Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. SIGH.
Black Magic
Chapter 2: For the Order
Hermione, Harry and Ron walked cautiously towards the Gargoyle that guarded Dumbledores office. They stood in front of it looking to each other for the right password.
"Err..."Hermione started, but the Gargoyle seemed to expect their presence and it sprang to life and jumped aside. The three made their way into Dumbledore's office and stood apprehensively at the door. Dumbledore looked at them over his half moon spectacles with the familiar twinkle in his eyes and said,
"Ah, there you are. Please have a seat." The trio took seats across from Dumbledore, a bit nervous. The door to the office swung open and in walked a very angry Severus Snape.
"Ah, Severus, nice of you to join us, please have a seat." Snape looked down at the man, but obliged and sat down in the seat next to Hermione. She immediately felt the heat radiating from him and had to take a deep breath to steady her beating heart.
"Good. Now that we are all here, we can begin the meeting." The trio looked confusedly to each other, hoping one of them had an answer. Snape kept his black eyes on the wall behind Dumbledore, no doubt trying to keep his anger in check.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione. I'm sure you are well aware that Voldemort has indeed returned to his full power. The Order of the Phoenix is working very hard to ensure the safety of the magical community, but we are in dire need for more competent members." Dumbledore stated calmly, looking at the three with a large smile.
"We have thus decided to make the three of you official members of the Order." Ron let out a whoop of joy, relieved that they weren't in any kind of trouble. A smile passed over Hermione's lips, but she wondered what Snape had anything to do with the situation. He was a member of the order, true, but why was he needed here for their initiation? She looked to Snape trying to read his expression, but as always, it was quite blank.
"Yes Miss Granger. I am sure you are wondering why Professor Snape was called here for this meeting, am I right?" Hermione nodded her head, pleased that the headmaster had understood her expression.
"Which brings me to your first tasks. Harry, Ron, I know you get along very well with Professor Lupin and have a knack for the Dark Arts, so I am assigning the two of you to work alongside him. You will be trying to find a counter-curse for the unforgivables. Professor Lupin is waiting for the two of you in his office." Harry and Ron stood and glanced one last time over at Hermione, in an apologetic manner. Once they had left Dumbledore started again.
"Miss Granger. You have shown an immense amount of interest and talent in potions over the years. Therefore, as an apprentice you will be aiding Professor Snape to brew a most complicated potion for the use of the order." Hermione sat back and let all the information sink in. She would be working closely with her most feared professor. Was that such a bad thing though?
"You will be working with him immediately as it takes months to brew. I'm sure the two of you will work well together." Dumbledore said with that twinkle in his eyes. Was it just her, or was there something more in Dumbledores eyes?
"Of course Headmaster. May I ask what the potion is?"
"I will inform you later Miss Granger. For now I think our little meeting is over. Now if you'll excuse us, I wish to speak with the Headmaster alone." Snape spat at her, with his velvet voice. Hermione looked to Dumbledore and the older man just nodded his head. She rose to leave before Snape caught her arm. Hermione's heart nearly jumped out of her chest at the sudden contact, and her knees grew weak at his touch. His dark eyes penetrated her soul and Hermione felt the little hairs on the back of her neck rise. Why did she suddenly feel this way?
"Miss Granger, you will meet me in the Potions class in an hour. We have a lot to do to get started, so don't be late." He held on to her arm for a little while longer, looking up into her eyes.
The shiver that ran up Snape's arm and down his spine surprised him to no end. He quickly pulled his hand back from her arm and continued to look down at his feet. Hermione simply nodded her head and quickly left the office. Once outside she leaned back against the wall, cold sweat trickling over her skin. The area where he had touched her still tingled. She sighed and asked herself,
"What is wrong with you Hermione?"
"Albus, is this really necessary? I am perfectly capable of brewing this potion on my own." Severus sighed into the night air. Although a slight pang of pain rippled through him at the thought of losing Hermione as his apprentice.
Hermione? Since when did she stop being Miss Granger?
"Yes Severus I know. There are other reasons for why she was paired with you." Dumbledore stated, smiling knowingly at Severus.
Damnable man. Realizing that there was nothing more to this conversation, Snape arose and left the office. He was supposed to meet Hermione in an hour. Miss Granger. He whispered, mentally kicking himself.
