Chapter 10
"But I… I love it when you sing to me" – Peter Gabriel
It was late Friday night, about a week before Halloween, when Severus' floo flared to life. The green light cast across his face as he glared into the fire, trying to will away the person who dared disturb his peaceful evening. "Severus, please accompany me in my office. I need a favor from you." Called the unmistakable voice of the headmaster. Severus sighed and put his book down then stepped into the fire, he held his breath as he slid into the Headmaster's office to avoid getting soot into his lungs. He brushed his robes off and sat down in front of the old man. "Severus, lemon drop?" Albus said, gesturing to the bowl of muggle sweets. Severus shook his head, "Naturally." Albus said while nodding. "Why did you call me?" Severus asked.
"Poppy has requested time off. Her sister is quite ill in St. Mungo's."
"And?"
"I need someone to take care of the infirmary while she's away"
"No. Absolutely not."
"Severus, there's no one else certified to take the position."
"No, no. What about my classes?"
"I've called Horace in."
"So I basically have no say in this decision."
"I really need the help, Severus."
"Fine. I'll do it."
"You'll have enough help so you should just fine."
"Help? Who's going to help me?"
"Well, Poppy's apprentice of course."
Severus immediately groaned and threw his head back, "Granger? Really?" He said in exasperation. "I'm not teaching her anything."
"Do you really think you'll need to?" Dumbledore asked
Severus just glared at the old man.
"According to Poppy she's excellent at what she does." Dumbledore said with a small smile
"Of course she is. It's Granger. She's probably read every healing book in Hogwarts by now." Severus huffed. "Am I starting tonight?" He asked.
"Horace is already here."
Severus sighed and agreed. He exited the Headmaster's office and made his way towards the Infirmary. He pushed the large oak doors open and was greeted by an empty infirmary. Well almost empty. Across the room, Hermione was sitting on the floor with her legs tucked under her. She was taking inventory of the potions stores. Severus walked up behind her and loomed over her slightly. She just glanced up at him. His eye's narrowed as Hermione smiled at him.
"Oh hello professor. I'm just taking stock of our potions. I know we're running low on our stitching salves so I decided to see what else we might need." She said to cheerfully. "I made you a list." Severus snatched the piece of parchment from her hand and reads it quickly. He'd be able to get them done quickly, especially if he didn't have classes to teach for the next few days. "I'll get to these when I have the time." He told her. "Ok, we have enough to last us for a few more days anyway." Hermione said as she stood up. She cast a quick time charm. It read 5:30 PM. She sighed slightly. Severus then remembered that there was a Quidditch game tonight. Slytherin and Hufflepuff. "We'll have work to do in about an hour or so." Hermione told him.
"Why do you say that?" He asked her.
"We always have work to do after Hufflepuff and Slytherin play each other."
Severus swelled slightly with anger. "Are you saying that you believe Slytherin causes harm to the other players every game?"
"They do." She said as she made up some beds, the next thing she said shocked Severus into silence. "It's not their fault though. Slytherin's beaters are just really good at aiming. And Hufflepuff players aren't very good at dodging." She told him. "You don't think it's their fault?" He asked her skeptically. "No. I don't." She said turning to look at him. "That's not a very Gryffindor thing to say." He sneered at her. "In here, I'm not a Gryffindor. I'm just Hermione. In here we can't choose one House over another, we can't decide not to treat someone because they're from another House, because they have a different personality than us." She told him as she continued to change the bed sheets. He looked at her curiously. "You would treat the 'Evil house' before your own?" Severus asked her, sarcasm leaving his voice slightly. She stopped and took a deep breath, "Before he died, Sirius told Harry something that I think, we should all take to heart." She stopped talking and Severus was relatively intrigued. Hermione was considered the Gryffindor Princess. Severus never thought he would hear this from her. "He said that 'We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.' I believe that. There's good in every Slytherin." Hermione made the last bed and turned around to face Severus. He had an odd look on his face. He shook his head and went into Poppy's office and shut the door.
An hour later the Hufflepuff team came into the Infirmary with three injured players. A broken arm, a bloody head, and some cracked ribs. Hermione made quick work of the cracked ribs and broken arm. They were easy enough. The head wound would take longer, she had to clean the blood away and slowly heal the skull to avoid severe pain.
Severus heard voices outside so he poked his head out of the office and saw Hermione standing next to a bed, cleaning a Hufflepuff's head. She was talking softly to him, and every so often the boy would laugh a little then cringe. Hermione was doing just fine by herself so Severus decided to continue watching the two students. After a few minutes the Infirmary doors opened and Blaise Zabini walked in, still in his Quidditch uniform. Severus didn't know what he expected but it definitely wasn't for Blaise to walk in and sit on the bed next to Hermione and the young Hufflepuff. "So kid," Blaise said "Harper would've come down too but he took a bludger hit and decided to rest instead." The kid just nodded.
"Does he need to be looked at?" Hermione asked
"Nah, it's a just a bruise. He'll live." Blaise told her.
The three students continued to talk live they weren't from three different houses. Hermione finished up with the boys head and sent him on his way. Blaise hung around for a little while longer before heading back to the dungeons.
Severus stepped out from the doorway finally and walked over to her. "Ms. Granger." He said curtly. Hermione jumped slightly.
"Yes sir?"
"Do Blaise and Harper always stop buy after games?"
"If one of the Hufflepuffs are injured."
"Why?"
"Hufflepuffs and Slytherins get along well. Because Hufflepuffs are willing to friends with them no matter what."
"Really?"
"Mhm"
The last statement was followed by a yawn from Hermione. "You should head back to your Tower." Severus told her. "No. I stay late. Just in case I'm needed." She told him. "That's unnecessary." He told her. "I'm staying. I always stay." She said defiantly. Severus gave up on the argument and walked away. If the little chit wanted to stay, she could. It was no skin off his back.
Only a few other people came into the Infirmary the rest of the night, all needed something small. After it quieted down for a while, Severus exited the office again. He noticed that there was someone on one of the beds. He walked over to see who it was, only to find Hermione, completely asleep. Despite himself, he smiled slightly and pulled the cover over her. For a brief moment she snuggled into the bed. Severus shook his head and sat down on the chair in the corner of the room. He too, soon fell asleep.
A/N So readers, here's a funny story. While writing this pain in the ass of a chapter, I broke my dad's truck. The drive shaft legit fell off and punched a hole into the rear axle. So yeah. That happened. Also I'm sick. But i made this for you guys! Plix reveiw *hearts*