A/N: I do not recall when the last time I put a disclaimer….I do not own HP or the HP universe. I just play around with the characters for fun.
Enjoy the chapter…. REVIEWS ARE HAPPILY WELCOMED
A SECOND CHANCE FOR LOVE
CHAPTER 99
Severus stared at his left forearm disbelievingly and periodically would brush his right hand over his arm where the Dark Mark had been not too long ago. He did, however, considered the possibility that he was dreaming.
"Merlin...is…is the…is the mark gone…really gone?" Poppy wondered aloud with a faint hint of shock and disbelief.
"Oh, no." Hermione whispered.
"How is it possible that the Mark is gone? After all these years…nothing anywhere indicated a possibility that it could be removed or tampered with." Severus muttered more to himself than to anyone.
"I wonder…" Harry muttered as he dashed back through the barrier shield.
"Harry…" Petunia said worriedly the instant Harry came through the barrier shield.
"Snape…he's not…injured per se." Harry muttered his reply as he went directly to where he had last been with the book.
"Harry, what is it then? I mean you say he's not injured…but just moments ago he was growling in agony?" Sirius asked genuinely curious.
"The Dark Mark is gone." Harry replied indifferently.
"What? How?" Sirius asked confused, intrigued and thinking that his godson had lost it.
"I don't know…I have a…I need to check the book." Harry muttered in response clearly focused on the book as he scanned around where he stood for the book. Not seeing the book right away panic began to rise. After a few seconds, Harry shook his head as he silently summoned the book.
The book flew out from under the couch and soared through air before landing gently in Harry's hands. Harry took last few steps in between him and the couch, sat down where he had been previously and found the section he needed, scanning for something specific. He became distracted as his mind repeated a slide show of something he had witnessed when Professor Snape and Hermione were grasping the other's forearm.
"Sirius…when Hermione and Professor Snape…skin contact…what was that all about? I mean it looked like a transfer of magic was happening."
"That is what happened Harry." Sirius confirmed.
"What?"
"Sni…ape and Hermione transferred magic to each other." Sirius said with a slight frown.
"I didn't know that could happen." Harry said surprised.
"It's actually quite common between family members. I haven't heard much about it between non-family members. It has been too long since I heard any mention of magic transference between anyone. Honestly, all that I do remember is that it is quite common between family members." Sirius explained.
"Hmmm…I think…I need to check the book before I say anything." Harry whispered louder than he had meant to.
"Harry what Happened? How is it that the Dark Mark is gone?" Hermione anxiously and worriedly asked in a rush. "Harry…did do something wrong? I did, didn't I? It's my fault that the Dark Mark is gone…Merlin the result of this…the possibilities of what could happen…the possibilities and results of this are…so many…not any of it favorable…" Hermione rambled fearfully.
"Hermione, you didn't do anything wrong. It is not your fault no matter what. Nor, is it Professor Snape's fault. I'm checking the book to see if there is anything in it that will explain what happened and why. I have a theory…and that is why I want…why I need to check the book." Harry said honestly and calmly.
"Harry you have to tell me…" Hermione said sternly as though ordering Harry to tell her.
"There could have been, could be a result or consequence of what happened…of helping you…do not regret the help. Do not ask me to elaborate further. I need to see if my theory or thought about all of this is correct or accurate…I could be wrong in what I thinking." Harry explained gently.
"But, you do not believe that you are wrong." Hermione said shrilly in an anxious tone.
"No, Hermione, I do not believe that I am wrong." Harry affirmed. "I still want to know for certain before I say anything more." Harry added quickly before Hermione could pester him further to explain.
Harry understood as best he could where Hermione was standing on the situation as he would be doing the exact same thing if the tables were turned.
"I…that is a wise decision and I understand what you are saying. And, though I want to you to tell me anyway…I won't bug you to. Okay, I'm shutting up now so you can check the book." Hermione said to Harry but mostly to herself.
Harry returned his attention to the book and after a few minutes he found something and his eyes moved quickly almost frantically as he read past the point he stopped at. Once reaching the end of the subject, Harry re-read it, but slower as to ensure he retained and understood what he had read. As his eyes moved from side to side over the pages his eyes would open wider and wider with excitement as he read.
"Sirius." Harry nearly shouted in excitement. "Read this." Harry said as he handed Sirius the book.
"Read what exactly?" Sirius asked confused.
"What do you mean by that? For the love of Merlin do not tell me that it is in a different language that only a descendant of Merlin or a relative of a descendant of Merlin can read it." Harry said as his excitement began to diminish.
"It's definitely not in a different language…it's…well…there's nothing there to read. The pages are blank Harry…that is the pages are blank to my eyes. I cannot read what you want me to read." Sirius said with a hint of depression.
"I just read it…it's not possible for the pages to be blank." Harry said frustrated, in disbelief and a bit exasperated as he stood up not catching everything Sirius had said.
