Chapter 2: Coming to Terms
Severus Snape strode through the halls towards where he knew Hermione would be. He was reaching the end of the corridor when he heard voices. The Weasley twins, arguing. His lip curled in an ugly sneer. Instead of stopping to listen to them, he was intent on getting Hermione and getting her out. He walked into the room and a pang went through his heart. She was lying naked, curled in on herself weeping. Dark purple bruises marring her alabaster skin. Not having any clothes for her yet he took off his outer robe and draped it over the shaking witch. The Potions master rummaged through his pockets producing a phial of Dreamless Sleep. He crouched next to the witch and she winced and shied away.
"I am not here to hurt you." he told her softly, offering her the phial.
Hermione eyes the vial warily, her deadened eyes searching the obsidian orbs of her Professor.
"It's Dreamless Sleep." He told her softly.
She grabbed the potion and drank it down greedily. Her eyes immediately began to droop and she was out.
Severus lifted the unconscious witch and promptly apparated them to the estate that belonged to him, as the last of the "Prince's" Though smaller than Malfoy Manor, it still stood impressively against the darkened sky. It wasn't as majestic as it had once been. The once lush green lawns were dead and brown. Flowerbeds lie empty. The 2 story home looked dark and forbidding. He carried Hermione towards the house and the double front doors burst open upon his approach. Inside the Foyer was in disrepair. He stone and marble table in the center of the room was caked with dust and cob webs. So were the pale marble floors. The two chandeliers looked like there might be creatures living on them.
"Remy." Severus called out clearly.
A small house elf appeared with a pop. He was dressed in more casual wear than most house elves and his large tennis ball greet eyes drooped.
"You is calling, Master?" the elf squeaked.
"Yes. I need this house back how it used to be. Suffice to say I will be residing here for quite some time."
The house elf bowed lowly, "Remy is getting his sister Cora. We gather the rest and is getting the place nice for Master and Mistress." The elf bowed.
Severus carried Hermione up the curiously shaped staircase. Instead of reaching a point it broke off in an impressive Y formation. He took the side to the right, he would let her stay in that wing of the house. He would take the left side, making sure that there was plenty of distance between them. He walked along along the twisted corridor and chose the last room on the left. He put Hermione in the spacious bed and exited the room. He walked back through the foyer opting for the arch on the left of the stairs and through to the study. He sat behind the impressive oak desk and reached for a tumbler and a bottle of Ogden's finest, pouring himself a generous portion. Sipping it he contemplated on the turn his life had taken.
It was several days later when Hermione Granger finally woke up. She was sore between her legs and it took several long agonizing moments before she remembered why. Large tears leaked out of the corner of her eye and she sat up surveying the room she was in. The first thing she noticed was the large four poster bed. The head board was a regal arch and the entire piece was cream colored. Dark rose colored hangers were partially closed on one side. Next to her on her on either side were matching side tables, which held two very unique antique oil lamps. In the far right corner of the room was a large chifereau with the same regal arch. Along with a matching vanity dresser. The cream colored furniture went great against the soft green walls. Each piece of furniture had several drawers varying in size and shape.
Hermione climbed off the bed onto the cold black marble floor. She shivered involuntarily and looked around the massive room. The room was so large she reckoned all of her Gyffindor dorm mates would fit inside. The bedroom even had it's own silver chandelier!
She walked across the room to the double french doors and pushed them open cautiously. It opened into an extension of the bedroom. The same color scheme for what appeared to be a sitting room. There were two cream recliners in corners, between them was a large bay window over looking very expansive wooded grounds. The window providing a very comfy looking seat with a dark green cushion. The room had a warm ambiance as well as a couple bookshelves filled with books. The first title that popped out to her was 'Hogwarts, A History.'
She walked back into the bedroom and opened the second door inside. What could be seen stopped her in her tracks. It was a bathroom to top all bathrooms. The bathtub was the size of a small pool and it was decorated perfectly. Golden arches connected to the ceilings. It had a large walkin shower with 6 separate shower heads. There were two sinks on the impressive counter-tops. Though it was so long five or six people could get ready at once. There was yet another door inside that led to a separate toilet on one end, and a massive closet almost the size of the room. Inside the closet she found clothes that would suit her and a short written note in spiky handwriting.
Miss Granger,
I'm sure you find your lodgings to be pleasant.
I took the liberty to get you a full wardrobe. We
are not in a normal house. When you are up
please dress and join me for dinner. We have
much to discuss.
S.S
Hermione looked at the note again fighting the urge to roll her eyes. After everything he still had to write so... condescendingly... no... arrogantly? Hermione could not make up her mind. However she took the advice and had a nice good soak in the bathtub before rising to rinse herself in the shower. Where she unconsciously scrubbed herself raw. Once she was sure she was clean she dressed in black dress slacks and a red blouse. She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. Mentally preparing herself to be in the presence of the Potions Master.
