Disclaimer: Well, I would really hate for this to grow old so I know will say that J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. own the characters, the places, etc. and that I am only eschewing the reality of Harry Potter to fulfill some sort of fantasy of mine that can only be done here, because my life is too unfortunate and sorry to get this kind of excitement. Thank you. Oh by the way... THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!!! You're reviews are excellent and you make me feel special
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Note: Sorry about the wait, I hope it was worth it.
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That Saturday at Hogsmeade had to have been the best of all. Not just because Hermoine was already in high spirits, but because there was a festival going on and all witches and wizards throughout the country were gathering and setting up tables where you could find anything pertaining to everything. Harry, Ron, and she had spent the entire day walking through the thoroughfare, watching the excitement and experiencing things that Hermoine had only read in books.
A lot were showing off their advanced magical skills, which sometimes back fired as one wizard displayed when he tried to turn lead into gold. When he had placed the bar of the metal into a steaming potion and completed the incantation, the entire thing blew up and in every which direction little goldfish were flying around. It took several minutes of people screaming and looks of disgust from others who were quickly finding goldfish in their clothes before someone had the power to transfigure a table into a large fish tank and summon all the wiggling fish into it where they instantly began swimming furiously, breathing the water they had been so desperate to get. The incident turned out ok, as the goldfish were then sold for two Knuts each.
Later in the day, clouds had moved in, blocking the bright sun and bringing relief to all those who had started to feel the skin on their nose's start to burn. But soon the clouds had changed color to a dark grey, and the wind started to pick up. A storm was imminent, but at that moment, it was only wind, so most the students hung around and continued to watch the fair. The three of them had continued to enjoy the contests and expos until around five, then they started heading back up the grounds with the rest of the students for dinner in the Great Hall.
The sun was already setting as they passed the gates to Hogwarts. Everyone was talking about the day and all the fun things they had done at the festival, and Ron and Harry were already deep in a conversation about wind resistant Quidditch robes they had seen one man selling.
"I tell ya, 'Arry, those would be excellent to have." Said Ron, excited.
"Did you see them when he tested them out?" Replied Harry. "Imagine. Solid material like that and all the wind did was go through them! It was like they didn't even exist!"
Hermoine started to explain, "That's because the yarn was soaked in a penetrable potion before weaving the material and then it was bewitched to protect the wearer from certain harsh conditions like--"
But Ron interrupted her. "Yeah, and no one gets wet or chapped! I bet we can get a good five more miles per hour with those things. Even if Slytherin has all those new Firebolt 3's, we could still get them with our Nimbus 2001's."
Hermoine was used to being interrupted when it came to matters of Quidditch and stuff that both Harry and Ron found fascinating. After a lot of Deatheaters had been exposed, their children had become targets for a lot of pent up anger. Not like some of them hadn't deserved it, thought Hermoine, thinking of Malfoy and many of his cronies, including Crabbe and Goyle. Since then, a lot of people had gotten really involved in the interhouse Quidditch games at Hogwarts and some of the students receive donations daily. Gryffindor has gotten the bulk of these contributions, being Slytherins biggest enemies. The money has not been of tremendous wealth, but the entire team got to upgrade to Nimbus 2001's and, now it seems, the next big expenditure will be to buy "wind-resistant" robes.
Hermoine quickly started ignoring their conversation and soon became lost in her own thoughts. It was now the end of Saturday. Had Snape come back yet? Or had Voldemort thought that two days was what he deserved of the Professor's time, and why was she still calling him Snape and Professor? Shouldn't she start calling him Severus? Or was their tawdry sex affair not deep enough for first names? She knew that he said that he wanted her and that he wanted to keep her, but he failed to specify as what. Was she a sex object to him, or did he want her for who she was on the inside as well?
She didn't even know what she wanted. Hermoine felt complete and safe when making love to him, but was that all she wanted? Was a relationship forbidden for them? It would be more complicated. Instead of separate meetings, a relationship would actually mean more time together and every moment they spent together past the strictness of the teacher/student relationship meant danger for Professor Snape.
So the question was... Could Hermoine handle just being Snape's lover and nothing more? She was intrigued by him. He was a challenge, and Hermoine always loved a good challenge, but this one had consequences that could ruin both their lives.
Hogwarts came to view over the ridge as Hermoine came back to the present time, and she soon realized that she was really hungry. All of a sudden, Hermoine found herself falling forwards and landing on her hands and knees. "OUCH!"
