Clawing For Solid Ground

A/N: Thank you to all who left me the wonderful reviews! Keep 'em comin'! Also, BIG thanks to my beta, MadBrilliant!

***

The threat of Azkaban kept the majority from outright mutiny during the winter. They knew this was their chance to escape a lifetime of imprisonment. If only they could hang on and work hard enough, then freedom would be given to them eventually. This was the hope Snape clung to now. He prayed and hoped that she might consider him once he was free. He came to her aid when she asked for assistance, and he also helped her to keep unruly prisoners in line in the infirmary.

The Aurors noticed his respect for the young Miss Granger and her devotion for him, and it made them edgy. Gossip abounded amongst them except for Auror Carson. He knew just how much Snape cared for her. He had started speaking to Snape when he had noticed Snape was having more and more difficulties keeping his erections down. He had decided to test him by goading him with lewd and nasty comments as Snape strove for privacy as he tried to relieve himself. It was humiliating to be jeered at by a young whelp that held his life in his hands. And he had once thought him to be one of the "kinder Aurors"!

Auror Carson was fresh out of Auror Training. He had left Hogwarts the year before Harry Potter came. It had taken him a few years to figure out what he had wanted to do with his life. He had traveled some, but when Lord Voldemort came back, he came to a major crossroads of life. He had wanted to help the Cause, and he had joined the Auror Department. It was true that he had been in Ravenclaw and did rather well in school. He, with every other student who wasn't a Slytherin, had hated Professor Snape. But for all intents and purposes, he should have been a Gryffindor! He had such noble illusions of who the "good guys" were and who the "bad guys" were. So at first, he was just as pleased as the other Aurors when he had realized Snape was going to be a prisoner under them. It had satisfied his sense of justice. But the novelty wore quickly off when he had finally witnessed the humanity of it all. He had heard the rumors, that Snape had been a spy for Dumbledore and that he had been cleared of murder but was still guilty of manslaughter. He had also heard fantastic rumors of Snape working as a double agent for 20 years and that he had been responsible for saving Harry Potter's life on a number of occasions. He had wanted to believe the worst of him, that Snape was no more than the bastard he had known and had made him out to be. But then he had seen how devoted Miss Granger was to Snape. It was so apparent that she was in love. He had suspected the old bat was in love with her, but he had been such a git...what if he is just messing about? he thought. Can such a cold-hearted man even love? He had to know for sure if Snape truly cared for her. He knew about Ron Weasley's suicide and that he and Miss Granger had been sweet-hearts. He deeply respected Miss Granger, and he would not have her heart broken if he could help it!

Carson had started by saying lewd comments while Snape tried to relieve himself. He had made comments about Miss Granger, about how pretty she was and how he was sure if Snape were left his to his own devices, he would take the first opportunity and rape her. When he had said the word "rape," Severus' erection had disappeared, and his black eyes had bored into his in fierce anger. Auror Carson had watched while Snape had arranged his trousers and said in very plain terms that he never wanted Carson to ever speak about Miss Granger in such a way again. He had then taken a deep breath, lowered his eyes, and had said he was finished. That had impressed Carson to no end. So the worries that were plaguing his fellow Aurors about their relationship during the daily gossip sessions ceased to concern the young Auror.

Carson watched Snape intently as he continued to assist the young Miss Granger whenever she needed help. Carson arranged to get Snape to help out more in the infirmary after the near-death of Nott. At first, the witch and wizard had been extremely formal, but soon a familiarity came over them that came easily when alone, and he could watch from a secluded corner their little dance of love. She obviously favored him over the others; she could not hide her depth of feeling for the wizard. Carson had watched for months throughout the winter as she day after day saved bits of food and potions for him. Snape, in return, silently kept himself available for whatever she needed. He answered any questions she had about her potion making. Carson noticed how by simply asking for Snape's opinion or direction made the wizard feel a little more important, like he mattered. As a man himself, Carson could see how Hermione delicately stroked his ego. And it showed in Snape's demeanor.

