All for Kelly. She inspired some of this!

Chapter 7

Before I Knew

By Poet

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The borrow loomed ahead and for the first time in her visits there, it was an unwelcome sight. Trudging up the muddy path, Hermione took her time. The conversation with Molly couldn't be avoided any longer. Dumbledore had urged her to work swiftly towards a resolution. Lest it weigh on her at the start of term. Truthfully Hermione had been only too glad to escape from the castle, even for just a short while. Things with Severus were awkward, and that was stating it mildly. Everytime their paths crossed, one or the both somehow managed o make a fool of themselves. The last time, Hermione had been the one. She had entered the Great Hall for lunch, nose firmly planted in a book when she found herself running into a solid form. Severus Snape stood before her. A bemused sort of expression, with the ever present scowl was on his face. They stood together for a long moment, aware that the others present were watching.

"Professor Snape." Hermione greeted the man warmly, though she flushed with embarrassment. Severus opened his mouth to speak but snapped it shut. Suddenly the two had become aware of their closeness and taken a step apart.

"Professor Granger. As unobservant as ever I see." To anyone, terrified first years in particular, his tone would have been enough to send them screaming in terror. Hermione was not so easily frightened anymore.

"Of course. Buried in my books again. Though this one I'd think even you might forgive me for." She practically grinned at him as she displayed a book. His name was written in his usual loopy style across the cover. It was one of his potions manuals. Then something he rarely did happened. A short bark of laughter crossed his lips and he smiled.

"Indeed. Though," he paused to lean in so that he could whisper into her ear "I hear the author of that is a great git." Straightening he offered her a grin, almost daring to agree. She answered him turn for turn.

"It's true. He can be exactly that. But he's also a skilled Potions Master and a kind person. I believe I can make some sort of allowance." Now it was her, daring him to disagree with her. He bowed his assent to her before whispering good-bye. Their respective smiles still in place they parted company. As Hermione neared the Head Table she couldn't help but hear the Headmaster whisper something that sounded strangely like, "Well done."

The shouts of two men came to her, pulling her from her memory. The red haired bringers of mischief and trouble were walking down the drive to meet her. Fred and George had grown tall in the few years after their premature departure from Hogwarts. Now both were CO-owner of a successful joke shop that was becoming a chain. Three stores was what they boasted wherever they could. And with a fourth on the way it was easy to see that the boys had done well for themselves.

"Fred! George! It's so good to see you two." She laughed as the men came hugged her in turn.

"Ello Hermione."

"How are ye' Hermione?" Both spoke at the same time, but by now Hermione was fluent in all forms of 'Weasely Speak.' From Ron's full-mouthed garble, Ginny's excited ramblings and the Twins constant need to finish each other's sentences, she was proud that she could understand them all. Turning, each arm hooked in a Weasely's, Hermione walked with them towards the Burrow.

"I'm all right. I've been very busy before term starts though."

"We heard about your promotion." Fred answered

"Yea, congratulations Hermione." George added.

"It must be amazing," Fred started.

"being at Hogwarts again." And George finished. Hermione couldn't help but giggle. "Listen, about our brother." She winced slightly, hoping to have avoided this conversation.

"What about Ron?" Trying her best to stay light, she smiled gently, though it was strained.

"Well..."

"He.."

"Don't worry about it. It's between Ron and I. He's still my friend. Even if he...Well, I suppose we've been through worse. Things work out in the end." This had become her conclusion after several sleepless nights. It would have to be taken care of, but it would be on her terms.

"We know Hermione. We just don't want you to feel like there's any pressure on you about this." They spoke together, their tones betraying their unease. Pausing Hermione turned first to Fred, and the to George.

"Isn't there though? There's a bloody great rift now between me and every friend I have. It has to be patched up for things to go back to normal I expect." Somehow the bitterness couldn't be kept away and it slipped past her tongue. The twins heard it, cringing in turn. Fred put and arm around Hermione's shoulder briefly, trying to comfort her.

