Life Begins Anew

Chapter 26 Getting To Know You Part 3

Hermione sluggishly woke up, feeling absolutely horrid and stumbled into her bath chambers to take a shower. She leaned into the stream of water, enjoying the warm droplets of water falling upon her body. She closed her eyes and was instantly thrown back into her memory of her Dream/Bond or whatever it was.

It was so real. It was like she was the one doing those acts. And the blood on her hands as she was plunging the knife. The joy and the blood lust committing the stabbings, enjoying the smell of blood, watching it soak through the professor’s shirt. She shuddered, trying to steer her thoughts away.

And hearing the entire conversation between her professors. Professor Snape’s sister certainly wasn’t going down quietly, bound as she was. It was then her view of the defense professor went from just using her to learn to a true respect.

Still, her respect did not matter now. If what she saw was true, then Professor Snape was undeniably dead. Looks like the curse on the Defense position did not last a full year as usual.

She stepped out of the shower and dried herself off. She walked over to the mirror and looked at the face staring back at her. She did not look good at all, black rings around her eyes and a hollow look. Thank the Gods for Sunday. She was going to eat breakfast, talk to the Headmaster and stay in her room for the rest of the day. Hopefully, Monday will find herself in better spirits. Hermione snorted to herself. Who was she fooling? After watching/doing/feeling the acts to her defense professor, she was never going to be the same.

Hermione got dressed, absent-mindedly tying her tie. She knew that she had lost something within her. It was one thing to hear about someone being tortured. But to see it, experience it! She sniffled, and dabbed at a tear that slowly slid down her check with the sleeve of her jumper.

She jumped at the loud knock on her door. She grabbed her wand and pointed it to the door, opening it. There in the doorway stood Harry. She sniffled, wiping tears silently away with her jumper.

“Hermione!” Harry exclaimed as her wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight noticing her distress. “Please, don’t let Ron’s actions get to you. Time has passed and I thought you were over it.”

That caused Hermione to cry more. “It’s not that Harry! Something happened last night and I feel that it has broken me!”

Harry grabbed her shoulders and looked at her. “Please tell me Hermione! Talking about it will help you! I want to help you!” He pleaded. He had never seen his friend like this. She was the strong one, the one who calmed him down with logic when he wanted to act rashly.

“I need to tell someone. Promise me that you won’t push me away or think I’m crazy.” Looking up to him, desperation in her eyes.

“Hermione, I would never, ever think that of you.” He guided Hermione to her bed and helped her sat down and sat down beside her, waiting for her to talk.

And tell him she did. Her suspicion of being connected to the potions master, and every detail of the torture, mutilation and death of the defense professor. She kept the word she made about not revealing the link that the two professors were related. She had given her word, even if it was to a monster.

Harry stood up clutching his fist. It was just like the lead up to the Department of Mysteries.

Harry spoke slowly, anger in his voice “I do not know what the git’s plan is and why he is playing with you! We need to talk to the Headmaster. He can sort this out, I’m sure.”

“That’s Professor Snape, Harry.” Hermione absentmindedly replied.

Harry grinned. “See Hermione! Even in pain and distress you correct me! So, I think it is safe to say you are not crazy.”

Hermione gave Harry a half hearted smile.

“Hermione, let’s skip breakfast and go to the Headmaster.” Harry urged her.

She stood up. “No Harry, I need to go to the Great Hall and see him. I think I’ll have a better feel of weather this is just a dream or truth if I do.”

Harry grabbed her hand “I’ll go with you!”

“No Harry! What about Ginny?”

“Hermione, I took your advice and I confessed everything to her.” A dreamy smile appeared on Harry’s face. “Besides her sleep in day is Sunday. She never makes breakfast on this day.”

Hermione genuinely smiled at her friend. She was happy that he was able to work through his fears. “Let’s go to breakfast then!”

They entered the Great Hall and took their place at the nearly filled Gryffindor table. Most of her fellow students were there, taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere that the weekends gave.

Hermione and Harry glanced up to the Head Table and observed Professor Snape. He was attending to his breakfast with gusto, not even glaring down as her normally did.

Harry whispered to Hermione “He acts like he hasn’t eaten in a week!”

