Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Hermione glared at Jeanette Crowley. The girl smugly stared back. She'd been arguing with Hermione for the whole class, claiming that her methods of calculating the Arithmantic equation she was teaching were flawed.

Hermione had asked her to explain herself, but the girl had only said that Mudbloods had no place in the classroom and obviously wouldn't be able to tell the right approach if it was inscribed on their foreheads. The entire class had gasped in shock.

Hermione looked over the arrogant girl. Her first instinct...to hex the daylights out of her and show her just what a Mudblood could do...obviously wasn't the right approach.

"Detention, Miss Crowley, for a week. You will go immediately to the Headmaster's office and tell him exactly what happened here."

The girl simply stared at her.

"Now!"

Grumbling to herself, Jeanette Crowley gathered her things and huffed her way out of the room. Hermione sighed. Her day would get no better. Dinner was in an hour, and she would find out if her vision would come true.

---

Both Severus and Hermione were a bit on edge at dinnertime. This was the evening that their potions-induced visions would come to fruition or not. If the visions happened, then Hermione could claim success on the changes she'd made to her potion. If they didn't... well, she'd have to start over again.

Hermione was already seated when both Severus and Jacob sat down. Hermione leaned in to Severus and whispered in his ear.

"Well, I hope whatever you see truly happens," she told him.

He arched an eyebrow at her and moved in to whispered himself. "I hope your vision comes true too."

Both frowned to themselves as they looked to their plates. Severus thought he saw Perry shift uncomfortably in his chair. He paid close attention to the couple on his left, although he seemed to be absorbed in filling his plate with dinner items.

Just as in his vision, the couple talked to one another. Just as in his vision, he couldn't hear what they said, but they both seemed agitated. Finally, just as in his vision, Hermione rose and stormed from the Great Hall. A few seconds later, Jacob had risen and followed her out.

---

Hermione straightened from whispering to Severus and saw Jacob stiffen next to her. She turned to him and softly asked, "What is it?"

"What are you and Snape up to?" he asked sharply.

Hermione furrowed her brow. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked softly.

"You're constantly holed up with him. Now you're whispering sweet nothings to him."

Hermione frowned. Was every man on this earth just a Ronald Weasley in non-ginger colored hair?

"Sweet nothings?" her harsh whisper demanded.

"What do you expect me to think?" he whispered tersely.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "I expect you to think that I am faithful to you, Jacob Perry," she whispered back, just as tersely. "If for some reason you can't have that confidence in me, then you can just stuff it!"

With that, she rose and raced from the Hall. She concentrated on her heels clacking against the floor as she stormed away.

Bloody hell, the nerve of him! How dare he read something into nothing!

She heard her name being called. Mr. Jealousy-incarnate had chosen to follow her. She stopped, but stood ramrod straight. Feeling his hands surrounding her arms and gently turning her, the vision from the day before flooded into her mind.

"I was out of line. I'm sorry," Jacob said.

Hermione's stance softened somewhat.

"You realize that he used to be my best friend," she responded. "If you're going to pull this jealousy act, I really think we should reevaluate our relationship."

"Hermione, no. I just... You sometimes seem distant with me. I don't know if it's because you're thinking about your other life, but it worries me."

Hermione looked down. Her mind reeled as the scene unfolded exactly as she'd seen it before. "I'm sorry, Jacob. Sometimes I do get caught up in the past. That doesn't mean I don't value my time with you."

Jacob's face brightened considerably. "You do?"

She nodded and smiled. "I do."

He pulled her to him and kissed her. An image of Severus Snape appeared before her. His distinguished nose brushed her cheek as he kissed her. His fine hair brushed against her as he came near. She pictured herself running her fingers through it and feeling its softness. She groaned as his kiss took her to places she'd only dreamed of going.

But this is a dream too!

Reality was like a slap in the face. She pushed herself away from Jacob. He looked at her curiously.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "I just... Jacob, I need some time alone!"

She wheeled around and raced away from him.

"Hermione?"

"Hermione, wait!"

She ignored him and ran up the stairs and away from the man who seemed only able to elicit visions of a man she knew she could never have.

