A/N Hello Lovelies. Wanted to get another chapter out for you. Unbeta'd. I would love to know what you think and what you think might happen next! Enjoy
Harry could feel Hermione's magic as it suffused the room. For the first time Harry felt his chest throb with rage, rage that he didn't understand. Part of him was screaming to send a real curse at the Potions Master and claim Hermione. The dark thought startled Harry. He looked away from Professor Snape as he spoke softly to Hermione. Closing his eyes, Harry took the time to figure out what the rage was about besides the obvious jealousy. It was then that he realized he had felt the bond between him and Hermione for the first time. When he opened his eyes he still had a strong urge to pull the Gryffindor woman into his embrace so that Snape couldn't touch her anymore.
Can bonds clash? Compete? Why is this the first time I felt it? Harry was roused from his thoughts when Dumbledore's steely voice filled the silence.
"Miss Granger, I suggest you take a seat and refrain from being anymore of a distraction. You have already 'helped' enough. Spare us any more of it, as generous as you have been," The Headmaster was upset but was holding it in. Harry thought for a moment that he would continue to lecture Hermione, but then his visage melted back into the pleasant old man right before his eyes, "Tonks, please refrain from sending hexes across the table, wouldn't want to hit anyone you didn't intend to."
The doubt that had been developing concerning the Headmaster mounted everyday, it seemed. Harry vowed then that he would keep the bond between him and Hermione a secret. There was a distinct feeling that the bond would be used against them, whether by the Headmaster or Voldemort remained to be seen.
Dumbledore continues the meeting, asking about Ministry affairs, safe houses, and the 'project' that he and the headmaster were working on.
"Albus, do you truly think it wise to leave this project in the hands of Potter? While you say you are guiding him in that regard, you also have obligations to the school and the Wizengamot. With the Dark Lord growing his ranks and the increase in attack on muggles and muggleborns, would it not be preferable to 'get on with it' and have others assist the boy on whatever mission you have him on?" Snape was looking pointedly at the Headmaster. Harry couldn't argue with the man's logic. The Horcruxes were still a mystery, especially after the last one had turned out fake. While he and Hermione had some suspicions they could only do so much as students. Harry turned to the other end of the table and was taken aback by the anger he could see in the Headmaster's eyes. But the look melted away to be replaced by an empty smile.
"Harry may share with whoever he wishes, but he has been strongly advised to work with those closest to him. After all, the information is sensitive and we no longer have the upper hand of having the right hand of Tom as our spy," Dumbledore's answer was clearly meant to remind Snape that he had lost some of his usefulness as well as the lack of trust most of the Order still had in him. The headmaster tilted his head and smiled, "Speaking of spies. Though not as high ranking as you were, Severus, he has proven his worthiness by warning us of the removal of the Slytherin students. We can only hope he will not lose his standing, as others have, any time soon."
The doors to the Great Hall opened only enough for a figure in a black hooded cloak to come into the room. The nod Dumbledore sent the figure's way assuaged the immediate rise in tension brought upon by this mystery guest. Lucius Malfoy walked up to the table, next to Snape before dropping his hood and bowing slightly to the table. It seemed most of those in attendance either already knew or had suspected as much.
"Lucius," Snape greeted the blond man before conjuring a chair so that he may join him at the head of the table.
"Severus," Lucius nodded in reply, though he paused to take a good look at the former Death Eater. "Freedom has done you well, it seems. I could not have predicted how well."
"Lucius, welcome. What news do you bring us?" Dumbledore continued the meeting.
"Albus, wait, before we move on, " The Scottish woman interrupted, "I must agree with Severus. Whatever mission you've entrusted with Mister Potter and by extension Miss Granger and Mister Weasley, can only be harrowing. Would it not be wiser to have someone else in the Order front the mission, or at least aid with anything they may need from outside the castle? You would entrust the most information to these young people who have only truly been allowed in the Order this year?"
"Oh, Albus please, you can't just let them fight on their own? Who knows what you've got them doing? They are still only children," Mrs. Weasley interjected, wringing her hands, "Maybe Charlie or Bill can assist them?"
