Disclaimer: These characters all belong to many others including JK Rowling. They do not belong to me.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I really appreciate every one that I get. I will try to update more often.
Power in All It's Glory
Chapter 16: Distorted Perceptions
Hermione smiled at the wizard next to her.
"You are the only person I can really talk to," she said softly. She took his hand and squeezed it gratefully.
Neville smiled sincerely back at her.
"You know I will do anything to help you, Mione."
They both ignored the frequent stares they were getting from the other occupants of the Gryffindor common room, especially those coming from Hermione's two closest friends. The looks they were getting from those two were positively evil.
After dinner, Hermione had been ready to retreat to her rooms to lick her wounds. Instead she had run into Neville. He had been so willing to listen to her that she had ended up pouring her heart out. Not about Professor Snape, of course. Instead, she told him how frustrated she was at the rumors all over school about her and Draco, her falling on Professor Black, and her upcoming detention. It was then that she remembered. They were pretending Neville was her boyfriend. He was so easy to talk to. She wondered why they had never really talked before.
Neville enjoyed the new closeness he had with Hermione. He had to admit, though, that a part of him was a little irritated. His plan was right on target. Snape was miserable, even more than he expected. Draco was suffering, although not nearly enough. In spite of this, there was something still bothering him. Hermione had kissed him this morning in the library, and they had been very cozy in Potions class. Yet all the rumors had her linked with Draco. All Draco had done was smile at her. Even Professor Black was getting more attention than he was! It was if Neville were invisible. Everyone considered him to be insignificant. Something had to be done about that!
"Neville?" Hermione questioned. He realized she had been talking, and he hadn't heard her.
"Sorry, Mione," Neville apologized. "I was just thinking about Malfoy and how he needs to be taught a lesson."
"It really isn't his fault, though," Hermione continued. "It's that Pansy Parkinson who needs to be taught a lesson. That girl is a menace. I don't know why Draco puts up with her."
Neville gave her a confused look. Why was she defending Draco Malfoy? She should hate him, just like before. This wasn't part of his plan. Still, overall things were going well. Especially when Hermione was looking at him like she really cared about him.
"So, what's going on here?" They looked up to see Ron staring down at them.
"We were just …" Hermione started to answer him, when the anger in his voice registered. "What's it to you, Ronald Weasley?"
"Well suddenly you two are all cozy, and Harry and I want an explanation, right Harry?"
The redhead looked over at his friend for confirmation. Harry didn't answer Ron. Instead he asked her a question.
"Are you okay, Mione? You seemed to be upset earlier."
"I am fine, Harry. Thank you for asking," she answered, giving Ron a withering look.
"Neville?" Hermione turned once again to her coconspirator. "Would you walk me to my detention?"
****
Professor Snape rolled up the small piece of parchment and tied it to his owl's leg. It had taken him awhile to word the letter exactly right but he felt like he had finally accomplished his task.
He had explained to Lucius that Draco had been slipping slightly in his studies. Of course, he was concerned about his brightest pupil. This was so unlike the boy. He had wondered if there were any problems he should know about. Snape had dropped hints that there was talk that Draco was spending less time with his friends, and more time with others. He was intentionally vague. He assured Lucius that he was sure everything was fine.
Perfect! That would bring Lucius running.
Professor Black opened the door to his classroom to find Hermione Granger and a nervous Neville Longbottom standing before him.
"Right on time, Hermione. Come in." He waved her in as he glanced back at the young boy.
"Do you want me to come back after your detention, Hermione?"
"No. That's alright, Neville. I will be fine. Thank you for walking me here." She then gave the shy boy a sweet smile. He smiled back as Professor Black closed the classroom door.
"Hermione, sit down." He motioned to the seat in front of his desk. Professor Black then sat on the corner of his desk as he surveyed the girl in front of him.
"Do you know why you're here?" His dark eyes bored into her.
"Yes, sir," Hermione said demurely.
"And?" He motioned for her to continue.
"I punched Pansy Parkinson."