---

When she'd gathered her wits back about her and after she'd summoned a house-elf to bring her a snack, she made her way down to the dungeons. Severus' door was ajar, but she knocked lightly. He summoned her in, and she found him grading papers.

"My vision came true," she said blandly as she entered.

He looked up at her. "So did mine."

"Will you tell me what you saw?" she asked.

He placed his quill on the desk and leaned back in his chair. He folded his hands in front of him and explained the fight he witnessed between Jacob and her.

"You heard us fight?" she asked wildly.

"No, I couldn't understand anything you said."

Hermione sighed in relief. She mulled over events that had transpired during dinner.

"Well, this is good, actually. My vision took up where yours left off. Maybe if we use enough people with the potion we can get a really clear picture as to what we need to do."

Severus arched his eyebrow at her. "What was your vision?"

She shrugged. "Just Jacob running after me and apologizing for being a prat. At the time of the vision, I didn't know what we'd been fighting about."

---

Several days had passed, and Hermione had been working diligently on her potion. She was now scribbling notes to herself and chewing on the end of her quill. She looked up to see Severus enter the room. She caught her breath at the sight of him. He looked no different than usual, but she was just struck by his unusual beauty.

She knew that many would find his features harsh, but she'd never had. Maybe it was the fact that her Severus had a soft side to him. It was easy to picture him as being handsome. He smiled all the time, and there was a contented look on his face on most days.

This Severus seemed pained. Nonetheless, she thought him distinguished. She loved the way his nose curved downward, longing to be kissed. She liked the way his hair framed his face. She usually didn't like men with long hair, but there was something incredibly sexy about Severus' long, black tresses. She'd always found them delicious. She longed to run her fingers through them.

Oh, she'd done that before in her timeline. She often gave him backrubs and massaged his head when he'd had a headache--all very platonically, of course. She'd wished for something more, but had always felt there was something holding her Severus back. In retrospect, she wondered if he remembered her from her counterpart's trip back in time. Maybe he didn't want to become involved because of whatever her counterpart had done in the past.

Hermione's eyes traveled to Severus' hands as she watched him gather a cauldron and some ingredients. She loved his long fingers. His hands seemed a little more scarred than the Severus she used to know. But every scar was a tribute to his genius, and they just made her want to take his hands in her own and kiss them.

She shook her head. In a matter of seconds she'd gone on a fantasy ride about Severus Snape. She frowned. Maybe things with Jacob were meant to be done in a few short weeks. It wasn't fair to him if she were going to be pining away for someone else. It would be easier to end it with Jacob if she knew that Severus had feelings for her. Unfortunately, he was a lost cause. She knew he just tolerated her. Too bad, really.

Merlin, Hermione, would you shut up? Quit lusting after someone you obviously can't have! Concentrate on the man who does have feelings for you.

She'd backed off of Jacob since the visions had occurred. He'd looked at her worriedly, but she wouldn't explain. How do you explain to someone that they elicit visions of another man when they kiss you?

As she made another notation on her notepad she decided it was time for her to be an adult and forget about Snape. Her obsession was doing nothing toward getting closer to him or keeping her current man happy. She'd apologize to Jacob tonight. Harry and Ron were stopping by, and it would be a good time to spend some time with Jacob in a comfortable setting. She hoped things would work out, and she'd be able to make things better with him.

"What are you researching?" Severus asked.

She was a bit startled. Severus usually didn't start conversations. She gave him a small smile.

"I'm just working through the calculations for the potion's final product."

"Are you almost done? I could use your help."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. This was the first time he'd voluntarily asked her for something. She rose from the table where she was seated.

"It's not something that has to be finished right now." she replied. "I can come back to it later. What do you need?"

"I'm trying to improve the standard wound cleaning potion. I think that if we can concentrate it, it will not just clean a wound, but heal it instantly. It will be helpful on the battlefield."

"Oh, Severus, that would definitely be a wonderful breakthrough."

He huffed. "What I need you to do is to brew the normal wound-cleaning potion. I will brew the version I've been postulating about. We'll need to examine the final products to see if there are any significant changes in the new potion before we test it.

