~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
Severus Snape looked up at the ceiling of the great hall inside of Hogwarts, watching the cloud circle and swirl from a royal purple to a menacing black, long bands of lightning streaked across the sky. There were now traces of droplets of water falling from it. However Severus wasn't think about the sky or for the matter looking at it. His mind was on another thing, much closer to earth.
Hermione Granger.
She had only been at the school for a little over two weeks and already she seemed to know the school inside and out, like she had been here since her first year. She was a proud girl who wasn't shamed buy her Muggle heritage in fact she seemed to embrace it. (A smile crossed his face as he remembered how she had slapped Lucius for insulting Muggles.), and she was smart, not just plane smart like any normal student, but impassively intelligent. He had watched her in classes; her precision and skill put all the other students to shame (himself excluded of course.)
One thing troubled him, it was how she jumped whenever she looked at him or Lucius it was like she was seeing a ghost. She would pale and wouldn't make any effort in conversation with either of them. (He chuckled to himself) When Lucius and him had declared that they were to be her friends she had truly though she had outsmarted them both. "Never try to out snake a Slytherin" he mumbled to himself. That was another thing that bothered him about her, she was more like a Gryffindor in Slytherin clothing then a real Slytherin.
It didn't matter, he respected the girl, and she had guts and enough venom in her bite to satisfy any snake.
There was a tap on his shoulder and a very loud shout in his ear. " Any one home!"
Snape almost jumped out of his seat at the volume.
" Damnit Lucius! I'm not deaf you realize!" He growled at the smiling blond boy beside him.
Lucius laughed. " You were off on some strange planet my dear Severus, prey tell what were you thinking about?"
Severus scowled at him. " I was thinking of nothing"
Lucius cut him off. " Severus you looked as though you were falling into a dream and were about to smile, if that was nothing then I'm the ruddy Queen of England!"
"Just let it go, it holds no importance."
"Speaking of no importance were is Granger?"
Severus stilled a growl. " How should I know she left without a word, very strange that one."
"You said it, do you think we should go find her?"
"Why?" Snapped Snape.
"I don't know Im bored and need something to do unless you fancy having another food fight?"
Severus sneered. "So quick to get another detention Lucius? At least wait until we finished the first one, need I remind you that we have to clean out the bed pans in the infirmary tomorrow.with out magic."
Lucius blanched and sputtered, it took him a minute to compose himself to the thought of doing work with out magic. He huffed. " Lets just go find Hermione."
"Were do you think she has gone?"
" I don't know nor do I really care Lucius." Yawed Snape.
"Look at least help me find her, all right?" inquired Lucius, innocently.
"Lucius, one would think you liked the girl by the way you are acting towards her." He gave Lucius a glare.
" Not me! (He gave a throughty laugh) Im supposed to be her " Friend" remember," He said sarcastically.
" That is what still troubles me, why would "tom's" lackeys ask us to keep an eye out on that girl, there's nothing special about her other than her massive hair and un - apparent brains." Mumbled Snape.
" I have no idea why were doing this but I think that the job would go unfinished if we don't find her." Chimed Lucius.
"She's probably in the common room, her nose buried in a book, that's were it always seems to be." Snapped Snape.
"Much like your self (he grabbed Snapes arm) come on let's go find our little charge!"
With that Lucius dragged Snape out of the hall, neither of them noticing the look that the graying headmaster and the potions mistress gave to them.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
Hermione for once since her long ordeal was at peace watching the heavens and waiting for it to spill open, the soft long green grass of the grounds swirled and caressed her form as she lay on them. She sat herself up on her elbows to get a better view of the grounds that were now blanketed in black.
That's when she saw it.
Eye's, pale and glicening, buried in the forbidden forest, she blinked she could have sworn she saw a man there. A chill went up her spin, something wasn't right, what was going on? Panic surged through her as she saw something moving towards her, stopping and starting, scampering. She quickly jumped to her feet; almost tripping on her Slytherin robes. As quick as the lightning that surrounded her she reached inside her pocket in search of her wand.it wasn't there. The creature was moving towards her, that black for of a man or woman was getting closer.
She turned and ran, fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins, she ran with such intensity that she felt as though her lounge were going to burst up through her mouth. She glanced back quickly and stopped, nothing was there. Were did it go?
