Author's Note: Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers, a special thanks to Howl for cheering me up and getting me out of my "I-hate-my-character" phase.
Chapter 33
The Calm Before the Storm
The next few days were hectic. Classes were canceled; the rooms below the dungeons were prepared for students. Dormitories were emptied and the school, quite literally, moved down to the lower levels of the castle. Classes were still held, but all about new charms, spells, and shields. Slowly the Order began to build magical walls, the strain wiping them out for the rest of the day and leaving them exhausted the day after.
The panic hadn't really set in, probably from the shock. People were still whispering about Snape's identity revealed and the Slytherin's loyalty. Even Harry and Ron had found a new sort of respect for their rival Serpent House, only noticeable by the briefest of nods as they passed in the hallway and their silence during Order meetings. They had come to a silent agreement.
It was in one of those meetings Pansy Parkinson came stumbling in, panting from running, "Professor Dumbledore….sir….Professor Snape….he's here." The Order was on their feet in a moment making their way upstairs and through the crowd (it seemed young Ms. Parkinson told more than just those who were intended to hear).
The whole of the student body crowded the windows, the doors, they pooled out onto the lawn, crowding under trees to shield themselves from the sweltering sun.
There was a long figure, dressed in black breeches and tight knee high leather boots, a long sleeve dark green tunic and a cloak. No weapons were visible, but that didn't mean they weren't there, "Headmaster Dumbledore," the familiar sharp monotone voice of Severus Snape drifted across the lawn lazily, "I promised we would come," he placed on hand behind his back and placed the other on his chest and as he bowed low he brought his hand away from his chest in a formal Demon's greeting.
Dumbledore copied the motion, "Severus," he said simply for those denser students who didn't realize that it was indeed their former Potions Master.
"I would like to say something to you," panther eyes scanned the students, "and the rest of you. Just because we have agreed to help you, it does not mean we like all the traits of your kind," a sneer crossed his lips, "we don't appreciate being stared at," he said sharply glaring darkly at a group of staring Ravenclaws.
Dumbledore smiled, recognizing his spy's inner fire, "of course, Severus, now you said you brought help."
Instead of answering he waved his hand lazily towards the woods, "you can come out now," he said, his monotone voice carrying over across the crowded field.
His answer was silence, and then slowly the woods came alive. First to come were packs of animals; birds, wolves, horses, lions, but only one butterfly. It was Lea. In mid-air she transformed smoothly falling into a front flip and landing gracefully on padded feet next to him, "Prince Ashitaka," she bowed low.
At the word 'Prince' soft murmurs traveled through the assembled students, apparently they weren't informed of his social status in the Demon monarchy.
"My lord," she said straightening, "back drop ground and air levels secured, waiting your permission to begin patrolling outer layers."
He nodded and turned his attention back to Dumbledore, "We require space, Headmaster, and we ask that you keep the students off the grounds, if they interfere with our magic it could be fatal."
Dumbledore nodded, understanding, "I will leave you to your business, then?" there was a question in his tone and Professor Snape couldn't help but smirk at his uncertainty.
"Thank you, Headmaster," he bowed, with sarcasm in his very movements, a sneer danced across his lips, "you have been most kind."
………
What surprised Hermione the most in the following days was the fact that the students actually listened (partly) to Dumbledore's rules. They stayed clear of the grounds, very clear. When they got close an eerie feeling swept over them. The Demon Magic crawling over their skin, curiously roaming their minds, searching for evil intentions.
Instead, when the students weren't in 'classes' or building wards they were watching the Demons curiously through the windows or from the doorways or the roof (only Head Girls and Boys and the Prefects were allowed on the roof). They had begun building almost as soon as they arrived. First they put up what looked like teepees, which was normal; it was the next thing they did that was so interesting. The Wood Demons and the few Earth Demons (including Professor Snape) formed a huge half circle around the front of the castle; the back was protected by the lake and the stationed Wind Demons under Lea's command. With Snape at the head of the semi-circle, they sat up on their knees, clapped their hands together in unison, the sound echoing through the silent grounds and slammed them on to the ground, the first contact was always bright and then the light died and they stayed in that position, eyes closed with concentration.
