Calling All Skeletons

As always, I owe so much to my beta, s and h forever, who owns such a large part of this story.

Thanks again to those of you who have been reviewing. Having my story posted here is enough of an honor, but knowing that some of you are enjoying it has exceeded my expectations. Happy reading!

"Now the time has come. I just wish I could erase all the damage done to your name and your keepsakes. It's only just begun, it's been fun. We were blind, deaf, and dumb. There's a party in my closet calling all skeletons." (Calling All Skeletons, by Alkaline Trio)

Snape quickly followed Hermione into the lab, gestured for her to sit, and remained standing so that he could talk to her as he did in class, lecturing her. He knew that if he wanted to maintain what was left of his sanity, he would have to keep their meetings strictly teacher/student oriented. If that meant conducting the independent study like a normal class session, so be it. He couldn't afford having Hermione feel comfortable working with him; it would change the nature of their entire relationship. Severus didn't want to suffer any more than he already had to that evening; things were complicated enough for him as they were, and so he began describing Hermione's first assignment.

"Miss Granger, as I'm sure you've already deduced," the wizard began, "the projects you are to undertake with my guidance are going to be incredibly difficult. Some may even say they are impossible. Albus Dumbledore and the majority of the Hogwarts staff, however, have complete faith in your capabilities. Your first assignment is to attempt the creation of a potion designed to counter the effects of the Cruciatus Curse," he stated rather matter-of-factly.

Severus glanced over at Hermione to gauge her reaction, finding it just as he was expecting. The surprised look on her face was priceless: her mouth dropped open almost instantaneously, and her eyes were wide with shock. It took all of Snape's self control not to chuckle at the young woman sitting stunned in front of him, but fortunately, he found himself able to continue instructing his apprentice.

"I know this may seem to be an incredibly heady project to assign as your first, but it has been deemed necessary by the Order, and I will do everything in my power to help you succeed. Tonight, we will be working in the library so that you may begin preliminary research and formulate some kind of plan for your experimentation. Now, unless you have any further questions, let us retire to the library." Snape walked out of the lab, robes billowing behind him, and turned around suddenly as he sensed that Hermione was not following in his measured steps.

"Miss Granger, have I not made myself clear, or are you somehow morally opposed to our little 'field trip' this evening?" Severus knew his words would affect her; he knew how much she loved books and the wealth of information that was reserved in the Hogwarts library. If it weren't for the student curfew, he was certain she would choose to sleep there instead of in the comforts of her own room. He couldn't have been more correct, as Hermione's mouth finally closed, and she turned to look at him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I'm just trying to take all of this in. You're correct; this seems like a monstrous task. But yes, I'm ready now." Hermione awkwardly shuffled by him, trying to avoid his gaze, as they made their way to the library in silence. Snape finally addressed her again as they entered.

"Now, Miss Granger, I will ask very little of you this evening, except that you do not disturb me. I have papers to grade, and I daresay you have enough work to occupy you. I will stay here with you as long as you wish, and you have access to any book or record you may choose. If you are in dire need of direction, you may seek my assistance, but I will not put my work on hold to suffer your interminable questioning. Do you understand?" He quickly dropped his stack of papers onto one of the tables, the swift smack accentuating his question, before looking to Hermione for an answer.

"Yes, of course, sir. I wouldn't want to distract you. I'll get to work, then."

She doesn't want to distract me? She has no fucking idea what a distraction she is.

Before Severus had finished his thought, Hermione disappeared into the aisles of the library, leaving him with the peace and solitude he so desired.

Hermione trotted back from her trip through the library almost an hour later with a cart full of books, humming to herself. She loved every minute she got to spend in the library truly by herself; well, except for Snape being there, she was by herself. She saw him look up briefly from his grading as she made her way back to the table opposite him and, giving him a quick smile, sat down to read.

Wow, maybe I am a little too excited about this. Smiling at Snape? What's gotten into me? It's like I don't even know myself anymore. Next I'll be skipping in front of Voldemort, asking for him to take me to Madam Puddifoot's for tea!

Hermione gasped at her own trivial thoughts and opened the first book she had found on the Unforgivable Curses. If she needed to make a potion to combat the Cruciatus Curse, she certainly needed to know what she was really dealing with. Of course, she knew all about the subject, Barty Crouch Jr. had made sure of that in her fourth year, but she hadn't been required to take the sort of meticulous notes that such a task as this would necessitate.

Ah yes, the Cruciatus Curse. Wow, there's a lot of information about this. Feeling slightly tingly, as she always did when doing research, Hermione took out her quill and began eagerly taking notes.

The Cruciatus Curse

The Cruciatus Curse, if taken too far, can have disastrous and even deadly effects. People suffering under the Curse for long periods of time have been known to lose their ability to think rationally, reducing them to a level of permanent insanity. At this point in time, there has been very little progress made in attempts to both reverse and restore such altered mental conditions. Perhaps the best example of these lasting negative effects can be seen in the case of...

