Save Me From My Pain

Chapter Ten: Caught

Hermione left the hospital wing and headed down toward the dungeons. So many thoughts were running through her mind and she felt herself getting a headache. She kept playing over the events of the past 24 hours in her mind, trying to figure out what in Merlin’s name happened to her life. She understood that she’d killed Narcissa, in Ron’s defense. She’d come to accept that. Then there was Draco, she understood in a way why he’d want her to be in pain; after all, she didn’t know what she’d do if someone murdered her mother.

And finally there was Severus. Why he wanted to help her, she didn’t totally understand. She’d always thought he’d hated her and she’d been fine with that. He was always so horrible to her, Harry, and Ron while they were in school that she’d always thought of him as a greasy, old git, but looking at him now, she saw him in a different light.

His hair isn’t really greasy, I bet it’s just sh And And he’s really not that old, probably around 40. I’m almost 21, so he’s really not too much older than I am by wizarding standards. I wonder what his hair would feel like? Hermione! What are you thinking? Get a grip! This is Snape we’re thinking about, not some knight in shining armor.

Hermione snorted at the thought of Snape in shining armor.

Come on Herm, get yourself together. He just wants to help you because he feels guilty about that lady. He doesn’t want you and neither does Draco. Draco is just getting some sick and twisted revenge on you. Just accept that you’ll never be loved the way Ginny and Harry love each other. But then again, how many times did he call me by my first name?

Hermione stopped for a minute before the door to Severus’ office to regain herself. She knocked lightly on the door, but loud enough for him to hear it.

“Come in.” He yelled.

Hermione opened the door and nervously walked in.

“Have a seat.” He motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs in front of her desk.

Hermione sat down and stared at him, her face expressionless.

“I think we need to talk about what has happened.” Hermione said, diverting her gaze away from his and instead focusing on a shelf of books.

“Miss Granger,”

“Please, we are to be working together soon. Call me Hermione.” She said, looking up at him. “First thing, do you happen to have a piece of parchment, quill, and ink.”

He gave her a questioning look, but gathered the requested items. Hermione took the quill, stuck it in the ink, and started writing.

H: Severus, I have reason to believe that he can hear any and all conversations that I partake in. I know it is the necklace. Therefore, there are things that we cannot say out loud.

S: I understand Hermione, continue.

H: Well, I have to know if you are serious about helping me. I cannot get out of this by myself, I know that, and if I am to get away from him, I am going to need your help.

S: I am Hermione. I suppose we should make a plan of action?

H: Yes, you said that you know where the room is that this necklace takes me?

S: Yes, I did and I do.

H: Draco knows that you know then. I have a feeling that he will not be taking me when you are around. He knows that you intend to help me. After you actions today, I expect that he’s going to be more brutal the next time he calls me to him.

S: I put a charm on your home to let me know if anyone comes in and out and who it is.

H: When did you do that?

S: This morning before I left the first time.

H: Oh. I should stay there then. I had been planning on coming to the school, but maybe it’d be better to stay there.

S: I could put the charm on your quarters.

H: I wouldn’t want to be confined to my living quarters though and it’d be silly to put it on the whole castle. I do want this over with before term starts. If it isn’t, I already know that he intends to continue this.S: IS: I will make sure he is stopped.

Hermione looked up at Severus. He was not looking at her, rather, he was staring blankly at a shelf of jars filled with strange substances.

H: How?

Hermione handed him the parchment. He went to take it from her and she put her hand on his. Black eyes met brown and she held his gaze. Her eyes told him what she dared not speak – appreciation.

S: I will not tell youst kst know that the next time he calls you will be the last. Don’t worry.

H: Thank you. Now, I should get back home, so we need to have a big argument so that Draco will think you’ve totally pissed me off and we are no longer on good terms. I’ll start. Just don’t take what I say seriously.

“NO way! I will NOT allow you to try and take over my life! It’s bad enough that Malfoy’s trying to control me, I don’t need you doing it too! Just stay the hell away from me you sick bastard!”

Severus seemed to catch on to what Hermione was talking aobut. “Miss Granger! It is the only way! With you in my immediate protection, there is no way Malfoy could touch you!”

“What the hell makes you think I’d rather you touch me than him?”

Both Hermione and Severus stood and Hermione started walking to the door.

“I never want to see you again Severus Snape! Stay the hell out of my life!”

With that, Hermione opened the door, gave Severus a wink, and left his office, slamming the door behind her. She kept up her furious mutterings as she walked through the castle and onto the grounds. When she could, she apparated back to her home.

Severus watched her leave. What have I gotten myself into? He thought as he plopped down into his chair behind his desk. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she used that little argument to flirt with him. He quickly dismissed this thought and went back to working on some finishing touches on his lesson plans.


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“Nice show Granger.” Malfoy apparated behind Hermione as she was fixing herself some tea later that night.

“What are you talking about Malfoy?”

“Back to Malfoy are we?” He put a hand on her waist and turned her to face him. “So that’s why Snape wants to help you? He want tak take you to bed to get rid of me?”

“Does it matter? Hopefully he got the point and will finally leave me alone.”

“If you really feel that way, kiss me.” He whispered.

Hermione looked into his eyes, debating what to do. She put her right hand on his cheek and traced his jaw line, then put her left hand on his shoulder. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, closing her eyes. He wrapped his hands around her waist, but otherwise did nothing. She deepened the kiss and traced his bottom lip with her tongue.

Merlin, I hope Severus gets here soon.

As if on cue, a husky voice yelled, “Stupefy,” causing Draco to fall to the ground in a pathetic heap.

Hermione looked at Draco for a moment, then ran to Severus, flinging her arms around his neck.

“Thank Merlin you got here.”

“I’m afraid it’s not over yet Hermione. We need to get him to the Ministry and he needs to take that damned necklace off you.”

“I know. Perhaps you should take his wand and bind him?” Hermione suggested.

Severus went over to Draco and pulled Draco’s wand from his sleeve. He then muttered a binding charm.

“Hermione, you should floo for an Auror.”

“Oh, right.” Hermione had been staring blankly at Malfoy, trying to accept the fact that Malfoy had really been caught.

Hermione went to her fireplace, got a pinch of floo powder and stuck her head into the flames.

“Ministry of Magic, Auror Division.” She said clearly.

10 minutes later two Aurors were at Hermione’s home preparing to remove Draco.

“You want to press charges against him Miss?” One of them asked.

“Yes.”

“What did he do?” The other asked skeptically.

“He beat and raped her.” Severus said in a disgusted voice, daring him to contradict what he’d said. “I suggest you remove him and keep close watch on him.”

“And who are you?” The second one asked.

“Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts and ex-Death Eater.” Severus smirkt tht them.

“Albus’ spy?” The first one asked.

“The very one.” Severus glared at the second one. “Are you going to take him?”

“Yes.” The first one answered. “Miss, would you like to come with us to file the report?”

“Sure. Severus, will you come with?”

“If you wish me to.” Severus answered, still glaring at the second Auror.