Hermione's Mission

As the summer wore on at Hogwarts, repairs were still being carried out on the castle. These were only minor things, as most of the damage had been cleared up right away. There would be no school this September; Professor McGonagall had thought it unsafe to carry on at the moment. Of course, the decision was not made lightly, but in the end everyone had agreed that it was for the best. The Order knew that soon young Harry Potter would be forced into a final confrontation with Lord Voldemort, and he would have to train hard if there was to be any hope. Therefore, the safety of the other students was paramount. If any student wished, they could continue their magical education out of country - Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had graciously opened their doors for the year to Hogwarts pupils. Many did go, professors included, as well as the new first years, but the majority of 5th, 6th, and 7th years stayed close to the Order, and to Harry - training in the D.A.

For some time now, the Order had been questioning whether or not Snape was still under deep cover, or if he had rejoined Voldemort. Albus Dumbledore believed in Snape, and put a trust in him that was never explained to anyone. The old wizard was rarely wrong about people, therefore the Order leaned toward the idea of what was good for Dumbledore was also good for them. As well, the newly added portrait of the former Headmaster had assured them that this was all part of the plan; however, they were still suspicious. Moreover, there was the problem of Harry Potter's beliefs in the matter. He was simply not ready to explore the idea that Snape was just following Dumbledore's orders. In his point of view, Snape had murdered Dumbledore — there was no way he could be made to see the logic yet.

"I think we're all in agreement then, yes?" Lupin looked up and surveyed the faces in the meeting before him. There was a general nod of assent. "Well then, we know where we stand. All of the facts that we have compiled so far point to Severus still being one of us." Lupin had a serious look on his face. "If he had changed sides, the destruction would have been more widespread, and many of our own would likely have been killed."

The portrait smiled and nodded, "Yes, yes Remus, now you're on the right track!"

Professor McGonagall stood up, and rose her brows up at Albus' praise. "Oh Albus! You know that we had to be sure of this. Yes, Remus, I fully agree with you. Severus would not have hesitated in killing Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood, and Professor Flitwick as well as others, I'd imagine if he were not on our side. It was as if he was trying to keep them safe, out of harm's way."

"Minerva, my dear, you know that I have always trusted Severus. He could never bring any harm to any student here." Albus popped a lemon sherbet into his mouth and grinned.

Putting her hands on her hips, McGonagall sighed irritably at the portrait. "Albus Dumbledore, you talk too much!"

"Ah. Yes well, I'll just listen in quietly. I promise." The old Headmaster smiled impishly and winked at his successor as he sat down in his favourite plush chair.

"Good. Now then, as we know, Albus has informed us that Severus had an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa; he had to follow through or risk his own death, or alternatively the loss of his position and his value as a source of inside information for the Order." She looked meaningfully at everyone present at the meeting.

"You all know that Harry will not share your view, at least not yet anyway." Alastor Moody was pacing around McGonagall's office. "He's still very angry, and this hatred for Snape is fueling Harry's fight against the Dark Lord." He sighed, sitting down heavily on one of the comfortable armchairs, "I think that the only way that he'll come to this understanding is if we are open, and willing to tell him everything." Lupin looked ready to interrupt. "Just hear me out, Remus. These are things he needs to know - heh, Dumbledore may have already told him anyway!" McGonagall nodded as Moody continued, "He needs to know that Snape was only acting on orders."

"I feel it necessary to say that I have not spoken to young Harry on that particular point as of yet, Alastor," Dumbledore interrupted. "However, I do believe that you're right, and you should tell Harry everything. Sooner rather than later is always preferable, no?"

Lupin shook his head. "No, it's too soon for that. We all know how upset and unwilling to listen Harry is at the moment. This would only confuse him further."

Silence followed for a few moments, and finally Minerva spoke: "I believe that I know how to convince Harry." Many sets of eyebrows went up. "Harry may be more likely to listen to reason through Miss Granger. Hermione will understand if we tell her everything. I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't already figured it out. Not much gets past her." McGonagall looked around at the group who were collectively nodding in assent. "It is settled then. I will speak with her in the morning." Albus cleared his throat from his place on the wall. Minerva eyed him sternly. "Oh yes, Albus, be patient! You'll get your chance with Harry!"

