Hermione held onto Severus' arm as they walked up the steps leading out of the dungeon. She wore a deep red crushed velvet dress and he wore his favored dark green waist coat with black shirt and slacks.
She smiled as they walked slowly and purposefully. They stood for a moment when they reached the entrance to the great hall. "This is it," Hermione said squeezing his arm.
******
The silence was deafening as Hermione and Severus walked into the hall. All plates sat forgotten the moment the first students spotted the couple. No table was more silent than that of Slytherin. They stared and wondered, all they knew was that Professor Snape had been sent away on Hogwarts business and that his date of return was unknown.
Carmilla raised an eyebrow to the man as he walked past. Severus saw her and gave her an ever so slight nod. She smiled and looked around the table feeling smug. I am still his favorite, she thought, despite him being away I am still his favorite.
Severus would have laughed if it had been appropriate at that moment. Let her think she is still favored, he told himself, we'll see how long that lasts.
Hermione let go of Severus' arm when they reached the two empty seats at the table. Severus sat next to his brother and Hermione sat next to Remus. They sat between the two men, who remained silent sentinels.
*******
Cicely smiled and was the first student at Gryffindor table to resume eating. She whispered a warming spell to warm her oatmeal again.
"Cici, What's that smile for?" Philip sat across from him. "Did you know he was awake?"
"Yes," She smiled and plied herself to her oatmeal again. "I knew last night, when he woke."
"And you didn't tell me?" He sat silent for a minute, "That's where you went to last night isn't it, to see him?"
"Yes, in his chambers," She smiled, thinking of all the rumors they had heard of Snape's chambers being dark, dank and dreary.
"You were in his chambers?" Philip gasped, he too had heard the rumors. "What were they like?"
She smiled, "They're not what you'd expect, I was only in the living room, but there were books and artifacts everywhere. The colors were amazing, reds and purples and blues and Yes, mostly greens. I wouldn't mind living there," She stopped talking and began to eat again.
"That's it?" He asked, taking a bite of his now less than warm breakfast. "that's all you're going to tell me?"
She nodded and smiled at him, "There's nothing else to tell."
*******
The entire head table was filled with a hushed anxiety. They had all known Severus had been in a coma but only a handful had know he had awoken from his serpent slumber.
Salazar smiled and laughed as he watched his younger brother scowling, "Now there's the Severus I remember," He chuckled, "I assume you will be resuming a Head of Slytherin?"
"Of course, Gods know what you have done to them," He said coldly, he felt tired but he needed something to do other than sit.
"It's not me you have to worry about it Mione there, she is indeed a cruel task mistress. I don't think even you have handed out so many detentions in a week as she has."
Hermione blushed, she had been cruel at times, but she figured anyone would under the given circumstances. "Well If you saw what they had done to the cauldrons you'd give them detentions too," She turned to her food.
Severus ate too, occasionally stealing bits from her plate when she wasn't looking. "I think I will sit in on potions today, Who is teaching?"
"I am," Salazar replied, "I bet the students will love having two Snape's in the same room," He laughed.
Severus was slightly amused by this, "I noticed a ring on Miss Nettleburn's finger, What is it?"
"As far as we know it's an engagement ring, or so the rumors say," Remus spoke
"Engagement ring? Who in this school could afford such a ring let alone a gem like that?" Severus replied, "Who is it?"
"Someone who isn't at school, I'm sure," Hermione started, "But whoever it is, her family seems to approve."
"Well seeing as she thinks herself favored, and I might indulge her, I can find out. Now that I am back amongst the living," there was a small round of light laughter from that end of the table. "I can still play spy, and not toy with people," He looked to Hermione and smiled cruelly.
She knew he meant Serrento and she replied to his comment, "You are so going to be punished for that Severus Snape," She whispered.
He looked at her, an eyebrow half raised, "How?" He asked not thinking she would be crazy enough to try and thing at the table.
