A/N: I was so glad to finally receive reviews after a long time! So as a treat, here is long, long chapter from my side.
One of my reviewers, SaltedChips, asked me not to end the story with just a kiss. Well, don't worry at all, I have big plans for that. ;) I am a hopeless romantic and a kiss is just the start!
Enjoy! But beware, there's trouble ahead.
Chapter 41: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
Sometimes I think I should name my diary and write letters addressed to it, instead of random entries, like Anne Frank did. Maybe she, too, found it unnatural to speak to her own self as she narrated her life.
But anyway, I believe I'm writing to let things go, so perhaps I should, in fact, talk to myself. I had began writing to combat depression. I don't know if I'm depressed anymore or not. But I'm quite sure it has lessened, if that's an apt word to use. I do still feel low at times when I involuntarily trot down the memory lane, but I don't feel the urges to end my life anymore. That is an achievement, I believe.
November has ended and we have come to the mid of December. Ten days are left to Christmas; Christmas holidays are going to begin in a week; another Hogsmeade trip is scheduled just this weekend; and it has been six months since Mum and Dad passed away.
Six months. Sometimes, I can't believe it. On this Nineteenth, I will complete six months without them. Six months since the bonding. Six months since my life took a sharp turn towards the unexpected.
And I have realised that this is how I will find my life from hereon. I have given myself enough time to come to terms with it. People have given enough time to me to get myself together. Now, I have to take on the responsibilities that I'm supposed to, as a daughter. The legalities I have been avoiding will not clear themselves out on their own. I have to take charge and stop running.
June 19th, the worst day of my life is left six months behind. After surviving a suicide attempt, it is time to acknowledge what life has thrown towards me.
Today, I feel like writing volumes on this journey that I have covered. Does this make me a survivor? I think it does.
Two people who have truly gotten me through this are Harry and Severus. Professor McGonagall, too, in fact. But without Harry and Severus, I don't think I would be sitting here writing about acceptance. And while I am writing about sitting, I must also mention that I will soon be on my feet again. Karly has been absolutely amazing with my Physiotherapy. Madam Pomphrey says I can walk soon—with crutches for the starting. I can move my legs and my entire body from waist below, actually. Soon, I'll be back in the Gryffindor Tower, though I think I have gotten into the habit of having an entire room to myself. Crooks will be ecstatic, I'm sure. But my legs still need more strength to take the weight of my body. It will be soon.
Coming back to Harry and Severus—so weird to mentor these two archenemies together. Harry is coping well from Sirius' death, Ginny is his anchor. I can almost see her eyes lighting up when she sees Harry, and vice versa. I'm glad for them. Harry deserves all the love. The other thing that keeps him enthusiastic is Quidditch. Gryffindor won the match against Ravenclaw, Harry's first match as a captain. Although while praising him, I'm overlooking the fact that he had to spend a night in the Hospital Wing with a healing fracture. Harry and Malfoy are frequently involved in mundane corridor altercations as a part of our plan. Harry is so supportive that we work on making those contrived memories even without Severus. Though I show the memories to Severus. I don't have the heart to ask him anymore than he's already doing. I try to lessen his burden as much as I can.
Well, there is so much to say about Severus. It has been a month since he had regained Voldemort's trust. In the positive, at least four attacks have been prevented. The Order has intelligence again. In the negative, I lose my sleep every time his forearm burns. I did not think I could hate Voldemort even an iota more, but when it comes to me that Severus is again put under a torturous curse, I find myself hating the pathetic dark wizard even more. Severus is summoned at least two or three times a week now—though, thankfully, the mad, dark wizard hasn't lost his mind enough to torture Severus each time. Yet, his muscle spasms have increased alarmingly. And his headaches, Jesus Christ, I think it's constant if he's not on a potion. He never visits the Infirmary after returning. I have to ask Karly to let me know when he returns to the castle. He so often misses his meals, I don't think he orders anything to his quarters, either.
I want to tell him how worried I get... But it will be of no use, not because it won't stop him from going, but because he won't actually listen to me. He turns into this grumpy man who's mostly so irritable whenever I try to bring the issue of his health up. But I don't blame him for it. I, better than anyone else, know what he's going through on a regular basis. And I only know of the physical facet. God knows how it's affecting him mentally and emotionally. Voldemort sends him on raids with the others, Professor McGonagall told me last week. I can't even bring myself to imagine what sort of atrocities he makes him commit.
I see him every Thursday in his Lab. I have finished five potions out of our deal of twenty. I hope that banter still matters to him. Maybe I'm just being selfish wanting to talk, to have long and carefree conversations with him like before. He's clearly overworked. I wish I could do something for him... We meet on weekends, too. But he talks less now, mostly busy with Order work. I don't think he's making anymore origami. It hurts me to think he isn't... The only time I see him relaxed is while he brews. But sometimes concentrating too hard gives him a headache. I never mention it, though. I wonder if he's sleeping at all, now that he's being summoned at night and has classes in the day.
I'm still working on that Healing Charm for Severus. All my equations are finally adding up. I have even found a universal equation on which I can base any other Healing Charm (with a lot of customisation, of course). But the problem is that despite all my perfect Arithmantic equations, the Charm is simply not working. I can't figure out where I'm going wrong... This is the time when he really needs my Charm. Maybe I should ask Madam Pomfrey after all.
Anyway, I have a lot to plan about managing the legalities. I should probably write to Mr. Adrews today itself. He was Mum's and Dad's solicitor, and their close friend, too. He manages all the bank accounts and properties. God knows how I'll do all this with the little knowledge I have of the Muggle world... I hope Mr. Andrews helps.
"I didn't know you keep a journal," Harry startled Hermione. Writing took all her mind to focus.
"Harry!" She huffed and closed her diary.
"That's a journal, isn't it?" He eyed her diary.
Hermione clutched it firmly in her hand, as if she feared Harry would snatch it and run away. "Yes... Well, I like to write."
"How come I never knew that?"
"I started only a few months ago," she told him. A cold gush of air came sweeping over the Black Lake and touched Hermione with its icy fingers.
"Christmas vibes," Harry grinned.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" She asked.
"Came to see Hagrid," he replied.
"Alone?"
He shrugged. "Ron was busy."
"With Lavender?" She rolled her eyes. She forgot to mention Ron in her journal. Harry's expressions turned cold. She shook her head, "I don't care, Harry."
"Don't you?" He raised both his eyebrows in question.
"No. I'm just annoyed with Ron. That's all," she said. "Not in the least because of Lavender."
