Outside the Fire

Disclaimer: Not mine, as everyone knows.

A/N: Thanks go to my beta, Sunglow, who should get up off her arse and start writing again, my husband, for putting up with me, and all my lovely reviewers out there.

Outside the Fire

Chapter 7 - Repercussions

Draco vibrated with fury as Michael Corner effectively humiliated his Head of House. Harry looked down at the list in his hand, eyes drawn to number twenty.
They had heard the different groups arguing about the items suggested, but they had all found a reason to discard them.

Harry looked around at the silent hall as Severus Snape disappeared around the corner. Then alll brl broke loose as Draco lunged towards the Ravenclaw. Harry just caught his wand hand in time, but Hermione was the one that surprised them all. She punched the Ravenclaw, and he went down like a stone. She shook her hand, wincing.

"Ten points, Miss Granger, for using physical force against a fellow student." Minerva stepped over the downed Ravenclaw to have a look at Hermione's hand. "I'd get that seen to by Madame Pomfrey." She said, and looked around at the various Slytherins being held back by their classmates. Hmm, even Weasley was looking angry, but Malfoy was going to have an apoplexy if Potter didn't get him calmed down soon. She looked down at the foolish Ravenclaw who was stirring; he'd better watch his back over the next few days.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, his blue eyes icy as he looked down at Michael Corner.
"I'm afraid Miss Granger's team is disqualified, so the prize is to be shared equally by Messrs Potter and Longbottom's teams." He paused. "Detention, Mr Corner, for blatant disrespect to a teacher. I think one month with Mr Filch will teach you a few manners. I'd like a word with you, Mr Malfoy." The headmaster dismissed the dark haired boy and nodded at Draco.

After clear dismissal by the headmaster, and the sour taste left after Corner's little display, the students broke up and headed towards their dormitories. Most of the Ravenclaws ignored Michael who was scowling at Hermione.
"Think yourself lucky you only got a months detention." Ginny was holding Blaise's arm, her fingers pinching him so he didn't leap at Corner in retaliation. She nearly had to drag him away, and immediately led him to a deserted room where she cast a locking and silencing charm on the door. Then she conjured some bottles and jars.
"Here." She handed Blaise a bottle. "Throw." She indicated the wall. Blaise threw it with all his strength and it shattered satisfactorily. She kept handing him the jars and bottles until they were all gone.
"Feel better?"
"I still want to hex him."
"You and quite a few others, and not just from Slytherin." She rubbed the tense muscles in his back.
"What?"
"He's going to have to watch his back, that's all. Ron wasn't the only non-Slyth to be upset."
"But Snape's ours."
"That doesn't mean we like to see him humiliated. That was a dirty move on Corner's part."
"Bastard."
"Yes. You want to get him back, love?" Ginny pulled him down onto a sofa she'd transfigured out of a bottle cap, and rubbed his shoulders. Blaise sighed under her fingers, the tension draining out of him. He stiffened when he realised what she'd just called him, and turned to face her.
"Ginny?"
"What?" she smiled at him.
"Nothing." He leaned back against her, a smug smile on his face. Ginny caught sight of it and smiled herself; she'd let him have that, at least. Let's face it, Ginny, he's gorgeous, and you know you can handle him, and keep him from getting bored.

~~@~~

Dumbledore led Draco and Harry back to his office and poured them some tea. Draco was still tense and the ritual of tea taking forced him to calm down a little.
"As Head Boy, Draco, I expect you to show an example to the other students." Dumbledore carefully placed his cup in his saucer, "Mr Corner has been given his punishment, and you will see that no further action is taken."
"But Professor Snape.."
"Is an adult, Draco. Children can be hurtful and spiteful, but they are children nonetheless."
"He insulted Professor Snape." Harry pointed out.
"As I said, Harry, he has been punished. Draco will not take this further, understand?" Albus had a look in his eye that Harry recognised. He smiled slightly.
"Yes, Headmaster. Neither Draco or any Slytherins will take it further." The headmaster didn't say anything about the other Houses, though.