It took a few days, but finally they had a wall that was barely visible, but flared every time something with dark intentions came in contact with it. (She remembered reading a book about magic like this. It was used to test the loyalties of commanders' followers, when constructed in the shape of a wall it flares as a warning to those on the other side.) The days after the wall was complete many of the builders took to their beds, unhealthy pale and shaky from the amount of magic and energy put into the construction. According to recorded Demon History there was a high death rate caused by Demons using too much energy and magic.
Two weeks had passed and the anxiety and tension was growing with each passing day. The 7th and 6th years had taken it upon themselves to stay up at night with the young kids to comfort them while they cried. They huddled together in the rooms below the dungeons, trembling, trying to soothe their nerves.
Some played games or read; the older students who planned on fighting wrote wills or letters to their parents, ordering their owls to wait until to deliver them until Voldemorts barriers were down. Fights began to break out as the nervousness accelerated.
The Demon's stayed out of the Castle, not even Snape (as the students still and forever would refer to him) came into the Castle. During the day when the students were aloud above the Dungeons they gossiped about the warriors. Some looks as young as 16. At dawn and dusk they had a prayer service to the Gods and Goddesses. When they weren't building wards of sparring they were having fun. How any one could have fun at a time like this was beyond the students. They would dance and play instruments, then sing with their distinctive beautiful voices in their intoxicating idioms.
"Fascinating people, aren't they?" the cool voice startled Hermione out of her thoughts as she gazed over the ledge of the Astronomy Tower. On the opposite side of the roof, Draco leaned against the wall, weight pressed into his hands that rested palm down on the flat surface, gazing at the Wind Demons over the lake.
"They are unique," she turned her attention back to the glistening translucent wall, "they act like this war is just a game," since the Demons came Hermione and donned her Wind Element attire, new outfits provided by Lea, dagger at her side.
"To them it is just a game. The only reason they are meddling in the affairs of humans is because Professor Snape asked them too," he turned his icy blue gaze to her, watching curiously; "you really do trust Professor Snape don't you?"
"Yes,"
"Why?"
She hesitated for a moment, refusing to meet his stare, "because after everything he lived through, after all the times he's been beaten and tortured and humiliated, after he lost everyone he loved, he still managed to find the right path."
He snorted, finally looking away form her, "you really are a Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled, "I think Voldemort gave you Slytherins a bad name."
"Oh?"
"Sure you're cunning, sneaky, sarcastic and have a very…cynical wit, but I think…I think theirs more to Slytherins that you all let on," she studied him for a reaction, but non came, so she went on, "are you going to fight?"
"I haven't decided yet."
Before she could pose another question he nodded in front of him, "look."
She closed the gap between them, crossing her arms; she leaned on the wall next to him. The Wind Demons had started to play, diving in and out of each others way and shooting spars of magic in the others direction and then something bright caught her eye.
"Are those wings?"
Draco smiled softly again, "yeah, Professor Snape said wings enhance their power. They only use them during war," the Wings he spoke of varied. Some were long and feather, bright and glistening in the sun. Others were spidery and think, barely solid colored, like a bats or a bugs. Some even looked like fairy wings, just spars of light and flutters of colors visible in the sun. Either way, the grace of them reminded her of angels.
"We better get downstairs, the sun's setting," because of their Head Girl and Boy status they were allowed to roam the roofs before night fall so the halls were eerily silent, "it's so quiet,"
"The calm before the storm," the soft voice startled the old rivals.
"Professor? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you two the same question, Draco?"
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little left out. It seemed Draco had earned Professor Snape's trust faster than she had.
"We were just doing rounds, sir," Hermione said simply…liar.
