48- Fathers and Sons
Chapter 50 of 84
Good_WitchHermione meets Snape before rehearsal, and learns the details of how James saved him years ago. Her insistence that he treat Harry better shakes things up and leaves Snape reeling. Once they recover from the emotional overload, they take their newfound awareness to rehearsal, with startling results.
ReviewedA/N: I know this took a while, but it's REALLY long, so I hope you all forgive me! Special thanks to Ladyofthemasque, Beta extraordinaire, SnivellusSnape, katydid, and yutamiyu. Now, go forth and read! ;)
Chapter 48- Fathers and Sons
Hermione woke with a start, disoriented. Oh! What time is it? Blast! Dinner will be over soon... Jumping up, she straightened her clothes and vainly patted at her hair. Peeking quickly at her reflection, she grimaced at her puffy eyes and pale face. Ugh! Maybe Severus will have already gone by the time you get there, and he won't have to see you looking so dreadful.
Feeling a pang of envy that he could Apparate instantly to the Great Hall, while she still had to hurry down staircase after staircase, she bustled out of her room and through Gryffindor Tower, hastening downstairs.
Bursting into the Hall, she immediately noted that Snape was not there. Feeling both let down and relieved, she slid into a seat at the Gryffindor table, reaching for the serving plates and nodding in response to her mates who had greeted her.
Ginny frowned at her and said, "You okay?"
Hermione nodded, gesturing with her fork at her now-full mouth. Rolling her eyes toward Snape's usual seat, she looked meaningfully at Ginny, who blinked in comprehension.
Harry looked over and piped up, "You sure? You look kinda' under the weather."
Swallowing, Hermione gasped, "I'm fine! I was just a little tired and fell asleep. I can't believe I almost missed dinner."
Ginny wisely left well enough alone, knowing that the real reason Hermione's eyes were puffy was likely linked to whatever had been in that letter. But Harry persisted.
"You look like you've been crying...ow!" He cut a fierce glare at Ginny who had stomped his toe under the table and was staring at him in reproach.
Hermione, seeing an opportunity to distract Harry, said, "I may have teared up a bit earlier when I was reading. It was a very affecting love story." Harry blinked and bit back a grimace, obviously not fond of girlish romances. Suppressing a wicked grin, Hermione added, "I could tell you all about it..."
Harry's eyes widened in alarm and he hastily waved a hand at her. "No! No... that's all right. Really. No problem. I was just concerned, that's all. Glad you're okay." He ducked his head, running his hand over his hair.
Ginny smirked at his uncomfortable reaction and winked at Hermione. There was an awkward silence as Hermione continued with her meal. Eventually, Harry broached a new subject.
"So, looking forward to rehearsal? You've got your big song tomorrow night."
Hermione nodded gravely. "You know, that song is so sad. I hope I don't get all teary from it, too."
Harry's brow furrowed in comic dismay, and Ginny giggled. Patting his shoulder, she offered a solicitous, "It's okay, dear. I'll protect you from the weepy girl."
Harry scowled at her, and Hermione chuckled. "Anyway, I know you're not particularly looking forward to tomorrow night, but I will talk to Professor Snape before rehearsal, like I promised."
Harry's attention snapped to her, and he frowned. Tone dubious, he said, "I don't know why you think it'll do any good. You don't have to mess with it. Leave the git alone, so he'll leave you alone."
Hermione's jaw clenched. In a measured voice, she retorted, "I can't leave him alone and he can't leave me alone, Harry. We have to work together. He's not as horrid as you think. Not anymore. Besides, without his help, you would have had a much more difficult time finishing off Riddle."
Harry squinted at her, perplexed. "Riddle?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Voldemort!"
Tossing his head, Harry said, "Since when do you call him 'Riddle'?"
Hermione was taken aback by the question. Blinking, her mind raced. That's what Severus called him all through that letter. Oh my, this is awkward... Floundering for a response, she glanced at Ginny, who was also eyeing her quizzically. "I heard Dumbledore and Professor Snape call him that. I guess it's a way of denying him his self-styled importance." Feeling nervous sweat prickling her skin, she diverted the topic. "Anyway, that's not important. What's important is that Professor Snape has no reason to try to harm you, Harry. Honestly!"
Harry huffed, shaking his head slightly. "Sure. We'll see."
Eyes narrowing in pique, Hermione shot back a heated, "We will see, won't we?" Then, clearing her throat and composing herself, she continued loftily, "I daresay you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how professional and civil he can be."
Ginny jumped in with a soft, "It's true, Harry. Just wait."
Harry looked between the girls, struggling with his knee-jerk loathing of the man. Remembering Neville's assertions as well, he exhaled heavily and fixed a sceptical eye on them. "Fine. I'm reserving judgment until rehearsal. If he can treat me with respect, then we'll talk, okay?"
Both girls' faces lit up with approving smiles. Once again, Harry shook his head, clearly thinking they were daft. Casting a speculative glance at Ginny, he said, "So, what'll I get if I'm nice to the ol' Professor, eh?" He waggled his eyebrows and leered suggestively, at which Ginny burst out laughing and swatted his arm.
"Opportunist! Come on, you pervert, and I'll give you a preview." Smirking at Hermione's reaction of cradling her face in her hands, she stood, pulling an unresisting Harry with her. "See you later, 'Mione."
Hermione kept her eyes covered with one hand and waved resignedly at them with the other, making both teenagers snigger. Harry let Ginny drag him away, tossing an amused, "Bye, Hermione!" over his shoulder.
Hermione sighed in relief and finished her dinner in peace; she wondered how Snape was faring since he wasn't there for her to see, and was looking forward to the next evening with a mixed bag of anticipation.
******* **********
Friday saw Hermione heading to dinner as soon as it was available, consuming her meal with ill-disguised urgency. A few minutes after she had begun, Colin wandered over and took a seat opposite her. Acknowledging his presence with a perfunctory nod, she continued with her meal.
"Hi, Hermione. You're here early tonight. Excited about rehearsal?" He pasted on a bright smile.
Warily wondering if he was still trying to pursue her, Hermione replied cautiously, "I have some things to take care of after dinner and before rehearsal, so I have to hurry. Rehearsal should be fine as usual."
Colin nodded vigorously. "Oh, I'm sure! I know you'll be brilliant with your song tonight." His cheeks started going pink and he tacked on an airy, "Of course, you're brilliant with anything you do."
Hermione blinked and swallowed hard, feeling a knot of unease in her gut. Offering a wan smile that didn't reach her eyes, she said, "Thank you, Colin, but you're exaggerating. I just do my best."
Eyes wide, he retorted, "I know you do! It shows!" He paused, awkwardly toying with his food in the lengthening silence. Hermione determinedly ignored the Head Girl-urge to engage in some sort of conciliatory conversation with him, afraid of stirring up more trouble for herself.
Several minutes passed, and she finished eating, hoping that the food would settle in her tense stomach once she left Colin's disconcerting presence. He was morosely picking at his meal, eating little.
Clearing her throat and gathering her things, she pushed back from the table. Colin glanced up wistfully. Gamely trying for some semblance of normality, Hermione said, "Well, I'll see you later. Gotta' run."
Colin nodded and gazed at her, his expression forlorn. He managed a faint, "Right. See you."
Hermione hastened away from the table, eager to be free of him, and she didn't look back to see him staring after her.
Bollocks! He would try to do that when no one else is around. Honestly! Please don't ever let me endure such discomfort again! Ugh... Now to just drop off my things and get to Severus.
She bustled up to her room, blowing a quick kiss to a drowsing Crookshanks before leaving again. Hoping that none of the people she passed and exchanged greetings with would ask about her destination, she made her way down to the stairs to the dungeon, furtively glancing about to see if anyone noticed her descent so early in the evening. Working out a plausible excuse about needing clarification on her Potions homework, she smoothed her palms over her hips, wiping the nervous sweat from them.
Heaving a huge sigh of relief that she hadn't had a run-in with any Slytherins, she forced herself to walk instead of run to get to Snape's office. The door was closed when she arrived, and she hesitated a bare moment before knocking.
Snape was at his desk, brooding over an essay when he heard the knock, the remains of a sandwich going stale on a plate to one side. Brows drawing together in perplexity, he glanced at the time. It's not six yet; could that be Hermione? Swallowing back the agitated pulse of his heart in his throat, he snapped, "Enter."
Hermione opened the door and locked eyes with him as she stepped in. Her heart throbbed in an excess of emotion, but she forced herself to maintain her outward composure. "Professor."
Snape's expression was inscrutable as he said, "Miss Granger." After a beat he added, "Shut the door." When she did as she was bid, he stood, stepping around to the front of his desk. His voice soft, he said, "You're early."
Hermione stepped closer, still gazing up at him. "I couldn't wait any longer."
They stared for a long moment before he nodded sharply. "Come." He offered her his hand, and when she took it, Apparated them to his bedroom.
Hermione's eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. She gasped, glancing sharply at him in query.
He stepped back, hands up and palms out in a gesture of appeasement, shaking his head ruefully as he murmured, "No. Nothing like that. I merely wish to avoid the possibility of anyone inadvertently seeing you if they Floo-called. Of course, if you'd rather not discuss things here, we can go elsewhere."
Hermione exhaled slowly, extending a hand toward him in apology. "No! I was just surprised. It makes perfect sense. I'm fine." She looked up at his solemn face and grimaced. "Actually, I'm not fine."
Snape frowned, squinting at her in confusion. Everything she had felt when reading his letter came rushing back to her, and tears welled up, spilling over onto her cheeks as her lips trembled. At the sight of her tears, Snape's eyes widened in alarm and he stepped forward just as she threw herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest, uttering a strangled, "Severus!"
Quickly enveloping her in his embrace, he caressed her hair and back, muttering reassuring nonsense and kissing the crown of her head. He could feel her shaking as she sobbed, and he was bewildered and dismayed at such an unexpected occurrence. Urgently, he whispered, "Shh, it's okay. Hermione, love, what's wrong? Tell me, please. What can I do?" and guided her to sit on the edge of his bed.
Hermione gulped back her sobs and sat. Pulling away from him enough to wipe her face, she sniffled and fumbled for her wand to Summon some facial tissues. Snape watched her compose herself, waiting for her explanation for her behaviour.
