Chapter 21

Disclaimer: The plot is my idea. Harry Potter is not.

Thanks to LadySunflower for consenting to beta this.

Chapter 21

Every returning student did a double take at some point, depending on how observant they were, when they saw Hermione. Ginny noticed instantly, her eyes wide as they fixed on the older girl's left hand as she spoke the new password to let them into the Gryffindor common room. Just because she now lived with Severus didn't mean that she never set foot in Gryffindor tower anymore.

"OhmyGodHermioneSnapeaskedyoutomarryhim? Yousaidyes? Whenwilltheweddingbe, canibeabridesmaidplease..." Ginny had to trail off to draw breath.

Harry deciphered most of what she'd said and jerked as though he'd been stung. His glasses slipped off, leaving him to dive down to pick them up and slip them back on to look between her left ring finger and her face, his jaw slack.

There was a sound not unlike the giant squid releasing the grip of one of the suckers on its tentacles as Ron surfaced from Lavender's enthusiastic greeting to stare at Hermione, frozen in something between shock, grief and disbelief.

"Yes, he did, I did, it's going to be a long engagement, and it really depends... we might end up eloping." Hermione sat down on her favoured chair.

Harry and Ron collapsed into their own chairs, mouths opening and closing as they tried and failed to come up with something to say that wouldn't result in a hex courtesy of their newly engaged friend.

Lavender and Ginny may have been disgusted that her fiancé was Snape, but Hermione found herself almost dragged off her chair when they grabbed her left arm to get a closer look at the ring.

"What's the stone?" Ginny demanded, twisting Hermione's hand around so that the glowing stone caught the light.

"Is that a Forget-Me-Not ring?" Of course Lavender would know almost everything about romantic Wizarding knowledge.

"Something like that. Severus created it; I know that much."

Three pairs of eyes stared at her, with Harry looking on with increasing bafflement.

"Blimey. He must really love you," Ron said in a deadened tone, his shoulders slumping.

"What's so special about that ring?" Harry asked, repeating the question when he was ignored.

"Snape created it using his feelings for Hermione. As long as he loves her, it's indestructible, although the glow will fade if either of them dies," Lavender explained, sounding like a rather more perky version of Hermione in textbook-recital mode.

"Hell must have frozen over. Snape actually has feelings...OW!" Ginny yelped as Hermione sent a Stinging Hex at her.

"Er, perhaps I should have mentioned that the glow would be blue if Hermione didn't reciprocate?" Lavender ventured as Ginny scowled at her.

"Well, we always knew she was mental," Ron muttered, only to swear viciously as Hermione sent a warning rabid canary in his direction. "You get scarier every day."

At Hermione's guilty twitch at Ron's words, her friends looked questioningly at her. Harry gave Ron a meaningful look, who rolled his eyes as he got up, taking Lavender with him as he left the common room.

"Alright, spill. What happened over the holidays?" Harry cast some sort of privacy charm, giving Hermione a guilty smile as he did. "It's something I picked up from the Prince's book before swapping it. Anything we say will sound like gobbledegook to anyone listening."

"I just hope no one can understand Goblins then," Hermione grumbled, before sighing with resignation. "I had the pleasure of having my roast turkey with Voldemort. He tested my... abilities afterwards." She twisted her ring around on her finger, a nervous twitch she appeared to have picked up ever since she'd let Severus put it on her finger.

"What did he make you do?" Harry asked, leaning closer. Ginny mirrored his movement, and also slipped an arm around Hermione.

"Bellatrix Lestrange was also there. She attacked Severus, and I completely lost my temper and my control."

"She's dead? Good riddance," Harry breathed, a savage pleasure in his voice.

"That's not all of it. Voldemort had both Severus and I at wand point. He forced me to bring her back."

Ginny's arm across her back had been tightening its hold. Now it stiffened as an involuntary gasp escaped the younger girl.

"He's going to want an undead army, isn't he? He might want you to bring back his Basilisk too... We're done for!"

"We're not. Hermione will be the one in control of the undead, not Voldemort. We're going to win this war. I know it!" Harry's confidence was touching, but Hermione didn't think he understood the implications.

"I don't think you understand, Harry. Bringing Bellatrix back tired me... I think raising an undead army might do me in literally."

"You do know that they say practice makes perfect?" Harry said, then clapped a hand over his mouth as Hermione glared at him.

"Why don't I reduce you to ash and then reconstitute you as an emotionless zombie?"

