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Spark	By : DivineAngel Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 20930 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Disclaimer: Nothing
you recognise belongs to me.

Chapter 19: The Old
Familiar Sting

Severus stalked into the
Slytherin common room, frustrated by Dumbledore's inability to take
his concerns seriously. The large, stone room was not empty as he had
expected, there were a dozen or so students assembled, talking
loudly, almost all were in their pyjamas and a small stream of
students was appearing from the stairs to the dormitories. Severus
rubbed his forehead. He knew this was going to be taxing, half of
these students knew something because of who their parents were, half
were speculating. He had to strike a balance, as always, between what
he knew and what he wanted them to believe he knew.

'Quiet.' He ordered and
hush fell upon the gathered students as their eyes turned to him.
'What are you all doing up at this hour?' He demanded, looking around
at them. A handful more appeared on the stairs, looking around at
their housemates and eyeing the head of house carefully. No one was
forthcoming with an explanation. Severus searched for Draco among
those gathered but there was no sign of him. He needed to wrap this
up, get everyone back into their rooms and make sure all were
accounted for. 'I see. Well if no one is going to answer me then you
will all have detention starting from tomorrow. I will post times for
each individual here by lunch time on the notice board.'

Out of the corner of his
eye he caught a glimpse of blond hair, his head snapped to see his
godson bent over a sofa near to the door, he was whispering to his
goon, Crabbe. He was fully dressed, outdoor cloak included, with mud
on his shoes and pink cheeks from the cold. 'To bed. All of you.'
Severus snapped and the crowd began to break up. Crabbe stood and
moved away from Draco, who made a slow beeline towards the tall and
imposing Severus.

'Professor.' Severus
looked down at the boy, although it had to be said that he wasn't
much taller than his godson these days.

'Draco.' You appear to
have just returned from somewhere. What were you doing out at night?'
His words punctuated by a meaningful tone and narrowed eyes. The boy
shook his head and smiled.

'I really don't think
you'll be talking to me like that any more, Severus.' He kept
his voice low as people jostled against him on their way to the
stairs. Taken aback Severus glanced around at those passing on either
side of them and took Draco by the elbow, leading him over to the
cold fireplace.

'What do you mean by
this?' He snapped at the boy, a scowl creasing his forehead. 'What do
you know about this impromptu party?' He snarled. Draco simply
smirked at him. 'Answer me boy.' He hissed, leaning close to the
young Malfoy. In response Draco's smirk vanished and was replaced
with a look of utter disgust.

'No. No more questions.'
The youngster spat. 'You answer to me now, old man.' Severus felt
like smacking the boy with the back of his hand. He had never known
such insolence, such venom, from his own godson. 'I know you, sir.
I know what you've been doing.' Severus took a step back. The
memory of Draco walking in on a moment of inappropriate behaviour
with Hermione flashed before his eyes, the worry that he had felt at
the time came like a punch to the gut. He believed that the boy had
dismissed what he may have seen. Was he wrong?

'What are you talking
about?' Severus growled quietly as a few stragglers looked at the
pair as they moved slowly across the common room.

'I saw you tonight, in
the forest.' Draco snapped, no longer keeping his voice down. Severus
stepped back again, surprise and fear churning his insides. 'You
can't deny it. You and that, that, mudblood bitch.' The hate
oozed from the boy, disgust and was that confusion? Severus looked
into the boy's eyes and latched onto that gem; confusion. If he could
use that to his advantage, he might be able to do some damage
control.

'Draco. I won't deny it.'
He said silkily, seeing Draco's face softening instantly. Severus
stepped up close to Draco again, forcing him a pace back towards the
fireplace and planted his hand against it over the boy's shoulder,
pinning him there. 'Use your head, boy. Can you not think of a reason
behind what you saw? Is it not possible that there is something other
than face value in it?' He paused, watching Draco's face contort as
he struggled between his outrage and the voice inside him that
trusted his godfather. 'Have you ever known me to lose control? To do
anything beyond what I am bound to do?' He said slowly and
through gritted teeth.

'No.' Draco said slowly,
reluctantly.

'Precisely. Now, I
suggest you keep what you saw to yourself and all shall become clear
with time.' He leaned close to the boy. 'I trust that it is not too
late to caution you thus.' It wasn't a question, at least Severus
didn't intend for Draco to take it as one. The boy shook his head
firmly once, his face paling under the barely concealed menace. With
a flourish Severus span away from Draco and went about ensuring no
one was missing from his house.

~#~#~#~

Harry and Professor
McGonagall sped along the corridors back to Gryffindor tower, Harry
reeling from Dumbledore's apparent lack of concern for Lupin. His
mind raced with fragments of a plan to get out of Hogwarts and go
after his old friend. They turned a corner and McGonagall cried out,
along with a cacophony of surprised yells. Harry stood face to face
with Ron and Neville, both half dressed with jumpers pulled over
their pyjamas, wands at the ready and looking utterly petrified.

