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Making sure the boy who lives, actually does...	By : h0lden Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 9115 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8: Prongs
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*note: a special thanks to Sandy of AFF who pointed out that I said Hermione and the fellows had no wands, then proceeded to have them with wands in the chapter's following. For interest's sake, lets say they do have wands, but are limited in their power because its the past, (I'll add more into in the story.) he he...I suppose that's what comes of having a million different stories going at once. Sorry, and thanks again Sandy for pointing that out. cheers. holden.

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Professor Snape raised a trembling hand to his lips, tracing them gently as he sat up in the large sweat stained bed he owned. His chest was heaving and his eyes were hooded with fatigue, but filled with confusion. His fel felt almost as if they'd been bitten, feeling fuller and receptive to his fingertip.

Great Merlin....what happened?

He was perplexed, unsettled even in the dim light of the morning, his face shining with sweat.

Why did I awake with such a jolt? he wondered idly, scratching his arm absently as an itch started on it. He let out a brief yawn, noting that it was nearing four in the morning.

He lay back down on the sweat stained pillow, then turning it over to allow a soothing cool sensation to cradle his head and neck. It was unnaturally stuffy there in his room and in a roundabout fashion he tugged at his nightshirt and sent it sailing across the room. Feeling much cooler and comfortable in just his -powder white and sparkling clean- underpants he settled back in the bed, allowing a thin sheet to shelter his body.

Now I remember. Severus remembered that he'd had a most erotic dream, and it had been quite gratifying to himself as he was currently harboring a large lump under his covers that begged for attention. He looked down to the large bump under his covers and allowed a frustrated sigh to pass through his lips before growing agitated at his sudden arousal.

What was the dream about again? Snape wondered miserably as his hand dug below his thin covers and under the waistband of his underpants until his tingling fingertips hit his lengthening organ that strained for a rougher touch.

He suddenly wanted to know if the dream had been as tantalizing as he believed it to be. It wasn't often that Severus had such titillating dreams and the thought that he might have more in the future pleased him. His hand moved faster down his shaft, the delightful friction making his breath come out in short gasps as he looked to his ceiling. His eyes fell shut eventually as the pulsating rhythm of his hand on his length became hypnotizing.

It was only after he'd spilled out in release all over his hands, and a name subconsciously floated through his mind that his stomach flipped in sudden shock. He pulled his hand out from his pants as if it had been burned and felt his chest tighten.

Why had he been thinking about Hermione Granger?

Ye Gods. Surely there was a mistake. He h't t't thought of Hermione Granger as he wanked himself into oblivion, there had to be a mistake. He tossed on his bed a moment, thinking it must be his fatigue and the fact that She, Potter and Draco had been on his mind briefly since their involuntary departure.

Wait. The dream.

No. He'd had a dream about her. That was what the dream was about...Hermione Granger and....himself. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to remember the dream he'd just awoken from. Damn!

Then it came to him like a thunderbolt. He'd had the most disturbing dream imaginable. He, Severus Snape had been passionately kissing the know-it-all Hermione Granger! And that wasn't eh bizarre thing; the dream had taken place in his seventh year Potion's class.

"It felt so real." Snape muttered to himself, brushing a strand of greasy hair from his face as he looked to his hands at an utter loss. What had sparked this dream?

Why she was an annoying little friend of Potters. He'd no more have kissing dreams about her than he would Potter himself. This was beyond strange. He never had such...fantasies about students, attractive or not. Seemed Granger fit into the latter category, although in his dream she'd been most attractive lying under him.

No. Something was wrong, deeply wrong.

Deciding that it was prudent he have a few more hours sleep before he had to get up for classes Snape turned on his side, promptly making an oath to forget the whole awkward thought had been embedded in his mind.

Why, it was almost as if it were a memory. Snape thought idly, looking to his room absently as the thought registered and he tried to fall asleep. But no, something in that thought triggered something.

A memory.

Granger, Potter, Malfoy.

Memory.

Seventh Year.

The past.

He sat up in bed once more, his eyes going back as if reading small font in a large book, his darkened eyes were flickering about at an abnormal rate as his mind came to an inevitable conclusion.

He would have to speak to Albus about this.

* * *

"Why hello Pettigrew." Lucius said lazily as Peter rushed over to him in the Library, his bug eyes nearly bulging in nerves. The handsome blonde sitting motioned to a chair across from him. "Pull up a seat."

Lucius had chosen the rather desolate section of the Library for their meeting, and was rather relieved to see that the ugly young man had decided to indeed grab a spine and meet him alone.

Peter nodded grunting, pulling out the chair and seating himself rather squeakily on the chair. Looking to him Lucius could almost see the young man as a giant rat.

They sat staring at one another a moment, sizing each other up as the gentle hum of laughter outside permeated the normally silent Library. Lucius sat comfortably back, crossing his arms lazily with a book half read through.

Peter had on a ripped cloak -probably all that he could afford- and was practically raining sweat onto the Library's table top. He was nervous to be meeting with the powerful Lucius Malfoy alone.

"We-well, hello Malfoy." Peter said nervously, his voice hitching on the words and his hands rubbing back and forth at a frantic pace. His nose sniffed the air on occasion absently; Lucius watched it go back and forth until it became quite trying. "I'm here...like you said."

It had been most deceptively easy. All Lucius had to do was walk by him in the hall and slip a small note in his pocket. He knew all too well that the ugly teen hated his position in his clique and would do anything for a new role.

Even as a follower of Voldemort.

"Indeed you are." Lucius said with a fake smile, "And, alone I presume?"

Peter looked perplexed a moment nodding, "Yeah. The rest of them are out practicing Quidditch."

"They often leave you out in that regard, don't they?" Lucius said smoothly, making himself seem more approachable. "How cruel."

"Oh well, Remus doesn't care much for it either." Peter said with a shaky laugh, "So I'm not the only one left out."

"Yes," Lucius said a bit perturbed. "But, Peter, I often notice that when you are all together, you seem to be the odd man out..."

"Oh I wouldn't say that."