Hermione set to work. Severus chopped and added next to Hermione, who was doing the same. Soon both cauldrons held a cream colored, syrupy solution. Severus poured some of his into a bottle and motioned for Hermione to do the same. He carefully sniffed both potions.

"The new potion seems to have a different fragrance," he muttered. "That is a good start."

He gave his vial to Hermione. "Pour a little of each onto my fingers of each hand" he directed.

She completed the task and watched as he rubbed his fingers together, feeling the texture of each potion.

"The new one is slightly thicker, also a good sign."

"Should we test it, then?"

Severus nodded and went into his storeroom. He returned with two mice that seemed to be unconscious. He placed them on the table in front of Hermione. With a wave of his wand, both mice had gashes along their body.

"Hermione, for a control I'd like you to treat this mouse with just the wound-cleaning potion. I will treat the other mouse with the new potion."

Hermione nodded and administered a small amount of the potion onto the mouse's wound. The potion worked, cleaning the wound efficiently.

Severus then took some of his potion and applied it to the second mouse's wound. They both watched in amazement when the wound not only cleaned itself, but knit itself together without leaving any traces.

Hermione gasped and threw her arms around Severus.

"You did it!" she cried.

Too late she recognized that her arms were now around a ramrod straight Potions master. She released him and backed off a few steps.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Sometimes I get overly exuberant."

Severus was staring at her oddly. His mysterious look didn't help the flaming color of Hermione's cheeks. She just knew she was probably purple by now.

"I... I should go," she stammered.

With that she practically ran out of the Potions lab.

---

When Severus had felt her arms around him his first instinct was to freeze. His second was to pull her to him. He beat that instinct down until it was crouched in a corner of his mind, unable to even raise its head. His foolish emotions did not need to show themselves when she was obviously only happy about his discovery.

He watched her back off. He watched her turn red, then deeper red. He watched her stammer, and then practically run out of the room. He watched all of that while wishing that she was single, wishing she was interested in him, and wishing he could be just a little good-looking.

He slammed the bottle on the table. Luckily it didn't shatter. He stalked back into his storeroom and came back with a box full of jars. He slowly filled each jar with the new potion and placed the lid on them. He tried to keep his mind empty and just concentrate on the repetitious work that usually made him feel calm. It wasn't working.

Her arms, all he could think about were her arms. They'd pulled at him and surrounded him, hugging him tightly. He'd felt something odd in her embrace. He'd felt comfortable within it. He'd felt as if he were home.

"Home," he muttered.

His eyes closed, and he turned his head slightly. What would it be like to consider Hermione Granger to be mine? How would it feel to have her be the one who could bring me to that feeling of home? How would it be to feel that comfort from her every day?

"It doesn't matter. She'll never be yours," he said bitterly.

Picking up another jar, he continued his task, trying diligently to not think of the beautiful woman who had been so close to him for far too short a time.

---

Hermione closed her door and leaned against it. Her hand came up to her chest. She could feel her heart racing. She knew it wasn't caused by her sprinting to her room. Just thinking of the dark, handsome man she'd just left set her heart racing even more.

"Oh, what am I going to do?"

She took some deep breaths before sinking to the ground. Her hands came up, and she dropped her face into them.

"I'm doomed. Hugging him... it just made me want him more!"

Her mind turned to Jacob, sweet, loving Jacob, a man who didn't deserve to be strung along. She was fooling him. She was fooling herself. There was no way she could place her interest in another man when her thoughts constantly turned to Severus. She dreamed about him, she imagined he was kissing her when Jacob was. She needed to admit she was lost and let Jacob move on.

She needed to tell him tonight. It was cruel for her to keep trying with him. He would never be Severus Snape. No other man would.

---

Hermione walked along the corridors, heading to meet with Harry and Ron. She was excited to see them. The one thing that was making her nervous was that Jacob would be there. She knew she had to be truthful with him, and she planned on doing so that evening after Harry and Ron left. She knew he would be hurt, but it was better to hurt him in this way than to pretend to feel something which she just didn't.

