Disclaimer: I don't own all the good characters, but all my second-rate characters, Charlotte, Eric, etc. are all mine honey!
Aleatha515: Thanks, but the real credit for that goes to my co-writer, gooseflesh!
Kissmesweetly: Thanks, but I've still got a lot to learn. Thanks for the encouragement. Just between you and me, and whoever else decides to read this, I've got other stories in progress.
Thanks to all my reviewers! I love you guys so much!
Ah man! I have to write this in my little spare time! My friends and I are working on a project we call "Project A". Real original isn't it? I've just finished an 8 page Church History Report! I've got back problems from lugging my thousand-ton backpack and my head hurts because I oddly got a hang over from two bottles of Coke I drank in Sacramento. And I'm graduating soon!
All and all,
A very, VERY stressed out Nat
Gooseflesh note: So much love to everyone who reviewed and said they enjoyed the kiss scene, as I write those parts. Your comments really help – I'm always nervous about writing them, since I have a small lack of experience in that area… Sorry about the absence of rain; I'll put some in another time. As for Death Eaters… just you wait.
A Teenaged Snape?
"Hermione!" Eric yelled, spotting his girlfriend as she entered the Main Entrance with Severus, Sirius, Remus, and the bags. All three men rolled their eyes as Eric ran over to Hermione and enveloped her in a hug.
"Hi Eric," Hermione said after he had released her, "where have you been?"
"Family emergency," Eric said quickly. "Headmaster sent me to tell you and Severus to meet him in his office after you're done. I've got to go for a bit, but I'll come talk to you later, alright?"
"Sure, let me just get these put away," Hermione said, gesturing to all the bags. Eric gave Hermione a quick peck on the cheek before leaving. Severus frowned a bit at the sight.
Remus noticed Severus' frown and his eyes crinkled with a smile. While Sirius and Severus had never gotten along, Remus understood the Potions Master's need for solitude and cynical attitude in a way many never would. And while he also understood Severus' anger and inherent sadness, he never liked it. This accident was maybe a good thing, he mused. Hermione, like Severus, was intelligent and stubborn. Perhaps she was what Severus needed. Now if only Severus would admit that to himself.
"Here, let me take those." he offered, taking the bags from Severus, and distributing them between Sirius and himself. Sirius sighed, as he placed the bags down and simply levitated them.
"Thank you," Hermione said, as she made her way towards the Headmaster's office.
The next day, Severus was sitting under a large oak (it happened to be his favorite tree, as well as Hermione's), reading the latest edition of Potions Today, when he spotted Ron and Harry walking towards him.
"Oi! Captain! Get your gear on!" Ron yelled. Severus frowned in confusion.
"You haven't forgotten about Quidditch practice have you?" Harry said, frowning slightly and adjusting his glasses. He and Ron were still not completely comfortable with Severus as captain of Gryffindor Quidditch team. Severus, however, with the lack of experience, had made Harry and Ron his co-team captains.
"No, just lost track of time." This often happened to him, throughout his entire life. When interested in a book or a project he often became so absorbed in whatever he was doing that sometimes he didn't even notice his name being called. "Do you have the strategy you were working on, Harry?" Severus had finally gotten used to using Harry's first name. Harry knelt down beside him and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. Unfolding it, he used his wand to make the figures on the paper move.
"Okay, two of the chasers, probably Ginny and Jamie, should fly low close to the ground, while the other chaser, you, should fly straight towards the goal at full speed. Don't worry, Henry and Fiona will cover you on both sides. They're reliable beaters. Then Ginny and Jamie will pull up just as they reach the post and fly straight up with the ball. You should have made it there by then and one of the girls will give you a sharp pass. Then you just set it into the lower right hoop, and if not, the left," Harry said, proud of his new strategy.
"Good job." Severus nodded. "Shall we start practicing then?"
Two hours later, Severus, now being fully dressed in Gryffindor colors, and completely uncomfortable because of it, was zooming towards the goals. Ginny and Jamie were just a little ahead of him, down below. Finally reaching the marking point, they flew up vertically and tossed the ball to Severus. With a quick toss to the right goal post, he easily got it passed Ron.
