Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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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Hermione ran into Ginny in the hallway, nearly knocking her over.

“Hi, Hermione! You okay?”

“Not really.” Hermione ran a hand through her frazzled tangle of curls, and huffed in annoyance.

“What’s going on?”

“Too much to do, and not enough time. I miss you, Ginny! We live in the same dorm but we hardly see each other!”

“I know! I’ve been so busy with studying. I didn’t know fifth year would be this rough.”

“It gets better, once you learn to balance everything.”

“Bollocks to that. I wish I had your time-turner.”

“So do I, Ginny.” Hermione sighed.

“I’m on my way to meet Harry and Ron at Hagrid’s. Want to come along?”

“I can’t. I have to study…and help Trelawney.”

“Oh, you poor thing! I thought you stopped taking her class!”

“I did. This is detention.”

“She gave you—”

“Snape did...”

“You just can’t steer clear of him, can you? Ron told me he totally humiliated you the other day in class. He’s still bitter because he didn’t get the Defence class again. So naturally, he takes it out on the Gryffindors. Apparently he left to go on some urgent business and Dumbledore’s taking over his classes for the next week or so. Thank the gods for that! Speaking of the Headmaster, Dumbledore told Harry, Ron, and I that we couldn’t leave school grounds this weekend…or any time soon, for that matter. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“Not a clue.” She feigned ignorance, hoping Ginny would sniff out the lie.

“All he said was that it had to do with our safety and preventing You-Know-Who from getting to us, as there had been a new threat revealed. That man can be so cryptic!”

“Yes, he can. I’m sorry, Ginny, but I’ve really got to go; I’ll be in more trouble if I don’t show up for detention on time.”

“I’ll see you later. Maybe we can steal the stash of Butterbeer the boys think I don’t know about and sneak to the Astronomy Tower for a bit of fun tomorrow night.”

“I have detention, you know.”

“I know.” Ginny grinned. “I’m sure Trelawney won’t mind if you sneak off a bit early.”

When had Ginny become so adventurous? She used to be so quiet and timid.

“Gods, I hope not.”

Ginny hugged her friend and waved before running down the hallway and disappearing in a throng of students.

Later that afternoon, in Trelawney’s classroom, the bespectacled witch told Hermione she was in “grave danger” at least three times, and tried to read her tea leaves—even though she hadn’t drank any tea. Someone had left a cup behind, without rinsing it out.

“My dear girl, don’t you care about your future?” Trelawney had asked, shocked that Hermione didn’t take her warnings seriously.

“Yes, Professor.” Hermione ignored the woman, who rambled on for what seemed like years before announcing she could leave.

It was no surprise that by the time Hermione left, she was utterly exhausted. It was 9 PM and she had gotten very little sleep from the night before. She was halfway to her dorm when she realized she’d promised to check on Snape.

“Great. Just great.” She mumbled, irritated. Her unhappiness was probably obvious to anyone who saw her walking to the Infirmary. Entering, Hermione sucked in a breath and plastered a smile on her face. She’d be damned if Professor Snape got the best of her tonight.

Madame Pomfrey looked up from putting a hot water bottle on a young girl’s stomach—which Hermione understood well—and smiled. She came and put her arms around Hermione, guiding her to a room behind the Infirmary, which Hermione guessed was for patients that were in dire straits and needed a great amount of privacy, more than a screen could provide.

“I should warn you—the professor has been in a right foul mood, but at least he slept for several hours. I daresay he’ll be out of here by tomorrow night, at the rate his body is healing. Never doubt that man’s ability to brew a quality potion, Miss Granger. He is living proof.”

When the door opened, Madame Pomfrey shoved Hermione inside and shut the heavy wood behind her. The darkness of the room enveloped her, and she had to wait a moment to let her eyes adjust before she could focus on anything. Candles and several dim lanterns had been placed on the cabinets to light the room, and her eyes immediately went to Snape’s form in bed.

He was propped up just like before, but reading a book about dark wizards and their crimes. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Could he have picked a more cliché book?

Upon hearing soft footsteps approach his bedside, Severus knew exactly whose feet they were. Granger’s. She was trying much too hard to be quiet and unobtrusive.

“Miss Granger,” he said without lowering his book.

“Professor.”

She moved to take the chair beside the bed and plopped down unceremoniously, ignoring whatever perturbed look she suspected would be on Snape’s face. She was bloody tired.

“I take it you’ve been helping Trelawney?”

Hermione remained silent for a moment, wishing she could just Apparate to her soft bed and go to sleep without Snape’s voice in her ears. Finally, feeling Snape’s eyes boring into her, she replied a curt, “yes” and crossed her arms over her chest. He merely raised an eyebrow at her reply before continuing.