A group of girls caught her eye. They were in a tight circle, giggling. Jeanette Crowley was speaking. She had her back to Hermione, so didn't realize she was approaching. It was unfortunate for the girl, because she'd picked that moment to badmouth Hermione once again.

"That Mudblood has no right teaching here. We're Purebloods and demand the highest level of education possible! It's outrageous that she's been kept on as faculty. She should be sacked so she can be executed with all the rest of the filth of her kind."

It was then Jeanette realized the wide eyes of her friends. She turned slowly, a mild look of surprise on her face when she saw Hermione. The shocked look quickly dissolved into a smirk.

"Do you hear that, Mudblood? You're incompetent!"

Hermione couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe that a student, despite being a Slytherin and daughter of a high-ranking Ministry official close to Malfoy, would speak to a professor in such a way. The girl was practically begging to be expelled.

"Miss Crowley, I would expect more respect from a student. Detention again, for a week. We'll keep handing them out until you learn respect. I'll be having a chat with the Headmaster about your actions."

"You can't punish me! This isn't class time!" the girl said haughtily.

Hermione took a step closer to the smug student.

"Miss Crawley, inside or outside of class, you are to be respectful of your professors, despite their blood purity."

The girl glowered at her, but kept her peace. Hermione glared back, but moved around the group and continued on her way. She fumed internally. What on earth were these Purebloods teaching their children? Such disrespect should be dealt with in the home, no matter what the views of the family were.

Reaching the teacher's lounge, she took a deep breath. Time to forget about nasty students, she advised herself. She put on a happy face and entered. Harry was the first to spy her, bounding up from the couch to throw his arms around her in a great bear-hug. Ron was close behind, also drowning her in his arms.

"Where's Jacob?" Ron asked.

"He should be along soon. He said he might be late. He's finishing up a detention."

"In that case, I need to have a word with the Headmistress," Harry said. "I'll be back in a few. Don't start without me."

"As if we could!" Ron laughed.

As soon as Harry was gone, Ron led Hermione to a couch and they settled themselves in.

"So, what's been going on?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged. "Anything interesting will have to wait for Harry's return."

Ron gave her a serious look. "Is Jacob treating you right?"

Hermione sighed and looked away. Ron placed his hand upon hers.

"If he's not, just tell me. I'll set him straight."

Hermione smiled and looked back at him. She studied his face, looking for the tell-tale 'Ron-is-jealous' look. She didn't find anything but concern. Picking her hand up, she caressed his cheek.

"You are one of the wonderful things about this timeline, Ron Weasley. The Ron I knew and sometimes loved would be red with envy right now. He'd be badmouthing both Jacob and me and trying to convince me that he was a better choice."

Ron smiled thinly. "Hermione, I love you. You're my best friend and always have been. The six months we dated actually helped to solidify our friendship. We came out of that relationship with a strong understanding of just what we could and couldn't handle from each other. I just want you to be happy."

Hermione pulled him to her. "Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me right now."

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked as he pushed her away to look into her face. "You seemed so happy with Jacob. Now, there's something bothering you. It's written all over your face."

Hermione sighed and looked down. "Oh, Ron. I've come to the conclusion that Jacob and I just aren't going to work."

"Why not?" Ron looked incredibly confused.

She shrugged.

"Come on, tell me," he urged.

Grimacing, she told him what had been plaguing her. "I've developed feelings for someone else. I'm miserable because I've been trying to make things work with Jacob, but I keep thinking about this other man."

"Hermione, what are you going to do?"

With her shoulders sagging, she looked to her lap once again. "I'm going to break it off with Jacob. Ron, I can't do this to him, he's a wonderful man and deserves to have someone who's fully invested in him. I thought I could do that, but as the weeks have gone on, it's been very evident that I can't."

"Who is this other man, Hermione? Have you done anything with him?"

"No! Ron, you know I'm not one to be unfaithful."

"Does he feel the same way?" Ron asked. His hand squeezed hers.

She scoffed. "No, he definitely doesn't."

"This all seems so sudden," Ron mused as he got up and started to pace around. "I thought everything was going well with Jacob. When have you had time to fall in love with someone..."

