Disclaimer: Not mine.
To everyone: I know Lucius not Lucius, it's covered okay?
Thank you to my wonderful reviewers:
Jagnic: Thanks, I will. Btw, I like the start on your story, but it could have been longer. Anyways, I'll be looking out for more of it. A paragraph cannot quench the reader's thirst for a good story. Hehe, just kidding, but I will be looking out for it.
Kateydidnt: Here's your more. I hope this is soon enough
Kunigunda: Yes poor Severus and I have to agree. And, even though I made him jealous in my story, it does make him hot. Hehe
Strega-in-progress: I hope I keep you enjoying it. I'm glad you think it rocks.
Raisa: Yes he's a bastard, and thank you for trying to keep your language to that. My little sister was reading my reviews the other day. I wouldn't want to hurt her little sevy ears. Jk.
Beatlesluver91: Good to see I can keep people laughing. Again, I hope this is updating soon enough
June: Don't worry, Hermione's safe. Oliver followed her after his few moments of shock. I thought Draco deserved to take care of his dad. The thing is there's something about Draco's mother's death, which I mentioned in the first chapter, that I haven't gotten into yet and I will; patience is a virtue. Also, about Lucius, another thing that I'll get to. Sorry, and I hope this helps a little with your liking of the story. Maybe, possibly. Oh well, please keep reading.
Lone Angel: Short and to-the-point, I liked your review.
Mary: I'm glad I have you at suspense
Zvezdana: Thanks, and I'll tell him, but I think he's convinced against it. We talked for about twelve hours straight the other day. I'm glad you like my fic, review again please.
Nore: No, it's okay. I was tired and I made a mistake repeatedly. I had this joke with my friend about Luscious Lucius when we were watching the village and I guess when I started writing, I mixed the spellings up or something. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Also, I wish I could read your stories, but ya, I'm in Spanish one but I'll never understand French…
Celi: Another short and to-the-point review. I actually like those, so be encouraged to write them more! Thanks!
Tears-That-Fall: I hope I can quench your thirst for another chapter with this one. I like your name by the way.
Ami: I just got commended for a cliff-hanger. What is the world coming to? Hehe. Thanks
Kail Ceannai: I'm glad you enjoy my interjections, and that you're not reading my summary. I suck at summaries anyways.
Intelligent Witch 2: I'm really glad you like my story, and I hope you keep reading. Ya, I was trying to slip a little sweetness into the chapter. No one else seemed to pick up on it though.
Phew, I've never gotten so many reviews for one chapter. Thanks you all. Let's try and get even more for this one!!!
Here it is:
Hermione walked straight to her room, ignoring Oliver running after her to escort her. She didn't want to be escorted by anyone. She wanted to be alone. He walked her there, much to her chagrin, but she refused to speak to him. She was lost in her own thoughts. The reality of Lucius Malfoy's power had come back to her abruptly and it terrified her. Even if she hadn't gotten so many petitions, had she thought about Malfoy this seriously before, she would have been begging Professor Dumbledore for help.
Hermione nodded to Oliver mutely as she reached her room and closed the portrait softly behind her after whispering the password to the portrait and stepping inside.
"Goodnight, 'Mione," she heard him faintly call through the portrait. She closed her eyes, leaning back against the door.
Her hands were shaking, violently as she brought them to her face, wiping her hair from her eyes. She could still feel Malfoy's rough hands on her body and it made her sick. She ran to the bathroom, suddenly and lost her lunch into the toilet. She wet a rag in the sink and wiped her face, clutching the sink as she became dizzy. She reached for her toothbrush and paste. She quickly brushed her teeth, twice as long as usual. After, she finished, she put away the toothbrush and toothpaste and looked around.
She grabbed the sink again as she became dizzy once more. Fighting the urge to purge what was left of her breakfast from her stomach; she pushed away from the counter and went into her room, which was decorated elaborately in red and gold. She fell onto the bed, with was covered in a red velvet comforter. She closed her eyes immediately as her face touched the silk of the soft golden pillow. Her mind wandered to Snape… what had possessed her to kiss him. Sure, he had saved her from something very unpleasant, for her at least, but so had Harry many times. It may not be the same thing, but she was surprised at herself, as many others were probably surprised with her also.
She heard a knock on her portrait, and Godric Gryffendor's angry shout, "Get back, you fool! The lady is resting!"
"Hermione! I came to see if you were all right!" she heard Harry's shout.
She stood, sighing and walked to the door. She opened it, when she heard Godric pull out his sword. She pushed the door back, and spoke to him, "Thank you, sir. I am tired indeed."
Hermione turned to Harry. "Harry, I just want to go to bed; I'm fine."