"Harry, relax. It's not that big of a deal. Like I said, the pages are blank to my eyes." Sirius said reassuringly.
"That can't be." Harry muttered as he reached out and touched the book resulting in a surprised gasp from Harry and Sirius as the pages instantly filled with words.
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed sounding more like her normal self. "The book is from Merlin's time. The book is protected so that not just anyone could read it for should the book end up in the wrong hands. Only a direct descendant, one related by blood to a direct descendant of Merlin can read it or even one related by blood to a direct descendant of Merlin can read it at the touch of a hand. It could also be descendants of Morgan le Fey depending on when or how much of the book was created when Merlin and Morgan were involved." Hermione said excitedly in her usual manner that everyone had been accustomed to.
"So, you're saying that I have to be touching the book in order for Sirius to read it?"
"Yes. Although, I suppose that you could change the magical protections on the book to allow certain other individuals to be able to read it, give permission to read it without you having to be touching the book." Hermione stated in a tone that suggested it might not be that good of an idea; considering Fudge wanted the book.
"Good thing I can speed read and retain what I have read." Sirius said softly in a comical but serious way.
"That's a relief." Harry whispered.
"Now, Harry what exactly do you want me to read?" Sirius inquired seriously.
"This here." Harry said as he pointed to the paragraph with a finger from his left hand.
Sirius had not read much when he stopped reading and looked directly at Hermione.
"What?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"How much magic did Sni…ape lend you?" Sirius asked as a frown washed over him.
"Not much." Hermione replied confused.
"Meaning what exactly?" Sirius asked in a slightly harsh yet very concerned manner.
"Sirius, what are you getting at?" Hermione asked even more confused but with a hint of worry as to where he might be going.
"What kind of connection formed between you and Snape?" Sirius asked quite bluntly in demanding tones.
"Not what you are thinking." Hermione answered quickly. "We'll just be more aware of each other, more civil and possibly at some point a friendship." Hermione explained before Sirius could inquire further.
Sirius sighed in relief as his eyes closed and his body relaxed.
"Sirius, you know Hermione better than that! Besides, Professor Snape would not allow that kind of connection with a student especially an underage student." Harry scolded.
"My inquiry had nothing to do with…there was no way of knowing if he'd explained it at all or not." Sirius defended weakly.
"Sirius!" Everyone in the room yelled.
"I realize know that wasn't fair of me as I do not know him and all I have is the memories of when we were in school here." Sirius muttered darkly.
"The lending of magic is not what I had meant for you to read nor the transference of magic…well, it sort of has to do with the transfer of magic as it has to do with what happened. Keep reading Sirius." Harry demanded.
Sirius returned his mind and attention to the book and resumed reading where he had left off. Periodically Sirius would re-read parts as he went along to make sure that he had read it right.
"Never would have or could have thought that…this is…how could...?" Sirius mumbled incoherently after he finished reading the paragraph.
"So…" Harry prompted.
"You will have to tell me your theory or at least what you had said to Hermione." Sirius stated.
"My theory or thought has changed some since what I originally had in mind. The clarification of the magic transfer that was unknown to both parties changed my original thought. So, in the process of lending magic that it would need to be replaced somehow. Snape lent Hermione magic to help her, to boost her magic to repair a…tear. Once the repair was completed but before Snape was ejected and unknowingly magic from Hermione transferred to Snape. The magic of Morgan le Fay that now runs through Hermione's blood and magic...Hermione's magic is loads stronger now that the magic from Morgan le Fay has been unlocked…" Harry began to explain.
"The magic of Morgan le Fay combined with the magic I already had, purged the Dark Magic embedded in the Mark and any residual Dark Magic. The magic I unknowingly transferred to Professor Snape washed out any and all Dark Magic from his being." Hermione said in amazement as she sat down on the couch.
"Exactly." Harry commented as an uncomfortable silence fell in the room.
"Harry's theory was…is spot on." Dudley muttered aloud breaking the silence that had ensued.
"Harry, I'm sure that those out in the hall way would like to know all of this, especially Severus." Petunia urged.
Harry growled softly as he closed the book and set it on a nearby table. Instead of going out in the hall, Harry removed the barrier shield from where he sat.
"About time you dropped it." Draco drawled in a teasing manner as he entered the room.
"Shut it Draco." Harry said with a small smile while shaking his head.
"Harry, were you able to find any information in regard to what happened to the Dark Mark?" Dumbledore asked intrigued.
"Yes I did." Harry answered neutrally. "Hermione and or Professor Snape should tell you all that transpired between them in Hermione's mind." Harry suggested. "That is if either wants to and is up to it." Harry added quickly.
"Perhaps Hermione could tell us if she feels up to doing so. Severus does not appear to be able to as he is clearly distracted due to the absence of the Dark Mark." Petunia suggested and explained.
