Life is a Strange Thing Indeed

Life is a Strange Thing Indeed

Disclaimer: I don’t own any Harry Potter characters. Sure wish I did though. This story is for fun only.

Summary: It’s been 6 years since Hermione Granger has seen her friends from Hogwarts or even set foot in England. Suddenly she finds herself being called back home by the one person who she tried so hard in vain to run away from and forget. Will her past feelings interfere with her sense of duty? Read and find out.


Chapter 8- Confusion and Confrontations

That night Hermione paced her rooms. She couldn’t believe what had happened between her and Severus.

‘What the fuck was I thinking! I can’t believe I slept with Severus...okay fucked Severus is more like it. I’m just making things more difficult and a hell of a lot more confusing for not only me but them as well.’ she thought.

Hermione stopped pacing and walked to her window. She stared out at the thousands of stars that twinkled in the sky. She leaned her head against the cool stone and sighed heavily. She finally went to her bed room and got ready for bed.

Hermione met up with Sam in the Great Hall for breakfast. She was dead tired and had bags under her eyes.

“Whoa. You look like hell love. What’s wrong?” Sam commented as he kissed her cheek.

“I didn’t get that much sleep last night.” Hermione answered as she sat down.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Severus grin mischeifiously into his coffee cup. Hermione ate her breakfast is silence as Sam talked with Harry and Remus. She noticed that Severus watched her under hooded eyes as the meal went on. Once he was finished Severus, got to his feet and swept out of the hall in a blur of billowing robes.

“So, you ready to give me a tour?” Sam asked.

“Yeah. I just need to grab my cloak from my rooms. Come on.” Hermione answered.

Sam followed her as they hurried to her rooms. He waited outside as she ran in to grab her cloak.

‘Something is bothering her. She can tell me it’s from lack of sleep but I know better. Oh well, I won’t push her. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.’ Sam thought as she reappeared.

“Okay, let’s go.” Hermione said as she looped her arm with his and lead him to the first floor.

Meanwhile Draco was planning his next move.

‘So, the Granger bitch chooses to remain with the Order huh? I guess she’ll just die with the rest of them. Pity, she would have made a good whore.’ Draco thought as he looked over a map of England.

Just then someone knocked upon his study door.

“Enter!” Draco yelled.

“Hello Draco.” a female’s voice replied.

“Ahh. There you are. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me.” Draco said with a smile as the woman walked up to him.

“I could never forget you. After all, I did promise Voldemort I would take care of you. And I have done that.” she replied as she sat at the desk.

“So, what news did you bring for me?” Draco asked.

“Hermione Granger has asked for help from a friend in San Francisco. I don’t know what she’s planning yet, but as soon as I do I will tell you.” the woman answered.

“Who is this friend?” he demanded.

“His name is Samuel Edward Peterson. He is 26 years old. He is a reporter at the newspaper with Hermione. His family is an old family and the witches and wizards in his family are very powerful and brilliant as well.” she replied as she twirled a dagger in her hand.

“I guess we will just have to do something about him, now won’t we my dear.” Draco said with an evil grin.

The woman smiled as her grey blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

Back at Hogwarts Hermione had just finished showing Sam most of the classes, the ground and the main corridors. The couple was now heading towards Hogsmeade.

“Are you sure it’s safe to leave the grounds? I mean what if this Draco Malfoy comes after you or something?” Sam asked as the approached the village.

“If he comes after me I will kill him. Besides, I know Albus has members of the Order watching my every move.” Hermione answered.

Hermione lead Sam toward the Three Broomsticks. They found a booth in the back and sat down. After ordering their drinks they looked over the menu. As Hermione read hers Sam watched her with a smile.

“What?” Hermione asked as she looked up and caught his eye.

“Nothing. It’s just that you’re so beautiful. And you mean so much to me Hermione. I know I’m probably rushing you, what with asking you to move to New York with me and all, but I can’t help it.” Sam answered.

“Sam, you mean a lot to me too. Before I give you an answer on that question, let’s get through this mission, return to San Francisco and get to know each other better. I promise I will give you an answer.” Hermione said.

“Deal. Now, what’s good here?” he asked with a smile.

The two had a wonderful lunch. Most of it was spent laughing and talking. She showed him her favorite shops, and even the Shrieking Shack.

“It’s getting late, we had better get back so we’re in time for dinner.” Hermione said.

Sam held Hermione close as they walked back towards the school. They walked in a comfortable silence. Enjoying each other’s company. In no time they reached the doors of the castle. No sooner had they entered than things turned ugly.

“Where the hell have you been! Do you realize that everyone has been looking for you!” Severus yelled as he walked up to the pair.

“What are you talking about now Severus?” Hermione asked.