"It's your birthday, Hermione. You should get out and have fun," Harry insisted.
"Harry, I'm too tired right now, all right?" Hermione said, turning to go back to her room.
Harry caught her arm, and she let out a small cry. After the incident fifteen minutes ago, she wasn't ready for anyone's touch.
"Unhand her, you fiend!" Godric cried, indignantly.
"But 'Mione-!" Harry didn't get to finish.
"Mister Potter, I assume you have a reason for going to the Head Girl's quarters. You should know that no students are allowed here, save the Head Girl and Boy," Snape's velvety voice chimed, sharply.
"But sir, I-!"
"Professor Snape, this boy has roughly handled the lady who resides in these quarters. He should be punished accordingly," Godric stated.
"But I-!" again, Harry couldn't finish.
"Mr. Potter, I assume you've heard tales of Godric Gryffindor, founder of your house. What you might not know is that chivalry and honor back in his time is much different than it is thought of now. There was a strict code of conduct back in his time," Snape said.
"I didn't do anything!" Harry exclaimed.
"Remove your hand from Miss Granger's arm then, Potter," Snape hissed. Harry did, and Hermione grabbed her arm, where his had been and took a step away.
"Hermione, I didn't… you know that I…" Harry stopped as he saw Hermione's eyes were not there. Her eyes were glazed as she backed away into the wall, her eyes on something just above Harry's head.
"Hermione!" he said, quickly.
Snape pushed past him and took her arm, as she started sliding to the ground. He brushed her hair from her eyes and looked into them. "Miss Granger!" he said sharply. Her eyes became a bright white, and she began whispering, her hand grabbing and clutching his. He took out his other wand, thinking quickly and muttered a spell. The tip of his wand began to glow orange.
"Three men, three lives, all hang on a thread. One choice will lead to death, one will lead to awkward discontent, and the last, most unlikely, will lead to horrid danger but love all the same. When all these choices are laid down, the chooser will find this power. With this power, she shall know many things, and with this power, her destiny she will sew," Hermione said in a monotone. She suddenly blinked, her eyes clearing to their natural toffee color with green specks. She frowned, looking at him. "What happened?" she whispered.
"You're a seer," Snape said. "Potter, get Dumbledore and bring him here. I'll deal with you later. Potter GO!" he shouted, when the boy wouldn't move. Harry ran off, and was around the corner in seconds.
"Professor?" Hermione looked at him, questioningly, her eyes coming in and out of focus. He slipped his hand from her grasp and placed a hand on her forehead, which she flinched from, but he disregarded that.
"You have a fever," he muttered. He slipped a hand behind her back and under her knees, and lifted her up, standing as well.
"Godric, I don't have the password," Snape said.
"There's no need to stand on policy. I know who you both are," Gryffindor said, opening quickly, and closing behind them.
Snape carried her to her bed, and set her down upon it, fumbling in his pockets clumsily, not a normal Snape attribute, for a potion. He felt it in his pocket and took it out. "Drink this," he instructed with an unsteady voice.
"Thanks," she mumbled, sitting up and drinking it without question.
"Curious as to what it was?" he asked, frowning.
"It'll make me feel better?" she asked, handing back the empty bottle, and leaning against the Mahogany headboard.
"It should," Snape replied.
"Then does it make a difference what it is?" Hermione replied.
"You're the first person to ever drink a potion from me without asking if it was poison," Snape replied.
Hermione giggled, slightly, but Snape remained serious-looking. "Oh, so you're not joking? What reason would I have not to trust your potions, unless you're just pretending to be a Potions Master?" Hermione muttered.
"No, I'm fully certified," Snape nodded.
"What do you have a certificate or a little card that said, 'I am Snape, a potions master'?" Hermione asked.
"Actually, I do have a card that-."
"It was a joke, Professor, now laugh," she said, as if an instructor. He scowled at her, "Close enough," she shrugged, sitting up against the headboard, getting slightly dizzy.
"So, you said I'm a Seer. Does that mean that I had a vision?" she asked.
"Yes," Snape nodded.
"What did I say? Was Harry involved?" Hermione asked.
"It's recorded on my wand, and no, he was not. It spoke, I believe, of the three people left on your list of suitors: Wood, Weasley, and myself. I will wait for the headmaster before playing it aloud," he said.
"Why would I be able to prophesize something about myself?" Hermione asked. "I thought you were only able to see into an influential future when a real vision takes hold."
"I think, Miss Granger that this decision may become an influential part of this war, your being a target and all.
"Oh, yay, so not only do I have an array of petitions on my birthday, but I also get visions and an influential part of this war," Hermione muttered sarcastically. Brought her knees up against her chest and buried her face against them.
"Miss Granger, it is your birthday?" Snape asked, surprised.
