A/N; Hey all, I couldn't help myself and wrote another chapter. But I will be updating the previous chapters with edited and proofed versions. Thank you to all my new readers and subscribers! It truly warms my heart and soul to see so many people reading my writing. I'd love to hear what you think is going to happen next! Happy Reading!
Hermione did not sleep the rest of the night and left her bed early in the morning to shower. As she stood under the warm spray her thoughts ran wild.
Professor Snape? Why in the world did I have a dream like…that…with the Professor? And while I was sleeping next to Harry. Hermione roughly washed her hair, soaking the curls and dousing them with shampoo and then conditioner. But why did it feel so good? I've had…fun...dreams before but nothing that actually elicited a palpable reaction. She recalled how wet her underwear had been in those moments after she woke up with a scream. Her nerve endings were ringing with the pleasure of an orgasm, so sensitive that she was relieved Harry had simply gone back to sleep. What is going on? What does Snape have to do with any of this?
When she returned to her room she found a note from Harry telling her that he was stopping at the dorms to shower and change and would meet her in the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione sighed with relief, not sure how she would be able to look at him without blushing in shame. He had been so attentive since her stay in the Hospital Wing and Hermione found herself relishing the attention. They had not kissed since the last time when she had kicked him out which made her feel guilty. But Harry didn't complain, only making her feel worse about the dream she had.
As she dressed she pondered everything. Her heart still ached at any vague notion that reminded her of her parents but with so much more to take in, and catching up mentally with her classes, she was able to process the grief rather quickly. At least she thought she did, maybe her mind subconsciously knew she had already done her grieving once before. The warm tether on her pinky that felt like Harry had seemed to grow more intense with how much time they spent together recently. She needed to go to the library some time that day, there was research to be done. Maybe she would find something to explain away the tugs of magic she was feeling.
As she left her rooms she ran into Ginny and some other 6th years.
"Hermione!" Ginny greeted her happily and told her friends to go on without her. The younger girl hooked her arm onto Hermione's, "Let's have a girl's day today! I can even invite Luna, Lavender, and the twins and we can bunk up in your rooms and paint each other's nails. It's Saturday and you need a night to see what trash is in Witch Weekly this time instead of the boys making you do their homework. I've missed you. I know you and Harry are a thing now, I'm happy for you, but you're my friend too and you need to split your time with us too."
Hermione laughed and nodded, patting the girl's hand, "I'd love that, Gin. The whole Harry thing is rather confusing if I'm honest and I would love to talk it out with someone. It's not as if I can talk to Ron or Draco about it."
"Ooooh 'Draco' now is it? Even memory loss couldn't prevent you from taking pity on the ferret?" Ginny said teasingly.
"Trust me, it was odd for me too. But from what Ron and Harry have said, we had all mostly put our differences aside barring quidditch and the boys snarking at each other," At that moment they made it to the Great Hall. She scanned the Slytherin table and spotted the blond who was looking over at them. The two girls waved a greeting before taking their seats at the Gryffindor table.
"Yea, he's not so bad now that he turned traitor. Takes after his Uncle instead of his Dad, thankfully," Ginny piled some eggs onto her plate as Hermione prepared some oatmeal and fruits.
Harry had told Hermione that Ginny didn't know about Lucius' change of allegiance or his newfound spy role, the less people who knew the better. It still baffled her how much had changed. "He's smart and his mother was very helpful that day in the hospital wing. By the way, I still have no idea why I was sent there. Harry says it's all complicated and that Dumbledore told him to ease me into everything."
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "Ron just said you collapsed and they brought you there. Dumbledore has forbidden anyone to talk about the details since it's all 'official Order business'. I don't mind not knowing. I'm just happy you're okay. Ron told me Mrs. Malfoy performed Healer's Bain to save you. So it must have been serious."
"Yea, I owe her a life debt," Hermione sighed, looking around the room. Her eyes scanned the head table and stopped on the Potions Master. He looked exhausted but his gaze was directed right at her. His dark eyes were intense while his face remained a mask of unbothered flatness. This contrasted how hard she fought to keep a straight face. Scenes from her dream the night before flashed before her eyes making her look away, attempting to hide her blush.
"You too?" Ginny whispered conspiratorially.
"What?"
"He's handsome now. It's kind of weird. A lot of the younger years have crushes on him since they haven't had to deal with his shitty attitude as long as we have," Ginny gestured toward the staff table. "I mean he definitely has an air about him, but I don't think I can get over how he made me cry three times my first year while I was being possessed by He-Who-Should-Be-Dead. We have all come to the consensus that he could use his voice to make up for the nose."
Hermione gaped at the redhead, "You've all been talking about him like that?"