"I'd be more than happy to lend a hand. I'm sure there's resources in the Auror Division that could help with whatever they are doing," Tonks remarked.
"What about it Harry? He said you could tell who you want about it to get some help. I'd be more than willing to help as would all of us." Sirius smiled at Harry, looking sincere.
While he wanted to tell everyone about the horcruxes he knew it had to be kept to a select few. Harry knew that it was his mission by default, as the Chosen One, but sharing the burden with only Ron and Hermione hadn't helped them progress much. Harry glanced at Dumbledore who looked like he was going to speak only for a voice at the other end to sound instead.
"No. I have to agree with the Headmaster. The delicate information should be only shared to those absolutely necessary. If it can truly weaken You-Know-Who, the less people that can give that information away the better." Hermione said, surprising Harry.
"So far those few people include you, Potter, the youngest Weasley, and the Headmaster. We are to be made to believe that a group of students will be able to succeed?" Snape scoffed at Hermione, but she remained unfazed.
"Thank you, Miss Granger. The mission is theirs to achieve, we will aid by making sure the road ahead is clear for them. That means Hogwarts must remain secure. I expect that if you are approached by Harry or his friends for assistance in the matter, you do your best to assist without asking questions unless absolutely necessary. This could turn the tides of war, or kill us all if Tom ever discovers them." Dumbledore once more unsettled Harry. "Let us continue this meeting as scheduled."
Dumbledore continued with more people reporting on their activities in various posts in the magical world. But Harry couldn't keep his mind off of the charged interactions between the headmaster and Snape. The Potions Master had a point, the war was progressing rapidly and Harry needed all the help he could get. Snape had worked with dark magic before and might know a few tricks or at least have some useful knowledge about the inner workings of the dark wizard. The rest of the meeting, Harry went through a mental list of everyone present and what they may or may not be able to contribute to their hunt for horcruxes.
As such, Harry was deep in thought and didn't hear the Headmaster adjourn the meeting. Order members were mingling amongst each other as they grazed the many dishes that had appeared. People were talking about the meeting and their own personal lives. It had been awhile since the entirety of the Order had come together and it seemed everyone was eager to catch up. This soft merriment was short lived when the sound of his godfather burst forth in an angry response.
"I knew you were a liar! You had no intention of breaking the bond, did you?" Sirius snarled at the Potions Professor who stood stoic and unbothered. Remus had a hold on Sirius' arm to prevent his friend from casting a spell, or worse yet, throwing a punch. I swear, they keep saying they are the adults and then they do this.
"I'm not surprised to find you were not paying any attention but Miss Granger herself explained to the entire room that we will work on the bond together," Snape snapped, rolling his eyes. Harry found himself rolling his eyes along with his hated professor.
"Oh really? You're just using that as an excuse to spend time with her. Trying to make her give in to the bond and let you have her? How long has it been since a witch looked your way? If one ever has," Sirius mocked him, wearing a look of disgust. Has he ever stopped bullying Snape? Doesn't he get tired of it?
"Sirius!" Remus barely held the shorter man back.
"Professor, ignore him," Hermione had a hold on Snape's arm. The jealousy Harry had felt when he watched them walk into the hall hand in hand, came back rearing its ugly head. His pace quickened as he crossed the Hall towards the group. Don't touch her, you great bat!
"Hermione, get the hell away from him! You can't seriously believe he has your best intentions at heart?" The wild wizard looked aghast. "I didn't think you could be that stupid."
He stopped in his tracks and winced, Sirius had really done it now. Harry wished he could say he didn't expect the following events but it went exactly as he would expect. Hermione slashed her wand through the air, immobilizing Sirius. Remus and Snape both stopped the girl from casting any other spells on the now prone figure of Sirius. Hermione's hair was sparking with her raging magic and anger. The kind of angry that would normally result in her throwing a punch. "Sirius Black you better watch your back! I'll have a cage and a flea infestation ready for you!"
