Chapter 4: Saturday Detention
Lives had been altered. Paths had been changed. Love had been lost... and why? It had all happened because one man had wanted to rule the wizarding world.
Severus himself had once, a long time ago, fallen under Lord Voldemorts power. When someone speaks to the hurting masses of a solution to all their problems, the weak will flock to him. They needed to have some hope to believe in; they needed someone to stand up for them.
He knew he was once part of that hideous flock. He had wanted, so much, to cause pain to those that had tortured him mentally for years. Voldemort was his master. Yes, admitted freely. He had once fallen under that terrible, terrible spell.
But now he was free... and on the side of those who would, instead of cowering in hear, stand up for righteousness. He believed he could be strong like they were... but he was still alone. People did stupid things when faced with loneliness.
IIII
It was Saturday morning. 8:00 am by Hermione's watch. She kept glancing at the clock nervously. Her first detention alone, Well... not alone... she'd be with Professor Snape. Was his a good thing? She wondered...
Time teetered on in the hourglass. Grain after grain of sand fell... and yet it felt like life was momentarily frozen. Who, Hermione wondered, was the keeper of time? She knew from her experience with the time turner, that someone, maybe a god, somewhere, ultimately ruled that mysterious thing that was time.
She thought back to her last nocturnal encounter with Severus. He had tried saving her from her own emptiness... and failed. Yet when he failed he did not whimper in shame, he lay beside her in the most comforting manner. Why?
What had possessed him to try to protect her when she had felt certain he would not care? Life was so confusing at times.
8:45 am. She decided, since Professor Snape had never verified a specific time, she'd arrive early in the day so as to avoid his anger as best possible. She began to walk to his classroom. She hoped that he would acknowledge their midnight dream world rendezvous if they were, indeed, shared by them both. If he did, she would know for sure.
IIII
"Come in. Come in" He shouted annoyed at whoever was disturbing him while he pondered nothingness at his desk. Hermione opened the door sheepishly; unaware of how she should act.
"Professor Snape," She asked quietly, "You gave me Saturday detention... I didn't know what time to come. So here I am." He nodded in absent-minded approval.
"Oh. Yes. I'd forgotten." Held said truthfully. The week had been so eventful that he honestly had not remembered such a minuscule detail. "Well, since you are here, I suppose my supply shelves need dusting and organized." Snape said smirking at her. The previous dream was still full in his mind and he refused to let his behavior change.
"Yes sir." She spoke fearfully. He looked tired she decided. But, no sign... no nothing. Just one look of recognition, she prayed.
Walking into the supply closet made Hermione wish she had worn cooler clothing. It was hot and the air was thicker in the dungeons. She pulled off her outer robes and set to work.
Severus leaned back, slightly in his chair so that he could peak in on Hermione. She had already begun to work. He snorted, half amused, half approving. She heard him make an odd noise from the other room and she leaned forward to see if he was okay. They made eye contact for a second before they both swung back.
Was he watching me? She asked herself.
"Get back to work Miss Granger!" Snape's loud voice boomed.
She grabbed a dishcloth from a box and begun to dust the vials off, one by one, as she removed them from the shelves. It was such simple work that she allowed her mind to wonder aimlessly.
She fanned her face with her hand as she cleaned the empty shelf. It was quite hot in there. Standing up, she stretched her sore legs. She slowly peered out the door to see what professor Snape may have been up to.
He was hunched over his desk writing something that seemed to be of great importance. She leaned against the doorframe, fanned herself and watched him.
Snape glanced up as he felt eyes on his face. "Yes?" His voice rang out silkily. He had startled Hermione and she jumped in surprise.
"Oh! I was wondering if you wanted me to make a list of the ingredients that needed refilled." She finally finished.
"I suppose that would be helpful." He said in a most Slytherin way.
"Yes sir." She said. Great... make more work for yourself in that hot room. With that she transfigured two empty bottles into a quill and parchment and begun to write.
Sweat began to roll down her back, her face glistening. She leaned back against a wall and wrote furiously so she could be done with the tedious task.
"All right. You can take a break Miss Granger." Snape said as he conjured up some water in a pitcher.
She came out of the supply closet with the parchment and quill in hand. She approached a desk directly in front of Professor Snape's and he motioned to a chair near his. He poured Hermione a glass of water and watched her.
She looked at it skeptically but gradually picked it up. "Thank you Professor." He nodded in recognition before returning to his writing.
She drank the sixteen-ounce glass hungrily before gently placing the glass upon the wood she sat there, waiting for her next cue. She wondered how she could possibly signal to him.
"Miss granger," he said glancing up from his writing, "You may return to work when you are ready." He realized to late, that this statement might be perceived as kind. He wished over and over again that he could take it back Severus looked up at her. She was fingering her hair absent-mindedly. When Hermione caught his eye she smiled embarrassed. Severus glared back. She stopped smiling and stood to head back to work.
IIII
Time was passing slowly. Hermione had been done for about ten minutes, but she feared telling him. Finally he walked to the store room door and spoke. "I see you are done. Go to lunch and while you're away, I'll investigate your work. Come back around noon."
Hermione nodded, knowing the break was well needed. Leaving the classroom, she felt her heart sink slightly in her chest. What difference did it make?
"Hey." Harry said consoling Hermione as she sat at the lunch table. "You've made it."
"Not quite... I have to return at noon." She said exhausted.
"That's really rough." Ron said. "What is he having you do?"
"Just clean... everything." She said reaching for some Shepard's pie. "I'm starving though."
"Well, enjoy this hour of freedom." Harry said patting her back. Though she ate hungrily and laughed amicably with her friends, Hermione's mind was not really there.
IIII
"Good afternoon Miss Granger," His voice drawled silkily over her.
"Hello Professor," She said smiling. She was in a light mood. " I finished the supply closet, what would you like me to do next?"
He let his eyes drift around the room looking for a job she could perform. Nothing caught his eye.
"I suppose, "He began still wondering around the room. "You could organize these index cards into alphabetical order... and by year." She took them form him and glanced down.
"What are they?" Hermione asked.
"Just cards indicating wrongful behavior committed by students in my class." He smirked ruefully.
She sat down and began to work. More than once she came across Harry and Ron's names but she only placed them in the correct spot and continued.
"Wow." She whispered more to herself than anyone.
"What may I ask is so amazing?" Snape asked looking at Hermione.
She contemplated lying, but once more her logical side won out. "I'm just... I never thought you kept a record of the awful things the slytherins do." She finished wary of what would come next.
"Oh? So you are shocked to know I'm fair are you?" Severus said angrily.
"No!" She protested. "I just..."
"You nothing. That will be all. Return to your dormitory. I'll see you Monday for class." With that Severus walked form the room.
Hermione sat there shocked. She hadn't meant to offend him.