Chapter 17

Antidote

The next morning Hermione found herself in the common room which was buzzing with excitement over Apparition lessons. She was eager to start lessons and pass the test as soon as possible. Apparition was an invaluable skill which could help those who mastered it remain safe. A moving target is hard to hit, so one that could disappear would only be that much more challenging.

Hermione was going to go sign up for lessons before a certain redhead and his obnoxious girlfriend got in her way. Not wanting to watch the display in front of her, the witch simply turned and walked away. Spotting Neville, she hurried to catch up with him. He was always pleasant company.

"Hello Neville, how are you this morning?" she asked brightly.

"Fine, Hermione. Glad to be back. And yourself?"

"Also glad to be back."

Neville nodded his head but stay quiet. "Hermione…" he started, looking like he wasn't quite sure how to say what he wanted.

"Yes, Neville?"

"Er… just then with… that…" he said, and she knew exactly what she was talking about. "I was wondering if you were… jealous?" As Hermione considered the question, her friend looked thoroughly upset with himself. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset you. It's not that being jealous is a bad thing. And it doesn't mean you don't have feelings for Malfoy, it –"

"Draco," she corrected automatically. "It's all right, Neville, I'm not upset. To answer your question, no I'm not jealous. Ron can snog whomever or whatever he'd like. Quite frankly, it's just a bit…" she struggled to find the right word, "repulsive."

Neville let out an awkward laugh. "That's a good way to describe it."

Her friend's earlier comment made Hermione curious. "Neville, what do you think of us – Draco and I?"

Neville groaned and started rubbing his neck. "What answer won't upset you?"

"The honest one, Neville. Believe it or not, I don't want my relationship with Draco to start fights. You mentioned him earlier so I wanted to know your thoughts."

He sighed. "Honestly Hermione, I'm just not sure what to think of it. Malfoy is terrible. He's spent years proving he's hurtful, cruel, and mean. I don't know what he could have possibly done to make you forget all that."

"I haven't forgotten, Neville," she said softly.

"Well, ignore it then. Forgive it."

Hermione nodded, knowing that Draco's cruelty was never just directed toward Harry, Ronald, and herself.

"At the same time, I know you," Neville added. "I know you very well, Hermione. You're kind and brilliant." He paused, "You also haven't been yourself. Ever since we started last term, something has been off about you. After the whole thing with Ron and Lavender, you were even worse. But by the end of last term, you seemed happy again. Like you took some potion that washed everything away," he shook his head in disbelief, "so I guess I have to credit Malfoy with that. I don't know what happened between you two, but I know him and I know you."

"And?" she prompted.

"And I believe in you."

Hearing Neville's words, Hermione felt a swell of happiness in her chest. She hadn't thought she needed anyone's approval, but knowing that Neville had faith in her meant a great deal to Hermione. She thought back to what Luna said before the holiday and nearly teared up. "Thank you. Honestly, I was starting to feel as if the whole world was against me."

"I pity the world, then."

Hermione let out a genuine laugh. "It's nice to be reminded that I have someone I can depend on."

"You can always depend on me, Hermione," he reassured her. "I know it may not feel like it now, but Ron and Harry love you and you can always depend on them too. And Ginny and Luna. We all love you."

"You're right, Neville. I know I'm loved, and I do realize how lucky I am." She laid her hand on his shoulder.

He gave it a gentle squeeze. "Just be careful who you trust, Hermione." He nodded over to where their former enemy was standing then released her hand.

She nodded and made her way over to Draco.

The rest of the day had been one of leisure. Hermione and Draco had spent their time together in Room of Requirement. Draco was working on the cabinet until Hermione convinced him to get a head start on studying with her. Later that evening she returned to the common room and had a nice conversation with Ginny, complete with apologies, catching up, and a sort of truce about Draco.