Remus freed Sirius, but glared at the other man. Harry sidled up to the group, looking warily between the different members of the group. "Sirius, Remus, you should head back to Grimmauld Place. The Weasleys already left. Hermione and I will follow."
It looked as if his godfather might argue but another glare from Remus kept the man quiet. The werewolf turned to him and nodded, "We'll see you both soon."
Harry watched as Remus and Sirius took the floo back to the Black house. There were still other members of the Order mingling but the only person he wanted to talk to was Hermione. When he finally turned to her she was looking at the open doors of the Great Hall and Snape was nowhere in sight. He took a moment to look at her and take her in. Even raging she looked beautiful. How am I supposed to share you with him?
"Hermione," Harry approached her slowly, putting a hand on her forearm. When she turned to him, he could already tell so much had changed. But she still smiled at him and pulled him into a firm hug. A wave of relief and the familiar comfort that his friend gave him urged him to hold her closer and longer. But he felt her start to loosen her hold and reluctantly he let her pull back. "How are you, Hermione? We couldn't find you after we finished out on the pitch."
"I'm okay, Harry. There are some things I want to talk to you about but that can wait. I'm exhausted," Her voice relayed her weariness quite plainly.
"Of course, we have the rest of the holiday." He brushed her hair out of her face, looking into her honey eyes. He nodded his head at the doors, "Is he okay? I know he and Sirius don't get along but even I am kind of embarrassed about how he acted towards Snape."
"It's Professor Snape, Harry, he'll be fine. He was a little frustrated with me for interfering, you men and your pride," She smiled at him, but there was a darkness there that he recognized, darkness that had disappeared when her memory was lost.
"Hermione, did you remember something?" Harry asked, cautiously.
Her eyes hardened, and her body tensed in his arms, "I-I found some things out but I don't actually remember them, like my memory hasn't come back at all. Ginny reminded me that I kept journals and they were…enlightening. I promise I'll tell you more later. I really want to go to bed."
"I can have Dobby bring your stuff to Grimmauld when he takes mine. Let's go." He took her hand and moved toward the fireplace. But she didn't budge. "Hermione?"
"I want to stay," She responded, "Not for the rest of the holiday, just one more night. I just need to sort out my thoughts and I need quiet for that. Grimmauld Place will be anything but quiet. You understand, don't you?"
Harry cupped her cheek, facing her fully again. Her shoulders were drooping and she seemed to be fighting to stay focused. He could only imagine what she was feeling, even with how much he had left to process the eventful Order meeting. "Just let McGonagall and Snape know. They are the only one's staying in the castle tonight."
Hermione looked at him, surprised.
"Don't look at me like that," he laughed, stealing a chaste kiss, "You've been through a lot, and you're right about it not being quiet at Number 12. I'll be back tomorrow to come get you?"
Hermione smiled up at him and nodded. She wrapped her arms around him, "That would be perfect. Thank you, Harry."
Harry was surprised when Hermione cupped his face and kissed him. Her hands raked into his hair as her lips moved gently against his. A possessiveness came over him as he held her firmly against him, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. You're mine, Hermione.
Hermione walked the quiet halls after stopping in the kitchens to ask one of the house elves to let Professor McGonagall know that she was staying another night. Once the Great Hall had emptied and Harry had kissed her once more before he flooed to his godfather's house, she felt guilty that she was relieved to see her friend leave, but she needed time.
So here she was taking time as she meandered through the dark halls, knowing that she was one of the very few people at the castle. There were no masks that she needed to wear and no reason for her to keep up the appearance of being strong and unmoved. Speaking in front of the Order had been Professor Snape's idea, but the delivery had been nerve wracking and overwhelming. Being close to the Potions Master had allowed their bond to stabilize her but she could feel the headmaster trying to worm his way into her head.
Then of course there had been the outburst of magic. The protectiveness and possessiveness that had fueled the wandless and silent shield was like a tidal wave that compelled her to act. How would the Professor feel if she told him that the weak hex Tonks had sent at him made the voice in her head scream: Mine!