She spun around a few times searching for it, was it her imagination?
She never even saw it coming. A black heavy creature threw its self at her, catching her in the stomach and causing her to topple to the ground.
She was aloud one scream before it covered her mouth. In her panic she bit down hard on her aggressors hand. It was definitely human; the rich copper taste of blood filed her mouth. The human back handed her across the face, cutting into her cheek (must have been wearing a ring of some sort), its full weight was on her torso preventing her from moving. She tried to thrash and kick but the mass of dark robes held her to the ground fast.
It pulled out a wand, and lightning cracked. Had she been able to scream she would have. She had seen its face, a pale white mask.A death eater.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
"Have you found her?" called Snape across the Slytherin common room.
"No, there's no sign of her, she must be some were else." Came Lucius's reply.
Both met in the middle of the room, trying to think were Hermione would have gone, both were ready to throutal her. Lightning and thunder crashed mercilessly outside.
They both stopped when they heard a sharp and cut off scream.
Snape was the first to react; the scream had come from outside. He ran, his long spidery legs caring him faster then anyone would have thought possible. He was only vaguely aware that Lucius was following him. He sprinted through the corridors to the main entrance, throwing open the doors he saw the source of the scream. A surge of panic gripped him for some UN aparent reason.
It was raining like an open wound and the visibility was horrible but it was easy to see the source.
Hermione!
What was that on her!
A sudden primal urge roared through his very being, how dare that monster touch her. He noticed that the creature had just pulled a wand on her and that the side of her face was bleeding.
"Hermione!" He roared, running fast and hard towards the creature, it turned its head towards him.
It happened in a second. Throwing his full winery frame into the monster, knocking it clear off of her. The creature seemed to only be able to hold its own against a woman because a pon seeing the primal fury in Snape's dark obsidian eyes it turned and fled even before Snape could retort against it. He stood up and was going to chase after it when he heard a moan from the ground.
He dropped to his knees beside the battered girl, she was shaking with fear, and with a final shiver she fell unconscious. There was a loud boom of thunder. It rained like it had never rain before this day.
"God Severus what happened?" came Lucius Malfoys worried voice, having finally caught up with his long legged friend.
Snape didn't even look at him; he just pulled a strand of Hermione's unruly hair away from her face. His and her robes were now soaked, water was trickling down his beak like nose, and his raven black hair was now plastered to his face. He pulled off his Slytherin robe, leaving only a black shirt and jeans to cover him from the elements. He draped his robe over Hermione's unconscious form, and gathered the girl into his strong wiry arms. He gave a grunt of effort as he clutched the girl to his chest, carrying her back to the school.
Lucius stayed close behind them never had he seen Snape look so vicious, his eyes had always been black but now they were darker then hell.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
As the two boys and unconcious girl walked up to the infermary in the high left tower of the school no words were spoken.
Snape him self was seething, something inside of him had cracked when he saw that man or boy on Hermione. Something unbelievable tugged at him and ripped through his calm resolve.
It was Primal.
It was Vicious.
It was something that Severus Snape never believed himself capable of. In his mid the look of her face ashen coloured from fear, constantly replayed.
Snape force back the feelings and emotions. Forced back something he had never felt with any one.
He actualy cared.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
Hermione Granger awoke two days later, in the late afternoon after her attack in the west wing of the infirmary. It took her a moment to realize were she was and even longer to recall what had happened that night.
A death eater.
Which meant one thing. . Voldmort knew she was here!
Hermione shivered and looked around at her surroundings, she was in the infirmary, and the smell of medicine met her nose. She was in a closed curtain area; she turned to see on the table beside her was an assortment of .Get well items?
There was one in particular that caught her eye amidst the mass of candies and cards. A single black rose with petals trimmed with red. She picked it up her hand shaking slightly as she did so. There was a note attached to it. She pulled it off the delicate rose and read it to herself.
You have a 2-page potion essay due on Friday
S. S
Hermione smiled. Not a get well cared but something more. How did he know that the first thing she would want to know was how much school she had missed?
Just then Madam Pomfry (apparently just started working here) came through the curtains.
" Oh! Miss Granger your awake!" she beamed down at Hermione. " How are we feeling today?"
"Rather well Madam Pomfry thank you. how did I get here?" Finally realizing that she wasn't in Voldmorts clutches.