To someone on the outside, they would think Hermione was completely over the unfortunate events that happened to her. In reality, she was building up walls. Willing the images to the back of her mind and trying to forget them. For Hermione making a positive out of a negative would have to do. She was Hermione Jean Granger. Best friend to Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. She was fierce and loyal. She did not crack under Bellatrix Lestrange's torture and she would be DAMNED if a snake faced bastard would be the end of her.
Clearly choosing to ignore or forget the betrayal by those she counted as friends... She finally made it out of her bedroom, only she was in such a long curving hallway she had no idea which way to go.
"How am I supposed to get around in this place?" She wondered out loud.
With a resounding crack a small house elf appeared in front of her. The little elf wore a very small sundress and had large blue eyes.
"Hell Mistress, I be your elf Cora." squeaked the creature.
Hermione looked at it with wide eyes, though every instinct told her to try to force the elf clothes she decided against it.
"You be seeking the Master, Snape?"
The young witch nodded numbly as the tiny elf beckoned for her to follow. The walked along the hallway and Hermione took the time to admire the beautiful artwork on the walls. Clearly it had been a woman's touch to the home. They reached the staircase and the elf stopped abruptly.
"You is be in the right wing. Master is be in the left wing. Mistress you is not go in the left wing." warned the elf sternly.
Hermione nodded her acceptance and followed the elf down the stairs. They twisted and turned before ending up in a very grand dining room. The expensive wooden table was long enough to sit 10 people with no problem. The large windows provided a great source of natural light. Above on the ceiling was a beautiful mural of angels in the sky and hanging from the center a grand chandelier. The walls held built-ins with very lavish looking dishes and silverware. There was also a wood burning fireplace. The mantle filled with bottles, phials, and pots filled with the unknown.
Choosing a seat towards the head of the table Hermione sat down feeling completely overwhelmed.
She was lost in thought when Severus Snape strode into the room, his robes billowing behind him. He walked briskly to the head of the table and took his customary seat, his dark obsidian eyes landing on the young witch. He could see her schooling her features, trying to look insignificant and unaffected. He knew better, however.
"We will talk after dinner." He told her in his best no nonsense tone. She would have to know just because she was under his protection that she would not be completely safe. Not from the persistent Fred Weasley.
They ate in awkward silence. The house elves had out done themselves. Roasted chicken with roasted red potatoes and fresh garden AND fruit salad. The meal was well balanced and healthy.
When they finished their meal Severus stood abruptly and motioned for his new charge to follow him. Hermione stood slowly and walked a safe distance behind her Professor. He led her to his study and the first thing that struck her was the emerald green chaise lounge. So like her dear friends eyes. All the emotions she had carefully locked up burst forward and she crumpled brokenly to the floor. Severus was at her side in an instant, mentally cursing himself. Hermione unashamedly flung herself into the dour mans arms and wept into his chest.
"R...R...Ron had p...proposed to me." she cried bitterly, "When Harry... When he went... to meet him... We told his family... they were... were happy. We had something to fight for... But then... Ginny... Poor sweet Ginny... How could I have forgotten to tell her? How could I let her see Harry like that... when I KNEW! Then... my Ron... It kills me inside... I wanted to fight back but I was a bloody coward. I tried to run for it... I knew it wouldn't be safe for me... Then... Fred and George... I actually hugged the bastards! Then... They really betrayed me in the worst way possible. The thing I had been hoping to give to my husband was ruthlessly taken by you-know-who and then I cast off and given to the men I would have called brothers... I just... I don't understand! Professor... WHY? Why did you bring me to this beautiful house? Why did you buy me clothes to wear? WHY? Don't you get it! He's won!"
Severus watched the girl with an almost awed expression. He hadn't known about the late Mr. Weasley. He awkwardly patted Hermione on the back in what was meant to be a soothing gesture.
"Harry is alive." he spoke quietly.
Hermione looked up into his eyes, her honey brown orbs were bloodshot and puffy, tears still leaking out the corners.
"What?" she whispered hoarsely.
"I will only say this once." Severus spoke in his deep baritone, "Potter lives. He could hear everything but couldn't will his body to move until you were all gone. He WILL end this war. I promised to keep you as safe as I can, be his eyes for the Dark Lord. I will have to teach you how to block your mind. I will help you in anyway I can, Miss Granger."
Hermione's pink lips were parted in a silent "o". Harry was alive? There was still a chance? She began crying harder now. Severus was at a loss as to how to comfort a woman. When she finally quieted down again, the potions master spoke again.