He led Draco back down the spiral staircase and towards the dungeons where he spoke the password to Draco's room. They passed by Professor Snape's office and felt the powerful wards that had been set up.
"I think he's pissed off." Harry murmured.
"Wouldn't you be?" Draco snorted.
"Too right. I don't envy Ravenclaw over the next few weeks."
"I thought they were more intelligent than that."
"Thick skinned, more like. I never did like Corner."
"What was that all about in Dumbledore's office?"
"Your house can't do anything to Corner."
"There was more to it than that."
"Of course there was. Just because Slytherin can't do anything to him doesn't mean that applies to Gryffindor and Hufflepuff." Harry helped Draco out of his robes, massaging his tense shoulders as the blond sat down on his bed.
"Sneaky."
"I've always suspected Dumbledore of being a closet Slytherin." Harry grinned and shed his robe so he could join Draco in the bed, "Hermione knows some really good hexes, you know."
"Do you think she broke his nose?"
"Absolutely." Harry remembered her in the gym and the way she regularly laid into that punch bag.
"Good." Draco rolled over for Harry to continue his back rub; "I'm going to have a talk with Severus tomorrow."
"I wouldn't, if I were you. Give him a bit of time to cool down a bit, you know, deduct a few hundred points from Ravenclaw.."
"Good idea, let's make sure they're not in the running this year." Draco yawned, "Do you mind if we just sleep tonight?"
"I'm not just with you for the sex, Draco, nice though it is." Harry curled his body around Draco's and draped his arm over his waist. He'd have to make sure he was out of Draco's room before Snape got up, because he doubted that Snape would be in a good mood in the morning.

~~@~~

Severus Snape was slumped in his quarters, the door locked and warded against even Dumbledore. That wasn't strictly true; Dumbledore could gain access, but not without a great deal of difficulty. Severus swirled the amber liquid in his glass, staring moodily into its depths. He didn't normally drink, not because he didn't like to lose control, he just hated the taste. The alcohol hit the back of his throat and he grimaced and shuddered as it burned on the way down. A wave of his hand refilled the glass and he lit his third cigarette since he'd sat down.

A gentle tap on his door announced the arrival of the headmaster. He debated whether to allow him entrance, and then decided that he was childish enough not to want any company at all.
"Go away." he called.
"Severus.."
"Not tonight, Albus. I'm not in the mood."
"Please, Severus."
"Five minut Sev Severus reluctantly released the wards, knowing Albus would be there half the night otherwise.
"You really should give those up, my boy." Albus waved his hand through the smoke haze.
"So Draco keeps telling me." Severus lit up another to spite him and threw his drink down his throat.
"You shouldn't let them get to you." Albus admonished.
"I don't."
"So why are you smoking and drinking yourself into a stupor?"
"I've been called a Greasy Git, Vampire, Bat, the Angel of Death and a few other unmentionables, but never that, before." Severus refilled his glass. Dumbledore patted his shoulder, letting his friend ramble.
"If it's any consolation, Mr Corner has a months worth of detention with Mr Filch."
"Couldn't make it the whole term, could you?"
"I think he'll be suffering long after that, Severus, never fear."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll let you find that out on your own." Albus stood up, "Take care to stub that out when you've finished." he indicated the burning cigarette and wandered towards the door, "Severus? Should you need to smash anything, there's a rather accommodating room on the seventh floor that's available." Albus smiled into his beard and closed the door behind him.

Severus snorted into his glass. He knew all about that room, as did Miss Granger. He recalled the appalled look on her face when Corner had drawn him forward. She hadn't expected that, certainly. Perhaps he should have stayed to see everyone else's reaction, but it had been too much. To think that in all his years as a teacher here he hadn't earned any respect from t The The drink hit his throat again, and the glass was suddenly flung into the fireplace, where it shattered. Weaving slightly as he stood up, he made his way over to his bedroom, thankful that it was Saturday tomorrow, and he didn't have to appear for breakfast.

One eye squinted open and he glared at the weak October sunlight that filtered through the window. Damn and blast Albus for ever assuming that natural light was needed for a proper wake up call. How he'd persuaded the castle to form those windows, he'd never know, but formed they were, and every morning that one ray would wake him up, regardless of how tightly he'd pulled the drapes around his bed the previous evening. Oh. He'd been too drunk to pull them last night. Shit, bloody, buggering hell. Where was the hangover cure when he needed it?

Dragging himself to the bathroom, he forced the other eye open and uncorked the small blue bottle. Feeling his head clear, he vowed never to drink again, unless he had the cure on the bedside table next to him. His mirror showed lank, stringy hair that was starting to get greasy again, dark circles shadowed his eyes and his normally sallow skin showed more than a hint of yellow. Huh, just goes to show that his liver didn't appreciate all that alcohol last night. Resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at his thankfully silent mirror, he shed his clothes and stepped under the shower.

