Author Note: Thank you all who bothered to fav, follow, or write a review! It means the world to me. The word thank you is not enough but very grateful from the bottom of my heart. So thank you all.
Also a huge thank you to the beautiful Maria for her wonderful help. Could not have done it without you.
Rowling owns everything.
Guilt began to devour Severus's insides while cruel destruction softly began to echo around him. Tiny drops of fresh, alluring blood dripped from his alabaster palm, as he wandered very helplessly toward annihilation. The smoke crept into his lungs, and despite his trying to hold it back coughs escape his throat. Dim-witted. He had been so bloody dim-witted. His other hand touched the door handle while his ear drum started throbbing.
The smoke devoured his lungs even further, as he pressed the door handle as quietly as he could without making a sound. It had been such a foolish idea. He was supposed to be smarter than McLaggan and especially his father, yet he had missed the obvious point. Albavila did build the firecracker himself. The door sprung free and cracked, only revealing a small inch of the office inside.
The vapor almost burned his eyes for a couple of seconds, his mind wondered if he was ready to face the horror that might wait for him in there.
What if Pomfrey had lost her arm? Severus had sadly overrated Albavila's ability to control the firecracker because before Severus had known the firecracker had disappeared. It was supposed to touch the outside of the window, enough to distract Pomfrey from her note, while Severus's other plan would set into action. Yet Albavila's firecracker had been strong enough to break the window.
Only a second after they both heard multiple screams from inside Pomfrey's office before a heavy smoke soon followed after. They had stood there, looking on in horror, before Severus had dashed off to the hospital wing a short amount of time while Albavila had run after help. What if Pomfrey had died?
But still, his mind only wandered back to Hermione and if she was alive as he had been running on his adrenaline. Breathing in air. Not damaged completely by the explosion. The thought of Hermione having lost her hand or worse felt more horrible created a hole inside his chest he was sure not he could live.
The anxiety spindled and created more horrible thoughts. What if the explosion had burned her face off so her face was only bleeding wound left? What did she have to live with the scars he might have given her? The taste of vomit appeared in the back of his mouth. That thought could he not live with. He pushed the door and stepped into the small nursery office and his black eyes looked for Hermione's unruly hair through the smoke. The fumes started to eat up his lungs even further he tried to push the pain aside.
Damn. Damn. Damn. Small coughs escaped his throat before he started to cough loudly.
He should clean the air with a spell, but if he did, he would be suspicious. Also, he refused to pass out because a fourteen-year-old had been dumb enough to put rubbing alcohol inside it. The boy did not know it could cause a fire. Where was Hermione? He needed her before a fire would break out.
" Please are there help? " A horrible voice called out which could only belong to McLaggan. The idiot fumbled over his words as he called out through the smoke, only to be followed by a loud sound.
Severus would have ignored his plea if it was not for the fact that McLaggan might be gotten a hold of Hermione. It was an unlogical thought, yet fear started to take over the lefts of his rationality. He walked toward the sound, while he hoped that luck was on his side for the first time in years.
The smoke blurred his version with tears, leaving his eyes burning, as he came closer to the sound. Even between the fumes, he saw a clear image of McLaggan shuggling to get out under Pomfrey's bookshelf.
Glass surrounded his wide frame, and his forehead had become red with blood. Severus looked down at McLaggan for a heartbeat, who did not seem to have discovered him before Severus continued to search for Hermione. If he found her, then he might help McLaggan later if he was in a good mood. He looked around the room.
The smoke filled his eyes, yet in the corner near the door sat a slim figure against the door. He almost smiled. Carefully he started to tip-toe toward the figure. The damps made his skin wet, and his hair clung to his head. The closer he came a sense of foreboding started to grow within him. Why had she not moved toward him? His heart started to hammer rapidly in his chest as he hurried toward her. The floor cracked beneath his weight, but McLaggan was still so caught by his escape plan that he did not notice the sounds. The fumes started to make Severus's head spin. Severus neared Hermione with extreme carefulness. Nausea began to shuggle with the tiniest drop of elation, as he knelt before her. Her hair covered the lower half of her face and her head lay on her shoulder. Slowly he pulled her hair aside, revealing the unknown fact if the firecracker had managed to hit her.
Severus exhaled, feeling nearly calm as he discovered that Hermione's face was not harmed in any way and was just as pretty as it had been before the firecracker. The air which he stupidly inhaled quickly devoured his throat again and left behind several coughs. Severus's good hand ran over her throat, ignoring his irritation as his fingertips found her pulse. Discomfort grew within him.
What had happened in those thirty minutes he had been gone? Hermione appeared to be alive but was unconscious.
Had Pomfrey stupified her? Or had Hermione hit her head against the wall? McLaggan was ruled out since he could not even remember the easier spells like leviosa or reparo.
