A/N: Like I said in the summary, the story is under revision. But I won't forget those that Idedicated the chapters to...So, this chap is dedicated to casper22 for giving me my first review.
Many thanks to my wonderful Beta MrsFredWeasley21xx.
Chapter 2. Demons?
Hermione tilted her head to the left and narrowed her eyes at him. He looked too satisfied with himself for her liking. If he expected her to spill everything and anything just because he had retrieved her from the Quidditch pitch well, he had another thing coming.
''Should I have something to say for myself, sir?'' she asked with an innocent look in her eyes.
''Miss Granger, as your teacher, I have to know the reason for which I found you on the Quidditch pitch, besides…''
''Found me, or followed me?'' Hermione interrupted nonchalantly, taking a sip from her cup. ''Because if you 'found me', I really have nothing to explain to you, sir.'' She could see how her intonation on 'sir' irritated him, but she wasn't about to back down. She had to know what exactly he had seen and why he had brought her here instead of going to Dumbledore.
''Miss Granger, I do believe I deserve an explanation, seeing as I saved your life. Minutes later and you would have died…''
''Actually sir…I wouldn't have died, but it would have been a bit difficult for about two or three days, being an ice statue and all.'' Hermione smirked in her cup, seeing his eyes narrowing at her and his nostrils flaring.
''Professor, I do appreciate that you helped me, but I don't know how wise it would be to share a few things with you. I'll make you a deal. Do you know the phrase 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours'?''
''I am familiar with it.'' he answered dryly.
''I'll answer your questions, if you answer mine.'' she could see his lips forming a smirk. ''But you can't lie to me. I'm an empath.'' Take that you nosy Slytherin.
Snape's smirk fell instantly, an angry snarl taking it's place. ''Miss Granger, if you believe that I'll take you on that deal, you are lacking the bit of brain I thought you possessed. Why would I in fact? The Headmaster would be quite interested in hearing what I have to say.''
''And what would that be sir? Didn't you say you found me?'' Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. Busted. ''Besides, I know a few things about the headmaster that would be of interest to you.'' Hermione left her words sink in and directed her eyes to the bookshelves. She could clearly see that many of the books were quite old, and she could only guess the amount of books he had at his home, if only at Hogwarts he had so many.
She had to admit, she didn't expect his chambers to be what others suspected…chains all over the walls, torture devices, bloodied victims hanging from the ceiling, waiting for him to suck them dry…instead, the rich greens, deep blues, and almost sparkling silver were the only colors dominating the room. Two black leather armchairs were placed on either side of the couch they currently sat on, a well paced midnight-blue rug in front of the fireplace, a mahogany coffee table, a heavy clawed desk with a comfortable chair behind it…but the books were the real treasure. Shelves upon shelves overstuffed with books and parchments. Yes, a true treasure.
''What may I ask, do you know about the Headmaster that I do not Miss Granger?'' His deep, annoyed voice snapped her out of her scanning, urging her to look at him.
''How many years have you worked with Dumbledore, sir? Fifteen? Sixteen?''
''Sixteen.''
''Ah, well…do you know why he keeps offering those infernal Lemon Drops?''
''Courtesy, I suppose. Miss Granger, what does Albus's candy have to do with this conversation?''
''They're soaked in Veritaserum.'' He was speechless. ''Haven't you noticed he only eats the candy from his pocket? Not to be rude sir…but aren't you supposed to be a spy?'' Hermione smirked.
''Cut the sarcasm Miss Granger, it doesn't suit you.''
She shrugged. ''Spending time with demons does that to one.''
''Demons?''
''Do we have a deal?''
Without hesitation, Severus drew his wand and gave her a wizard's oath. Hermione was very pleased with herself for convincing him. She nodded. ''Do you want to write down what I say, or are you going to use a Pensive?''
''Pensive.'' he answered. At this point Hermione had his undivided attention.
Hermione sighed and started talking. ''For hundreds of years now, three demons were un-obedient, causing havoc wherever and whenever they could. Every goblin war fought until now was their fault, the war that the founders fought, again, their fault, Grindewald, their fault. The problem is that when Grindewald was killed, they vowed to create a stronger dark wizard. There is a certain balance that must be maintained between white magic and dark magic. There has to be enough grey magic to sustain the other two equally. Look at Merlin and Morgan La Fey, back then was the first time an Angel appeared, but it was the Light side who wanted to tip the scales; during the war with the Founders was the second one, and now I'm the third, with Dumbledore and Voldemort.''