"But I would." Lucius added silkily, thankful that no one could see him skulking about with this ridiculous looking teen. The craters in his face were unmistakable, his beady eyes disturbing. "Even that Finnegan get's along better with them and he hasn't even been here a month."

"Oh, Harry." Peter said with a shrug, "He'll be leaving soon. It'll be like the old times then."

"Tsk tsk..." Lucius said thoughtfully, looking to Peter as if he felt for him. "Peter, don't you ever grow weary of being the fourth wheel to those ridiculous fools? Don't you long for the days when you won't have to hang at the back of the group, for a day when people look to you in admiration? Don't you yearn for the days when you're not the follower and sidekick of those morons?"

Peter was silent, and Lucius took this as a good sign. He hadn't bolted from the seat to leave or tell his friends. He hadn't really tried to defend them or their 'honor'. He was a puppet waiting to be manipulated, a wanderer wanting to find his niche. Lucius was merely acting as an aid to do so.

"Peter, what I'm offering is a position into power. I'm offering you a position, in You-know-who's army."

Peter's beady eyes grew wider as he looked to the pale young man in front of him, the silvery eyes waiting for a response to his imploring look. The eager smirk already playing about on Lucius' lips as Peter held in a gasp.

"Voldemort?"

Voldemort? His Army? That meant evil. But evil meant Power. Respect. Peter's mind wandered with thoughts of him marching down the halls of Hogwarts with people respecting him, not asking where James was. James would be his sidekick-

"But...but Voldemort." Peter breathed heavily, his eyes bulging even more out of his ruddy skull. He wanted to say 'evil' but knew that offending Lucius Malfoy -whilst alone in the Library- was a truly stupid move. Instead he trailed off, refusing to meet the smirking boy's face.

"Voldemort is taking over everywhere Peter." Lucius said with hands clasped on the table. Obviously it was going to take a bit of negotiating on his part to sway the ugly boy. "His has weapons you can't possible imagine. He is powerful Peter, powerful and he rewards his loyal followers. What gain would there be in refusing him?"

"None I suppose...but-" Peter said lowly as Lucius' smirk faltered. He'd been sure the boy would bend easily. "Why are you offering me this? Of all the people here?" He made motion to himself that only proved his lack of confidence. "Why, I'm not even in Slytherin. I'm horrible at dueling-"

"That may be true Peter." Lucius interrupted with silken ease, as Peter looked to him in minor admiration. Lucius exuded power, evil, dark power. "But in my mind I know you deserve it. I've seen the power you could have. You have ambition, you have links to influences."

"Oh, Potter and them." Peter said sullenly, "I see, you just want me so you can take them down in this ruddy school. You don't want me-"

"Calm down boy." Lucius hissed, darting his eyes around to ensure that they were still alone. "I meant nothing of the sort. I only wish to inform you of the leverage you already contain." He saw Peter was interested again and continued speaking.

"All I mean is if we had those pathetic egocentrics out of the picture, why we of the dark arts and of Voldemort's following could run all of Hogwarts...and after that, perhaps more. Just imagine it-" Lucius said smirking as Peter's eyes fell shut at the thought.

"No more laughter Peter. No more jeering. You'll be more influential and well known that James in this school. People will be begging to sit with you at meals. You'll be untouchable."

Peter was silent a moment, his eyelids fluttering open as he looked to Lucius' wolfish grin. His round stomach was paining him, and he licked his dry lips slowly.

"I guess I just don't see how I fit into all of it." Peter said glumly, "I'm nothing like you and Severus-"

"Ah, yes, Severus." Lucius said with a shrug, "I'm afraid he might be out of the picture soon enough. I believe he might be growing soft on me."

"How so?" Peter asked interested, as if he could already visualize filling Severus' boots. These were men with power in the school. Instead of being friends with those influential and well liked and failing, it seemed only natural that he should be friends with those that were powerful and cast off like himself.

"I've been seeing the way he looks at that Mudblood, Granger." Lucius said with a look of distaste as Peter looked to him in surprise. "There's something there that he won't admit. He's never looked at any girl around here like that. I'm beginning to question where his loyalties lie. But you Peter-" Lucius added with great praising tones, "Would be a most esteemed partner in all of this. Why, if you proved yourself enough to Voldemort- this school would obey you."

"Me?" Peter squeaked, his chubby face lighting up at the mere thought. People obeying him? All these indoctrinated thoughts of fame and respect were slowly overtaking him, James and the rest of that snobbish group becoming a memory.

He remembered how he'd felt a few nights ago, seeing James being turned down by that Granger girl. He'd looked so defeated, and Peter had felt vindicated. He wanted that feeling again.

"Yes." Lucius said with a grin, "Do we have a deal?"

Peter seemed to consider this, his beady eyes gleaming with thought as he looked to his new comrade. No more Peter the rat, no more Potter's sidekick. If he was lucky, perhaps he'd be one of Voldemort's powerful army men. A captain perhaps. There was pride in that. With a defiant nod of his chubby head Peter stuck out his shaking hand to seal his fate.

"You have a deal."

* * *

Boil cure potion: An in-depth essay

The ingredients of the coveted Boil Cure Potion are a varied collection of dried nettles, stewed horned slugs, porcupine quills, crushed snape fangs-

"Oh bugger." Hermione said angrily to herself as she used her ink eraser on her parchment to remove the stanza that included 'Snape' fangs. Ever since last week in the Potion's classroom, she hadn't been able to concentrate on a thing. She furrowed her brows and started again on the next paragraph.

If a porcupine quill is added to the mixture before the cauldron is securely and completely taken off the fire, the darkened mixture produces clouds of acid green smoke and with a loud kissing sound-

"OH forget it!" Hermione said exasperatedly crumpling her parchment and throwing down her quill in anxiety. Snape instead of Snake, kissing instead of hissing... Gods it was too much. Would she ever think of anything else?

She was furious with him, and for good reason too. She'd been perfectly content to live her life not knowing the seduction of the infamous 'bad boy', and now she'd tasted his lips first hand and could think of only him. His touch, how he felt grinding into her with his lips ravishing her own.