"Yes," Hermione mumbled looking up at him, smiling tiredly.
"I thought they gave you a few days afterward until they sent petitions," Snape frowned.
"Nope, I received the first one at exactly twelve AM, then another at two and another at four," Hermione replied.
"You were awoken by an owl in the middle of the night on your birthday due to a stupid law?" Snape's frown turned into a scowl.
"Well, that's what happens, I guess," Hermione shrugged.
"No, that's one day a lady should be left alone, on her birthday, the coming of age," the picture of a beautiful young woman said. She was against the wall, between the mirror and dresser.
"It's fine, really. I've never really had good experiences with birthdays. Last year, Neville asked me out on my birthday. Turning him down was about the saddest thing I've ever done," Hermione mumbled. She glared at Snape, harshly, when she saw the smirk on his face.
"And you will never mention to him that I told you," she snapped.
"Ruin my entertainment," Snape let out an exasperated sigh.
"You're very cruel to him, you know. He's absolutely terrified of you," Hermione pointed out.
"As well he should be and terrified of the art of potion-making. How many potions do you think he would have exploded if he were not under my watch? If he's terrified of me, then he's terrified of potions and in the future, will call on you to make them for him, instead of endangering himself and others.
"You're joking right? Potions is about my worst subject," Hermione's brow furrowed.
"Almost, but not quite," Snape said.
"No, you're right, Divination was my worst subject and I walked out on that," Hermione muttered.
"You may very well have to go back to that," Snape said.
"Oh god, I don't think I could stand another minute with that horrid Professor Trelawney," Hermione muttered.
"Good, because the sixth and seventh year class is taught by Firenze," Snape said.
The door suddenly burst in, and Dumbledore swept into the room, McGonagall and Harry behind her.
"This has nothing to do with Mr. Potter. It would be best if he leaves now," Snape said, icily.
"This is about my best friend. I have more a right to be here than you," Harry snapped.
"Harry, calm down, professor, please let him be, if just for half an hour," Hermione said, softly.
"Fine," both said, if possible, in a stubborn way before glaring at each other.
"Severus did you get it all?" Dumbledore asked. "Mr. Potter said it seemed as if she was having a vision." Snape nodded, holding up his wand, which began to glow orange again. It began to write out Hermione's words in an orange, elegant scrawl.
Hermione read it aloud as to the others it was written backwards, as it was being written facing Hermione and Snape.
"Three men, three lives, all hang on a thread. One choice will lead to death, one will lead to awkward discontent, and the last, most unlikely, will lead to horrible danger but love all the same. When all these choices are laid down, the chooser will find this power. With this power, she shall know many things, and with this power, her destiny she will sew," Hermione read. "I think we can rule out that it's anyone but me," she muttered.
"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded, conjuring a piece of parchment. He pressed it into the magical writing which became imprinted on the paper.
"Do you think you know which choice is who?" Hermione asked. "None sound quite pleasant to me at the moment. I can have death, discontent, or horrible danger."
"Horrible danger and love, that sounds more reasonable than the others," Dumbledore stated.
"It'd be better to have awkward discontent, wouldn't you say?" Hermione asked.
"That's probably Snape," Harry muttered, darkly. He had been filled in, by Ron on the three choices left, before he had gone to see Hermione.
"It would be difficult to tell, but my opinion is best to keep to myself. We cannot know which is which and we'll have to hope that Hermione chooses wisely," Dumbledore said.
"Great, I'm a Seer, and I know how my choices will end up but not what person leads to whom," Hermione muttered.
"Welcome to the joys of being a Seer, Miss Granger," Dumbledore smiled at her.
"The one class I refused to attend and I end up being that," Hermione mumbled.
"The irony of the world, my dear, the wonderful irony," Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Come. Miss Granger is tired," Snape said. He got looks of shock from the others in the room. "I'm a cold unfeeling bastard, but I'm not blind. She's tired and needs to rest," Snape rolled his eyes.
"Of course, Severus, but you said it so kindly. It's great to see you so… vibrant," Dumbledore said.
"Headmaster, isn't that a bit of a stretch?" McGonagall asked.
"Perhaps, but all the same. Come along," he said, ushering them all out. Snape took one more glance back at Hermione, and caught her eye as he closed the portrait.
"You punish that boy, professors. He needs to be taught proper manners," Godric said, glaring at Harry.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked. A smirk grew on Snape's face, while Harry went as pale as a ghost.
"This will take a lot of explaining," Harry thought, sighing.
Review if you like it, or I guess you can if you don't either. It's your choice really. I hope you liked that I decided to add Godric Gryffindor in. He'll be important later in the story. Don't forget that he's there.
