Deliver Me

Chapter I – Unfinished Business

"Can you believe him? One week until mid exams and he taught something new!" Ron complained as they left Potions and were heading for lunch.

"Unbelievable! And he always complains that were never learn anything, what can he expect he always teaches us new lessons never giving us the opportunity to catch on," Harry added taking a seat in the Great Hall.

"Oh hush up you two," Hermione told them, adding some pasta into her plate, "If you'd spend enough time studying rather than playing Quidditch and fooling around, then maybe you could stand a chance."

"Of course, the great Hermione never complains," Ron teased.

"And you know you'll spend every waking hour tutoring us until we get it right," smiled Harry tickling her at her waist, until she giggled loudly.

"Ha-h-Harry stop!" she squealed.

"Mister Potter and Miss Granger that is not appropriate behavior," said a voice behind them.

Immediately knowing who it was, Harry straightening up, "Sorry, sir."

“Five point from Gryffindor,” he hissed. “Miss Granger?”

"Yes, Professor," said Hermione smoothing out her skirt trying to avoid his gaze.

"See me this afternoon, we have some things to discuss,” he said curtly.

"Sir, I have to tutor Neville in Transfiguration this afternoon," she muttered. “Professor McGonagall said –”

"It will be your grade or Neville's Miss Granger, your choice - this afternoon at 3:30pm."

"Yes, sir," she complied turning her face to avoid his gaze again.

He raised his eyebrow clearly amused, and stalked off to the head table, robes billowing behind him.

"Ohmymerlin, ohmymerlin, ohmymerlin-" Hermione cried.

"Hermie, get a grip!" Ron said grabbing her should to steady her, "I'm sure it’s nothing serious."

"What if I'm failing, I can't fail the test! The test! What if, oh my no! I can't-"

Ron tightened his grip on her shoulders trying to shake some sense into her, "Relax!"

Harry poured her some pumpkin juice and nodded in agreement.

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It was 3:00pm; another half hour before she had to meet Snape and Hermione’s stomach was in knots. She hated the man. Absolutely hated him, and the fact that he made her so nervous sometimes, she couldn’t think straight made her hate him even more. Deciding to take a very quick shower to calm her nerves, she stepped into her bathroom.

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3:45pm, she was fifteen minutes late, she knew that he'd have a fit. But her shower was worth it.

Hermione walked down to the dungeons sulking, she was in between fearing he might be telling her she was failing and numb that he just wanted to emotional torture her more.

She raised her hand to knock on his door, finding it slightly ajar.

"Professor?" she called.

No one answered.

“Professor?” she called again stepping slowly into classroom.

No one was in his classroom either. She saw his office door open to the right of the classroom and presumed he was in there.

Approaching the door, Hermione hesitated. What if he wasn’t there? Stupid man brought her down for a wasted trip when she could have been helping Neville.

"Professor Snape? It's Hermione," she knocked on the door.

When no one answered yet again, she opened it slowly and peeked inside.

The room was not small or square, but triangular, a large ebony desk in the center, surrounded by tall shelves of books and bottles with various liquids.

His desk was amazing. She has never seen anything like it, except in museums and given that he was nowhere to be seen she took the opportunity with incredible, amazing intricate details on the legs and borders. Her finger slowly touched and traced their way along the engravings without noticing two very black eyes boring holes into her back.

She sighed. It was such a lovely piece of art. And the ebony wood, that fit him perfectly, she thought to herself, dark as the wood is the man.

Deciding it would be better to wait for him inside of the classroom rather than his office, she turned.

"You're late Miss Granger, 30 points from Gryffindor, for how many minutes you kept me waiting."

She squeaked and jumped backwards completely taken aback. Catching herself she could feel her anger rising, hateful man, she wasn’t 30 minutes late, she was only 15 minutes late.

Severus let his eyes wander up and down her frame once again. He enjoyed looking people up and down in front of them. Letting them clearly know he was judging them. He gained a small pleasure in seeing them squirm under his gaze. It made those around him know, especially those who were thorns in his side that he didn’t care for them or their opinions and was above the politeness exuberated by some.

