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Embracing My Very Own Darkness	By : TheTVJunkie Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 44434 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Harry Potter' or anything related to it. There's no money made of my stories; all my works are written for entertainment purpose only!

Chapter List
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A/N: Here we go again. Hope you enjoy.:)

Chapter Two - 'Demons Of The Present (Part One)'

Still smiling, Hermione exited Headmistress McGonagall's office. No, not McGonagall, Minerva it was. The dear old woman told her to call her Minerva and Hermione had gladly accepted. Visiting her former head of house had been more delightful than Hermione had originally expected; it's been a lovely get-together without too many embarrassing personal questions. Minerva McGonagall was sensible enough to quickly realise that Hermione would rather learn about the changes in Hogwarts that had been made since she had become headmistress than discuss Hermione's own miserable life. She was grateful that the old witch caught her drift and didn't push her any further. Politely, Hermione made small talk, telling the headmistress about her work at the ministry, purposely leaving out the fact that the job bored her to death most of the time.

But Minerva McGonagall was a wise woman. The moment her favourite priced Gryffindor star-pupil had walked through her door, she knew something was wrong with Hermione. The spark of enthusiasm in her eyes was gone, the once so vibrant girl now looked tensed up and like she suffered from some kind of burn out. Studying Hermione's blank expression and telltale body language thoroughly during their little chat, Minerva saw her sad presumption confirmed. Whatever had happened to Hermione Granger must have traumatized her to the core. Never having children of her own, the unhappy young woman caused maternal feelings in the old witch, making her feel obliged to help Hermione somehow. And then Minerva had an idea...

Hermione slowly headed towards the dungeons. She couldn't stop smiling over the fact that Minerva had actually offered her to stay at Hogwarts for a week or so, helping the headmistress with a couple of projects she needed assistance with. Minerva had stated that she wouldn't trust any of the students being careful enough with the old and partially heavily warded parchments and books that had been found recently in one of the many secret chambers of Hogwarts. Hermione had had difficulty sitting still at the prospect of being back at Hogwarts, doing interesting work, even though it would only be for a limited time.

She doubted that Minerva wouldn't really trust any of the students to handle the issue, but she definitely appreciated the kind gesture. Fake approval was better than no approval at all, wasn't it? And Hermione needed approval. Badly. Luckily, her boss at the ministry wouldn't mind her absence since she had dozens of unused holidays left and was supposed to use them soon. Minerva had been kind enough to owl the ministry right away, informing them that Miss Granger wouldn't be back for at least a week.

Shaking her head with a grin it was just now that she realised that the headmistress had done her more than one favour by letting her have a room in the castle. – It would be way easier and less awkward to explain being at Hogwarts to Professor Snape. Having 'official business' with McGonagall that required her presence on the school grounds sounded so much better than solely coming all the way here in desperate hope for a pity-fuck.

The cold air of the dungeon corridors let her shiver and Hermione stopped for a second and reached out to touch the old, clammy brick wall. She had to make sure it was real, make sure that this wasn't just one of those dreams or fantasies that kept her company in those many lonely nights for almost a decade.

No, it was real. She wasn't dreaming.

Hermione found the way to her former Potion Master's office unerringly; she had walked this way in her mind so many times that she knew it by heart. Stopping before the heavy wooden door, she buttoned down the cardigan of her white-coloured twin-set to reveal a v-neck shirt which provided a nice glimpse of her cleavage.

Well, I need all the help I can get. Let's hope that men are still visual...

Hermione knew she had become a little heavier over the years, not too much, but she was definitely no longer the boyish-looking girl she used to be in school. The weight which she had put on was basically in the right places, maybe a bit more than needed around the hips but in general it suited her nicely. Well, at least it made her feel a bit more like a woman since she couldn't come up with any other attributes such as natural grace or breathtaking beauty.

Merlin, I wonder if I would still fit in my school uniform?

Frowning, she banished the thought and knocked. No answer.

Hm. Has he retired already? Maybe he's not even living here anymore?

Hermione knocked again. Still no answer.

But no...Minerva would have told me that, wouldn't she?

Reluctantly, Hermione pushed the handle and was surprised to find the door unlocked. It opened with a familiar squeak and Hermione scurried in, anticipation and curiosity driving her forward.

"Professor, are you there?" Again, no response at all.

