Damaged Goods

Damaged Goods

Part 20

It is wrong to think that love comes from long companionship and persevering courtship. Love is the offspring of spiritual affinity and unless that affinity is created in a moment, it will not be created for years or even generations --Kahlil Gibran

****

I cannot get the look of disgust from my mind. It plagues me, haunting my thoughts until I fell like I want to scream. Bill's look, the look of horror for the creature I have become.

I tell myself it is okay. I never was that pretty anyway. Still I find myself shedding tears as I stare at my scarred back when I turn my head to look in the mirror. It is a constant reminder that I am damaged and that no one will ever want me.

I watch him as he laughs and teases the other girls. I see the way he touches their shoulders or bends close to talk softly to them as they giggle and blush. For me he only smiles, a condensing smile, one that tells me that he wants to be nice to the poor ugly little girl. He treats me like a child. Oh I could show you a thing or two Mr. Weasley.

Bill smiled at her as she left the classroom but noticed that she quickly looked away. He had tried to talk to Hermione several times, wanting to let her know he was there for her, but since the incident at the lake she would not even acknowledge him. That night, after he had left Minerva's rooms, he had walked the grounds until sunrise. While silently cursing Malfoy for what he had done to Hermione, Bill couldn't help but thank the fates that it had not been Ginny.

.At times, he could feel Hermione's eyes upon him and he would look at her, seeing a strange, almost hungry look on her face before she looked away. Shaking his head, he did not know how to get through to her.

****

Hermione walked across the lawn, absently watching the late evening sun turn the sky to an iridescent pink. Hearing laughs and yells, her eyes turned to the Quidditch pitch where she saw several figures circling around. A familiar redhead caught her attention and she headed in his direction.

Drawing nearer she saw Bill and three others passing a quaffle back and forth as their laughter rang out. Her lip curled slightly as she saw that the other players were two seventh year girls and a sixth year boy. He would chose to play with them, she thought irritably, not understanding why.

Hermione headed over to one of the low benches next to the Quidditch stands and sat down, looking up at the flying figures. Bill passed the quaffle to the boy just before he reached out and gave the girl that was flying close to him a nudge, sending her off course as she started giggling.

The other girl sped over to help her friend, allowing the boy to fly to the hoops and pass the quaffle through. "We win," Bill chuckled as he lazily flew around the two girls who were still giggling.

"Only because you play dirty," said the blonde haired girl.

"Who me?"

"Yes you," laughed the brunette. "Such tactics. Since when was copping a feel part of the Quidditch defense?"

All three of them laughed. Bill looked down and saw Hermione sitting on the bench. "Time to call it night," he said, heading down. They landed on the ground near Hermione, the girls ignoring her as they started whispering. The boy landed and ran to catch up with the girls. Bill looked at Hermione and winked.

"Aren't you coming Bill?" asked one of the girls.

"Go ahead. I have a few things to take care of here."

Bill headed towards Hermione who rose and started to leave. "Hermione wait please. I have something important to tell you." She hesitated, then sat back down. "I will be back in five minutes," he told her as he hurried to put up the brooms.

Heading towards Hermione, Bill saw her get up, a smile on her face, as she came over to him. He returned the smile, glad that she was finally going to talk to him. Hermione eyes wandered up and down him. His long red hair was damp with sweat, making the loose tendrils curl. His tight pants showed off his long muscular legs, the blue shirt bringing out the blue flecks in his hazel eyes.

"You are a nice man Bill."

"Thanks, and you are a sweet girl," he teased. "Listen, tomorrow afternoon I am going into Hogsmeade..." He stopped and looked at her more closely, his eyes narrowing as he studied her.

She wore a sultry look on her face as she toyed with the buttons on her dress. "You are a brave man too, working for the Order, and I bet you know how to treat a woman," she said coyly as she unbuttoned the first button. "I've seen how you flirt with the older girls, how nice you look in those tight pants you wear."

"Hermione?" He was unnerved at the look of lust that was apparent in her eyes. "What do you think you are playing at?"

She tried to look innocently at him, though it only seemed more seductive. "Playing? Why Bill Weasley, I am just a girl in the company of a handsome man, wanting to be close."

"Hermione," he said moving back a little, "you can't mean what you are saying." He watched as she unbuttoned the second button. Moving closer to him, she swayed her hips enticingly as she snaked her tongue out to lick her lower lip. Bill couldn't drag his gaze from the moisture lingering there. Standing inches from him she reached out and touched his cheek. "Hermione!" he said sharply, jerking away from her.

