"Does she, Mister Weasley?" Severus couldn't stop the biting reply. "Because if she did I doubt I would have had to save her from throwing herself off the Astronomy Tower the first night of term!"
The silence that followed his admission was deafening. His stomach dropped and it was only his immense self control that kept the sneer on his face. She's going to hate me for telling everyone. The flash of guilt in the eyes of some of those in the room was not consolation enough for sharing her secret.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ron still had a tinge of wrath in his voice but the upward movement of his eyebrows was a tell. He was scared. Of what? The truth? The knowledge that none of them had looked past the 'brightest witch of her age' persona and noticed that she suffered alone. The first day of term had been over 2 months ago. It was long past the reasonable time to notice that one of their closest friends was not herself. If they had noticed a change, then none of them had seen fit to wonder why.
Severus dropped the sneer as he looked around the room. Aghast, confused, disbelieving. That's all he saw. Either she's a far better actress than I gave her credit for, or they really saw nothing wrong with how she had changed.
"It is not my story to tell, Mister Weasley. But it has become very apparent that none of you have seen that young woman for what she is. A generous, stubborn, self-sacrificing, shockingly brilliant, powerful woman that has been dealing with all of her inner demons all on her own despite being surrounded by those she considers friends and family." He turned to Potter, "She has taken on the burden of teaching and protecting you, Potter! Were it not for her, you would not have survived this long! We all know it."
Potter looked down with shame, though he held his wand in a death grip.
Severus shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, not wanting to meet anyone's eye. "Does it pain you to know you left her so alone it was the bat of the dungeons who came to her rescue?"
Potter and Ron winced, knowing that as her best friends they should have known. They probably did notice a change, but in their idiotic and self-centered teenage brains, hadn't felt like they could offer the girl any help. What did they say about teenage boys' maturity versus teenage girls'?
He blew out a long sigh, "I tried to steer others to check in on her. I followed her when she would aimlessly walk the castle at night. I checked the Astronomy Tower to the point of near obsession. I had no idea what she was planning, let alone that it was for me. If she hadn't barged into my office and forced this ritual, I was planning on giving her a detention just to make her talk. Insolent girl that she is, she's been avoiding me. I'd prefer her hating me than the dead look in her eye and the indifference."
"You're painting yourself as some righteous hero with talk like that, Snivellus. Everyone here knows how cruel you have always been. I would think with your proclivities you would have pushed her off the tower." Sirius Black challenged. Severus could see the denial in his eyes.
The Potions Master sent a silent hex the mutt's way when a wave of grief like nothing he had ever known washed over him, forcing him to his knees with a deep grunt of pain. Lupin was at his side yelling at Black, but he kept his head down, leaning against the werewolf for support despite his displeasure at the prospect. Something had happened in the Headmaster's office. He could feel the cold blanket of her occlusion rapidly building. Instinctually, his magic reached for the bond to send her reassurance and keep her grounded.
"Severus, are you alright?" Lupin lowered him into a chair.
"Hermione. Something's wrong." He managed to get out before a wave of rage replaced the grief. He growled and rushed to the hearth, trying and failing to floo to the Headmaster's office. Without hesitating he turned to the Hospital Wing doors only to be met with the wand point of Black, the young Weasley, and Potter. Remus once again stood between him and the aggressors, growling in a way that made the hair on the back of Severus's neck stand up. A fight within his pack was pushing Moony to the surface.
Potter stepped forward, "You expect us to believe that you care about her? After the way you've treated all of us over the years?"
"Before all this I cared for her as a professor cares for all his charges. My nastiness and maintenance of my persona as 'greasy bat of the dungeons' need not be justified considering my place as a spy, Potter. Though I cannot be blamed for my lack of patience when surrounded by the bumbling fools you call your classmates!" Severus looked around the room, knowing that he wouldn't be able to make it to the doors before someone hit him with a spell. Not to mention the other's in the room who would get caught in the crossfire. Seething, he pushed past Lupin and the three in front of them to sit on his cot once more.
Lupin urged the others back to the seats, but came back to his side to show his support. It was oddly reassuring. Before anyone could speak again the hearth blazed with fire and Hermione stepped out.
Her face was tear stained but her gait was angry. Potter made the mistake of standing to meet her, only for her to hit him with a spell that glued him to his seat. The bond flared as she walked straight up to him to the point that their chests were nearly touching. She was breathing hard, barely holding in whatever emotions she was feeling. "Is your door open now?"
