Chapter Twelve: Unknown
Harry and Ron were the only people in their dorm, and it was good too.
"You realize what this means." Harry said darkly after a long period of silence.
"Yeah," Ron sighed, "Damn stupid git," Ron had, had a small crush on Hermione that was now shattered by their revelation.
When Hermione was scolding them in the dungeons that evening, they both realized what they had put from mind earlier that day.
"She loves him, Ron," Harry said simply to get the words out.
"Yeah I know, and he damn well probably likes her." Ron hit the bed, "The way he was acting before he knew that we were there, there's no doubt, he's never been that nice."
"Maybe we should leave it be, we might be wrong." Harry suggested.
"We're not wrong," Ron informed his friend, "They're just being shy."
"Yeah," Harry sighed.
"We'll let them find each other, if not, then nothing lost." Ron voiced.
"Glad you agree." Harry smirked.
"Glad you agree." Ron agreed, and they went to bed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione was laying on her bed looking up at her canopy.
People were starting to scare her. She decided.
She was only agreeable to the work at the detention and that made them think that she trusts Snape. Though she did, that wasn't the point.
And they kept looking at her like 'poor thing, you still don't realize do you?'
McGonagall had given her that look, Hermione remembered, that night. Harry and Ron were now giving her the same look.
She shut her eyes and went over all her actions since December first.
Snape seemed especially nice, through the whole thing, except for the first day. He was not only teaching her how to be a teacher, but she had taught a class, and he had let her patrol, and he saved her life.
It wasn't her, she realized, how dumb of people, it was Snape who was acting odd.
'is that true?' a voice asked, ' are you sure you are acting like you normally would?'
'yes,' she answered back, ' why shouldn't I be?'
The feel of his cloak around her filled her mind, the tantalizing smell of his spices, how he carried her to the hospital wing, whisked her from the forest.
How he had touched her hair.
Something was up with Snape, that was for sure, so what did it have to do with her, why did she care?
His spices came to mind, and she smiled, she cuddled into her bed at the feel of his soft robes. A single sigh escaped her mouth as she remembered the strength and softness of his fingers in her hair. Caressing it like it was precious.
Gods, she was acting off too.
And she realized that the feeling that she had out side the portrait wasn't what she had thought.
They hadn't un-nerved her, the thoughts she had, they were flattering, and she had wanted them.
She did trust Snape, but what kind of trust was it? An understanding is what she had been telling anyone who asked. But was the true?
He had saved her, they were really close now, he even held a dark secret of hers.
She didn't know what to make of it, as she fell into deep sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Snape felt the burn on his arm and went to the main doors, leaving an owl to go to Dumbledore.
The meeting would be brutal, he knew. Voldemort wasn't a very patient man, and Snape had been taking a very long time on a project.
They would also raid tonight, so on top of that, he would need to save as many innocents as possible, with out being caught.
"Help me," he whispered to the moon, "Give me strength."
He went to the forest and apperated.
*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione woke with a start, and she looked out the window.
Snape was entering the forest.
A death eater meeting. She thought, knowing it to be true.
As she watched him leave, she became nervous.
She was worried for him.
"He'll be fine," she voiced out loud, knowing beyond reason the power of words.
She walked back to her bed and fell back to sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**~*~*~*
Snape appeared clad in his black robe and white mask in the middle of the gathering field.
Stepping forward he took his spot between Avery and Crabbe senior. "Good to see you Sev." Avery whispered.
Snape nodded, and looked forwards where Voldemort and wet nurse Wormtail appeared.
"Roll, I see no holes tonight, Good," he walked around and talked to each death eater. Severus knew he was checking up on progress.
He cursed a few of them, the ones with horribly difficult jobs. Curtatius or self inflicted pain were a few of his favorite punishments.
Voldemort, Severus was grateful, never killed his minions any more, since there were so few now.
"Severus Snape." A cold hissing voice called. Snape knelled face towards the ground.
"My lord."
"How are things among the young ones?" he asked with a cheerful tone. "I've had some ask to join, so I know you are working, however, there are far less then I was expecting."
"Forgive me My Lord, It's the old fool, he keeps walking a step before me, it's difficult." Severus kept his voice even, and his mind blocked.
"I see, you'll continue, see if you can find a way around Dumbledore."
"Yes, My Lord, I will My lord." Severus went farther to the ground.
"I know, Severus, I know, you've been a good servant, you've helped me in the school whenever I have required it, for that I'm grateful, however, you seem to be slipping, for your lacking results this time through, Curcio!"
