What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? By Dusty Springfield
Dust. That was all that was present. Dust. And lots of it. It had been quite late in the evening when the two had arrived, and Hermione felt exhausted; emotionally and physically. She walked through the foyer and marveled at the space that was in front and around her. The place was old and probably had not been inhabited for a long while. The walls were covered with portraits, all hidden underneath some sort of tapestry; most likely to preserve the art from decaying. She glanced up at the high ceiling and was greeted by a modest chandelier.
Professor Snape whispered an incantation and the rooms were flooded with dim lighting. The foreign objects, indescribable in the darkness, quickly took shape and were at once recognizable. The couches, tables, lamps, and other trinkets and instruments were covered by tarps with dust gathered atop.
Hermione continued walking into the living space and brought her hand gently to the decaying fireplace, tracing different designs into the gathered dust. Her mind was so occupied with her present circumstance, that she did not notice Professor Snape still standing in the entrance watching her carefully.
"Don't make yourself too comfortable yet, Miss Granger. We must attempt to make this place livable before we can settle," said Professor Snape looking around the room. Hermione noticed his observations and realized that this place was as foreign to him as it was to her. Good, she thought, I won't be the only one to fumble around at night.
She turned her attention back to the arenaceous living space, walking cautiously around the fragile furniture. Towards the other end of the room, was a larger portrait covered by a translucent sheet. She stepped closer and pulled the material off the painting revealing a man sitting on a chair.
"Who's house is this, Professor?" Hermione asked, turning. But he was no longer standing near the door. "Professor?" Hermione called, "Professor Snape, where are you?" She received no answer but a hush silence. In that moment of quiet, she felt an odd sort of panic. Where could he have gone? she thought to herself, still feeling worry in her heart, Hermione began looking frantically around the room. "Professor?" she called once again.
"Please stop your incessant shouting. I am in the kitchen, Miss Granger," responded Professor Snape.
Hermione followed the voice into a normal looking kitchen. It was nothing too fancy and not too decrepit; there was a chance that the appliances could be used.
"You will focus on the first level. Remove all the covering from the furniture. I don't care what you do with the paintings; you can either leave them be or remove them as well. I am going upstairs to clean the bedrooms. Work diligently. I am tired and would like to be done as soon as possible. Do you understand? And don't even think about leaving."
"Yes, sir," replied Hermione, "But, Professor Snape, can you please
tell me what is happening. Why am I here? Why not the others as well? Where are we and what is this place?"
"Now is not the time for a question and answer session. You will find out, in due time, the answers to your questions. As to why your two dunderheaded friends are not present? Well, babysitting one of the "golden trio" is more than enough work than I wish to handle," said Professor Snape turning sharply and walking to the stairs; his robes billowing silently behind him.
The Hill by Marketa Irglova
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Hermione left the kitchen shortly after Professor Snape to explore the rest of the first level. There was a dining room in the next room. She decided to clean that room first. Removing her wand from her pocket, she began casting charms. Within minutes, the dining room began recover its original beauty. Hermione looked around at the paintings on the wall. She uncovered all of them and thankfully they were all asleep.
She walked back to the kitchen and repeat the process of cleaning; as with the living room. There was a union of two doors adjacent to the living room which she had not noticed until then. Treading carefully towards the two doors, she jiggled the locked knobs. She whispered quietly, "Alohamora." She heard a clicking noise and pushed through the barrier revealing an ancient looking library. Hermione inhaled deeply, admiring her surroundings. It was a similar replica of the Strahov Library with giant windows flooding in moonlight. Situated on the far end of the room, stood a fireplace more grand than the one in the living room. It is beautiful, thought Hermione. At that moment, Professor Snape entered the room and stood quietly. "We will finish this room tomorrow, but right now we need to retire. I have finished the upstairs."
Hermione turned and looked quickly at him before turning back, "All right. I'll be up in a minute."
