A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED

Chapter 20 ~ A Conversation in a Cave

Hermione and Severus reappeared in what seemed to be a cave. There was a single torch, a table, a single chair and a twin sized bed. Toward the back of the cave there was what looked like a pile of leaves, slightly flattened.

Severus kept a grip on Hermione, taking both wands out of her robes pocket, then released her.

Hermione spun, frowning at his shimmer.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

Severus removed the disillusionment charm.

“Who do I look like?” he asked her.

“You look like Professor Snape. But he didn’t have a wand so couldn’t have disillusioned himself…plus you aren’t registering on my stones. I know you’re Professor Delaluci, and I have nothing else to say to you…so you can take me right back to Hogwarts right now. I told you I don’t want any reward money. Now give me back my wand!” she hissed at the wizard.

Professor Snape cocked his head at her.

“Reward money?” he asked.

“Oh, come on. Don’t pretend Professor Delaluci. You know you offered me half of the reward money if I would give you any information that could help you catch Professor Snape. I told you the same thing I’m telling you now. I don’t want it and I won’t help you!” Hermione said, stomping her foot for emphasis.

Severus smirked at her and waved his wand over himself. Suddenly his stone glowed and heated up. Hermione stared down at it a moment, then back at Severus.

“What did you do, Professor?” she asked him, “Are you mimicking Professor Snape’s signature?”

Suddenly Albus’ stone glowed and heated too. Hermione’s eyes went wide. This really was the Professor. Her heart leaped.

“A signature dampening spell. Voldemort kindly disillusioned me and cast the spell so I could go back to Hogsmeade and search for my wand,” the Potions Master purred at her, “However, it is good to know you won’t sell me out for galleons, Miss Granger. Now sit down. I need to talk to you.”

Hermione looked around the cave.

“Where are we?” she asked the wizard as she sat in the chair at the small table.

“This is a cave Remus Lupin uses when his transformation is on him. He has human comforts,” the wizard said, gesturing at the table and bed, “and werewolf comforts.”

He pointed to the pile of leaves. It was a nest for him to sleep on as a werewolf.

”He wards himself in while still human. He cannot work magic as a werewolf. It is how he protects others,” Severus said, sitting down on the bed and studying the witch.

“We know you are looking for the Horcruxes, Professor,” Hermione blurted out.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her.

“We?” he asked her.

“Harry and I. We know that the Headmaster planned for you and Harry to work together to find and destroy the Horcruxes and Voldemort,” the witch said.

Severus looked at the witch in surprise, then scowled.

“Do you mind telling me just how you deduced this…this theory, Miss Granger?” he said to her silkily.

Hermione turned her chair to face him, looking excited. She always wanted to impress Professor Snape, but felt she never managed to do it. Maybe this time she could. Excitedly, she told him everything she told Harry, about feeling Albus’ power after he died, how she always thought there was more to the Headmaster’s death by his hand, the stones, seeing him in the cave of the Inferi, everything. She wrapped it all up into a neat little package and looked at the wizard for confirmation.

Severus slowly shook his head.

“Miss Granger, there is quite a mind under those curly locks,” he said softly. “Yes, you are quite right. Albus did tell me to kill him. Not only did he place his soul fragment inside me without my knowledge, but he made me believe that he was dying because of being hit with a curse by Voldemort when he went to save Mr. Potter. Therefore, I blamed Mr. Potter for his impending death. He wanted to make sure we were truly at odds with each other.”

The wizard fell silent for a moment.

“I need to meet with Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and I need to be sure he will not cast the Killing Curse on me when we do meet,” the Potions Master said, frowning.

“Harry is beyond that now, Professor. He is angrier at the Headmaster than you. He wants to complete the mission. He says it is the only way both you and he can get from under both the Headmaster’s and Voldemort’s power,” Hermione replied.

“So, Mr. Potter sees Albus as manipulative as the Dark Lord, does he? Interesting,” the wizard purred.

“Yes. And to show you that he trusts you, he is willing to receive you where he is hiding,” Hermione said.

“And where is that?” Severus asked.

“Godric’s Hollow. It appears to be a ruin, but it’s heavily charmed,” she said.

Hiding in the open. Not bad, Potter.

“I see. Do you plan to be there as well?” he asked the witch, his dark eyes resting on her intensely, “You are, after all, our liaison.”

Hermione swallowed, feeling very vulnerable for some reason.

“Ah yes…yes I’ll be there,” she said softly.

“Good. That sharp mind is needed,” the wizard replied,

Hermione realized that the wizard was for the first time being complimentary to her. But then again she had figured out he wasn’t a murderer and convinced Harry. It had been work, but she did deserve some recognition for that. Still, it was a heady feeling to get praise from such a hard, brave wizard. Severus continued.

