A/N: See, told you that you guys wouldn't have to wait as long again, he he... this chapter just seemed to flow out of me, surprising considering its such an angry chapter and I'm so happy! Ah well... So, anyway I tried to work on my little dialouge issue that I have, and am actually quite proud, considerably more dialouge than I normally have, so hopefully you all like it... as always, please review, I love all of your comments and suggestions :)
decadentserenity: Ha ha, wouldn't we all love to be a fly on the wall in those rooms? I'm sure Hermione will definitely pay for that little slip-up in due time. Mmm, and yes I am rather fond of Severus in the shower too, I just seem unable to stop myself from constantly placing him there, all that bare flesh and soap suds... anyone got a sponge? I think he needs his back scrubbed... volunteers:D
goodmorningstarshine: Umm thank you... I think. I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliament or not. If it is, then I'm glad (?) that I managed to make you hate Severus, if not then I'm sorry.
thornblack: Indeed, it seems like my writers block has relented for now, this chapter just seemed to pour out of me which is nice and refreshing after the last few which were battles to get down on paper. As for your inquiry, I suppose it's a combination of both. While I do love the thought of these two characters togethers (as wrong and pervy as that is, as my best friend likes to constantly remind me - he's humiliated that his best friend is writing what he considers "kiddy porn") I cannot deny that the main reason is simply that I adore writing, it is almost always on my mind and perhaps my biggegst asperation. I have been in love with the written word for as long as I can remember, I love to read and am extremely passionate about writing. Some day I will make it as a writer, when I finally decide upon a plot of my own that I feel passionate enough about to see through to completion, but until then I will continuing writing this and other fanfics I suppose. For me its an easy way of flexing my creative muscles, strengthing my skills and grasp of the english language and at the same time having a bit of a laugh. And no, don't worry I don't feel at all like anyone has pressured me as what they what to come out of this story, as you said it is mine, but I do like to think that it does in a way belong to all of you guys too. You take the time to read and review it almost religiously and for that I am eternally grateful, you are all far too kind to me. So from the bottom of my heart, I would like to very sincerely say thank you.
Kimi kimz: Well I'm sure Severus will stop being such a prat, or at least not such a big one and rectify that little oversight, and as for her threat almost coming true... you know, I didn't even realize I had done that until you mentioned it! I had planned on him finding her wand that way for several chapters now (that or I was going to have had Lucius find it, but didn't think that would really work) and well, her little threat was just something written in the heat of the moment. Entirely not intentional, but damn funny now that you bring it up! he he
Well, not many reviews to reply to tonight... or this morning, whatever you consider 3:51AM. I guess most people are busy this weekend celebrating 4th of July here in the states, so I hope everyone has a good 4th and doesn't blow anything up! he he... I'll post again soon I'm sure. Enjoy!
The soft light of the approaching sunset filled the sitting room with a golden haze when Severus finally reemerged from his private laboratory, rubbing his stiff and aching back as he walked slowly into the room. With a reverberating sigh he collapsed onto the settee, stretching his long frame along its surface, his feet draped over one arm while his head rested rather uncomfortably on the other. Summoning a cup of tea he clutched the small cup in his hands that rested idly on his abdomen, his deep and tired breaths causing the cup to rise and fall like a see-saw. Weariness had crept into him throughout the long hours spent in his laboratory working on various potions and salves for Poppy. Finally coming to a halt and letting his body take just a few moments to calm and relax he felt an ache deep in his bones, his mind buzzing with the onset of a blinding headache, the dull throbbing just above his right eye a signal that it was going to be a rough night.
