A/N Chapter Warnings: Thank you for all your positive feedback! i'm glad you're all enjoying this new story. Story is rated M for a reason, this chapter may contain: bad language, sex, violence, mentions of rape, and general adult themes.
I hope everyone is well and keeping themselves safe!
Chapter 9: Stubborn Friends, Patronus Casting and a Chat with Severus
Hermione fell down, face first, onto her bed. She was exhausted and couldn't have been more thankful that the first day of classes was over. It had been an emotional and magically expending day. Naturally, after Defence class that morning, Harry and Ron had avoided her for the rest of the day. However, she wasn't sure if it was because Harry was angry at her or if it was because the boys thought that she needed some space. Either way, she hadn't spoken to them since that morning.
Hermione settled down into bed that night, with a medical book she got from the library, and ignored the back to school party that was being thrown in the common room. She had more concerns to worry about. She was reading up on how to cast a pregnancy charm correctly, so that she could rule out that concern. As much as she loved children, pregnancy was not a complication she neither needed, nor wanted, in her life at that particular moment. However, after some temporary underlining and highlighting of that particular passage of text, Hermione found that she no longer had the energy to keep her eyes open, and her brain focussed, instead she found herself gently drifting off into an easy sleep.
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The following morning, Harry was still being a stubborn arse. He hadn't waited for Hermione to go down to breakfast, like they normally did and Ron was refusing to get involved. Ron knew that his two friends would sort it out eventually. He knew that the problem with Harry and Hermione was that they were both just as stubborn as each other, so neither one would crack first.
However, when Hermione entered the common room the following morning, she was pleasantly surprised to find Neville waiting for her, and offering to walk with her to the Great Hall. The two linked arms and headed to breakfast.
After a rather pleasant breakfast, Hermione and Neville made their way to their Care of Magical Creatures class; they were both excited to have Lupin as a teacher once more. Even Harry and Ron had left the Great Hall to get to class earlier because they wanted to greet their new professor before class began.
"Good morning Hermione" Lupin greeted her.
"Good morning Professor Lupin" Hermione replied politely, before taking a seat next to Neville.
Remus had noticed the tense air between all four friends and wondered what was going on.
"Is everything alright?" Lupin asked hesitantly.
Hermione and Harry shared a quick, heated glare at each other before shrugging their shoulders and nodding.
"Hmmmmmm..." Remus mumbled, he would find out what was going on eventually.
The rest of the class was beginning to enter and take their seats. Minutes later, Lupin began his lecture.
"By now you should all be aware of what a Patronus is and what it does. What we will be focusing on this term, is practising the Patronus charm in the hopes that it will take the shape of an animal or magical creature and then we shall be exploring, researching and writing about those creatures. Once we have studied them, I might even be able to take you out into the forest and show you some of these creatures so that you can practise your theory work" Remus explained to the class.
Draco raised his hand.
"Yes Draco?" Remus asked the boy.
"Isn't Patronus casting stepping on Professor Snape's Defence class a little?" Draco asked.
The rest of the class paused; they had been thinking similar thoughts.
"Excellent question Mr Malfoy! As you all know, last year your studies were severely disrupted due to the revised syllabus sanctioned by the Ministry. Professor Snape will be working extra hard this year to get you through last years and this year's syllabus. As a former Defence Professor, I have been asked to incorporate some of the Defence class concepts into my classes where they are appropriate. We have revised this year's Care of Magical Creatures in a way that you will also be learning some defensive techniques. As you all know, things are changing in the wizarding world and as your educators, we feel that it is more important that you learn to defend yourselves, and that is the priority in all classes this year. You will all begin to notice this in your other classes particularly Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration. I hope this answers your question" Remus responded.
There was collective nodding from the majority of the students in the class.
"Now, if that's all the questions, we shall begin casting the Patronus charm" Remus said.
The students got out their wands and began casting the Patronus charm.
Almost instantly, Harry produced his symbolic stag and there were some amazed faces as the students watched the stag gallop around the room.
"Some students in this room are already able to cast their corporeal Patronus' but I do not want the rest of you to be put off or feel discouraged in any way. This magic is very advanced and it does take a while to get more than just a wisp of the charm from your wand. This does not matter, it is all about your determination and how much you practise" Remus reassured his class as he realised that Harry was showing off a bit.