This morning, however, had been much less pleasant. Harry had recounted to Hermione his experience with Dumbledore and the pensieve. Having never heard of a "horcrux" was driving Hermione mad. She was certain she'd never come across the word in her studies which meant that it was a whole new level of dark magic. Her argument with Harry hadn't made anything better.

"Oh, well, if Won-Won thinks that, you'd better do it. After all, when was Won-Won's judgment ever faulty?"

Then Harry just had to go be cheeky and use a bezoar in class rather than even attempt to create an antidote for himself.

"I just can't believe him! He's such a petulant child!"

"And this behavior from Potter is surprising to you?"

"Draco..." she warned, not wanting him to start insulting Harry.

"I just mean that he's so reliant on you. If you're angry with him and unwilling to help, did you really think he wouldn't try to find another way to get out of doing actual work?"

"That may not be an actual insult, but the condescension is still noticeable, Draco."

He waved a hand dismissively. "It's progress. Be grateful that I do not still berate him. I don't even refer to him as 'Potty' anymore."

She nodded. "You do have a point there."

"Of course I do."

The witch sat back in her seat, still feeling the need to sulk. "Now Slughorn thinks he's brilliant. All of us should know that bezoars will act as an antidote to almost anything. We learned that first year from Professor Snape."

Draco snorted. "Is that what you're concerned about? Slughorn not knowing you're the best? That's ridiculous."

Hermione huffed and didn't respond. Though she was loathed to admit it, there was a bit of ego coming into play. However, it felt justified to her. She had put in so much work over the years, pushing herself to the brink, learning all that she could and now it didn't appear to be coming through. Harry just skated by on the work of another and got the credit.

Draco noticed she still seemed upset despite his comment. "You are the best, you do that, don't you?"

"I suppose I do," she said wryly.

"Now once more, with feeling."

"I suppose I do," she repeated, still not seeming like she believed it.

The young man huffed as he rose from his seat. She watched he walked over to her with purpose and dropped down to his knees.

"What are you doing?" she asked slightly annoyed and slightly anxious. She wasn't sure what she should make of the way he was looking at her.

"Now listen closely, Granger, because this is the only time I'm going to tell you this." He took her hands into his before continuing. "You are the most brilliant person I have ever known. Obnoxiously so. I know you're not nearly as experienced as the adults in our lives, but that is not in your control. I have no doubt you will surpass them when we reach their ages. Anyone who cannot see that is exceedingly dim himself. And anyone who can't appreciate it is dimmer. I don't care that Harry Potter is The Boy Who Lived. Everyone who knows you knows that you're the woman who helped him survive. No one will ever forget your brilliance. I know that I never will."

Hearing these words moved Hermione. It was mind-boggling that someone who once hated her was on his knees trying to convince her of her worth. She stared at Draco, trying to memorize everything about this moment. She wasn't sure if she would ever feel as special as she was feeling now.

She ran her thumbs along the side of his hands trying to remember his touch. Finally content, she broke the silence, "Are you sure you weren't meant to be in Hufflepuff?"

The blonde snorted. "That is the last time I will ever be remotely pleasant to you."

"I'm only joking, Draco." She squeezed his hands. "Thank you. I actually do feel much better now."

He rose to his feet. "You're welcome."

He started to walk away, but she held onto his hand. "Draco, do you know anything about a horcrux?"

Furrowing his brow, he searched his memory for the term. "I have heard the term, of that I'm almost positive. Why do you ask?"

Hermione went on to explain what Harry had recounted to her – Slughorn's memory with a young Voldemort. Harry's mission to extract the truth from Slughorn.

"Unfortunately, I'm not significant enough to know that much detail. You know who may be?"

"Professor Snape," Hermione answered. "Care to pay him a visit?" she asked as she rose from her seat.

"Well, I suppose I really don't have any choice now, do I?"

The witch laughed and grabbed his hand as they took their leave.

Severus was always surprised whenever he heard a knock at his study door. Once he granted the visitors permission to enter, he realized that unscheduled meetings were probably something he should start getting used to.

