a/n - Thanks you all for the reviews, they are still fantastic. This is turning out to be longer than I expected. I hope you will all stay with me! Enjoy!
Chapter 7
A loud voice punctuated by a slamming door violently shook Hermione from her slumber. Heart thudding from the harsh awakening, the echo of the door still resonating through the room, she rolled off the couch and scrambled to her feet. In a rush, she threw open the door to the bedroom, which contained the only window with a decent view of the street. Mere seconds passed before, just as Hermione feared, the redheaded form of Ron Weasley descended the steps and stalked down the street toward the Ministry.
Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth as she came to terms with what had happened, and again it was all her fault. Making her way back into the living room, even considering the latest ordeal, she had to grin at what she saw. Snape was sitting up, staring in her direction with one eye still closed, and the other barely squinted.
"What the hell was that all about?" he asked in a thick voice.
Laughing dismally, Hermione crossed the room and plopped down next to him before answering, "It looks like Ron stopped in on his way to class."
Snape's head fell back onto the sofa as he chuckled. "That boy has the most abysmal timing."
"Stop laughing, this is awful," she said, even though she laughed as she said it.
Snape only laughed harder, "It could have been worse."
"And how's that?" Hermione asked through her growing hilarity.
He stopped laughing just long enough to say, "We could have been naked."
That was too much for Hermione. She was laughing so enthusiastically that it was becoming painful. Snape was laughing right along with her, which only incited her that much more.
"Good point," she finally said. "Do you have any idea how we're supposed to explain this one?"
"We don't have to explain anything," he answered with a sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "He's not my boyfriend."
Hermione was giggling again, "I'm serious."
"I know you are," Snape replied. "Perhaps you shouldn't explain at all."
The thought instantly struck Hermione as near brilliance, immediately quelling her laughter. "But if I let him believe this, he'll think I've cheated."
"You and I both know the truth," Snape said with a smirk as he tilted his head toward her.
"What about Harry?" she asked.
"Were you going to adopt him?" Snape countered.
"No," she giggled.
"Then don't concern yourself with him," he answered. "Harry is your friend as well, correct?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Then he will understand whichever rumor you select to tell him," Snape advised. "Now then, are you going to fix coffee or just chatter me to death all morning?"
Laughing, Hermione teased, "I believe you slept on my couch. I'm not obligated to make you anything."
Snape grinned before replying in the most charming baritone, "I don't recall being alone."
His eyes were alert now and gazing right at her, and they were challenging her, whether it was deliberate or not. Those arresting ebony eyes were tempting her, taunting her, and for a second she forgot to breathe.
"I don't recall inviting you to stay," she challenged in a quiet voice.
Smirking, Snape replied as smooth as ever, "I don't recall inviting you to sleep on top of me."
Hermione grinned, knowing that nothing she could say would be true. Instead, she decided to go prepare the coffee, delaying any further comment. Snape's eyes followed her as she passed in front of him, further distracting her from the trouble at hand.
As she set the kettle, she tried to make sense of the jumble of emotions tumbling around inside. She felt terrible for the pain Ron must surely be feeling after seeing her like that, but she didn't feel badly that it occurred. Allowing Ron to believe that she was having an affair with Snape would be simple--solving the problem that had been bothering her for some time--explaining to Harry would be the difficult part. She didn't want to lose either of them as friends, but she couldn't continue seeing Ron when her feelings for him were no longer genuine.
Some time ago, she had stopped seeing him as her lover, though she still cared for him deeply. She didn't want to hurt him, but she wasn't happy any longer, and she was unwilling to become what he wanted, so there was no point in continuing their relationship. Harry complicated all of that. Hermione may have ended things with Ron months before when he had asked her to move in with him. Her doubts about the relationship caused her to make up multiple excuses, none of them valid and all of them dreadfully transparent, hoping that he would take the hint. She had been disappointed when Ron accepted them without question. Hermione wanted the relationship to end naturally, amiably. She didn't want to instigate the parting because that would bring more chaos into Harry's life. Thankfully, Ron would be in class all day, so she would have the opportunity to speak with Harry first this time.
The coffee ready at last, she returned to Snape on the sofa. He was watching her cautiously as she handed him his cup.
"Something just occurred to me," he said slowly. "You don't seem the slightest bit unnerved that we spent the night together."
His directness threw her for a second. "I am…I mean…neither do you," she stammered. "Why didn't you leave?" she asked, attempting to sound curious.
"Because I didn't want to wear you as a necklace," he responded, sipping his coffee but maintaining the shrewd stare. "Do you fall asleep sitting up often?"
Hermione stifled a powerful grin. "No," she giggled. "I don't know what happened." She honestly didn't know what to say.
