Chapter 15
Like a typical male, Severus Snape was too proud to admit that he didn't know something and right now he didn't have a faintest idea where the Bloody Baron was. The dark haired man was stalked his way through the dungeons. 'Where the hell is that bloody ghost? I don't have the time to look for him in the entire castle! Thank God it's not my turn to patrol tonight.'
Severus remembered their snogging session and scowled. 'It's open hunting season for weasels.'
People that believed in the saying that 'sticks and stones may breaks my bones' obviously hadn't met the Slytherin head of house, a great many crying students (and professors along with other unfortunate adults that happened to cross his path at the wrong time) could swear on Merlin's grave that Snape's insults worked the same as sticks and stones; they were short, fast and bloody painful, but unlikely the casting of crucio, they were legal.
The Slytherin was passing one of the abandoned classrooms when his sensitive hearing picked up noises that couldn't be natural for the old castle. 'I have no time to deal with that now.' He was about to pass when:
"Oh…Ginny…" Severus froze in place. 'Well well well… am I lucky or am I what?'
He put a silencing charm on his shoes and went to his prey. Severus carefully opened the door and slid inside trying to stay unnoticed. He was greeted by an interesting scene. Ginevra Weasley was topless and Edward Green, a sixth year Ravenclaw, was intensively snogging her on one of the tables.
"And what do we have here?"
The scared teens tried to jump from the table but fell in a messy pile on the floor.
The red-haired Gryffindor shrieked and as she tried to find her robe to cover herself with. When she finally managed to do so, Ginevra's face was the same color as her hair and it seemed that it was contagious because Edward was red in the face also.
"Profe…ssorrrr… Snape..."
"Helping Mr. Green with his anatomy homework, Miss Weasley?" he was smirking at them. "Or maybe Miss Weasley forgot the way to the Gryffindor tower and you were escorting her there, Mr. Green?"
"I can't go to the dormitory because the pink disaster won't let us in!"
"Really so is that why you are after the curfew with Mr. Green in the dungeons? Mr. Green, is your portrait also not letting you in to your dormitory?"
"Well… no…"
"I see." 'It's Time to play.' "Seeing as none of your dormitories are even close to this place, it is my assumption that you two were snogging in this classroom, is right?"
"We are sorry, sir. It won't happen again." 'A true Ravenclaw, trying to save the situation before it's too late.' Severus smirked 'time to move in for the kill'.
"I couldn't care less what you two are doing here; I simply have no time to brew a new batch of the Ilsupte potion." The Gryffindor mumbled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like 'busy fucking the whore no doubt'. Severus somehow managed not to curse her and keep a concerned expression on his face. The Ravenclaw looked puzzled.
"Why would you have to brew a batch of potion meant to cure syphilis, Sir?"
Severus turned to Ginevra. "Oh, so you finally recovered from it Miss Weasley?" Edward dropped Ginevra's hand that he was currently holding like hot potato.
"I don't have syphilis!"
"I am glad to hear it Miss Weasley. I was concerned it will affect the child you are carrying." Edward Green was gaping now and looking at her stomach.
"I am not pregnant, professor Snape!" Ginevra looked close to tears.
"Really, Miss Weasley, an abortion? I expected more from a Gryffindor. You are, after all, known for your courage at facing the problems." His voice lost the concern and was sarcastic now.
Green looked horrified. The wizarding community didn't tolerate abortions; they were justified only when the mother's life was in danger. The belief that is better to give birth and let someone else adopt the child was better than killing it in the womb. The single mothers were frowned upon but also respected for their courage to raise the children on their own. No wizard would marry a witch knowing that she had an unnecessary abortion.
"I never was pregnant, Sir!" Ginny already was having problems holding back the tears. 'What, you little bitch? Don't like when somebody accuses you like this out of the blue? Well, too bad.'
"A false alarm? Mr. Potter was no doubt relieved."
"What! But Harry is with Cho!" Edward was outraged.
"Edward, I have never been with Harry! We are just friends! I like you! I never was pregnant or had syphilis!" she was now crying openly. The Ravenclaw didn't look vary convinced.
