50 Points From Gryffindor

Disclaimer: JKR owns all characters.


Prologue

Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stood in the deserted corridor of the third floor, gazing through the window down into the courtyard, keeping a watchful eye for any troublemakers.

Even though it was only the first day back to school for the new term, he had already deducted points from both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, and it was only mid-morning. He had also suffered through teaching first-year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students that had no inclination whatsoever for learning and understand the art of potion making. He had even been unlucky enough to discover three students who had Neville Longbottom’s skill in melting cauldrons.

Severus pinched the bridge of his hooked nose between his thumb and forefinger, thinking of the afternoon he had ahead of him. Double Potions with the seventh year students. Normally, he looked forward to teaching the seventh years because everyone in the class had been forced to prove themselves worthy of being there. Even though the students that would be in his NEWT level class this year had proved themselves to be competent pupils, he could not wait to rid himself of most of them.

How Potter, Weasley and Longbottom had achieved high enough marks on their final exams last year to be accepted into his seventh year course, he would never know. Of course, the only thing he could attribute their excellent scores to was the fact that they were friends with the biggest know-it-all Hogwarts had seen in a long time, Miss Hermione Granger.

As Severus thought of Hermione, he glanced to the corner of the courtyard where he saw the group of students he detested. Harry Potter, the ‘Boy-Who-Lived’ was sitting on the stone wall and holding Ginny Weasley in his lap, who was laughing at something Harry was telling her. Ron Weasley, Ginny’s older brother, had his arms around Luna Lovegood’s waist and was talking to Neville Longbottom, who was actually smiling. The sixth member of their group was Miss Granger herself, sitting on the stone wall in the courtyard, a thick book in her hands. She was undoubtedly already studying so she could prove once again that she was the smartest witch her age.

As Severus watched Hermione, she closed the book she was reading and placed it carefully in her bag. When she stood up Severus saw her cloak part and he was allowed a glimpse of her long, lean legs. Severus turned away, disgusted at himself for staring at a student, but he could not stop himself from turning back to gaze at her. She said something to the group that made Ron shake his head, and then she turned and wandered across the courtyard by herself, heading towards the castle.

As Severus watched her stride towards the entrance to the school, he saw the sunlight glint off her Head Girl badge pinned to the black robes that she was wearing. He knew before it had even been announced among the staff that Hermione was going to be made Head Girl. She was the most brilliant student Hogwarts had seen in a number of years. However, though her abilities were great, Severus hadn’t thought it prudent to make Hermione Head Girl after everything she had been through the previous summer. He had voiced his opinions to Dumbledore after the announcement had been made, and Dumbledore had told him in no uncertain terms that Hermione deserved it and having the Head Girl position would help her get over her substantial loss and move on with her life.

Severus watched Hermione head into the castle and out of his sight and he cringed inwardly as he thought of Hermione’s loss and the part he had played in it.

Severus had been checking his supplies in his office to see what needed to be replaced for the next term, when the Dark Mark on his left forearm burned, calling him to the Dark Lord. Severus quickly grabbed his Death Eater robes and silver mask from his chambers and hurried out the gates of Hogwarts, apparating immediately in front of the Dark Lord.

After all this time of trying to gain back the Dark Lord’s trust, Severus had finally accomplished his goal, and was no longer put through the pain that most Death Eaters still endured. He allowed the Dark Lord into his mind to detect only what Severus had allowed him to see. Once satisfied, the Dark Lord had informed Severus that he planned on attacking Hogwarts the following day at the leaving feast. Severus had been shocked, but was even more shocked as the Dark Lord told him of the job he had dispatched Lucius Malfoy to complete earlier in the evening.

Severus had to use all his Occlumency knowledge to block the thoughts running through his mind from the Dark Lord, knowing it was imperative that he returned to Hogwarts immediately. After a few more orders, Severus was finally free to leave.

After arriving back at the Hogwarts gate, Severus had hurried as fast as he could to Dumbledore’s office. Gasping for breath, Severus arrived at the office door and before he could even think to knock, the Headmaster stepped out through the door and pulled it shut behind him.

Taking one look at the disheveled man in front of him, Dumbledore simply asked, “When, Severus?”

Severus grimaced and replied, “Tomorrow, during the leaving feast.”

Dumbledore nodded brusquely; he had known that this day had been bound to come sooner or later. “I must go warn the others. Good work, Severus.”

“Headmaster,” Severus blurted at the old man heading away from him. “There’s something else.”

“Yes, Severus,” Albus said sadly, “I received an owl from Arthur Weasley a few minutes before you arrived, telling me of the tragedy. Miss Granger has been summoned and is on her way to my office as we speak. Please wait for her and let her know what you have been told.”

