I'm back! Hello everyone! This is just a short story… probably only a few chapters but I couldn't help myself with the holidays near! Enjoy!
(by the way, Lesson in Love fans… I am going to do an epilogue/one shot sequel to the story for all of you who are just dying for a little bit more to be tied together. Thanks for being so awesome!)
Please Review!
"Are you sure, Severus? Are you absolutely sure?" Albus Dumbledore laced his fingers in concerned alarm, looking up at the man standing before his desk while the half moon spectacles slid down his nose.
"Positive." Severus Snape slowly droned, relaying the news of the plans he had overheard from the Death Eater meeting.
"This is very grave." He sighed before standing, supporting his aging body with the desk in front of him. Albus was definitely getting older and the curse that was laid upon his charcoal hand was growing ever worse. It was a reminder to the Headmaster and also to the spy in the room that the former all-powerful wizard was no longer immune to the dangers around him. Professor Snape never thought he would ever see the day that the elder man would fall or come to his demise and yet the silver-haired warlock was close enough now than ever before. Albus truly was on borrowed time. Sensing the awkward silence between them, the Headmaster pushed his glasses up slightly before walking past the Potions Master.
Severus kept his arms firmly at his sides, "Potter-"
"Harry must be warned… yes…" Albus pulled out an ornately designed silver box and carefully brought it to his desk before removing the velvet-lined lid and revealing to the dark wizard next to him what treasures—or rather curses—lay inside. The Headmaster pulled out a dingy black text with a hole punched through the center and blood stains rippling the yellow, worn pages. It was in an awful sort of condition and the younger wizard in the dimly lit office winced at the sight of the hideous object that had, just moments before, rested in such a beautiful container. The older wizard with the silver beard then pulled out something that he was clutching very firmly in his palm.
"What about the boy?" Severus raised an eyebrow, "What about Granger and Weasley as well? Will you take action? You can't be seriously thinking about-" he sneered but the Headmaster interrupted him,
Albus whipped around and gave the former Potions Master a firm gaze, "What other choice is there? There is another horcrux, I have done extensive research… the cave—the locket is in the cave."
The dark wizard fumbled with his cuffs peeking out of his stiff coat, "Venturing alone again, Headmaster?"
The older wizard turned slowly, letting his wise eyes fall upon the once very confused and hurt young man now turned into a true hero… and yet, he tilted his head thoughtfully examining the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Albus was truly saddened by the fact that with such a miraculous change of heart and change of masters, no one knew of the dark wizard's true motives and intentions. Severus Snape truly deserved something for his actions but Albus knew it was beyond what anyone could really give and the loyal spy never wanted anyone to know of his noble deeds anyway. That was their deal from the beginning for the Headmaster to never reveal anything that Severus did. Albus gave a half smile, letting his mind experiment with the idea if Harry Potter knew the real Potions Master and what all of that would entail? Would Harry truly cling to Severus for support? Although there was much to be resolved between the student and teacher, Albus decided to fancy himself by believing that the boy-who-lived really would have a change of heart and quickly let the hardened professor into his closest comrades and trusted allies.
Albus meandered to the Potions Master but was seemingly lost in his own train of thought and reasoning, "I will be taking leave of the holidays from the castle," he unfurled his aging, long fingers that grasped tightly around the object that he had previously removed from the ornate box. He unveiled a dark ring resting in his palm, "There are more Horcruxes, Severus, and I need to be searching for them in my limited time. I trust that you can handle leading Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley to safety?"
Minerva McGonagall came bursting through the office door in bustling green robes and the feather in her witch's hat was dancing merrily, which contradicted severely to the austere mood that was reflected on the older woman's face, "You sent for me, Albus? Is everything alright?"
The Headmaster looked to his longtime working companion and friend, one of the most loyal witches he had ever had the pleasure to interact with, "No, Minerva. I am afraid it is not."
The elder woman looked from the aging wizard and darted to the Potions Master who remained silent and firm in his position. The two men in front of her had been her most trusted allies through the thick of it all, "Severus? What is going on?"
The dark wizard sighed and kept up his façade that was protocol to anyone except the Headmaster, "I intercepted an exchange of letters between Narcissa and Draco Malfoy containing explicit information on the attacks that will be attempted while Potter and his friends are absent of the school over the holidays."