''You mean Potter and the Dark Lord.''
''No. Dumbledore and Voldemort. We'll get to that part later. Anyway, when the High King of Hell refused them, they decided to take the reins. When Voldemort returned, they broke the barriers and entered the physical world. Tell me professor, are there three Death Eaters that never leave Voldemort's side?''
Severus nodded.
''Are their names by any chance Alastor, Arioch and Tezrian?''
Although his face had lost a skin tone, he nodded again.
''Thought so. He's learning from them, that's why they are always by his side and never show their faces. Alastor is also called 'the executioner'. He is very brutal, he has a never-ending thirst for the blood of the innocents. Invoking him requires a blood sacrifice…a baby. Arioch is the demon of vengeance. When he is invoked the desire for revenge that you feel is enhanced tenfold. Tezrian is the goddess of war. She doesn't need a reason to start a war, but when she does…it's total pandemonium. Until now, there was either one demon or one angel that needed to be returned. This time I have to banish three demons. In the past they have only influenced certain characters in battles, but now…now they have come to fight. They want to rule Earth and they will destroy anything and everything that stays in their way. Voldemort is just a way to a fast win. He has the means and the power to do it. If he wins…they win.''
Severus's face was a perfect mask of indifference…his feelings on the other hand… . Hermione could feel the terror escape him in waves. It took several minutes of pure silence, where not even his breath could be heard, until he could somewhat reign over his emotions. His main and most powerful emotion remaining was concern…of what, or of whom she didn't know.
''Miss Granger…'' Hermione could feel his indecision, he wanted to do, or say something, but obviously he thought she would refuse him. She could have used Legilimency and ease his struggle and just give an answer…but hey, who could blame her for enjoying the sight of Severus Snape, presumed vampire and a man without a heart and feelings, struggle and squirm under the gaze of a 'foolish girl' as he called her.
''Miss Granger are you sure we can't inform Dumbledore? We could use the Order's help. I saw that you don't need training in your spell work, but we were thinking in training the Order in some of the muggle types of combat…at least the ones I am familiar with….''
''Professor, I can't tell you if it will be a surprise for them. I told you Tezrian is a goddess of war. Her ideas and strategies are very useful in battle. I doubt she would not think of it…but who knows. They should be trained, yes, but don't worry about me…the things I know, I doubt anyone in the wizarding world knows.'' Hermione smirked, but then her eyebrows knotted in thought. ''We do have a problem though. Voldemort knows about me. And if he does, they do..''
''I'll try to find out what exactly he knows the next time he summons me….''
''Oh no you won't…'' Hermione interrupted, ''Now that you know about me, you can't go there anymore. Your Occulmency shields are useless against them.''
''Miss Granger…I've been a master Occulmens for years, I seriously doubt…'' he stopped abruptly as Hermione locked eyes with his and images of his teaching years at Hogwarts started dancing in front of his eyes.
''You may be a master, Professor, but you have no chance in front of a demon. As you can see…''
Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. ''You wanted me to answer some questions you had?''
''Yes, but not tonight. I know you are dying to ask me questions…so, shoot.'' She could feel his surprise at her words. He had expected her to take advantage of his oath and start demanding answers…oh, she would…just not now.
''How did you get chosen, and in what exactly have you been trained, and by whom?''
Hermione's smile died on her lips. ''I was chosen the night my parents died. The summer after forth year…''
''Your parents are dead?'' Severus asked, wide-eyed. ''How?''
Hermione blinked at him. ''You didn't know?'' At his negative shake of the head she continued. ''Dumbledore knows. He's the one that healed me. He's the one that brought me to Grimmauld Place. Now I know why no one asked me anything about it. No one knows.'' She stood and started pacing in front of the fireplace. ''It was a week before I got to Grimmauld Place. We were having dinner when the front door was blasted and three Death Eaters rushed in. Malfoy, Dolohov and Rowle. I did what I could to get my parents out of the way, but Malfoy killed them. At least I'm thankful that it was quick. They wanted me.'' She sighed and sat on the couch again, rubbing her face with her hands. ''I did everything I could. I threw every hex and curse I knew at them. Of Rowle I disposed quickly, but the other two were another story. I managed to stun Malfoy at one point, but Dolohov was too fast. I'm the one that gave him the scar on his face, that's why he was so put on killing me in the Department of Mysteries.''
Hermione could see the disbelief in Snape's eyes and could feel his anger. ''You managed to hold your own…in front of three Death Eaters and live…at fourteen.'' She just grinned.