Finally, Hermione Vanished several soggy tissues and swallowed hard, facing Snape. His unease was apparent, and she impulsively reached up to cup his jaw in oblique apology. "I love you so much."
His eyes closed at her words, and he covered her hand with his, turning to plant a kiss on her palm. "And I, you. But what happened?"
Gazing solemnly at him, she whispered, "Your letter."
His face fell, and he pulled back a bit, letting her hand drop to her lap. His jaw clenched and he avoided her eye, simply uttering a flat, "Oh. That."
Reaching up again, she gripped his chin and guided him to look at her again. His eyes were flat and dull, closed off. Hoping her love was visible in her eyes, she pinned him under her intense gaze and murmured, "Thank you, Severus."
His lip twitched and he seemed to shrug in derision. "For what? Traumatizing you so much that you burst into tears even a day later? Oh yes, that's certainly something to be grateful for..."
She shook her head in exasperation and insisted, "Stop that! I am grateful that you would share so much with me. I'm glad I know more about what you've been through. I can appreciate you so much more now."
Snape snorted and looked away, body tense. Hermione leant back again and pursed her lips. Her tone was verging on stern as she said, "Severus!" He snapped his eyes to hers in surprise. Holding his gaze, she eyed him and challenged, "Do you not believe me?"
Snape's eyes went wide and his lips parted as he inhaled sharply. Closing his mouth again, he swallowed hard and finally nodded. His voice gravelly, he said, "Yes. I believe you."
Hermione smiled at him, and he caught his breath again at the way she lit up. Relaxing under her fond smile, he gave himself a minute shake, trying to dredge himself out of his funk. He reached over and squeezed her hand in mute apology and she caressed his fingers.
Chewing her lip, she ventured, "So, may I ask you something? Without you sinking back into that pit of despair? Because remember, I'm here now, and you shouldn't ever have to feel that way again."
His lips twitched in a faint semblance of a smile. Heaving a gusty sigh, he blinked and said, "Ask."
Hermione held his hand in a firm grip, her thumb stroking in little circles as she said, "You wrote something about owing a life debt to Harry's father. What happened?"
Snape searched her face for a long moment. His voice was low when he said, "Do you really want to know?" She squeezed his hand and nodded. He thinned his lips and murmured, "I'll show you."
Hermione's eyes went round as she comprehended his intent. Staring at him, stunned by his offer, she sat frozen as he stood and crossed to his wardrobe to retrieve his Pensieve. Basin cradled in his hands, he crossed back to the bed, standing on the other side of it and depositing the Pensieve on the centre of the bed. Hermione squirmed around and knelt facing it, gazing soberly up at him.
He closed his eyes and scowled as he lifted his wand to his temple, withdrawing the silvery strand of memory. When he dropped it into the basin, he opened his eyes again and gazed at Hermione, his expression grave. Folding his arms over his chest, he nodded pointedly to the swirling mist.
Hermione blinked, glancing down at the basin and then back up at him, uncertain. "Er, aren't you going to look with me?"
Snape's lip curled and he tossed his head, growling, "I've seen it more than I care to count. It is my memory, after all. No. I think you should experience it alone. So you can get a better feel for what I experienced."
A tremor of fear washed over her. Then, she steeled herself. It's just a memory; nothing can harm you. Leaning forward and supporting herself on her hands, she glanced up at him again. "All right, then. I'll look." He nodded again and she took a deep breath, bending closer to the eddying surface until she felt herself being drawn in, falling into the memory. She stifled a shriek as she dropped.
Glancing about wildly, she saw that she was in a corridor in Hogwarts, and she saw a lean boy with long greasy black hair peering intently out of a window. With a jolt of recognition, she realized it was Snape. His expression was as sour as she had often seen on adult Snape. He shuffled to one side and craned his neck as he stared outside. Curious, Hermione edged closer, trying not to feel disconcerted by encountering a Snape younger than she was. Glancing out the window, she could see what looked like a woman guiding a shrouded figure toward the Whomping Willow. She gasped as she realized what she was witnessing.
This is what Sirius and Lupin were talking about before Snape caught us all in the Shrieking Shack! That's Lupin going off to the Shack to transform, so it must be a full moon night... She looked up, seeing the sun dipping lower in the sky. She jumped when Snape suddenly moved. He had been almost unnaturally still, and when he had stepped back from the window, it had startled her. She watched his eyes narrow in calculation as he strode rapidly down the corridor and barrelled down the stairs. She took off at a jog, attempting to keep up.
When he shot down the next corridor and out a door, she raced after him, pausing only when she saw a young Sirius lounging near a tree outside. It was apparent that Snape hadn't seen him, as he was heading in the opposite direction, but she saw Sirius notice Snape, and she stopped short at the unsettling look of predatory glee on his face. He pushed away from the tree and bounded after Snape, calling out, "Oi! Snape!"
Snape stopped and whirled around, wand in hand. He eyed Sirius warily. Sirius merely regarded him with a smug smirk as he loped closer. Snape bit out, "What do you want, Black?"
Hermione edged around to a better vantage point for seeing them both. Sirius eyed Snape keenly. "It's getting darker. Where're you going?"
Snape flicked a glance at the Whomping Willow and then scowled at Sirius. "None of your business, Black."
Sirius stepped closer, idly twirling his wand through his fingers. "You haven't seen Peter, have you? He's supposed to be meeting me..."
Rolling his eyes, Snape scoffed, "Now why would you think I would have seen your bloody friend?"
Sirius cut a shrewd glance at him and murmured, "Because you're always watching us, Snape. Don't think it's not obvious." He snorted in amusement at the pink stain travelling up Snape's pale face.
Hermione wished she could do something to end such an uncomfortable confrontation, feeling totally helpless. Even she reacted with relief when Peter Pettigrew came jogging up to them, puffing heavily and sweating.
Snape's eyes flickered between the two Gryffindors, glittering in the fading light. Peter gasped, "Sorry... I was... late."
Sirius turned a benign smile on him and said, "No worries, mate. I was just passing the time with Snape here while I waited." Peter looked from Sirius to Snape, eyes round with apprehension and confusion. Sirius draped an arm over Peter's shoulders and guided him away, turning them to face away from the wary Snape.
Hermione hurried to get closer to them, barely hearing Sirius whisper to Peter, "Just shut up and play along, okay?" Peter nodded eagerly and Sirius spoke in a low voice, but one that was still audible to Snape where he stood, straining to overhear their conversation. "Lily and her friend are already under the Willow, waiting for me and James. Where is he?" Peter, afraid to say anything, merely stared at Sirius, breathless with anticipation, and shrugged. Sirius winked at Peter with the eye out of Snape's view and continued, "Listen, I know they won't wait forever, so we should split up and both go look for him. Just remember to tell him to use a long stick to press that knot on the trunk to get the branches to stop flailing."
Peter kept nodding, whispering back, "Right, tell James to press the knot on the trunk with a stick. Okay."
Sirius grinned and said, "Good man. Now, let's hope we find him soon. Lily said she was really looking forward to her blind date."
Hermione's jaw fell, aghast at Sirius' manipulation. She could see Snape listening hard, and she saw his eyes widen at the news that Lily was waiting and he could press the knot to get past the Willow. Knowing what she knew now about his youthful feelings for Harry's mother, she felt a throb of sympathy for him, being tricked by someone using those tender feelings as bait.
Sirius winked at Peter again and nodded. Straightening and turning to face Snape, who was still eyeing him darkly, Sirius said, "Well, ah... it's getting late, and you know we're not really supposed to be out after dark. So, you should probably get back to the castle too, Snape."
Snape bristled and spat, "Don't tell me what to do, Black."
Sirius looked back at Peter and jerked his head, indicating that the other boy should go. Peter scurried away. Sirius narrowed his eyes at Snape and murmured, "I don't have time right now to deal with your attitude, Snivellus. Just know that you'll get what you deserve one day. Soon." Then, with one last look of contempt, he took off, leaving Snape standing alone in the growing darkness.
Hermione watched Snape staring after Sirius, heart aching for him. He glanced around and finally looked at the Willow. Taking a deep breath, he tugged at his robes, smoothing them. He pocketed his wand and stealthily moved toward the tree. Peering around at the ground, he saw the branch lying where someone had dropped it after prodding the knot. Eyes darting around excitedly, lips widening in a faint smile, Snape picked up the branch and poked toward the knot, ducking to avoid the reach of the Willow's flailing branches. On the third try, he pressed it. The branches froze in place, and a fleeting expression of triumph graced his face.
Stepping closer, he withdrew his wand and muttered, "Lumos." The wand's light threw the opening in the tree roots into relief, deepening the shadow of it. Breathing faster, he crept forward, sliding into the hole. Once he was out of sight, Hermione glanced anxiously at the sky, seeing the moon, round and full. Remembered terror gripped her. She knew what Snape was sliding into, and she remembered how frightening Lupin had been when he had changed.
She was about to dive down after him, when she heard pounding footsteps approaching. Looking around into the expanding blankness, she thought, Everything is disappearing. It must be because this is Snape's memory, and he's moving further away from this point. How fascinating! She was relieved to see another boy come into view, one who looked startlingly like Harry. James!
James skidded to a stop, panting, looking panicked. He looked up at the moon and hissed, "Dammit, Padfoot!" before launching himself into the hole. Hermione dove after him, grateful that she couldn't be hurt by the descent.
Once he hit the ground, James yelled, "Snape!" He lit his wand and took off down the passageway. Hermione ran with him. She could hear him muttering what sounded like a litany, "Not yet, Moony. Please, not yet."
Looking ahead, Hermione saw the pinpoint of light at about the same moment James did. Again, James yelled, "Snape! Stop!"
In the distance, Hermione could see Snape's face under lit by his wand. He scowled back at James and spat, "Too late, Potter! You may as well go back."
James's eyes widened in fear as he saw Snape pushing up the panel that covered the opening into the Shrieking Shack. Arm outstretched, he raced ahead, voice almost strangled in terror as he said, "No! Snape! Don't go in!" Then, several things seemed to happen at once.