'Weasley! Longbottom! You
scared me half to death. Back to the common room with you, now.'
McGonagall chided and set off, the boys scurrying along behind her.
Ron grabbed Harry's arm as they went, his eyes full of fear.

'Harry? What's going on?'
He pleaded, his voice lowered.

'Lupin. He's been
attacked.' Ron and Neville's faces both dropped, a look of
understanding passed between them, memories of the previous year when
Harry had seen Ron's father attacked by Voldemort's huge snake in a
dream.

'By what? Who?' Neville
asked, his voice shaking.

'I don't know.' Harry
shook his head, trying to recall the dream, to see any details he
might have missed. He rubbed his head, his scar still throbbing.

'Harry? What is
Dumbledore going to do?' Ron asked, his face worried.

'I don't know that
either, Ron. I got the horrible feeling that he wasn't going to do
anything.' Before the other two had a chance to react to this they
arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady and McGonagall turned on her
heels to face them as they came to a halt.

'Boys, I assure you that
Dumbledore will do everything in his power to ensure the safety of
Remus Lupin. Now, I'm going to have to ask you not to discuss this in
front of your house mates, or any other pupils. We will make sure all
the students are safe tonight but it wouldn't do to go worrying
anyone unnecessarily.' Her voice was strained, she was worried, but
was trying to reassure them.

Inside the common room it
was quiet and still, the three boys trudged up to their dormitory,
leaving McGonagall to take a head count. They gathered on Harry's
bed, whispering about the events, Harry tried to recount the details
of his dream and told them what had happened in Dumbledore's office.
They talked until the first light of dawn appeared at the window,
Harry didn't want to close his eyes again, for fear of what he might
see and the company certainly helped. His thoughts were with Lupin
and where he might be at that moment, afraid for his friend's life
and so incredibly angry with the headmaster.

~#~#~#~

Hermione paced her
dormitory, wringing her hands. What on earth had happened? One minute
she was lying in Severus's arms, satisfied by his long-awaited
declaration of love, the next they were running through the forest,
Hermione frightened out of her wits by his sudden and overwhelming
fear that something was wrong.

She knew that most
likely, if something truly was happening, Severus would be apparating
off to do his job and she worried sick that he might not return this
time. It had only happened on the rarest of occasions, that he had
gone off to Voldemort's side, since they had been together and she
hated it every time. She would throw herself into her school work to
try and keep her mind off it until he returned. He hadn't come back
injured again since that first night, the night before they first had
sex, much to her relief. But he hadn't had to disappear under the
ominous feeling that had come over him tonight and she couldn't help
but be terrified.

When dawn broke she was
sat at the foot of her bed, her eyes drooping closed and snapping
open periodically. She longed for sleep, but refused to let it take
her. She watched the sun make an appearance through the window and
set about getting showered before Lavender and Parvati woke up.

~#~#~#~

Severus stood by the fire
in his sitting room, waiting. He knew it would come eventually, the
old familiar sting. One eye on the clock on the mantel watching the
hours tick by. Waiting.

At 7.03 his forearm
reflexively convulsed as the Dark Mark flared like a burn. Without
needing to think any further, he tossed floo powder into the grate,
stepped into the emerald flames and closed his eyes.

'The Three Broomsticks.'
In a moment he was standing in the silent and dark pub. A quick
glance around told him he hadn't disturbed anyone and with a turn of
his cloak he disapparated to where he must go.

~#~#~#~

Tonks tried to tread
lightly, she always tried, rarely succeeded. Arthur was at her side,
he was much more adept at keeping quiet. Bill was a few metres to her
left, along with Moody. To her right a steep slope down into a ditch.
Thick undergrowth was all around her and tall, slender trees kept the
early morning light at bay. They had been searching the woods for six
hours, the sun was coming up which would make it easier, but if he
was really hurt, really badly, then every minute that went by was
bringing him one minute closer to... well, she shook the thought from
her mind.

Every detection spell
they knew between them was active, they had traced Lupin to these
woods within an hour of Dumbledore raising the alarm. Now it was
mostly a matter of combing the woods and they were vast enough to
make it an arduous task.

Tonks tripped on a tree
root, instinctively crying out as she stumbled forward, hands
grabbing for something to steady her, but she found nothing and fell
to her knees. The ground to her right gave way and she slipped a
notch, crying out again. Then she was tumbling, rolling down the
ditch gathering dirt. She came to an abrupt halt, thumping against a
tree trunk and the wind was knocked from her. The noise she had made
sent birds flying from their nests and various small animals
scurrying unseen from their hiding places. She reached for her back,
feeling her bones and muscles aching from the fall.

'Tonks? You OK?' Bill was
calling down from some fifteen feet above her, his father and old
Mad-Eye both peering down in the eerie half-light.