Harry and Ron turned around to find that she had slipped and were quickly at her side, looking worried.
"Are you all right Hermoine?" Asked Harry, tenderly.
Ron had come around her backside and gently grabbed her elbow and helped her up. Hermoine brushed off the stones that had become embedded in her palms and brushed off her clothes.
"Yeah, I'm all right. My shoe was untied." Said Hermoine, as she looked down to find her right shoelace had become undone and she had made the mistake of stepping on it. Must have forgotten about it while thinking about Severus, said Hermoine, in her mind, of course. "You guys go ahead, I'll be right there." as she continued to brush off the rocks and dirt.
Harry and Ron had given her one last worried glance before continuing their walk up to the castle and Hermoine bent down to tie her shoelace. It was then that she saw it. There was something moving in the forest to the right of her. It was getting darker by the minute, but she could definitely tell that there was a shadow moving. She got up and moved a little closer to the trees, hoping to see what it was but the forest became still again. She was right at the edge, looking in and when her search proved fruitless, she turned around to leave.
But something grabbed her around the middle and yanked her back and into the forest. Its hold was strong and extra terror was added to her nerves because she didn't know what it was do to the fact that she couldn't see it. She could see the edge of the forest as it shrank away, but she couldn't scream because the thing had covered her mouth, which was cold and clammy. All she could think about was being mangled by some forest beast, they wouldn't find her body for days and all the disappointed and sad faces of her friends, professors and parents, all because she got to close to the Forbidden Forest. Why did I have to be so damn curious?
It dragged her back about twenty yards before she was sucked out of this ponderence-of-death trip by a huge groan (not hers) and her forest view being turned on its side when her captor collapsed backwards. It automatically loosened its grip on her and she sprung up, grabbed her wand from her robes, and whirled around to immobilize whatever the hell had attacked her.
And her heart stopped.
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Something was wrong the moment he had apparated to the hall of the Dark Lord, Severus could feel it. The eerie silence was a dead ringer, but also the negative electricity that he was getting from the room beyond. Severus made an extra point to focus even more on clearing his mind before the meeting just in case this might happen.
When the meeting was called to order, the Dark Lord came out and sat on his throne and stared slowly around the room. The meeting mostly consisted of orders and reports on the activities of the Ministry of Magic, but, fortunately, nothing on the Order of the Phoenix. Severus wouldn't give a lot of thought to it, afraid of the Dark Lord reading his mind, but having no news on the Order meant that the names of Dumbledore's group had not been exposed yet.
Another good thing was that Severus had not received any orders, meaning he could go back to Hogwarts that night. Maybe he could even see Hermoine after her Hogsmeade trip. He would love to see her lovely face and touch her pale, soft skin to rid his mind of this danger he was constantly in.
"Severus.", Said a slithery voice, near him. Snape was awakened from his reverie by the Dark Lord. "Has the elixir you were ordered to make ready yet?"
Severus bowed his head, as is the custom and never looked at the dark lord when he replied, "The ingredients needed and the preparation time for the mixture were more difficult than initially projected, but it is finally coming along at the desired speed." The fact was that he had completely forgotten about the Dark Lord's orders, since he had been recently been held captive, both physically and emotionally, by his brilliant seventh-year student.
"Delays are unacceptable. Come before me Severus." Said the slow, serpentine voice of Lord Voldemort.
Severus knew he was in trouble. He appearing before the Dark Lord only meant one thing: a beating. But magic was not the only way of making his deatheaters beg for mercy. Lord Voldemort had become very knowledgeable in ancient torture techniques. Hot lead and crushing rocks were some of his favourites. But he did what he was supposed to do, and Snape got up and kneeled in front of the Dark Lord.
"I may not be able to read your mind, but body language is still clear, and I will not tolerate distractions when it interferes in serving your Lord." This last part was directed to everyone, so all the Deatheaters muttered their "Yes my Lords."
Severus could feel the heat of the Dark Lord's gaze on the top of his head as he now directed his comments to Snape. "You will be made to compensate for your error so as to set an example for everyone. No other time exists but my time."
All of a sudden he felt this excruciating pain throughout his body and it never seemed to stop. Every bone in his body quivered, and a cramp came to every muscle. And like that, the feeling left. All that was left was a familiarity of the numbness and ache that came after the Cruciatus Curse. Severus had felt this pain before, but after this dose, one thought occurred to more than any other:
He was not going to get back to Hogwarts that night.
