Chapter 2: The Oath

Hermione collapsed on her bed in a colossal heap. It had to be almost one o'clock in the morning, and surprisingly, she was the first one to retire. The reception for Bill and Fleur's wedding was still going strong at this late hour. Even as worrisome as Mrs. Weasley had been the past few weeks, she seemed to enjoy herself well enough. Enough wine and spirits can positively do wonders. The wedding seemed to be a lit candle amidst the darkness. The happiness generated by newlyweds lifted everyone out of their dismal moods.

It was a beautiful ceremony, despite its simplicity. If Hermione didn't have to wake early the next morning to take her exams, she probably would've still been out there. The last two weeks had been hectic and draining to Hermione's mental state. Though she had studied well ahead in her sixth year, there was still much to learn. The fear of not doing well ate away at her. She did not want to disappoint.

"I must calm down and go to sleep," she urged herself silently. Passing these exams was imperative for her mission. If she secured the position in teaching Potions, she would have unrestricted access to the dungeons and if Slughorn didn't completely empty all of Snape's things from the classroom, then some of his possessions may still be left there. It was a long shot, but any clues would help. If Snape hadn't planned to betray the Order, then all of his stuff should still be in the dungeon. If he did indeed murder Dumbledore in cold blood, then surely he would've planned it and planned an escape and would've found someplace else for his things, or someone could've gotten rid of them. Oh well, she would find out soon enough she supposed and finally drifted off to sleep.

Bright and early, Hermione woke up looking an absolute mess. Groggily she walked over to her mirror and it even winced.

"My, my you look a fright dear girl. Perhaps a proper toilette will leave you looking refreshed," it stated. Its unnecessary comment made her want to give it an obscene finger gesture, but she was simply too tired. Wandering to the bathroom, Hermione grabbed her maroon bathrobe and flung it over her shoulder.

"Gods I feel awful," she said to herself. Normally she wasn't this exhausted after lack of enough sleep, she was certainly used to it during the school year, but perhaps the reception wore her out. That, or thinking of Snape all night wore her out.

"That thought didn't even sound right to me," she chuckled as she rubbed her eyes. "I really must be tired."

After fully undressing she stepped under the hot mists of the shower and let the heat envelope her body. Shortly after she had grown accustomed to the temperature, Hermione turned the knob and cold water sprayed across her. Her body became a mass of gooseflesh. The shock of that certainly woke her up and she finally stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel, she dried herself and looked in the mirror once again. "An improvement, but not quite there yet," she thought.

She grabbed her bottle of hair serum and weaved it in her wet locks. It should dry relatively tamer and she had her flat iron, which her cousins bought her for Christmas. Though offended at the time, she now realized how useful it was.

"I don't care what anyone says, magical charms have nothing on muggle hair care products," she smiled. She finished with her appearance ten minutes later and decided she would have a cup of tea while she waited for McGonagall. She headed downstairs and conjured up a cup of tea and her books so she could review for the next half hour that she had. Of course, if she were just any ordinary witch, she could've slept for an extra hour, but as everyone knew, Hermione was no ordinary witch but rather a possessed, obsessed, insufferable know-it-all bookworm witch. Yes…that seemed about right.

She smiled at herself for being so on top of things. Not many people would've got as far as her with the books if they were only given two weeks to pass their NEWTS. Though she was still apprehensive over the exams, she felt that she couldn't have done a better job of preparing. Turning down little play dates with Ron and Harry, reading outside while the others played Quittich, having a different subject to read at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Normally Molly wouldn't allow her to have books at the table, as it was bad manners, but she understood how important it was for Hermione to be as well read about her subjects as possible.

She finished her Potions text as soon as she saw Minerva Apparate into the kitchen. Hermione stood up and gathered her things.

"Ah, prompt as usual Miss Granger, excellent. This is not a time to be dallying about. I trust you've prepared yourself to the best of your abilities," she said.

"Oh yes Professor, absolutely," Hermione nodded.

"Very well, then we must be on our way, the Ministry will not be kept waiting, I assume you have your Apparition license?" At that Hermione only nodded again.

"Well then, I will see you there," she said and popped out of the kitchen. Hermione took at deep breath and followed suit.

