Chapter 3

Before I Knew

By Poet

Much of the walk into Hogsmeade was marked by a most pressing silence. Hermione could not decide how to begin her apology to a man she had loathed for years. Even if his actions had proven him to be a little more deserving of credit she couldn't quite get past the torture and the cruelty she and he friends had suffered under his wrath. The incidents of the past no longer stung as they had when they were fresh, but still, the over all bearing of the man had yet to improve much. Hermione couldn't see it happening very rapidly. Casting a glance sideways at her traveling companion, she saw his features set in a deep scowl. Whether from the sunlight hitting the both of them nearly straight on, or from his own thoughts she could not decern. Taking a deep breath she decided no would be as good a time as any. He interrupted her before she could utter a word.

"I detect, Ms. Granger your desire to speak. No doubt to profess apology for your words earlier. Or even, Merlin forbid, another bout of thanks." She rolled her eyes at the acid that laced his voice and caught him looking in her direction. "However, if you are to extend such and offering of apology then I would be very improper not to extend my own. I am sorry for the cruel manner in which I regarded you this morning." He halted rather abruptly and Hermione gathered that he wasn't one to apologize very often. Seeing his gaze return fully to the road ahead, she took this as her cue.

"No doubt Professor that a man such as yourself could never hear enough of apology or gratitude, I'm afraid I must indeed burden you once more. Perhaps for the last time. I am sorry as well, for having required your extended involvement with the matter from the night before. And for my treatment of you this morning. Albus told me that your sleep suffered as a result of the care you administered and I greatly appreciate your kindness," pausing she couldn't help but let her lips twitch up in a grin as he arched an eyebrow. "Indeed it was a kindness Sir. I only hope that perhaps sometime I will be free to repay it."

"Consider it a debt to be paid then." Now he was baiting her, looking for a rise merely for amusement. She wouldn't allow him the satisfaction.

"Apology accepted. Severus." Dragging out his proper name, she eyed him to seek his reaction. He flinched for a moment and then, for the barest second she thought she saw his lips move in the ghost of a smile.

"The Gryffindor is so brave today. Yet you couldn't fend off a drunken Weasely? If you were still in School I'd deduct points for that." His tone was light. But he was hesitant to touch lightly upon the previous nights ordeal. Cutting off Hermione's response he turned his to give her his attention fully. Her eyes told him she had found that last barb a little to deep to be quite humorous, but she was also ready to deal with anything else he threw at her. "What is it you need from Potter's house?"

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Stepping into Grimauld Place brought a flood of memories to both figures in the doorway. For Hermione it was of time spent with her friends, and order meetings and holidays. 'And funerals' she couldn't help, biting her lip lightly.

For Severus, the house of his former nemesis always brought an unsettled feeling to his stomach. Black and Potter had been relentless in their torture of him. But Severus was never one to take it lying down. He had gotten his own on more then one occasion, but they always came back for him. Sneering in disgust at his surroundings, he motioned for Hermione to go on ahead of him. The portrait of Mrs. Black had long been removed. It was one of the first things taken care of when Harry had come into ownership of the Black estate. Little else had changed. As the headquarters for the order those few shorts years before, Severus had plenty of time to memorize every drab and hideous detail of the dilapidated wreck of the building. A voice pulled him from his bitter train of thought.

"Professor? Severus?"

"What is it girl?" He snapped at her but she didn't appear to take offense.

"I'm going up to gather my things. Where are you going to be waiting?"

"I shall wait for you in the kitchen." She nodded at him and started towards the stairs.

"Ms. Granger, should anything arise do not hesitate to call me." He was alluding to the fact that Weasely and Potter both lived in the house along with Hermione. He didn't know where either was, but if one was to show up he wanted to know.

"I will Professor. I'll only be a few minutes." With that she started up the creaking stairs.

"Yes well. Make it quick if you please!" He barked his parting shot at her retreating form and started towards the kitchen.

The meeting place for the Order of the Phoenix seemed a rather anticlimactic place for an order defending against the darkest wizard of all time to convene. A dingy kitchen at that, evident from the stack of dishes in the sink. No doubt magically cleaned, but not bothered to be put away. Grimacing at the prospect of rifling through any number of cabinets in search of tea, Severus reached for the first one.

"Ah. Here we are." He muttered to himself. Pulling out a container of tea leaves. Removing the lid he inhaled the scent of peppermint and a slight hint of vanilla. 'At least Potter has good taste in tea.' Collecting a kettle resting on the counter, Severus went to work. In seconds he had the pot steaming and poured himself a cup of tea. Settling at the table, he decided he would give Hermione ten minutes before going in search of her.