"I'm not up to explaining much. I'm really tired and would rather get some needed sleep, but I understand that it is best while it is all still fresh in my mind. I will begin with finding and isolating the problem as that is the most important part of it. Once finding and isolating the problem as to why I lost control of my magic, I saw what can only be described as a tear in my magical core. I attempted to repair the tear on my own following Professor Snape's instructions and guidance. I managed to repair half of the tear on my own but became too drained…physically drained due to everything that had happened previously. Professor offered to lend me some of his magic…"
"Minerva hold your tongue." Sirius snapped. "Let Hermione finish explaining." Sirius added in gentler tone.
"Professor Snape explained exactly what it would entail and what could happen if not careful. He gave me the choice. I chose to accept his offer after carefully considering the consequences that could happen. I knew that there wouldn't be a serious consequence to either one of us. Professor Snape would not allow that to happen. I didn't and don't see there to be a problem with it. It took a while before we could go through the procedure in order for Professor Snape to lend me some of his magic. As I received the magic…it was…I can't explain it…Professor Snape let me know when enough was enough and I stopped allowing and pulling on Professor Snape's magic. With the loaned magic and Professor Snape's help the tear was repaired. A second later Professor Snape vanished from my mind. The last thing I noticed while still in my head was a seal of some sort glossed over the repaired tear and then I was on the floor on my back." Hermione explained as briefly as possible with as much information as she could.
"Hermione has her magic back…at full strength, plus add Morgan le Fay's magic being released at the same time…"
"But…"
"Poppy let Harry explain." Albus said gently.
"While Professor was lending Hermione a small amount of his magic some of Hermione's magic transferred to Professor Snape, replacing or replenishing the magic he was lending out. The transfer of magic was unknown to them, unknown to anyone at the time."
"What does all that have to do with the Dark Mark removing itself from Professor Snape?" Minerva asked.
"The blood and magic of Morgan le Fay courses through Hermione's veins and body. When Hermione healed me the magic of Morgan le Fay, in a sense, awoken within Hermione. This magic has been lying dormant all this time until she healed me. Even then the magic was still a bit dormant until hours ago. The minister caused a strong reaction within Hermione and a strong emotion to overcome her and that resulted in all of Hermione's magic to return and release to her. I had to explain all that…you see the magic of Morgan le Fay awoken when Hermione healed me and then forcefully released to her in full and infused with the magic Hermione has had her life, magic she is used to, magic she can control. When the magic transferred to Professor Snape, this new infused magic attached itself to all Dark Magic of any kind in Professor Snape. Out in the hall earlier…the magic from Hermione purged the Dark Magic from Professor Snape…all Dark Magic including the Mark."
"Now that Harry has explained everything I am sure you see why we had to begin the way we did. Otherwise it would have taken at least twice as long as it has to explain." Hermione muttered to no one in particular.
"Interesting." Poppy muttered. "A safe way to remove the Dark Mark though exceptionally painful… one think that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would have known….would have done something to prevent one from removing the Mark..."
"You have a point Madam Pomfrey." Harry agreed. "But, do not forget that…the Dark Lord only had his sights on Dark Magic…anything Dark or worth something. Even if he had tried to look into it he would not have found a thing as to a possible way for one to remove the Mark and therefore assumed that his Mark would remain forever or even that if any of his followers that turned against him would not subject him or herself to the removal of the limb. I was able to find out that it is possible due to Hermione this book..." Harry said as he held up the book. "This book pre-dates the founders of Hogwarts. There are indications pointing to the era of Merlin and Morgan le Fay. The book could have been dictated if not written by Merlin and or Morgan le Fay depending on when their relationship was flourishing and when it was torn apart. This book has been passed down through the generations in my family on my father's side and passed on to me the night…the instant my father was murdered."
"Harry…" Albus said in an alarmed but warning way, as to tell him to be guarded with that information.
"It's a copy I made. And I am not worried about it being out for all to see or if someone take it. There is nothing to indicate a title and there is no author printed anywhere in the book, and it seems that a direct descendant of Merlin or another blood related to a direct descendant of Merlin are the only ones that can read it like an ordinary book. At least that is how it seems now, though there is the possibility that a direct descendant of Morgan le Fay can read the contents without being related to a direct descendant of Merlin. Sirius couldn't read anything in the book until I touched it."
"For those of you that do not know…Merlin and Morgan le Fay fell in love and they wanted to be together but Morgan's father had something else in store for his daughter. Harry is a direct descendant of Merlin on his father's side. Harry, Dudley and I are direct descendants of Morgan le Fay on our mother's side…obviously on our mother's sides. It's a long story but suffice to say that there had been a family feud between two brothers, one took the last name of Evans while other took the last name of Granger and yes the blood line shows that I am related to a…someone by the name of Dagworth-Granger." Hermione quickly and briefly explained.