Oh Gods she hated him for doing this to her. It was a distraction from everything. She wanted to hide every time they had a class. She wanted to deck him if he even came close to her -which he hadn't so far- and most of all she wanted to stop thinking of how she had felt when with him.

It had been a full week since the incident, and thankfully it had been the end of it. No more Snape spit balls. He sat as far away from her as possible during classes, ignored her in the halls and at meals and was effectively tuning her out. She had done the same in turn and found it to be a most pleasant and tension releasing turn of events.

This should have been good. This should have been a most exciting revelation! She could concentrate on getting back home and out of the past whilst not having to worry about being sabotaged by the ridiculously strange Severus Snape.

She'd been trying every spell in the book with her wand, and had suckered Harry into several nights of spell making only to find that their wands were practically useless in this realm of time.

"It just doesn't work." Harry had said exasperatedly one night with another flicker of sparks coming out his wand. "We can only use the simplest of spells."

Hermione had been quite discouraged to find that the only spells available were those of barely used energy. Gods it was annoying. She wondered idly if Dumbledore knew they were missing.

She knew that time was different between the two realms now that they were so immersed in the past. What was a month for them was barely a week back at the future Hogwarts.

But they'd know by now that we're gone. she thought miserably as she brought out a fresh piece of parchment and tried to start on her blasted essay once more. Ron must have told them.

But in this short month at Hogwarts Hermione had grown quite attached to the people, and she knew Harry was in complete euphoria every time he passed her in the hall with James.

Ah James. He was begging to be a bit of a problem. Whenever she wasn't with Lily -which in truth wasn't that often- he'd be there, chatting with her and so forth. He had a narrow face but beautiful hazel eyes, and even though he wore glasses he was rather attractive.

She didn't see why he kept pestering until she came to the conclusion that he was trying to get through her to get to Lily. Quite crafty actually on his part. Flirt with her so he could get closer to Lily. She had to give him points for nerve, but still found him to be quite too much to handle on a daily basis.

Still she saw the longing looks Lily gave him when his back was turned, looks she was sure were hidden behind her book but that Hermione indeed saw. Lily wasn�t fooling anyone, Hermione could plainly see the lust and even true affection that hid behind such looks of yearning. Speaking of which, there was Lily now.

"Oh hello Hermione." Lily said coming into the common room and looking to Hermione lain out on the floor with a quill in her teeth. "I was hoping to find you here. Done your essay yet?"

"No." Hermione grumbled looking to her parchment, wondering how on earth she was going to complete it all. "You?"

"Oh I'm finished..." There was a small pause in which Lily looked anxious. "Do you want to come to Hogsmeade with me?" Lily suddenly asked excitedly, giggling at Hermione's surprised look. "I know I barely go, but I wanted to pick up something for the Halloween formal coming up."

"There's a Halloween formal?" Hermione asked perplexed, "I had no idea."

"Well they're doing it this year. The first time in years." Lily said excitedly, "And I need to pick out a dress. You do too!"

"Oh," Hermione said darkly, "I don't think we're staying that long."

Lily looked a bit crestfallen, nodding as if she understood but not hiding her resentment at the words. Hermione and she were so alike, it seemed almost natural that they'd be friends but the dark haired girl was so secretive about certain things.

Why, Lily had merely commented on Longbottom Academy, asking where it was when Hermione had gotten a look of panic on her face and uttered, "It's uh...you want to go to the Library?" Lily had learned not to press Hermione too much and now in the common room nodded slowly.

"I see." Lily said forcing a smile as she came to sit on the sofa by Hermione. "We'll, I'm not going for a few more hours anyway." she was silent a moment, "But in case you do decide to go, who are you going to go with?"

"Probably Harry." Hermione said idly, writing something noisily on her parchment. Lily made a face, knowing she had to tell Hermione but wondering if it wasn't an intrusion. Deciding Hermione needed to know either way she finally decided to speak.

"Erm, I believe he's going with Sunny Belouve from Hufflepuff." Lily said tersely as Hermione's dark eyes darted up to meet her own. "That was why I was certain you were staying for the formal."

"Oh." Hermione said with grinded teeth. So Harry had been making plans behind her back had he? Convenient of him to assume that they'd be staying that long. Brat. She should have known that he'd be absolutely no help at all with matters.

"So, if you're not going with anyone..." Lily drawled as Hermione ignorantly wrote on. "I suppose you'll need a date."

"I don't think so." Hermione said finally sitting up and stretching as she recalled her fourth year with a bit of a puzzled look on her face. " To be perfectly honest, I've never been that fond of formals."

"But everyone goes."

"Well, I'm not everyone." Hermione said good-naturedly.

"But, I want you to go." Lily almost pouted. "You're a good friend and I want you to enjoy yourself. You're always pouring over books, scurrying up to the common room as if you're trying to hide from something."

Or someone.

"Oh fine." Hermione said evenly, "I suppose I'll go, for a few hours at least."

"Oh brilliant!" Lily said with a grin that slowly died as Hermione looked to her in question. "But, who are you going with?"

"I'll just go alone."

"But for the formal dates are sort of...expected." Lily said with a worried look on her face. Hermione merely shrugged her shoulders, looking to her essay and trying to tackle it again. Lily was quite a few moments and then got an interested look on her face.

"What about Draco? I don't think he has a date."

"Not even if yaid aid me a thousand galleons."

"Remus?"

"I'm afraid he's a bit too shy for me." Hermione lied, not wanting to tell her new friend that the ball -if her calculations were correct- fell on a full moon. Lily nodded, looking around the room as if for inspiration.

"Sirius?"

"I'm fairly certain he's taken." said Hermione with a smirk. Sirius was always in the midst of a millions girls, making faces and sighing as he strolled by them.

"Peter?"

Hermione didn't dignify that with an answer.

"Right. Sorry." Lily said with a laugh, "Stupid question."

They lapsed into silence a moment as Hermione boredly wondered how she'd get out of this obligation. If she flat out refused Lily would be disappointed, and if she agreed she'd have to take a ruddy date.

"Oh I know!" Lily said with a smile, "Severus!"

