Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Confinement	By : Lucreace Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 14059 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I dont make money from this.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
As the children played in the snow on the lawn, the sun set slowly behind the white bank of clouds, by the look of it, more snow was sure to fall on them. Hermione sighed as she idly kicked at the soft white stuff beneath her feet. As she starred down at the slush she’d created, a great wet ball struck the side of her head. Snapping her head round, she glared around. Who the hell had thrown that at her? Jack and Harrison were falling about laughing and Ryan was already scooping up more of the snow. Pulling out her wand, she decided that it was time to teach these children who the boss was!
“Alright, you’ve got five minutes to arm yourselves,” she cried out. Suddenly, the lawn was a hive of scampering activity, they dashed and darted, scampered and scurried as she calmly formed a defensive wall in which to hide behind. Five minutes later, she had a stack of snowballs and the sure confidence of someone who knew they were going to win. “Right then. It’s on!” she shouted before picking up one of the snowballs. She snuck a peak from behind her wall and spotted Clarice and Sasha trying to sneak across the gloomy lawn. Flinging the ball, she stooped and picked up another, not bothering to see if she’d hit anything or not. A squeal told her what her eyes hadn’t seen for themselves. The scampering noise told her the girls had retreated
This time, she scanned the lawn for some of the boys, however as she looked over the wall, a definite war cry echoed. Her eyes widened and the four of them charged towards her hideout. She squealed as they reached her and scaled the wall. All of a sudden, they were all tumbled into the snow. Cold water hit the back of her neck and although she scrabbled to get away from them, she failed miserably. A fit of laughter over took her and she threw snow left right and centre, hoping to get at least one of them. Their laughter joined hers and for that moment, they were able to forget about the ordeal going on at the school. “Come on, give in!” barked Corby. The boy’s brown hair was in his face and his cheeks were flushed with the cold.
“We’ve got you.” Harrison laughed. Although the boy had a rather small frame, his strength was surprising.
“Alright, alright,” she said with a laugh. “I yield, let me up!” The children released her limbs and she stood up. Snow fell from her hair and cold water trickled down her back and she shuddered. She did her best to brush off the last of the snow with her gloved hands and sneezed.
“I do hope you’re not getting a cold Miss Granger.” The icy drawl of their host seemed to chill her more than the snow and she shook her head.
“Unlikely, I’m healthy as a horse,” she replied. “I’ve not had a-“
His raised hand cut her off. All of a sudden silence, thick and heavy, descended over the lawn and the air seemed to begin to crackle. “Get the children inside,” he hissed. She was gesturing to the children to come to her as he pulled his wand from his sleeve.
“I will be back in a moment,” she said.
“You will do no such thing,” he snapped, “Keep them safe.” With that, he strode away from her. She paid his waspishness no mind and as soon as the children were with her, she ushered them back to the house. Hermione ordered them to get showered and changed, ignoring their questions and their protestations. Heading to the study, she shook the curtains open and scanned the front lawn for any signs of attack. For a long moment, there was nothing. She couldn’t make out Severus, nor could she see anything else. It was now quite dark and although the snow helped light up the lawn, there was no sign of anything moving. Her heart pounded gently in her chest and her fingers gripped her wand so hard that it began to cut into the palm of her hand. She struggled to keep her breathing steady as she continued to scan the grounds, fighting the rising urge to rush out there and assist him. He may not be her favourite person on the planet but he shouldn’t have to fight alone.
A small hand touched her arm and she jumped. Turning she saw the concerned face of Lara looking back at her. “Sorry Professor,” she said. Hermione nodded and turned her attention back to the window. “Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried,” she replied.
“Whatever you say,” Lara said with a shrug before turning to look out the window. Hermione felt her ire rise at such a suggestion but stopped herself from saying anything. What was wrong with worrying anyway? She knew the answer to that question but shied away. Worrying meant that she cared and that meant looking into something she was not yet ready to explore. Blocking the thoughts, she scanned the darkness once again; willing herself to see what was going on. As she watched, the other children joined her in her vigil. Their curiosity soon waned however and they drifted away to read, play small games or talk to each other. Hermione ignored it all, her gaze was fixed.
A bright white flash, followed by a yellow one drew her gaze and she held her breath. She had no idea what spells were being cast but she was on her feet before she was really aware of what she was doing. Up and out the door, dashing across the snow covered grass toward the direction of the lights. The first thing that hit her was the sickly sweet smell of singed flesh and hair. Swallowing hard, wand held in front of her, she slowed to a jog as she reached the edge of the lawn. Her heart leapt to her throat as a mingle of voices hit her ears. The cold hit her almost at the same time as she saw the doe. Fear punched her gut and she approached the incorporeal creature hastily. It darted away and she followed it. There was only one person who could have cast that; the one she was trying to find and assist. The flashing lights of spells had ceased and her stomach dropped to her feet.