Closing his eyes against the orange glow that filled the room he lay quiet and still, content to let his mind contain no thoughts, no worries or anxieties as he listened to the constant sounds of the dungeons. The cruel December wind rushed past the walls of the castle, whistling and moaning as it tried to mold the unmoving stone. Water trickled somewhere deep in the castle's depths, in a constant stream it moved through the walls, carving out its twisting and turning path over centuries, dripping in an unending heartbeat. The steady sound of his own breaths floated on the air, a soft accompaniment to the harmonious symphony that was Hogwarts, the solid refuge that he had sought out again and again over the years, no matter how far he wandered without fail he always returned to those hallowed halls to seek peace and solitude in the seemingly cold and cruel dungeons. It's only fitting I suppose he snorted to himself as he arched his neck to take a sip from the steaming cup, feeling the warmth flow into him, pushing back a small part of the chill that never let him. Who else would be so at home in such a barren and miserable place as this? Who else would find comfort in these cold and unforgiving walls if not a man who was equally as cold and unforgiving? If only they knew, if only… Severus paused for a moment, drawn out of his almost nightly routine of self-pity and loathing, craning his neck once again as he peered at the distant bedchamber door. The smooth and polished surface gleamed in the dwindling light of dusk, for a moment looking as though it were aflame as the light danced across it.
A soft sob emanated from the other room, small and almost inaudible through the thick layers of wood, yet obvious nonetheless to Severus' fine-tuned senses. Rubbing his eyes wearily he sat up slowly, placing the half-full cup on the coffee table as he did so, resting his elbows on his spread knees as he perched on the edge of the settee staring intently at the door. Merlin, why must you torture me so? Do I not suffer enough for my past digressions already? Do I not pay the price for my mistakes every day? With every prolonging breath that I take? Must I now suffer this most cruel and horrible punishment of all? He asked desperately as he cradled his aching head in his hands, the dull ache exploding into a full-blown pounding as though a giant had decided to play target-practice with his skull and was now proceeding to throw several large boulders at it. Pressing the heels of his palms to his eyes he groaned loudly in frustration as rocking his neck from one side to the other he gritted his teeth against a sigh of pain and pleasure, the loud cracking noise of his vertebrae realigning echoing in the otherwise silent room.
"I know I'm going to regret this" he grumbled sullenly as he dropped his hands from his aching eyes, letting them hang limply between his spread legs as with hunched over shoulders he continued to glare at the door. With the sun sinking ever lower beyond the distant horizon the smooth dark surface of the door looked far too much like an ominous and open mouth that waited to swallow him whole in a heartbeat. Rising to his feet with a series of grunts, groans and popping and cracking joints he ran his ink stained fingers back through the unruly mop of his coal black hair and took several slow steps towards the door and the awaiting disaster beyond. And into the lion den I go he thought miserably as he mumbled the password to the wards under his breath once more.
Gripping the door handle cautiously he drew in a long and deep steadying breath, setting his spine ram-rod straight he placed a ferocious sneer upon his face as before and thrust open the door before he could hesitate. The loud squealing protest of the hinges echoed in the dark and otherwise silent room, nothing seeming to move in shadows, the air chill and stale, filled with the scent of herbs, spices and a faint touch of lavender.
"Miss Granger?" Severus ventured with a voice so cold the dungeons were like a tropical island in comparison. Suddenly a large and intricately patterned vase emerged from the darkness at high speed, aimed directly at his head. Ducking quickly he watched with a scowl as the vase arched into the sitting room behind him and smashed loudly onto the floor, china shattering and skittering across the stone.
"Well then" he growled as he turned once more to face the darkness, his wand in his hand as with a long and languid step he crossed over the wards, feeling them buzz and tingle along the surface of his skin sending a shudder through him as he shook the sensation off like so many cobwebs. Rolling his shoulders to ease the tension in them he swung the door shut behind him with a small flick of his wrist, the room suddenly plunged into near complete darkness, the air unmoving around him as he listened intently to the silence. A soft rustle came from his left, his lips spreading into a smirk as he waited unmoving and barely breathing. It was not long before his patience was rewarded; he felt more than saw the object flying towards him, the subtle movements of the air currents around him, his heightened senses prickling with the approaching shape. When whatever had been aimed at his head was no more than a few feet away he bellowed "Lumos!" the room suddenly flooded with a blinding light, his hand raised as he deftly snatched the object from the air, stunned a little as he looked down at the plain black leather boot now clasped in his hand.
