Winter's Shadow

Chapter 25

The Serpent and the Onyx

Just as quickly as Hermione realized who was in the fire, he disappeared. She felt her heart sink into the pits of her stomach. Why was Snape watching her from the fire? For a moment she thought, hoped, he had come to her rescue--a silly idealistic thought, but one she longed for nonetheless. A small knock on her door revealed Narcissa. Walking across the room to Hermione, she sat down on the bed next to her.

"The Dark Lord sent me. He felt you would still be too angry with him to listen."

Hermione shifted her eyes to look at the blond witch. Slowly, Narcissa raised the sleeve of her robes and revealed the Dark Mark to Hermione. She stared at it wondering and fearing where this conversation was going. Then, Narcissa answered Hermione's unasked questions.

"We all have the Dark Mark...the Dark Lord is arranging for you to receive yours tomorrow evening." Narcissa stood and walked for the door. Before she left, Hermione heard her whisper, "I am so sorry."

Hermione turned to look at the fire. The Dark Mark? She had not thought of this when she bargained her life the Snape's. However, she should have known it would come to this at some point. Voldemort needed her which placed her, possibly, in a position of being close to him--closer than his other Death Eater, but it would mean she would be required to bear the Dark Mark as well.

She watched the fire dancing in the fireplace. It would hurt that she was sure of. Anything that was equivalent to having your skin branded had to hurt. At the moment she could almost feel the pain of the Mark--from within. More than anything, she wanted to be able to contact Snape without alerting anyone. She wanted, for once, to reach out and ask for help. She wanted to escape the manor that was her prison. Slowly the fire faded from view as she drifted off to sleep.

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A small part of Snape was satisfied that Hermione was indeed safe for now. As long as she was needed, she was safe and she seemed to be taking to certain amount of power she held where that was concerned. Then there was the part of him that feared what would become of Hermione if Voldemort suddenly did not need her--she would be killed instantly. He was rather amazed that Voldemort had not done so anyway after the way she spoke to him.

Snape tossed and turned the rest of the night. His dreams were filled with Hermione. Past moments flashed across his mind as if reliving them. Her greeting him "properly" when he arrived at her house. Her voice floated in his mind when his mind replayed an argument at her house, "I am NO longer that eleven-year old girl who cowered before the great bat of a Potions Professor!" He saw Hermione in the entertainment room during the summer having fun with her little "guess this song" game she was playing with Harmony and Ophelia. Hermione playing around the pool with Harry and Draco. He heard the audience and cat calls as she took the stage with her friends for some contest and the look in her eyes when she sang to him one night when they were all out with Sirius. Then, there was the kiss. It seemed to play over and over in his head. So much so that he thought for a moment he could feel it again. The look on her face when she gave back the onyx. He felt something odd, like a weight dragging him down. Then they were dancing in his mind. It was Halloween. He could see her tear brimmed eyes and hear her soft voice... "There is not a drop of passion in your soul...I feel sorry for you....a passionless life is not a life worth living." The visions seemed to swirl in his mind as he felt himself being dragged further down into something unfamiliar--like he was drowning. The look on her face as she realized the Death Eater was real and not Harry. The fear that crossed her face when Voldemort ordered his Death and the events that followed played over and over. "Don't waste the gift I'm giving you." Her words echoed in his mind and seemed to pull him completely down. He woke abruptly when the vision of Hermione following Wormtail up the stairs crossed his vision.

Snape sat up in bed and looked around. His chambers suddenly felt very dark and lonely and he couldn't understand what had changed. The dream was still dancing as a shadow in his mind. He could feel her again. He could feel her, deeply--as if she was surrounding him. He knew he would not be able to go back to sleep, so instead he bathed and dressed for the day. Heading out of his bedroom, he thought a quiet cup of tea might settled his nerves somewhat. Something caught his eye.

In front of the fire, in one corner of the sofa, the curled up form of Hermione Granger lay. The most disturbing aspect of this occurrence was that she seemed anything but solid. Snape could see her, but also anything that lay beyond her. Was she really there? Her form seemed to startle awake and sat up. She was wearing the long black robes he recalled seeing her in at Pallidus Manor the previous night. Her form stood up and began to frantically pace back and forth in front of the fire--something Snape had done several times before. Her mouth was moving, but he could not hear her. She stopped abruptly when Snape cut off her path.