Severus had his fun for today, besides he had a ghost to find. The damage he wanted to do was already done. 'Hm…maybe a detention? No. I will give it to her on Monday during the potions.' "I am so sorry Miss Weasley; I confused you with someone else. Your surnames sound alike." He didn't sound sorry even a bit. "You two may return to your dormitories."
Green helped Ginny to gather her discarded clothes.
"Oh and I almost forgot, 10 points from Ravenclaw and 50 points from Gryffindor."
"What? Why 50 from Gryffindor?" Ginny looked angry.
"The little comment of yours earlier, Miss Weasley, and 20 pints for questioning a professor. "
"But…"
"Let's go, Ginny." Edward practically dragged her from the dungeons.
'Not a bad evening. Hmm…where that bloody thing haunting now?'
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Half an hour later he was about to go to the Pink Lady himself when Severus finally found the Baron.
"Where the bloody hell, were you!" the ghost was floating in front of the angry Slytherin.
"Around, Professor Snape, around." Baron smirked at him arrogant as ever.
Severus took a deep breath and somehow got his flaming temper under control. "Listen…Alfred, my wife asked you to call …Ann to the painting in my study."
"Why didn't you tell me that Lady Snape needs my services in the first place? Next time send one of the portraits to find me, it's easier and much faster."
"They don't do errands. I tried that once. "
The ghost smirked again. "For the Lady Snape they will do anything you will ask them. I better go tell Ann; there is no need to make our Lady wait." He disappeared.
'Our Lady? This is getting better and better all the time.'
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Hermione could feel somebody gently shaking her shoulder. Her mind was fuzzy. She tried to ignore the person that was persistently trying to wake her up.
"Get lost Parvati… its Saturday. Go snog Julian."
"Hermione, I must disappoint you, but I am not Miss Patil. The Pink Lady is waiting for you in my study's painting." The only thing that managed to reach her brain was the fact that the voice was definitely male. 'A man in our dormitory?' Hermione suddenly sat up fast as she flung out her fist connected with something solid. There was a loud thud.
"Bloody hell woman!" Hermione was rubbing her eyes with the bathrobe's sleeve. When her seeing cleared the Gryffindor noticed her husband sitting on the floor and holding a bloody nose.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry Severus! Don't move! I'll get my wand!" Hermione tried to jump from the couch that she was napping a minute ago, but her legs got tangled in the bathrobe and she landed on the floor besides Severus. The Slytherin managed to shift his position and prevent her forehead from a meeting with the hard floor just in time.
"Hermione, you ok?"
"Fine, fine. Don't move till I get my wand and fix your nose. I am so sorry! I didn't mean to brake it!" she tried to rise from the floor but slipped on the flap of the bathrobe again but didn't fall this time.
"Sit down Hermione."
"But your nose…I need to get my wand."
"Alright now accio Hermione's wand!" a second later he was holding her wand. "Be still." Severus murmured a spell while pointing his wand at the broken nose. "As good as new."
"You sure? Maybe you should see madam Pomfrey about it."
"No need. The Fat Lady is waiting for you. Go."
"But…"
"Go!"
Hermione fled the room.
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She ran into the study with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Oh dear! How are you Hermione? Elizabeth told me what happened between you and the harpy. She is not worth your tears." Hermione hiccupped and sat on a chair besides the painting.
"I am a bloody klutz! I broke his nose!"
"What are you talking about, dear? Whose nose did you break?"
"Severus's, I fell asleep on the couch and he was trying to wake me up, I was sleepy and got scared and and…I broke his nose! I didn't mean to! Everything was going so good and I had to go and screw it all up!"
"Wipe your tears, Hermione; I am sure that Professor Snape understands that it was an accident. Don't you worry; your husband is a sensible man. If he thought that you did it purposely he would have definitely let you know, right?" Ann was talking with Hermione in a motherly fashion. She calmed a bit.
"You are right Ann. I overreacted. I hate a sudden wake up calls, they throw me off balance." She wiped the tears with a sleeve. Ann cocked an eyebrow.
