Chapter 2: In Service To The Order
{A/N: I've redone this chapter as well...}
My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy.-S.S.
The Grounds, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...
Tremors had wracked the lean body of Severus Snape even as he landed in view of Hogwarts Castle. The ailing wizard managed to reach the front door and made his way into the hall but the muscles in his leg became weak and he found himself collapsing without proper footing. Luckily it had been dark and the halls had been deserted. The Potions Master rolled onto his back letting the tremors continue to work through him until he could move and get himself to his private quarters. The pain had been excruciating as he shook and jolted in agony. Not one word or cry of pain escaped him as he continued to move helplessly on the floor.
At that moment Hermione Granger had entered the hall heading toward Gryffindor tower when she came across a figure in black jolting helplessly on the ground ahead of her. She increased her pace as she approached the downed man and had been utterly shocked to see that it had been none other than her husband-to-be Professor Snape. A jolt of fear and worry filled her and she found herself kneeling at his side. His eyes had been closed as he continued to convulse. Not knowing what to do Hermione grabbed her wand and cast the levitation charm. He was jolting in a vertical stance and his eyes burst open and he saw she had been using the charm to help him to his feet. He closed his eyes once more gritting his teeth in an effort to distract himself from the pain.
She wrapped an arm around his waist and took on of his and put it around her neck as she helped him rather silently to his rooms. They reached the door to his quarters after a great deal of effort. He seemed to be doing better as the tremors eased in intensity for the moment and he shakily reached for his wand. He tapped it to the center of the door and it opened without a word from him. She helped him into his rooms. The torches lit with each step giving a dim light to their path. Snape clutched her now no doubt utterly annoyed that he had to depend on her assistance to reach his bedroom.
Hermione helped him inside the rather large space and he grunted when she levitated him into bed. He was wracked with more pain clutching the mattress below him for dear life as his body continued to shake. He had lost all concentration once he reached the comfort of his bedroom and the after affects of the curse ripped through his body uninhibited. Hermione noted that he had jerked so hard once that he bit down on his bottom lips drawing blood.
Out of concern she waved her wand over him casting off his attire with the exception of his small clothes so that the muscle spasms could pass without causing him any other serious harm. The half dressed Potions Professor finally settled down into an uneasy sleep as the tremors waned. The young Gryffindor witch blushed a little as she looked him over. He had not been as unappealing as she and others had initially believed. His lean frame clad with alabaster flesh and healed minor scars and scratches like a testament to the various battles he had found himself in over the years. His raven hair covered the black pillow like silk. His usually impassive face relaxed in a softness that one would hardly believe him capable of.
Her young eyes continued to take in the sight of the light black hairs on his pale legs and bare arms. The dark mark on his right forearm the deepest black she had ever seen in contrast to the alabaster flesh. He wore old cotton boxers a solid light blue or rather faded blue huge. No socks covered his pale feet and the white undershirt that covered the severity of the scaring on his chest kept her from seeing much. The flush continued to heat her as she let a small smile file across her face.
"Good night Professor." she said softly as she took her leave of him.
It had been a long walk back to Gryffindor tower but the many questions and revelations kept her from realizing just how long the walk had been. She had wondered if The Potions Master would be angry with her once he recovered or if he would take it out on her during class the next morning. She had seen the wizard half-naked after all.
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The Following Day...
Hermione awoke and made her way to the great hall. The previous night had been in the back of her mind as she settled into the familiar games and chit chat that seemed to become the staple of her mornings since she first arrived at Hogwarts. The morning had passed relatively easily. She had barely noticed the Potions Master glaring at her from the staff table. She wondered just how angry he had been about her helping him the night before. Clearly he had been quite disturbed about awakening in only his small clothes and with the knowledge that she had been in his private rooms after hours.
They were to be married in less than a week and already she had been moving in on his personal space. The bitterness had set in by the time he arrived at breakfast to see the young witch laughing and joking with her friends. He had no doubt in his mind that she was spreading idle gossip with her fellow Gryffindors. Especially since he had made her life a living hell since she arrived. He wondered if she though she was clever in her small measure of revenge. If so he was going to show her that she was mistaken to think that she could best him.
