Chapter Twenty-Two: The Court of Death (Part Two)
Hermione was trying to find her way through the complicated house, looking frantically around for Severus. She eventually reached the ballroom, in which she entered while managing to plow right into Lucius.
"Lady Morgan," He hissed, "Do watch where you are going." He gestured to his white robes which now supported a red splash of wine on them.
Hermione noticed this and immediately pulled out her wand, "Oh I'm so sorry let me help you with that." She cast a quick spell on his robes, cleaning them instantly.
"Thank you Morgan," he brushed off his robes, as if there remained a residue on them, "Now where is your date, my dear friend Severus?"
"I honestly don't know." She responded, her eyes scanning the room rapidly over Lucius's right shoulder, "If you'll excuse me sir, I would like to continue to look for him." She curtsied, indicating she'd like to pass.
"Let's look together; there are a few things I need to discuss with him." Lucius offered his elbow to Hermione and she took it, playing still her role of the upper-class pureblood.
The room was empty of him; no one had seem him either, except on person who commented on him going out into the grounds with Morgan just a bit ago. Hermione knew this couldn't be her and explained such to Lucius, in her most worried voice.
Lucius scowled. Although he couldn't fathom why someone would mean to trick Severus by acting like his new conquest, the problem still existed. With a gathering of so many death eaters, this could be potentially harmful.
"Let's go find him, Morgan." He gestured to the doors that lead outside, "He may be in danger." And he started outside, Hermione following closely.
When they reached the outside they had to look around a bit, but they eventually found Severus and the fake Morgan. This lady was hanging all over Severus, and Hermione felt a small twinge, watching. She started to go foreword, but Lucius held her back, "Wait, He can handle himself, watch."
True to form, Severus whispered something harshly; Hermione recognized some of the words he was mouthing; their secret question. Well, they would have to change that again. The fake Morgan looked confused and Severus went into defense mode, which caused the fake Morgan to reveal her true form. She heard Lucius sigh and curse at the same time.
Lucius stood up and walked over "She's not going anywhere Severus." He said clear as day, hate in his voice.
Hermione quickly went over to the stunned Severus, "Are you alright?" she whispered, not expecting an answer.
"Her parents ought to know what their daughter is up to, you of all should know the dangers of what she just pulled." He spat on the ground in the direction of Pansy.
"I know very well the dangers, deceiving any of us with guise is punishable by even the most drastic measures. She could have been the ministry for all we knew!" He hissed.
"She should be brought to her parents then her punishment decided Lucius." Severus responded calmly. He knew the offense, he was aware that the main punishment was usually torture followed by forcing obedience and action upon the offender with magic.
"I'll take her then," he glared and grabbed Pansy's wrist harshly, "you had your date worried, tend to her." He nodded and roughly escorted Pansy inside.
Hermione turned to Severus again "You alright?" she asked, worried.
He brushed her off, the betrayal not completely gone from him, "I'll be fine." He spoke coldly.
Hermione looked as if she had been slapped with hot iron. "What now?"
"You should go Home." He spoke in code, incase anyone was listening, "This are bound to get overly heated around here soon thanks to Ms. Parkinson."
"I can handle myself." Hermione reminded him, gently, slightly humoring.
"No you can not." He snapped. "I will take you home, let's go." He walked towards the front.
Hermione took a couple of deep breaths. He's just shaken, she reminded herself, no need to over react. He knew what he was doing.
She followed him, eventually taking him arm only to be brushed off. She felt a twinge again, but thought nothing of it.
"Morgan?" Narcissa walked up to her as she walked over to get her cloak, "Why are you leaving so soon?" She asked, the other girls nodded, agreeing to the question.
"Something came up, so sorry Narcissa, but we really must be off, the party was wonderful." She hugged her new odd acquaintance goodbye before walking out to meet up with Severus. "Shall we go?" she asked a smile on her face.
Their carriage had arrived and Severus opened the door, "We shall."
The ride back to Hogwarts was a very quiet and awkward one. Hermione sat quietly, not wanting to disturb Severus as he glared out the window into the dark night.
When she finally made it back to her room she lied down on her bed and let out a long breath it felt like she had been holding all night. She had removed her glamour and her dress, and was comfortably in her plaid PJs when Harry and Ron knocked.
"One second." She walked over and opened the door; her two friends showered her in confetti.
"Congratulations!" they shouted.
"Wha? Hermione looked confused.
"Your detentions are officially over." Harry reminded her.
"No more daily Snape!" Ron cheered as if it were he who was being freed.
Hermione had forgotten, in all honesty, that she was supposed to be freed from here on out, of detention duty. She almost felt saddened by it.
"Yeah, I'm free." She smiled, faking relief to her friends who took her by the shoulders and dragged her down to the common room.
"Now we need to plan the remainder of the break, get some fun in!" Ron decided merrily.
"Maybe we could teach Hermione how to fly." Harry got a mischievous look on his face.
Upon hearing the words fly teach and Hermione in one sentence, Hermione herself started to attempt to flee the premises.
"Awe come on Hermione!" Ron pouted, "Who knows when it will come in handy." He winked, she gave up.
"Alright, teach me about flying." She surrendered, knowing it was no good anyway.
Severus paced his study. He let his guard down. He never imagined that someone might take her form, he had been sloppy.
"She's a Student, nothing more." He spoke to himself determined. It was decided.
For the remainder of the break he forced himself to remain in his dungeons, never venturing up except when the head master insisted for meals. He wasn't aware of Hermione's flight training, nor the fact that she was getting better at air acrobatics thanks to Ron and Harry.
He purposely ignored any mention of her, and never looked her way. He had gotten himself tangled into her to deeply. It was all a mistake. He was right before. She was a student. Nothing more.
He didn't realize that he had gotten himself once again into the same situation that Professor Flitwick had to save him from before. But this time, his shell was harder, thicker. Severus was determined to remain unhappy, so long as he was able to keep his guard up
When the students returned and classes started back up, everyone because distinctly aware of the fact that Professor Snape was back to normal; much to their disappointment.
Hermione was concerned about her potions professor and friend. She felt a twinge. He had blocked himself off ever since new years, and as far as she could tell he was not taking prisoners of anyone who dared to venture to close.
She grew more depressed as each day passed. He wasn't the meanest creature on earth, but he wasn't being nice or open around her.
She felt lost, and hurt.