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The Journey	By : PhaedrusTodorov Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 8548 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Saving Grace

Chapter three

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……a low, silky voice said “Miss. Granger, what are you doing?”
Hermione snatched back her hand as if his skin had burned her. She jumped off the bed and stood, wide-eyed, staring at him. “Uhh…I’m sorry Professor, th-the Headmaster told me to look after you…”
“You have an odd way of ‘looking’ Ms. Granger.” Snapped Snap flatly. Suddenly his whole demeanor changed. His eyes went wide and he looked down at him self. Cursing under his breath his head snapped up and sneering he demanded, “How did I get here? What happened?”
Hermione took a steadying breath and explained, “I found you at the Gates…and…I helped you into the castle…and I took you down here…and…I called the Headmaster…and he gave you a sleeping potion, then he left me to heal you.” She had started haltingly, put off balance by his piercing glare but she sped up at the end, feeling a blush rise up in her cheeks for no reason.
“YOU healed me? How did I get into these clothes?” he asked almost alarmed
Hermione let out a nervous chuckle glad to be in the clear, “Oh, the Headmaster did that before he left… I wasn’t in the room, he also did the healing for that…part of your body” once again she blushed and the Professor sneered.
“Well, I suppose your ‘looking after me’ didn’t include getting me some decent clothes?” he spat.
Hermione’s anger grew and she stood taller. “I have healed you and looked after you and if I hadn’t found you, you probably would have died and THAT is the thanks I get?” She almost yelled, crossing her arms.
As he began to sit up, “Twenty points from Gryffindor and I’ll remind you that you are speaking to a Profess-ARG bloody hell!“ A pain filled exclamation cut off his words.
Hermione ran to him and grabbed his arm as he looked like he was about to be sick, “What’s wrong? What happened?” she asked frantically.
“NOTHING!” He yelled at her. He was sitting on the side of the bed, hunched over not moving.
Hermione was taken aback, then got angry again. “Don’t yell at me!! I am trying to help, now tell me what is wrong!”
“I DO NOT NEED HELP” He spat, lips pursed against the pain ripping through every muscle in his body. He knew he shouldn’t be yelling at her, and that he was more mad at himself but all he wanted to do was be alone to lick his wounds, not have some girl flitting over him. He should have known that after the extensive healing he had undergone his muscles would need time to heal, and judging from his slight memory of last night and how he felt right then, all his muscles were going need a long time healing.
Hermione had had enough of being yelled at for no reason, “You don’t want help? Fine! You try to move by yourself then.” And with that she stalked off. But as he hard no door slam, he knew her to be just outside in the sitting room.
Severus groaned in irritation and pain. ‘You part, now what are you going to do?’ He spat at himself. He knew he could not get up with out her. He sat for a whole two minutes stalling before letting out a resigned sigh. “Ms. Granger, if I could kindly have your assistance?” he called trying not to let the sarcasm enter his tone.
She appeared at the door within seconds and upraised him. “Oh Professor, do you need help?” she said condescendingly with a smirk worthy of Malfoy.
“I had thought that a high and mighty, righteous Gryffindor like yourself would be above gloating.” He sneered.
If he thought that would get her he was wrong, “And I thought a Professor would be mature enough to accept help when he needs it.” She said waspishly.
He sighed, “You're right, I need help, will you please assist me?” His soft tone had the desired effect as Hermione’s anger subsided.
“Where do you want to go?” she asked quietly.
“There is a robe. Should be hanging in the bathroom.”
She stepped into the bathroom, which was just as spacious and nice as the prefect’s bathroom but lacked any warmth to detract from the cold marble. She returned with the robe and helped him put it on. Once he had tied it he asked to move to the sitting room.
She nodded and very slowly helped him walk out of the room. He winced occasionally as he forced his legs to carry some of his weight. He was very aware of Hermione’s arm around his waist and her hand holding his over her shoulder.
They finally reached the sitting room and she eased him onto the couch. He sat down with a grown and she asked quietly, “Is there anything I could get you? Food? A potion for muscle relaxing?”
Severus looked into her eyes and saw the worry there for a split second before she hid it. ‘Her, worried about me? The greasy git?’ He was stunned for a second before remembering her question. “I don’t even want to think about food right now, and yes, a muscle relaxer would be nice. There should be one in the third cabinet on the left, in my office.”
Hermione nodded and went to get it. When she came back we was moving his arms and legs tentatively, stretching and flexing. He downed the potion in one gulp.
“Well I think that Is all I shall be needing Miss Granger. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Umm, actually, the Headmaster told me to stay and wait for his return.” Hermione said tentatively.
Snape scowled, “I am not some child needing a nanny.” She opened her mouth to respond but he sighed agitatedly, “Fine. Stay.” He shook his head and pushed himself forward on the couch. “The relaxer works quickly, ill be in the shower. Don’t touch anything.”
