Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Severus and Hermione were taken aback by the appearance of a ghost's head in the book stacks of Horatio Holt's castle. They quickly steadied their frazzled nerves. Severus looked to the ghost before he spoke.

"We are searching for a book," Severus said darkly. "Is that not what one does in a library?"

The ghost narrowed his eyes at Severus.

"Sir, would you be Horatio Holt?" Hermione asked in deference.

The ghost looked startled. "You have heard of me?"

Hermione smiled. "We have been searching for information about you for several months now, sir."

Horatio emerged fully from the bookshelf and gave Hermione a wide grin.

"Here I thought I had been forgotten! How lovely it is to see people who know who I am!"

Severus had been ignoring the ghost and staring up at the books. Finally he spotted what they were looking for.

"Up there," he pointed and motioned to Hermione.

She looked up and saw The Potions of our Time sitting up on the top shelf. She gasped.

"There it is!" she exclaimed.

Horatio looked up to where the two had been pointing. He rose so he was level with his work.

"Are you searching for my book?" he said in delight.

"Yes, sir! For centuries it has been lost to the world. Most people believe it is a fantasy," Hermione explained.

"May I remove it?" Severus asked the ghost deferentially.

Horatio thought about it for a while. "Yes, you may," he acquiesced.

Severus pulled one of the ladders over to where they were and climbed to the book. He carefully removed it from its place on the shelf. It had not been touched for ages. The book was old and leather bound. It was incredibly thick, at least six inches wide. It was covered in dust. Severus blew on the cover to get rid of the dust, but immediately regretted it as he was consumed by a coughing fit from the cloud he had made. After controlling his coughing, he descended the ladder again and displayed the tome for Hermione to see. She touched it reverently, admiring its dark green cover and golden embossed lettering.

Severus cracked the book open in another cloud of dust and began to carefully flip through the pages. His eyes lit up, and he was unable or unwilling to mask his excitement. Hermione watched him covertly as he went through the text slowly. Finally she turned to Holt.

"Sir, would it be alright if we brought your book back to England with us?" she asked.

Horatio suddenly looked angry. "That is mine! I am unwilling to part with it!"

"It's not as if you can take it down and read it yourself!" Severus barked.

"Nonetheless, it is mine, and its rightful place is here with me. It is the only copy ever made!" Holt bellowed.

Hermione moved a little closer to the ghost.

"Mr. Holt, I know this book is precious to you. It's precious to us also. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Wizarding world could know that it really exists? I'm sure there are things in there that have long been forgotten, even by the Potions masters of our time."

Horatio thought about what she had said. "It would be nice to be recognized again for my work," he mused.

Hermione gave him a smile, trying to move him to accept her proposal.

Horatio frowned. "That being said, I cannot let just anybody have this. It has dangerous potions in it that could do much harm if it were to fall into the wrong hands. I will only let a Potions master take it!"

"That is fortunate, for I am a Potions master," Severus said in his deep baritone.

Horatio moved down so he was almost nose to nose with Severus.

"Prove it!" he challenged.

Severus unbuttoned a few of the buttons on his shirt and pulled the left part of it to the side. There on his chest was a small tattoo. It was a black cauldron about an inch in diameter.

Horatio's eyebrows rose. "The mark of the Potions master!" he cried.

Hermione got close to Severus and examined the tattoo.

"So, when you become a Potions master, you get a tattoo like that on your chest?" she asked.

"Or on the arm," both men said in unison.

They locked gazes and smiled at each other, a newfound camaraderie between the two. Horatio suddenly looked at Severus seriously.

"If I let you have the book, you must promise me that no evil will come of it."

Severus' face fell. "I am not the one from which to be asked such things. I have used my abilities before in the service of a Dark Wizard."

Holt looked at Severus levelly. "And do you serve him now?" Holt demanded.

"No, and I haven't for years, but there was a time when I served him faithfully," Severus revealed.

"What made you turn from his side?" Horatio asked. His eyebrows were narrowed as he looked upon Severus.

"Knowledge," Severus explained.

"What sort of knowledge?"

"I realized his true self. I recognized myself becoming like him. I saw how his influence had caused me to betray a friend, leading to her entire family's death. I finally grasped that his goals, though enticing, were evil. I understood what the world would be like if he had won."

"What did you do with this knowledge?" Horatio asked curiously.

"I fought to destroy him."

"Did you succeed?"

"It took many years, but yes, he was eventually defeated."

Horatio stared at Severus for many minutes, debating within himself. Hermione could only stand by and watch the two of them. She marveled at Severus' candor. Merlin, she loved him. Just his acknowledgement now of what had happened made her heart swell with love for him. Certainly Horatio would see the good man that he had become and let him have the book.