Minerva's frown intensified as the Potions Master concluded his lie of how he attained the information and revealed the underlying truth of the matter, "The target of these attacks will most definitely be against either Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley and I have, as of yet, been unable to leak this information of which one specifically will be used as bait against Potter."
"Bait?" her eyes shimmered in a dread and horror as she whipped her head back to the aging man who was now holding the ornate box in his hands and running his fingers along the designs that snaked around it, "Albus? What are we to do? Inform Potter? The Order must be notified immediately and I believe a secret transfer of the three would be more than permitted," she turned hesitantly back to the Slytherin Head of House in a moment of desperation, "Severus did you happen to find out when these attacks would ensue or be carried out?"
Snape's mouth formed a thin line, "For all we know, it could be false information."
A panic stricken look raced across the witch's face, "Albus, what say you to this? What actions are we to take? I will not let my students be unprotected on account of artificial information. Precautions must be taken!"
Albus nodded silently, "I agree… we must play this game," he turned to the Potions Master, "Severus, I will be in need of your services tonight."
"Headmaster?" he flinched in annoyance. Why was he always needed? Why was it not enough to be doing what he was doing and yet go against his efforts to support the two wretched Gryffindors that were joined at the hip of The-Boy-Who-Lived? Wasn't McGonagall called to take care of the matter?
Albus set the box down and quickly retreated to the nook in the wall where his pensieve rested and he began to extract the silvery threads of memories from his temple, "I am more than positive that Mr. Weasley will not be the target sought after. Hermione Granger is a muggle-born, and the current circumstances present a prime opportunity to rid Harry Potter of a most brilliant witch lacking in wizarding blood that could most definitely help see to the success of our efforts. Miss Granger must be protected—"
"Albus! You cannot simply guess at these things," Minerva swallowed slightly, "What about Potter and Weasley? What if it is a set up for us to protect Miss Granger and leave the two boys unsupervised?"
The Headmaster nodded, showing acknowledgment of the witch's concerns, "I understand Minerva, but Miss Granger is indeed the priority, however, no lesser amount of protection will be given to the two. But we must take special safety measures to ensure the security of the girl."
"And when does this plan of yours take place? What is my role in this? Surely the Order will be more than enough protection for the three of them, Albus." Severus wrapped his hands together behind his back in a subtle show of contempt against the Golden Trio.
"We must split them up. How foolhardy are we to hide our greatest assets within our group in one location? The action is not to be born and we will proceed with definite caution on the measures taken.
"Albus?" Minerva searched the Headmaster's face for answers that she was not receiving, "What are we to do?"
The silver-haired warlock stared into the glowing bowl, "We will separate the three into different locations to be moved at different times tomorrow. They will be unable to reasonably track the commotion of all the students leaving the castle for the holidays. Minerva, I need you to contact the Order and inform them of Mr. Weasley's early arrival to Headquarters and will need to be simultaneously moved to one of our uninhabited safe houses, as will Mr. Potter."
She nodded, "And what time shall we be expecting Potter?"
Albus weighed this for a moment, "The normal arrival of the train would be sufficient. If Voldemort plans to attack Granger or Weasley, I am sure that they will be awaiting the arrival of the trio on Platform nine and three-quarters. We cannot remove Potter and let them suspect that we know what is going on."
"So the boy stays on course? Who will be the one to escort him?" Minerva clenched her jaw, a nervous tic that Severus had learned to expect in stressful times with the Transfiguration teacher.
"I will leave that up to the Order but might I give a word to the wise, do not try to hide that Harry will indeed be in the company of one of the members or it will alert them that Voldemort's plan was undeniably intercepted. Alastor, Kingsley or Remus would do well to be the one to accompany him to a safe house and let the others choose as they will with escorting Mr. Weasley. Either way, both boys need to be taken to separate safe houses." He continued to stare into the glowing bowl, as if searching for the answers to all of his deepest questions, "Contact the Order immediately, Minerva, we are losing precious time…," he looked up briefly to the dark wizard, "There is something I must discuss with Severus."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, a little hurt from being kept from the conversation but understood that it was not any ill-intention of the Headmaster's to spite the witch, "Of course, but might I ask what will the fate of Hermione Granger become in this? Shall I alert the Order to her arrival?"