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Entering her room, Hermione was struck by the thought that it had been ages since she last inhabited it. Counting on hand she could remember the times in the last two weeks she had actually made it home in time for bed, let alone home at all. Work had taken all of her proper time, even occasionally she would fall asleep at her desk. Shaking her head, she moved to her trunk that rested dustily in the corner. Quickly sorting through her belongings she set about pack her things.

"Hermione? What are you doing home?" The voice startled her and she whirled to meet the eyes of Harry. He looked slightly perturbed but his smile was friendly.

"Harry, I didn't know anyone else was here. I came to collect my things."

"Collect your things? I don't understand." He stepped into the room and approached Hermione. She motioned him to sit on her bed while she packed more. Finished with her clothes, she moved onto the considerable book collection lining the shelves of her room.

"Albus offered me a job at Hogwarts. I'm going to be a teacher."

"Wow Hermione, that's excellent!" She couldn't help but grin when her friend expressed his happiness. "But surely you don't have to go yet right? Term isn't for two more months almost." Now Harry sounded cautious. As if realization had hit him. "Is this about what Ron did?" He saw his friend pale in the dim light of the room and he moved to comfort her. She turned away from him, instead pretending to see something she had missed.

"You know about that do you?" She could not help but sound bitter.

"Well, everyone knows." At his friends horrified look he spoke quickly to calm her. "I mean Molly and the Weaseleys and Dumbledore and a couple of others. Listen, you're my friend too you know. I wont have you put out because of what Ron..er...did. Stay!" Harry had been torn the moment he heard what had transpired between his two best friends. Molly Weasely had been absolutely livid. Ginny was disgusted and furious. Dumbledore had been concerned for Hermione. Everyone had been concerned for Hermione. The old man assured them she was safe though. No one could question him. Now she had turned up, was packing her things and trying desperately to avoid any reference to what had happened. Harry couldn't help but feel a little lost.

"No Harry. Really. It's okay. I've got a job and a place to live now. Thank you for letting me stay with you for so long. But you'll have a wife soon." Harry blushed slightly and Hermione grinned. "Besides, I can always stop by. You know, when...well later." It's not as if I moving away forever. You know where Hogwarts is and I know how to find you." She moved to Harry finally and offered a short hug to him. He embraced her for a moment and released her. Nodding, he offered a grin.

"I'll leave you to it then, but I expect an owl every week. And maybe some of those pumpkin cakes from the kitchens." She whacked his arm playfully and he backpedalled to the door of her room. "Take care of yourself Hermione. I mean it. We're going to miss you."

"I will Harry. Now go before Snape comes looking for someone to yell at because I haven't packed yet." She laughed as Harry feigned horror and disappeared. Perhaps they both knew she wouldn't come back if Ron was around. And Ron was Harry's friend before he had been hers.

She had very nearly finished when a shadow fell across her again. Turning, thinking it was Harry again, Hermione's words died on her lips when she saw Ron standing there. They stared at each other for a moment, neither moved. He opened his mouth to speak and she flinched at the sudden sound of it.

"All right there Hermione?" His voice was shaky, racked with nerves. When she didn't answer he shuffled a bit.

"Fair enough Ron. What are you doing here?" She managed to steel herself, ice going into her voice.

"I live here, don't I?" His attempt at offhand humor found itself deadened on her ears.

"I suppose that's true. Would you excuse me. I need to finish packing." Turning her back on him, Hermione began shoving books into her trunk. She started when his hand closed around her arm, the same arm it had been the night before.

"Listen, Hermione. About last night."

"Don't." Her plea was whispered and hoarse.

"Oh come on. I was drunk. We were just kidding weren't we? I mean, I'd never do that to you. I just thought we could have a good laugh."

"Before or after your forced me to have sex with you?" Her accusation seemed glaringly loud in the silence of the room and it sparked anger in Ron.

"I wasn't! Everyone looks at me like some kind of psycho. But you can tell them that I was doing no such thing. You know we were just playing right! I'd never hurt you love." Somehow his anger when he was sober was entirely more frightening then when he had been drunk. There was something in his voice and in his eyes that hinted at danger.

"I told you never to call me that again." She spoke evenly, the tremor in her voice barely evident. Backing away from him inch by inch, Hermione found her arm still in his grasp.

