Hey, by popular demand I'm updating again. I can hear those gasps of astonishment, I just beg you not to have a heart attack. Thank you to my new beta, Orangutangirl. Thank you so much! I also want to thank Arcessita for the Latin phrases.
Not mine, I wish.
Ch. 6- Potions Interrupted
New Years passed without anything noteworthy happening. Severus and Hermione shared a kiss at midnight. Two days later, the rest of the school returned and so did their outward attitudes towards each other.
It was now the middle of January. Hermione had been excused from Transfiguration to have her check-up at the Infirmary. Normally, she would not have been, but Madam Pomphrey had told Professor McGonagall that she would be able to find out the sex of the baby now.
In a strange turn of events, McGonagall had gotten excited. She had apologized to Hermione for her behavior and was acting for the entire world like she was going to be a grandma. Hermione was surprised at herself, she actually enjoyed Minerva's attention (Minerva had asked her to call her that outside of class).
Hermione lay back on the hospital bed and waited for Madam Pomphrey to return. She wished Severus could be here for this, but he had a class to teach right now. The medi-witch came in and spread a cool gelled potion on her stomach, which was larger than she thought it should be for five months.
"Now, this spell will show a picture of the baby. I believe Muggles have a version called a 'sonogram.'" Hermione nodded in agreement and the nurse pointed her wand at Hermione's stomach. "Retego Infantem."
A picture resembling a hologramic appeared a couple of feet above the end of the bed. Hermione gasped and her eyes filled with tears. Her baby could be clearly seen.
"The speed with which you've expanded has indicated that there could possibly be more than one child, but I cannot see another here," the medi- witch told her.
"I've heard that sometimes a twin cannot be seen because of the other baby, but it could also be my age," Hermione said in a shell-shocked voice. Twins. I could be having twins. I wonder what Severus will think of this twist.
"True," Madam Pomphrey agreed. "The baby you can see, if there is more than one, is male."
A boy, a son. I can't wait to tell Severus! She dressed quickly and made her way down to the dungeons, practically skipping with elation. Halfway down, however, she ran into Ginny. She knew that Ginny had Potions class at the moment. "Why aren't you in class, Ginny?" Hermione questioned.
"We got to class, started working, and suddenly Professor Snape told us all to leave." She lowered her voice and continued. "I think he was summoned."
Hermione's blood ran cold. No, not again. She thanked Ginny and as soon as she was out of sight, Hermione took off as fast as she could safely go. She hurriedly burst through the wards and into his chambers, but he was already gone. "No. Severus!" Her shout was full of anguish and it echoed through the room.
This time, she did not clean. One: She no longer had the energy. Two: Her belly was rather large. Thirdly and lastly, it hadn't really worked the last time. So instead, Hermione went directly to his bed and sat in the middle of it cross-legged.
She conjured up a window that would show the same view as her perch from the griffin. She rearranged some pillows so she could lean against them, and settled in for what she knew would be a long vigil.
It must have been sometime after supper when she heard someone enter. Hermione gripped her wand tighter and pointed it at the door to the bedroom. "Who goes there?" she called. Never thought I'd get a chance to say that she thought fearfully.
"It is just I, young one," Albus Dumbledore identified himself. "May I enter?"
"Yes."
He came in. "Professor Vector said that you did not show up to class, and then Harry came to me saying that you failed to appear at supper. We were concerned."
"I await Severus's return," Hermione replied, her attention once again on the window.
"You should eat, at least," Dumbledore told her.
"Not hungry."
"If you don't eat for yourself, at least eat for the baby," he cajoled.
"Babies." At his look of incredulity, she added, "Madam Pomphrey says I may have twins."
"That is wonderful!" He sounded ecstatic. "Two babies for me to spoil."
Hermione spared the old man a quick glance and a smile. "It seems I'm accruing grandparents for them at a great rate. My own parents, then Minerva, you, and Mrs. Weasley has made it clear she too wants to play the role."
"The more the merrier," Dumbledore quipped.
"Yes." Her eyes clouded with worry. "I just hope Severus will be here to be part of the more. I . . . have a really bad feeling about tonight."