Severus felt the pain rap around him. In his darkest days he knew the dark lord used curcio against any he thought lying or withholding information. It had taken him long painful trails to learn how to master keeping his mind well closed during the pain.
One the pain was gone, Severus coughed out the blood in his mouth, and noted the cuts the bruises that had appeared.
Voldemort moved on, Severus slithered back to his spot and stood again, as still as a statue.
To show any weakness was to welcome another assault.
Voldemort stood in the center of his circle, "I have to say I'm disappointed, results aren't as they should be, so tonight, those who I have punished, leave! Make further head way, the rest, follow me, you'll gain your rewards, I know the perfect town, Surry!"
Snape felt his heart drop, and his guards. Voldemort reeled on him, "Severus," he drawled, Snape put up his barriers again, "You want to join us do you?"
Snape bowed, "Yes, My Lord, However I have failed you, My lord, I will return and work more in hopes I may join in next time."
Voldemort Smirked, "Since five have wished to join, I will indulge you this time." He stared so the Snape felt as if ice were covering him, "Don't expect me to be so nice, this is only because you've always succeeded before."
"Of course, My Lord, I thank you, My Lord." In his well protected mind he was relieved. He could save lives, not to mention Surry was Potter's home in the summer, for the sake of Albus, he had to be there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione woke up by a pounding on her door, "Yes?" she mumbled as Harry and Ron flew in.
"Mia, Albus needs to see us." Ron panted. She rolled her dangerously tired eyes as she through a robe over her night gown and ran from the tower.
"What," she yawned, "Does he need us for?"
"My Aunt and uncle," Harry said simply, "Whatever that means."
She shook her head, "It means, Harry, oh genius one, that your dear friend Voldemort is planning on attacking Surry tonight." She said simply, stiffing another yawn as they came to the Gargoyle.
"What makes you think that?" Ron asked, giving her an odd look.
Hermione shrugged and looked at the statue, "Altoids." She said simply and the gargoyle jumped to life.
Once at the top of the stairs they came face to face with their head of house as well as the headmaster.
"Sir?" Harry asked curious.
"Sit down." He gestured to the three seats, a raven sitting on his shoulder.
Hermione looked at it, "Munin?" she questioned.
Albus shook his head as another Raven flew in, he pointed to that one, "That's Munin, my dear, this is a friend." He eyed the creature, "You may go now." He informed it.
Hermione didn't know what she was doing until after she had done it, "Take Munin with you." She said to the other raven, who looked back at her oddly, then made a nodding motion.
She looked at Munin, "Go with him." She ordered. The raven flew after the other.
"Well then, Harry, Your aunt and uncle." He began to tell the story.
"Professor," Hermione asked, "I'm tired, I'll hear the story from Harry and Ron in the morning I'm sure, but I need to go to bed."
"Fine then go along," he gestured to her, with a slight twinkle in his eye.
Hermione left wishing them all a fair evening.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Walking down the corridors back to Gryffindor tower was slow, Mainly since she had little energy, Having just woken up with insufficient sleep and then having to run to the headmasters.
She was nearly sleep walking when her Raven decided to attack her in the hall.
Well, it wasn't really attacking her, just trying to get her attention.
"Munin!" she exclaimed. The bird clutched her robes and pulled her in a certain direction. Hermione went so it let go and just flew.
She ran following "You had better have a good reason for this!" She said angrily at it, "I believe I told you to go with the other Raven." She scolded, and could have sworn that it rolled its eyes at her.
It stopped on a high perch over a patch of black.
"Lumos!" she ordered her wand, and immediately she recognized the figure. "Professor Snape!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees to examine him better, She looked up at Munin, "Go to Dumbledore, Poppy who ever is closest, get the other after, Do what ever it takes! Get them HERE!" The bird flew off quickly.
She put her wrist to his forehead, and pulled back, "A fever." She muttered in a curse. She saw blood coming from his arms and pulled up the sleeves, She saw the Dark mark, but paid it no heed. All over his arms were deep vicious cuts, all very angry and puffy.
"Idiot!" she cursed softly, "Why didn't you fix these! No wonder you have a fever!!" She took her wand again and started to pull out all of the infections as best as she could, being no miracle worker.
"Ms. Granger!" a high pitched Poppy shouted, "Is this 'your' Raven?"
Hermione turned to look at the nurse, moving enough to reveal why she had sent for her.
"Oh dear," the Nurse rushed over and checked his forehead as she had, "Fever,"
"From the infections on the cuts." Hermione explained, pointing to the arms. She looked at her Raven, "Well? What about Dumbledore! I did send you for two people!!" the raven flew off.