Sunrise found Hermione sitting under the tree, by the lake. She had taken to finding peace under the tree's great branches...it was almost as if Dumbledore himself was speaking to her through the wind whispering through its leaves. Hermione was almost 18 (19 if you consider her use of the time-turner,) but she looked much older than her years. So much had happened in such a short while, and her outlook on things had almost completely changed, including her near-manic obsession with her education. The rest of her schooling would wait - the time for action was close at hand, and it had hardened Hermione's demeanor. Voldemort would not fall easily, and she knew that many friends, as well as she, may not survive the fight. No matter - if it meant bringing down the Dark Lord, the sacrifice was well worth it.

In her heart, she knew that this was what Dumbledore had been thinking when he willing sacrificed himself to save Snape and Malfoy. Slowly, as the initial shock of the Headmaster's death had worn off, Hermione had realized why things had happened how they did. Her logical mind was relentless, as always; there was no shutting that off. She couldn't help but to see everything in a scripted way - it was easy for her. But, she had no one to talk to about her suspicions. Harry would explode, as would Ron, and the Order...well, surely the Order would know how to proceed - but why would they want some girl butting in where she wasn't welcome to? The Order was still protecting Harry, Ron, and Hermione, even though they were of age, and fully capable. Hermione could only assume that they couldn't afford to lose Harry to some reckless revenge scheme. Harry was not the best judge of character around; too often acting on impulse and emotion.

Hermione sighed, looking out over the calm water. Then there was the fact that Snape was trapped behind enemy lines, with no way to communicate without blowing his cover he worked so hard to maintain in the face of great danger. She felt horrible for him - he was the one who was obviously suffering the most at this moment. Dumbledore had been Snape's only confidant; the surly Potions Master had been loyal to him until the end, even carrying out Albus's orders to kill him. Only he couldn't truly bring himself to go through with it. Yes, he had spoken the Killing Curses' incantation, but Snape had overridden it at the same time by nonverbally casting an Expelliarmus, and that is why Harry saw Dumbledore lift up and fly back; the Avada Kedavra drops one like a stone once they are hit. Hermione was sure that somehow, Snape knew a way of maintaining the green colour of the Avada Kedavra, somehow masking the tell-tale red of the Expelliarmus. It was the fall that killed the Headmaster, who was slowly dying from the damage inflicted upon his hand by the ring Horcrux, which had belonged to Marvolo Gaunt, Tom Riddle's grandfather. Hermione understood. Snape had done this to protect Harry - and to ensure that the war would not be lost. He was stuck, and there was no way out, thanks to the Unbreakable Vow he had with Draco's mum.

Hermione felt a deep respect and empathy for this man who had for years walked the thin line between Dumbledore and Voldemort, good and evil. The life of being a double-agent had been hard on him...not being able to show his true self, his feelings - never letting his guard down. 'What a lonely existence,' Hermione thought, playing with a blade of grass. 'To live in solitude, never to share with anyone who you are....and then to finally have a friend, mentor, a father type person you can confide in - and then to kill him yourself…' A tear rolled down her cheek as her heart lurched in agony for this man who could betray no feeling to anyone. 'No, Snape's sacrifice will not be in vain, and neither will anyone else's...Voldemort will pay for this,' Hermione vowed as she rose, fixed her robes and wiped her tears away. She resolved to talk to McGonagall and the Order, to tell them what she had concluded. Turning from the lake back to the castle, Hermione glimpsed someone walking down towards her. McGonagall was already coming towards her; she wouldn't have to go looking for her and she could talk to her now before losing her nerve. Hermione steeled herself, making ready for a sure fight of iron wills.

"Good morning, Miss Granger. I thought I may find you down here." Minerva smiled, taking in the beauty of the surroundings. "I've noticed that you come down here often as of late." There was a hint of concern in her old Head of House's voice.

Hermione felt better seeing McGonagall smile. She did it so rarely these days. "Yes Professor, I find that this is the only place where I can think clearly these days. I was just on my way back up to talk to you and the Order about something."

"Oh? Isn't that funny, I was on my way to do the same. Talk to you, that is. And please, Hermione, call me Minerva." McGonagall beckoned Hermione to follow her. "Shall we walk?"

"Yes. Thank you…Minerva." Hermione felt that McGonagall was like a mother to her, and was comfortable with the older woman, but saying her first name was odd to her. "I haven't mentioned this to Harry or Ron. I'm a little hesitant to bring it up now." Hermione bit her lip, fresh tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Damn! She was so much stronger now, why did these silly tears keep cropping up on her?