"Exactly right," he stated. "Now the question remains, Miss Granger, why did you do this?"
Hermione took a deep breath.
"She called me a mudblood and a bitch." Hermione's voice became louder as she talked. "And she shoved me first. But I don't see her here serving detention."
Professor Black's eyes became even darker. Hermione realized she might have gone a little too far. She put her head down. Her hair covered her face like a curtain.
"I'm sorry, Professor."
"I am worried about you, Hermione." To her surprise he didn't sound angry at all. "You have been preoccupied during your classes. You have been, at times, aggressive and defiant…"
Hermione attempted to protest, but he held up his hand.
"I have talked to your other professors, Hermione."
Suddenly he moved to the seat next to her. He reached down and took hold of her hands. Professor Snape's concerns about Professor Black came rushing back to her. Surely he would not try to take advantage of her.
"Hermione," he said tilting her head up to look at him. "Please tell me what is wrong."
What could she say? That she had this thing for Professor Snape? That Snape wanted to cast doubt on Black's morality when it came to young girls and to that end pushed her to get detention? That she was pretending to care for Neville? Or that punching Pansy was one of the most satisfying things she had done in a long time. No, none of those things would do.
"I'm okay Professor. Really, I just think the planets are aligned in a way that is causing me to be a bit off."
Okay, it was weak, and he surely wouldn't buy it.
"You might have something there, Hermione," he said thoughtfully.
"Really?" her voice sounded surprised, even to her own ears.
He stood up and moved to the front of the classroom, rubbing his chin as he walked.
"Have you noticed," he said finally. "That a lot of people have been acting strange."
Hermione thought of a certain dark professor.
"Now that you mention it. I have noticed that everyone has been acting differently lately."
"Not everyone," he seemed to be thinking out loud. "Just a few. Like Professor Snape."
Hermione looked up startled. It was if he was reading her mind.
"And not just lately. I remember when everyone thought it was Snape's birthday and he was humming that muggle tune." He smiled at the thought and then added. "That seems to be when it started."
Hermione's mind was whirling. What did he know? What did he suspect? She had to find out.
"There were other strange things …" She let the sentence trail off trying to lure him into a response.
"I'd say Professor Trelawney suddenly eating meals in the Great Hall instead of in her rooms is strange. I don't think she has ever done that before."
Professor Trelawney. Why hadn't she noticed? Hermione had been in her own little world. She needed to snap out of it if she wanted to figure this thing out.
Suddenly, Professor Black seemed to realize that he was discussing another professor with one of his students.
"You are the one I am concerned about, Hermione."
"I know, Professor." She decided to lay it on thick. "You know I have studied hard for the last seven years. I just decided that I wanted to do more than just study. Do you know what I mean?" She smiled shyly at him.
"Are you talking about boys, Hermione?"
Actually, she was talking about men, okay one man. Of course she wasn't about to tell him that.
"Yes, sir," she continued. "I was just tired of being alone. Have you ever felt like that?"
"After many years at Azkaban, Hermione, I can honestly say that I have felt like that."
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to bring that up."
"It's all right," he gave her a small smile, and she suddenly realized why all the seventh-year girls wanted to get detention with Professor Black. The man was gorgeous. Of course he couldn't compare to a certain greasy haired bat.
"So you and Neville are together? I am glad for you, Hermione, but you mustn't let it deter you from your studies."
"It won't Professor."
"You know I never would have pictured you and Neville together," he said conversationally. "Of course, Neville has really changed this year."
Hermione looked at him, trying not to let her surprise show. She nodded, hoping he would continue.
"He is so much more confident in his abilities. He is actually quite a talented wizard. Although I think he tries to hide it. He seems a bit modest."
Something was not right here. Neville, a talented wizard. What was he talking about?
"Well, we should get to work. I want you to help me grade some first-year essays."
"Yes, sir."
As Hermione set about this task, she tried to avoid the nagging questions lingering in the back of her mind.
****
Severus Snape threw down the essays he was trying to mark. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was not getting anywhere. He needed to take a break.