A loud bang from McLaggan's direction interrupted Severus's thought pattern and made him jump back into action. Severus dropped a kiss upon Hermione s forehead before he placed his hands under her armpits. Much to Severus's quiet dismay Hermione's school robe felt harsh against his injured hand but still, he pulled her up. Perspiration rolled down his back as he shuggled to keep himself from falling to the floor and flat on his face. Because despite that Hermione had a light build, she gave off a dead weight. The repeating banging from McLaggan's direction, left no doubt in Severus's mind it would be only a matter of minutes before McLaggan would break free from beneath the bookshelf and Severus could only question what kind of rage the idiot was in.
If the idiot still could walk, of course. The throbbing in Severus's hand increased by holding into Hermione and Severus could not but wince as he saw his blood bleed down her school robe, yet he could not leave her if a fire would start. Or McLaggan would try to finish what he had started in late December.
Severus placed gently Hermione's angel-like head towards his breast. Stupidly enough, he felt his own heart increase its tempo. Carefully he moved his hands from the armpits to the middle of her back. Her wild hair trickled his nose as he started to move back towards the door. The wooden blades squeaked beneath their weight with each step they took, clearly giving away that someone was moving.
Severus's heart jumped up in his throat, even froze in his task as he heard a fist banging against the wood had stopped.
Thinking fast, Severus held up Hermione with his good hand, while he lifted his bad hand before he swung it down.
" Calamities," Severus whispered to Hermione's hair as he watched that they quickly became translucent and faded into their surroundings. Despite Severus knowing that he was pretty powerful he knew it would be only a matter of minutes before the charm would fade away. If they were lucky they could escape without being seen by McLaggan. Or worse Madam Pomfrey.
McLaggan had given up the banging on the bookshelf or either he collapsed from the lack of clean air because suddenly Severus moved as quietly as he could with Hermione, whose limps were like a ragdoll. But much to his great annoyance, his own perspiration kept getting worse. If he walked by someone they might not see him but they would smell him. In a short second, he looked down to see the top of Hermione's head, feeling stress building within him. She was sound asleep when pain hitting through him. Stress turned into frustration as the throbbing in his hand continued to ride. What if the pulse beneath his fingertips had been his imagination and she was dead all along? Panic grew within him.
" The way you can just sleep on while the entire world is in absolute turmoil is to me, beyond astonishing." Severus spat at her as quietly as he could. He wanted to wake her, even if he had to shake her till she opened her bright eyes.
" Can somebody help me? " McLaggan called out with slight begging in his voice. His words did not completely make sense. Not entirely at least. If McLaggan had hit his head then maybe he could not remember how to speak properly.
Usually, Severus would have felt a bit of satisfaction but instead, he almost felt shame over his actions. But shame burned when he looked upon the frizzy top of Hermione. McLaggan became quiet again. It was still unclear whether it was because of the smoke. Severus waited till two seconds had passed before he tried to move again, despite his lungs protesting. The floor still squeaked as they moved across the floor, but luckily the sound drowned behind McLaggan beating the bookshelf.
Even luckier that the charm still working. Despite the luck, Severus hurried his steps the best he could. He kept looking back and forth between the door and the frizzy top of Hermione's head. He turned his steps a bit as he came closer to the door. His breath hitched when a louder shriek came from the wooden blades beneath them. But McLaggan said nothing.
Severus took one step over to the doorstep, hoping the cleaner air save him from the dizziness that was slowly building within him. He took another step over the doorstep. The air from the hospital wing help Severus to breathe properly again, and he almost felt the oxygen open up his brain cells. But Hermione's torso was only over the doorstep when Severus heard a loud crash from inside the office. Severus pulled Hermione over to the doorstep in one movement. He walked backward the fastest he could while he dragged Hermione along. His eyes were steadfast on the door opening.
McLaggan was nowhere to be seen yet.
But he almost felt like a little child again, with a slight turning in his belly looking at the door to see when his dad came home. Thereafter he would run to his room to hide. The same foreboding within Severus's stomach was true then he was just waiting to see the state of rage McLaggan was in.
The throbbing in his hand became much worse and little by little his hold upon Hermione was slipping. He gritted his yellow teeth as he tried to hold onto her with his injured hand. She slipped more from his grasp because of his sweat before he had no other choice but to fall onto his knees along with her. A whiplash of pain ran through as his kneecaps met the stones.
His black eyes became almost teary as he saw the charm was off. Little by little they became visible. He could not go to Azkaban. Then he would break his promises. Then he would lose Hermione. He crawled her into his chest. His throat ran dry as a figure became visible in the door opening.
McLaggan stood in the door opening with saliva running from the sides of his mouth to his broad chin. His skin was pale except for opened wound on the side of his face. Black sod was in the mix of all the blood. The bottom of one of his trouser legs was there a pinkish red with yellow spits. Severus winced as he discovered it was skin. A second dree burned skin that had bobbled up. McLaggan's upper lip curled as he caught eyes with Severus, who cradled Hermione. The idiot seemed to be able to put two and two together at least for a moment.
Severus was unsure if McLaggan had been possessed by his father's ghost in that second as his blue eyes became black with rage.