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All Hermione could think of was getting to Dumbledore. She was sprinting across the grounds at an unnatural speed, and soon she was breathing hard and her muscles ached, but she could not think about that. All she knew was that she had to get to Hogwarts and to Professor Dumbledore before it was too late.
She burst through the front doors, and rushed through the halls, while many students just stopped and stared. But all she could think of was Dumbledore, until she reached the Great Hall. Then she came to an abrupt halt.
She can't go in there like a bat out of hell and urgently escort the Headmaster out. Too many people would notice, rumours would spread, and I, Hermione thought to herself, have to make this as discreet as possible.
So Hermione gracefully walked through the center of the hall, with little attention being brought to herself, and as she approached the center of the teacher's table, Dumbledore lifted his head to see her coming. She whispered in his ear, and without a second thought, we slowly got out of his chair, excused himself from the table, and followed Hermione out the hall, down the steps of the school, and then rushed on to the forest where she was attacked.
There, in the bushes, was Professor Severus Snape, all shriveled up, and covered with Hermione's cloak which she laid upon him earlier in an attempt to warm him up. Earlier, Hermione had wanted to race back to Harry and Ron for assistance, but Severus had made it clear that she should only get Professor Dumbledore before he blacked out.
But now he seemed almost delirious. Shouting and thrashing about. Albus and Hermione tried desperately to calm him down, but he didn't even seem to recognize them, and at one point, had thrown Hermione across the forest floor.
Dumbledore used a sleep charm, and soon Severus was in a coma-like state. He used another charm to help them move him into the castle, but they were not heading for the Hospital Wing, but ended up at his quarters. The halls were still a buzz with students, so they took secret passage ways and such.
Hermione again found herself in Snape's private chambers and watched Dumbledore lay him down on the canopy bed that she had seduced him in no more than a little over a week ago.
The Headmaster turned to look at her. "I am going to retrieve Madame Pomfrey. I need you to stay with the Professor until I return with her."
Hermione gave an expression of fear.
"Do not worry, Miss Granger. I have not used my sleeping charms for many a time, but that does not mean I no longer possess the skill to apply them effectively." Dumbledore glanced back at the slumbering Severus, before looking her in the eye. "I am sure he will not awake and over power you again."
She smiled at him, reassured with his fatherly tone and completely trusting in what he was saying. "I will be all right."
He nodded and patted her shoulder before leaving.
So Hermione was left alone with him. She sat down by his side and patted away the blood and sweat from his face with a towel that she had dipped in cold water from a nearby basin. He continually kicked off the sheets in his sleep, obviously too hot for them, but he was still cold, so she still had to fight to keep the covers on him.
It was an entire thirty minutes before Dumbledore would come back with Madame Pomfrey. At that time Hermione was ushered back into the hall, and told to go back up to Gryffindor tower with the reassurance that she would not speak a word of tonight's events with anyone else.
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Hermione's mind was racked the next day, and she did not even try to clear it. The only thing flashing through her head was turning around yesterday, in the forest, and seeing his body mangled on the ground. She barely recognized him beyond the swelling and discolouration in his face. There were many openings in his skin, and even in the nearing darkness, she could see the gashes. What had He done to him? And why?
She wanted to see him, and hold him. Hermione just wanted to cry for his pain and be in his embrace. He had said that he would return from his Deatheater meeting, but he did not tell her that he would come back so abused and tortured.
Waking up late that morning, Hermione had missed breakfast, and before lunch, had decided on walking the corridors and hallways to try to expel some of her frustration, but she plopped down on the bench in the Great Hall exasperated and depressed over her worry. Then she noticed a small note underneath her plate, which read:
Be in my office after lunch.
Professor Dumbledore
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At least this was something, thought Hermione. She knew she couldn't ask to see Severus, because that would lead to speculation as to the exact reason why a student would want to see a teacher as despised as Professor Snape is (even if Hermione knew all about the Order and Snape's involvement with the Deatheaters and Voldemort). But she desperately wanted to speak with him, so any chance to speak with those who are undoubtedly by his side right now would be a great improvement.
After spying up at the teacher's table and not seeing the Headmaster, Hermione quickly ate a turkey sandwich and bolted for the doors.
The only one's who noticed her leave were Harry and Ron, who had become increasingly alarmed by Hermione's recent behaviour, and overly curious at the same time.
"I don't know what's up with her, Ron." remarked Harry as he watched her leave the hall in a hurry.
