Chapter 8
Before I Knew
By Poet
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Her nose itched. The uncomfortable sensation had been slowly pulling her from a very comfortable state of bliss. The itch had to be taken care of. With a soft sigh, Hermione opened her eyes. The itch was relieved in a rough motion, irritation driving it. Satisfied, she took in her present state. Some time in the night she had shrugged out of her robe, leaving only a plain, sleeveless gown. The black fabric she was wearing nearly matched that of the sheets she found herself half wrapped in. The comforter of the bed rested at her hips, and just above that, a hand rested. Splayed across her abdomen, Severus's hand was a gentle pressure, as if in reassurance for the man beside her. Hermione smiled, her own hand tangling with the one against her. Continuing her visual exploration, she followed Severus's arm up to his shoulder and then to his face. In sleep he was peaceful. Something she had never seen from him. Not even when he was unconscious, was he as calm as she now saw. Frowning at memories of time spent vigilant over his hospital bed, Hermione reached out with her other hand to brush her fingertips against his cheek. He was breathing. She was happy. Her touch made the sleeping man stir. He inhaled deeply before she saw his eyes open. In the dim light of the room, his gaze found her instantly. The ghost of a smile crossed his lips when he found her watching him.
"mm...good morning I gather." He hadn't bothered to look for an indication of time. They had fallen asleep in the early afternoon, that much he knew. How long they had been asleep, neither was sure. Not that either was eager to separate long enough to find out.
"Good Morning to you." Hermione smiled sleepily at him. Pleased when it was returned, she moved closer to the Potion's Master. He obliged gladly as she turned, pulling her nearly flush against his body. Unconsciously, he slipped his left leg between Hermione's and hooked it around hers. Drawing her closer still, her grinned when her eyes widened slightly. "Sev.." But he silenced her with a gentle kiss.
"Yes, Hermione?" He asked her, his grin spreading as he took in her slightly flushed features. Unable to find anything worth saying she let him kiss her again. This time, tangling her fingers in his hair gently. He was hardly idle, tongue darting out to tease her lips, seeking entrance. When she opened her mouth to let him, he grinned against her mouth, continuing to tease her lips instead. Finally her own tongue sought his out, the clash was gentle as her drew her into his mouth and she readily assented. After a long moment without thought to air, he drew back. This time it was he who was slightly flushed. She smiled, almost wickedly as she licked her bruised lips. His eyes focused on the movement of her tongue. Realizing his body was betraying it's usual calm reserve, he withdrew slightly. She looked at him questioningly. "Perhaps...we should..address our current...activities. It seems rather important really." He tried calming his erratic breaths and it didn't go unnoticed. Hermione smirked at him.
"Perhaps you're right." Hermione looked at him expectantly, but he only returned her gaze. She was acutely aware that his hand had resumed it's position against her stomach. The slow circling of his fingertips was distracting to say the least. She glared at him.
"All right. I suppose 'ladies first' might not necessarily be appropriate for this..conversation. Very well. I'll say outright that I find you very attractive. Your company, while full of incessant questions and chatter," he paused when she smacked his arm. "I find quite welcome. One could go as far as to say that I might like your presence rather more than I should." He kissed her gently but drew away before she could deepen it.
"I feel one of your 'however's coming Severus." Hermione smiled innocently enough, but he wasn't fooled. Nodding he continued.
"Indeed. As perceptive as ever I see. However, there are, shall we say, issues with our current..relationship that need to be addressed."
"Such as?" Hermione propped herself up against the headboard and Severus followed suit. Turning to glance at him, she bit her lip. Prepared for the worst she waited for him to continue.
"For one, your current trouble with Mr. Weasely. Many would say I'm taking advantage of an emotionally distressed woman and nothing more. I've never cared for opinion, but I worry about you. Secondly, there is the obvious issue with age, my colorful past and the fact that I am still branded as a Death Eater in most wizarding circles. The stigma I have lived with, but I'd rather not place you in the position. Assuming of course...that we..err..that is that you...had any interest...in me." Severus visibly flinched as he finished. Sensing that perhaps he had just dug himself a shallow grave he looked away from Hermione. Silently he cursed himself for assuming so much. She didn't answer for a long time. Seemingly unaware of his turmoil, Hermione bit her lip in thought. The silence did little for Severus's nerves and he swung himself away, bare feet landing on cold floor. With his back to her, he dropped his head and sighed deeply. Her hand on his shoulder startled him. Without a sound she had crept from her side of his bed and had come to stand before him. Risking her wrath, he glanced up. Hermione kissed him gently, and then settled herself beside him once more.