Hermione heard the menacing growl just as Snape whipped around to see the glistening jaws of a snarling werewolf peering under the panel. His face went sheet white and he seemed petrified with fear. James reached Snape and grabbed his robes, yanking him backward, bellowing, "Colloportus!" at the panel as it fell back down. There was a flash of light as the spell burst over the panel, making an odd squelching sound, sealing it. From behind it, they could all hear the snarling, snapping growls of the werewolf as he tried to scratch through it. Snape's wand was on the ground to one side, giving off a feeble light.
James dropped to his knees, panting. Shoving his glasses back on straight, he peered anxiously at Snape, who was sprawled on the dusty ground, obviously shaken. James reached for Snape's wand, offering it to him as he gasped, "You okay?"
Snape turned wide, shocked eyes on James and snatched his wand away, scuttling backwards like a crab. His expression was a mixture of terror and loathing as he voiced a harsh, "Get off me!"
James jerked back as if stung, taken aback by Snape's lashing out. Blinking, trying to marshal his scattered wits in the wake of so much panic, he lit his wand again and said, "Are you hurt?"
Snape's wand was vibrating with the force of his trembling. Hermione could see that his thin chest was rising and falling rapidly; he was almost hyperventilating in his shock. His voice verged on hysteria as he said, "Very funny, Potter! You and your friends nearly got me killed! Oh, Dumbledore will expel you for sure. You and your little gang!" Snape struggled to his feet, looking almost deranged.
Hermione stood to one side, hands over her mouth, tears trickling over her fingers, unable to look away.
James swallowed and attempted a reasonable tone. "Snape, listen! It was a mistake! Honest! Sirius really crossed a line this time. I told Peter so when he told me. And I'll tell Sirius the same thing when I find him." He paused at the hair-raising sound of howling and yelping from behind the panel. Glancing at Snape, who was staring, horrified, at the panel, he reached out to grip his arm. Snape jumped and batted his hand away. James backed up and said, "Let's just get out of here, okay?"
Snape pointed his wand at James again, edging around him in the tunnel. In a low rasp, he said, "You first. I don't want you behind me."
James nodded slowly. He stepped past Snape and began the trek back up the tunnel, Snape at his heels. Hermione stuck close to them, and she was surprised to be able to smell the acrid odour of fear-sweat wafting off Snape. When they got to the other end of the passage, James turned to Snape.
He spoke softly and with great care, as if he were trying to calm a skittish animal. "I'm really sorry this happened. It was all a mistake. Look, I'll go with you to Dumbledore to explain what happened..."
Snape cut him off. "Don't think you'll get out of this one, Potter. I daresay attempted murder is against school rules!"
James ducked his head, clearly trying to maintain his composure. He looked back up gravely. "Come on, Snape. I just saved your life. Let's be reasonable here. You owe me."
A look of pure disgust washed over Snape's face. His voice shook with barely concealed fury as he hissed, "Don't flatter yourself."
There was a long moment crackling with hostility, then James said quietly, "Have it your way. Let's go." He turned and climbed out of the tunnel, with Snape hot on his heels. Hermione followed, watching them trek up to the castle through the moonlit night. As they got farther away, Hermione felt the blankness encroaching, and she suddenly found herself whirling up through the mist and back onto Snape's bed.
When she re-oriented herself, kneeling beside the basin, she looked up, seeing Snape backed against his wardrobe, arms crossed tightly over his chest, expression closed and sullen. She felt her tears cooling on her cheeks in the dungeon air, and she sat back on her heels, wiping her face. Staring at Snape, she tried to find her voice, but couldn't think of anything to say. Mutely gazing at him in sympathy, she watched him grimly skulk over to the Pensieve and replace his memory. His jaw clenched and his brows drew together as his eyes closed.
Casting a fleeting glance at her again, he picked up the basin and replaced it in his wardrobe. When he closed the door, he placed his hands against the wood and braced himself, facing away from her. She could see the tightness in his shoulders, and his head bowed between his outstretched arms. His voice was strained and bleak as he said, "Satisfied?"
She suddenly let loose the breath she hadn't known she was holding. As it soughed out of her, she whispered, "Severus."
At his name, Snape's hands seemed to claw at the wardrobe door, clenching. He pushed back and let his hands fall to his sides as he spun, turning blazing eyes in a set, white face on her. Hermione's hand lifted toward him involuntarily. After staring at each other for a long moment, Hermione finally choked out, "I'm so sorry."
His eyes narrowed and he snorted. "Funny chaps, Potter and his gang, wouldn't you say?"
Hermione sucked in a breath and eyed him with reproach. "No! Of course not! That was awful."
Snape seemed to be sucked into reliving the anguish and he spat, "And of course you know what happened after that. That bloody berk had the bollocks to harass me even more, and no matter what I did, I couldn't stop them! Not all of them!"
Hermione scrambled off the bed and crossed to Snape where he was pacing feverishly. Gripping his arms, she peered up at him in confusion. "Severus, wait! What are you talking about?"
Snape pinned her with a harsh glare and growled, "Like you don't know. Surely Potter relished telling you all the humiliating details of what his heroic father and beloved godfather did to me just weeks later during our O.W.L.s!" He looked so angry that Hermione stepped away from him, afraid.
In a would-be rational voice, she said, "I don't know what you mean. What was Harry supposed to have told me?"
At her claim of ignorance, Snape stopped, rounding on her and glaring. His voice was a hoarse whisper as he goaded, "Surely you remember his tale when I refused to teach him Occlumency anymore! There's only so much I was willing to endure under Dumbledore's orders, and he crossed the line that night! Oh yes, I'll wager you all had a good laugh back in Gryffindor Tower, taking the piss out of the greasy git!"
Hermione began to get irritated with his ranting, especially since she was none the wiser to what he claimed she was supposed to know. Frowning, she planted her hands on her hips and forcefully said, "I said I have no idea what you're talking about! Harry said you figured he could carry on himself since you had taught him the basics, and that's why he wasn't studying Occlumency with you anymore. I tried to tell him he shouldn't stop the lessons until you were sure he'd got it all under control, but he just cut me off and told me to drop it. But, judging by your reaction right now, I'm guessing there was more to it. What happened?"
Snape's eyes widened, and he stared at her, dumbfounded. She could almost see the rapid calculations racing in his head. Holding his gaze, she waited.
Snape finally blinked. Then he blinked again, several times, rapidly. The rigidity in his frame drained away, and he seemed to deflate, confused astonishment writ plainly on his face.
Hermione didn't move or speak. She knew that he was wrestling with something huge, and she didn't want to interrupt whatever alteration was occurring.
Finally, Snape turned blank eyes on her again and faltered, "He didn't tell you?"
Tamping down the flare of annoyance, she slowly murmured, "Tell me what?"
Snape sank onto the edge of his bed, looking almost lost. "He... I caught him snooping in the Pensieve... prying into my most personal memories..."
Hermione's brows shot up. A jolt of anger at Harry flashed through her, quickly followed by a pang of pity for Snape having his privacy violated like that. Carefully, she perched beside him, gingerly laying a hand on his knee.
"No. He never said anything. And it's not like we didn't ask."
Snape's mouth worked like he had tasted something sour. His voice was low as he said, "After that night at the Shrieking Shack, Dumbledore swore me to secrecy to protect Lupin. I couldn't believe he didn't expel them for nearly getting me killed."
Hermione dared to interject, "But James saved you."
Snape snapped his gaze to hers, his black eyes crackling with fury. "Don't you think I know that?!"
She jerked away, startled by the vehemence in his retort. Warily, she stared at him, loath to say anything again.
He dropped his head to his hands, elbows propped on his knees, and raked his fingers through his hair. Hands clasped behind his neck, he stared unseeingly at the floor as he continued, "I know he saved me! It made me sick to owe him anything! And after I tried to convince Albus to expel them, they all determined they'd get me back. They had detention for the rest of the year, until it was time for our O.W.L.s."
She cringed at the derisive note in his voice. He ploughed on, his eyes locked on the images replaying in his head.
"After our Defence Against the Dark Arts exam, Potter set upon me, with Black and the others right along with him. Lily tried to get them to stop, and I lashed out at her in my humiliation, hurting her feelings and ruining whatever chance I may have had at remaining her friend." He sucked in a ragged breath. "I owed a life debt to one of the people I most despised, and my one chance to really pay it back disappeared in a flash of green light at the end of a maniac's wand."
Hermione waited in the heavy silence. Hesitantly, she moved closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder, offering what comfort she could. Eventually, he turned to look at her, his eyes glassy, expression defeated.
Gently, she urged, "Harry is not his father. He was wrong to snoop into your private things, but he didn't betray them to us. I think he knows enough about what it's like to have a deprived childhood and hateful enemies to be able to identify with what you've suffered." Snape's brows furrowed and he blinked. "You may not have been able to pay back that debt to James Potter, but you've admirably fulfilled your vow to protect Harry and help him. I think you've more than paid back that debt to Harry, since James is gone." Snape sagged under her hand and she smoothed it in small circles, soothing him. Snape simply gazed at the floor, bewildered.
"Severus?" She reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, and he shuddered at her touch. Grasping at normality, in an attempt to free him from his misery, she squeezed his shoulder and said, "Why don't I start getting you ready for tonight, okay?" Rising from the bed, she crossed to the bathroom and retrieved the hair products, returning to crawl back on the bed and kneel behind him.
Snape allowed her to pull him straighter, and Hermione began brushing his hair. His eyes closed and he breathed deeply, trying to pull himself out of his torturous memories.
She smoothed the brush through his hair slowly, caressing him after each pass. After a long while, she could tell he had relaxed again, and she began applying the pomade. When she had finished, and his hair was secured in the elastic, she let her hands fall to his shoulders, and she leant forward to brush a soft kiss along the nape of his neck. He shivered, and his hands lifted to cover hers. He gripped them and murmured, "Thank you."
Hermione pressed her forehead against him and whispered, "I love you, Severus."
He leant forward out of her grasp, standing and facing her. Once again sitting back on her heels, she peered up at him. He couldn't quite meet her eyes, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before muttering, "I didn't mean to yell at you, Hermione. Can you forgive me?"
Hermione offered him a watery smile and whispered, "How many times do I have to tell you that I forgive you for whatever it is you think you need forgiveness for?" He jerked his head in acknowledgement and sniffed. There was a pregnant pause, and then Hermione added, "Not all sons become their fathers."
