Sugar and Spice
Chapter Ten
(Disclaimer: I own no Harry Potter titles, only the plot.)
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Hermione's day went by achingly slow. Transfiguration was fine and she sailed through that easily, as she did in all of her other classes… except potions.
When she entered the dungeon, she took a seat farthest away from Snape's desk and pulled out her textbook and turned to the page written on the board. Pyronotic potion? Hermione thought. This is a fifth year level concoction…
Hermione easily put it together and poured the result into a vial, pushing her chair back and making her way towards Snape's desk. She hid all of the nervousness and butterflies she was feeling perfectly, concealing it with a smirk and glinting eyes. She set the potion onto Snape's desk, allowing her eyes to meet with his for one moment and went back to her seat, letting out a silent sigh of relief. Harry, who was sitting next to her, gave her an odd look.
"Just glad I finished." She said.
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The Gryffindor was driving Snape mad.
Every move she made, his eyes were glued to her. Yet she was half of his age! It's illegal and work- seeing as their relationship was purely educational.
Oh, whom was he kidding? Not even himself. Hermione's beauty and intelligence and suavity intrigued Severus intensely. Not only did he love having her around, but also she held very educated conversations. She was a very brave young lady, too, to be accepting the role of a faux Death Eater and get away with it in front of the one creature they both despised more than life itself.
And the things Hermione had suffered… rape, torture, and humiliation. Two of the three had been partly caused by Severus and he hated himself for it. But his thoughts were his own and he was glad of that. The things he thought when around Hermione weren't exactly innocent.
But since when has Severus Snape been innocent?
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The bell rang, signaling the end of the period and the end of the day. As Hermione passed Snape's desk, he called out to her.
"Miss Granger, wait for a moment." His voice drawled out. "I'd like to have a word with you."
Hermione nodded and said goodbye to Harry. Her heart was beating madly in her chest.
Once the rest of the class filed out, Hermione stood in front of her professor's desk. "Yes, professor?"
"What happened last night- you are not to breathe a word about that to anyone." Snape commanded, casting a silencing charm. "It was a mistake and I regret it."
Something inside Hermione was crushed. "Then why did you kiss me?" She asked.
"Why did you kiss me in return?" Snape retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Because there's something about you that makes me want to take risks…"I asked you first."
"I believe that that is none of your concern-"
"Hell yes, it is!" Hermione raised her voice. "If you haven't noticed, we don't have the usual student/teacher relationship!"
"Obviously."
"Why did you kiss me, professor?" She asked again.
Snape let out a sigh of frustration. "I don't know."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't know why I kissed you, Miss Granger." Snape repeated.
"Call me Hermione. I don't care anymore." She said, taking a seat in a chair in front of his desk. "Only in private, though."
"Vise versa, to you, too," Snape said. "Hermione."
The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. She diverted her gaze from the stone floor to his eyes. Her heartbeat picked up again and the butterflies twirled about her stomach.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Hermione asked. "Playing like this?"
"'Playing,' Miss Gr- Hermione?"
"It's hard to disguise myself around you, S-Severus." It felt odd not calling him by his surname. "I don't like this effect you have on me."
"Neither do I."
Hermione let out a sigh. "I shall see you tomorrow."
Hermione exited, feeling Severus' eyes on her the whole way out.
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"What took you so long, 'Mione?" Harry asked as she entered the common room.
"Snape wanted to talk about our next meeting." She lied in response.
Hermione couldn't help but fall into Harry's arms, closing her eyes and letting out a tired sigh as he held her up.
"You okay?"
"I will be." Hermione replied, withdrawing from his arms. "I'm sorry, it's just I feel so withdrawn from everyone… like when I'm gone and undercover I'm replaced. I saw you with Ginny."
"I understand, 'Mione, and I'm sorry." Harry said. "But I understand now about what you said about us not working out. I can't stand the thought of losing you, and I'm be even more torn up if we were going out and I lost you."
"Yeah…" Hermione was surprised at what little faith he had in her.
"But would one kiss kill you?" Harry asked, smiling lightly as his eyes met hers.
"Not at all."
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"Ah, glad to see you two got my message so quickly." Dumbledore said as Hermione and Severus entered the Headmaster's office. "And how are things going?"
"I wouldn't say perfect, but surprisingly smoothly." Hermione answered, taking a seat in front of Dumbledore. "Voldemort is buying everything."