Hermione actually cringed at the name, her mouth downturned into an angry glare at her paper. Severus Snape. Severus-nearly-shag-you-in-the-Potions- room-against-your-will-and-then-turn-out-to-be-a-collosal-jerk-Snape. How appealing.

"I hate him. I loathe him. I despise him." Hermione muttered furiously as she wrote her essay whilst Lily looked on in question. She knew that they hadn't gotten on right away, but she hated him? She'd actually mentioned the name as a joke, but seeing Hermione's face and expressions she stopped.

"Oh he's not so bad." Lily said with a wayward smile, hoping that Hermione was just exaggerating. "He's just a bit irritable at times."

"How can you stand him?" Hermione said exasperatedly throwing down her quill. She couldn�t stop thinking about him. He was driving her mad.

"Oh well," Lily looked to the roof as if her reason lay there. "I've known him since first year. He was a bit different then. Not so bad."

"You've probably known James longer than that and you loathe him." Hermione said sympathetically, looking to the blushing redhead in triumph. "At least he isn't as cruel as Severus."

"I suppose in the matter of James, it's not that he's mean to me, but he preys on those he deems to be unpopular and in turn, less able to fight back. The weak."

"Severus surely isn't weak." Hermione said with a snort as she thought back to the Potions class. "He could kill me if he wanted to." the word were spoken lightly, but in light of recent events Hermione assumed the latter was true.

"But he hasn't." Lily said knowingly as Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow. "Severus could do a number of things and he doesn't."

Hermione wanted to pat Lily on the hand then, and tell her everything. That Severus was indeed as vicious as he appeared, and that yes he was a follower of Voldemort.

She'd then want to tell her that he'd become a spy in his later years and that he'd turned out half decent. Suddenly the thought of the real Professor Snape and home seemed so far off that she felt homesick and dropped her eyes to the floor.

"I suppose you're right." Hermione said with a weak nod. "But um...don't you find that he and Lucius are quite close? Especially to...you know who?"

"I think its all a rouse." Lily said excitedly, her green eyes sparkling as she held in a smile. "I think that Severus is just spying on...you know who, you know, using Lucius as a type of pawn. He's terribly clever."

"Right." Hermione said with a nod. "As you keep telling me."

They lapsed into thoughtful silence a moment as Hermione recalled the looks James had been giving her this afternoon. It seemed almost, strange. Wasn't he supposed to be acting like this towards Lily? She looked to the redhead with a look of interest then.

"Lily, do you often talk to Severus?"

"Oh no." Lily said with a shake of her head. "Not for a long time."

"Then, if you don't mind me asking, why were you writing him a letter that day we were in your closet?" Hermione held her breath, hoping this conversation wouldn't blow up in her face.

Lily looked to Hermione in surprise. "You saw that?"

"Erm, yes." Hermione said remembering the first day. "We weren't sure when to exit the closet, so we saw a bit. Nothing to be worried about-" she added as Lily's face blanched. "I just saw that you were, writing a letter- to Severus. And it seemed...well...odd, considering..." she trailed off.

Lily looked to her hands, a small blush rising on her cheeks as she did so. It was then that Hermione had the sinking feeling that she was about to uncover a great deal.

"You want to know the truth?" Lily said with a small giggle as Hermione nodded excitedly. Lily opened her mouth to say something, a glimmer in her eyes when suddenly she turned red and shook her head. "Oh I couldn't."
es yes you can!" Hermione said with a small laugh as she lay down her book on the carpet of the common room rug. She nudged Lily playfully on the arm as she spoke. "Of course you can."

"Oh I can't." Lily said resolutely, looking back to her book and shaking her head until her light hair almost covered her face. "You'd call me a hypocrite and everything else."

"Oh come then, I won't!" Hermione said sternly, trying to look authoritative. "Tell me now Miss Evans, I demand to hear it."

"Oh fine." Lily said with a giggle as she replaced her bookmark within the confines of the book. "The truth is...I was writing to Severus to well...tell him to stop bothering James."

"WHAT!?" Hermione exclaimed in shock. "After all that talk about James being so cruel!"

"Well he can be!" Lily said defensively as Hermione gaped at her. "But well...that day, Severus was asking for it."

Hermione finally laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all, her eyes almost overflowing with amusement at the situation. It was the traditional love-hate relationship, and with Lily and James it was just too much.

Sometimes it was like night and day with those two. Lily was an intelligent young woman who had no time for proud boasting. James on the other hand was a show off plain and simple.

"So," Hermione asked when she'd finally composed herself. "Are you going with him to the formal?"

Lily blushed slightly, "He asked me a few months ago, but I turned him down."

Hermione shook her head, bemused with the situation. How James and Lily had become married was beyond her. "If I know James he'll probably be banging on your door to ask you within the week, trust me."

Lily nodded, "I was sort of hoping he would. I want to give him a second chance. He seems to have changed these past few weeks...for the better I hope. Why, he and Severus haven't had one bad word between them."

That's because Snape's been too busy bullying me. Hermione thought for a fleeting moment, then forced a smile on her face.

"Hermione, don't be too hard on Severus." Lily suddenly said, much to Hermione's surprise. "I mean, he's come from a horrible family. His parents were always fighting and-"

"How do you know?"

"We used to be friends." Lily admitted reluctantly, "Until we got older. Snape got meaner. I suppose it all ended when James had him upside down with his underpants on full display. I tried to reason with James but Severus took one hateful look at me and said, 'I don't need help from you Mudblood.'"

"What did you say?" Hermione said with a lump in her throat. She too understood the pain of being called such a cruel name. She could almost feel the tears at the back of her eyes.

"I told him to wash his underpants."

The two of them broke out into laughter then, as horrible as the situation was, but picturing Severus upside down with his underpants on full display was too funny a mental image to be stifled.

"You know," Lily said still giggling. "He's not all that bad. I even caught him writing poetry once."

"What?"

"Yeah." Lily said laughing a bit, "He slammed the book closed when he saw I was reading over his shoulder, threatened to hex me if I told anyone. He's very protective in whatever he does."

Hermione was about to question this when she remembered Snape's riddle from her first year. He was quite clever when it came to the English language she had to give him that. Instead she just nodded, making it clear that she understood.