"It must feel like that. But you know us. You're as much a part of this family as Ron is. We wont leave our own out in the cold."

"Forgetting of course that git Percy. Those two cats we adopted and the garden gnomes. Aside from all of them, we Weaselys support the things we love. And you, my dear friend, are stuck with every red haired one of us. Even our prat brother. Just take it at your own pace." George's tone was light with genuine humor and it infected Hermione. Soon they resumed their walk and before she knew it, the twins had left her at the door with whispers of 'good luck.' Sighing softly, Hermione stepped into the place that had become her second home.

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If Molly was surprised to see Hermione step in to the kitchen, it wasn't as much as when she was suddenly pulled into a fierce hug.

"Hello Mrs. Weasely."

"Oh Hermione dear. It's so good to see you! I didn't know you were coming." Mrs. Weasely ushered the girl in, setting a place for her at the large kitchen table. Before Hermione could answer she had a cup of steaming tea set before her, along with a breakfast of kippers, potatoes and eggs. It wasn't until she'd done away with most of the food that Molly let her speak.

"Thanks very much Mrs. Weasely. That was delicious." Hermione smiled warmly up at the woman who had become her surrogate mother.

"Oh that's no problem dear. I'm just so glad you're here! I was worried when you didn't reply to my.." Molly stopped short, realizing the things she was alluding to. The girl before her offered a comforting smile.

"Don't worry. That's why I'm here. I wanted to tell you not to worry. About Ron and I." Molly moved to sit beside Hermione, helping herself to a cup of tea.

"I'm not worried for Ron dear. It's you. In any case that sort of thing is difficult to endure. And when it comes from..well I'm not proud to call him a son right now."

"Mrs. Weasely." Molly interrupted her before she continued.

"Oh please. Molly will do fine dear. You're family here."

"Molly. Ron was just drunk. That's all. He's never been good when he's like that. I just wasn't in the mood to humor him. I probably made it worse." At this Molly looked shocked.

"Hermione you mustn't blame yourself. Never for something like this!"

"I'm not. There's no excuse for what he's done. But, nothing happened in the end."

"Yes, I saw what Severus did. Although I don't doubt Ron deserved it, the blood has yet to come out." The two women shared a laugh, the image of a battered and bloody Ron too funny to resist. "He went looking like a raccoon for a week. I didn't think his eyes would turn back to normal!"

The women talked for nearly an hour before they were interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Weasely. He greeted them both warmly, kissing his wife on the cheek and shaking Hermione's hand as he set his briefcase down. Hermione inquired into his work at the Ministry and Arthur was only too happy to describe his newest muggle device.

"I'm not sure what it's called but it's a riot at work! We've got a case of these things. Who knew muggles had a touch of magic in them eh?" He declared proudly as he, Molly and Hermione trooped outside. There sat a wooden crate, marked only by a 'No Fire' sign. Fred and George wandered over as Arthur pulled open the lid and revealed it's contents.

"Oh Mr. Weasely. They're fireworks! You set a spark to them and they explode." Somehow worry tinged her voice. Wondering how exactly Arthur had come across them, and how exactly he might have tampered with them. Molly leaned over to her husband and asked him what they did. He picked up a small tube with a fuse at the end. Walking a few yards away, he set it on a clear patch of grass. After lighting it with his wand, he backpedaled to his wife and they waited. Suddenly an explosion and a screech echoed from the small tube. An array of colored sparks shot forth, illuminating even in daylight. Mrs. Weasely 'ood and awed' as the Twins looked conspiratorially at one another. When the fountain had exhausted itself Mr. Weasely selected another tube. This one was marked differently then the others in the crate. "Why is that one different Mr. Weasely?"