"Being that Miss. Granger and Mr. Potter are still under my care…the rest of the family blood lines can be explained at a later date." Poppy said sternly as she looked at the staff with the exception of Severus who clearly was replaying all the explanations that had been given. "I will need for everyone, except of course my patients, to leave. I need to perform diagnostics and examinations on my patients after the events of the night." Poppy added kindly.
"Madam Pomfrey, would you be okay with waiting a little longer to perform you diagnostics and examinations?" Draco inquired in suggestive tones. "I only ask because…Harry and Hermione's Aunt and cousin and Harry's Godfather, I'm sure, have been concerned and worried about their family members. Plus they helped Harry and Hermione. It just doesn't seem fair or right that they be shooed away so soon, shooed away now that Harry and Hermione are alright, really tired but alright." Draco explained.
"You have a point Mr. Malfoy." Poppy conceded. "I will give Sirius, Petunia and Mr. Evans a little time with Mr. Potter and Miss. Granger." Poppy conceded grudgingly.
Once everyone else left, Hermione punched Sirius on the arm and not to lightly.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Sirius grumbled with a frown as he rubbed his arm where he had been hit rather hard.
"For thinking that Professor Snape would take advantage of an underage student. Do not try to deny it. You know damn well that is what you had thought at first. And for thinking that Professor Snape wouldn't have fully informed me of what could happen. Yes, I still had to punch you even though we all yelled at you." Hermione defended in a huff with a lecturing tone.
"With that out of the way…" Petunia said quickly to prevent an unlimited amount of time spend on unlimited amount of possibilities that could result. "Hermione, how are you feeling? Aside from tired of course." Petunia continued.
"Fine. I know that's not saying much, but I am fine. Tired yes, but fine." Hermione said sleepily despite her recent burst of energy.
"Hermione, what are you not saying?" Harry asked knowing that something wasn't being shared.
"Don't freak out…I also feel drained. My energy has been drained a bit but I'm fine. I promise you that I am fine. No drain on my magic or magical core. My energy has just been zapped from me after all that has happened tonight, especially all the raw magic exploding from me. I'll be at top form tomorrow…or well once I've had some sleep. All I need some sleep." Hermione answered hoping that no one would think that there was something else going as there wasn't anything more going on with her.
"That should satisfy everyone as to how she's feeling right now. After a decent amount of sleep I am sure that Hermione will be feeling spectacular if not never better." Harry said with finality as a humorous smirk surfaced on his face.
"Bugger off Harry." Hermione said annoyed. "I'll never say that phrase again." Hermione said more to herself than to anyone in the room.
"I do believe that Petunia, Dudley and I should get going. Poppy does want to perform some diagnostics and examinations on the two of you. The sooner we let Poppy do her thing the better, she won't grill us about keeping her from doing her job and Harry and Hermione will finally get the sleep they need." Sirius said at seeing how quickly Harry and Hermione were running out of strength and energy due to lack of sleep and the events of the night.
No one argued with Sirius as he had a good point…a really good point. As Sirius, Petunia and Dudley left the room each hugged Harry and Hermione. As the three left Hermione then turned to Harry and hugged him.
"Hermione…"
"Harry I just…thank you…for everything…" Hermione quietly said in extremely grateful tones.
"I'd do it again without a thought. Though I must add that I hope it won't necessary…I don't want to go through that stress, fear, anxiety and terror again." Harry said reassuringly.
Hermione smiled weakly with a sigh. "I never want to go through anything like that again. I can't even put into words as to how I was feeling…I'm glad it's over. I feel like I need or should apologize to you for how I acted or something." Hermione mumbled.
"No need to apologize Hermione. Since I could really use some sleep, I know you could use some sleep." Harry said genuinely honest.
"Do you think it would cause alarm if I skived off tomorrow? And I mean completely skive off tomorrow." Hermione asked curiously though she really didn't care what anyone thought, aside from Pomfrey.
"Some will worry, some will be concerned, some will wonder and other's will speculate. Pomfrey and the Professor's that were here moments ago will understand Hermione. No alarm will go off with any of them for should you skive off tomorrow in its entirety." Harry answered and reassured the witch. "You're seriously considering skiving off tomorrow." Harry said surprised. "Out of curiosity, why are you considering skiving off tomorrow?"
"I'm tired and will wake up late as it is and miss nearly the whole day. Mostly I just don't want to deal with all the questions that will be asked a dozen times and my answers being twisted and distorted into something that didn't happen. You know the second we leave our quarters the whole of Gryffindor House will be pouncing for answers and details. You damn well that they heard nearly everything if not everything. There is no way that Gryffindor House slept through the commotion caused from…the Minster. I am not sure about telling…"
"Our friends." Harry said finishing what Hermione was saying. "I agree with you on that. Bring it up with Pomfrey when she returns…the skiving off tomorrow. As for telling our friends…I'd be careful about what and how much I tell them."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked though she was sure somewhere within she knew what Harry was getting at.
