Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter.
Okay! New chapter. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews! Also, many thanks for adding me to your alert list. I get excited when people tell me they like my story. . Enjoy this chapter, my dears.
...
The soft breeze of the night brushed against her skin. She was walking through The Forbidden Forest. A blood red dress clung to her every curve as she winded her way through the maze of trees. Her hair was loose and down her back. It wasn't its normal frizzy mess, but in tamed curls. She felt the seductive call again. It was like a lovers caress, calling to her, letting her know her every desire.
The wind softly whistled through the trees, in the night quiet. It wasn't eerie, but calm. She didn't know where she was headed, but she couldn't turn back. Her curiosity was too strong, it kept her moving. She heard the quiet voices of people a head. Keeping a steady pace, she went towards the sounds.
What was calm and peaceful exploded in front of her. Through the opening of the trees, stood the half circle of Death Eaters. Voldemort paced around the circle, talking in a harsh, strong voice. He stopped and turned towards where she stood, hidden in the trees. It was like he knew she was there, and he was waiting for the time to bring her out.
Two Death Eaters apparated into the circle with a struggling form. Her breath caught, she seemed to be choking on it. Harry was struggling against the two Death Eaters, trying to break free. She wanted to move forward to help him, but something kept her back. Voldemort magically bounded his wrists and feet together.
She started to walk out from the trees into the clearing. She didn't want to move, but there was a pull. She walked around each Death Eaters, her red dress swaying against her skin. Voldemort called her forward. She didn't feel a panicking fear rise in her. Instead she felt power wash over her.
Voldemort moved around her, sliding his hands over the back of her shoulders, leaning forward. His lips brushed against her ear, his breath tickling against her neck. He was whispering about the dark power she could wield, the security, how she could be in control. She wanted to shiver, she didn't want to feel so calm. She knew she should pull away, she shouldn't feel so emotionless.
Voldemort was handing her a silver dagger, sliding his long fingers over her hands, whispering into her hair what she needed to do. Her eyes clashed with Harry's green ones. She saw the pleading, the betrayal, the hurt. Coming forward, she knelt down in front of him, running the end the of the blade across his neck.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from his eyes going wide, the crimson river flowing down the front of him. He started to gag and sputter blood. She wanted to scream, to turn around and thrust the blade into Voldemort's nonexistent heart. But the thoughts were gone as quickly as they came. She was standing, and she had black robes on. Her arm was being held out to receive the dark mark while another Death Eater slid her mask on.
The dark mark snaked onto her skin, a black outline swirling around. It burned, glowing a furious shade of red. The pain enveloped her, she breathing became erratic just before she passed out.
Hermione woke up in another cold sweat. She hadn't had a dream like that since she was in Grimmauld Place. Looking at her clock, she noticed she was late for potions. 'Great', she thought, 'Just the class to be late for'. She quickly dressed and thought about the past week events.
Ron hadn't spoken to her since they cast their patronus spells, she kept her distance from Snape, Harry was trying to make peace between everyone. To top it all off, tonight was the ball. The Head Boy and Girl had to go together, as was the rule, so she didn't have to worry about a date.
Racing down the hall to potions she came into the room breathless. Snape's eyes snapped up to the door. The first thing he noticed was she was deathly pale. Her hair was frizzier than normal and her clothes seemed to have just been thrown on.
"Miss Granger," Snape said irritably, "Nice to see that you are ready to join the rest of the class."
She took a seat next to Harry while Ron sent her death glares. Snape was at the front of the room giving a lecture when she noticed Draco glancing over at her, a worried look on his face. She couldn't seem to hear what Snape was saying. All the sound around her seemed to be one big noise.
She was staring at the desk when she felt Harry nudge her arm. Looking up, she noticed everyone staring at her. Coughing nervously she caught Snape's sardonic brow. "Well?" he asked her.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't seem to hear you." Hermione said.
"And why is that, Miss Granger?" Snape inquired.
"I…I wasn't paying attention." she said.
The whole class looked at her like she'd gone crazy. Hermione Granger not pay attention?
"Right. If you will see me after class then." Snape said evenly.
She knew today wasn't going to go off with a good start. She tried to pay attention and take notes the best she could, but couldn't quite keep her thoughts on school. The dream was haunting her. Harry kept giving her questioning looks while Draco's worry seemed to increase.