Dumbledore sighed wearily and perched on the edge of the bed. "I would be lying to you, Hermione, if I told you I did not have the same feeling. I asked him not to go."
"You should have forced him to. I can't lose him." Tears once again ran down her face and she hugged her swollen belly.
Dumbledore reached over and pulled her into an embrace. Placing a grandfatherly kiss on her brow, he said, "Then let us pray that we will not. I will let you know when I know anything, and I ask you to do the same."
"I will. Thank you."
"For what?" He looked confused.
"For being honest," she told him. "Until later, Grandpa Albus."
Hearing those words, he knew that she bore him no grudge. "It is I who should be thanking you, my dear. Just call if you need me."
Hermione waggled her fingers at him. Her concentration was once more on the window. If Muggles could have seen her, they would have thought she was watching an interesting TV program. In reality, though, she was praying for the love of her life's return. Please God, don't let him die, don't let him die.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Midnight approached and there was still no sign of Severus on the grounds. Hermione ate only a bit off of a tray that a house elf appeared with.
It was one thirty the next morning when there was finally some action. Hermione was motionless on the bed, watching her window when she heard a loud crash from the direction of the living room. Alarmed, she jumped up (well, as much as a pregnant woman can jump) and ran in there.
Severus was sprawled across the hearth, battered and bloody. "Oh, God, Severus!"
All she wanted to do was kneel next to him and weep, but she knew that she couldn't afford to break down right now. Instead she grabbed Floo powder and threw it on the embers after making sure Severus's legs weren't in the way, and shouted, "Albus Dumbledore!"
The response was immediate. The Headmaster's head appeared in the flames that had flared up with the Floo powder. "Yes, Hermione?"
"He's here, and it's bad. We need Madam Pomphrey fast, and then his Floo needs to be blocked." Hermione knew her bossy streak was making itself known, but Dumbledore didn't rebuke her.
"Right away." His head disappeared and the flames turned to their normal orange.
Hermione turned to Severus. He was unconscious at the moment. She stretched him out carefully and when he moaned, she knew that he had broken bones. From the tremors that racked that racked is body periodically, it was apparent that he had either been under the Cruciatis for quite awhile or multiple times.
It didn't take Dumbledore and Madam Pomphrey five minutes to get down there, but Hermione had worked quickly and had already charmed off the Death Eater robes. Madam Pomphrey rushed over and started taking readings with her wand. "Take his shirt off," she told Hermione as she took his pulse.
Hermione hurriedly unbuttoned it and then spelled it off. For some reason, it was always easier doing it that way than leaving it fully buttoned.
Severus had several deep gashes on his chest and more defensive wounds on his forearms. There were large patches of dark purple bruises on his ribs, and the medi-witch's wand indicated that they were broken. "We need to stop the bleeding first and then deal with the ribs so that he can breath easier."
She was right, Severus's breath came in sharp, painful sounding gasps. Hermione was aware of Dumbledore in the background, closing off the Floo, but focused on Severus. "Hold down his shoulders while I do this," Madam Pomphrey commanded.
Hermione basically laid across his shoulders since her belly was in the way. The medi-witch brandished her wand at a gash and said, "Claudo vulnerem." She kept it pointed at the wound until it was knitted enough to keep from bleeding and went on to the next one. Severus made a soft whimpering noise as she did this but didn't stir.
"Be prepared, he'll be moving with this next spell," she warned Hermione, who pressed down harder in response. "Colloco costas."
Severus's eyes flew open but didn't seem to see anything. He cried out and his body bucked in protest of the pain. "Shh, Sev, it's okay, it'll be over in a moment, luv," Hermione turned her face to him and murmured soft reassurances.
"Hermione," he whispered before he passed out again.
They tended to him for over an hour before Madam Pomphrey was satisfied that Severus was out of immediate danger. They levitated him onto his bed. He hadn't come to except for that one time.
Madam Pomphrey sent Hermione to Severus's lab to fetch some of his stronger healing draughts. They managed to administer them without having to wake him. Hermione looked at Severus's clock and gasped. It was five in the morning.