Looking down at her, he reached out to her cheek. His hand went straight through her form. At first, he feared she was dead, but he realized he did not feel the intense cold one does when one's body passes through a ghost. Hermione's form was looking down at her feet. She looked up at Snape and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She looked back down and began to play with the fabric of her robe they lay across her arm. Snape watched this silent, translucent Hermione fidget nervously with her arm.

Snape's heart was pounding in his chest harder than he knew possible. Hermione's form slowly lifted her robe sleeve and looked back at Snape. The Dark Mark could be seen on her transparent form. Snape stared at it and then at Hermione. Her eyes rose to meet his. Even in an alternate form, her eyes seemed to pierce something deep in Snape he did not know how to describe. The pain was evident in her eyes. Her mouth moved though no sound escaped her lips.

"I am sorry."

Her eyes were still piercing his when her form vanished from sight. Suddenly, Snape's head filled with Hermione's singing voice again.

"Wake me up inside

Wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become..."

Silently, Snape sat down on the sofa. He knew he was not hallucinating; Hermione was there--she was in a way. His only concern was the Dark Mark she showed him and the possible implications of this vision of Hermione bearing it. He reached into his robes and pulled the serpent pendant out by the chain. Wrapping his hand around it, he felt the heat radiating from within. Something had to be done.

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Hermione stood next to her bed looking down at the branded mark upon her skin. She wondered, if she ever returned to Hogwarts and her friends, would Harry ever forgive her? A small voice in the back of her mind whispered to her that it didn't matter--she would never return. Her mind turned to Professor Snape. She remembered his face dancing in the fire. Slowly she walked out to the balcony.

Her last year at Hogwarts was not supposed to be like this--for one, she was supposed to actually BE at Hogwarts. Looking down at the brand on her skin, she caressed her fingers over it. As her fingers grazed the skin she thought about her friends and hoped all she had done would be worth it in the end.

As she stood there looking out over the property below, she wondered about the final battle between Voldemort and Harry. If Harry defeated Voldemort would she be able to return to her friends or would she go down like the rest of the Death Eaters? Then a thought occurred she had not contemplated. Would she be forced to fight against her friends? Would she have to stand before Harry, Ron, Draco, Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Remes, Sirius, and Professor Snape and cast unforgivables as if these people mean nothing to her?

The thought was almost more than she could handle. The wind whipped around her, tousling her hair. Slowly, without a moments hesitation, she lifted her self up on the low wall of the balcony. Rising to her feet, she stood there with her eyes closed, face pointed up at the sky, and arms spread. The wind blew, swirling around her, causing her black robes to whip around her legs. She just stood there on her precipice. It seemed the force that drove and filled every living thing was encircling her, teasing her. It seemed nothing had truly been her choice lately--falling in love with Snape, bargaining herself for his life, being needed by Voldemort, receiving the Dark Mark, being cut off from everyone she loved. None of it was a choice. But right there, standing on her own private precipice she had a choice--climb down, back into her prison or jump. Either way she was dead. As the wind swept over and around her again, she never felt more free. She felt like she could fly...

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Severus made his decision. He was going to get her at whatever cost. Grabbing the floo powder he began to grab a pinch when the flames turned the usual turquoise and Dumbledore stepped out. Severus eyed the man with a hint of irritation. The headmaster always had impeccable timing.

"I do not have time for a visit." Severus got straight to the point in an attempt to get rid of the old man. Dumbledore stood there eyeing the Potions Master. Severus held his wand in hand, floo powder in the other, and out of his robes laying against the fabric covering his chest was the serpent. Dumbledore's eyes rested on the serpent for a moment.

"Going somewhere of importance, Severus?"

Dumbledore's eyes shifted up to Severus' face and smiled. He knew very well where Snape was going and Snape knew as much. But Snape also knew Dumbledore was fishing for answers to questions not asked.

"Where I go when I am not teaching a class is of no concern of yours."

Dumbledore nodded his head and stepped out of the way of the fireplace. Snape stepped forward.

"I'll just let myself out."

Snape nodded slightly to Dumbledore. He watched Dumbledore walk across the room to the door and then stop.

"Oh, Severus." He turned from the fireplace to look at the old man. "Do be careful. Keep in mind Voldemort will, more than likely, be watching the floo network for traces of Miss Granger's presence. And...the onyx alone nor the serpent alone will allow escape from Pallidus Manor." Dumbledore turned and walked out the door. Snape's glare lingered at the closed door for a moment before turning back to the fireplace.