She huffed, offended, as he disappeared into the bathroom.
The bathroom door had just closed behind Severus’ back when the door from his office opened and Dumbledore strode in looking grave.
“Where is he?” he asked without preamble. Hermione was slightly taken aback. Dumbledore was usually so polite and calm and now he looked stressed and the twinkle was gone from his almost fearful eye. ‘No’ thought Hermione, ‘certainly not scared, apprehensive maybe.’ Never the less it frightened her to see him so upset.
“He just got into the shower, he shouldn’t be long. Would you like to sit and wait for him? You look like you could use some tea”
“Thank you Hermione, and yes I would love some tea, it has been a long night.” He said, wearily sitting down. As Hermione poured the tea he removed his half moon spectacles and pinched the bridge of his nose. Hermione put a tray of tea and muffins, sent up from the kitchens, on the small mahogany table between them and resumed her seat. Silence fell for a moment as both fixed their tea - Hermione’s with a spot of lemon, Dumbledore’s with eight sugar cubes.
When the both sat back Hermione’s curiosity that had been bubbling under the surface finally got the better of her. “What happened last night to…the Professor?” She asked timidly. There was a long pause during which Dumbledore gave her that piercing look. After a minute he let out a long breath and put his cup down.
“As you know Hermione, Professor Snape has been playing a double agent and spy for the Order for many years.” He paused here for her reaction but she only nodded, her eyes wide in anticipation. “The Dark Lords Death Eaters are ranked in circles, the lowest and largest circle are simply Death Eaters. The second circle is smaller and the members are the commanders of squads of Death Eaters. The wizards and witches in this group are known as Death Angels. Severus was a Death Angel in the first war and was reinstated as such upon his…return to the force. The final circle, the smallest and closest to Voldemort has only four members. They are simply called “the Beloved.” Since the Dark Lords return; Severus has been actively working on rising in rank to become a “Beloved.” Last night he was successful. Dumbledore stopped here and hung his head, hoping that Hermione would be satisfied but Hermione was as confused as ever.
“But professor, if he was successful…what happened to him?”
“Oh Hermione, I can not tell you much, its too terrible. I only know because I force myself to learn about how Voldemort operates. But what I will tell you is…the…initiation ritual is a horrific and bloody ordeal including pain, torture, and…human sacrifice. And it is concluded with the initiate killing the Beloved whose place he is to take.” The silence was palpable, as if alive and pressing into Hermione. Suddenly all the scars that she had removed made sense and it made her sick to see how much her Professor had endured. However, it was not long before more questions rose above the shock.
“You said…human sacrifice?”
Dumbledore nodded. “Yes that is what I had to attend to last night, the disappearance of …the victim.” He said in a hollow tone.
Hermione nodded and thinking she really didn’t want to know, asked anyway, “who was the victim?” She said in barely a whisper.
Dumbledore’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes slowly came up to meet hers. “She was a one week old muggle child named Isabella, taken from outside of Doncaster.” Hermione gasped and her hand came up to her mouth. “A newborn child is always chosen for this particular ritual to symbolize the complete surrender of all innocence and acceptance of the Dark.”
Dumbledore cradled his head in his hands as Hermione sat in shock. ‘How could anyone hurt an innocent child?’ She didn’t understand that but now she knew the sort of things that had driven Snape to hysterics and she couldn’t say she blamed him. She didn’t know what she would have done if faced with watching such a heinous crime. It suddenly became obvious how much Severus had to endure for the sake of good and for thousands of people’s lives.
Suddenly, all Hermione wanted to do was keep him from having to suffer any longer. ‘He has done more than any man should have to do.’
After a few moments Hermione spoke only to fill the rather uncomfortable silence. “So, what happens now?”
Dumbledore looked up and sighed, sitting back in the leather sofa and said almost casually, “I need Professor Snape to put his memories into a pensive so that they may be documented and analyzed.”
Hermione jumped up, sending cups flying and almost upturning the coffee table. “You are what? You are going to make him re-live all of it?!?” She yelled.
“Hermione, we have to know what Voldemort does to his followers, what types of spells he employs and the extent of his pow-“
“SO YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT MAN WATCH IT ALL AGAIN JUST FOR YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE? HE HAS ALREADY DONE TOO MUCH AND ALL YOU CAN THINK ABOUT IS MAKING IT WORSE YOU SICK BASTARD!” and with that she stormed off not even caring where she was going as long as it was away from him and slammed the door behind her.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Severus walked out of his rooms to hear Hermione Granger call the most powerful and respected Wizard in the world a ‘sick bastard’ and knew something bad must have happened. He didn’t know what would lead her to lose her head to that extent, but whatever it was, it must have been bad.
He walked into the sitting room to see Dumbledore sitting, looking defeated with his head in his hands.
“I deserved that.” Came the old mans voice.