She smiled and took her hand from her lap and placed it high on his inner thigh and squeezed. "That's how," She smiled again, "Now if you excuse me I have to go to the library, and get myself reacquainted with the books." She stood and said goodbye to the three men who still sat.
*********
Hermione walked to the library and was vaguely aware of the soft and quick footsteps behind her, she recognized them immediately, "Cicely it is not wise to sneak up on one who has been trained by an Auror," She turned and smiled at the stone pale girl. "Come along if you're going to walk with me you can't just stand there,"
The girl quickly caught up with the woman and smiled, "You were trained my an Auror? Why didn't you become an Auror?"
"I was trained here at Hogwarts in the basics; wandless magic, defense charms and such," the girl nodded, she knew what the basic training entailed, "The training was to be used protect Hogwarts if voldemort attacked. The Auror who trained me was remarkably beautiful, and very strong. I didn't become an Auror because I failed the temperament portion of the test. They said I was too vengeful and wrathful," The girl snorted, "I can take the test again now if I wished too, they ask that there be a five year period between tests should you fail."
"Who was the Auror who taught you?" Cicely was curious she had met numerous Aurors before she was six and knew many, like her mother, who had been killed at the fall of Voldemort. "I might have know them,"
"Her name was Azine," She looked at the girl who had once again gone stone pale. "What's wrong,"
"Azine was my mother," the girl regained her composure, she remembered little and relied on others to help her fill the blanks her mental picture of her mother.
"She was a remarkable woman and would no doubt be proud of you. You're a very strong young lady. No doubt you will be like her."
"Thank the gods YOU didn't call me a precious little treasure,"
"Now why would I do that?" Hermione smiled as they entered the library.
"Grandma!" Cicely ran to the woman who was setting a stack of books on the table, and hugged her about the middle. "Professor Snape woke up! Did you know that?"
"No I didn't," Persephone looked at Hermione, "Is this true?"
"I am afraid so, He will be returning to the halls and that classroom as soon as his strength has completely returned to him. He will be sitting in at his classes and returning to his duties as head of Slytherin house."
"That boy was always too stubborn for his own good," She looked at her granddaughter and patted her head, "Now it's time for you to be off to your classes,"
"Yes, Grandma," She smiled and skipped out of the library.
"Truly a remarkable girl," Hermione said, the older woman nodded.
*******
Severus sat watching the students as they filed in, his brother also watched silently. Many of the students looked shocked to see both off the Snape's in the same classroom.
Severus watched as Cicely and Philip sat down in their seats towards the front of the class. The girl smiled at him, obviously happy that he was back in the classroom. Philip didn't look as happy.
Severus spoke first when the students had all taken their seats. "Now seeing as I have been gone for several weeks I would like to know how you are progressing. Salazar will pair you up and he has a list of potions. He will randomly give you one from the list. Be warned I am in the mood to take points away."
Severus sat back as Salazar paired the students up and gave then the potion they were to make. Cicely got the dreamless sleep potion.
She knew this one by heart and could probably make it with her eyes closed. The Slytherin Girl she had been paired with groaned.
"Begin once you have your assignment," Salazar walked over to his brother, "Are you sure you should be taking so much on so soon?"
"When have I ever been one to do nothing?" he replied, "You should know that I have never been one to do nothing,"
"That is true little brother," Salazar watched as Severus turned and set to walking amongst the students.
Severus stood halfway through the class and took his turn to wandering through the aisles. "Well done Miss Rosewood, I see your partner has been no help to you five points from Slytherin." Severus glared at both of them, "Five points from Gryffindor for not making sure she did her work,"
Cicely didn't mind that she had gotten points taken away. Gryffindor was ahead by nearly seventy.
She watched as Professor Snape walked away. She couldn't help but smile.
TBC
A/N: thanks for the reviews, I'm glad you liked that last chapter. And I hope you will all take the time to read my newest story "retribution" If you haven't already. I know it's a shameless plug.