"No, Miss Granger, now. I have no time for you to indulge. I must show you to your rooms."
Hermione exhaled loudly and said, "Fine. Lead the way, sir," and walked quickly behind him.
The way up the stairs seemed to take forever. At the top was a portrait and an old grandfather clock. It read 347 am.
Professor Snape turned to Hermione and said, "You may choose any room you'd like on the right. My bedroom will be on the left. The first door on the right. There are additional bedrooms, however, there is not use for them at the moment. If you need anything, just knock. But please refrain from doing so tonight. I am quite sure you are as tired as I am," and walked briskly to his room.
"Goodnight, Professor," said Hermione. She didn't receive an answer that night, nor would she for the rest of her stay.
She walked to the right at the top of the stair case and advanced down the corridor. There were 4 bedrooms total each with their own bath. She ended up picking the first because it was the most maintainable and contained a large bookcase as well as a fireplace. After scourifying the furniture and bathroom, she made her way into the bed and quickly fell asleep.
She dreamed of many things. Of the most surprising was one that contained Professor Snape. It was quite vivid as well. The sun was out and they were still in that house. She walked out of her bedroom and walked towards his. But the way there seemed to stretch and it felt if they were separated by miles instead of feet. Her pace changed from walking to running, and she began to hear screaming. She turned, but saw no one there. Hermione began panting and ran as fast as she could. When she got to his bedroom door, it was locked and she was about to pull out her wand when she realized she had left it in her room. Hermione kicked the door open and ran to his bed. When she pulled off his cover, his body was replaced by decrepit and mangled bones. She was rendered speechless, but the strangest part of the dream was that she climbed into the bed anyways and lay down to rest.
Hermione was awoke by an annoying screeching.
"WAKE UP, MISS GRANGER!" yelled some foreign voice. But that voice sounds so familiar, so…comforting, so…like Professor Snape's.
Hermione jolted awake and slowly turned her head and found herself staring at a very angry Professor.
"Miss Granger, will you please explain to me why you are in my bed?" Professor Snape questioned in a very low, dangerous voice.
"I have no idea. Well, I had a dream that I came to your room, but it was only a dream. Right?"
"I don't care whether or not it was a dream. Get out."
"I'm so sorry. I had no idea that I walked in here, honest," said Hermione getting out of his bed.
"Now. Get out now!" snapped Professor Snape and with that Hermione ran out of his bedroom and into hers.
"Weird!" said Hermione, "That was so weird. Why was I in his room? It was just a dream. Do I sleep walk? Wouldn't I know if I sleep walk?"
"Stupid girl. I watched you run out of your room this morning," answer a voice.
Hermione circled around and found the man that matched the voice. There was a portrait sitting on the far end of the room. Well. I guess I do sleep walk then, thought Hermione.
"You was mutterin' all sorts of things last night," chuckled the man, "mumblin' and comin' close to cryin'. What's wrong with yous anyways. Havin' a little crush on your Professor, eh?"
"What are you talking about?" asked a wide-eyed Hermione.
The painting only looked at her laughing and then walked away. Hermione rolled her eyes at the empty painting. Knowing that there was no way that she liked her Professor. Admired? Yes. Romantic interest? No and no. Near the back of her bedroom stood two doors leading out to a small balcony. She opened the curtains and walked through the doors. The sun was out and the street was busy. She closed her eyes and turned her head up towards the sun enjoying the warmth that it emitted. She walked back into her room and took a bath. The bathroom was a mess. There was soot and debris everywhere. She got rid of what should could, but left the plant life that had growth through the cracks over the years.
After she finished bathing, she walked to a wardrobe. Curious, she opened it and found some of her own clothing there. Magic, she thought. She dressed and walked to the living room. Upon her arrival, she found herself in the presence of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape.
"Professor Dumbledore!" exclaimed Hermione, running towards her Headmaster, "How are you? How is everyone? What happened after I left? Is everyone okay? Wait, why am I here? You need to explain this to me, sir. I can't be kept in the dark when it's my life."