"Wonderful Familiar Ms. Granger, Now, help me with the bruises, check if anything's broken while I tend to the cuts." She ordered quickly. Hermione complied.
A rib bone was all she had found, and she reported it.
"Leave the bruise over it, clean up the rest." The nurse, she noted moved onto the rib immediately, Hermione worked on the bruises and they were gone as soon as the headmaster, Harry and Ron had shown up.
"Headmaster," Poppy looked up from the potions master, "I need to get him to my wards. I just healed his broken bone so we should be able to levitate him" she reported.
"Did you find him Poppy?" Albus asked curious.
"Of COURSE NOT!" she fumed, "I was sleeping nicely until that bird," she pointed at the one currently on Ron's head. "Pecked me here."
"Ms. Granger," Albus looked at here, "Did you find Professor Snape?"
"No sir," she responded, "I suffered the same as Madame Pomfry, Munin basically made me come here." The bird flew to his mistresses shoulder.
"I believe, Ms. Granger, " Dumbledore laughed as he lifted his potions master from the ground, and they all started to walk towards the infirmary, "That you suffer the injustices of overly brilliant pets."
"I believe I don't," she said defiantly, "Crookshanks and Munin are the best."
"You three go to bed, me and Poppy can handle the rest." He waved them in the direction of their tower.
"You know Mia," Ron started looking at the bird, "I thought you sent that bird off with the other raven."
"Me too," she responded yawning, " Guess she does have a will of her own."
The bird cawed.
"So Hermione," Harry started remembering something, "What was it you were saying about an explosion?"
The memory floated to her mind, fighting down a blush that never came she responded simply, "I blotched the pepper-up potion I was making in detention, it exploded, and I went to the infirmary."
Harry nodded, excepting the answer, Ron was starting to yawn as well, followed by Harry, then Hermione.
"Damn infectious Yawns." Ron muttered, and they all laughed as they went through the common room to bed.
Bed, for tonight consisted of a couch and two chairs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: Enjoy?
I know I'm being cliché at the moment. Trust me, that as cliché as its getting.
I needed to make the score even, you'll see why next chappie, which may take a bit to get up.
Also, If and only if I get the weird writing on this chapter, I apologize but they just appear and they are mean and I wish I could give them five years detentions with Snape, sadly enough I can't so forgive me if they are there.
RelenaS
Harry and Ron were the only people in their dorm, and it was good too.
"You realize what this means." Harry said darkly after a long period of silence.
"Yeah," Ron sighed, "Damn stupid git," Ron had, had a small crush on Hermione that was now shattered by their revelation.
When Hermione was scolding them in the dungeons that evening, they both realized what they had put from mind earlier that day.
"She loves him, Ron," Harry said simply to get the words out.
"Yeah I know, and he damn well probably likes her." Ron hit the bed, "The way he was acting before he knew that we were there, there's no doubt, he's never been that nice."
"Maybe we should leave it be, we might be wrong." Harry suggested.
"We're not wrong," Ron informed his friend, "They're just being shy."
"Yeah," Harry sighed.
"We'll let them find each other, if not, then nothing lost." Ron voiced.
"Glad you agree." Harry smirked.
"Glad you agree." Ron agreed, and they went to bed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione was laying on her bed looking up at her canopy.
People were starting to scare her. She decided.
She was only agreeable to the work at the detention and that made them think that she trusts Snape. Though she did, that wasn't the point.
And they kept looking at her like 'poor thing, you still don't realize do you?'
McGonagall had given her that look, Hermione remembered, that night. Harry and Ron were now giving her the same look.
She shut her eyes and went over all her actions since December first.
Snape seemed especially nice, through the whole thing, except for the first day. He was not only teaching her how to be a teacher, but she had taught a class, and he had let her patrol, and he saved her life.
It wasn't her, she realized, how dumb of people, it was Snape who was acting odd.
'is that true?' a voice asked, ' are you sure you are acting like you normally would?'
'yes,' she answered back, ' why shouldn't I be?'
The feel of his cloak around her filled her mind, the tantalizing smell of his spices, how he carried her to the hospital wing, whisked her from the forest.
How he had touched her hair.
Something was up with Snape, that was for sure, so what did it have to do with her, why did she care?
His spices came to mind, and she smiled, she cuddled into her bed at the feel of his soft robes. A single sigh escaped her mouth as she remembered the strength and softness of his fingers in her hair. Caressing it like it was precious.
Gods, she was acting off too.
And she realized that the feeling that she had out side the portrait wasn't what she had thought.
They hadn't un-nerved her, the thoughts she had, they were flattering, and she had wanted them.