Thanks: Zoe, Maddie, Slytheringal & vwpdarkangel
She smiled as they walked slowly and purposefully. They stood for a moment when they reached the entrance to the great hall. "This is it," Hermione said squeezing his arm.
******
The silence was deafening as Hermione and Severus walked into the hall. All plates sat forgotten the moment the first students spotted the couple. No table was more silent than that of Slytherin. They stared and wondered, all they knew was that Professor Snape had been sent away on Hogwarts business and that his date of return was unknown.
Carmilla raised an eyebrow to the man as he walked past. Severus saw her and gave her an ever so slight nod. She smiled and looked around the table feeling smug. I am still his favorite, she thought, despite him being away I am still his favorite.
Severus would have laughed if it had been appropriate at that moment. Let her think she is still favored, he told himself, we'll see how long that lasts.
Hermione let go of Severus' arm when they reached the two empty seats at the table. Severus sat next to his brother and Hermione sat next to Remus. They sat between the two men, who remained silent sentinels.
*******
Cicely smiled and was the first student at Gryffindor table to resume eating. She whispered a warming spell to warm her oatmeal again.
"Cici, What's that smile for?" Philip sat across from him. "Did you know he was awake?"
"Yes," She smiled and plied herself to her oatmeal again. "I knew last night, when he woke."
"And you didn't tell me?" He sat silent for a minute, "That's where you went to last night isn't it, to see him?"
"Yes, in his chambers," She smiled, thinking of all the rumors they had heard of Snape's chambers being dark, dank and dreary.
"You were in his chambers?" Philip gasped, he too had heard the rumors. "What were they like?"
She smiled, "They're not what you'd expect, I was only in the living room, but there were books and artifacts everywhere. The colors were amazing, reds and purples and blues and Yes, mostly greens. I wouldn't mind living there," She stopped talking and began to eat again.
"That's it?" He asked, taking a bite of his now less than warm breakfast. "that's all you're going to tell me?"
She nodded and smiled at him, "There's nothing else to tell."
*******
The entire head table was filled with a hushed anxiety. They had all known Severus had been in a coma but only a handful had know he had awoken from his serpent slumber.
Salazar smiled and laughed as he watched his younger brother scowling, "Now there's the Severus I remember," He chuckled, "I assume you will be resuming a Head of Slytherin?"
"Of course, Gods know what you have done to them," He said coldly, he felt tired but he needed something to do other than sit.
"It's not me you have to worry about it Mione there, she is indeed a cruel task mistress. I don't think even you have handed out so many detentions in a week as she has."
Hermione blushed, she had been cruel at times, but she figured anyone would under the given circumstances. "Well If you saw what they had done to the cauldrons you'd give them detentions too," She turned to her food.
Severus ate too, occasionally stealing bits from her plate when she wasn't looking. "I think I will sit in on potions today, Who is teaching?"
"I am," Salazar replied, "I bet the students will love having two Snape's in the same room," He laughed.
Severus was slightly amused by this, "I noticed a ring on Miss Nettleburn's finger, What is it?"
"As far as we know it's an engagement ring, or so the rumors say," Remus spoke
"Engagement ring? Who in this school could afford such a ring let alone a gem like that?" Severus replied, "Who is it?"
"Someone who isn't at school, I'm sure," Hermione started, "But whoever it is, her family seems to approve."
"Well seeing as she thinks herself favored, and I might indulge her, I can find out. Now that I am back amongst the living," there was a small round of light laughter from that end of the table. "I can still play spy, and not toy with people," He looked to Hermione and smiled cruelly.
She knew he meant Serrento and she replied to his comment, "You are so going to be punished for that Severus Snape," She whispered.
He looked at her, an eyebrow half raised, "How?" He asked not thinking she would be crazy enough to try and thing at the table.
