Amour

GIANT LEAP

"No no no!"Snape said a bit frustrated when Hermione failed to block his legilimency for the nth time that day.She was frustrated herself that she was failing and knew he was only pushing her more because he wanted her to succeed."You cannot let me in no matter that you love me.I don't think you have any affection for the dark lord and you don't wanna let him in.Remember that."He said.Hermione wiped the sweat off the top of her lips and tried again."Legilimens!"Snape went.Snape confessing his love for her,their first kiss,Mr.Weasley being attacked,The mirror of erised showing her parents,Cedric falling dead,Sirius hugging her in joy,Snape violently kissing her in the kitchen-all flashed through her mind.Then just before they had left The Burrow a couple of days ago,where Sirius shared a last hug with her came to the spotlight.She knew Snape was seeing all this."He really loves you,ya know."Sirius was saying.Hermione with twinkling eyes replied,"I know."She remembered Sirius's grin.Then her friends came to her mind.Their smiling faces,the laughs and the secrets they shared.Secrets...Snape saw an image of them practicing together somewhere but then everything went black and he came out of her mind."You just blocked me."He said surprised but impressed.Hermione was panting with the effort but she nodded.That was close.I don't want to let him know about the DA just yet.He will not approve.Maybe protecting the DA could be my motivation..I can't possibly let him see that.Snape tried legilimency a few more times but the visions had turned a bit blurry now,he couldn't understand what she was thinking as clearly as he had been able to before.He was proud that she was making progress.They finished for the day and he said,"You can relax now."Hermione let out a breath.Snape went over to his table and had his back to her when she asked,"If I do legilimency on you would I be able to see your thoughts?""I'm afraid not.I'm too good at occlumency too."he replied.Hermione snorted,"'Course you are."Snape stared at the wall and mumbled,"Anyways,there are things I'd rather not have you see.You cannot imagine what horrors-"but he was cut short when he realised Hermione had started laughing.He looked back at her puzzled.I was talking about a thing that obviously haunts me and she started laughing?But when he looked at her,he saw that she wasn't herself.And her laugh had turned into a maniacal cackle.He watched her in horror as her face turned wicked as she banged her hand on the table and let out an evil laughter.He knew that laugh only too well-it was Lord Voldemort's laugh.She clutched the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned white and her body shook."Hermione!"he called frantically.Her laugh stopped and her eyes,that had been staring at him but not really seeing him,focused on him again and her face became normal.She fell back into the chair and he went down on his knees in front of her,holding her hands."Are you allright?"
Hermione nodded feebly and said,"It's Voldemort...he is very happy about something."......................................
"Mass breakout from Azakaban!"Ron was staring at the front page of The Daily Prophet,open mouthed.The sausage he had picked up with his fork was still hanging in the air,not making it all the way to his mouth.Hermione snatched the paper away from his hand and read the article.10 high security prisoners,mostly death eaters had broken out from the prison,a certain Bellatrix Lestrange among them.Dementors had been set off after them and searchparties of Aurors are out everywhere looking for them.It was believed that they had managed this with outside help and The Minister of magic had been quoted as saying that,"this was the work of notorious mass murdered Sirius Black."Hermione balled up the paper in disgust.She looked across the Great Hall at Snape who was already staring at her.She indicated him to enter her mind,which he did subtly."Did you read today's paper?"she asked
"I did."
"Well now we know what made him ecstatic last night."
"I talked to Dumbledore."
"He is getting more powerful.What should we do?"
"We are going to increase your occlumency lessons-"
"That isn't enough.I mean what about our defence?
"Hermione,don't do anything rash.It would be stupid."He warned and slipped back out of her mind.But she thought she couldn't just sit quitely.For all I know,the Dementors are on their side and might have helped with the breakout.I need to train the DA on the patronus charm.................................................