At the end of class, everyone hurried out. Snape had noticed her distance all during class. There was something wrong. Although he had a good idea what could be plaguing her mind, he wanted to hear it. Hermione moved forward in a daze. He could tell by the look in her eyes, she wasn't paying the least bit of attention again.
"Miss Granger, if you'll have a seat right there." Snape said.
"Yes, sir." she said quietly.
Snape watched her pull out the chair and fall onto it. Something was definitely bothering her. She looked up at him with furrowed brows. She studied his face for a moment.
"I had another dream last night." she said.
"Have you had any others besides the one at Grimmauld Place?" he asked. She shook her head and kept watching him. "Tell me about it."
She began to tell him about the feelings she could and couldn't express, the way she was lured to the darkness. She got to the part where she had to kill Harry and she stopped. She looked up slightly dazed and told him how she slit her best friend's throat and sat there and watched him die. She kept going to tell him how she received the dark mark, then promptly passed out in her dream, causing her to wake up.
Snape leaned back on the edge of his desk with his hands gripping the wood. His knuckles soon grew white from squeezing too hard. Voldemort was at it again, he was trying to drive her to his side. This time with an evil seductive message of power. He wouldn't let Voldemort have her.
"The dreams are meant to tempt you, to pull you over to the Voldemort's side." Snape said as calmly as he could. Pushing off of the desk he walk slowly to Hermione. "He is trying to show you the benefits of being on his side, he's trying to break you defenses."
"I don't want to be on his side." Hermione said a little childishly.
Snape gave the closest thing she'd ever seen to a smile for him. "Then don't. Fight it, fight him, don't listen to the pull in your dreams."
"How do I do that?" she asked.
"You fight back in your dreams. It's hard, but it's possible. You have to alter the dreams. Don't let them overwhelm you. You'd best get going, Luci…Professor Malfoy will be expecting you." Snape said.
"Right." Standing up Hermione slung her backpack onto her side. She smiled slightly at Snape. Before either knew what was going to happen, Hermione stood up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. She turned and hurried right out of the door, leaving a surprised Snape in her wake.
...
Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati got ready for the masquerade ball in Hermione's room with her. The theme was decided that partners dress similar. Ginny was dressed up as the stereotypical vampire. Harry was going as Count Dracula, even though the purebloods wouldn't have a clue what that was. Hermione already had to explain the myth around it to her.
Lavender wasn't too happy about her costume. Ron wanted to go as a Zombie, so that left her as the Zombie Queen. Parvati was going with Seamus, they were going as a Princess and Prince Charming. Seamus wasn't thrilled in the least, but he let Parvati pick.
Hermione couldn't quite remember how her and Draco picked their costumes. She was to be an angel. She had on a white dress that came a few inches above her knees, her hair was down in soft curls with the sides pinned up to show off the halo charmed above her head. She had wings charmed onto her costume, with them spread out and sparkling. She had white boots that came up to her knees, she didn't feel all that comfortable. Especially since the dress was spaghetti straps and it cut down across her chest.
"I can't believe I let you pick my costume." Hermione said to Ginny.
The three girls smiled. "You look wonderful!" Ginny said.
"Absolutely stunning!" Lavender exclaimed.
"Truly beautiful." Parvati said in awe.
Hermione blushed lightly. The girls left to meet up with their dates. Coming outside of the portrait hole, Draco waited in a dashing red suit, black tie and vest. His hair was slicked back where horns were charmed on top of his head. Smiling, Draco offered his arm to her. She gave back a small smile and linked her arm through his.
"You look beautiful." Draco said quietly.
"And you look charming." Hermione said smiling. They would be the last two to enter the Great Hall and the first two to start off the dancing.
Hermione stopped short at the doors to the Great Hall. She covered her mouth, trying to stop the giggles that were escaping her lips. In a portrait stood Dumbledore. He was dressed like a tourist. He had on a Hawaiian shirt, big floppy straw hat, sunglasses replaced his half moon spectacles, and a blob of suntan lotion covered his nose. Hermione kept studying the picture, noticing the camera around his neck, the khaki shorts, and sandals.
McGonagall motioned Hermione and Draco forward. "The Head Boy and Girl; Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger!" she announced.
Hermione and Draco walked to the middle of the room. Every eye was on them. But the only person she actually saw was Snape. His eyes burned into hers. He was wearing dress robes, which were no surprise black. Too everyone, he looked the same. To her, he was wonderful.