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Severus stepped out of the fireplace in the Lily and Mahogany room with his wand at the ready in case anyone other than Hermione was in the room. He saw no one--not even Hermione. This worried him though. It could mean several things and none of them necessarily good. He felt a breeze circle the room bringing his attention to the open doors leading to the balcony. Night had fallen and the only light out on the balcony was that of the moon. The moon light cast down upon a figure standing on the balcony wall. Snape looked up to the figure--long black robes waving in the wind, arms stretched out, face pointing up to the moon, skin illuminated by the moon's glow.

Snape felt his entire body go numb in a way he did not know was possible. Was Hermione about to jump? It was as if water filled his lungs choking him and his heart suddenly stopped. He didn't care who heard him as long as he got Hermione off the wall--out of danger. He feared her being in Pallidus Manor believing and knowing she would always be in danger of Lord Voldemort, but the thought of her being a danger to herself never occurred to him.

Tears began to slowly slide down the pristine cheeks of Hermione Granger. His heart thumped against his chest reminding him he was alive. Within seconds, without a second thought, Snape crossed the room. He reached a pale hand up to the back of her robes and pulled her down.

Hermione was suddenly pulled backward and down off the low wall. She stumbled as her feet hit the balcony floor and felt strong arms encircling her waist preventing her fall. She looked up into the eyes of Severus Snape and for a moment she thought she possibly fell off the balcony or she was dreaming. A shaky hand reached up to Severus' face. Caressing his cheek, she rested her hand there as if making sure he was really there.

Severus closed his eyes for a moment. His arms were still wrapped around her. He could hear that annoying voice in the back of his mind again. The voice asking him, "who else would die for you?" When he opened his eyes she was still there--searching his face. Hermione could not figure out what he was thinking or the real reason he was there. Snape leaned closer to her. The moment his lips brushed against hers the same warmth filled him that he remembered from their first kiss. Hermione mind swirled. She could not imagine being anywhere else but in whose arms she was in.

A gentle knock at the door startled them both. In one quick moment, Hermione pulled away, shoving Snape off to one end of the balcony where he would be out of sight. Pressing his self up against the wall he stole a glance at Hermione. Where she was previously pale and lifeless looking she now had a bit of color to her cheeks and a slight twinkle of mischief in her eye like the old Hermione.

Hermione stepped back into her room from the balcony as Narcissa walked in. Narcissa stood in front of Hermione, tucking a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear, and proceeding to tilt Hermione's head up by the chin. Narcissa searched Hermione over as a mother would.

"Are you alright? I was worried after this evening."

Hermione smiled slightly at Narcissa and nodded. Narcissa dropped her hand from Hermione's chin and reached into her robes. She pulled out a rolled up and sealed piece of parchment. She held it out for Hermione to take. Hermione reached out to take it, looking at Narcissa quizzically.

"It's a letter for Draco."

Hermione looked confused.

"I-I don't understand."

Narcissa smiled at Hermione and glanced toward the balcony.

"It's not every day Severus plays the hero. Do not argue with him. Go and do not come back." Narcissa turned to leave, but Hermione stopped her.

"But Voldemort will kill him if I leave."

Narcissa stopped and turned back around.

"Hermione, the Dark Lord has to be able to lay hands on Severus to kill him. I do not see that happening, especially with you around." Narcissa looked behind Hermione, back at the balcony entrance. "I shall place a charm on the door--anyone intending to enter will remember a previous engagement. You will have thirty minutes."

Hermione's heart and mind was racing. Why was Narcissa helping her? She was a smart girl and could put two and two together and understand that Narcissa was not Lucius. Hermione's mind flashed to Draco and his newly orphaned life. It didn't matter that he would be leaving Hogwarts soon--he still needed a mother.

"Mrs. Malfoy, if you are so certain Professor Snape will attempt to rescue me and I will go then why don't you leave with me?"

Narcissa smiled bitter sweetly at Hermione. The deep silky voice coming from behind her shocked her for a moment.

"Because, Miss Granger, someone must remain on the inside to report to the Order." Narcissa said goodbye to both Severus and Hermione and left the room. Once the door clicked shut they could just hear Narcissa's mumbling as she placed the charm on the door.