Severus could not believe Dumbledore was leaving this to him. "But Headmaster, shouldn’t you­”

“No, Severus. I believe you should be the one to inform her of this terrible turn of events.”

Severus knew there was no arguing with Dumbledore as he watched him descend the stairway. He sighed and turned to enter Dumbledore’s office, heading immediately to the secret stash he knew Dumbledore kept of Odgen’s Old Firewhiskey. Taking a large gulp, he replaced the cap and placed the bottle on Dumbledore’s desk, in case he needed a few sips to fortify himself later.

Severus paced the office, waiting for Miss Granger to arrive, wondering how he was going to break the news to her and how she was going to take it. He couldn’t stand the insufferable little know-it-all, and now he had been given the task of telling her the most horrific news she had received in her lifetime. A part of Severus was shocked to feel pity for her, but before he could ask himself why he felt that way, a knock sounded on the door.

“Enter,” he called out, his voice not reflecting the nervousness he was feeling.

Hermione Granger stepped through the door, and was perplexed to find Professor Snape awaiting her. “Professor Snape?”

“Miss Granger,” he acknowledged her. “Please take a seat,” Severus demanded, indicating the chair placed directly in front of him.

He watched as Hermione cautiously took a seat and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “Where is Professor Dumbledore?” she asked timidly.

“Professor Dumbledore has other business he must attend to. He has left orders for me to speak with you.”

“Have I done something wrong?” Hermione asked, a note of trepidation in her voice.

“No, Miss Granger. There is some…unfortunate news that I have been appointed the task of relating to you.” That caught Hermione’s attention, and she immediately looked up at the man looming over her, waiting for him to continue.

Severus looked away from the big brown eyes staring expectantly up at him, wondering what he was supposed to say to her. He opened his mouth to speak, only to close it again as he rethought his words. As he finally began to speak, Severus was amazed to find his voice taking on a softer tone. “Earlier this evening, I was summoned to the Dark Lord. I was told during my meeting that the attack would come to Hogwarts tomorrow evening during the leaving feast. Dumbledore is preparing the other professors and making the appropriate people aware of this news.”

Hermione rose from her chair, her eyes locked onto Severus’ with determination. “I will be ready to stand and fight next to Harry.”

“I am well aware of that, Miss Granger, and I know with your knowledge you will truly be ready.”

Hermione smiled tentatively at Severus, not sure why he was choosing to tell her this alone. “Thank you for advising me of the situation, Professor Snape.”

Hermione turned to leave the office, but was stopped in her tracks by Severus placing his hand on her shoulder. “That is not all, Miss Granger.”

Hermione turned to face him again and he could see the look of question on her face. Severus cursed to himself softly, angry with the old man for placing him in this position. Severus watched as Hermione slowly sank back down into the chair she had been occupying earlier, her eyes never leaving his.

For once, Severus was unable to tear his gaze away from Hermione’s chocolate brown eyes. “Miss Granger,” Severus spoke softly, “I also received other…news…from the Dark Lord. It appears that earlier this evening he sent one of his faithful Death Eaters to your parent’s home in London.” Severus watched Hermione’s eyes flash in fear. He felt the need to tell her all the information at once and have her react to it, than to give her bits and pieces. “It was Lucius Malfoy that he sent. Lucius was ordered to kill your parents as a means of weakening you for the battle tomorrow.”

Severus watched the emotions cross Hermione’s face as she processed the information he was telling her. Her face was frozen in disbelief for so long that Severus felt the need to ask her if she understood what he had said. “Miss Granger,” he began, “Do you understand­”

Hermione launched out of the chair, throwing herself into Severus’s body. Her small hands were curled into fists, beating wildly on his chest. “You bastard,” she cried out. “You were supposed to…you’ve been spying this whole time! You should have known that this was planned! They were my parents. They were all I had in this world, and now because of you they are gone! Because of you…” her voice trailed off as the sobs overcame her.

Severus wrapped his arms around the trembling girl in front of him, pressing her tightly into his body to stop her fists from beating on him. Severus was shocked to realize that instead of fists flailing on his chest, Hermione’s fists had curled into his cloak, holding him there and not allowing him to escape.

For the first time, Severus realized that he was no longer holding a child in his arms. Without even noticing, Hermione had blossomed into a woman, one that was only a few inches shorter than him. Severus slowly lowered his chin to the top of her head, and his arms tightened around her as his right hand started rubbing over her back trying to comfort her.