He snapped a perplexed gaze to hers. "I beg your pardon?"
Hermione patted the bed, and he slowly sank to the edge again, facing her. "Harry is not his father, no matter how much you think he takes after him. And you are not your father, no matter how much you may mimic his behaviour."
Snape's eyes widened so much that she saw a thin ring of white around the black centres, and his mouth opened in indignation. "Mimic? Are you mad? I would never treat my family like that!"
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, marshalling her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and met his accusing glare. "I'm sure you don't mean to..."
His eyes narrowed, and he reared back in anger, hissing, "How dare you accuse me of being like him?"
Chin jutting forward, she inhaled sharply and forged on. "That! That right there! You said yourself that when he was most furious, he didn't yell, but instead was deathly quiet. You do that yourself, Severus! And it's terrifying! I know."
He froze, and she wondered if she had actually gone too far. She could feel her heart pounding, and she waited for the next explosion.
It didn't come. His lips barely moved as he rasped, "Go on."
Gulping nervously, she stammered, "D-do you remember your first year speech?" At his slight nod, she continued, "You said, 'As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic.' I remember. Does that phrase not ring a bell?" At the answering silence, Hermione's voice faded even more and she said, "You wrote that your father didn't approve of 'foolish wand waving.'"
With that, Snape's eyes widened again, and his breath caught. She hurried on, watching his face change into an expression of stunned pain.
"You wrote that he was prone to yelling and belittling..." Her face crumpled in response to his, and she whispered urgently, "Don't you see? Not only should you stop harassing Harry because he's not his father, you should stop harassing him because you're not your father! You don't have to be that man. Harry has done nothing to you that deserves such intense loathing, and you don't have to be the one to constantly degrade and insult and threaten him!"
Snape cradled his head in his hands again, and Hermione wrapped her arm over his back and pressed her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm not saying you have to like him, or be his friend, but don't goad him or attack him at every turn! You two have more in common than you may want to admit, love, including the fact that I care about you." At that, he jerked upright, whirling to face her, eyes cutting through her in accusation.
Not wanting him to misconstrue her statement, she immediately cupped his face in her hands and gazed fiercely into his eyes, willing him to understand. "I love you, Severus. I'm in love with you. I don't ever want to be without you. But I love Harry. He is a dear, dear friend, and I don't want to lose him either. You know it's going to be hard enough when we go public, dearest. Can't you see that if you two called a truce, it might be just that little bit easier later?" She searched his face earnestly.
Snape gazed at her, obviously assimilating the deluge of information he had just encountered. Finally, he swallowed, closing his eyes for a moment. Covering one of her hands with his, he opened his eyes again and held her gaze as he lifted her palm from his cheek to plant a soft kiss on it. His voice was low and gravelly as he said, "I can make no promises... but I can make an effort."
Crying out in jubilant relief, Hermione leapt forward, enveloping him in her embrace and fervently whispering, "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."
Snape hesitated before wrapping his arms around her in return, but when he did, she crooned in encouragement. Relieved by her response, he tightened his embrace, eventually gripping her so tightly that she squeaked in protest. Releasing her only slightly, he buried his face in the curve of her neck, cushioning it in her hair. Her hands stroked lovingly up and down his back, and she kept pressing tiny kisses on his shoulder and neck.
Mindful of how long they had been in his rooms, Hermione squeezed him and whispered, "What time is it?"
Snape glanced up at the clock and murmured, "We've about ten minutes before rehearsal starts. Good call." He pulled back from her embrace and looked at her. His lips twisted as he smoothed her wild hair back from her face, where it had stuck to her tear tracks. Rising, and pulling her to her feet, he gently wiped her cheeks with the backs of his fingers. "Come. Let's get you presentable. We mustn't incite questions from the others with you having such a bedraggled appearance."
Hermione huffed at him in pique, but she stepped past him to the bathroom, knowing she must look a fright after crying so much. In front of his mirror, she desperately tried to tame her flyaway locks, and she washed her face in cold water, gasping at the shock of it.
When she straightened again, icy water dripping from her nose and chin, she was startled to see Snape's reflection. He was standing right behind her, and he met her eyes in the mirror. His expression was pensive as he murmured, "Are you all right?"
Hermione nodded slowly, hearing the plops of water droplets hitting the sink. Snape politely handed her a flannel. Her expression solemn, she took it and retorted, "Are you?"
Snape snorted. His lips thinned, and he looked away, but then he locked eyes with her again and said, "Not exactly. But I'm beginning to think I will be. Eventually." His lips quirked at the end of his statement, and he caressed her hair.
Hermione smiled faintly at him, from beneath the damp cloth. She was therefore surprised to see him frown at her. "What?"
His voice was wistful as he said, "You look tired. I do hope you haven't been losing sleep over any of this."
Hermione shrugged ruefully and drawled, "No more than usual."
He tilted his head at her in reprimand, and said, "What time have you been getting to bed, young lady?"
Hermione gripped the sink basin and glared at him. "I'm fine."
Grunting in a noncommittal fashion, he said, "You must get your rest. We need you for this performance, Hermione. How late do you stay up?"
Lifting her chin defiantly, she said, "I generally try to get to bed before midnight, but sometimes that doesn't happen. I spend a lot of time on my assignments, you know." She ignored his rolling of the eyes. "And N.E.W.T.s are coming up, so I have to be prepared."
Snape grasped her shoulders and spun her to face him, enunciating, "How. Late?"
She looked down and muttered, "Sometimes I'm up till two, two-thirty. It's okay! I can handle it."
He thinned his lips in disapproval and growled, "You don't have a Time Turner this year, Hermione. Please, don't stress yourself like that. You're brilliant, and you know it. You don't need to stay up so late revising all the time."
Hermione seemed to both preen and sulk at the same time, and Snape felt himself starting to smile at her demeanour. Lifting her chin with one finger, he pinned her with his gaze and said, "Hermione?"
His expression was one of expectation, and she mentally railed at his request. Sounding like a petulant child, she said, "What?"
Warmth crept back into his eyes along with his regained equilibrium. Softly, he said, "Promise me that you'll get to bed earlier tonight and get the rest you deserve?"
Her eyes darted around, and then she cocked an eyebrow at him and said, "I can make no promises, but I can make an effort." His brows shot up in surprise to hear his own words flung back at him like that, but he nodded slowly.
"Fair enough. It's a deal."
She nodded, and his fingers slid up her chin to cup her jaw, holding her still as he ducked down to seal the bargain with a kiss. When he pulled back, his gaze was loving and regretful as he said, "Come, let's get upstairs."
Taking her hand, he guided her into the sitting room and over to fetch his mask from the table near the door. Once again tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow, he courteously looked at her and inquired, "Ready?"
She nodded, and they Apparated into the corridor in front of the Great Hall, startling the group of students who were waiting there. As soon as they appeared, Hermione slid her hand from Snape's arm, and he dropped his hand to his side, straightening formally. Hermione stepped forward to join the other Gryffindors and Snape faded back from the group, waiting for the doors to open.
Ginny flicked a glance between Snape, Hermione, and Harry, hoping Snape had decided to be civil to Harry. Her keen eyes saw the evidence of tears on Hermione's face, and even Snape looked like he had been rather harrowed. Tension coiled in her gut as she watched Harry cut a sulky glance at Snape.
Fortunately, the doors opened, and they all began trooping into the Hall. On her way, Ginny cast a furtive glance at Snape, managing to catch his eye. He gazed inscrutably at her for a fleeting moment before rolling his eyes and huffing, inclining his head in the slightest of exasperated nods. She knew her relief was apparent when he blinked at her and snorted. She glanced around, seeing no one watching, and flashed Snape a grateful smile before hurrying down the aisle.
Snape herded the students into the Hall, bringing up the rear and closing the doors behind him. He paused a moment and leant against them, mentally trying to prepare himself for rehearsal, determined to hold back the instinctive venom that welled up any time he dealt with Harry.
Dumbledore was casting spells on the students, and those in the scene ascended the stage, waiting for him to place the sets and tell them where to go. Snape strode slowly down the aisle, noting that Harry and Ginny were sitting in the audience, whispering to each other. As he watched, she leant in and dropped a light kiss on his cheek before she darted up to join the others. Ron and Neville edged past Harry to take seats beyond him, and they all settled in to watch the scene.
As Dumbledore began shifting the sets, Neville squirmed in his seat, turning to peer over his shoulder and seeing Snape standing behind them. He blanched at the sight, and Snape gazed down his nose at the nervous boy. But then, Neville seemed to give himself a shake, and he looked back up at Snape, politely nodding and murmuring, "Evening, Professor."
Snape blinked in astonishment that the boy had spoken. Usually, Neville was one to shy away from him as much as possible, always looking positively terrified at the mere sight of Snape. Taken aback by such an extraordinary occurrence, Snape simply inclined his head and retorted, "Longbottom."
Ron and Harry both turned in their seats at the sound of Snape's voice, and they stared, wide-eyed, between their mate and their teacher.
Snape saw the consternation and amazement in their faces, and he stifled a pang of amusement. Flicking a glance at the stage and seeing Hermione, he remembered his vow to make an effort. Inhaling deeply, he turned his gaze back to the other Gryffindor boys and offered a grave, "Weasley."
Ron's eyes seemed about to fall out of his head, and he choked out a creditable, "Sir."
Snape then let his gaze rest on Harry, and he fought to control the swirling emotions that accompanied his perusal of the boy. The part of him that was determined to be fair piped up and reminded him that Harry had not told the others what he had seen. He had actually obeyed Snape's injunction. Focusing on that, Snape held back the sneer that was almost always ready to curl his lip any time he encountered the boy. Determined to be irreproachable, he murmured, "Potter," nodding faintly.
Harry stared at him, green eyes glittering with confusion and incredulity. Snape forced himself to hold his gaze, without devolving to hostility. The moment seemed to stretch eternally, until finally Harry blinked several times, almost stuttering as he attempted to respond. Licking his lips, he cleared his throat and uttered a low, "Professor."
Snape exhaled, glad that attempt at civility was over, and promptly whirled, Disapparating. The boys all exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of how to interpret such a benign greeting from Snape.
Eventually, it was Neville who broke the silence. "Well, that was interesting..." Ron and Harry both made inarticulate noises of agreement. Letting out a rather nervous chuckle, Neville continued, "So, Harry, think maybe the girls are on to something after all?"
