A Crown of Thorns
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
21
Views:
9,343
Reviews:
99
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
21
Views:
9,343
Reviews:
99
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
An Unexpected Guest
**DISCLAIMER** All characters etc. belong to J.K. Rowling and I am making no money from this. Don’t sue because I’m sure that I don’t have anything that you’d want anyway. The basic plot for the story was a challenge presented by ArienAstera.
A/N - Thanks again to all who have taken the time to review my story, it is encouraging to know that there are people out there reading and enjoying it.
ter ter Six – An Unexpected Guest
The next few months went by unbearably slow for Severus. Graduation came and went and he watched in relief as the students and most of the staff left for the summer holiday. Finally, he was rid of them.
After dinner that evening, Severus retired to his chambers and began to make the necessary preparations. Over the next several weeks he worked day and night preparing lesson plans for the following school year, stocking the classroom es aes and ordering texts for the students. He visited Snape Manor and Gringotts Bank to make sure that all of his affairs were in order. Before he knew it, July had turned into August and the time had come to speak with Professor Dumbledore.
~~~~
“Come in Severus, I have been waiting for you to come and speak with me.”
Severus walked across the cozy office, settled into a chair and gazed out the window. He didn’t know where to begin. He had already told Dumbledore that he had been discovered as the traitor by Lucius, but being the sadistic bastard that he was, Lucius had not yet given this information to Voldemort. He had also told Dumbledore that although he had managed to continue to watch Lucius from a safe distance, he still hadn’t discovered anything new regarding Hermione’s whereabouts.
Turning to face the Headmaster, he began, “You know that Miss Granger’s seventeenth birthday is approaching,” Dumbledore nodded in acknowlmentment and Severus continued, “You also know that Voldemort’s followers are not allowed to take the Dark Mark until they come of age,” the headmaster nodded again, “Albus, I believe that whatever he is planning for her, it’s going happen on the eve of her birthday.”
Albus studied Severus for a moment before he spoke, “If I may be so forward Severus, I must admit that I am most curious to know why Miss Granger’s predicament is of such importance to you. Let’s face it, since she first stepped foot into your potions classroom you have made no effort to mask your dislike for her, or for the company she keeps. I feel that I must know why this is affecting you so…personally.”
Severus shifted uncomfortably under the older man’s intense gaze. He had known that sooner or later he was going to have to explain his actions.
“Albus, when I was a student here at Hogwarts I was one of the brightest in my class, and I was one of only a handful to pass the N.E.W.T.s with perfect marks. However, my life has been wasted, living in debt to others because of my past indiscretions, always trying to redeem myself for the horrible atrocities I have committed. I wouldn’t wish my life on my worst enemy, much less on a young girl who has proven herself to be the brightest, most intelligent witch to pass through Hogwarts in ages. Miss Granger shouldn’t have the life that she deserves stolen away from her the way that mine was.”
He stood angrily and paced across the small room, “The final battle is coming soon and it’s only a matter of time before Lucius exposes me to Voldemort as the traitor. My time of usefulness to the Order has come to an end. Let me do this. Let me save her, not just for her life, but for my own.”
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Severus turned to find himself face to face with Professor Dumbledore.
“Severus, I have known you for many, many years and I care for you a great deal. But I have realized that for far too long you have been forced to live a restless life, haunted by your past. The time has come for you to find your peace. Send her home safely.”
~~~~
Returning to his chambers for what he hoped was going to be the last time, Severus grabbed his cloak and several small vials he had sitting on the desk. Making his way to the edge of the school grounds he cast a locating charm. After a few moments the charm alerted of tof the desired location and Severus followed.
Sitting in his private study, Lucius Malfoy looked up, startled, as Severus Snape appeared before him with a loud ‘pop’.
“STUPEFY!”
Before he had a chance to react, Lucius fell to the floor, unconscious.
Severus worked quickly. First he confiscated Lucius’ wand and then administered a highly potent potion that would render him powerless for the next seventy two hours. Next he apparated both of them up to Lucius’ bedroom and bound him tightly to the bed. Severus looked at his old friend in amusement as he realized that waking up like this would, no doubt, be an all too familiar scenario for him.
Finding a pair of scissors in the bathroom, Severus snipped a lock of blonde hair and set it on the nightstand beside one of the vials he had brought with him. Pushing up Lucius’ left sleeve, Severus then conjured a comfortable chair and sat next to the bed. All he had to do now was wait.
It was only a few hours before Severus noticed the mark on Lucius’ arm growing darker. He waited a few moments to make sure that his own arm wasn’t going to begin burning as well. It didn’t. Lucius began to stir and Severus quickly grabbed the vial on the nightstand, dropped the lock of blonde hair into it and took a few gulps of the thick liquid.
Severus shut his eyes and let the potion take effect, feeling his skin begin to tingle and twitch. When the feelings pas he he opened his eyes and turned to survey the results in the mirror, pleased to find Lucius’ reflection staring back at him. For the final touch, he muttered a quick spell and his clothes transfigured into an exact duplicate of what Lucius was wearing.
