Disclaimer: As always, it's not mine.
A/N: WOW…Once again, I can't believe how awesome you people are! Even after all the time it took me to up-date my pitiful story, you still read it. Coolies, major coolies, hee hee. Thanks so much everyone, it means so much. And I know I always say that, but I'm struggling on some tough issues with myself, and the support and your reviews makes my day. Umm…let's see, what else? Oh yeah! Some people commented in their reviews :-) that I should've made Hermione and Severus attract everyone's attention by doing an awesome dance together or something. I'll admit it crossed through my mind, but then I thought, they seem more like the types who wouldn't want to attract quite so much attention to themselves, especially since it was Harry's b-day. Don't worry, in a couple of chapters there's going to be some singing and dancing back at school and all. Now, as always, onto the story!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Eleven
"Hermione?" Severus looked up at the large clamour that came from the front porch. It had been a week since Harry's birthday party had passed.
He stood up glancing at his watch, 6:55. Walking to the main hall he got there just in time to see the door slam open showing a frustrated Hermione standing holding a paper bag split down the side with a few groceries in it. Through the open door he could see the rest of the groceries on the porch and the walkway outside. He started to say something, but the glare she was giving him told him that he better not say a word if he valued his life. He held his hands up in defeat as she stormed past, and then went outside to the porch. Shaking his head in amusement, he sat down on the porch swing and picked up a can of beans from the floor. A moment later Hermione came out onto the porch looking annoyed as she surveyed the porch and the spilt groceries. Walking over to the swing she sat down next to Severus.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?" she replied, sounding tired.
"May I ask what you were doing?"
"I went shopping today for last minute school supplies, and then I went to a grocery store to get some things."
"What for?"
"I wanted to make dinner tonight. Tortellinis and an old fashioned Italian meat sauce, just like my nana used to make. I guess I should've had the stuff packed into two bags, but I thought one would be easier."
"Why didn't you just shrink everything?" Severus asked.
"Cause then everything tastes a little different, that's why," she stated matter-of-factly as she leaned back and laid her head on his shoulder. They sat enjoying the silence as they watched the sun set, neither caring about anything.
The next two weeks passed quietly for Hermione and Severus with their friendship blossoming like the July roses that Hermione loved so much. She and Severus had fallen into the habit of taking a walk together every evening down by the lake. During those walks, they played a game of sort with each other. One would ask a question, and the other would have to answer it, and honestly. It was during one of these talks that Hermione learned about how Severus became a Death Eater.
"Severus?" Hermione spoke up soon after they had begun their evening walk.
"Hmm?"
"I know we said we'd always answer, and honestly, but if you don't want to, you don't have to," Hermione began. "But I was wondering how you ever became a death eater?"
"I was wondering when you would get around to asking that," Severus replied then grew silent for so long that Hermione thought he wasn't going to answer. However just when she was getting ready to ask something else, he began to speak.
"I guess it began when I first went to Hogwarts, however my mind was made up definitely in sixth year," his voice took on a slight far-away tone. "I was, as you know, in Slytherin, and therefore considered evil. In that house, I was always surrounded by others who, along with myself, were expected to learn dark arts. Not defence against them, but all the curses and evil spells that we might possibly need to torment, hurt, or humiliate someone. Most evenings I'm sure you and your friends did homework, or talked about quidditch, or played chess or some such activity along those lines. While that did happen in my house, more often than not, there were discussions about the latest curses and spells instead of homework, talk about the latest evil item every dark wizard should have instead of quidditch, and strategizing about the quickest way to bring down an opponent instead of chess. Our house was one that believed in unity, yet each person had to watch themselves. Your friends could stand by you one moment, and the next, not want anything to do with you.