He blinked and then nodded. Behind her, the Headmaster returned and walked out of the hearth with a soft smile and the twinkle back in his eye. With Hermione so close he felt the flash of loathing so deeply that a growl rumbled in his throat at the sight of the old wizard. Before anyone could say anything else, Hermione took his hand and dragged him out of the Hospital Wing, blasting open the doors in her wake.
"Hermione!" Harry yelled after her as she ran off with the Professor. Before he could follow, the doors to the Hospital Wing slammed shut again. He turned to the Headmaster desperately. "Professor, is Hermione alright? Shouldn't you make her come back?"
Harry was surprised to see that the Professor had taken a seat and was observing everything with his normal, twinkling blue eyes. It gave Harry a bad feeling that he did not give a voice to.
"Miss Granger will be fine. I dare say, Severus will have his hands full with that girl now that they are bonded." Dumbledore pulled a bag of candy out of his pocket and offered some to Ron who was sitting dumbfounded beside him.
"Bonded? Severus and Hermione?" McGonagall looked scandalized as did Kingsley beside her.
Harry wanted a hole to open up and swallow him. Hermione, his Hermione, had bound herself to Snape. "They can break the bond, right Professor?"
The look Dumbledore gave him was all the answer he needed.
"No! You're Albus Dumbledore! You should be powerful enough to break the bond. You can't expect Hermione to be bound to the Greasy Git for life!" Ron exploded.
"Ron Weasley, sit down right now!" Mr. Weasley snapped at his son. The harshness of his voice took everyone by surprise. Harry sighed heavily and glanced at Remus and Sirius. Remus looked calm, accepting. Sirius looked as shocked as he felt.
"Mister Weasley, as flattered as I am by your assertion of my abilities, Miss Granger enacted a very deep and old magic that predates me by centuries. I do not know the extent of her own modifications to the ritual but to try and break their bond now might result in the loss of both of their lives." Dumbledore stated serenely.
"So you're just going to let Snape get away with this?" Harry snapped.
"Watch your tone, Mister Potter," McGonagall chastised.
"No, Minnie, he's right. How do we know that Snape didn't plan this? Are we sure he isn't using the Imperius curse? It's not right! She's in her 7th year! He's her Professor!" Sirius raged.
"Enough!" Dumbledore thundered. He took a moment to survey the room, as if he expected someone else to challenge him. Harry had seen Dumbledore more angry today than he had ever seen him and it left a part of him terrified. "Miss Granger has made her ill begotten choice and we are left to pick up the pieces. Severus has been relieved of all his bonds and duties, but will continue to remain employed here at Hogwarts. He still has his uses and remains a member of the Order. As such, none of you will assault him. Do I make myself clear?."
The coldness of his voice left everyone feeling unsettled.
"Headmaster?" Luna's soft voice broke the silence. Dumbledore seemed to shrink back into his weak old man persona before turning to the Ravenclaw.
"Yes, Miss Lovegood?" Once more his eyes sparkled and his voice was warm.
She tilted her head thoughtfully, Harry could practically see her thinking. Then shook her head and the glazed look of her eyes returned, "Nevermind. I think I'd better change out of these clothes. Goodnight everyone."
With that the girl flounced out of the Hospital Wing unimpeded. Harry's eyes widened when the Headmaster chuckled.
"On that note, it is late and we all need some rest. We will hold an Order meeting in the coming weeks. I trust that you all can find your way out of the castle? Mister Potter and Mister Weasley, return to your house once you are done here." Then he walked straight into the hearth and presumably back to his office.
Kingsley, McGonagall, and Mister Weasley were the next to leave, mumbling amongst themselves about 'captured Death Eaters' and 'fixing the damages before the morning'. That left Harry with Ron, Sirius, and Remus.
"Moony, what else do you know?" Sirius asked, but his vehemence from earlier had lessened. Harry appreciated his Godfather's candor, asking the tough questions when Harry had faltered.
Remus shrugged, "Nothing. I know as much as you do. But it will not benefit anyone or the cause to fight amongst ourselves. I expect you to refrain from attacking Severus."
"What's that all about then?" Ron looked perplexed. "You said Snape was part of your pack earlier. How?"
"Hermione is part of the pack and the bond extends to her…Mate," Remus said, wincing.
"Mate?" Harry felt his heart crack. Remus gave him a sad knowing look.
"They are bonded and Moony recognizes the bond. I cannot reverse it and only another werewolf can forcefully claim one of my pack as their own." Remus ran a hand down his face. "Sirius, we should head back to Grimmauld Place. Tonks will be waiting."
