Chapter 8

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just borrowed them for a while. I promise to put them back when I'm done. Oh, nope, no money either...just for fun.

I want to give a great big thank you hug to EverMystique and DuchessOfArcadia for combing through this to point out my numerous errors and help me make this presentable for reading. You're the best, thank you!

Severus and Mulciber walked to Hogsmeade together. Before he'd left, he'd made sure that Hermione had enough food to hold her until dinner time. Up ahead of them on the road to the village, Black and McDonald were walking arm-in-arm next to Lily, who was holding hands with Potter. Lupin was talking with Vargas and Potter as Pettigrew ambled along behind everyone like a groupie. Severus clenched his teeth and forced himself to look away.

"Grates on you, don't it?" Mulciber asked, frowning at the Gryffindors.

"Nah, she made her choice," Severus sneered.

"Mud like her and her filthy friends. Figures they'd be chummy with those blood-traitors, Black and Potter. You'd think they'd know better than to debase themselves," Mulciber continued as if Severus hadn't spoken. "You can do so much better, mate."

"Books or Zonko's..." Severus started to suggest just before Black pulled on Potter's sleeve and jerked his head in the direction of the joke shop. "Second thought, how about the Quill Shop or Honeydukes?"

"Everyone's meeting up in the Broomsticks at eleven," Mulciber reminded him. "Honeydukes is a must, mate. Might get me a quill first, though...and I need some ink."

In the quill shop, Hurshiser was flirting with the blond Ravenclaw Severus had seen with him in the castle. Hurshiser ran his fingers down her long, blond hair and leaned close. "Pick one and I'll buy it for you," he said suggestively.

"And what would you expect in return, Slytherin?" she teased him back.

He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "A kiss," he said, winking at Severus, and kissed her.

"Fresh," she admonished him, pushing him away.

"Possibly, but you'd like it," Hurshiser said with a smirk. "If you'd let me."

Severus spotted a very nice, black swan quill he really liked, but frowned at the price. He sighed and selected two black Canadian goose quills instead.

Rowe stepped around a shelf of parchment stock with a Ravenclaw girl following him, holding a ream of medium weight parchment in her arms. "Oi, Severus, mate."

"Hey," Severus grunted in greeting with a jerk of his head.

"This is Brenda," Rowe introduced the smiling girl following him. "Going to the Three Broomsticks at eleven. You comin'?"

Severus shrugged, selecting a pack of parchment that he could afford. "Don't feel like being a gooseberry."

"Don't be like that. Come," Rowe said, picking up a white swan feather quill. "We're all going to be there. It's not dates or anything. Well, some of us have, but not everybody."

Severus knew he meant Mulciber and himself. "I'll think about it," he said as he walked to the counter to pay for his quills and parchment.

Avery and Miss Myers passed by the window, his arm around her waist as she waved to someone she knew.

In Honeydukes, Thortenson was teasing Linnet with an elongated, cream-filled caramel pop, and Avery and Miss Myers were piling treats in a basket. Severus bought his favorites and some flossing mints for Hermione. Just as Severus was leaving, the Gryffindor four entered with their dates. He eased around the candy display of every flavor jawbreakers, butterscotch balls, and fruit juice pops in twelve flavors, angling for the door, hoping to be unnoticed.

Lily squealed as Potter opened a chocolate raspberry pop in front of her face. "James, stop that!"

"Oh, Mint tickers!" McDonald exclaimed, trying to reach for a jar on the top shelf. As Black leaned over her to get the jar down, Severus made his escape.

He heard Mulciber call him, and he turned around. "Oi, where you going?"

"Bookshop," Severus shouted back.

"Thought we was headed to the Broomsticks?" Mulciber asked as he ran up to Severus.

"After," Severus said, walking quickly toward the end of the street. The old bookshop was his favorite retreat. Within minutes, he had a pile of books next to him in one of the aisles.

"Sev, mate, it's almost eleven. Everyone will be waiting on us," Mulciber said, leaning on the bookshelf, holding a thin book in his hand as he tried coaxing him to go.

Severus looked up and smirked, knowing that Mulciber hadn't even glanced at the first page of the book he held. "Nah, go on, mate. I want to sort these out first. Besides, I'm not really thirsty."