Her bottom lip trembled a little, and she glanced away. "I'm sorry," she said, hanging her head. "I knew you would find me repulsive. I know I am nothing to look at, my flesh scarred, horrid...so ugly. I saw how disgusted you were when you saw my back."

"That's not true," he said, reaching out to touch her arm. "The disgust I felt was for Lucius, not for you. Never for you. You are a beautiful young woman Hermione, but you are just that. Young. I am sorry if you got the idea that I thought of you in that way..."

Moving faster than he had excepted, her arms wrapped around his neck. "Not that young Mr. Weasley," she whispered, pulling his head down as her mouth closed on his.

He tried to pull her away. She is so little, he thought but she clung tightly to him, her lips demanding under his. His hands slipped around her waist before he was aware that he was doing so and pulled her closer, opening his mouth under the pressure of her tongue and allowing it to slide in.

Bill hadn't meant to kiss her, but now that he was his body was on fire, his adrenaline pumping from the evening's physical play and teasing he had participated in with the older girls. He no longer protested as her tongue played in his mouth, pressing deep as her body arched up against his, grinding against his pelvis. Before he could repress it, he moaned into her mouth as she pulled his bottom lip into her mouth and sucked on it.

Suddenly he felt her ripped from his arms and before he could register what was happening Bill felt his nose break as something struck him hard, causing him to reel backward.

"What is the meaning of this?" a very angry Severus Snape roared. "What do you think you are doing? You are suppose to be protecting her, not treating her like your trollop!" Bill tried to speak but found himself flying through the air.

What the hell? Snape had not drawn his wand but Bill had felt the magical power hit him in the chest. Bill was on his feet, his own wand in his hand. "Snape, I know what this looks like..." Bill felt himself thrown off his feet once more, swearing that the ground had became hot beneath his feet, before he was tossed to the ground.

He jumped to his feet quickly, noticing that Snape now had his wand in his hand, his face murderous, as Bill lifted his own wand casting a spell.

"Professor, no. It was my fault...the reactions..." Hermione said grasping Severus' arm.

Bill cast Stupefy at the same moment Hermione had grabbed Snape's arm. He flinched knowing she would be caught in the spell but could do nothing to stop it. The red beam flew out of his wand hitting Snape and Hermione. Bill watched in disbelief as it spread out encircling both of them, like an eerie red rope, before it exploded in a shower of red and gold sparks.

"Get the hell out of here!" Severus snarled, his throbbing head finally acknowledging what Hermione had said.

Bill hesitated. "Alright, come on Hermi..."

"Now, before something happens we both will regret! I will deal with Miss Granger!"

Looking at Hermione, Bill saw her nod, though her face was pale. Against his better judgment he turned and sprinted back towards the castle.

Grabbing Hermione's upper arm, Severus dragged her into the changing room. Throwing her away from him, his eyes raked her, noting the fear and lust in her eyes, the top buttons of her dress undone, her lips still swollen from Weasley's kisses. He briefly wondered if she had gone to him willingly or was she truly having another reaction. Lust and rage flooded his mind and he snarled savagely as he rounded on her.

"Is this what you want?" Severus growled as he swooped down on her, crushing his mouth to hers. He was brutal as he assaulted her mouth, drawing blood as his teeth sunk into her lower lip. He could feel her feebly pushing against him, struggling to get away as his arms held her. Wrenching away from her mouth, he bit her neck hard causing her to cry out in pain.

"Is that really what you want? If so, I can introduce you to a Madam in Knockturn Alley. You can then at least be paid for being a slut." His voice was low now, the quiet tone unnerving her more than his yelling had.

"No," she mumbled big tears falling down her face.

"Then fight me damn it," He said harshly as he once again claimed her mouth. She was trembling violently but he did not relent, kissing her until he felt her sag against him. Disgusted with himself as he felt his body's arousal, he started to pull away when he felt her foot come down hard on his. Severus almost chuckled with relief but continued to kiss her neck, whispering vulgar suggestions in her ear. He was rewarded as he felt her claw at his face, still trying to kick at him.