Five hours later, Hermione treaded out the door of the Ministry of Magic. She had just completed six NEWT exams and would find out tomorrow if she succeeded in all the areas. Minerva downright demanded her to go home and get some rest. It was only a little after noon, but Hermione felt it should be much later. She composed herself for a minute before finally apparating back to the Burrow. Little did she know there would be a whole slew of people waiting for her arrival. She was attacked with numerous questions and congratulations that she didn't know quite how to respond to them all.

"So how do you think you did?"

"If you pass you'll be a teacher at Hogwarts then?"

"Do you think you'll need a cup of tea, I have some prepared in the kitchen."

"Oy! I think you'd be a much better auror with your talents. We could use more like you."

"Hermione why don't you relax a bit, watch me and Harry play some Quittich?" This was when Hermione finally decided to speak up.

"It's Harry and me, Ronald and no, my idea of relaxing is taking a nice long nap for the rest of the day, without anyone bothering me," she sort of shouted towards the end. Everyone paused, seeming a little disappointed with her less than cordial behavior. She softened at all their crestfallen expressions.

"Look, please don't take this personally, but I've had a very long day, and I would just like some sleep. Maybe when I get up later, I'll be feeling up to answering everyone's questions," she said.

"Of course dear, here go right on upstairs, you must be positively tapped out," Molly began to usher Hermione up the stairs and shushed everyone. "I'll bring up a cup as soon as you've settled back in." Hermione nodded and continued to her room.

Hermione woke up without knowing for sure exactly what time it was. Deciding she ought to get out of bed, she fumbled with the lamp on her nightstand, and finally managed to flip the switch on.

"So the know it all finally awakens…"

Hermione's head snapped up and her eyes scanned the room. That voice…it couldn't possibly be. She rubbed her eyes and shook her head.

"I must be overtired, I'm hearing things," she said out loud and looked up again. The sight she was greeted with made her heart unexpectedly pound against her ribs and her breath catch in her throat. Severus Snape stepped out of one of the shadowed corners of her room.

"Overtired you may be, but you are certainly not hearing things," he seemed to laugh at her…"silly little girl."

"This isn't possible, I must be dreaming," she whispered, hoping beyond hope that her assessment was correct, like it always was.

"Don't tell me I have to pinch you," he sneered at her and began walking towards her. As she edged up on the bed, the reality of him became clearer and clearer. However, it wasn't until he was inches from her that she finally reacted and opened her mouth to scream.

Faster than lightning, he deftly clamped his hand upon her mouth and put a solitary finger to his own lips. She could do nothing but stare at him in shock.

"Now you're going to listen to me very carefully Miss Granger and if you value your life, you'll not tell anyone about our little interlude and you're going to do exactly as I tell you," he stared right through her and she thought she might die of fright. As much as she convinced herself he was innocent, his very presence in her room terrified her.

"Do you understand Miss Granger?" he asked, regaining her attention once more. She could only nod dumbly as he lowered his hand from her trembling mouth. She thought to try and scream again, but she needed information, she had to know what happened, and this was perhaps the only opportunity she had to gain his trust.

"Sir, Ron and Harry are downstairs along with the rest of the order for Merlin's sake, you need to get out of here!" she whispered loudly. He seemed to only laugh at her again.

"Here I am in your bedchamber threatening your life Miss Granger, and you warn me about my own predicament? Have you completely taken leave of your senses girl?"

"But sir-," his hand stopped her from further speech.

"I'll have you know that the Order has been promptly, incapacitated at the moment." Hermione's eyes widened and could not help but let the fear take hold of her again.

"Now, don't look so frightened, I've caused no permanent damage. They'll be heavily sleeping for a long time," he smirked at her, enjoying the fact that he could still terrorize one of his students.

"How? There must have been-," he silenced her again.

"Now Miss Granger, let's look at all the facts. I am and accomplished Potions Master, and a spy for the majority of my life, now I believe that's all the information your little brain needs to properly deduce what you need to know." Hermione couldn't help but feel stupid, as she always had in his presence.

"What's to stop me from telling everyone about you as soon as you leave here? I'll be protected at Hogwarts and you won't be able to get to me there," Hermione decided to be defiant, not liking how precarious her situation had become.

Snape sighed; he had hoped it wouldn't come to this. He needed her, but he would never lower himself to admitting that. Not to anyone.

Hermione thought she saw a flash of disappointment overlay his eyes, but it was gone before she could be certain.