He knew he wasn't the most popular teacher, and that he was known as a bastard to most of them, but he'd expected at least Draco to come to his defence. What had Albus meant last night about Corner suffering for longer than a month? Perhaps he should go and pay a visit to his Slytherins, concealed, of course. He turned the shower to a higher temperature, the hot water easing the aches and pains from his body. The sour taste of stale alcohol prompted him to scrub the scale away from his slightly crooked teeth, not caring when his gums started bleeding. He grinned humourlessly; one more excuse to call him a vampire, as he spat out the bloody foam.

Dressing in his customary black, he made his way through the hidden passages to the Slytherin common room. The students were just coming back from a leisurely breakfast and Severus hid in a dark corner to eavesdrop. A couple of fourth years threw themselves into armchairs by the fire, laughing.
"Did you see the way his chair shot out from underneath him?"
"Yeah. Landed right on his arse, didn't he?"
"I hear Granger had to stay in the hospital wing last night."
"No, that's just a rumour. Pomfrey fixed her hand in seconds."
"Did you see it?"
"No, I missed it, unfortunately. Potter got in my way."
"Did any of you lot see it?" he asked some fifth years coming into the room.
"Yes. Wouldn't want to wind her up, I tell you."
"Did she get detention for it?"
"Our Head Girl? You have to be joking!" one of them snorted and Severus frowned. What had Miss Granger done that warranted her having to MadaMadam Pomfrey? He stayed there for a while longer, and gleaned that Mr Corner was not Mr Popular with the other students. Nothing else about Miss Granger, though.

~~@~~

Hermione couldn't believe that one rash action could have so many repercussions. Overnight she had been transformed from bossy know-it-all to Hogwarts answer to the female version of Marvin Hagler. She noticed that Michael Corner's nose was slightly crooked, as though it hadn't been set properly, but she couldn't bring herself to care about it. She had been so angry with him that she'd just lashed out. How dare he treat another human being like that? She and Draco had decided to put a trick item in their list, hoping that the subsequent discussions would create a little inter-house camaraderie. Well, it seemed that the houses had certainly banded together behind Professor Snape against Michael Corner, but that hadn't been the intended point.

She was surprised when she pass gro group of sixth year Slytherins in the corridor, and as one, they stopped and nodded to her; not quite a bow, but definitely a show of respect. She nearly tripped over, she was that stunned. When she spotted Draco with Harry in the Library later that afternoon, she cornered him.
"Draco, what's the matter with your Slytherins?"
"Why?"
"They're not ignoring me like they usually do."
"Of course they're not. You defended Professor Snape." as if that was the answer to everything.
"But I didn't mean to." Hermione was horrified.
"Oh, so your fist just slipped onto his nose, did it?" Draco grinned. Severus was lurking in the shadows two bookcases away. Did he just hear Draco say that Miss Granger punched Corner in the nose?
"I don't know what made me do it!" Hermione was distressed and Madam Pince hissed at her to be quiet.
"Well go and work it out then, 'Mione." Harry pushed her gently out of the Library and stood at the door. "You know where to go to do that."

Harry made his way back to Draco and draped himself in the chair next to him.
"She's a bit freaked out about it."
"I'll say." Draco snorted with laughter, "Bet she never dreamed about this happening."
"No, I don't suppose she sees Snape as the damsel in distress sort."
"Think it was her subconscious working?"
"Don't know. I suppose I could always find out." Harry murmured.
"Try and plant a 'Knight in Shining Armour' fantasy this time."
"Where she gets swept away on the back of a white horse?"
"I was thinking of her doing the rescuing."
"Draco, I don't think that would be physically possible."
"Oh, I don't know, she's handy with Wingardium Leviosa."
"You are one seriously strange individual, Draco, and I'm beginning to doubt my sanity by getting involved with you."
"Tough, Potter, you're already involved." Draco pinged a rolled up piece of parchment at Harry, who retaliated until Madam Pince threw them out of the Library.

As the door swung shut behind them, Severus emerged from the shadows. What was all that about? He was torn between following Potter and Malfoy to see what he could learn, and staying behind to eavesdrop further on the other students. He decided to lurk in the shadows and gather information during the day. The dead of night was the best time for spying on Malfoy and Potter.