With his own wand transfigured as well to look identical to Lucius’, Severus tucked it safely inside his cloak. Taking out Lucius’ wand, he hesitantly placed the tip of it against the now blazing mark on Lucius’ forearm, focusing all of his thoughts on Voldemort.
Within seconds he found himself face to face with the Dark Lord.
A/N - Thanks again to all who have taken the time to review my story, it is encouraging to know that there are people out there reading and enjoying it.
ter ter Six – An Unexpected Guest
The next few months went by unbearably slow for Severus. Graduation came and went and he watched in relief as the students and most of the staff left for the summer holiday. Finally, he was rid of them.
After dinner that evening, Severus retired to his chambers and began to make the necessary preparations. Over the next several weeks he worked day and night preparing lesson plans for the following school year, stocking the classroom es aes and ordering texts for the students. He visited Snape Manor and Gringotts Bank to make sure that all of his affairs were in order. Before he knew it, July had turned into August and the time had come to speak with Professor Dumbledore.
~~~~
“Come in Severus, I have been waiting for you to come and speak with me.”
Severus walked across the cozy office, settled into a chair and gazed out the window. He didn’t know where to begin. He had already told Dumbledore that he had been discovered as the traitor by Lucius, but being the sadistic bastard that he was, Lucius had not yet given this information to Voldemort. He had also told Dumbledore that although he had managed to continue to watch Lucius from a safe distance, he still hadn’t discovered anything new regarding Hermione’s whereabouts.
Turning to face the Headmaster, he began, “You know that Miss Granger’s seventeenth birthday is approaching,” Dumbledore nodded in acknowlmentment and Severus continued, “You also know that Voldemort’s followers are not allowed to take the Dark Mark until they come of age,” the headmaster nodded again, “Albus, I believe that whatever he is planning for her, it’s going happen on the eve of her birthday.”
Albus studied Severus for a moment before he spoke, “If I may be so forward Severus, I must admit that I am most curious to know why Miss Granger’s predicament is of such importance to you. Let’s face it, since she first stepped foot into your potions classroom you have made no effort to mask your dislike for her, or for the company she keeps. I feel that I must know why this is affecting you so…personally.”
Severus shifted uncomfortably under the older man’s intense gaze. He had known that sooner or later he was going to have to explain his actions.
“Albus, when I was a student here at Hogwarts I was one of the brightest in my class, and I was one of only a handful to pass the N.E.W.T.s with perfect marks. However, my life has been wasted, living in debt to others because of my past indiscretions, always trying to redeem myself for the horrible atrocities I have committed. I wouldn’t wish my life on my worst enemy, much less on a young girl who has proven herself to be the brightest, most intelligent witch to pass through Hogwarts in ages. Miss Granger shouldn’t have the life that she deserves stolen away from her the way that mine was.”
He stood angrily and paced across the small room, “The final battle is coming soon and it’s only a matter of time before Lucius exposes me to Voldemort as the traitor. My time of usefulness to the Order has come to an end. Let me do this. Let me save her, not just for her life, but for my own.”
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Severus turned to find himself face to face with Professor Dumbledore.
“Severus, I have known you for many, many years and I care for you a great deal. But I have realized that for far too long you have been forced to live a restless life, haunted by your past. The time has come for you to find your peace. Send her home safely.”
~~~~
Returning to his chambers for what he hoped was going to be the last time, Severus grabbed his cloak and several small vials he had sitting on the desk. Making his way to the edge of the school grounds he cast a locating charm. After a few moments the charm alerted of tof the desired location and Severus followed.
Sitting in his private study, Lucius Malfoy looked up, startled, as Severus Snape appeared before him with a loud ‘pop’.
“STUPEFY!”
Before he had a chance to react, Lucius fell to the floor, unconscious.
Severus worked quickly. First he confiscated Lucius’ wand and then administered a highly potent potion that would render him powerless for the next seventy two hours. Next he apparated both of them up to Lucius’ bedroom and bound him tightly to the bed. Severus looked at his old friend in amusement as he realized that waking up like this would, no doubt, be an all too familiar scenario for him.
Finding a pair of scissors in the bathroom, Severus snipped a lock of blonde hair and set it on the nightstand beside one of the vials he had brought with him. Pushing up Lucius’ left sleeve, Severus then conjured a comfortable chair and sat next to the bed. All he had to do now was wait.
It was only a few hours before Severus noticed the mark on Lucius’ arm growing darker. He waited a few moments to make sure that his own arm wasn’t going to begin burning as well. It didn’t. Lucius began to stir and Severus quickly grabbed the vial on the nightstand, dropped the lock of blonde hair into it and took a few gulps of the thick liquid.
Severus shut his eyes and let the potion take effect, feeling his skin begin to tingle and twitch. When the feelings pas he he opened his eyes and turned to survey the results in the mirror, pleased to find Lucius’ reflection staring back at him. For the final touch, he muttered a quick spell and his clothes transfigured into an exact duplicate of what Lucius was wearing.
With his own wand transfigured as well to look identical to Lucius’, Severus tucked it safely inside his cloak. Taking out Lucius’ wand, he hesitantly placed the tip of it against the now blazing mark on Lucius’ forearm, focusing all of his thoughts on Voldemort.
Within seconds he found himself face to face with the Dark Lord.