Albus shook his head slowly, "No… no… I shall see to her safety in this cause," he gave his tone in a dismissive manner that the witch could only detect as her opportunity to leave. She turned briskly and exited the room without question of her old friend.
Severus fidgeted, "And my role in this, Headmaster?"
Albus braced himself against the altar that was holding the bowl of memories but looked up, letting his face turn a blue hue from the light of the pensieve, "You will be the safe keeper to Miss Granger. We need to escort her out of the castle immediately."
"WHAT?" The Potions teacher's face drained what little color there was left in the pale skin.
"If Miss Granger is such a target as you have expressed, Severus, then the Death Eaters who are following after her will never suspect you be the protector." Albus sighed before tiredly removing himself from the pensieve and slowly sat himself in his chair at his desk.
Severus Snape was still in a bit of a shock, "Albus you can't seriously—"
"I take this very acutely," he folded his hand and rested his elbows on the arms of his chair, "They will never find Hermione Granger with you… bring her to the refuge. Neither of you will be bothered there and I will send for you once the holidays are thru."
"The refuge?" he asked, confused. He knew Albus was referring to the place of safety he had attained for the Potions Master to retreat to in case Voldemort ever found out about him being a spy for the Order… but why would he take Granger with him to such a secretive and personal spot?
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, you will both be untroubled there and she will be more than safe with you."
Severus was still distraught, "Have I not done enough already Albus?" he whipped around to leave when he was called back, and like the faithful servant he was, he turned to see the more powerful wizard standing,
"Take her now, Severus. There is no time to lose. Take Miss Granger off the grounds of the school and apparate… there will be questions she will want answered but make no mistake, these will best be suited for discussing her safety once you are within the walls of the house, understood? No one can touch you there. Now hurry!" he waved him off towards the door and Professor Snape wanted to hex the man into the next dimension.
He took it in stride and brushed off the commanding tone of the wizard and exited the room before he prepped himself for the most miserable holiday vacation that he would ever experience. It was close to midnight last time he had checked the clock in the Headmaster's office and sighed as he made his way up the staircases towards Gryffindor Tower… would she even be in bed or would the trio be stalking the grounds as they most infamously loved to do almost every night while trying to solve the latest Hogwarts mystery to put blame on him? He rolled his eyes at their insatiable curiosity and just hoped that Granger would be sound asleep or studying or something—just as long as she was alone, he would be more than content. If the two dunderheads were with her then he knew things would become more complicated. Snape rounded a corner before meeting the face of a most tired Fat Lady in an oversized portrait, sipping on her empty glass of wine with heavy eyes. Dear Lord, is she drunk? Only Gryffindors…
"Banana Fritters." He groaned under his breath, hating the wretched passwords that his rival house used—they were absolutely absurd and made one sound like an utter fool trying to enter.
The Fat Lady swayed a bit before hiccupping and waving her hand for entrance as she took another swig of her empty glass in hopes that the alcohol would magically reappear. Snape swept through the large port hole and was met with a stuffy, warm atmosphere that could even put him to sleep. The large fireplace was on its last limbs, trying to burn every morsel within its reach while the flickering flames dimly lit the common room to show the ridiculous tapestry wall coverings that screamed burgundy and gold. It almost hurt his eyes to be in such an overly decorated room but he just shook himself and thanked his lucky stars he did not have to frequent the tower more than once or twice a year on special occasions. The Slytherin dungeons were much classier and elegant but most of all, subtle with the colors instead of the obnoxious reds and golds that littered the place from floor to ceiling.
There were a few students lingering in the room in a study group together, working on last minute homework before the holidays started, probably Potions homework, which gave him great pleasure. He had assigned a huge workload in spite of the holidays and expected all the assignments to be handed in at the next start of term. His smirk was wiped off his face when he probably guessed that Hermione had more than likely already completed everything. Snape had always been one to challenge her but was rewarded, to his dismay, with an effortless smile and an outstanding completed assignment every time she would turn one in. One young Gryffindor jumped out of her seat when she saw him marching forward with vigor and gave a little cry to her friends to point out that the Slytherin Head of House was, in fact, storming their common room. He ignored the whispers and quickly ascended the stairs towards the girl's dormitories. He had never had to be so abrasive and outlandish like he was expected to in that moment. Severus Snape had made a point to never enter the girl's dormitories in any house, even in the Slytherin Dungeons. It was a show of respect and the only time he would venture in was when school was not in session in the summer.