Or maybe the wounds had stripped away what lay beneath McLaggan's handsome facade. Severus swallowed harshly while he tried to see after his wand in his sleeve.
" Why did you not help me out, you disgusting, perverse…" McLaggan hissed before he was interrupted by a clear boy voice.
" Stupify totallious!"
McLaggan froze instantly and fell back. There came an echo with the hospital wing as McLaggan's skull landed on the floor. Blood flooded into the cracks around McLaggan's blond hair. It almost seemed symbolic.
Severus felt like he could properly breathe again for a second before a boyish figure appeared at his side.
" Are you alright Professor Snape?" Altavila asked before he saw the feared Professor Snape holding onto the loathed Gryffindor Princess like a child. Altavila's brown eyes almost popped out in wonder. Severus sincerely wished that he could disappear. Severus nodded shortly before gently turning Hermione around and placing her on the floor. Despite Severus having his back turned to Altavila, Severus was pretty sure the boy's jaw drooped. The door behind them slammed open and went a loud clear voice.
" What happened?" The voice inquired before the person walked with fast determined steps towards the nursery office. It was Buttercream, a seven-year Ravenclaw. It was so clear that the boy wanted to be an auror. Severus turned the best he could without hurting his hand and saw the people that Altavila had gotten a hold of for short notice. Severus could not say that he was impressed.
The recuse squad stood off, Professor Flitwick, a sixth-year from Ravenclaw, the prefect from Hufflepuff, and Altavila's friend, The Greek nose boy, which Severus had forgotten the name of.
Much to Severus's dismay Altavila had also brought Nott from Slytherin. The rabbit-like face stood behind the prefect from Hufflepuff with a proud expression. Severus flared his nostrils as Nott's small eyes noticed Hermione, who still lay on the floor. Nott curled his upper lip, exposing his big front teeth before his eyes met Severus's eyes. The dismay was clear in the boy's glare. Severus scowled, almost daring him to say the word. Nott glared back but kept silent and crossed his arms. Flitwick must have noticed the tension because suddenly he called out in his light voice.
" Mister Buttercream does not stand too close to the office as we do not it might explode," Flitwick called out before he hurried toward Hermione. Despite his short legs, Flitwick was quickly beside Hermione. He bent over her and let his small eyes briefly glance over her. His inspection was quickly over because two seconds after he met Severus's eyes. Without words, they both silently agreed that Severus would heal her while Flitwick would heal the others if he could. They both knew, despite Flitwick would never admit to anyone, that Severus was a better healer than he was. Furthermore, they both knew that precious Harry Potter would not last a day without her. Flitwick left Severus with Hermione and hurried toward McLaggan.
Severus looked after Flitwick, clearly ignoring the expression on Altavila, which grew more puzzled as time passed. The boy's brown eyes shifted suddenly toward Hermione. Maybe he hoped that he could answers from her instead?
The throbbing hand in Severus started again as he slowly pulled his hand and laid it on his lap. The pain ran through him while he felt Nott stare into his back.
How could he get that little rat to shut up?
Flitwick cast a quick look upon McLaggan's legs and his head. Flitwick winced before the idiot to Buttercream interrupted his thoughts.
" How about now?" Buttercream inquired impatiently with his wand pointing at the office, more than ready to go inside. Flitwick gave him a hard look before he took quickly charge of the situation and pointed toward a student from Ravenclaw.
" Mister Goldstein and Mister Buttercream clear the air inside the office before we go inside. " Flitwick called out. Buttercream pointed his wand towards the office, more than ready to help before he poked his head inside.
" What spell should I use, sir? " Buttercream asked. Flitwick's expression grew quickly annoyed while he stepped closer to the seventh-year student. A new wave of nausea grew within Severus as the seconds passed. He wanted to get out of the office with Hermione before they got Pomfrey out. Plus he was not sure he wanted to see how badly Pomfrey was hurt. Or Slughorn for that matter.,
" Mister Macmillan, will you please throw some healing charm upon Mister McLaggan, while I check the office with Buttercream for the victims of the explosion? " Flitwick asked with a bit of gracefulness.
Severus's insides calm up. Victims? Where is he just as bad as his father? What if somebody had died? The thought was irrational yet in the corner of his eye he could see Altavila thought the same thing. The boy would be a problem unless the boy could manage to shut up.
" Thank you, sir," Macmillan answered, dragging Severus out of his thoughts. Macmillan's plump face lit up like a disco ball as he almost ran toward McLaggan to inspect him better. His fast-paced steps annoyed Severus a bit too much before guilt waved through Severus the second after when Macmillan's face curled itself. Macmillan stared at Mclaggan's leg and how the fabric clung to the burned skin.
