ooOoo

Severus carefully removed the cauldron from the flame and drew a wickedly sharp pen knife from its sheath and extended his hand. "Miss Granger?" He said expectantly.

Hermione laid her hand in his. She'd rolled her sleeve up and looked away as he cut deeply and extended it over the cauldron. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore as he massaged around the cut to encourage blood flow. She started feeling faint before he used his wand to seal the deep cut and guided her to sit in the chair.

Severus returned to the cauldron and stirred the cooling liquid, dispersing the blood evenly through it. As he continued to stir, the potion turned a deep cerulean blue. He then rolled out a large sheet of parchment and carefully poured the potion over the page. The entire cauldron soaked into the paper and it began to glow. Spidery lines began to appear, scrawling outwards. He watched as it began with her name at the very bottom of the page. Her parents appeared next and from there it began to branch out. He began to laugh as they hit her great grandparents on her mother's side. "Miss Granger, it appears that you are descended from the house of Blishwick on your mother's side. Your maternal grandmother was a Squib." He turned and helped her stand. "Muggles are represented in Black, squibs show as blue, witches and wizards appear in gold." He said and showed her name in glowing golden letters.

"So on my father's side, I go back to the Notts?" She gave him a dubious look. "Charming." She made a face.

"It means that you have documentable Magical ancestry…and are actually heir to a previously extinct Noble House." He said quietly. "We'll need to take you to Gringotts and have this verified, but it means you will be safe Miss Granger, and that was the relevant issue." He wondered if she understood what that meant for her future. He watched her run her fingers over the parchment.

"So that means that I'm just a lucky confluence of two magical lines?" She whispered.

"It means that there may be a shred of truth in the theory behind muggleborns, or you may be an anomaly. In all the years I've been teaching you are by the far the most talented witch of your background I have taught." He shrugged. "It does not matter, what matters is that if the Goblins certify your descent…you will be protected from the Dark Lord's new laws. They may come after you in other ways but they cannot throw you into Azkaban." He met her eyes. "It is a small victory, but a victory nonetheless."

She swallowed and touched her head. "Do you have a blood-replenishing potion handy?" She asked.

"Certainly, sit down." He guided her to her seat and went to his cabinet and found the right bottle. "Here you are." He said.

"Thank you Professor." Hermione drank it and made a face, it tasted just like blood. She set the bottle aside and closed her eyes. She didn't know how to feel about what she'd been shown. Something of her struggle must have shown on her face.

"Miss Granger…magic is magic, where it came from doesn't matter. What does matter is what you do with it." He pulled a chair over and sit in front of her.

"I just don't understand why it matters so much to them." She said quietly. "Why they have to make us feel less than they are."

"It's a complicated thing, but it's easier to blame the ills of a society on an outlying element than look at the true causes of the problems." He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. "Our traditions are dying out along with many of the old family lines. Newcomers to our world don't seem to want to learn to embrace the old ways, seeing them as archaic or exclusionary. Some wizards use that to punish their political rivals by outlawing or condemning practices they disapprove of. So many areas of magic are now considered dark or illegal simply because of legislation. Traditionalist were bound to start pushing back." He said quietly. "The Dark Lord merely gave a focus to that anger, however wrong it is."

Hermione found herself nodding. "Why did you join him?" She asked.

"That is a tale for another day Miss Granger. You need to get back to your Common Room, you've been occupied with Order business too many nights this week all ready." He said, not wanting her friends to start wondering about her activities.

Hermione nodded, realizing she'd pushed a bit too far. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." She said and stood, grabbing her book bag.

"You did mean to pry. I am not offended by the question, not when asked in such an honestly respectful manner." He said. "Another time, you may ask me that question again and I will take the time to answer it properly."

"Thank you Professor." She gave him a small smile and headed out of the classroom. She headed down the corridors and blinked at Draco appeared from seemingly out of nowhere.

"A little out of your area of the castle, aren't you Granger?" He said blocking her path.

"Just taking some friendly advice." She said carefully…not sure if anyone else was around.

Draco inclined his head a little, and cast a quick muffilato around them. "Is the Professor going to help you?"

She nodded. "They'll be safe." She said. "Thank you Draco." She said.

He nodded. "Watch your back." He dispelled the privacy spell and continued on his way, not looking back.

Hermione shook her head a little and left the dungeons. She was nearly to Gryffindor tower when Harry and Ron found her.

"Where were you? We checked the whole Library!" Ron made a face.

"Professor Snape was letting me redo one of my assignments from first term, since my attention was less than perfect." She said. "I think the Headmaster spoke to him about what had been happening." She said.

"I'll never understand you Hermione, it's bad enough we have to spend one class a week with the greasy dungeon bat never mind doing it on your own time." Ron said, rolling his eyes and giving the password to the portrait.