"Oh yea. You should have seen it the first day, well you kind of did but you don't remember." Ginny said thoughtfully. "He's not got a mark either but I'm sure Harry told you that already. I think it's also become obvious that Snape is so much younger than the rest of the staff that the novelty has gotten to everyone. The whole teacher/student thing. I mean look over there."
Professor Snape had stood up from the table with the Headmaster and the two were making their way down the middle of the room when three 5th years from Gryffindor stopped to talk to the Potion's Master. There was a flash of panic in the man's eyes as the girl's closed in on him while Dumbledore laughed and whispered something to his employee before abandoning the man. One of the girls placed a hand on the dark man's arm. For some reason a strong flare of jealousy came over Hermione at the sight of the contact, but it disappeared with the satisfaction of seeing the Professor pull away abruptly, take house points and suggest the girl's not interrupt his Saturday morning to ask such stupid questions.
As he passed Hermione caught his eye again making heat pool in her center as her dream came back to the forefront of her mind. The Professor stumbled as he passed but recovered quickly and flew out of the Great Hall like a man on fire. The girls he had just berated were giggling stupidly amongst themselves and Hermione had to stop herself from scowling at them and their ridiculous behavior.
Before she could analyze her reactions Harry took the seat beside her and swiftly kissed her cheek and continued in conversation with Ron who sat across from them next to Dean. No one batted an eye as Hermione flushed at the public display of affection.
"You two coming to the pitch with us? We got a pick up Quidditch match with Malfoy and the Ravenclaws." Ron inquired as he started in on a bit of toast.
"Don't talk with your mouth full you idiot," Ginny scolded her brother who promptly choked a little on the dry piece of toast. "And no, we are having a girl's day in the Head Girl dorms and no Harry you cannot come."
"No arguments. I need some time away from all this testosterone. Between you and Ron and Draco, sometimes a woman needs some intelligent conversation." Harry, who had been about to protest, shut his mouth. The overprotectiveness was getting a bit annoying at this point if Harry didn't want to leave her with the girls in her own rooms.
Properly admonished Harry took her hand, "Alright, alright fine. Have fun today. I was just worried since you had that nightmare last night."
"You had a nightmare?" Ginny looked intrigued.
"It was n-nothing, Harry. I've already forgotten about it," She could only thank Merlin that the boy was oblivious to her obvious lie. Ginny on the other hand raised a brow at her and Hermione knew it would end up being a topic of conversation later on.
"Mister Potter, Miss Granger," Everyone jumped at the sudden appearance of their head of house.
"Hello Professor."
"Good morning, Professor."
"While I trust that the two of you are not foolish enough to be breaking certain school rules regarding student conduct, it has come to my attention that you, Mister Potter, have not been sleeping in your dorm all week. Is that right?" The stern look of McGonagall told them it was a rhetorical question.
Harry finally had the wherewithal to look abashed as a flush colored his face.
"While you both have important roles outside of your positions as students, there are rules to be followed. I expect you to be sleeping in the boys' dorm for the rest of the year, Potter. Lest I give you detention for besmirching our Head Girl." The Scottish matron smirked as the two of them nodded, not looking anyone in the eye. "Now that that is settled, what is it I hear about an inter house pick up quidditch match?
With that the conversation delved deep into Quidditch with the Professor encouraging her Gryffindor's to 'show them what for' even in an unofficial match. Soon enough, Ginny had recruited the girls and they all headed back to her rooms. Once everyone was in comfy jogging pants and sweaters, and they were all surrounded by snacks, nail polish, and skincare, the true gossip began.
"Soooo, 'Mione, what's going on with you and Harry? I heard what McGonagall said. He's been sleeping here?" Lavender had a lascivious look on her face as she braided Parvati's hair.
Hermione blushed crimson, "Honestly, I'm not sure. Since I lost the 6 months I don't have much context and Harry hasn't been entirely forthcoming. He thinks too much information at once might set me off and apparently a lot has happened in those 6 months. As far as I know, I like Harry and he seems to like me."
"Obviously, you like each other. I think even the Professors had bets going on whether you would end up with Ron or Harry," Padma chimed in as she dug into a bag of chips.
Lavender looked put out at the idea of her with Ron making Hermione roll her eyes and Ginny chuckle to herself.
"Lavender is a much better match for Ron than I ever was. We talked about it a bit last year, after everything and we both want different things. No offense, Ginny, but I've always had a little torch for Harry that I considered to be deep friendship. I honestly wanted the two of you to work out," Hermione replied, keeping still as Ginny painted lacquer on her nails in a sage green.
"None taken, Hermione. I don't think Harry even realized how much you meant to him until this year," Ginny smiled.
"I always thought Hermione would end up with someone older, a scholar," Luna said dreamily, "Someone who would challenge you, ya know."
"So what do you think, Hermione?" Lavender ignored Luna's comment, "Are you going to make it official?"
"As much as you say you like Harry, 'Mione, we shouldn't forget about the other man on your mind," Ginny wiggled her eyes suggestively.