As she stood there sobbing in his arms, Severus gained a new respect for Hermione. He had thought her life was all about books, and had never once considered that she was an actual human being that had feelings and was capable of being hurt. What scared Severus the most was the fact that he was also feeling…feeling something he had not been able to feel in a long time. He not only pitied Hermione, but also wanted to do something for her to take the pain away from her. Severus struggled with the new found feelings inside his body and his heart. It had been so long since he had felt anything but anger and pain…and guilt.

As he held her, he thought about what she had screamed at him. She blamed him for the death of her parents. Severus began to agree with her. He should have known or even expected something like this would happen. He had let his guard down and now it was costing one of his students a great deal. As much as he distanced himself from the little brats, he had always managed to protect them when it was necessary. Now, he had let down the brightest shining star that Hogwarts had seen in decades.

Severus’ hand began to move on its own accord to Hermione’s long brown hair and he was surprised when Hermione’s hands moved from clutching his cloak to around his waist pressing herself into him. It was as if he was her pillar, and she wouldn’t allow him to move away from her because he was providing comfort. Severus noticed Hermione’s tears subside a bit and tried to gently pry her away from him, but her arms wrapped even tighter around his body.

As Severus stood there, desperately wanting to distance himself from the emotional woman, he felt a stirring in his loins from being so close to her and having her body pressed into his. Severus swore under his breath and closed his eyes, trying to think of anything but the young woman in his arms, desperate to hang onto him.

Just as Severus was starting to get himself under control, knowing this wasn’t the time to analyze what was going on with himself and the woman in his arms, the office door burst open.

“Hermione!” both Potter and Weasley said as they entered the room.

Severus quickly pulled away from Hermione and moved behind the desk. Hermione looked into his eyes as he walked away, and it nearly broke his heart in two as he saw the grief and blame in her gaze.

Luckily, Weasley had spoken up, drawing Hermione’s attention to him. “Dumbledore told us.”

Severus watched as Weasley and Potter swept Hermione into their arms, holding her in between them. As Severus watched them comfort her, he could have sworn he felt jealous watching them hold her.

Severus caught Potter’s eye and said quietly, “Perhaps you should escort her back to your common room.”

For once Potter did not look at Severus hatefully. It almost seemed as though he was grateful for being there and telling Hermione the truth. He nodded at Severus silently, and then he and Weasley pulled Hermione to the door.

Once the door was closed behind them, Severus reached for the bottle of Firewhiskey again, finally releasing the breath that he had been holding in since the boys had seen him with Hermione in his arms.

As he took a sip, the door creaked open again and he heard, “Professor?”

Severus turned slowly to see Potter looking at him nervously. “What is it, Potter?” Severus asked, putting a hard edge back into his voice.

“Thanks for…for that.”

Severus rolled his eyes and said with a sneer, “I would have preferred not to do it at all, but Professor Dumbledore did not give me a choice. Do you really think I enjoy having a child whimpering all over me?”

Severus watched as Potter struggled not to snap back at his answer. “Right,” he mumbled and turned to go. His hand on the doorknob, Potter turned back once more. “Professor, do you think I am ready to defeat Voldemort?”

Shocked that Potter would ask for his opinion, Severus buried the shock and sneered at the boy. “I would certainly hope so, Potter. Otherwise the wizarding world will never be the same. Knowing how much luck you seem to fall into, I’m sure you will still be around to sign autographs for all of your little fans.”

Severus watched Potter turn away, clearly angry that even in these troubled times, Severus still could not even be nice to him or reassure him.

When he was finally alone, Severus picked up the bottle of whiskey and decided to take it to his chambers to drink while he contemplated the events of the last few moments and why he had such a reaction to Hermione being in his arms.

‘God help any student caught in the halls’ Severus had thought to himself as he swept from the office and slinked down to the dungeons.

Severus thought back to that night in his chambers, spent trying to decide what he had felt when Hermione had been so close to him. He still hadn’t figured it out, months later. Severus had always found himself incapable of getting close to anyone. What had made his feelings and confusion even worse was trying to comprehend was what had happened the next evening at the leaving feast when Voldemort was finally defeated.

The Dark Lord had broken into Hogwarts, bringing almost fifty Death Eaters with him. Severus had felt his Dark Mark burning during the leaving feast, and catching Dumbledore’s eye, he had made his way down to the dungeons, grabbing his things and appearing before the Dark Lord, so not to blow his cover.

When they reached Hogwarts and made it in the doors to the Great Hall, Severus was pleased to see that Dumbledore had cleared out the students, only the ones willing and trained to fight were waiting, as well as members of the Order and most of the Aurors.

The cursing began immediately as they walked through the door, and Severus was quick to throw off his Death Eater cloak and mask, looking the Dark Lord in the eye as he did, renouncing them.