Her hair was slightly damp and ruffled and she wasn't wearing her uniform under her robe. Her robe was loosely fastened giving him a clear view of her very low, black jeans and solid white tee. He noticed the curve of her hips and how rounded her breasts were looking. For a moment, he thought she looked tolerable, even attractive.

The last thought made him angry. Glaring at her he snarled, "You are inappropriately dressed Miss Granger."

Noticing her robes were undone she quickly fastened them back together.

"Have a seat," Snape said motioning to the two large chairs in front his desk.

Hermione walked over to the chairs, but didn't sit rather; she opened her mouth to speak but couldn't get any words out before he shouted, "I said sit!" he barked.

She quietly sat down and looked at him, not meeting those eyes that scared her.

"Look at me. Miss Granger."

Hermione looked up, barely meeting his blank stare.

"Now Miss Granger, your test. Care to explain?" he handed her back her paper.

She breezed over it, and to her amazement found nothing wrong. That puzzled her, maybe she left out something? But she studied extra hard for that test. Everything seemed in order. Hermione handed him back the paper.

"Professor Snape, sir, I don't understand. I don't see anything wrong with my paper."

"Exactly my point Miss Granger. Nothing is wrong. Which book did you cheat out of?"

Hermione shot out of her seat screaming, "Cheat?! I didn't cheat! I wouldn't cheat!"

"Sit down, Miss Granger."

"Sit down? Sit down? You want to sit down?" she was exasperated.

"Yes, you daft girl, sit!" he barked back at her again.

"No!" and before she realized it, two weeks worth of pent up aggression towards him came flying out of her mouth before she could have stopped it.

"Do you dare defy me? How dare you-"

She continued ranting, "How dare me?! How dare you! Seven years Professor Snape, seven, and I've tried to be the best student! How could you accuse me of cheating! I would never-"

"Miss Granger," he tried to get a word in, holding his temper. The girl was insufferable, and he was in his right mind to hex her and cast a Silencing Charm over her.

"-cheat! I work too hard and too long, just for you! But no, it never pays off does it, a perfect paper and I get accused of cheating-"

"Miss Granger."

"-and I can't believe you! Of course not, His great highness Snape would never permit a Gryffindor, much less a Muggle to do well in his class, oh no, he has to be-"

"Are you quiet finished?" his voice changed, almost like a knife ready to slice through air.

"-so unfair! No I'm not quite fin-"

"Yes, you are! Sit down Miss Granger! Now!!!"

With that sudden burst of anger, she jumped back. Her heart was beating fast when she took her seat, angry and panting. Slowly realizing what had just occurred, wide-eyed her hands rose to her mouth. She was not only surprised by what she had just done, but she was surprised she wasn’t en route to the hospital wing at the moment from him hexing her.

She watched him in silence, waiting for him to say something first.

Snape just sat there and watched her; he was rather surprised by her little outburst. It seems Granger had finally gained some backbone. He smirked inwardly at the thought.

"Now Miss Granger, do you think you can have some respect and speak to me properly?"

Hermione remained silent. She was still angry, yes, but she didn't trust herself to speak. And the anger slowly turned into a small amount of fear. This man infuriated her, brought out things in her, that no one else could, not even Draco Malfoy. But this, this accusation, it hit hard. She had been a Prefect, and was Head Girl, how on earth, how even imaginable could he accuse her of cheating? Hateful, man.

"Miss Granger I am giving you an opportunity to speak, I may not be so kind again."

"You aren't kind period," she mumbled under hear breath, before realizing her inner thoughts came out of her mouth accidentally.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

His glare intensified; if that was possible, and he raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t amused any longer.

"One hour Miss Granger, that is all I am giving you," he handed her a blank roll of parchment and pointed to the classroom.

He was letting her retake it. Oh Merlin! He was letting her retake it. Of course, he had given them two and a half full hours to complete the task yesterday in class, but still she could prove she didn't cheat.

"Than-"

"Do not thank me yet, Miss Granger, we have yet to see what results you produce."

That got her blood boiling all over again; she took the parchment and walked into the classroom, grabbed a seat, took out a cauldron and started working.

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One Hour...and she was done.

Hermione let out a sign of relief. Thank the gods she was finished.

Snape had locked himself in his office after cruelly dismissing her when she turned in her work. And of course, her work was perfect. Maybe he would take off a few points for a few misplaced commas. He smirked at the thought and let the red ink on his quill start marking.