Moments ticked by achingly slow. Neither knew what to say to the other. Hermione feared mentioning Severus kissing her on the balcony. She could hear him with a dead monotone voice telling her, "it was a mistake, Miss Granger." She did not want or need to hear that from him right then. Severus broke the silence.

"Miss Granger, I do not think it wise to just stand here wasting time. We need to figure a way out of here for you."

Slowly, Hermione turned to face him.

"If I leave you die."

Severus crossed his arms across his chest and surveyed Hermione for a moment.

"Do not be such a silly ignorant child."

Hermione's mouth opened and then closed a couple of times. She could not believe the man who kissed her on the balcony was standing before her referring to her as, "A SILLY IGNORANT CHILD!" Her voice filled the room. A voice full of rage that would scare Harry, Ron, and Draco, but Severus stood there--uneffected. One eyebrow raised as he watched her temperature rise.

"Miss Granger, do NOT underestimate the Dark Lord! You are in danger here!"

A fire flared in her eyes. Her fists balled up at her sides. Her breathing was quick. Severus remained in his stance looking at Hermione. That's when it dawned on him--he liked it when she was angry. Thinking back, the spunk and fire she emitted during the summer when she was having fun, in the classroom when she was learning something knew, when she was facing Voldemort--it was the same spunk and fire she drowned others in when she was angry. It was a part of her passion. A sudden wave swept over Severus. He wanted to kiss her again, but knew it was not the time. It was possible she would hex him with the look she had in her eyes.

Hermione took a couple deep breaths and slowly her fists unclench. She turned away from Severus, but he still heard her whisper.

"Like you care."

A rage filled Severus. Not the kind of rage he felt as a Death Eater--the kind so white hot for anything not pureblood, but this overwhelming hurt rage. It was blinding. After a couple of minutes and a few deep breaths her addressed Hermione again.

"Tell me, Miss Granger, do you often place yourself in danger for those you care nothing for?"

Her voice was small and defeated--a shadow of the spark in her...slowly fading to the girl longing for sleep.

"No."

It was quiet again for a moment.

"Then, what makes you think I would?"

Hermione stood still for a moment taking in his words. It felt as if her heart stopped beating for her to take the time out of her existence to do just that. She wondered if Severus' words were some warped Professor Snape way of telling her he cared. She turned back around to look at him, hoping his face would betray some kind of truth. The moment she faced him she felt it. A slow burning pain in her arm traveled up her arm and within seconds it was searing white hot. Hermione cried out in anguish, cradling her arm as she dropped to the bed and began rocking back and forth wishing the pain away.

It happened so fast, but Severus still knew what the problem most likely was. If the image he saw in his chambers was the Hermione standing before him in a sense, then she now bore the Dark Mark and Voldemort was calling his "supporters" together. He had become numb to his Dark Mark ages ago.

Rushing to her, he knelt down in front of her and pried her arm from her chest looking at it. Sure enough, the Dark Mark burned black as the tears fell from her eyes. Slowly he stood trying to figure out what to do. Hermione watched him stand and her head dropped to look at her feet.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Snape heard her whispers and he felt the same weight in his chest again--like he was drowning. Reaching down and taking the arm not in pain he pulled her up to her feet. Cupping her face in both his hands, he looked at her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for...nothing."

As he was leaning down to look at her as he said this, he noticed something. The serpent pendent was still on the outside of his robes just as Hermione kept her onyx outside her robes. Like magnets, where one has been flipped over, the pendants were leaning toward each other and moving closer and closer. Slowly sliding his hands from her face down her body to her waist he looked down at the pendants and Hermione followed suite. The moment the pendants reached each other the serpent wrapped around the onyx as it was in the original form.

Severus remembered Dumbledore telling him each pendent alone could not get them out of Pallidus Manor. At the time Severus thought it meant they would have to figure some other way out; he never thought of this. Combined there was hope for escape. Pulling her into his chest, he tightened one arm around her waist and with the other he picked her hand up and brought it up to the pendent.

"Hold on, Hermione."

Both their hands touched the pendent. A sudden tug at their belly buttons let them know it was working. Everything was gone in a swirl of color and sounds.

Hermione's door opened and Narcissa walked in. It had been thirty minutes and she wanted to make sure all was well--especially since the Dark Marks were burning. She saw a flash of color near the bed for a second, but then it was gone.

The room was empty.