In Wisdom's Creed

Here it is! Chapter Twelve! This story is really racing along now.
Just what does Snape have in mind for our poor heroine?

Enjoy!

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"Sit down Miss Granger," Snape instructed as she entered the classroom.

Hermione made her way through the classroom and took a seat at the front. There wasn't much point in sitting further back for a detention.

She put her bag on the desk in front of her and opened it up, pulling out a slim folder.

"I brought some of my research, Professor," she started, "I.."

"Your research won't be needed this evening, Miss Granger," Snape interrupted, "This is a detention after all."

Hermione bit her lip nervously and quietly placed the folder back into her bag.
He could at least have taken it, she thought angrily.

"In fact," Snape sneered at her, "We won't be staying here at all."
He stood smartly and smoothed down the front of his robe.
"Follow me." With that he stalked out of the dungeon.

Perplexed, Hermione grabbed her bag and ran after him.
She caught up with him quickly and followed him quietly as he made his way to the main entrance of the school.

"Umm... Professor," she ventured as he headed outside into the rapidly darkening grounds.
He didn't respond so she tried again, "Where are we going?"

"To the greenhouses, Miss Granger," came his curt response.

"Oh..."
Hermione struggled to keep up with his fast pace, she had to run a little now and then. She wanted to ask what they were doing, but she didn't dare.

They reached the entrance to greenhouse one and Snape opened the door and marched in.
The sky was dark and there wasn't much light in the greenhouse.

Snape led the way to the back of the greenhouse where a number of benches had been laid out. Boxes were on top of the benches and Hermione could hear slight movement from inside.
Instantly she was worried. Snape hated her... she wouldn't put it past him to make her do something dangerous.

"Stop where you are, Miss Granger," Snape ordered, walking over to the boxes and peering into them. "I wouldn't want your clumsy stomping to wake them," he turned and looked closely at her, "to scare them. You might panic them, stir them into a frenzy."
His voice was low and dangerous, warning, yet with a hint of malice. His eyes as black as ever, yet she was sure she could see glee there. Whatever was in those boxes was her punishment. She shuddered in the cold, wishing she'd brought protective clothing with her.

Hermione looked away from him, not wanting to stare into those vicious eyes.
The greenhouse was getting darker by the minute, she wasn't sure if there was lighting in here at all; they were normally used during the day, though some plants needed their own lighting, but this one was presently dark.
She dropped her bag at her side and glanced around, hoping someone may have left their dragon hide gloves after a lesson.

Snape watched her amused. He could tell she was nervous, perhaps a little frightened. It helped that it got dark so early at this time of the year. Winter was really coming in, and the greenhouses weren't pleasant in the long, cold, dark nights.

"Your task for tonight, will be to collect the most useful part of these creatures for my brewing."

Hermione had looked up at him again, apprehension flickering across her face.
"What part would that be, Sir?" She asked, her voice wavering a little.

"That," Snape sneered, forcing himself to keep the laughter out of his voice, "will be for you to discover yourself."

He walked towards her and paused briefly next to her.
"I'll be in my office, Miss Granger."
He walked past her and smiled cruelly once she couldn't see.

"You're leaving?" She demanded, her voice high and tight.

"Oh yes, Miss Granger," he responded sneeringly, "I wouldn't want to waste my time watching over you all night."

"But... but..." Hermione turned and stared at him, "I don't... they... it's DARK!" She finally cried out. "How am I supposed to do whatever it is in the dark?"

Snape turned to look at her, and laughed cruelly.
"Are you," he said, softly, dangerously, "or are you not, a witch, Miss Granger?"

"Oh..." Hermione breathed.

Snape sneered and turned once more, then was gone.

Hermione shivered and turned slowly to face the benches and the boxes on top of them.

Snape had really done it this time, she thought, he couldn't just leave her there with something nasty... could he?

She briefly considered leaving, going back to her room and sleeping.
She knew that would be it though, if she wanted him to work with her, she'd have to accept this punishment.

"Never let anyone say I'm not worthy to be a Gryffindor!" she muttered, stepping forward nervously.
She raised her wand and pointed it at the ceiling.

"Lumos Proprius!" She shouted loudly, trying to add sound to the room so she didn't feel so afraid.
Light blossomed from the ceiling, making the greenhouse at least feel a little safer.

The light brought with it a small avalanche of noises from the boxes and Hermione took an involuntary step back.

"No," she declared to the greenhouse, "I am not going to be scared just because that twisted bitter git wants me to be!"

She advanced upon the boxes, slowing to a cautious tiptoe as she got close.

She emitted a gasp as she caught a first glimpse of flesh, brown and ill-formed.
A scream escaped her lips as that flesh moved, revealing a large round mouth filled with lines upon lines of teeth.
The mouth moved, the creature reared and she knew it had seen her.
Droppng all pretences of bravery she fled.

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Notes:
'Proprius' is the Latin for 'Permanent'.