The death of a git, the rise of a hero...
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
27
Views:
13,353
Reviews:
41
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
27
Views:
13,353
Reviews:
41
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
An unwise request..
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Chapter 28: An unwise request
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Hermione grasped around for her wand, her eyes locked on the dark eyes in front of her, peering out of the darkness. Her stomach was jumping and her hands trembling. She blinked rapidly, her mouth parted as the figure behind the curtain did the same.
\"I\'m warning you.\" she began lowly, her eyes unwaveringly on the stony figure in front of her, the figure\'s eyes the only visible attachment. Her voice shook as she spoke forcefully, trying to remain strong and calm. \"I know so many spells that by the end you\'ll be begging for death.\"
The figure did not move, its dark frame hidden in shadows, and its hauntingly familiar eyes barely shown in the glimmer of light that came from the small break between the wall and the curtain behind Hermione.
Her first instinct was that this was some spy, getting ready to cart her off of to Voldemort. In this instant, she had the image of Snape writhing about at the hands of Deatheaters and she grew furious. She raised her wand, her mouth curving into a horrid scowl of hatred as her opponent did the same.
\"Cr-\"
Hermione lapsed into a curious state a moment, her dark brows furrowing as the figure in front of her did the same, barely moving at all. Hermione\'s breathing slowed as she moved closer to the figure, the realization hitting her full force.
Behind the large cloak like curtain, filled with its\' delicate pattern and breathtaking color, lay the coveted mirror of Erised.
Hermione\'s breathing hitched as she stared at it in moderate awe, recognizing its frame instantly from a book she\'d read in her first year. Tall and brilliantly golden frame, attached to two clawed feet at the bottom. She marveled at its ornate yet simplistic design and squinted as she read the small lettered inscription at the top.
\"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi\" she muttered to herself, her dark eyes taking this in a moment before she whispered; \"I show not your face but your heart\'s desire.\"
She never thought that she would be standing in front of it of all people, watching her own features contorting into realization. The figure she\'d been so frightened of was herself, her mirror image reflected back to her.
\"Oh...\"
She sighed relieved to herself a moment, looking to the image of herself in gentle patience. Her dark eyes filled with tears as she slumped to the floor, not able to meet her reflection’s eyes in the glossy depths of the mirror. She felt fresh tears coming down her cheeks, realizing that Snape only had this mirror hidden surely as a favor for Dumbledore.
She knew the damage it had caused to many, the power it had within its seemingly kind frame. Men had wasted away before it, entranced by what they’d seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it showed was real or even possible. It was to show your hearts desire.
It was of no help to her.
Slowly her eyes looked to the mirror, her heart sinking as a tall figure appeared behind her slowly. His features unmistakable, his cloak and face and hands all so perfectly accurate. His own dark eyes looking to her adoringly and she let out a small cry.
\"Severus....\" my heart\'s desire.
Hermione tore her eyes away and felt her sobs becoming louder, her eyes squinting into half moon crescents as she sobbed long and hard, her head falling into her hands as her body shook. It wasn\'t fair. It wasn\'t fair. It wasn\'t fair.
After a long while, her tears and sobs had lessened, and she felt enough courage to look back into the mirror. Severus was still there, seemingly leaning beside her now, stroking her hair. Whilst she couldn\'t feel it, she felt calmer at him being there.
She longed to hear his voice, but he said nothing, opting to sit kneel next to her on the floor, grasping her mirror image tightly to him. Hermione drew herself up to a kneeling position, placing her hands on the cool glass of the mirror.
\"Severus...\"
Suddenly a small toddler came unsteadily into the frame of the picture, dashing over to Snape and Hermione, his dark hair in all directions on his head, his dark eyes intelligent yet kind. Hermione needn\'t dwell on who the little creature was, but it only added to the overwhelming pain her chest and stomach.
She saw as Snape grasped the small child tightly to him, placing a restrained kiss on the child\'s ruddy cheek before looking longingly to Hermione once more. Hermione ignored the hot tears slipping down her face, her eyes intent on the family she saw in the mirror.
