Hell is a place on earth

A/N

I have no beta so mistakes are my own

A great big thank you to all who have reviewed my work, Ejana and Barbara you are up there with the gods you have been with me from the beginning of this Journey. To all of the others you kind words have made a difference more than you could know.

This story is not Cannon therefore I reserve the right to take liberties as far as my muse allows.

Pease read and review if not me, then review another, it really does help. Thank you

WARNING THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL CONTENT BETWEEN MINOR (USA) AND ADULT M/F.

MY REASON FOR DECLARING MINOR IS THAT THE AGE OF SEXUAL CONSENT IN UK IS SIXTEEN. FACT: IN MY BIRTH COUNTRY SCOTLAND A 16 YEAR OLD CAN LEGALLY MARRY, HAVE A CHILD, LEAVE HOME ALL WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT BUT HERE LIES THE KILLER THEY CANNOT VOTE FOR THEIR COUNTRY NOR CAN THEY PARTAKE OF ALCOHOL UNTIL THEY ARE 18 I UNDERSTAND THAT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD IT IS 18 OR HIGHER

Thank you for staying with me so long now on with the story

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One month later

The potions lab was off limits to students for the last four days and three nights and a good thing too, for inside there was an almighty war escalating by the second and no one had thought to place a silencing spell. Any one who passed by could easily have heard the din. The Bloody Baron and Headless Nick were of course having ringside seats. All the other ghosts were present. Who would not pass up this golden opportunity? Snape was arguing with the Gryffinder witch and she was holding her own.

"How delicious" commented Nick to the others "this is better than any end of term shenanigans that they call plays?" A general murmur of agreement went around then The Bloody Baron called for quiet as the argument was reaching its climax

"What in the name of all that is holy do you think you are doing Miss Granger?" Hissed Snape "Do you wish to send the entire school to the Nirvana of Summerland’s, or are you merely trying to wipe out the human race in the shortest time possible. If cannot remember the amounts you should ask instead of trying to keep up your reputation as a little know it all witch" sneered Snape "It is a pinch of Echinacea this potion requires not the whole plant. We need to strengthen the explosive power of this potion not cause one of your nuclear bangs."

Hermione snapped, she could take no more of the sarcasm dripping from the velvety tones of Snape, tones that ordinarily sent her world upside down and around and around. No longer did she care whether she worked with this maddening wizard again. She let riP

"Why you self centred, conceited bag of wind," shouted Hermione

"What the hell do you think I did, not five minutes ago I asked you if this was the right amount of Black Sampson and you! you sneered at me, told me you had already weighed out all the ingredients, so naturally I thought as you are the Great Snape, Master Potion Brewer you would have got it right. Guess what it was you who was wrong!"

She was on a roll now and a herd of Centaurs could not have quietened Hermione. Not even for all the pumpkin juice in the magical community. With an ever increasing volume she fired a verbal tirade at the stunned Professor.

"I have had no sleep for three days, l can't remember when I last ate I don't know what the fuck Dumbledore was thinking asking me to work with you. He must have been fucking out of his head on fire whiskey if he thought that you could work with anyone. You are a fucking lost cause and I am no longer waiting around to see if there is any humanity in you plus I need to pee and eat even if you don’t you. I bet you don't even need to do any of these mundane things. I think the others are right you really are a vampire you don't belong here you would do much better with fucking Buffy!!"

At a loss to understand where this tirade had come from Professor Snape in his defence could only think to reply

"Your use of expletives only shows that you do not have a proper command of vocabulary, from what I am told of your late parents they were both intelligent and highly erudite people and you now do them a disservice by lowering your tone below acceptable standards of lady-like behaviour and if I may point out at his time I am using the term Lady in the loosest possible way."