"So you want to play that game Miss Granger? Well then… what's to stop me from giving away your parents to the Dark Lord," his lips curled up in a malicious smirk. "You should be thankful that I haven't called attention to Potter's brilliant Mudblood friend. The moment you betray me, is the moment that you'll know you'll never see your parents again."

"They've been relocated, you'll never find them! Do you think Professor McGonagall hadn't thought of rearranging things around your betrayal?!" Snape laughed at her again and all it made her want to do was cry.

"You wouldn't…you couldn't do that to me," her voice started breaking, but she never broke eye contact. "You are loyal to the Order… I just know you are."

"I do things to suit my own needs, never forget that Miss Granger. Now, do we have a deal?" He offered his hand to her. She paused before nodding her consent. As she raised her hand to his, he started muttering an incantation. She waited until he finished before asking what it was.

"It's a Wizard's Oath, with a very high ultimatum, Miss Granger. You must keep my belongings safe and you will keep my being here a secret. My belongings are in a desk in my private office. It's heavily warded, but I will give you the passwords and the proper counter curses in a separate message. I will be able to infiltrate Hogwarts from time to time to relay information, but you must not tell anyone it came from me. You'll make a 'brilliant observation' that will lead you to whatever I tell you. No one would know the wiser and under no circumstance will you show my belongings or tell anyone about me without my express permission. Now… do you agree Miss Granger?"

She lowered her hand and looked back up at him. "You said there was a high ultimatum, what exactly is it?"

"I'm pleased you're paying attention. Hopefully by knowing the dire consequences or your betrayal, you won't be stupid enough to commit it." She didn't say anything, just wanting him to tell her what would happen to her if she did tell anyone.

"Your life, Miss Granger, will be forfeit and you will belong to me. Should you break this oath, I could kill you, use you as a trap for Mr. Potter, or personally use you for my own needs," he smirked at her look of disgust.

"That can't be legal," she said.

"Oh but it is and I'll not go to Azkaban for it should I decide that I want to be rid of your useless existence. The Ministry recognizes the oath as an ancient form of agreement and as long as you know of the consequences, you will be legally, if not magically bound to my every whim. Now, Miss Granger, I'm sure that does not sound desirable to you."

"No, it doesn't, but I don't have much of a choice do I?"

"No, you have every bit of a choice. You must decide what's more important, your life, or the lives of your loved ones. Besides, you'll not regret doing what I asked of you. In the end, you'll realize that."

Hermione bit her bottom lip and knew already that she would accept. She didn't want to seem so eager however, she just wanted information.

"I'll do it then, just keep your belongings safe and your being here a secret, I think I'll be able to handle that."

"Very well, then all you have to do is touch my hand and the oath will take its hold on you Miss Granger." His stare bore right into her and all of a sudden she had never been more nervous in her entire life.

"Are you ready Miss Granger?"

"Yes," she responded and tentatively reached back up for his hand. As their fingertips touched, she felt an overwhelming warmth permeate her hand and pulled it back abruptly, as if he were on fire.

"Naturally, you will feel the workings of the spell; this is old magic we're invoking. Now, again."

Hermione strangely felt as if she were being instructed by him again and couldn't help but comply. She took his hand and watched it glow a brilliant orange color. The light radiated to all corners of her dark bedroom and she then concentrated her gaze towards Snape.

Severus never took his eyes off the girl. The determination in her eyes was nothing short of inspiring. She would be a helpful ally, he was sure of it. There would be no reason to give him away, her friends would surely believe her to be mad and the ramifications of the oath would truly scare her away from traitorous thoughts. Not that he would kill her. Perhaps turn her into his personal errand runner for the rest of his days. Either way, he needed those items to be protected and after the girl discovers them, she will know the truth anyhow. Once the glaze died down, Snape felt faint and staggered back. He looked up to see Granger heaving breaths.

"Are you all right Miss Granger," he didn't know why he asked, he didn't particularly care. She nodded in response and he walked stealthily back up to her and took her face in his hands.

"Remember, you must not forget the consequences and don't be stupid," he warned her and couldn't mistake the fear in her eyes.

"Yes sir, you can trust me," she said breathily. He let go of her and his face reverted back into its trademark sneer.

"We shall see."

With that he apparated and left Hermione in a confused state.

"Maybe if I go back to sleep, I'll wake up and realize this was just a dream," she said to no one but herself and rested her head back into the comfort of her pillows.