"We aren't twelve anymore 'Arry, things have changed, and 'Mione's changed just like we have. Maybe she doesn't want to 'ang around two men anymore." stated Ron through his food.
"That's not it, Ron. She's more distant, like she's got something on her mind, but she doesn't want to tell us. You sure she's not jealous of you dating Maybel so soon after the breakup?"
Ron stopped masticating long enough to give his best friend a glare and a comment. "First off... it was a good five months before I even got interested in her!" It had been a long standing argument among many, and, for a time, Hermione also, that Ron started going out with Maybel too soon after a serious, sixteen-month relationship with Hermione, considering that it took fifteen years to have his first girlfriend, but only five months after that to have his second. But after a little bit, it just became a running joke. "And second," calming down some, "Hermione is a mature adult, and has clearly expressed her congratulations and happiness for our relationship."
"Well, there's got to be something she's not telling us. Why can't it be like old times? I sure do miss the days when we couldn't shut her up. Man I wish for the time when she used to talk our ears off, even if it is to just annoy us about our study habits." said Harry, wistfully.
Ron shook his sandwich in Harry's face, warningly. "Be careful what you wish for mate. Think really hard before you go off wishing for her nagging again."
"Anything would be better than this unbearable silence and this... dark mood she's been showing for the past couple of weeks." strained Harry as he pointed at the spot on the bench that she had been occupying just a few minutes earlier.
Ron just mumbled through his lunch.
Then Harry got an idea. "Hey Ron! Why don't we invite her to your house over Christmas Holiday? Wasn't she saying that her parents had been asked to tour the Orient and that they weren't going to be home for it?"
Ron finally was finished with his food, therefore finally listening to what Harry had to say "That sounds great, Harry. And with Maybel going to her folks for the holiday, it will just be the three of us. Just like old times."
"Yeah, so it's a plan. I'll ask her tonight at dinner, and you and I won't take no for an answer."
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After many stairways and corridors, Hermione finally made it to the big statue that hid the entrance to the Headmasters office. She gave the password (being headgirl, she was entrusted with many passcodes) and took the steps two at a time before she reached his office door. She knocked.
"Miss Granger, do come in."
She opened the door, wearily, stepped into the room, and approached his desk. "You asked to see me Headmaster?"
"Quite certainly. Please, sit down Hermione."
She took a seat and waited for him to speak.
He was writing something on a parchment when she walked in, and he was now attaching it to the leg of a hawk, which flew away at a remarkable speed. He turned back around, after watching it sail away, to stare directly at her.
"Professor Snape is too incapacitated to return to teaching tomorrow, so we will have a substitute for his classes." he methodically stated.
These were all things Hermione wanted to know, but what she did not know was why the Headmaster was telling her this in a private meeting.
"But, at his request, he wants you to instruct the Advanced Potions class. He says that you are more capable of teaching it the way he wants it taught than any other substitute or student, and I must trust in his recommendation."
"You don't personally believe that I am good enough in Potions to teach it, Headmaster?" asked Hermione in a hushed but with a concerned note.
Dumbledore held up his hand to hush her concern. "That is not my point at all. I believe in your abilities, but teaching a class of your peers can be quite a task. Even though Severus wants you to handle them, I must ask you if you are up to the challenge?"
Any question given to you by Professor Dumbledore should be considered, so Hermione sat there for a moment, thinking about what they were studying at the moment. Wasn't too hard. They were delving deeper into antidotes, but the biggest concern was making sure the students didn't touch what they were making because it was very powerful, therefore dangerous. Then she considered what Dumbledore had said about her peers. Teaching people the same age as you could get difficult, but who would be the biggest problem? Malfoy? Over the years, she had become extremely adept at not allowing Draco to get to her.
"I believe I am up to that challenge, Headmaster." Hermione finally stated, with confidence.
"Just what I had expected to hear, Miss Granger." remarked Dumbledore, with a smile. He then stood up, and she followed suit. "Now, Professor Snape also requests that you go down to his private chambers so that he can instruct you on what you will be instructing for the class this week. He should be out of bed in a few days, although."
I will be able to see him today! Hermione was so happy she almost forgot to contain it. He must of planned this, was what Hermione hoped, but whatever he had planned or not, did not concern her much. All she could think of is that in a few minutes, she will be able to see him, and touch him, and speak to him like she wanted to ever since she left his side last night. "Thank you, Headmaster." She headed for the door.
"Oh, and Hermione?"
She stopped and turned around. "Yes Headmaster?"