He reached the top and headed towards the door before pulling out his wand and muttering an incantation to drop the wards and let him in. He grabbed the door handle and pushed open, praying that he would not encounter something brutal. The room was dark and it seemed that everyone was asleep until his eyes reached a bed that had the curtains pulled around with a lit wand and he could make out a silhouette sitting up and reading something. He slowly walked over to the canopy and snatched back the curtains to reveal Hermione Granger with piles of books and one very large text in her lap about Dark Magic. The Gryffindor jumped slightly at the pull of the fabric that covered her late night studying and her face drained of its color when she saw the last person she would have expected, Severus Snape.
"Professor?" Hermione shoved the book off her lap and stood up in respect of the foreboding man, "Erm, is something wrong?"
Severus looked at his disgruntled student with intrigue, she was in jeans and an oversized sweater with her hair pulled out of her face while small, lazy wisps of caramel tendrils leaked out of the messy bun, framing her face in a new light that he had yet to see before. She certainly was growing up from the bushy-haired know-it-all that he had grown to loathe and ignore. His jaw twitched before he flicked his wand and her cloak came flying from out of her dresser, "Follow me, please."
She gulped before taking her robes from her teacher, slipping on some shoes, and following him out of the dormitory in a most awkward scene. Hermione was more than grateful that Harry and Ron had decided to go to bed early so that they would not see her being lead out of her rooms by the Slytherin Head of House. Why had he ventured into her private chambers, to her bed? Why didn't he simply have McGonagall retrieve her? Was she in trouble? Hermione knew that Snape had been in the Gryffindor Tower multiple times throughout her school years but she had never actually witnessed it and she could hardly believe her eyes to see the infamous Slytherin in the warm glow of the rival common room. More whispers erupted when she emerged to the main floor where students were still studying as she filed behind the billowing black fabric.
Snape politely opened the portrait for her and let her pass through first, ever the proper teacher. Once the painting had closed, he set off in a fast pace towards the stairs with Hermione trying to catch up, "Professor, wait! What is going on? Is there something wrong…"
He turned and he watched as she quickly joined his side while the staircases moved and she continued her sentence in a whisper, "with the Order of the Phoenix? Is everything alright?"
He rolled his eyes, "A few things came up and the Headmaster asked me to see to it."
She cocked her head, "Like what?"
"We will be going outside, it would be fitting if you wore your cloak." He mumbled, dreadfully.
Hermione frowned but didn't pester further—the former Potions Master now DADA professor was not a man to be trifled with and she did not want to receive detention over the holiday break. Snape led her down to the first floor and into the Entrance Hall of the castle that was decorated with lively Christmas adornments. Two large Christmas trees stood on either side of the grand staircase and as they descended the steps, she made a point to admire the splendor of the twinkling lights amidst the glass ornaments and shining ribbon.
"Severus? Miss Granger? What in God's name are you two doing out at a time like this?" Horace Slughorn slurred, a hint of alcohol in his breath most likely from one of his favorable Slug Club parties that she was always being invited to.
Hermione watched as Professor Snape looked at him in disinterest but bowed to him politely, "We were just fulfilling a few last minute requests for Albus."
Slughorn smiled, "Very well then… carry on as you were…" he stared off into the distance and began to wander again.
The Gryffindor stepped closer to the dark wizard, "He used to be your teacher, did he not?"
Snape looked down at the girl who was so close she was practically touching him. He watched her for a moment and the small actions she made subconsciously and he was a little more than intrigued. Hermione had her back turned to the meandering Professor Slughorn and kept her little hands at her heart. She actually moved even closer to him, blocking off herself from being vulnerable by lending herself to the dark wizard for protection from the drunk teacher.
