Hermione stepped into the room, tentatively looking around. The room wasn't dark; light from windows set high in the walls filtered through the potion-fume filled air. It reminded Hermione of the Hogwarts potions lab that she had spent seven years of her life in. It wasn't surprising, the student lab was just across the hall, after all. With memories of the Hogwarts potions lab came memories of Severus Snape.
Hermione took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She walked to the stone archway without a door. She had been here two times already, and the churchlike effect of this archway struck her every time.
In the small room stood a man, his back turned to the archway, inspecting the wall of ingredients.
"I told you I want nothing to do with you," he said without turning around.
"Darius," said Hermione in a mockingly sweet voice, "surely we can find something to agree on?"
"No."
Hermione took a step closer. "You must understand, Darius, I won't be satisfied with 'no'."
Darius turned around now. His face was dark, frowning. "I've told you often enough, Granger, the answer is no, and it will stay no. I am an academic, not a politician, and I have no wish to become one any time soon."
She tilted her head pensively. "Hogwarts does always seem to hire the most reclusive potions masters, doesn't it?" She shrugged slightly. "Then again, reclusive doesn't mean uninvolved in politics. Take Severus Snape as an example." Darius didn't like being compared to the late potions master, and Hermione knew it. Snape seemed to have acquired an almost mythical status after his true role in the war had come out. She had always wondered about his true involvement in the war - the memories he had given Harry could just as well have been fake, Hermione was sure Snape was skilled enough to fake memories. It hadn't mattered if Harry knew: if he won, he'd make sure the world knew about Snape's heroics, if Harry lost, no one would be the wiser because Harry would be dead.
Darius's half-growl drew her out of her thoughts. "I want nothing to do with your little adventure group."
Hermione had expected a bit more of a reaction from him when she had mentioned Severus Snape. "I expected a bit more gratitude from you of all people, Darius dear." She smiled sweetly at him. "If I remember correctly, my "adventure group" as you put it so nicely, has done you a great favour."
He gave a small snort. "No, Granger, that was all in your head. I was doing fine on my own."
"Oh?"
"I was." Darius breathed out annoyedly. "Now leave, please."
Hermione drew up a stool and sat down. She crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knees, perfectly at ease. "I'm afraid that isn't possible." She gestured to another stool. "Please, take a seat." Darius made no move to sit down. "I insist," said Hermione with an icy smile. Finally he sat down on a chair. "Now. As I've said before, 'no' is not the answer I want. However, you won't be of any use to me if I'm forcing you into this." She knew that wasn't true. She knew that fear was almost always a better motivator than love. But she also knew that resentment combined with not enough fear was bound to create spies. "I don't think you understand, Darius." She turned to the archway and flicked her wand at it, casting a silencing spell. She leaned forward. "I don't want to be involved in politics either. I'm as much of an academic as you. The thing is, the wizarding world is hopelessly backwards. I grew up in the muggle world. I know what muggles are capable of. They can communicate with each other by pushing a few buttons. I know, we have magic. But casting spells requires energy. You know why we have to portkey in little steps. They have tools that kill by pulling a trigger. Anything that magic can do, muggles can do at least as well, without using up any magical energy."
"So? The muggles won't find us. We have anti-Muggle charms."
"And those will only work so long as the wizarding world is aware of when muggles might be around." Hermione stood up with a sigh. "But I see that you're a hopeless case. Pity, really. I could really use someone like you. Someone stubborn and intelligent." From her bag, Hermione pulled a book. "You might be interested in this. I always find muggle history fascinating." It was a large volume of human inventions throughout history. She put it down carefully on a potions table.
Darius ignored her and as soon as she had stood up, he stood up as well. He turned back to his wall of ingredients, not sparing a glance for Hermione or the book.
"I am always glad to see you, Darius, if you change your mind," she said as she took down the silencing spell on the archway and left.
Luna had shown her a few tunnels to enter and leave Hogwarts undetected, and Hermione made her way to a statue of an unrecognizable wizard.
Hermione was sure she had piqued Darius's curiosity. Now she only had to wait until he came to her.
Disclaimer: Of course, I'm only playing with JKR's amazing creations, I don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: So... here's my first foray into multi-chapter stories. Apparently this is what happens when I listen to The Joshua Tree straight through... fascinating, isn't it?
I don't think this is really the strongest of starts, but I just adore writing Hermione being condescending. Is that weird?
Please review!