"I suppose I'll have to cancel the Potions classes for the next week or so."
Hermione jumped, startled. She hadn't realized that Dumbledore was still present. "No, you don't," Hermione told him. "With your permission, I'll teach those classes. I'm far enough ahead in my other classes that I can miss them."
Dumbledore looked at her appraisingly. "If you believe you can handle it, I give you my full support."
"I think I can." She raised her chin, a determined expression on her face.
"Then you have my permission to teach, to deduct points, and to give punishments as you see fit. I suggest that you look over his lesson plans for his three classes today."
"Yes. First year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, third year Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, and fourth year Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."
"You know his schedule?" Dumbledore looked surprised.
"Of course. I am his Apprentice. I grade papers for him as well, so I know the gist of what they're learning at the moment." She turned to Madam Pomphrey to ask her something. "Will he need to be watched constantly?"
"I don't believe so, though someone should be here when he wakes up," the nurse replied.
"I'll bring my cat down here. Crookshanks is very smart; he can fetch me when Severus comes around," Hermione proposed.
"I trust your judgment," the medi-witch said. "I know you'll take good care of him."
Hermione smiled her gratitude to the two older people. "I'm going to go get some clean clothes and my cat. I'll be back in about half an hour."
Madam Pomphrey nodded and Dumbledore said that he would accompany her part of the way. They parted ways on the second floor, leaving Hermione to trudge up to her private room alone. "I . . . hate . . . stairs . . ." she panted to herself as she entered her room.
She opened up her closet and pulled out a pair of black slacks and a white long-sleeved blouse. She laid them on the bed and went to take a shower. She had drying blood on her arms.
Ten minutes later she emerged wrapped in a towel and dressed, magically expanding the waistband to make it fit. She then pulled out her only full length set of robes. They were black and professionally cut, and she knew from trying them on before that they did billow, though not as impressively as Severus's did.
She hung them over her arm and called, "Crookshanks! Here boy!" The cat uncurled from his spot on a chair and walked nonchalantly over. "Crooks, I need your help. I need you to come with me." He looked at her hard, then seemed to come to a decision. He trotted up to where she stood at the door and meowed. "Good boy. Come on."
She led the way back to Severus's rooms, grateful to be going down instead of up. Crookshanks followed a few feet behind her.
She reached the bedroom exactly half an hour from when she had left. Madam Pomphrey was still there, sitting beside the bed in a chair. "I'm back," Hermione announced. The woman looked up and smiled wearily. "Crookshanks," she patted the bed, inviting the half-Kneazle up. He jumped and settled at the end of the bed. "I need you to watch him. When he wakes up, I want you to come fetch me."
Crookshanks tilted his ginger head and meowed questioningly. "I should be in the Potion's classroom if I'm not here." He then meowed affirmatively.
Madam Pomphrey looked at her with amazement. "He really understood you, didn't he?"
"Yes. Now you'll have to excuse me, I have to look over some lesson plans." Hermione got up to leave.
"I'll be going too. Call me the moment he wakes. If he doesn't today, I'll be down this evening."
"Thank you, Madam Pomphrey," Hermione said sincerely.
"Call me Poppy, my dear. It's not such a mouthful to say," she instructed.
"Poppy."
Hermione escorted her out and then went to Severus's office. Sitting behind his desk, she pulled out his syllabi for the rest of the week and started to study.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eight thirty rolled around too quickly. Hermione buttoned up the black full-length robes. They weren't as high necked as Severus's tended to be, but they were by no means low-necked either.
She was in the classroom writing directions on the board when the students started filing in. They weren't curious to see here there; she'd observed and assisted with every class Severus taught at least once, so they simply assumed that she was there for that again.
Hermione did hear a few murmurs about her robes. She had tamed her hair into a neat French braid. Turning to the class, she said, "I believe that you have a one foot essay on the properties of a bezoar due today. Please hand them forward."
They looked at her incredulously, and then towards the door. "Professor Snape is giving me the opportunity to do some teaching as part of my Apprenticeship," she lied calmly. She had decided that until Dumbledore said otherwise, that was the story she would stick to.