“But I need to see him as soon as possible, Miss Granger. I am being sent to check on another Horcrux this coming Friday. Ideally, he will accompany me,” the Potions Master said.

“So soon?” Hermione gasped.

“I’m afraid I can’t control the where and when of my situation, Miss Granger. It would be much more expedient for Mr. Potter to accompany me rather than have to travel alone at a later date. There are dangers that I will be protected against or have foreknowledge of…for the most part. His chances of actually reaching the Horcrux will be better with me along,” Severus said.

Yes, that did make sense.

“Wednesday evening,” Hermione said.

Severus looked at her.

“That is Sorting Night. You are head girl. How will you get away with that? Tuesday night is better,” the wizard said.

Hermione hadn’t even thought about that. A mental slip. So much was whirling through her head right now.

“Yes…yes I can get away on Tuesday night,” she agreed, “Is eight o’clock all right?”

Severus nodded.

“Yes. Just make sure to collect Mr. Potter’s wand before I arrive. I will give you my own before I enter,” he said, wanting to be sure he wouldn’t walk in on any surprises.

Harry was an impulsive little bastard, and Severus had blasted him a few times the last night they saw each other. He might not be after him for Dumbledore, but he could still have a grudge.

“All right. I’ll do that,” Hermione said firmly.

Professor Snape stared at Hermione for a moment, then stood up and looked down at the witch, drawing in a breath as if preparing to say something difficult.

“Miss Granger, did you ever believe I killed Professor Dumbledore because I was a traitor to him?” the wizard asked her.

Hermione looked at him.

“For a short time I did, when the act was new and everyone was devastated. But then I thought about how much the Headmaster believed in you, trusted you and…and cared about you. I didn’t think that you would just kill him like that. That there had to be something more to it. Then one night after the Headmaster was buried, I felt his magical signature powerfully…it was so strong…like a surge of power. Then I knew for sure something was going on…that he was still out here somewhere,” Hermione said.

“The night I checked for the Horcrux, I inadvertently touched the water and the Inferi drew me down. I was drowning…then a blast of what appeared to be fire burst from my body, destroying the creatures and I floated back to the surface and escaped. It had to be Albus,” Severus replied.

“So the soul fragment offers you some protection,” Hermione mused.

“Apparently so,” the wizard agreed.

“I wonder if you being a living Horcrux has something to do with that? An inanimate object would not be able to register danger or imminent destruction like a body can. Perhaps the soul fragment has a survival instinct and protects itself if made aware its host is about to be destroyed. If that’s true, then the Headmaster wanted to be sure you would be protected. Maybe even from Voldemort if he tried to kill you,” Hermione said, looking at the wizard with bright eyes.

“That is a theory I do not care to test, Miss Granger…though an interesting one,” he said studying the witch again, his mind going to the journals and all the witch’s fantasies about him.

“Miss Granger, may I ask you a personal question?” the wizard asked her, moving a bit closer.

“What is it, Professor?” Hermione responded nervously. He was standing so close to her.

“How did you feel when you believed I murdered Dumbledore?” he asked her.

“I was…was devastated,” Hermione admitted.

“At the loss of the Headmaster?” the Potions Master asked.

“No,” Hermione said softly, “At the loss of both of you.”

“You considered me a loss, Miss Granger? Me? The meanest teacher in the school?” he asked her with a slight smirk, “Your nemesis?”

“Not the meanest person in the school or my nemesis, but the most courageous wizard working toward the Greater Good,” she responded, “You gave so much of yourself to try and help others survive Voldemort’s madness. To lose someone as dedicated as you, Professor was a blow to us all.”

“But you, Miss Granger…what did it mean to you?” he asked her softly, his dark eyes seeming to look inside her.

Hermione shuddered. She couldn’t tell him how hurt she was, how disappointed. He had been the wizard of her darkest fantasies. But he was never a killer, never someone who would betray those he’d sworn to protect. That was the hero aspect of Severus Snape for her. The idea he had killed Dumbledore had for a time ruined him for her. But now, now he was back. As snarky, dark and trustworthy as ever. The wizard of her fantasies.

“I’m just glad you aren’t a murderer, Professor,” she said to him, “I’m glad you are on the side of Good.”

Severus considered her for a moment, then spoke.

“Miss Granger, I find it quite ironic that the only two people that have faith and trust in me are both Gryffindors, both from a house I despise in theory. Those two people are Albus Dumbledore…and you. I witnessed you tackle Professor Delaluci in my defense. That was quite foolish…and quite brave. I’ve never had anyone other than Albus put themselves at risk for me…and I am…grateful,” he said, lifting Hermione’s hand and kissing it gently.

