A bonus Thursday chapter. Thank you for the reviews!

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May 1998

Severus felt his stomach roll over as he watched Bellatrix slice into Hermione's arm.

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That word. That bloody word. It was nearly an out-of-body experience, to watch the word, the one that had haunted him for so long, be carved into the arm of a witch whom he was supposed to protect. Another witch he had failed to protect. He hated himself as much in that moment, watching her small body be violated by Bellatrix's knife, as he had the day he discovered that Lily had been murdered. And that he was the reason why.

Granger's screams were muffled; she was trying to be brave, she was trying to take away Bellatrix enjoyment of her torture. She kept her glare trained on Bellatrix, only throwing her head back in agony when the pain became too much.

Bella cackled at her victim. "How do you like that, Mudblood? Now everyone knows exactly what you are. It's so much easier now, isn't it. So no one forgets?" Bellatrix's eyebrows raised as if expecting an answer.

Hermione gave her one. "I agree. Hand me the knife, I'll carve 'putrid skank' into your forehead."

Hermione earned a blow to the face and a chuckle from the room. Bella scratched her nails into the flesh above Hermione's breast. When she removed her hand, five bloody streaks were left behind.

"Enough, Bella." Voldemort's cold, thin voice wafted from his ornate armchair. His followers were sprawled around him, willing to jump to any heights to make their rotten, fascist, cult leader happy.

Hermione looked disgusted.

Voldemort eyed her curiously, "Severus."

Severus turned calmly to the Dark Lord. "My lord?"

"Yaxley tells me an interesting story." Yaxley, who had stood silent until then, fuming at Hermione, popped his head up, clearly alarmed that Voldemort had outed him in front of Snape.

"Yaxley has informed me that you have a softness for this vermin."

Snape was not rattled in the least. "My lord, I have reminded Yaxley on several occasions that I have been Professor to every single student that has passed through Hogwarts in the last 20 years. I have a familiarity with the child, not a softness."

"No? Tell me, what was she like at Hogwarts."

He shot a cold look at her crumpled form on the floor. "She was my least favorite pupil, always so desperate to outshine the pureblood students. It was pathetic how she tried to keep up with them."

"Really? I hear she did rather well in school." Voldemort knew something, Severus could feel it. He rimmed his goblet with his finger, smiling at the dark liquid. "I hear she's the brightest witch of her age." Voldemort turned to look behind his shoulder to the back of the room. "Didn't you tell me that, Draco?"

Draco, whose presence Hermione had not noticed, was suddenly the subject of the entire room's attention. His eyes were wide, his face pale. She had not gotten a good look at him when he had come to her aid two days prior. He looked half-starved, the circles under his eyes more pronounced than she had ever seen him. "Yes, my lord. She always had top marks."

"Draco thinks she's intelligent, although I do not see it. What do you think, Severus?"

Severus held the Dark Lord's eyes, the picture of cool indifference. "I would have to disagree, my lord. Her ability to regurgitate information that she read in books did not convince me that she is capable of any original thought."

Voldemort smiled like a serpent and nodded. "Good, so you have no fondness, then?"

"None, my lord."

"Glorious." Voldemort handed his goblet to Bellatrix, who had returned to his side, and stood. "It is your turn." He paced the carpet in front of Severus. "Drown her."

"My Lord-" Severus' words were cut off by a flash of red light that hit him in the stomach. He keeled over.

"You know better than to question me, Severus." Voldemort's voice held no more mock kindness.

Severus stood and bowed to his lord. He turned towards Hermione and looked her in the eye. She at least deserved that.

He braced himself for her tears but her tawny eyes held none. She looked at him as though he were a cockroach. He pushed down the acid in his stomach.

"Demergati." He murmured. He watched as her eyes widened; she knew the spell. Severus winced internally as her mouth was flung open and water filled her throat and lungs. Her body immediately went into a panic, spasming until she was on her knees, trying desperately to vomit the water out of her body. He knew better than to remove the spell until Voldemort said so. Showing weakness in her torture was the surest way to get her killed.

No, Voldemort wanted to test Severus, to make sure he was still the ruthless killer that had sat by and allowed so many muggles and blood traitors to be slaughtered in front of him. Severus held his gaze on Hermione's thrashing form.

Voldemort delighted in his coldness. "Let her breathe, Severus. Haven't you ever liked to play with your food? Give her just a bit of air, and then hit her again."

Hermione gasped and choked as suddenly the water was removed from her airways. Her eyes were full of tears, she coughed over and over.

Voldemort was smiling. Again, Snape's impassive face turned towards Hermione. More water, more agony.