Closing the door behind her, she was overwhelmed by the memories that hit her. Everything looked exactly the way it used to be; apparently nothing had ever been changed. Inhaling the slightly mouldy smell of old books and candle wax, Hermione nonchalantly walked across the room towards the ancient mahogany desk that brought back so many memories. She grinned.

That's been the time of my life...

All of a sudden, Hermione startled at a sound. Weird sighs and a rumbling noise came from across the adjacent room, accompanied by elusive sounds of...moaning? It took her a second, but then she recognised her former Potions Master's sonorous timbre of voice amongst the odd sounds. Since Hermione knew from her former 'visits' at the professor's that the source of sound must be either his bedroom or private potions ingredients stock, anxious thoughts formed in her head immediately:

Hell, either he fell down the ladder in the store room and probably broke his bones...

Worried, Hermione quickly rushed over to the other door and listened carefully. She could have sworn she had heard the sound of another voice, too! Distorted and difficult to assign, but definitely another voice.

...or stone the crows! He's got a woman in there!?

For a split-second, Hermione wasn't quite sure which option would be worse. In case her second assumption was right, she saw her hopes dashed...

"Professor?" She called in a loud voice, ignoring the fact that he might not be alone. After all, if he was alone, he might need help, didn't he? "Professor Snape, are you in there?" Hermione hammered on the door insistently. "Sir, are you alright???"

Now, everything was quiet. Hermione intently pressed her ear against the door, but in vain.

Come on, answer me! Please!

She straightened and flinched as the door was ripped open halfway. "Disturbing me after school hours will cost you dunderhead a hundred..." Came the all too familiar growl of Professor Snape. However, he fell silent as he realised that the 'intruder' was none of the annoying first-years he had expected to have the nerve to disturb him but...someone he hadn't seen in ages.

They stared at each other, wordlessly. One of the first things that caught Hermione's eye was the professor's raven hair, which was now honeycombed with a few white strands. She instantly liked it, even though it made him look even sterner than before. Otherwise there hadn't been much change except for a few small wrinkles maybe. Per usual, Snape was donned in his trademark black frock coat with all those little buttons at the front and the look on his face was the same Hermione remembered – harsh and unforgiving. Predestined to be every student's living nightmare...or daydream, in her case.

Hermione blushed. After seconds that felt like an eternity to Hermione, Snape finally spoke. "Miss Granger?!?" His brow furrowed in disbelief. "What are you..."

He was cut off harshly by the owner of the mysterious second voice Hermione had detected before. "Miss Granger ?"

Hermione witnessed the door being pushed open completely with the silver headpiece of an elegant cane...

No, it can't be!

Backing away further, Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. She had expected many things when she heard those weird noises coming out of the professor's private chambers but never ever Lucius Malfoy!

As Hermione stared at Lucius with mouth agape as he made his way around Snape to face Hermione directly. He resembled a ghost of a long gone past, exactly as she remembered him from their very first meeting at 'Flourish and Blotts', just before her second year at Hogwarts. Gone was the broken man he had become during the later years of the war; he now seemed to be just as self-centred and full of himself as he used to be. Back at his arrogant best. And, unfortunately, awfully good looking too, as Hermione secretly had to admit. Unpleasantly touched by this realisation, she felt her belly tighten. This was no good sign.

Damn my bloody hormones!

"Now, now, what do we have here, Severus?" Lucius purred, unashamedly giving Hermione elevator eyes. Hermione tried her best to prevent herself from blushing.

"Isn't that our favourite little know-it-all?" He stopped right before her, deliberately violating her private space. Hermione battled with herself not to inhale too deeply as she perceived the alluring scent of his probably ridiculously expensive cologne. "Long time no see...little mudblood !"

Mudblood. Mudblood???

Hermione hadn't thought she would ever hear that word again. That vain pureblood was obviously trying to provoke her. Well, it worked.

"Don't you dare ever call me that again, Malfoy!" She spat, reaching for her wand.

"Tut tut, Miss Granger. Lord Malfoy, if you please." Malfoy smiled smugly. "Just if you haven't heard yet, I've been acquitted of all charges, my family estate, assets, title and good name were restored to me."

"Good name... my arse." Hermione harrumphed under her breath. Too bad she didn't see the mischievous smirk on Snape's lips at her comment. He hadn't interfered so far, but watched the scenario unfolding before his eyes with great interest.

