A/N: Yay for me! I finally updated! Sorry it took so long, I've been really busy (read: lazy). but anyway, here's chapter 2! Thanks to all those who reviewed! Cheers for queenofdiamonds1, the first person to review! applause I've not avery angsty writer so this story will lighten up alot in 2 or 3 chapters. So happy-story-people come forth! grin
Disclaimer: Woops, forgot to do that in the first chapter. Anywho, don't own nothin'. It all belongs to the brilliant J.K.R. The plot's mine though. I didn't see another one along the same lines as where this one's going but if there is: I didn't steal your idea! Promise!
Edit : I changed Hermione's time 'till graduation from three weeks to five. It makes more sense later on in the story.
Hermione stayed awake long into the night, thinking. Over the past few years she had developped a larger respect for the Potions Master, she had learned to see him differently. At some point she thought she might have deeper feelings for him, but of course, she never told anyone. So she kept it quiet. But before long her "feelings" for him were really going over board. She couldn't stop thinking about him, she had to try very hard not to keep staring at him, when he passed by her heart beat were go crazy, she was obsessed.
So now she was sure she felt deeply for her professor. She couldn't help it, there was just something about him...
But what did that matter now? Tomorrow he would be dead. She felt the tears come up in her eyes again but willed herself not to cry. She had to be strong, crying never solved anything. Oh, but why did it have to end like that? She would have graduated in only five weeks and left far behind the student-teacher relationship, she wouldn't need it anymore. She could have known him in a more personnal setting, without having to worry about getting caught. You've got to stop thinking about it, it'll only make things worse for you. Finally deciding she should get some rest, she climbed into bed, exhausted, yet restless.
Severus paced around his office, frustrated. A small voice inside his head was cursing him for lying to Dumbledore, reminding him what it had led to last time. Does it really make a differece now? Probably not, but it didn't help the nagging at the back of his head.
He knew he shouldn't be upset about the outcome if the Dark Lord died tomorrow. It would make things so much easier for the Ministry, they wouldn't have any Death Eaters to run after. Yet, he still felt like he was leaving something behind if the left. Something he would miss a lot. But what could he possibly miss? It's not that he hated his job, but it's not exactly something he'd die to keep. So what was he leaving behind? Her. He stopped pacing. No, he couldn't, wouldn't allow himself to have feelings for her. He was her professor for God's sake! Nor for long, she graduates in a few weeks. But it doesn't matter any more damn it! Nothing does!
He fell into a chair, head in his hands. Why did she have to come and make things more complicated for him?
All of a sudden an ear-splitting alarm sounded through the halls. Severus nearly jumped to the ceiling in suprise. They weren't supposed to attack until tomorrow. No time for questions, get moving! Grabbing his wits about him he ran out, not bothering to close any doors behind him. This was it.
It seemed Hermione had only just managed to close her eyes when the alarm sounded in the school. Willing herself not to panic, she grabbed her wand off her bedside table and ran. The war had begun.
Dumbledore waited in the Great Hall for the others to arrive. A few of the older students had been instructed to bring the 1st through 5th years to a safer place. Those who were almost done their time at school would be fighting along with the Order and the numerous Aurors that had been summoned. For the past few months the headmaster himself had been training Harry Potter so he would be ready for the war, so he would win.
Hermione arrived first and joined the other students who would take part in battle. Harry and Ron were already there and waiting for her. She gave them each a friendly hug and wished them good luck, they were all going to need it.
Only a few seconds later, Snape arrived and reported to the headmaster. "Would you like me to fight or shall I bring the younger students to safety?" he asked. In his mind he was begging Albus to let him fight. He wanted to be there to see him fall, even if it was the last thing he ever saw, it was worth it.
"You will fight and watch over those who are less experienced." Dumbledore glanced only momentarilly at the obviously nervous students and the younger man understood. Nodding, Snape walked over next to the other teachers, waiting. This is it, he thought, mentally giving himself a pep-talk, this is the last time you'll ever fight, so make it count. Make sure you're the only one on Dumbledore's side that perishes in the war. Look at them, they're terrified, you need to protect them you got that? Look out for her especially, you don't want anything to happen to her.
All of a sudden, a flame appeared in their midst, it disappeared, leaving place to a single golden feather. All eyes turned to Dumbledore, awaiting orders. "Let us go out and meet them. Aurors and teachers in the frong, students in the back. Mr. Potter, you will stay with me."
They all did as they were told and all too soon they were facin the Death Eaters. They parted to from a passage for their leader. Voldemort stepped forward and asked for Snape. The latter walked up, a look of pure hatred etched all over his face.
"It's not too late to come back you know," the Dark Lord started, "I'll welcome you back if you're smart enough to come." The was a moment of silence, and then, to everyone's (except the Death Eaters) suprise, Severus's expression softened and he walked toward the enemy.