A/N: Thank you all so much! I missed my intended posting deadline by 24 hours...dang it! I had some unforeseen events unfold that I rather wish hadn't. But anyways, a week's better than three, right?

To the reviewers I haven't responded to yet, I apologize...I will get on those soon. Thank you much to LoveSnape11, Russian Flower, tennis14321432, lostmariner4803, angellicious02, Mel, KittyPimms, Lover of Fantasy, 83annak, HPFanGirl01, LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL, sweet-tang-honney, Startled Boris, Sic Vita Est, becknox71270, TakumaAngel, Petite Mule, Odile1001, Angelwells, Sisterhood, Lonely Road, linda, Loyd1989, cairoh, BlooDsucKkerR69, kraco, DedicatedReader, MadamigellaSnape, sevurus grissom, MCannon5887, and Lucente! I am excited to have so many reviews!

I didn't get as far as I wanted in this chapter, but since I don't know how much time I'll have this week - I figured I'd post something for you!

Bound to Him

Chapter 19

Albus Dumbledore practically jumped out of his chair, scattering papers as he flew around his desk when he heard his office door being flung open.

"Severus!" he shouted angrily. "Just what the devil were you doing? I had not dismissed you, nor were we finished discussing our -"

The Headmaster choked back his tirade as he caught sight of Hermione standing beside the Potions Master. He gave a slight shake of his head and almost immediately re-donned the grandfatherly persona for which he was so well-known. "Miss Granger, how unexpected of you to join us."

Hermione swallowed nervously, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the elderly wizard before her.

"It is, isn't it?," Snape answered, knowing full well the remark was not directed at the girl. He touched her shoulder to capture her attention and then directed her towards the nearest chair.

She nodded hesitantly and quickly seated herself. When she cast another uncertain glance at the Head wizard, Severus failed to hide his grin.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, my dear girl?" Dumbledore asked, stepping closer to the pair of them.

Snape cleared his throat, answering in her stead. "Miss Granger has returned for another Occlumency session with you, Albus - to test her more...advanced technique."

From the corner of his eye, he could see the near-horrified expression upon the girl's face as her eyes locked onto his form. "But, sir, I haven't-"

"Silence," he commanded before turning back to the Headmaster with a smirk. "I assure you, she is quite ready."

"Severus," Dumbledore stated in a cautionary tone. "Exactly what are you getting at? I'm not sure I understand what you're up to."

Snape shrugged. "Call it a theory, Albus. As for my most recent actions, you may consult Miss Granger. She was privy to all that I may have done...and all that I may have said."

With his final word, he turned and fixed Hermione with a pointed stare. He dipped his head slightly when he saw the light of recognition appear in her eyes, and she flicked her wide-eyed gaze towards the other wizard.

Dumbledore was glancing between the two of them with suspicion. Finally he shook his head, slipping his wand from his robes as he strode towards the seated girl. Before perching on the edge of his own chair, he turned his attention to the wizard behind him. "Very well, Professor. Though I will require an explanation -from you - when I have finished."

Severus gave a sweeping bow. "Of course, sir."

The head wizard narrowed his eyes at the other man, but then smiled as he turned back to Hermione. "Alright then, Miss Granger - are you ready to proceed?"

The girl shot a pleading glance towards her Potions professor, but when he offered her nothing in return save for an empty stare, she exhaled and nodded glumly.

With a comforting wink, Dumbledore patted her knee softly before raising his wand.

X x x x x x x x X x x x x x x x X

Severus felt his lip twitch as he spotted a glimmer of frustration appear upon the Headmaster's face. He had remained absolutely vigilant as the event transpired, and now, as Dumbledore cancelled the spell, he knew his theory had been correct.

Hermione barely even twitched in her seat as she stared at the floor in disappointment.

She's completely ignorant, Snape surmised, shaking his head as he crossed to her side. Placing a firm hand under her elbow, he pulled her from the chair and began escorting her to the office entrance.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "But I did try to tell you I wasn't -"

"Good evening, Miss Granger," he interrupted, pulling open the door and forcing her out onto the stairs. "I will call for you in the morning."