"Oh my child," McGonagall passed her a kerchief, "you know that I will listen to you. You have always been one of my favourites, you know that. I know that whatever you have to say to me will be well thought out, and not said lightly. These past few months have been hard on us all, but I think that I may have seen the greatest change in you. Hermione, you have become a brilliant witch, and a strong woman. I do value your opinion."

Hermione managed a smile through her threatening tears. "Thank you so much for saying that. You don't know how much it means to me." Being Muggle-born had never been easy on Hermione; there was a constant feeling of having to prove herself, though it was mostly because of other students, not the professors – the majority of them anyway. The two women walked a little ways further as the sun threw gleaming gems on the surface of the lake. "Minerva, I need to do something that I think is very important. You may not agree with me, you may think it's too dangerous for me to attempt, but I must try, because I think that this is what Dumbledore would have wanted me to do."

"What is it?" McGonagall asked gently.

She stopped walking, and turned to face the older woman. "What are the Order's thoughts on Severus Snape?"

Minerva closed her eyes, nodding. "Hermione, this is what I came down to talk to you about. The time is not right to talk to Harry yet, but we believe that you can handle this situation better than we can."

"He is on our side," Hermione said with conviction.

"Yes, Hermione, this is the conclusion we have come to. Albus trusted Severus completely - and therefore, we do as well. His nattering portrait won't hear anything to the contrary, either." McGonagall glanced at Hermione. "I had a feeling that you would know this too. Why have you not discussed this with Harry and the others?"

She closed her eyes. "Harry isn't ready to hear it. He is so angry...I know deep down, he probably has thought of it, but...."

"I understand. But, Hermione, what is it that you want to do that you think Dumbledore would have wanted?"

"Somehow, I must find Snape and let him know that he's not alone in this. Right now he must feel so alone, empty and horrible! He has to know that we believe him! How do you think killing Dumbledore made him feel?" Hermione sighed, ready for McGonagall's denial. It never came. Hermione looked up at the Professor, and saw sadness on her lined face. "I am the most logical choice to go. I won't try to start a fight with him, or instigate anything like Harry or Ron would, and I will listen to what he has to say. He knows that I'm not the type to come hunting for revenge, or anything reckless like that. You can't be spared - you're needed here, and if Professor Snape saw Aurors, he would think they were there to kill him, there'd probably be a fight - and don't tell me that our Aurors are specially trained to avoid detection, I know that -"

Minerva shook her head and grabbed Hermione's arm. "I am not disagreeing with you Hermione. You have my permission to go." Hermione stared at her former Head of House. "I trust you, the Order trusts you, we all know that you can do this, and at the same time be safe about it." McGonagall pulled Hermione into a hug. "Come; let's go to my office where you can be fully briefed on the situation. We will do our best to prepare you for your journey."

"Thank you Minerva. I will do my best to locate Severus, and to bring back any information he has for us."

They walked up to the castle, arm in arm.

A week later and as prepared as she could be, Hermione waited to go. She was so nervous! Were Tonks or Lupin ever this nervous before a mission? All she could tell Harry and Ron was that she had a secret mission for the Order, and not to worry. Of course they were curious, and a little aggravated that they didn't have a job for the Order, but they understood, and were busy with the D.A. and Horcrux research anyway. Harry was perfectly obsessed with the research; Hermione never saw him so wrapped up in books before! He was determined to find and destroy these vile pieces of Voldemort's shattered and decrepit soul, so he could get on with it and hunt down the Dark Lord. Hermione smiled. 'How come he never applied himself that way to his homework?' she wondered vaguely as she toyed with a stray lock of her unruly hair. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Lupin made his way over, and pulled Hermione into the corner of McGonagall's office. "Are you sure about this, Hermione? Because if you're not, no one is forcing you to go or to do anything for that matter -"

She nodded, "Yes, absolutely. I'm sure about this. This is my contribution, and it needs to be done."

"All right, but please keep in mind the escape route we planned, just in case?"

"Of course, Professor. Don't worry about me." Hermione smiled at Lupin. "I'd like to think that I'm all grown up now - I know what I'm doing."

A grunt sounded from behind. "Heh! All grown up, what's this?" Moody came limping over to where Hermione was standing. "You'd best watch yer back missy. Remember everything we told ya, and -"

Hermione laughed. She hadn't done that in so long, it felt foreign. "I will. Please, watch that Harry and Ron don't do anything too stupid. I'll send the signal as soon as I'm safely there." With a few last minute good luck wishes, Hermione was on her way. She walked down to the gates and Apparated to Spinner's End.