Grabbing her wrists he pushed her against the wall. "Pathetic," he said sarcastically, his eyes devouring her face. The lust was still there but he could see a slow burn of fury behind them. "You are only enticing me. Don't you know I relish in the fight, the rougher the better? I can take you right now and there is not a damn thing you can do to stop me. Does that frighten you? Or maybe that is what you want? To get the pleasure from all this, pretending that you are helpless so that you will not have to feel guilty when it is over."

"You bastard!" she screamed, "How dare you even suggest that...that I would want you?"

"If you cannot or will not defend yourself against me, Hermione, what makes you think a real enemy will listen to reason. I want you to fly, to reclaim yourself. I want you to live, to stop with the damnable 'reactions'."

There was a blinding flash of light and Severus felt as if strong hands were grabbing his shoulders, pulling him away from her. He staggered as he got his bearings, a small smile on his face. She just cast a spell without her wand, he thought, delighted that she had found the strength to do so.

Hermione collapsed against the wall, tears of indignation falling. "How could you do this to me? I trusted you!"

Severus closed his eyes feeling her words pierce him. "Perhaps you should be wiser in whom you trust Miss Granger," he replied bitterly "Especially someone who wears the Dark Mark."

She looked at him; her eyes so full of hurt that he flinched. Taking a deep breath he moved to stand in front of her. "Truly I only wanted to show you that you are much more than what you think." His hand shook as he reached out to touch her hair gently "and you are Hermione, so much more. I saw the Gryffindor come through and you fought. You summoned a spell without your wand."

Burying her face in her hands, Hermione cried in frustration. Severus couldn't stand it any longer, wrapping her in a comforting hug. When her sobs had ceased, Severus lifted her chin to look into her eyes. He was glad to see the acceptance there once more, the trust he was afraid he may have lost. "Tell me what happened," he urged.

She looked down as she mumbled about Bill seeing her back and being disgusted. "I think I just wanted to prove to him I was desirable."

He forced her chin up once more. "Try again. Though the youngest Weasley male has been a jealous prat this t, I will not believe that about the eldest. What really brought you to this?" Hermione flushed and finally told him about the dreams, of Lucius' tormenting her, warning her of not having pleasure, of being punished when she did.

Severus' heart went out to her. Damn you Lucius. "It is alright," he said softly. "Truly it is. The bastard was just toying with you Hermione. Our bodies were made for pleasure not pain. Do not let him take that from you."

"How can he take something away when I shall never know what that something really is?"

Severus contemplated his words before he spoke. "Hermione, do you not enjoy it when you touch yourself? Have you never brought yourselfto pleasure from that?"

Blushing, Hermione looked away. "That isn't something proper, is it? I mean...it is a taboo of sorts..."

Severus snorted. "And who put that rot into your head? Pleasuring yourself through masturbation is quite natural and there is nothing sinful or wrong about it."

Flustered, Hermione looked at him. She couldn't imagine having a talk about this with her mother, and here she was discussing such things with the most cantankerous person she had ever known.

"So have you?"

Her lips twitched. "Have you?"

"Most definitely."

"Well, I have. But not since...I am afraid to. I am afraid..."

"That if you enjoy it that you will be punished? Hermione, you are more intelligent than that. I want you to promise me that you will try not to think that way." She nodded. "And I also want you to pleasure yourself as often as you want." He gave her a small smile. "It may help to curb these 'reactions'."

"Do you want an essay about it when I do?" she teased, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She couldn't believe she had just said that.

Severus laughed, Hermione joining him. "That's the annoying Gryffindor I remember."

Hermione was still smiling. "You really are a nice person despite your attempts to prove otherwise, Professor Snape."

He groaned loudly. ""Do you realize how many points I am going to have to deduct from Gryffindor when term starts again for that remark?"

She giggled just a bit before her face grew somber once more, a look of profound sadness on it.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

"My back. I mean it is horrible to look at. No one...will ever look at it without disgust, will they?"

"Hermione, there is something I want to show you." Severus pulled out his wand and cast a spell to lock the door.

Hermione sensed that this was important and sat down on the edge of a table, watching in amazement as Severus took off his robes laying them on the table. Not looking at her, he unbuttoned the white shirt he wore, quickly shedding it. He carefully laid the shirt on top of his robes.

Her first thought was that she was probably the first student ever to see Snape undress. Ron and Harry had often speculated that he was deformed somehow, that he hid a misshapen body beneath the layers. Hermione looked over his body seeing only the body of a normal man. He was lean and wiry, his skin sallow, a light dusting of hair on his chest. She noted a half moon shaped scar over his breastbone and another one near his stomach.