She drily whispered back “I suppose torture and murder takes a lot out of one!”

Harry chuckled at his friend’s comment.

Suddenly there was a bang and Defense Professor Sara Snape entered through the Great Hall’s entrance door.

All conversation ended. Everyone knew that their Defense Professor always, always entered through the staff entrance. Each student silently prayed that they were not her target. Wait a minute! Was she colored black!? Each student sighed relief as they noticed her glare was pointed towards the Head Table. Thank the gods!

Hermione and Harry was observing their potions professor as he noticed Sara’s arrival. They both noticed as he jumped up slightly in his chair with a look of surprise that was quickly masked.

So focused were they on observing the Head Table that they did not notice that the defense professor stood looming above them.

“Miss. Granger!” Sara spoke “May I have a word?”

“Professor Snape!” Hermione jumped up andunabashedly hugged her, body shuddering with relief. “Thank the Gods!...”

Sara calmly extracted the young witch from her and slightly smirked at her. “Well Miss. Granger! I must admit I have not had such a heartfelt welcome in a very long time! However, I am here to make a request of you.”

Sara knelt down before her on bended knee, offering up her wand up in the traditional acknowledgement of defeat in dueling.

Sara silently laughed as she heard gasps of shock from the purebloods.

She looked up to the young witch. “I acknowledge my defeat to you! Can you please put me to rights, as I acknowledge that though my skin tone is rather beautiful and probably reflects what most of your peers thinking of me being the darkest of witches, it would be most distracting to the students come Monday.”

“It would be my honor Professor Snape.” Hermione replied with the proper ending of a formal dueling request. She did not mention that her professor was holding a different wand from the duel. She knew that her potions professor was currently in possession of it.

Hermione pulled out her wand and stated loudly “Finite Incantatum!”

“Many thanks Miss. Granger! I assure you that you will not be so lucky next time!” Sara stood up and headed for the Head Table.

Hermione and Harry noticed the heavy bruising on their professor’s face and hands when the spell was released.

“Hermione!” Harry whispered urgently.

“Later!” Hermione hissed back “Watch!”

The Headmaster watched the exchange between the defense professor and the young Gryffindor. He had noticed the pale bruised look of the recently restored professor. He looked to his Potions Master. What on earth had happened between the siblings? He would get an answer later.

Sara sat in her place next to her brother and started to eat from the plate that appeared in front of her. Thankfully it was lightly breaded toast and water. A health replenishing potion appeared as well.

Sara uncapped the phial and drank it, daring her brother to make a remark. Thank the Gods that the house elves were so perceptive! Her brother remained silent, though he eyed her apphrensively.

Suddenly, a gasp was heard from the student body as Hades flew into the hall, clutching a wand and a pair of manacles in his talons. The doors and windows were closed. Where had the bird come from?

Hades flew and dropped the items into his mistress’ upheld hand and landed into the breakfast plate of Severus Snape, beak snapping angrily, looking up to him.

“Many thanks for retrieving these items Hades” Sara spoke to her familiar.

Severus pushed back his chair and started to leave.

His sister called back sweetly to him. “Professor Snape, we do have unfinished business! I trust you will attend to it!”

There was no reply as he left the Hall.

Albus addressed his defense professor. “Sara! Whatever has happened to you?”

Sara replied “Do not concern yourself Headmaster! I merely slipped in the shower this morning, nothing more”

Albus replied doubtfully “If you say so Sara. You still have a need to be away until dinner tonight?”

“Yes Headmaster, I do! I promise I will be attending dinner tonight.” She held her arm out and Hades flew and settled himself upon it, talons lightly grasping his Mistress’ arm. She stood up and exited the Hall via the Staff Entance.

Harry looked to Hermione “I believe you. Did you see that bruising and the pale look! How did she survive?”

Hermione shook her head. She did not understand it either. And her professor fulfilled her vow as students surrounded her, asking excitedly on just how she defeated the Defense professor.

Down in his quarters Severus Snape wondered the same thing, fighting the magics that compelled him to Prince Manor.

AN Sorry to leave it at this. We find out about the captured Death Eaters and their purpose next.