"Why is it that men assume the worst and expect the worst?" She laughed softly and Severus quirked an eyebrow in confusion. "Honestly you'd think that after all this time you'd be able to tell I was attracted to you. Even before the party, when we were working together. I'm rather surprised you didn't hex me into oblivion when I was tripping over myself then. Although there was the slight distraction of a mass wizarding war I suppose. Even so, and even now Severus, I've been attracted to you for a very long time." Seeing the Potion Master's jaw drop slightly made Hermione laugh harder. It took him a moment to regain any sense of composure, but when he finally began to speak a sharp knock interrupted him. Hermione jumped slightly, the sudden noise surprising her as well. Severus rested a gentle hand on her shoulder briefly before rising. Pulling a robe loosely around his body, he waited for Hermione to dress. "If you wish I can wait out of sight until who ever it is gone." Severus considered this for a moment and then grinned.
"No, I like you just where you are. Make yourself comfortable. We have a conversation to finish anyway." Kissing Hermione swiftly, he turned and made his way to the door of his chambers.
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"Ah Severus. I was wondering if you'd be up yet. It is rather early." Severus rolled his eyes. He knew full well the Headmaster had known he was awake. Rather then bother with responding to the man's innuendo, he ushered him inside. Albus took a seat in a plush green arm chair while the younger man remained standing.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company once again Headmaster?" Sarcasm dripped from his every word, but it was a friendlier sort then usual. Albus smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling.
"My business concerns you and Ms. Granger actually. Have you seen her lately? Minerva and I were surprised when she didn't come to dinner in the Great Hall." Albus was as casual as possible, but his tone was hardly questioning. Severus knew perfectly well that the Headmaster was aware of Hermione's current whereabouts. The man was just teasing in his odd, all knowing, way. Sighing dramatically, Severus stepped once more to the door of his bedchambers. Uttering something the Headmaster couldn't hear, he turned after a moment with a smug look on his face. Seconds later, a blushing Hermione stepped out of the bedroom. "Ah. Hermione! Good Morning to you my dear." Albus greeted the blushing witch with a warm smile and motioned her to sit in a nearby chair. As she settled, Severus took up a position behind her, his arms crossed across his chest.
"Good Morning Albus. How are you?" Her blush gradually resided as Hermione tried to make herself comfortable in the awkward situation. Wanting nothing more then to look to Severus for reassurance, she forced herself to focus on the old man before her. The Headmaster frowned, as if contemplating something.
"I have asked for your audience because a piece of troubling news has been made known. Right now, I am not sure of the implications, nor the reasons for what has been discovered. However, I am sure that it might be an explanation, no matter how vague it remains for now. The unfortunate business between yourself and Mr. Weasley is that matter that I have come to discuss with you Hermione."
"What is it you've discovered Headmaster?" Hermione was puzzled and ill at ease. The wounds, though now weeks old, that Ron had inflicted still stung. Wanting nothing more then to forget, the unpleasant topic of conversation unnerved her.
"It seems that Mr. Weasley has..well it seems that certain alliances are not what we had assumed." The old man faltered. Now he was quite unsure of how to continue. Severus spoke before he could continue.
"Surely Albus, you don't mean the boy has anything to do with..." A look from the Headmaster silenced Severus. An unpleasant weight settled on his chest suddenly. Looking down to the woman sitting before him, he frowned.
"What? What is it?" Hermione was confused, her irritation flared as the men discussed something she didn't understand. Turning to face the man behind her she looked at him questioningly. "Severus?"
"Hermione. Ron carries the Mark." His tone was soft in hopes that the whisper would be lost in the room. She didn't need any more shocks, and it pained him to have to lay them on her. Horror passed over her features and she paled visibly. Focusing on the arm of the chair, her lips moved in silent question. Suddenly she stood up, so quickly that a wave of dizziness overtook her. Stumbling, she looked from one man to the other.