"I should hold off on this as you are obviously about to pass out, but I know you. I suggest that you leave out the connection between you and Snape. That should especially be kept from Ron and I don't think that I need to elaborate on that despite you current state of being." Harry said fighting to keep his eyes open himself.
"Why would I tell more people about the connection I now have with Snape?" Hermione asked feeling slightly insulted.
"Good point. I wasn't meaning to insult you in any way or cause you to feel as though I was insulting you. I just thought that I would put it out there since you are nearing a deep sleep." Harry said softly.
"Harry…" Hermione said anxiously. "What if one of them..?" Hermione began to ask feeling panicked.
"Hermione, the odds…the chances of any student here knowing that a connection could be formed between two individuals is nil and the chances of any student knowing a connection could be formed between a student and teacher is even less possible let alone what happened tonight not including the Minister's crap." Harry attempted to assure Hermione but was no sure he was succeeding.
"I suppose…but…"
"Don't worry about it now. We'll deal with it for should we cross that bridge. In the slim chance that anyone could know…it just doesn't seem likely that anyone could possible know about how to aid one to attempt to regain control ones magic and a connection that could form between in the process…Fred and George might know though I am not sure how they could. I mean if the only record of it is in the book that I inherited there is no way." Harry said.
"Merlin…Harry…Fred and George…they have ways of knowing things that they shouldn't. The Marauders Map…their products…"
"Hermione if they found a way to be able to hear everything, found a way to bug us or the room…they won't say anything in public if at all. And if they did say anything I am sure they would wait for a private opportunity to bring it up or ask about it. Fred and George may be pranksters and such, but they do know and understand discretion when necessary and besides they have tact." Harry said flatly. "The difficult part for you and Snape is to not give any indication that there is a connection of sorts between the two of you."
"I am too tired to argue with you on that and or yell at you. Merlin I hope Pomfrey gets here soon. You know that she'll wake me up to do what she needs to do and once I am asleep I do not want to be woken up or end up in the infirmary again." Hermione practically growled out.
"I could call Pomfrey. Would you like for me to call Pomfrey here?" Harry asked soothingly.
"Yes…No…yes I want her to do her thing on us and soon…if you call her, she'll think that something is wrong…I do not want to go back to the infirmary." Hermione said in a frantic way that hinted at approaching hysterics at the thought of being sent back to Poppy's Prison otherwise known as the infirmary.
"No she won't. Hermione I can let Pomfrey know that our guests have left and that you and I would like to get some sleep as soon as possible and would appreciate it if she came here and does whatever she needs to do tonight." Harry assured Hermione soothing the approaching hysterics with ease. "You do want the diagnostics and examinations over and done with sooner rather than later, don't you?"
"Well…yes of course, but…"
"Pomfrey could very well release us…release you back to everything tonight or at least consider it depending on what the results turn up and wait until after we get some sleep to determine that you are cured or whatever." Harry said hoping that his cousin would give in and agree to call Pomfrey.
"Call her already." Hermione said hoping with everything she had that her life would be normal or well as close to normal as possible and to have some kind of normalcy in her life like meals in the Great Hall and going to classes regularly as her schedule stated.
Harry slowly walked the short distance to the fireplace and floo called Pomfrey in her office in the infirmary.
"Mr. Potter." Poppy said slightly startled. "Is everything alright?" Poppy asked fearing that something was wrong.
"We're extremely tired, but everything is alright. I just wanted to let you know that Sirius, our Aunt and Dudley left. It would be good if you could come and run the diagnostics and examinations on us as we are really close to passing out from being so tired as a result of everything that happened tonight. Oh, how is Professor Snape doing?"
"Better than before, but that's not saying much." Poppy quipped with a touch of amused concern. "I can be to your and Miss. Granger's common in seconds or wait until after you've both had some sleep." Poppy offered with a hint of reluctance as she wanted to perform the diagnostics and examinations as soon as possible.
"I appreciate that and I know that Hermione would too. I know you are trying to give Hermione some…freedom and are understanding that she and I need some sleep, but I know that you need to do the diagnostics and examinations now and after we've had some sleep to see how we are doing, especially Hermione." Harry said in relief.
"Very well, Mr. Potter, I'll be there soon." Poppy said relieved that she would be able to get an idea as to how the young witch and wizard were fairing after the events of the night.
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said as he pulled his head out of the fireplace.
"So…" Hermione muttered faintly while fighting to remain awake.
"Pomfrey is on her way." Harry informed Hermione as he walked away from the fireplace.
A second later, Poppy stepped out of the fireplace into the little common room.
"I promise to make it quick. I'll run the diagnostics and the examinations and review the results once I return to the infirmary. I know that you both need sleep." Poppy explained.