"Who?" Parvati had taken over braiding Lavender's hair, looking eager for more gossip.
"Who do you think? Luna did say she thought Hermione would like someone older and wiser." Ginny laughed as Hermione told her softly to shut up.
Padma gasped and looked at her sister who began giggling. Lavender took a moment to make the same realization, "Oh so you want a certain Head of House to Slyther-in."
Hermione couldn't help but to laugh along with the girls. When she finally caught her breath, she replied, "Honestly, I was just surprised. He looks very different."
"You mean he looks like a Bronte-esque romantic hero," Lavender sighed, "His hair, his broad shoulders, and his voice!"
Hermione fought the jealousy that rolled around in her head, urged on by that pull of magic in the back of her being. "I wasn't aware you read Bronte, Lav."
"I am a lover of all things romance, magical and muggle," The blond stuck her tongue out playfully.
"So you're dreaming of Heathcliff searching desperately for you on the moors?" Hermione supposed. Ginny looked thoughtful and interrupted.
"Wait! Speaking about dreaming. Harry mentioned that you had a nightmare last night," the twins twittered at the image of Harry with her so late in the night. Ginny ignored them, "But the blush on your face told me that it was more of a fantasy than a nightmare. So spill!"
The eager looks on the girls' faces, and the subject matter made Hermione feel like a normal teenage girl. She replied indulgently, "Fine I had a wet dream!"
Then came all the questions and Hermione answered all of them truthfully except for who her partner was. This led to a boisterous conversation about the other dreams the girls' had and even some real life examples. The day seemed to fly by with the carefree conversation and companionship, something Hermione felt so happy about she had shed a tear. It was like a part of herself was being repaired but she wasn't sure why.
Night eventually rolled in, and after sharing an illicit bottle of fire whiskey, the girl's retired except for Ginny who now crawled into bed with Hermione. "You've washed these sheets right? I don't want to think about what you and Harry have gotten up to here."
Hermione smacked her with a pillow. "We haven't gotten up to anything except a few kisses. And it seems I've scared him away from that for the time being."
She sighed, running a hand through her unruly hair.
"You wanna talk about it?" Ginny propped her head up with her hand while facing Hermione, "He seemed fine this morning."
"I don't know, Ginny. I love Harry, I always have. He's one of the most important people in my life. I like spending time with him, and being affectionate, and, yes, kissing. But whenever we start…getting more passionate, it's like my chest zaps me. I wouldn't say it hurts really, but it's shocking and I have no idea what it means. But when I feel his magic, it's so familiar and it wraps around my hand like it wants to melt into me. God it's so confusing!" Hermione covered her face with her arm, missing the odd look on Ginny's face.
"You've been through a lot Hermione. The memory loss and whatever put you in the Hospital Wing. Like you said, you're missing some context. Give it time." Ginny reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
"I just want to remember everything already."
"Do you still keep your journals?"
"Journals? Journals! Ginny, you're a genius! How could I have forgotten the journals!" Hermione made to stand but wobbled and fell back into bed. She had kept journals and diaries for school work, ideas, and personal ramblings ever since she started at Hogwarts. There were probably some clues in there and she was eager to find out but Ginny pulled her back into bed.
"Nope, you're drunk and so am I. Tomorrow we can see what your journals say. Deal?" Ginny held her down with a leg thrown over Hermione's and clung to her torso.
Hermione giggled softly, feeling relief upon the discovery that her past 6 months might fully be revealed to her. "Deal."
—-
Severus had truly considered not going to the Great Hall for breakfast but he had skipped two meals yesterday and Albus had requested his presence. He hoped, against hope, that Hermione would decide to sleep in for lunch. The shame took him again as he recalled the dream he had had that night. It had felt so real that when he had startled awake he found his pajama bottoms wet with his release. Severus leaned against his mantle feeling foolish as he recalled his early morning. He hadn't had such difficulty controlling his urges since he was a student at this very school. Taking a deep breath, the Potion's Master stood up straight and steeled himself for the task ahead.
It took everything not to stare at her the entire time. The moment of brief eye contact earlier had not satiated him. The bond was brushing up against his mind, urging him to remember the dream. He berated himself and thrust his mental shields up to fortify his resolve. There was some relief as all the feelings surrounding the young women were now muted. Severus scanned the Great Hall and didn't see Potter anywhere, he wouldn't have to deal with any jealousy for now. He feared that in his compromised state he wouldn't be able to stop himself from hexing the boy or giving him a gratuitous detention for touching his bonded. Suddenly, he was reminded of what Draco said about Potter not sleeping in his dorm.
The Headmaster interrupted his spiraling thoughts and urged Severus to join him in his office. Seeing the means of his escape he stood and walked with the Headmaster, only to be immediately accosted by a few other students.