"Should've made you wait 'til after drinks to let you come in here," Mulciber frowned and pushed off from the bookshelf. He shoved the book on a shelf. "Okay, I'll tell the guys you'll be by later."

Severus Summoned the book to him, curious to see what Mulciber had picked up. It was an old, used book on wandless magic. Severus set it on his pile. Half an hour later, he stood. He had seven books, but only had enough to buy some of them. He sorted them twice before deciding to buy four books: one on advanced potions, another about concealment charms, one that had some interesting enchantment potions that bordered on Dark Arts, and the one on wandless magic.

He entered the street, only to see the Gryffindor group mingling near the Three Broomsticks. Severus slipped into the shadows, watching them for a while, glancing occasionally at the other shops, and then looked up at the clear blue sky. There wasn't anywhere in Hogsmeade he wanted to go, but he didn't want to be cooped up in the castle all afternoon either. He turned and slipped around the back of the shops, headed for the castle anyway.

On his way, he thought about Hermione. She was fun to be around. Sure she was young, but she was smart and funny, excited easily, and made him smile. She was spunky and seemed to understand his snarky humor. It was a shame he couldn't sneak her out and spend some time sitting by the lake or take her on a hike. A hike might not be bad...we wouldn't see anyone or be seen. He smiled as he worked out a plan. He broke into a run and hurried to the old classroom. "Come with me," he said as he burst through the door.

He had startled her. She'd jumped as she whirled around with her wand aimed at his chest. She dropped her hand, then put the wand away in the pocket of Avery's robe. "Come where?" she asked, still breathing heavily.

"We're getting out of here for a bit," he said, walking up to her with a mischievous smirk.

"I'm not supposed to leave the room," she said as she backed away from him and drew her wand again. "Who are you, and where is Severus Snape?"

"I'll Disillusion you and use the Notice-Me-Not," he said with a grin, grabbing her wrist and casting the charms. "C'mon, it'll be fine."

He kept hold of her wrist as he led her, not caring if it looked odd. He refused to get separated and wanted to know exactly where she was. He used a door at the end of the first floor corridor that was usually locked before dusk and led her to the Quidditch pitch, going around the outside of the pitch to a trail he liked that few people knew about. Hermione stayed quiet as she followed him, but her footsteps could be heard clearly in the dirt and gravel of the trail. When they were far enough not to be noticed from the pitch, he removed the Disillusionment Charm.

"Are you sure this is safe?" she asked.

He laughed at her concern. "The hard part will be getting back before dusk without you being seen. But I thought you'd like some air, and we can collect some plants along the way."

She smiled and bit her lip, her eyes shining with happiness. They walked along the trail, jumping and climbing over rocks. He held her hand as they walked along a fallen tree over a rockslide. At one point, they had to climb a short way up a rock face. Hermione kept up with him, only needing a little coaching on the climb. Once at the top, she turned and inhaled in amazement at the view. "Oh, this is so beautiful!"

"I hoped you'd like it. I come up here sometimes to get away," he said, watching her obvious delight with the view of the vale Hogwarts sat in. "You can see the entire lake from up here, the castle, and there's Hogsmeade." He had to admit, the view of the castle was breathtaking.

"I've never seen the castle from this vantage point before," she said in awe.

"C'mon, we go this way," he said, leading her through two bushes that had overgrown and blocked the trail a bit. The trail followed the ridge around Hogsmeade, dropped down, then made a steep climb, and continued on a gradual decline. Severus stopped her in her tracks before she scared off a black scat-rat, a magical crossbreed of a large squirrel with a cat's head and retractable claws.

Hermione squatted down next to him, her thigh rubbing against his. They waited until the animal scurried away. "Will we see more animals?" she asked softly.

He pulled an overhanging branch back to let her pass first. "If we're quiet enough, yeah. This part of the trail comes out near the edge of the forest and through a meadow. I've seen unicorns there."

They saw lizards and a few rabbits as they made their way down the trail. When they reached the meadow, Severus held his finger to his mouth. "The unicorns will let you pass unchallenged. Me...if they see me, the stallion will charge, but the mares just run away. Be really quiet. If they sense us, walk in front of me and act protective, but don't draw your wand."

