Vampyre

Chapter Three
It's Only Your Imagination


Hermione slammed the door of the entrance hall to Hogwarts behind her and leaned on the door, panting hard. Her hood had slid backwards in her flight from the tomb and her hair was frizzed beyond measure and wet.

"Dry yerself off," Filch said, appearing from one of his many hidey-holes, Mrs. Norris at his heels. "Quit making messes on the floor."

"I was not making a mess, Mr. Filch," Hermione contradicted while taking a deep breath of much-needed air.

"I thought I was rid of the likes of you, what with the war and all. What McGonagall needs to do is bring back capital punishment. That would do you and yer friends some good," the man muttered as he walked off in search of a house elf to clean up the water that was dripping from Hermione onto the floor.

It was at that moment that Ron put in an appearance, much to Hermione's chagrin.

"Bloody hell, 'mione. What happened to you?"

"Nothing to concern yourself with, Ronald." She attempted to smooth her hair down.

"Your hair is standing up like Medusa."

Hermione glared at him.

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

"Why have you been so crabby towards me lately? I thought we were in love."

"You thought wrong."

"We've been together since fourth year."

"Ron, we have not even discussed the matter since year before last, and I am in no mood to argue with you."

"Why don't you come and visit Harry with me? I slipped into Hogsmeade this morning and loaded up on supplies from Honeydukes." He gestured with the large bag he had in one hand. "Madame P is supposed to be making a decision if Harry is well enough to be let out. Good thing too. Seamus and Neville are arriving in a little while."

Hermione rolled her eyes and was about to come back with a good retort about how candy was bad for you.

"Good, there you are, Hermione," Minerva glided down the final step to the hall. She looked at Ron sternly. "If you will excuse us, Mr. Weasley, I would like a private word with this young lady."

Ron gave both females a disgruntled look before shrugging and walking off down the hall.

"Thank you, Professor."

"I gather Mr. Weasley was being annoying yet again."

"I wish I had a bag of spiders to let loose on him."

Minerva smiled and managed to choke back the giggle she wanted to let loose. She'd seen Ron Weasley panicking more than once at the sight of a spider in transfiguration class. The very thought of an entire bag of spiders was lovely.

"I have graded your N.E.W.T.S. my dear, and I am happy to say that you have performed well. Your score is the highest in over a century. Congratulations." Minerva handed Hermione a scroll.

"That is your graduation certificate. I have also spoken with Hagrid, and he is transferring your belongings from your room into Severus' old rooms in the dungeons."

Severus. Oh Gods. Those noises. Maybe she should tell Minerva about them.

Don't be so silly, Hermione. You know that it was just your imagination overreacting. You are allowing yourself to get too stressed.

"Huh?"

Minerva was looking at her, clearly expecting a reply.

"I'm sorry, Professor. What did you say?"

"I was saying that if you have a moment, I will accompany you downstairs and show you where the rooms are so that you can get settled in and start reviewing Severus' class papers."

Hermione allowed Minerva to lead the way, all the time wondering if she shouldn't return to the tomb to investigate. After all, the Professor still had enemies and for all she knew, they might attempt to desecrate his body.

"Are you feeling all right, dear? You seem distracted," Minerva said as she led the way down the hall past the potions classroom. She tapped with her wand on a tapestry of Salazar Slytherin, and it rolled up to reveal a section of stonewall that slid back. A heavy wooden door was revealed, which Minerva opened with ease.

"You will have to set your own wards," she explained to Hermione. "I had a devil of a time getting past the ones that Severus had set up."

The large room they were in captured Hermione's notice as it had the same herbal smelling odor that had clung to the potions master. It was clearly a combination study/living area that was dominated by a large desk covered in parchments. Books lined most of the walls.

"I know that you will like it here. This is Severus' private collection of books, many of which are rare volumes."

Hermione ran a finger over the binding of one of the nearest volumes, cherishing the feel of the worn leather.

"This is amazing," she said. "I knew the Professor probably had a collection of books, but I never expected anything like this."

Minerva led Hermione on a tour of the rooms, which included two bedrooms, a bath, and a small kitchenette as well as a dressing room area.

"Most of the private rooms in the castle don't have kitchens since we rely on the elves for food. However, Severus valued his privacy and did not want any of the elves bothering him so he created the kitchen himself. You are welcome to change whatever you like since you will be staying down here."