Apparently he could see right through that lie because he smirked suggestively and raised an elegant eyebrow at Draco. Draco, catching on to what he was implying, stepped away from Hermione, "we were actually on the roof talking," and then for extra emphases he added, "just talking."
Snape smiled again, "Ms. Granger, I am actually here to collect. Lady Castel wishes your presence." Hermione recognized Lady Castel as Lea. She frowned darkly at his formalness, "Draco." He nodded one last time at the Slytherin before leading Hermione (Ms. Granger, she scowled at the way he addressed her) around the castle.
Lea was out flying with the rest of the Wind and Bird Demons, she smiled when she saw Hermione, "'MIONE! I see you're wearing those clothes I dropped off for you; I figured you would appreciate them considering you only had one pair before and now you don't have to keep washing it. Ash, do you mind leaving us alone, I want to talk to her, besides," she then leaned in to whisper something in his ear. He started at whatever she said and she gave him a little nudge as he walked away.
"What did you need me for, Lea?" Hermione asked as the Wind Demon lead her apprentice towards the forest.
"Well, actually, you've been training a lot on your own, so I figured I could help you along a bit, see what else you need to learn. You have most of the basics down but I know some tricks that might help you during the fight. You do plan on fighting don't you?"
"Yes,"
"Good, you can station in the air with us if you'd like. I'm sure my subordinates wouldn't mind a little extra help, even if she is a human," she winked good-naturedly and laughed. Once they were in the Clearing of the Unicorns Lea slipped off her coat and weapon belt, "now…"
…
Their training was vigorous, and by the time they were finished, it was nearing dawn and Hermione really wanted to sleep, "normally I wouldn't have trained you at night, but I'm sure you wouldn't want the whole school gawking at you like they've been gawking at us,"
"I don't mind," Hermione plopped down on the rock near the pond, helping herself to Lea's flask of water, "Lea, can I ask you something…about Professor Snape?"
Lea gazed at her warily, "I can't guarantee I will answer, but go ahead."
"Well, it seems…since we came back here, he's been rather…cold…to me and formal and I can't figure out why."
Lea sighed and leaned against the tree, eyes gazing up at the moon, "you've seen everything that happened to Ash and I think he's always felt this way, but it's what Lucius Malfoy said a long time ago, 'This is what happens, Severus, when you attach yourself to someone. They just end up leaving you.'" She went silent for a moment, "I think he still feels that way, he doesn't want to get close to anyway because he's afraid to get hurt again. He's not slighting you, Ms. Granger, he's afraid of you."
She didn't respond….fear…that was one of the emotions she could never seen placed on Snape's face, he was afraid that she would hurt him, "then, Lea, why does he trust you so much?"
Lea laughed softly, "Sometimes I wonder if he really does. Normally, I would be upset realizing that, but then I'd have to think. I've known him all my life. We grew up together and I don't know if he doesn't trust because I honestly believe he does it's just…." She trailed off, unable to find a proper ending to her sentence, "never mind, Ms. Granger was there anything else?"
Hermione smirked and chuckled, she had long been suspicious of Lea's feeling for her Elemental friend but what she just said confirmed her beliefs.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing," she quickly said, too quickly, "it seems you really like Professor Snape, is that so?"
"What are you insinuating?" she snapped and glared darkly, "if you are thinking that there is a relationship between Prince Ashitaka and I then you are sadly mistaken."
They both stood and began walking towards the castle again.
"But do you wish there was one?"
Lea didn't answer because Hermione already knew.
She stalked ahead of her and as they left the forest they saw Professor Snape leaning against on of the trees, "Prince Ashitaka," she bowed formally, "Ms. Granger," and then she walked away.
Hermione stopped next to him and laughed.
"What did you say to her?"
She just laughed again, "You don't want to know."
End Chapter 33
The Calm Before the Storm
It's shorter, but I wanted to get a chapter up instead of continuing.
