Where is Snape when Hermione needs him? Let's find out.
Hogwarts belongs to JK Rowling.
Edalocca Island
Chapter Three
Hidden Truth
Professor Snape growled as he stormed towards the beach. How dare she ask him so private a question? Where did that little twit get the gull to ask him anything of his past? She should have been grateful that he came forward from the forest when he first spotted her at all!
Yet, he had been grateful to have someone with him. That was until … Merlin's Beard! Why could the twit not keep her big mouth shut? And why did it have to hurt him so deeply?
Once on the beach he paced fiercely in his anger. So what if it had been true about himself? He knew where such longing to know the unknown led to … a place she would have never survived on her own. He just barely endured it, for he would never applaud himself to the point of whispering the concept of surviving that place.
Finally, he sat on the sand and watched the waves and tides rolled in. He wondered what living with the girl was going to be like. Painful was his first guess, though not in the way it would be for her.
For a good bit of time, he sat there thinking about the girl. She had grown and become so lovely. But he knew she could have her pick of any male. He had no chance with grace like hers. Yet, he couldn't help dreaming or loving.
She was brilliant, more than he had ever suspected she'd come to be. And beautiful. His mind went over her fifth year's Ball. Oh, how she turned every male head. He wanted to be the one dancing with her. He wanted to hold her close.
For a moment he had been able to, when the founders first appeared. It had felt better than he dreamed it would. Still, she had not come after him, meaning she wanted nothing to do with her ugly and greasy Potions Master.
He looked out at the water in hopes to forget his grief. By the roll of the water, he knew that a bad storm was coming. He should go back. Either to her tears or her Gryffindor pride. He really could care less which. No matter what it caused him grief and pain.
Still it was nice that he wasn't really all that alone. And the fact that this place had her here wasn't that bad. He had held his dreams in this long, he could continue. Even if it hurt so bad.
/If it hurts that bad, why look at the little spoiled brat? She can make her own house after all./ Salazar smirked at his house's Head.
"She is not spoiled in any way, sir. She just can't stop asking stupid questions or …" Professor Snape started, but he couldn't finish it.
Salazar on the other hand knew clearly the truth. /Or just keep her mouth shut. Nice choice of companions. Really that Draco fellow would have been a better choice./
The Professor sneered at that comment. "The little 'I'm a Malfoy, Worship me!' I would rather be stuck with his little girlfriend, Parkinson – at least she can shut her trap."
/Well, what about those other boys, hmmm … oh yes, Crabbe and Goyle./ Salazar offered politely. /I'm sure I can talk the others into trading the girl for one of them./
Again Professor Snape sneered. "The pair combined has the IQ of a rock."
Salazar laughed heartily. This boy was fun at the least. /My boy, please do not insult the rocks. Would be bad if they all decide to turn on you./
"The two of them insult anything and everything." He sighed.
/What about one of those other young boys and girls of our house/ Salazar looked curiously at his companion. How long would it take to make the brat see the truth?
"They and all of the rest are dunces. Even in Raveclaw, they barely meet my standards in the simplest of potions!"
Ah, it was the intelligence factor that had hooked the boy first. Hmmm, that gave an angle. /Unlike some silly brat. She isn't worth the time to spit on her corpse. I wanted to brush her off, but Godric had to have his precious girl saved./
"She is no brat. She is the most intelligent witch to be born in centuries!" Professor Snape allowed his mouth to hang slightly in shock. He had all but shouted out his secret now, and Granger could be anywhere!
/Don't worry. The brat ran off crying for the other side of the island. Besides, she won't be a factor to worry about soon./ Salazar sighed as he rested back against a sand dune.
That rang alarm bells loud and strong in the other Potions Master. "What do you mean?"
Salazar gave a near genuine look of surprise as he slowly turned his face to stare at the boy. /Nothing important. I know, let's forget bringing anyone else here. After all, with no one here there would be no one to deal with./
"What is going to happen to Hermione?" Professor Snape clenched his fists tight in anger.
/Well, I doubt it matters much. After all, she's a bother and a busy body. Has to know everything, and can't hide a secret for her life. Such are dangerous people to have about Severus./ Salazar enjoyed the rise her was gaining out of the boy. Yes, there was something there. Time to prod the boy on. /Besides when did the little Gryffindor turn into 'Hermione'? Been getting some on the side for a grade here and there, perhaps? Wonder what the girl does for that Head of Godric's house then./
Oh did that ever prod the boy on. "Do not slander her name again. Hermione's brain is what gave her all of her grades, including those I gave her! Now what is going to happen to her?"