The thirty seconds it took to find him seemed to last an eternity. When he turned to face her, she let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. He was unharmed. “What are you doing here?” he barked. All of a sudden, her previous worry made her felt silly. Of course he would be alright. He was one of the most powerful wizards she’d ever known. He had no need of her assistance in such matters.
“I…” she tried to speak but found her voice failed her. What could she say? That she’d feared for his life when the spells began flying. He’d just laugh in her face and make a snide comment about it. Why put herself through that? Then she recalled something. “Why did you cast your patronus then?” He coughed. Then she noticed the way he was standing. Not his usual rigid self but slouched over. His right hand was clamped over his left side and there was a sticky looking substance oozing between his fingers.
He snorted and before she could think, she was at his side, inspecting the wound, “What are you doing?” he repeated. Was it her or was his voice not quite as strong as it had been before.
“It’s clear you’re hurt. Now don’t be an idiot and let me help you,” she quipped back. Her bold speak must have had an effect as he didn’t chastise her for her language. That was new. He even let her inspect the large gash to his ribcage. When he removed his hand, blood flowed from the wound freely. The blood drained from her face at the sight of the ghastly wound and she swallowed hard, “This is going to need sealing,” she murmured.
“It’s good to see your analysis matches my own Miss Granger,” he muttered. Ignoring his comment, she batted his hand out the way and replaced it with her wand.
“Tergeo,” she said, making sure the wound was clean. The last thing either of them needed was an infection to spread, although he’d probably have a potion to heal that. Next, she summoned some bandages and wound them over the gash. As she did so, she became aware of a scent other than blood. Sandalwood, unless she was mistaken… As she tied the bandages off, she dearly hoping it would be enough of a temporary fix. His usual pale skin had taken on an ashen hue and there was no way she would be able to carry him back to the house alone.
“Are you quite finished?” he hissed.
“I could leave you here if you’d prefer that,” she replied.
“No you couldn’t.”
“What?” she said.
“You’re no more capable of leaving me here to bleed to death than you would be one of those children in the house.”
She opened her mouth to protest but closed it again when she realised the ludicrousness of such a thing. He was right. She’d not be able to leave anyone to bleed to death while they were fighting for her safety. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to leave anyone to bleed to death for that matter. It didn’t mean that he was special or that she cared overly much. Keep telling yourself that, her wayward inner self snapped. Ignoring it, she ensured the bandages were tightly in place before straightening up again and taking a step back.
Silently, she turned away and took a step towards the house, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was following her. He was, although his usual brisk pace was much slowed. She altered her own gait so they could walk side by side It didn’t take long for them to reach the house and when they did, the children were waiting for them in the hallway. Snape straightened and turned to her formally, “Thank you for your assistance Miss Granger,” he said. “The wards have held and there will be no more disturbances tonight, you and your charges are safe.” With that, he turned sharply on his heel and left her standing in the doorway, a little lost for words.
Then the clamour from the children started. They bombarded her with questions of what happened and who was hurt and where had Mr Snape’s injury come from until her head hurt and she longed for her bed and solitude to put all her wayward thoughts into place. A quick bark at the children had them scampering to their rooms and sorting themselves out. Hermione headed to her room for a hot shower and to review her day.
The hot water soothed her skin and washed away the traces of the day but did nothing to put to rest her confusion. The fact that she cared for the former Potion’s Master had been made abundantly clear over the past few hours. The depth of that care had shocked her somewhat and was forcing her to rethink some things. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea that her group stay here in this house. The last thing she wanted was her emotional attachment to the man get in the way of her first duty. She let out a sigh. It wasn’t as though he would return the sentiment was it? All he thought of her was that she was an irritant and to be tolerated. And barely at that. She let out a sigh and rinsed the shampoo from her hair. Maybe she should write to McGonagall for advice.
Hermione gave herself a mental slap. There were far more important things at stake than her getting herself in a twist because of some new discovered feelings for the man they were staying with. Get a grip girl for goodness sake. This was something she was more than capable of burying deep within her and leaving alone until they were well away from here. She had the kids welfare to see to, her own desires (Merlin, did she really desire him?) would have to be left well alone. Her resolve made, she exited the shower and slipped into bed, where she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
- 6
- 7
- 8
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Confinement