He really had to give Hermione credit, for Snape was not the type of man who could be flattered easily. Some men fell apart at the mere sly smile and batting of a woman's eyelashes, but not Snape. He was by nature suspicious, so she took the direct approach and did not lie or make up stories to build him up. When she needed help, she went to Snape and asked for help. When she had a too much in her hands to carry, she asked Snape for help. It was honest and true. That was what Snape could respect.

***

As for Hermione, she respected Severus' concern for her own health and deferred to his chastisements over her lack of eating or sleeping. She knew now that his snarky attitude was his way of expressing his care when he became overwhelmed with his deeper feelings. She was notorious for neglecting herself to help the needs of others, so Snape took it upon himself to watch out for her. Again, as a man, Carson silently praised the young Miss Granger for her wisdom and perception with delicate touches and simple murmurs of appreciation. She had come so far with him! Snape had barely spoken two words to her other than "thank you" when she had begun giving food and potions. Now he was chastising her whenever he felt she was not taking care of herself, and for Snape, that was just as good as a declaration of love.

Now, at the end of the winter, Carson knew beyond a doubt that Snape was deeply in love with Miss Granger, and likewise, she was deeply in love with him. Their quiet conversations grew to little spats over potion making, and that had scared the Auror at first, but now he realized what was happening and could not help himself from laughing whenever they bickered. More than once, they had both turned to him at the same time and yelled, "WHAT!" He would then laugh harder and shake his head saying, "You two are the limit!"

He desperately wanted to enlighten them to the building sexual tension, but what could they do about it anyway? So, they bickered and snapped at each other once in a while to relieve that tension. By spring, Carson decided to forgo the Untouchable Charm whenever Snape was in the infirmary (secretly hoping perhaps they would do something and stop their bickering!) for he could not help but notice once the charm was released, the small touches and delicate caresses which passed between the witch and the wizard.

***

The winter had been a hard one, despite the Ministry changing their directives on Warming Spells in the barracks, clothing, and food rationing. Working hours were also cut, due to the cold, and the Aurory went through a shakedown. Minister Shaklebolt sent down a new batch of Aurors to replace the ones who had been so corrupt. Hermione had never been happier than to see the back of the bastard, Banes, who had been the worst of the lot arrested with the other younger Aurors who had terrorized the prisoners. Harry wrote her about the uncovering of the corruption and graft that had been occurring behind the scenes. The corruption went to the highest level in the Aurory, all the way to Gawain Robards himself! Harry assured Hermione that Banes, Robards, and Pomfrey would face the Wizengamot for their crimes, as well as any of the younger Aurors who had been participating in the maltreatment of the prisoners, which sadly included Proudfoot, who would face Azkaban all because he couldn't be bothered with bad news!

The firing of Madam Pomfrey from her post as Hogwarts mediwitch was the worst blow of all. Hermione knew she had been involved with the disappearances of food, clothes and potions, but did not want to relish in her downfall. The day she was arrested by the Aurors, she gave a scathing look of hatred to Hermione that sent a shiver down the young woman's spine. Hermione knew then that the mediwitch knew what she had done, and Hermione feared for the retribution to come.

***

A Healer from St. Mungo's came to take over Pomfrey's position, and she was a very wise woman. Healer Lucking sensed immediately the respect and preference the prisoners had for Miss Granger. She was their angel, the one person they could trust. Healer Lucking stayed out of the way for the most part and did not interfere with the schedules and patterns Hermione had set. The infirmary ran smoothly under her care, and Healer Lucking told Hermione many times that she was going to make a fine mediwitch one day.

The new Aurors put an end to the graft and corruption, but the damage had been done. There were now only fifty prisoners left. Thankfully, Snape was still with them, and Hermione was sure it was due to her diligence in feeding him and supplying him with extra potions. She started wondering now that the winter was coming to a close, would Harry be able to keep his promise and get Snape out and give him his freedom?