That surprised Severus even more. Now he knew he was not going to like whatever was about to be said. “What was that?”
“I explained to Ms. Granger why I am here right now and…well, I deserved that.” Said Dumbledore quietly, not meeting Severus’ eye.
“And why are you here Headmaster?” Severus said evenly studying the aged wizard.
Dumbledore looked up slowly and said very, very quietly, “to retrieve your memories from last night.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hermione was pacing Severus’ private office thinking of even more things to scream at Dumbledore when she heard Severus bellow-
“ABSOLUTELY NOT! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SO DAMN MUCH ABOUT HIM WHY DON’T YOU SELL YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL AND FIND OUT YOURSELF YOU SON OF A BITCH!”
Hermione stopped and smiled, crossing her arms, ‘I knew he would say that, haha, I’m glad Dumbledore is finally being shown that you can’t play someone like they are a pawn in your own chess game.’ She expected more bellowing but all was quite. She put her ear to the door and could hear voices but no words, and the voices seemed to be calm. ‘Humph, wonder Dumbledore did to placate him, I hope Severus didn’t bow to him…I wont let him…I wont let him go through it again.’
She decided to sit down to wait for Severus’ return but she hadn’t waited long before the door opened and Severus walked in. A quick glance would show a calm façade but Hermione could tell, by his jerky steps and clenched fists and jaw that he was mad. He threw a glance her way but said nothing. He walked behind her to a cabinet in the corner and after running a finger down the middle and whispering something to the keyhole it opened with a creak. He reached in and after a moment’s fumbling pulled out a small black cauldron decorated with Chinese dragons. Hermione knew immediately what it was and jumped up.
“Professor, no! You cant do this, why would you? You don’t need to go through it all again! I won’t let you.” She said, running to his side and grabbing his elbow, looking desperately up into his eyes.
Snape looked down at her for a moment and was about to shake her off when he saw the true worry in her eyes. ‘She…cares for me?’ His brow furrowed at the thought, but he shook it away. “Miss Granger, kindly unhand me, I know what I must do and this is necessary. Do not presume to think that you have any control what so ever over what I can and can not do.” He said scathingly, throwing her hand off him.
Hermione backed away and without thinking drew her wand, “I wont let you,” she said determinably.
Severus out right laughed at this. And suddenly his voice rang through in her ears, but his mouth didn’t move, he was speaking directly to her mind. “Oh little child, you could never stand against me and don’t you forget it. And, if you will not bow to the wishes of those older and FAR wiser than you than I shall have to restrain you so that I may do my work undisturbed.” And while Hermione was struck dumb by the feeling of having someone inside her head he swept by her. Just as she spun to follow he slammed the door in her face and before she even reached for the handle he had brought up every ward he had around the door…which was, needless to say, a lot.
Hermione was speechless with anger. ‘HOW DARE HE ENTER MY MIND, OR SPEAK TO ME LIKE A CHILD…CHILD!! I'LL SHOW HIM CHILD’ she set about getting through the wards.
- - - - - - - - - - -

Severus walked into the dining room and set the pensive down. Once he had placed several more wards on this door he turned back to the pensive. ‘Damn Dumbledore, every time we get into an argument he HAS to pull that last card…’Severus, never forget what you owe me, I saved you Severus, and I need you to help me save others’…damn him’ He sat down in the sun lit room and lifted his wand to his temple. But as he brought it close to his skin his breathing stopped and his heart clenched in fear. *Why…why…* and before he broke down entirely he jammed the tip to his head and summoned the memories.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Much to Hermione’s frustration it took almost an hour to get through the wards, and once or twice she had to look up things in the books in his office. Finally she opened the door and ran into the living room. Then she heard it. It was him, he was screaming and sobbing. She ran to the door but the handle turned hot as fire at her touch and she jerked her hand back, “DAMN YOU!” She screamed at the door, as Severus’ cry’s reached a high point. She was alleviated to realize after a moment of probing that these wards were much less troublesome if hard to detect and it only took her 15 minutes before the door sprang open.
Severus was crouched in a corner screaming looking wide eyed but blankly in front of him. Hermione was at first shocked - the room was just so sunny and inviting and he looked so out of place but the pensive was swirling black with two red serpentine eyes staring back out at her and she understood perfectly. Immediately she yelled a sleeping spell over him and he fell silent, slumped forward. She levitated him up and walked with him through the rooms to his bed. She tucked him into the bed and stood back.
‘Why does he do this? Why does Dumbledore make him?’ But in the back of Hermione’s mind there was only one question- what exactly happened to him. She didn’t know why but she had to know. What could drive him to these levels of despair? She knew he would never tell her, and nor would Dumbledore…’but there is one way to find out’... she thought as she backed slowly out of the room, locked the door behind her and walked determinably across the room and through the door.

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The Journey