"Don't be disrespectful Ronald." Hermione sighed and followed them in. "Just because the Headmaster forced him to include you and Harry in the class doesn't mean the rest of us can skate on our work." She said.

"What! I got an E on my Potion's OWL!" Ron said.

"And the Professor was clear he only accepts O students. How did you think you got in?" She gave him a frosty look. "The rest of us actually had to earn it."

"Hermione." Harry said, trying to forestall the blow up he could see coming.

"No! I am tired of defending myself for studying and making up assignments that didn't live up to my standards with both of you! I don't have someone handing me things when I fall short, and I wouldn't WANT THEM TO!" She rounded on Harry. "You say you hate being the 'Famous Harry Potter'…then stop letting people use that excuse to give you things you didn't earn." She said.

"Hermione I needed Potions to apply to the Auror Program! It's not fair that Snape…" Harry said, jaw snapping shut as she got into his face.

"Professor Snape doesn't grade the Potion's Owl, that's done by the Ministry. He told every single one of us that to get into Newt Potions we needed an O on our OWL. Everyone else who wanted to advance put in the work. We booked practice time in the potion's lab, we studied…we EARNED those O's. You just skated through, and then when you didn't get the O well…we can't have Harry Potter held to the same standards as everyone else…" She said. "And of COURSE his best mate needs to get in too…though how either of you even managed an E on that Owl is beyond me." She said. "So I am DONE! Do your own assignments, and manage your own time." She spun and stalked up the stairs to the girl's dormitory and left two very stunned boys standing in her wake, who were suddenly aware that the entire Common Room had heard the whole thing.

"Can you believe the nerve of her!" Ron finally said once he found his tongue.

"She's right." Neville said and stood, grabbing his books. "I needed my Newt Potions too...but I didn't get the grade I needed. Hermione worked for hours with me in the lab trying to help me prepare for the Owl. I only got an E, and I knew when I saw my results that I would have to make new plans for my future." He shrugged. "She works harder than anyone here. I'm just surprised it's taken her this long to let you both have it."

Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder, stopping him from saying anything else. "You're right Nev, but I never asked to be bumped up into that class." He said.

"Then you should have told Snape that you didn't earn it, and wouldn't accept special favours." Neville said. "Otherwise you're saying you're ok with getting special favours because of who you are."

Harry just nodded and went to sit down by the fire, realizing that Hermione and Neville were right. He tuned out Ron's complaining as Neville left the Common Room. The more he thought about what she'd said, the more it bothered him. He wondered how many other Professors had cut him slack over the years because of who he was. This year Professor Snape had basically ignored him and Ron, as if they weren't even in the classroom at all. He frowned as he thought about even their class earlier in the week. Snape had stalked through the room and spent time with every other student, either offering quiet feedback or suggestions on the Elixir to Induce Euphoria they had been attempting. He and Ron were mostly just happy to not be the target of his cutting remarks, but now that he actually thought about it, it had been very strange.

His essays back from the man had been oddly devoid of his usually liberal cutting remarks. There had only been a grade in the top corner, with no feedback on improving it. His potions turned in at the end of class were also returned with only a grade. He realized that it was Snape's own version of protest. He'd allow Harry to be in his class, because he had no choice…but he'd leave him to sink or swim on his own. While he'd been forced to accept him into the class this year, he still needed to pass his exams this June to continue for next year. He felt his stomach drop realizing that unlike the OWL, his exams would be administered and marked by Snape. So far this year he'd gotten no mark higher than an A, even with Hermione's help. He felt physically ill and realized that Snape was just waiting for the exam so he could cut him and Ron from Potions. He'd show Albus the failing grade and use that as proof that he had no business being in the Newt class.

"I'm going to go to bed." Harry said quietly and stood.

"Aww, come on Harry…don't let them get to you." Ron said. "Play a round of Exploding Snap with me."

"No thanks. I'm not in the mood. Goodnight Ron." Harry said and left the Common Room, going up to his dorm and quickly getting ready for bed and shutting the curtains around his bed. He needed to deal with this, or his dreams of being an Auror one day were really done.

ooOoo

Harry took a shaky breath and knocked on Professor Snape's office door. It was common knowledge that the Professor was available in his office every day between the end of classes and dinner, he'd just never taken advantage of it. He'd realized around one o'clock that morning that he needed to swallow his dislike of the man and address the elephant he'd never realized was in the room.

"Enter." Snape's voice carried through the heavy wooden door.

Harry entered and swallowed nervously. "Professor Snape…I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time?"

Snape arched an eyebrow. "These are my office hours Mr. Potter, anyone may have a moment should they choose to wander down here. Close the door behind you, and tell me what you wish to discuss." He said, almost civilly. "If you're capable of forming coherent sentences…" He trailed off.

Harry pushed down the immediate rise of his temper and sat down. "Sir…did the Headmaster make you include me in your class this year?"

