Sugar and Spice
Chapter Eleven
(Disclaimer: I own no Harry Potter titles.)
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Hermione woke up several hours later with her head still throbbing. She sat up lazily and found herself in only her undergarments and a large shirt that she didn't recognize.
"Severus?" She called out into the empty room.
She cautiously got up, slightly dizzy and lightheaded, stumbling around until she caught herself on the table. A piece of paper sat upon the desk, neat, slanted handwriting scrawled out a note;
Hermione,
I have classes to attend to today. You may stay here and rest or if you're up to it, attend the rest of the day's classes. Cast an invisibility charm on yourself before you leave- it might look odd having you walk out of my private chamber during the day.
-Severus
Hermione set down the piece of paper, having a hard time concentrating on doing certain tasks. She was certainly unable to attend the rest of her classes. Upon wandering around, the Gryffindor decided to get in the shower and wash off, seeing if that would help any with her metal rehabilitation.
After a nice, hot, steamy shower, Hermione stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself. The warm water had relaxed herself to a point where she was relieved of her headache, but she still couldn't see straight or think clearly.
A growing familiar white-hot pain surged through her arm as Voldemort called for her. Not knowing what else to do, she called out for Severus with her mind.
Severus, I cannot go! I'm weak mentally and it would put a risk upon everything. She thought desperately.
I'm calling in Dumbledore to finish up this lesson; I'm on my way.
Hermione dressed as quickly, drying her hair with a spell and trying to clear her mind as best she could. Severus strode in the door.
"Have you gotten any better?"
"Not really. The headache's gone, but I can't see or think clearly." Hermione said. "Do you not have any sort of potion that can clear this up?"
"I do…" Severus strode out of the room, returning shortly with a brown-looking liquid. "Down it quickly- we must get there as soon as possible."
Hermione, ignoring the foul stench and taste, gulped the potion down and followed Snape out of the door.
"How am I going to keep him out of my mind?" The couple was now racing down the step of the Great Hall.
"Just clear your mind. The potion should be of some assistance." Snape replied.
"Am I announcing my treason yet?"
"Not until you've fully recovered." Severus said as they reached the Forbidden Forest. "You need to be in the best mental stability to face an obstacle such as him."
They had come upon the hidden gates and quickly strode down the stone steps. They calmed themselves and entered the large room, followed by many other Death Eaters. Lucius made sure to stand in between Hermione and Severus.
"I am pleased to see you all have arrived so quickly." Voldemort said, glancing around, his eyes falling onto Hermione. "And our newest and mort unwilling recruit hasn't missed one calling yet. Rewards might be in order for you, Severus."
"There is no need for a reward, my Lord," Severus said, dropping into a low bow. "It is my pleasure."
Voldemort let out a laugh that rattled Hermione's bones. "If you insist."
Hermione shivered as goose bumps erupted over her body. The chill in the stone room was enormous and Hermione couldn't keep her teeth from chattering. With the cold air creeping in from outside, everything seemed to sevenfold the spooky atmosphere.
"Hermione, have you any news from Potter?" Voldemort asked, hip thin lips curling into a smile.
Hermione's eyes met with Severus' for one brief moment before returning to the Dark Lord's. "No," She said. "M-My Lord."
She despised the words that had just escaped her mouth. Voldemort was not and will never be her Lord. It was all in the act, of course.
"She's learning fast, Severus."
"I can make it go faster."
A few chuckles rang out about the room, intensifying Hermione's shivers. The few that got Severus' statement found it quite amusing.
"If no one else has anything to add, you are all dismissed."
People began filing out one by one as Hermione found Severus and discreetly clutched onto his robes. She felt a swat at her behind, turned around and found it to be Lucius.
"May I help you, Mr. Malfoy?" She asked calmly.
"More than you know." Came his cool reply.
"Stay away from me." Hermione said, her tone icy. She picked up her pace and walked beside Severus the entire walk back to Hogwarts.
XxX
"'Mione!" Harry called out as Hermione passed him going to last period.
Hermione turned around and made her way to her best friend. "Hey Harry!" She gave him a hug.
"Hey, I was wondering if you'd go to the Hogsmeade trip this Saturday with me..?" He asked nervously.
"I'd love to!"
A broad smile broke out on Harry's face. "Great, see you later!" And, after giving a blushing Hermione a quick peck on the cheek, Harry rushed off to Herbology.
XxX
Snape was in a foul mood for the rest of the day after seeing Potter kiss Hermione. He gave out large amounts of homework and snapped at anyone and everyone who would step out of line. He had even reduced a second year girl into a fit of tears and watched her fled from his classroom.
But none of his odd venting seemed to alleviate any of the confused feelings he was feeling. Of course Severus Snape wasn't jealous of Harry Potter, a Gryffindor.
Was he?
XxX
Hermione's day sailed by wonderfully. She noticed every good detail in every occurrence throughout all of her classes. She complimented Neville on his shirt and helped a second year who was running the hallways in tears. (A/N- Hah, I found that rather amusing…) But when she came upon Ron, everything seemed to come crashing down.
When Hermione had come up to him to offer to help him with homework, he didn't smile at her. Instead he glared at her and yelled.
"You're doing this for attention, aren't you, Hermione?" Ron accused. "Sympathy and attention is all you've ever wanted. I can see you're sick of living in Harry's shadow. You make things too obvious."
Without saying anything and holding back tears, Hermione turned on her heel and exited the Great Hall, fleeing to the boy's dormitory to find Harry.
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A/N- There's something unsatisfying about this chapter. I wanted to make it go longer, but I didn't know how. I'll make chapter twelve more exciting. I love all of the wonderful reviews! I haven't gotten one negative one yet, and I'm totally not complaining. If you'd like me to read your fan fiction, please recommend! I have a little too much free time… Oh, and sorry it took so long for me to update. The site wouldn't let me upload the document all day yesterday, so this chapter is over 24 hours old. Sorry guys...