"No!"
"Hermione." Severus's voice was pleading.
"No. Ron isn't evil."
"Hermione.."
"Stay away from me. You're lying. Both of you. It's over. Everything is over!" She backed up frantically. Severus took a step towards her as she pressed against a wall. The Headmaster hadn't risen, instead he was motionless in his seat. A sad look was set on his old features but he did not speak. Offering the younger man a look of comfort he turned his attention back to Hermione. Severus had nearly reached her. He was close enough to see tears on her face.
"Hermione." He whispered her name and it jarred her. She met his gaze and he shuddered as a wave of sadness overtook him. A sob tore itself from her lips and Hermione collapsed. Severus was there in an instant. Gathering her into his arms he pulled her into a tight embrace. Pressing his lips to her ear, he whispered words of comfort in every language he could remember. She struggled against him before finally sagging into exhaustion. Sobs still wracked her and he was forcibly reminded of the night all of the trouble had started.
"Severus. Perhaps it would be good to let her rest. There is more I need to explain though." The Headmaster had finally risen from his place and stood over the entwined pair. Hermione didn't even glance up. Severus nodded and with her held tightly against his chest, he stood. Without another word, he carried her limp form once more through his chamber doors. Settling her gently onto his bed he looked over the raggedly tired features. For the first time he noticed the dark bags under her eyes. Her face was thin, lacking the healthier look of her youth. Running a fingertip down her cheek he sighed softly. She stirred only briefly, somehow sleeping even after all the trauma. Bending to land a soft kiss at the corner of her lips he stood and returned to where the Headmaster was waiting.
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"Albus. Why is she so weak?" With his head resting heavily in his hands, Severus sat limply in the chair Hermione had occupied. The older man took a moment to answer, in his silence he took in the stance of his colleague.
"Severus, I am very sorry. Pulling you into the world that you fought with your life to escape from is the last thing I want. But she needs someone. And that someone seems to be you." He spoke very softly. Ensuring his words would carry no farther then the small space they occupied he began to explain. "Ronald Weasley has been working as a rogue Death Eater for nearly six years. When Percy Weasley was marked he gave them his younger brother as a gift. I only have this information now, because Percy agreed to speak with me in Azkaban. He has gone mad, but was more then lucid enough to tell me about his part in Voldemort's group of followers. And as I was leaving, he boasted about his brother." Severus's hands clenched as Albus spoke. A deep hatred was burning within the young man. A hatred for the master he once served, for the followers that murdered in his name. And for himself. For being foolish enough to believe he could ever walk away untouched by the evil. "The only thing we do not know Severus, is whether Ron Weasley went willingly. Percy wouldn't tell me. He died shortly after my visit. You understand the implications of this don't you Severus?"
"Of course I do. If Weasley is marked, then there are others who still assemble." Dumbledore held up a hand for silence. "But I don't understand. Why would he be interested in Hermione?"
"It is true that his interest in the girl seems odd. But Percy offered me one last bit of information, to taunt me I imagine. Ronald Weasley was promised Hermione by Voldemort. The two were linked together by dark magic. He believes he is claiming what is rightfully his." Severus stood suddenly, glaring at the man before him.
"No!"
"Severus! The magic...it will weaken her until we find a cure for it. If we cannot..if Ronald Weasley is not forced to break the unnatural bond she will die." The Potions Master paced furiously. Looking for something, anything to relieve the rage and the pain settling in his chest he lashed out wildly. Catching a table with several heavy books on it's surface he flung them hard. They hit the floor with a satisfying thud. Panting he continued his angry pacing. Deaf to the Headmaster's pleas, he whirled away from the man. "Severus please. I know what she means to you." He turned on the man, his eyes blazing with fury.
"I'm not going to let her die. I'll do whatever it takes to save her Albus."
"We'll find a way my boy. We'll find a way." The old man approached the Potion's Master and settled a hand on his shoulder. The younger man looked squarely into the headmaster's eyes and when he spoke, his voice was a ragged whisper.
"I love her Albus. I can't lose her now."
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AN: A plot makes it's presence known. Now...I want reviews...what do you all think of my direction? Should they just live happily ever after or do you like where this is going?
I'd really love feedback. Thanks everyone!