"I have no choice but to believe you," he sighed.
"Really, Harry, I'm not jealous of Lavender. Well, mostly," she shrugged.
He came to stand closer. "It's okay if you're, really. I was jealous when Ginny went out with someone else... That was just a fling, but with you it's all so complicated..."
"Look, I told you earlier, too, that it's not exactly Ron I yearn for," she said. "Or so I think. It's that thing I won't have with anyone. Ever." But she realised that she did not feel like going over the same story time and again, when she was reaching nowhere with it. "Anyway, how's Hagrid? I haven't seen him in a while."
"Maybe all three of us should visit him before the holidays," he suggested.
"Good idea," though it didn't escape her notice that it was Harry's attempt to involve Ron, too.
"By the way, you're coming to Hogsmeade this time," it was a conclusion, not a question. "With us."
Not that Severus will come with me again, anyway.
She thought over it. Now that she was not talking to Ron in any case, it wouldn't matter to him and Lavender if Hermione came. She had to buy Christmas presents for everyone, too. And she needed a change of scenery. "Won't you go with Ginny?"
"Nah. She's gonna hang out with some Ravenclaws in her year," he told her.
And Ron will probably be with Lavender. "Alright. I'll come."
"Great!"
"But if you're coming with me, you better come to all the bookstores I drag you to," Hermione teased.
"I think I have practice enough by now," he laughed.
Hermione smiled.
"What about Christmas?" He asked. "Will you come to the Grimmauld Place?"
"I can't," Hermione replied.
"C'mon, Hermione, there'll be other people, too, not just Ron," Harry rolled his eyes.
"It's not because of that," she said in a small voice. "According to the bond, I cannot stay anywhere for a day...I mean, I have to stay under the same roof as S- Professor Snape, or return under the same roof within a day." She would love to stay at the Grimmauld Place for the break, but she knew better than to ask Severus. He was already so overburdened without her demanding him to spend the Christmas break at a house he clearly loathed.
"Oh," he mumbled. "You're sure you can't be away even for one day?"
"We don't know how long I can stay away, for certain," she admitted. "But precaution is better than cure, isn't it? Besides, I always wanted to have the entire Library to myself."
Harry looked at her sadly. "You know what, I'll stay, too-"
"No, absolutely not," she refused. "Harry Potter, you're not ruining your break because of me."
"But you'll be alone here!"
"I have a lot of work at the Hospital Wing," she lied. "And I am already lagging behind with my studies. I actually need time to cover that up."
"You're lying," he stated simply.
She sighed. "Please, Harry. I also have to visit my home to wrap things up with a solicitor... Trust me, I'll be absolutely fine here."
"I hate the idea of leaving you here."
"It's hardly a matter of weeks," she reasoned. "I'll keep so busy that I won't even realise it. And I'll write everyday."
"That's an exaggeration."
"Alright, not everyday," she amended. "Most days."
"Are you sure?"
"God, Harry, yes," she assured him.
Another gush of air sent shudders down Hermione's body. She tightened her robe around her. She had come to sit outside to enjoy the sun, but it was long gone now.
"Come, let's go inside," Harry said. "And maybe you suddenly feel like helping me with my Charms essay…"
"I'm certainly not feeling that urge," she stated. She still had to finish her journal. "I'll come in a while."
"And help me? Thanks, Hermione!"
"I never said that."
"I can read between the lines," he grinned and walked away.
"At least begin on your own, Harry!" She called after him. "We have NEWTs next year."
"Next year!"
"Harry!"
He pretended not to hear her and kept walking. Hermione shook her head. She had not made a planner for Harry and Ron this term. She mentally noted to make one for each next term.
For Ron, too? Of course, no matter how angry she was with him, she couldn't watch him fail.
Hermione reopened her journal and resumed writing.
Ron. We have not talked since that Order meeting. And this time, it had been more serious than any other of our arguments. Usually, he's the one to come to me and apologise. Well, like every other time he is at fault again. Alright, maybe I am being too harsh, I lost my temper, too, so that makes it both of ours fault. But was I wrong this time? Wasn't Ron too possessive? Honestly, I'm confused. I don't even know why exactly he was angry with me, just because I came with Severus? If so, his behavior was absolutely uncalled for. I know Ron does not like Severus and vice versa but he has no right to dictate my life. He needs to learn that. I hope Lavender teaches him that.
Coming to Lavender, I know for certain that I am not jealous of her. She looks happy with Ron. And Ron, too, seems quite content. Collectively, I'm happy for them both. But sometimes when I lay in bed at night and think about my life ahead, it unsettles me to think that I will never know if Ron and I would have worked or not. It will always remain a mystery to me, a mystery that I have no way of solving. Or maybe it is just about my lost freedom, my lost right to choose.
But I will never come between Ron and Lavender. That much I am certain of. Maybe someday I will just accept my fate and the bitter fact that I will have to live with limited choices. But despite everything, I miss Ron as a friend. I hope he comes around soon and I hope that when I tell him about the bond, he takes it maturely like Harry had. Not that I have any plans of telling him anytime soon.
UUUUUUU
"Severus?"
Severus reluctantly stopped. With a huff, he turned. "Lupin."
"Won't you attend dinner with us?" He inquired. "You don't seem to be heading to the Great Hall."
"I wonder how I suddenly lost my way around the castle, despite spending close to three decades within these rotten walls," he was sharp in his retort. Lupin obviously looked unimpressed. "What do you want, Lupin?"
"Nothing. I was just-"
"Then be on your way," he said flatly.
"I understand, Severus, you are keeping quite busy these days... But," he was hesitating as if guilty, "The full moon is only a week away..."
"Of course," Severus muttered irritably. "It will be delivered to you by tomorrow."
"Thank you," Lupin gave a lopsided smile. "If there's anything I can assist you with, in brewing, I mean-"
"I would not like to see my Lab burning to ashes," he retorted. The limpid rush of blood on the Warewolf's face gave Severus some semblance of satisfaction. "Anymore pressing matters or can I relieve myself of your company?"
"'Course, be on your way," he gave a small nod.
Idiot. Severus turned and walked away. While he covered his way to his quarters, no student dared to interrupt him. His telltale scowl pushed any attention away.
If he missed dinner and rather slept early, he would still manage to get several hours of rest if the Dark Lord planned to call him at midnight. Severus was fairly certain that if he attended one more summon without catching up on a few hours of sleep, he would find himself on one of the beds beside the Longbottoms at St. Mungo's.