Severus' steeled heart raged against his chest. To hurt someone so…so…he blasted her again. Her sobs echoed off the walls, mixing with the laughter of his spectators.

He channeled his mind to hers. A soft caress on her magic. I'm sorry.

She looked up at him suddenly, hate gleaming in her eyes. He shivered at her face, so raw and furious.

Somehow, he heard her reply. I understand. Make it look good.

Snape didn't have the luxury of being shocked. He choked her again and held her on the brink of unconsciousness, determined to make her pass out so that this could be over.

When she did, the Dark Lord smiled in his approval. His first genuine smile of the evening.

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September 2001

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Severus' first day back to teaching was every bit as miserable as he presumed it would be. It started off well enough; his third-year class filed in slowly, and when the clock struck, he launched into his lecture. He did not ask questions, but he did answer a few raised hands and immediately regretted it.

"Do you know Harry Potter?"

"Is it true you died and came back?"

"How big was the snake that bit you?"

Snape sucked his teeth and inhaled deeply. "If you have questions about the material, you will raise your hand. If you dunderheads ask me anything that isn't in your textbook, you will have detention. Am I clear?"

A dark haired girl raised her hand confidently, "But sir, you are in the book."

He stiffened. He had read the book the ministry assigned, but not cover to cover.

"When we get to that chapter, I will decide what is and is not an appropriate question. Five points from Ravenclaw for speaking out of turn."

He did not learn anyone's name, he assigned homework, and then he kicked them out 10 minutes early.

As soon as he was alone, he flipped through the book.

Shit.

There he was, and it was an awful picture. He was much younger in the picture they chose, probably because no one wanted to look at the ragged soldier he presented today.

He took in his greasy hair, his crooked teeth, long nose, and his pock-marked cheeks. Even in those young days he had felt awkward in his body, like everything about him was wrong.

He still felt that way, the only difference was that now he didn't give a shit what anyone thought of his appearance. Well, almost anyone.

The day went on much too long, and when the last class was wrapping up, he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

Exhausted.

Snape was exhausted from his scalp to his toes.

He sat down on his desk chair and pinched the space between his eyebrows.

Hermione chose that moment to pop her curly brown head into the room. "Well, my day was shit." She said with no preamble. "Fancy a pint?"

Snape looked up and blinked at her, "Yes."

Hermione beamed at him, and he felt suddenly lighter. He stood without another word, put his wand and his wallet in his pocket, and held his hand out to her.

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Hermione's first day as potions mistress hadn't gone great. It started with being whistled at when she stood to address the 6th year class, but she couldn't scold anyone because she hadn't seen who'd done it. She did have a few clues though, such as the group of Slytherin boys who were barely containing their laughter.

During her Advanced Potions lecture, she had many eyes on her, and she seemed to be getting through to at least the older students. And although the boys were clearly passing notes, at least they were quiet while she spoke.

When she'd had them start their potions, however, things got dicey. Hermione had walked around the stations, inspecting their Elixir to Induce Euphoria. She stopped to lean over and inspect one girl's potion, which was a muddy brown color and smelled of pine needles when she was splashed with a huge wave of the shimmering liquid.

She managed to snatch her wand before the golden liquid made it to her. Luckily, her reflexes hadn't abandoned her. She protected her face and hair from the potion with a shield charm, but her front side was completely soaked from the chest down. This would have been fine, if she hadn't removed her outer robe five minutes earlier. Underneath, she wore a white button-up shirt, which was now see-through and sticking to her bra, revealing her skin underneath. Before anyone could stare too long, she cleaned her shirt with a wave of her wand and magically mopped up the mess.

She turned back to the students, her shirt clean and dry again. She had no idea what to say. She was sure about six teenage boys had seen her bra through her shirt. Mentally, she took a moment to herself. It is what it is.

She looked each of her students in the eye, no shame could be detected in her voice. "Is anyone injured?"

The boys shook their heads, hiding their shy smiles. She turned to the student in question. He was a tall lanky boy with dirty blonde hair. To his credit, he looked properly mortified. "What is your name, young man?"

"Malcolm. I'm very sorry, Professor."

"It's alright, Malcolm. Do try to be more careful." She smiled at him kindly and waved her wand again, clearing his cauldron for him. "You may turn in this potion at a later date, but I'm afraid I'll have to mark you a zero today. You may use the lab during free period on Friday if you like."

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll be there."

She nearly giggled at being called ma'am. No, she actually wanted to giggle. She stifled her laughter, the elixir was having an mild, tingling effect on her through her skin.

She held it together the rest of the afternoon, checking her watch. It would be about 4 hours until the potion's effects went away if her estimations were correct. So she just needed to make it to 6 o'clock.