Whilst Harry's abilities were a good thing, Remus knew that he could not have the rest of the class being put off because of Harry having seemingly cast the Patronus charm on his very first try. Therefore, Remus felt the need to reassure the class that it would take everyone a different amount of tries to get it right.
"As you already know this piece of magic Harry, and have shown an excellent example, why don't you sit back down at your desk and research your stag. Find out what having the stag as your Patronus might mean and what its magical equal is?" Remus suggested to a confused looking Harry.
Remus had complemented him but at the same time was punishing him by making Harry sit and do theory work instead of joining in on the practical fun of the rest of the class. Harry didn't quite understand but was reluctant to disobey Remus.
Harry did not argue Remus on his instructions and promptly sat back down at his desk and cracked open his textbook. However, he kept being distracted by his classmates as they tried to summon their corporeal Patronus.
Ron, having seen what Remus was getting Harry to do, decided to slowly try and achieve his Patronus form, he didn't want to do crappy textbook work.
"Also you need to consider if you want your corporeal Patronus' to be seen by others, a Patronus is a very personal piece of your magic and you also need to consider the dangers of who you show your Patronus' to, we are about to all be at war and enemies can use the knowledge of your corporeal Patronus' to their advantage. Therefore, I suggest that should you feel that you are close to this stage, you should think before you decide to cast it fully. As a safety measure, there is a slight memory charm placed around the exits of this classroom so that when you leave this room, you will be able to remember everything about your own Patronus and how you cast it, however, you will not remember a thing about the shapes that the Patronus' of your fellow classmates will take. The only exception to this is if you are already aware of what a classmates Patronus is, then you shall retain that knowledge because it means that you have already been willingly shown the corporeal shape by that classmate and are therefore trusted with that knowledge." Remus informed the class.
Everyone nodded in understanding and then went back to practising. Remus walked around the class and gave advice to his students, he wanted them all to be able to protect themselves - Slytherin's included.
"Hermione, how are you getting on?" Remus asked as he got to her space in the room.
"I'm getting it, I haven't cast it in such a long time that it's taking me a while to summon it again" Hermione admitted sheepishly, she hated it when she didn't get things on the first try.
Remus moved closer to Hermione and leant down so that only she could hear him.
"I understand Hermione; I heard you were having problems with your magic as a result of your injuries this summer and I noticed a medical textbook from the library in your bag earlier. I'm not saying that I think that you're failing however, I don't want you to over exert yourself. If you need a break, just ask me and I will excuse you" Remus said to her quietly.
"Thank you, but I will be pissed off if I don't get this" Hermione replied quietly.
Remus just chuckled at her, same old stubborn Hermione. He stepped back from her and spoke aloud once more.
"Let's see that otter then" Remus said with an encouraging smile.
Hermione took a deep breath and summoned a happy memory, one of the many that she had with Severus. She closed her eyes, summoning the memory from her mind and said the words to cast the Patronus.
The class went silent as they watched Hermione perform her Patronus. There were some gasps and a particularly loud scream that seemed to come from the back of the room.
"What on earth...?" Remus mumbled to himself as he took in Hermione's Patronus. It was no longer an otter.
"What the hell Hermione?" Ron exclaimed from nearby, causing the rest of the class to stare at her and her Patronus.
Hermione opened her eyes and gasped in shock. No longer was the lovely otter that had once danced and twirled around her. Instead, there was now a beautiful, dangerous looking fox. Hermione didn't know what this meant nor did she know what type of fox it even was. But all of her friends and the former members of the DA, stared in shocked confusion as the unfamiliar Patronus curled its way, like a protective dog, around the legs of Hermione's amazed form.
Hermione braced herself, she was afraid that she wasn't going to like this change. However, once the familiar magic of her Patronus had curled around her in the form of a very protective fox, Hermione felt very much at ease and even gave a small smile at her new Patronus. She was sad that she had lost her otter; it had been an adorable Patronus. However, she realised that so much had changed since she last cast her Patronus and knew that she would have to embrace the change.