Harry frowned, casting a sceptical glance at Neville, but his eyes were clouded in thought. He sank down in the seat, growling, "We'll see."
Neville decided not to push the issue, and instead relaxed into his seat, marvelling at the fact that he had instigated an interaction with Snape, and it hadn't resulted in insults! A little spark of pride warmed his chest, and he gazed up at the stage with a faint smile.
Onstage, the actors were in their places for the rehearsal of Don Juan. As they began practicing, Dumbledore pulled a scrap of parchment from his robes and muttered to himself as he read it, waving his wand half-heartedly. When the scene proceeded to the point where Reyer left the piano, Dumbledore turned to the piano and murmured the spell he had just been practicing, making the piano play on its own.
Unfortunately, the cast wasn't quite ready for such an occurrence, and they all stopped, spinning to stare at the piano playing feverishly. Dumbledore flicked his wand, and the piano went silent. He gazed at them with raised eyebrows, clearly questioning what was wrong. A rumble of sheepish apologies rolled through the cast.
Favouring them all with a stern look, he gestured for them all to resume their places. Then, he enspelled the piano again, and they all reacted according to the script, reciting the chorus.
Dumbledore was busy shifting sets as they performed, beckoning for Hermione to edge away from the others as the rehearsal set faded away and the graveyard set moved in. Once the rest of the cast was offstage, he paused, gesturing to Hermione.
"I know this is going to be a very emotional song for everyone, and I know you can perform it brilliantly. So, what I'd like to do is have you just do whatever you feel is natural, and we'll make changes if we need to, all right?"
Hermione nodded, smiling faintly. "Certainly, sir." She returned to her previous spot and waited for Dumbledore's nod. Moving closer to the mausoleum, she lightly recited her lyrics. But once she reached the crypt, she dropped to the stage and began singing.
Snape was watching from Box Five again, and he was transfixed by the eerie beauty of her song. It built and swelled, and he felt as if his chest would burst. As she faded back to the quiet tone of loss, he realized it was almost his cue. Frantically shooting to his feet, he Apparated to the stage, hunkering down behind the crypt, pulse racing and breathing shallowly.
When she finished her line, he gripped the top of the crypt and pulled himself up, appearing above it from behind. Gently, coaxingly, he began his lines. Hermione gazed up at him slowly materializing on the crypt, and stared fixedly at him, rapt.
He crept forward, out of the shadows, hand outstretched. He could hear a furtive whispering coming from the house just beyond the edge of the apron, but he ignored it, looking only at Hermione, who had begun to rise, moving as one in a daze.
They were locked on one another, until the source of the whispers became clear. Harry stepped out from the wing, having been instructed to enter there by Dumbledore. Hiding behind a statue, Harry watched Hermione drawing closer to Snape where he reached toward her from atop the crypt.
Snape leant forward, gripping the pike impaled in the pile of skulls on the crypt for leverage, stretching his other hand toward Hermione, urging her to step closer. Hermione moved toward him, entranced.
Harry barked his lines, interrupting them. Hermione ignored him, and Snape kept murmuring his lines, beckoning to her. Harry darted forward, stopping by Hermione and desperately trying to gain her attention. He grasped her arm, but she stepped forward, out of his grip. Then Harry faced Snape and bellowed, "Let her go! For God's sake, let her go! Christine!"
Closing her eyes at his impassioned yell, Hermione shook her head and glanced up again at Snape, who was still reaching toward her. Clapping a hand over her mouth, she gasped, then spun, turning wide eyes on Harry. Barely audible, she stretched her hands toward Harry and said, "Raoul," hastening to him and throwing herself into his embrace.
As Harry wrapped his arms around her protectively, Snape snatched his hand back, pulling up as if he had been burned. Before he could proceed, Dumbledore suddenly barked, "Wait!"
All eyes turned to him, wrenched from the tense spectacle before them. Dumbledore hurried onto the stage, crossing to Snape. "Severus, that pike and skull are charged to shoot fireballs. The incantation is Inflamare. If you'd just cast it non-verbally, that'd be best." He beamed up at Snape, who merely nodded. Dumbledore shuffled offstage again, saying, "Very well, continue!"
Snape looked at Hermione and Harry. Harry was eyeing him warily, and Hermione hoped her warning wasn't too obvious to everyone else. Snape peered curiously at the pike, lifting it from the pile of skulls on the crypt. Frowning at it, he thought, Inflamare, and a ball of fire streaked out of the skull toward Harry.
Harry yelped and jumped back as the flames dashed onto the stage at his feet. Hermione gasped, and the rest of the cast reacted noisily. Snape was gaping, wide-eyed, at Harry. He saw the accusation and anger burning bright in his eyes, and he realized that Hermione's expression was just as hostile.
He was aghast. He hadn't meant to shoot at Harry. He hadn't meant to shoot at all! It seemed that the pike was quite sensitive. It had all been a mistake, and everyone was staring at him like he had done it on purpose. The hot-cold prickle of shame washed over him, and he shut his mouth. Swallowing hard, he rasped, "I do beg your pardon, Mr. Potter. That was completely unintentional. Are you all right?"
Another susurrus of shock whipped through the cast, this time at Snape's apology. Harry's brows shot up, and he stared at Snape as if the man had grown a second head. Snape stood frozen, actually looking chagrined and uncomfortable. Blinking, Harry glanced around, seeing identical expressions of astonishment on many faces. But he also saw Ginny and Hermione gazing intently at him, a flare of triumph in their eyes as they silently urged him to recognize that Snape was being civil.
He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair and adjusting his glasses. Cautiously, he said, "I'm fine. Just startled me, that's all."
Snape actually bowed toward Harry in a gesture of apology. "I shall be more careful."
Harry eyed the man suspiciously, remembering that he had said those same words to Snape at the end of the last rehearsal, but there was no indication that Snape was being facetious. Suddenly, he felt a jab between his ribs. Hermione was poking him fiercely. Flashing her an annoyed look, he grudgingly muttered, "Thank you, sir." With that, he glared mutinously at Ginny, who was beaming at him, and shrugged away from Hermione in a fit of pique.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "Why don't you all take a moment to write down your blocking so far. We'll pick back up in a minute." Everyone bent over their hastily opened scripts, scribbling. Once they had all tucked their scripts away again, Dumbledore nodded and said, "Action."
Hermione stepped back toward the crypt, and Harry tried to stop her. Snape resumed his hypnotic murmur. This time, when Harry yelled, and Hermione ran to him, Snape deliberately snatched up the pike, carefully aiming it in front of Harry's feet. Hermione was hidden behind Harry, curling in on herself.
At a thought, a fireball streaked from the pike to Harry, splattering on the stage before him. Harry glared up at Snape, but used it to stay in character. Snape immediately launched into the Phantom's taunting. Harry and Snape went back and forth, and after each of them spoke, Snape cast another fireball. Fortunately, they merely evaporated once they hit the stage, so no one was in danger unless hit with one directly.
Hermione cried, "Raoul, no," and Harry stepped closer to Snape. With each successive fireball, Snape landed them closer to him, as if pulling Harry forward with them. Harry was halfway to the crypt when Hermione spoke up again, pleading, "Raoul, don't."
Harry snapped a furious glance over his shoulder at her and hissed, "Stay back!" He turned back to Snape, advancing more, and Snape landed more fireballs at his feet. He was almost to the crypt when Snape reached the end of his goading lines. Hermione suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Harry's arm, desperately yanking him away, gasping, "Raoul! Come back..."
Snape had been leaning forward, bending toward Harry in anticipation. At Hermione's frantic move, he straightened, pointing the pike at them as she dragged Harry offstage, roaring, "Don't go!" Once they were out of sight, Snape dropped the pike to his side again and snarled, "So be it! Now let it be war upon you both!" With that, he slammed the pike back into the pile of skulls, and viciously thought, Inflamare! Flames shot from the pike and blanketed the stage as Snape plunged his hand into his robes, gripping his wand and casting Sollumaren. The stage was engulfed in a bright flash of light, and Snape Disapparated in the disorienting blaze.
There was a burst of noise among the cast, unprepared for such a dazzling display. Snape looked out from his position back in Box Five and saw everyone shielding their faces from the light, glancing about, searching for him. When Dumbledore waved his hands at the cast to quiet them and began searching for Snape as well, Snape Apparated back to the stage, expression inscrutable.
Dumbledore cast him an incredulous glance before breaking out into a grin. His voice was coloured with laughter as he drawled, "That was quite the impressive display, Severus. Someone's been paying attention to the stage directions..."
Snape felt relief wash over him. He had been steeling himself for a public reprimand at his reckless use of the pike and his spontaneous use of the Blaze of Light Charm. Apparently, Dumbledore was rather taken by his theatrics.
Harry and Hermione emerged from the wings, and Snape snuck a look at them. Harry's expression was pensive. Realizing that it would serve many purposes...staying in Hermione's good graces, covering his arse with Dumbledore and McGonagall, and keeping the other students guessing...Snape politely inclined his head toward Harry and said, "I trust you were not singed, Mr. Potter?"
Harry blinked at him and cast a disconcerted glance at the other students, but retorted, "No. I'm fine. Sir." Snape's lips twitched at the obvious afterthought of the "sir," but he didn't take him to task. Behind Harry, Hermione's eyes lit up with pleasure at their courteous interaction.
Below them, Dumbledore was making notes in his script. Waving his quill at them, he said, "Come now, mark your blocking! That was brilliant." They all quickly wrote their notes, and Dumbledore shooed them all out of the way so he could reset the stage. "All right, you know the drill. Let's go through it again. This time, see if we can make it without stopping." He didn't notice the aggrieved looks shot at him from the cast, since he had been the one stopping them!
Snape slunk off into the wing to await his cue, deciding he could simply enter the stage with the set piece as it rolled in. As cast members passed him, they nodded courteously, and he did the same. It amused him to see the perplexed looks with which some of the students gazed at him. Perhaps it could be entertaining to be nice for a change. They certainly don't seem to know what to do with themselves.
The scene progressed, and Snape felt much more at ease controlling the pike. A fleeting thought that Dumbledore should be very careful about who could get access to such a device crossed his mind, and the succeeding image of Draco and Harry using it against each other made him suppress a groan.