"Forget I said anything. I'm fine as I am, thank you!" Harry leant back, hands upraised as if to ward her off. He laughed, albeit nervously. "Seeing as Snape is now your... you know, d'you know what he has planned for us in Defence?"

"Harry, don't even think about it. I won't use my position as Severus's 'you know' to give you forewarning. They may be just lessons, but I highly doubt Voldemort will refrain from giving you unpleasant surprises. As for tomorrow's lesson, you'll have to wait and see."

"I do believe that the werewolf taught you how to deal with Boggarts in your third year. Now, the contents of this chest are not so much a recap as a coping mechanism. The object is not to banish the Boggart but to face your fears. None of you were more than thirteen years old when you faced the Boggart; I daresay many of your worst fears have changed as you have 'matured'.

"Some of the more informed amongst you might know that treatment of phobias involves exposure to the root cause of the fear, in the hopes that it will lessen the power of the icy grip of fear.

"Gryffindors are supposedly the bravest. Who can tell me what is true bravery? Not you, Herm...Miss Granger." Severus winced as he almost said his beloved's given name in public. Hermione lowered her hand, a slight frown pinching her face.

"Yes, Potter?" Severus watched the boy lower his upraised hand, a mulish look half hidden by the reflected light on his glasses.

"Bravery is facing dangerous situations in spite of fear. Sir."

"Do you have any original ideas, Potter? Or do you just recite what you pick up from your intellectual betters? The Headmaster describes true bravery as what you just said, so you are indeed correct.

"Everyone in this class will face the Boggart, without exception. I do believe that the werewolf left many of you unprepared for your end of third year exam by only allowing a few of you to face the Boggart." Severus smirked as he saw Hermione lay a restraining hand on Potter's arm. Of course, the brat was fond of Lupin... Severus's smirk faded as he saw the reproving look on Hermione's face.

'Ah. She's fond of Lupin as well. I'd better let up on the degrading terms, or I might find myself kicked out of my own bed.'

"Boggarts cannot physically attack, being restricted to inflicting mental damage; although heart attacks have been caused in the past. Potter, seeing as you know all about bravery... you're first." Severus released the catches on the case, allowing the Boggart to emerge in the form of a Dementor. It appeared that Potter's fear hadn't changed. The boy paled, going for his wand, only to remember himself before he let loose with his famous stag Patronus. Poor Potter couldn't withstand the Dementor long before falling to his knees, close to fainting.

"Weasley, why don't you rescue Potter?" At Severus's contemptuous suggestion, Weasley hurried forward, dragging Harry out of the way. The lanky student turned back to come face to face with an Acromantula, a girlish scream escaping him as he lurched back. Severus caught him by his collar and shoved him back towards the Boggart. By the time he'd ordered another student forward, Weasley was a gibbering wreck; even his freckles were pale.

Most of the students had the same fears, perhaps as a mark of their lack of maturity. Yet due to the exposure of the Dark Lord's return, various imaginings of You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters were dominating the changed fears. The only accurate representation of the Dark Lord was Draco's fear, which seemed to give most students cause for thought (and shivers of fear to run down their spines).

Hermione came before the Boggart last, to be faced with the last of the manifestations she had faced in her third year Defence exam. None of the students were aware that this was not a different fear. Exclamations of muted surprise came from Potter and Weasley, as both were still recovering from their own fears.

Boggart Hermione stepped forward, but this time the real Hermione didn't back away. There was no difference in their ages now, the only variations being the entirely black eyes, blood red robes and menacing aura of Boggart Hermione.

This time the Boggart said nothing, glowering at Hermione. Was it possible that the Dark creature had a hive memory and already knew what had been said before? Hermione glared back, only to be caught by surprise when Boggart Hermione lashed out with a clenched fist.

At first, the observing students laughed when Hermione fell back, only for that derisive laughter to falter when they realised that her nose was bleeding from the contact. Severus went for his wand, yet when he had the ebony shaft in his grip, his mind was blank. Hadn't he assured his students that they couldn't be physically damaged by the Boggart?

The sight of an incandescent spark jumping from Boggart Hermione's outstretched hand to the original alarmed him. The heat radiating from it threatened to singe his hair from his position across the room, yet Hermione barely flinched when it settled on her bare skin. An incoherent cry of rage escaped the Boggart at the apparent failure of the attack. The appearance of a lethal looking dagger in Boggart Hermione's hands galvanised Severus into action.

'Expelliarmus!' The non-verbal spell sent the dagger flying out of the Boggart's hands, almost striking Severus before it vanished. Hermione hadn't been frozen with fear either; even as the Boggart was knocked off its feet, a well placed kick from her knocked it out. It seemed to retain its form even when out for the count. Another spell stopped the flow of blood from Hermione's nose, although she might need to see Madam Pomfrey in case of breakage.