"So my swearing gets on you nerves does it?" bawled Hermione" well guess what Professor the great I fucking am Snape I have one fucking nerve left and you my fine fettle friend are standing right on it. How dare you presume to know what my parents would think of the way I am behaving? If my dad was alive he would have taken you outside and kicked your teeth so far down your throat that that you would have needed to put your fucking hand up your arse to collect them and my Mum would have repaired the damage using every known method in dentistry without anaesthetic. You know what, I hate you and all you stand for" screamed Hermione while throwing a large jar at the body of Snape

So lost were these two in their argument they failed to see a black cloud swirling around them. At this point Neville Long bottom came dashing into the room his wand extended above the heads of the warring duo

"Expellimerous!" he called the cloud shaped mist bounced to the wall, catching the glass jar neatly in his left hand and still pointing his wand with his right Neville called "Stupefy" the dark cloud stopped quivering he pointed his wand into the neck of the open jar and cried "Accio" the cloud moved into the jar "Somorous" he called and then sealed the jar with a screw top lid He made one last spell "Incarcerous" magical beams shot from his wand thus sealing its contents for evermore.

Stunned into silence the pair looked at Neville as if he had taken leave of his senses. Neville looked straight into the coal black eyes of his professor and whispered "It is her, my cousin Lucia; she was trying to possess her. She was going to kill Hermione" with this said Neville promptly fainted.

Snape caught him before he hit the ground; Leave us Miss Granger I will deal with this."

"No way," replied Hermione I will not go he is afraid enough of you"

"I know this but for once in your life, witch will you do as you are asked."

"Why would she want to kill me anyway? I did not know her"

With absolute veracity in his eyes he looked directly at her and simply said

"She knows there is only one witch that has a claim on my heart and soul." Hermione felt the world stop she prayed that she could remember to breathe she stood still for what seemed an eternity her brown eyes locked with the ebony eyes before her, she could see the shining light of need burning there

"Please Hermione trust me you need to go for Dumbledore, what must be done requires all three of us and you can be no part of it. Go now my love we will talk later"

Hermione turned and fled to Dumbledore's office her heart hammering all they while playing his last statements through her mind. Only then did it register that he had called her by her given name. She inwardly hugged herself and intended to keep him to his promise.

Longbottom came around just as Dumbledore entered the lab; He waited to see what Neville would do. Surprisingly Neville was talking to Snape with no fear.

He explained to Snape that Del Rosa was the one who let the death eaters in to his parents and that it was she who made sure they would live in the mental torment for as long as their breath continued. Neville went on to explain to Snape that it was he who had alerted Dumbledore when she attacked him and he saw the whole thing including her death in his mind as clearly as if he had been in the room. He told Snape that he always knew of his status as a spy and had did his best to hide this from Lucia but he felt responsible for his attack, he somehow felt that Lucia had gathered information from his mind. Snape reassured the boy and told him that Del Rosa was the only one responsible for her actions.

Neville then shocked both Dumbledore and Snape by telling them that he knew of the dual nature of the prophecy and was glad that it was not he that was fated to kill Voldermont. He said he would not have enough courage to complete the task. Snape reply stood with Longbottom as long as he lived. Taking the shaking young hand into his own Snape directed his gaze straight into the hazel eyes of the young warrioR

"Longbottom you like to dance; now I ask you what is the most difficult position to fill in the Orchestra. It is that of the second fiddle everyone wants to be solo violinist but it is very hard to find the position of second fiddle and yet without that the music will not play right. At the last battle with the Dark Lord only you and Potter were left standing. You are one of the most gifted herboligist there has ever been. Remember this my young soldier no army survives on Generals alone. The need for we Sergeant Majors is just as strong for we are the ones to train and galvanise the troops. Never doubt your abilities man you are more valuable than you could know."

When Snape stopped talking Neville knew that he would follow this man to the depths of hell if he was asked such was the feeling of brotherly loyalty.

"What are you going to do about Hermione, she loves you"

Dumbledore saved him from replying by stepping further into the room

"Now young Longbottom while we are happy to defer to you in the field of mind reading and herbology I hardly think you an expert when it comes to the matters of the heart" he twinkled "We have a job to do and it will take the combined magic of us all to banish this soul to where she can never do any harm again. They all set to the task and when completed Neville asked if they could put a spell on him to ensure that what had happened could never be revealed. This was done.

Before leaving Neville turned to Snape

"It’s her birthday tomorrow she comes of age and there is no one to give her a crest. She does not have a family crest because her magic is virginal, without one she may be at risk. There is a party tomorrow night at the Gryffinder common room all who wish to attend are welcome."