A girl raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Weatherby?" Inwardly she laughed, remembering what Crouch had called Percy.
"In an unsupervised capacity?" the girl asked.
Damn smart ass. Did I just think that? "Who says it's unsupervised?" Hermione replied, raising an eyebrow. Immediately the Hufflepuffs glanced around nervously.
Hermione got them started on a potion and went to sit behind Severus's desk. She pretended to grade papers while keeping an eagle eye on the students, especially the Hufflepuffs, who tended to be more like Neville Longbottom at Potions. She caught one girl, Miss Weatherby's partner, about to make a Very Bad Mistake.
Without appearing to look up, she said, "Miss Lawrence, can you tell me what will happen if you add that worm slime to that potion instead of the snail slime?"
Miss Lawrence pulled the hand about to tip said slime in back abruptly. "I . . . I don't know," she stammered.
Class was coming to a close, so Hermione did what Severus would do. "Class, I expect two rolls of parchment on what the effect would be due next class. I would also ask all of you not to tell anyone I'm teaching, as I don't need any prepared pranks. If so much as a peep gets out, both houses will have points deducted. You are dismissed."
The moment the last person was gone Hermione dashed into the office, through the lab and into his bedroom. He was still asleep; she hadn't really expected him to be awake so soon.
She tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear. "Get better soon, luv," she whispered, and headed back to the classroom to prepare for the next class which started in an hour.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermione sat blindly at the desk after the third year Ravenclaw and Gryffindor class had left. It had been even harder than the previous class; the Gryffindors hadn't wanted to obey at all. She'd had to hand out two detentions and had taken 25 House points altogether.
After she felt she could stand again, she got up and went to check on Severus. He was still unconscious, but the covers were all skewed around him. Apparently the tremors had overtaken him again.
Hermione fixed the covers wearily and turned to sit in a chair. She jumped when she saw a house elf standing there. "Tiffy's sorry, Miss. Not meanings to startles you. Master's sending yous food." The elf extended the tray it was holding.
Hermione took it grateful and thanked the house elf. She was hungry. She sat down and ate ravenously. Finishing up she set the tray aside and realized that she was exhausted. Checking the clock, she saw that it wasn't even noon yet. Her next class wasn't until two o'clock.
That meant she had two hours that she could take a nap in. Firmly telling herself to wake up at one thirty, Hermione crawled up next to Severus and fell asleep.
Hermione wake up at precisely the time she'd told herself to. Slightly disoriented, she climbed out of bed and tried to remember what was going on. Spotting her teacher's robes on the back of a chair, everything came rushing back to her.
She whirled and saw Severus till asleep as he had been nearly two hours ago. Sighing, she resigned herself to the fate she'd made for herself and shrugged into her robes. I am so never volunteering for anything ever again she promised herself.
"Hello, class. I am teaching today. Please start on the potion on the board . . ."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermione ate dinner in Severus's quarter an hour after the last class had left and promptly lay down. She was going to sleep until seven thirty tomorrow morning.
She'd forgotten about Madam Pomphrey's promise to visit if Severus hadn't waken up. So at eight o'clock, after about three hours of sleep, she was shocked awake by the medi-witch's entrance.
"Sorry, my dear. Didn't mean to scare you. He's still not come to?" she questioned.
Hermione sat up and shook her head negatively Madam Pomphrey's face creased into a frown. It was obvious that she was worried. "It might be a coma, mighten it?" Hermione asked fearfully.
"Yes," the elder woman answered reluctantly.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears but she didn't have the energy to cry. She stayed up for the hour that Madam Pomphrey took to examine Severus and run more tests on him.
The moment she left, though, Hermione collapsed backwards on the bed and let unconsciousness claim her.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MEEP, MEEP, MEEP . . .
Hermione sat up with a jerk. Severus's alarm to tell him when there was trouble in the Serpent's Den was going off. Going through what was quickly becoming a routine, she looked at the clock; 10:45. Only two hours since she'd managed to fall asleep.