Salazar yawned before standing to his full height. /What does it matter? She's a Gryffindor./
"She is my student, and I will not see her harmed." Professor Snape growled and glared hotly at the founder before him.
/Well, there is this little storm that the ladies are holding at bay, but that won't last much longer. It will open a hole that will send the twit where she would have ended up if Godric hadn't gotten his way yet again./ Salazar glanced down at his finger nails. /You have no need to admit she was here. It's not like anyone knows she was here with you and she'll be dead soon enough./
Professor Snape took off for the other side of the island at full speed. His heart raced more with fear than the exertion. He had to get to her.
He had been an idiot to act so childish! Gods, this was his fault! He'd tell all if his actions cost that girl her life. After all, he'd not lie if she lost her life. What had he done to her?
Salazar easily slid through the air beside the man. He was so very close. /Tell me, why is she so very important? And don't spout that 'she's my student' bull. You wouldn't be charging after a student like this./
"Yes … I … Would!" Severus growled out as he huffed for breath. He would not say the truth that he had kept hidden all of this time. She deserved more than he could ever be. Besides, most likely she saw him as nothing more than the greasy git all his students took him for.
The founder knew that he could not let the boy near the girl until the facts came out on his side. /Not like this. Come on, she's a mudblood. Let her go and rest. After all you have done for the world, you deserve a vacation./
"I won't give her up!" The younger Potions Master shouted as he leapt over a log in his way. Nearly there. Merlin's beard, he just had to make it! "Nothing you say will convince me to sacrifice her."
/Why not/ Salazar was on the verge of blocking the boy. The truth had to come out first, and there was little space left.
Severus Snape finally stopped and glared at the founder of his house and bellowed with all of his might, "I LOVE HER!"
Salazar merely smirked with a damn twinkle in his eyes that was too much like Dumbledore's. /About time you admitted it. Go on, lover boy. She thinks you don't want her, but does she ever love you./
It was another three steps and Professor Snape saw the whirlwind blowing, but felt nothing. It was as if the weather held no affect on him. First sight of Hermione proved its focus was completely on her.
Clouds grabbed and held tight to her legs, while Hermione clung desperately to the palm branch she held tight to for an anchor. The branch was cutting into her precious palms, drawing out her essence from deep in her hands. Tears were pouring down her cheeks, and her eyes were clenched tightly shut in exertion and fear.
The world around him seemed to slow down as he took in the horrid sight. She was being pulled out of this dream world. She would go to that torture chamber to be mulled to death, and he would be alone. No, he wasn't about to give her up. Not without a fight.
Severus rushed forward and grabbed her wrists, pulling the girl to him with every ounce of strength he could muster. The winds and clouds were so strong. The sand beneath his feet threatened to give way, and it felt as if he too would be tugged through the portal to his certain death. Yet, he refused to give up. If she would die, he wanted to go with her. He believed that it would be better to die with his precious angel than to live a moment beyond her.
Four wands all cast a light of magic that sealed the hole, sending the couple to the beach hard. Hermione's body was violently shaking from her struggle to remain in their world beyond the worlds. It was as if the attack was still pulling on her. Severus could not see the portal, yet the clouds still loomed above the couple. Their presence almost seemed pushed back, yet the clouds appeared to be looking for a way to regain their grip on Hermione.
He had expected that taking claim of her body would end the threat. Yet, the storm still threatened to strike all down. Helga turned to the pair the four spirits guarded/Get her back to the house, Severus! Heal her, and maybe the storm will end./
Not asking what the obviously worried woman meant, Snape grabbed up his love and ran to the place he knew that he would be calling home with his precious Hermione for a time. He barely dodged falling trees and lighting strikes, but soon got to the villa.
As he made it through the front door, the storm lashed hard against the walls and roof in an attempt to gain its prey. He was beyond grateful for the place and for the girl in his arms.
Looking down at Hermione, he saw the obvious grief and pain his actions had caused her. He had only wanted to protect his heart from her. After all, why would she want an old man for? He was old enough to be her father after all. And there was that bit about his being in a position of trust with her. Would the world allow him to be with her when they got home – highly doubtful.
