Revelations

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Revelations Chapter 4 - Beginnings
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When she came to her senses she found herself once again on her knees and naked once more. A door closed in the distance then after a moment or two another opened and she heard Fred’s happily inquiring voice.

“Is there anything I can get the two of you while you have your little chat?”

Severus’s robes rustled and his chair scraped along the floor as he rose, “Actually, I had forgotten that I have a potion brewing. I must go tend to it.” He excused himself in an unhurried manner and swept out of the room with out another word.

Hermione was speechless. “What?”

Seeing her distress Fred came quickly over to her and gathered her in his arms. He pulled back a moment and looked her up and down, she didn’t look injured. “Don’t worry, ‘Mione. You know how Severus can be sometimes.” Fred’s voice was soft and reassuring. “He’ll be back and then we can all have a chat…”Fred trailed off his mind already on other things.

Hermione couldn’t help it the maelstrom of her emotions finally broke and she cried in Fred’s arms. He stroked her hair and murmured nonsensical things until her tears finally slowed then stopped. She looked into his bright green eyes and then kissed him with all the passion she possessed.

When she could finally speak she ducked her head. “I don’t think he’ll be back for a while. He did say though that he would love to continue our discussion in a week or two.” Hermione sighed. “Would you mind very much if I spent the time getting better prepared for having some fun then?”

“The term is over in just a few days. I was going to suggest that we take a holiday in Romania to see Charlie but I can give you some time alone and go on my own, if you are sure, love?”

“I promise that I will miss you more than you can possibly imagine.” Hermione said truthfully.

“Deal.” He returned, kissing her warmly then happily walked away whistling. He called back to her. “It would be nice if Sev could work on his manners, don’t you think?”

She smiled and blew Fred a kiss as he went out the door. She got to thinking though that for a right bastard he had better manners than she gave him credit for.

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The term ended three days ago the students were home for their summer holidays. Fred had left for Romania the day before leaving Hermione on her own in the castle. She had thought long and hard about the things that Severus had told her, the things he had shown her.

She could feel that awakened power with in her. She started to experiment with it a little and found that she could do simple charms without her wand. She had also found though when she used her wand her spells were more focused and therefore more powerful but also more dangerous.

Hermione went looking for Severus. She needed him to explain this to her.

She didn’t know where he was. She had scoured Hogwarts looking for him he wasn’t anywhere to be found. The potions classroom and labs were locked, as was Snape’s office.

Where was he? When Severus didn’t show for dinner that night Hermione finally broke down and asked Dumbledore where the potions master was keeping him self.

“I trust he is at his ancestral home in Wales. It is called Schlange Manor I believe.“Albus said his blue eyes twinking.

Hermione was pensive for a moment. She didn’t know that Snape went any where durine sue summer holidays. She had always thought he stayed at the castle during the summers as well.

“Thank you, Albus.” She said quietly. She left the table deep in thought.

She paced her office. Damn! What should she do? Should she go to Wales? Stay at the castle and never know.

Hermione went out into the early summer sun and began to walk to the lake. Intending to do some more thinking but soon found herself at the gates and apparating to Wales. It was almost as if there was something pulling her to him. She couldn’t explain it.

She looked up at the large house, not a house a small mansion, it was gothic yet stately. All stone and turrets but it had a feeling of being well loved and maintained. She stood at the head of a gravel drive. She took a few tentative steps toward the door then continued on more determinedly.

Large carved oak doors imposed on the doorway. The carvings depicted a scene where a maiden looked to be dancing among a nest of vipers. There was a look of rapture on her face that was exquisite.

Hermione shook herself from her perusal of the great-carved doors and raised her hand to the serpent shaped knocker, a winged Wyrm wrought in brass. The knocker didn’t seem to make any noise but a moment later a smaluse use elf appeared.

“Yes, mistress?”

“I am looking for Severus Snape. This is his home is it not?”

“Yes mistress, come with Ancillula. Ancillula will take you to Master.” The little elf hurried off.

Hermione was in a word, shocked. Green marble floors shot through with silver and gold lined the walls. The entry hall should have had a repressive feel but a beautiful rosette skylight kept it brightly lit. She was led down a long hall and through a simple wooden door.

Inside was a very simple room with nothing but a large pillow before the hearth. The walls were simple plaster but held not pictures or paintings. True there was nothing but the heavy stone hearth in the room. Hermione turned at the sound of the door closing behind her but the little house elf was gone. Hermione looked around the room again there was nothing inside but for that pillow. She walked the length and breadth of the room several times waiting for Snape to show up.

She had been waiting a half hour before she thought to try the door, which she found to be locked. Even the Alohomora spell would not work. She tried to ignite the hearth to floo out… nothing. Then she began searching for them and there they all were, wards woven with in wards like a tangle of thread. Normally she would have been working at the wards plucking here or there if you plucked the right thread the tangle would fall apart. This knot was perfectly woven though she searched the web of spell-work over and over but there were no weaknesses it was flawless.

Her shoes were beginning to pinch her feet and the revealing spells had made her tired. The pillow was looking better and better. Finally after much debate her feet got the better of her and she knelt on the pillow.

No sooner than her knees touched the pillow then the door slammed open and in stalked a tall, scowling, & imposing Severus Snape.