There was a knock at the door.

"Enter!"

The door opened and Headmaster Dumbledore walked in, "Ah Severus, good to see you in such a pleasant mood."

"Good evening, Albus."

"Ah yes, it is evening isn't it. Lovely. Will we be seeing you at dinner?" Snape had missed dinner with the faculty for the past three nights straight.

He had been called out every night, by the Ministry of Magic to assist them in figuring out a set of potions an old witch has brewed before she died...it turned her green, and apparently was induced by a set of her neighbors, which in turn turned all them green.

"I believe so Albus. I finished my work with the Ministry before Miss Granger arrived."

"Yes, Miss Granger, mumbling something about a ridiculous test, as she flew up the stairs."

Snape raised an eyebrow, "Yes, she was retaking a test I had given previously."

Dumbledore smiled, "Don't over work her Severus, she hasn't been well."

"I saw her this morning at lunch; she seemed perfectly fine to me, especially when she insulted my teaching methods not too long ago."

"Severus, did you know that Miss Granger took food on to her plate at lunch time, but did not eat it. The same thing happened with breakfast. She has been spending the majority of this week in library working on her 7th year thesis."

"I beg your pardon Albus, but is there a point to this story?"

"Did Miss Granger happen to tell you that her 7th year thesis was a cross section between a Defense Against the Dark Arts through Potions?"

That was a shock. Or was it an explanation? That must have been why she was raving on and on to him, like a mad woman. Screaming at the top of her lungs, preaching to him how much she studied.

"No, I did not know that."

"I have a copy of her proposal right here. Professor Lupin thought it would have been a wise idea for you to teach her rather than him."

Snape did not look impressed. He was not interested in teaching Hermione Granger anything. Required classes were one thing, on the side education was another. She caused him more trouble with her know-it-all-smart-mouth answers in one class period than Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy combined on a good week! Unbelievable.

"So Severus, I suggest you look over it, contact Miss Granger, and work out a schedule."

"Albus, I cannot teach her," he said flatly, "let Lupin have her, he has more patience that I - especially when it comes to Miss Granger."

"Shall I tell Minerva to keep your seat warm at the table tonight?" That was Albus Dumbledore for you, sweetly and diplomatically giving an order.

Exhaling deeply, he nodded his head and Dumbledore took his leave.

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"I can't believe you! Potions! Do you really want to spend the next six weeks in the dungeons with Snape?" Ron asked Hermione. They were discussing their proposals, which had been turned in early that morning to Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts through Potions is an excellent project idea!" Hermione defended.

"Who cares if it’s a brilliant idea, you'll be with Snape, for more time than you have too!" Ron was trying to explain.

The hole in the wall of the common room shifted and Harry popped in.

"Harry! Thank Merlin, someone who makes sense; please tell her she's mad. Bloomin' mad!" Ron exclaimed.

"Hermione you are bloomin' mad...” Harry regurgitated, “why is that?" he asked.

"Well your project isn't that enriching!" Hermione said, facing Ron, ignoring Harry's question.

"Projects?" Harry inquired, still trying to figure out what they were talking about.

"It is too! 'How Transfiguration and Divination meet' is a very enriching project if I do say so myself!" Ron conjured at her.

"'How Transfiguration and Divination meet' Ron, there isn't anything to it!" She told him, "What would you say? What are you observing? Besides you hate Divination as much as I do."

"Mine is 'Defense Against the Dark Arts Through the Ages: Would Yesterday's Spell Live Up to Today's?'" Harry butted in.

Still ignoring him, Ron and Hermione continued to bicker.

"At least I'm going to be spending my nights with McGonagall or something, and Harry with Lupin-" Ron started.

"Oh you did hear me," Harry said, before realizing he was again, shot out of the conversation by the two.

"But Snape-"

"Snape!" Harry overheard disbelieving.

"That's what I said!" Ron said throwing his hands in the air.

"Have you flippin' lost you mind? Snape? You willing are going to spend the next six weeks with Snape? Are you mad?!"

"Harry, I don't care about Snape, well I do, if he doesn't bring me to insanity or murder, by the end of the course, then I would have walked away with a fascinating final product," Hermione defended.