"This day is just getting better and better." Severus still showed no sign of waking, even with that infernal alarm going off, so she was going to have to deal with the trouble herself.
She was still in her clothes she'd put on this morning, so she didn't have to change. Arming herself with her wand, she walked to Severus's library and stopped before a portrait of a majestic wolf. It growled at her, challenging. "Moonlit hunt," Hermione told him, and he backed away submissively as the portrait clicked away from the wall.
She peered at the scene within. In the middle of the common room there were two boys facing off with their wands and against the walls several other Slytherins stood watching and avoiding stray spells. Looking closer, Hermione saw that the two boys were Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zambini.
For a second, she simply stood and noted the differences in the two. Draco, pale with silver blonde hair and gray eyes; Blaise, ruddy gold skin, black hair and brown eyes. Both were handsome in a polished sort of way, only they didn't look too polished at the moment.
Draco's hair was mussed and he had blood trickling down his cheek from a small cut on his eyebrow. One of Blaise's arms hung limply at his side.
Hermione decided that things had gone far enough. "Expelliarmis!" she shouted and caught the two wands that flew towards her.
The room grew deadly quiet as all eyes fell on her. "What are you doing here, Mudblood?" Blaise spat.
"I am here because Professor Snape and I are working on a potion and the noise coming from here was distracting us," she lied smoothly without one hint of a blush.
"Why isn't out Head of House here, then? Why you?" Draco sneered.
"Because, Malfoy, he is involved in working on a very important potion right now, so he sent me in his stead. And as I cannot determine an appropriate punishment, I am taking you to the Headmaster's office."
When they glared at her unmoving she sent a jet of red sparks into the air. "Let's get a move on, gentlemen, time's a wasting."
Still glowering, they marched to the common room's exit. Hermione made sure the portrait's entrance to Severus's quarters was firmly closed before following. Somehow she managed to keep pace with the two, who were now shooting each other deadly looks. By the time they reached the all too familiar gargoyle, her back was aching.
"Star bursts," she said and gestured them to precede her. She sighed and looked at the stairs. "Stairs are the essence of all evil," she told the gargoyle.
It winked at her.
Damn thing's just like Dumbledore, too happy by half she thought, trudging up the steps.
The Headmaster was just entering from a side door when the odd trio came through the main entrance. He was dressed in outlandish red pajamas with a blue and white polka-dotted dressing gown. And you couldn't forget the matching tasseled hat.
"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, Mister Zambini, what is the problem?" he asked.
The boys both opened their mouths but Hermione beat them to it. "Headmaster, Professor Snape and I were working on a potion when we became aware of a disturbance in the Slytherin common room. Seeing as it is a very important potion, he sent me to take care of the problem. I found them dueling, and I decided to bring them to you since the Professor cannot be taken from the potion."
"Good thinking, Miss Granger," Dumbledore told her. She could tell that he meant more than just bringing them up here; he also meant about Severus. "Now, may I ask what this fight was about?"
Neither spoke; in fact, they looked resolutely away from each other. "Well, since neither of you will enlighten me, 25 points apiece from Slytherin and also a week's worth of detentions. I don't need to tell you I don't want this to happen again, especially you, Mister Malfoy, you're Head Boy and should be setting an example." Dumbledore's voice was grave.
"Yes sir," both ground out.
"Now, Mister Zambini, head to the Hospital Wing. Mister Malfoy, stay. I would like a word in private about a correspondence with your father per his wishes."
Blaise strode up to Hermione and held out his good hand. At Dumbledore's nod, she slapped his wand into it. Once he was gone, Hermione asked, "Do you wish me to leave also?"
"No, you may stay, Miss Granger." He turned his attention to Draco. "Mister Malfoy, your father requested that you not act rashly concerning your Potions Professor, but to believe what's been said."
Draco's cold façade disappeared almost completely. "A little late for that, but I'll make the necessary repairs." He looked at the ground. "Just tell me, is my Godfather alive?"
Dumbledore looked at Hermione, and seeing where his gaze was, so did Draco. "He's alive, but has yet to awaken. Madam Pomphrey says he should be fine, but I am worried."