They ran through the scene a third time, with the music, and everyone sang. It was still haunting to listen to Hermione pouring out such sorrow in her song, but once everyone was involved with the music, things flowed quite well. After the final dazzling flash of light, Dumbledore called everyone out for notes.
Snape gravely approached Dumbledore and handed him the pike. In an undertone, he said, "Perhaps you should keep a close watch on this device. It seems that some might find it enticing, for entirely inappropriate reasons." At Dumbledore's curious look, Snape tilted his head toward Draco, who was glancing longingly at the pike, then shooting furtive calculating looks at the Gryffindors who were milling onstage.
Comprehension dawned, and Dumbledore took the pike from Snape, nodding ruefully. "Point taken. Thank you." Snape jerked his head and edged away. Clapping his hands for silence, Dumbledore announced, "Next Tuesday we'll be running through the Raoul/Giry scene from last time through the end of tonight's scenes. Don't forget to keep practicing what we've already done. It wouldn't do to end up back at square one when we do the full run-throughs of the Act." He cast a stern but pleasant look over the cast, and they smiled back.
Dumbledore tucked the pike under his arm, saying, "Very well then. Run along! Good night," then turned to the stage and began restoring things back to normal. Everyone trundled up the aisle, buzzing with conversations.
Harry was assailed on all sides by his mates. Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Hermione surrounded him as they exited the Hall.
Ginny slid her arm through his and squeezed. "See? That wasn't so awful, now was it?"
Ron nodded and gazed at him with a puzzled look. "Yeah, how odd was all that? Snape being decent? I would've thought he'd have enjoyed shooting fire at you."
Harry nodded, and Neville added, "I swear it looked like he was really sorry about that first one." He shook his head and snorted. "I gotta' say, Harry, I think he has changed."
Harry paused, glancing back at the tall figure in black still behind them. He looked at Hermione, who was eyeing him with visible hope, and rolled his eyes. Heaving a huge put-upon sigh, he rumbled, "Fine! So he wasn't a total prat. It's a start, I guess. But that doesn't mean he's my new best friend!" His lips twisted in a sneer, and Ron buffeted his arm.
Pretending to be offended, Ron said, "I reckon not! He's got to get past me, first."
They all laughed, and the boys jostled each other down the corridor. Hermione and Ginny exchanged joyful, relieved looks. Hermione piped up, "Hey, what am I? Don't I count, too?"
Harry smiled at her and said, "You know better than that." Then, his eyes narrowed and he gazed at her speculatively. "I guess you talking to him did make a difference." Hermione shrugged. Harry nodded at her and added, "Thanks."
Smiling softly, Hermione murmured, "It was nothing. Don't mention it."
Harry rolled his eyes and snorted. "No doubt! 'Don't mention it.' Sounds perfectly spiffing to me! Let's drop this whole ruddy subject and get to bed, eh?"
Climbing the stairs, they all mumbled in agreement, and Harry flung his arm around Ginny. Falling back to trail behind the others, Hermione glanced back at the corridor, seeing Snape watching her from afar. Daring to smile and ripple her fingers in a wave, she hoped he could tell how proud she was of his efforts. She turned back to the stairs, and when she glanced over her shoulder again, he was gone.
It didn't take long for them all to head off to their respective dorms once they arrived in Gryffindor Tower. Hermione secluded herself in her room, stroking Crookshanks and thinking about everything that had transpired that evening. Finally released from the excitement of the rehearsal, she felt her energy flagging.
I guess Severus was right. I am tired. I know I would usually spend some time studying before I settle in, but I'm positively drained from such a roller coaster of emotions! She went about changing for bed, yawning. Of course, I did promise Severus I would try to get to bed earlier. He made such an effort tonight; it's only fair that I do the same.
With that justification in her mind, she snuggled under her covers, burying her face in Snape's shirt and breathing deeply. Crookshanks joined her by her pillow, and she scrubbed him, lulled by his drowsy purr. Exhaling a long, slow, cleansing breath, she smiled in contentment and thought, Thank you, love. I know everything tonight was hard for you. But, it makes such a difference to me to know what you've been through and how much effort you put forth in trying to please me. I love you, Severus. Succumbing to sleep, her hand stilled on Crookshanks, but he didn't mind. He enjoyed the comforting weight of her touch, and he, too, drifted off.
Down in his quarters, Snape sat in front of his fireplace, staring into the flames. He was clad in his comfortable lounge wear, and his fingers covered his mouth where he had propped his chin on his hand. A long time passed, and the fire burned low. Eventually, his eyes closed in fatigue, and his head drooped forward.
Muscles going slack in sleep, his chin slid off his hand, and his head fell forward, startling him awake. He looked about, disoriented. Relaxing again, he glanced at the time. Inhaling sharply, he rose, stretching and yawning. Get to bed, you daft sod!
He looked at the time again and idly thought, I wonder if Hermione has gone to sleep yet. I know she said she stays up, but she looked so tired. Surely she kept her promise... He stopped, straightening as a rash idea took shape. Gazing furtively about his own sitting room, he swallowed, smoothing his robe and hair.
It is after two... With that, he disappeared.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Phantom of Hogwarts
1533 Reviews | 7.33/10 Average
It's been so long since last I read Phantom of Hogwarts, and it was just as wonderful as I remembered! Thank you for writing this fic...however many years ago. :)
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Oh, wow! No matter how long ago it is that I finished PoH, It will always be in my top 5 achievements. LOL I'm so glad you feel that it has held up on re-reads. Thank you so much for making my night brighter! :)
Haa! Haaa! Haaa! Had to keep reading so I couldn't review since the proposal. Harry is a turd for telling Dumbledore to use Dobby to go after Hermione and Severus. I didn't expect Dumbledore or her parents to react with such intense nagativity. I expected some nay saying but not the heap of anger that was piled on top of them. Well, lets see if Minerva is here to hug him or hang him.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*huge grin* Glad to make you laugh! Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
O I just love the ring!!!!!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I covet that ring SO much. I'm glad you like it too. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
What did Albus do while the rest of the cast enjoyed the party? I suppose he was entertaining the Ministry official? I felt a little bit bad for him. He did have fun directing the play. I wonder if he plans to teach next year's Art's class. Maybe he was having a long distant conversation with the other Headmasters. I doubt it, though. Things are going too well for Severus in a way. I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall when he and Hermione come out of the closet. I don't know why Hermione can't be bothered to see him once a week for a few minutes somehow. I couldn't stay away from my lover for two months while we lived in the same castle. I'd at least write him a little love note as often as I could. The girl is made of steel or ice. You would think she would realize they need to have some plan for what they are to do at the end of term. Will they be a couple at the graduation ceremony? Will they be one the next day? Will they both go to the house on Spinner's End or will she go home to her parents first? I don't think she realizes that he wanted her input so that she would love the house as their home. He's giving her a house. He's preparing her a home, them a home. She could at least tell him that she is happy to think he is working on their home and tell him if she plans to move in straight away or not. This hiatus in their relationship puzzles me. I suppose they can only have it all or nothing. Hermione isn't able to compartmentalize apparently.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
You're not the only one wondering when the other shoe will drop, especially after the close calls they've had already. *snerk* Your questions will be answered (some to a greater degree than others) all in due time, my dear. ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I have no worries over the employment with Fern issue. I like her though. My kind of woman. Born and raised only slightly less hippyish. We moved to Hawaii, but didn't live in a commune. I'm very glad Hermione likes the idea of the house being "theirs". I am surprised her dad didn't notice her mum gushing over Severus. But, I don't think my husband would notice now that I think about it. I could go out with my pants inside out and he wouldn't notice unless someone else said something about it. It's odd. He complements me when he thinks I looks pretty but wouldn't be able to save me from lipstick on my teeth or some other embarrassing thing. He reminds me a lot of Ron, come to think about it.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
LOL at your description of your husband. I hope reminding you of Ron is a good thing. ;P Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I'm surprised at Hermione's behavior and her giving up the opportunity to spend time with Severus. I suppose that the fact that neither seems to be obsessing about two missed opportunities to spend time together shows they are more confident in their relationship. I'm surprised that Severus would leave Hermione crying with her feelings hurt after the play. He was able to suppress his revolt of Voldemort. He needed to compartmentalize his being creeped out by Hermione's mother. I'm also surprised that so much time has gone by since they have communicated last. Hermione didn't even look at him during the performance. I realize he was sitting next the Minerva, but there must have been some opportunity to make eye contact if they had been looking for one. I'm happy Severus is so distracted by planing his new life. Other wise, I think his feelings would be hurt that she seemed to ignore him. It is the holidays and I would have thought that Hermione would be looking to spend time together even if it was just studying in her rooms while he read. I'm also glad that his neighborhood isn't the run down and empty sort of place it is usually described as. I have never thought of myself as super jealous but I guess I am. I don't know about having Severus in business with another witch. I know he wouldn't love anyone besides Hermione, but I wouldn't expect the other witch not to be attracted to him. Who wouldn't be. Well, his plans of leaving at then end of the year are out of the bag; it's kind of too bad. People are bound to connect his leaving with he and Hermione starting a relationship while he was still a Professor after such chemistry between them in the play. I expect some idiots to be that way even if they wait a little while to come out together. But there is no need to wait. They need to get married asap! I know I've already said this 3 other times. They have already promised to be together forever. At least half the people on the planet have their marriages arranged by their parents and they learn to live together without long periods of courting even if they are engaged as children. Not that I approve of child engagement, but I'm not against other cultures with arranged marriages. My life would have been happier if my parents and my husband's parents had been from the same social class. My parents tried to be friends with his but his were intimidated. His mother and sister also didn't like me. Severus and Hermione are going to have to deal with Hermione's mother though. It will become a problem between Hermione and her parents because her mom likes him too much! If they can get that under control, I don't think Hermione's parents will be unhappy about them becoming a couple.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
They have indeed become more confident as a couple, after the things they've already gone through. And they are now able to focus on other things besides the all-encompassing obsession with each other, such as setting up their future. :) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