He spun around and faced her. "Is this someone you were attracted to in your timeline as well?"

She nodded guiltily.

"Did he feel the same for you there?"

She shook her head. Ron sat back down and took her hand again.

"Will you tell me who it is?"

She looked at him with huge eyes. "You won't like it, Ron. I'd rather not."

Ron nodded. "If you'd rather not, I'll respect that."

It was his ease in letting it go that changed Hermione's mind. This Ron Weasley was not the man she'd known all her life. This Ron Weasley could take the truth without exploding... hopefully.

"It's Severus," she said with downcast eyes.

"Snape?"

"Do you know another Severus?"

Ron chuckled. "Can't say that I do. Blimey, Hermione. Could you have picked a more difficult man to fall in love with?"

Hermione sighed with relief. She'd half expected Ron to rail on her for her choice. But the man sitting next to her had done some maturing. She sat back against the couch and looked over at him.

"He was different in my timeline. I've explained that before. It's just that, the essence of the man I knew is in this more aloof version. His past is far different from the man I knew. It has shaped him differently. But I almost find those differences more appealing. It's unknown territory, you know?"

Ron leaned back and put his arm around her, drawing her near. "You're bonkers, you know that? Only you could find a challenge in falling in love."

Hermione laughed and laid her head on Ron's shoulder. "You're so right, Ron!"

Jacob made his entrance then, smiling broadly at the two of them.

"Now, now, if I was the jealous type, I'd have major problems with the two of you cuddling on the couch like that."

Hermione frowned at him. He'd been plenty jealous only a short week ago, and the fact that he even mentioned her cuddling up to Ron seemed to say the exact opposite of his statement. Despite her mild annoyance, she rose and went over to him, hugging him tightly.

"I'm glad you're here finally. How did your detention go?"

He shrugged. "It was fine. Hopefully, I won't need to repeat the performance again soon."

She led him to the couch and they settled in. Ron got up and drew a chair over, seating himself so he could look at both of them and chat.

Before they'd had a chance to discuss anything, Harry came back in. Jacob stood and shook his hand before he too pulled up a chair, turned and straddled it, resting his arms on the back of it.

"So, what's up?" Harry asked.

Hermione giggled. "Shouldn't you be the one with all the news?" she asked with a grin.

Harry shrugged. "You've been working on important things, Hermione. I'd like to hear about your progress."

Hermione became serious again. She explained about the tests she'd done and their success.

"The final test should be proven in the next couple of weeks. It's been two months since I tested the potion. The vision I saw should happen any time now." She didn't bother to mention that she thought it would probably occur that night.

"You can't pinpoint the time?" Ron asked.

Hermione shook her head. "The two month window is imprecise. Since it was before my improvements to the potion, there's no way to pin down the exact time. I know my vision will happen within the week, but I'm not sure when. The improvements I've made to the potion make future visions timeframes predictable."

"What did you see?" Jacob asked.

Hermione looked at the three men nervously. "I'd rather not discuss it. I don't like to influence the outcome at all, and telling anyone would do that."

They all nodded simultaneously. Hermione changed the subject, telling them of Severus' new potion.

"That might just be the edge we need," Harry mused.

What about you, Harry. What news do you bring from the Ministry?" Jacob asked.

"Percy has managed to ascertain that two of Malfoy's personal bodyguards are unhappy with him and what he's doing. He spoke with them both, and they are willing to help us in any way they can."

Hermione arched an eyebrow at this information.

"Can they manage to be on guard when we attack at the party?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"Percy will arrange everything," Ron explained. "They won't be the only guards there, but they will be able to help with the attack at least."

"This is good news," Jacob murmured. "And if your potion works, Hermione, we'll be able to know exactly what to do to capture and overthrow Lucius at his party."

"And I'll be able to go outside!" Hermione said with a grin.

Everyone laughed, but there was a tension in the air. They all knew they were risking their lives. They were willing to do it to make it possible for their world to reunite and heal.

---

Jacob walked arm in arm with Hermione as they headed for her room. He stopped her in front of her door and pulled her into a kiss. Hermione stiffened, causing Jacob to pull back and look at her curiously.