It seemed that their plan worked all too nicely with the megalomaniac of a wizard that he was so inclined upon summoning Severus now. The Dark Lord had lost the remainder of his mind, too, since his eight Death Eaters were killed by the Order members. How Severus wished the prominent faces of the Lestranges or Yaxley were among them. But unfortunately, most of them belonged to the New-Guard.
In the last four weeks, Severus had managed to prevent four attacks—three on Muggle England and one on a small settlement of Wizards near Warwickshire. But in turn, he had been a part of three raids that he could not manage to report the Order.
The house of a Ministry employee had been thoroughly ransacked and burned; three people working in Diagon Alley were killed; five wizards and witches in a small dwelling near the Forest of Dean were incarcerated as they were believed to be working for the Order of the Phoenix. Other than that, some summonings had included the Dark Lord questioning various other low level Ministry employees under Veritaserum and Cruciatus. Severus had been called to provide the potion.
The consequences of the Dark Lord's mood at four failed attacks were paid by Severus and his other accompanists. His body still had the lingering aches of the bouts of Cruciatus and the following muscle spasms. He felt he was on a constant dose of potions for various aches and pains.
His condition was only exacerbated by exasperating dunderheads of students who he had no inclination to teach and meddlesome colleagues who kept overburdening him with work. The Headmaster got on his nerves so badly that he often found himself counting to ten before responding to his saccharine, prying questions.
At that rate, he wondered who would be the first to die—Albus or Severus.
Then there was another pressing matter of Albus' worsening condition for which he had to keep brewing potions. Severus had had absolutely no time to keep an eye on Draco. Merlin only knew what the boy was upto. What plan he had to kill the Headmaster was still a very safely kept secret. Perhaps he, too, shall start keeping a colour coded planner like Granger carried.
Granger. Severus had spent the last four weeks true to his decision. He had maintained his distance from her. Every time he caught a glance of her, he found her staring at him with solicitude that greatly annoyed him. But he never confronted her, lest it open the Pandora's Box. The less she interacted with him, the less would she be inclined to 'care for him' to fulfil the atrocious term of the bond.
But a part of his mind could not deny the hollow that it created. Conversing with Granger either about a matter related to the war or on absolutely any subject had become more or less a part of his days. Perhaps because she was the only one he ever found so easy to talk to, coming out of his invisible boundaries of reservation.
Now when they worked in the Lab or sat in his office, mostly silence prevailed. Even her attempts to begin a conversation were rudely quashed by him.
He reached his quarters and shut the door behind himself. A few hours of rest would give him enough strength to tolerate the lunatic dark wizard for another meeting. That was if the faces of the three people they had killed in the last raids did not haunt his sleep.
UUUUUUU
Sealed on: March 25th, 1996
Hermione put the vial of Pepper-Up potion in the trash basket and moved to the next. All the Pepper-Ups in the batch were sealed on the same date. They were all expired. Madam Pomfrey did not believe in keeping the potions under Stasis Charm, so they expired by their natural time.
She noted Pepper-Up: 1 batch under the growing list of potions Severus was supposed to brew for the Hospital Wing. She sighed, he was already so overworked. But Hogwarts could not procure their potions from anywhere else. She wondered if he would let her help him...
She checked the batch of Skele-Gro and clicked her tongue. Another batch that he would have to brew. She checked the balms and salves and sighed in relief. They would be effective for another four months.
"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey called from outside. Hermione kept her clipboard and pen on one of the shelves and moved her Chair out of the storeroom.
"Please attend to your patient," the Medi-witch said, but with a small smile. She was showing more and more trust in Hermione's Healing skills as her training was progressing. She was allowed to treat her patients entirely on her own, provided the ailment was not acute.
"Yes, Ma'am," Hermione returned the smile.
The curtains around the first bed were drawn. She assumed the Medi-witch to have had a look at the patient. "May I enter?" She asked respectfully.
"I guess." It was a girl, younger to her, the voice suggested.
Hermione went inside and redrew the curtains closed. The girl sitting on the bed was a Ravenclaw, a Second year, if Hermione recalled correctly. "Hello."
The girl nodded. She seemed a bit annoyed.
"May I know your name?" Hermione picked up the parchment and quill kept on the bedside cabinet.
"Pia Vance," she replied.
Hermione noted her name to later add on to the girl's record. "Alright, Miss Vance. What seems to be the problem?" As Madam Pomfrey had often done, Hermione kept her voice polite, yet firm.
"I fell," she replied. "On the moving stairs."
"Oh, that can be fixed." Hermione noted. "Let me see."
Pia rose her robe to her thigh. Hermione noticed a bleeding wound on her right knee. The wound was not deep, but big enough to look grave.
"I'm sure this won't take long," Hermione said reassuringly. She withdrew her wand. "Now, Miss Vance, I'm going to clean the blood. You might feel a bit ticklish but that's the end of it. Alright?" Hermione noticed how her tone of voice changed when addressing a patient.
"I guess..."
"Just relax," Hermione smiled. Over the wound, Hermione waved her wand in the set motion and murmured the Charm. The blood on the wound vanished, leaving behind a gapping wound. "Here. Did it hurt?"
"No. Will this leave a scar?" Pia asked.
"No, it will not. Let me spread the salve over your knee and it'll be as good as new in no time," she told the younger girl.
Hermione summoned a bottle of salve from the storeroom. A light smearing of the Murtlap Essence would be enough.
"It'll burn," the girl whined.
"Murtlap doesn't burn, Dear," Hermione assured her.
"No, can you rather mix it with water?" She suggested. "Don't apply it directly."
"That can be managed, yes," Hermione said. Then, it clicked. Don't apply it directly. Yes! That was the fault she was making! She was trying to use her Healing Charm directly on a subject, while what she needed was a medium to make it effective! "Oh, my God! You're a genius!"
Pia looked at Hermione smugly. "Of course, I am. I'm a Ravenclaw."
Hermione laughed. She had been working for weeks thinking where she was missing the point. She had been busy finding faults in the equation, whereas she was overlooking such a simple detail.
As suggested by Pia, Hermione diluted the Murtlap Essence in not normal water, but distilled water, before applying it on her wound. Really, she reflected, one can pick ideas from literally anywhere.
It wouldn't take time to look for a medium. But the next challenge would be to convince Severus to use her remedy. But she was relieved that he would finally have a cure from his decades-long ailment.
UUUUUUU
"Are you certain, Severus?" Albus asked.
"No, Headmaster, I'm simply joking. I am so desperate to have a good laugh that I have started making scenarios in my head. Would you mind booking a bed at St. Mungo's for me?" Severus said monotonously.