"Excellent work, everyone. Now we have a game against Slytherin, first thing this weekend so hit the showers and rest up." With the last line, he was referring to Ron and Harry, who were covered in sweat.
Severus perched nervously on his broom as he watched Madam Hooch step onto the field. It was the first game of the season against Slytherin. He was confident that his team would win, despite Charlotte's protests, but he was put on edge by Lucius' presence in the stands. Of course that was expected, as he came to every Slytherin game to watch Draco play, who amazingly had caught the team a fair amount of snitches. None, however, had been against Gryffindor. Harry had made sure of that.
It kind of odd for Severus to be playing against his old House, but he would not let this fact affect him. It didn't matter what team he was on; he wanted to win.
"Now I want a clean game, from all of you," Madam Hooch said, as she released the balls. Severus easily nicked it and zoomed past Maximus Ashcroft, Slytherin's best chaser. Quickly sweeping it over to Ginny, Severus dodged a Bludger that had been directed at him by Damien Sweldon. Ginny passed it over to Jamie, who passed it back to Severus. Severus dodged another chaser and threw the Quaffle for the first ten points of the season for Gryffindor.
The Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs cheered loudly. Every year for as long as anyone could remember, the three houses had always come together when the match was against Slytherin.
After an hour, the game was 70 to 10, with Gryffindor in the lead. Severus was about to go for his 5th goal, when he spotted Gregory Alden, the other Beater, charging at him. Severus easily dodged him, but he did not see Sweldon and Jonathan Michaels charging at him from behind. The two knocked him off his broom and he fell to the ground twenty feet below.
Severus hit the ground hard, a small groan escaping his lips. Slowly he sat up, carefully testing his limbs for injury. Moving his left leg he felt a sharp, hot flash of pain. Biting his lip, he felt for his wand… Damn. It was lying a few feet away, just out of reach. Annoyed at his lack of control on the situation he sighed, and resigned himself to watching the rest of the game.
Luckily, Severus saw Harry make an easy grab at the snitch, Draco nowhere in sight. The crowd went wild in cheers at the first win of the season for Gryffindor. Severus sighed in relief, as the entire Gryffindor team surrounded him.
"You alright there, Sev?" Ron said, as he and Harry helped Severus to his feet and held him up. The team had gigantic smiles on their faces, as they patted him on the back.
"Never better," Severus replied happily.
"Severus Snape don't you ever scare me like that again!" He heard someone exclaim in anger and relief. The voice belonged to no one other than Hermione Granger.
"Yes, Mother," Severus answered with a smile on his face. Hermione frowned as she gave him a gigantic hug.
"I almost hexed the balls of the entire Slytherin teams for what they pulled on you, but I'll settle with suggesting detention for the rest of the month." Hermione pulled away, looking him over for signs of injury. "Are you alright?"
"I think my left leg is-
"Honey, I saw you take that nasty fall," Charlotte smiled at him, placing her hands on his chest. "I was so worried." She leaned slightly against him and brushed her lips against his teasingly. Severus grinned and kissed back. Soon it became the kind of kiss where someone tells you to get a room. She whispered something into Severus' ear, and he nodded in reply, smirking. Ron, who had been standing close enough to hear, went bright red, and Hermione glared fiercely at the couple.
She soon remembered that Eric was right in front of her.
"I'll make you feel all better later, Sevvie," Charlotte said, as she gave him one last lingering kiss. Eric gave Hermione a quick peck on the lips, before leaving with Charlotte. Hermione had hoped in the back of her mind that Eric's kiss would make Severus jealous, but he seemed to content with Charlotte's words to be noticing anything now. She frowned, as the group made their way to the Hospital Wing.
An hour later, Severus sat one of the white beds of the Hospital Wing, waiting for Madam Pomfrey repair his injuries. He had told everyone to go on to dinner, but Hermione would have none of it. She had just left a minute ago, to get some food for the both of them.