"Now you listen.."

"Leave me alone Ron or I'll..."

"You'll what? I don't see anyone here to protect you. There's no one to stun me from behind. What was that? Some cheap joke for your amusement?" His face was inches from her. She could feel spittle land across her cheek as the spoke and suddenly her stomach turned again. Without waiting she tried to wrench herself free of his hand. His grip was unrelenting. As his hand raised to strike her, Hermione suddenly called out.

"SEVERUS!"

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Nine minutes into his waiting Severus had finished his first cup of tea and started on his second. A few seconds later he was startled to see Harry walk through the door of the kitchen. Bristling suddenly, preparing for some sort of argument he eyed the young man warily. It occurred to him that he was indeed in his house, drinking his tea, therefore perhaps Potter had the right to be irritated. Harry however offered no indication.

"Good Morning Professor." The greeting was almost pleasant, if it hadn't been dripping with formalities.

"Potter. " The boy rolled his eyes and walked to the kettle still boiling on the counter. Pouring himself a cup of tea he settled himself across the table from Severus.

"I wanted to say Sir," he said after a few moments of silence. "Thank you for what you did last night. Dumbledore told us all that you took care of Hermione. Thank you for that." He waited, trying to gauge what snide remark the Potions Master might have. He was fairly surprised when all he did was nod slightly and take another sip of tea. They sat then in companionable silence and it occurred to Severus that Hermione should have been down by now.

"If you will excuse me, I must go fetch Ms. Granger for our journey back. Thank you for the tea." With curt nod Severus walked from the kitchen. Rounding the corner to the stairs he had no more then placed his hand upon the banister when he heard a shrill cry.

"SEVERUS!"

"Hermione!" Without hesitation Severus burst into a sprint up the stairs. At the top he took the corridor down and to the left. Three hallways down and one over he found the open door of Hermione's room. Bursting through the sight of the enraged Weasely boy gave him a startling sense of déjà vu as he witness Hermione cower beneath him. This time Ron had time to turn and face his attacked and no magic was involved. Without thinking Severus had stepped towards the boy, lifted his fist and in one hard swing felt his hand connect with the side of Ron's head. The boys eyes rolled back briefly and he looked on the verge of collapse. Grabbing the collar of his shirt, Severus yanked Ron bodily from his precarious teeter over Hermione and shoved him towards the door. Ignoring the sprawling form of Ron he bent before Hermione and lifted her chin so their eyes met.

"I. Hate. Him." She whispered in a harsh, angry voice. Severus could not blame her. However she did not seem on the verge of hysterics, the way she had the night before and Severus was glad.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." Without waiting for a response Severus wheeled and grabbed up Ron, pulling him into the hallway. Shoving him hard against the wall his wand was pressed against the boy's exposed throat in seconds. "I swear to whatever gods you pray to Weasely. If you ever, ever come near Hermione again I will personally hex your balls off and keep them on display in a jar for all of my potions classes to see! Understand?" Pure venom laced his tone and Severus was quite to the point of fullfilling that threat.

"Severus no!" Hermione's voice came weakly from beside him and he felt her hand come to rest on the arm the held his wand. A groan was heard from Ron's now blood covered face. "Severus please. Let's just go." The look in his eyes was fierce when he looked to her. Her own eyes were slightly glazed, the faint imprint of a hand was still visible upon his face. She looked exhausted and he relented.

"Alright. We'll go." Hermione turned and in that moment Severus took his last opportunity. Lifting his hand, he laid a hard slap across Ron's face. It left a satisfying sting as he let him fall to the floor in a bloody head. "You're nothing boy! A disgusting child at best." With those last words, he followed Hermione into the bedroom one last time. She was sitting on the bed, her trunk settled at her feet. "Are you all right Her..." She held a hand up to stop him.

"Not here please Professor. I just want to go home." Her use of his formal name stung slightly.

"Very well Ms. Granger let us depart. You have everything?" She nodded. Severus muttered a shrinking spell, placed her trunk in the pocket of his robe and guided Hermione limply from the room. Passing Harry on their way to the door Snape merely sneered at the boys inquiring glance. "I believe Mr. Weasely will be in need of a healer Potter. And as for you, you and I have a discussion coming about this matter in the near future." On the verge of snarling at the young man, Severus turned and led Hermione through the door. Once a safe distance from the house, they aparated to Hogsmeade.

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That's it for today I think. I need to sleep sometime. Thanks again for the reviews.