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This Is The Way The World Ends.	By : tulipsaside Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 7312 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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
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26. Never will I break. Part One

The library emptied out gradually throughout the night as Severus sat scribing out his essay at a table secluded away from the other students. He barely glanced up from his parchment instead kept his head close to the table his hand working steadily; sweeping in swift fluid strokes as he composed all he knew or had ever read on Vampires.

He kept his mind and body busy, focusing all other thoughts out of his mind, erasing all the tension, anger, and resentment, so that it was left clear and precise as he studied. It was his tried and true method of dealing with all things negative or overwhelming. Take it in, let it consume him for only a moment and then force it out. Severus was a master of his emotions- well; he was a master of his emotions up until Hermione Granger had literally appeared out of nowhere.

To Severus, Hermione Granger was someone he could give his loyalty to. She was brilliant, witty, and had something about her that drew Severus in: a bit like a moth to a flame, hypnotic yet with a hidden unease flitting about it. Ultimately what bothered Severus the most, and what had made him flee this evening, was that she would leave eventually. She had her own life to go back to and Severus knew she would not stay with him; and that scared him. He was not one to admit to fear especially over a woman, but something told him that when she left it would be the last time he would truly be at ease. Therefore, he disconnected himself by putting enough distance between them, only Severus hoped four floors would be enough.

He finished the last inch of his essay, blowing lightly on the parchment to dry the wet ink of his words. He wondered if maybe he could get Hermione to divulge a bit about his future, perhaps they were together in her time, at least friends. He did not think there could ever be situation where he would not want to be close to the witch. Severus began packing his bag and returning his books back to the library cart. A small smirk graced his mouth, thinking how in her own time he was twenty years her senior. Severus heaved his bag onto his shoulder and pushed in his chair. Maybe he was her supervisor, he thought. Perhaps, they were contemporaries working in the Ministry together. She was young, but terribly smart, possibly she had moved quickly through the departments before landing in his field. Severus nodded to himself; yes, he could see Hermione accelerating rapidly through any profession she chose.

Severus exited the Library, nodding to Madam Pince as he left. It all boiled down to what his future would be, he reflected. If he were at the Ministry, he could conceive the notion that Hermione would return to him somehow. If he were a private supplier in Potions he could see how she might be a employee of his or maybe he was an instructor at the Ministry training graduates in the Defence against the Dark Arts and she had joined the program, perhaps even taught it herself. Hermione was very good at spell work, thought Severus as he turned the corner heading down the hallway towards the Prefects bathrooms. Severus let himself give into the possibility of them, (despite her age) being involved. He liked kissing Hermione, he thought, a slight blush creeping into his face, and if he were very honest with himself, he could imagine liking a lot more than just kissing her. Severus shifted mid stride, thinking that if he could just get an idea of his future, then he would be able to tolerate her leaving, if only he could be sure they would see each other again.

Severus passed a large mirror hanging on the castles wall. He would ask Hermione, he decided. He would be honest with her, explain to her the reason why he left her this evening, and share his concerns. Severus decided he needed to apologize to her as well, she had been so considerate during dinner and he had brushed her-.

Severus feet shot out from under him making him land hard on the floor his head snapping back against the stone. Stars erupted behind his eyes and he felt an overwhelming dizziness engulf him. Groaning he rolled over onto his side, looking around for what had caused his fall. The hallway was deserted, he looked to the ceiling thinking that perhaps Peeves the Poltergeist had tripped him: nothing there either. Shaking his head slowly and prodding the back of his head, he stood. Perhaps he caught himself on his robes, he thought stooping down to retrieve his fallen bag.

Severus tripped head first into the floor and this time he felt the force of the fall, as if something or someone had kicked him in his backside. With quick reflexes, his wand shot out as he sprang to his feet.

�Show yourself,� he commanded.

A blow to his stomach sent him staggering to his knees. He swallowed in great gulps of air trying to ease the pressure in his midsection.

Severus raised his wand again, his fingers flicking out a spell. The light from his everte statum hex dissipated against the wall as he stood once more to his feet.

His bag floated unaided up into the air, dropping all his belongings across the floor. Severus sent another spell directly at his bag but it shot pass, hitting a suit of armour and ricocheting off down the hall.

Severus lunged for his bag his fingers brushing against something silky before his bag dropped and the fingers grasped at air. He bent down quickly, collecting his things and stuffing them haphazardly into his bag. His wand pointed into the empty hallway.

He struggled as the back of his robe came up over his head and covered his face. Severus righted himself quickly before springing up and rapidly started hexing in every direction determined to hit what ever was attacking him.

Severus threw out a dozen spells with no luck he turned to his right and stood directly in front of the mirror his own harsh features starring back at him. He flicked his wand sending a stinging hex at the mirror and knew he had connected with the opponent. A sharp hiss rose out into the hallway.

�Show yourself.� Severus commanded again his voice deadly calm.

He took a quick step towards the mirror and his fingers seized onto a fine fabric that he tore at.

Potter and Black�s head appeared before their arms shot out holding their wands.

�Snivelly, what a pleasant surprise,� smirked Black, as if he had happened upon Severus unexpectedly.

