Chapter 13
Something There
Hermione sat in the Head Girl dorm finishing up her homework when there was a knock on the door. She got up and answered it. Thinking it was Severus merely trying to annoy her she opened it saying, "Sev, I told you before I need to finish that potions paper." But when she opened it she wasn't greeted by the scent on sandalwood and fresh brewed potions but instead by the scent of ink and fake leather.
She saw none other then that pain in the arse beetle that she had long gotten rid of three years ago. "Dear girl, who pray tell is this 'Sev' fellow that you mistook me for?"
"Rita, I wouldn't tell you if you paid me a million galleons. And seeing how you are probably writing for a chance at the Prophet I doubt you have a sickle let alone a million galleons. So if you don't mind I need to finish my homework then met Professor Snape and the rest of the cast to practice some more."
"Now why on earth would you only mention Snape's name and yet refer to everyone else by 'the rest of the cast'?"
Now, she was beginning to piss Hermione off. "If you don't mind I am going back into my room now to owl the Ministry of Magic about a certain pest who has been an illegal animeagus for Merlin only knows how long." She was about to close the door when Rita turned on her heel and headed off in the direction of the front doors.
Hermione walked down to the Quiditch Pitch with one of her costumes on and walke dup on stage only to see Rita talking to Severus who seemed to have one of his "Leave me alone or I will not hesitate to HEX you looks", 'Oh well, let her get hexed,' Hermione thought as she walked up to Professor Flitwick.
The tiny wizard told him to go to Severus who had directions for her.
"Professor Snape," Hermione said as she walked up to him.
"Yes Miss Granger?"
Rita raised an eyebrow and walked off into the shadows.
"Professor Flitwick told me that you had directions for me?"
"Yes, we are going to practice the scene after past the point of no return."
"But, that's the scene that we kiss in and that beetle woman is here."
"Staged dear, its all an act. Or at least that's what she'll think."
Hermione nodded and in no time she was dressed in a wedding gown and on stage with only Severus and Ron waiting off stage. The tiny Professor Flitwick nodded and Severus turned around to Hermione.
"This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing
A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing
Pity comes too late
Turn around and face your fate!"
Now Hermione was turned to him and he forcefully placed a veil on her head atop the curls.
"An eternity of this before your eyes!"
Hermione looked at him and solemnly shook her head.
"This haunted face holds no horror for me now
It's in your soul that the true distortion lies!"
Severus then spoke as Ron came on stage right by the gate, "Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest, Sir!"
"- Raoul!"
"This is indeed an unparalleled delight
I had rather hoped that you would come
And now my wish comes true
You have truly made my night!"
Hermione Was now grasped rather possessively around the waist by Severus, and she was quite sure he was not acting.
Ron now sang in his surprisingly good voice.
"Free her
Do what you like, only free her
Have you no pity?"
During Ron's solo Severus had let go of Hermione and had walked closer to Ron.
"Your lover makes a passionate plea."
"Please, Raoul, it's useless."
"I love her
Does that mean nothing?
I love her
Show some compassion."
"The world showed no compassion to me!
"Christine...
Let me see her."
"Be my guest, sir...
Monsieur, I bid you welcome"
He now looked at Hermione and motioned to her as he approached Ron even more.
"Did you think that I would harm her?
Why would I make her pay for the sins which are yours?"
He wrapped a rope around Ron brining him so that his back was flush up against he gate.
"Order your fine horses now.
Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes
Nothing can save you now, except perhaps Christine.
He walked over to Hermione still with a firm grasp on the rope and with Ron (fake) choking on the other end.
"Start a new life with me
Buy his freedom with your love!
Refuse me, and you send your lover to his death!
This is the choice,
This is the point of no return!"
Ron was shaking his head telling her to say no but Hermione began to cry as she sang,
"The tears I might have shed for your dark fate,
Grow cold and turn to tears of hate!"
Ron let a solitary tear slip down his cheek as he sang,
"Christine, forgive me, please forgive
I did it all for you, and all for nothing..."
Hermione let her voice ring out now,
"Farewell, my fallen idol and false friend. We had such hopes, and now those hopes are shattered."
Snape sang,
"Too late for turning back, Too late for prayers and useless pity"
Ron,
"Say you love him, and my life is over!
Snape sang,
"All hope of cries for help, No point in fighting
For either way you choose,
You cannot win"
Ron sang,
"Either way you choose,
he has to win"
Severus sang,
"So do you end your days with me
Or do you send him to his grave?"
Biterly Ron san,
"Why make her lie to you to save me?"
Sounding confused and alone Hermione sang out,
"Angel of Music...
Who deserved this?
Why do you curse mercy?"
At the same time Snape sang,
"Past the point of no return...
The final threshold...
His life is now the prize which you must earn!"
And still at the same time that Hermione and Snape sang Ron Sang,
"Christine say no!
Don't throw your life away for my sake!
I fought so hard to free you..."
Every one looked at each other now. And Hermione sang,
"Angel of Music... you deceived me…"
Then she spoke, "I gave you my mind blindly."
In a biting tone Severus snapped,
"You try my patience,
Make your choice!"
As Hermione looked at Severus she walked over to him and sang.
"Pitiful creature of darkness,
What kind of life have you known?
God give me courage to show you,
You are not alone..."
As she stood on her tiptoes they kissed. It was their second onstage kiss and Hermione felt the passion fill the stage as Severus wooed her with his skill. No doubt Ron was behind her practically gagging.
"Scene."
As Severus untied Ron Hermione noticed that there was evident friction between the two. True they weren't known to have the best report together, but for the past few weeks they had at least held off on their childish hatred and allowed practices to commence in peace. But now, Hermione felt that all of that was going to change, because Ron had defiantly realized something was there between Hermione and Severus.