A knowing smile parted his lips as he asked, "You weren't sleeping, were you?"
"What?" Hermione responded, fully aware of what.
Chuckling, his eyes shot wide open. "You deceived me," he asserted in amused disbelief.
"I did no such thing," Hermione declared calmly as she stood. "If you'll excuse me, I really should get ready for work. I'm almost late as it is."
Snape was still gawking at her with a look of shock and a roguish grin as she hurried past him toward her bedroom, the embarrassment of what she had done starting to sink in.
"I'll see you at the hospital," she said as she reached the door.
When she took hold of the knob, she froze when Snape's hand enclosed hers, and she was acutely aware of him standing directly behind her, quite closely behind though he was only touching her hand.
"You can avoid the subject all you want," he said lowly, his voice very near to her ear. "But let me make one thing perfectly clear." He paused, letting go of her hand, but inclining his head so close that she could feel his breath caress her neck as he spoke his next words very slowly. "Next time, invite me to stay."
The shiver that consumed her triggered a response that frightened and excited her all the same. She turned quickly, clutching the front of his shirt and tugging him closer. He only retained the smirk that he was already wearing. When she saw his eyes, alight with a fervor she had never before seen from any man, she had to remember again what she intended to say.
"You had two choices," she murmured.
"Did I?" he asked, a purr slinking into his voice. "I only saw the one."
After that all Hermione could hear was her pulse rushing in her ears as he took her hands with his and gently removed them from his shirt. His stare was as indecent as it was sexy when he leaned toward her. She closed her eyes, waiting to discover how the man tasted.
She felt his lips, but they brushed her right ear as he whispered, "I have to leave now."
He grazed her cheek with his as he released her hands. By the time she opened her eyes, he was already halfway to the door.
"Hey you, English guy," she said with a smile as she caught her breath.
Snape stopped nearly to the door, but did not turn back to her. "Yes?"
"If you wait for me," she said, "I'll come with you."
Snape chuckled but he still didn't look at her. "That is exactly what I'm afraid will happen if I stay," he said, his voice rich and his tone betraying the smile he was wearing.
Giggling, Hermione grinned, "I meant accompany."
He laughed as he opened the door, finally turning to face her with a sinful smile, "Yes, well I didn't. Good day Miss Granger."
Hermione waited until the door closed before falling against her bedroom door with a sigh. She had never before behaved that way with a man, nor had any man ever spoken to her in that way. His voice that had scared her when she was younger was now a catalyst to unearthly feelings in her body.
Any experience she gained up to the point had been with Viktor and Ron, who seemed very irrelevant now. They were all hands and no couth. In the few brief moments that Snape had stood so close to her, gazing with those beguiling eyes, she had felt more wanted and aroused than she could remember, and he had scarcely touched her.
She hadn't been sure what to do about Ron's proposal until after last night's impetuous stunt. Snape answered her dilemma when he maneuvered her onto the couch next to him. He stayed, and that told her exactly what she wanted to know. If he weren't interested in her, he would have certainly pushed her away. Hermione smiled to herself as she finally entered her bedroom. The things Ron was probably thinking right at that moment weren't so far from the truth after all.
>
Snape Apparated back to the hostel. He would have preferred to walk, but in the muddled state Hermione had put in, he couldn't directly remember the way. When he finally reached the security of his room, he reclined on the bed, a gratified smile on his face.
Hermione Granger wanted him. That information was startling. He had so successfully convinced himself that she would never consider such a thing that he almost hadn't questioned her. He had even felt guilty about causing her more trouble with the Weasley boy. Snape was prepared to play the role of the other man to allow Hermione to end the relationship. However, the prospect of playing the other man in reality was much more enticing.
When Hermione had him by the shirtfront, he thought for sure that she would make the first move. Luckily, she hadn't. If she wanted to toy with him, he could do the same. Now that he didn't have to fight down the desires that he was feeling, his trip was going to be far more interesting.
Once Snape finished reminiscing, it was time to prepare for the meeting. Snape showered and donned a heavy set of black robes. No matter how engaging the situation with Hermione was, Potter would require his full attention. Snape usually had little trouble controlling his concentration when it came to work, but a woman like her had never before occupied his focus so completely, ever since that first night in Mandeville. Potter, Snape reminded himself. Potter was the focus for the time being.
The journey to St. Mungo's was uneventful. The day was glorious, perhaps because Snape was enjoying the sunshine for a change or because he was planning ways to provoke and frustrate Hermione. Snape was a few minutes early when he stepped through the barrier into the lobby of the hospital. He was about to take a seat when he heard his name.
"Severus," Hermione called from the stairs.