If only he could stop thinking about Hermione Granger. The dream was still fresh in his mind. The way he felt when she rejected him. The anger and jealousy he felt when Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, and Sirius Black had all held her in their arms.
He couldn't actually care for the girl could he?
That was ridiculous!
He could admit he felt something. He was a man after all. She had grown into a beautiful woman. No, girl. She was just a girl, and he needed to remember that!
He decided to take a walk to clear his head. Maybe he could take some points away from a rival house. That always cheered him up.
As the dark professor billowed through the hallways he found himself close to Professor Black's classroom.
Oh bloody hell! How did he end up here? He definitely didn't need the Granger girl thinking he was spying on her.
As if on cue, the door to the classroom opened and that particular girl walked out. Snape backed up so that he blended in with the shadows.
"Now Hermione," Professor Black said, following her out. "Remember what I told you." He gazed down earnestly at her.
"Yes, sir," Hermione answered softly.
Black placed his hand on her shoulder.
"If you need me, you know where I am."
Feeling a rush of gratitude, Hermione gave her professor a quick hug.
"Thank you, sir." She smiled warmly at him.
Snape felt his blood boil as he watched the two of them. He could not think rationally. It suddenly occurred to him that Hermione and Black could have concocted this whole thing. They had probably laughed at him as they sat discussing what to do next. Well, he would show them!
The Potions master waited patiently in the shadows as Black retreated once more into the classroom. Hermione sighed deeply. She walked past him, unaware of his presence.
He grabbed her swiftly and pulled her back into the darkness. His hand was on her mouth before a gasp could escape. Her eyes were wide until they were able to focus on the man who accosted her. Then the brown eyes grew stormy.
When he was sure she would not scream, he released her mouth. He held her against the wall with one arm high across her chest. He could easily strangle her. This thought suddenly occurred to her. The look on his face seemed to indicate that that was a possibility. Although Hermione was filled with trepidation, she was also angry. Furious actually.
"Professor Snape!"
"Quiet, you silly girl," he hissed at her. "I will not tolerate any more of your lies." He pushed his body against her in a further effort to hold her prisoner.
"How long, Miss Granger?" he whispered staring down at her. "How long did you think you could get away with it?"
Hermione had no idea what he was talking about. He seemed to be almost obsessed with some crazy notion. She willed her body to relax. She would not fight him. Not yet.
"Did you think you could just snap your fingers and all the men of Hogwarts would just bend to your will?"
What? He has gone mad, she thought anxiously.
"Just tease them with your body as they scurry to do your bidding." As he spoke, Snape ran the back of his hand slowly across her left breast. It was almost as if he could deny that he was touching her by doing it in this way.
Hermione felt her anger mix with exhilaration as he touched her. Her body eagerly responded to his almost careless caress. Her mind screamed for her to resist him. However, it was extremely difficult to do.
His hand continued its journey downward. Even though he was barely touching her, the feelings he was evoking were incredible.
"Professor," she whispered huskily.
"How many. Miss Granger?" he continued as if she had not spoken. "How many men do you torture as you pretend to be sweet and innocent?"
The meaning of his words finally penetrated through to her brain.
He pushed his leg between hers, pinning her further.
"Are you just a tease, Hermione?"
"Bastard!" Hermione gasped as she reached around and slapped him.
Professor Snape quickly grabbed both her arms. Holding them against her sides, he pinned her against the wall. His face was suddenly close to hers. She felt trapped as his dark eyes pierced her with their intensity. Even if he released her, she didn't think she would be able to move.
"I do not know what you are playing at, Miss Granger," he spat at her. "But understand this. I am not a nice man. The sooner you learn that the better."
"I think I know that already, Professor," she replied angrily.
"I don't think you do, Miss Granger," he sneered at her. "But I think you will."
She gasped as his leg pressed further into her, rubbing against her most sensitive parts. Her hands grabbed his hips, although she was unsure whether she was pushing him away or pulling him toward her.
"And it is something you will never forget," he stated as his mouth descended on hers.