Over the next few hours he discovered that the Headmaster had indeed prohibited the Slytherins from taking any further revenge on the Ravenclaw. He'd decreed that a month of detention was sufficient punishment, although that wasn't the general consensus of most of the students. To his horror he found that he'd been elevated to the role of 'Misunderstood Hero' and a few giggling fifth years blushed and whispered to each other as he passed.

By the end of the weekend, Severus Snape was back to his usual obnoxious self, deducting points and generally being a bastard. It wasn't working though; he still had girls and even a few boys mooning after him. He growled in frustration as a seventh year Hufflepuff batted her eyelashes flirtatiously at him at dinner. Leaving the table as quickly as possible he made his way back down to the dungeons to find Draco waiting outside his door,
"I sincerely hope that Potter isn't with you."
"I'm alone, aren't I?"
"Do the words 'Cloak' and 'Invisible' mean anything to you?"
"Harry's in his room, studying for your class tomorrow, Severus."
"Don't call me that, Draco." Severus opened his door and allowed the young man to pass, "At least not in the corridor, anyway."
Draco settled himself by the fire and waited for Severus to sit down before helping himself to some tea.
"How is the Boy Wonder, by the way?" Severus asked, "You seem to be inseparable."
"He's fine." Draco waved a hand dismissively, "I'm here to talk about you, though."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"How about you stormiff tff the other night?"
"How about you not defending your head of house?"
"Hey, I was being held back at the time. Anyway, Granger beat me to it."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Really, she socked him one right on the nose. Completely forgot that she was a witch and that's what wands are for."
"I don't think a wand up his nose would have been an appropriate use for one."
"Tell that to Potter."
"Pardon?"
"First year, wand up a Troll's nose." Draco had laughed himself silly when Harry had told him that story.
"Ah, but then Potter is a law unto himself."
"He certainly is."
"So what brings you here, Draco?"
"I wanted to make sure you were all right."
"I'm fine, Draco, thank you for your concern. As you can see, I'm back to my normal self."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"So we'll be seeing the irritable bastard we all know and love tomorrow in class, will we?"
"If you can't stop those simpering idiots from following me around you'll see him a lot sooner than that." Severus growled.
"Got yourself quite a fan club, haven't you?" Draco grinned.
"I never asked for this, Draco."
"Find yourself a nice witch and I'll put it about that you're unavailable."
"How would a months worth of detention with Filch suit you, Draco?"
"How about you agree to come into London with Harry and I over the Christmas holidays? Then I'll make sure you're not bothered by lovestruck students."
"You drive a hard bargain, Draco."
"I know." Draco stood up, smirking, "Blaise said that smashing bottles is great for relieving tension, but Harry says that sex is better." he opened the door, "And I hear Hermione has developed a wicked left hook."

~~@~~

Severus had already tried the bottles. It hadn't done anything for him; so here he was now, pacing outside the strange door, wondering whether to go inside. Chastising himself, he squared his shoulders and pushed open the door, not sure what he was expecting to find, but bracing himself for the sight of Miss Granger. The room was empty apart from the swinging punch bag and the faint smell of sweat mixed with jasmine.