Hermione nodded, understanding. As they stepped from the trees, Severus stood really still. The bushes and grass were still tall enough to conceal them somewhat. He motioned for her to follow the trail that meandered through the taller grasses. Halfway around the meadow, Hermione stopped. Two unicorns were grazing in the sunshine, the sunlight making their coats shine as brightly as the sun reflected on the water near them. She sighed in awed wonder. Severus gave her a nudge and urged her quietly to keep going. When they reached where the trail turned back through the brush, Hermione turned to see the unicorns one last time, but they were gone. "I saw a dead one once, my first year. But I've never seen one alive. They are so magnificent...I never realized."

He looked at her, his brow creased and his head tilted slightly. "What killed it?"

"I don't want to explain," she said and walked on.

He shrugged and caught up, once again leading the way. "We're going to come out of the forest down by the Shrieking Shack. I'll have to Disillusion you then. Try to stay close to me, okay? I hope we don't run into anyone; if we do, go straight to the castle, but don't bump into anybody. If you follow the trees, you'll be safer than if you stick to the path."

Severus cast a few other spells, including a Silence Charm on her trainers, and then Disillusioned her as soon as the Shack came into view. "Stick with me," he said and took off for the castle. They made it to the gates before there was a problem.

"Oi, Severus, where'd you get off to?" Avery asked as he came walking up to him, followed by Rosier, Thortenson, and their girls.

Severus sighed and told them he'd been on a hike to collect potion ingredients.

The guys laughed, and Avery patted him on the back. "You were missed, mate. Mulciber even went back early to work on his essay, can you believe it?"

Severus made many sly furtive glances about as they walked to the castle, but he couldn't detect Hermione. He swore to himself that he was getting too good at the Disillusionment Charm for his own good. He was pulled along the throng of his friends all the way to the common room, still slyly trying to figure out where she was. They walked to the seats by the fire, and Avery indicated for him to sit next to him.

Severus sighed and plopped down in the chair. "I need to shower, guys," he grumbled. He looked around. Three first-years were revising at one table, a fourth-year was reading by the magical windows, and two second-years were playing wizarding chess.

"You're not that smelly," Avery said the same time Thortenson snorted, "What's keeping you, then?"

Severus felt a small hand touch his shoulder. "Okay, well this is fun, but I'm off," he said, getting to his feet. Avery jumped up too, telling Miss Myers to wait for him as Severus whispered, "Stay close but don't move anything."

Avery gave him an odd look as he headed for their dorm room, telling him about some drunk witch who had been singing in the Three Broomsticks. Severus felt someone bump him and was relieved that apparently Hermione was sticking close to him. Avery walked on his other side, stepping ahead of him between two tables. Severus maneuvered around a chair, getting behind Hermione, and he pushed her in the direction of the dorms, hoping no one saw his hands. Once in the room, he lost her again.

"Severus, you okay?" Avery asked.

"Yeah," Severus stated. "Stay here," he whispered, getting no response back. He hurriedly gathered his stuff and an extra towel. "Ya comin'?" he mumbled softly to the empty space in case Avery thought he was talking to him and exited the room.

"'Course. I'm not hanging around in here," Avery replied, following him out. "What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing," Severus replied, heading for the showers. He felt her hand again when he stopped in the doorway. Sighing, he led her to the last stall and sat on the bench. "You might as well get cleaned up. It seems like most of the house are out somewhere, outside, or still in Hogsmeade, I suppose. My friends will stay in the common room for a while, comparing their shopping finds and snogging their girlfriends."

"Okay," he heard her say. There was a small splat sound as she walked though a bit of water on the floor followed by a few footprints. He felt her robe land on the bench next to him. The sounds of her trainers being dropped next, preceded by the soap, flannel, towel, and shampoo floating away. He took the charm off the robes and shoes and cast a cleaning charm on them as the water in the last stall turned on.

"It's weird trying to wash yourself Disillusioned," he heard her say.

"Do you need help?" he asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"No," she answered back, and he could see her smirk in his mind's eye. At least this was easier, hearing her wash and not having to see glimpses of her through the slit in the curtain.

Suddenly the door opened and in walked Avery. "What's up, mate?" He smirked at Severus and started to strip. "If you want to get clean you have to get under the water, not stare at it."

"I was just thinking," he said, cursing every deity he knew for his bad luck.

"You can think and shower at the same time," Avery said as he turned on the water. "Severus, mate, is anything wrong?"

"No, nothing," Severus said with a shrug, turning on the tap next to Hermione's stall.

"Oi, what's with that one?" Avery asked, pointing at the stall Hermione was in.

Severus shrugged as he undressed quickly. "Dunno, it was running when I got here. I think that Myrtle-ghost is in the pipe."

"Damn, I hate it when she tries to peek," Avery said as he rinsed his hair out. "So, how was the hike? Did you get anything in the shops before you went?"

"Bought some candy and a book I think might help me solve a problem I'm having," he said as he reached through the curtain dividing his stall from Hermione's and grabbed the soap.

"You and your books," Avery said with a chuckle. "So, you think Hurshiser and Rowe will score?"

This was not a conversation he wanted Hermione to overhear. "Isn't this a first date?" Severus asked, hanging his head, letting the water soak his hair. He noticed a bottle of conditioner someone left on the floor of his shower stall and kicked it over to her.

"So," Avery said as if it was a sure thing.

"No," Severus said. "The girls didn't look like they were as gullible as the ones they usually go after."

Avery peeked around the curtain. "Ten says yes," he said with a cocky grin. "Five each."

"I don't have ten," Severus said with a grimace.

"I'll spot you," Avery said, letting the curtain fall back into place.

Severus reached through the curtain that separated his stall from Hermione's and snatched the shampoo.

"Well, I'm done. See you in the common room?" Avery said, turning off the water.

"Yeah," Severus said, rinsing the shampoo from his hair. He couldn't believe he was washing twice in one week. The things I do for this girl!

Avery walked over and stood behind him. "You're going to be brewing all night again, aren't you?"

Severus turned and nodded, unabashedly giving him an eyeful, knowing it made Avery uncomfortable. "For a while; it's simmering, and I need to bottle it up."

Avery snorted and turned away. "Fine, see you later."

Severus rinsed his hair and turned off the water. He listened for a while as he wrapped a towel around his waist. "Sorry about that. Are you done?"

"I've been done for a while, but I was afraid to move," he heard her say.

"Leave the water on," he stepped from the curtains and walked to the benches. "I tried to freshen up the robe," he said as he held it out to where her voice had come from. "Here?"

The curtain moved, and a hand took the robe. It fluttered and floated as she put it on. Severus had just changed into his robe when Avery walked back in the showers. "Forgot my soap."

Severus glanced up and realized Hermione had ducked into his shower stall. "Don't tell me you're getting forgetful at your age," he sneered teasingly, slipping on his trainers. He Disillusioned Hermione's robe again when Avery's back was turned, barely tucking his wand away when his friend turned around.

"You comin'?" Avery asked at the open doorway.

Severus gathered his things, walked to the door, and pulled it open even further as he motioned for Avery to go first. He felt Hermione brush past him and smelled his shampoo on the air before he followed her out. He turned for the exit, hoping to get her out of the common room unnoticed.

"Aren't you going to put your wet stuff away?"

Severus sighed. "Yeah, after I check my potion," he said flatly.

Avery scowled. "You've been acting kinda strange lately," he grumbled. "What's gotten into you?"

Severus turned and faced him. "How so?"

"You're just... off lately. Are you mad about something? Did Potter or Black do anything in town?" he asked. "You can't be still mooning over that Mudblood, are you?"

"Bugger off! This has nothing to do with Lily," Severus snapped, emphasizing her name, and turned to leave. He hoped that Hermione was following him or was somewhere close. He couldn't see her, of course, but he couldn't detect the shimmer of distortion that would announce her presence either.

A couple of fourth-year girls came into the common room, one of them dropping something that fell in the corridor. Her friends held the door open as she turned around to pick it up. He passed through the door, thanking the fourth-year as he did. He walked toward the classroom, wondering if Hermione was anywhere nearby.