OK. I would never perve and gush like that as a married woman. Thank gods, I am not Hermione's mum. I was getting worried. She is so embarrassing. Poor Severus! Hermione's dad must be very secure. He wasn't jealous at all even though Dion was making a spectacle of herself. Poor Hermione too! It's creepy and gross to have your mom perving about your lover let alone being so obvious about it in front of all of your peers. Did she really think he would give her a kiss? Yuck! I had a friend when I was a teen who's mom slept with her boyfriend and she caught them! I'm trying not to gag right now. I was already not feeling well, so that might be adding to it. Let's move on, shall we? Wonderful chapter BTW!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
ROFL!!! Sorry to make you all oogy. ;) Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
I do hope I wasn't that embarrassing as a mom! But then again...I did so enjoy embarrassing my teenagers. Maybe I'm getting payback but I do believe I am being over paid enormously. I count it as a down payment on all of the money, time and emotional energy they are still costing me as adults. They are higher maintenance now than they were as children! But how can you blame me? Who else's mother carried a knitted uterus, a muppet breast and a life size fake pelvis in her trunk? Did you know that if you take the pelvis, turn it over, turn it backwards and put it on your head you can say, "Look! I'm a Klingon!" I only resorted to such things when provoked, I swear! If they were rude to me and embarrassed me in front of their friends, well, what was I supposed to do? And I'm sure anyone's mum would give STD lectures to any teenagers that she could get into the back seat of her taxi. I did have some mercy. I declined the request to a teach sex ed module at their private school. Instead the teacher would send home questions and I would write her a note to be taken back the next day. One of my favorites was, "What is the vas deferens?" I also spent literally thousands of dollars on therapy for both of them. I even took out a mortgage on my house to afford it. It was a total waste of money and the bank ended up with the house. ! I wonder if Dion will be just as enamored with Severus after she finds out he is her daughter's soul mate and she is the love of his life? I would be so jealous! I seriously can't even imagine what is going to happen when those two come out. The only one I can count on is Ginny. Everyone else is a wild card as far as I can see at this point. I have no guesses about who will say what. Will Minerva still support Severus? I do hope so. I hope I am pleasantly surprised by everyone else as well. Maybe Albus will stun me and back them up after he comes to terms with the new Severus Snape. On with the show!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*cackling* I love it! Too funny, darlin. :D I have to say, I am so enjoying that you really can't tell what will happen, particularly with people's reactions. I would hate to be too transparent and predictable. ;P Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
Bless Minerva! I dare say she will be angry at first, but I do believe that when she realizes how much Hermione loves him she will come around. I'm so glad she came down to tell Severus she supports him in his quest for freedom and happiness. Severus is experiencing a whole new world in spite of megalomaniacs like Dumbledore and Voldemort. He is a very useful and powerful tool. It's no wonder they both wanted to control him. He is probably the most powerful wizard next to Dumbledore in Britain, maybe even the world. I do hope that Albus reconsiders his motives. If he persists in believing he owns Severus Snape, I would have to say he is a bad person for all of his twinkling on the outside. I know you said he was like a father that didn't want to let go of a son, but he needs to get over himself or he will lose said son. He probably isn't evil but he is controling, manipulative and has power issues. I know I already said this, but I think they really need to get married before they come out of the closet to shut down any scandle mongering. They aren't just every day people. They are war heros and have reputations to worry about that everyday people don't have to be concerned with. If they are married then no matter what people may accuse them of, they can't say that Severus didn't do the honorable thing by quiting his job and marrying the young woman. Some people like to believe the worst in others as a hobby. They are stupid and stupid people don't matter. I have an idea of where Severus could work!
They could start a second line of products that are serious.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Yeah, you summed Albus up quite nicely, indeed! Thank you for such a lovely review! :)
Tastefully kinky and erotic solutions to several itches, not the least, Severus' newly declared freedom from Albus Dumbledore. I am surprise on one hand that Albus could be so selfish and forcefully maintain his mastery over his ex spy. He seemed to truly be interested in Severus' happiness, but like some parents he can't cut the apron string. He also seems to forget that he wouldnt have needed to work so hard to keep Severus alive if he hadn't been constantly sending him into lif threating circumstances. Albus misstepped himself when he made Severus a possession. I can imagine Hermione having something to say to Dumbledore before they leave the castle for good. Albus is a bully even though he works on the side of the light. Power corrupts as they say. I can imagine Hermione telling Albus Dumbledore "exactly where the bear slept," explaining exactly how things are going to be from now on and letting him know what she is willing to do if he decides not to respect their relationship and autonomy or tries to stand in their way. I think the best thing to do is get married the night of the leaving feast in a small wedding that maybe her parents will be at and Ginny, Neville, Harry and Ron. Severus, with his wife, can turn in his resignation the next day. I know there are more opportunities out there for them and him in particular than the apothecary shop. In his new state of the art lab, he can mix specially requested potions for individuals and corporations. Hermione can help him with the research and inventing new potions. They could do some coloboration with the Twins and be a private contractor for the Ministry and St. Mungos. They can travel and do research while things calm down back at the school. I'm all for their kinky fun and planing for the future. Does Albus Dumbledore forget who Severus Snape is?
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Oh, I am looking forward to you reading further... ;D Albus may not have ever really understood who Severus is, but he'll learn, and fairly quickly too. Thank you so much for such a lovely review! :)
I started to write about this before, but didn't get to finish the review. I think. If this is a repeat just ignore me. I think that Hermione should let Severus know about her plans to stretch her hymen before they consummate their relationship. He is insecure and jealous by nature even if he is doing a spiffing job of changing. I can see a slow train wreck on the horizon that could ruin the most important night in their lives. If Hermione feels different to Severus he may wonder. And if he asks in a way that makes her offended that he would even think she would be with another person that would be a total boner breaker, if you'll forgive the use of the term. I hope she decides to write him a steamy letter telling him about her explorations with the candle. I could see 4 months either making the heart grow fonder, or just as easily the space between them making them more open to misunderstanding. They may become out of practice at communicating. I am surprised that Severus didn't let the apothecary owners know that he has not yet informed his current employer of his plans and that jealous would appreciate it if they would be discreet and not discuss this with anyone else. I wonder why he doesn't apply with St. Mungo's. Maybe he will.I wonder how Minerva is faring.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I think I can safely say, without being too spoilery, that Hermione's explorations don't end in tragedy and interminable angst. *shifty eyes* Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
My Word!!! That Colin did get what he deserved. But my, the drama! It was extremely... wonderful! The entire chapter was extremely wonderful!!! I love, love, loved it! I'm sorry for not reviewing lately but I felt it was building to something and wanted to keep going without stopping when I could. Also, I've been so tired because I've been getting home from work quite late this week, and I know that if I start a review I'll want it worth something and that takes time that would prevent me from being able to read. All day and evening at work I can't wait to get home and read a chapter or two before going to bed.Now, I am wondering about Albus. He isn't daft. He's at least as intelligent as Ginny Weasley. And while Ginny knows Hermione, Albus knows Severus. I do believe he isn't fooled but trusts Severus to be honorable until Hermione graduates. His trust isn't misplaced. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if this entire contest was all just a ruse for Severus' benefit. Although Severus is older than Hermione,his emotional growth has been stunted and I think Albus knows that.Hermione is exceptional and more mature than the boys her age. Someone as intelligent as Dumbledore must have seen that they would make the perfect couple. And he loves Severus like a son in this story, I think. Also he can't stop from meddling. It must be a little boring and anticlimactic for a strategist like Dumbledore without Voldemort around. This would be a big huge plan that would last the entire school year, take a lot of planning and time for Dumbledore to work on, he is obviously having fun and it gives these two time to fall in love! That is my theory at this point. I seldom read a long story that I become emotionally invested in without checking the ending to make sure it isn't sad. Actually, I don't think I can read a story without becoming emotionally invested so I can't bare sad endings. But you've said this has a happy ending so I'm glad to tell you that you have the honor of being the only author in forever that I haven't read the ending first. At least I don't think I have. ...If I have I don't remember it. I am getting so forgetful. It scares me. Seriously. I hope it's only stress. I have that in spades with adult children and their children living with me, sucking the life out of me and all my money too. None of them work. Well, enough of that. I read you to forget that crap! On with the story!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Whoops! I can't believe I missed this review earlier. Sorry! :( I can guarantee that this fic has a happy ending, so I am glad you are sticking around. :) Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
"All right Hermione, spill it! Just what's going on between you and Snape?" a stanza of intense and slightly alarming music is inserted here. What the Hell, Hermione. Just tell her. You have enough dirt on her to get her expelled if she says anything. She is usually a very reliable secret keeper. And as your friend she will he happy if you are. She may even be able to do you the occasional turn of favor and cover for you.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
LOL!!! I can hear exactly what you're describing. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I love the letter!!! It's wonderful that Severus and Hermione are equally inexperienced in the matters of the heart. The letter is sweetly mushy, blooming with youthful enthusiasm and titillating; and it was received with simple joy, surprise, and equally exuberant arousal. His first love letter was a doozy! Wait until they have some experience writing naughty letters! I'm very happy for Harry and Ginny. I hope Harry loves Ginny as much as she deserves. I suppose it goes without saying that she is a much better match than Hermione.It was pretty amazing the effect Snape's fear had on him in preventing him from punishing Harry and Ginny on that table. I wouldn't have expected such a reaction once he'd registered it wasn't Hermione. I would have thought that he would have been delighted in the opportunity to embarrass and punish Harry Potter. He's fallen hard. Poor man. I hope having what he's been longing for can live up to his expectations and hopes fueled by all this anticipation. I guess letting the kids go shows that he isn't motivated by meanness really. He just didn't have anything better to think about before. Everyone hated him and he hated them before they could hate him so there! But now he can move on past puberty and past his hatred of his childhood enemies, James and Sirius. He's the only one of them still alive for, goodness sake! Put those childish things behind you, Severus, and live! Maybe you have already paid for this good karma and they have paid for their cruelty. Stop disliking Harry just because he's a Potter. It eats away at you like a cancer. Be free of it. Forgive like you have been forgiven and be healed. It will help your relationship with Hermione too. What could be better than helping your relationship with Hermione, hmmmm?