"I will allow you to take the book," Horatio said. "You have proven your loyalty."

With his decree, Horatio Holt dissolved into nothingness. Hermione watched him disappear as excitement filled her. She threw her arms around Severus, mashing the book between them.

"You did it! You convinced him!" she exclaimed.

Severus stiffened as her arms wrapped around him. He had not expected her to hug him, but he had to admit, it felt nice. He pulled one of his arms free and wrapped it around her. After a minute, they pulled apart, both slightly embarrassed.

"We still have to get the book out the door," Severus said.

"Let me see it," Hermione commanded, her hands outstretched.

He handed it to her, and she looked at it closely.

"Its Muggle image is a modern book, see? It's got an ugly orange cover, and it's about Chemistry."

She opened the cover and looked at the copyright.

"1951," she muttered. "I don't think we'll have too much trouble convincing the receptionist to let us have this."

She snapped the book closed, and it reverted to its original, older look. They made their way down the long spiral staircase, through the castle, and to the front entry. Hermione approached the desk and began to speak to the receptionist in Italian.

"Excuse me," she said, "I know this is a strange request, but I wonder if we could purchase this book?"

The receptionist regarded her curiously. "Signorina, I assure you, if we started selling the books contained in our library, it would soon be empty."

Hermione gave her a small grin. "I understand that, it's just that my friend and I are both Chemists, and we have never come across this book before. We would love to add it to our own library."

The receptionist looked the two of them over and put her hand out.

"Let me take a look at the book," she offered.

Hermione handed it over, and the receptionist flipped through the textbook. It wasn't anything remarkable. She examined the copyright and then closed the book, looking back up at Severus and Hermione.

"Well, it's a newer book. I suppose no harm would come of you taking it. How much are you willing to pay?"

"What would you ask for it?" Severus requested.

The woman looked down at the book again. She looked to Hermione.

"One hundred Euro," she told her.

"I'll give you two hundred, and you can use the extra hundred as a donation to the museum."

The receptionist smiled widely. "Thank you, Signorina. That is very generous."

Hermione took out her wallet and pulled out the money. She handed it to the receptionist, and Severus picked up the book. The receptionist shook Hermione's hand and thanked her for her generous gift. Severus and Hermione turned and left the museum and headed down the walkway, talking excitedly.

"You didn't haggle about the price at all?" Severus mused.

"We'll be paid much better than two hundred Euros for finding this, Severus. It was well worth the investment."

Severus stroked the book lovingly. "I can't believe we found it! It has been considered a myth for so long. I can't even imagine what the Potions world will do and say about this find."

Hermione watched him fondly. She couldn't remember a time when she had seen him so excited.

"Perhaps Master Nottingham will let you borrow it sometime."

Severus' eyes lit up. "Do you think he might?"

"He's rather fond of me. I might be able to persuade him to let you have it now and then."

Severus grinned like a child in a candy store. Hermione laughed at him. He snapped his head up and knit his brows together.

"Sorry," Hermione said. "You just look so cute when you're excited."

Severus scowled at her and looked back down at the book. Hermione thought she saw a bit of color rise to his cheeks, but she didn't dare mention anything about it.

They had reached the gates and were ready to Apparate. Hermione slipped her arm through Severus'. They turned in unison, reappearing in their hotel room within seconds. Severus immediately went to the table, put the book down on it, and started looking through it. Hermione couldn't hold her smile away as she wandered up behind him and looked at the book from over his shoulder.

The tome was organized from easiest potions to most difficult. Severus quickly went through the first half of the book, recognizing everything that it contained. After that, he started reading more in depth. There were potions he had only dreamed of and some he had never even considered. How had all of this knowledge been lost?

There were potions that altered personalities, ones that healed in an instant, others that accentuated the best qualities of a person both physically and mentally, draughts of knowledge, power, strength, stamina, and anything you could think of. Severus shook his head as he looked at all of the unique things that were in the pages of the book. It was truly remarkable.

He stopped at a potion for restoring limbs and other body parts. That would have been incredibly helpful during the war. He had been so engrossed he didn't even know Hermione was looking over his shoulder until she spoke.

"A limb restorer!" she exclaimed.

Severus refrained from jumping at her outburst. He looked behind him to see her leaning over his shoulder. How long had she been there? He had definitely lost himself in the ancient tome.

"It's incredible, isn't it?" he said finally.

"I'll say. We might have been able to save George's ear."