It felt like someone punched him in his stomach when Hermione walked in. She was truly breath taking. The white gave off an ethereal innocence. She walked gracefully next to Draco. She was smiling, until she caught his eye. Her expression turned into a dreamy look. Her eyes grew softer, looking into his across the room.
Draco pulled her into his arms, a hand firmly on one of her hips, with her other hand in his. She placed her other hand on his shoulder and smiled up at him. Snape's jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes. They started out gracefully gliding across the dance floor. Slowly the Prefects joined in the dance. Snape watched from the end of the room next to the refreshment table.
"Fancy seeing my son dance with her." Lucius said casually. "Six months ago he wouldn't have touched her if you had pushed him."
Snape grunted.
"Now he seems to be cozying up to her." Lucius watched Snape out of the corner of his eye. "Even has his hand firmly on her hips. Oh, look at that. Pulling her closer."
Before Snape had time to come up with a suitable answer, two third years came up to Snape and Lucius.
"What are you supposed to be, Professors?" asked the Ravenclaw girl.
"Wizards." Snape said.
"Wizards?" the Hufflepuff boy asked skeptically.
"Did he stutter, boy? We are wizards. Not bloody muggles that dress up and prance around as something we are not." Lucius glared down his nose at the two. "Five points each for your incompetent questions."
The couple scurried away. Word got around quick about them being "wizards" and not to ask. An hour passed of Snape brooding when he saw Lucius walk up to Hermione.
Lucius gave a mocking bow to Hermione. Tucking his cane in his robes he held out a hand. "Would you do the honor of gracing me with a dance, Miss Granger?" Lucius's eyes were on someone behind her. Before Hermione could turn around to see who, she was pulled against Lucius.
"I suppose I could." she said hesitantly, not quite sure what to make of this.
Bending down, he whispered lightly into her ear, "Smile, Miss Granger, we have an audience."
When Lucius spun her around, the audience she found out wasn't just anybody, it was Snape. He looked furious. His jaw looked as if it were about to snap, his eyes were narrowed, and he looked like he was about to march over there and hex Lucius. Hermione had never seen Lucius smile until he saw the look on Snape's face.
"Brace yourself, I do believe we are about to be interrupted." Lucius told her.
He was right. Snape stalked onto the dance floor and pulled Hermione away from Lucius. Taking her into his arms, he kept her pressed against his body. Her eyes searched his as he began leading them around the dance floor. Everyone dancing craned their necks while dancing to watch, while everyone standing around stopped talking to stare. Hermione nor Snape noticed. They were only aware of the other's presence at the moment.
His eyes never left hers and hers never strayed. They sailed around the floor with the rhythm of the music. Snape felt a piece to him that had been missing at that moment. He wasn't sure what it was, he didn't care, he only wanted to hold her. It seemed as soon as the song began, it ended. Bowing to her, he left her standing at the corner of the dance floor. All eyes watched him as he swiftly walked past.
Hermione started to walk back to where her friends sat. She felt light hearted, like a part of her was fulfilled. She could still feel Snape's body against hers. She sat down and met the livid eyes of Ron.
"What?" She demanded.
"Dancing with that greasy git now?" Ron asked.
"What's it to you, Ronald?" she was furious.
"It's a lot to me!" he yelled. "Hermione, I have feelings for you."
"It's too late for that!" she cried. "You had your chances, but never once did you express them until you felt threatened. Well guess what, Ron. You lost out. Get over it." she stood up and stormed away from the table.
Hermione was determined not to let Ron ruin her night. So what if he was an arse, she could forget about it one night. She'd just dance the night away and talk to her other friends. She didn't need Ron if he were going to be like that.
Across the room, Lucius and Snape were being summoned. Their dark marks burned under their sleeves. Nodding to McGonagall, they rushed out of the Great Hall into the night.
...
They were all in the half circle again, Voldemort casually looking around. He was calm, which worried Snape the most. His eyes scanned the crowd spread out around him.
"Lucius, Snape…step forward." Voldemort said quietly.
Clearing their minds they kneeled before Voldemort. "My Lord." They said respectfully. Voldemort looked down at them for a moment.
"Stand." he said. "It seems that the two of you are professors at Hogwarts. Care to tell me why I was not informed?"
