Chapter 4: RUN!
Hermione dodged the oncoming snowballs," Ha, ha you missed me!" she shouted sticking her tongue out at the opposition. SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! Twenty or more snowballs hit her straight in the face, feeling thoroughly wet and no longer smug she looked around for a flash of black.
"Miss Granger, here, now!" Snape cried, ducking as a large snowball went flying over his head.
Hermione ran through the white onslaught, breathing heavily as she reached him. He didn't seem to notice her as he was frantically using his wand to raise a shield that would protect them for a while. Eyes darting constantly and mouth muttering complicated spells he backing slowly towards her. Soon they were back to back. Ron and Lupin were in front of her and Harry and Dumbledore were facing Snape.
"DUCK!" he shouted. Not even questioning why, she did so. A big snowball went soaring over their heads, it seemed that the shield had lost its strength and collapsed. Bringing herself back up she barely had a second to think when a snowball came hurtling towards their legs.
"JUMP!" she shouted. She and Snape jumped just in time and the snowball skimmed the bottom of their feet. They landed with a crunch in the hardening snow and ice. Suddenly, Hermione realised what was happening. Ron and Lupin had moved around to meet with Harry and Dumbledore; they were backing them into the wall. Spinning quickly around she stood by Snape's side, he too had noticed what was happening and his hand was firmly gripped around his wand. Hard wall met their backs.
"Do you surrender?" Lupin said smugly. Hermione glanced at Snape, his face was emotionless as usual but she could see a small glint in his eyes. With one swift movement his foot shot out. His wand flicked slightly and chaos ensued.
"RUN!" he bellowed as he jumped over a heap on the floor. Not knowing what had happened Hermione ran as fast as she could. Snape headed for a tall snowman that no doubt Dumbledore had built since it seemed to have a long white beard and half moon spectacles made of ice. Falling roughly on the cold ground Hermione finally looked back at the scene they had left.
Ron was just getting up from the floor with a helping hand from Lupin and Harry was getting up dazedly too. Dumbledore unscathed and looking cheerful was chuckling loudly at the whole thing much to the annoyance of everyone else.
"What did you do sir?" she asked.
"I drop kicked Mr Weasley and used Expelliarmus on Mr Potter," he announced with a smirk on his face. The sight of her two best friends on the floor after getting beaten by their least favourite teacher was too much for her. She collapsed into a fit of giggles. A deep rich laugh joined hers; she turned in amazement and saw the most feared teacher in Hogwarts laughing with her.
"I do have a sense of humour Miss Granger despite what everyone thinks!" he said with one eyebrow raised. She couldn't take it anymore, it was too much. Hermione once again burst out in hysterical laughter and Snape joined in too. By now they were both gasping for breath and their eyes were streaming with tears. Dragging herself round the side of the snowman she looked for the others. Where were they?
"Professor, they've gone," she said puzzled.
"What do you mean they've gone, they can't have? Let me see!" he demanded. He looked out at the white landscape, scanning the area; he then let out a little chuckle. "There by the lake, look, footprints," he pointed them out to her. She nodded in agreement as she saw four sets of footprints heading down towards the frozen expanse that was the Hogwarts Lake. What were they doing? She decided it was time to find out, slipping slightly on a patch of ice she headed towards the lake.
"Miss Granger come back!" Snape shouted angrily. Ignoring him she continued on.
"Miss Granger did you not hear me I said come back!" he shouted yet again. Sighing with exasperation he ran quickly yet soundlessly, following the path Hermione had taken. Catching up with her, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped slightly. "I said Miss Granger come back, it may well be a plot to win knowing Albus," he said trying to sound angry, but for once his face gave him away, a worried look was fixed on it. Hermione stopped. His hand left her shoulder and he turned to face her. "Miss Granger I once again have a plan, we could work this to our advantage," he said with a familiar evil glint in his eyes.