The three of them stood there, their wands held tightly.

Severus knew hexing them would be difficult, though his pride inflated when he spotted a bright welt on Potters cheek.

Tension crackled in the air for an instant before three spells rang out in the hallway.

Sirius legs danced wildly about the hallways and Potter had a deep gash running across the back side of his hand, but it was Severus who had been pinned against the wall his wand flung yards down the hall.

Potter dropped the jelly-leg curse from Sirius, and they both turned towards Severus.

�You make a lovely gargoyle, Snivelly,� said Black in a falsely cheery voice.

�Yes, though I can not quite put my finger on it. He needs something� perhaps a posh dress, I think I could conjure up one my Gran� likes to wear.� snickered Potter, making a big show of walking around Snape and taking measurements.

�Yes, a nice frill here�� he joked shooting a look over his shoulder to Black who had his gut clutched in laughter.

Severus� eyes blazed in anger, his fury boiling beneath his frozen body.

�Where�s Granger, Snivelly?� asked Black. �She finally get tired of you?�

�We should pay her a visit, since you�re unavailable at the moment,� laughed Potter forgetting his idea of dressing Snape up.

�That sounds like a grand idea, Prongs. She might welcome the company of two real men. I doubt Snivelly is up to scratch.� said Black, before striking Severus in the face.

Severus felt his cheek explode in pain, his immobile arm wanting to reflexively cover it.

�Is she a good kisser, Snivelly?� leered Black, resting his arm on Severus shoulder. �She looks like she would be; feisty too.�

Severus concentrated on focusing his magic into his hands, he had no experience with wand-less magic but he fed off his anger hoping to free himself.

�We might have to give her a good washing though; she�s probably all greasy from snogging Severus here.� Potter said, using his wand to lift Severus hair.

�What did you give her, Severus? A love potion?� asked Black.

�Most likely Imperio.� countered Potter with a sneer.

�He�d have to give her something, there�s no way she�d willingly touch him otherwise.� said Black riffling through Severus pockets and keeping the one bronze Knut he had in there.

A loud mewing noise came from around the corner, stopping Potter before he could deliver another blow to Severus abdomen.

�Filch.� exclaimed Black sprinting half way down the hall.

Potter bent to retrieve something sleek from the ground bundling it up in his arms.

�You know why I hate you, Snivelly? Because you are a pathetic freak, who thinks Dark Arts is real magic. I wager you�re going to end up in Azakaban before you even turn twenty.� he brought up his knee hard and quick into Severus body before running down the hall towards Black. Potter gave one last flick of his wand and sending Severus sprawling to the ground gasping for breath.

�Snape.� asked Filch rushing over to where Severus lay.

�I�m fine, Mr. Filch.� he wheezed.

�Like hell you are.� he spat, helping Severus to his feet. �It was those boys, wasn�t it?�

Severus said nothing as he leaned back against the wall trying to block out the pain.

�I�m going to the Headmaster with this,� said Filch, standing slowly to his knees.

�No!� yelled Severus.

Filch looked to him in amazement. �The Headmaster needs to know those foul little creatures are doing this.�

�I am fine, Mr. Filch.� he said, pulling his fallen belongings towards himself and stuffing them in his bag.

Filch watched him for a long moment before handing him a lone quill that had rolled towards the wall.

�You�re a decent sort, Snape,� he said before leading Mrs. Norris down the hall.

Severus entered the common room five minutes later, all the chairs were empty and the fire how gone out. His whole body ached, and he debated on his ability to make it to his rooms, eyeing the couch as his closest source of comfort. He toed off his boots and dropped his bag at the end of the sofa, grabbing up the blanket folded over the back of it. Severus considered lighting the fire, but decided against the light it would give off; his head was pounding and knew complete darkness would serve him better.

Severus staggered to the front of the couch and spotted Hermione, her feet tucked up under her and her head cocked to one side as she slept. A rare smile graced Severus features at the thought of her waiting up for him.

Severus sat softly at the end of the settee, watching her breath rise and fall in even measures. Tresses of her hair had fallen out of her bun and into her face, frizzing out at all angles; the back of her head flattened from where she was laying against it. Hermione had a slight pout on her lips and her arms where curled around her in hopes of keeping warm.

Severus unfolded the blanket and slid closer to her, resting it across her knees. Her eyes fluttered open and she pawed at her face trying to focus on Severus.

�I�m sorry to have waken you,� he whispered.

�No I�m glad that you did-�

Severus muffled her next words as his lips sought out hers in the dark. He missed her mouth, kissing her chin, and then the corner of her lip before finally his lips exposed her mouth: slipping in his tongue and deepening the kiss. Severus moved closer to her, bringing his hands up to cup her face, tilting her head to the left.

�Thank you,� he whispered into her mouth.

Hermione pulled back from him, before asking, �What for?�

Severus looked at her shyly, �For giving me a chance.�

Hermione sprung towards him, leaping half onto his lap and clutching her arms around his neck.

Severus encircled his arms about her waist, nuzzling against her neck. He felt her shudder in his arms; experimentally he placed a chaste kiss against her pulse, revelling in the trembles that he caused.
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This Is The Way The World Ends.