"I have 5 house elfs in my employ, here. Cora, has been assigned to you. Anything you might need, she can retrieve for you. She can not get you out of this house, however. It will be a few weeks before you are... forced to see Fred Weasley again. As I understand it, it will be just him on these visits. Though I am not sure what he expects or what it will entail. But I will not be able to help you here. For the days he comes you will be moved to a different room in the house. I will not force your comfort zone to be compromised. I will be in my lab, if you need anything."
He stood up slowly peeling the young witch off his person and fleeing the room like a bat out of hell. He would never admit that having her cling to him made him stir in places he shouldn't. That the look of trust in her eyes didn't affect him. Blast it all! He wasn't supposed to care for the girl. Just keep her safe for Saint Potter.
Then the image of her broken and bruised with blood and leavings between her thighs on that cold floor came to his mind. Bile rose in his throat and anger like none he'd known before boiled under his skin.
Hermione sat still on the floor of Snape's study in shock. She couldn't believe she had behaved like that. She was knowledgeable enough to know it was normal, but it didn't make it right.
A loud crack startled her and she was looking into the clear blue eyes of Cora.
"Mistress. I is take young miss to the library. Master says you is to read on the art of Occlumency."
Not in the mood to argue Hermione followed Cora further into the grotesquely huge house. Not that is had anything on Hogwarts. However with only 2 human occupants it could mean a great deal of privacy.
Hermione walked into the library she stopped in utter awe. Not even Hogwarts library was this large. It was comprised of at least 12 separate rooms. Only separate by the intricate wooden arch's. The floors were wooden and polished nicely. Hermione could help looking around the room in awe. She walked forward and noticed several squashy arm chairs in each room. With small tables in front of them. She'd never before seen anything so amazing for research and leisure reading. The room also had 3 great fireplaces and large area rugs which were woven to perfection.
It didn't take her long to grab a book and crack it open.
Protect Your Mind
An Intro to Occlumency
by: Thalbeth Brunning
Chapter 1: Know your Mind
There are many fine art forms in the whole of Wizarding World. Though not one thing is as hard, as learning to protect your mind. Our minds are not like picture books, that someone can flip through whenever they want. It is comprised of many different layers. Each witch or wizard is different. A very messy person's memories would reflect that of a messy bedroom. Important memories in reach and others pushed into the background. While an organized person's mind could be a many number of things.
The best way to start is to close your eyes and envision your mind. How easy is it to access your memories? Are there any obstacles in place? Do you have walls which are easily chipped and broken? What sort of building materials are you using?
To close your mind and empty of thought and emotion takes a great deal of practice. It is not something just anyone can achieve either. It takes discipline, persistence, understanding, and total concentration. If for a second you've lost any of those you are not yet ready.
Hermione lost herself in the text of the book and finished the entire thing quickly. Once she was done instead of reaching for the next book she closed her eyes. Behind her lids she could see Voldemort, she could hear the jeers of his followers. Taking calming and even breaths she imagined a large broom sweeping those images to the back of her mind. For her it seemed to work... She began with a layer of bricks and cement trying to build a sufficient wall to close off her mind...
Severus entered the library and watched quietly at Hermione Granger's blank face. Her eyes were open in concentration and he was impressed by the literature she'd found in such a short amount of time. Though he could never truly be impressed. He should have known better. If anything, Hermione was nothing short of thorough.
Instead of interrupting her, he simply gave orders to Cora that Miss Granger should go to bed at a normal time.
Before they knew it a week of coexistence had gone by. Severus had not yet attempted to gain access to the witch's mind. For him he was afraid of what he would see. However he couldn't delay any longer. He was leading Hermione into the underground cellar where his ancestors had once had impressive dungeons. Now half of it was set up to be a very large working Potions lab. The other a padded room for learning defense. Since he considered Occlumency defense, he decided to show her to his private practice area.
Hermione for the week had been very quiet, lost in her books. Which wasn't so unusual, however, her eating habits weren't not what Severus would have wanted. She ate very little and he knew she had nightmares. A couple times he was forced to give her dreamless sleep just to get a good nights rest himself.
The two were now standing just feet apart from each other. Hermione's face was filled with determination.
Severus watched her very slowly.
"You know what to do, one, two, three, Legimens"
He was inside her mind and she did have a very nice wall in place, but he could see it was weak. He chose the weakest spot and managed to break through completely.. When memories assaulted him.
A very young girl with brown hair and wide brown eyes was running towards a playground. "Mummy! Daddy! Watch me!" she giggled with joy.
An older Hermione was pointing her wand at the back of her parents heads with tears slipping down her cheeks. "For your own good." She whispered, "Obliviate."
Hermione was in the great hall with Harry and Ron and they were huddled together.