"But wait!" she shouted as he made to shut the door. "I don't understand."

Snape smiled darkly and closed the door in her face. He heard her cry out in exasperation and kick the corner of the door.

"Severus, if you're attempting to make a point," Dumbledore began, rising from his seat. "I'm afraid Miss Granger is not the only one who fails to grasp it."

The younger wizard turned to face the room. At the sight of the victorious grin he displayed, the Headmaster lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "You've discovered something, haven't you?"

"I could see them, Albus - every memory you called forth," Snape explained, stepping into the center of the room. "It's different than when I'm performing the spell, however. I believe I am seeing them as she does."

Dumbledore nodded and made his way to his desk. He bent down to straighten the stack of papers he had dispelled earlier. "And this is what has you looking like the cat who ate the canary?"

"Not quite," Snape answered, crossing his arms smugly across his chest. "Though it is because of this that I have the privilege of knowing she lied to you."

The Headmaster's head snapped up and his gaze immediately fixed upon his subordinate's form.

"Rather unexpected of her, wouldn't you agree?" Severus smirked.

Dumbledore straightened to his full height as he considered the implications of the previous statement. "You mentioned earlier an anomaly in her memories - floating black orbs, you said."

The Potions Master nodded, allowing the elder wizard to continue his thought.

"I happened upon a couple this time - the most notable was dancing about your conversation by the lake." Dumbledore absently stroked his beard as he recalled the experience. "Most curious, I do agree."

"As I understand it," Snape began, " any particular item she doesn't trust you to see simply...slips through your fingers."

The eyes of the Headmaster narrowed considerably as they returned to their earlier scrutiny. Severus sighed lightly as he again felt the familiar niggling on the corner of his mind. With a small shake of his head, he pushed forward the memory of the lakeside encounter through his Occlumency shields and waited almost patiently for Dumbledore to finish viewing it. Within a few minutes he felt the presence quickly withdraw from his mind.

A dark expression had erupted onto the elder wizard's face. The corner of his eye twitched in anger as his gaze bore through his colleague. "Exactly what would possess you to tell Miss Granger that I was using her in such a manner?"

Snape shrugged, seemingly unaffected by the Headmaster's raised voice. "I was testing a theory, and seeing as you are the only other Legilimens currently at my disposal, I deemed it necessary. Though, I am curious, Albus, which angered you more - that I could have done such a thing, or that Miss Granger could believe you capable of it?"

A small twinkle re-appeared in Dumbledore's eye, replacing the former ire, as he turned back to his desk.

"Or perhaps," the younger man continued in an indifferent tone, "it's because I've actually figured out what you're up to."

"Severus, if I didn't know better, I would think you were serious in your accusations," Dumbledore said with a grin. "And if you are, you're as batty as I am."

"Highly improbable," Snape scoffed. "Besides, I didn't actually say that was what you were doing - I merely presented the girl with a hypothetical situation."

A loud chuckle emanated from the Headmaster as he gathered his robes and sat in his chair. "So you did, my boy, so you did. Very carefully worded...but then again, I would expect nothing less from you. Now, what does this mean?"

"What it means," Severus answered, taking several steps towards the desk, "is that little chit has been occluding me since we started!"

Dumbledore leaned back against his chair, resting his elbows on the armrests. "She doesn't know?"

"Completely oblivious."

Albus let out a slow breath. "Will it hold?"

"The Dark Lord's ministrations are far less gentle than yours, assuredly," Snape responded after a moment's consideration. "But with any luck, and a fair amount of strength on Miss Granger's part, it just might."

Dumbledore nodded gravely and leaned forward. "We must hope for the best, then. And now, Severus, I do really have some suggestions for your syllabus."

X x x x x x x x X x x x x x x x X

"But wait!" Hermione shouted, nearly in a panic as the door began to close. "I don't understand."

The haughty smirk adorning his face as he shut the door made her skin crawl.