\"I\'m here Severus!\" she called loudly, her yelled turning into garbled sobs as she slammed her palms against the mirror rough and exasperatedly.
\"I\'m here!\"
She fell back on her heels, knowing that it wasn\'t real, knowing that Snape couldn\'t hear her. Knowing that she was separated from the one man she\'d loved, and it was most possibly permanent. Seeing her hearts desire in the mirror only furthered the pain and she had to cover her eyes to stop the tidal wave of emotion that washed over her.
Her eyes peered open a moment, watching as the three figures stood in the mirror looking blissfully happy. She watched as Snape came to caress her face, his lean fingers gently tracing along her cheek as Hermione herself watched intensely.
Looking to the hand of the mirror image Snape in that moment, Hermione\'s eyes widened in realization. A familiar tingle ran up her spine, and the wheels of her mind were slowly but surely spinning with realization.
She had a plan.
* * *
\"What did you say?\" Snape demanded whilst miles away from Hermione, his heart racing at Malfoy\'s words. The mere thought that Hermione was in more serious danger than before was not only startling, but it made him filled to the brim with guilt and anguish.
If she died, it would be his fault. He hadn\'t protected her well enough. Their marriage had been nothing but a waste. She would have wasted all this time with him for nothing. Yes, she said she loved him. Yes he loved her as well...but if he was to die, it would only be with the knowledge that she was safe.
\"I said,\" Malfoy said with a sardonic smirk, interrupting Snape\'s forlorn thoughts. \"That The Dark Lord wishes for you to see the death of not only Potter and his lot, but of your darling, Mudblood filth as well.\"
Snape narrowed his eyes at the term associated with Hermione. She was not filth. She was the purest of any witch he\'d met. She was kind and soft and gentle, and she had loved him. Through it all she had loved him for being him.
\"She is not my love.\" Snape said through gritted teeth, the words literally paining him to say. \"I was performing my duty for the-\"
\"Oh save it Severus.\" Lucius said with a sneer of disgust. \"Do you even know where you are? Of who you are consorting with? Did you honestly believe we wouldn\'t ravage your mind while you lay asleep?\" he tsked lowly at this, his grin merciless.
\"How trusting of you...seems that old fool has got you completely converted.\"
Seeing that he was cornered, and knowing that he was ultimately doomed Severus saw no real need to continue the charade. His blood boiled at the careless way Lucius tossed around Albus\' name, and remembering the man who had practically raised him lying in the Infirmary because of this disgusting lot made him furious beyond all belief.
\"You will pay for what you\'ve said.\" He growled darkly, his hands balling into fists within his magical tethers. \"I guarantee it.\"
\"Severus,\" Lucius said airily, evidently not worried in the least. \"You\'re not really in the position to be guaranteeing anything now, are you?\"
Snape said nothing, his dark eyes focusing on the horizon, his mind filled with plans and thoughts that none could tamper with. Though through all of it, his heart was heavy...for in the back of his mind he knew escape was impossible. He could only hope for a miracle, and besides Hermione in his life, miracles didn\'t seem very akin to Severus Snape.
\"I thought you might want to know the best part.\" Lucius taunted, waiting for Snape to bite. The other Deatheaters looked from one another, their eyes wickedly gleeful, knowing Lucius\' words were going to stun him. They would be the ruination of Severus Snape.
Still Snape said nothing, his eyes stony and his features set. He showed no emotion, he showed nothing but complete and utter detachment from the situation. This angered Lucius and he knew it.
\"Severus? Don\'t you want to know what\'s going to happen to your beloved Mudblood? Don\'t you want to know the details of her demise?\" Lucius asked once more, acting like a petulant child.
Snape was still.
\"Well you should…\" Malfoy continued as he leaned over, his voice wickedly excited at the prospect of pain his words would bring. Snape allowed himself one steady gaze to fall on the blonde man as he spoke.
\"…Seeing as you\'re the one that\'s going to kill her.\"
__________________________
author’s notes: I know this is an extremely short chapter, but as I was overflowing with e-mails pertaining to this story, I knew I had to write something! Thank you for all your reviews, and I swear I have not abandoned this story! Thank you again and cheers. holden.