"Thank you." Hermione said barely above a whisper.
"Miss. Granger by the looks of things you will be first." Poppy said. "Oh, and both of you are to remain here tomorrow. You both have gone through a lot tonight and I will not allow either of you to overdo it. I have already cleared both of you from everything tomorrow. The Headmaster has approved the request."
"Okay, I am ready. I hope you can do what you need to with me sitting as there is no way I will be able to remain standing throughout the process…too tired." Hermione mumbled barely audible.
Poppy completed the diagnostics and examinations on Hermione as quickly yet efficiently and then proceeded to assist the young witch to her room for the night. When Poppy retuned to the common room he eyes met a nearly sleeping Harry on the couch. With a smirk, Poppy walked around the couch and quickly performed the same on Harry as she had previously done on Hermione.
"Mr. Potter." Poppy said softly as to not startle the wizard. "I believe that you would be more comfortable in a bed than on the couch." Poppy suggested.
Harry smirked in response.
"Looks as though you could use some assistance Mr. Potter." Poppy said with a faint chuckle in her voice.
"Please." Harry said weakly.
"Dobby!" Poppy called.
'POP'
"You's calls Dobby to's Harry Potter's rooms." The elf squeaked.
"Yes I did. Mr. Potter requires some assistance to his bedroom. He's nearly asleep on the couch as it is. I called you figuring that Mr. Potter would prefer your help rather than mine." Poppy explained.
"Dobby does it Miss." Dobby squeaked happily. "Dobby helps Harry Potter."
"Thank you Dobby." Poppy said smiling as she made her way over to the fireplace and disappeared.
"Thanks Dobby." Harry said sleepily.
"Harry Potter is ill?" Dobby squeaked worriedly.
"No…just tired…long night." Harry mumbled.
"Why you's stays up so lates?"
"Long…st…story." Harry said through a yawn. "I'll tell you about it after I get some sleep."
"You tellings Dobby why you's so sleepy after getting sleeps." Dobby squeaked excitedly as he helped Harry to bed.
With a snap of his fingers Dobby removed nearly all of Harry's clothing, only leaving the wizard in his boxers. With a second snap of Dobby's fingers, Harry's blankets covered him snugly.
xxxXXXxxx
As much as Poppy wanted to get some sleep she knew she had to go over the results. The instant she entered her office she summoned a potion that would aid her in staying awake and keep her alert. The medi-witch was careful and only took a small dose that would last long enough to view, go over the results of the diagnostics and examinations she'd preformed and make a determination. It took about thirty minutes to go over the results for Hermione and Harry. Poppy made a few quick notes before heading off to bed. The potion she had taken was beginning to wear off.
Poppy fell asleep with a smile on her face. There would be no worrying, no stressing over Hermione or Harry. There would be no waking up throughout the rest of the night unless of course an emergency came up.
xxxXXXxxx
Severus quickly left after Poppy requested for everyone to leave. Severus barely heard Draco's voice but did not catch what the young wizard had actually said. Severus was more focused on returning to his private quarters. Upon entering his private quarters, Severus summoned a bottle of the best whiskey he ever tasted and a goblet. With the bottle and goblet in hand the wizard went straight to his favorite chair in his small living room.
As Severus drank his whiskey one goblet full at a time he frequently looked at his left forearm. He was hesitant to accept and believe that the Dark Mark was indeed gone without any consequences. The wizard expected at any moment that he'd wake up or the Mark would reappear or he'd experience something far worse than he already had in his life time.
Severus was partially asleep in the chair, the bottle of whiskey and the goblet lay on the floor empty. The wizard knew that he should get up and head to bed but really didn't want to get up just yet though it was risking sleeping in the chair. After a few minutes Severus sat up and as he started to stand he felt for the first time something that had nothing to do with himself.
"Misssss. Grrrang-er." Severus muttered, his speech slurred.
Severus was full aware of the witches' anxiety, worries and fears. Not the exact nature of or the cause of the feelings and or emotions, but just simply the feelings and or emotions. In the next second Severus began to worry about the witch and hoped that she would be alright. It was strange for Severus to worry, to care about another even in his current state. It wasn't that Severus didn't care or worry about others throughout his life time, it was just different this time. Different with Miss. Hermione Granger and it really didn't have to do with the connection they now shared, the connection just made it impossible for Severus to ignore or deny. The witch was brilliant and it would be a great loss to the Wizarding World and Muggle World if the witch did not bounce back or worse, something Severus really did not want to dwell on.
Severus knew that he would never regret helping Hermione despite the connection that had formed between the two of them. Severus even had to admit that he did not find the connection to be bothersome and was not as bad as he feared it would be, at least so far anyway. Only time would Severus know if would become bothersome or become as bad as he feared or Merlin forbid, worse than he feared.