“While you’re here Miss Granger, I require a book called ‘Medieval Magic and Maladies’ from the Restricted Section in the library. If Madame Pince gives you any guff, tell her that Severus has given you permission to use it for a report, and don’t engage in any other conversation. I don’t need to remind you that no one knows I’m here but those who were present last night.”

“Now?” The thought of having to face the cranky librarian gave her an instant headache, and the thought of using Professor Snape’s first name made her stomach flip-flop.

Severus noticed a blush begin to stain her pale cheeks.

“Yes, now. When did you think I meant, Miss Granger? Tomorrow? Saturday?”

“There’s no need to be snippy…”

His eyes narrowed.

“…Professor.”

“You’re wasting time, Granger. If Madame Pince closes the library before you retrieve my book, I will be sorely vexed. Now, go.”

He dismissed her, ever the surly professor, with a wave of his hand before returning to his book.

___

“Madame Pince?” Hermione spoke quietly, hoping the librarian wouldn’t chastise her for being too loud.

“What is it? Who’s there?” Pince whirled around, her metal-rimmed glasses on the edge of her crooked nose, and messy bun of gray hair atop her head.

“Hermione Granger, Madame Pince. I’m here to borrow a book from the Restricted Section…”

“I should think not, Miss Granger. You know the rules.”

“But…”

“No ifs, ands, or buts! Rules are rules. You’re not allowed to use the Restricted Section unless…”

“Severus…has given me permission to borrow a book for a report.” Hermione said, confidence returning. She felt an odd twinge in her stomach when she said his name, but gave it only a moment’s notice.

“Severus? Snape? Why didn’t he come retrieve it himself, then?”

Shite. Snape told her not to engage in any other conversation. Pince jumped all over her when she had been silent for longer than a few seconds.

“Just as I thought. Professor Snape didn’t give you permission. I assure you I will report you to Headmaster Dumbledore for your lie…”

“I’m not lying, Madame Pince. If you don’t let me into the Restricted Section to retrieve that book, I shudder to think what…Severus…will have to say about it. This is an important assignment I’ve been given. Do I make myself clear?”

Pince, slightly taken aback by Hermione’s harsh tone and threat of Snape’s involvement, nodded and left her post behind the desk to walk Hermione to the Restricted Section. Once she’d found the book, Hermione thanked Madame Pince, and walked out of the library, smirking to herself.

The librarian had never liked Hermione, or any other student for that matter, and always roamed the aisles telling students they were being entirely too loud, even when whispering. She balked when she detected any hint of food or drink, and on several occasions had chased students out of the library with a yardstick.

With her treasure in tow, Hermione returned to Snape’s hideaway in the Infirmary.

“Here.” She set the book on the nighttable, pleased. “If there’s nothing else, Professor, I’m exhausted…”

“Sit, Granger.”

“What?”

“Did I stutter? Sit down on the chair.”

Sighing, Hermione complied.

“I will be leaving this godforsaken hellhole by Saturday. As such, I have several things I must attend to. Your detention is lifted—until next week. I expect to see you back in my classroom Monday night, ready to work. Is that understood?”

Hermione nodded, suddenly filled with glee at the prospect of being able to spend time with her friends, even if it wasn’t for long.

“Professor, what are you going to do about the Order?”

“Pardon me?”

“Someone…someone told Voldemort…”

“I’m well aware. Get to the point, Miss Granger.”

“You’re not safe. How can you continue teaching here? Why wouldn’t you go into hiding?”

“By gods, do you ever stop asking questions?”

“I’m sorry.” She started to get up from the chair to leave, feeling like a blithering idiot.

“I didn’t tell you to leave. Sit back down,” he sighed. “Why do you care what happens to me? You and your incorrigible friends are convinced that every little thing occurring in this school is attributed to my evil intentions to help Voldemort destroy Potter.”

“I don’t think that way about you at all!” Hermione blurted, not knowing exactly where the conversation was leading. Snape raised an eyebrow, and she cleared her throat, the room suddenly having become warm and uncomfortable.

“What I meant to say was…I think it’s very brave of you to spy on Voldemort to help the Order. You risked your life to help us.”

“Brave?” He sneered. “You’ve no concept of my purpose in the Order, have you?”

When she looked at him quizzically, he pushed back the covers from his bed and sat up without assistance. He certainly had gained much of his strength back, and Hermione pushed her chair back a bit to avoid being so close to his harsh gaze.

He yanked the chair back in front of him and stood (albeit a little shakily at first) but then he steadied himself, his form once again towering over her. It was then Hermione realized he was wearing long black pajama pants and a thin white undershirt.

