A Looping of the Scales ~ COMPLETED

Chapter 22 ~ Experimenting

Snape stood there a moment, then arched his neck downward, turning his head completely upside down as he examined one outstretched white wing. He twisted his head and neck to look at the other. Then he straightened and turned his head backwards to look at his back, hindquarters and long tail tipped in tufted gold. Then he straightened and looked at Hermione, his liquid black eyes shining and he let out a screech.

”Oh my gods. Your Animagus form is a gryffin, Severus! You’re—you’re beautiful.

Snape blinked at her, then outstretched his wings to their full extent and let out a cry of victory. Then he spun and ran into his bedroom, followed by Hermione. The transformed wizard stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that, examining his form.

He was snow white, accented with gold on his curved, predatory beak, which actually looked a lot like his real nose. He had almost catlike ears, tufted with white fur, and a fierce expression. His front half was covered in glistening white feathers, his wings sprouting from his shoulders. His back half was that of a lion, the fur of purest white. His claws and talons gleamed and he was able to grab forward with his front legs easily, the talons making the sound of metal striking metal when they clashed together. He turned several times, his neck feathers ruffling with pride at his appearance.

He then walked up to Hermione. Standing at full height, the gryffin was full head taller than she was. He made a kind of chuffing sound as he looked at her.

”It’s the most amazing Animagus form I’ve ever seen. Hagrid is going to blow a torch if he ever sees you,” she said, amazed. Suddenly, Snape was standing in front of her. He wore a full smile. His teeth were crooked, but it was a very nice smile.

”I did it,” he said, looking at Hermione. “I did it. I found my form and it’s better than any of the Marauders. Hell, I could have ripped any of them into pieces. I could have attacked from above!”

Hermione frowned.

”Um, I don’t think so, Severus. You’re not really a gryffin. It’s doubtful you can fly,” she told him.

”Sirius could bark and howl couldn’t he? James could leap through the forest. Why do you think I can’t do what comes naturally to gryffins if I’m in that form?”

”It just doesn’t seem feasible.”

Snape blinked at her, then walked to his wardrobe and grabbed his broom.

”I’m going to find out,” he said, walking out of the bedroom, followed by Hermione. “You can stay here and study, or read my books or whatever you want to do.”

Hermione looked at the library, then at Severus who was striding toward the door. His library was exciting, but this—this was even more exciting. Could he really fly?

”Wait! I want to come with you! I want to see if you really can fly in your Animagus form,” she said.

”The only way you can come, Hermione is if you fly. I don’t want to waste precious time walking across the grounds,” he said.

”Fly? But—but I don’t even own a broom, Severus. And you have to get advanced permission to use one of the school brooms.”

Snape studied her. She looked disappointed.

”You can fly with me if you really want to see what I can do,” Snape offered.

Hermione hesitated a bit too long.

”Well, you can’t say I didn’t offer. Leave me a Pensieve of your Arithmancy studies,” he said as he opened the wall and quickly exited. He didn’t even put on his robes.

Hermione stood there for a moment, then ran out after him. She was slowed because she had to close the wall and then ward his office. She ran up the dungeon corridor and saw Snape disappearing up the dungeon stairwell that led to the entrance hall.

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Ron was on his way up the marble staircase when he saw Snape emerge from the dungeon, carrying his Firebolt and immaculately dressed in a tie, white shirt, black trousers and shining boots. Wasn’t he supposed to be studying with Hermione? Where was he going? He walked out of the double doors onto the grounds. Then, Hermione ran out of the dungeon stairwell and out the door, too.

”What’s going on?” Ron wondered, hurrying back down the stairs and opening the doors, looking outside.

”Wait! Severus, wait!” Hermione cried as he mounted the broom. He looked up at her, then slid back.

”Get on,” he said. “Side-saddle.”

Hermione looked at him for a moment, then got on the broom. Snape pulled her back roughly against him.

”You have to stay close so I can keep my balance,” he said softly, then wrapped both arms around her, grasping the broom handle.

“Now hold on,” Snape said, zooming off, Hermione letting out a shriek.

Ron stood on the steps of the castle, unable to believe what he was seeing, Hermione letting Snape fly with her. She never let him do that. She said she was too afraid of falling. It was as if she didn’t trust him to protect her.

Well, it appeared she trusted Snape with her life. Where were they going? It was going to get dark soon.

”It’s not your problem,” a small voice in his head said. “Hermione can fly with Snape if she likes. Even shag him. It’s her business now, not yours.”

Ron blinked, then turned and slowly walked back into the school.

The little Voice of Reason was right. What Hermione did wasn’t really any of his business, although as a friend he had a right to be a bit concerned.

Yes, as a friend, he could ask her about it. But he was disturbed that she was giving Snape time that she hadn’t been willing to give him. What was it about the wizard that made her do that?

Ron frowned. The crush. Maybe she really did still have it. Snape wasn’t a teacher twice her age now. She hadn’t acted on it then, but maybe she would now.

Although he was the one that ended their relationship, Ron couldn’t help but feel a little betrayed by Hermione.

Maybe more than a little.

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”Stop shrieking,” Snape hissed at her as they flew over the grounds, Hermione’s cries attracting the attention of students who were outside. “You’re going to make people think I’ve abducted you!”

Hermione forced herself to stop screaming as they flew toward the Forbidden Forest.

”That’s better. Now, there used to be a clearing—“ Snape said, flying over the forest. He paused, hovering. The clearing was overgrown with bushes and small trees. He’d forgotten how many years had passed.