Turning around he presented his back to her. She gasped quietly as she saw it. His back was a cacophony of scars. Different patterns marred the sallow, pale skin and played across the defined muscles there. Some were ragged and red, others faint and white. There did not seem to be an inch of skin that was not marred.

He heard the table squeak as she stood. Severus trembled slightly as he felt her fingers touched his back questioningly. In quiet tones he told her what had caused each scar as she touched it, though he would not tell her the circumstances in which he acquired them.

Severus felt her move away and he took a deep breath before turning around. He was surprised to see she had her back to him and was shrugging out of the top of her dress. His heart lurched at the trust she was showing him.

Hermione shivered as she felt his delicate fingers caressing her flesh, and a moment of panic threatened to overwhelm her.

"Its all right," he said soothingly, as he pulled her hair away from her back. His fingers reverently grazed each scar. "They are badges of courage Hermione," he said, his voice soft as his breath brushed her ear. "Don't ever be ashamed of them."

****

Pacing back and forth in front of the Fat Lady's portrait, Bill was wondering if he had done the right thing leaving Hermione with Severus. He had never seen the man so angry. Bill touched his nose gingerly, feeling the swelling.

"You should really go see the nurse about that, dear," the Fat Lady told him for the fifth time.

"It will keep," he snapped, as he resumed his pacing. It had been over an hour and he thought perhaps he should go to Minerva.

"If you are trying to wear out the floor, I assure you that you are making splendid progress," the portrait said smugly.

Bill looked up ready to retort and saw Hermione coming up the hall. He walked swiftly to her. "You alright?"

She smiled at him sheepishly. "Fine thanks."

"I am sorry," they both said at the same time. Hermione giggled and Bill grinned.

"No, I am the one at fault," Bill said gently. "I shouldn't have allowed..."

"You didn't allow anything Bill. I just 'act' inappropriately at times." She flushed. "I am ashamed that you had to see it."

Bill hesitated then gave her a swift hug. "I think I figured it out, at least some of it. Hermione, if you ever need to talk..."

"I won't hesitate. Of course you would offer now that you are leaving tomorrow evening," she teased.

His face sobered. "Seriously, owl me if you need to talk. Or mum..."

"No. Bill, I must ask that you do not tell anyone about what I have been through. I just cannot handle that, not yet."

Bill nodded. "Look, tomorrow afternoon I will be going into Hogsmeade to meet my replacement from the Order. Would you like to come?"

"I would love to," she said, smiling gratefully at him.

****

Hermione waited at the Hogsmeade station with Bill the next afternoon. The Hogwarts Express pulled up, steam billowing from its tall black pipe. A dark haired, sharp-nosed woman stepped down from the train looking around cautiously. She spotted Bill and Hermione, and winked. "Hello Tonks," Bill said fondly. A large grin crossed Hermione's face as she saw the raven-haired boy that followed Tonks.

"Harry!" Hermione ran to him, throwing her arms around him as they hugged each other tightly.

"Move it along," a familiar voice said, and Hermione released Harry to see Remus Lupin helping Ginny down the steps. She blinked in surprise as Ron appeared also.

"Surprise Hermione!" Ginny said excitedly, hugging her. "Mum and dad allowed us to come, especially since Dumbledore agreed to let Harry. It will be so much better than staying at that horrid place..."

"Shh," Tonks said, putting a finger up to her lips.

"I think we should move this little reunion to the castle," Remus said, shaking hands with Bill. "Hermione, I'm so glad to see you." He gave her a swift hug.

Hermione looked at Ron, who was drawing patterns on the ground with his foot. "How are you Hermione?" he asked softly.

"Fine thanks," she said briskly. "Good to see you Ron."

"Thanks," he muttered.

"Ah, here come the carriages," Remus stated as two Hogwarts carriages approached. Harry avoided looking at them, not wanting to see the creatures that pulled them. "Tonks, you take the girls in the first one. We'll take this one and meet you at the school."

The girls climbed into the carriage. As soon as it started off Ginny was bubbling over once more. "Oh Hermione, it's been so dreadfully boring at Grimmauld Place, especially without you and Harry. Mum and Dad have been working so hard and everyone is so serious. I cannot believe I am actually looking forward to being in school."