"Well I best be off." Lily said standing and smoothing down her skirt. "I want to pick out my dress tonight. Sure you won't come?"

"Maybe another time." Hermione said lightly as she began packing up her belongings into her book bag. "I have to finish this essay for Professor Sapp. Appears its going to be another long night at the Library for me."

Lily nodded, "I understand. Maybe we can go over some transfiguration spells when I get back."

Hermione nodded with a grin as Lily waved and ducked out with an emphatic. "See you later then."

Hermione watched her friend go through the portrait hole and shook her head. James and Lily were the most mismatched pair she could ever conceive. How they'd ever gotten together and fallen so deeply in love was beyond her.

* * *

Dumbledore looked at the photo's Ron had brought him hours earlier and shook his head sorrowfully, refusing to wallow in despair but finding it all too difficult.

"Oh....Harry m'boy." he said lowly, "What have you done?"

The various photo's lay about on Dumbledore's desk, and in each of them were Ron, Hermione and a shadowy looking Harry.

It wasn't that he was dark and shadowy, it was as if in all the photo's that Harry had been in, he was near transparency, His smile the same, his waving was still emphatic. But he was ceasing to exist in the photos.

But why?

Dumbledore came to a solution himself moment�s prior, that the three of them had managed to go in the past and had now muddled it up somehow. Perhaps they had run into James, or perhaps they'd gone and tried to kill Voldemort.

Either way it was a discerning panicking notion that Dumbledore needed to prove for himself and after a thorough investigation of Hermione's Head Girl flat he found that the time turner was gone, only further solidifying his notions.

He'd need someone to go into the past for him, to get the three of them and bring them back. He knew who he'd have to ask, but winced at the thought. As if the man didn't have enough to do already.

He's the only one they'll take seriously. he concluded resolutely.

Deciding that he'd waited long enough for Severus to awaken, Dumbledore went to his fireplace, preparing to summon Severus when the said tall Professor walked into the Headmaster's office with a look of anxiety in his darkened eyes.

"Headmaster." Severus said in a serious tone, "We have to talk."

* * *

I swear as soon as I see Harry I am dragging him back to the common room so we can devise some sort of plan to get out of this place. Hermione thought to herself as she walked to the Library, her books in her bag and her mind elsewhere.

It was fairly deserted around this time in the early evening. Everyone was either out on the grounds chatting and such, or they were in the common room playing games.

It had grown quite busy in the common room after Lily left, and Hermione found it would be quite prudent if she left for the Library earlier than expected. With her mind elsewhere she was quite immune to the fact that she was being watched and had been followed since her exit of the common room.

Hermione gasped as she tripped over a sudden pit in the stone floor below her and winced greatly as she tripped onto her knees and scraped them quite terribly, twisting her ankle a bit as well.

"Oh hell." she hissed angrily at the shooting pain. She blew on her scrape a moment before standing shakily up and looking to her kneecap. It oozed blood quite fiercely, and she felt her stomach churning at the sight of it. She also noticed -as she almost fell- that her ankle was quite sprained, and it smarted to stand for a long amount of time.

A healing spell, that would be most prudent. She pulled out her heavy wand and muttered a spell, pointing it to her bleeding kneecap. A few violet sparkles and then...nothing. The same occurred on the swollen ankle. Nothing.

"Stupid bloody wand."

She stilled a moment as a gentle shuffle sounded from her right and sh tensed. If she hadn't been on guard and expecting such a sound she would have passed if off as nothing. But now, in a stage of fright at being alone in the suddenly daunting hallway, and now injured she was feeling quite vulnerable.

"Miss Granger." came a dark voice from the shadows and Hermione knew in an instant who it was. Her body shivered in fear and hidden arousal as two gleaming dark brown eyes stared back at her from the shadows.

Severus came out of the shadows then in his dark cloak, eyeing her dangerously as she stood shakily on the floor, her books everywhere around her. He took a darting gaze at the scene before him as if he hadn't been watching the entire spectacle.

She watched in mute fascination as he bent down and retrieved the books for her, his lithe frame slowly coming closer to her. She prepared to back up but found she couldn't. Snape looked around them a moment in the nearly silent hallway, as if certain they were being spied upon.

"Are you alone?" his voice was liquidly enticing.

"No." Hermione lied as he came closer, stalking towards her -her books in his hands- with such delicate precision she felt glued to the spot, marveling at the way he strode towards her. He was so soft, quiet, it was no wonder she hadn�t noticed him until now.

"You're lying." he said silkily, coming up until he was in front of her, looking down to her with interest in his hardened, dark brown eyes. She was certain he was going to do something when he moved quickly, and she flinched in fear.

She looked down to see him grabbing her fallen book bag, placing her books inside it and standing rigidly straight. He looked down to her superciliously, placing her bag on her shoulder and regarding her expression.

"You're hurt."

"I'm fine. T-thank you for retrieving my books." she said softly, scarcely believing the timid way her voice was coming out. Being this close to him was sending a whirring of emotions within her, startling her.

Hermione had been prepared to push him, to scream at the top of her lungs for help if he so much as touched her. But as one tapered finger came to trace along her jaw she found she was speechless.

"I have something that will fix it."

"No really." Hermione said, confused at the kindness. "I have to be going...if it really pains me I'll go to the Infirmary."

"Now now Miss Granger." Severus said condescendingly as a hand found her forearm. "You're only going to hurt yourself in the process to the Infirmary."

Hermione swallowed thickly, finding herself lost in the melodious sound of her voice along with the gentle feel of his hand against her bare forearm. But still, he was dangerous. Perhaps this only added to his attractio her her mind.

"I think I'll manage." Hermione said deftly. "Just leave me al I d I don't need help from the likes of you."

There was a moment of silence before Snape nodded curtly, dropping his hand from her arm as if he'd been burned and taking a step back. Hermione tried not to look too displeased at the loss of his contact and for a moment just stood, staring back at him wondering why he hadn't left.

"Well, Miss Granger." Snape said bemused, his arms crossed authoritatively as he nodded to her. "Go on then."

"Sorry?"