Chapter 28: An unwise request
__________________________
Hermione grasped around for her wand, her eyes locked on the dark eyes in front of her, peering out of the darkness. Her stomach was jumping and her hands trembling. She blinked rapidly, her mouth parted as the figure behind the curtain did the same.
\"I\'m warning you.\" she began lowly, her eyes unwaveringly on the stony figure in front of her, the figure\'s eyes the only visible attachment. Her voice shook as she spoke forcefully, trying to remain strong and calm. \"I know so many spells that by the end you\'ll be begging for death.\"
The figure did not move, its dark frame hidden in shadows, and its hauntingly familiar eyes barely shown in the glimmer of light that came from the small break between the wall and the curtain behind Hermione.
Her first instinct was that this was some spy, getting ready to cart her off of to Voldemort. In this instant, she had the image of Snape writhing about at the hands of Deatheaters and she grew furious. She raised her wand, her mouth curving into a horrid scowl of hatred as her opponent did the same.
\"Cr-\"
Hermione lapsed into a curious state a moment, her dark brows furrowing as the figure in front of her did the same, barely moving at all. Hermione\'s breathing slowed as she moved closer to the figure, the realization hitting her full force.
Behind the large cloak like curtain, filled with its\' delicate pattern and breathtaking color, lay the coveted mirror of Erised.
Hermione\'s breathing hitched as she stared at it in moderate awe, recognizing its frame instantly from a book she\'d read in her first year. Tall and brilliantly golden frame, attached to two clawed feet at the bottom. She marveled at its ornate yet simplistic design and squinted as she read the small lettered inscription at the top.
\"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi\" she muttered to herself, her dark eyes taking this in a moment before she whispered; \"I show not your face but your heart\'s desire.\"
She never thought that she would be standing in front of it of all people, watching her own features contorting into realization. The figure she\'d been so frightened of was herself, her mirror image reflected back to her.
\"Oh...\"
She sighed relieved to herself a moment, looking to the image of herself in gentle patience. Her dark eyes filled with tears as she slumped to the floor, not able to meet her reflection’s eyes in the glossy depths of the mirror. She felt fresh tears coming down her cheeks, realizing that Snape only had this mirror hidden surely as a favor for Dumbledore.
She knew the damage it had caused to many, the power it had within its seemingly kind frame. Men had wasted away before it, entranced by what they’d seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it showed was real or even possible. It was to show your hearts desire.
It was of no help to her.
Slowly her eyes looked to the mirror, her heart sinking as a tall figure appeared behind her slowly. His features unmistakable, his cloak and face and hands all so perfectly accurate. His own dark eyes looking to her adoringly and she let out a small cry.
\"Severus....\" my heart\'s desire.
Hermione tore her eyes away and felt her sobs becoming louder, her eyes squinting into half moon crescents as she sobbed long and hard, her head falling into her hands as her body shook. It wasn\'t fair. It wasn\'t fair. It wasn\'t fair.
After a long while, her tears and sobs had lessened, and she felt enough courage to look back into the mirror. Severus was still there, seemingly leaning beside her now, stroking her hair. Whilst she couldn\'t feel it, she felt calmer at him being there.
She longed to hear his voice, but he said nothing, opting to sit kneel next to her on the floor, grasping her mirror image tightly to him. Hermione drew herself up to a kneeling position, placing her hands on the cool glass of the mirror.
\"Severus...\"
Suddenly a small toddler came unsteadily into the frame of the picture, dashing over to Snape and Hermione, his dark hair in all directions on his head, his dark eyes intelligent yet kind. Hermione needn\'t dwell on who the little creature was, but it only added to the overwhelming pain her chest and stomach.
She saw as Snape grasped the small child tightly to him, placing a restrained kiss on the child\'s ruddy cheek before looking longingly to Hermione once more. Hermione ignored the hot tears slipping down her face, her eyes intent on the family she saw in the mirror.
\"I\'m here Severus!\" she called loudly, her yelled turning into garbled sobs as she slammed her palms against the mirror rough and exasperatedly.