Tonks grinned at Hermione, then puffed out her cheeks. Her face transformed into its usual guise. Her short spiked hair was a blinding shock of lemon yellow streaked with electric blue. "Thought I would try something different. So how are you really Hermione? Holding up with all this rot going on?"

"I miss everyone, especially my parents, but it has been a pleasant summer."

Ginny snorted. "I suppose you are enjoying doing homework."

"It's not like that Ginny." Hermione explained about the classes. Most were just fun, such as art, the dueling club and the advanced flying classes, which Hermione had not signed up for. "We are not graded on anything. You have arrived just in time to take Professor's Snape's medical potions class that starts next week," she teased.

"Not on your life," Ginny exhorted. Tonks gave Hermione an odd look.

"Speaking of Snape," Tonks began, but Ginny waved her hands at her.

"What?" Hermione demanded.

Ginny sighed. "Hermione, you will find out sooner or later but Ron sorta let it slip, well, you know, about the rumor."

Hermione blushed. "You mean everyone at Grimmauld Place knows about that?"

"Not everyone," Tonks grinned. "Just me, Kingsley, Molly, Arthur, Remus and Charlie, who had popped in to report on how things were progressing up north."

Groaning, Hermione looked at Ginny. "What was even worse was that Snape was there when Ron let it slip," Ginny said apologetically.

"I would have given a thousand galleons for a camera," Tonks chuckled. "It was priceless."

"Tonks!" Ginny scolded. "It was like this Hermione. The Order had just had a meeting and everyone had just settled down for dinner..."

"Except Snape. He wasn't there yet. He was supposed to have been but apparently he got held up," Tonks interjected.

"Yes, and we were just starting to tuck in when the door opened and Snape walked in. He apologized to mum and told dad he needed to speak with him. Well, dad and Snape started to leave the room when Ron asked. 'How's your girlfriend Snape?'

"You could have heard a pin drop as Snape looked at Ron and asked him in that low silky voice he uses when he is really angry in class, 'What did you say Mr. Weasley?'. Ron said 'Your girlfriend, Professor, remember her? How is Hermione? Have you tired of shagging her yet?'"

"You should have seen Molly," Tonks said, her face screwing up as she turned her hair scarlet red. "Her face turned this color," she pointed to her hair, "as she marched over to Ron and grabbed him by the ear, jerking him up from his seat."

"I have never seen mum so mad," Ginny said, shuddering. "She yelled at Ron for saying such rot, disrespecting his Professor, and for saying such things about you. Mum dragged him over to Snape, then she and dad demanded that Ron apologize at once. Ron muttered an apology, then Snape and dad left, but that was only the beginning of it."

"True," Tonks sighed. "Molly gave Ron such a tongue lashing I even felt the welts."

"Everyone just stared at Ron when she had finished chewing him out. Mum then demanded to know why he had said such a thing."

Hermione shook her head, imaging what Ron had said. Ginny understood. "Ron gave his version of what happened between you and Professor Snape and I told mum what Harry and I had thought happened, that it was just a stupid prank of the Slytherins and that you had been spending a lot of time with Professor Snape because of your illness at the start of the term."

"Yes." Tonks eyed Hermione curiously, "What was that all about?"

"Nothing," Hermione said, holding Tonks gaze. "Just a rare virus. Oh Ginny, I am so embarrassed that everyone knows about that."

Ginny frowned. "Don't be. It's Ron who was the prat. He is planning to ask you to forgive him. If I was you, I wouldn't."

"Life's too short to hold grudges," Tonks said. "We're here."

****

Bill and Tonks were leaving that evening after the Dueling Match that had been arranged for Bill's last night. The tables had been removed and a platform was set up in the Great Hall. The students and staff milled around, anxious to see how the Dueling Club had progressed over the weeks.

Professor Flitwick and Bill divided the students up and the duels began. There were laughs and applause as each team demonstrated their skills. Hermione clapped loudly for Tamara who had bested her opponent, Dennis Creevey.

"And finally our best student will face off with her teacher," Flitwick said as Hermione climbed onto the platform to face Bill, her grin wide. Flitwick and Bill had been astonished with her skill. She didn't tell them it was from the training she had done with Harry and the others in secret during the past year.

She bowed to Bill as they met in the center. "No holding back," he teased.

