Life Begins Anew

Chapter 27 Healing Hermione

Monday brought renewal of classes and Sara altered her course schedule to heal Hermione. Sara had reflected of the information that her brother told her the previous night, along with her own observations about the Mark and there was only one Dark potion with a charm that would help Harry Potter weaken the Dark Lord enough to take him down. It required a witch’s virginity willingly given, and a wizard’s virginity unwillingly given. Yet, it would still be risky business.

Sara sat at her desk, waiting for her 7th year Slytherin/Gryffindor class to sit.

“Good morning class!” Sara spoke out as her students sat. She noticed that her brother still sat at the back of her classroom.

"Put your parchments and wands away. I’ve decided on discussion and practical’s today. You are supposed to be advanced, so writing what you learned after class should not be hard!”

Sara stood up and walked over to the podium.

“What makes an act or charm Dark? Why is a cutting spell used in healing is okay, but if I used the same spell to harm someone by cutting them, it is not okay? You can heal or hurt with the spell.” She asked the class.

Miss. Granger raised her hand and Sara motioned for the student to speak.

"It is intent Professor Snape. Take for instance a potions knife.” Hermione dug into her bag, and pulled the potions knife out of her kit and held it out to the class. “I can cut, dice, and slice ingredients all day long for any potion, for good use or ill, and it is just a knife. But if I decide to take this knife and use it to slit open the necks of certain annoying Slytherins that bother me, then it went from being a useful tool to a lethal weapon.”

Hermione looked over to the Slytherin side of the room and smiled evilly at her veiled threat. She shrugged mentally. She could not let the opening her professor gave her go by. Who knows, she might get a little peace from Malfoy and cohorts and his favorite game of “Harass the mud blood.”

Sara looked at Hermione for a moment and then looked over to the Slytherins. “Correct Miss. Granger. The difference is intent with normal spells. I suggest the Slytherins stay clear of Miss. Granger for a few days. Her answer came very quickly and she has been obviously dwelling on some issues with your house.”

Sara chuckled to herself as she clearly heard scrapes from a few chairs from the Slytherin side of the classroom. She knew that her answer was based upon her broken soul. The Hermione Granger from before would have never said it loud, even if she thought it.

Sara continued on “So, if intent is the only thing that matters when casting a spell, what can be said of Dark Spells?”
Mr. Malfoy raised his hand waiting to be called on.

This could be interesting! Sara thought. There was no way one could not notice the hate between the Head Boy and Head Girl. She had heard a rumor that the witch had actually hit him with her fist in her third year. She motioned for him to speak.

Draco looked straight to Hermione as he replied. “For Dark Spells, there is no need to think about intent. They are designed to maim, hurt, kill, and destroy. To cast them all you need is your will. If you have a strong will and desire to push forth the spell it will work smashingly. If you are weak, the effect is degraded. If you can push the emotions of hate and anger as you cast your spell, the stronger the results. Say if there was an annoying Gryffindor Mud…er student and wanted to punish her er, them for a transgression, I could use an unforgivable, say Cruciatus, as that is definitely a dark spell, and send it her, er their way, she, er they would be in excruciating pain because it was my intent and will and I desired it.”

Draco saw Hermione glaring at him and was satisfied that not only did his answer redeem Slytherin, but that he managed to unsettle her.

“Mr. Malfoy, that answer sounds like it comes from experience, hmmm? Mr. Malfoy is correct. It seems that Mr. Malfoy has issues with Gryffindor house. Miss. Granger I suggest you avoid the Slytherins as well.” She looked to the class. “Any questions so far?”

Mister Potter hesitatingly raised his hand. Sara indicated that the young wizard to ask his question.

“Professor Snape, how does a wizard become dark? Some of the things I read about in the Daily Prophet about the victims of He-Who-Must-Not- Be-Named are unimaginable to me!”

She noticed the almost imperceptible shudder from Miss. Granger.

“Mr. Potter! A well thought question, and I will answer it.” The defense professor replied.

