That Night Two Years Ago
Chapter 5 of 9
HermioneWeasley1972That night two years ago changed both of their lives...
For the greater good? Severus thought to himself as he pretended to work but was really following her movements very carefully. So this was as hard on her as it was on him. He almost used Legilimency on her but decided not to. He decided that he would rather not know.
Did Dumbledore know about that night? Did he know what had happened between them? If he knew… Severus didn’t even want to think about the possibility. That night was something that was forever embedded in his mind, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it no matter how much he tried…
His body was wracked with pain, and he was near death. He could feel the cold hand of death creeping up his body. If only he could move, if only he could reach the phial that he always carried with him in case this were to ever happen. But as loath as he was to admit it, he was as weak as a baby. All he could do was hope that someone would come back and help him.
The Dark Lord was dead. He could tell that much, for the place where his Dark Mark had been was cold. But was Potter still alive? Had all he had done to protect him all these years been in vain? Or had the Dark Lord finished him off as well? He had to know.
He struggled in a vain attempt to sit up and then slumped back to the ground. It was useless. If only he had the strength to sit up, he would be able to reach the antidote that was in his pocket.
He knew that his time was growing short. If someone didn’t come soon, he would be dead and go on to the afterlife. At least he knew that his dear Lily was waiting there for him. But he couldn’t face the fact that Potter might be there too. That would mean that his mission had failed. The room grew dark…
The next sounds he heard were footsteps as they walked across the floor towards him. Behind his closed eyelids, a light shone brightly. With Nagini’s poison coursing through his veins, he didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes to see who it was. The footsteps stopped, and he could hear the breathing of someone as they knelt down next to him.
He could feel a finger as it was placed beneath his nose to check for his breathing, and then he was gently rolled over onto his back. He could feel a hand being eased beneath his head before his head was lifted up and his lips were met by a phial.
Since he didn’t know who the person was or what they were giving him, he struggled against their efforts.
“Drink this, it will help against the poison.” He recognized the voice but couldn’t place it.
Against his better judgment he drank the contents of the phial, and it wasn’t long before he felt his body getting stronger. He almost expected the person to leave after he drank the potion, but they stayed there by his side.
Opening his eyes he looked in the direction of the person who had saved him, blinking his eyes to bring the image into focus. Once he saw who it was that sat next to him, he almost died from shock.
“Miss Granger?” He couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice, even though he normally tried to keep any emotion from his voice.
“Harry told us what he saw in the Pensieve,” she said, conjuring a blanket and laying it overtop of him.
“Everything?” He wasn’t so sure that he liked the sound of that. But at least he knew that Harry was alive and that he hadn’t failed.
“He told us why Dumbledore died," she answered softly. "Then when I had time to think about it, I figured that you may not be dead but too weak to be able to help yourself. So I came back.”
He looked at her for a long time before saying anything more. His black eyes locked with hers, and he could see her blushing under his scrutiny. For the first time since he had started teaching her seven years ago, he saw her for the beautiful woman that she had become. He started to reach up towards her face, then stayed his hand just inches from it.
“Thank you for coming back,” he said.
“You are welcome.”
That night was over two years ago, but it seemed like only yesterday. He really owed a great deal to her. If it hadn’t been for her coming back to check on him, he would be dead right now. Even without using Legilimency on her, he could tell that she remembered that night as vividly as he did. He could see it in her eyes, at the way that she turned away when she saw him looking at her…
He pushed back his chair and stood up from his desk with a sigh. Leaving the study, he turned in the direction of the library because he knew that is where he would find her. He stood outside the open door of the library for a moment before knocking, watching as she read and absent mindedly twirled her hair around one finger. Mentally, he shook his head. He couldn’t let her get to him like this.
His knock brought her out of her deep concentration, and she looked up at him with her eyes locking on his.
“Since we are both in this situation together, and we are both adults, I was thinking that perhaps we should be less formal when we are addressing one another.”
She placed her book down on the desk and regarded him with an amused expression. “Very well. What would you propose that I call you?”