Reluctantly, Sirius stood and followed Remus out the door. Harry and Ron trailed behind them, only splitting off when they reached The Fat Lady who 'tsked' at them for their late return to the common room. Harry took one step in, paused and stepped back out.
"Harry, you won't be able to see her. Wherever she is with Snape, she's safe, as much as I hate to admit it. The bond won't let him hurt her. If I'm honest I'm a bit more afraid for the bloke with how Hermione looked." Ron frowned.
"I'm not going to look for her." Harry ignored Ron's calls and made his way down the hall, his mind racing.
Severus let Hermione pull him along the hallways. He could feel her barely contained magic licking at his wrist where she had a firm grip on him. They were about to start down a flight of stairs when she took a sharp turn and headed back down the hallway.
Before he could voice his question, she hissed through gritted teeth, "Room of Requirement. Dungeons, too far."
Snape followed obediently, relishing in her presence. But the grief and anger were almost painful in their intensity. The door was already there when they turned onto the seventh floor. For a moment he thought it was occupied but Hermione threw the doors open, pulled him inside, then warded the door with a flurry of wards that rivaled the ones around the castle.
Severus only had a moment to realize they were back in the room the ritual had taken place in, when Hermione exploded with unbridled magic. It was overwhelming, hot and cold, comforting and stabbing, the bond could not compare to her raw magic rolling over him. He fell to his knees as Hermione released a long, wild, and anguished scream. Severus could only crawl to her as she too fell to her knees, sobbing loudly. Her hair shot off sparks of residual magic.
How can she have so much magic left after she gave so much to me? As if hearing about the impossibility of it all, the girl fainted into his arms. Severus held her to his chest, brushing her hair from her face before moving to a more comfortable seated position with the girl cradled in his lap.
He ran a few diagnostics and found her magical core rather depleted but nowhere near where it had been when she had finished the ritual. She needed rest. Whatever happened in the Headmaster's office had broken another part of her. Severus was frustrated. The bond urged him to take care of the young woman while the rest of his being wanted to confront Dumbledore, no matter how futile.
Severus knew he would have to prove his ongoing usefulness to the Headmaster. Regardless, he was determined to see the end of the Dark Lord as much as any other Order member, if not more. The personal vendetta he had against the megalomaniac still burned in his chest.
He was called back to the present as Hermione grizzled in his arms. That was adorable…Severus Tobias Snape you did not just think of one of your students as adorable! The dark haired man dropped his chin to his chest, eyes closed as he collected himself. Thinking of her as adorable is the least of your worries. Keep her alive and then break the bond.
Severus opened his eyes to find a plush twin bed with a matching armchair beside it. With as much care as he could muster he lifted the girl and tucked her into bed. Another errant thought had a pile of his grading, and a steaming tea set appearing on a side table next to the armchair. The Potions Master started his second vigil in as many days, next to the curly haired woman.
With the first through fourth year's papers all marked, and a thorough exploration of what the Room of Requirement could produce while keeping the impressive room intact, Hermione began to stir. Severus felt it in the bond when she reached out, looking for him, and his magic answered. She opened her eyes and turned to look at him.
"Professor, are you alright?" She blinked slowly, obviously exhausted.
He would have to learn to hide the flinch that came whenever she called him his title. You can't let the chit be on a first name basis with you. He swallowed, agitated at the two sides of himself warring.
"You should be wondering after your own health, Miss Granger," Yes, no more of that 'Hermione this' and 'Hermione that', you are better than that. "We have barely pulled you back from the brink of death. You've performed far too much magic as of late."
She furrowed her brow, confused for a moment, then what little color she had gained drained from her face. "I didn't hurt you with my magic, did I? I just couldn't hold it in. I was going to go back to your office but I was losing control."
"I am well. More than I have ever been, as you have already noted." A curious thought came to Severus as he considered the last few days. "Have you always had such volatile magic, Miss Granger?"
"Not since I was a child. But they do say emotional turmoil can cause bouts of spontaneous magic."
"What more emotional turmoil has Albus put you through?" He waved and the armchair moved closer to the bed so he could sit more eye level with her. "While you were in his office…I felt something had happened."
Tears. Again more tears. She will end up dehydrated at this rate. He summoned a carafe of water and assisted her to sit up, mindful of not touching her skin with his. When she had drunk two full glasses under his scrutiny he sat back into the armchair, the tension in his back receded slightly. Like that first night in his office, he let her ruminate while he fixed himself another cup of tea.