" I think that we should wait till someone comes from St Mugus." The boy said dryly as he knelt before Mclaggan. Despite the translucent ness that appeared on Macmillan's face, the young adult stared at the fabric that had melted into Mclaggan. Severus felt shivers run down his spine when felt Altavila's staring. The boy's eyes widened in panic, almost willing to confess to getting the guilt off his chest, despite the boy was not ready to go to Azkaban. Severus sent him a hard glare, hoping that Altavila would understand that he should keep quiet. Flitwick interrupted their mutual stare by yelling.
" Cheevey will you watch the door? Make sure nobody in while you Mister Nott come with us. You Mister Alta-" Flitwick said before Severus cut him off.
" I think that Altavila is with me," Severus answered while he tried to raise from the floor by using his hand. Stupidly enough, he had forgotten his injured hand for a second. He held back a whimper by biting his lower lip while he used his other hand to balance himself. The pain still throbbed yet he managed to stand on the balls of his feet.
" If-" Flitwick inquired, but Severus caught him off.
"Absolutely!" Severus barked. Altavila's entire body fell together while he stared at Severus with big eyes. Angst radiated off him. Severus nodded to Altavila before Severus raised from the floor. He stood up at full height before he bend forward and grabbed Hermione with his good hand by her arm. All sounds in the hospital wing seemed to stop.
All eyes were on him. Severus ignored them, despite his neck hairs raised as he continued to drag Hermione's unconscious form from the floor by her upper arm. When he had gotten her to his torso, he placed his arms under her armpits before he started to drag her. He threw one look at Altavila, who instantly raised from the floor as well. Flitwick nodded to Severus before he turned his back to him and started to walk towards the office. Buttercream, and one more from Ravenclaw that Severus had forgotten the name of, waited on Flitwick by the door. Macmillan still was looking down at McLaggan with a nervous expression, unsure of what he should do.
There was still no sound within the hospital wing except for Severus's heavy breathing. He needed to get the glass shades out of his palm before he got an infection on his skin. Severus had almost reached with Hermione the door before he threw a glance at Altavila to open the door for him. Altavila hurried passed him. Altavila tried to open the door with his slim build. Out of a sudden, Nott appeared at Severus's side like the little rat he was. He threw a look at Hermione, looking her up and down. The little rat let everyone know what he thought of her kind and what the only use her kind would be useful. Maybe it was because Severus had almost lost Hermione or because the pain in his palm became slightly worse with each second because suddenly the words left his tongue.
" Try in Azkaban." Severus sneered. Nott swallowed harshly, despite it being clear that anger was growing in him. Azkaban was a sore spot for Nott, especially when his father was there.
" Do not mention that place." Nott hissed while he exposed every bit of his teeth.
" Then do not throw glances that make others believe that you belong there. " Severus answered sternly, while Altavila finally opened the door behind him. The cold air caressed Severus's skin, as well as his wounded hand. Nott exposed his overbite in rage as he stared after him from within the hospital wing.
" But sir, she is just worthless mud-"He exclaimed like a child before Severus stopped him.
" Do not make me ashamed to have you in my house by saying that word in public. Also, I am the teacher against the dark arts and Miss Granger might be infected by dark magic, so shut it, Nott." Severus hissed back while he cast a glance back at Flitwick. Flitwick's small eyes bored into Nott's skull, clearly waiting on his words so he could give the little rat detention.
Severus moved into the hallway with Hermione. The clearer air seemed to open up his mind. His lungs could breathe again. The light was better, despite he could not help but winced as he noticed how bloody Hermione's school robe had become. Altavila stood by the door, holding it open. It was clear that he was unsure what to do with himself.
Altavila's gaze shifted between Nott and Severus. Unsure what he should do. Severus might be the teacher but Nott had a high status in the House of Slytherin than Altavila. If Altavila did something that displease Nott then he would be more outcast than he was before. Severus's albue was to get purged from holding Hermione up.
" Get Flitwick to heal her," Nott exclaimed angrily, while he tossed his arms out.
" I do not have the time to discuss obvious things with someone that lacks the brain cells to think for themselves and detention at Filch for speaking back." Severus bite while he shook his head.
" What- " Nott yelled. But he was interrupted by Flitwick.
" Mister Nott, I could use your help!" Flitwick called out from behind the door, trying the help the situation. Nott stood hanging by the door, not moving an inch. Either did Altavila. The boy was frozen.
" Do what Flitwick says, Nott. Afterward, you can go down to help Filch." Severus warned coldly, almost daring him to say another word.
" Fine!" Nott retorted. Severus had enough of Nott of little game.
" Now, Mister Nott!" Severus hissed as he moved. Nott slowly walked away from the door and faded into the smoke and darkness. The greek nose appeared beside Altavila, looking unsure at Severus as well. Severus had already reached the middle of the hallway. Altavila still stood frozen by the door. Severus could no longer control his rage.
" Do not stand like an imbecile. Come here and help me carry her unless you want to join Nott in detention!" Severus spat violently. That sent Altavila into motion. In only the blink of an eye, he appeared next to him and Hermione.
Altavila looked at Hermione with a puzzled expression.
