The Burning Pen

In An Alternate Universe Someplace
by Ruth Solomon aka Ms_Figg

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence.  Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately.  You are not welcome here.  The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 10

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 10 ~ Outrage

”WHAT?” Hermione roared, almost blowing the pointed hat off the Headmaster’s head as they sat in his office. The moment Albus offered her some pepper imp candies (which were her favorites) rather than the usual lemon drops, she knew something wasn’t right in the dragon’s lair.

“Now, calm down, Professor,” Albus said, raising both hands in a calming manner.

”Calm down? What do you mean he’s dying because of his oath?” the witch demanded, “How can an oath kill someone?”

”Well, in most cases an Oath of fulfillment simply binds a person to do their best to complete some act, only adding impetus to move toward completion. An impossible oath generally will dissipate over time,” Albus began.

”He took an impossible Oath!” Hermione said, scowling.

”Ah, to you, yes. But Mr. Snape believes it is possible to consummate a relationship or at least a tryst with you. Your reluctance to do so has no bearing on that belief whatsoever. It is not impossible, but unlikely,” the wizard continued.

“You’re damn right it is,” the witch growled, looking at Albus sullenly.

”Mr. Snape’s desire for you is fueled by the powerful urges of youth. As you know, a young person’s desires are quite powerful. They can even generate poltergeists of great destructive power without knowing it. This even occurs in young people without magic and has been documented among teenaged Muggles. Think of the Oath as taking on the nature of a kind of insensate poltergeist, the destructive nature focused inwardly instead of outwardly. Instead of destroying the surrounding world, it destroys its own source, freeing itself since it will never be completed otherwise,” the wizard finished, his blue eyes resting on Hermione soberly.

“This is insane,” Hermione muttered, more to herself than Dumbledore. “Snape is going to die if I don’t fuck him? Oh, Voldemort’s slimy scales.”

Both of Albus’ eyebrows rose at this rather lewd commentary on the part of his Potions mistress, but he said nothing.

Hermione looked at him. For a moment, just a small moment Albus could see vulnerability in those amber eyes.

”This is unconscionable,” she said quietly, “To be blackmailed into shagging a seventh year wizard.”

Albus shook his head.

”It isn’t blackmail, Professor. I am sure Mr. Snape didn’t intend for this to happen. I’ve done some investigation, and up until yesterday evening, he was fine. He showed no signs of sickness,” the Headmaster said.

Hermione stared at the Headmaster.

“He told me if we didn’t . . . didn’t engage, he would die,” Hermione said, her voice dark.

Albus considered this.

”Did you feel a resultant magic to this statement? Did he take another oath?” he asked the witch.

Hermione shook her head.

“No. I felt nothing but rage. My own rage,” she answered him.

”It could be his declaration took hold with the original oath, inadvertently adding a new intent, one that will have deadly results,” the Headmaster said. “Possibly the magic didn’t manifest because the oath was already in place.”

All of this was conjecture. Despite all the research that had been done over the ages, much of the way magic operated remained a mystery. The best anyone had was theory.

Hermione sat in the armchair, silent and brooding for several minutes before rising.

”I must go, Headmaster. I have a class in a few minutes,” the witch said.

“Mr. Snape has been released this morning. No doubt he will attend your afternoon class. Ill as he is, he is still a very determined young wizard. It would be a pity if his young life were snuffed out before it truly began, don’t you think Professor?” Albus asked her.

Hermione said nothing other than “Goodbye, Headmaster” then tossed a bit of floo powder into the floo and stepped through, her robes billowing slightly.

Fawkes let out a sad little trill from his perch. Dumbledore turned to look at him.

”Yes, it is quite a sad situation, Fawkes,” the wizard said to the Phoenix, “Hopefully Hermione will find it in her heart to make one more sacrifice for the Greater Good. This threat is not as great as the Dark Lord’s rise, but the demise of such a promising young man would be truly tragic.”

Fawkes bobbled in agreement.

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“Severus, you look terrible,” Harry said as Severus walked into the Common Room. The wizard was paler than usual, his eyes rather bloodshot and his normally shiny hair, lank and without body. Ron slowly shook his head.

”I bet Granger put some kind of Deterioration Spell on him. Do you still have your knobblies?” the red-head asked Severus as he sat down heavily between them. He felt a bit winded.

“Of course I do you idiot,” he snapped at Ron. “I’m just sick.”

“Watch for signs of them falling off,” Ron advised as he studied the wizard. “They’ll probably be the first to go.”

If Severus felt a bit stronger, he probably would have punched Ron squarely in the nose. But he was in no condition to brawl.

He slowly rose.

”I’ve got to get my books. I have Arithmancy,” he said, making his way up the stairs.

Harry shook his head.

”He really looks sick, doesn’t he?” he asked Ron.

”Of course he does. Tangling with Granger is unhealthy. Period. I hope he survives long enough to help me get ready for the big Advanced Transfiguration exam. Mum will kill me if I flunk it,” the wizard said worriedly.

Harry scowled at Ron. This wasn’t the time for him to be thinking about himself. But this was standard Ron. The boy-who-lived looked up the stairwell worriedly. Before, Severus’ attraction to Professor Granger had been rather funny. Now it looked rather serious. He was sure it had something to do with her. Maybe she had poisoned him or done something else nasty. He wouldn’t put it past her, heroine or not.

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Severus hoisted his books on his shoulder and staggered slightly. The wizard reached into his pocket and took out the bottle of stamina potion Poppy had given him, opened it and took a swig. He capped it back and felt a bit better. Stronger. He looked at himself in the mirror. He did look ill. He remembered what the medi-witch told him when he woke up.

”The Oath you took is turning on you, Mr. Snape. Whatever it was that you are bound to fulfill must be fulfilled,” Poppy told him gently, “Otherwise it could mean your life.”

He had stared at her. He didn’t know what to say. He was trying his best to reach the Professor, but she refused to be reached.

She hated him.

Well, this development meant one thing for certain. He was going to make history. He’d be the first male to actually die from the lack of pussy.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.

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