She did trust Snape, but what kind of trust was it? An understanding is what she had been telling anyone who asked. But was the true?
He had saved her, they were really close now, he even held a dark secret of hers.
She didn't know what to make of it, as she fell into deep sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Snape felt the burn on his arm and went to the main doors, leaving an owl to go to Dumbledore.
The meeting would be brutal, he knew. Voldemort wasn't a very patient man, and Snape had been taking a very long time on a project.
They would also raid tonight, so on top of that, he would need to save as many innocents as possible, with out being caught.
"Help me," he whispered to the moon, "Give me strength."
He went to the forest and apperated.
*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione woke with a start, and she looked out the window.
Snape was entering the forest.
A death eater meeting. She thought, knowing it to be true.
As she watched him leave, she became nervous.
She was worried for him.
"He'll be fine," she voiced out loud, knowing beyond reason the power of words.
She walked back to her bed and fell back to sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**~*~*~*
Snape appeared clad in his black robe and white mask in the middle of the gathering field.
Stepping forward he took his spot between Avery and Crabbe senior. "Good to see you Sev." Avery whispered.
Snape nodded, and looked forwards where Voldemort and wet nurse Wormtail appeared.
"Roll, I see no holes tonight, Good," he walked around and talked to each death eater. Severus knew he was checking up on progress.
He cursed a few of them, the ones with horribly difficult jobs. Curtatius or self inflicted pain were a few of his favorite punishments.
Voldemort, Severus was grateful, never killed his minions any more, since there were so few now.
"Severus Snape." A cold hissing voice called. Snape knelled face towards the ground.
"My lord."
"How are things among the young ones?" he asked with a cheerful tone. "I've had some ask to join, so I know you are working, however, there are far less then I was expecting."
"Forgive me My Lord, It's the old fool, he keeps walking a step before me, it's difficult." Severus kept his voice even, and his mind blocked.
"I see, you'll continue, see if you can find a way around Dumbledore."
"Yes, My Lord, I will My lord." Severus went farther to the ground.
"I know, Severus, I know, you've been a good servant, you've helped me in the school whenever I have required it, for that I'm grateful, however, you seem to be slipping, for your lacking results this time through, Curcio!"
Severus felt the pain rap around him. In his darkest days he knew the dark lord used curcio against any he thought lying or withholding information. It had taken him long painful trails to learn how to master keeping his mind well closed during the pain.
One the pain was gone, Severus coughed out the blood in his mouth, and noted the cuts the bruises that had appeared.
Voldemort moved on, Severus slithered back to his spot and stood again, as still as a statue.
To show any weakness was to welcome another assault.
Voldemort stood in the center of his circle, "I have to say I'm disappointed, results aren't as they should be, so tonight, those who I have punished, leave! Make further head way, the rest, follow me, you'll gain your rewards, I know the perfect town, Surry!"
Snape felt his heart drop, and his guards. Voldemort reeled on him, "Severus," he drawled, Snape put up his barriers again, "You want to join us do you?"
Snape bowed, "Yes, My Lord, However I have failed you, My lord, I will return and work more in hopes I may join in next time."
Voldemort Smirked, "Since five have wished to join, I will indulge you this time." He stared so the Snape felt as if ice were covering him, "Don't expect me to be so nice, this is only because you've always succeeded before."
"Of course, My Lord, I thank you, My Lord." In his well protected mind he was relieved. He could save lives, not to mention Surry was Potter's home in the summer, for the sake of Albus, he had to be there.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione woke up by a pounding on her door, "Yes?" she mumbled as Harry and Ron flew in.
"Mia, Albus needs to see us." Ron panted. She rolled her dangerously tired eyes as she through a robe over her night gown and ran from the tower.
"What," she yawned, "Does he need us for?"
"My Aunt and uncle," Harry said simply, "Whatever that means."
She shook her head, "It means, Harry, oh genius one, that your dear friend Voldemort is planning on attacking Surry tonight." She said simply, stiffing another yawn as they came to the Gargoyle.
"What makes you think that?" Ron asked, giving her an odd look.
Hermione shrugged and looked at the statue, "Altoids." She said simply and the gargoyle jumped to life.
Once at the top of the stairs they came face to face with their head of house as well as the headmaster.
"Sir?" Harry asked curious.
"Sit down." He gestured to the three seats, a raven sitting on his shoulder.
Hermione looked at it, "Munin?" she questioned.
Albus shook his head as another Raven flew in, he pointed to that one, "That's Munin, my dear, this is a friend." He eyed the creature, "You may go now." He informed it.