Shaking his head and sighing softly Severus dropped the boot to the floor, his gaze quickly scanning the room that was in a rather irritating disarray, before his eyes narrowed and settled upon the somewhat amusing form of Hermione. Wrapped in a toga that she had fashioned for herself out of the black silk sheets she crouched on the far side of the bed, using it as somewhat of a barricade, a raised hand grasping another boot ready to throw it at his head. Her other hand already hovered over the pile of "projectiles" that she had gathered from about the room, ranging from a scattered pile of shoes she had found in the bottom of the wardrobe to a few rather heavy tomes she had collected from atop the dresser.
"While I am slightly intrigued Miss Granger, by your gorilla war-fare tactics, I am curious as to how much damage to propose to do with an old boot and some books" Severus mused in a scathing tone, his eyes glittering with disdain.
"You foul, loathsome man!" she screeched as she stood to her full height and proceeded to lob the aforementioned boot in his direction, scowling intently as he batted it away with a subtle gesture of his wand, the boot falling harmlessly to the floor with a faint thud.
"Indeed, I assure you that you are not the first to inform me of this fact Miss Granger" he crooned as he took several steps further into the room. "Now if you stop acting like a petulant child, I will…"
"Petulant child?" she screamed as her hands curled into fists at her sides, her cheeks flushing crimson with anger. "You… you lock me in this room with no clothing, no food, no way of knowing that you have not simply abandoned me, and you have the nerve to call me a petulant child? Professor, if anyone is this room has been acting childish it most certainly has not been me!" she exclaimed, barely able to see through the veil of anger that caused her eyes to flash back and forth between amber and black.
"I will warn you only once child to watch that silver tongue of yours" he growled ominously as he took a threatening step forward, the space between them shrinking inch by inch as the minutes ticked by.
"Your petty threats do not scare me Professor" she snapped back in a voice full of fire and fury.
"They should you foolish girl, you have no idea of the fire you play with!" he bellowed in annoyance as he took another step closer and then another and another until only the bed divided them.
"I will not shrink away from your anger anymore; you will not bully me into submission nor keep me locked in this room anymore just to keep me from under your feet!" Hermione seethed, her shoulders stiff and hunched with anger as her hands curled and uncurled at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.
"To keep you from under my feet?" he barked with a bitter laugh, "You think that is why I have confined you to this room? If only Albus and Minerva knew how utterly dimwitted their shinning star truly was. You stupid girl, reasons far less selfish and childish than my own comfort drove me to this." Hermione felt her resolve and anger slipping through her grasp as she gazed at the man across from her, gritting her teeth ferociously she clenched her fists all the tighter, hissing sharply as she felt her own nails bite into the flesh of her palms, the warmth of blood spreading over her skin as she refused to let the anger go, the anger that was her only defense against her true feelings.
"You're lying! I know you despise having me here, how much you hate having to put up with the Gryffindor know-it-all, how it disrupts your life to be burdened with me. I don't want to be here either you know! Instead of being at home with my parents and friends I am stuck here, with you, in these bloody cold dungeons. Happy Bloody Christmas Hermione!" she cried out as she choked back tears of self-pity and weakness.
"You ungrateful little whelp!" Severus snarled as he moved to come around the bed, pausing at the foot, one hand viciously gripping a bedpost as he glared at her. "You think this was all a scheme to disrupt your plans? You really are stupid if you believe that, not to mention selfish and annoyingly unimaginative. Do you not realize the steps that have been taken time and again to ensure the safety of you and your pathetic counterparts? How can you possibly be so blind Miss Granger?" he continued to hiss as he slid around the bed, his steps slow and measured until he was standing within only a few feet of her, towering over her portentously. All the time he had moved closer to her, Hermione had felt her anger wavering, dread and fear slowly seeping into her bones, pushing back the anger that had threatened to consume her in a fiery blaze until it was no more than a faint spark deep in the pit of her stomach.
"I… I…" she stammered pathetically in protest, her honeyed brows drawn together in a frown. Severus snorted in bitter amusement as he watched the helpless expression flood her youthful face.