Harry, Ron, and Remus stared at her. Harry and Remus guessed that a fox could be considered as cunning, which was a trait most associated with Slytherin house and, who was the most cunning Slytherin that they knew? Severus Snape. Perhaps Hermione's new corporeal shape had changed because of him. The two men pondered over the fact that both the fox and Severus made Hermione feel immensely safe and at ease. Unfortunately, Remus and Harry were not the only ones who were able to link the idea of the fox and Slytherin house.
"Isn't the fox also a symbol of cunning, like those in Slytherin? You know, like most of the Death Eaters and you-know-who himself?" One very brave student voiced from the back of the classroom.
"Voldemort could never cast a Patronus" Harry yelled back.
"We're just saying, isn't the symbol of the cunning personality of the fox important to the Dark Lord's agenda?" Pansy Parkinson said from her spot in the classroom.
There were murmured voices of agreement. They all remembered the cunning behaviour of the Basilisk from their second year. They all knew that Voldemort valued those who were cunning and shared other personality traits that one would associate with a fox. Unfortunately, the student body were also all aware that something had happened regarding Hermione and Death Eaters just before the summer holidays. So, why was a cunning fox the golden girl's Patronus?
After having heard the things that her classmates were suggesting, Hermione immediately vanished her Patronus. She was still perplexed. However, the class were staring at her, some looked accusing, others looked confused, some were shocked and some looked scared. Hermione knew that as there were members of the DA in this class, they would have been aware of Hermione's otter since last year however, Hermione was unsure if the memory charms placed on the classroom would mean that the whole class would forget about her fox or if the members of the DA would be able to remember the change because they had been trusted with that knowledge, willingly, by Hermione before. Hermione prayed that everyone would forget about the fox because she knew that the rumour mill would be flying by lunchtime, she had the Patil's in her class after all. They would tell Lavender Brown and the gossip would be spread over the school within an hour.
Hermione felt like a trapped animal and she was starting to feel dizzy.
"Hermione..." the voice of Remus Lupin rang distantly through her ears.
She said nothing and instead, bolted from the classroom as she heard the voice of her professor grow quieter as she ran further and further down the corridor.
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"She what?" Minerva gasped in shock as Remus recounted the story to his fellow colleagues.
"Everyone saw it Minerva, on my way from the classroom to here I heard whispers of conversations about how Hermione is now a fully-fledged Death Eater and has some powerful connection to Voldemort" Remus said as he put his head in his hands.
"What's going on?" Pomona Sprout asked as she entered the staffroom and poured herself some tea.
"Something has the students excited" she said as she sat.
She was quickly filled in on the latest gossip of Hogwarts.
"So where is the girl now?" Sprout asked.
"No one knows, she ran from the class and hasn't been seen since" Flitwick joined in the conversation, repeating what he had just heard from some other sixth year Gryffindor's.
"Anyone know where she might be? It's surely not safe for her to be caught alone and unawares after all this?" Sprout stared.
Remus knew where she would probably be but did not dare voice his opinions. That wouldn't do anyone any good. However, he was in possession of her bag and school essentials, and he knew she would need them back soon. He marvelled at how heavy her schoolbag was and removed some of the books in fear that her bag would break. Perhaps he could take a visit to the Defence professor's rooms in order to get her possessions back to her.
"I know where she will probably be. Don't worry Pomona, I will make sure that she is alright" Minerva stated firmly.
Remus looked at Minerva for a moment or two. Was she just placating the Herbology professor or did she really know some of the things that were going on?
"Excuse me" Minerva announced as she walked out of the staffroom and headed in the general direction of her private rooms.
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In his rooms, Severus was placing a very hot cup of tea, laced with calming draught, lightly in the hands of his pale looking lover. He had been marking a class quiz from his second years when Hermione had burst through his office and headed straight for the door that she knew would take her to Severus' private rooms.
She hadn't betrayed a single emotion and so, Severus had not known if something was seriously wrong or not.
"What's your Patronus Severus?" Hermione asked him quietly.
Severus looked at her confused. Where was all this coming from?
"My Patronus is a female deer, a doe, why do you ask?" He said slowly and carefully.
Hermione nodded but didn't say anything in reply to Severus' question. The two sat in a contemplative silence for a while longer until Severus heard Minerva calling him through his floo chamber.