"As soon as I'm certain you can make it to the Infirmary without my assistance, I'll gladly leave you alone." Snape looked over to her expectantly, tapping one black boot signaling she'd better be quick about it.

Hermione looked down the long hall, swallowing again in panic at the prospect of hobbling down its dark inner workings. She was alone with Severus, and he wasn't being cruel and at this she was worried. He was never like this.

"Fine." she finally uttered boldly, clenching her fists in determination as she turned her head from him, preparing to walk down the hall at a slightly rapid speed. Surely she couldn't have hurt herself that badly.

Snape watched Hermione from behind in moderate amusement. It was plain to see that she was beyond nervous; she was shaking and tentatively getting ready to leave him. He sort of liked being around her, and had ed ted the opportunity the moment it had presented itself, ala a Trip Jinx he'd used on her.

He saw her preparing to take off down the hall, her left leg wobbling dangerously as she stepped forward and almost immediately cried out in pain as she did so.

"Oh." Hermione winced at the feel of her ankle being almost snapped in two. "God that hurts."

She felt herself falling and was shocked to feel Snape's strong arms around her shoulders, steadying her. She felt her heart flutter a moment before she pulled away from him, remembering just who he was.

"If you'll allow me Miss Granger," Severus said politely. "I'll see to it that your ankle and knees are seen to immediately. Why, just a few rooms down is the Potion's lab. Since your wand appears to be temperamental this evening, I'd gladly make you a wound-cleaning potion and assess your ankle."

Hermione regarded Snape a moment, seeing that he didn't look malicious at all, but didn't trust him one bit. Why would he be helping her? Her of all people? Hadn't he tried to smother her -okay well, intimidate her- in the Potion's lab last week?

"What makes you think I want any of your help?" she spat angrily, trying to get away from him but finding it all too painful. Snape stepped away from her, looking to her exasperatedly.

"Fine." He said coolly, "If you'd rather lie about here floundering like a fish until someone else comes by to rescue you then fine. I was only trying to be polite." He started off down the hall in a sweeping motion, counting down the second�s until-

3.......2.......1

"Wait."

Snape let out a horrible smirk across his face before turning around and having his features remain quite placid. "Yes?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione was torn. It was either lay about here and wait for someone else to come by -which for all intents and purposes could be Lucius- or she could get help from Snape and rush off before he tried anything. It seemed lattlatter was most intelligent, and a large part of her didn't want him to go, he fascinated her.

"I...I would like your help." She finally said dimly, looking to him expectantly as he came gliding back down the hall, his cloak making his movements all the more gentle.

He stood in front of her a moment, regarding her up and down as she stared at him in confusion. Where was his wand? Hermione waited for him to use a levitating spell on her, or at the most give her the crook of his arm to lean on. But she gasped slightly as he suddenly bent over and gathered her up with ease into his arms and began walking down the hall to the Potion's room.

She grasped onto him tightly, feeling the shoulders that would soon be broader, the face that would be scattered with lines. She took full view of the lips that were fuller, the eyes that were sharper. No. Snape's eyes never really changed.

She also noticed he smelled delightful. On occasion -when he passed her to survey and mock her cauldron- Hermione had noted that Professor Snape smelled of herbs and so forth -not completely unpleasant, merely a scent that labeled him as him- and noticed that his younger counterpart smelled of a mixture of the outdoors and something else. Something she found quite pleasing, she believed it was soap, a special brand of soap.

"Oh," she said lightly as Snape almost tripped. She grasped onto his neck tighter, worried he was about to drop her at any moment. "Why don't you just use a levitating spell?"

"The lab is right up here." he said smoothly, obviously carrying her frame was no feat for him. His features were smooth, inscrutable even as he carried her down the corridor to the Potions room. �There�s no point in casting the charm.�

She smelled so very good. Clean. She was very pure, he noted. He'd noticed it the moment she'd arrived at the school that day. She was looking ahead and he felt as her hair brushed his cheek, it was softer than imagined and smelled delicious, as if it was raining coconuts in Hogwarts.

They stepped outside the door of the lab as Snape looked to Hermione imploringly. For a moment she was certain he was going to kiss her, and nearly squirmed out of his arms before he motioned to the door jerkily with his head and said; "If you wouldn't mind, Miss Granger."

Hermione blushed slightly at her thoughts and whipped out her wand, ho tha that the minimal spell would work. "Alohomora." she uttered and was relieved to see it swing open.

They walked into the classroom as Hermione uttered "Lumos" and they had a bit of light as they made their way into the classroom. Severus kicked the door shut with his foot and looked around the dim classroom even though he knew it by memory.

He found a clean enough table for Hermione and placed her delicately upon it, his cheek brushing her own as he pulled away to stand upright. Hermione pulled her face away readily, her eyes downcast as Snape made a face himself and stepped back.

She heard Snape shuffle off into the darkness then and blinked as several candles were lit around them, giving the classroom a rather earthy glow. Severus lowered his wand into his robes and came over to her.

"It'll only take a moment." he uttered lowly as he pulled out a cauldron, and placed it over the smmademade fire. He went to the cupboards near the back, pulling out ingredients and returning to the table where his cauldron and Hermione sat patiently.

"How do you know where everything is?" Hermione questioned lightly, trying to break the uncomfortable silence between them. Severus looked to her surprised as he placed the ingredients on the table.

"I often assist Professor O'Lacey outside of class."

"Oh."

They fell into silence again as Hermione watched him prepare the ingredients, his dark eyes scanning the potion and stirring it on occasion. She felt her face fall as she looked to him, knowing that a brilliant mind lik that was going to follow Voldemort and end up teaching Potions. But she couldn't warn him. She couldn't even help him. If she said one wrong thing, she or he would suffer in the future.

"Do you know what you want to do after school is done with?" Hermione inquired, as fruitless as it seemed for she already knew his position. He gave her a skeptical look and gave it a thoughtful moment before answering.

"Perhaps teach Defense against the Dark Arts." he said absently, letting the potion simmer a moment before adding asphodel. "I haven't given it much thought...What about you?"