Severus looked a little surprised but merely inclined his head by way of answer. "Since I first began to teach potions at this school I have made it clear I will only accept O students into my Newt program. Did you think that I would willingly make an exception for anyone, particularly a student like you that has never demonstrated an ounce of initiative in my class?" He said.

"No sir…I suppose not." He looked down. "I didn't ask him to, but I realize by not asking how it happened it's just as bad. I…is there any way that I can improve my standing in your course Sir?" He asked.

"In the usual way Potter, you'll need to put in the work. There is no reason you could not have achieved an O on your OWL last year, if you had chosen to put the work in. Your mother was brilliant and your father, whatever else he might have been, was not completely unintelligent. You are perfectly aware of the role I play for Order, and that I cannot publically encourage your efforts in any way. I have never given you a grade you did not deserve, regardless of your opinions on the matter." He said quietly. "If you are serious about improving your performance in my class the first year potion's lab is available every evening from the time after the end of classes until curfew. The sign-up sheet is just there. There is also an order form for Slugg and Jigger's Apothecary so you may order extra ingredients for your practice sessions. School stores are not to be used for any extra-circular brewing." He said. "This has been available since your first year, though for years one through three I require an older student to supervise. I've made no secret of it, and mentioned it every single year in the first class after winter break." He said. "I only accept O students because they have demonstrated not only ability but a true grasp of the subject. Newt level potions are much more difficult, and hold the potential for more danger if mis-brewed. I only accept the very best students because I also take it upon myself to help in arranging apprenticeships for them after Newts are completed. Next year I set independent studies which require both understand and finesse, things I find greatly lacking in E and A students. If you want to have a hope of passing my final exam this year, I suggest you get to work." He gave him a dark smile.

Harry swallowed thickly. "Yes Sir." He said quietly.

"Is there anything else Mr. Potter?" Severus said silkily, enjoying the look of almost fear on the teen's face.

"No Sir…ummm, thank you Sir." He said and stood, stopped at the sign-up sheet and looking at the schedule. He was surprised to see Draco and Hermione had time booked at least three times a week, and everyone else in the Newt class had a slot once a week. He chose an empty slot and put his name in, and grabbed an owl-order sheet. "Good afternoon Sir." He said and then left the office feeling like an utter idiot. Hermione was right, and he owed her an apology. He headed to the library and found his friend, sitting in her favourite spot under a window. He headed over and saw that she had her runes text open and was making notes.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked quietly.

She lifted her head and looked at him before shrugging.

"I went and talked to Professor Snape." He said quietly. "I'm sorry I was such an idiot."

She gave him a small smile. "You'll still need to do your own work, but I'm glad you went and talked to him."

He nodded. "Yeah, I need to start doing things for myself. I'm sorry I've been taking advantage of you." He reached over and touched her hand. "Are we ok?"

"Yeah, we're ok." She squeezed his hand back. "I'm sorry I snapped on you both, I'm still not sleeping great and I'm trying to get caught back up after everything. I get so tired of Ron harping on me for doing my work." She said.

"I know. It's ok, we're both a bit thick sometimes." He gave her a small smile. "I'll try not to be an arse about it anymore."

"Thanks Harry." She said and moved her hand to go back to her notes. She was pleased to see that he had his potion's text, and even a potion's reference book. She finished her runes homework and pulled out the book she'd grabbed earlier about inheritance laws. Something about the Professor's wording yesterday had struck her as odd. It seemed that when a pureblood house died out, if there was no set will to detail the dispersal of goods and properties those assets would be held by Gringotts until such time as a descendant might come forward to claim them. Squib descendants were still counted as valid, and it had happened several times over the centuries that a line thought extinct came to light through an apparently muggleborn witch or wizard. The goblins would administer their own version of the Lineage potion, though it would require much less blood. Then she would be presented with the relevant family ring. If family magic recognized her, then there was no disputing her claims.

"What are you reading?" Harry asked after a while.

"The Professor mentioned lineage potions the other day and I've been reading about them and their legal implications." She said. "He said that next year he assigns an independent study project to his Newt students, so I was thinking about doing something with lineage potions for muggleborns." She shrugged. "Just thinking ahead."

"Yeah, he mentioned that to me too." Harry said. "When I come up with some ideas for it, can I ask your opinion?" He asked her.

She nodded. "Sure, that would be ok, but I think you need to concentrate on just passing *this* year." She said honestly.

"I've been warned that it won't be easy." Harry nodded, the expression his face pretty grim.

"You're just going to have to work hard." She said. "I know you have a lot on your mind, but this is important Harry. After we win the war…you need to have a future that isn't based just on destroying the Dark Lord. I know you hate being famous for just surviving the Dark Lord as a baby…show everyone that you're more than that." She met his eyes.

Harry nodded. "Then I guess I better get used to living in the library like you." He winked and together the two friends shared a laugh, though quietly to avoid the ire of the librarian.