She looked to her class and coldly stated. “Follow my answer well, for I shall not ever answer it again, and my fellow professors would not answer it at all fearing that would leave students to dabble in what should not be trifled with. With good reason because after all is said and done with, you pay with your soul!”

She walked until she was directly in front of the Slytherin side of the room.

“Some witches and wizards are brought into it because their family has practiced the Dark Arts for years. To gain influence, fear, and control over those they perceive as a threat. To impose their will on others is their goal. This type of wizard or witch is dangerous, and they control the darkness successfully for a number of years. However, there is a price and with each dark spell cast, each torture or murder, a bit of their soul leaves them, and the darkness settles in. In the end the darkness takes over, and the end result is usually death as the darkness does not care about the host. The darkness demands what you would say is evil. The darkness simply does what it is. Send forth pain and suffering among others. That fact would be well worth being remembered for some of those in this room. But do not fear none in this particular situation ever meet the status of Dark Wizard, as they never live that long to go to that stage.”
She looked to the back of the classroom and caught her brother’s eyes before continuing.

“Then there are those that use it as an escape, something that helps them to become stronger and prepared. That is the excuse one uses to justify at the end when they stand in front of the Veil. They are beaten by those that should love them, and they feel they have no control over it. They are helpless to protect those that they love that suffer along with them. They can’t stand anyone having that kind of power over them. They find a book or two, or maybe they know someone who knows about the dark arts. Regardless, the darkness promises that no one would be able to hurt them again. It eventually takes over as their last bit of soul, leaving them as a servant for the true Dark Wizard.”

She looked at her students, noticing that they were taking in every word she spoke.

“And now we reach the status that you are most interested in Mr. Potter. The truly Dark witches or wizards. They have never been loved. They think at a very young age that they are special, and unconsciously use their magic to harm. First, they kill small animals maybe, seeing if they can exert their will. Even killing animals, which have no soul, takes a bit of their soul as murder is murder, be it animal or human. They graduate to making the people around them suffer and become obsessed with imposing their will as a whole. Not to specific situation, but as a whole. After all, they are better, special. The darkness loves this type of witch or wizard and is drawn to them like a lit candle to moths. Murdering or torture does not faze them, as it is part of their being special. It might take years, but this type of wizard eventually falls, usually at great expense to the Wizarding world as it rallies against the Dark wizard or witch. Does anyone know why this happens?”

The room was silent.

“Not one guess? Surely you paid attention to the first week as I talked about the famous Dark wizards and witches of the past.” Sara waited.

The room remained silent as the students waited for the answer.

Sara answered simply “Love! The oppressed get tired of the murders and the torture that the Dark witch or wizard uses to impose their will over them. Shadow groups form with the intent of preventing any harm to those that they love. Soon, the Dark wizard or witch look for betrayal from those that they are most loyal to, seeding discontent amongst their followers. An epic battle usually ensues, ensuring decimation among both groups, but peace reigns once more as the darkness waits for a perfect host to appear once again.”

Snorts of disbelief echoed across the classroom.

“So class you are skeptical? I am not surprised as the power of love is grossly underestimated. While it takes a great deal to defeat a Dark wizard or witch, simple love projected with true intent can heal one that has not been overly exposed to the darkness.”

Harry looked thoughtful as he listened to his professor’s words.

“A practical!” Sara sneered at her class. She handed out small bits of parchment to the entire class.

“I will leave you for five minutes. You must select one of your fellow students that you think has never been exposed, or dallied in the Dark Arts. Pure at heart mind you! Keep in mind I will know if the selected student is worthy, as I already know who has and has not dabbled in the Arts!”

She set the glowing hourglass at the front of the classroom.

She walked toward the entrance and addressed her brother. “Professor Snape, a word while the students decide please!” She exited the classroom as her brother followed.

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Inside the Defense classroom

Soon the bits of parchment ended up at Professor Snape’s desk. The Gryffindors noticed the Slytherins huddled together in a heated discussion.

