Downside of Aging Potions - Chapter Eight

"Cause nothing lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain."
-Guns N' Roses, November Rain

What harm could it do? Hermione contemplated as she finally sat on the edge of the bed again. She was insanely nervous, but...

His hand reached out to her and brushed the outside of her thigh.

He's drunk. He's drunk. She repeated to herself. But even while intoxicated, Snape would never take advantage of her. Besides, he only asked her to stay with him. Nothing else. She hoped...

She placed her hands over his and he held it firmly. He delicately pulled her down to lay by him.

The alcohol on his breath was probably the only thing that kept her aware of the circumstances. Being so close to him… feeling his body against hers and the barely-there scent of spice and soap was tantalizing enough.

His lips were so close to hers, his hands roamed as gently as was drunkenly possible. And his eyes were heavy and boring into hers, almost catching her up in his passion.

Before she had time to think or act, he shut his eyes and a soft snore escaped him. Hermione was surprised at her own sigh of relief.

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Waking up, the headache he knew was coming was there. He opened his eyes and put his hand to his head, sitting up slowly, to not cause nausea.

"Oh good, you're awake." She said from the doorway.

He looked over vaguely, and nodded slightly. "Here." She walked over and handed him a potion, "I figured you'd get a hangover."

He tipped his head back, slowly, and drank the contents. "Thank you."

She smiled, "Didn't want you to be 'sick' on your first day of school."

Standing up, feeling the affects of the potion, he sighed, "It's time already?"

She nodded, "You've been asleep for awhile. Though, I don't blame you. You were drunk and a bit depressed, so I don't doubt the rest did you some good." She said, eyeing him with a scolding gleam in her eye.

"I'm sorry. I didn't say anything... off, did I?" He asked.

She only shook her head in response and left the room without a backward glance.

He followed, relieved.

They grabbed their books and reluctantly went to the Great Hall.

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"Can I be in Gryffindor, instead?" He asked, more to the air then Hermione. She raised her eyebrows until they were nearly off her forehead. "Well," he snapped, "I don't want to deal with these imbeciles, these ignorant Slytherins."

"And the Gryffindors are better?" She asked.

He was about to respond, then lost his words. He sighed, "Well-"

"Listen, Sloan, I know you didn't have the most pleasant childhood at school, but it will be different. You're different." She pointed out.

"But still..." He grumbled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Was this Snape really only physically younger?

"Loosen up." Hermione whispered to 'Sloan' who sat beside her in Transfiguration. "Pretend it's just me. Relax."

Well, that hardly made him relax.

But he tried. McGonagall and the other Professors didn't know Sloan was Snape and vice versa.

Transfiguration passed through the line between 'normal' and 'slightly off'. Everyone whispered about the New Kid and that didn't help him relax any. After class, they walked out, Snape muttering about the 'useless knowledge transfiguring a pillow into a rock was.'

Hermione went to reply when they were stopped by a sneering, taunting voice.

"Hey Granger, what happened to Snape? Did you break his heart?" Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, and Pansy were behind her.

"What are you talking about?" She snapped.

"Oh come one, everyone knows you've been fucking him." Malfoy said and Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly.

Hermione felt her face burn red, "I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Malfoy." She hissed.

"Yes, you do; don't deny it. All of a sudden you start hanging around him all the time, he took points from Slytherin the other day, and he gave Gryffindor Five points. Then he suddenly disappears when you start hanging around with some other kid. It's a puzzle, and I'm a puzzle master." Malfoy said, with a horrible smirk on his face.

They had attracted attention. Every head was on Hermione, waiting to hear her come-back.

"I was hanging around him because I was his assistant, he took points from Slytherin because you cursed Neville and he witnessed it, he gave Gryffindor Five points because I answered a difficult question correctly, Dumbledore ordered me to hang around with Sloan, and Snape went on a mission for Dumbledore," she lowered her voice dangerously, so only Draco could hear her, "You know those kind of missions Malfoy, for Death Eaters like your father."

"You stupid Mudblood bitch!" He shouted, sounding almost shrill. He ripped out his wand and cried, "Cylanca!"

She saw the spell rushing towards her like light, and then heard, "Fresen Incantatem!" And suddenly, the deep violet light of the spell Malfoy had aimed at her froze, about two inches from her face.

Everyone looked at where the spell had come from. Hermione was lost for words. She turned her head to see who it was as well.

Snape put his wand back into his pocket. "Now, I'm not sure, but I don't think the Headmaster would like that." Snape grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her two steps to the right.

Two seconds later, the spell resumed, hitting the hall wall not far behind her, leaving a nasty mark behind.

Hermione let out a breath and looked at Malfoy.

Snape took a step towards Malfoy. He pretended to just now notice his Head boy badge. "And you being Head boy. Not a good example for the young ones, is it?" Snape asked in a mocking tone.

Malfoy looked at Snape and spat, "Who are you?"

"I am Sloan." Snape replied with courteous silk.

"Sloan what?" Malfoy asked expectantly.

"I've no last name." Severus said slyly.

"Where'd you learn that?" Malfoy gestured to the mark on the wall where the spell had hit.

"Picked it up." Snape said with a shrug. "Come on, we'll be late for Charms." He said to Hermione, who followed him out, completely dazed.

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