" Why do not you throw a levitating spell on her? " He asked. Severus continued to drag Hermione toward the staircase and the side hallway, where it would be easier to hide from the castle's many ears. Luckily for Severus, the marble stones were easier to drag Hermione's shoes across.
" Because Mister Altavila if you see my hands you would they are practically shaking, and then I might drop her. But I will throw a weightless spell on Miss Granger. " Severus answered while he dragged her. Hermione's hair started to trickle through his nose before he blow it away from his mouth. Altavila's expression became puzzled.
" I understand why you help her when you dislike her. You told Malfoy that you found her overrated, annoying, and mostly insufferable. So why help her now? " Altavila stated while his brows raised to his skull. Cold shivers ran down Severus's spine. The memories of him finding her presentence unremarkable seemed to come from another life, especially since he risked many things, just to be near her.
" Also in case you have forgotten I am a professor for the whole of Hogwarts and she needs my help, despite her blood status. So it does not matter if I like her….or not." Severus added while he felt his entire face grow hot. If it was annoyance or because half-heartless admitted that he liked her. Severus sighed loudly. He did not have the time for this.
" I can leave then? " Altavila asked while he stupidly looked around.
" No, you will stay with me until we reached someplace we can talk in private, especially since we are only one step from Azbakan right now," Severus said while he pulled his wand out of his sleeve.
" I can not go to Azkaban. " Altavila whimpered.
"Do you think that I can? " Severus spat. He placed the tip of his wand on Hermione's collarbone, Despite his dislike throw spells at her, he did it anyway.
" Sine pondered." He said while a wave of energy touched Hermione. He turned Hermione around, who had become lightweight in his arm-like bridal style. Her wild hair fell over his arm while his other underarm was under her knees.
There was silence between them after that. The walk toward the side hallway, which would lead them straight into Slytherin seemed to last forever. The bleeding in his hand had ceased a bit yet it was only an inch away from opening again. Chaos sounded from beneath the main staircase they passed, even when they all had reached the first bit of darkness. The second they stepped into the side hallway, all the other sounds died. The darkness devoured them completely. Severus could smell the teenage odor coming from Altavila, along with the ashy expression on the boy's face. Severus knew he needed to ask what Altavila had told Flitwick yet he held his tongue, fully knowing that the boy fall apart in a matter of seconds he mention.
The breakdown came closer than he had expected.
" I can not go to Azbakan. My mom needs me." Altavila said as they turned another corner. Severus stared at the boy.
" You would not go to Azkaban if you just keep quiet. " Severus answered. Tears formed in Altavila's brown eyes.
" I can't go to Azkaban. I would not survive it. " Altavila whimpered before he started to cry. It was his cries that were quiet at first until they grew hysterical. Only one second after Altavila had started crying, he threw himself to the floor in hysterics. Wet tears rolled down his cheeks, while he pressed his legs toward his chest like a baby. Severus looked down at him with a tired expression. Severus sighed and even consider leaving Altavila on the floor altogether. It was not until the boy started to mutter.
" I am sorry, mom. I am sorry. " The boy babbled between his sobs. The empathy did not often touch Severus, especially someone insulted some Severus cared about yet this time it did. Altavila was sobbing as a toddler and not as the fourteen-year-old he was. Severus knelt before the boy, the best he could without dropping everything. The boy had not even noticed him. He just sobbed into his knees.
" You will not go to Azkaban if you just keep quiet," Severus said carefully.
" You do not know that. I will die alone there or drive insane like Malfoy's aunt." Altavila sobbed. Severus bites his lower lip.
" I would not let you go to Azkaban. I promise." Severus whispered.
Altavila's bottom lip quivered as his face fell left the floor.
" You promise something that you can not keep. I am going to die there because I threw a firecracker through a window, and it killed people. I am going to spend the rest of my life in a cell and you will be the only company. " Altavila whimpered. Severus admitted that sounded like a horrible fate to talk to Altavila for the rest of his life.
" We did not kill anybody. It was an incident. But more importantly, what did you shutter out to Flitwick? " Severus asked while his heart hammered loudly in his chest. Altavila had admitted to anything then they might as well greet Azkaban.
" We were in the garden. You caught me smoking. You lecture me about how bad smoking was for me when we heard an explosion. " Altavila said. Severus nodded, despite he had to fill in a half hour where he should have lectured Altavila about smoking.
" Good. Altavila, do you know whom you share the dormitory with? " Severus questioned carefully. Altavila was quiet for a second.
" Gosforth, Hanley, and Widdon. " Altavila answered. Widdon could be useful to some extent, while the others could not. Severus clapped Altavila on the shoulder.
" I promise that you will not go to Azkaban if you just keep quiet about our involvement. If you said nothing, then I will nothing as well. " Severus said while he grabbed Altavila on the arm and lifted the boy from the floor. Severus grabbed Hermione from the floor and started to walk toward the staircase.