Madam Pomfry smiled a bright smile. " Why that dear boy Severus Snape carried you up here after him and the Malfoy boy found you."
"Found me?" Hermione knew there was more to the story then what Pomfry had told her. " Um Madam Pomfry Im feeling better could I go now, I have a lot of work to catch up on.how long have I been here?"
" Yes you may my dear, the two boys filled dumbledore in on what happens so Im sure you wont need to go see him and you've been here asleep for two days."
Hermione blanched. Oh the homework she must have. At that she threw of the covers of her white lined bed and ran out of the infirmary faster then you could say Quidditch.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
As Hermione walked through the opening of the common room she found her self in a strange position. Almost all of the Slytherin seventh years were around her in a second asking her if she was all right, what had happened, and did they know who had done it.
Hermione brushed off their concerns with quick answers and found herself looking for the two boys who she had suspected saved her life.
The two of them were in the back corner of the common room, leaning against the wall, both watching her. She shivered as she felt Snapes eyes glance at her up and down. It was then that she noticed how amazing he really was. Tall, taller then most of the Slytherin boys, leath framed, but with a powerful chest (how she knew that she did not know) and rather muscular arms. His face was slightly covered by his feathery hair that wasn't greasy but just such a sooty color that it appeared so.
He was in fact to Hermione rather attractive.
She now stood infront of the two boys her attention mainly on Severus, what was wrong with her. Damn it Hermione! She yelled at herself.
Trying to ignore her raging sub conscious she stuck up a conversation with them.
" I heard what you to did, thank you," she said simply.
Lucius nodded his head, and Severus just grunted.
"Your welcome Hermione." Lucius smiled at her.
Snape just scowled at her. Hermione returned it with full grace.
"Thank you as well Snape. Next time don't bother if you find saving my life to your great distaste." She motioned to his scowl.
They scowled again at one another; Lucius blanched hoping that wands would not be involved.
What happened next surprised them both.
They laughed.
Hermione and Severus laughed whole hartedly at with one another; both of their laughs filled the room like an echoing harmony. Both of there gazes never leaving each other, each feeling rather uncomfortable, but oddly at peace.
Much like what they were starting to feel in there harts.
Severus Snape looked up at the ceiling of the great hall inside of Hogwarts, watching the cloud circle and swirl from a royal purple to a menacing black, long bands of lightning streaked across the sky. There were now traces of droplets of water falling from it. However Severus wasn't think about the sky or for the matter looking at it. His mind was on another thing, much closer to earth.
Hermione Granger.
She had only been at the school for a little over two weeks and already she seemed to know the school inside and out, like she had been here since her first year. She was a proud girl who wasn't shamed buy her Muggle heritage in fact she seemed to embrace it. (A smile crossed his face as he remembered how she had slapped Lucius for insulting Muggles.), and she was smart, not just plane smart like any normal student, but impassively intelligent. He had watched her in classes; her precision and skill put all the other students to shame (himself excluded of course.)
One thing troubled him, it was how she jumped whenever she looked at him or Lucius it was like she was seeing a ghost. She would pale and wouldn't make any effort in conversation with either of them. (He chuckled to himself) When Lucius and him had declared that they were to be her friends she had truly though she had outsmarted them both. "Never try to out snake a Slytherin" he mumbled to himself. That was another thing that bothered him about her, she was more like a Gryffindor in Slytherin clothing then a real Slytherin.
It didn't matter, he respected the girl, and she had guts and enough venom in her bite to satisfy any snake.
There was a tap on his shoulder and a very loud shout in his ear. " Any one home!"
Snape almost jumped out of his seat at the volume.
" Damnit Lucius! I'm not deaf you realize!" He growled at the smiling blond boy beside him.
Lucius laughed. " You were off on some strange planet my dear Severus, prey tell what were you thinking about?"
Severus scowled at him. " I was thinking of nothing"
Lucius cut him off. " Severus you looked as though you were falling into a dream and were about to smile, if that was nothing then I'm the ruddy Queen of England!"
"Just let it go, it holds no importance."
"Speaking of no importance were is Granger?"
Severus stilled a growl. " How should I know she left without a word, very strange that one."
"You said it, do you think we should go find her?"
"Why?" Snapped Snape.
"I don't know Im bored and need something to do unless you fancy having another food fight?"