She released her last class when they had turned in their potions, and sat down at her desk. She felt amazing, like she had never been sad in her life. She imagined it was the opposite of standing next to a dementor. She also felt…guilty. Even though it wasn't her fault, she felt irresponsible to be under the influence of a potion in front of the students.

She decided she would just have to care about that tomorrow. She took a deep breath and stretched, smiling to herself. She felt like moving her body. She felt like walking.

She looked at her watch again, 4 o'clock. Plenty of time to kill. She planned to check out the greenhouse and get supplies for the potions ingredients she wanted to grow, and to get Pamona's advice. Hermione found that when she got there, she just wanted to keep on walking.

Wandering through empty corridors, she gazed at the intricate tapestries of rich royal colors that lined the walls of the corridor as she wandered. It wasn't until she'd taken her third random left turn did she recognize the portrait of a red-robed wizard reading a book. She was on the same floor as the Defense Against Dark Arts Classroom - but that couldn't be right.

Odd, she could have sworn she had taken the route to get to the courtyard. She was on the opposite side of the building than she'd intended. I'll blame that one on the Elixir.

Then she remembered who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was. She felt a slight headrush as her feet took steps towards his classroom door. Her heart raced as she took a small peek around the corner. It was empty.

No, not empty. In his chair, sat Snape.

No, not Snape. Severus. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and his black vest also open as he sat stoically in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his forearms, and the black of his tattoo peeked out. She should hate that tattoo, but the ink made him look even hotter.

It seemed as though the little part of her brain that was terrified of Severus did not exist under the effects of Elixir to Induce Euphoria. She felt no fear or embarrassment as she stuck her head around the corner, announcing in what she hoped was a friendly, not creepy voice, "Well, my day was shit. Fancy a pint?"

Snape's eyes shot to the door, his face giving nothing away. "Yes."

Elated, she stepped fully into the classroom.

Severus stood, and she took in his tall form. He was easily a foot taller than her. Her eyes went to the soft skin of his chest, which she had never seen before. She found she didn't mind the sight of his chest hair at all.

He held out his hand. She looked at it, confused.

"I am going to apparate us to a pub." He said.

"But you can't - can you?"

He quirked his eyebrow and gestured again for her to take his outstretched hand. She took it, and a moment later they were outside the Leaky Cauldron.

Her head rushed again, the effects of the potion even stronger after the apparition. "But... I read that no one can apparate in or out of Hogwarts."

"And yet, I did." He began walking towards the pub but didn't go in. Instead, he kept walking, she followed him quickly.

"How?" She almost asked where they were going, but she had already had a hypothesis formed in her head: Snape, decorated war hero and traitor to Voldemort, couldn't drink in a regular pub, and certainly not The Leaky Cauldron, which was the most popular pub in Diagon Alley. And he couldn't go to the Hog's Head or the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade since he might run into other teachers - Professor Snape was not one to socialize.

He turned a corner and led her into a small pub with dark windows and no sign on the front door. "Sit," he told her and they approached a booth. "I'll get drinks."

She couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face as she watched him walk away. She buried it quickly. It would not do to stare at Severus in public like a lovesick puppy. The place was loud and packed, but no one seemed to even notice her presence.

When he returned, he brought her a crisp cider, not too sweet.

"Thank you", she said after she took a sip. It was lovely. She reached into her bag to grab some coins when he interrupted.

"No need."

"Thank you, Severus." She said again, feeling awkward. "Ok, so spill. Why can you appar-"

"Shhh." he murmured. "Not so loud."

She kept her lips closed to keep her words from tumbling out.

"Can you think of the reason, Hermione?" His voice was low, it caressed her ears, even with all the background noise. He was testing her.

She thought on it. "Because you were Headmaster."

He nodded.

"But you're not headmaster anymore, so why-?"

"Because once the Castle gives you it's trust, you never lose it. No one in Hogwarts history has ever gone from teacher, to headmaster, and then a teacher again. The Castle does not rescind it's trust."

"Does that mean an acting Headmaster can do it? Could Minerva apparate from inside the castle when she took over for Dumbledore?"

"I never asked, but it is doubtful. There have been many acting headmasters; I believe I may have heard if that was the case. At any rate, she certainly can now."

"Fascinating." Her chin was propped up on her hand, her elbow on the table, she was openly staring at him. He really had nice bone structure in his cheeks, and a strong jaw-

He noticed and shifted under her stare. "Professor, are you feeling alright?"

"Oh!" She jolted upright. "Right! I was doused in Elixir to Induce Euphoria today in Advanced Potions. I'm fine, I have to wait out the effects for another hour."

He snorted. "Which idiot spilled on you?"