"What a lovely bathrobe, my dear."
Hermione blushed. "It belongs to Severus, Winky took mine to clean."
"It suits you. I am sure he doesn't mind that you wear it. It fits with the ring. Very slytherin." Hermione laughed.
"Yes. By the way I heard an interesting rumor that somebody is not letting students into their dormitories."
"They deserve what they get for treating you like this. They can sleep on the floor as much as I am concerned." The Pink Lady looked stern and determined.
"They can sleep outside and I won't care, but I still have friends in Gryffindor, Ann. And I want them to sleep in their beds tonight." The Lady smiled with triumph.
"They are already in their beds, dear. I let them in just in front of the harpy. She was quite angry when I refused to let her and Mr. Potter in." Ann brushed off imaginary filth from her pink dress. "I must say, Mr. Potter knows lots of not nice words and so does Miss Weasley."
"Gods, Ann. You're the best." The Gryffindor was holding into the chars arms not to fall from it from laughter. "Oh my. Take that GinGin!"
"I knew you will like this Lady Snape."
Hermione frowned. "I just want to know one thing Ann. How is this possible? I mean, I always thought that you are obligated to let in anyone that knows the password. I think I read it in Hogwarts A History."
"You see dear, theoretically the Headmaster is in charge of Hogwarts and we are therefore, bound to him, but in reality the castle doesn't have an owner, a person that it would be bound to since the death of the Founders. So you see…"
"Yes?" Hermione was intrigued. 'This definitely wasn't in the book.'
"Well… the Founders had foreseen such a situation and found a solution. The Great Four in the very beginning agreed if it came to be that the School was left without a Master, or a strong responsible witch or wizard from their blood lines. The castle will bind itself to the heart of flames and heart of wisdom, One heart that beats to live and learn to love, a heart that cries upon the mercy of hell and furry of heavens..."
Hermione went sheet white. Her mind was blank except for words:
'I stand before the ghosts of yesterday,
And the visions of tomorrow.
Hear my plea, oh gods!
I am the heart of flames and heart of wisdom,
I am the heart of ice and heart of justice,
A heart that beats to live and learn to love,
So hear me!
I stand and bleed,
But will not fail to do my task!
I am the heart that cries upon the mercy of Hell
And fury of Heavens!
Grant me the protection from my enemies,
Grant me mercy from the wings of the Fallen Angel!
I am the heart of hope!
PROTECTO!
"You are kidding me, Ann. There is no way in hell…" the Gryffindor was wide eyed and frozen on the chair. "I am sure I am not a first person to call Protecto in Hogwarts for a thousand years!"
"Of course not dear…"
Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank you Merlin."
"…you are the first to call it in 953 years."
"WHAT! It can't be true! I can't own Hogwarts just because I cast the Protecto!"
"You own the school not because you cast it, you own it because you were ready to die protecting Hogwarts, you knew the chances for your survival afterwards were next to none. There were others before you that tried and failed. Not because they weren't strong enough, no, but because they weren't willing to die in order to give others a chance to survive. The spell reads your heart."
"No…"
"The Founders cast a spell so that when the worthy one will come and protect this school it will bind itself to the One, so the second you cast Protecto you became the Mistress of Hogwarts. Since that day your wish is a law within these walls Milady."
"Ok. Who knows about it?" Hermione was still pale.
"The paintings and portraits, the ghosts and the house elves naturally, in other word everyone who is bound to the castle."
"And what about the Headmaster?"
Ann smirked, "what about him dear?"
"I see. But… I can't own a school! I am not old enough and it probably costs a fortune just to feed the students and all!"
"You probably should make a trip to Gringots, dear. The portrait of Alistair the Mad told me that the key to the vault is in the Library and as the Mistress you will know where exactly. But we got of topic here, where were we? Oh, yes. Till you cast Protecto, we were obligated to let anyone pass who had the password; afterwards we did it because you didn't instruct us otherwise. But now, after what Miss Weasley did, I don't think they don't have a right to use the luxuries of their dormitory."