'Fine!' She called up,
moaning as she tried to sit. She felt something heavy land on her
ankle that made her jump. Suddenly that something heavy was clasping
her, a hand gripped her ankle and she screamed.

~#~#~#~

Severus slipped the mask
over his face as he stepped from the darkness and into the dimly lit
room. The floors were marble and pillars lined the two long sides,
the ceiling high overhead. Though now old and crumbling, this old
hall had once been elaborate and beautiful. For now it was cold and
dark, low bluish light shone from enchanted torches around a circle
of hooded and masked figures. He stepped into the circle, Voldemort
was in the centre, his head thrown back in laughter. Severus felt
sick at the sound.

'Tonight, my faithful,
tonight we move and end this.' Severus felt a jolt go through him.
'We have been forced to hide in the shadows for too long friends.'
The Death Eaters were growing more energetic, shuffling, calling
their approval and Severus watched carefully. He knew that it was now
or never, he just hoped he would be given the chance. 'No longer!'
Voldemort shouted to the excited audience. 'Tonight we move upon our
enemies. You will each have your targets; key Ministry figures, and
those troublesome followers of Dumbledore.' He snarled through the
last few words as if it pained him to say the name.

Severus felt his
breathing become heavy, he felt nervous and his brain worked at
breakneck speed to formulate a plan. How would he draw Voldemort's
blood? At least it appeared that Draco had been telling the truth,
neither Lucius or anyone else present had given any hint that they
knew this incriminating news. He watched as the assembled Death
Eaters, more in one place than he had seen since before Voldemort's
temporary incorporeality, rallied around their leader, the energy in
the room was palpable. He mustered all his energy to do what must be
done and joined in the shouts of approval.

'My Lord.' The crawling
voice of Lucius cut through the celebrations, he moved into the
centre of the throng, a long, curved dagger across his open, gloved
palms. Severus eyed him closely, wondering what he was up to. 'It
hasn't been done since the old days, but I believe the occasion calls
for it.' He took to his knee before the snake-like creature that was
his Lord and Master, holding the blade up in a supplicant gesture.
Severus moved closer, if Lucius was suggesting what he suspected then
he had indeed been handed a most advantageous opportunity.

Voldemort smiled his
wicked smile and took up the dagger.

'And will you be the
first to offer your blood, Lucius?' He asked, quietly. It really
wasn't a question and Lucius knew it. He pulled his glove from his
right hand and held it up to the Dark Lord, who, with a snarl, drew
the blade in a flash across Lucius's upturned palm. Lucius retracted
his hand as blood spattered across the floor and the those gathered
around him winced and cheered. People rushed forward to be next, to
add their sacrifice to his in hopes of a successful hunt and kill.

Severus took his time,
watching with a sense of glee, almost. He circled the crowd around
Voldemort, not wanting to appear reluctant but ensuring he would be
the last to kneel before him. Finally his turn came and he cut
through the others to kneel at Voldemort's feet. He bowed his head
and removed his glove, waiting for the blade to sting his skin.
'Severus? You need not kneel before me. Stand.' He commanded in an
almost kind voice. Severus obeyed and looked the beast in the eye.
'You, you are why we are here today. You are the reason that I have
been able to recover my strength so very quickly.' The serpent took
Severus's hand and looked at it lovingly as Severus tried not to
flinch under his vile touch. The blade sliced across his skin,
drawing a fine line of blood that rapidly spread outwards. He turned
his palm sideways and watched the drops fall to the floor, mingling
with that of all the others, his eyes then returned to Voldemort's.

Now was the moment, he
watched eagerly, glad of his mask. Voldemort held his own hand up and
slit it with vigour, blood oozing forth and trickling to the floor.
'A toast to you, Severus!' He cried out and took a lick at his own
blood. Severus could feel his heart pounding in his chest. “Now.
Do it now.” A voice screamed inside his head. He slid his mask
up to rest upon his head, knelt once more and grasped the Dark Lord's
bleeding hand with his still gloved one and kissed the grey knuckles
with a lurch in his stomach. He felt the blood soak into his glove
and he closed his eyes in a moment of blessed relief.

As if in slow motion he
felt himself lifted and carried across the blue-lit hall. The ceiling
high above him span amid cheers and cries of exuberance. He had done
it, he had the blood on his glove, he was still trusted by Voldemort
and adored by his followers. His moment would come so soon he could
taste it and he longed to return to Hogwarts and take his love in his
arms, knowing that the Dark Lord would so very soon be defeated.

AN:
I felt quite excited writing this chapter, I hope you felt the same
way reading it! Drop me a review and let me know ;-p thanks again to everyone who has reviewed so far. Seriously, I check for new reviews several times a day!!

The title of this chapter is a lyric from one of my very favourite songs, Hurt by NIN. I wrote it into the chapter without really thinking, when I realised what I'd done I knew it had to be the chapter title!
- 18
- 19
- 20
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