“You left the grounds without telling anyone! That’s what! Albus has everyone looking for you! Did you even think that you could have been attacked or worse killed! Oh, of course not! You’re such a big tough witch aren’t you? You think you can protect yourself on your own!” Severus cried.

“Fuck you Severus! I don’t need to be treated like a child!” Hermione yelled back.

“Then stop acting like one and use your fucking brain! You know that Draco is looking for you! He could have easily gotten to you and killed your friend Samuel here and we never would have known!” Severus boomed.

“You seem to forget Severus, I’m not the innocent, pathetic, little school girl you seem to think I am! I faced not only Lucius Malfoy, who was one of the worst Death Eaters, but I also killed his sorry ass along with at least 13 others! I wasn’t taking any chances while I was in Hogsmeade! I knew what was going on around us at all time!” she screamed.

“You are so full of yourself aren’t you? That is your weakness! You’re too confident!” Severus yelled back.

By now the two had become quite the spectacle. Sam watched as students and professors alike watch Severus and Hermione yell at each other.

“What in Merlin’s name is going on here?” Albus demanded as he pushed his way through the crowd.

“Severus is over reacting and being an over all bastard!” Hermione replied.

“Miss Granger is being childish!” Severus said at the same time.

“Enough! Everyone go to the Great Hall for dinner. Severus, Hermione, Samuel, follow me.” Albus ordered.

The three followed Albus. Sam had never seen Hermione as angry as she was right now. He could practically feel her angry radiating off of her. They entered the office. Sam and Hermione sat in front of Albus while Severus remained standing against a wall.

“Samuel, would you mind telling me what happened?” Albus asked.

“Well, sir, Hermione was giving me a tour of this place. We then headed to Hogsmeade. We ate lunch there and looked around the shops. We lost track of time. As soon as we entered the castle Professor Snape walked up and began yelling at Hermione. She started yelling back and that’s when you walked up sir. I swear, we didn’t mean to worry everyone.” Sam answered.

“Thank you Samuel. We were worried yes. You see, Draco has already confronted Hermione once and we are afraid the next time he will either kill her or kidnap her. Either way we are taking no chances with her safety.” Albus explained gently.

“It seems, Albus, that Miss Granger believes she is above our protection. She hasn’t changed since her days with Potter and Weasley. Always disregarding the feelings and opinions of others and thinking only of herself.” Severus said.

“You fucking bastard! How dare you! You are just as bad! All you ever think about is yourself! You don’t give a damn about anyone else! You have never given any thought to those who care about you!” Hermione yelled as she jumped to her feet.

“Hermione! Severus! That is enough!” Albus yelled.

Sam got to his feet and gently began massaging her shoulders to calm her down.

“Now, Hermione, next time you want to leave, at least let me know. Please.” Albus requested.

“Yes Albus.” she said.

“And Severus, you should keep your emotions in check as well. It was ridiculous how you acted out there. You are a professor and are suppose to be setting an example for the students. Now, let us go and eat.” Albus said.

“Yes Headmaster.” Severus said through clenched teeth.

The four left and joined the rest of the faculty and students for dinner. Hermione sat in between Sam and Harry while Remus sat next to Severus. Neither looked at each other. Sam knew she was furious. As soon as she finished he escorted her to her rooms.

“Look, don’t let Professor Snape get to you. I know you two have yet to work through your past. Right now you just calm down and concentrate on the mission at hand. The Binding Spell and the Power Stripping Potion. That’s all you need to worry about. Okay.” Sam said as he hugged her.

“You’re right Sam. He just makes me so bloody mad I can’t think straight. I think I’m going to take a hot bath then go to bed. That will help me relax. I’ll see you at breakfast. Good night.” Hermione said as she kissed him gently and entered her rooms.

Sam smiled as he headed to his. Once inside he changed for bed, sat in a chair in front of the fire place with a book and began to read.

“What a first day.” he sighed as he opened the book.

Down in the dungeons Severus was pacing his sitting room while Remus and Harry sat watching him.

“What the hell was she thinking! Going off and not notifying anyone! She could have been kidnaped or worse!” he yelled.

“Severus, look. We know you still love her, but getting mad and yelling at her isn’t going to help matters.” Remus said calmly.

“Remus is right. I also know that having Sam here isn’t helping matters between you and Hermione either.” Harry added.

“I’ve already told her I still love her and I will fight for her. I’m not going to make the same mistake I did 6 years ago. I was so scared today that something had happened to her.” Severus sighed as he sat heavily in a chair.

“I know. We all were, but she’s safe and back in the castle. Now why don’t you get some rest?” Remus said as he and Harry rose to leave.

“I will.” Severus said.

Remus and Harry left the room. Severus got up and went to his bed room. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed in bed.

‘I won’t let anything happen to her. I can’t and won’t lose her this time.’ Severus thought as he drifted off to sleep.

T.B.C