"Class dismissed," Severus barked, his tone warning the students not to hang around. They scrambled to escape, obviously pleased to get away from both the Boggart and Hermione. He turned to the Boggart, only to find that Hermione was still there, prodding the unconscious form of her double with the tip of her shoe.

"I thought you said..."

Severus interrupted her. "As far as I knew, Boggarts can't do what that one did to you. Allow me to deal with it." He raised his wand to dispatch it.

"No, don't. It might be my doing... I mean, if my powers affect Quidditch balls, what's to stop them from empowering Boggarts?"

"It would have killed you if it could have, Hermione. I won't let it live."

"Then would you have attempted to kill me if I'd turned evil like it? It can't help its nature. Boggarts turn into what we fear the most... Come to think of it, you didn't face it yourself. Or is the great Severus Snape fearless?"

In answer, Severus stepped closer to the Boggart, tight lipped. "I wouldn't be human if I was. Step away if you must to know what I fear."

Hermione slowly backed away from the Boggart, looking uncertain. The Dark creature changed forms whilst still unconscious. Severus kept his eyes on Hermione, ignoring the new form of the Boggart on the floor. She frowned, opening her mouth to speak, only for the words to fail her as it became obvious what his fear was.

"I see," Hermione managed to choke out, her eyes fixed on the trickle of blood flowing from the Boggart. "Ron keeps telling me how scary I am, yet it seems I'm scariest to myself alive, evil... and to you, dead," she continued conversationally.

"Riddikulus." Severus banished the Boggart with so much force that it shattered into wisps of smoke. "Boggarts feed off fear; you must learn not to view such Dark creatures with the respect given to the sanctity of life. When the inevitable confrontation between the Dark Lord and Potter occurs, you must be able to handle any enemies without mercy. They will have none for you on the battlefield."

"I'm afraid that if I do harden my heart like that, I will lose something of myself," Hermione whispered, eyes still downcast.

Severus stepped close to her, lifting her chin to prompt her to meet his gaze. "It is true that murder does damage the soul, but killing for the sake of self-defence and saving the lives of others is not the same. You have a compassionate nature so deeply ingrained within you that I highly doubt that it is possible for you to lose it."

"I hope you're right." Hermione breathed in deeply, before letting it out in a rush. "Before I go on to Arithmancy, I stayed behind to tell you... I received a letter this morning from our esteemed Christmas host, instructing me to wear this at all times." She pulled a silver ring from her one of her pockets, what Severus recognised as a Slytherin House Ring, tarnished with age. "It's enchanted as a Portkey. Knowing Riddle, it's not a one-time thing either. I don't want to wear it."

After casting several advanced curse breaking spells over the ring, Severus could find nothing malignant. It was also not enchanted to spy, perhaps as a mark of Red Eye's respect. "The Dark Lord's commands are not to be ignored, even by someone like you whom he doesn't regard as a servant."

She grumbled a little, but slipped the ring onto her right little finger regardless of her misgivings. It automatically resized to fit. "If it does turn out to be dangerous, at least I might escape with only losing one of my least useful fingers." After picking up her bag, she leant up to meet him half way as he bent down to kiss her.

"Call at the hospital wing first, Hermione. You wouldn't want to end up with a misshapen nose like mine."

"There's nothing wrong with your nose. It's nowhere near as crooked as the Headmaster's." With a press of her soft lips to the tip of his nose, she hurried off before he could argue with her.

Sitting back down behind his desk to wait for his next victims, Severus mused on the events of the lesson while absently running a finger over his nose to feel what could possibly be right with it after Potter and Black had broken it several times over.

'Potter's Boggart was a Dementor still. Perhaps I can use him and another Boggart to ensure the N.E.W.T. level classes can fend them off, as they seem to be breeding exponentially.'

It was a week after the facing of fears Defence lesson that Snape brought another Boggart into the classroom.

"The purpose of this lesson is to educate, and in some cases test, you in the ability to ward off Dementors. How many of you have cast the Patronus Charm before? All Gryffindors, I see. I expected as much, Potter. You obviously cannot fathom sharing such vital knowledge with Slytherins."

Harry scowled. At the time of Dumbledore's Army, the Slytherins were hardly trustworthy. Hermione's sneak revealing hex would have marred the features of many if he'd allowed Slytherins to participate.