A/N: This is really just another set up chapter. The good stuff is still coming! Thanx to those who reviewed!!! MUAH
Black Magic
Chapter 2: For the Order
Hermione, Harry and Ron walked cautiously towards the Gargoyle that guarded Dumbledores office. They stood in front of it looking to each other for the right password.
"Err..."Hermione started, but the Gargoyle seemed to expect their presence and it sprang to life and jumped aside. The three made their way into Dumbledore's office and stood apprehensively at the door. Dumbledore looked at them over his half moon spectacles with the familiar twinkle in his eyes and said,
"Ah, there you are. Please have a seat." The trio took seats across from Dumbledore, a bit nervous. The door to the office swung open and in walked a very angry Severus Snape.
"Ah, Severus, nice of you to join us, please have a seat." Snape looked down at the man, but obliged and sat down in the seat next to Hermione. She immediately felt the heat radiating from him and had to take a deep breath to steady her beating heart.
"Good. Now that we are all here, we can begin the meeting." The trio looked confusedly to each other, hoping one of them had an answer. Snape kept his black eyes on the wall behind Dumbledore, no doubt trying to keep his anger in check.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione. I'm sure you are well aware that Voldemort has indeed returned to his full power. The Order of the Phoenix is working very hard to ensure the safety of the magical community, but we are in dire need for more competent members." Dumbledore stated calmly, looking at the three with a large smile.
"We have thus decided to make the three of you official members of the Order." Ron let out a whoop of joy, relieved that they weren't in any kind of trouble. A smile passed over Hermione's lips, but she wondered what Snape had anything to do with the situation. He was a member of the order, true, but why was he needed here for their initiation? She looked to Snape trying to read his expression, but as always, it was quite blank.
"Yes Miss Granger. I am sure you are wondering why Professor Snape was called here for this meeting, am I right?" Hermione nodded her head, pleased that the headmaster had understood her expression.
"Which brings me to your first tasks. Harry, Ron, I know you get along very well with Professor Lupin and have a knack for the Dark Arts, so I am assigning the two of you to work alongside him. You will be trying to find a counter-curse for the unforgivables. Professor Lupin is waiting for the two of you in his office." Harry and Ron stood and glanced one last time over at Hermione, in an apologetic manner. Once they had left Dumbledore started again.
"Miss Granger. You have shown an immense amount of interest and talent in potions over the years. Therefore, as an apprentice you will be aiding Professor Snape to brew a most complicated potion for the use of the order." Hermione sat back and let all the information sink in. She would be working closely with her most feared professor. Was that such a bad thing though?
"You will be working with him immediately as it takes months to brew. I'm sure the two of you will work well together." Dumbledore said with that twinkle in his eyes. Was it just her, or was there something more in Dumbledores eyes?
"Of course Headmaster. May I ask what the potion is?"
"I will inform you later Miss Granger. For now I think our little meeting is over. Now if you'll excuse us, I wish to speak with the Headmaster alone." Snape spat at her, with his velvet voice. Hermione looked to Dumbledore and the older man just nodded his head. She rose to leave before Snape caught her arm. Hermione's heart nearly jumped out of her chest at the sudden contact, and her knees grew weak at his touch. His dark eyes penetrated her soul and Hermione felt the little hairs on the back of her neck rise. Why did she suddenly feel this way?
"Miss Granger, you will meet me in the Potions class in an hour. We have a lot to do to get started, so don't be late." He held on to her arm for a little while longer, looking up into her eyes.
The shiver that ran up Snape's arm and down his spine surprised him to no end. He quickly pulled his hand back from her arm and continued to look down at his feet. Hermione simply nodded her head and quickly left the office. Once outside she leaned back against the wall, cold sweat trickling over her skin. The area where he had touched her still tingled. She sighed and asked herself,
"What is wrong with you Hermione?"
"Albus, is this really necessary? I am perfectly capable of brewing this potion on my own." Severus sighed into the night air. Although a slight pang of pain rippled through him at the thought of losing Hermione as his apprentice.
Hermione? Since when did she stop being Miss Granger?
"Yes Severus I know. There are other reasons for why she was paired with you." Dumbledore stated, smiling knowingly at Severus.
Damnable man. Realizing that there was nothing more to this conversation, Snape arose and left the office. He was supposed to meet Hermione in an hour. Miss Granger. He whispered, mentally kicking himself.
A/N: This is really just another set up chapter. The good stuff is still coming! Thanx to those who reviewed!!! MUAH