"Come on in, Jacob," she said tentatively.

Jacob followed her in, and they were both soon sitting before the fire she'd just conjured. Hermione looked uncomfortable, which caused Jacob to frown.

"Hermione..." he started. "What's going on? You've been distant for days and now you stiffen up when I try to kiss you. Have I done something to upset you?"

Hermione looked at Jacob. She didn't know how to begin. Finally, she just began.

"I don't know, Jacob. I just don't think we will work out."

Jacob frowned. "Why, Hermione?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. I just don't like you in the way I should like you."

Jacob rose and walked over to the fireplace. She watched him shift around, then walk off and stare out the window. She got up and went over to him, placing her hand on his arm. He turned to her, his eyes filled with pain.

"I thought we were good together." His frown increased as he looked into her eyes, begging for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, Jacob. I just don't feel what I should feel for you," she said sadly.

"You're sure you don't want to give us a little longer?" he asked hopefully.

"I've been trying to feel that way, honestly, but it just isn't there."

Jacob looked down and tapped his foot. "It's Snape, isn't it?"

Her eyes closed. There it was. The vision she'd had replayed itself verbatim. What was she to say to him? Should she tell him the truth? She didn't know.

"I tried, Jacob," she replied, a bit choked up.

His eyes narrowed. "Answer me, Hermione. Is this because of Snape?"

She looked down and nodded almost imperceptibly. "I'm sorry. I tried to forget about him; I just couldn't."

"You can't get past your attraction to him in your world, can you?" he said knowingly.

She nodded again.

He pulled her to him and enveloped her in his arms. "I knew that we were a long-shot. I rushed into things when you came, hoping that you might see me a little differently than the other Hermione. I just wanted us to work out."

"I'm sorry."

He pulled back and tilted her head up so he could look in her eyes. "Don't be. You should never apologize for loving someone, Hermione, even if it's not me."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I wish it were you. Life would be so much easier!"

He smiled then, although the sadness never left his eyes. "I don't envy you loving Snape. Do you think he'll ever reciprocate?"

She shook her head. "I think that is a lost cause."

Jacob kissed her forehead. "Well, if you ever see the folly in loving someone who doesn't love you, tell me so I can learn too."

"Please forgive me, Jacob."

"There's nothing to forgive. I've loved every minute of our entire relationship, especially the most recent developments. You can't help how you feel. Can we still be friends?"

She grinned. "You don't know how much I wanted you to say that," she said in relief.

He hugged her once again. "Then I should say good-night, my friend."

"Good night, Jacob."

He stroked her cheek and gave her a wistful look. Despite his claims that they would be friends still, Hermione worried that perhaps they couldn't go back now that they'd started this relationship. She fervently hoped that wasn't the case.

---

Jeanette Crowley smirked to herself as she walked stealthily down the hall. She came to a corner and peeked around to make sure no one was around. Seeing that both hallways were clear, she rounded the corner and rushed to the classroom door. Throwing it open, she quickly entered and shut the door behind her, only stopping to make sure no one had seen her despite the empty hallway. She congratulated herself on her Slytherin cunning.

Removing her wand, she placed a Notice-Me-Not spell over the door, so people walking by wouldn't be tempted to enter the classroom.

Smiling to herself, she lit her wand and approached the teacher's desk. It was the epitome of neatness. All the better. The object she was about to place upon it would cry to be touched. Reaching into her robes, she extracted a broken quill and set it in the middle of the empty space upon the desk. Waving her wand over it, the quill glowed for a second, then resumed it's rather lack-luster appearance.

"That will teach you, Mudblood," the girl uttered beneath her breath.

She'd complained bitterly in letters to her parents about the poor treatment she'd received from the Mudblood teacher. They had been appalled. Her father had sent her this quill and described exactly what she was to do with it. He assured her the Mudblood would never bother her again. Jeanette wasn't exactly sure what would happen when she touched the quill, but she knew whatever it would be would result in one less teacher at Hogwarts. One less unworthy, vile, incompetent teacher.