Chapter 2: Enter the Phantom

Severus stood, not too far from where, unbeknownst to him, Hermione had stood not an hour before. He observed the heaps of smoldering ruble as he picked his way through the desolate marketplace. 'Poor bastards.' He gravitated toward the spot where the marked graves stood like sentries over the dead buildings. 'There are no innocents in war…' but he couldn't help thinking that the only offense these people had committed was simply being. How much longer could he continue this, he wondered. The only two people who knew of his real agenda were himself and Minerva. To the rest of Wizarding Britain, he was a murderer; a Deatheater. How much longer could he escape from murdering the innocents he was supposed to protect?

His onyx eyes swept the make-shift graveyard and they lingered on a badly abused doll that had been propped against the headstone that read "Madeline Stone," and he clenched his jaw in sorrow. "I'm sorry." It was only a whisper, but in the silence of the desolate setting, it might as well have been a shout.

Severus suddenly felt a warm sensation against his pocket. His hand went automatically to the coin he always carried. The Order of the Phoenix had adopted Ms. Granger's 'Dumbledore's Army' coins in order to communicate amongst themselves in secret. Severus briefly wondered where the impetus girl was now; dead? No one had heard from her in over a year… 'I sincerely hope you are in a far better place Ms. Granger, because running away is not a Noble Gryffindor trait, and we are certainly stuck in hell.' He glanced at the coin and realized that there was a personal message to him from Minerva. "'Meet me in Spinner's End'…blasted woman!"

Severus had apparated to his home in Spinner's End to make sure none of his…constituents were hanging around before Minerva arrived. 'What in Merlin's balls does the witch want?' As if answering his question, his floo flared and Minerva stepped from his fireplace followed by a woman he did not recognize. Severus had his wand in hand before the other person was even on his hearth.

Hermione had disguised herself to get a point across to Severus; she would reveal who she was in due course through the conversation. Once she stepped into his living room she immediately cast a spell to see if they were truly alone before she spoke. "Its clear."

Severus noticed that the unidentified woman had refrained from saying 'safe,' and cocked an eyebrow still on his guard. "To what, pray tell, do I owe the pleasure of your company Minerva? It is a great risk to stay long."

Minerva McGonagall completely agreed, "Ask Ms. Granger."

Severus blinked at the older witch as if she had finally gone insane, "and how do you suppose I do that?" His baritone voice was velvety and dripping disdain.

Minerva narrowed her eyes at the wand which he still had pointed at herself and Hermione. "Because she is standing right here."

Severus' eyes flicked briefly to the other witch before he did a double take. The other witch had simply turned around, and there, in front of him stood the illustrious "Miss Granger."

"Professor." Hermione did no more than wave her hand and the curtains of the home closed themselves, leaving the trio in semi-darkness.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the young woman, just what had she been up to these last few years while the rest of them lived in constant fear and upheaval. "What do you want?"

Hermione raised her eyebrow in fairly good imitation of him, "at the moment, for you to put your wand away and listen."

He snorted at her remark, before lowering his wand to his side and giving her a prompting look.

Minerva glanced between the other two and realized that this scene would be comical if not for the palatable danger in the air. "Before you begin, let me say this; it is too dangerous for me to remain for this discussion, but Severus, I agree with Hermione." Having said her piece, Minerva threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace, and disappeared into the flames.

Severus watched the older witch disappear before he turned to Hermione, "again, what do you want?" His body was stiff and tense as if waiting to be attacked at any moment.

"I want this," Hermione gestured out the window so he got what she was saying, "to be over." As he opened his mouth to undoubtedly make a snide remark Hermione continued. "And I have a plan."

Severus curled his lip in a sneer, "how unusual. Miss Granger, nothing you have learned from your precious books will work, so don't waste my time." Hermione's spine went rigid as he continued, "some of us have been living a nightmare that ceases to end whilst you undoubtedly had your all-knowing nose stuck in a book somewhere. So, please, spare me."

"You dare?" Hermione's temper flared as he accused her of sitting and hiding idly, watching those around her died.

Severus continued to sneer disdainfully at his former pupil. He did notice however the dangerous light behind her eyes, and as her anger swelled, he could feel the energy radiating from her. That surprised him. The more powerful a wizard or witch gets, the more sensitive they get to energies around them, and the more energy they will put off. And unless he was much mistaken, her magical ability could rival his own, judging by the pulsating waves of energy that she was giving off. She couldn't have acquired such power by reading, it wasn't possible.

Hermione took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down before she spoke. She reminded herself that she might not be able to infiltrate the Deatheaters with out his help. "Severus, please…listen before you jump to—rash—conclusions." She gestured to his Spartan furniture in an unspoken plea that she may sit and for him join her.

Severus relaxed slightly and quirked an eyebrow as she used his given name. His mind flickered through images of the death and destruction that had marred his adult life, and gave into the spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could help end the nightmare. He looked back at the woman in front of him, and nodded.

The pair sat and Hermione told him of what she had learned, and what her theory was. Through the conversation, Severus watched his former charge. She had experienced more in the last five years, than most wizards will in a lifetime. He felt himself wanting to align himself with her to end this. And, strangely enough, he thought they had a chance. Not that he was going to let her know that, yet. He still needed to know a few things before he agreed to her insane, but feasible 'plan.' "So you think that you can just waltz in to the most notorious dark group of wizards in the history of England, and defeat them with just your wits?"

Hermione gritted her teeth in frustration 'insufferable man!' "No, if you had been listening--"

"I was."

"You and I—the two of us—are going to waltz in to the most notorious dark group of wizards in the history of England, and defeat them with our wits and a bit of…"

"Luck?" Severus couldn't help the small turn of the corner of his mouth, "How very…Gryffindor."

Hermione blinked. That small twitch of his lips was the closest thing she had ever seen to a smile to grace his features. She sighed and was about to go back over her plan again when he spoke.

"And it might, just work." Severus sat back in his chair and placed his index finger against the space between his upper lip and nose. "Why do you want to work with me?"

Hermione ran a hand through her hair as she gauged what her response should be. "Because, you are the only person I can trust."

Severus made no attempt to hide his shock; "how in the name of the gods do you figure that? I am a murderer, remember?" He growled each syllable to make his point.

"You are a soldier." Hermione observed him a bit more closely as she spoke; she wanted to be ready in case he attempted to hurt her. "Professor Dumbledore was right when he asked you to kill him. But, I understand that it must be difficult for you."

"Dumbledore was a fool and so are you! You are willing to place your trust in the man who murdered his only friend?" He had nearly leapt from his chair with his outburst and had begun to pace.

Hermione watched emotions flicker behind his inky eyes. "It's because you murdered your only friend that I trust you." She let her words hang on the air and watched him stop and slowly turn to stare at her before she continued. "No one else would have had the fortitude to perform that task, and you did the job unflinchingly… I am not trying to minimize your pain, but I am trying to tell you that I understand why it was done. I know that, no matter how bad it gets when we are out there, you will do what needs to be done."

Severus stood staring at her for what seemed to both of them an eternity. "And why, would I help you?" His words were tainted with an emotion that neither of them were willing to place.

Hermione stood and walked over to stand in front of him. She stepped a little closer then she had intended, and as a result she had to look up to catch his eyes, "Because you want this to be over as much as I do." He stood there looking down at her and for a moment, Hermione thought he might try to kiss her.

"It seems Ms—Hermione, that you have me confused with a good man." He continued to watch her eyes, "but, as usual, you are right. I do want to end this…So it seems that you are, once again, under my tutelage."