"Hermione?" he whispered as loudly as he dared when the girls closed the door. He walked casually back to the door and tried whispering her name again. Nothing. He turned around, glaring both ways down the corridor, but he couldn't detect anything. What if she's still stuck in the common room? "Hermione?" he asked a bit louder.

A hand touched his shoulder. "I'm right here," she whispered.

He whirled around and grabbed it, pulling her with him to the classroom. He removed the charms once they were inside. "Damn, that was too close! What a mess."

Her eyes were down cast with embarrassment. "Sorry about that. I was waiting by the door for you when I saw the girls coming in and slipped out when I saw her drop her book."

"No, it's fine," he said, feeling a wave of relief. "Next time, we'll have to time your shower better, that's all."

"Actually, all considered, I think our timing was pretty good. Like a comedy of errors that worked out right," she said, laughing. "I never thought I'd see so much of the Slytherin common room and dorms, though."

He ran his hands over his face and cupped his hands behind his head. "One that I sincerely hope doesn't have a repeat performance." He dropped his arms as he looked at her. "You okay? Are you sore or anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Sleepy though," she admitted. "Severus, what's the deal with you and Ha...er, Potter and Black?"

He looked at the wall and sighed. "They are bullies, Hermione. They've picked on me since my first year." He turned to look at her. "I really don't want to talk about them."

"Sure," she said, turning to look at the bed and back at him. "Will you stay a while or do you have to go?"

"I thought you were tired?" he asked, crossing his arms.

She smiled as she walked over and pulled a deck of cards from her bag. "I am...was, but I thought maybe you'd like to play a game of cards."

He smirked at her. "Poker or Go-fish," he teased her.

"Do you know how to play Gin?" she asked as she sat on her bed and began to shuffle the cards.

"Yeah, I do, actually," he said as he shook his head, laughing at her. He sat at the foot of the bed facing her as she dealt the cards.

The next day, Severus watched as Hermione slipped the chain of the Time-Turner around her neck and picked up her bag. "I had a good time," she said as if she were merely leaving from a visit.

"Well, you were pretty tough to take," he said with a smirk, then sighed as he looked at the floor. He really didn't want her to go. "I had a good time, too. You'd better go." He could see her indecision on her face, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She wanted to hug him, he was certain of it, but didn't know how he felt about that. Lily used to hug him whenever she'd leave...or used to when they had been close. He looked at Hermione and wondered if it would be the same, holding her. The silence between them seemed to stretch on for an eternity.

He had a hard time looking her in the eye all of a sudden. She looked sad, as if she were losing a friend. It was how he felt, but he wasn't going to admit it to her. Damn. Just go already, he thought, not wanting to stand here and prolong the inevitable.

She stepped forward and touched his arm, and it was all he could do not to jerk away from her. She wasn't making this easy for him.

"Thank you for everything," she said softly and moved closer.

"Yeah, well, you're welcome," he said, feeling like a wet prat. What would a hug hurt? She lowered her head and looked back up at him as she shifted her weight again. He swallowed as she made a tentative move toward him and reached out. His arms seemed to hang there as hers wrapped around him. Her soft, curly hair tickled his nose. He hugged her back, awkwardly, closing his eyes as he smelled his shampoo in her hair. He thought it would've felt awkward, hugging her, but now that he was holding her, he didn't want to let go. She turned her head and kissed his cheek. Severus pulled away and stared at the floor. "It's time. You have to go back, Hermione."

Her face fell as soon as he'd said the words. She nodded and moved away. "Bye, Severus."

"Good bye, Hermione," he said, knowing she'd be back, just not when. He'd have to check the diary to find out.

She checked the alignment and activated the device.

Severus had no idea how long he stood there, rooted to the floor, staring at the space she'd disappeared from. He turned slowly and looked at the pile of clothes and linen. Maybe he'd ask that house-elf to clean the room after all. Reluctantly, he headed for his dorm room, hoping that his dorm mates were asleep.

~ T. B. .C. ~

Author's Notes:

Gooseberry – according to The Best of British: The American's guide to speaking British, a gooseberry is to be the third person on a date or 'a third wheel' in American slang. The site is: http://www.effingpot.com/people.shtml

The Latin used in this chapter is:

Excussum [ to shake out, to search]

Inveni [to come upon, find, discover, to show oneself]