"You know all about the night that Sirius Black tricked me in my sixth year, nearly resulting in my demise had it not been for Potter. I was angry and humiliated, even though no one knew except for those four, but that was enough. A few weeks after that incident, Lucius Malfoy transferred to Hogwarts from Durmstrang, and became one of the few friends and allies I had in my year. I was still feeling the need for revenge on Black when Lucius approached me about…a group of sorts he called it, that he was part of. He said all the right things: that I'd have power, allies, and what I was nearly desperate for, revenge. The ultimate bait for me was the fact that if I joined, Voldemort would supply me with a state-of-the-art potions lab, any ingredients I could ever need, and a monthly salary to top it all off. The only condition was that I would have to brew him various potions as he needed them. After thinking it over for maybe one night, I approached Lucius with my decision to join the Death Eaters."
"Oh," Hermione said softly. A few minutes later she asked, "Why did you come back to Professor Dumbledore?"
"Once again, it begins with Hogwarts. In my seventh year I began courting another seventh year by the name of Emmeline Lapettia. She and I continued to see each other over the next year, and stayed together after we graduated. We were very much in love, and our parents began making preparations for an engagement party, though nothing was official mind you. It was just assumed that we would, and I would've agreed at the time. A few days later however, Voldemort called a meeting with me asking that I brew a body deterioration potion. It is an illegal one with no antidote or reversal spell. What it does is to cause the body to turn on itself and begin deteriorating. Over a period of two weeks, the victim's hair will fall out, then skin will start drying up and cracking, the teeth start rotting, flesh begins to burn, bones turn brittle and begin to break with the slightest movement. Then the organs of the body begin to not function properly, wreaking havoc on the stomach and bowel movements. The last to go is the brain and heart, which stop when the lungs fill up with fluid from the other organs which by now are mostly a soggy mass. Then the person is mercifully able to die. I brewed the potion without any qualms and turned it over to him. Not two weeks later, Emmeline was dead, and I knew it was my bloody fault that she had died. Death eaters weren't supposed to be in love. That tore me apart and I'm afraid made me somewhat bitter. Not being able to forgive myself, even though I hadn't known Voldemort was going to administer it to her, I met with Albus. To the day that Voldemort died, I helped Albus, with my only thought being that by helping the Order, I might help to somehow fill the void in my heart."
"Oh Severus," Hermione took his large hand with her own and squeezed gently, hoping to somehow comfort him, take away his pain. "It wasn't your fault, and if Emmeline were here, you know she wouldn't blame you either. You couldn't have possibly known that Voldemort was going to use it against her."
"Over the years I've come to realise that, but I still wish there was something I could've done."
"There is. Just forgive yourself," Hermione took her other hand and placing it on Severus' cheek, turned his face towards her. "And don't try to forget her either. She's helped to make you who you are today. And even if you're not proud of the man you are, I am."
"Thank you," Severus took hold of both of Hermione's hands in his own. "For listening, and not judging."
Hermione simply smiled and they walked back to their house in silence. That next day was spent packing up trunks in preparation for their departure to Hogwarts. Severus had to go back a week early to submit lesson plans and clean up the lab and supply room. Hermione, of course, was going back with him, and therefore had to pack up her school supplies. That was soon done thanks to Blossom who helped Hermione get all her things together. Just before lunch she took her things down to the front hall to meet Severus.
"Let's go, I can't wait to get back!" Hermione said impatiently. "I heard that the library is going to be receiving a new delivery of books that I haven't read."
"MmmHmm," Severus just rose an eyebrow, but held out the toothpick that was serving as their portkey to Hogwarts. Moments later it jerked them off their feet in a whirl.
"Oh that is a sight for sore eyes!" Hermione exclaimed once they landed. In front of them beyond the gate was Hogwarts, the home Hermione had known for most of the past six years.
"I think I have to agree with you. It's good to be back," Severus replied, and gathering their stuff, they made their way up to the school.
A/N: Hey everyone, hope you liked it. The first part was inspired by a song I like, and will use later on in the story. Some sort of reward (sneek-peek as to ideas and the chance to name something, I don't know for sure yet) if you're the first to guess the song! Anyways, review or don't, it's all good.