Severus went to his fireplace and knelt down in front of it.
"Minerva?" He asked.
"Miss Granger is with you I presume?" She asked.
Severus hesitated and then nodded.
"Do you know what is wrong with her?" Severus asked her.
"They were practising the Patronus charm in Lupin's class this morning. Imagine to Hermione's shock that her Patronus has shed its otter form and decided to take on the form of a cunning fox, according to most of the Gryffindor's" Minerva told him.
"She experienced a change in corporeal form of her Patronus?!" Severus exclaimed in a harsh whisper, he did not wish to upset his Hermione even more than she already was quite a worrying situation.
"Thank you Minerva" he said.
"She has a study period after lunch, so she won't be missed, but you should probably make sure she is back in her afternoon classes. Also, Lupin has her belongings that she left behind earlier" she said.
Severus promised that he would sort everything and the two said their farewells. Severus took a deep breath; he now understood why Hermione was in such a state of shock. A change in Patronus was an extremely extraordinary occurrence, it was really rare. Naturally Hermione would have been a little spooked by the sudden change.
"A cunning fox eh?" Severus said as he took a seat next to her.
Hermione let out a small, soft smile as she quickly wiped away the tears that had started to form whilst he had his back turned to her.
"Yes, I still can't believe it. I think it's because of you that my Patronus has changed" she said.
"I'm flattered that you think that. But a change in a Patronus can be caused by many other contributing factors. Emotional state, mental distress, health, extenuating circumstance and situations, there are so many reasons why. You have been through a lot and you know that your magic has been a little off recently. All those things could encourage a change" Severus said, trying to reassure his Hermione.
"It's not really about the fact that it's changed, I had sort of guessed that it might be different. I'm not bothered that it's a cunning fox either, the fox represents your personality and my own, I'm quite proud of my foxy form" Hermione stated, her smile growing wider. Severus chuckled at her choice of words.
"Then what's wrong?" Severus asked her.
"It's what people said after they saw my Patronus. They immediately connected it to Slytherin traits and then directly to you-know-who and I know that the gossip would have spread by now. I don't want people thinking that, because I was caught up with Death Eaters and whatnot, at the end of last year, that I have suddenly aligned myself with him and am doing his biding" she breathed.
"I doubt that the other students will really think that about you" Severus informed her, still trying to reassure her.
"There was also a memory charm placed on the classroom, so I don't know how rumours have spread" she whispered sadly.
"Perhaps one of your moronic friends played a role in that?" he stated rhetorically.
"That wouldn't surprise me at the moment" she replied.
"Then they are lower than dirt at the moment, you are far too wonderful to allow a few teenage idiots to bring you down" he said, trying to be comforting.
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow that told him that she wasn't buying the bullshit that was spewing from his mouth. However, she leaned in and kissed him to show her thanks and appreciation for his efforts.
They kissed for a while before their heavy petting was cut off by a chime that signalled that someone had entered Severus' office.
Severus quickly removed himself from Hermione and apologised before heading to his office to greet the intruder.
Moments later he came back.
He looked mildly concerned, and he studied her for a few moments. She looked back at him in confusion. Severus stared at her for one last long moment, before finally speaking.
"You should probably head off and get some lunch now, you have classes shortly" he said to her as he kissed her once more.
She hummed in disappointment but agreed that she was hungry and should be getting something to eat. She bid farewell to Severus and left his rooms.
As she entered his office, she froze as she noticed Remus standing in the middle of the classroom. He was giving her a knowing look and he held out her belongings to her.
"You left in such a hurry earlier that you left your belongings behind. I assumed you would want them" he said.
She thanked him and took her belongings and her books from his outstretched hands; she headed towards the classroom door before Remus cleared his throat deliberately.
Hermione turned to him, noticing his flushed looking face.
"You may want to tame your hair and glamour your swollen lips before you go out there" he suggested.
Hermione blushed, she hadn't even thought about what she must have looked like after her snogging session with Severus. She quickly cast a couple of charms that hid the condemning evidence.
"Better?" She asked.
"Better. Now, I am here to escort a certain witch to the Great Hall" Remus grinned at her.
Hermione grinned back and the two left Severus' classroom and headed towards the great hall for lunch.