I also want to say that I have always loved the twins. The return letter was excellent. Fred and George should have never been separated any more than the paramount potion's master in the world would be caught without antivenin with a known deadly snake.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*pleased grin* Y'know, I really hope you continue to enjoy some of the stuff coming up, because it SO addresses things you've brought up here. *rubs hands together in anticipation* And I love that you enjoyed the twins' letter. I wanted to capture their voice, even if only for a short blurb. I lovelovelove your deliciously thoughtful reviews. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
I truly enjoy the way Severus has taken the plunge and isn't reluctant to tell Hermione that he loves her at least 3 times, I think, in the last few hours. I am extremely happy that they were able to retrieve their memories of each other so quickly. I have no doubt that Ginny will figure out there is something going on between these two. The only question is how soon? Well, and will she be supportive? I think she will. I think she will see that they match eachother. Twice in my life another person told me there was something between myself and male of the species while I was in denial about it, I guess. And didn't see it until a 3rd party told me straight up. Both said it was the way we looked at each other when we interacted and they were dubious about the fact that I was not aware of it because to them it was so obvious. I admit there was what I had considered some harmless flirting going on, but I told myself that is was all a lark. The first time, I had really pushed those feelings deep inside and I was truly flabbergasted when I was told that the young man was in love with me by a mutual friend. Once I had possession of that knowledge however, my own feelings came rushing up at me out of nowhere and floored me. It was kind of awful because I was in a long engagement to someone else that lived far away whom I only saw about once a month and had to share him with his family when he would come to see me. I was still in school and he was 7 years older than I was.Once the cat was out of the bag, I dreamed of that young man at least once a week then once a month for the next 13 years because we had unfinished business when we parted. All of my dreams were trying to resolve the issue and get closure. Finally I got fat enough that I would be too embarrassed if he ever saw me again and the dreams mostly stopped. But...I still think of him from time to time 35 years later. I enjoyed this chapter very much. Once again, you have done such a wonderful job of making the reader feel what our Hermione and Severus are experiencing.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*wriggles in happiness* I love that you are pleased about feeling what the characters are experiencing. I strive so much for plausibility and believability that it warms the cockles of my heart to get such lovely feedback. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
I certainly can't blame Dione for having a fan girl crush on Severus. What red blooded woman in her right mind wouldn't? Dude is totally hot! Hermione should be glad it gave her the opportunity to come to an understanding with her man that Severus belongs to her ...and he likes it! And don't we all wish we had a dad like Mr. Granger? It must be very difficult for some parents to send their children away to boarding school. However, it probably makes some other parents and young people appreciate one another in a way that would never happen if they had been in eachother's space all the time, struggling for who's in control and experiencing full blown teenage angst. Over all it has been an extremely satisfiying trip.
And now they don't have to worry about Severus having to meet Hermione's parents in the circumstance of, "Mom. Dad. This is my former Potion's Professor Severus Snape. I have some very exciting news for you. Severus and I are in love and plan to spend the rest of our lives together. We fell in love while playing oposite each other in the school play."
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Your reviews bring joy to my day. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
This was a sweet and fun chapter. I love that Severus has a sense of humor. When are they going to "do" it?! Or at least go to second base! This is going to be a long school year!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Oh, darlin, this is definitely gonna be a long school year... LOL Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I can't imagine what mischief I would have gotten into if I had the ability to silence my parents door. For some strange reason, ever since I was in 10 th grade, I would be out in the front whatever car with my boyfriend and I just knew my parents would never come out side to check on us or wonder what we could possibly be doing in the driveway for 5 hours with the windows fogged up. They locked the front door and went to bed. Only once did I forget my house key and had to wake my parents at 1 AM to get in. They really trusted me. Why? We never had intercourse but we did just about every thing else. I was the mother who came looking for you if you were a half hour late. I didn't trust my daughters because I knew I wasn't exactly Polly Anna when I was their age. I mostly just ended up knowing more than I wanted to about my kids personal lives. If your progeny don't stop themselves by choice, there isn't a lot you can do unless you keep them tied to you 24/7 with a rope around your waist. Only one daughter was boy crazy. Things had changed. I don't know what the definition of slut changed to but it didn't include girls that slept with their boyfriend from 8th grade up. I never needed to be on birth control until a month before my wedding. I made sure my little minx was on the pill because I didn't believe I could trust her and I was right. At least Hermione is an adult and Hermione or Severus must certainly know contraception spells. I'm feeling as frustrated as Hermione here. But he's right. And it won't hurt them to wait. I did and I'm still glad. But they've made a lot of head way in their relationship. Wouldn't it be better to just come clean to Dumbledore that they are in love with each other through no fault of their own, but that they promise to follow the school charter and will be very discrete and won't tell anyone else but him. Rather than finding ways to keep them apart, I inclined to think that Dumbledore would find ways to give them time together and would cover for them so that Minerva doesn't find out until after the school year is over.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bounces in glee* Oh, I love how invested you are, and how awesome your reviews are. Thank you so much, as always! :)
Absolutely lovely! The play was wonderful. All the flirting is building massive quantities of tension! I can imagine how they are feeling during desert. It's like being there. You expressed every movement, thought and feeling so exquisitely. In my springtime I remember a young man. We wanted each other but we couldn't go there. I was spoken for and had made my choice. I made the practical choice, but not my heart's choice. I was mature enough to know that the butterflies in your tummy don't last forever. We did things together pretending to be just friends The tension was painful and delightful at the same time. I'm still pretty sure I made the right decision.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Why, thank you! I'm so glad it came across so well (I try to describe exactly how I see things playing out in my head, so it's as detailed as I can make it, LOL). As for the tension, I was called the Queen of UST back in the day when I was writing this. *snerk* But, it'll all be resolved, I promise! ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
Poor Hermione. Her parents were very ebarrassing. But isn't that what parents are for? At least we know that when Hermone and Severus can finally come out of the closet, Dione will be on Hermione's side. She would totally understand what Hermione sees in Severus Snape. And Geoff is a nice man so I think he'll be OK. I couldn't write all the reviews I wanted because it wakes up dad. I wanted to ask you a question on a previous chapter. If Severus takes dreamless sleep and there is an emergency in Slytherin house, can he wake up to tend to the problem? I just want to say that the 4.5 stars on some of the chapters baffel me. I think they are all 5's. I have 20 more minutes before I have to go to bed so I must return to reading. Happy Sunday night.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*blush* Aww, you're so kind! Re: Dreamless Sleep, I have always thought of it like an over the counter sleep aid, which in my experience just keeps you groggier if you're woken up, but you can be, with proper interference. LOL I had SO MUCH FUN writing this chapter. :D As for writing reviews--I appreciate any and all, whether they're on all the chapters you wanted to review or not! Thank you as always for reviewing! :)
I've been excitedly reading the last 4 chapters and you have met and exceeded my hopes and expetations. I can't type more because the sound bothers my husband's sleep. Hugs and kisses. I Love It!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bounces* Yay! I'm so glad you've been enjoying it. Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
Do witches and wizards listen to the same holiday music as muggles? I hope Hermione doesn't regret forgetting to take the smut reading material that she had borrowed from Ginny out of her bra before the party.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I daresay there may be some old standards that may crossover. LOL Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
You have taken my breath away. How exciting and horrible to want someone one shouldn't and can't have. The play...such a brave young woman to make him kiss her. What will Severus do to punish himself and Hermione for this secret that has been exposed. Desire. Humiliation.
Hurry. Send him an owl, Hermione or a house elf with a note to let him know you reciprocate his feelings. Thank him for being such a gentleman and not pressing his advantage. Are you wise enough and mature enough to be proactive once again?
You aren't afraid of him. Can you imagine how he must be feeling and prevent the damage? It would be very hard not to be carried away with her own emotions and physical sensation and not to tarry hashing it out over and over in her mind before she finally realizes the danger. Will she see it immediately or think of it too late?
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
And you've just taken my breath away! *bounces* Oh, I love that you're enjoying this and are so invested in it so far. It brings me such joy. Thank you for such a lovely review! :)
I really enjoyed the interaction between Severus and Hermione when they got their costumes and Hermione did his hair. I am really glad he got to see her telling Harry off. I don't know how much longer they will be able to keep their hands off eachother. There is so much suppressed sexual tension that if when they actually kissed kiss they might combust. I'm actually looking forward to her detention. This was important bridge chapter. I wonder what else is going on in Dumbledore's head. He is no fool. I can't believe he doesn't see the sexual tension between these two, or at least the potential for it eventually. He does have a great deal of confidence in Severus. I believe he is sure Severus would never be inappropriate with a student,...but she's an adult. Is he tryig to fix them up or is he really just a mean manipulating old puffter that truly gets enjoyment out of making other people uncomfortable and embarrassed because he's Albus Dumbledore and he can? How do the "good guys" find an outlet for their control and power issues? They pick on others and prentend it's a joke. If Voldemort worked this hard at embarrassing Severus would we think he was just being evil or that it was just all in good fun and that he only teases people he cares for as a show of affection? I think not.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*huge grin* I daresay your questions about "good guy" Albus will be answered in due time. *snerk* Thank you again for such a lovely review! :)
Again, Wow! The scene with Severus' jealous rage was incredible. I'm happy that Hermione perceives all things in Severus Snape she told Harry. I really hope he thinks about what she said and heeds her warning, if not garner some sense of respect for the man. I felt a sense of satisfaction when she admitted that if Harry had been that angry his lack of control would have brought down half the castle. Harry won't be able to let this go as well as Hermione. He isn't as mature and...he isn't falling for someone else. This whole thing will prove very unpleasant for a while I suspect. I'm kind of sorry for Harry. How can he not help but be attracted to Hermione, but he hasn't got a tinker's chance in hell against Severus Snape? How long before Severus realizes Hermione broke it off with Harry? Will he at all admit to himself that it was because of him? No. I think not. How long before Harry realizes that next to Severus Snape's power, discipline, knowledge, experience, awesomeness and mojo, he's got a long way to go and he may as well move on? Well, I doubt he'll ever see Snape as sexually appealing, so no mojo epiphany expected. I wonder, how long it will take Hermione to get Severus to trust her? Which will take longer; Harry to realize he can't compete with Severus Snape for the girl or for Severus Snape to trust Hermione? I don't envy Hermione right now. But Severus Snape is worth it. Amazing chapter!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bursts out laughing* Mojo epiphany? LOVE IT! So glad you're enjoying; thanks so much for reviewing! :)