Chapter 7: Hermione

Fuming, I stormed through the house. In truth, I didn't know why I was so mad, or what had even possessed me to ask him to stay for a bite of lunch. It had to be because I was lonely, for I certainly did not wish to seek out his company. But, if I were honest, I had hoped to share more ideas with him. I'd never been able to talk to Harry or Ron about potions, ingredients, or theories. All they wanted to do was complain about school work or talk about Quidditch.

Idly, I sank down on the sofa. The room was chilly and I thought of making a fire. Almost instantly, a blaze started in the fireplace. Well, that was a surprise! I know that many witches and wizards, especially children, can perform unintentional magic when upset, but I wasn't that upset. I wonder….

"Miss, Alvar has lunch ready, please." The ugly little elf spoke timidly as he balanced a tray in his right hand. "Miss needs to eat. She's going to make herself sick, she is!" He stood there fidgeting, waiting for me to respond.

I glanced over at him. "Put the tray on the end table, Alvar, and thank you." He really was a dear to worry over me, even if it was irritating at times. "Everything looks delicious. You really didn't need to go to that much trouble."

"Miss needs to remember she must not thank Alvar. Alvar is here to do her bidding." With a pop, he disappeared.

"Silly elf." I knew that he felt it was his duty, but it still angered me that house-elves were basically no more than slaves. But, I couldn't change everything, especially if they didn't want to help themselves.

I picked up half of a sandwich and mindlessly took a bite. The fire drew my attention again. The flames were so hot that the bases flickered blue, much like the bluebell flames I was fond of creating in my youth. I wonder if Profes…Severus ever realized it was I that set his robes on fire during that first Quidditch match? I smiled at the thought of his scathing response, had he known.

The flames rose higher. I blinked a few times, believing my eyes were playing a trick on me. What I saw was astounding. I jumped up and went to kneel by the fireplace, dropping the food in my haste. There were images in the fire. I leaned closer, not caring if the heat scorched my face.

I saw a collaboration of confusing shapes and faces. They were all jumbled and I strained to make out what they were. Slowly, one emerged out of the others. With a gasp, I realized that my parents were there. A strained sob escaped my throat as I thought of how much I missed them. They were smiling and talking to each other. Oh, how I wished I was with them!

As suddenly as they had appeared, they were gone. Yet another image appeared in its place. Again, I saw my parents, sitting next to one another. My father was reading and my mother was resting her head against his shoulder. Sitting up as though they heard something, looks of horror spread across their faces. I saw a flash of green and then no more. The flames died down to nothing.

At that very moment, the front door to the Manor burst open. My nerves were on edge and I screamed. In a moment I was on my feet with my wand out.

In front of me stood my former professor. He looked paler than usual, and didn't appear to be very steady on his feet. Shaking, I was hesitant to lower my wand. "What do you want?" I was in no mood to be polite.

He stared at me a moment before speaking. "Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to see us both." He took a step toward me. A look of slight concern passed over his face. "Are you quite alright? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

I let my hand drop to my side. "My nerves are on edge. I saw something…." Faltering, I stopped. How was I supposed to explain what I saw in the fire? I was just overtired, that was all. The mention of more attacks on Muggles had put this in my head. It was nothing. "Never mind."

With another puzzled look, he let the matter drop. "We must go at once. I assume you are not hooked up to the Floo Network?"

"Of course not. This place is unplottable, so Dumbledore wouldn't have connected it to the Floo." Once again, I realized how cut off I was from most of the Wizarding world.

"We must use a Portkey, then. He beckoned me to him, pulling a ruby amulet by the chain from under his robes. Again I noticed how unsteady he was. There were beads of sweat popping out on his brow and his breathing was heavy. As he grasped the chain, his robe sleeve slid up, revealing the Dark Mark. It was very black with a slight glow tracing it. Upon noticing my stare, he pulled the sleeve down, glaring at me. I realized then where he had been and why he looked so ill. He had just returned from a summons from Voldemort. The thought made me sick.

"Sir…Severus. You need rest. What can I do to help?" My concern for him overrode my earlier fright. I moved toward him, trying to help.

He pushed aside my attempt to steady him. "There is nothing you can do, you silly girl!" His anger was evident, but I didn't care. He was obviously upset at being caught in a damaged state. "Stop pestering me. I certainly don't need your help!"

Nothing made me angrier than being called a silly girl. Especially by the former professor that always made me feel inferior. "Stop being such a child! You're barely standing on your feet. I'm surprised you made it back here!" I stood my ground, narrowing my eyes. "I'm not going anywhere with you until you rest. Was it the Cruciatus?"

He surveyed me for a moment before grudgingly admitted that it was. That was all I needed to know. I ran down the stairs to the lab, wishing that I had finished the potion I was working on earlier. It would have been a good opportunity to test it. With the mistake I had made, though, there hadn't been time. Instead, I grabbed a simple healing potion and something for the pain.

Once back upstairs, I found him sitting on the couch, still visibly shaken. Not for the first time, I contemplated how much he had been put through for the Order. He was a stronger man than most to have withstood years of this torture.

"Drink these." He hesitated, snarling his nose at what I offered. Infernal man! "They're not poison! It's just something for the pain and a healing draught. I know it won't help much, but at least it's something." I stood there, holding out the vials and tapping my foot impatiently.

He finally took what I offered, drinking them quickly, without even a grimace. I did not expect thanks, and was greatly surprised when he handed me back the vials with a murmured "Thank you." He did not look at me, but instead ignored my existence in the room.

"No thanks are necessary." I turned and went back to the lab, giving him some time to collect himself. I knew he did not appreciate having a witness to his weakness.

Upon my return, he was on his feet and looking much better. He did not say a word about what had passed, but instead motioned for me to come to him, once again pulling out the ruby amulet.

Hesitantly, I reached for it, gasping when our hands touched. It was an instant flow of warmth. A surprised look on Severus' face told me that he had felt it as well. I did not have time to think about it, however. A quick rush of air flew past me, along with that nauseating pull below my naval, and in an instant we appeared in Dumbledore's office.


A/N:

There is a reason for the ruby amulet and I will explain it with the next chapter.

Once again, thanks to my wonderful betas. You all are amazing!

Sorry for the delay in posting. Our little bundle of joy arrived earlier than expected, so I've been experiencing all new joys of motherhood. LOL It's awesome.

I do plan to continue this story. As of now, I'm not sure whether I'll incorporate some items from HBP into it, but we'll see. This is the last full chapter that I have written, but I have the next almost completed and a lot of bits and pieces written that I have to weave in. Thanks so much for hanging in there with me! I appreciate all of the readers and reviewers.

Disclaimer:

I own nothing but my fanciful ideas.