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Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31713 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

Chapter List
- 115
- 116
- 117
A/N: Thank you all for your support, kudos, comments, and klicks.
I am finally finished with my Master studies! And I have a full year before I can start with my doctoral studies. That means – I have some writing time on my hands, and you may expect updates for this and other stories.
I tried to force myself to find time and write during this crazy period, and as a result, I have almost all chapters for Torment done (still working on the last two) as this story had the most detailed outline. I can primisse without a doubt – this saga is nearing its end.
And yeah, I skipped sending this chapter to my beta, again. So, all mistakes are mine as always.
Harry leaned back in his chair and shook his head, looking at Neville who at that moment had his face obscured with a mug full of Butterbeer. Neville insisted that they talk about Hermione.
She looked fine to me, better than in the past year or even longer.
Neville always had his idea what is fine when talked about Hermione. Neville lowered his mug and wiped the foam with the heel of his palm.
“So, what is the problem now?” Harry asked giving his best not to sound inpatient.
“She is behaving- odd. More like herself, but also strange.” Neville sighed.
“Strange, how?” Harry raised his eyebrows.
“First, she caused a ruckus in school again. A few days back, Headmistress called her in her office and had to step out for a while… Let’s just say that half of the school herd Hermione screaming the head of the petrified portrait of Albus Dumbledore. He said something, I don’t know what, but it took three professors to stop Hermione from damaging the portrait.” Neville sighed.
“That’s not odd, it’s not smart but not so much, odd for Hermione.” Harry shook his head. Since she started caring for Snape Hermione had a chip on her shoulder, she could not condone the way Dumbledore used Snape.
“Yes. Well, if you consider that she… She behaves… Well, in a part like what she was in school- before, or this year. I caught her -moonlighting over the book. She has that stupid smile on her face and gazing in the distance, in the library, over the book.” Neville leaned to him, whispering.
“She is a girl, Nev, and, she is in love. I’d say it’s quite a normal behaviour.” Harry sighed.
“We are talking about Hermione.” Neville widened his eyes.
Harry realized that Neville thought his words as an explanation.
“Look Nev, she had a rough two years… She had a rough since the first year in Hogwarts with war and all and being friends with Ron and I- I’m sure it didn’t help. To put it simply, we… For all we know this may be real Hermione.” Harry gave Neville a weak smile, tact was never his strong point.
“I don’t know, we are talking about the girl who colour coded and charted her schedules from the first year.” Neville shook his head.
“What is she doing now?” Harry wanted to give up, he couldn’t influence Neville no more than he could convince Neville to let go.
“Preparing. Tomorrow is the Parting Feast. Headmistress introduced some old customs…” Neville sighed.
“Meaning?” Harry felt confused.
Going to Auror training without returning for my N.E.W.T. was the best decision I made.
“Meaning- the head table will become awfully crowded.” Neville smiled nervously and stuck his head in a mug again.
“Do you want me to show up?” Harry tried to get information from suddenly not so talkative Neville.
“You can’t and you know it. War Hero or not, Harry- Hogwarts has its rules.” Neville smiled at him.
“I’m not a War Hero, at least not the only one, Serpent-slayer.” Harry grinned.
Neville rolled his eyes at him and complained. “Now I need Firewhiskey.”
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Hermione shuffled behind Luna. A month flew by, filled with reading books, thinking about Severus, and corresponding to him. His letters same as always, not a letter that would indicate what happened between them. Not that she expected it.
Nagging question, how he will greet her come tomorrow weighed on her mind. Her fingers nervously found the necklace to play with it.
Stop thinking about what you want, he’ll be your Master and he’ll act accordingly.
“Stop daydreaming.” Deidre nudged her in the back. “The sooner we finish with formalities, I can enjoy one more decent meal.”
Hermione chuckled. Deidre’s mother started cooking, much to the dismay of the rest of the family. If one could judge by the cookies she sent regularly, the woman was probably the worst cook in England.
They took their places at the table.
Headmistress stood up and buzz of chatter came to a halt.
“My dear students, another year came to its end. This year is the last we have returnees from the past war among us, and I am proud to say that no matter how dire times were- many students finished their education.
For those who part with us only during summer hols, I wish pleasant rest. But I urge you not to forget about your obligations.
Now, as you all know, we decided to honour some old traditions. It brings me joy to reinstate one of the most sacred traditions this school ever had. I call upon all of you present, to acknowledge and give due respect to our seventh- and eight-year students that secured Apprenticeship.”
Headmistress paused and murmur carried through the crowd. Deidre leaned to Hermione.
“This is so exciting! It is one of the greatest honours to have this ceremony. My grand grandmother talked about it. They cancelled it after Dumbledore became the Headmaster.”
Hermione felt her heart beating in her throat before sinking low.
He won’t be here, no way he’ll show up. He said that he won’t set foot in this school ever again.
“Without further ado,” Headmistress spoke again. “Let us call our Master’s to join us at the Head table.” She started clapping, and students followed.
Hermione clapped half-heartedly; her eyes firmly set to her plate. Excited whisper carried over the sound of clapping. Luna elbowed her in the ribs.
“Professor Snape is here.”
Hermione twirled in her seat, her eyes darting to the row of twenty something men and women who slowly walked towards the head table. Severus was among the last, leaning on the cane slightly, but still imposing and elegant. She sucked a hungry gulp of air.