Severus sneered. "So quick to get another detention Lucius? At least wait until we finished the first one, need I remind you that we have to clean out the bed pans in the infirmary tomorrow.with out magic."
Lucius blanched and sputtered, it took him a minute to compose himself to the thought of doing work with out magic. He huffed. " Lets just go find Hermione."
"Were do you think she has gone?"
" I don't know nor do I really care Lucius." Yawed Snape.
"Look at least help me find her, all right?" inquired Lucius, innocently.
"Lucius, one would think you liked the girl by the way you are acting towards her." He gave Lucius a glare.
" Not me! (He gave a throughty laugh) Im supposed to be her " Friend" remember," He said sarcastically.
" That is what still troubles me, why would "tom's" lackeys ask us to keep an eye out on that girl, there's nothing special about her other than her massive hair and un - apparent brains." Mumbled Snape.
" I have no idea why were doing this but I think that the job would go unfinished if we don't find her." Chimed Lucius.
"She's probably in the common room, her nose buried in a book, that's were it always seems to be." Snapped Snape.
"Much like your self (he grabbed Snapes arm) come on let's go find our little charge!"
With that Lucius dragged Snape out of the hall, neither of them noticing the look that the graying headmaster and the potions mistress gave to them.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
Hermione for once since her long ordeal was at peace watching the heavens and waiting for it to spill open, the soft long green grass of the grounds swirled and caressed her form as she lay on them. She sat herself up on her elbows to get a better view of the grounds that were now blanketed in black.
That's when she saw it.
Eye's, pale and glicening, buried in the forbidden forest, she blinked she could have sworn she saw a man there. A chill went up her spin, something wasn't right, what was going on? Panic surged through her as she saw something moving towards her, stopping and starting, scampering. She quickly jumped to her feet; almost tripping on her Slytherin robes. As quick as the lightning that surrounded her she reached inside her pocket in search of her wand.it wasn't there. The creature was moving towards her, that black for of a man or woman was getting closer.
She turned and ran, fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins, she ran with such intensity that she felt as though her lounge were going to burst up through her mouth. She glanced back quickly and stopped, nothing was there. Were did it go?
She spun around a few times searching for it, was it her imagination?
She never even saw it coming. A black heavy creature threw its self at her, catching her in the stomach and causing her to topple to the ground.
She was aloud one scream before it covered her mouth. In her panic she bit down hard on her aggressors hand. It was definitely human; the rich copper taste of blood filed her mouth. The human back handed her across the face, cutting into her cheek (must have been wearing a ring of some sort), its full weight was on her torso preventing her from moving. She tried to thrash and kick but the mass of dark robes held her to the ground fast.
It pulled out a wand, and lightning cracked. Had she been able to scream she would have. She had seen its face, a pale white mask.A death eater.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
"Have you found her?" called Snape across the Slytherin common room.
"No, there's no sign of her, she must be some were else." Came Lucius's reply.
Both met in the middle of the room, trying to think were Hermione would have gone, both were ready to throutal her. Lightning and thunder crashed mercilessly outside.
They both stopped when they heard a sharp and cut off scream.
Snape was the first to react; the scream had come from outside. He ran, his long spidery legs caring him faster then anyone would have thought possible. He was only vaguely aware that Lucius was following him. He sprinted through the corridors to the main entrance, throwing open the doors he saw the source of the scream. A surge of panic gripped him for some UN aparent reason.
It was raining like an open wound and the visibility was horrible but it was easy to see the source.
Hermione!
What was that on her!
A sudden primal urge roared through his very being, how dare that monster touch her. He noticed that the creature had just pulled a wand on her and that the side of her face was bleeding.
"Hermione!" He roared, running fast and hard towards the creature, it turned its head towards him.
It happened in a second. Throwing his full winery frame into the monster, knocking it clear off of her. The creature seemed to only be able to hold its own against a woman because a pon seeing the primal fury in Snape's dark obsidian eyes it turned and fled even before Snape could retort against it. He stood up and was going to chase after it when he heard a moan from the ground.
He dropped to his knees beside the battered girl, she was shaking with fear, and with a final shiver she fell unconscious. There was a loud boom of thunder. It rained like it had never rain before this day.
"God Severus what happened?" came Lucius Malfoys worried voice, having finally caught up with his long legged friend.
Snape didn't even look at him; he just pulled a strand of Hermione's unruly hair away from her face. His and her robes were now soaked, water was trickling down his beak like nose, and his raven black hair was now plastered to his face. He pulled off his Slytherin robe, leaving only a black shirt and jeans to cover him from the elements. He draped his robe over Hermione's unconscious form, and gathered the girl into his strong wiry arms. He gave a grunt of effort as he clutched the girl to his chest, carrying her back to the school.
Lucius stayed close behind them never had he seen Snape look so vicious, his eyes had always been black but now they were darker then hell.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
As the two boys and unconcious girl walked up to the infermary in the high left tower of the school no words were spoken.
Snape him self was seething, something inside of him had cracked when he saw that man or boy on Hermione. Something unbelievable tugged at him and ripped through his calm resolve.
It was Primal.
It was Vicious.
It was something that Severus Snape never believed himself capable of. In his mid the look of her face ashen coloured from fear, constantly replayed.
Snape force back the feelings and emotions. Forced back something he had never felt with any one.
He actualy cared.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
Hermione Granger awoke two days later, in the late afternoon after her attack in the west wing of the infirmary. It took her a moment to realize were she was and even longer to recall what had happened that night.
A death eater.
Which meant one thing. . Voldmort knew she was here!
Hermione shivered and looked around at her surroundings, she was in the infirmary, and the smell of medicine met her nose. She was in a closed curtain area; she turned to see on the table beside her was an assortment of .Get well items?
There was one in particular that caught her eye amidst the mass of candies and cards. A single black rose with petals trimmed with red. She picked it up her hand shaking slightly as she did so. There was a note attached to it. She pulled it off the delicate rose and read it to herself.
You have a 2-page potion essay due on Friday
S. S
Hermione smiled. Not a get well cared but something more. How did he know that the first thing she would want to know was how much school she had missed?
Just then Madam Pomfry (apparently just started working here) came through the curtains.
" Oh! Miss Granger your awake!" she beamed down at Hermione. " How are we feeling today?"
"Rather well Madam Pomfry thank you. how did I get here?" Finally realizing that she wasn't in Voldmorts clutches.
Madam Pomfry smiled a bright smile. " Why that dear boy Severus Snape carried you up here after him and the Malfoy boy found you."
"Found me?" Hermione knew there was more to the story then what Pomfry had told her. " Um Madam Pomfry Im feeling better could I go now, I have a lot of work to catch up on.how long have I been here?"
" Yes you may my dear, the two boys filled dumbledore in on what happens so Im sure you wont need to go see him and you've been here asleep for two days."
Hermione blanched. Oh the homework she must have. At that she threw of the covers of her white lined bed and ran out of the infirmary faster then you could say Quidditch.
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~
As Hermione walked through the opening of the common room she found her self in a strange position. Almost all of the Slytherin seventh years were around her in a second asking her if she was all right, what had happened, and did they know who had done it.
Hermione brushed off their concerns with quick answers and found herself looking for the two boys who she had suspected saved her life.
The two of them were in the back corner of the common room, leaning against the wall, both watching her. She shivered as she felt Snapes eyes glance at her up and down. It was then that she noticed how amazing he really was. Tall, taller then most of the Slytherin boys, leath framed, but with a powerful chest (how she knew that she did not know) and rather muscular arms. His face was slightly covered by his feathery hair that wasn't greasy but just such a sooty color that it appeared so.
He was in fact to Hermione rather attractive.
She now stood infront of the two boys her attention mainly on Severus, what was wrong with her. Damn it Hermione! She yelled at herself.
Trying to ignore her raging sub conscious she stuck up a conversation with them.
" I heard what you to did, thank you," she said simply.
Lucius nodded his head, and Severus just grunted.
"Your welcome Hermione." Lucius smiled at her.
Snape just scowled at her. Hermione returned it with full grace.
"Thank you as well Snape. Next time don't bother if you find saving my life to your great distaste." She motioned to his scowl.
They scowled again at one another; Lucius blanched hoping that wands would not be involved.
What happened next surprised them both.
They laughed.
Hermione and Severus laughed whole hartedly at with one another; both of their laughs filled the room like an echoing harmony. Both of there gazes never leaving each other, each feeling rather uncomfortable, but oddly at peace.
Much like what they were starting to feel in there harts.