He watched attentively as she seemed to enjoy her little triumph. Miss Granger was going to pay for this insolence. She was going to pay for it very dearly. The Potions Master continued to seethe the more he thought about having to be married to the young Gryffindor witch. He could not wait to be rid of her and this damnable war. But for now he could make her as miserable as she and her friends seemed to be hell bent on making him. He was still her Professor after all and still held considerable power over her.
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The Corridors, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...
Professor Snape had cornered Hermione alone in the corridors and cast a spell or two around them so they would be neither heard nor noticed. He glared down at her as she tried her best to look at him. The image of him in nothing but his small clothes had replayed in her mind. He towered over her with his obsidian eyes burning in rage as he glared.
"Did you get a good laugh with your little Gryffindor buddies Miss Granger?" he asked with an icy tone.
"Sir?" asked Hermione confused by his demeanor.
"Don't play innocent with me, Miss Granger." he said sharply. "I remember perfectly well what you did to me last night."
"Did to you?" asked Hermione still confused. "Sir, I was only trying to help."
"Silence Miss Granger!" he bellowed in the same icy tone. "My personal life is not your concern and I would appreciate it if you and your little friends would find something else to gossip about."
"Sir I...I didn't." started Hermione but it was no use.
He really believed that she and her friends had been laughing at him.
The young witch said nothing resigning herself to whatever punishment he saw fit to dish out.
"You have detention Miss Granger this afternoon for your insolence and inappropriate behavior." replied Snape stern.
Hermione didn't argue or meet his eyes.
"Yes, sir." she said dutifully.
Snape turned and stalked off in a billow of ebony robes.
Hermione sighed. He must have really been embarrassed by her assistance the other night. The last thing she needed was for him to be angry at her. It was enough that her friends would turn their backs on her once they found out about their marriage. She sighed again and made her way toward the library.
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Lucius Malfoy's Study, Malfoy Manor...
The writhing bodies of Lord Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape landed with an intense thud onto the expertly polished hard wood floors. The handsome albino blonde's gray eyes fell on the unconscious form of The Potions Master. He crawled over toward Snape fighting his own spasms. The dark lord had not been happy about the lack of information concerning Dumbledore's plans and the Ministry's continued strength under Fudge. He had taken a great deal of frustration out on Lucius in the past with Potter escaping the chamber of secrets. Fearing the worst for his closest friend, Snape feigned incompetence at his own task and drew the wrath of Voldemort on himself.
The despot had been so incensed that he cursed Snape six times the normal number for his usual punishment. Lucius fought the pain and made it to his friend. They had only apparated because he had the strength to pull them both through to his manor. Snape still had not moved and his body temperature had been in the fever range.
"Severus." said Lucius fighting pain as concern filled his voice.
There was no reply as Snape lied very still.
"Severus." said Lucius alarmed. "Severus wake up."
Narcissa Malfoy heard the landing and rushed into the room. Her dark eyes fell on the limp figure that had been Severus Snape and her badly injured husband crawling over toward him. She rushed inside and kneeled down beside Snape. She checked his pulse. It had been very faint but his heart was still beating. Lucius watched her intently.
"Is he?" he asked as fear filled him.
"No." replied Narcissa. "He's alive but barely."
"G-get him a healing potion." said Lucius shifting his gaze to his wife.
Narcissa took off and gathered an arm full of healing potions and returned to her husband's study. She once again kneeled beside Snape. She sat the other phials down and turned her attention to uncorking one of them. She positioned herself behind Snape's head and lifted him so that his torso leaned against her legs as she forced his mouth open to get him to swallow the potion.
"Come on Severus." said Lucius ignoring his own agony. "Wake up."
Narcissa let the potion flow into Snape's mouth and gently massaged his throat hoping to smooth the liquid down manually to get it into his system. After a few moments Both Malfoys seemed to be holding their breath in the anticipation. Snape started to cough. Then his pale eyelids sprang open revealing his familiar obsidian gaze. He found himself being cradled in Narcissa's lap and felt oddly at peace for whatever it had been worth.
"Why Narcissa, I didn't think you cared." he said dryly.
Narcissa Malfoy glared down at Severus Snape.
"He appears to be back to his usual sullen self." she reported to her husband.
Snape removed his head from her lap and forced himself to a sitting position. Narcissa crawled over to Lucius and cradled him the way she had the previously unconscious Snape. His dark gray eyes fell on her as he tried to smile despite the pain. She uncorked another healing potion and put it to his lips. He drank it heartily as she continued to caress him. Small tremors had been making their way through his body but the worst of the pain had subsided. Snape managed to get to his feet and made his way over to the floo. He had not been in any condition to apparate. The Malfoys watched as he grabbed a fist full of floo powder.