"Oh gwadddd Hermione, but Snape?" Harry cringed.

"Yes, I know his name," Hermione sighed, considering every sentence that came out of their mouths, contained his name, and their utter belief that what she was doing was plain out wrong.

Just then the portrait hole opened again and Neville came running through, "Hermie! Hermie! I got it. It didn't blow up! Or disintegrate! Or catch fire!"

Harry, Ron and Hermione starred at him in puzzlement.

"I passed my Transfiguration test. My block of wood turned into a chair!" He said barely breathed outwards long enough to make himself clear.

"That's wonderful!" Hermione said.

"Yea Nevs, Congrats!" Ron patted him on the shoulder.

"I have to go owl Grams, she'll be so proud!" Neville shouted, running up to the boy’s hallway of dormitories.

After Neville left, Harry's stomach made a sound, "Gosh, I'm starving; dinner's in ten minutes, let’s head out."

"No you guys go ahead, I think I want to go to the library, do a bit more studying," Hermione stated picking up a few books.

"You haven't eaten a thing all day; you've just been spending all your time in that blasted room you know," Harry told her.

"Harry's right Hermione, you shouldn't be taking on all this stress, its bad for you, this time you could really get sick, especially if you don't eat," Ron stated.

"Listen, I'll be fine," she started, but their disbelieving faces made her continue, "why don't we do this, I'll go the library and just return these, then I'll meet you for dinner, and go back again afterwards?"

"Fine," the boys said in agreement. "But don't be too long," Harry added.


Hermione went to the library to deposit her books and went to join her friends for dinner, just like she promised. Only she didn't stay, she grabbed a sandwich, and ran right back out again...back to the library.

"Oooh Hermione Granger is back? Hermione Granger is back?" a little elf by the name of Muffy said as Hermione walked right back in.

"Shh I bought something for you," she said, Hermione tossed Muffy the sandwich, and continued walking to her little corner in the Potions section. She had too many other things on her mind, more important things, than food.

I'm fine, she told herself.

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"Mister Potter, Mister Weasley, where is Miss Granger tonight?" Professor Snape inquired as he walked into the great hall for dinner.

"Why?" asked Ron, who was still beamingly angry that Hermione was going to be subjected to Snape's utter cruelty.

"Do you question me, Mister Weasley?"

Before Ron could answer, Harry jumped in, "No, sir, Hermione is in the library...again."

"Library, again, you say?"

They nodded.

"Doing what, pray tell."

"What else would she be doing-" Ron mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Studying Professor. Hermione is studying," Harry assisted.

"Five points from Gryffindor for lack of cooperation. Say another word Mister Weasley and I'll make it ten," Snape clicked his heels and walked off to join the other teachers.

Once out of hearing Ron got defensive on Hermione to Harry, "Don't get me wrong Harry, I want the best for her, but I don't think she needs to subject herself to him. It's not fair."

"No, Ron, it's not fair, but it's what she wants."

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One hour for dinner, turned into endless hours. It was almost midnight, and the library was empty, with the exception of Hermione and the night staff. Even Madame Pince had given up on Hermione, and retired for the evening.

Even the little elves were beginning to think she was mad. She had read almost half of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Section already, and quarter of the Potions, all within the past couple of weeks. She never stopped. She would walk in early in the morning, show up between breaks, and stay late into the night.

"Hermione Granger would like milk, yes?" asked a little house elf name Susu. Susu was a sweet little elf; she had been almost Hermione's guard during the late hours of the night. Susu, would bring Hermione milk, cake, cookies, sometimes and fruits, to energize her and help her stay awake.

"No thank you Susu, I'm not very hungry," Hermione answered.

"Not right Hermione Granger, Susu knows, Hermione had no food today. Susu says bad," the little elf told her.

"Susu, really I'm fine."

Susu, nodded, but left the glass of milk on the table anyways.

Hermione smiled and put her head back down into her books, when she noticed a shadow had fallen over it.

"Drat, the light must be out," she thought out loud, "Susu-"

"Susu isn't here," a voice said from behind her.

Hermione jumped up, turned around, got tangled in the legs of the chair and almost fell over, when Professor Snape caught her.

"Miss Granger," he said, "we have some unfinished business."