Despite Altavila sniffing a couple of times along the way the boy was silent. When they reach the top of the staircase that would lead them down to Slytherin territory, Severus threw a translucent spell on all of them.
" What is about your mom, since you say that she needs you?" Severus asked while he carefully walked down the staircase.
" She is ill. She got a muggle disease of some kind. I am not sure what it is." Altavila mumbled while he kept looking down at the steps below him. Severus nodded, unsure what to say to that. But explained a lot of Altavila's worrying about social hierarchy, especially when he was a half-blood in the house of Slytherin.
" You will not go to Azkaban. I promise." He answered. The boy said nothing. They reached the bottom of the staircase in silence before Altavila muttered.
" Thank you." Severus looked at the boy and just nodded to him. Time was ticking by too quickly to stop it. Severus lend forward the best he could do without dropping Hermione.
" Altavila, I need you one more thing. " Severus whispered. Altavila looked slightly uncomfortable when he heard the sentence.
Twenty minutes after that conversation…
"It seemed to be a firecracker that had gone through the window. Thereby landed Madam Pomfrey's desk, before it exploded. " Flitwick started softly while he folded his hands. The little half-goblin had transfigured his little napkin into a velveteen chair and was sitting like a king on it. Severus widened his eyes a bit, pretend to be surprised by the news but not guilty. Flitwick had almost invited himself into Severus's chamber. Severus had just managed to light a cigarette to calm his nerves, despite he had not smoked in years. Just before he had lit it he managed to take each of every glass shade out of his hand and threw them out in the cash. Despite his best effort to appear friendly toward Flitwick, he was annoyed by his presence.
" It was properly an incident but we can not have self-made firecrackers here at Hogwarts." Flitwick continued.
" If it was a firecracker. " Severus said casually while he raised an eyebrow. He took another suck of the cigarette. He borrowed the cigarette box from Altavila until the boy return later with information.
" It seems to be… but would do such a thing?" Flitwick continued. It truly sounded like it bothered him.
" Who would be dumb enough to dare to do such a thing is more the question. Well, there are a couple of dunderheads. " Severus added after a second. Flitwick did not even frown upon his words and seemed to drift off into his world, clearly thinking upon the possibilities. Severus tipped the tip of his cigarette into his old, used teacup.
" I do not suspect any of your Ravenclaws, Flitwick if that is what you worry about," Severus said while he saw the crumbled fresh ash fawn upon the old tea. That awoke Flitwick's interest.
" It could be but I doubt it," Flitwick spoke before he licked his lips. Maybe he was trying to say without words that he was thirsty but Severus did not have time for guessing. It was also clear that Flitwick tried to be fair towards all the students, yet Severus knew that Flitwick properly had an idea of who had done it. Despite it would be easier for Severus to throw Altavila under the bus, and denied that he had anything to do with but he could not do it. But he promised to help the boy, which mother was ill. Severus inhaled his cigarette and tasted the nicotine before he exhaled the smoke.
" It is not Altavila, Flitwick. The boy was with me after I caught him smoking with one of yours. After that, he told me his mother was ill. "Severus said, leaving no room for Flitwick to discuss why the thirty minutes had gone by with just talking. Also, Severus knew as well that Flitwick would feel very guilty, just that he had considered Altavila. Flitwick's small eyes widened in surprise before he just nodded.
" That is horrible. But if it is not Altavila then who could it be then if not…" Flitwick traveled off, clearly thinking about the other possibilities despite it radiating from him that he wanted to ask which of his Ravenclaw that had been smoking. Severus's cigarette had almost disappeared and left behind a small bit but still, Severus felt a need for more nicotine. He placed the leftover of his cigarette in the teacup on the small sofa table.
Despite the pain in Severus's hand starting to come back, his fingers still wandered after the cigarette holder in his trouser pocket. His fingertips fumbled after the small cigarette box as he saw Flitwick's lingering at the tea can.
" " Who are you suspecting? Do you want tea?" Severus asked, trying to copy The Dark Lord's charm the best he could without smiling while his wounded hand grabbed the tea can and placed it in front of Flitwick.
" Yes, thank you, Severus. You know I do not like to suspect any, since I am their professor I had some others in mind, who were not Altavila." Flitwick shrugged. Severus raised an eyebrow while he struggled to keep the guilt at bay. Despite that, he loathed most of the children he did not want to pin the blame upon someone who did not deserve it. Flitwick pulled out another napkin from his breast pocket. He pulled out his wand from his sleeve and tipped twice upon the napkin. Under a blink of a second had transformed into a teacup. Severus would almost be impressed if it was not for the nagging fact of it seemed like Flitwick did not trust Severus enough to clean one of his tea cups. Plus the throbbing pain in his hand started to throb again. So much for a healing charm. Flitwick stretched out his arms with the cup in his hands and Severus ignored the need to pour hot water on Flitwick. He filled the tea to the brim.
"Unless are you suspecting an adult?" He huffed as the idea humored him. His good hand took his wand out of his sleeve again and placed it in front of his mouth.