Snape smiled to himself. She was going to use his first name then. Resetting his face, he joined her at the bottom of the stairwell.
"Uh," she said in an almost nervous voice, visibly thrown by his presence. "Harry is on the fourth floor."
She stared at him, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. Though he enjoyed watching her restlessness, they really did need to be getting on with Potter if Snape was ever going to get her out of the hospital.
"Would you care to lead the way?" he asked smoothly.
"Of course," she answered.
As they ascended the stairs, Hermione said, "I feel like I should apologize."
"For what?" Snape asked naively, glancing down to catch her eye as they reached the corridor on the fourth floor. "For deceiving me or seducing me?"
When he finished the question, Hermione halted and gazed up at him, wide-eyed and a little slack-jawed. Snape relished her reaction.
"Have we reached Potter's room?" Snape asked, containing his grin.
Hermione nodded slowly.
Snape leaned in a bit closer before saying quietly, "Close your mouth. People are starting to stare."
Snape walked past her into the room, only to give himself a few seconds to smile before he would again have to hitch up his scowl. He did have a reputation after all.
Potter's was a crisp, white private room. There was a partition obscuring Snape's view of the bed and two men chatting nearby. As soon as Snape entered the room, the two men started toward him.
"Severus," he heard Hermione say from his shoulder, "this is James Flannigan." The dark-haired man held out a hand and Snape shook it. "And this is Thalonius Cleary," Hermione added. Snape shook the blond man's hand as well. "Gentlemen, this is Professor…I mean, Severus Snape."
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir," Flannigan gushed.
"We'd like to help in any way that we can," Cleary piped up.
"Thank you," Snape said formally. "Now go away."
Snape brushed past the two men toward the bed.
"Excuse me sir," one of them said impatiently, "but we are the primary healers in charge of Harry's treatment."
Snape was afraid it wouldn't be that simple. He sighed, turning back to the two men. "Though that is fascinating," Snape said coolly, "if you were in any way successful, I wouldn't be here. I will work with Miss Granger and Miss Granger alone. If you are to assist in anyway, it will be by staying out of my way and not questioning any decisions that I make concerning Mr. Potter's care."
The two men stared blankly at him while Hermione held a hand over her mouth doing a very poor job of hiding her smile.
"Is that clear?" Snape asked firmly.
"Yes sir," the blond one said, whatever his name was.
They swept quickly from the room and Snape allowed his smirk to show.
"That wasn't very nice," Hermione said lightly. "I bet they won't come back at all now."
"Good," Snape said before turning back to the bed.
When he passed the partition, he was wholly unprepared for what he saw. Hermione certainly hadn't exaggerated Potter's condition. He was nothing more than skin draped over bone, his cheekbones protruded severely and his complexion had no color whatsoever. The only aspects of his appearance separating him from a corpse were the vibrant green eyes that were now resting upon Snape, who was struggling not to display his shock.
"Mr. Potter," Snape said, glad to hear that his voice was steady. "I see that you've been dieting."
Potter smiled and extended a boney hand. When Snape shook it, he couldn't help noting the unsettling resemblance to Voldemort.
"I'm--" Harry started before a hacking cough took over.
"Don't attempt to speak anymore," Snape said as he let go of Harry's hand. "You will write down whatever it is you feel the need to say from now on. Every time that you speak you are further damaging your lungs, making my task that much more difficult."
Harry nodded as the fit ended.
"Miss Granger relayed your apology," Snape told him quickly. "There will be no need to reiterate it. I do want to remind you that I am in charge of your care now. You are not to take any potions or other treatments unless administered by Miss Granger or myself."
Again, Harry nodded.
Snape went on, "Miss Granger also said that you remember nothing significant from your fight with Voldemort. Is that correct?"
Harry nodded slowly.
"In that case," Snape continued, "I will need to see if there is anything in your memory that I may recognize."
Just then, Hermione put a hand on Snape's arm as she asked, "You're going to us Legilimency? Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"His illness is of the body, not the mind," Snape explained. "He will be fine."
Hermione still looked apprehensive, but she returned to her post at the foot of the bed. Snape returned his attention to Harry.
"I need you to think about the battle," Snape said. "Go back to the very start of your confrontation with Voldemort. In all likelihood, he struck you with something nonverbal and I don't want to spend the entire day rooting around in your head."
Harry nodded again, closing his eyes.
"Are you ready?" Snape asked.
As Harry opened his eyes, he nodded once.