Albus hesitated. "Right. Minerva, please ask Arthur to bring his family to the Headquarters for the time being."
"I'm not quite sure if the twins and Bill Weasley would leave their sites just like that," Minerva said. Her loose hair appeared rather comical to Severus, after watching her in her customary prim bun all his life.
"We must inform them, Minerva," Albus replied. "The twins and the eldest Weasley boy are mature enough to understand the gravity of the situation."
"I should Floo them, then," she decided and left her chair to make the fire-call.
Albus brought his attention back to Severus. Albus' purple nightcap featuring revolving planets were giving him a headache.
In the dead of the night, all Severus aspired for was his bed. As expected, the Dark Lord had, indeed, summoned him again. Thankfully, there had been no allotment of punishments today. He had been called to interrogate a womab who ran a brothel at the Knockturn Alley—one which Severus had frequented until his bonding with Granger. When the woman was deemed useless, Bellatrix had drawn her pleasure killing her. He did not visit the tenebrous nooks of Knockturn Alley anymore, for he felt as if it would be very unfair to Granger, now that the Infidelity Clause of the bond had constrained her life in bizarre ways. Of course, she would never know of his decision. She didn't need to know.
But Severus' visit did have merits, for while he was about to leave, Rabastan Lestrange had disclosed to him that the Weaseley house was on their list of targets.
"You are unwell, my boy," Albus assessed.
You're dying, Headmaster. "Your point?"
"You must visit Poppy," Albus advised. "Taking your health for granted will negatively affect the war."
The war. Wasn't everything about the blasted war? His choices, his health, his life—all was for and about the infernal war. But of course, who was Severus if not their spy? "I know my limits, Headmaster. Kindly don't assume that I care any less about the role that I have to play. Everyone is not like you."
That acerbic taunt sewed Albus' mouth. Severus glanced at Minerva. She was still on call. "When are you planning to inform your Deputy about the havoc that is going to wrecked on the Order."
"In good time," Albus simply said.
"Merlin knows when that'll be," Severus muttered.
They sat in strained silence until Minerva returned. "I have informed Arthur and Molly. They're leaving for the Headquarters immediately. They have requested not to inform young Mr. and Miss Weasley about it."
"Then, we shall not," Albus nodded. "What about their other children?"
"They will be accompanying them, including Miss Delacour," Minerva answered. "But, Severus, won't Riddle get suspicious if the Weasleys suddenly vacate the house, right after telling you about them being targets?"
"Rabastan was inebriated enough to not remember his way to his room, let alone remembering disclosing to me that the Weasleys are targeted," Severus said.
"Anything more than I should know?" Albus asked. "Did Tom ask about Miss Granger?"
"Not in depth," he replied, relieved that Granger's topic was not too frequently brought up by the Dark Lord. The last thing he wanted was to drag her to another summoning.
"Do you think he will call her anytime soon?" Albus inquired.
"I cannot say for certain, but I do not think so," Severus told him. "Although the Dark Lord expects Granger to live with Potter in the Christmas break, to keep an eye on him. As Granger cannot stay at the Grimmauld Place, owing to the bond, I have assured the Dark Lord that Potter would be staying at Hogwarts."
"Oh, I will inform Harry of that," Albus said.
"There will be no need to keep Potter locked up here. The Dark Lord will never find out the truth, anyway," Severus said. "All my Slytherins will be leaving for the Christmas break, including Draco."
"Are you certain, Severus?" The older man asked.
Severus scowled. "Quit asking me abrasive questions, Headmaster. I am not brainsick to put the entire subterfuge in jeopardy because 'I was not certain'."
"And what about Miss Granger?" Minerva asked.
"What about her?" Severus frowned.
"She, too, would want to spend her Christmas with her friends at Grimmauld Place," she said. "It would be a disgrace to make her stay at the castle all by herself when everyone else celebrates."
In all honesty, among the chaos, Severus had had no time to consider that aspect. "I am sure the bond would not react badly if she were to spend a day at the Headquarters."
"A day?" Minerva pursed her lips. "One day in the long break. Is that what you're suggesting, Severus?"
Severus rubbed his temples. Had it been upto him, he would have been the last person to restrain Granger from making her own choice... He, himself, despised the image of Granger spending Christmas alone. Though Severus hardly gave any credit to the festival, he was certain that it mattered very much to her, especially after hearing her nattering about what she was planning to pick from Hogsmeade to gift her friends. Not that he had listened to her for long before curtly cutting her off.
"Minerva," Albus spoke before Severus could, "Miss Granger is a wise young woman. She will understand the implications of risking everything only for the sake of a few days of holiday."
"Just because she is wise does not give us a right to expect extraordinary things out of her," Minerva spoke with vehemence.
"My Dear, there's nothing extraordinary about spending a Christmas break at the castle," Albus said calmly.
"But, Albus-"
"I shall take my leave," Severus got to his feet. "Not certain about you, but I have batches of dunderheads to teach in the morning, though I have no inclination to waste my time upon them." With that bit of retort, Severus excused himself out of the Headmaster's office.
If only he had a batch of potions already brewed for the Infirmary, Severus would have ended the day with no less than two pegs of Firewhiskey.
UUUUUUU
Sir,
I did not get a chance to inform you about visiting Hogsmeade today. I hope you don't mind postponing our meeting time to after dinner... I apologise for the inconvenience. If you're not agreeable, please send a note through Karly, I will accommodate.
-Hermione
Severus folded the note back. "Tell Miss Granger, it will be managed."
"Yes, Master Professor Snape Sir," the house-elf bowed and disapparated away.
Severus' hand automatically went to rub his worried temples in circular motion, to relieve stress. The next dose of potion was in order soon. Perhaps he should take Albus' word seriously and see Poppy. But he despised the woman fussing over him. He decided to wait until he could manage with his usual potions.
He looked at Granger's note. He counted it as an improvement that she was visiting the village with her peers. But that did not refrain him from recalling their last Hogsmeade visit. It seemed to be decades ago now.
Saturday, he sighed, he had a plethora of essays to grade. Almost unconsciously, his fingers began working on Granger's note, making creases and folding it in the desired manner.
Origami was quite a stress buster.
UUUUUUU
Hermione had been a little worried about taking her Chair through the crowded spaces at Hogsmeade. But after the initial hesitation, she found it pretty easy. Pedestrians around were co-operative enough. Madam Pomfrey had said that she could start walking from Monday, finally after almost two months of Gait Training. The Medi-witch had been against the idea of Hermione ambling through Hogsmeade and overexerting her legs.