The voice had surprised her and it also felt right. But the kiss with Harry had also felt right. Could it really just be the bonds influencing me? The magic she used to protect the professor was also a result of the bond. How much stronger can we get? Apart? Separate? Hermione tried not to think about her past self and all her plans, but after the earlier revelations, her previous inclinations to sacrifice herself made more sense. The thought of sacrifices reminded her of her parents.
The dark chasm of her grief at the loss of her parents almost made her stumble as she took the steep stairs up to the tower. There could have been some connection to her lost memories that led her up to the Astronomy Tower in the middle of the night, but she didn't ponder that. Her mind was swinging between immense grief and unbridled anger. Grief for the girl she was before she had learned the hard truths of this new life. Anger at Dumbledore and herself about the fate of her parents. The peaceful days with Harry after she had woken up in the hospital wing seemed so distant now.
Hermione walked slowly to the railing of the tower, a sense of deja vu coming over her. She was numb to the cold around her, ignoring the breeze while she looked out at the white blanketed grounds of the school. The familiar view had brought her comfort throughout her years there. Something about the vastness of life, the beauty of the infinite world around her had pulled her from bouts of homesickness and loneliness. Now it would be witness to her anger.
She cast a quick muffliato around the space then allowed herself to scream. She screamed and cried and raged. Every word she had wanted to throw in Dumbledore's face when she had walked into the Order meeting that day erupted from her lips. Hermione screamed at herself for not doing more, for not trying harder to protect her parents. She ranted and raved at her past self for choosing to do the rituals and bonds without telling anyone. Her voice was hoarse and her chest heaving once she had let out all the things she had been holding back.
"I didn't peg you as someone with such a colorful vocabulary, Miss Granger."
Hermione shrieked at the voice of the professor. Meeting his gaze across the room brought her a level of calm she had been hard pressed to emulate since she stepped out onto the tower. She should have felt him coming, she probably did but was too caught up in herself.
"My apologies, Miss Granger," The dark man moved forward into the pale light of the moon, his outer robes gone and his frock coat unbuttoned, revealing black trousers, dragon hide boots, and a white button down. He must have stopped at the dungeons before coming here, he hadn't been wearing a coat at the meeting. Had he already been resting? Did he feel the bond?
"It's alright, Professor. I just didn't think anyone would come up here," She waved off his apology then gestured for him to join her at the railing. When he stepped up next to her, not touching but still close, warmth spread from him. He had cast warming charms for them. Hermione found herself examining the Professor's profile and noticed for the first time that his nose wasn't crooked anymore, like it had never been broken and set improperly.
"Your eyes will burn holes into my face if you continue to stare, Granger," His voice fell on her ears like velvet. She could admit to herself that she had always liked his voice and his hands. Yes she couldn't forget about the hands. His long fingers and how he moved with such precision. So lost was she in her admiration of the man that she didn't hear him speak again.
"What?"
His brow rose with a hint of playful disdain but his stoic visage soon returned, "Why are you up here?"
"I just ended up here," Hermione shrugged, she had been intending to go back to her rooms but her body had brought her here while she was clouded by her thoughts. Feeling brave she moved closer to the Professor so their arms were touching from wrist to shoulder, both of them holding the railing. The liquid heat that came with any interaction with him slid over her. He didn't look at her, surprisingly. Instead his eyes were dead set on the view in front of them. Look at me.
He didn't hear her silent plea but his rumbling voice filled the silence between them, "Do you remember this place at all? Besides from previous years here."
The young woman was about to respond in the negative, but decided to close her eyes and see if maybe the memory would surface. But no such memory came to her. She felt his hand close around hers on the railing, the bond coming to life with a feeling of blazing fire between them. Behind her eyes she remembered the sensation of falling and being surrounded by the fresh yet spicy scent of the man next to her. She gasped. "I…fell?"
Hermione turned her head and found her professor was angled toward her now, his hand still holding hers, but had pulled it away from the cold railing. A sorrowful look appeared on his face.
"Fell, intentionally. If I hadn't found myself here that night we would have found you the next morning on the cobblestone below," His voice was pained.
