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Lions, Snakes, and Traitors, Oh My.	By : half_blood_princess Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 7717 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters therein. I am making no money from this story.

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The next morning, Hermione woke up earlier than usual, wary of oversleeping again. She’d managed to finish her homework in a fair amount of time, and got at least seven hours of sleep, which was more than enough for her. She made her way downstairs, feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

Harry and Ron were almost out of the common room when she spotted them, her cheeks flushing with anger. She ran up behind them and grabbed their shirt collars.

“Oy! What’s the big idea—” Ron shouted before Hermione appeared in front of him.

“Uh-oh…” Harry whispered. Ron gulped.

“I’d like for you two to explain to me why it is that I wasn’t awoken when you left yesterday morning? I’ll have you know I was very late to my classes, and I had to stay behind an extra hour with Snape last night to take notes on the lecture I missed.”

“We’re sorry, ‘Mione—really! We woke up late, ourselves, and tried to get you up, but you turned over and mumbled that you needed to sleep. I didn’t want to make you angry.”

“Well I’m bloody angry now! And you, Harry?”

“I…we’re sorry…”

“UGH. BOYS!” She shouted, throwing her hands up in the air and stomped to the door. “Don’t expect any help from me for the rest of the month—I can’t believe you two!” She slammed the door behind her, and the two could hear Hermione muttering to herself in the hall, still fuming.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances and shook their heads before heading out as well.

The rest of the day was uneventful, though Seamus Finnegan was still out sick from the latest explosion he’d caused in Professor McGonagall’s Transfiguration class. She was instructed to give him the notes, but he was out cold, and Madame Pomfrey said she would give them to him once he awoke—though he’d most likely be out for another day or two, to finish healing from the burns and re-grow his singed hair…and pride.

At the Great Hall, she managed to get a plate full of ham and vegetables, and snuck away before anyone could catch her. She hoped no one would stop her in the hall, asking where she was going. Luckily for her, the only person she ran into was Filch, and he was busy taking a nap in front of the entrance to the school. Mrs. Norris, his cat, was curled up at his feet. She opened a red eye to glare at Hermione, then snorted when Hermione stuck her tongue out at her, and went back to sleep.

Snape wasn’t anywhere to be seen when she arrived in the Potions classroom, nor was he waiting for her in his office, as she had knocked several times and tried the doorknob, only to find the office locked and no light spilling out from the bottom of the door. Stomach rumbling, Hermione decided to tuck in. Thirty minutes later, she was stuffed to the brim, and there still hadn’t been any sign of the snarky professor. She began to wonder if he’d forgotten, but then remembered it was Snape and he’d never forget punishing a student.

She waited another two hours, studying for her other classes before sighing and collecting her things. Hermione made a mental note to speak with Professor McGonagall in the morning to let her know she’d shown up for detention, in case there was any dispute.

When she rounded the corner and headed up the staircase to the dormitories, a sudden commotion caught her attention and her eyes darted to the first floor, beneath her.

“Albus, he’s badly hurt. I don’t know if Madame Pomfrey can fix him. We must get him to St. Mungo’s.” Professor McGonagall was frantic.

“I’m afraid there’s no time, Minerva. We must try to do what we can. Hagrid, please lead the way.”

Hagrid? McGonagall? Dumbledore? Who was hurt so badly? Her questions were soon answered.

Hermione gasped when she saw Snape in Hagrid’s sleeved arms, head slack and body limp. His face was devoid of color and she could see blood dripping from his fingertips. Remembering what she’d learned from her days in Grimmauld Place, running around with the Order, she deduced his condition must have had something to do with the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Though Harry and Ron weren’t convinced he was working for the Order and instead spying on them, Hermione knew better. Snape wasn’t evil, he was just an arsehole.

Against her better judgment, Hermione rushed down the several staircases before they began to switch, and made it to the first floor just in time to see Hagrid, McGonagall, and Dumbledore round the corner to the Infirmary.

Dumbledore turned, hearing footsteps.

“Miss Granger. I must ask that you return to your dormitory immediately. I’m afraid this is no place for you right now.”

“I saw, Professor Dumbledore. I saw Hagrid carrying Professor Snape. Please…what happened?”

Dumbledore sighed.

“He was attacked by Nagini—he’s been compromised, Miss Granger. I’m afraid Voldemort knows what Severus was doing. How he discovered it, I don’t know. Someone in the Order must have leaked the information. It’s the only explanation.”

“Oh, gods, no! It couldn’t be!”

“It must be, Miss Granger. No one else knew. And Severus would be loathe to repeat that information to anyone.”

Tears formed in her eyes.

“Will he live?”

“I don’t know. Madame Pomfrey is doing her best. Thanks to the draught you brewed last night, we were able to get him to stop thrashing when he awoke, though it was for a brief moment.”

“I’m glad. Wait…you knew I was in detention?” She was mortified.