Severus made his way around the room, fighting with the Death Eaters, but making sure he always kept an eye on Hermione, who was following Potter closely, protecting and throwing up shields for him as he continued to make his way towards Voldemort.

The moment of truth came as Minerva McGonagall was hit with a spell shooting her off her feet and throwing her high into the air before she landed with a sickening thud. Hermione had pulled away from Potter in an effort to check on her favorite professor when Severus saw Lucius Malfoy sneak up behind Hermione, pointing his wand at her.

As Hermione knelt on the floor next to Minerva, she realized she was unprotected and looked behind her to see Lucius’ wand pointed directly at her. It was over in an instant. Just as Lucius was opening his mouth to utter the curse to rid the world of Hermione, Severus found his own wand pointed at the man he grew up with as he shouted, “Avada Kedavra!”

The green light shone from Severus’ wand as the curse was uttered, striking Lucius down once and for all. Severus found himself running to Hermione who was staring at him in shock after seeing him kill someone to save her life. Severus looked over Minerva who was just coming around and pulling herself up off the floor when a shout went up behind them in joy.

Severus had missed watching Potter eliminate the Dark Lord. As Minerva rushed to Potter’s side to congratulate him, Severus offered his hand to Hermione, who was still on the floor on her knees. She took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet.

“Professor,” she stammered. “He…he was going to kill me. You stopped him.”

“Obviously your vision is not impaired, Miss Granger,” Severus said dryly, trying valiantly to keep his sarcastic reputation intact.

Severus watched as Hermione licked her lips, obviously nervous at being so close to him. “Thank you, Professor Snape. You saved my life.”

“Only because I am sure you have not read every book in the library yet. I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the chance.”

Severus turned to go when Hermione reached out and grabbed his arm. “Professor, about last night…I was in pain. I didn’t mean what I was saying. I said very hateful things and I am sorry for my behavior.” Severus was unable to respond, not sure what he should say to the young woman apologizing to him. “You’re bleeding,” Hermione said as she studied his face, and Severus was surprised when she reached up to his face and used the sleeve of her jumper to wipe the line of blood from his forehead.

Severus had never felt such a gentle touch and he couldn’t remember the last time anyone had purposely touched his face. Severus felt his skin grow warm as he flushed in embarrassment at Hermione’s concern for him.

He looked into her eyes and was surprised to see actual concern there for him. Her rose-colored lips were parted as she stared at him and stepped closer. Severus brought his own hand up to Hermione’s wrist, grasping it firmly and pulling her closer to him. He felt the overwhelming urge to kiss the young woman in front of him, the one showing him more concern than even his parents had done in his life.

Hermione’s eyes looked lustful and Severus could not help ducking his head to taste Hermione’s lips himself when they were yanked out of their moment by Potter calling for Hermione.

Severus dropped her wrist as if it had scalded his hand, then turned on his heel and left the room, heading to the dungeons, not wanting to participate in the celebration. The truth was, he did not want to have to be around Hermione any longer; he was scared as to what might happen.

He hadn’t seen the students off the following day, either. He stayed in the dungeons roaming the halls, stopping the troublemakers who tried to get in one last trick before they left on summer break, knowing house points could be taken from them no longer.

Severus had heard, from Dumbledore of course, that Hermione had gone to the Burrow with the Weasley’s, as Molly Weasley was going to take her in as one of her own since she had no one else left to care for her.

Severus could finally admit to himself that he had been a coward by staying in the dungeons that day. He hadn’t wanted to see Hermione and hadn’t wanted to think about what had happened between them in their last few moments in each other’s presence. Now, having her back for her seventh year, he was forced to remember those events and contemplate the way he was feeling toward her.

Severus had found himself wondering over the summer and even more in the last day how Hermione now felt about the moments they had shared the last term. Had she thought about it and tried to rationalize it over the summer as he had done, or had she just pretended it never happened? Of course, he couldn’t blame her if she had tried to forget it. She had a lot to keep her occupied over the summer as she came to terms with her parents’ death. Severus grimaced, wondering if Hermione blamed him for their deaths as much as he blamed himself for his part in it. He should have been able to prevent it, just as Hermione had said.

Severus groaned as he saw the students in the courtyard below head back into the castle for lunch. He knew he was required to be at the head table for all meals, but knowing that following lunch was his seventh years Potions class, he dreaded actually having to make his way into the Great Hall. How would Hermione act in class? Would she be any different? Would she realize how much she had changed Severus in those few moments, how she had forced him to examine his life and his feelings?

Knowing it was never better to delay the inevitable; Severus turned on his heel and stalked to the hall, taking points from a first year Ravenclaw for cutting in front of him in the hallway.