Hermione was surprised to hear him as her about herself, and thought of the first thing that came to mind. "I suppose a Professor as well. I've often tutored my peers at...Longbottom Academy."

"Oh." Severus nodded, not sure what to say anymore. After a moment the potion for her knees was finished and he lopped the drink into a small bowl, mixing it with a spoon and pouring it into a large glass. Hermione watched him in mute fascination, his every movement perfection.

She supposed her internal drawing to Severus was because they were so very alike. Not in physical senses, no it was more the burden of being intellectual and knowing it. If it hadn't been for Harry and Ron, it wouldn't have been surprising to sermiermione growing resentful over the years, her nose always in a book and laboring over her schoolwork with no friends. But she hadn't chosen the same path as Severus. She had chosen light when he had chosen darkness.

"Drink this." he said quietly then, his voice barely above a whisper as he came over to her. She looked to him intently, seeing the firelight reflecting in his eyes as she eventually nodded warily as she looked away, she couldn't risk him reading her mind.

She took the glass from him and watched as he then stepping back for it to work. She winced a bit, looking to the concoction warily. What if this was a trick? What if this was a poison? It looked all right in her opinion.

Taking a deep breath and praying that Severus wasn't trying to kill her -he wasn't that vengeful was he?- she downed the glass and waited for herself to keel over. Snape studied her, his eyes narrowed on her lips. There was a bit of a burning sensation on her knee inside of Hermione that she shook at, until it died down and it was healed.

"Well done." She managed to say, her mouth feeling rather cottony as she looked to her kneecap. Severus merely nodded, receiving the praise well. He cleaned the cauldron then, preparing to mix up something for her ankle.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"To make up for my actions before." Severus gave her a calculating look for he had been expecting such a question. "I was only cruel before because..." he trailed off, trying to make his lie authentic. "I was a bit �jealous� of your knowledge in our classes together."

"Because I was rude." Hermione added guiltily. "I didn't have to embarrass you in the class."

"Neither did I."

The two of them were silent once more, the silence becoming almost comforting. Hermione looked to her healed knee impressed, she couldn't have done a better job herself.

She looked up to see Severus staring at her and quickly darting his eyes back to the cauldron, pursing his lips in thought as she smirked slightly. He was sort of sweet in a way. Seeing Professor Snape at this age made him seem more...humane in a sense.

Perhaps he's not all bad. she thought hopefully, licking her lips subconsciously.

Soon he mixed about a blue looking serum in the cauldron, dipping a ladle into it and letting it drip slowly, making sure it was perfected. Then when believing it to be so, he lobbed it into a bowl, mixing it into a fine paste. He stood there a moment, looking at Hermione's ankle and then back at the paste.

"I can do it myself." Hermione said shakily, motioning for him to give her the paste. He gave her a withering look and shook his dark head, coming over and kneeling before her.

"It's better if you don't strain yourself, especially after downing that wound healing potion." He said softly, looking to her ankle and clearing his throat. "Just relax, I know what I'm doing."

Hermione held in a nervous squeak and nodded, leaning back on the Potion's table and looking at him below her on the ground. He brought a stool over as if he were sitting at the table, and -whilst keeping his eyes locked with her own- in one quick movement had taken off her school shoe. It made a long clunk on the ground and momentarily brought Hermione back to reality.

Calm down Hermione, she thought nervously as the young man looked back to her and smiled softly. He's just helping you.

Severus looked up her leg slowly, his eyes raking over her form until slowly his long fingers came to rest just below Hermione's knee where her uniform's knee sock began. He stared at her again, his fingertips brushing her knee.

My her skin is soft...
rmiormione's eyes widened as she realized what he was going to do, although she didn't know why it startled her. How else would he fix her ankle? Through the sock? He slowly lowered the sock, down and down her leg in a most tantalizing fashion, she actually shivered as it was finally pulled off.

"Alright." he said smoothly as he took note of the goose bumps that had formed under his touch. "I'll just rub in the paste and you'll be better than before."

All Hermione could do was nod as Severus licked his lips, grasping her foot in his hand and placing it on his lap. He noticed she had very lovely feet, and forced himself to look away from her.

He grasped her ankle in his hands, rubbing the paste onto her swollen ankle and feeling as she shuddered with every feel of his fingers against her skin. He rubbed it deeply, hearing her shuddering breath on the table above him and finding himself growing dizzy.

Focus Severus.

He swallowed thickly, his own arousal growing despite his efforts to keep it at bay. He was used to having his lust satiated the moment he felt the need for it. He'd been on several of Voldemort's raids, he seemed to enjoy them all too much in Severus' opinion.

Hermione herself was beside herself -perhaps it was a mixture of Snape's expert hands, or perhaps it was the knowledge that somehow the boy before her was Professor Snape- but either way, she was slowly growing aroused beyond all reason.

Stop it Hermione. she commanded, Remember last week. There was nothing nice about him then.

Finally he was finished, he washed his hands and took a small amount of gauze, wrapping her ankle in it. He placed her sock back on, slowly guiding it up, and tentatively brushing the back of her kneecap. She nearly moaned at that contact and then went red as she realized it. Soon her shoe was re-affixed and she was healed.

"The ankle should be fully healed in the morning." Snape whispered softly, "But as it stands you can make it back to your common room without my aid."

Hermione nodded, coming down a bit wobbly off of the table and finding that her ankle felt almost as good as new. She smiled softly, shaking it and looking to the fascinating young man before her. Before he could dart away she'd gone over and wrapped her arms around him, her cheek pressed to his chest.

"Thank you Severus." she said lightly. She prepared for him to push her off, but found to her surprise he'd gently lowered his own arms, gathering to him in a large embrace. She was cloaked in his invigorating scent, his breathing falling in soft huffs on the top of his head. He wasn�t too broad in his waist, he was a comfortable size to hug to her.

He was shocked at her actions, having expected her to run from him the moment she could. But no, here she was hugging him like she didn�t want him to go. He kept his arms around her, his nose falling victim to her sweet smelling hair. Hermione felt herself growing weary, his touch and warm embrace was hypnotizing. She stood on tiptoes against him, her cheek brushing his own. She felt as his jaw clenched and then finally as if torn, he kissed the corner of her mouth.