"Understood" was the only reply that Snape gave him

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The Party


The seventeenth birthday of Hermione Snape was in full swing. All the usual suspects were there Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lavender, Cho, Neville, George, Fred almost the whole of Gryffinder house and surprisingly Draco and his henchmen were representing Slytherin, there was a strong contingent from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

The music was loud and merry, as were Hagrid and the Houselves though it seems they had help from a certain ethonolic drink. There was a magnificent feast that Professor McGonnigall was presiding over and Ron in particular was delving into the cheese surprises. Mrs Crookshanks was sat near the cheese and Ron turned to get the last of it and all he saw was Mrs Crookshanks purring and licking her chops in a most satisfied way. This caused great hilarity and to show no ill will Ron broke into song with a ditty about cheese. Crawling over to the cat that did not look in the least bit guilty he sang

You called to me to come and see,
You said you left it there.
Then you went to answer the door,
When you came back it wasn’t there.

What has happened to the cheese?
This I do not know,
Maybe someone ate it
Or it’s fell on to the floor.

The cheese was sitting all alone;
Maybe it’s a case for Sherlock homes.
I did not eat the cheese you can be sure of that
If I eat cheese it only makes me fat,
Bet I know where it is, it’s in the blinking cat.

All is now well at number 1, this is what we will do;
We shall go shopping and get some more for you.

Wherever that cheese went, wherever can it be?
One thing I do know it defiantly wisny me.

(Poem by Margaret Dickson, aunt of this crazy author)

The sight of Ron crawling toward Mrs Crookshanks looking as for all the world as if he would cause her damage caused so much hilarity that Ron fell on Harry who in turn grabbed Ginney, who reached for George, who pulled Fred, who grasped Lavender who got hold of the robe of Draco who fell flat on his bottom. Draco rolled over beside Mrs Crookshanks who then sank her teeth into the buttock of Mr Malfoy who in turn howled and ran out of the room leaving his dignity behind followed closely by his henchmen to the sound of ringing laughter. They were met in the corridor by none other than Professor Snape who merely raised his eyebrows deducted 10 house points and called to them to walk not run.

Snape entered the common room at a loss to understand to why Hagrid was doubled with laughter; Minerva appeared to have tears streaming down her face. There was a mass of bodies crying and laughing on the floor. In fact the only sane person in the room appeared to be Mrs Crookshanks who looked in distain at the rest and promptly strolled out of the open door.

Seeing his chance Snape approached Hermione and asked her if she would step out to have a private word. This she did leaving much speculation among the students as to what the "Greasy Git" wanted with their Hermione. Longbottom was the only one to make no comment.

Guiding Hermione to one of the ducats in the corridor Snape gave her a small package. Wordlessly Hermione opened it; she withdrew a small crystal shield that had four emblems on it to the north, south, east and west. The North showed a spectacular winged unicorn in silver, the south had an ebony laid leaping panther, the west displayed a charmed gold lion and snake sleeping side by side and the east was showing a dancing elf in red and Green.

"This is so beautiful, what does it mean?" she asked her eyes glittering with unshed tears.

"In the Wizarding world you have come of age and it is tradition that you be given your family crest in order to ground and protect you." explained Severus

"Simply by virtue of the fact that you were born of muggle parents and I can trace no magic in your ancestry for over ten thousand years it is safe to assume that yours is the purest and strongest magic of all as there has been no outside influences from any side." he paused and looked into her eyes and felt himself drowning in the chocolate pools he had to take a deep breath and force himself not to kiss her

"I have taken the liberty to present you with this shield that will guide and protect you and your line for all time, as long as they wish it to be so. You can change it if you like, you do not have to accept it if it does not feel right to your magical senses. I chose the Panther for your father and mother for the fierce way they died to protect you and the magic that you have. It is also a symbol from my line the Family Prince, The lion and serpent are self explanatory they are asleep but will rise should you need assistance and thus ensure that those from Gryffindor and Slytherin who are sympathetic to your cause will answer your call. The Unicorn represents the purity and strength of your soul and your magic and the elves would never clean for me again if they were not represented. It is a talisman that will come into its own should you ever be in mortal danger. Will you accept this Miss Granger?”

Hermione gazed into the ebony eyes she so adored and wickedly grinned
"I am afraid that I cannot accept this because there is a muggle tradition that I must do before I can accept such a bounty. It is normal practise Severus Snape to offer the Birthday girl a kiss when giving such gifts". As she was talking she enveloped his body within her arms.