\"I\'m here!\"
She fell back on her heels, knowing that it wasn\'t real, knowing that Snape couldn\'t hear her. Knowing that she was separated from the one man she\'d loved, and it was most possibly permanent. Seeing her hearts desire in the mirror only furthered the pain and she had to cover her eyes to stop the tidal wave of emotion that washed over her.
Her eyes peered open a moment, watching as the three figures stood in the mirror looking blissfully happy. She watched as Snape came to caress her face, his lean fingers gently tracing along her cheek as Hermione herself watched intensely.
Looking to the hand of the mirror image Snape in that moment, Hermione\'s eyes widened in realization. A familiar tingle ran up her spine, and the wheels of her mind were slowly but surely spinning with realization.
She had a plan.
* * *
\"What did you say?\" Snape demanded whilst miles away from Hermione, his heart racing at Malfoy\'s words. The mere thought that Hermione was in more serious danger than before was not only startling, but it made him filled to the brim with guilt and anguish.
If she died, it would be his fault. He hadn\'t protected her well enough. Their marriage had been nothing but a waste. She would have wasted all this time with him for nothing. Yes, she said she loved him. Yes he loved her as well...but if he was to die, it would only be with the knowledge that she was safe.
\"I said,\" Malfoy said with a sardonic smirk, interrupting Snape\'s forlorn thoughts. \"That The Dark Lord wishes for you to see the death of not only Potter and his lot, but of your darling, Mudblood filth as well.\"
Snape narrowed his eyes at the term associated with Hermione. She was not filth. She was the purest of any witch he\'d met. She was kind and soft and gentle, and she had loved him. Through it all she had loved him for being him.
\"She is not my love.\" Snape said through gritted teeth, the words literally paining him to say. \"I was performing my duty for the-\"
\"Oh save it Severus.\" Lucius said with a sneer of disgust. \"Do you even know where you are? Of who you are consorting with? Did you honestly believe we wouldn\'t ravage your mind while you lay asleep?\" he tsked lowly at this, his grin merciless.
\"How trusting of you...seems that old fool has got you completely converted.\"
Seeing that he was cornered, and knowing that he was ultimately doomed Severus saw no real need to continue the charade. His blood boiled at the careless way Lucius tossed around Albus\' name, and remembering the man who had practically raised him lying in the Infirmary because of this disgusting lot made him furious beyond all belief.
\"You will pay for what you\'ve said.\" He growled darkly, his hands balling into fists within his magical tethers. \"I guarantee it.\"
\"Severus,\" Lucius said airily, evidently not worried in the least. \"You\'re not really in the position to be guaranteeing anything now, are you?\"
Snape said nothing, his dark eyes focusing on the horizon, his mind filled with plans and thoughts that none could tamper with. Though through all of it, his heart was heavy...for in the back of his mind he knew escape was impossible. He could only hope for a miracle, and besides Hermione in his life, miracles didn\'t seem very akin to Severus Snape.
\"I thought you might want to know the best part.\" Lucius taunted, waiting for Snape to bite. The other Deatheaters looked from one another, their eyes wickedly gleeful, knowing Lucius\' words were going to stun him. They would be the ruination of Severus Snape.
Still Snape said nothing, his eyes stony and his features set. He showed no emotion, he showed nothing but complete and utter detachment from the situation. This angered Lucius and he knew it.
\"Severus? Don\'t you want to know what\'s going to happen to your beloved Mudblood? Don\'t you want to know the details of her demise?\" Lucius asked once more, acting like a petulant child.
Snape was still.
\"Well you should…\" Malfoy continued as he leaned over, his voice wickedly excited at the prospect of pain his words would bring. Snape allowed himself one steady gaze to fall on the blonde man as he spoke.
\"…Seeing as you\'re the one that\'s going to kill her.\"
__________________________
author’s notes: I know this is an extremely short chapter, but as I was overflowing with e-mails pertaining to this story, I knew I had to write something! Thank you for all your reviews, and I swear I have not abandoned this story! Thank you again and cheers. holden.