"Malcolm something."

"Baddock?" He studied his beer glass.

"I think so."

Severus furrowed his brows. "One of my house. There's something different about that kid this year."

"Really?" Hermione was surprised. "He seems perfectly polite, if not completely hopeless at potions."

He didn't elaborate, so she leaned forward. "May I ask you some personal questions?"

"Such as?" he drawled.

"What's your…deal? Do you have a partner, family, pets, hobbies? I don't know much about you."

"No one has asked me that in a very long time." He was looking at her glass now.

She made sure to keep her eyes on her glass too. Severus Snape, she had realized, was a bit like a nervous deer. The moment he thinks you have an agenda, he's out. So she kept her gaze off of him as best as she could. "That's because everyone thinks they already know you. But I don't."

Snape scoffed, "I'm sure Potter's told you all about me. He's seen my memories." He scratched at the glass, clearly uncomfortable.

"He didn't, and I never asked." She said simply. "He gave us the cliff-notes version. I know a small bit about what Dumbledore and Voldemort put you through, but no details. As far as the reasons why you decided to help our side, it's none of my business. I respect your privacy. So does Harry."

Snape was silent for a beat. Then he said softly, "I live alone when I am not at Hogwarts, but I have a house elf in my residence.' He glanced up. "Before you protest, Bonny is very well kept and she can leave whenever she wishes. I even offered to pay her, which she took strong offense to. We eventually settled on the notion that I would put money aside for her every week, and if she ever wants to leave, she can access it. She tells me I am wasting my time. She is also a fantastic cook, so I am selfishly glad she never took me up on it."

"She sounds lovely. And you don't see her during the year?"

"Oh, I check in on her from time to time. She doesn't need me there to do her job. She mainly listens to records, redecorates, and tends to the plants. She is an independent spirit."

"You have plants at home too?"

"Many." He replied, taking a sip and licking the foam off of of his lip. "I have a greenhouse."

She chewed on her lip, it was hard not to fidget in his presence. "I…wasn't going to give you a hard time about the elf. I know now that everyone has a right to choose their own path. I'd…just prefer it if everyone had options."

"I will toast to that." He raised his glass and held her eye while they each took a sip, as is polite. He caught the sneak of a smirk as she drained the rest of her glass and set it down with a clink on the table.

"Another pint, or back to reality?" She asked.

"Back, unfortunately." They gathered their things and made for the door.

As they exited the pub, a white-blonde flash of hair caught her eye. Standing alone on the corner smoking a cigarette, was Draco Malfoy.

"Severus, will you wait for me for a moment?"

He saw where her eyes were looking and put his hand on her shoulder protectively. "Are you sure? You are under the effects of a potion-"

She scolded herself for relishing the feeling of his hand, warm in the cool evening. "The effects are almost gone, I can tell."

Malfoy watched her as she approached, but did not say anything to her.

"Hello Draco." She said softly, folding her hands in front of her.

"Granger." He flicked his cigarette.

"I heard you got hired at Gringotts, that's great."

He gave her a confused look. "Is that a joke?" A puff of smoke escaped his nose as he huffed at her.

"Why would it be?"

"Because you hate me. Because I was a- I AM a..." He shook his head.

"That's in the past."

"Easy for you to say, you landed on the right side of things." His blue eyes were hard, cold. She could tell he was keeping her at a distance, probably keeping everyone at a distance. She thought she could almost feel his loneliness.

"So did you," she winced, "in the end."

"I haven't seen you since my trial."

Hermione had testified. "That was a hard day."

"Why did you speak on my behalf? Why did you say all those things?"

"I would have thought that was obvious." His silence told her that it wasn't. "You healed me and helped me survive."

He shook his head, his voice rang with bitterness. "See, that's where I'm confused. I didn't do any of those things you said."

"You interrupted when…when he was…you got Yaxley to leave me alone."

"I only did that because Sna-" He hesitated, "I only stopped him because I was tipped off. And I didn't heal you."

"I don't care. You don't deserve to be in Azkaban." She felt so terrible for him, to be raised under such vile conditions. She had always thought he was so lucky, with his good looks and his family's money. "Wait, did Snape tip you off?"

He cursed. "I swore I wouldn't tell. Don't repeat that."

"The war is over, Draco."

He gave her a look as though she was pitifully naive. "This war will never be over, Granger."

Draco tossed his cigarette butt onto the damp cobblestone and walked away, his lanky form disappearing into the foggy evening.

She walked back to where Severus stood, he held his hand out again. She ignored it and stepped into his side, wrapping her arms around his middle. She could have sworn she felt his heart speed up, and then they were whooshing back to school.