"Yes, in fact, he did." He responded late but he wasn't sure that the Gryffindor was paying attention as he watched her eyes follow the figure that was disappearing in the smoky atmosphere of the torch-lit castle.
Her golden eyes trailed back to his black ones when she realized how close they were to touching. She instantly jumped back and Severus just rolled his eyes before making his exit out the large doors into the cold December snow without waiting for her to follow. Hermione blushed fiercely at the 'almost' contact with the older teacher and she couldn't wrap her mind around what had just happened. She knew if she needed to rationalize things then she would feel better about her brash actions. He is in the Order of the Phoenix and you have become used to the man protecting you… that's it. No need to take things out of proportion when it is obvious you are just reacting to over five years of having security in knowing that Snape has always protected you, Harry and Ron.
Hermione shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts and raced out the door to see Professor Snape leaving her in the distance. She sighed before starting at a run through the fluffy, fresh snow that had fallen that day during classes, "Professor, wait please!"
Severus stopped as his breathless student came charging forward to catch up. Once she had finally arrived at his side, he made a move to continue walking when out of the corner of his eye he saw Hermione losing grip on the icy cobblestone beneath the snow and slipping. Out of reflex he quickly steadied her which in turn transformed her slippery fall into a slippery collision with the Potions Master. He heard Hermione yelp when she went crashing into his chest and she grasped at his coat for stability. Severus was more than amused at her struggle but was also quite uncomfortable at their close proximity again.
"Miss Granger, control yourself." He chided distastefully as he wrapped a large hand around her upper arm, trying to get her to stand upright. The girl was usually graceful and not so clumsy but he mused that the snow gave her the exception.
She blushed and looked up at the teacher, "Erm thanks, Professor… sorry about my fall—that was rather embarrassing."
He ignored her apology and turned on his heel when he heard scuffing shoes trying to get a grip once more and he turned around to see her back in the same position he found her before but this time he didn't reach out to steady her and she fell in a heap into the snow. He rolled his eyes, "Are you completely satisfied with showcasing you excellent skills in balance? I am quite tired of it, Miss Granger. Now come, we must hurry." He offered her his hand and she reluctantly took it, not used to contact with the foreboding Professor in the least.
He pulled her up effortlessly and she grabbed onto his arm to steady herself before composing her snow covered self and wiping a caramel wisp out of her face, "Thank you." She said more rudely, not happy that she once again had to be helped by the Potions Master who felt it was his life mission to make her life absolutely dreadful.
Severus once again started his walk towards the edge of the school grounds where they could apparate away and he was more than a little thankful that Hermione had decided to keep quiet. She had no idea what they were doing and he did feel somewhat guilty about not having her bring at least a change of clothes with her but it was too late for that now. They both were going to have a miserable time trying to endure the other's company for almost two weeks but he just shook it off and tried to remind himself that he had definitely been through much worse—he would take Granger any day over spending a whole summer with Pettigrew, or Wormtail as he liked to call him, fidgeting about Spinner's End.
"Where are we going, Professor?" Hermione piped up, halfway across the grassy fields with him.
"We are leaving school grounds." He muttered, waiting for her to catch up again.
She stopped in her tracks, "What? Why?"
He glared at her, "Do not ask me such questions, Granger. It was on orders of Albus Dumbledore. Trust me, I don't want to be anywhere near you either."
Hermione furrowed her brows, "That was rather rude."
He rolled his eyes and grabbed her arm to keep her walking and pulled her along roughly, "You are just catching on to that now? I thought you were brighter than that."
She pouted her lip as she yanked her arm out of his, "You're a teacher! You are supposed to be above the witty remarks of a first year!"
He smirked, "Touché." Severus grabbed her again and pulled her to him, much to the horror of the young Gryffindor.
She froze, "What do you think you are doing? I am your student!" Hermione looked up at him in shock until she felt her body being stretched and pulled and hurled around in a whirlwind. He was disapparating them! Why didn't she guess that? She reprimanded herself for being so blind to the absolute obvious and was more than grateful that she had not tried to pull away from him in the process of the transfer. Having Snape steady her felt much better than just being thrown about like a rag doll in a tornado.
With a small pop, Hermione landed face first into the snow once more in front of a small, run down cottage.