Everything you recognize belongs to JKRowling. Everything you don't recognize belongs to me. I'm not making any money from this. ~sob~

I Know What You Do in the Dungeons

Prologue

He'd killed a student.

Severus Snape sat in Albus Dumbledore's office with his head in his hands, and tried to figure out how it happened. It was just a Petrificus Totalus; she shouldn't be dead. She should be in a carriage to Hogsmeade, on her way home after being expelled. -- It shouldn't have killed her.

"Severus," Dumbledore said seriously, "is there anything else I need to know?"

"I don't know what else there is to say," came his anguished reply. "I saw her attacking Miss Granger in the second floor corridor while I was on rounds. I cast an Expelliarmus and disarmed them both. I cast the Petrificus Totalus when Miss Tilly drew a knife on Miss Granger. I removed Miss Granger to a safe distance, and when I released Miss Tilly she fell down dead. -- I have no explanation, Albus."

"I don't have one either Severus," Albus replied wearily. "Miss Granger has confirmed your version of the event and the Aurors have examined your wand with the Priori Incantatum. Their findings also support your story."

"I already know I'm telling the truth," Severus snapped at the Headmaster. "What I don't know is why this happened! -- Is anyone doing anything to find out why this student is laying in the hospital wing dead, apparently by my hand?"

"Rest assured Severus, a complete investigation will be conducted and we will get to the bottom of this," Albus promised the distraught man before him. "In the meantime, unfortunately, I must relieve you of your classroom duties until this mystery is solved. You are, of course, free to use your laboratory to pursue your personal research."

Severus could tell from the Headmaster's tone that there was an unspoken message in his last words, but he was too rattled to discern what it was. He didn't want to be in Albus' office. He wanted more than anything else to be in his quarters with Hermione's comforting arms around him. He wanted to hear her soothing voice whispering to him, telling him that everything was going to be all right.

That was impossible now. He could not afford to have his clandestine meetings with Hermione Granger discovered. His credibility was already strained to the limit by his status as a former Deatheater; if his relationship with the Head Girl was exposed, his trip to Azkaban was assured.

He'd killed a student.

"May I make a request, Severus?"

"Yes?" Severus said, looking up at the Headmaster with the absent expression of a man who was interrupted while in deep thought.

"This book was found near Gryffindor Tower. It appears blank and harmless, but after our experience with Tom Riddle's Diary, I think it would be prudent to examine it thoroughly. Since you are currently our foremost expert in the Dark Arts, and you now have time on your hands, I was hoping that you would agree to investigate this for me."

Severus looked at Albus incredulously. Did the doddering old man really think he needed some insipid, busywork to occupy him during his in-house incarceration? Severus sighed deeply and reconsidered his position. It was only because of Albus' intercession that he was awaiting the results of the investigation at Hogwarts instead of Azkaban.

"Fine," Severus said shortly as he took the book from Albus. "May I go now?"

"Of course," Albus said, releasing him.

~*~

The walk from the Headmaster's office to the dungeons was the longest of Severus' entire life. His stern countenance, billowing robes and confident stride always inspired a healthy respect from the student body; now it inspired panic. Severus was taken aback that the change bothered him as much as it did. He was not a man who generally required the approval of others, least of all the students. He entered his personal quarters and leaned heavily against the door as he closed it behind him. He shed his outer robes and his boots, settled into a chair in front of the fire, and pondered his next move while nursing a large tumbler of fire whiskey.

His reverie was disturbed by the sound of someone quietly entering his quarters. The wards were set to admit only two people besides himself: his mentor and friend, Albus Dumbledore -- and Hermione Granger, his student, his lover, and his most closely held secret.

"Severus," Hermione called as she rushed to his side.

"You can't be here, Hermione. It's too risky for both of us."

"I know," said Hermione with resignation, "but I had to see you. I was very careful. What are they going to do to you?"

"I am relieved of my teaching duties until the investigation is concluded. What happens after that is anyone's guess," he replied dolefully. He pulled her into his lap and held her close. "Whatever they do, it will be a small price to pay for your life. She wanted to kill you." He felt Hermione shudder in his arms.

"Do you know why Miss Tilly attacked you?"

"No! I barely knew her," she said, exasperated. The same question had been plaguing her since the incident. She knew Hyacinth Tilly only well enough to put a face with the name. Other than that, she didn't know anything about her. "Honestly, Severus. I have no idea."

"I see. -- I want you to go now Hermione, and I don't want you to come back until this matter is settled. If you think of anything that you feel I need to know, owl me…send word through Potter if you have to…just stay away."

"I graduate in three weeks. Can we be together then?"

"If the investigation is concluded favorably, perhaps. Public knowledge of our relationship, even when it is permitted, could complicate things for me," he answered.

"But you didn't do anything wrong! They know that!" Hermione was beginning to become unglued.

"Hermione," said Severus, taking her face in his hands, "This mark on my arm makes me guilty until proven innocent. There are so many unanswered questions…I would suspect me. The best way for you to help me is to stay away." His face softened. "It won't be forever."

"You're right," Hermione conceded as she rose to leave. "Is there anything I can do to help, in addition to staying away?"

"Cooperate with the Aurors and tell the truth. I would never ask you to lie, but please, don't volunteer any information about us," Severus said as he walked her to the door. "Everything will be fine."

He lifted her small chin with his fingertips and gazed into her big, brown eyes before lowering his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss.

"Good-bye for now, Hermione"

"Good-bye Severus," she said as she disappeared under Harry's invisibility cloak.

Severus stood by his open door until he was reasonably sure that she had left the area. There was no way to really tell; she had seven years of experience skulking around under Potter's cloak and had the stealth of an Auror. Once again he found himself leaning heavily against his door, wondering what he was supposed to do with his time. He had lived alone in the dungeons for years, but never felt lonely until just now.

He returned to his seat by the fire and reclaimed his whiskey. Having nothing else to do, he picked up the book Albus gave him to investigate and turned it over in his hands. It didn't look like much. It was a simple burgundy leather journal. There were no markings of any kind on the cover or on the pages in between. He wondered why Albus gave the book a second thought.

Severus held to the notion that the simplest solution to a problem was usually the best. In that vein, he took his wand and cast a basic revealing spell on the book. He didn't expect anything to happen and nearly dropped the book when gold embossed lettering appeared on the cover.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

7th Year Memories

Of

Hyacinth Mary Tilly

Severus' eyes narrowed and his mind began to sharpen with purpose. There had to be a reason Albus gave this book to him, rather than the Aurors. He moved to his desk, where he did his clearest thinking, and began to read.

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