"ARRRGH!" she cried out as she delivered an angry kick to the office door. Tears of frustration began to well up in her eyes as she punched the wall.

"Stupid arse," she hissed, attempting to shake the pain from her hand. Hermione dropped her arms to her sides and sucked in a deep breath in an effort to calm down. Uttering a string of expletives, she spun on her heel and descended the spiral staircase. Upon reaching the bottom, she closed her eyes in despair and collapsed onto the foot of the large stone gargoyle.

Quivering with rage, she ran a hand through her unruly hair. What the hell is he playing at? He knew! He knew I wasn't ready, and yet he still dragged me in there! For what? To parade my failures in front of the Headmaster? To mock me? Bastard. Git. I hate him! Doesn't he realize how hard I am trying? I am trying as hard as I can! But even that isn't good enough for him. No! He has to take my inadequacies and throw them in my face! Stupid, bloody bastard. I hate -

"Hermione?"

The sound of her name pulled her from her mental tirade. She glanced up to see Lupin staring at her, his head tilted in concern.

"Remus!" she gasped quietly, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes and rising to her feet. "Erm, hello."

He gave her a small, strained smile. "Hello to you, as well. Were you waiting to see the Headmaster?"

Hermione quickly glanced beyond the gargoyle and shook her head. "No, I already met with him. I was just, erm, kicked out as it were."

"Professor Dumbledore kicked you out?" Remus asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

She found herself giving a small giggle in spite of the situation. "No, no, of course not. Though, he didn't exactly raise much of an objection when I was."

"Ah, I take it Professor Snape must be in need of counsel, then," he remarked, raising his eyes briefly in the direction of the Headmaster's office.

"In need of counsel-ing is more like it," she muttered heatedly under her breath.

Remus chuckled softly as he returned his gaze to her face. "As true as that may be, I think the same could be said for most of us."

You have no idea, Professor. Hermione nodded, blinking back the urge to cry as she stared at her feet. No idea at all.

"Dumbledore mentioned your situation in the staff meeting this afternoon," he began suddenly, concern etched into his voice. "How are you doing?"

Hermione lifted her head quickly, her eyes widening in panic. What EXACTLY did he mention? she wanted to scream, but instead she quickly fought to regain composure. "I'm, uh, handling it, I suppose."

Handling it? You suppose? Merlin, you're a horrible liar. One look at you, and Voldemort's going to zap you into a million pieces. An angry voice sounded at the back of her conscience. Well, at least you'll take that ugly, cold-hearted git with you.

Lupin seemed to accept her answer, however, as he nodded. "Your parents? Are they someplace safe?"

Apparently Dumbledore didn't reveal everything. Obviously, or he wouldn't have mentioned Snape so passively. Hermione chewed on her lip as she debated how to answer. Surprisingly, she found she had responded before even realizing she had opened her mouth to speak. "They are. They're somewhere, I think, where no one will be able to hurt them."

"I am very glad to hear that," he responded, a relieved expression melting onto his face. He seemed ready to ask another question, which spurred her to speak further.

"Um, Professor? Could we not talk about this anymore? I really don't want to talk about it right now."

Remus gave a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Of course, Hermione. Forgive me - I didn't mean to intrude."

"It's alright," she whispered, her face flushing in embarrassment. " It's just that...I'm just so tired of thinking about it all."

"I understand. There is no need to explain." He glanced both directions down the empty corridor and then turned back to face her. "May I escort you somewhere? Unless you've more to discuss with Professor Dumbledore -"

"No!" she interrupted quickly. "I've had just about enough of the-er, him - for today. I mean, I was heading back to Gryffindor Tower. I wouldn't mind company."

Remus dipped his head and waited for her to take the lead.

"Have you seen much of Harry?" she asked as they started walking. "I really haven't heard anything from him this summer. I know how hard it must be for him - and you, too - to lose Sirius like that, and I really wish I could have been there for him. I mean, I tried writing him earlier this summer, but then everything happened, and I've just been so...so preoccupied. I feel terrible."