"Nor you," she agreed. They turned and walked to the spots.

"On the count of three", Flitwick said. "One, two, three!"

Bill cast the first spell quickly at her, Hermione blocking it easily. They exchanged spells, firing them rapidly at each other, sparks flying when at times the spells met in the middle. Silence filled the hall as the crowd watched the spectacular duel.

Severus slipped into the Hall, standing towards the back in the shadows. He stood there watching the spectacle on the platform, a small smile on his lips as Hermione blocked and parried with expertise.

Finally Bill caught Hermione with her guard down. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted. Hermione's wand flew from her hand and Bill grinned in triumph at her. "I have you now," he teased, confidently casting Stupefy at her. Hermione held up her hand instinctively and there was a murmur throughout the hall as Bill's spell hit her hand. A sudden flash of bright light and the spell rebounded, hitting Bill squarely in the chest. He looked at her startled as he fell.

The hall was eerily silent, as everyone looked at Hermione standing on the dueling platform looking dazed. Severus took a step forward, then stopped. She had cast a spell without her wand again, but she had not spoken a word.

Professor Flitwick stepped forward and grabbed Hermione's hand, thrusting it triumphantly into the air as far as his short stature would allow him. She blinked and looked around. "Winner," he said proudly. The hall broke into thunderous applause. Flitwick reversed the hex from Bill and helped him to stand.

Bill went over to Hermione, looking at her curiously. "Brilliant Hermione," he said giving her a hug. "When did you start using wandless magic?'

"What?"

"You stopped my spell without your wand. That's powerful magic Hermione."

"I didn't," she started but was cut off as Ginny, Tamara and Harry were hugging and congratulating her.

Severus slipped out of the hall unnoticed. The girl had cast a spell once more, just like she had in the locker room last night.

****

Hermione, Ginny, Tamara and Remus headed for Hagrid's Hut before breakfast the next morning. Remus had heard about the wolf pups and was curious, explaining to Hermione he had never seen a Dire Wolf and wanted to see if he could communicate with them. He explained to the girls the Dire Wolf's ability to communicate in their own language and how they often consorted with goblins because of this.

Ginny and Tamara had hit it off and Hermione had been glad. She was afraid that the young girl would feel out of place with the others, but they seemed to accept her as Hermione had.

Hermione started to open the door to the hut when Remus put a hand on her arm. "Wait." Remus told her pulling out his wand. His sensitive nose had caught the scent of blood, fresh blood. He opened the door slowly and stepped into the hut, his eyes scanning the room. "Stay out" he said sharply as he felt Hermione try to enter behind him, but he was too late. She had already seen the macabre sight.

Remus eyes searched the room quickly, looking for any signs of the person or persons who had done this. "Hermione," he grabbed her shoulder turning her away from the sight. "Go outside and tell Ginny to find Professor Snape and bring him here quickly. Then tell Tamara to go to Professor McGonagall and tell her that Harry needs to stay with her. Alright?'

Hermione nodded as she stumbled back outside.

After closing the door, Remus walked tentatively over to the dead pups. Squatting down he examined one of the corpses. The little animal's throat had been neatly slashed. The perpetrator had not stopped at simply cutting the pups throats but had gutted each animal then carefully had arranged them in a circle on the floor. Dipping his fingers in the pool of blood, Remus surmised it had been less than an hour as the blood was still fresh, the aroma sending unbidden thoughts to his mind.

Standing, Remus' eyes moved to the wall nearest the pups. The words had sent a cold chill through him when he had first saw it. He reread the message painted in blood.

'You can't hide from me.'

"It's meant for me."

Remus spun around, his wand in his hand. Hermione closed the door walking slowly towards the wall, face pale and her lips drawn tight.

"If you're worried about Harry, don't be. The message was left for me. I know who sent it and I know why they delivered such a threat."

"Hermione," he began, a thousand questions in his mind. "Would you care to elaborate?"

"It's...just..."

The door burst open as Severus strode in, his face grim. "What happened here?"

Hermione was starting to tremble as Remus told Severus what he knew. He looked at Hermione. "Miss Granger believes the message is for her for some reason."

Severus looked at her for the first time. Her eyes were pleading with him. He hesitated for a moment, glancing sideways at Lupin and then opened his arms to her. Hermione flew into them as Severus wrapped her tightly in a hug.

Lupin stared, then raised his eyebrow...