''Anyway…Malfoy disarmed me…and started to torture me. Honestly, I don't know how, or why the wards didn't alert the ministry…but I was tortured for about ten hours.'' Severus gasped. ''Every kind of torture you could imagine.'' she whispered and stood. Hermione opened her robe and let it fall to the ground, removing the glamour charm she wore at all times. There was no use in being ashamed, Snape had already seen her in her bra and knickers…he just hadn't seen the scars. ''I was dead for three minutes that night…'' Hermione whispered, ''Three minutes here are three years in Hell. For three years I was taught by the best. Spells, curses, hexes, combat, strategy, mind manipulations, elemental magic…you name it.'' Pulling the robe back on, she sat back down and pulled her legs underneath herself. ''But of course, I had to fail somewhere.'' she laughed, ''Poor Orias tried to teach me Divination. It ended bad.''
''Miss Granger…had I known…''
''No need to apologize professor.'' she waved her hand, '' What's done it's done. For my mind it was four years ago. Anyway, Dumbledore apparated in our kitchen in the morning, found me almost dead from the blood-loss and healed me. He arranged the funeral, and after that we joined the others. That's when I was chosen.''
''Can you tell me who taught you what?'' he asked, obviously trying to change the subject. She couldn't be more grateful.
Hermione nodded. ''The High King himself taught me their history, well, at least what he could in that period…''
''What's his name?''
''No one knows. Every nation calls him differently. But down there they all call him High King. The queen, Lilith , taught me everything I need to know about vampires, and assured me that if I need their help I just have o call her, so if Voldemort had his eyes on them, he can very well forget about it. I was taught Elemental Magic by the Elemental Demons; Flereous controls fire, Leviathan controls water, Lucifer, the prince, controls the air, Sharitan controls the earth and Addu taught me how to control the storm. Abigor is a warrior demon, he taught me every type of combat and Buer taught me war strategy. I can't say that my time there was pleasant, but I am thankful for it. I can't say that I'm pleased to be the one to banish three powerful demons, but it's my destiny…I've accepted it. I can't say I didn't want to die when I woke up, but I can't say I didn't want to live either. I've been training on my own after that, and I needed it to be a secret. Can you imagine what everyone would think if they found out?''
Severus was stunned. He didn't know much on the subject, but he knew of Demonology. Every single one of those demons were the king's 'best men'. If until now he didn't know much about the Avenging Angel, now he knew enough. It was a pity though, Hermione Granger was too young to be thrown in the middle of a war in that way. Not even Harry Potter could stand in front of her and say he had suffered, or that he had a difficult mission to accomplish. This girl truly held the future of the wizarding world…of human kind…in her hands.
''Miss Granger,'' he said softly, ''I will do anything and everything in my power to help you. You just need to tell me what to do.''
Grief and tears put aside, Hermione grinned. ''You could start by teaching Harry Occulmency again.'' Severus glared at her. ''I know he's not the best student you've probably had, but you need to try. His connection with Voldemort is driving him insane. And the less time he spends with Dumbledore the better. He's just using Harry as a ticket for the front row. He expects him to die and take the glory for himself. And you need to stop trusting him the way you do. Trelawney is a fraud, and the prophecy is a fake. Dumbledore had her under the Imperious curse when she supposedly gave the prophecy. If there's someone to blame for the deaths of the Potters that's Dumbledore. He knew you were outside the door listening.''
By the time she was finished, Severus's face was ashen and had murder written all over. Hermione stood slowly and kneeled beside him. ''You need to stop blaming yourself for Lilly's death professor. It's Dumbledore's fault for wanting to distract the Dark Lord, and is Voldemort's fault for being so paranoid. I know you've been suffering these past years, but you need to let it go. You need to forgive yourself.''
Hermione reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Sighing, she scooped her uniform in her arms and started walking towards the door. Murmuring a soft 'Goodnight', she slipped through the door and let it close behind her silently.
Severus remained in his seat, staring at the flames in the fireplace, and trying to understand what she'd said. If it was true…Dumbledore and the Dar…Voldemort had very much in common. He'd been lied to and manipulated for years. Paying for mistakes that weren't his to start with. She was right though…it was time to let it go. It was time to forget the past and live in the present.
He'd always hoped there would be a time when an angel would come and rescue him from his torture, but it never came.
Then there was Hermione Granger. A true angel here to deliver the freedom he'd craved for the past eighteen years. An angel to trust and follow in battle…a battle between life and death…a battle in which the light would triumph.
A battle that Severus Snape was starting to see in a new light.