Professor Dumbledore merely smiled and said, "Good morning, Miss Granger. Everything is well. The aftermath of the attack is not irreparable, there are many people helping out there as we speak. We had a few minor injuries, but nothing critical. And I will explain everything else after you have breakfast. There is food out on the terrace. Come back here when you have finished."
Hermione closed her eyes and breathed in and out slowly. After breakfast, she thought. I can handle that.
She walked out onto the terrace and found a medley of food waiting; from waffles to steak and everything in between and an assortment of fruits. She sat down and poured herself tea. She gathered a few bits and pieces on her plate and ate as quickly as she could without feeling ill. She slowly finished her tea and walked back to the living room.
She sat down on the couch adjacent to Professor Dumbledore and braced herself for whatever was in store because if she had to be "captured" and brought to a deserted house there must be some good reason for it. Otherwise, she'd leave. Right away.
"Now, Miss Granger, I'm sure you curious about your present circumstance?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"I'm a big more than curious, sir," replied Hermione looking down to the floor.
"I find that, with you, it should be easier to share news with upfront; no beating around the bush as they say. Voldemort no longer has Mr. Potter as his primary target. He has shift it to you."
At that moment, all the color from Hermione's face faded and she was rendered speechless. Me? she thought. How could I be of interest to Him?
"Voldemort has run with the mundane thought that you are servicing Mr. Potter more than he can service himself. In other words, you are the key to whatever advantage Mr. Potter has over Voldemort. Therefore, you are the number one priority and the attack was meant to isolate you, Miss Granger."
"So that is why I had to leave; just me. But why Professor Snape? Why not, oh I don't know, Remus or Professor McGonagall, or someone else? Won't his position be compromised if he is missing?" asked Hermione.
"His position was compromised that night, Miss Granger. There was a complication and his true position was revealed. It was important to get you and Professor Snape out of Hogwarts and into hiding. Immediately."
"So what now? Am I to just sit here for however long it takes for the war to end? Live here. Doing nothing. Doing nothing to help Harry? Or fight with and for the people I love?"
"It is a complicated matter, one that we are trying to analyze and resolve. But in the meantime, yes, you will wait here until we have further information on the position of Voldemort and what his actions will be."
"But how? If Professor Snape's relations with Voldemort are severed, how will we have access to him?"
"Ah, there, Miss Granger, is where the light at the end of the tunnel is. We have another person inside. So there is nothing to worry about."
"Who?"
"The person shall remain nameless for the time being. But I must be off. There is a meeting with the Order soon."
"Wait, Professor. Are we not able to leave the house at all? What about food or the right to go out so I won't go crazy?"
"Professor Snape will explain everything else when I leave. I will see you two soon. Enjoy your day!"
Hermione watched Professor Dumbledore walk out of the living room and exit the house. All that remained was her and Professor Snape. When the silence became unbearable and uncomfortable, Hermione looked at Professor Snape and asked him the questions she had asked Professor Dumbledore before he had left.
"We may leave the house only under an appearance transformation. And it is not wise to leave excessively. I think once every couple of weeks is ample time for you to enjoy the great outdoors," Professor Snape said contemptuously.
"That's fine."
"And we also have access to a house elf so there is no need to worry about maintaining the household as well as food."
"Where are we?"
"We are in Nice. Is it safe to assume you know French? If you do not, have no expectations from me to educate you," Professor Snape said walking to the terrace.
"Wait, Professor, what guises are we using?"
"We'll worry about that when we go out. Do not leave this house without me and without an appearance change. Do you understand me?"
Hermione hesitated before answering, "Yes."
Professor Snape nodded and continued out the door towards breakfast.
Hermione walked around the living room and noticed in the far, far corner an object still covered with tarp. She immediately removed it, revealing a grand piano.
How lovely, she thought.