Hermione knew what was coming and wasn't sure she wanted to read on. She had imagined that reading so much about the Dark Arts would be hard for her, but she hadn't been able to foresee the personal level to which it could be taken. Although her mind screamed a resounding no, Hermione solemnly finished the sentence.

Alice and Frank Longbottom.

Hermione pushed the book away violently and let her head drop into her hands. I'm not going to be able to do this, Hermione thought. I don't want to know all of this. For once, I feel like I have too much knowledge... it's just too horrible. I don't understand how any witch or wizard could bear to do such a thing to another person. But I can't give up. I need to solve the problem, so that things like this won't happen to good people again. I shall conquer this... I shall!

She sat in silence, for many minutes, with her head resting on the table at which she was sitting. She was trying to clear her mind before she read the rest of the chapter on which she was diligently taking notes. Her methods of relaxation seemed to be working, and Hermione was in danger of drifting off to sleep until a murmur from the other side of the room got her attention. She sat up straight.

"Hermione."

Hermione looked around at the sound of her name, but could only see Professor Snape, who had fallen asleep at his table.

Seems he had the same idea as me. Obviously, a result of grading incompetent and inarticulate papers all evening. Hermione shuddered, thinking of all the poorly written papers Severus Snape must have read in his lifetime. God, how can he stand it? He can barely tolerate his students in class. Having to deal with their written words in his spare time must be excruciating. But he looks so peaceful when he's sleeping, as if he can leave all the horrors of his past behind him. What was it that Dumbledore said about dreams? Something about swimming in oceans and climbing mountains. Whatever it was, I'm sure it was inspirational. Wow, Snape actually looks kind when he's asleep. I wonder if he's ever let his guard down, formed a true friendship with anyone. Hm... maybe we could talk and... I could make it a sort of side project. It wouldn't be that bad. I'm sure he's actually quite a fascinating... anyway, she forced herself to stop before her mind took her too far, now I can add "hears things" to my growing list of issues... goody.

Hermione looked back down to continue her rigorous note taking, deciding that she had wasted far too much time already. She had been at it for another hour or so, until another whisper stopped her on the spot.

"Hermione."

Her gaze rose again, but there was still no one there, just Professor Snape asleep on the –

Oh. My. God. There's no one else here... that means that the voice has to be coming from...

And before she could finish her thought, Hermione watched as her name escaped from the lips of her sleeping teacher once more.

"Hermione."

Merlin's fucking balls. Hermione needed to wake Snape up as soon as possible. She didn't care how, she just needed him awake. But his voice... it's just so... so... The voice of her innermost thoughts was telling her things she didn't want to hear. She tried to drown it out, but it only seemed to crescendo.

"STOP!" Hermione yelled, not realizing she had actually screamed out loud until she saw Snape, quite literally, jump out of his chair.

Oh shit, I'm screwed now. Hermione began hyperventilating. Oh well, at least I stopped myself from saying that Snape's voice is – FUCK! I'm doing it again... stop Hermione, you're going out with Ron... Ron... Ron... I need to get back to the common room.

"What the hell are you playing at, Miss Granger?" Snape was evidently not amused by being roused so rudely from his nap, even though it hadn't been on his agenda for the evening.

"I'm so sorry, Professor. It's just that..." Hermione needed to think of something fast. "Well... I was researching the Cruciatus Curse more fully, and the book I was reading mentioned the Longbottoms as a case study for the lasting disabling effects of the Curse. It kind of struck home, if you know what I mean." Hermione looked up at him and watched as the anger left his eyes, thankful that she hadn't had to completely lie to Professor Snape, knowing that he would surely notice if she didn't tell him some form of the truth.

"That's quite alright, Miss Granger, although I suggest that you work on controlling your emotions. Many of the things you come upon in your research are bound to 'strike home'. Thank you for waking me, no matter how loudly. It seems to have gotten rather late. We'll continue this later; I'm sure Albus wouldn't appreciate you being overworked so soon. I will owl you tomorrow with our next meeting arrangements. If that will be all, I will bid you good night, Miss Granger." Snape headed towards the door, but stopped as Hermione ran after him.

"Wait Professor! Um... what were you... oh, not asking personal questions... never mind. Good night, Professor Snape. I'll see you tomorrow in class." Hermione grabbed her bag from the table and exited, leaving Snape alone in the library.

What personal question could she possibly have asked me? All I managed to do this evening was fall asleep... unless... that dream. O GOD, NO! As the realization of what must have happened hit Severus, he stormed back down to his chambers to mull what happened that night with the help of his newly purchased bottle of Firewhisky.

Clearly, their first session had been more than either of them could ever have anticipated.