Snape disregarded his wand. Over the years, he had become quiet adept at the nonverbal incantation without his wand on people who were in a weakened state or not employing Occlumency. As soon as he met Harry's eyes, Snape was viewing the battle from Harry's perspective. Voldemort had his wand raised. Harry was terrified, concerned for his friends, and eager to finish off Voldemort so that he could commence with killing Snape. A jet of scarlet light came from Voldemort's wand and struck Harry in the side. It was definitely not a stunner. The pain was excruciating, but Harry pushed through it. He sent several curses at Voldemort before a cloud of black mist surrounded Harry's head. The mist was burning his mouth and nose. He shut his eyes tight against the unknown substance. Finding the sense to run, Harry collapsed to the ground a few yards away. Voldemort strode arrogantly to Harry's side, standing over him and launching into some inane speech. Voldemort lowered his wand for just a moment and Harry seized the opportunity. He performed a nonverbal killing curse, which Snape found to be extremely impressive. Caught off guard, the curse struck Voldemort squarely in the chest and he most likely didn't know what hit him. Having seen enough, Snape retreated from Harry's mind.
Harry was flailing his right hand in the air. Hermione advanced with a piece of parchment and quill, handing them to Harry. Immediately, he started scribbling and then held the parchment out to Snape.
Snape took it and read, "Do you know what those spells were? I'm sorry I wanted to kill you."
Snape sighed before saying, "I have all the information that I need to begin. And I thought we already covered that last bit."
Harry snatched back the parchment, writing more, and handing it back.
Snape read the added note, "You aren't going to hold it against me, are you?"
Chuckling softly, Snape recognized that Harry was kidding. "No," Snape answered, "I'm not going to let you die because you wanted to murder me."
Harry smiled and glanced at Hermione who was still hovering at the foot of the bed.
"I need to speak with Miss Granger," Snape said. Before he walked away, Snape added lowly, "You did well Potter."
Hermione eagerly followed Snape into the hall.
"Is there somewhere we can speak privately?" he asked. Hermione led him into the empty room across from Harry's. "Sit down," Snape told her as soon as they were inside.
"Why?" she asked, visibly alarmed. "It's bad, isn't it?"
"Not necessarily," he said gently. "Just sit."
Hermione sat on the edge of the bed and Snape pulled up a small chair in front of her.
"His muscles were affected by a curse derived from an ancient Druid healing spell. As luck would have it, I was forced to develop an antidote some time ago." Hermione eyed him questioningly. Before she could comment, Snape added, "When Voldemort was testing the modified curse, he accidentally struck Lucius with it."
Laughing quietly, Hermione said, "That's a shame."
"Yes," Snape chuckled. "I found it quite entertaining myself." Sobering quickly, he went on, "Potter's lungs are another matter entirely. That was another of Voldemort's own design, and I have no idea how to counter its affects."
Her head falling, Hermione lifted both hands to her face. She was holding her breath again. Snape took her hands and pulled them away.
"Although that is because I have never tried," Snape explained. "By the end of the day, we will have solved half the problem. The other half will be more complicated."
"But you can help him?' she asked hopefully. Her eyes were imploring him.
"I make no promises," he replied honestly. "But I will do my best."
"That's all I need to hear," she said, putting her arms swiftly around his neck.
Smiling, Snape returned the embrace and asked, "Is this one of those contractually obligated hugs?"
"No," she answered with a giggle.
"Then don't go dozing off," he replied dryly.
She giggled again just as Snape heard the door open.
"Can't you two keep your hands off each other?" Mr. Weasley had apparently found his way to the hospital.
Snape pulled Hermione away and stood, turning toward the nuisance. Fed up, Snape asked, "Do you have some kind of bloody radar?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ron asked, visibly taken back.
Snape sighed before answering harshly, "You have a singular gift for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" Hermione interjected.
"Aren't you supposed to be my girlfriend?" Ron sneered.
Snape looked from the flustered Hermione to the livid Ron. "Weasley," Snape commanded, "come here."
"You can't order me around," Ron replied with indignation.
"Come here before I make you," Snape elaborated threateningly.
With all the caution of a man approaching a vicious snake, Ron joined them next to the bed.
"You both have some things to discuss," Snape said forcefully, turning to Hermione with a softer tone. "Would you prefer that I stay?"
She shook her head, staring dubiously at Ron.
"Then I have a potion to brew," Snape said, glaring at Ron. "Watch yourself Weasley. One of you I happen to give a damn about."
After saying his piece, Snape left the room to wander the hall in search of anyone to direct him to the potions lab. Gnashing his teeth as he paced, Snape was hopeful that Weasley would take his warning seriously. Still, Snape knew that he was only thinking of the boy to distract himself from the circumstances. Evaste Spiritus--the black mist--was the one curse that he wished not to see. That curse would be as easy to treat as the affects of Avada Kedavra, and if Snape knew how to do that, he could have saved a small fortune on bourbon.