"Good evening Draco, Miss Granger, what can I do for you?" he gestured for them to take a seat.

"Professor," the young witch started,"I was hoping you might be able to tell us something about an object called a horcrux."

"Who told you about horcruxes, Miss Granger?" He had not previously considered the fact that he should probably share his privileged knowledge with the two teenagers sitting before him, but he supposed there was no way around it.

"Dumbledore told Harry about it…" She went on to explain what had recounted to her about his lessons with the headmaster.

"I see… Dumbledore and I need to get on the same page regarding what is being told to Potter," the older wizard said more to himself.

"Sir?" Draco prompted.

He heaved a sigh, "I will share with you what I know, but Granger, you cannot tell Potter any of this. Do you understand me?"

The witch nodded.

"There is still much I do not know. The Dark Lord is a very private… man." Severus wasn't sure that he was okay with calling Voldemort a "man", but the term would do. "A horcrux is a very dark object, as you may have already deduced. A horcrux is meant to preserve life – one would use it to split one's soul. If one were to die, the soul in the horcrux would live on and the individual would be able to come back."

"Is that what happened at the Triwizard Tournament? Is that what Harry witnessed? How Voldemort came back?"

"His soul was preserved because of a horcrux, but there was not one present. It was a different ritual which Potter was subjected to."

She leaned forward, "Professor… How exactly would one go about separating a soul?"

"Murder, Miss Granger. Taking a life rips the soul apart."

The two teenagers grew quiet and exchanged a look.

"So if we destroy the horcrux, we destroy Voldemort?" the witch asked quietly.

Severus nodded, "Theoretically, yes. But the Dark Lord created more than one horcrux. The exact number I do not know, but one was the diary Potter destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets. There is another which Dumbledore is trying to track."

"He's split his soul into at least three pieces?" Hermione asked incredulously.

He understood her dismay. There was enough hurt when a person was whole. He couldn't imagine how someone could willingly tear his soul apart. From what he understood, the process was exceedingly painful. Though Severus was not entirely convinced the Dark Lord could feel anything at all. Or ever had.

"The Dark Lord has killed excessively. Did he create a horcrux each time?" Draco asked.

"No. From what I understand, the Dark Lord saved his horcruxes for special kills."

He watched as the boy swallowed slowly and the witch reached out for his hand.

"Miss Granger, let Potter try to extract the memory from Slughorn. Do not share anything with him. I am still not sure I should have shared this information with the two of you, but your lives are on the line."

"Are you planning to tell Professor Dumbledore about us – Draco and I? And you?"

"No," he said with certainty. "He has enough on his mind. It is also safer for us all that no one else know about what the three of us are doing."

He watched the two teenagers leave. It had been a long time since he felt the weight of responsibility like he was now.

He promised to watch over Lily's son and had done so, but this was different. Potter had no idea what was going on. The two young adults who left his room were confiding in him and actively engaging with him.

Severus had forgotten what it had been like to have interactions like this. Though he felt guilty for feeling this way, the whole situation was like an antidote for loneliness he thought had died with Lily.

It was moving. And it was troubling.

A/N: I got a puppy a few days after I posted the last chapter, and so that's why all of this time has passed. His name is Tobey (named after a drag queen, Trixie Mattel, long story). He's a Chihuahua mix, and I did not choose to get him. He was placed on my chest while I was napping. I woke up to a 10 week old puppy and fell in love. He's precious. And a time-suck. But now he is more settled. He doesn't freak out every time I leave the room. Now he's big enough to jump and follow me. And he will actually eat from somewhere other than my hand. Still freaks out when I shower though, and now knows when I'm going to leave for work so he will try to run out the door to join me. It's been a rough month or so, but he's so precious. I apologize and will be updating more regularly now that he's settled. I have the next chapter halfway done, and it will be up by Tuesday because I have nothing to do after work on Tuesday.