"Where do you want to go first?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Honeydukes," he grinned. "I need a Butterbear, too."
"Fair enough," she agreed. Harry had to buy most of the Christmas presents from Honeydukes, she knew.
Hermione spotted Cho with her girlfriends coming out of the shop. Hermione elbowed Harry. "Looks like your intuition drew you here."
"God, Hermione, you're behaving like Ron," he muttered, embarrassed.
"So you don't miss him," she chuckled.
They entered the shop with Harry hiding his face from his former crush. Honeydukes was filled to the brim, as always. Almost each table was occupied by enthusiastic students. A huge Christmas tree stood decorated in the middle, loaded with sweets. Some kids, probably the residents of the village, were watching the tree with mouthwatering fascination.
"Wait, I'll go and buy," Harry said, eyeing the queue at the counter.
The sweet smell of chocolate and candies permeated the space. Honeydukes had a fragrance of impish joy that reminded Hermione strongly of their outings as children. In her nostalgia, Hermione missed Ron a little too much.
She glanced around in the hope of spotting him, though he would be with Lavender... Among the nattering faces, Hermione could not find her red-head friend. She sighed.
"Here," Harry handed her a bottle of Butterbear.
"Um... Ron didn't come to Hogsmeade?" She asked with hesitation.
"He did," Harry replied simply. "Let's go and buy some gifts. Come."
Hermione decided to buy a mixed bag of Honeyduke candies for Ron. He adored food and especially sweets. She also bought a box of Chocolate Frogs for Harry to gift with other goodies. Ginny, Hermione decided, would not appreciate sweets or anything edible. She already had in mind exactly what to buy for Karly. The only one left was Severus. Though she knew what she wanted to buy for him, she wondered if he would even appreciate a present.
Well, if he doesn't like the idea, his scowl will always tell me. She chuckled to herself.
At the end, she also bought a pack of sugar-free candies for herself. That was a taste her parents had instilled in her, Dentists as they were. Hermione had bern all too aware of the 'monster called Cavity', from a very young age.
She gave her purchases to Harry who went and stood in the long queue for payment, while she leisurely enjoyed her Butterbear in a corner. That resulted in a very grouchy Harry to leave the shop.
"Where next?" She asked.
"I have to buy something for Ginny," he said, his face turning red. "Er... I actually need your help..."
"Of course," she grinned.
They made their way to Madam Pennyworth's. The lady who ran the store was dressed in exquisite red robes and elegant accessories. She seemed to be dressed in a Christmas theme. Her manicured nails were painted in a shade of red darker than her robe. What Hermione really admired, though, was the witch's straight hair that was achieved by a hair-care product. The shop had a variety of collection of robes and jewellery. One side of the shop was dedicated to Wizarding cosmetics and perfumes.
"Er...okay..." Harry was gawking around, bewildered, at a complete loss.
"What does Ginny like?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know... Everything?" He winced.
"Really, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Does she like cosmetics?"
"Does she?" He mumbled to himself. "I've never seen her wearing any..."
"What's her favourite colour?" She asked.
"Yellow," he replied. "Yellow looks really good on her..."
"What is her fav- Never mind," she shook her head. "Come." Hermione led him to a section of bags and purses in literally all shapes, colours and sizes. "Choose something from here."
"Are you sure she wants a bag?" Harry ran a hand through his hair.
"Trust me, Harry, girls never have enough bags," Hermione snorted.
"Okay," he sounded confused. "Which one?"
"God, Harry, use some imagination!" She huffed and left him to explore. Meanwhile, Hermione bought a cologne for Ginny. Hermione assumed the other girl to like a strong fragrance, something that Mrs. Weasley wore.
"This?" Harry called. He was carrying a mustard handbag, made of dragon-hide. Hideous. Hermione glanced at the shopkeeper and changed her word of description for the bag. "What exactly attracts you to it?"
He again looked confused. "It's dragon-hide..."
"So?"
"So...won't she like it?"
"Choose something handy," she rolled her eyes, sounding every bit her bossy self she was notorious for. "This bag is huge. And the material makes it rigid. Choose one with an Extendable Charm. You can do better."
It took Harry another fifteen minutes to choose a rose pink bag for Ginny. The bag looked spacious enough with several zips and easy to carry with its light weight.
"It wasn't that tough," Hermione quipped.
"I still don't understand the problem with the yellow one," he muttered.
"Mustard," she corrected. Boys!
They exited, a blob of fresh snow fell on Hermione's shoulder. "Look!" Snow always perked up her spirits.
"Great!" He grinned, holding out his hand to catch a blob.
"I can't wait to see Hogwarts tomorrow morning!" The grounds would be covered in lovely, white snow that would reach their shins. Hermione smiled at recalling the feeling of snow between her hands.
Next, they visited a nursery. Hermione bought a plant to gift Karly. As it was in the tiny house-elf's nature to care and nurture, a plant seemed to be the most apt gift for her. Later, they visited Zonko's, Harry had presents to buy from the joke shop. The throng of people, unfortunately, kept Hermione mostly at the back while Harry chose from the vast catalogue.
"What next?" Harry asked.
"I'm going to a bookstore," Hermione told him.
Harry's face fell. "Hermione-"
"Why don't you go and see some Quidditch shops around?" She suggested.
"Good idea!" Harry liked to stay away from anywhere he could touch books.
They walked to a branch of Flourish and Blotts. Harry left her in the store to go around some shops of his choice. On her part, Hermione could happily spend hours at the bookstore.
Hermione went through the aisles at her own leisure. The store was much less crowded, hence giving her enough space to move. She chose a book on Advanced Flora and Fauna for Neville. With a little more thought, she bought a book on Interesting Magical Creatures for Luna. Hermione hoped they like their reads. Hermione decided to purchase a book of Advanced Defences and Methods to Combat the Dark Arts. The book would be appreciated by Harry unlike the other plethora she had gifted him earlier, considering his interest in the subject. For Madam Pomfrey, she bought a Christmas card, in order to keep it professional. She chose another couple of cards, the most Muggle versions she could find, to send to Mrs. Frost and Mr. Mallard.
She wanted to gift something to Professor McGonagall. too, as a token of appreciation for all her support in the last six months. She went around searching for the right book. Her Professor must have read every volume on Transfiguration and Anumagus.
Hermione checked her watch—she had spent a good part of an hour in the shop, reading prefaces of books and choosing only a handful out of the slew she went through.