"I have to say that I am more than a little overwhelmed," Hermione said, removing her cloak and placing it neatly on an empty hook next to one of the Professors cloaks that remained."

"I asked Hagrid to see that Severus' clothing was removed, but I see he hasn't tended to it yet," Minerva frowned. "I will remind him."

"It's all right, Professor. I can pack the clothing away as I unpack mine. I'm sure Hagrid is excited to be teaching again this year."

"Well, if you don't mind doing it, I would appreciate it. And do call me Minerva. We are now colleagues since you officially have that." She pointed to the scroll that Hermione was still holding onto tightly. "Why don't you rest some, now? You look a little pale. Are you sure that you're not still upset about Severus?"

It was tempting to tell Minerva about the tomb and the heartbeat noises she'd heard but then again, Hermione wasn't certain that she'd heard anything.

"I am not sure about what I'm feeling." Hermione sighed, and dropped the scroll on the desk. "There is a part of me that just can't seem to accept that he is gone."

Minerva squeezed both of Hermione's shoulders gently.

"None of us can, save those who hated him to begin with. I still can't believe Albus is gone; but times change and we have to change with them whether we desire to or not."

"You're right on both accounts. All this is just going to take some getting used to. I'll be all right, I promise."

"Good. Why don't you take a nice hot bath and I can have a snack sent up from the kitchens for you."

Suddenly the idea of a hot bath to clear her mind sounded good to Hermione. A long soak would be good.

“I’m ashamed I didn’t think of that myself.”

Minerva turned at the door and gazed fondly upon her new staff member.

“I don’t think you will ever forget Severus, but it’s wise to let him rest.”

Let him rest. If only it were that easy. The greasy git had used some of the grease in his soul to get under her skin and wasn’t showing any signs of leaving. At least the memory of him wasn’t.

Hermione went into the bedroom, and began to remove her clothing.

“Gads, woman! At least go into the bathing area to disrobe yourself! Have you no respect for my memory?”

Hermione gasped and looked up at the large portrait of Salazar Slytherin that Snape had in the bedroom over the mantelpiece. The staid looking wizard was giving her a glare that was worthy of the house he had founded. He was not pleased.

She grabbed her robes and jerked them in front of her bare breasts.

“I didn’t think you could talk.”

Indeed, she had noticed the portrait on the wall, but because he hadn’t moved, she’d thought him inanimate unlike the gossipy portraits that lined the halls of Hogwarts.

“You thought wrong, young lady.” Salazar’s nose wrinkled. “I gather from your dress you are a Gryffindor, no less. What an insult to have a Gryffindor occupying rooms and territory that belongs to the sacred house of Slytherin.”

“Now see here, Mr. Slytherin,” Hermione temporarily forgot about being shy and wagged a finger at him. “I may be a Gryffindor but I will be a capable teacher for the potions students. Granted, I am neither as old nor experienced as Professor Snape but I intend to make him proud of me.”

“Tut! No one is worthy as Severus Snape. He will return to take his proper place.”

“He cannot. He is..expired.”

“Really? Are you certain of that?” The portrait looked smug.

“Of course I am. I saw the body for myself. I visited him this afternoon.”

“Young ladies should not be roaming around unattended in Tombs even if you are a Gryffindor,” Salazar said. “It is dangerous, and were you a member of my house; I would confine you to your room and take points.”

“I’m not a member of Slytherin and the days of taking points from me are over.”

“I don’t think Severus would agree with that!”

“I am not going to argue about Severus--- Professor Snape,” Hermione corrected herself. “I don’t speak ill of the dead.”

The dark eyes of Salazar seemed to blaze into hers and Hermione felt nervous at the silence that ensured.

“Just remember what I said. Stay away from the tomb. Now clean yourself up, and do something about that hair of yours.”

Salazar stomped out of the portrait frame before Hermione could come back with a hot retort.

“Blast and damn,” she swore as she went into the bathroom, using her father’s favourite phrase. “I am going to have to take that thing down. There’s something unnerving about the founder of Slytherin House. Just what did he mean, telling me to stay away from the tomb? I most certainly will not. Someone has to make sure Professor Snape is never forgotten.”