The flames roared as he stepped closer taking one last look at the two of them.
"Severus Snape's quarters...Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts." he said bluntly.
"I take it you won't stay for dinner old friend." said Lucius Malfoy with a charming smile.
"Not this time." replied Snape with a small smirk.
Narcissa shook her head. Both men had been in an incredible amount of pain but saw fit to put on a brave front for each other. Snape had only used the floo to get home whenever he had been so badly injured he couldn't possibly make the flight. Lucius was barely holding himself together in the presence of his friend. The healing potion had only worked on their physical injuries and had been quite slow at treating the nerve damage from the curse the dark lord inflicted upon them.
Snape stepped through the flew and into his front room.
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Snape's Quarters, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...
Once the floo closed behind him he collapsed writhing in agony once more. His body had been on fire as the sweat continued to pour off him. His lank raven hair had been soaked sticking to his face in long dark strands. He was suppose to report to The Headmaster but found himself unable to make the trip. He had been so wracked with pain he had not noticed the pair of amber eyes that fell on him as he twitched and squirmed on the floor.
Barely conscious he found himself being levitated and then lowered into his bed. His constricting attire had been removed once again and he was left in his small clothes like before. His heated body had been given minor relief in the form of a wet cloth soaked in cool water as a soft warm hand dabbed it onto his forehead. He got a look at the reddish brown hair and the scent of jasmine hit his nostrils before he found himself unconscious once again as his symptoms eased.
"M-Miss Granger..." had been the only thing he said in barely a whisper before the nothingness swept over him.
"Just relax professor." came her reply but he had not heard it. "It'll be alright."
Hermione Granger turned her attention to the front room when she heard the floo. The Headmaster arrived expecting a report. Professor Snape had been in no condition to give it. The old wizard walked into the bedroom and smiled softly when he noticed Hermione in the dark. He looked over at Snape and let out what must have been a sigh of relief.
"It appears that you've taken good care of Severus." he said rather pleased.
Hermione nodded trying not to blush.
"You were right when you sent me here." she said softly. "He had been hurt pretty badly."
"No doubt you were right on time." said Dumbledore looking over at the sleeping man again. "He must have incurred the wrath of You-Know-Who tonight."
"It looks that way." replied Hermione taking another sweeping look at her husband-to-be.
"I believe Severus can manage from here Miss Granger." said Dumbledore seemingly amused. "You may go back to your room and don't worry about Filch I've taken care of it."
Hermione turned her attention back to The Headmaster.
"Yes sir." she said evenly. "Good-night sir."
"Good-night Miss Granger." replied Dumbledore with a knowing smile.
Hermione disappeared out the door and made her way toward Gryffindor tower. Dumbledore looked over the sleeping Potions Master. He had dodged a major bullet this night. He had been rather fortunate that Miss Granger could help him.
"Severus, how many times do I have to tell you about being so reckless?" asked the old wizard aloud. "One good thing about this up coming marriage is that I finally have someone to look after you when I cannot."
With a sigh Dumbledore walked over to the floo and took his leave as well.
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Head Girl Room, Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts...
Hermione entered her bedroom, kicked off her shoes then flicked her wand over her school robes exchanging them with her night gown and climbed into bed. She had been quite tired from the day's events. Seeing Snape injured and weak had taken a lot out of her. The first night it had taken her by surprise but since then she had not expected him to appear to be so...human.
Utterly exhausted, the young Gryffindor witch climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep. She had not known what the future had in store for her and Professor Snape but she knew that he needed someone in his corner just as much as she needed someone to help keep her away from the death eaters. The appeal of an alliance of sorts had crossed her mind. Then she thought quickly of how much she was beginning to sound like a Slytherin and dismissed it.
One thing was for certain, no body could really say that they knew very much about the Potions Master. Not even the headmaster Albus Dumbledore had been privy to all the secrets that seemed to define the life of this very complex man. Without another thought Hermione closed her eyes and drifted off into a dreamless slumber. Come morning she would be wracked with guilt and concern which would no doubt carry on until they were wed. For now there was nothing on her mind and for the first time since she arrived at Hogwarts she had been okay with that.