Severus stiffened at her reference. Hermione immediately regretted her faux pas.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to bring up a bad memory, Severus."

Severus just nodded.

Hermione grimaced and decided to change the subject.

"You know what this calls for?" she asked him.

Severus turned his head and arched an eyebrow at her. She smiled at him.

"A celebration! Let's go out and celebrate!"

Severus rolled his eyes, but was not averse to her suggestion.

"What do you suggest we do?" he asked her.

Hermione thought about it. "A little sightseeing, a nice lunch, and a Gondola ride."

Severus gave her a curious look. "You've got everything planned out I see. It's as if you expected us to be successful."

Hermione smiled widely at him. "It never hurts to be optimistic," she said with a grin.

oooOOOooo

They had a lovely afternoon. They wandered around St. Marks Square for a while, exploring the clock tower and the Basilica. Finally they found a cute café and ate lunch. They sat on the Piazza at a table shaded by an umbrella and watched tourists hurry by as the two enjoyed their meal. Hermione was having such a great time she was smiling constantly. Severus found her enthusiasm to be endearing. He too found himself smiling more than he would normally do because of her bright mood.

They finished up their lunch and found a secluded place to Apparate to the Grand Canal. Before long they were being serenaded by a gondolier singing Italian love songs. Hermione enjoyed herself immensely. The only thing that was missing was a deeper relationship with Severus. She wished that her relationship with him had progressed a little more, for she would have loved to have his arm around her while the gondolier sung of love as they glided along the canal passing under beautiful bridges.

Severus, too, found himself wishing they were involved, because the serenade of the gondolier had made him wistful for the companionship of a beautiful woman. A realization came to him suddenly. The only woman he would want to be with was right here with him now. He looked to Hermione and saw her smiling face, which was radiating joy. How he wished she would look at him like that. How he wanted to pull her close and just cuddle her as they sailed along in the Gondola. But he knew she didn't care for him like that. Friendship was one thing, and he knew she considered him a good friend. He considered her the same, but she didn't have romantic feelings for him. She couldn't.

Suddenly he became upset. Why was it that every girl he was interested in was unattainable to him? Perhaps after all he had done in his past, he didn't deserve happiness, but it certainly would be nice to have some. He frowned and watched the buildings go by.

"Oh, Severus, look how beautiful that building is!" Hermione exclaimed as she pointed to a large domed building that was very ornate. Its dome seemed to be covered in gold. Severus just grunted. Hermione looked at him curiously, but decided to ignore him. If he wanted to be sour, he could do so by himself. She turned to her side of the Gondola and enjoyed the rest of the ride.

All too soon, the ride was over, and the couple had Apparated back to their hotel room. Severus picked up the Potions book, went to his room and slammed the door. Hermione stared after him and sighed. She thought they were having a good time until the boat ride. She shook her head. She could not read that man for anything.

oooOOOooo

Several hours had passed, and Severus had not emerged from his room. Hermione wondered if she had said something to upset him. She went to his door and knocked. She heard nothing, so she cracked his door open a bit and peeked in. Severus was lying belly down on the bed studying the ancient tome they had discovered. Hermione went over to his bed and stood there for a minute.

"Severus?" she said finally.

Severus' head snapped up, and he scowled at her.

"What?" he snapped.

"I was wondering if you were getting hungry. It's past dinner time."

"No," he snapped again and return to his book.

"Did I say something that upset you?" Hermione continued.

"No," he said curtly.

"Then why are you ignoring me and snapping at me?" she asked, beginning to get angry.

Severus shut his eyes and put his head down.

"I am not ignoring you, I am just studying."

"You barricaded yourself in here without a word to me. That was inconsiderate of you."

Severus sat up, looking annoyed.

"I'm sorry, Mummy, I didn't realize I had to report to you when I was going to do something."

Hermione looked as if she had been slapped.

"Why do you have to be so horrid?" she asked softly.

"Why do you have to be such a busy-body?" he countered.

Hermione stared incredulously at Severus. What had happened to him? It was as if they had been teleported back to the first day she had troubled him. He was almost snarling at her. What had she done to deserve such horrible treatment?

"Why are you acting like this?" she asked.

"Because this, Hermione, is the way I act!" Severus shouted with a flourish of his hand at himself.

"No, it's not," she argued.

He got up from the bed and stood nose to nose with her.

"I don't know what kind of fantasy you've spun in your head, but its time for you to wake up. I'm not a nice man, Hermione. I never was and never will be!"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she stared into his hate-filled eyes. She slowly backed away from him, but stopped in the doorway.