"You are a witch, you have cast your spell on me" horsed Severus as he placed his arm around her waist enclosing her into his torso "you should be careful what you wish for you may find you get it" He murmured his voice silky and sensuous. All that was required was the detonation of a touch to set the fires of love alight. Her heartbeat hammering against his cheat all Hermione could do was to growl "Shut up and Kiss me."

Severus suited the action to her words. Her lips felt soft and warm as he moved his mouth tentively. Hermione parted her lips and Severus caught her bottom lip with his tongue deepening the kiss. The world stopped for these two who became lost in their hunger for each other. His hands roamed over her back, Hermione reached inside his cloak and pulled the buttons of his shirt open. She felt the thick mat of hair on his chest and felt the strong muscles of his torso, she pulled him closer to her. Their bodies melting against one another, their lips and tongues dancing in that most ancient dance of all.

Severus could feel her hardened nipples against his now bare chest; his erection was straining against his trousers. He felt he was going to explode there and then as she kissed her way into his soul. His hands reached under her blouse he caressed her tummy and he stroked her breasts over her silk bra, Hermione became more frantic grinding her groin against his, she could feel his hardness, his need of her coupled her own wants shot up a notch she felt a warm pooling in her own groin. Every part of her was on fire. She needed him but did not know how to get their fast enough. She began to tear at his back as he stroked life and fire into her breasts all the while she kept on kissing him, moaning and kissing, Severus had loosened her blouse and was teasing her nipples to a fine standing with his finger tips. His other hand had travelled to her thigh and was making an upward journey toward her panties. He stroked her groin above the soft silk of her panties and groaned as he felt the dampness spread underneath him. His fingers brushed over her clit causing her to moan aloud into his kiss. At the same time Hermione frantically tried to negotiate the waist band of his trousers. Only the need for air broke the contact between them. For a moment all was still, with his shirt still opened Severus stroked her cheek with trembling hands.

"Not here, not now" he whispered

"But Severus I want now" Hermione said while running her hands up his chest and trailing soft kisses.

"Dear Goddess" moaned Severus "Hermione, you must stop now. This is not the time or place" He took her hands in his and kissed them both palm side up, then placed them at her side

"If not here and now when" she moaned

"Soon" he said buttoning his cloak his hands still trembling "Dear Goddess soon"

"I don't think I can wait Severus, I have a need and I won't be denied." slyly she looked at him and purred. That if he could not fulfil her need than perhaps she should go to another. Hermione felt this was a sure fire way of getting her own way. Severus was not a spy for nothing; he smiled at her cupped her face in his hand and kissed her gently.

"Hermione Granger, know this my soul belongs to you but it is still my own just as your soul remains with you. I am with you now and always because I want to be not because of any other reason. If you wish to be with me it is because you want to be and no amount of my threatening you will change that. I want you the same way I give myself to you with a free heart and soul and if ever that feeling dies I would not hold you against your will. Love, Hermione is not an ownership of another but a free and willing offering of your destiny in the others hands. In short my little witch empty threats are no value, we both know that neither one of us will go to another."

With that remarkable statement Hermione realised that he was declaring his love and respect for her as an adult free to choose her own path. She kissed him to show that she chose him freely and above all others.

"You better go back to your party or I may be in danger from Longbottom who would have my hide, if he thought you were in any peril." laughed Severus

A voice from the corridor startled them "Its alright Sir, I have cast an invisibility charm over you but I forgot the silencing spell so I have been keeping guard I promise I was not listening, well not much"

It was only then that the pair realised how close they had come to putting on quite a show that would have put any end of term play to shame.

Longbottom was scarlet with embarrassment but continued "Do you want me to escort Hermione back to the party Sir"

"By all means Mr Longbottom if Miss Granger so desires" Hermione giggled and followed Neville.

"Sir" Neville called to the retreating potions master" Sir the Samhain Ball?"

"It has been taken care of Mr Longbottom, Never fear"

Puzzled but happy Hermione returned to her party with her gift in hand.

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A/N tried to fit in the lemons in this chapter but it did not write itself that way. Severus had better see to Hermione’s needs soon or he may find himself missing a part of his anatomy. That is one needy witch. Watch for next part in this saga.