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The Potion Master's Redemption

Chapter Two

The Floor? It's Hard

Flashback

Merlin, I'm dying. That's all Severus Snape could think as he lay on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, staring after Harry Potter. The boy had taken his memories. Good. Potter would know…And now he could surrender himself.

But no…a soft hand touched his chest and a young face came into view. Hermione Granger leaned over her former Professor, a strand of her hair swinging into his face. Her eyes-doe brown, something Severus had never noticed-were filled with tears, a slight frown upon her face. "You're a spy," she murmured, rocking back onto her heels. She stared at him for a moment, a slightly puzzled expression on her face, and then an idea seemed to come to her.

What was going through that brilliant mind? He watched her carefully, unable to move, unable to do more than breathe. He could feel the darkness pressing on him, yet all him did was watch the girl.

Hermione Granger had always fascinated Severus Snape. A Muggleborn Gryffindor with Slytherin qualities. She was brilliant, but she hung out with that idiot Weasley and Potter. She confused him. Intrigued him.

And now she leaned forwards, gripping his hands with her own small ones. She looked at him for a moment, a flash of uncertainty crossing her face, then she bowed her head and began speaking in a foreign tongue.

Μια ζωή για μια ζωή,

θανάτου φέρνει μία γέννησης,

ας αυτού του άνδρα να αποθηκευτούν και μία έρθουν κοντά τη γέννηση.

Severus closed his eyes in slight horror and fascination. Greek. The Last Chance charm. It was deep, old magic, from the days of chivalry and death. The caster would bear the child of the one who was dying, thus saving them.

Good Merlin, Granger! Don't do this! Severus pleaded silently with her, but he was unable to speak as she stood up, casting him an odd glance, and exited in a swirl of black robes. He was left to lie there, feeling his strength slowly return as he silently mourned the ruination of Granger's life. He had never hated the girl, but never quite liked her, and she had given up a lot for him.

Why?

Would she have done the same for any other?

End Flashback

Severus stood slowly, not taking his eyes away from Hermione Granger. "Minerva, can you give us a few minutes?"

Minerva stood slowly, and inquired hesitantly, "Hermione? Is that-"

"Yes," Hermione replied in a shaky voice. Her eyes still hadn't left Severus', although she had backed up to lean against the mantle.

Minerva nodded once and strode over to the fire, taking a handful of Floo powder. Still she hesitated, her gaze darting between Hermione and Severus, but finally she bent over slightly, stepping into the fireplace and dropping the Floo powder. "The Burrow!" she called. A woosh of green flames, and she was gone.

There was a sharp intake of breath from Granger, and she turned slowly to lean her forehead against the mantle. "What do you want?" she asked in a shaky voice.

He smirked slightly. "Didn't Minerva tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Granger asked, turning to face him. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at me. "What do you want?"

Severus looked at her. Really looked at her. She was afraid! Her hands were trembling slightly, and her eyes were darting from him to the door and back.

"I'm going to be the new Potion's master," he said finally, breaking the silence that was stretching between them.

"I know," she said quietly, refusing to look at him. "What do you want?"

Severus frowned in frustration. " I-"

"Severus," she said clearly, lifting her gaze to his. "I didn't ask what you're doing here. I don't care. But what do you want with me? Why did you ask Minerva to leave?"

Severus merely stared at her, at a loss for words. "I-"

"You what?" she finally exploded, stalking up to him, her hands on her hips. "What?"

Severus exhaled silently. Damn. "Who are Ammon and Nikomedes?" he asked slowly.

And the cat was out of the bag. All of the fight left Granger's eyes and she started backing away from him, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. "No…" she muttered softly. "No!"

"What?" Severus asked tersely, striding towards her. "Who are they?"

She just stared at him and shook her head. "No."

"Granger….who are they?" he took a step nearer to her and she backed into the wall, whimpering softly.

"No."

"Just tell me already!" Severus hissed, stepping in front of her. Granger had nowhere to go, and nothing to do until she answered his inquiry.

And she did. She dropped her hands from her mouth, slipping them into her pockets, and said, "My sons."

Severus merely stared at her for a moment, uncomprehending. "What? You're married?"

She looked up at him and merely repeated her words. "My sons."

And then it hit him. "Merlin…" he muttered slowly, backing away. OHMERLINBLOODYBLOODYMERLIN!

"Our sons," Granger said firmly, looking at him with a calm gaze. "Our sons."

And all Severus remembered was a sudden thunk and surrounding blackness. And then, through the blackness…a voice. An angel? Or someone come to tell him this was a joke. No such luck.

It was Granger. "Can someone help me get this fool to the Hospital Wing?"

See? I did update quickly...and now we adjourn until the third addition to the riveting tale known as The Potion Master's Redemption. Feel free to review or check out some of my other stories.

-permanentwhiplash