It's What's Inside That Counts

This story is the result of a challenge issued by Hermysnape on the WIKTT site called the "Imposter Challenge." In my version, Harry is in a coma and Hermione steps agrees to step forth to take his place, thanks to a modified Polyjuice potion provided by the enigmatic Severus Snape. Both Hermione and Snape learn that all it not what it seems, and it's what's inside that counts. How will Hermione adjust to being a bloke; not just any bloke, but Harry Potter? How will she deal with what happens after?

Chapter 1- What Must Be Done

August 20, 1997- Grimmauld Place, midnight

At a secret meeting meeeting of the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione sat and listened in a state of shock. She couldn't believe things had come to this. Albus Dumbledore was dead, some of her classmates were confirmed Death Eaters, her parents were dead, thanks to said Death Eaters, and her dream of being Head Girl at Hogwarts died five minutes ago. But that wasn't the worst: Harry, sweet Harry, was now secretly stashed away upstairs in a coma. And from what you ask? A Quidditch accident, which solidified Hermione's opinion that brooms were good only for cleaning. The hope of the Wizarding world lay helpless because of a broom; that is, until one day Headmistress Minerva McGonagall observed Nyphadora Tonks transform herself one night weeks ago.

So this night, an idea brought forth killed Hermione's Head Girl dreams. She would still be at Hogwarts, but she wouldn't be quite herself. It was bad enough that Albus Dumbledore died, so what would happen if Voldemort found out about Harry? The plan sounded simple: she would drink a modified Polyjuice potion and be Harry until he woke or until Voldemort was no more. The news would be spread that due to overwhelming grief from the death of her parents, she would be be moving to America with a distant relative. A non-descript owl delivered a parcel to the meeting with instructions.

"Are you sure you want to do this Hermione? We can still ask Mr. Weasley," Minerva asked.

"Can you imagine Ron trying to be Harry? It wouldn't work, Ron's personality is just too different," Hermione said. "Just please try and make him understand as best you can why I had to go to America. This is going to be hard for him, he kind of...fancies me."

"Very well. According to the instructions, one vial of this modified Polyjuice potion should last a month," Minerva said and handed her the paper.

"Headmistress! This is Snape's bloody writing! For all I know, this is poison!" Hermione exclaimed. "How can you---"

"Hermione, calm yourself dear. Surely a smart girl such as yourself can realize that things are not always as they seem?" Minerva asked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked.

Minerva looked around the room at the Order members, most nodding their head.

"What's going on?" Hermione demanded.

"Hermione, can we go to the parlor and talk?" Remus Lupin offered.

Hermione always trusted the kindly former Professor, so she followed him to the parlor.

"Hermione, what I'm about to tell you is quite alarming and we would fully understand if you left and never came back," Remus said.

"It can't be any more alarming than anything else I've been subjected to the past year," Hermione said ruefully. Despite everything that had happened, she still had a spark of hope that the side of Light would prevail. Harry, her best friend, was that hope. "Go on Remus," she said.

He took a deep breath. "Severus Snape is not who you think he is."

Hermione raised a single eyebrow.

"He is...has been a member of the Order and spy for us for almost twenty years, bringing us information about Voldemort. Dumbledore's death, although horribly sad, could not have been prevented. His death was agreed upon, however hard that is to believe. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Hermione thought for a minute before she spoke. "Dumbledore knew that he was going to die? And because of Voldemort, Professor Snape had to--?" Hermione asked, wiping a tear that fell down her cheek.

Remus nodded. "Clever girl," he said softly.

"Does Professor Snape know about Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No. It's essential that he never find out, for a dozen different reasons," Remus said. "He no longer teaches at Hogwarts, but he is still around."

Her eyes were closed and she was shaking her head.

"Do you still wish to do this?" Remus asked.

She nodded sadly. "We still need Harry."

In the dining room, Severus Snape arrived and gave the news from the latest revel. Hermione and Remus emerged from the parlor. Hermione froze when she saw Severus.

"It's all right," Remus whispered and guided her to the table.

Severus acknowledged her with a nod. "Miss Granger, I wish you the best of luck in America. You will live long enough over there to accomplish something in your life. Lifespans are limited in these parts."

Hermione nodded back at him with clenched teeth.

"Someday, Miss Granger, I hope that you will come to understand that things are not always what they seem," Severus said smoothly then turned to Minerva. "Have you found a candidate for the Polyjuice potion?"

"Not yet," Minerva said shortly.

"Well, it needs to happen soon, he's getting suspicious," Severus said. "My complicity is becoming harder and harder to prove."

"We're doing the best we can Severus," Minerva said. "If you had stayed at Hogwarts, this would be easier."

"Minerva, you know as well as I do that no parent will tolerate the killer of Albus Dumbledore teaching their children," Severus sneered. With one last look at Hermione, he left the room in a billowing of robes.

"I swear he charms his robes to do that," Minerva quipped.