Severus was trying his very best to keep his focus on the snitch he was playing with that Harry had gave to him to entertain himself. He didn't want to draw any attention to himself, as on the other side the Infirmary was Lucius Malfoy, whispering quietly to Draco, who had sprained his right arm.
As Severus tried to steal a glimpse of them, he saw that Lucius was looking straight at him with a malicious grin on his face. He got up from where he was seated and walked over to Severus' bedside. Severus' breathing hitched.
"Mr. Snape is it?" Lucius asked casually. Sev nodded. "You played a fine game, unfortunately against Slytherin." Severus nodded once more like a docile minor.
"I was wondering where your dear old uncle happens to be lately. Draco tells me his godfather is ill for the rest of the year, is that true?"
"He is quite contagious right now," Severus answered, braving to speak. It was Lucius' turn to acquiesce.
"What a shame." Lucius said, rather too casually, "Malfoy Manor is having its annual New Years Ball and he won't be able to attend. If he is unable to attend in order to honor the Snape name, then you must attend in his place." Severus paled. Before he could reply, Hermione entered the room, wand in hand, two trays hovering behind her.
"Severus, I got you roast beef and mash potatoes, your fav-" she stopped in mid-sentence as she saw Lucius Malfoy sitting next to him. She quickly recovered from her shock and reluctantly placed one of the trays on Severus' lap as gave her a small smile in thanks. She then seated herself on the opposite side of Severus' bed.
"Hello, Ms. Granger, pleasant to see you," Lucius said, eyeing Severus out of the corner of his eye.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said out of politeness, as she began eating her meal. Severus could hardly eat at this time, even if he had his favorite meal of roast beef and mashed potatoes with a large helping of chocolate pudding for dessert. It was surprising that Hermione remembered his favorite meal.
"So, Mr. Snape, will you be taking Ms. Granger to the Ball?" Lucius asked.
"I first will have to think about attending first," Severus replied, as he placed Harry's snitch in his robes and picked up his fork.
"Goodbye, Mr. Snape, Ms. Granger. I'll send you an invitation and I expect to see you there," Lucius said, before getting up and leaving.
"What was that about?" Hermione whispered, remembering Draco was still at the other end of the Infirmary.
"Nothing important," Severus mumbled through his roast beef.
"He's expecting me to go, Albus!" Severus exclaimed, as he threw himself into his favorite armchair in the office.
"I realize that," the headmaster replied, contemplating, "but at the present moment I am unsure as to whether that is a wise decision."
"It will be considered rude if I do not attend, as well as suspicious."
"Severus, I will not risk the possibility of you being captured, or worse, killed," Albus said, with a frown. Severus, unable to sit still, got up from his chair and began pacing around the room.
"It would be a bit suspicious if you did not attend, but it's too dangerous," Albus said. Noticing Severus' glare, he continued, "I will give you my final decision after Halloween."
Severus left the office with a frown. He made his way to his dormitory to find Charlotte standing outside yelling at Sir Winston.
"Young lady, you are not Head Girl, and therefore I cannot allow you into the Head Dormitories," Sir Winston said, angrily, yet still politely.
"But Severus will be waiting for me!" She shouted, stamping her foot down. Severus smiled at the site.
"Dalligon Charter," Severus said, and Sir Winston reluctantly swung open. Charlotte smiled at him, as the two entered the dormitory to find Hermione and Eric there, sharing the couch and reading a book.
Hermione glanced up. Normally, she would glare at Charlotte, but she didn't feel like it right now… there was a lot in her mind. She loved Severus, his enthusiasm for learning, his quiet presence. She'd lie awake nights, wondering about their kiss. She loved Severus, but lately Eric had been slipping into her fantasies. Hermione snuggled closer to him.
Maybe she and Severus were better off seperate.
I know, I know, one of you are ready to strangle me. Reason 1: Not updating soon enough. Reason 2: That last line there.
Have no fear..this is an HGSS, patience you must have. Dude, totally yoda wrip off.
Thanks to my beta and co-writer, Gooseflesh. This chapter was horrible till she fixed it up.