The unkempt wizard gave a mournful smile as she rambled on, almost uncontrollably. When they had reached the stairs, she finally paused for breath, and he took the opportunity to reply. "I have not seen as much of him as I would have liked, but I did manage to spend some time with him at the Burrow last week. He's still hurting, understandably of course, but I think he has come to terms with it, for the most part."

Hermione nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. "I feel like ages have passed since I saw him last. I can't believe it's only been a matter of weeks."

"I imagine so," he replied, meeting her eyes as they waited for the staircases to stop moving. "You and Harry have had to deal with so much in your few years. You've had to grow up so quickly, and I deeply regret the necessity of it all."

She swallowed nervously as she stepped onto one of the floating staircases. Biting her tongue, she resolved herself to do nothing more than listen. He was so easy to talk to, she feared what might spill out if she let herself go unchecked.

As if sensing this, Remus began talking again to break the silence. "He's looking forward to seeing you, Harry is, as are the Weasleys. The youngest Mr. Weasley, I believe, may be especially anxious."

Oh, Ron. Hermione closed her eyes in a silent sigh. She could feel her cheeks burning as the professor glanced down at her.

"Oh?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly. She was vaguely aware that he continued speaking, though she had no idea as to what was actually said. Her mind was reeling over what she would do regarding Ron. It was not even three weeks ago that she would think of him with a sly grin on her face, and now she was filled with an overwhelming sense of dread. For the past year she had been hoping he felt the same for her as she felt for him, and now that it seemed he did, she desperately wished that it could not be true. What if he asks? He's going to ask. Oh God, what do I say?

"Well, Hermione," Remus interrupted her thoughts as they arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait. "If you're ever in need of someone to talk to - about anything - my door is always open to you."

"Thank you, Professor," she responded with a tight smile.

He began to turn away, but stopped momentarily. "Oh, and try not to let Professor Snape get to you too much. He has a lot on his plate, and sometimes, he forgets to use table manners."

She nodded quickly, forcing a small laugh, and watched as he walked back towards the stairs. When he disappeared from sight, her smile vanished. She knew Lupin had said it in good humor, but the truth made it sting.

X x x x x x x x X x x x x x x x X

Love potions! Severus angrily slammed a textbook onto his desk. "The man has completely lost his mind!"

"Yes, you've been saying this for years," McGonagall responded, flopping down in the chair that was still transfigured to be an over-stuffed armchair. She glanced down at the faded brown color in disdain and, with a wink, turned it a very vibrant maroon. Feeling quite satisfied with herself, she turned her attention back to the raging man before her. "I happen to agree with you, but in the spirit of curiosity, what has he done this time?"

"Love potions, Minerva," he spat with a glare. "He wants me to supplement my sixth-year lectures with a section on love potions."

Minerva bit her lip to keep from laughing as she watched him pace.

"Love potions! Honestly!" he ranted. "We have enough problems as it is trying to keep those hormone-charged miscreants out of each others' robes long enough to sit their classes. How half of them manage to make it through their N.E.W.T.S without procreating is an absolute miracle - dumb luck, more than likely."

"Well, that and the contraceptive potions carefully stashed away in their trunks," she interrupted, thoughtfully.

"Yes, thank you, Madam," he hissed, briefly pausing in his steps. "And now, the old coot expects me to arm them with substances to further inflame their sex drives and lower their inhibitions! The thing with dumb luck is it only lasts so long before it bites you in the arse!"

McGonagall could not contain her laughter any longer. "Oh, Severus. You sound as though he expects you to stand at the door and pass out vials of Amortentia with a smile on your face as you tell them to have fun."

Snape froze mid-step and turned to glare at her. "I hardly think this is as funny as you make it out to be. Just because I'm not handing it out like he does his cursed sherbet lemons, does not mean it isn't dangerous."

"Of course not," she agreed, tempering her chuckles. "But the probability of any of them successfully brewing it, even in the controlled environment of the classroom, is slim. Imagine all of the scathing comments you can hurl at them while they try."