“They’ll never agree!” was heard. “We need a neutral!”

Soon Daphne Greengrass approached the Gryffindor side of the classroom.

“Gryffindor, we have a proposal that might just fit into your need of fairness. Oh, and it involves satisfactory retaliation to the Snapes.”

Ronald Weasley stood up. “We are listening, and it better be good!”

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Outside the Defense classroom

“Brother, how important is it to you that your Bonded’s soul be healed? I am not asking anything in return as you already owe a life debt to me!” Sara asked. “You know I have talked to her, and she poured everything out!”

“How can you do that which is impossible?” Severus angrily replied back. “We both know that it cannot be done!”

“Please! I am a Dark Arts master! I can fix a slightly damaged soul, along with a little help. But, you cannot be in the classroom, as it will distract Miss. Granger! You will have to remain outside. You must talk to her! One of us will be called soon, and her soul has a possibility of being damaged again! You must explain it to her.”

“If you can do this Sara, I will talk to her. But even I know once a damaged soul, always a damaged soul!” Severus replied miserably.

Sara noticed the true remorse in his voice as she noticed the use of her first name. She realized that the wizard was suffering.

The both looked up as they heard the bangs of hexes in the classroom.

Her brother started to open the door as she pushed him back. “Sounds like my class is taking care of their differences.”
She heard the ringing of the hour glass fading away. “Stay here in case you’re needed.”

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Sara walked in and noticed the destruction of her classroom. She looked to her students and noticed no one was injured.
“Will anyone care to explain this?” She coldly asked eyeing the damage. No one answered.

“Well, every one of you has been in my detentions at one time or another and you realize they can be quite painful. Speak up now!” Sara coldly demanded.

“Fine!” She spat out. “Everyone one of you detention, tonight 7pm! I have a few hexes you will not be able to deflect! It should be a rewarding educational experience! I’ll pass a note along to Mr. Filch listing your names.”

Still, no one spoke up.

“Very well! Let’s see who you have selected for our practical.” Sara sat at her desk and reviewed the slips of parchment.

“Granger, Granger, Granger….Hmmm Professor Snape? As I am leading this exercise and assume you are talking about the potions master, I am sorry he is faculty and probably beyond redemption as he does not meet the criteria.”

She paused as she heard sniggering from both sides of the room.

“Very well! Miss. Granger it is! Step forward Miss. Granger.” Sara spoke out.

“Miss. Granger, do you trust your House? And especially, do you trust me?” Sara silkily asked.

Hermione stepped forward and nodded her head in the affirmative, afraid to speak.

“Very well, Miss. Granger! Slytherin, as this exercise in love, and we all know how you feel about Gryffindor, I am placing a ward about you. You will be able to hear everything, but not project the hate you know doubt feel against Miss. Granger!”

She erected the ward and continued. “Gryffindor! When I ask you, you must project all the love, caring and well being to Miss. Granger immediately when I call for it! Mister Weasley! Miss. Brown! Are you able to do this? If not, you need to exit this classroom immediately!”

Both students quickly assured her that they could.

“Very well! Miss. Granger hold my hand.”

Sara allowed a little bit of her darkness to the witch and stopped.

“Miss. Granger tell us what you feel.”

“I feel exhilarated! As I have the power to punish those who torture me.” Miss. Granger dreamily replied.

“And who are they Miss. Granger?”

“The Slytherins! I am so tired of being degraded by them!” The student replied.

She allowed a little more of her darkness to flow to the student.

There was not a sound as the students felt Hermione’s disgust toward the entire classroom.

“And now, Miss. Granger?” Sara asked again.

“I will punish them all! Those who hurt me! Those who take advantage of me! I will see them suffer!” Hermione angrily replied. “They will not have power over me again. Never!”

Sara gasped out at how readily the student accepted the darkness. She pulled out the magical manacles that her brother thoughtfully supplied and quickly clamped them on Miss. Granger as she raised her wand to Mr. Malfoy.

