Our Paths Cross Again

Author’s Note: Hermione is going to be a bit dark. This doesn’t follow with OTP or HBP. Sirius Black is alive and in my story Severus is a pure blood. Just so you know.

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything you recognize. So please don’t sue.

Summery: It’s been six years since Hermione left Hogwarts. She’s been doing a secret mission for the Order. Suddenly she and Severus are thrown together. Will they be able to work together or will they end up killing each other? R/R

Our Paths Cross Again

Chapter 2

As usual, Severus did not sleep. He stayed in his bedroom. He spent most of the night either reading or pacing the large room. His thoughts kept returning to the person he had met last night. Finally he decided to go downstairs and see if he could find himself a strong cup of coffee.

As he walked past Remus and Sirius’s rooms he could hear their snores, telling him they were still sound asleep. He reached the living room they had entered the night before. The sun was just rising over the cliffs behind the house, but what caught his attention was the person outside.

He watched in amazement as the person practiced a very intricate karate kata. Severus was left breathless. He himself had studied the martial arts and to see this person move so gracefully and fluidly left him breathless.

Outside Hermione Granger ran through the kata. She was so angry at the late arrival of Sirius, Remus and Severus that she had to take a sleeping potion in order to sleep. Now, she was finally relaxed. She knew the three men didn’t recognize her. After all, they hadn't seen her in nearly six years. She finished her kata and returned to the house. As she walked inside she found Severus standing in front of her.

“Good morning Professor Snape. I must apologize for my behavior last night. I was tired and angry. I was hoping you three would have arrived earlier and we could have talked about what I‘m doing here.” Hermione said.

“Apology accepted Madame. But don’t get it in your head that you can just order me about as you please.” Severus snarled.

“Now you listen to me Snape. We aren’t in your classroom. I’m giving the orders here not you. You are here to help, nothing more. You can’t bully me anymore so don’t try it.” Hermione growled.

Severus was left growling as the young witch turned and walked upstairs. Severus spun on his heel and headed for the kitchen. He quickly found everything he needed and began making his morning coffee. A few minutes later Black and Lupin joined him fully dressed for the day.

“Any sign of our hostess?” Remus asked.

“You mean that little bitch how thinks she queen of the whole god damned world?” Severus hissed.

“I see you’ve shown her your charms again Snivillus.” Black said.

“Fuck you!” Severus yelled.

Both wizards jumped to their feet. Their chairs fell to the floor and their wands were pointed at each other’s throat.

“EXPELLIARMUS! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!” Hermione roared as both Severus and Sirius’s wands flew into her hands.

“Snape, Black, sit your asses back down this minute!” she yelled.

Reluctantly both wizards sat down. Hermione was furious. Albus had told her this would be difficult having Sirius and Severus in the same house, but she sure didn’t expect this. She glared at all three of them.

“You two are acting like spoiled children. You Remus. Why didn’t you stop them? What were you waiting for? The first curse to be thrown! Now you two listen to me and listen good. If I EVER catch you turning your wands on one another again, you will be leaving this house as a pin cushion! Is that clear!” Hermione yelled.

“How dare you! No one tells me what to do, let alone threaten me! I didn’t want this little mission of Albus’s! I would much rather be back at Hogwarts than helping a little chit of a witch!” Severus growled.

“Believe me, I don’t want you here! I’m doing just fine on the research and don’t need your input! This was Albus’s idea not mine! Not sit your ass back down and I will explain everything to you!” she screamed.

Hermione and Severus continued to glare at one another for a good five minutes before Severus retook his seat. Hermione threw him and Sirius back their wands while she went to pour herself a cup of coffee. She then sat at the head of the table, took a sip of the black liquid then spoke.

“Six years ago Albus sent me here. I have been researching on different spells and potion to help the light. A year ago I made a break through. I found an ancient potion that Merlin himself had made for King Arthur and his army. This potion would protect whoever drank it from the Unforgivables. The potion needed to be modified and that’s what I’m working on.” Hermione explained.

“There is no such potion you little twit.” Severus snarled.

“Obviously you don’t know everything about potions then you giant bat. Anyway, I almost have the calculations and ingredients finished. Albus seems to think that your help might be required. Remus, you and Sirius are simply here to make sure no one finds us. If Voldemort and the Death Eaters get their hands on this research, we are all seriously screwed.” Hermione continued.

The three wizards sat in silence. Severus was fuming. Remus and Sirius couldn’t believe what she had told them. A potion that protected against the Unforgivables?

‘Who does this little bitch think she is? But there’s something familiar about her. But what?’ Severus thought.

“Madam, who are you? You know our names, but we don’t know yours.” Remus asked.

“It’s me Remey.” Hermione said with a smile.

“Hermione?” Remus gasped.

Hermione smiled and nodded. Sirius and Remus rushed to her and hugged her. Severus sat frozen. He was helping the insufferable know-it-all Granger! He got up and stormed out of the room. He quickly walked out onto the moor.

‘Granger! What are you playing at Albus! You’ll be lucky if the little upstart is brought back alive! I can’t believe I’m helping that thorn in my side!’ Severus thought angrily.

“Severus. Hermione wants you to meet her in the lab. She wants to begin.” Remus said as he and Sirius walked outside.

Severus swept past them his robes swirling around him. He quickly found the lab and stormed in. Hermione was seated at her desk writing away in a notebook. Severus stopped in front of her an immediately went off.

“Look here you little know-it-all, you will not order me around! You are a child playing a game in which you don’t know the rules! I will be taking charge of this little project! I’m the Potions Master not you!” Severus yelled.

“Are you finished?” Hermione asked in a bored tone as she continued writing.

“Did you even hear me!” Severus roared.

“Yes. Just so you know Snape, I am a Potions Mistress. Look for yourself.” she replied as she pointed over her shoulder at the wall.

Severus saw the certificate. She was indeed a Potions Mistress.

“As for this game as you so eloquently put it. I do know the rules. Better than you know. YOU will not be taking charge of this potion. It is mine and mine alone. Now, start by grabbing those notebooks on the table and begin getting caught up on the potion, it’s properties and the modifications I’ve been working on.” she instructed.

Severus had had enough. Hermione sat her quill down, got up and began moving toward the bookcase. Severus grabbed her arms and threw her into the wall and pinned her there.

“Listen here you little bitch. You have no idea what is going on in this war. You’ve been sheltered from it. You’ve been locked away for six years. I have been out there risking my life for the Order. Not you.” Severus hissed.

In the blink of an eye Hermione threw him off her and punched him so hard he fell to the ground. Before he could get up, she used wandless magic and cast the binding spell on him. He crouched over him.

“I know very well what is going on in the war. I haven’t been locked here for the past six years. I can come and go as I please. Albus has sent me out on missions as well Snape. The potion is just one of the many things I’ve been doing for the Order. I’ve been out fighting that fucker Voldemort and his followers too. Only no one but Albus know what I’ve been doing. So, I’m going to release you now. You will then begin reading those books and notebooks so you are up to speed with my work.” Hermione said.

Severus simply glared menacingly at her. Hermione stood up, removed the spell, walked over to the bookcase, grabbed the book she needed and returned to her desk. Severus conjured a chair, sat at the table and began reading what was there.

For the rest of the day Severus and Hermione didn’t speak. That night Hermione stood on her balcony and listened to the waves crashing against the cliffs and staring at the stars above.

“This is going to be disastrous. Albus what the fuck were you thinking by sending him here?” Hermione asked the stars.

T.B.C

Author's Note: Be Warned! In the next chapter there will be a rape scene! No Severus isn't the one. You have been warned!