"Snape was a right foul git today." Ron seethed. "I hate the Greasy Git." Harry agreed. Hermione with a very stern face spoke hotly, "It's Professor Snape, he might not have been particularly fair.. But it's no reason to call him names."
Then he was looking at the young witch before him who was breathing heavily with wide eyes. He looked at her curiously and her cheeks turned pink as she looked away.
"It was a very good attempt Miss Granger. But you have to make it harder."
Hermione nodded.
They worked for hours. Severus getting very weird glimpses of himself through the witch's eyes and was forcefully shoved out every time.
Finally she began making real progress. Instead of a wall she now had a forest full of foul nasty creatures. If you made it past them you came to the edge of what he could only assume was an ocean. The waters were icy and treacherous and best. Whenever he felt himself getting close a storm would erupt around him.
Pleased with the days work Hermione decided to take a long walk in the garden. Severus joined her and they walked along the stone pathways. Hermione admiring the flowers in bloom and taking in the surroundings.
"What are you going to do when this is all over?" She asked suddenly.
Severus looked at her out of the corner of his eyes and sighed, "I'll be a free man, my own man. I imagine I'll start brewing my potions for profit. Probably staying here and living a quiet life." he replied.
Hermione shoved her hands into her pockets and kicked a stone out of her path. "I imagine I'll go to Australia and try to track down my parents... I'm not sure if I'll be able to reverse the memory charm on them or not though. It's a comfort knowing they're safe... After I check in on them I don't know what I'll do. I think I'll probably sit in for my N.E. but I can't go back to Hogwarts... I just can't."
Severus looked and the girl and sighed heavily, "What will you do once you get your NEWT scores?"
"I always thought of maybe going into the field surround Magical Creatures. But I'm not so sure I want to do that anymore..."
Severus smirked at her, "Giving up on S.P.E.W?"
Hermione taken aback smiled shyly, "Well I've come to see things from a new perspective. They like what they do and it would be wrong to force them into something they don't want."
Her words held a double meaning and Severus almost winced at the venom in her voice. Not knowing what to say they continued to walk around the gardens.
When they reached the house Severus looked around and his face was instantly blank.
"Go to the place I instructed." he told her.
Hermione not knowing what was going on, but didn't feel it was the right time to ask questions did as she was told. She walked through the maze of the house back into Severus' study. Behind his desk she touched the vibrant green apple and a secret door appeared. She entered the safe room and took a seat on the cot wondering what could be going on.
Severus approached his wards with extreme caution. Once to the front gate he saw something he never thought he would see. Draco Malfoy on his knees, tears rolling down his pale cheeks in defeat. Severus walked forward slowly staying just inside his protective wards.
"I know what you are." Draco stated softly, "I wish to help."
Severus was reeling, he wasn't sure how the boy could have possibly known.
"Sev. Please. I'm a deserter. They will look for me."
Severus looked at the boy he had known for so long and allowed him inside the wards. Without warning he pushed his way inside the boys mind and he didn't even put up a fight. He could see the boy was telling the truth. He could see that for the past several years he had wanted no part in the war at all. Though it looks as though he had nothing left to lose. Voldemort had killed his parents. There was no real reason behind it. Only he felt like it would make Draco a better Death Eater. Severus also learned the boy had secret feelings for someone he believed to be dead.
Severus grasped the boy by the shoulder and hauled him up. "I will take you to Miss Granger. Then I have a slight errand to run."
He marched Draco into his home and put him in the library while he retrieved Hermione. She followed Severus into the room at a very timid pace. She could hardly look the boy in the eye.
"I'm sorry." Draco spoke quietly, "For all those years, for what they, for just, everything."
Hermione softened a fraction and looked at the boy who once caused her so much heartache. She felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry about your parents." She offered.
He looked at her incredulously, "You were tortured in my families home... you..."
Hermione cut him off looking into his steel gray eyes, "I obliviated my parents and sent them to another country to protect them. Though I know they live, they have no idea who I am or that they have a daughter. They may never recognize me again. But I'll still be able to see them. I AM sorry about your parents."
Draco was taken aback by her outspokenness and inclined his head slightly.
When Severus returned he dismissed Hermione and took Draco up to his wing of the house. He would be in the hidden bedroom behind Ivan the the suit of armor. He would be protected there. The room was one of the safest in the house.
Now it was just up to Snape to lay down some ground rules and explain to Draco the plan. That Harry Potter was alive and trying to find a way to end the war once and for all.
AN
There is a lot of ground I need to cover in this story and ironically this is more a filler chapter with some large plots inside. :) I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing! I want to THANK YOU all for the reviews, favorites, and alerts! Until next Thursday! -Fremione3 (Who is lucky to have such loyal readers)
