supposed to be his colleague, not that she would have any interest in him anyway. He felt like a lecherous old man going after a much younger woman that he could never have.
"I think I did something to my ankle," she carefully shifted her weight to her right leg and grimaced when it twinged with pain. "It's probably a sprain."
"You ought to be more careful, Hermione," he admonished her as he performed a quick bandaging charm at the limb in question. "Do you think you could walk on it?"
"I can try," she offered bravely.
"Good," he slipped a deft arm around her waist. "I have a feeling you won't make it alone."
"Thank you." She cautiously placed her arm across his shoulders for added support. Slowly they made their way up to the castle. Hermione found she really didn't mind Snape's arm being around her waist. She could feel his strength and sturdiness and it made her feel protected. At least he hadn't made too much fun of her for managing to get hurt during a simple apparation.
Severus wasn't sure why he was so willing to help the girl. She had been nothing but a thorn in his side all through her school days and was continuing to be one now as well. She wasn't as much of a bother now as she had been before, but she still asked questions incessantly.
His arm settled loosely around her waist, and he decided once again that she was too thin for his liking. He could feel her hip bone protruding sharply just below his fingers. He thought back to the past few days he had spent with her and didn't recall her eating much. He put getting the girl to eat more on his list of things to accomplish in the next few months. She was too thin for her own good. It was bearing on unhealthy.
They stopped just before the steps up to the main entrance. "You won't be able to climb steps, will you?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Probably not," she replied unsteadily. The pain was getting worse.
Severus thought for a moment. He could either use a quick spell to lift her or simply carry her. He chose the second option since he figured she would easy to lift. He scooped her up and easily climbed the steps. She was light, as he had imagined. Too light, he decided once again. He would see to it she ate better. They didn't need to have her sick.
"You don't have to carry me," she protested, though she was enjoying it.
"You are very easy to pick up, Hermione. It is easier to control you this way than casting a spell and having to maneuver you around corners and such."
"If you say so."
"I say so." Severus set her down lightly in front of the infirmary and knocked at the door.
Madame Pomfrey opened it and was surprised to see the retired Potions Master and one of Hogwarts past Head Girls standing outside. "Hello, Severus, Hermione. What can I do for you?"
"We were on our way to see Albus and Miss Granger had the misfortune of landing on a hole in the road."
"I see. Put her on one of the beds and I will take a look. Which ankle?"
Snape picked her up again and moved her to the nearest bed. "The right one," Hermione replied.
Madame Pomfrey examined the limb, finding it swollen. "It's just a simple sprain, my dear. I'll have you right as rain in no time."
"Thank you."
"Now, if you don't mind, I am going to go have a chat with Albus," Severus billowed out of the infirmary.
Thankfully for Snape, the password to the Head Master's office had not changed and he was given immediately entrance. "What can I do for you, my boy? And where is your partner?" Albus greeted his guest warmly.
"Hermione managed to hurt herself Apparting here and is with Madame Pomfrey getting her ankle mended."
"Ah, poor thing." The old wizard nodded gravely. He had been watching out his window when the two appeared. It had actually been him who made Hermione trip so she would fall into Severus. He hadn't meant for her to hurt herself, but from what he had seen, it was all for the better. He knew the two were a well suited match, both brilliant, yet stubborn. The only way he would get them together would be to place the subtle, or even not so subtle, hints every so often.
"I wanted to update you on the status of the potion. We calculated that it would take seventy-seven days and fourteen hours to brew completely."
"Where would that put us for healing the castle?"
"At the earliest, if everything works out as planned, September the tenth."
"Very good," Albus spoke thoughtfully. "Lemon drop?"
Severus took the proffered sweet to keep the old man happy. He decided to brooch the next subject he needed to ask about. "Have you ever heard of Helga Hufflepuff's private gardens?"
"Yes, of course!" The man's eyes twinkled, "Beautiful place, really. You ought to visit them sometime. They'd be of great interest to you."
"Then you know where they are located?" he asked hopefully.
"Well, yes, I do, but they are very difficult to access."
"The potion requires ingredients from the garden. I need to know its location."