“Since I am no longer your professor, Professor Snape is no longer appropriate. You may call me Severus, if you wish. It appears that Professor Dumbledore has made us colleagues even if it is only temporary, and that is what my colleagues called me."
"Well then, you may call me Hermione, but only because we are colleagues.”
“Agreed. I will be in the study… Hermione.” As he turned and walked out of the library he wondered why it was that he made things more difficult on himself.
Once his back was turned to her, Hermione’s eyebrows raised in surprised and amusement. This certainly was an interesting change of events.
She tried to go back to reading her book but found herself unable to. Her mind was filled with thoughts and confusion.
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Latest 25 Reviews for For the Greater Good
153 Reviews | 5.82/10 Average
AGG, I thought this was a complete story. I can't wait for an update. I want to see what happens!! :)
Good story. I wish Hermione hadn't been bitten.
Er, if she's a werewolf now, why hasn't she transformed?
Ron is such a stupid git! How could he not tell them and risk her like this? They should just lock him up at noon and be done with it. Why did they wait until so close to the full moon's rising anyway? seems really risky- and she got bit because of it!!I thought Severus as a werewolfphobic? But at least he's admitting for loveing her. augh - update soon!
Oh good gods -she's now infected as well? Why did Ron transform early?
Response from HermioneWeasley1972 (Author of For the Greater Good)
You'll find out in the next chapter, I promise.
OKay, I apologize, I assume that Lupin may have survived, but I was wrong. 
At least the new potion will help those afflicted with lycanthropy. Dumbledor is very secretive about this mission. And it seems both Hermione and Snape are nervous about the whole deal, fear of the unknown.
Well, these chapters are kind of short, I did'nt review the 1st one, because it was so brief, but I'll review this one. I am as surprized as Hermione was, at seeing Dumbledor. I know that he died at the hands of the same man who is in the room with him right now. He does'nt mention Remus Lupin by name, but I assume that the Wolfsbane ption is for him, as well as anyone else aflicted with lycanthropy.It should be interesting how Snape and his former student get along as they find a new potion to replace the Wolfsbane.I do hope for longer chapters, but it's okay if you continue with the short ones. 
this just gets more and more intriguing! thanks so much.
This was fabulous!!!
This was fabulous!!!
Oh, fascinating. I don't think I've encountered a werewolf!Hermione. Really looking forward to more, and thank you.
~howl at the moon~LOLGood one. :)
I am very interested to hear Ron's defense of why he didnt tell Hermione his change was faster. Its all very suspicious!
Well now they won't have just to find a new wolfsbane but a cure for Lycanthropy. I hope you will able to keep up with the fast updating because this suspense is getting on my nerve.
I just hope she won't become a werewolf herself. And it's very bad from you yo let me on the edge of the cliffie like that. ;p
Really enjoying the suspense.
I have the feeling Ron may be a bit surprized at the extent of his own condition. Perhaps he did not know he would transform early.I wonder how this new strain of lycanthropy is going to affect Hermione?
Poor Severus, finding out he's in love with one of his own personal fears. Wonder what Ron's going to say when he changes back.....
With love on the line - Severus will find a way to make them better. To eb attacked like that - terrifying read but good.
I think that Hermione would even agree that though lycanthropy is an awful ailment, if her being infected gets Severus to realize and act on his feelings, it would be worth it.
Ron is certainly acting peculiar. I imagine he was trying to hide is affliction. However, I don't understand why he would put Severus or Hermione in danger when they are trying to help them.
It is harder when it hits home. Severus never before had such a personal interest. And Ron needs to be put down or something.
Best you get to work on that potion then Sev!
I'm worried about Hermione, but she's in good hands. Love Snape's Patronus. Hahaha
He... He... He... OMG! Ron BIT her! O.o *flails*I had NOT seen that coming. Not in a thousand years. Hopefully it will make a difference that he wasn't infected through a bite himself.Am enormously curious as to who could have injected him though. I wonder if there's a mad scientist type on the loose...
Hmm, sounds like Ron's case is different to the others. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact he was not bitten, but injected?