"Fine!" she said. "If you want to spend the rest of your life alone, go ahead. See if I care!"

She turned and fled from the suite.

Severus stared after her, his jaw clenched. What in Merlin's name had he just done? He was so wrapped up in trying to not feel anything for her that he treated her like a pariah. What was his problem? Why couldn't he just be friends with her and let it be? Why did he have to tear her head off when she only had come in to see if he was hungry? What kind of friend did that? A lousy one... that's what kind of friend did that.

His shoulders slumped, and he looked to the floor. He truly wasn't a nice man. Why couldn't he compel himself to be a nice man?

oooOOOooo

Hermione stormed out of the room and slammed the door. Tears streamed down her face. Anger welled within her. That man was infuriating. She had only been trying to see if he was hungry. Why must he take everything the wrong way? She pressed the call button for the lift and waited for it while tapping her foot furiously. She wiped the tears from her face and tried to compose herself. Soon enough the lift came. Hermione found herself descending to the lobby area of the hotel. She exited the lift and headed for the small sandwich shop she had spied in the corner area of the lobby. She entered and sat at the bar.

"May I have a hot chocolate, please?" she asked the waitress.

"I'll get that for you right away, Miss."

Whenever Hermione was upset, she found a steaming cup of hot chocolate calmed her nerves. Soon the cup was set in front of her, topped with a heap of whipped cream. Hermione smiled and grabbed a spoon, scooping the whipped cream into her mouth and finishing it in two bites. She was so engrossed she failed to see a man sit next to her.

"Isn't it a bit warm for hot chocolate?" the man asked her.

Hermione glanced his way and smiled. He had dark hair and blue eyes. He was smiling at her, encouraging her to be friendly.

"It's a comfort food," she explained.

"Why would a beautiful woman like you be in need of comfort?"

Hermione wanted to roll her eyes, but she also wanted to be polite, so she just chuckled.

"I've just had an incredibly trying day."

"So, what brings you here? I'm from America. I'm attending an auto conference for higher-end vehicles. I make custom cars for the rich and famous."

Hermione looked to the man with interest. "That really sounds fascinating."

"Oh, it is. I make about one hundred cars per year. Each one is unique and built to the customer's specifications. What business are you in?"

"I am a book seller. I'm here looking for new titles for my shop."

They chatted for a few more minutes. He told her his name was Steve, and she told him her name was Hermione. They discussed the uniqueness of her name for a while. Then Steve moved in closer to her.

"Do you see that couple over there?" he motioned over Hermione's left shoulder.

Hermione turned to see who he was talking about. As she did, Steve pulled a small bag out of his pocket and poured a white powder into her drink. He swirled the cup rapidly.

"What about them?" she asked.

"Doesn't the man look like that actor, Johnny Depp?" Steve asked her.

She turned back to him and gave him an incredulous look.

"Not in the slightest!" she said chuckling.

Steve just shrugged. "Well, I thought he looked like him."

Hermione reached for her cocoa and took a swig.

"So, how long are you in town?" she asked Steve.

"I'm leaving in the morning. I'm just looking for a little bit of fun before I head home."

Hermione nodded her head and then finished off her cocoa.

"Can I get you another one of those?" Steve asked her.

"No, that's very kind of you, but one is usually my limit."

"What's wrong? Are you afraid you'll get a hangover?"

Hermione chuckled. "No, of course not. I just can only take a certain amount of sweetness each day."

She put her hand to her head. Everything had seemed to go blurry all of a sudden.

"Are you all right?" Steve asked with mock concern.

"Yeah, my eyes just went blurry." She looked over at Steve. She saw two of him.

"I don't think I feel so good. I'd better get back to my room," she said worriedly.

She stood and stumbled. Steve rose and caught her.

"You know what I think you need? You could use some fresh air. Let me take you outside for a minute. We'll take a short walk. I bet you'll be good as new in no time."

"Well, alright," Hermione agreed. Something inside her told her not to do it, but she found it hard to listen to that something and readily agreed.

Steve grasped her elbow and led her out of the hotel. They headed slowly down the street, his destination an alley not too far away.

A/N: Next up: What happens to Hermione?

So, one mystery was solved, now on to the mystery of what will happen with Hermione. You're probably happy I left you with that ghost cliffie before the vote instead of this one, right? Mwahahaha. I will update quickly and not leave you hanging too long. Thank you all for your support and reviews. I love to hear from each and every one of you. Even if you don't review, I appreciate your 'tuning in' for every update. Oh, yes, a huge hug and major thank you to Lilith Kayden, my beta, who has worked her tail off to get these chapters into a readable and understandable format.