Lucius ignored Hermione's verbal aggression, starting a counter-attack instead. Gazing at her with piercing silver-grey eyes, he continued deftly. "As I can see, Miss Granger, you have...matured." Once more his glance feasted on her cleavage.

"I'm afraid I can't return that compliment, Lord Malfoy ." Hermione retorted, purposely stressing the title he seemed so proud of, mocking him in the process. This time, she saw the professor's grin and inwardly smiled.

"What brought you back to Hogwarts, Miss Granger?" Lucius kept interrogating her, nostrils flaring at her impudence.

Hermione felt herself blush brightly. "None of your business, Malfoy." She intentionally didn't address him by title. "It's a personal matter..."

For a second, Hermione was caught off guard by her feelings and couldn't help but longingly glance towards Snape who narrowed his eyes suspiciously at an instant.

"Apart from that..." Hermione tried to remedy the situation. "...I could ask you the very same question."

Needless to say that Malfoy interpreted the awkward silence that followed correctly. Due to Hermione's little faux pas, it was pretty unmistakable to the suave Blonde that there must have been some sort of 'extra-curricular activities' between her and Severus before. Judging by her crimson face it must have been something 'highly immoral', sexual. That little vixen! Amused by that thought his eyes darted between Hermione and his long time friend, followed by a knowing laughter.

"I see!" Lucius stated wickedly, turning around to Snape and patting him on the shoulder in approval. "My dear friend, you never told me!"

Thank Merlin he never did!

The professor rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Lucius, this is really none of your business..." But Malfoy ignored him. Turning back to Hermione, he saw his chance to get back to her for her earlier mocking.

"And you, Miss goody two-shoes..." He hissed nastily. "Who would have thought it possible that the prized Gryffindor star pupil would go for that kind of extra credit?"

Hermione trembled with anger and embarrassment at his words; fighting hard with herself not to punch Malfoy's face for the insult. She was no child anymore, but in this very moment Hermione felt much like then in 'Flourish and Blotts' when Malfoy looked at her with disdain. However, this time Hermione sensed an extra emotion she wasn't yet able to comprehend properly...

It was just then she saw blood dripping out of Snape's sleeve.

Any other thoughts banished, Hermione pointed at the professor's arm with a shocked expression. "Professor, you're hurt!"

In a sudden fury, she turned around to Lucius and yelled at him accusingly. "What the fuck were you two doing in there???"

The moment she uttered her question, Hermione wasn't sure if she really wanted to know...

Blimey! What am I doing? This is none of my business!

Furrowing an eyebrow at her rather uncharacteristic outburst, Malfoy Senior complacently shrugged. "Whatever you think we were doing..." He gave her a devilish grin. "...you are most welcome to join, my dear!"

"Oh, you..." Hermione couldn't find the right words to express her anger and confusion. She couldn't quite process this surreal scenario. What was going on here? And why the heck was she suddenly so concerned about her former professor? She wasn't his mother after all...

Before the situation was sure to escalate between Lucius and Hermione, who were still glaring daggers at each other, Snape finally spoke. "It is nothing. A simple scratch."

"A simple scratch?! No 'simple scratch' leaves so much blood!" Hermione exclaimed, but was ignored.

Instead, the professor turned his attention to Lucius, shook his hand and bid him farewell. "See you next week, Lucius. And thank you for the unicorn horns."

Hermione frowned. She knew very well that Malfoy's gift was sheer unaffordable. That arrogant prick wouldn't give anything less as a present.

"My pleasure, Severus." He smiled back at Snape, surprisingly honest. Tilting his head, Malfoy then turned around to Hermione, briefly inhaling the lilac scent of her hair. "See you soon, Mud...Miss Granger."

"I doubt that." Hermione stated unapproachably, taking a step back to be out of his reach. Giving her a smug smile in return, Lucius replied silkily. "That remains to be seen..."

Hermione shuddered slightly at his words which sounded like an ominous promise. She let out a relieved breath she didn't know she was holding when the door finally closed behind Lucius Malfoy.

A/N: Hmmmm... Hermione has changed quite a bit, don't you think? Rebellious little lady.^^ And what the hell is going on between Snape and Lucius? LOL. Will Hermione eventually fall victim to Lucius' charms? Ahhh, questions, questions...

Please review and let me know what you think! :) Thanks.
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Embracing My Very Own Darkness