Draco let his relief show. "Will you let me know, one way or another, without blowing my cover?" She nodded. "Mind you, even my Godfather doesn't know of my role." She nodded again, rubbing her back, which still hurt.
"Mister Malfoy, Miss Granger will tend to your wound, and both of you go to bed, as I am now." Dumbledore rose up, bid them goodnight, and left through the same door he'd entered.
The moment he was gone Hermione sat down in a chair. "No offense, but this is too much for me to process at the moment. Come here, be healed, and I'll deal with everything else another day, after much sleep."
Draco came and knelt beside her chair. She murmured the healing charm and then touched the spot where it had been. "I'm sorry, there's a small scar."
Draco waved it off. "No problem." He stood and headed to the door, but stopped when she didn't follow. He came back and offered her his hand. She took it, allowing him to pull her up.
Draco set his pace to hers as they silently started back to the dungeon. At the third flight of stairs, Hermione stopped. Looking at them, her eyes filled with tears.
"What?!" Draco was alarmed. Apparently he and Severus both have no clue how to deal with female tears she thought with amusement.
"More stairs. I hate stairs. Why can't the wizarding world have a freaking' elevator?" she cried.
Draco looked a little confused, but not for long. Looking around and seeing no one, he picked up Hermione and started down the stairs.
"What are you doing?" she demanded in his ear.
"What does it seem like? Don't struggle, I don't want to drop you," he returned.
She clamped her arms about his neck to keep her balance. He let her down outside the entrance to Severus's quarters. "Thank you, Draco."
"Take care of him, he is my only family I care about. And please, keep my secret."
"Consider it kept," she told him, and slipped his wand into his hand. She waited until he was out of earshot to deal with the wards and say the password.
Hermione's mind was on overload as she crept back into bed. It took her close to an hour, but she finally got to sleep again.
Only this time, it was not dreamless. For the first time in months, her nightmares returned. At four she awoke in a sweat of terror. Knowing from her past experiences, she took a shower and prepared for the coming day. There would be no more sleep tonight, despite the fatigue that pulled at her.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First thing that morning was fourth year Slytherin and Ravenclaw Potions class. A couple of the Slytherins had been in the common room during last night's "incident." For the whole class, they proceeded to make her life a living hell, as if it wasn't approaching that already.
She couldn't turn her back on them for a second, and sitting down was out of the question. Finally she was tired of it. "Fifty points from Slytherin," she snapped. "And you four fail for today, as you've already managed to ruin your potions. Next class you are required to turn in four rolls of parchment on the Pepper-Up Potion. Everyone else, finish up! As soon as a vial of potion from every cauldron is on my desk you are dismissed!"
Even the Slytherins seemed shocked and even a little intimidated by her attitude. She was being a venomous as Snape.
Hermione took a deep breath and told herself very firmly to calm down. She took a brief look in on Severus but there seemed to be no change. She was writing on the board again when Harry and Ron arrived. The seventh year Advanced Potions class was now, and both took it because they needed it to become Aurors.
"Hermione! Where have you been? We've been worried!" Harry exclaimed, pulling Hermione into a hug.
Returning the embrace wearily, she gave him a small smile. "So those two Gryffindor classes did manage to keep their mouths shut. I'm student teaching. I'm sorry I worried you."
Ron stared at her. "Why, Hermione?"
"It wasn't exactly my choice," she told them. She saw Harry's eyes narrow in an understanding.
Ron, however, hadn't made any uncanny connections or leaps in thought. "He's forcing you to do this?"
Hermione thought about Severus a couple of rooms away, lying still or maybe convulsing with post-Cruciatis tremors. "In a manner of speaking," she said, softly and sadly. "Go sit down, you two. Class is going to start soon."
Harry lingered for one extra moment. "My scar hurt bad the other night. Voldemort was very angry. I saw him under a bunch of curses," he told her, not using a name. "Is he all right?"
"Mostly. He's still asleep. Now go sit, Harry. I have to begin class."