He was standing by the door, ready to bolt, when the door to the shower room opened and a cloud of scented steam billowed forth.l, al, at least she was dressed this time.
"Miss Granger." he nodded.
"Professor." she nodded back. "I'm just leaving." she said, gathering up her rob"I c"I can see that." he stood there awkwardly. "How is your hand?"
Hermione looked startled for a bit, and looked down at her hand. "It's fine. Madam Pomfrey fixed it in no time at all."
"So it hasn't affected your little hobby?" he indicated the bag, and was surprised when she smiled suddenly.
"Not at all. His nose was just a bit harder than I expected." she shrugged, and Severus leant against the wall, studying her.
"Why didn't you just hex him?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Call me curious."
"I don't know, Curious."
"I see you have a sense of humour, Miss Granger."
"So do you, or it would have been ten points, Sir."
"I can still deduct the points."
"Go ahead. We're ahead of Slytherin so far this year." her eyes challenged him.
"So why did you hit him? Felt sorry for the poor, ugly old teacher?" he taunted softly.
"No, the poor, ugly old teacher is well able to defend himself." she taunted back, moving towards him, "I just don't like to see anyone belittled, even you." her chin lifted.
"Even me? What about the humiliation suffered by him being knocked out by a girl?"
"He'll survive. He's got a thick enough skin." she shrugged again, "So what brings you here on a Sunday night, Sir?"
"Looking for wandering students?" it was strangely intimate in the room, despite it being very well lit.
"Pull the other one, it's got bells on," she snorted, and he frowned at her.
"Have you any idea the intolerable position your defence has put me in?" he snapped finally.
"So it's my fault?" her voice rose in anger, her hands clenched into fists.
"Yes!" he hissed at her.
"Oooh!" she stamped her foot, glared at him, and then whirled round and punched the bag. Hard.
"Feel better?"
"Not really." she huffed, and hit the bag again, muttering under her breath.
"Draco was right, although your uppercut could do with some work."
"Bastard." she muttered.
"Ten points for swearing." this was better than smashing bottles.
"Sod off."
"Another ten." he smirked, "My, my, Miss Granger, you seem to be a little frustrated." he was feeling better already. "Have you tried smashing bottles?"
"Doesn't work. Have you?"
"I must agree with you there."
"Is that why you've come up here, to punch something?" she held onto the bag and looked up at him in surprise.
"It's against sc rul rules to physically damage the students." he shrugged.
"Go ahead then, take a swing at it."
"I prefer privacy, thank you."
"So do I, but you're here." she pointed out.
"I'm sure you have studying to do, Miss Granger." he drew himself up to his full six foot one height.
"I can take a hint, Professor." she said and walked towards the door, "Remember to turn the lights out when you're finished, all right?"
"I'll do my best, Miss Granger."
"Oh, and Professor?"mionmione poked her head back through the doorway, "Even a beetle is beautiful to its mother."

Severus stood there as the door clicked behind her. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Casting a locking charm on the door, he shrugged off his outer robe and jacket, so he was standing in a shirt and trousers. After a few seconds debating, he stripped off his shirt as well as his shoes and socks. Feeling a little foolish, he balanced on the balls of his feet and took a tentative the the the bag.

Half an hour later he'd worked up quite a sweat and could understand why that annoying know-it-all had created this room. By the time he'd punched out his anger about the Halloween fiasco and Draco's meddling, he was feeling fairly relaxed. Feeling the sweat dripping down his back, he went over to the bathroom and looked inside. A large shower cubicle was charmed to look like it was underwater and colourful tropical fish darted away when he stepped under the invatinating spray. He sniffed at the shower gel sitting on a shelf, and found it didn't smell too feminine, so he helped himself to some. Another bottle contained shampoo, and he debated with himself whether to use it too. Oh well, in for a Knut, in for a Galleon, and used a generous amount on his thick hair. A few hours over a cauldron would take it back to its usual greasy appearance, but it would be nice to go to bed with it clean.

Snagging a thick towel from the pile, he rubbed himself dry and finger combed his hair, pulling it into away from his face before searching in his pockets for e ofe of some sort. Feeling better than he had in a long time, he flicked his wand at the room, extinguishing the lights and closing the door behind him before heading down to the dungeons. Before he'd taken a dozen steps, the door faded from view until it was required again.

~~@~~

Hermione flexed her fingers as she made her way back to her room, the intense look on his face firmly fixed in her mind. If you ignored the permanent sneer and greasy hair, Snape wasn't that bad to look at, and there was something to be said for the dark, brooding look. She wondered what he looked like under those loose teacher's robes of his. She snorted; she and a quite a few others from the way some of the other students had been ogling him over the last two days.

Shutting her door with a little more force than necessary, Hermione tossed her clothes carely ony onto the chair, causing Crookshanks to jump down with a protesting meow. Grabbing her book, she punched her pillows into submission and tried to read. Her thoughts wandered though, and for once the written word couldn't sooth her. She threw her book onto the bedside table in frustration and pulled the quilt up over her shoulders, the cotton soft against her skin.

As her eyes drifted closed, she wondered if Snape would understand what she had been trying to get across to him. Nothing and no one was totally unwanted, which is why she and Draco had been certain the final item on the list wouldn't be found. And that was why everyone had been shocked when Michael Corner had thought Professor Snape filled the criteria. Bastard. She wished now she'd kicked him in the balls as he went down.

The first tendrils of sleep curled through her mind, her body relaxing into the softness of her bed. And this time when her dream wrapped her in a sensual haze, the face of her lover wasn't hidden under a silk blindfold...


TBC