Author's note: This is my first attempt at a Harry Potter fan-fiction so please let me know what you think! I'm not sure yet how it will develop but I plan to update it regularly. Please let me know your thoughts, I welcome constructive comments.
Needless to say everything belongs to JK Rowling I just borrowed her characters for a while!
Silent Guardian
Chapter One
The Welcome Feast was drawing to a close when Hermione Granger noticed the Headmaster watching her intently. The small hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she knew she was being observed. Turning quickly she caught Professor Dumbledore's eye; he smiled faintly at her and then winked. Hermione looked around, feeling somewhat surprised, the Headmaster had never singled her out before. He usually focused almost all of his attention on Harry. She wondered uncomfortably what she had done, or maybe more importantly, what she would have to do. As the plates and dishes disappeared, signalling to the students that it was time to return to their dormitories, the Headmaster stood. Hermione watched as he approached the Gryffindor table. Harry looked up expectantly. Dumbledore smiled benevolently at Harry before turning his twinkling blue gaze to meet hers.
"I wonder if I might have a word with you Miss Granger?"
"Of course Professor."
"Would you perhaps come to my office once you have escorted the new first years to Gryffindor Tower. The password is sherbet dib dab."
Hermione nodded and stood along with Harry and Ron who were staring at her with some apprehension. The Headmaster nodded once at her, then turned and walked away. The Great Hall was emptying rapidly as the prefects hurried to shepherd their charges to their new homes. The staff table was also empty now as the professors made their way to their classrooms or offices, ready to prepare for their duties the next day. Still lost in thought she followed the two boys as they began to usher the dazed looking first years out of the hall and towards The Gryffindor common room.
After introducing the first years to the Fat Lady, Hermione whispered to Harry that she had better not keep the Headmaster waiting any longer. Nodding he grabbed her hand as she turned away.
"Don't worry; I'm sure you haven't done anything wrong. He probably just wants you to keep an eye on me or something."
"Yeah, probably. I'll see you later Harry."
She made her way through the corridors to the spiral staircase which led to Dumbledore's office.
"Sherbet dib dab" she said to the statue of the Griffin, still feeling slightly foolish that she was speaking to a lump of stone.
The great stone statue began to move and Hermione stepped onto the revolving staircase as it began its slow ascent to the office above. The door was open as she reached the top of the staircase and Dumbledore called out cheerfully "come in Miss Granger, come in and make yourself comfortable."
Hermione sat herself in a large comfortable armchair rather garishly covered in raspberry pink fabric with large green flowers emblazoned on its cushions and looked expectantly at the Headmaster.
"Would you like a cup of tea Miss Granger?" Dumbledore waved his hand and a cup appeared on his desk in front of her full of steaming tea with a custard cream propped invitingly in the saucer.
Hermione sipped her tea and waited for the Headmaster to speak. He had taken his seat behind his desk and was watching her intently; his blue eyes devoid of their usual twinkle and filled instead with a silent appraisal of her as she began to nervously fiddle with her tea spoon.
"My dear I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you to come here this evening."
Hermione nodded silently.
"I'm sure you are aware of the extra lessons I have been giving Harry and in doing so, it has come to my attention that I have been neglecting one or two of my other duties. This is where I need your assistance Miss Granger. I am told most reliably by Professor McGonagall that you are top in all your classes and have been since you first came to this school. I have heard Professor Flitwick call you the brightest witch of your age which is a compliment indeed."
"Thank you sir."
"Miss Granger what I must ask of you requires the utmost discretion on your part, can I rely on you not to share this information with your friends?"
"Of course sir."
"It concerns Professor Snape and the rather arduous additional duties he performs regularly for this school."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up at the mention of the sour Potions professor. Dumbledore noticed her surprise and the twinkle returned to his gaze.
"My dear, how much do you know about Professor Snape?"
"Nothing much sir, only that he has been teaching Potions here since he was very young and I have been in his class for the past seven years. I know that there are various rumours about his past but I try not to listen to the gossip."
"Very wise Miss Granger. Professor Snape is a very private man but there are occasions when even he is required to ask for the assistance of another." Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and regarded Hermione silently for a few minutes. "Ever since Tom Riddle's return he has been working as a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. He reports to me after every meeting with the Death Eaters and has been able to provide a great deal of information regarding Tom's plans. We have been fortunate enough to be able to prevent several attacks on muggle born families thanks to his reports."
Hermione gasped and stared wide eyed at the Headmaster.
"So it's true, he is a Death Eater, I- I thought it was just a rumour, people gossiping because they didn't like Professor Snape, but it's all true."
"Correction, Miss Granger; Severus was a Death Eater. A mere folly of his youth for which he has paid a very high price. He is most assuredly on the side of the light Miss Granger and I would ask that you never forget that."
"But what is it you want me to do Professor? How can I help?"
"As I said Severus reports to me on his return from every meeting, however my lessons with Harry have prevented me from being as available as I was. I need you to take his report Miss Granger. The task requires someone who can record everything he says in meticulous detail. Even the smallest thing can prove the most valuable knowledge. I need someone discreet and with a great deal of maturity as some of the things he imparts can be distressing. I also need someone who can administer and sometimes brew healing potions and with a knowledge of medi-spells."
At this Hermione looked up sharply at the Headmaster.
"Professor Snape is sometimes in need of medical assistance when he returns. Tom can be a little harsh on his followers."
"I'm still not sure that I understand Professor. Wouldn't one of the other Professors be better than me?"
"Alas my child the other Professors are unaware of Severus's activities. Only Professors Lupin and Moody know to some extent the duties that he undertakes and I'm sure you can think of several reasons why I would not ask either of them to assist."
"Professor Lupin would be unavailable for several days each month and Professor Moody hates Professor Snape. He'd be more likely to hex him further given half a chance!"
Dumbledore twinkled fondly at her, a slight smile curving his lips. "Precisely Miss Granger. Now you understand my problem, the only option available to me was to ask a student; and the only student who could possibly be up to the task is you."
Hermione sighed and leant back in her chair as the full weight of what Dumbledore was asking of her began to sink in.
"Can I ask one thing sir?"
"Of course my dear."
"What does Professor Snape think about all this?"
Dumbledore smiled "Ah, well, Severus is unavailable at the moment. He was summoned earlier this evening so I have not had the opportunity to discuss it with him. I'm sure when he returns you can fill him in on the details. Unfortunately I have to be at the Ministry this evening; otherwise I would speak to him myself. Never fear though Miss Granger, I'm sure you will do an admirable job."
"But sir!"
"I have every confidence in you Miss Granger. Severus will return here as soon as Tom allows him. I will speak with you tomorrow, do help yourself to tea."
Dumbledore stood and before Hermione had finished opening her mouth to speak he was gone.
Stunned, Hermione sat rigid in her chair staring at the space the Headmaster had recently occupied. Her mind was reeling at the information she had been given and at the task she now faced. Would Professor Snape even speak to her when he returned and what if he were injured? Absently she began to chew her custard cream as she thought of the best way to record any information Snape deigned to inform her of. Quickly dismissing a dicto-quill because it would surely embellish any information relayed to it, she decided her own note taking would have to do. She had often been teased for the copious notes she took during each and every class, but that hadn't stopped Harry, Ron and countless others begging for the chance to borrow them when it came time for homework. She smiled to herself; keeping an accurate record of anything her professor said would be the easy part.
Suddenly the door crashed open and Professor Snape strode in, his black robes swirling and his hair in disarray.
"Where is the Headmaster? I must speak with him urgently!"
"He had to visit the Ministry Professor, he asked me to wait for you."
"Idiot girl! What I have to say concerns matters of huge importance, I will not discuss them with a child!"
"I am not a child sir and Professor Dumbledore specifically asked me to wait here and speak with you on your return. He has explained where you have been and has asked me to assist you whenever you should need me."
Professor Snape stared at her aghast. He sank down onto a chair, his robes hanging limply from his shoulders; he suddenly looked exhausted.
"Let me help you sir, Professor Dumbledore said…."
"You cannot help me you silly girl! Don't you understand? Even the Headmaster has seen fit to abandon me to my fate it would seem. What could a mere child possibly do to help when you cannot possibly comprehend the situation?"
Hermione stood, drawing herself to her full height she said quietly "I understand more than you think sir, the Headmaster informed me that you are a spy."
Snape looked up sharply at this statement, his features becoming even more drawn as he took in the determination on her face.
"He asked me to help you sir, to take your reports. He said that his own extra duties have taken him away from assisting you and he asked me to take his place. I realise you are unhappy about it but I want to help you."
Snape snorted "You wish to help me Miss Granger? Go back to your ivory tower and forget everything the Headmaster ever told you. I can assure you I am not in need of your assistance. Goodnight Miss Granger!"
He stood and tried to sweep from the room but staggered and had to grasp the door to prevent himself from falling.
"Professor!" Hermione leapt forward and grabbed his shoulder as he sank to his knees with a groan.
"Kindly let go of me Miss Granger and return to your dormitory."
"No sir, let me help you, are you injured?"
"The state of my person is of no concern to you, I repeat; go back to your room."
"I'm not going to leave you sitting on the floor! Heaven knows when Dumbledore will be back and if you're hurt you could bleed to death! At least let me help you to your rooms, I do know some healing spells and I promise I'll leave you alone if you still want me to."
Snape struggled to his feet and stood swaying slightly as he glared down at her.
"Miss Granger I am not used to such disobedience, you will go to your room and repeat nothing of what you have seen tonight."
"No sir I will not!"
"Very well, detention with me tomorrow night. You will be extracting Flobberworm livers without gloves."
He turned from her and slowly made his way out of the room. Hermione could hear him making his way down the staircase; his breathing was heavy and she could tell it was taking every ounce of strength in his body not to collapse again. She decided to follow him, just to insure he made it to his rooms without any further problems.
