Fire and the Dragon

A/N: Thanks again to all my wonderful readers and reviewers! Time for a boring, transitional-ish chapter. The good Snape/Hermione smut will be coming, but first she needs to work through stuff. Don’t worry, good old fashioned sexual tension will be reigning supreme! On we go….









Ch. 7 Hogwarts



Hermione sat on the edge of the bed, dangling her feet in anticipation. Last night she had been so excited, now she was extremely nervous. She had been so weak, what would people think about her?



She sighed and looked at the watch Harry had brought by when he had dropped her clothes off to her. Professor Snape should be here any minute now. She couldn’t wait to just get to her rooms, perhaps they were close to where she would be helping. She could even take her meals in her room.



She was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throats. She looked up to see Professor Snape, sneering down at her. “Hope I wasn’t intruding” he began. “But we do need to be on our way, I have dunderheads waiting for me.”



“Of course Professor.” She slid down and made her way to the door. “Um, how will we be traveling?” she was hoping they could simply floo in to or apparate close to the school. The less she saw of people, the better.



“Unfortunately, Ms. Granger,” he stated blankly as though he had used legilimency against her, “in your current state, our only means of travel is walking, broomsticks, or” he started silkily, “we could always take the knight bus.”



He knew of the girl’s fear of heights and utter dislike of the triple-decker wizard bus. He was far too amused in her reactions to tell her he had arranged a port key to take them directly to the edge of Hogsmeade.



Hermione, unclear as to what to say, thought hard as to which would be a worse fate. She sure as hell was not going to fly. “I suppose we could walk and take a cab or a train.” She answered dejectedly.



Her head snapped up at the strange sound her ex-professor was making. He had lowered his head so that his ebony hair was curtaining his face, his shoulders were shaking, and his hand was holding his stomach. Severus Snape was actually laughing.



He looked up to see the inquisitive stare he was receiving. “Ms. Granger, your Gryffindor pride never ceases to amaze me.” He was still chuckling, much to Hermione’s irritation.



“I have arranged a portkey, now if you don’t mind, we are on a schedule.” He rearranged his face into the usual smirk and dark eyes that revealed nothing. The transformation was so fast; it was as if he had never smiled. Hermione was shocked, but followed him out of the door.



When they were outside the boundaries of St. Mungo’s, Severus pulled an old dusty textbook from his cloak. They both held on, “one, two, three.” Hermione felt the uncomfortable tugging at her navel and London disappeared beneath them.



When they landed, Severus had to grab Hermione around the middle to keep her from falling. She smiled a thank you to him and righted herself. “We’re in Hogsmeade!” she declared. “Yes, as you should know, it is impossible now to travel magically any closer to Hogwarts than this.” He began to walk through the city.



He noticed Hermione was not beside him after a few long strides and turned to find her. “Good lord woman, keep up please.” His tone changed however when he saw her. She was standing stark still, shaking, like a wild animal caught in a corner. Her eyes were scanning the busy streets.



“I know it is difficult, Hermione, but you can not hide forever. I will not permit or tolerate it.” The use of her first name acted like a stimulant and she allowed him to lead her through the town. He had placed his arm around her shoulders, a type of protection..at least it felt as much to her.



The witches and wizards in Hogsmeade eyed her curiously. They had never seen the Potions Professor act so intimate with anyone. Their stares, however, made Hermione recoil even further into his cloak.



“Walk with your head high, witch. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of.” He whispered to her ear. “But all these people, they must think.” She began to mumble. “Their thoughts are irrelevant, focus on your destination and MR. FINNIGAN come here!” the sudden change of tone made Hermione yelp.



Severus released her and, without thinking about it, pushed her gently behind him. Hermione, being ever curious, couldn’t help but peek around him at the young boy, who looked so much like his older brother.



“I do not believe this is a Hogsmeade day,” the young boy shook his head, readying himself for the punishment he knew was coming. Severus glared down at the boy, “150 points from Gryffindor for your utter incompetent rule breaking. Another 50 for having the stupidity to be caught.”



Hermione could see that the boy was getting angry. Silently she chuckled at the memories of losing herself getting caught. Severus continued, “You are to present yourself at once to Headmistress McGonagall, then you will spend the next 35 nights in the company of Caretaker filch. Assisting him in anything he requires.”



The boy turned around and stalked off, fuming. Hermione arched her neck to look at Severus, he was smirking of course. Catching miscreants always helped him clear his mind. “Damn kids.” He muttered before, once again, leading Hermione through the streets.



It didn’t take much longer until they reached the big castle. Hermione looked on it with fondness and respect. They walked up the entrance steps and through the big oak doors. Their feet had barely touched the marble hallway when a loud voice made them both turn their heads.



“Hermione!! Welcome back.” Minerva McGonagall’s eyes became glazed when she noticed the bruising on her former student. “I’m so sorry, you poor child.” She went to sweep Hermione up in a warm, motherly embrace. Hermione flinched away, closer to Severus, bringing the tears down out of the Headmistress’s eyes.



“Headmistress, if you could please not manhandle my assistant.” Severus barked at the older witch. But his gaze told her to just give it some time and back off. Minerva nodded.



“Right his way, then Hermione. I shall help see you to your chambers.” Hermione and Severus followed her through the castle, and down the steps to the dungeon. Hermione smiled, she was worried she would be forced into Gryffindor tower. They reached a bare spot in the wall.



McGonagall stopped and turned to Hermione. “Now all you need to do is think of a password, place your hand here” she motioned with her own hand, “and say the password each time you wish to enter.”



Hermione placed her hand on the cool stone and after a little consideration whispered, “Moonflowers”. The professor and the headmistress followed Hermione into the rooms. What she saw there was breathtaking.



She was in what looked like a sitting room/bedroom combined. The entire room was decorated in Gryffindor colors. By the fireplace were two scarlet squishy chairs. At the back of the room was a round bed. Hermione had never seen a round bed before. To the left of the bed was an armoire, she opened it to find that all of her clothing had already been put away.



She turned to Severus, “How did you get my clothes?” He started forward, “Mr. Potter took the liberty of delivering some of your possessions.” He sneered with the name of Potter. Hermione nodded and glanced around. She hadn’t noticed before, but the room was accentuated with several of her things. Pictures, photographs, and (her heart leapt) several of her books. On the night table, there was even a new wand.



Only Severus knew that her wand had been broken. She had not told anyone else, though it was true they probably all knew from the crime scene. Still, she glanced at the Potion’s Master and smiled.



To the right of the bed were two doors. “The door to the left,” McGonagall said. “leads to a small lab and research area.” Hermione couldn’t believe it, her own private lab?! She nodded and flashed a big smile. “And the other door?” She asked her mentor.



Severus was the one to jump in with this answer. “That door leads to our shared lavatory. Inside is a door that leads to my chambers.” Hermione was shocked; she would have to share a bathroom with her former professor.



Severus laughed inwardly at the girl’s facial expression at the news of a shared lavatory. “I would suggest, Ms. Granger, that you lock both doors when you are in need of the facilities in there.” Despite herself, Hermione blushed at the prospect of walking in on her professor, or the reverse scenario.



Severus realized what he had insinuated and lost his train of thought. How irritating, annoying, hormonal girl. “Minerva, I suggest we take our leave now so she may rest.” The headmistress agreed and they began to leave. “Ms. Granger, I expect to see you in the potions classroom promptly at 7:00 am. Please do not be late”.



After the older two left, Hermione slipped off her trainers, used the loo, and lay down in bed. For the first time in days, she felt safe and drifted right to sleep.