Once the feelings and emotions, not his own, had subsided Severus stood and staggered to his room to only find Fawkes pacing. It took a moment for Severus to comprehend that Fawkes had a note.
"Let's have the note bird." Severus growled out after sobering up some at the sight of the Phoenix.
Fawkes chirred, dropped the note on Severus' bed and vanished in a ball of flame. Severus stumbled over to his bed and attempted to grab the note, instead he face planted on his bed. Grumbling Severus managed to get himself into somewhat of a sitting position. He reached out to the side and plucked the note Fawkes had delivered.
"What could the old cot have to say that required his bird to send it?" Severus muttered as he recognized the scrawl of Albus on the envelope.
Severus quickly opened the envelope and read the note. To his surprise it was a relief for a change as the note from Albus was informing the wizard that classes for the following day were cancelled. With a smirk, Severus stood a little wobbly and magically removed his clothes before climbing into bed and pulling the blankets over his body. The last thoughts on his mind before sleep claimed him were on Hermione and how it will be easy to slip up to Gryffindor Tower unnoticed as the student body would be outside or cooped up in their respective common rooms. He would be able to see with his own eyes how the witch was fairing after everything.
xxxXXXxxx
Hermione woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy. With a smirk she tossed her bedding off of her and jumped out of bed. She glanced at her clock and blinked several times. It was nearly one in the afternoon. Hermione was confused for a moment and before she could freak out about missing an appointment everything came flooding back to her. Knowing that the school nurse would be arriving at some point to perform once again the diagnostics and examinations, Hermione headed straight for her bathroom.
While in the shower Hermione could not place the feeling of concern that washed over her. It occurred to her that she felt the feeling of concern last night as she fell asleep. The strange part was that she wasn't concerned, at least not the level of concern she was feeling. Hermione had no doubt that the feeling of concern did not belong to her.
"Must be Harry…although I suppose it could be Dudley or…Aunt Petunia. Then again Harry is in closer proximity of me…it is more likely Harry." Hermione muttered as she finished up in the shower.
After dressing Hermione made her bed and straightened up her room before heading out to the common room she shared with Harry. As she was about to sit in the couch something occurred to her.
"Wait…" Hermione whispered. "Harry, Dudley and Aunt Petunia wouldn't be concerned about me. At least not like the concern I sense." Hermione muttered. "But why do I sense concern for or about me? Who could possibly…" Hermione began in a soft voice before abruptly stopping. "Snape." Hermione said a little louder than a whisper. "I…is it supposed to be like this? Did something go wrong? Did I do something wrong? Could more magic have passed through him to me and me to him that was more than resulting in being more aware of each other? If I can sense what he feels, can he sense what I feel?" Hermione wondered, worried.
Before Hermione's mind could think more on it Poppy stepped out of the fireplace startling Hermione. Being in such deep thought, Hermione had not comprehended or registered the flash of green flames in the fireplace.
"Good afternoon Miss. Granger." Poppy greeted not realizing that she had startled the young witch. "Since you are awake I'll get to the diagnostics and examinations and then wait for Mr. Potter to wake." Poppy said smiling.
"I take it the results from last night were good." Hermione stated as to not seem obvious that she was inquiring.
"Indeed, Miss. Granger. The Re-running of what I did last night is to verify the results. In other situations it would be checking to see if one was as stable as the previous time or to see if there had been any improvement." Poppy explained.
"Wait…you mean that…"
"Let me do the tests again and check the results before a make a definitive determination." Poppy said interrupting the witch.
Hermione nodded and stood patiently while the school nurse ran her tests again. Not much time had passed since Poppy had finished that Hermione became anxious once again and restless. Suddenly she sensed fear. Fear that had not been there moments ago left Hermione to conclude that Snape was the one feeling the sensation of fear.
"So, what is your determination?" Hermione asked nervously.
Unnoticed by Poppy, Hermione gasped as multiple feelings and or emotions rippled through her that she could not quite make out as they hit her one after another. The feelings and or emotions that had rippled through Hermione hit nearly all at once, they were overlapping as they washed over her. Hermione quickly looked up towards Poppy and felt some comfort that the gasp, the change in her was noticed by the nurse. It seemed to Hermione that Poppy had noticed any of it since there had been no comment or question.
"Well, it is as I expected things to be with you." Poppy finally said.
"What?" Hermione asked as she had not caught what had been said.
"AS of this moment Miss. Granger I hereby release you from my care. You may resume all activities now and all classes on Monday since classes will not resume until then." Poppy informed the witch. "The Headmaster cancelled all classes for today." Poppy explained due to the slightly confused look on the witches' face.
Hermione yelped instead of reacting how everyone would have thought or expected her to once being informed that she was finally released from the school nurse.
"What?" Harry asked confused and then his eyes opened wide worriedly. "That was not the reaction I would have thought I'd hear from you after being officially released from medical care. Are you…."