"You must go into the Forbidden Forest. Just beyond the lake, there is a stream that feeds it. Follow the stream for until you come to a waterfall. Behind the waterfall is the entrance to the garden. It is guarded by the ghost of Helga Hufflepuff, so be careful. She lets in only those she deems worthy."
"That is where we shall have to go. Thank you, Head Master."
"Anytime, my boy." Albus smiled as the dark man stalked out of his office. "Give Hermione my regards."
Severus billowed down back down to the infirmary to find Hermione sitting on one of the beds chatting amicably with Madame Pomfrey. "Come, Hermione. I found what we came for."
The girl stood up, testing her ankle. She found it relatively sturdy and without the pain it had before. "Thank you, again."
"Anytime, my dear. Just don't make a habit of getting hurt too often just to come and visit me," the Mediwitch turned towards Snape. "And make sure she's eating properly, Severus. She's all skin and bones."
"I assure you, I have been feeding her."
Madame Pomfrey pulled him aside as Hermione exited the infirmary. "She doesn't eat, that one. Always works herself too hard and forgets about it. Hopefully you can talk some sense into her."
He raised his eye brows. So that was what her problem was. "My house elves make sure food is always available."
"Very well. Good day, Severus."
"Good day," he followed Hermione out of the room.
"So what did you find out?" she asked excitedly.
"Albus knew exactly where the garden was located."
"Good," she chuckled. "He would know if anyone knew about it. Where is it located?"
"In the Forbidden Forest," he watched her eyes grow wide. "We will visit the kitchens first before we go. Madame Pomfrey informed me that I am to make sure you eat regularly."
Hermione looked at him, brow scrunched in confusion. After a few seconds a sudden realization hit her. "Will she ever give up?" After seeing a brief look of puzzlement cross her colleague's face, she continued with an explanation, "Madame Pomfrey made it her mission to get me to eat regularly starting my fifth year. She did everything in her power in attempt to get me three solid meals a day. She would even send house elves to the library or to my room to deliver food for me when I did not appear at mealtimes, or even just because she could. I suppose it was true that I did not have a regular eating schedule, but I survived. It seems she has passed her job to you now."
"I was ordered to talk some sense into you."
She grinned. "Don't worry; I'll be fine. It's my nature to work, or study, or read for hours on end, and I forget about simple things like eating. I've been like that for years. It doesn't bother me."
"I will agree with Madame Pomfrey for this once."
"Not you too?" she rolled her in exasperation.
"You felt too light when I picked you up," he explained, "and you barely ate anything in the past few days. It is very unhealthy to withhold nutrients from your own body. I will not tolerate working with a sickly individual."
"So it is all about you now, is it? Why can't I get a say in my life for once?"
"That is enough!" Snape's eyes glittered dangerously as he grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, forcing her to make eye contact. She gulped in fear. "You will listen to me and you will listen well, Hermione. I am only working with you for Hogwarts' sake. If I am to work with anyone, I will not have them harming their own bodies, whether it is intentional or not." She moved, preparing to speak. "Silence! You will take better care of yourself from now on. I will personally see to it."
Hermione glared right back at him. "You have some nerve."
"Hogwarts is at stake, remember that." He took his hands off her shoulders and continued on towards the kitchens.
{Author's Note: I added the part about Hermione getting bugged by Madame Pomfrey to eat because it seemed typical of those of us who are over-achievers. I happen to be an over-achiever, and I tend to forget to eat when I am concentrating hard. I wanted to make her seem a bit more human, so hopefully it will come across as such. She's not anorexic; she just forgets to eat. I am posting this chapter since I am leaving tomorrow to go to Stratford, Ontario, Canada with the advanced English classes for the weekend to visit the Shakespeare Festival. It should be interesting.
Azulkan2: I have to keep Sev a bastard somehow….
RebelRikki: Once again, I thank you for idea. That may work to my advantage.
Alanfan: They'll get there eventually…
Stargazer starluver: I know it was a bit boring, but it was a transition chapter and the next few chapters should be a bit more enjoyable to read.
Peace, Love, and Chocolate, Nataly Ravenlock}