one ~ five
Chapter 1 of 13
Ladymage SamikoInjured and exhausted after the battle, Severus conceals himself, only to be found by someone who is also running away… from her memories. Written for the grangersnape100 'hide & seek' challenge.
He huddled in the corner, wrapped in layers of invisibility spells, and waited. He hadn't been able to help it. For one thing, he was too weak to walk, let alone Apparate. For another... Well, he was honestly curious. Who would come for him? Would anyone? Who was left who would remember him, let alone expend energy to retrieve his corpse?
No one, apparently.
He leaned against the wall, trying to ignore the smells of blood and death. It wasn't so surprising, really. And silence was a welcome alternative to students circling his body and cheering.
And yet...
No one.
~ ~ ~ ~
Long habit awakened him at the soft sound of footsteps. The creaking of floorboards. For the first time, it occurred to him to doubt who had won. Albus had been a master strategist, but... He gripped his wand (not that he could use it right now) and waited.
She entered the room with more caution than he thought characteristic. And she was a mess— bloodstained, curse-scorched, torn clothing... not to mention her infernal cat draped across her shoulders like a furry boa. Her face appeared years older.
Her eyes widened. And then... tears... and... Was that hope on her face?
~ ~ ~ ~
Hermione's eyes searched the room, flicking quickly here, there. No sign of his body. Had someone else...? She'd come as soon as she could get away, but... Still, maybe, just maybe... He was— is?— an intelligent man. Maybe...
It was a wrench to sheathe her wand, to remove Crookshanks from her shoulders; both were security blankets of a sort. But if it were possible...
"Crooks," she said quietly, "find him, please." One couldn't order a cat, of course, but he was her familiar; she could ask. With a lazy stretch, Crookshanks began his investigation, miaowing his dislike of their environs.
~ ~ ~ ~
His eyes followed the cat; he dared move nothing else. Gods only knew what that beast was capable of. He should've expected Granger (assuming her survival). Gryffindor's champion of lost causes.
Still... someone had remembered.
That somehow made it a little easier to disappear.
What else could he do?
That question became infinitely more important as twenty pounds of cat/kneazle dove into his lap and began purring. Not to mention umpteen plus pounds of Granger throwing her arms around him and bursting into tears.
He blinked at the pair of them. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
~ ~ ~ ~
Hermione sniffled into an invisible waistcoat before truly realizing what she was doing. 'Sorry, sir," she mumbled, backing off slightly. She left her fingers where they were, feeling the rough wool— to reassure herself or to keep him from simply piking off, she didn't know. "But..." she continued softly. "I found you, you see. You're alive. I didn't lose you."
She felt his sigh, little more than silent stir of wind. "Yes." An emotionless confirmation.
She hadn't thought she could hurt any more. She hated being wrong. "You didn't want to be found, did you?"
"No."
She hated being right.
9/12/07
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Latest 25 Reviews for And Ye Shall Find
162 Reviews | 7.02/10 Average
Hmm, fascinating. I've just finished reading all 100 of your stories. Very enjoyable. Life is a bit traumatic and the quick short drabbles were perfect for most days. I was surprised to end with this one and see it unfinished. Would love to see the rest of it. THANKS for writing all of them!
I'd love to see this continued too! Such a bittersweet and compeling tale. I'm anxious to see how they become unlost!
looking forward to reading more.
Any hope of this being finished? I am just rereading this, and I love it. Please let me know!
Response from Ladymage Samiko (Author of And Ye Shall Find)
With any luck, yes. It's on my list of things to do, which has gotten a bit stalled due to RL. It may take a while, but I _do_ want to finish.
beautifully done! thanks
Have the gypsys come for Severus?
I agree with Hermione that going back to her muggle roots is the place to go. Clearly she could use some mental health assistance as well. PTSD is no laughing matter.
Dumbledore, she realized, had avoided Crookshanks. Amen to that! 
I like the way your HG took the hint and left with out any overt pouting.
This is awesome - can;t wait for more, I am totally engrossed.
The first other people to impinge on their mutual lostness - very, very interesting.
Yay! I love this story and I'm so glad to see an update.
Both of them searching, and both of them lost. Wonder what their new aquaintances will do for them? Great chapter. :D
Oh I love the old lady 'intruders' telling Severus and Hermione they were lost! I can't wait to see what these old gals suggest!
Thank you for such a deep, emotional portrait of both characters. I love your writing, not only in this case but in your other stories.
I've read this last year, way before finding the gut to begin to review, and it still is a favourite.
I hope you'll find it in yourself to give it a continuation 
*off to check whether I DID mark it as a favourite - I've never really paid much attention to how they work :)*
Wow - great take on Dumbledore's motives here. I totally agree. Thank you very much for posting this, Cat
Hmmm...Dumbledore was distinctly Machiavellian, wasn't he... >.<
another wonderful chapter exploring lots of rich emotional territory. i loved your description of snape's journey to Nowhere - very poetic. i feel sad for hermione. i look forward to whatever happens next in this beautiful story you are weaving.
Poor Hermione. She is really lost. As is Severus. I hope they can find themselves soon. They're both too intelligent to be wasting away as they are.
Lots of momentous decisions.
I wouldn't be surprised if it never dawned on Severus as to why she was so upset with his leaving. It wasn't that she was caring for him so much, it was that he was caring for her and her alone. She finally had someone whose priority was her and not someone else. He was her support and he left her. I think it will be quite some time before Hermione can really face that.
they had to come apart so they could come together. thanks so much and i look forward to the next installment.
Anonymous
What an interesting turn of events! Now what will the both of them do, and how on earth are they going to get back totgether? For I simply can't believe that you're letting them out if it, now, will you? ;o)
He will be back. I'm sure.
Anonymous
Well done, very well done!