"Well..errr...some of the boys wanted to see how these fire...tworks was it? Anyway, they wanted to see if these might be changed a bit. For bigger effects you see. This is a test one." And before Hermione could protest, or step back, Arthur had ignited the tube and run back to his wife. The explosion wasn't quite like the other. In fact the entire tube went up in one incandescent burst. Spraying inflamed black powder and shards of plastic and cardboard in all directions. Everyone had flinched in time. Except for Hermione. She had been the recipient of a rather large hunk of melting plastic. It landed on her exposed forearm, molding around her wrist before cooling slightly and falling away. The shock of the burn hit her instantly and she recoiled before the plastic hit the ground. The wound was already and angry red, growing worse on her wrist. George heard her gasp as they all straightened from their attempts at avoiding debris.

"Hey dad. I think you got Hermione!" Arthur was at her side in a second, with Molly on his heels.

"Oh Hermione dear. Are you all right. That's a nasty burn. Come inside! We'll see if I have any burn salve left." Ushering her inside, Molly did not hesitate to throw a warning glare in the directions of Fred and George. "Touch that crate and I'll hex your hands off!" Trying their best to look affronted the twins watched their mother and father disappear.

Inside Hermione was caught up in a flurry of activity. Molly rushed around, muttering and looking for healing items. Arthur seated Hermione at the table, and conjured a wet rag to place on her arm. The burning was nearly unbearable and the skin had turned a blistered white over a good portion of her arm. Doing her best to maintain a strong front, she tried to reassure them that she would be all right.

"I can't find any burn slave. Arthur do we have any more?"

"I don't know dear. We must not." Molly frowned and returned to the table. "Hermione, does it hurt terribly? Perhaps you should lay down. You're looking a bit pale." But Hermione only smiled and shook her head.

"There's no need Molly. I can apparate back to Hogsmeade. Madame Pomphrey should have plenty of burn salve there. It's no trouble. Doesn't even hurt that bad. I'd be more concerned about those boys of yours and a crate of explosives!" She laughed as a look of horror crossed Molly's face. Standing, Hermione set the rag on the table. "Really. It's no trouble at all. I'll be at the school in ten minutes and then I'll be all taken care of! I'm just glad we got to talk."

"Oh me too dear. Me too. I just wish we hadn't blown you up in the process." Now Molly was walking with her to the door and Hermione threw a good-bye over her shoulder at Mr. Weasely. Once outside, the twins were nowhere to be seen. Though if one looked closely, they might notice the crate of fireworks missing one or two. Molly didn't bother and Hermione didn't want to mention it. Hugging the older woman warmly, Hermione thanked her again. With a promise to return soon, she stepped back and apparated. The thin crack echoing long after she disappeared.

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By the time she rested her hand on the door of the infirmary, tears were brimming in her eyes. The burn was throbbing and horrendous feeling of fire had traveled up her arm and reached into her chest and neck. Finding the infirmary doors securely locked, Hermione uttered a quiet curse. She couldn't last much longer. Blindly she turned and set out. This time a new destination was her purpose.

Even the coolness of the dungeons in the late summer did little to alieve the ache in her arm. With her fingertips tingling, she pushed open the heavy door of the potions classroom and entered. It was empty, though the smell of recent brewing was present. 'Perhaps from Severus's private lab' she thought. That was where she headed. With her good arm she raised her hand to knock sharply. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she waited for an answer. It wasn't long before Severus had yanked open his doors and come face to face with Hermione. She offered him a weak smile and he ushered her in without question.

"Hermione. To what do I owe the pleasure of your interruption of my work?" He'd mistaken her distress for the emotional result of her Weasely visit and tried to pry her with humor. She did laugh, but it was a sort of strangled sound. He sobered instantly. "Hermione?"

"Oh it's nothing Severus. I was just wondering if you had any burn salve. The infirmary is locked and I don't have any." He nodded and without word disappeared into a side room. After a moment her reappeared with a small vial. He handed it to Hermione, noting that she was favoring her right arms.

"Anything wrong?" An eyebrow arched, his gaze pierced her.