“Nothing escapes my attention, Miss Granger.” A small smile crept across the bearded wizard’s face.

Her face reddened.

“Is..is there anything I can do to help?”

“I’m afraid not. The best thing would be to return to your dormitory immediately and to speak of this to no one, not even Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley.”

“Albus!” Minerva appeared in the hallway a second later, doing a double take when she saw Hermione.

“Miss Granger? What are you doing out of your dormitory?”

“I waited for Professor Snape…I had detention. I was heading back to my room when I heard the commotion and saw Professor Snape in Hagrid’s arms…”

“Of course. I’d forgotten. Miss Granger, I’m sorry you had to see that. I assume Professor Dumbledore has informed you of what has taken place?”

Hermione nodded.

“Professors, I know I should go back…but…I want to help. There has to be something I can do. I can’t just sit in my room.”

McGonagall and Dumbledore exchanged glances, knowing Hermione’s curiosity would eventually get the best of her.

“Come with me, Miss Granger.” McGonagall gestured to the Infirmary.

It was completely empty, save for Madame Pomfrey and Hagrid, surrounding Snape’s body.

When Hagrid saw her, his face fell.

“ ‘Ermione, you shouldn’t be here. You don’t want ‘a see this.”

“I know. I…”

Madame Pomfrey rushed to get a basin, leaving Snape exposed even though Hagrid tried his best to block Hermione’s view.

She brought a hand to her mouth, stifling a sob.

His black clothing was covered in blood, darkening them even further than she thought possible. The side of his pants had been ripped, the jagged hole revealing several large gashes and a bite mark. The cape he had been famous for was missing, and his frock had been torn to shreds. Two large puncture wounds stood out on his shoulder, leaking his life’s blood. A small moan came from his slightly parted lips, and she gasped.

“Miss Granger,” Madame Pomfrey put a hand on the student’s shoulder. “He’s lost a good amount of blood and has several wounds that need healing. If you’d like to help, please go to Professor Snape’s storeroom and retrieve a bottle of dittany and a bottle of blood-replenishing potion—I know there’s plenty. Be as quick as you can.”

She nodded, immediately sprinting to the Potions classroom. She was actually glad Snape had her organise his stores, because she didn’t have to spend any time looking for the potion or the dittany. In less than ten minutes, she’d returned with both, and Madame Pomfrey looked relieved. Dumbledore was standing with McGonagall, trying to console her.

“Hagrid, help me hold him down.” She said. “Hermione, please remove the stopper from the potion and pour it into his mouth. Quickly, now!”

Snape’s breathing became more ragged and shallow, and Hermione feared she was too late. Quickly uncorking the potion, she opened Snape’s mouth a little wider and tipped the bottle until she heard the last bit escape. She then closed his mouth and massaged his throat, hoping he’d swallowed it all.

“Good. Very good. I’ll take that dittany now. Hagrid, help me get his shirt and pants off. Miss Granger, you should go join Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall. This is nothing you need to see.”

“Yes, Madame Pomfrey.” Hermione was just glad she’d been able to do something to ease the professor’s pain—and hopefully save his life. She never liked him, but she hadn’t wanted him to die, either.

“Thank you for your help, Miss Granger. I know you’re concerned, but you should get to bed now. It’s very late.”

“I want to stay, please, Professor McGonagall…please.” The tears that she’d tried so hard to keep back, spilled from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

McGonagall didn’t have the heart to turn her away, and Dumbledore had to think for a moment.

“Hermione,” Dumbledore said, breaking formalities. “Why don’t you come back in the morning and you can sit with Severus—Madame Pomfrey will be busy with students and he will need someone to tend to him. But remember, not a word to anyone. I don’t want to take a risk that someone will overhear and report back to Voldemort. I will inform Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley tomorrow of the situation. The rest of the Order will arrive at Grimmauld Place tomorrow to meet and discuss a new plan of action, and I expect they’ll want you three there.”

“Thank you, Professor Dumbledore.” Hermione gave a weak smile and turned her head to look back at the screen. She could see Madame Pomfrey’s shadow moving about quickly, and Hagrid holding Snape’s hand. She was surprised to see such kindness from Hagrid, towards the Potions master. But, then again, he was a gentle giant, truly.

She trod back upstairs, feeling sad and worried, hoping Snape would make it through the night. It was hard to wrap her head around the thought that someone would purposely rat on Snape to Voldemort and put everyone’s lives in danger. It had to be someone close—because Dumbledore was right—not many knew that Snape was a double agent.

Unbeknownst to Hermione, in the darkness of the hallways, dark eyes were watching her return to the common room.

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A/N: Thanks for reading, guys! Please review and let me know what you think so far! I should have Chapter four up by the end of this week. I'm a senior in college, going for a Bachelor's in History, so I don't have much time on my hands. Lucky for me...I have been sick for the past week and my muse inspired me. :)
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Lions, Snakes, and Traitors, Oh My.