She smiled and took her hand from her lap and placed it high on his inner thigh and squeezed. "That's how," She smiled again, "Now if you excuse me I have to go to the library, and get myself reacquainted with the books." She stood and said goodbye to the three men who still sat.
*********
Hermione walked to the library and was vaguely aware of the soft and quick footsteps behind her, she recognized them immediately, "Cicely it is not wise to sneak up on one who has been trained by an Auror," She turned and smiled at the stone pale girl. "Come along if you're going to walk with me you can't just stand there,"
The girl quickly caught up with the woman and smiled, "You were trained my an Auror? Why didn't you become an Auror?"
"I was trained here at Hogwarts in the basics; wandless magic, defense charms and such," the girl nodded, she knew what the basic training entailed, "The training was to be used protect Hogwarts if voldemort attacked. The Auror who trained me was remarkably beautiful, and very strong. I didn't become an Auror because I failed the temperament portion of the test. They said I was too vengeful and wrathful," The girl snorted, "I can take the test again now if I wished too, they ask that there be a five year period between tests should you fail."
"Who was the Auror who taught you?" Cicely was curious she had met numerous Aurors before she was six and knew many, like her mother, who had been killed at the fall of Voldemort. "I might have know them,"
"Her name was Azine," She looked at the girl who had once again gone stone pale. "What's wrong,"
"Azine was my mother," the girl regained her composure, she remembered little and relied on others to help her fill the blanks her mental picture of her mother.
"She was a remarkable woman and would no doubt be proud of you. You're a very strong young lady. No doubt you will be like her."
"Thank the gods YOU didn't call me a precious little treasure,"
"Now why would I do that?" Hermione smiled as they entered the library.
"Grandma!" Cicely ran to the woman who was setting a stack of books on the table, and hugged her about the middle. "Professor Snape woke up! Did you know that?"
"No I didn't," Persephone looked at Hermione, "Is this true?"
"I am afraid so, He will be returning to the halls and that classroom as soon as his strength has completely returned to him. He will be sitting in at his classes and returning to his duties as head of Slytherin house."
"That boy was always too stubborn for his own good," She looked at her granddaughter and patted her head, "Now it's time for you to be off to your classes,"
"Yes, Grandma," She smiled and skipped out of the library.
"Truly a remarkable girl," Hermione said, the older woman nodded.
*******
Severus sat watching the students as they filed in, his brother also watched silently. Many of the students looked shocked to see both off the Snape's in the same classroom.
Severus watched as Cicely and Philip sat down in their seats towards the front of the class. The girl smiled at him, obviously happy that he was back in the classroom. Philip didn't look as happy.
Severus spoke first when the students had all taken their seats. "Now seeing as I have been gone for several weeks I would like to know how you are progressing. Salazar will pair you up and he has a list of potions. He will randomly give you one from the list. Be warned I am in the mood to take points away."
Severus sat back as Salazar paired the students up and gave then the potion they were to make. Cicely got the dreamless sleep potion.
She knew this one by heart and could probably make it with her eyes closed. The Slytherin Girl she had been paired with groaned.
"Begin once you have your assignment," Salazar walked over to his brother, "Are you sure you should be taking so much on so soon?"
"When have I ever been one to do nothing?" he replied, "You should know that I have never been one to do nothing,"
"That is true little brother," Salazar watched as Severus turned and set to walking amongst the students.
Severus stood halfway through the class and took his turn to wandering through the aisles. "Well done Miss Rosewood, I see your partner has been no help to you five points from Slytherin." Severus glared at both of them, "Five points from Gryffindor for not making sure she did her work,"
Cicely didn't mind that she had gotten points taken away. Gryffindor was ahead by nearly seventy.
She watched as Professor Snape walked away. She couldn't help but smile.
TBC
A/N: thanks for the reviews, I'm glad you liked that last chapter. And I hope you will all take the time to read my newest story "retribution" If you haven't already. I know it's a shameless plug.
Thanks: Zoe, Maddie, Slytheringal & vwpdarkangel