"Let them in Ann."
"But…"
"You also locked out the first years along with them." Hermione rubbed her temples. 'My kingdom for a headache relief potion.' Ann looked guilty. "Oh, and tell the others that I don't want students from the other houses to be locked out either. Ok?"
"You could let us tell about the Protecto."
"No. Especially now, I need to understand what my role here is and then deal with them. Ok? "
"Yes, Mistress. You should get some rest, dear."
"I am planning to. Night, Ann."
"Good night Hermione."
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The Gryffindor silently opened the door to the bedroom.
"Severus?" there was no answer. She walked in. Her husband was already in bed and asleep. Hermione tiptoed to the bathroom. After a quick shower she changed into her pajamas, which were brought back by Winky earlier.
Hermione slid under the silky covers and tried to fall asleep but couldn't. She felt guilty for breaking his nose. She turned on her side and watched him sleeping. She knew she wasn't in love with him and knew for sure he wasn't with her, but there was something between them. Not love, but trust maybe? She wasn't sure. Hermione felt safe in his embrace and knew he wouldn't purposely harm her. She smiled gently at the memory of how he coped with her head of the house. She felt cherished when he went all protective. Her friends were also protective but with Severus I was different. A good kind of different.
She inched closer to him. Now they were almost touching. Hermione leaned on one elbow and was slightly towering over him.
"I am sorry I broke your nose Severus."
Severus Snape could hear his wife tiptoeing in the room earlier. 'She thinks I'm asleep.' But didn't take any moves to prove her wrong. When she got in bed, he felt her tossing and turning. His wife slid closer to him. Severus fought back the urge to look at her when he felt her towering ever him. A loose strand of her wet hair caressed his cheek. She smelled sweet. He heard her whisper an apology to him. 'I know it was an accident you silly girl.' He was about to say it when something unexpected happened and he froze. Hermione gently kissed his hooked nose.
The Gryffindor was pulling back when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist.
"Hermione…"
'You're supposed to be sleeping!' she panicked and squeaked "yes?"
"It wasn't your fault." She was looking at his eyes that could be seen in a semi dark room. An enchanted window let in a weak light.
"But I am still sorry."
"I am sorry if I gave you an impression that I was angry at you."
"So you are not?"
"Of course not you silly girl." Hermione only smiled. He was still holding her and Hermione couldn't move. 'He is warm.' She licked her lips nervously. 'I am going crazy. I can't possibly…' on an impulse she lowered her head and their lips met, than she pulled back.
"I'm sorry…"
" I, however, am not." They had a little staring contest.
'I am a Gryffindor damn it! I shouldn't be afraid to kiss my own husband.' Hermione bite her lip and took a deep breath.
Severus on the other hand was fighting back the desire to flip her over and shag her senseless. 'She has to make the first move. I can't force her. Where the hell is the legendary Gryffindor bravery when you need it!'
Hermione lowered her head for a kiss again. She kissed him on the lips lightly. His hands slowly found their way to her waist. The kiss turned more heated and Severus found himself getting hard. He groaned and pulled away.
"I advise you to stop now if you don't plan to go all the way."
Hermione pulled away. 'Not yet.' "I'm sorry." She lay beside him. Severus shifted and now they were on their sides facing one another.
"Don't be." He caressed her cheek and kissed gently on the lips again. "How was the meeting with The Pink Lady?"
"Her name is Ann and it was ok… I guess."
Severus leaned on an elbow. "You… guess?"
"There is something I need to tell you."
"I am listening."
"The Protecto seems to have had… …hmmm…a side effect."
The Slytherin sat up while his heart sank. 'She said the spell almost killed her. No…she can't be sick…' "And that would be?"
"I own Hogwarts."
Silence. "I really don't like these kind of jokes, Hermione."
"I would sell my soul to the devil for it to be joke." She also sat up.
"What do you mean you own Hogwarts?"
"I asked Ann, how she could not let in the students when they gave her the proper password and…"
Half an hour later.
"You are joking, right?"
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