She should have run when she had the chance.

Jolts went through her as he did so softly, much gentler than in the Potions lab. In her haze of lust and so forth Hermione was starting to forget why she hated him so much in the first place. Another kiss was pressed to her lips, this time against her upper lip and tracing his tongue along it softly. She sighed lightly, her eyes falling shut as she drew herself against him. She wanted to kiss him like they�d been kissing in the Potions lab.

Suddenly he let go of her slowly, his fingertips drawing awaom hom her waist. He was clenching his teeth soundly and regarding her severely as he came to stand a few scant inches away, looking down to her with his face completely void of emotion.

Hermione looked to him in confusion, moderately hurt at his current actions. Why? A few stolen kisses shouldn't amount to such emotional tearing. She looked embarrassedly down at her shoes, wanting to know why he was acting this way.

She has to leave. Severus thought wildly, I won't be able to control myself. She has to go. She's not like the rest of them. She has to go.

"You shoulder leave now." Snape said with a strained voice, his dark eyes smoldering and his hands ing ing at his sides, wanting to capture her against him again. He wanted to taste more of her willing mouth, to have a woman against him and not struggling.

There was a brief moment of silence in which Snape was almost sure he heard a deep intake of breath from Hermione before she found her voice and spoke lightly.

"I don't want to go."

*
*

"Headmaster." Severus said before Albus could speak. "I'm certain I know where Potter, Granger and Malfoy are."

"Yes Severus-"

"You see I was having a dream, a strange one." Severus went on dramatically, wanting to let the Headmaster know just how clever he was. "At least I thought it was a dream, and it instead proved to be a memory."

"What was it of?"

"It was...of Miss Granger and myself..." he strained his quiet voice at the words, "Kissing. on the floor of my seventh year Potion's classroom."

"Kissing?" Albus said bemused, looking to the scowling older man's face i good humor. "On the Potions' floor? Indeed?"

"Yes indeed." Snape growled. "Either way Headmaster, the three of them are in the past and fouling things up severely."

"Miss Granger is treading in dangerous waters it would seem."

"Obviously." Snape said quietly as he looked to the floor in anger. "She hasn't got the sense to know what I was like back then. Manipulative, volatile. She'd do well to stay away from me."

"Surely she's bright enough not to do anything too risky." Albus said hopefully.

"She's done enough damage as it is." Severus said with a sigh as he rubbed his temples in anxiety. "She's already stirred me, I could tell in the memory. I-" he stopped himself mid- sentence feeling foolish.

"I came to the conclusion that the three of them were trapped in the past this morningeruserus." Albus said with a crooked grin, "And that is why I am glad to see you here before me." he grasped the photo's in his hand. "Here."

He showed the glossy photos to a still scowling Severus and saw as the younger man's face screwed up in frustrated anger. He saw the clenched jaw and grinding teeth for Severus knew what was happening.

"I should have known that the three of them mucking about in the past would ruin something!" Snape hissed angrily. "If Potter isn't born, that means..." he trailed off, not having the tact to put the matter delicately.

"We're all dead." Albus said flatly. "Voldemort will overrun us."

"For lack of better words, yes."

"Well then Severus, it would appear you have to go in after them. I surely can't and you're the only one they'd be intimidated enough to listen to." Albus said in a heavy voice as Snape pinched the bridge of his nose in a habitual formation of detest.

"ust ust you."

Albus looked to the man who looked torn, wanting to show him the severity of the situation. So far Severus looked almost completely opposed to the idea, probably offended at the thought of being his delivery boy.

"If you don't do this Severus, Harry isn't going to exist, and we'll dll doomed."
___________________________________

author's notes:

A paperweight. How simple.

My conclusion for getting rid of Floppy -the leader of the bunnies- came to me in a dream. He wasn't that big. All I'd have to do was hit him with something.

A paperweight on my desk. The one that had little casino tokens in it. (I got it from a friend or something) I'd wait for Floppy to come in, and then I'd bash him over the head with it.

Simple.

How could the other bunnies stay? I knew that they were only here because of their beloved master. Floppy was the Hitler of bunnies and I was ready to take him down.

So, Floppy came into my room this morning, looking happily to me as he sneered. (alright, am well aware that bunnies can't sneer.)

"Hey toots."

I was about to let the paperweight fly when I suddenly noticed something on Floppy's face and had to pause.

"Are you wearing my lipstick?"

"No." Floppy said hurriedly wiping the rougue off his face with his front paws.

"And...isn't that mascara?" I said in shock.

It was then that I realized I had cross dressing bunnies.

Dear Lord. I was in such shock that I dropped the paperweight as I stood and it hit my toe harshly, emitting a large scream from me and laughter from Floppy.

I growled and lunged at him, and suddenly a fight ensued. It was woman versus beast. Holden versus Floppy. I wasn't going down without a fight.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!" I screamed as I shook the bunny around the throat, seeing his whiskers twitching nervously. Floppy struggled under my choking technique.

"I want more bunny stories." he said simply. I was about to find the paperweight, to end all of this madness when about halfway I noticed eyes staring at me.

"Hey Mum." I said with a laugh as I dropped the paperweight. Floppy -acting on my temporary shock- "What are you doing here?"

"I might ask what you're doing...rolling around on the floor with a paperweight in your hands."

"Well, didn't you see him?" I asked earnestly, smoothing my hair and standing. "Floppy...the ringleader bunny."

"Bunny?"

"Or any of the bunnies out on the chaise longue?"

"Holden, dear." My mom said looking to my strangely. "Perhaps you need to take a break from writing that book."

Yeah. She thinks its a book.

Suddenly one bunny rushed by on his way to the bathroom, I picked him up and showed him to my Mom who winced as I thrust my hand in her face.

"Can't you see him?"

"I'm a she!" the bunny squeaked before biting my finger. I gasped and she felt from my grasp. My mom looked to me in momentary horror before going;

"What are you talking about?"

Friends. Readers. No one can see the bunnies but me!

I'm going mad!

cheers. holden.

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Making sure the boy who lives, actually does...