Disclaimer: All belongs to JKR
Power in All its Glory
Chapter 18: A Late Night Visitor
Hermione paced the floor of her room wondering what had just happened. She was so confused; nothing seemed to make sense to her anymore. Snape was definitely not acting like himself. He was crazy - thinking she was conspiring with Professor Black! Some of the things had said were very hurtful and that memory stung.
Hermione unconsciously touched her lips. He had also kissed her. It was a punishing kiss, but it was also full of need. She remembered the first time he had kissed her; he did it to keep her from going to Dumbledore. But why had he kissed her this time? There could be no other reason…
He had wanted to kiss her.
Severus Snape was actually attracted to her.
And he didn't want to be, that much was apparent.
Hermione shook her head. She couldn't think about that now. They had to figure out what was going on before this person ruined both their lives. She was so close. She could feel it. All the pieces were there just waiting for her to put them together.
It had something to do with why everyone was acting so strangely. She needed to talk to Snape. He had to let her see those files.
Hermione knew it was dangerous confronting Snape while he was in his current mood but she really had no choice!
She couldn't wait until morning.
At least that is what she told herself as she snuck out of Gryffindor Tower, the memory of his kiss haunting her and fueling her on.
Draco waited patiently in the Slytherin common room. It was almost time for curfew. He couldn't risk sneaking away before then. Pansy was watching him like a hawk. Of course, he could outsmart her. It was just easier to wait until the halls were quiet. He was a Death Eater's son after all; he knew how to blend into the shadows.
A rustle of wings disturbed his reverie. He looked up to see the Malfoy owl swoop down toward him. A sense of dread overcame him as he reluctantly took the note offered by the bird. Obviously no reply was expected; the proud bird quickly flew away.
I will be arriving soon. Be prepared to explain your recent behavior.
Draco swore loudly, causing several heads to turn in his direction. Cold fear rained down on him. His father was coming to Hogwarts.
What did he know? What did he suspect? Had he found out about Sybill?
He definitely could not sneak out now.
Draco's thoughts returned to her. He wondered what she was thinking. She was probably still angry with him.
He would have never imagined thinking this way about her. How many times had he actually made fun of her? But now that he knew her better everything had changed. There was just something about her that intrigued him.
He had to talk to her … but it would have to wait until after his father's visit.
****
Hermione was breathing rather heavily by the time she reached the door to Snape's office. Filch had almost caught her. She was lucky that she managed to get by him undetected. She would have to be more careful in the future. If she was caught sneaking out to see the Potion's master after curfew … she shuddered at the thought. She could not get expelled!
Hermione tentatively knocked on the door. There was no answer, and she wondered if she had knocked hard enough. If he was in his quarters he might not even hear her. She knocked again, this time louder.
Suddenly the door flew open. Snape looked down at her, his face unreadable. The seconds ticked by before either spoke.
"Miss Granger," he said coolly.
"Professor," she replied breathlessly.
At that point, he seemed to realize how dangerous it was for her to be standing there. He looked around quickly and pulled her into the privacy of his office.
They regarded each other quietly. Neither of them spoke for a while and the need to break the silence became overwhelming.
"Professor …" Hermione began.
"Why are you here, Miss Granger?" he interrupted briskly. "You have taken a great chance by coming."
"Sir," she continued, still feeling as if she were out of breath. "I wanted to talk to you about Professor Black."
"This is a waste of my time," he again interrupted, his face a mask. "Leave, now."
"Professor Snape," she pleaded. "Please listen to me. Professor Black told me some things that are important."
"I find that hard to believe," he responded. "No matter. I will not discuss that mangy cur any longer. If that is all you have to say then I think you should leave."
Hermione was amazed at how cool his demeanor was toward her. It was as if the last few hours had never happened. How could he do that? She was having trouble even breathing while in his presence, let alone talking intelligently.
He looked at her expectantly, and she realized he was waiting for her to leave.
She was not going to let him intimidate her. She had come there with something to say, and she was going to say it! Especially after she almost got caught by Filch. Not that she would mention that to him. That probably wouldn't be a good idea.
"No," she stated calmly. Well as calmly as she could.
His dark eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?"
"I have something else to discuss with you Professor and I will not leave until you have heard me out."
"Very well, Miss Granger," he drawled. The sound of his silky voice suddenly made her very nervous.
"I want to help you go through the files," she told him.
"Absolutely not," he answered with finality. "Anything else?"
The way he dismissed her made her blood boil!