His robes….
He was in fine robes, black with green stripes, the ones Draco said that Narcissa gave Severus, but he never wore them not having an event formal enough. He looked distinguished, with his slightly longer hair tied at the nape of his neck. Hermione bit her lip. To most of the students who knew him, he probably didn’t look too much changed. His face was still stony cold, sharp eyes as cold as ever. He didn’t billow, but apart from black and green robes that was the only difference.
Hermione could hear excited whispers.
“I heard he is a War Hero now.”
“At least he washed his hair.”
“Who is the poor soul he’ll torture for the next four years?”
“He never, never took an apprentice before.”
Hermione clenched her fists, fingers itching to hex those with negative comments. Headmistress cleared her throat again.
“I ask the students, when I call them, to join their Master or Mistress at our table.” With that Headmistress start calling names, much the same as she did at the Sorting ceremony.
Hermione couldn’t divert her gaze, heart beating insanely against her ribcage. Her muscles flexing under duress to prevent herself dashing to his arms.
“Hermione Granger, War Hero, recipient of the Order of Merlin First Class and one of the best students this school ever had. Seven N.E.W.T. subjects, all Outstanding.”
Luna and Deidre nudged her, and Hermione stood up, feeling slightly panicked as all eyes trained on her.
“Miss Granger, please come and join your Master, Potions Master Severus Snape, War Hero, Order of Merlin First Class.”
Hermione started to walk, her body following the instruction while her brain reeled. Silence escorted her to the table. Severus stood up to pull the chair for her, nothing other Master’s and Mistresses didn’t do for their charges. Collective gasp followed by claps and a murmur broke as she took her place at the Great Table. And in a good time too, her legs gave out.
Severus nodded to her with one sharp twitch of his chin, sitting down and directing his narrowed eyes at the Hall, like he dared students to act out of order. It was a strange feeling, sitting on this side of the Great Table. Sitting next to him like this.
Hermione didn’t know what to do or say. Around her everyone chatted quietly. She clenched her arms in her lap, and nearly jumped when under the table, one long warm hand covered her nervously crushed hands. She glanced at him, but he was still gazing at the rows of students.
Finally, the ceremony finished. Food appeared on the tables and excited chatter filled the air. Hermione felt her throat was dry as a desert, as if he read her mind Severus filled her glass with something. She turned to him, smiling sheepishly and took a good gulp. Severus clucked his tongue.
“One of the first things you out to learn is never to take a drink before testing it.” He sounded and looked like her old Potions Professor. “Not even from your Master.”
Hermione nodded, frowning.
From her other side, a Hufflepuff boy leaned to her and whispered. “Did you ask for him?”
Hermione sharply turned her head, ready to hex at first negative comment. Jutting her chin, she glared at the boy.
“As a matter of fact, I did.” She said. I, bloody, had to blackmail my way into this Apprenticeship.
“Lucky!” The boy replied. “He is not nice, but he is the best Potion Master in the country. Wrote to him first, he never even bothered to answer.”
Hermione blinked at the boy. “So, what are you taking for your Mastery?”
“Potions. Mistress Jameson accepted my application.” The boy replied with a shy smile.
“Table manners, Miss Granger.” Severus sharply hissed and Hermione jumped slightly, nodding a boy, and turning to sit straight.
“Apologies, Master Snape.” Hermione murmured, blushing.
She hated the fact that they reverted to Miss Granger and Master Snape.
“Let us survive this, do not eat too much, you are returning to the Manor with me. Narcissa made a feast, Potter and few of your friends will join us there later.” Severus whispered to her.
Hermione was sure that to anyone his whisper sounded like an angry hiss, but she relaxed. Leaning over the table, Luna raised her glass to her with a wink. Neville sent her a smile.
Hermione turned to look at the Great Hall and rows of tables that buzzed with life. Suddenly realizing how detached she felt from this place. Hogwarts will always have a place in her heart, but she wasn’t belonging here anymore. She glanced at Severus; he was eating, scowling at his plate. Hermione knew how that looked like from the other side of the table. A wide grin, the one she could not suppress appeared.
“Cease and desist that.” Severus hissed not turning his eye to her.
“What?” Hermione just couldn’t stop smiling.
“Grinning. Before everyone here gets the idea that I hexed you somehow or put something in your food.” Severus continued grumbling.
“I secured my Apprenticeship with the best Potions Master in the country if not even Europe. The one Master that never took Apprentice before, even if many asked him to. I have all the reasons to grin.” Hermione informed him, a smile still on her face.
“A known Death Eater and murderer.” Severus replied flatly.
“Odd, all I heard was a War Hero when they announced you.” Hermione furrowed her brows but continued to smile.
Only now, she noticed the slight shake of his hand and a thin coat of sweat at the base of his hair. The too pronounced muscle of his jaw indicating clenching of the teeth.
“Are you in pain?” she leaned to him and said in a hushed whisper.
“Yes,” he grounded through almost clenched teeth. “The situation, however, won’t change for the next four years, so there is nothing to it.”
“Well, I’m ready to go whenever you say.” Hermione grinned at Severus again.
That is where she belonged, with him- and she had four years to prove him she meant it.
- 115
- 116
- 117
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed