Doppelganger

Chapter 22 Interlude

Severus woke up and felt Hermione beside him her body spooned against him and her arm thrown around him. Her carefully moved her arm away and turned around to look to her.

He watched her as she lay there in sleep. He was once again amazed that she had chosen him and every time that he looked to her he felt his burdens lift and a feeling of love replace it. She was the drink of water that a thirsty man in the desert desired and yearned for and could not get enough of. He ran his long fingers through her hair as he watched Hermione's eyes fluttered for a moment and then opened.

"Severus." She sighed out enjoying his touch.

"Hermione." He whispered as his fingers traced down her neck as he began to kiss her breast.

"Oh Severus don't stop." She moaned as he began to lick her nipples.

"Never Hermione. Do you like it?" He asked as he began to kiss her navel and move downwards.

"Oh Merlin yes!" She moaned out as she felt him move downward toward her quim and began to expertly lick. "And now Hermione?" He murmured as he continued as he snaked his hands down and grabbed her ass and forced her to arch up.

"Severus…I…" She shouted out as he brought her to orgasm. "Oh my god!" She shouted out.

Severus moved up until his cock was placed at her entrance. "No Hermione it is just me and I am not God. I want to feel you wrapped around me. " Growling as he plunged into her as he moved to kiss her deeply.

He began to move rhythmically as she matched his thrust. "You are heaven to me Hermione." He whispered out as a light sheen of sweat covered his body. "Do you feel it?"

"Oh yes Severus!" She shouted out as he filled her completely as he looked into her eyes.

He slowed his strokes to enjoy the feeling of her wrapped around him. "This feels so right Hermione and I do love you with all that I am."

Soon he was pulled into heaven. "Hermione!" He moaned out as he quickened and felt himself release into her.

He looked to her as he came and noticed the same bliss in her eyes as he rolled off her and gathered her into his arms.

"I've missed you very much Hermione." He whispered to her as he felt her press her back against him.

"And I have missed you too Severus. Every time we are together something just seems to get in the way. The Fates are cruel."

He chuckled as he absently rubbed his hand along her side with a light trace. "When all of this plays out I will never leave your side."

"Not even to use the lavatory? Speaking of which I really need to use it." Unwrapping his arms from around her and scooting out of the bed, heading for the loo.

This morning had been rather nice he reflected as continued to lie in bed. Hermione had brought out the deepest feelings in him. He had never believed that he would get over Lily or even fall in love again. And yet the witch brought out the most intense feelings that he had ever experienced. His survival was unlikely and that saddened him somewhat as he had never thought much about the future as he had nothing to live for.

He heard her voice float out of the bath chambers. "I love you too Severus. Come in here so I can remind you of what you have to live for."

He had forgotten the strange connection that they shared that linked their thoughts. He padded across the room and went into his bath and saw that Hermione was already in the shower. Joining her he gathered up a bar of soap and lathered up her body.

"I am thinking some very naughty thoughts Mrs. Snape."

"Hmmm. Sandalwood and spice. So that is the scent of you." Breathing in deeply as she took the bar of soap from his hands and began to lather up her husband. She pressed closer to him her finger trailing to where his bum started and pushed her finger against his hole. He shuddered as he jumped slightly and felt his cock twitch. He looked at her with surprise.

"I may be having some naughty thoughts as well Mr. Snape and why the look of surprise? I told you that I read some books." She lustily told him.

"Oh really?" He purred back as he took the bar of soap and lathered his hand and began rubbing her clit and enjoyed the sound of her moans. "Did the book mention that?"

"No husband but the book did mention this." As she lathered his cock and began moving her hand up and down the shaft and used her other hand to gently wash his balls.

"Hermione…." He began and was interrupted by the voice of the headmaster. "Severus I need to speak to you."

"Damn!" Severus growled as he released his wife and quickly washed the soap from his body. "Finish your shower Hermione and I will see to Albus. Perhaps you can show me this book later."

Hermione looked to Severus huskily. "I promise I will be doing a lot more than just showing."

Severus chuckled at the wantonness of his wife as he dried himself off and quickly dressed into his normal teaching robes and walked into his outer chambers to see that Albus had already made himself comfortable and was holding a cup of tea.

"I hope I did not catch you at an inopportune moment Severus." Albus replied with a slight twinkle in his eyes.

He looked to the Headmaster darkly as he poured himself a cup of tea and sat down. "Enough chit chat Albus. Why are you here?"

"Voldemort left survivors this time. I fear that he is ready to make his move and there is one thing stopping him."

Severus dark glare changed to one of interest. "And what is that Albus?"

"Me. And I will be taken out of the picture so to speak in one month's time." Albus somberly replied as he absent-mindedly stroked his beard. "Why don't you call Hermione in so that we can all discuss this as I have a task for you both."

Severus went to the door of his bed chambers and called out. "Hermione Albus wishes to speak to you. He has a task for us to complete."

Hermione came out dressed in Severus's clothes. "I'm sorry Severus but I have none of my own here."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Hermione you are a witch. You could have conjured some up."

Hermione looked embarrassed for a moment but then felt a little mischievous. She pointed a finger to her husband. "Mr. Snape you are well out of line. Ten points from Slytherin and detention tonight. I have some tasks that you might be willing to complete." Winking at him.

Severus just glared at her while Albus clapped his hands and laughed. "Severus your House is in the red already and the students have not arrived. Hermione as this is the day that the students are arriving back House Points are active again. And while most professors do not have their spouses here, those that reside here have the power to take points as it ensures that the students give them the same respect as those they are married to. Please remember that while your husband attends to his detention."

"Oh!" Hermione murmured as she looked to her husband glaring at her. "Well Severus I hope that you perform admirably during detention."

"I'll show you just how well wife." He thought to her using their link.

"I really hope so." She thought back.

Albus broke the silence. "Well now that I have you both here I was just discussing my imminent death. It seems that Alice has been ordered to poison me exactly one month after schools starts."

Hermione gasped out in shock. "We must not allow that to happen Albus!"

"No Hermione. I will allow it as it is needed to draw Voldemort out into the open. But Voldemort's snake Nagini must die before the Final Battle. It is a Horcrux and if it survives then Voldemort cannot be defeated and all will be for naught."

He pulled out a large old tome and placed it on the table between them. "I pulled everything concerning Horcruxes from the library as soon as I became Headmaster and realized the fascination that Tom Riddle had with them. You need to read it to understand how to kill the one residing in the snake. Horcruxes were never supposed to be made with living creatures."

Hermione eyed the book warily as the Headmaster continued. "Severus I need you to bring Hermione to the staff meeting as she will be apprenticing to Professor McGonagall in Transfiguration. As professors can choose their apprentices I am not required to get the Governor's approval. I want you to tell him that it is indeed the true Hermione Granger. Alice will see that and report to him. Then you can report later and verify that it is true as you tended her wounds so long ago."

"It will put her into even more danger Albus if he becomes aware that I have access to her. He might command me to bring her to him."

"I'm sure that you will find a way to dissuade him Severus. I am hoping to delay my inevitable poisoning as we gather our forces."

"I must protest Albus." He roared out.

Hermione grasped his hand. "Severus you must do this. If you are called to bring me to him we'll address it later."

He looked to her in anger and said nothing as Albus pulled out his time piece. "Welcoming staff meeting is in two hours."

Albus stood up and looked to him sadly. "I know that I ask so much of you Severus but the end is in sight and we must work towards that."

&*(^

Severus stood outside the gates waiting for Hermione to arrive. They had carefully choreographed her arrival as Severus felt that he needed a true memory to present to his master as he did not want the Dark Lord in his mind any longer than he needed to be. He willed himself to be exactly as he was to her five years ago.

He watched her walk up to the gates dressed in the blue robes of a Transfiguration apprentice.

"Miss. Granger." Greeting her with a cold voice. "I know that you died and I am not convinced that you are she. How did you survive as I saw your dead cold body in the infirmary?"

"Just open the gates you snake. I am surprised that Professor Dumbledore allowed you to stay." She growled out in anger.

"I am not opening these gates until you prove to me that you are truly Hermione Granger, Know It All and personal pet of McGonagall."

"Fine you bastard." She shrilled out as she lifted up her robes and revealing the scars from her ordeal. "You should recognize them as you healed them so that Voldemort could play with me."

"There are more there than I remember." He snarled back to her.

"Honestly what part of "the Dark Lord played with me" do you not understand?" She huffed as she pushed the gate open herself and walked through.

He rushed to catch up to her. "Where have you been?" He commanded.

Hermione stopped for a moment and looked to him with hate. "You master must be losing his touch. Filch found me at the gates and brought my body to Dumbledore. I was almost dead. He managed to save my life and transfigured a bone into my likeness for burial. Then I was sent to the States and completed my schooling at Salem."

She began walking again as Professor Snape stopped her. Pulling out her wand she snarled "Stay away from me you traitor. Now that I am back I am going to tell him where your true loyalties lie. I am not afraid of you!"

Snape pulled out his wand as well and snarled out "Crucio!" Watching as she dropped to the ground and writhed in pain. He watched her for a minute before he released the curse.

"Not a wise course of action Miss. Granger and you should be very afraid of me." Watching the witch on the ground as he tossed down a phial of Pepper Up potion.

"Remember that you will be residing in this castle and as Head of House I have access to every nook and cranny of the castle. Even to your personal chambers. After all you have to sleep sometime. Now drink up!" He commanded. "I wouldn't want the newest apprentice arriving to Hogwarts with the after effects of Crucio apparent." He continued to speak as he sneered down to her.

"Speak to the Headmaster of my true allegiance and I will hunt you down and kill you. Believe me I will leave no trace of me murdering you. Your body will never be found." He snarled out.

She drank the potion down and looked up to him in fear. "Of course Professor Snape." She stuttered out.

He began to walk away and waited for a moment as she was still on the ground. "Get up you stupid mudblod as we have a meeting to attend to."

Hermione scrambled to follow him pushing aside her fear and the need to get away from him. She had forgotten how frightening he could be.

They made their way into the castle and went directly to the staff lounge. "Headmaster I have retrieved the new apprentice." He moved away to reveal her as the whole staff gasped in shock as she made her way and sat down next to Minerva.

Albus looked to his staff. "I am pleased to present apprentice Hermione Granger. She will be apprenticing in Transfiguration and I do apologize that I did not let you know that she survived but secrecy had to be maintained."

He looked to his staff. "The students arrive in a couple of hours so let us begin."

Severus watched Alice as she sat in the meeting her excitement apparent as Albus ended the meeting.

"Hermione I suggest you get with Alice after classes start so that she can explain what is to be expected of you as she is finishing up her last year here. A room in Professor McGonagall's quarters has been created for you. I'll see everyone at the Welcoming Feast."

Hermione turned and looked to Alice. "Please come to my room so that we can talk. I am excited about being here."

Alice looked to her. "I'm afraid I can't as Madam Pomphrey will need me."

"Nonsense dear." Madame Pomphrey called out. "Our stores are ready and it is your responsibility to talk to the newest apprentice. You two run along and I'll see you at the Welcoming Feast." Shooing the two off.

Hermione happily dragged Alice off to occupy her for two hours to prevent her from going to Voldemort until after the arrival of the students.

^&*(

Severus watched as the newest students stood in line to be sorted as Minerva stood beside the stool with the Sorting Hat in her hand.

It was a game to him as he predicted houses with the first years. It kept him occupied during an otherwise boring wait until meal.

Hufflepuff. "Hufflepuff!" The Sorting Hat cried out.

Ravenclaw. "Ravenclaw!" The Sort Hat called out.

Gryffindor. "Slytherin!" The hat cried as he focused his attention to the boy. He was tall for his age and looked around as though calculating. He would have to keep an eye on this one.

Soon the Sorting was finished and welcoming speech complete and the hall began to enjoy the feast. He watched as his wife sat chatting amicably with Alice and chuckled when he noticed that the apprentice was wishing to be anywhere but where she was at that moment.

"We will have to meet up again when things settle down Hermione. Things are a bit hectic around here during the first week." Alice told her as she stood up to leave.

"Thanks for the talk this afternoon Alice. I hope that we will be able to meet up again soon." Hermione replied as she turned to make her way to her new quarters.

This was the moment Severus was waiting for. He strode up and addressed the apprentice. "Miss. Dyson I need a moment of your time." Motioning for her to follow him.

"Of course Professor Snape." She replied as she followed him down to his classrooms.

"Ah Professor I see you have brought a lovely lass down here and not a student. Used one of my concoctions have you?" The portrait hanging on the wall asked.

Severus looked to the portrait. "I have no need of your concoctions Valentine and I require a word with the "lovely lass" in private." He sneered at the portrait as he released the wards from his personal chambers and motioned for Alice to enter first. He hated having the portrait in his classroom but even he had to acknowledge that Valentine was a brilliant Potions Master in his time despite the fact that he created most of the lust potions used now.

He finished resetting his wards and looked to the young witch. "We can speak freely here as I keep no portraits in my chambers and the wards I have set will not alert the Headmaster. Is the new apprentice truly the Hermione Granger that you observed in your mission with the Phoenix?"

"Yes Professor Snape. I am sure of it." She replied.

"Very well then." He replied as he pulled out his wand and transfigured her clothing into one of the Outer Circle. "Stay here while I change."

Severus walked into his bedchambers and quickly dressed into the robes of the Inner Circle and placed his mask on and walked back into his outer chamber where Alice stood waiting for him.

"Albus thinks that I am loyal to him and I am not. We must report our findings to our Lord immediately." He told her as he moved to the wall and pressed a series of bricks to reveal a passageway. "Follow me." He commanded as he walked through the wall.

Soon they were out of the castle and Alice felt him grab her arms and felt the pull of Apparition take them away.

They appeared in front of Voldemort and immediately bowed. "Severus, so unusual for you to come to me on the first evening of school and I see that you have brought Alice along with you. What news do you have for me faithful one?"

He rose to address his Lord. "My Lord the mudblood Hermione Granger is at the castle as an apprentice. Alice has confirmed that she is the same witch when she was on her mission with the Phoenix."

"Really?" He asked with interest as he stood up from his throne and walked down to stand in front of Severus. "You told me that someone must be imitating her."

"Forgive me My Lord but that was what I believed until she showed me the scars from the past. Look into my mind and see for yourself." He spoke humbly to avoid the Dark Lord's wrath.

Voldemort delved into his servant's mind and watched the memory. She had not lost any of her defiance and Severus had certainly put fear into the witch. Pity she was of tainted blood. Never had anyone been brave enough to turn their back on him in his house. He may have a use for her yet despite the tainted blood.

He withdrew and sat back down. "That explains the report from the American contacts that there was a witch that did attend Salem's with the name of Hermione Granger. Tell me Severus have you seen that American doppelganger of Potter hanging about? You know, the Colonel from the desert?"

"No My Lord. I've only seen that brat Harry Potter. You know that since he has actively started to take the lead in the Phoenix I have not been called to any meetings that he holds."

"Yes!" He hissed out. "I think that I need to make a sacrifice to get you into his good graces." He looked to the witch still bowed. "Rise Alice."

Alice rose and looked to her Lord. "You will do as I have commanded previously. Severus, Alice requires a poison to complete my command."

"Traceable or untraceable My Lord?"

"Tracebale."

"Quick or painful?"

"Oh very painful Severus. I want him to realize that he was poisoned. How long will it take?"

"My Lord the poisons I currently have on hand are untraceable ones that do not meet your requirement. It would take me six weeks to brew what you require."

"That long Severus?" The Dark Lord's wand arm was twitching.

Severus immediately went to kiss his hem. "My Lord most of the poisons required of me is traceless ones. I must beg forgiveness for not having on hand what you require of me. I have failed in your service."

Voldemort sighed as he realized he could not fault his Potions Master. "Rise Severus. Six weeks will be fine. Give it to Alice as soon as you complete it." It was only a two week delay in what he required. "You both have served me well. Go back to the school before you are missed. Severus I will be calling you soon."

They both did a quick bow before they left Voldemort's presence.

They arrived at the gates and Severus looked to the apprentice. "Why does our Lord require a poison for you?"

"You are of the Inner Circle. I'm sure he would have told you if you needed to know." As she began to walk through the gates.

Severus watched the witch go as he pulled out his time piece. Curfew was now in place and he decided that he would not disappoint the students breaking the rules as he transfigured his robes and walked up to the castle.

He was disappointed as for once he did not find any students scuttling about after curfew and went to his chambers to find Hermione sitting on the couch next to the fire with the tome that Albus had given her on her lap.

She lept to help him remove his outer robes. "You're back." She breathed. "I was worried about you as you took Alice with you from Great Hall."

He could get used to this. "I am fine Hermione and I gave the Headmaster in extra two weeks of life."

She looked to him noticing that he had not been tortured as she gathered her books. "I need to go to my quarters now. Minerva would not understand if I did not make it back."

Severus nodded his acceptance of her words. "I am well Hermione. Go on and remember that you did promise me a detention."