"That isn't the point." He shook his head in frustration. "All it takes is one imbecile who fancies himself quite the potioneer. It won't matter how far the brew is from acceptability - any deviation could have disastrous consequences."

Minerva sighed. "I think you may be over-reacting a bit, Severus."

"Just because your House lacks the subtlety to successfully slip something into a fellow student's food without being caught does not mean I am over-reacting."

"Well," she rolled her eyes. "You'll just have to use that Slytherin eye of yours to catch the rest."

Snape snorted. "Since I have all that free time on my hands, I must need something with which to occupy myself."

"You can teach the theory without actually giving the instructions, you know," McGonagall stated with a smirk. "As I recall, Horace Slughorn used to teach it without any major mishaps."

"Slughorn was an idiot." He straightened his robes. "I'm sure he never bothered to tell the Headmaster just how many bezoars I had to shove down students' throats in the weeks following those lectures. After a while, I had to set out a bowl of them in the common room."

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," she chuckled. "Though, Horace did seem to think rather highly of you."

Snape rolled his eyes. "Hardly."

"You did make his wall," Minerva offered with a shrug.

"I can die happy."

"Well, as long as you're happy, Severus." She fixed him with a smile as she adjusted her robes. "How are things coming with Miss Granger?"

He took one glance at the cat-like grin on her face and sighed. "He told you, didn't he?"

"It took you two weeks to figure it out, eh?" she nodded with a smirk. "That must sting."

"Why are you in my office?" He glared. "I don't recall asking you here."

The deputy headmistress exhaled loudly. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Shocking," he sneered, finally sitting on his desk chair. "And you figured the best way to warm me up was to insult me."

"Of course," she grinned. "It's worked so well in the past."

At her sudden hesitance to speak, he wiped a hand over his face. "Why do I get the distinct impression that this has to do with Potter?"

"A fortnight quicker than your last deduction. Most impressive." A certain mirth danced in her eyes, but still she wrung her hands in her lap. "I was hoping you might consider accepting him into your Advanced Potions class."

"No!" He shouted as he leaped out of his chair. "Absolutely not!"

"Severus, please -"

"No!" He spat again. "The rest of the staff may throw themselves to the floor and let the Chosen One walk over them, but I assure you, Madam, I will not!"

"I think you're being a tad unreasonable, don't you?" She asked, having visibly stiffened at his accusation.

"What's unreasonable," he responded, rounding his desk and moving closer to her, "is expecting me to treat him as though he's better than everyone else - everyone who earned the right to be there. Miss Granger earned her way in. Draco bloody Malfoy earned his way in. Potter had his chance. If he had earned it, I would be more than hap - I would let him in. But, The-Boy-Who-Lived-to-be-a-nuisance couldn't be bothered to study enough for his Potions O.W.L., and as such, he will remain unregistered for my class."

Minerva let out a large sigh. "Very well. No one can say I didn't try."

She rose from the chair and began walking towards the door. Stopping suddenly, she turned her upper body towards him and shrugged. "You're right, Severus. I shouldn't have asked you to bend the rules. I just thought, perhaps, that Miss Granger might appreciate a friendly face in that particular class. But, of course, you're right."

Facing the door to hide her smirk, she could hear his sharp intake of breath. After a few silent moments in which she knew he was staring at the ceiling, battling himself internally, he let out a mumbled curse word.

"Fine," he hissed as she expectantly turned around. Raising his pointed finger, he added, "But, so help me, if you request that pea-brained Weasley be let in as well, I will not hesitate to throw myself from the Astronomy Tower - Miss Granger's future be damned."

A sly grin appeared on the elder witch's face. "A bit over-dramatic, as usual. However, I do agree Mr. Weasley's...talents...are best left outside of the Potions Classroom."

After thanking him sincerely, she made her way to the door. With a swishing of her green robes, she disappeared into the hallway.

Snape sighed deeply and collapsed into the armchair. He rubbed his temple in frustration and then dropped his hand onto the arm rest. Glancing down at it, he narrowed his eyes suddenly and jumped to his feet.

"What the bloody hell did you do to my chair, woman!"