Hermione went to the Crafts Section of the shop. Wizarding craft items were held in stock. Paints, brushes of different hair and sizes, parchments, quills, inkwells, she could find literally anything there. She eventually chose an elegant set of quills for her Head of House.
She went around the section to find a present for Severus, one that was already on her mind. As expected, she found it pretty quickly. She sniggered to herself imagining his response on unwrapping his gift.
Before going to the billing counter, Hermione picked up a book on Quidditch Tactics for Ron. She wondered if he would even unwrap her gifts in the first place...
She got her purchases billed and packed. She shrunk the items to fit her pockets with ease. Saying a Merry Christmas to the shopkeeper—who strongly reminded Hermione of Mr. Mallard—she made her way out to look for Harry.
Harry, it turned out, was waiting for her outside the store. "The books don't bite, you know, Harry."
"I remember one actually did bite me," he joked, referring to the the Monster Book of Monsters.
Hermione shook her head. "Where are we headed now?"
"Er...come, let's see," he shrugged. Hermione found something suspicious in the way he said it. Yet, she followed his lead.
The snowfall was more prominent now. The sky was turning into a darker grey, covered in clouds. But pedestrians were still enjoying themselves in the open. Hermione was glad to be wearing her woollen robes, Gryffindor muffler and comfy gloves. She craved for a mug of hot chocolate with cream that her father used to make. Their solicitor, Mr. Andrews, had yet to reply. Hermione had weaved a story of her parents' demise while returning from Australia. To a friend to her parents, it must have come as a shock.
They stopped outside Madam Puddifoot's. Hermione frowned, "Out of everywhere, we go here?"
"Well, not exactly here," he said. "Come." Instead of entering the tea shop, Harry led her to the alley that ran adjacent to the building. It was as if everything silenced in the alley, the cheery commotion from the village was reduced to a distant murmur of disembodied voices.
The alley opened onto an empty street. Hermione had never been to that part of the village. "Why are we here?" Hermione asked.
Her question was answered when she spotted Ron standing, leaning against a bricked wall, probably the backside of an abandoned building. His face screamed discomfort.
"Really, Harry!" She huffed irritably. If she was happy to see her friend, she didn't let it show on her face.
"That's why you called me here?" Ron huffed.
She looked at Harry with a scowl. He shrugged.
"That's really kiddish, Mate," Ron straightened up.
"Whoa, I'm being kiddish?" Harry raised both eyebrows. "And you two are what? Behaving like adults, eh?"
Hermione looked at Ron. He was visibly reluctant to talk. "I'm leaving," she declared.
"No, you're not," Harry stated. "And neither is he. You will talk this out."
"It's between us, Harry, we'll handle it," Ron declared.
"Then handle it, damn it!" Harry hardly kept from shouting. "Between you two, I'm pissed! Stop behaving like children and sort this out. We're in the middle of a fucking war and you two behave as if we're still Firties."
"Well, I wasn't the one who lost my temper!" Ron spat.
"Yes, you only lost control of your tongue," Hermione countered.
"I didn't say anything wrong that day!"
"You're ridiculous, Ron!"
"Then why're you here talking to me?"
"I didn't know you were here, or I wouldn't have come!"
"You can go away now!"
"Guys! Shut up!" Harry clenched his fists in frustration. "You are both ridiculous. None of us is leaving until you talk like adults."
"What am I even supposed to say to him?" Hermione huffed. "He doesn't talk sense."
"Yeah, 'cause only Snape talks sense, eh?" Ron taunted.
"You're still annoyed over my coming to the meeting with him?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Why would you be?"
"Because he's Snape!"
"And?" Hermione raised a brow, unconsciously doing an impression of the same person they were arguing over.
"That you chose Snape over me!" He blurted out.
Ron's statement was followed by silence. It was Harry who spoke first, because Hermione was struck dumbfounded, looking for an apt retort to Ron's foolish accusation.
"Ron," Harry said, "That's the dumbest I've ever heard you being."
"Yeah, that's why I didn't want to 'talk it out'," he folded his arms in a defensive posture.
"She was pissed with Remus, that's why she came with Snape, you idiot," Harry spoke in an angry whisper.
"I am not dragging this anymore," Hermione muttered. "Think whatever you want to, Ron. I'm leaving."
"No, you're not!" Ron stepped forward. "Know what? To hell with Snape. That's not even the issue here. It's you, Hermione."
"I?" She pursed her lips.
"Yes," his voice lowered an octave, "You've changed, Hermione."
"Oh, really? How so?" She picked up a sarcastic tone.
"You don't discuss things with me anymore, you hardly give us time," he said. "If you were pissed with Remus, you should have talked 'bout it. In fact, I hardly see you anymore."
"Ron," she sighed. He sounded so disappointed. "I hardly get any time between classes, assignments, my shifts at Hospital Wing, my private research work-"
"See, she has a private research going on and we have no idea," he looked away.
"It's just a Healing Charm I'm working on. You wouldn't have shown interest," she reasoned.
"When have I ever shown interest in your researches, but you still used to grill us," he countered. "That's just who we are. It's as if...you aren't there anymore."
"But I'm here for you,"
she whispered.
"Doesn't seem so."
Now that she thought of it in retrospect, she realised how much she had kept hidden from Ron. If he felt she was changed, he was right in assuming so. She had changed, because her life had changed so dramatically since last six months, but he had no idea about the most of it.
"Maybe I am at fault here, Ron, but exactly how approachable have you been in the last few months?" She said. "Whenever we talk, you end up saying something that is so inherently wrong that we eventually fight over it. I didn't want to rake up the old issues, but you tell me if I'm wrong."
"Yeah, fine, I agree I say things that are...dumb...but you know me, Hermione. I'm like that," he finished in a small voice. "I end up saying things wrongly..."
"You're not a child anymore," she said. "You have to think before you speak. You have to think about what your words do to other person."
They fell silent. Hermione noticed Harry was trying to catch a falling fleck of snow, looking bored. He was quite used to Ron and her altercations, and it made her realise how often they were caught in an argument these days. She couldn't afford to lose Ron, ever. He was a dear friend, her best friend.
"Ron-"
"What the hell are they doing here!"
All three of them rolled their eyes at hearing Goyle.
"What are Potter and friends doing in the shady alley?" Malfoy snorted derisively.
"Shove off, Malfoy!" Ron and Harry spoke in unison.
Hermione huffed irritably—the last thing she needed was to deal with Malfoy right now. The huff apparently earned her some attention. "Why, Mudblood, did we interrupt a threesome?" Crabbe smirked.