All of the Slytherins felt the hate and violence exuding from the Gryffindor, despite the ward.

Outside the classroom, Severus felt the increasing darkness along his bond, fighting the need to burst into the classroom.

“Release these Professor Snape! You know I can make you!” Hermione felt frustrated that she could not immediately act on her need to make the whole of Slytherin pay.

“Gryffindor! Project the love you feel of family and friendship! Of loyalty to your house!”

Sara felt the feeling from the Gryffindors and entered Hermione’s mind and channeled them.

Hermione felt her professor enter her mind, singing an incantation that was beautiful. She felt her soul lift up, repairing itself. Even repairing the damage from her bond. She collapsed into her professor’s arms as a blinding light issued from the stone underneath the podium.

“Out! Sara shouted. “Everyone out now! Mr. Malfoy, get the Headmaster at once!”

Sara had noticed that the darkness exited Miss. Granger’s body and went to the stones. The darkness should have flowed back to her.

The students ran from the door as their potions professor entered. He felt they joy at being whole across his bond as the students suddenly exited in fright.

Sara gently laid the now unconscious with to the floor, moving the podium and studying the fading glow.

She pulled out her wand and incanted some revealing spells. A Horcrux! Merlin! She thought she effectively eliminated that knowledge before. She detected the portion of soul of Lord Voldemort residing inside.

Using her wand, Sara cut out the stone revealing a plain goblet. “Winguardium Leviosa!” She quickly conjured a ball of Fiendfyre and moved it to engulf the goblet. A scream was heard as the fire engulfed and destroyed it. She allowed the smoking goblet to drop to the floor as she knelt down to attend the witch alongside her bother.

Sara saw her brother grasp the young witch’s hand. “Severus!”

They both felt the pull of the bond as he held her hand.

“Yes beloved! I am here! I will always be here for you!” Severus whispered in her ear as the Headmaster entered the classroom. He moved immediately away.


“Professor Snape! What is going on here?” The Headmaster shouted.

“Headmaster, I think I found the cause of the curse to this position.” She pointed to the smoking goblet on the floor.

She noticed the look of surprise on the Headmaster’s face as he quickly masked it.

“Oh Headmaster! Whatever happened to your hand?” Sara exclaimed.

Albus looked to his hand. “It is nothing! What is….”

Sara gently grasped the blackened hand and started a singing incantation, pointing her wand at the injured hand. Soon the hand was repaired.

“Headmaster, however did you get this dark curse?” Sara asked. “And can you tell me how a Horcrux is located in my classroom?”

She noticed a look between the Headmaster and her brother. She suddenly realized that she had disrupted some plan.

“Sara, please take Miss. Granger to the infirmary as I discuss what has happened with Professor Snape.”
“Of course Headmaster.” Sara helped Miss. Granger up as she heard a heated discussion start between her brother and the headmaster.

“Thank you Professor Snape!” Hermione softly told her defense professor. “I am indebted to you!”

“No Miss. Granger! Do not invoke what is not needed. Go and talk to your bonded. That is all that is required of you.” Sara left her in the infirmary.

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Potions Classroom

Severus was miserable. Now he was required to kill a whole and healthy Headmaster because of his vow. He threw the half filled tumbler of whiskey across the room in frustration as he heard a knock on his potions classroom door. He hurriedly put his robes on and answered the door and saw Mr. Filch standing with the entire 7th year defense class.

Mr. Filch handed him the scrawled note as he motioned the students inside.

“Mr. Filch! I assigned…” Severus glanced at the note. While not his writing, it was remarkably close. Ah, a conspiracy between the snakes and lions!

“Thank you Mr. Filch!” Severus smoothly replied. He turned on the students.

“Avoiding another professor’s detention. Let’s see how I can rectify that!” He snarled out to them.

The students nervously glanced at one another. Maybe this was not a good idea after all.

AN Hermione is healed and now Severus is willing to address his bond with Hermione, but the Dark Lord calls!