"What is inside the department of mysteries?"Hermione asked,when she and Snape were taking a break from the occlumency lessons.He was pouring water into glasses for them and his hand stopped for a moment,but he didn't reply.She leaned forward,"I saw these silvery orbs,dusty glass spheres in my dream.Row after row,going on endlessly.What are those?"Snape deliberated about what to say,"I dunno.Never been there myself."which was only partly true.She was about to pry for more when something hit the window pane.Hermione jumped up to see what it was but Snape stopped her with a hand and went to check himself."Apparently your friend is trying to get your attention."he said.Hermione bounded to the window,"Oh,it's Hagrid!He's back."She tried to sprint out but Snape caught her by the wrist,"What are you doing?""I have to see him.He went on a mission to convince the giants to join our side.He's got news.I may see him ,right?"Hermione said."Well of course you may see him but Umbridge has replaced him as the Care of Magical teacher so he is not technically a staff member anymore.Let me come with you,then noone can deduct your house points for being outside after dark."he reasoned.Hermione was cool with that and together they went downstairs and Hermione's face was hidden in Hagrid's beard as they hugged."What happened Hagrid?Did your meeting not go well?"she asked,pointing at the scars all over his face."Yeah well,mos' of em weren really pleased ter see me.'Coz Ya-know-who had already brainwashed em to go oer to the dark side.But I still tried,coz Professor Dumbledore sir had told me ter convince them to join our cause.I insisted but...but I failed."Hagrid cleared his nose on his handkerchief.Hermione rubbed his hand,"Oh,Hagrid.Atleast you tried."He then boomed,"But I got some news.I've brought someone.""You met someone,you mean?"Snape sneered from a distance."No,no,not like that.Come an take a look."Saying this he went into the forest.Hermione tried to follow,intrigued but Snape grabbed her hand,"Whoa.I'm not so sure about this-""Relax.I've nothing to worry about.You're with me."Hermione said and dragged him into the Forbidden forest.He was a little disdainful about her trusting him so much but he frowned and held his tongue.They went far in and Hagrid said,"This is my brother,Grawpy."They looked high up to see a huge giant,who looked like an obese little boy,only 20 feet high."What is that?"Hermione asked while Snape marvelled at his enormity."He is my half-brother.He lived with other giants back in the mountains but he wanted ter come with me,since they wouldn take care o' him anymore,what with them joining the other side."Hagrid informed."You are not thinking about keeping him here,are you?"Snape asked,genuinely concerned."Ter be honest..yeah.I'm the only one in the world he has left."Hagrid admitted."What if Umbridge finds out?She has already sacked you,its only a matter of time that she banishes you off these grounds;what would she do if she comes to know that you have your giant half-brother hidden in the forest?"Snape asked incredulous."That's why I need ya ter take care of him when I'm gone."Hagrid pleaded,"Won't you 'Ermione?Please,for me?"Hermione watched as Grawpy played with some tree branches and turned his child-like innocent eyes towards her and she slowly nodded.Snape whipped his head at her,"What?No.Are you out of your mind?!You have enough things to worry about as it is-""But Hagrid needs us."Hermione said. Before Snape could say anything more,Grawpy ambled forward with his big feet and scooped Hermione up with his big hands.Snape's mouth dropped open while Hermione shrieked.Grawpy brought her close to his face and examined her,shaking her like a rag doll."Hagrid do something!"Snape screamed and took out his wand."What did I tell you,Grawp.You do not grab,do you?Is not polite."Hagrid mumbled.But Hermione took a firm stand,"Grawp!Put me down!Now!"Grawpy seemed taken aback and he gently stood her back on the ground.Snape got to see his lover's bossy nature again."You okay?"he asked looking at her arms,which she was massaging."Fine."Hermione replied but then Grawpy handed her a bicycle handle,while he took up another and rang the bell.Understanding his intention,Hermione rang hers and he seemed quite delighted about it and clapped his hands.Snape looked from one to the other and commented,"I think you got yourself an admirer."