"That's why I was so willing to do the ritual for you, even if I died. I was already ready to die," The revelation made her head spin.
"I saved you that night and that is where, I think, our story began. I was there in a moment when you needed someone most and you repaid me by performing the ritual. Although I would have preferred to have been asked about it before it was enacted, it was obviously a success." He rubbed her hand with his thumb in small circles, concentrating his gaze on them, but his lip still curled upward at the corner.
"Why did you save me?" He's your professor, he's supposed to save you.
"You are not the only person nor will you be the last to come to this tower seeking an end to your suffering. I had to pull myself off that ledge in my 7th year. That night I happened to be there to help you, to stop you, to save you." He straightened his back and looked out over the grounds again, relinquishing his hold on her hand. Immediately she missed the feel of him. "You should not die in such a horrid way. You're meant to go down in a blaze of glory as you help Potter defeat the Dark Lord, if you go down at all. I do intend to keep that from happening."
Silence fell between them again when a thought popped into her head. She chewed her bottom lip nervously, wondering if it was appropriate to ask. But he was her bonded after all. "The notes I found earlier said that the ritual would work best if there was mutual affection within the pair. Does that mean that you see me…as…a woman?"
He shook his head and chuckled to himself, "That's what you're asking me? Not what happened afterwards? Not if I told anyone? Just a complete pivot into a new topic."
"None of that matters to me," Hermione insisted, "I'm sure you were as gentlemanly as possible while making some snarky and sarcastic comment, then walked me to my rooms. Or maybe you even got me to talk to you about my reasons. We are long past all of that."
"Hermione," Her name sounded amazing when he said it. Warmth pooled in her lower belly again, urging her to touch him. "I cannot say that I have not regarded you in a way any man would when presented with a smart young woman. I have done my best to quell that realization ever since that night at Grimmauld Place."
Hermione scrunched her brows and remembered the night. It felt like only a couple weeks before but it was months and months ago. "The night I patched you up after you came back from a…meeting."
"Yes. You were lucky, Hermione. I was still reeling in the darkness of the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. My inhibitions were down and I was feeling bereft, unnoticed, uncared for. Then in you came, in your skimpy night clothes insisting on touching me." He shook his head, as if to shake away the memories themselves, "I might have ravished you then. But I didn't and I never went back to Number 12. I reported directly to the Headmaster just to make sure I wouldn't be needed by the Order."
"You avoided me?"
"You are far more tempting than you give yourself credit for. But yes I avoided you. A part of me couldn't see you as my student any longer. Then you were here, on this railing, and then in my office telling me why you even considered jumping, and I regretted not seeing you the rest of the holiday. Then I watched you for weeks afterwards as you went about your life while no one but me knew of your suffering. Somewhere between all of that, I recognized that I cared for you. Greatly." The Potions Master looked at her and she could see the sincerity there. "And by some strange stroke of luck, you must have held some ardor for me as well, Merlin knows why."
Hermione lifted her hand to cup his cheek. If he hadn't cast the warming charms, it would have been cold to touch. The bond between them flared again, compelling her to step closer to him. "Can you feel it? The way it sings when we are touching?"
He pressed his cheek to her palm and turned fully to face her. They still kept a few inches between them, "Yes. It..is content. The bond is fulfilled when we spend time together."
"You suffer if we go too long away from each other," She stated. "Should I spend my holiday here with you?"
"I will not ask you to stay in this empty castle with me when you will be much safer at headquarters," He gripped her bicep with one hand, "After the hours we have spent together today I should be able to hold out until the start of term."
"How can you be sure?" Hermione pushed, she hated the idea of him suffering when she could assuage the pain.
"Proximity alone would not have been enough, but we have touched, I have been in your mind. It should be enough, but even if it isn't. I will be fine." Snape gently removed her hand from his cheek, "Let me escort you back to your rooms."
Before he could step away, Hermione pressed up close to him, stumbling slightly. His hands found her waist instinctively to keep her steady. "More touch means the bond will be happier longer."