The seventh year Advanced Class was made up of people who desired to take the Potions' NEWT. Not many people wished to, but some, like Ron, Harry, and Neville, needed them for the jobs they wanted to fill. Consequently, it was relatively small class made up of students from all Houses. A Double period that met twice a week, most people dreaded it.
Hermione started as she had with her other classes, asking for the homework. Immediately a murmur ran through the class. "I'm teaching today, but don't expect any lenience. I am a teacher and have the powers there of."
There were a few jokes cracked in the first hour, but everyone accepted the words pretty equitably. No one wanted Hermione to get in trouble.
Hermione was actually able to sit down and grade a few papers. That's what she was doing when she heard a soft meow. Her head whipped towards the door so fast it hurt.
Crookshank's head was peering out of the door into the office. Hermione stood up and excused herself. "I'll be back in a minute. Things better be the same when I come back. No goofing off," she warned.
She went into the office and locked the door, and then followed her feline to the bedroom. "Severus! Oh, thank God you're awake!" Hermione rushed over to him.
"Luv?" His voice was rough. He tried to sit up but winced in pain. His ribs would hurt for quite awhile despite the fact that they were no longer broken.
"Yes. Don't move," Hermione needlessly cautioned. She stacked some pillows behind him so he was in a semi-reclining position. "Oh, I was so scared, luv. I thought you were going to die." She felt tears prick at her eyelids but knew she couldn't afford to break down yet.
Severus grabbed her hand and pressed it to his cheek. "I'm sorry. It'll be all right now."
"I know." She leaned over and pressed a kiss on his lips. "I'm supposed to call Madam Pomphrey as soon as you wake, but it's going to have to wait. I have to get back to the class."
"Class? Didn't Dumbledore cancel them?"
"Nope. I'm teaching them," she gave him a cheeky grin and a wink as she left. "Back as soon as I can manage it."
Severus's jaw dropped and he stared after her. She was teaching his classes. Was Dumbledore mad?! She's five months pregnant!
When his mind came back to him, he reached over to the bedside table and picked up what appeared to be a mirror. Severus pressed his thumb to one corner and said, "Classroom." An image appeared in it of his classroom; he could see all but the wall behind his desk. Hermione was just entering.
Hermione was ecstatic. Severus was awake; he was going to be fine! She unlocked the office door and slipped inside the classroom.
Inside, where Ron was goofing off, ignoring her order to behave. "Ronald Weasley!" If her voice didn't convey her fury, the look she sent his way did. Ron immediately stopped what he was doing and looked at her guiltily. "Twenty-five points from Gryffindor."
"But Hermione-" Ron protested.
"No buts. Another word and it'll be more." Reining in her anger, she turned to the rest of the class. She asked, "Vial it and put it on the desk and you are free to go."
Her classmates did as she said, Ron shooting her death glares. When Draco started poking fun at him, though, her fuse finally blew. "Malfoy, twenty points for disrespect and a detention time to be determined." Severus laughed and then winced as he did so.
Draco's cheeks reddened with anger but he didn't try to disagree. He's learned that lesson several years ago. Instead he clamped his lips together and marched to his book bag As he walked out the door, however, he turned and sneered at her.
Hermione saw the question he hid with his expression, though. She sneered back, tipping her head at him slightly as she did so.
Question asked: Is he all right?
Answer sent: Yes, what do you think I was doing?
She waited five minutes before she left to fetch Madam Pomphrey. Hopefully they could get him well soon, so things could get back to something that remotely resembled normal.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't normally do this, but I want to thank some of you reviewers personally. Odessaspacey1: Thanks so much for the recs and the compliment! Lover not a fighter: Spunky comment, but sorry, nuthin yet in that department June W: Yeah, I have it mostly done, I just want to have it beta-ed, and I've been having beta troubles of late. Can't seem to keep one to save my life. Sorry for the inconvenience, hope you enjoy this.
Everyone else, thanks so much for your great words. They encourage me beyond everything! If you have any suggestions or ideas for me that you might want to see, feel free to make suggestions. Just know there's no promises on this end! Thanks!