Hermione quavered at the press of the Potions Master’s lips against her skin. His mouth was so soft. She had never dreamed those sneering lips could be so gentle. Severus held on to her hand for a moment, feeling Hermione trembling. Again his mind went to all those erotic, dirty fantasies written in her journal.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Granger, any act I could perform that would show you my gratitude?” he purred at her.

“Anything you can do for me?” Hermione repeated, her eyes locked to his pale face. He wasn’t scowling now and looked much more approachable than he normally did.

“Yes. Anything,” he said silkily.

Hermione stared at the wizard, her heart fluttering in her chest. Dare she ask him for…for a kiss? A kiss would be safe, but so delicious. But he probably didn’t mean anything like that.

“Anything, Miss Granger,” he repeated again, that smooth voice cutting through her thoughts like a knife.

Hermione’s eyes fell on his mouth, the wizard watching her face intently.

“A kiss?” she whispered, horrified that the words came out.

“A kiss, Miss Granger?” he purred at her. He hadn’t recoiled or frowned at her request. It made Hermione feel a little braver. “You want to be kissed by an old man like me?”

“You’re not old,” she breathed, “I…I just want to know what it would be like to kiss you. I don’t think you kiss many people…”

”No,” he said softly, “It has been some time since I’ve kissed anyone, Miss Granger. A long time for more than that as well.”

They stared at each other for a moment, Severus trying to decide whether or not he wanted to open this cage of pixies, knowing what he knew about the witch. She was already cooperating with him. He didn’t need to seduce her. But did he want to?

The wizard straightened.

“Stand up, Miss Granger,” he said to the witch.

Hermione stood up as if she were under the Imperious curse, unable to stop herself as she looked up at the pale wizard.

Severus looked down at her. She was so short.

“Pucker up, Miss Granger,” he purred.

Hermione closed her eyes and pursed her lips, trembling a little as she waited for the wizard to kiss her. Severus waited until she opened her eyes again, then leaned in, capturing her lips between his and pulling on them gently, then pressing against them, moving his mouth slowly and sensuously. He didn’t invade her mouth however. She was still seventeen.

Hermione let out a little moan as his mouth moved against hers. Ron always shoved his tongue in her mouth anytime she let him near it, but the Professor didn’t…and his kiss felt better and hotter than Ron’s ever did, open mouth or not. She felt as if her body was slowly being covered in honey and fire. When the wizard pulled away, she leaned forward, following him. But he straightened, looking down at her with his dark eyes.

Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at him. The hunger for more was clearly written there, and Severus felt himself responding sexually.

“Was that enough, Miss Granger?” he asked her, his voice deceptively soft.

“I…I don’t know, Professor,” the witch replied a bit dreamily.

“I think it best we make it enough,” he replied, “You are barely of legal age, Miss Granger.”

”In a few more days…I will be eighteen,” she said, the dreamy quality still in her voice.

“Is that important, Miss Granger? You are already the age of consent,” the wizard said to her, realizing he was teasing himself with the witch now. He shouldn’t be doing this.

“Yes, it’s important,” Hermione answered as if hypnotized.

“Why?” the wizard pressed, “Why is that important, Miss Granger?”

”Because…because then you can…” the witch began…then realized what she was about to say and caught herself, coloring terribly.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her.

“Because then I could what, Miss Granger?” he asked her, fighting back a knowing smirk.

“I meant then, then I can…I mean…l will feel more like an adult. I…not you. You know, able to do what I want…that kind of thing. I won’t be so restricted,” she said in a rush, “I won’t feel so much like a child any longer.”

“Ah, seventeen is not old enough for the things you want to do?” the wizard asked, his eyes flicking over her, “You feel that at eighteen you’ll be better able to do what you want?”

”Yes,” Hermione said, feeling some relief now that she had moved away from dangerous ground.
“Ah, that reminds me,” the wizard said, a wicked light shining in his eyes, “I have something that belongs to you.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small brown bag. Hermione reached for it but he held it away.

“I don’t want you to look into this bag until I leave,” he said silkily, handing Hermione her wand.

“All right,” she agreed, wondering what was in the bag. He said it belonged to her.

Severus handed Hermione the bag.

“I will see you at eight o’clock at Godric’s Hollow. I will be polyjuiced. You can apparate back to Hogwarts from here. Goodbye until Tuesday night, Miss Granger,” he said, running one pale hand over her cheek and smirking at her trembling reaction.

He’d better get out of here before she opened that bag. Her next bout of trembling would probably be with rage.

Giving the witch a small bow, Severus disapparated.

Hermione opened the bag, looked down into it and turned bright red.

“Oh no…no,” she breathed, “My journals."

She plopped back down into the chair and dumped the miniaturized books on the table, staring at them. Every locked strap was opened.

"Oh dear gods…Professor Snape has read my journals.”

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A/N: Ooooo wheeeeee! Poor, poor Hermione. Lolol. Thanks for reading.