"Hypothetically," Snape responded, his tone curious.
"Then let me touch you," Hermione replied boldly. Excitement spread across her skin as she stood on her toes, raked her hands into his hair and kissed him hard. Her eager force caused him to take a step backward, he groaned into the kiss when his back hit the piller behind him.
His hands found her shoulders and pressed on them softly, a feeble attempt to stop the amorous act, to no avail. Severus Snape gave in to her aggressive lips, one hand threaded through her hair, cupping the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. His other arm wrapped around her waist as he turned them so he was now pinning her to the pillar.
Hermione smiled into his lips, nipping at him and savoring his taste. How can he kiss like this? The ex-spy was pressed into her so that she could not only feel his firm chest and strong arms, but also the growing bulge below his waist. The prospect of causing such a reaction from the normally stoic man excited her. She moaned softly, "Severus."
The feral groan he released at the sound of his name went straight to her core. She wanted him. His lips found her jaw, then her neck. His tongue lapped at her pulse point before nibbling softly. Hermione keened, a sound she had never heard herself make before. Her hip thrust forward, rubbing against the prominent tent of his pants. She scraped her nails down the front of his shirt as he brought his lips to hers again.
Playfully, she nipped his lower lip, then teased his tongue with hers. She gasped when his hand moved up to her chest, palming one of her breasts. His thumb swept across her hardened nipple, how he could tell where it was through the shirt was beyond her. Hermione knew that she was a wet mess between her legs. Her hunger for him grew as her hand slid down his torso. She began working to undo his belt when his hands seized her wrists and pinned them to the stone pillar above her head.
The dark man pulled his lips away from hers, tipping his forehead down to meet her own. Hermione tried to twist from his grip and mewled in protest. The needy sounds she was making would have embarrassed her if she wasn't so overcome with a carnal need. They were both panting as the Professor stepped back, relinquishing his hold on her while putting space between them. They stood in silence, not meeting each other in the eye as they came down from their intimate high.
"That should last until the start of term, maybe even longer," Hermione quipped, feeling accomplished despite desperately wanting to continue what they had started.
The deep chuckle of the professor was a welcome sound. He straightened himself before replying, "Astute observation, Miss Granger. Now I think it would benefit us both to get some rest. I will escort you back to your rooms."
"It's only us in the castle right?" She asked, hesitating, which made the professor raise an eyebrow.
"Minerva is no doubt already in deep sleep, but other than that, yes we are the only ones in the castle." He replied. The professor took cautious steps towards her, as if he was afraid she would pull him into another sensual embrace like the one minutes earlier.
"I don't want to be alone if we are the only ones here," Hermione declared.
"Technically you are not alone if there are two others in the castle, Miss Granger," He smirked at her. He placed his hand on her lower back and gestured for her to lead the way back to her dorms.
"You know that's not what I meant," Hermione scrunched her nose at him.
"And what exactly did you mean, Miss Granger?" Snape spoke softly in her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" The question stopped the professor in his tracks. "I promise I won't ravish you! I'll even sleep on the sofa. I just would rather be near each other than on completely opposite sides of a sizable castle. Don't you agree? Plus the extra proximity would help, right?"
The pleading look on her face seemed to have an effect on the dark man, "Fine, but you will sleep in my room and I will sleep on the sofa."
"We can always share the bed." Hermione teased.
"You are playing with fire, Miss Granger," He warned her
"What if I like fire, Professor?" Hermione took his hand and laced their fingers together, daringly, but he did not pull away.
"Gryffindors, always the pyromaniacs," The Professor grumbled.
"I did set your robes on fire in first year, after all," Hermione grinned, relishing in the almost normal nature of walking hand-in-hand with Severus Snape as they made their way down to the dungeons.
Professor Snape paused in his stride, then shook his head in amusement, "Of course that was you."
Hermione was fully immersed in this unbelievable scene. The soft chuckles, the teasing, and the warm heat of the bond surrounding them like a shield. I don't think I would mind if the bond was never broken. I could live with him if it were always like this.