"Mr. Potter…" Poppy began while stifling a laugh and cutting the wizard off.
"Um…Harry…go put…on some…clothes." Hermione said trying not to laugh.
Harry suddenly became fully awake and froze in place. His heart hammered in his chest and felt as though it had fell into his stomach. A blush that could rival the Weasley families red hair washed over him. Harry's hands quickly covered his groin area as he slowly looked down hoping he had something on. It felt as though all movement was in slow motion. Harry's eyes were closed by the time his head had hung low enough for him to see or verify that he did have something one. Harry slowly opened one eye and then the other. Though still thoroughly embarrassed, Harry was relieved to see he still had on his boxers.
"Thank Merlin that Dobby left my boxers on me." Harry muttered as he retreated to the privacy of his room.
"Maybe now Mr. Potter will be sure that he is fully dressed, or at least properly dressed before leaving his room." Poppy said quite amused and loud enough for the wizard to have heard her.
Hermione was in a ball on the floor due to a fit of laughter. She was laughing so hard and uncontrollably that her body shook as though she was convulsing as tears flooded her face and dropped to the floor leaving a watermark on the rug.
Hermione was still laughing, though more on the side of hysterically laughing as Harry reentered the common room dressed and none other than Potions Master Severus Snape walking through the door to only come to a halt as though turned to stone.
xxxXXXxxx
Severus woke up feeling strange. Normally he was constantly aware of his left forearm due to the Dark Mark no matter that it had not burned black for many years. Waking this afternoon and not feeling aware of his left forearm was strange to say the least. It felt as though his left forearm was gone, permanently removed. Fearing that the Mark's removal was a dream and instead his arm had been amputated at the elbow. Somewhat reluctant, Severus glanced towards his left arm to see that it was fully intact. He slowly rolled up the arm sleeve and at seeing pale blank skin without the marring of the Dark Mark, Severus gasped. He was still just as surprised as he had been the night before. The same questions and confusion also remained from the night before. Severus was still confused about it all even with the explanation given. Shaking his mind clear of everything that had happened the previous night, Severus headed for his bathroom.
While in the shower, Severus was consumed with concern. The odd thing to him was that he was the one concerned and he wasn't simply just concerned in general, but concerned about a specific witch…Hermione Granger. Severus couldn't figure out why he was concerned for and about the witch. The last he saw her, she was alright, tired but alright. Severus then recalled when he had been in the witches' mind, more precise…how drained she had become after attempting to repair the tear on her own. The next moment Severus nearly slipped and fell in his shower.
"Why the bloody hell do I sense and feel her feelings, her emotions?" Severus muttered as he placed a hand on the wall to steady himself.
Severus quickly finished his shower, dried off, dressed and left his private quarters. He knew that he should discuss with Albus what was happening but instead Severus chose to go to Hermione and Harry.
As Severus made his way through the castle he wondered if something had gone wrong. If he'd done something wrong. Not once did it cross his mind that the witch could have done something wrong since there was no way that she could have done anything wrong. Severus also wondered if he miscalculated the amount of magic he had lent the witch. Then there was the unknown transfer of magic from the witch to replace the magic he had lent. A fear washed over Severus that nearly froze him in place.
"Merlin…do not tell me I lent too much magic. She's underage…a student…there has to be a way to reverse…at least part of the effects. She's much too young to be tied to…" Severus muttered softly and quickened his pace.
Severus reached the top of the staircase on the seventh floor and sensed anxiousness and restlessness. This unsettled the normally dour wizard. As he continued walking to the destination in mind he sensed that the witch in question was feeling quite nervous about something.
About half way to Gryffindor House Severus came to a complete stop. He felt as though something had hit him square in the chest. A second later he felt a strong, consuming yet uncontrollable emotion but could not decipher what the emotion was. Severus began to wonder what, if anything at all, was wrong. He resumed walking but at a quicker pace to the point of nearly jogging the remaining distance.
Pausing for a second outside the door to calm himself down, Severus then opened the door and walked in. A few steps inside the little common room Severus came to a dead stop. The witch he had helped the night before was in a ball on the floor severely shaking and what he could see of the witches' face was beat red and saturated with tears and a spot on the rug indicated that she had been crying for some time. Severus' breathing was labored but slow, his face paled and he began to fear that something was seriously wrong.
Severus eventually became aware that Poppy was just standing in one spot watching the young witch's shaking body. Severus could not for the life of him figure out why Poppy was doing nothing to help the witch on the floor. Fear was replaced by anger and the wizard reacted without a second more wasted.
A/N: Sorry for the delay for this chapter. I have been busy looking for a job and it has been difficult to say the least. The next chapter I hope to have up before the end of August. No promises on that. I won't have much time to work on the next chapter throughout the week. I will have the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) to work on this story.