"I'm very proud of you, Hermione." Dumbledore said. "And what do you think, Severus?"
"I agree with Miss Granger."
"Good, good. Now we can get to the more challenging part of our mission." The headmaster said. "Professor Snape will work with you on a new level of occlumency. He'll show you how to block everything out except for an image you remember or made up yourself. For instance, when Voldemort looks into your mind, you can show him any scene you want. All you have to do is think it. Of course it's more complicated than that, but, knowing you, you'll have it done in no time."
Hermione smile graciously. "Thank you, professor."
"We'll put the Mirror into work next time you go to Voldemort. Tell him that Harry will be at the Ministry on January 29th to bring back Sirius. When he asks your reasons for treason, explain that you and Harry had been dating and he cheated on you. Or Harry pulled a prank that went too far. Whichever situation you chose, project that scene and let Voldemort view it as a reinforcement."
Hermione nodded.
"I assume you can have her prepared as soon as possible, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, Headmaster."
"Hermione has my permission to stay the night in your chamber for extra practice. If Voldemort calls for you tomorrow, I'd like for you to be ready. If anyone asks any questions, you fell asleep in the library."
Hermione nodded and turned to leave. "Thank you, professor." She called over her shoulder, following Snape back to his room.
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"Okay, Hermione." Snape said. "You've had me enter your mind before, but this time, on top of blocking everything out, you'll pull something up as well. It will be quite a strain on your mind, and if you get too overwhelmed, let me know and we will take a break. But we must get this done tonight."
Hermione nodded, pulling her hair up into a bun. It was cold down in the dungeons, especially in the cold of December.
"Push everything out of your mind as you've done before and don't take your eyes off of mine. I'll enter your mind." Hermione felt Severus' presence inside of her. "Now think of a book. Just picture it."
A book dissolved into her mind. It was a muggle book she'd read over the summer called 'Red is for Remembrance.' She imagined every white page covered with ink and creativity.
"Now picture yourself sitting in your dormitory reading it. Imagine every little aspect. What time of day it is, the lighting, who else is in the room."
Hermione imagined herself sitting on her bed, underneath her covers at night with only a candle providing light.
"Your dormitory does not have only a single bed in it. And I assume a girl's dormitory will not be a quiet as you imagine it is at night."
She corrected her image, adding in several other beds, all filled with other girls- some sleeping and some up chattering together.
"Very good Hermione." Snape withdrew himself from her mind. "I'll let you take a slight break and then we'll work on it some more."
Hermione's head was throbbing, but she hid it well. Severus handed her a glass of water and, about ten minutes later, announced that it was time to continue.
"Now, I'm going to name a situation and, as fast as you can, imagine yourself there. It's essential that you forget no details at all."
Hermione nodded and Snape once again entered her mind.
"You're the astronomy professor at Hogwarts."
Hermione imagined herself in front of a class laying in lush green grass and pointing out constellations with her wand. She was explaining the story behind Sirius and answering questions. She wore usual robes and her hair was clipped up.
"Erase that." Hermione's mind went blank. "Good, now imagine you're getting married."
She was walking down the isle in an elegant white gown with Remus at her side, replacing her father whom was dead. Her hair fell at her shoulders in golden curls. Every seat around her was filled. Harry smiled up at her, holding hands with Ginny. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he nodded to her. Hermione's eyes finally fell on her groom, whom was wearing an original black and white tuxedo. She found herself looking at Severus Snape.
Severus withdrew from her mind too quickly from surprise, hurting her and causing her to yell out in pain. Hermione fell to her knees, putting her hand on either side of her head.
Splitting and throbbing pain echoed through her mind. She refused to open her eyes, fearing the lights would only make things worse. Tears were streaming down her face as she crumpled into a worthless ball on the floor.
"Miss Granger, drink this, it'll help." Snape whispered, knowing if he used his regular voice it would only cause her more pain.
Hermione reached around and felt a vial being pushed into her hand. Without opening her eyes, she quickly downed it and felt herself drifting off. She felt a pair of strong arms pick her up and lay her on a surface much more cozy than the floor.
"Thank you," She whispered. "Severus."
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A/N- Alright, a nice long chapter. I don't really think I someone to beta unless anyone thinks I need one. I'm glad this is progressing at the right tempo; I've been so worried about rushing things and getting off of the plot.. What do you all think?