The most disconcerting thing out of everything that had happened since the beginning of term to this moment, was the odd reaction of the female population of the school. Severus knew he looked younger, stronger, but he was still ugly. There had been a few errant and ill conceived school girl infatuations over the years that were easily quelled with a biting comment or a harsh critique. But he had allowed his sharp tongue to blunt following the success of Hermione's ritual, leading him to be not-quite-nice but a far cry from the complete bastard they were used to.
He was now inundated with students wanting to talk to him during his office hours or stopping him in the hallways and the Great Hall. Dumbledore ignored his panicked looks and chuckled on his way out as the three Gryffindors came far too close to the dark haired man. The sharp pain that shot through him when one of them had the audacity to lay a hand on him made his anger flare up, and the bastard of old surfaced quickly, dispensing harsh remarks and taking points.
As he pushed past them he didn't expect to see Hermione watching him intently. So for the first time in his years of teaching, he stumbled on his robes. His natural agility allowed him to find his footing quickly but he knew she saw it. Like a school boy embarrassed by a prank in front of his crush, Severus felt his face flushing and his heart racing. Without a look back to see her reaction, he all but ran out of the Great Hall.
When he finally made it to the Headmaster's office he slumped into a chair across from the man who twinkled insufferably at him. He snarled in frustration, "You could have told them I was meant to be in a meeting with you!"
"Now, Severus, I thought you would enjoy the attention. It's a very different experience to be favored rather than reviled," Dumbledore quipped as he took a candy from the dish at the corner of his desk.
"They are children!" The Potions Master glared at the older man who only looked more amused, "All that sugar is making you even more senile than I thought."
"You seem rather wound up this morning, Severus. Did something happen?"
"Besides the odyssey I've lived through these few months alone? No, business as usual. Has Lucius conferred any more information about the upcoming attack?" Severus urged the conversation in a more productive direction.
As they went over information from the various informants the Headmaster had, some even a mystery to the former spy, he felt that there was something he was missing. Something that the Headmaster was keeping close to his chest that could turn the tides of the war. It wasn't until they took a break from planning the next Order meeting that he recognized one of the books on the pile next to the old wizard's desk. It was a book on bonds, one that he had only got a copy of because of the Malfoys. Why is he looking into bonds? He's reminded me again and again that he can't break the bond with Hermione. Who else has a bond? OR is he planning to create a bond?
Severus couldn't ponder it further as Dumbledore called for his attention. He filed it away for further investigation. The pit it had created in his stomach was also filed away to deal with later.
—-
"Oy, Potter!" Draco called out as he caught up with the group of boys heading to the quidditch pitch. "Let's walk and talk."
The Gryffindor stopped and shoo-ed the other 7th years to continue walking ahead. "What did I do to get a one-on-one conference with the ferret?"
"Best you can do? Come on, Scarhead, try a little harder. I'm rather fond of ferrets now," Draco smirked at the other dark haired boy.
"What did you want to talk about?" Potter asked as he matched his stride with him.
"You need to start letting Hermione take tea with me and my Uncle again. I know you're the one keeping her away," Draco said seriously, not looking at his face.
"She doesn't want to."
"That's rubbish! You probably haven't given her a choice. She needs to remember and they say you gotta go back to a routine to remember lost memories. Teas with me and Snape are part of her routine." The blond stopped and gripped Potter's arm. "Whether she knows about the bond or not, it is still there. Snape won't say it but I know the bond is starting to become more than uncomfortable. All he needs is to be near Hermione, to talk to her and the bond won't hurt him."
"I'll go with her to see Snape then," Potter countered.
"Oh yeah, the bond would love that, the competition intruding upon their scant interactions. Don't be daft. You should do some research on bonds, Potter. I'm a bit disappointed you haven't already done so since you're so set on trying to force Hermione away from her bonded. It may not bother her now, but eventually it will start to push her too." Draco looked at the other boy hard. "If you want the best for Hermione then she needs to spend time with Snape too. Until we can figure out a way to break the bond, the bond will still exist and affect their lives."
"She hasn't even asked me about him. Maybe she doesn't feel it?" Potter furrowed his brow, trying to justify his actions. "I'm not going to force her to meet with Snape until she wants to herself."
Draco rubbed a rough hand down his face, "Look, I know you love her, anyone can see that. But if you don't get her near Snape soon the bond will retaliate and he will take the brunt of it."
"Nothing less than he deserves," The Boy-Who-Lived said callously before turning his back and walking.
"You know, I wasn't going to bring it up. I figured it probably existed for some important reason in this war against evil because everything does with you. But we know you have a bond with Hermione." Draco said, "I can see why you want to make sure your bond takes precedence but the rules are different when we don't know what Hermione actually did with her ritual with Snape."
"What the hell are you talking about? I don't have a bond with Hermione," the look on his face told Draco he was telling the truth.