" No. That would be stupidity, even though Pomfrey keep going on about that you had done it. She must have seen that you walked in and then concluded that statement. Else it does not make sense. " Flitwick answered before he took a sip of his tea. Severus felt all blood leave his face when he heard those words.
" It is that so? Fiera." Severus muttered before the little flame touched his cigarette. In the corner of his eye, he saw that Flitwick drew a smile before he shook his head. he shut off the fire from his wand. He hoped that he could seem casual despite his heart hammering in his chest. Flitwick did not notice Severus's discomfort and seemed caught up in the world of his tea.
" Yes but everybody knows how much she had been affected by the war, so I do not think many will listing to her at St Mugus," Flitwick said before he sipped his tea. Severus felt a lump in his throat quickly growing. He exhaled the smoke out his nostrils, hoping that he had heard Flitwick's words wrong.
" St Mugus?" Severus inquired like he was asking for milk. Flitwick's small face darken and left behind any trace of joy.
" Yes, St Mugus. Her head hit a sharp inch of the office table, and her arm got badly burned by the firecracker. But I am sure that she will be fine" Flitwick answered curtly. He placed the teacup on the table.
" That is why I am here. Which student it could be from the House of Slytherin, do you think it could be Severus? I will ask Minevera the same. Pomfrey was badly hurt by the firecracker. " Flitwick said before he licked his lips again. Shivers ran down Severus's spin but he was unsure if he could even move. Why had Altavila exactly put into the firecracker? But mostly was the chance increased of being sent off to Azkaban, if he got caught? " The reason why the student who has done might have done it, will only maybe get expelled is because if the firecracker had hit somebody else then the person might have only gotten second-dree burns. But Pomfrey had chosen today to put coconut oil lotion on her skin, when it comes in contact with a tiny flame it becomes" Flitwick said before Severus caught him off. " It becomes Inflammable, " Severus said with a dry throat. Pictures that Severus had never seen before danced inside his head. Images that he did not want to see.
"Precisely. " Flitwick said curtly. A question appeared on Severus's tongue but before he could stop it, the question jump out of his mouth.
" How bad was it? " Flitwick froze for a second before he crossed his arms, and stared into space." Third-degree burns from the hand to her albue. Her old skin was yellowish, if not bloody….I do not want to describe more, Severus." Flitwick said in discomfort. Severus wanted nothing more than to scream at Flitwick for telling him and scream about the situation. He sunk into his couch, hoping that he could disappear in the process or rip his hair out. " But she will be all right. I am sure." Flitwick said with a tight smile before Severus felt Flitwick's hand clap on the top of his.
" But Slughorn is all right. He only hit his head. Mclaggan will be fine as well. As soon as they fix his leg. Second-degree is easier to heal the third-degree. He will go back to play Quidditch. " Flitwick said with a bit of brightness. But his words did not even touch Severus. Flitwick continued
" Pomfrey kept going on and on about her notebook, but as far as I can search I do not find one. Do you know which one she talking about? " Flitwick asked. Severus shook his head.
" I have no idea." He lied. Flitwick nodded in response. Severus exhaled the smoke through his nostrils as Fliwick put down his tea cop on the table.
" Who do you suspect of your students Severus?" Flitwick asked again. Despite it was horrible to throw another person under the bus, it was maybe for the world in the long run." It could be Nott. His father is in Azkaban and it seems that the boy is picking up some habits. Like loathing toward the order and it is supporters." Severus said. Flitwick nodded.
" It could also Grastorn. He shares a dormitory with Altavila. Nott." Severus lied. He should have been more horrible slightly running a young boy's career but Severus said to himself that the boy would be fine. Flitwick jumped off the chair and landed on his feet.
" Thank you for the help, Severus. " Flitwick said while he pulled out his wand. He tipped it on his teacup before it quickly turned back into a napkin. Severus leaned back into his sofa. He did the same to his chair.
" I will go and talk to Minevera and see if she is suspecting something. " Flitwick said while he hurried toward the door. Severus relaxed for a second, but suddenly Flitwick stopped.
" How is Miss Granger?" Flitwick asked while he looked back. Severus felt his vulnerable emotions start to touch him. He swallowed hard, hoping that he could keep them under control.
" She is sleeping. I think that Pomfrey hit her with a stupefy in the chaos. " Severus answered. Flitwick just nodded and walked toward the door. Severus dropped the last bit of the cigarette into the cold tea as Flitwick opened the door. A thought must have popped into Flitwick's mind.
" Severus. I think we should keep this away from Potter. He has enough on his mind." Flitwick called put. Severus glared at Flitwick for saying the word "Potter" inside his chambers. Flitwick sank with his back a little and hurried out the door. Severus placed his head in his head. The tension in his body slowly left him little by little and for the first second during the day, he relaxed a bit. He had done what he could. If Altavila made everything in time, then the firework would be founded in Nott's locker for a couple of hours. The mess would be out of their hair.