”It’s not here,” he said, disappointment in his voice. He wanted to find someplace private to test his form.

”I know a place,” Hermione offered. “Turn right. Fly slowly. It isn’t a very big area but should do.”

Snape slowly flew over the forest until Hermione pointed to a small clearing surrounded by trees.

”There,” she directed.

Snape flew down and landed easily, letting Hermione hop off, then dismounting, handing her his broom.

”All right. It’s supposed to be easier after the first transformation,” he told the witch. He began to think about his form this time, not Potter or anyone else. He felt the world bending again—

“You did it!” Hermione exclaimed smiling as the magnificent gryffin appeared again. Snape extended his wings, flapping them experimentally. He jumped up, flapping strongly, but simply fluttered and dropped back to earth.

”You might not be able to hover,” Hermione called to him. “Try a running start. Back up to the edge of the clearing so you have room. Try to glide first. Run, then jump into the air holding out your wings. Don’t flap! You’re going for a long leap at first.”

Snape blinked at Hermione. She really had some good ideas. He decided to listen to her and backed up until he was at the edge of the trees. He focused, then ran forward, leaping into the air and spreading his wings. He glided across the clearing, landing at the edge of it, spinning and letting out a delighted squawk as Hermione clapped her hands together, jumping up and down at his success. If he could glide, then, maybe he really could fly. But they were going to need much more space than this for him to do that.

She ran over to him, looking into the proud black eyes with a smile.

”That was great, Severus. But, I think instead of trying to fly, you should practice gliding, landing and—and trying to turn. Get that down, then you can try something else. You can’t do it all in one evening,” she advised him excitedly.

Hermione was excited because it appeared that an Animagus might be able to do everything his or her animal form could do in its natural state. She’d never read anything about that possibility. Only about the process itself. She might be able to present that information as a theory for her transfiguration NEWTS. She could use Severus as a living example, documenting his abilities. Since he wasn’t taking the Transfiguration NEWTS, he probably wouldn’t have an objection to it. She wished she had thought to bring a pad and pencil to take notes. Still, she could put the memories in a Pensieve and study it in detail. Heck, she might even be able to present the Pensieve in a cohesive form, like a documentary.

This was wonderful!

Snape nodded. He was glad Hermione had come along now. She was proving to be quite valuable, and she seemed very excited and pleased for him. There wasn’t a bit of envy in her eyes as she smiled at him breathlessly. He screeched at her again, then returned to the edge of the clearing to practice again. As he glided from one end of the clearing, Hermione made a small bonfire so they could see and settled down beside it, her eyes shining.

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Snape and Hermione flew back toward the castle just before eleven. Hermione had lost track of time, and was appalled when she looked at her watch. She was going to have to sneak past Filch. But Snape returned to human form when she told him she needed to go and told her about the special dispensation he had secured for her so she could study in his quarters later.

Hermione was thrilled and almost hugged him. Almost. Snape saw her stop herself, the firelight glittering in his black eyes for a moment. Then he transformed again and got back to work.

Now, they were at the castle and Hermione had to go collect her other books from his quarters. She hadn’t gotten anything done as far as her NEWTS studies went, but she had discovered a topic worth investigating, so was satisfied with her evening.

Snape watched her quietly as she collected her books.

She turned to him.

”I’m so excited for you, Severus,” she told the wizard. “I don’t think you were an Animagus when you were a professor. If you were, you might have utilized that form to your advantage. It’s very powerful.”

”I only wish Potter were here to see it,” Snape said wistfully. “He wouldn’t have thought himself so bloody fantastic.”

”You know, you really need to get past that, Severus. James Potter has been dead for years. You need to focus on your future. Not the past,” she told him as she hoisted her books on her shoulder.

He studied her.

”Yes—I think I should, Hermione Granger,” he said softly. “Again, I have to tell you, that you are brilliant. I used to believe Lily was brilliant, but she was nothing compared to you. Nothing. You actually flew in order to see my form in action, and you hate flying.”

Hermione shrugged. “I hate flying, but I love learning new things. I guess when it comes down to it, learning is more important than being afraid.”

”I don’t think you’re afraid of much of anything, Hermione,” Snape said, his head cocked at her.

Hermione flushed.

”Only fools never fear,” she replied. “Healthy fear can save your neck.”

”But taking risks can be wonderfully rewarding,” Snape purred.

Hermione felt very awkward, and a little warm.

”I’d better get going. It’s almost eleven,” she told him, walking toward the wall. Severus hurried past her and opened it, watching her pass before entering the office and doing the same for the door, Hermione blushing as he did so. Having doors opened for her wasn’t something she was used to experiencing. Ron did it sometimes, but not that often. Snape seemed to make a point of doing it.

”Would you like me to walk you to Gryffindor tower? I have no curfew,” Snape asked her.

Hermione shook her head.

”No, I’ll be fine. Thank you.”

”I’ll see you tomorrow evening, although I may not stay to study. I want to work on my flying.”

”That’s all right. I’ll go with you,” Hermione said. “I’m ahead two weeks after all.”

”Thirteen days, now,” Snape corrected her.

”I’ll be fine. Good night.”

”Good night, Hermione.”

Snape stood in the doorway and watched Hermione walk up the corridor until she disappeared up the stairs. Then he closed the door thoughtfully.

Hermione Granger was quite an extraordinary witch.

He was sure she’d do great things one day. Extraordinary things.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.