"Although Madame Pomfrey worked on him mostly through the night, he still is not all there and he is extremely tired. Please be careful not to excite him or the such."
Did he know? She looked in his face for the answers, but apparently he either showed nothing, or knew nothing. She hoped for the second.
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She quietly entered his living quarters and slowly opened the door to his private chamber. He was right in the middle of the bed, resting his head against a pillow, and Madame Pomfrey was just finishing with some treatments.
When Hermione entered, he slowly met her gaze and smiled. Hermione smiled back, and Pomfrey was completely unaware of their facial exchange. Before Pomfrey left, she said that same thing as Dumbledore said: Not to excite him and don't take too much time, because he needed his rest. Then it was just the two of them again.
For a moment she just stood there, staring at him, unsure of what to do. Then he noticed the tears start to well up in her eyes and he quickly outstretched his arms. She rushed to the bed, and fell into his embrace, and started to sob.
He stroked her hair and tried to console her with his sweet voice. She just held on to him, afraid that he would leave again, but never come back. After a couple of minutes, Hermione began calm down and when she looked up at him, he tried to clear up some of the tears that streaked her face.
"It's going to be all right." He said, smoothly.
She moved away. "How can you say that? You didn't see what I saw. Your body, mangled and tortured. I barely recognized you beyond the blood and bruising. Everything is definitely 'not all right.'"
He just gave her a smile and a head tilt that said that he truly cherished her concern, but, at the same time, that she just could never understand the truth of the matter.
Then she forced the words that she had been deliberating over out, but could only get them to a whisper, but eventually choked up at the end. "You could have died."
He took her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips. His forehead leaned up against hers. "I am so sorry, Hermione."
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeper. Everything she felt for him and the circumstances was put into this one kiss. It only last for a few moments, but when it ended, Severus was still out of breath.
"Oh, I shouldn't have done that. I know how delicate your condition is. Here, rest." She then readjusted his pillow and straightened up the sheets. He watched her with wonder the entire time.
"Hermione."
"Yes?"
"We can't do this anymore."
"What?" She slumped onto the bed and stared at him.
"I was unprepared for last night's meeting, and when I was punished, I let my mind slip enough so he knows that there is something in my life that is bringing me great joy. He doesn't like that, especially if it is distracting me from my duties. He knows it is a woman, but not that it is you. That was why I was tortured, because he wants to know who it is. To make sure that they are not a liability."
"So this was all my fault?" She said despondently, really considering that everything that happened between them really did cause his near death. She couldn't handle that kind of blame.
He quickly took her hands in his. "No, that is not the reason at all. Do not put the blame on you, Hermione. This is just as much my doing, if not more. Do not think for once that you are the cause. Ok?"
She nodded, but she couldn't look at him.
"But I can't put you in harms way anymore. Every moment we are together creates a bigger risk, and I wouldn't be able to go on knowing that you are a target because of me."
"So is this the end?"
"I don't want it to be, but I don't know what else to do at the moment. I want you, Hermione. I want to be with you." He pulls her onto his lap and she puts her head on his heart, reveling in the gentle dubs and lubs of his heartbeat. How it pains her to think that she may never feel his warmth or his touch.
"Hermione?" His fingertips find her chin and he lifts her face to meet his gaze.
"I understand, and I want to be with you too."
"I know." He then dips his head for their last, thoughtful, kiss. She tries to memorize his features and the taste of his mouth before it ends.
With one last deep intake of his scent, Hermione finds the end of the bed, and makes a hard step back from the side.
"My lesson plans are on my desk in my office, ready for tomorrow." he implores.
She gives him one last look and a nod as she heads for the door, but she can't speak, because she is too choked up to respond. Hermione runs to Gryffindor tower and to her room, where she cries herself to sleep.
Meanwhile, at dinner, Harry and Ron become concerned over her absence, and more resolved in their plan to take her away for Christmas holiday.
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Holy Crap! Did I write a lot! I got a sudden idea for the rest of this chapter on the way back from a basketball game last night, so I decided to do it tonight, and damnit! I GOT IT DONE! And not to sound overly pretentious, but this is a mighty fine piece of work. I just love how I got Severus to be Mr. Wonderful right here.
BTW, I got Mr. Wonderful the toy for my mom this Christmas, and we have officially named him Andrew Hennings from Sweet Home Alabama, because might I say, that guy is perfect! lol
Again, thank you for all the great reviews, keep them coming, and enjoy, :)