Our Paths Cross Again

Author’s Note: Hermione is going to be a bit dark. This doesn’t follow with OTP or HBP. Sirius Black is alive and in my story Severus is a pure blood. Just so you know.

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything you recognize. So please don’t sue.

Summery: It’s been six years since Hermione left Hogwarts. She’s been doing a secret mission for the Order. Suddenly she and Severus are thrown together. Will they be able to work together or will they end up killing each other? R/R

Our Paths Cross Again

Chapter 7

When Severus awoke the next morning, he awoke alone. He let out a sigh. He got up and went to take a shower. As the water washed over him his thoughts returned to the events of last night. The way his blood boiled at what Lucius had done to Hermione and how she was unable to fully move on with her life.

‘What the fuck is going on with me? Why am I suddenly so concerned with her well being? Why did I offer to help? I’m acting like a pussy whipped teenager.’ he thought.

He finished his shower, dressed for the day and headed for breakfast. Today was Friday and the next morning was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. He joined the staff and saw Hermione sitting beside Minerva caught up in deep conversation. She looked as if she had gotten her first good nights sleep in a long time.

“I’m so glad you’re back Hermione. We’ve missed you.” Minerva said.

“It’s good to be back. Of course once I’ve finished my mission here, I’ll be leaving again.” Hermione replied.

“I wish you would tell me what it is you’re working on.” Minerva said sadly.

“I can’t Minerva. Soon though, you and the Order will know everything.” Hermione replied gently.

Hermione looked up and caught Severus’s eyes. She gave him a slight nod then returned to her food. Severus nodded back and continued eating. After breakfast Severus headed for his classroom. Half an hour later his first class arrived. He had heard Hermione enter the labs and knew she was once more working on the potion.

“Today we will be brewing a Dreamless Draught. I want all of you to pay close attention to your potions! This potion must be watched at all times. The ingredients must be added at EXACTLY the right moment! Begin.” Severus instructed.

In the labs Hermione began on the next step of the potion. Just like when she was a student, her mind was focused solely on the task at hand. This potion was very temperamental. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

‘Okay Hermione. Steady now. Three drops of phoenix tears.’ she thought.

One. Two. Three. Hermione let out a sigh as the potion bubbled then settled down once more. She picked up the wooden spoon and began stirring in a clock wise motion. After making ten rotations, she left the potion to simmer for an hour.

She sat down at the desk she had in the corner and pulled out her notebook. As she wrote down the potion’s reactions and the steps she had used, her mind wandered back to last night. The feel of Severus holding her tightly to him had felt so good.

*Flashback*

Hermione awoke to the feel of someone holding her tightly. She remained still as the memories of the night before came back. She was laying in Severus’s bed and in his arms. She slowly turned so she was facing him.

Severus lay sleeping on his back. She smiled slightly as she took in his features in the dying firelight. True he wasn’t handsome by normal standards, but he was handsome in a dark, mysterious and dangerous sort of way.

She reached up and gently brushed a lock of hair off his cheek. Severus let out a sigh, pulled her closer and said something quietly in his sleep, that scared Hermione to death.

“Hermione.” he sighed.

Hermione had never heard her name said like that from anyone. He said her voice like a lover would. That frightened her to no end. What also frightened her was the feelings that were running through her. She didn’t understand them and wasn’t sure she like where they were leading her.

Carefully and quietly, she moved out from under his arm. She walked toward his bedroom door then stopped. She gave him one last glance before slipping out of his chambers and returning to her own.

*End Flashback*

Hermione shook her head and returned to work. She would sort out these feelings later. The morning passed and Severus now found himself sitting at the Head Table for lunch. Hermione was missing. He had an hour and a half before his next class and decided to go make sure she had eaten.

“Severus, I’d like to have a word with you please.” Albus said.

Severus nodded. He and Albus walked side by side to his office. Severus sat in the chair in front of Albus as he made himself comfortable behind his desk.

“Severus, do you know how the potion is coming along?” Albus asked.

“No sir. Miss Granger and I haven’t discussed it.” Severus answered.

“I see. I’m worried about Hermione. I know she has not been sleeping well and that she is working so hard to brew this potion. I’m asking you to watch over her. Make sure she eats three meals and, if she will allow you too, help her rest at night. There’s something she’s not telling me. Something happened to her, and no matter how hard I try, I can not use Occlumency or Legilimency to see what it is.” Albus sighed.

“I can make sure she eats, but as far as anything else I can’t make any promises.” Severus said.

Albus nodded. Severus bid the Headmaster goodbye and returned to the dungeons. He called the kitchens and ordered Hermione some food. Once it arrived he carried it into the lab. He found Hermione standing over the cauldron. He cleared his throat before entering.

“I brought you some food.” Severus said.

“Thank you. I just need to finish stirring this.” Hermione replied.

Two minutes later she lowered the flame under the cauldron and walked to the desk. Severus conjured a chair and sat across from her. He remained silent as she quickly devoured the sandwiches and pumpkin juice he had brought her.

“Listen, about last night. I’m sorry. I’m not used to having someone else around to help me. I got scared when I woke up and found you holding me. I did what I have done for the past four years or so. I ran.” Hermione said.

“I understand Hermione. I meant what I said last night. I can try to help you with your nightmares. If you will let me.” Severus said.

“Severus, I’m not the little girl you remember. I’m not patient anymore. I also get angry very easily. If you insist on helping me, you need to understand that there will be fighting between us. And I don’t mean just verbally. There is a very good chance I will lash out at you physically.” Hermione explained.

“I understand. I’m still willing to help. Albus is concerned about you. He’s tried using Occulmency and Legilimency on you but has been unable to find out what has changed you.” Severus said.

“Meddeling old fool. I suppose you’ll tell him about all this then huh?” she growled.

“No. That is up to you to tell him. Not me.” he answered.

Hermione stood up and walked back to the potion. Severus followed. He watched as she added the next set of ingredients and began stirring the potion. Ten minutes later she stepped back.

“The potion now needs to simmer for a week, being stirred counter clock wise fifteen times every other day.” she explained.

“I will pass that on to Albus. He was asking about the potion. Now I have to return to my classroom. My 6th year class of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffs will be arriving soon. Tonight, why don‘t you join me for dinner in my chambers. We can talk some more and decided the best way to help you with your nightmares.” he suggested.

“Very well. I will see you at dinner then. At 7:00?” she asked.

“Seven it is then.” he answered.

Severus walked out of the lab and returned to his classroom. Hermione in turn headed for the grounds. She needed to clear her mind and decided a walk around the lake would help. For some reason she was scared of being with Severus tonight and telling him of her nightmares.

T.B.C