"I can help you. I have an idea of what to look for," she said, desperate to convince him. "Professor Black …"
"Enough!" he bellowed. His cool façade quickly melted away and the raw emotions underneath seemed to fill the room.
"Black! That is all I hear about…" he stormed. "I will take care of it! I will find who is doing this, and I promise you they will pay!" She was taken away by the passion in his voice and the fire in his eyes. Hermione backed up unsure of what he was going to do next. However, she was not afraid. Instead she felt the excitement rush through her. She had somehow contributed to this emotional outburst. She remembered the heated kiss from earlier, and she reached for the desk to steady herself.
"I do not need his help!" he exclaimed as he looked at her with wild eyes. "Why can't you for once Miss Granger, just have faith in me?"
The room suddenly became quiet. He was breathing hard, and she realized how much he was hurting.
Hermione reached down and took a hold of his hand. Although she was surprised at her actions, she was even more surprised that he did not pull his hand away.
"I do have faith in you, Severus," she whispered.
She wanted him to understand how she felt. So much had changed since she first told him she loved him. Things were different now.
Now she understood what it meant.
"I want you to know that …" she began but a knock at the door cut short what she was going to say.
"Oh bloody hell!" Snape pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to regain some control.
Another insistent knock let them know the visitor wasn't going to go away.
"You have to hide," he whispered as he quickly guided her behind a cabinet.
When she was out of sight he opened the door.
"Lucius," he said, welcoming the man into his office. "Come in."
"Thank you, Severus. I received your note," Lucius answered politely, walking further into the room. "I am here to talk about my son."
The blond wizard walked around the office, lazily surveying his surroundings as if he were already bored with the conversation.
"It is good to see you Lucius, as always, but you didn't need to come. I am sure everything is fine."
"When it involves my son, Severus …," he began but suddenly stopped and faced the Potions master. "What are you not telling me?"
"There is nothing for you to worry about Lucius. Draco's grades are lower, but I don't think it is anything serious."
Snape suddenly regretted sending the note. What had he been thinking?
"And yet," Lucius said smoothly. "You are concerned. Why?"
"He is just not acting like himself," Snape said in a dismissive manner.
"Is there a girl?" the older wizard asked.
"I do not usually concern myself with teenage hormones, Lucius. However, you did ask me to keep an eye on Draco." At the older wizard's inquisitive look he continued, "I am sure he broke up with the Parkinson girl."
"That is hardly worth noting," Lucius replied. He stopped in front of the cabinet that concealed Hermione.
Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it. She concentrated on each beat, trying to calm down.
He couldn't find her here.
Snape did not reply. He was watching the elder Malfoy closely, hoping he wouldn't have to hex and then Obliviate him.
"Who is my son involved with, Severus?"
"There are some rumors, Lucius."
"You are trying my patience, Snape! Who is it?" he asked angrily.
Snape still hesitated. Why had he thought this was a good idea? However he had no choice. Lucius could easily find out what everyone was saying, and it would look suspicious if Snape didn't tell him.
"Hermione Granger," he stated his voice devoid of emotion.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"The Mudblood?" His voice was like ice.
"Yes," Snape said quietly. He wondered what Hermione was thinking. She was probably furious.
"I will put a stop to this!" Lucius hissed.
"They are only rumors …"
"Do you think it matters whether it is true or not?" he fumed. "If others think it then … it must end immediately!"
Snape was correct about one thing.
Hermione was furious.
That arrogant bastard! She resisted the urge to claw out his eyes and spit on him. Maybe she could get Crookshanks and …
Suddenly, she saw her chance to escape from behind the old cabinet. Malfoy was turned away from her, obviously preoccupied with his murderous thoughts.
Hermione quickly and quietly left the room.
She had always known Draco's father was unbearable, but now she was actually feeling sorry the young blond wizard.
As she walked she thought about what had occurred before Malfoy arrived. Snape was never going to let her look at those files. She would have to figure out a way to sneak in his office and get the files herself.
The cold damp air of the dungeon chilled her and she was suddenly afraid. She held her barely lit wand low toward the ground. Twice now she had almost got caught. Hermione prayed she would just make it to her room without anyone finding her.
The air tingled around her. As long as she could make it to her room, she would be all right. Next time she would have to borrow Harry's invisibility cloak. Hermione turned the corner, as she was trying to hurry and walked right into someone.
Her wand dropped out of her hand. As she scrambled to pick it up she wondered what scared her more: Getting caught in the dungeons after curfew or Snape's reaction to her getting caught.