Severus waited so long, sipping his tea and staring into the middle distance, that he thought she had fallen back to sleep. But the bedclothes stirred and when he focused his eyes she was seated on the bed with her legs hooked over the edge. Her knees were barely brushing his own. "Is your door open, Professor? Or should we head to your office first?"
Cheeky. "Apart from this not at all being anything like my office, it is an adequate substitute. The door is open for whatever you wish to disclose. The confidence and lack of judgment still stands."
She took a deep, shaky breath then took his hands in hers. Her magic washed over him again, hot and comforting. He clasped her hands firmly, rubbing circles on them with his thumbs. The gesture did its job to help her relax. Her shoulders dropped and the crease between her brows flattened. When her eyes opened he fell into her mind easily.
Back in the library, standing in front of her desk. A new book sat on the desk that was bright red, garishly so. Unlike the other books he had seen there were no scuff marks or bent spines from use.
"Open it," Hermione said quietly. To his right she had opened one of the doors. Beyond it he could see a meadow. "I'll be out here when you're done."
Then she was through the door and it shut behind her. Disassociation.
Steeling himself, Severus opened the book and bore witness to her meeting with Dumbledore. When he stumbled back out of the memory, he threw the book at a wall, letting it fall, pages down near the hearth.
Severus slammed his hands onto the desk, his hair falling in a curtain around his face. Though he had no audience, shedding angry, loathsome tears behind the raven locks brought him some marginal comfort. No. You go to her and make sure she knows that their blood is not on her hands. She needs your strength. You live for her now.
With that final thought he opened the door she had walked through a moment earlier. He found her sitting on a hill looking out over the picturesque scene. She looked up to acknowledge him before patting the grass beside her. Obliging, he folded his lanky frame until he was seated with his forearms resting on his knees. There was a light breeze. He could practically smell the spring pollen and feel the heat of the sun. Once more he was amazed by the detail in her mind.
"Severus," She said, not looking at him.
"Yes?" He would not correct her use of his first name, not here, where she felt comfortable enough to do so.
"We have to survive until the end. No matter what. No matter what or who is sacrificed. We have to make it, so that it's all worth it." She turned to him, looking resigned but determined.
"Yes we do, Hermione. I told you, I'll stop you every time you try to leave the land of the living. It's a promise," He stretched his legs out and leaned back on his hands. "Or we could stay here forever? Never have to deal with manipulative old wizards or psychopathic snake men."
She cracked a smile which brought a small smile to his face. "Don't you remember, you also told me you wouldn't lock me in the library. Wasn't that also a promise?"
"I promised not to lock you in on your own. If we're both here then it's different," He knew they weren't serious. But it was an odd comfort to think about a safer path than the one they were on.
"Does the bond hurt you?" She asked after a moment.
"No," He turned to her and took her hand. "It is a constant longing and connection. I want to protect you. I want to be with you. I fight it as best as I can but I am a changed man. Rather than reluctantly forced to serve two masters, I am now beholden to an insufferable, fluffy haired, know-it-all."
She frowned and tried to pull her hand away but he held firm, "This may not have been my choice, but I would rather this than the fate I was promised before. At least you don't expect me to die. You aren't quietly hoping for it."
"I don't love you, Severus. I don't think I can love anyone," Hermione sounded very young at that moment.
"I think you have more capacity to love than most people, Hermione." With a huff he stood back up and then reached his hand down to her, "Only someone with great love can do what you've done for yourself, for your friends, and for me."
Hermione smiled at him, warmth suffusing them both as she took his hand. He gently guided her down the hill back to the door they had walked through. Once they were ensconced in her mind library, he released her hand. "I think we are done here for the time being, don't you Miss Granger?"
"Closing the door already, Professor?" Hermione obviously had taken note of the formality.
"I am still Severus Snape, Miss Granger, don't forget that. But the door remains open for you and you only. You need only knock."
The Dark Lord had tortured everyone. Those unused to it were already lost to insanity. Lucius could not believe what he had heard. Severus had been revealed as a spy and the punishment was meted out to everyone who did not see through his duplicity.
When he was safely in the master bedroom with the elves nursing him back to health, he constructed a missive to the order.
The Dark Lord requires all Death Eaters to remove their children from Hogwarts. Scrimgeour to be ousted SOON. Expect spies in Hogsmeade. He will not rest until he has Severus.