"No. Just a small accident. Nothing important. Thank you for this." Hermione turned, unable to control herself any longer. The burning had somehow traveled to her other arm, as if a mocking partner. Her nerves were fried in more ways then one and she wanted only to retreat from the presence of anyone. Even if it was Severus. She was stopped by his gentle hands. The first held her in place, turning her as he stepped towards her. The second tenderly took her right arms. Removing the sleeve that covered it as gently as possible, Severus nearly hissed when he saw the angry white and red that marred Hermione's usually pale skin.

"Merlin Hermione. Why didn't you tell anyone?" Without waiting for her response, Severus had her placed upon a high stool. Uncorking the bottle of salve he dipped his fingers in the cool gel. The relief spread instantly over her body. The fire was quickly replaced by ice as the Potion Master's fingers worked the salve into her skin. Biting her lip to keep from sighing, Hermione closed her eyes as she felt her nerves relent their throbbing. Long after the salve was worked in, Severus maintained his gentle ministrations. The once blistered skin was now a dull red, still warm to the touch but nowhere near as damaged. Taking in the features of the woman before him, a sudden anger welled up, tightening his chest.

"Hermione. Did Ron do this to you. If he did I swear I'll ki.." He fell silent when Hermione's hand moved to cover his.

"No. Ron wasn't even there. It was just an accident. Arthur brought his work home and it didn't go well." She offered the man a smile, amused that he looked so worried.

"Is there a Weasely that isn't a bloody fool in this world?" Exasperated, Severus caught sight of Hermione's grin and mirrored it with his own. His fingers were still moving over her arm, trailing up from the wrist, to her elbow and then back down to tease each of her fingers. "There all better. As well as anyone could be from one of that family's mishaps that is." Hermione nearly scolded him, but held her tongue. Suddenly aware that he was still touching her, she focused on his pale hands. Hypnotically they moved, and she followed with her eyes from his fingertips, up his arm, to his shoulder, across his chest, settling briefly on his lips as her journey continued upwards. Finally she came to rest, her gaze settling into his which had inexplicably become closer. Without thinking, she leaned and their lips met. It struck her at how cool his lips felt against hers. A pleasant feeling, warmth spreading between the two of them. Whimpering softly, she allowed her left hand to trail up and entwine itself in the hair at the nape of his neck. Severus arched into the contact, finding himself pressed against her body lightly. Before he could allow himself the full taste of her, he felt a tremor pass through her. Withdrawing, he smiled at her sigh of discontent but searched her features nonetheless. Pulling her flush against his body, he wrapped her in his embrace. The tremor was there, constant. She was shivering, violently.

"Hermione. You're freezing!" Worry edged his voice again, making him sound desperate.

"Just a little chill." Severus wouldn't hear it. Burns had a nasty habit of inducing shock. He said as much to her. Her weakened protests faded and his decision was made.

"Come Hermione. You must get warm." Still wrapped around her, he led her through his lab. Through a set of doors no one had entered beside him in years. Hermione took no notice of her surroundings as her tremors intensified. Severus bent and took her in his arms. Carrying her the last few yards to his bed, he placed her gently before it. Reaching around her, he pulled the covers aside and without argument Hermione slid underneath the sheets. Silk and down caressed her fevered body as Severus covered her. He settled on the edge of the bed, a hand absently moving strands off of her face. She smiled up at him, though her eyes were far away. Sleep was the best thing for her, so he moved to leave her in peace. Her hand in his stopped his retreat.

"Stay, it would be much warmer if you did." Her smile was mischievous and her logic seemed true enough. Squeezing her hand once, Severus moved to the other side of the bed and slid in behind her. She moved to rest against his chest and his arms secured her against him. Inhaling deeply, he caught her scent, it reminded him of vanilla and the summer. Closing his eyes, he felt the girl in his arms relax into him. With the allure of warmth and company he was not long in joining her.

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AN: Sorry for the delay. Lets blame school. But I love Geology so I guess I can't.

Thanks for the reviews guys!