"My lord, we were trying to get closer to the Golden Trio." Lucius said. "The Granger girl is already starting to warm up to Severus."
For a moment, panic started to well up inside of Snape. He cleared it away before Voldemort found out.
"Has she indeed?" Voldemort asked Snape.
"She has, my lord." Snape verified.
"Here I was going to punish you." Voldemort said. "But now I think you two may work to my advantage again." He smiled, it sent chills through their bodies. It was truly a frightening sight.
"We want the muggle on our side. To tear away what Potter holds dear to him. I think bringing her to this side will kill some of his power." Voldemort contemplated. "You two have proved your worth to me, yet again. You may go back into to your spots."
"Yes, my lord." they said together are they stepped away.
"I'm planning an attack on Hogwarts. At the time we arrive, we will give anybody who wants to join our side, an hour to come over. Those who do not, will die. We do not give mercy." Voldemort warned.
Lucius gave Snape a look. Lucius was feeling the warning his charm was giving him from Ron's necklace. The Weasley boy couldn't keep himself out of trouble for more than five minutes. Voldemort went on about the attack and how it would take place sometime after Christmas, he'd call another Death Eater meeting before or right after Christmas. With that, he vanished.
...
Lucius and Snape apparated right outside of the Hogwarts. Tearing off their Death Eater robes and mask. With a flick of their wands, they got rid of them.
"Bloody kid can't keep out of trouble." Lucius muttered as they quickly walked up to the front doors.
"That's the Weasley's for you." Snape commented.
"Last time he was "in danger", it was because of a mere girl." Lucius threw the front doors open and stomped in.
Snape snorted in amusement. Lucius had gotten the short end of the stick with the guardian business. The charm pulled Lucius in the direction of the Gryffindor common rooms. Curiously Snape followed.
Lucius forgot the password, so he had to knock on the portrait. The whole time he muttered, the only words Snape caught were; bloody, Gryffindor, poncy, and worthless boy. A fifth year Gryffindor girl swung open the portrait.
"Get out of the way." he growled at her as he passed. Looking around the common room he spotted the redhead whimpering. The whole common room seemed to be panicking. Snape smirked at the look of horror on Lucius's face.
"You're telling me that I came all the way up here over a damned spider?!" Lucius yelled.
Lucius pushed Ron back onto the couch out of his way and stepped on the spider. He spun around and pointed his serpent handle cane at Ron. "I have had it up to here with your worthless trouble! I swear the…" Lucius's words trailed off as he caught sight of a bigger spider.
Taking a quick step back, the students started to scramble to their rooms.
"Where did that come from?" Snape asked.
"Hermione left it here." Ron whimpered.
"What did I say?! A mere girl!" Lucius thundered.
"What are you? A half wit? Just get rid of the thing." Snape snapped at Ron.
"I…I can't, sir." Ron jumped off of the couch and moved away as the spider advanced. Lucius and Snape moved back as the spider kept coming forward.
"It is rather hideous, don't you think?" Lucius muttered.
"I've an idea." Taking Ron by the back of the robes, Snape threw him forward. "We make a run for it."
Ron gave a girlish shriek and scurried behind Lucius. "I thought you were my guardian!" Ron yelled.
"Yes, well, I've had to face much worse as a Death Eater, Mr. Weasley." Lucius said taking a hesitant step forward. The spider came running at Lucius. Taking a quick step backward, he kept his eyes on the moving insect, as he grabbed Ron. "Here, you kill it, it builds character." With that he threw Ron onto the spider.
Ron thrashed around on the ground. He'd fallen right onto the spider, squishing it against his robes.
"Well! Good job, Weasley. Ten points for killing the spider." Lucius said casually. Giving a small laugh he looked at Snape. "I think that is my first time awarding points."
"Don't get a warm fuzzy feeling do you?" Snape asked skeptically.
Lucius snorted. "Warm and fuzzy feelings? Are you sure those exist?" he asked.
"No." Snape answered. Looking down at Ron he shook his head. "Go to bed, Weasley, and do try to stay out of 'danger'." he mocked.
Both Lucius and Snape walked to the portrait and left the Gryffindor common room.
...
Okay, totally different, I know! But I like the whole, Snape and Lucius as friends and cutting up. The spider scene was too great to resist! I hope everyone liked this chapter. Let me know! .