For the first time, she could see the muscles in his arms, which, though they weren’t obscene, certainly made her realize how strong he really was—despite his condition. Scars adorned his neck and shoulder where Nagini had attacked him, but somehow, she found them alluring rather than appalling. She let her eyes roam over his exposed neck and saw underneath the flimsy shirt material, the smattering of black hair that led from the middle of his chest to the waistband of his pajama pants. Snape’s stomach was taut and flat, and it rose and fell with each breath he took. Hermione’s heartbeat quickened, and she didn’t realize it, but her mouth had been hanging open in awe.

Severus couldn’t help but wonder what had come over the irritating girl until he saw her eyes traveling up and down the length of his body. What the hell? It then occurred to him that she’d never seen him out of his robes. Shit. The little Gryffindor was spellbound. He’d never been attractive, but he hadn’t been hideous, either. With the way he acted, though, Lily had been the only one who ever showed him any kindness, and he’d pushed her away. A twinge of regret and longing pierced his heart but he quickly squashed it and shoved it somewhere in the recesses of his memories. He was not a slave to his pain.

“Granger!” Severus snapped, and Hermione gasped as she realized what she’d been doing.

He sat back down on the bed, his head slightly higher than hers, hands placed on either side of her chair. Their feet were touching, and Hermione felt herself grow dizzy. She could smell his breath—a heady mixture of cinnamon and a bit of lemon—must have been Pomfrey’s tea. It wafted past her nose, and a tingling started low in her body. She’d never felt this before. She registered that Snape was saying something, but couldn’t quite make out what it was.

“Are you daft, girl? Have you been listening to a word I’ve said?”

Hermione finally met Snape’s eyes.

“I’m sorry…I don’t know what…”

“Listen to me, girl!”

His hands grabbed her arms and squeezed for emphasis.

“I am not the hero you believe I am. I never was and never will be. I’m merely a pawn in this stupid little game between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. In fact, your beloved Dumbledore makes sure I understand my place at any chance he gets. Get it through your thick skull that I’m not some wounded bird whose wing you can heal. I will die, and it will be a horrid death—something I both deserve and am prepared for. My escape from Nagini was pure luck and timing.

“You can’t possibly believe that! I’ve overheard Molly and the others talk about you! Aside from Sirius, they all had faith in you—even when Harry tried to convince them you weren’t to be trusted! He had no idea of the sacrifices you made!”

“And you think you do, little witch?”

“I’ve figured it out—why you hate Harry so much.”

“Oh? Do tell.” He smirked, slightly amused.

“You were in love with his mum. You were calling out her name when I was sitting beside you…twice…he’s a constant reminder of her. I’ve seen the pictures. He looks so much like Lily.”

All he could feel was anger. In a rage, he shoved Hermione away from him.

He refused to look at her, head bowed.

“Get the hell out of here, Miss Granger.”

“No! No! I’m not bloody leaving!”

“I said, get out!” He shouted.

She sat, frozen in her chair.

He was unmoving, a body of stone.

When she reached for his hand, he pulled away.

“You must either be deaf or stupid, little girl. I said to get the fuck out of this room.”

“I’m neither. I’m stubborn, and I admit it.” She kneeled to the floor, the cold stone bruising her exposed knees, but she paid it no mind.

As she gazed up into his face, his eyes flickered to hers, and she could see so many things in them—broken promises, heartbreak, fear, and rage. Slowly, Hermione brought her hands up to his thighs and placed them there, squeezing gently.

“Professor…” She began, but was cut off when Snape suddenly grabbed her roughly by the hair and gave her a crushing kiss, forcing her lips open with his tongue and assaulting her mouth. Teeth met skin, and before long, he was sucking her bottom lip into his mouth, no doubt leaving a mark on her tender flesh.

Just as quickly as he’d begun, he stopped, keeping a hold on her hair and forcing her face up to look at him.

“Little girl, you’re playing with fire, and you will get burned. Go back to your room, crawl in your safe bed, and forget what happened here.”

With that, he shoved her away from him and lay back down on the bed, back to the door.

Shocked and bewildered, Hermione ran from the room without saying a word to Madame Pomfrey. She sprinted to her dorm and ignored Ginny and Ron’s calling out to her when they saw her enter the common room.

They heard her sobbing but knew better than to disturb Hermione. She cried herself to sleep that night while in the darkness of the Infirmary, Snape’s pain got the better of him and he blacked out, dreams filled with sorrow and blood.

___

A/N: A kiss is only the beginning! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. More to come soon! :)
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Lions, Snakes, and Traitors, Oh My.