Slowly his senses return to him, and he finally noticed that he smelt of sweat again and somebody was staring at him. He turned his head, not believing his own eyes for a second.
Hermione was standing at the bottom of the sofa, looking at him with a dazzling smile.
" Hey," Hermione said while she kept looking at him, taking in every detail of his appearance. He noticed that her hair was wet. She had to have been in the shower while he had talked with Flitwick. His eyes ran over her. He could not say that he was not pleased that she only wore her underwear and shirt, exposing her legs, and her arms. Her body had either been hurt by the firecracker. He smirked, feeling a bit calm over her present.
" You are finally awake," Severus stated before he flashed her a little smile. Despite her expression as happy, she looked very emotional. Her glance was aware, almost like she did not dare to believe that he was real.
" You were unconscious for fifty minutes. " Severus added while the emotions that he had locked away, started to come forward. He swallowed while he hoped that he would keep them a bay. She was alive and was not harmed. If he passed out on the couch, then he never wanted to wake up. She walked past the end of the couch and sited herself next to him. Her arms collided instantly around him. A wet tear dropped through the fabric of his shirt and briefly touched his skin.
" Pomfrey said some horrible lies….." She traveled off before she traveled off. Fear grew within him. If she wanted to say that they could not see each other because they had been discovered then he wanted it to be quick. He could not bear the weight.
" When…" She muttered, while she cradled him, and placed her head on his shoulder. He did not what to say
" A blazing flame suddenly got a hold of…. " She tried to control herself, holding her together. He was unsure if she was crying because of guilt or because of something else. He did not dare to hope that he was that something.
" It burned." She sniffed while to melt teardrops continued to melt into his clothing. She could not finish the sentence.
" Pomfrey…" She muttered before he cradled her. She cried for a minute and he let her. Usually, he did not feel empathy for those, yet with Hermione, many things had changed. Her wet hair touched his face. He breathed through his nostrils, hoping to get some control himself.
" When she was distracted by talking with Slughorn, I grabbed the notebook when she was not looking. " She sniffed. Severus wanted to say that he was proud of her but before she could then
" I said that she should not talk about you when you were not present, and she was a coward." She said while she pulled away from him. Her hands found his, holding them while she looked away from him.
" I ran to the door I heard her shout some cruel words at me. Slughorn just stood confused. " She said with a dry throat.
"Yet before the stupefy hit me and the little flame connected with Pomfrey's arm, I only thought of…." She said. Her eyes found his. Her fingers touched his cheek gently, almost like she was lucky to have the honor to be near him. Severus was unsure how to react. Nobody had ever shown him affection except Lily and his grandmother. Lily turned out not to care about him. He wanted to turn her away, yell at her not to play with his heart, yet he kept quiet.
" I did not think of OWLS or the war but of. I thought of you." She said gently while her bright, fawn-like eyes shined with an emotion that Severus had never seen directed toward him. Dark emotions grew within him. He hated being vulnerable. Lily had tossed him aside like he was nothing but Hermione had a hold on him. It did not make better than his heart hammer in his chest.
" Despite I hate to admit that what we have done to Pomfrey is horrible. I must admit I am too selfish to let you go." She continued with a dry throat. He did not want to believe it. He could not believe it.
" Why?" Severus asked, while his throat became dry. She looked at him, sending him a blurry smile. He would never admit it, but she looked beautiful even when her face was a bit red with tears and she was about to cry again.
"Because you are talented and brilliant. " She whispered while she placed a kiss on his cheek. His heart increased its tempo. Maybe it was because they had not tried to have sex after they had gotten interrupted by Moody in December or the fear of losing each other that had driven his arousal up. He wanted desperately to show her that he wanted her, yet he fought himself. They had only kissed, and despite it was clear both of them wanted more, he had decided that he could wait until Hermione would make the move. She started to drop several kisses on his cheek before she cradled him.
" And beautiful." She added.
That word killed the moment. He looked away from her, feeling shame and loathing burning him up.
" I am not beautiful." He huffed, turning his glance away from her.
" Maybe not in a traditional way but you are to me." She whispered. Her hands cradled his face, turning him back, and stared into his black eyes. The lump in his throat grew bigger, and keeping the tears at bay was getting harder.
" I love you, Severus." She said. Her beautiful eyes looked straight into his, and for the first time in years, he believe what she said was true.
She loved him. Her eyes told him that she was undoubtedly in love with him. He pushed her away before, knowing what she felt for him would pass. Lily did not matter anymore and so did nobody else but her. She lend forward and kissed him. Slowly she opened up for him, letting their tongues touch each other. Happiness was beating through his veins. He could kiss her forever and forever. Slowly they pulled their lips away from each other as they need to breathe again. He dared to say the word that he had hated for years.
" I love you as well, Hermione." He said with a dry throat. Tears ran down her pretty face before she cradled his face with her elegant fingers, and let their lips meet again.
The end
Thank you to the lovely Mathilde for her support.
Ps thank you all for reading.