"Speechless at last Miss Granger? What a pleasant surprise" he sneered malevolently.
"I hate you!" she wailed in a sudden and childish outburst, knowing full well that she was acting like a two year throwing a wobbly in the middle of the supermarket, but she quite simply didn't care. Smirking Severus leaned down closer to the pouting and whimpering girl before him until the tips of their noses almost touched. Momentarily his eyes swept over the black silk that was draped over her cream colored skin, the curve of her shoulders far too enticing for her own good, shaking his head to clear his thoughts he purred with all the deadly silkiness of Lucius Malfoy,
"You may hate me, but do not doubt that your life rests in my hands, it is not wise to try my patience anymore for it does indeed grow thin at present." Intently he watched the light dancing in her eyes, golden flecks shimmering in the sea of chocolate brown as she began to fold before him, the anger seeping out of her as she deflated like an old balloon. "Now…" he continued as he straightened to his full height, his hands clasped behind his back, his chin lifted in an aloof manner "I suggest that unless you wish to starve that you show at least a small amount of gratitude for my hospitality…"
"Hospitality? You call this hospitality? Prisoners of Azkaban surely receive better treatment than this!" she exclaimed in defiance, unable once again to curb her tongue that continued to get her into trouble no matter how hard she tried. Severus' eyes fluttered for a moment, his jaw clenched as his teeth ground together, his fingers clutching tightly to his wand behind his back until he was afraid it might snap beneath the pressure.
"Miss Granger…" he growled in warning through clenched teeth, his lips barely moving as he glared down at her along the length of his nose, his ink black eyes glittering dangerously like a mad man pushed almost to the edge of his sanity. If this girl does not keep tormenting me I may find myself in Azkaban he thought to himself as he drew a long breath through his nose, fighting the loosing battle of controlling his wildly flaring temper and the urge to simply throttle her. "Miss Granger…" he began again a little more calmly, by some miracle managing to grasp a tight hold of his anger and rein it in a little, "unless you truly do wish to starve perhaps you can stop your childish banter long enough for me to summon some food and retrieve your trunk so that you may discard that ridiculous toga you have fashioned for yourself."
It took an insurmountable amount of self-control to stop himself from laughing outright as Severus observed the anger flicker in her eyes at his insult before it was replaced by an expression of hurt as she glanced down at the sheet wrapped around her. Courageously she sniffed only a little and lifted her delicate chin high, matching his sneer with one of her own before gathering a great amount of the silk into her arms she stalking past him while stating coolly,
"Fine, I will go freshen up then if you do not mind." A snow white hand shot out suddenly as Hermione made to move past the callous and mean-spirited man that was much to her displeasure her only company at the moment. Cruel fingers grasped her upper arm pulling her swiftly around to face him, his body dangerously close to hers, her breath suddenly hitching in her throat as she peered up fearfully into his gleaming eyes. With a deep breath he drew in the scent of her, the soft fragrance of lavender and sweat mingled with that of her intoxicating fear, the smell of it causing things low in his abdomen to clench and things lower still to stiffen. His eyes roamed over her unabashedly, drinking in the sight of her pale flesh, her quivering bosom, the succulent pout of her lower lip. Delicious isn't she? a voice purred within his mind as he ravaged her with his eyes, unable to draw his gaze away. She is no more than an ungrateful child he snapped back fiercely trying to push back the invading images that flooded his mind. Then perhaps you should make her repay your kindness… that dark and venomous voice whispered silkily. No! he retorted sharply as he scowled deeply, his lips drawing back in a snarl as he shook his head to clear his thoughts, his dark eyes observing the confusion and apprehension in her face. Sneering contemptuously he shoved Hermione away from him roughly, watching her stumble and paw at the wall for support as she stared back at him in shock and fear.
"Go clean yourself up, I will see to your things" he snapped in a bitter whisper as he turned away quickly and stalked to the door, letting it slam shut loudly behind him as Hermione shrouded in confusion and a rather large black silk sheet ambled dazedly into the bathroom.