Hermione didn't know what she was doing until after she had done it, "Take Munin with you." She said to the other raven, who looked back at her oddly, then made a nodding motion.
She looked at Munin, "Go with him." She ordered. The raven flew after the other.
"Well then, Harry, Your aunt and uncle." He began to tell the story.
"Professor," Hermione asked, "I'm tired, I'll hear the story from Harry and Ron in the morning I'm sure, but I need to go to bed."
"Fine then go along," he gestured to her, with a slight twinkle in his eye.
Hermione left wishing them all a fair evening.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Walking down the corridors back to Gryffindor tower was slow, Mainly since she had little energy, Having just woken up with insufficient sleep and then having to run to the headmasters.
She was nearly sleep walking when her Raven decided to attack her in the hall.
Well, it wasn't really attacking her, just trying to get her attention.
"Munin!" she exclaimed. The bird clutched her robes and pulled her in a certain direction. Hermione went so it let go and just flew.
She ran following "You had better have a good reason for this!" She said angrily at it, "I believe I told you to go with the other Raven." She scolded, and could have sworn that it rolled its eyes at her.
It stopped on a high perch over a patch of black.
"Lumos!" she ordered her wand, and immediately she recognized the figure. "Professor Snape!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees to examine him better, She looked up at Munin, "Go to Dumbledore, Poppy who ever is closest, get the other after, Do what ever it takes! Get them HERE!" The bird flew off quickly.
She put her wrist to his forehead, and pulled back, "A fever." She muttered in a curse. She saw blood coming from his arms and pulled up the sleeves, She saw the Dark mark, but paid it no heed. All over his arms were deep vicious cuts, all very angry and puffy.
"Idiot!" she cursed softly, "Why didn't you fix these! No wonder you have a fever!!" She took her wand again and started to pull out all of the infections as best as she could, being no miracle worker.
"Ms. Granger!" a high pitched Poppy shouted, "Is this 'your' Raven?"
Hermione turned to look at the nurse, moving enough to reveal why she had sent for her.
"Oh dear," the Nurse rushed over and checked his forehead as she had, "Fever,"
"From the infections on the cuts." Hermione explained, pointing to the arms. She looked at her Raven, "Well? What about Dumbledore! I did send you for two people!!" the raven flew off.
"Wonderful Familiar Ms. Granger, Now, help me with the bruises, check if anything's broken while I tend to the cuts." She ordered quickly. Hermione complied.
A rib bone was all she had found, and she reported it.
"Leave the bruise over it, clean up the rest." The nurse, she noted moved onto the rib immediately, Hermione worked on the bruises and they were gone as soon as the headmaster, Harry and Ron had shown up.
"Headmaster," Poppy looked up from the potions master, "I need to get him to my wards. I just healed his broken bone so we should be able to levitate him" she reported.
"Did you find him Poppy?" Albus asked curious.
"Of COURSE NOT!" she fumed, "I was sleeping nicely until that bird," she pointed at the one currently on Ron's head. "Pecked me here."
"Ms. Granger," Albus looked at here, "Did you find Professor Snape?"
"No sir," she responded, "I suffered the same as Madame Pomfry, Munin basically made me come here." The bird flew to his mistresses shoulder.
"I believe, Ms. Granger, " Dumbledore laughed as he lifted his potions master from the ground, and they all started to walk towards the infirmary, "That you suffer the injustices of overly brilliant pets."
"I believe I don't," she said defiantly, "Crookshanks and Munin are the best."
"You three go to bed, me and Poppy can handle the rest." He waved them in the direction of their tower.
"You know Mia," Ron started looking at the bird, "I thought you sent that bird off with the other raven."
"Me too," she responded yawning, " Guess she does have a will of her own."
The bird cawed.
"So Hermione," Harry started remembering something, "What was it you were saying about an explosion?"
The memory floated to her mind, fighting down a blush that never came she responded simply, "I blotched the pepper-up potion I was making in detention, it exploded, and I went to the infirmary."
Harry nodded, excepting the answer, Ron was starting to yawn as well, followed by Harry, then Hermione.
"Damn infectious Yawns." Ron muttered, and they all laughed as they went through the common room to bed.
Bed, for tonight consisted of a couch and two chairs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: Enjoy?
I know I'm being cliché at the moment. Trust me, that as cliché as its getting.
I needed to make the score even, you'll see why next chappie, which may take a bit to get up.
Also, If and only if I get the weird writing on this chapter, I apologize but they just appear and they are mean and I wish I could give them five years detentions with Snape, sadly enough I can't so forgive me if they are there.
RelenaS