Bring Me to Life

Chapter 6- Voldemort Introduced

Potions that Monday had been Hell. Neither Snape nor Hermione could look at one another. At the end of class, Hermione had to force herself to follow Ron and Harry out the door. On top of all of this, she still had not told her friends of her feelings for the snarky professor.

Now, she was dressing warmly, for winter had arrived, in muggle clothing. Somehow, the week had progressed to Thursday--however slowly. She threw on a cloak over her jeans and sweater for good measure and started down the staircase. She was almost through the portrait hole when Harry and Ron cornered her.

"Where are you going, ‘Mione?" Ron asked.

Harry seemed to be surveying her clothing. Hermione slipped behind her back the note about Madame Femini's couples' therapy. Thankfully, he had not caught this move. She smiled brightly at them.

"I'm going to do some research in the library," she said.

"In a cloak…that's not invisible?" Ron asked, eyebrow raised.

Hermione glanced away from them, so to hide the worry she could feel edging into her eyes. Looking back, she smiled again. Shrugging, she said, "Well, the castle does get a bit drafty. I've been feeling the chills lately. I might even go to the Hospital Wing for a cold treatment…or something."

"Oh," Harry said, suddenly sympathetic. He moved to the side, dragging Ron with him. "I didn't know you weren't feeling well. We'll see you tomorrow morning, huh?"

"Of course. Good night," Hermione said.

As soon as the portrait swung closed behind her, she let out a long sigh. Shaking her head, she made her way down to the entrance hall. The castle's corridors were deserted, almost creepily so. Hermione was thanking. She would hate to have to explain herself being out so late to another professor. Students would be no problem. It was a silent code of honor among the Hogwarts students. If you caught each other out late, just smile, nod, and keep moving. Don't ask, don't tell policy. Odds were, one didn't want to know anyway.

Just as she reached the Entrance Hall, however, Hermione was greeted by none other than her Head of House. Professor McGonagall turned and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Miss Granger, what are you doing out this late?" she asked.

"Um…well…I," Hermione stuttered. Finally, she moved her hand to start to hand her the letter. But McGonagall stopped her.

"Oh, that's tonight? Very well. Continue on," she said, moving so Hermione could get around.

"Professor, you…you know?"

McGonagall smiled and, although she didn't say anything out loud, Hermione got the impression. Her look said, "You're not the first."

Hermione hurried on, and, finally, came to her destination. At the gates to Hogwarts stood Severus. He had his black cloak drawn about him and appeared to be tapping his foot impatiently. When she reached him, they shared a brief kiss.

"What took you so long?" he asked when they had started their walk into Hogsmeade.

"I ran into some inquisitive people," she replied.

"Ah."

She smiled. They were almost to the Hogs Head Bar. However, just as they came into sight of it, Hermione's hand swept across Severus's arm, accidentally. He turned, causing her to jump he stopped so suddenly. She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong but was cut off. Wrapping her in his arms, he had started to kiss her passionately. At first, she tried to struggle, but all too soon, she had wrapped her arms around his neck, fully returning the kiss. It was only when his hands began to slide up her shirt, again, that they both broke apart and jumped back.

"What the hell is wrong with us?!" Hermione said.

"I don't know!" Severus replied.

"I mean, I'm relatively mature in my acts and responsibilities…and let's face it, you're no teenager with raging hormones…"

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should. I think I'll enjoy being with someone with some experience."

Snape smiled at her at this. Finding herself about to move in again, Hermione let out a tiny shout of exasperation. He shook his head.

"Let's go…well, to class…"

…………………

It was thirty minutes later, and the only thing that kept Hermione and Severus off one another was the fact that Madame Femini--who was a large, scowling woman dressed as one would expect a classic portrayal of a gypsy would be--with a large ruler.

"Why is it," she began shrilly, "that the two of you cannot do this lesson?"

"Madame, please…you must understand…it's…" Hermione said timidly.

"It's what?"

"A bit embarrassing," Snape finished.

"So, expressing your feelings are embarrassing?" Femini asked.

"Expressing emotional feelings, no," Hermione said.

"But sexual…" Snape said quietly.

"Speaking and not doing what the two of you so desire to do will help to put it out of your mind," Femini said as if explaining it to a couple of toddlers.

"But…in front of you…"

"Very well!" Femini exclaimed. "Then I will wait outside the door. Forget that I will be listening and speak as if no one is listening in."

With that, she strode to the door and slammed it shut behind her. Hermione cleared her throat, followed shortly by Severus doing the same. Finally, she mouthed to him, "You first."

Sighing, Snape opened his mouth to say something but stopped.

"Why is this so difficult?" he asked, more of himself.

"Maybe because we didn't expect to be talking dirty to each other quite yet," Hermione reasoned. "Maybe if you close your eyes."

Snape nodded. Closing his eyes, he took a moment. Finally, he began.

"I…I want to…caress…"

There was a sudden pop in the room.

"Voldemort!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What?!" Snape shouted, his eyes flying open.

But sure enough, with his wand pointed at Hermione's throat, stood Lord Voldemort.

"Master!" Snape said quickly, kneeling before him.

"Severus," Voldemort began in a cold voice, "why are you with this muggle girl?"

"I…my Lord…I can explain…"

"Never mind it! I will not have you consorting with this mudblood! Dirtying your blood for her will serve me in no way," he said. Turning to Hermione, he began, "Avada--"

"Master! Wait, please!" Snape cried.

Voldemort turned back. "Yes?"

"She…may be of use to us. She's…she's powerful. And one of Potter's closest friends."

Voldemort seemed to ponder this. Finally, he said, "Very well. But you will kill her when you are done."

Before Snape could protest, Voldemort had apparated away. Hermione stood.

"We should go to Dumbledore immediately!" she whispered fervently.

Snape nodded and stood. Just as he did, Femini came back into the room.

"Role-playing," she said, thoughtfully as Hermione and Snape exchanged worried glances. "Hmm…I don't exactly approve of the whole Lord Voldemort role-play, but that's not my department. Very excellent session tonight. See you tomorrow."

And as quickly as they could, Hermione and Snape exited the building.