Harry and Ron came to stand beside her defensively. "Shut the fuck up, you filthy, little shit!" Ron burst with anger.
Malfoy's hand flew to grab his wand.
"Were I you, Malfoy, I would keep my mouth shut. Or did you forget what happened last time?" Hermione deliberately ran a finger on her lips. She could see exactly when the recollection of his sewed lips hit him, for his face lost colour.
"I'll kill you for this!" Malfoy spat.
"I'm shaking with fright," Harry snorted. Ron clapped a hand on his back.
"You will, Potter," he sneered. "Wait and watch."
"Why, Malfoy, your father's gonna hear 'bout this or what?" Ron laughed.
"Hope they let you send letters to Azkaban," Harry commented.
Even Hermione couldn't suppress the snort. Malfoy eyed her directly. Loathe dripped from his eyes. But she knew Malfoy wouldn't dare to cross the line for the fear of being punished by Voldemort. After all, she had convincingly led him into believing how important she was to his Lord.
"You're going to be in deep trouble," Malfoy's sneer twisted to smirk. His eye glinted wickedly.
"Yeah? How fascinating. Now, get lost!" Harry flexed his fingers dismissively in a gesture to wave him away.
With a nasty glare at them, which lingered longer on Hermione, Malfoy stalked away. His cronies followed after their leader. Hermione couldn't shrug off the feeling that Malfoy would stand on his word.
"Moron," Harry muttered under his breath. "Some people never grow up."
"What happened last time?" Ron asked Hermione.
"Um... Remember what happened in class?" She bit her lip, hoping to sound convincing enough.
Ron furrowed his brows. "What happened?"
"She disarmed Malfoy and his bodyguards," Harry told him.
"Oh, yes, that was a sight! What a prat. I'm shocked how his father's still in Azkaban, though."
"Seems like his family lost privilege with Voldemort," Harry said.
Hermione shook her head. Severus had still to figure out how he was going to deceive the Unbreakable Vow that Narcissa Malfoy had forced him into. Malfoy seemed determined on his quest to harm Professor Dumbledore.
They had so much to figure out-
"Hermione?"
She snapped out of her stupor. "I was thinking..."
"Relax, Malfoy just has a big mouth," Ron said dismissively. "Er... Can we resume this argument someplace where we can eat something?"
Harry laughed. Hermione shook her head, "We don't have to resume this argument, Ron. Unless, you think we're arriving at some point."
"Look, I told you what I think and I...accept that I sometimes- Fine, that I mostly speak without thinking..." He blushed. "I've always been that way, Hermione... It's wrong and all, but..." He glanced at Harry. They shared a silent word.
"I'll take a walk," Harry quickly said. Hermione watched him walk away to the end of the street that was enclosed with a bricked wall, to give them privacy.
"Hermione," Ron said more quietly, "Can you...give me another chance?"
"Chance?" She was confused.
"Yeah, like," he looked ill at ease, "Us." He gestured between himself and Hermione.
Hermione's eyes widened on their own accord. She had not expected Ron to be quite so obvious in his implication. It was a proposal coming from Ron. Hermione glanced at Harry, his back was turned. What was she even going to say to Ron now!
"Lavender!" She breathed out. "Lavender really likes you-"
"C'mon, Hermione, it was just a fling," he scratched the back of his neck in nervousness. "Look, Lavender's just-"
"I think we should take more time," she announced.
His face fell. "You're still mad at me, aren't you?"
"No. No, it's not like that," she clarified. "I genuinely think we should think over it again."
"I've thought quite a bit, 'pecially in the last few days," he admitted. Ron looked around before stepping closer to her, "I promise I can be a better person for you."
"Ron," she unconsciously backed her Chair a step, "I don't want you to change for me. Change only when you realise where you're going wrong."
"I know I've been wrong," he was too agreeable suddenly. "But I want to, y'know, be better."
Hermione's fate, she reflected, had some bitter grudges against her that those unresolvable problems were being thrown at her way with every new step. For so many years she had waited for Ron to approach her. Now when he was finally there, she was bereft of a choice.
She suddenly imagined the dead weight of the band on her finger crushing her soul painfully. Oh, how she wanted to accept Ron... But fate had left her miserable, so miserable. Stuck in an ugly dilemma, Hermione had nary a clue how to dissuade Ron.
Should she ask for time? And then what? Hype his expectations and crush them?! Telling him about the bond would be akin to calling on a catastrophe. She did not have the heart to bluntly decline his proposal. Would her refusal spike their friendship, too?
Sensing the tension, Harry turned to them. "What's going on?"
Ron was still eyeing Hermione intently. The weight of his expectant gaze was weighing on her heavily.
"Er... Should I leave or what?" Harry looked from Ron to Hermione in question.
Before she could reply, Ron spoke, "Yeah, Mate. We'll meet you at Three Broomsticks."
"Okay," he shrugged a little awkwardly.
Hermione averted her eyes to Harry and silently pled him to stay. But he seemed not to be paying attention to her. Eyeing Ron again, Hermione listened to the crunching gravel beneath Harry's retreating footsteps.
Now alone with Ron and the proposal hanging thickly between them, Hermione felt like squirming. Oh, how she wished it to have happened only a year ago!
"Hermione?"
The apprehension in his eyes hurt her heart. He was genuine in his approach. Hermione sighed inwardly at the absurdity of it all.
When had she failed at giving Ron a hint that she could not reciprocate his feelings? The last thing she wanted was to subject Ron to the same misery she was subjected to. She was doomed to a life without love. But Ron deserved a life partner at his side, not wait for Hermione for an eternity.
"Ron..." Words fell short in her throat. Worrying her lips between her teeth in agitation, she tried to bring herself to speak something. "I don't know-"
"Harry?"
Hermione looked back. From a distance, she saw Harry running towards them. Hermione could make out the rush by his scrunched up face. He had his wand in hand, held in a tight fist.
"Death Eaters!" He cried as he came into earshot.
"Fuck!" Ron cursed.
"Where?" Hermione immediately pulled her wand out.
"In the alley!" He cried in panic.
"Did they see you?" Ron asked.
"Maybe. I don't know."
"We need to go!" Hermione announced. "Keep your wands in hand."
"How'll we go?" Harry frowned.
Hermione glanced at the bricked wall at the end of the street. "God." She looked back at the other side. The only other way out was through the alley. "Is there an attack?"
"I don't think so," Harry replied. "I only saw two."
Hermione bit her lip, contemplating. It would be too risky to confront the Death Eaters, even if there were only two. Perhaps there were more, they couldn't take a chance. Also, if a Death Eater saw Hermione, she would be bound not to raise a wand at him, to keep their subterfuge intact. "We need to be here. At least, we're hidden."