"As Potter's Boggart is a Dementor, it allows a practical lesson without angering the Headmaster by bringing in a real one. Potter, up here. I know perfectly well that you can conjure a Patronus, so demonstrate your prowess."

Harry stepped up, his wand at the ready. The Boggart was released, instantly taking the tall, cloaked form of a Dementor. Even as the chill and his mother's screams started to affect him, Harry thought of his happy memory, which in these dark days was increasingly hard to find. The thought of Ginny Weasley smiling at him leapt to the forefront of his mind.

"Expecto Patronum!" Prongs galloped over to the Boggart Dementor, causing it to stumble.

"Adequate, Potter. You could do with being faster to cast; a real, starving Dementor could have swept down to Kiss you by the time you launched the spell." Snape turned to the rest of the class, his comments to Harry equivalent to glowing praise, although the way the git had said it stung.

"The incantation, as Potter demonstrated, is Expecto Patronum. A happy memory is required to power the Patronus, which is why a pseudo-Dementor in the form of Potter's Boggart is required. Casting the spell with nothing to drain any happiness from you leads to a false sense of confidence. By the end of this week of lessons, I want to see silver mist at the very least from everyone."

It was surprisingly entertaining to watch the proceedings from the close range required for Harry to keep the Boggart in Dementor form. The former D.A. members did struggle more, but they had greater success than the Slytherins, of whom only a handful produced silver mist by the end of the lesson.

Ron finally managed to get his mist to form a terrier, which worried at the shin of the Boggart, eliciting laughter from the onlookers. Although that laughter was tinged with contempt in the case of the Slytherins, who sniggered at the pint-sized Patronus.

"Hey, Granger, we hear you have another rodent size silver beastie. Is it a beaver?" Pansy Parkinson called over the laughter. Hermione just smirked in response, stepping up to the Boggart Dementor with her wand raised. She cast the spell nonverbally, but that was not what silenced the room; it was the size and shape of the resulting corporeal Patronus that did.

Harry gaped at the rearing Thestral, which knocked the Boggart of its feet. A year earlier, Hermione's Patronus had been a gambolling otter. The loss of her parents and rise of her status as a Necromancer had obviously changed her enough for her Patronus to change drastically.

"What in the nine hells was that?" Malfoy demanded.

"That was a Thestral." It was Neville who answered him, pleased to know something that the Ferret didn't.

Shivers ran through the class at his words. The majority of them had never seen one of them before, as when Hagrid had included them in one of his lessons the year before only three of the students had been able to see them. Even with Voldemort active, not many more had seen someone die.

"It is worth noting that as a person experiences emotional upheaval, they can and do change. Their Patronus changes with them." Snape's deep voice brought the class out of their shock, allowing the lesson to move on.

"Harry, mate, no matter what we think of Snape, his lessons are the most useful," Ron voiced this opinion through his mouthful of dinner at the end of January. They had moved on from fending off Dementors to alternative methods of duelling, including fighting blind. Hermione had been the best at that, as her ability to sense the position of her opponent was uncanny. Her ability to sense heartbeats did give her an unfair advantage, but it was her Muggle Self-Defence knowledge that allowed her to surpass Harry.

"Huh." Harry's sulky grunt drew Hermione's attention from across the table.

"Harry, when are you going to let go of it? You're not the only one who didn't think to have the Room of Requirement summon a Boggart. Sometimes it's really tempting to give you Veritaserum; maybe then you'd admit the truth about Severus."

"That he's a greasy git, overgrown bat and all around bastard?"

Ron snorted his dinner up his nose at Harry's recitation in his attempt to stifle his laughter. Harry reached for his goblet, only to find that it had frozen over when he tried to take a sip. His tongue stuck to the pumpkin juice ice. Incoherent mumbles and hisses at the pain as he tried to pull away tumbled from his open mouth.

"Don't insult my fiancé. Certainly don't do it when I'm within earshot. I'll see you at the first Apparition lesson tomorrow." Hermione got up and moved to leave the Great Hall, obviously heading for Snape's rooms.

"Herm-win-onee! Gum bwack... Ow!" His calls were ignored, his tongue still stuck to the frozen juice.

'She can't leave me like this. Will a Warming Charm work? No, no, no. I can't spend the weekend like this! Hermione, come back, I'll never say a word against Snape again... Hermione? No, come back. Please, my tongue's going numb. Don't go...'

"HERM-I-KNEE! ELP!" Harry's only reply was the thud of the closing door. "Oh, uck. Girflz."

"Girls," Ron agreed, fluent in garble.

AN: Thanks to those who care to review.