"But what if they come here!" Harry took a step towards the opening to the alley.
Hermione caught his arm. "I don't think they'll come to look here."
"Harry, do you have your cloak?" Ron asked.
"No," he shook his head. "Shit! I should have carried it! Dumbledore told me to keep it with myself all the time!"
"Let's use a Disillusionment Charm," Ron suggested.
"No, our bodies will sparkle too much in the daylight," Hermione objected. "It'll be useless."
"So what do we do?"
Hermione felt the burden on herself. Both boys were expecting her to find a way and not for the first time. She looked around. There was nowhere they could go. They couldn't Apparate, either. "All we can do is stay here and wait for help to come. Let me send a Patronus-"
A sharp crack of Apparition resounded from the alley. The three friends stilled in shock for a moment. Ron took out his wand. "I guess it's action time."
"It's just one," Harry said. "We'll handle it."
"Oh, God," Hermione muttered under her breath. She could not be spotted helping Harry fighting a Death Eater if he was sent by Voldemort to capture Harry. It would ruin their entire subterfuge.
But what followed was a series of cracks. At the same time, no less than six people Apparated in the alley, most probably all Death Eaters. Against her rising panic, Hermione heard Ron and Harry cursing. "Run!" She found herself ordering.
The three of them turned to run towards the brick wall. There was nowhere they could go. The street was an open ground where they could be hunted with ease. Hermione moved her Chair with all the force it was capable of. Beside her, her two friends ran at par with her.
They reached the wall and looked at each other, caught at a loss. They could hear the bunch of footsteps coming from the alley, crushing the gravel and dry leaves.
"Ron," Hermione spoke in a commanding tone, "Cast a strong Disillusionment on us. Harry, be ready with your wand. We can't afford to let them know you're here."
In a matter of seconds, Ron had all three of them mostly invisible to the naked eye, except the telltale sparkle of their forms that was shining in the light.
Hermione watched with squirming agitation as the first masked figure entered the street. His Death Eater mask cringed Hermione with unease. Behind them, another tall figure appeared. All in all, six Death Eaters entered the street, all carrying wands.
Hermione's hand automatically went to rub the invisible band on her finger. In her panic, she sent numerous signals Severus' way. She had no idea how he would interpret her signal or how he would find them. Please, Severus.
"Somebody's there!" One of them shrieked. Hermione watched with horror as all six of them turned to face their Disillusioned forms.
"Must be Potter!" Another man shrieked. Their wands rose in unison.
"Reducto!" Harry yelled. With the power of his magic, the abandoned building collapsed before them onto the street covered with a sheen layer of the falling snow, creating a barrier of debris and bricks between the two sides.
"Show us who's there!" One of them demanded. "Stupefy!"
Hermione channelised all her power into conjuring up a Non-verbal Protego Shield to cover themselves. The spell met with her Shield and died.
"Protego!" Beside her, Ron and Harry, too, conjured their Shields.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
"Incindio!"
"Crucio!"
"Shit!" Ron's Shield was faltering dangerously on being confronted with the Crucio.
"Don't let it down, Ron!" Hermione yelled.
A shower of curses were sent their way, some so dark that they sent jolts through her Shield. She could feel Severus sending her signals, her fingers felt the vibrations. But she could not manage to send a reply.
"I'm slipping," Harry whispered.
Hermione channelised more magic into her Shield to extend her Shield in order to cover both of her friends. "Harry, Ron, cast an Incindio! I'll give you cover."
Quick and smooth, Harry let his Shield drop. "INCINDIO!" He shouted. The green light from his wand stuck the barrier of debris and set fire to it. The Death Eaters were forced to retreat a step. Thick smoke and dust rose from the fire into the darkening sky.
"Expelliarm-" Ron's attempt at the Disarmament broke with a cough from the smoke.
Hermione could feel her Shield slipping, too. She was tiring. Her hand holding the wand was shaking.
"Expelliarmus!" A spark of red penetrated her Shield and hit Ron, taking his wand away.
"FUCK!" He cursed.
"Oh, God! Oh, God!" Hermione could see what was coming. They were confronted by six Death Eaters, having decades more experience than them. One of the three of them was disarmed. There was no help coming!
If they caught hold of Harry...
In front of Hermione's eyes, a Non-verbal completely destroyed her Shield, leaving them horribly exposed.
"NO!"
UUUUUUU
Extremely disappointing and utterly indecipherable. See me. Severus scribbled the remark on yet another essay of a Sixth year Hufflepuff. In the red ink, he scribbled a T and encircled it.
If Potions is beyond their skulls, why do they even choose to admit themselves!
That was the reason Severus did not allow any student below an O in their OWLs to sit in his class. But Horace had been entirely too generous, and now Severus was bound to struggle with the birdbrained idiots! If only it was upto him, he would throw each student showing a sign of doltishness out of his class—manually.
He irritably threw the essay on top of the stack. Fifteen years and he could still not bring himself to like teaching. He despised the profession he was forced to choose. All Albus' doing.
And those daft students got unnecessary weekends to entertain themselves. While Severus sat in his freezing office and graded. With a exasperated huff, Severus cast another Warming Charm on the room. The fire did nothing to help the cold in the dungeons.
He picked up another essay. Reading the very first line, he felt like making an origami of the infernal parchment before throwing it into the fire. Severus begrudgingly began correcting the paper with his quill.
His movements paused on receiving a series of signals from Granger. Severus frowned. The signals were in such quick succession that he couldn't even count. But he was certain they had never established anything such.
By mistake, perhaps? But Granger had never sent a signal by mistake earlier. But wasn't she at Hogsmeade?
A thought crossed his mind, rising anxiousness—did she mean to send three signals? Could something have happened to upset her so? The possibilities were slim, though. Granger would never, even in desperation, risk meeting Severus in public, at Hogsmeade.
Perhaps she had returned to the castle?
"Severus!" Albus' voice cane from his fireplace. "Come to my office. Immediately!" The terror in his voice was evident.
Pushing his chair away, Severus rushed to the Floo. He did not waste time in inquiries but stepped through to the Headmaster's office. Minerva was already present, her face grey.
"What is the unfortunate news?" Severus' voice grew steely.
Albus' eyes narrated his horror from behind the half-moon spectacles. Severus' eyes travelled to the gloved hand, but the old Headmaster appeared heathy enough.
"Hogsmeade is attacked."
A/N: Please leave a review.