Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 06

When he woke up, his years of spying automatically took over as he continued to feign sleep. The first thing he noticed was the faint smell of roses. Next, he heard the soft sound of something clinking, and the rustling of fabric that betrayed movement nearby. He almost gave himself away by twitching when a cool hand pressed against his forehead.

"You might as well open your eyes, Severus. I know you're awake."

Hermione.

Fragments of his final conscious memories ran through his mind. Lucius, gloating…saying that Hermione had betrayed him to the Dark Lord. Yet she'd killed Malfoy and saved his life, clearly in direct defiance of the Dark Lord's orders.

He cautiously opened his eyes, and found himself in an unfamiliar room.

"You're safe here," she said quietly. "It's Thursday evening; you've been unconscious for three days. I've got about an hour before we're supposed to report to the Dark Lord again. I told Minerva that I had a family emergency, and cancelled my remaining classes for the week; she doesn't know that my parents are dead." Hermione sighed.

Even recovering from his injuries, Snape was wary.

"Lucius claimed it was you who very nearly got me killed."

"And he was right. It was the only way I could get you out; I'm sorry." She looked distressed, but kept on. "You're well within your rights to despise me if you wish, but I think you and I are long overdue for a chat first."

"I'm not sure I follow," he rasped. She helped him sit up slightly and offered a glass of water. He was about to refuse when she took a drink from the cup herself, showing him it didn't contain anything harmful. He drank when the cup was offered again.

"Look, let's just drop the pretense," she huffed, easing him back onto the pillows. "Despite the initial doubts we both had, I don't think you don't believe I'm a fanatic supporter of the Dark Lord any more than I believe you killed the Headmaster willingly."

Snape was taken aback by her bluntness. "What makes you so sure?"

Hermione settled back in her chair, a faraway look in her eyes.

"During my fourth year I was a bit bored, so I decided that I was going to explore the castle, top to bottom. About three months in, I was walking through an unused corridor when a door appeared in the wall. It wasn't large; there was a chair, a small writing desk, some cupboards, and several bookshelves." She sighed. "I spent some time looking around, and when I finally left, Dumbledore was outside waiting. He told me it was a special room, designed by Salazar Slytherin himself. It was similar to the Room of Requirement, but would only open for a single person each generation. As far as I know, Albus and I were the only ones that knew about it. He called it…"

"The Shadow Lair," Snape whispered. "Slytherin always did have a flair for the dramatic."

"How did you…"

"I found it as well…in my fifth year," he replied, a tiny smirk twisting his mouth.

"Well then," Hermione continued. "After the funeral, I went to the Lair; I just needed some time for myself. I was sitting there, going over things, when Fawkes appeared with a package bearing Albus's seal."

She reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out a neatly embroidered black handkerchief. Tapping it with her wand and murmuring an incantation, Snape watched as it turned into a folded piece of parchment. He was slightly alarmed when he noticed that it looked remarkably similar to a Howler, though it was purple instead of red. Hermione, obviously unconcerned, tapped the parchment with her wand.

It rose up into the air to hover above them, and the voice of the Headmaster filled the room.

"My dear Miss Granger,

If you have received this message, I fear the worst has happened and I am no longer with you. Of all of the students I've seen come through Hogwarts, I trust you alone with the following knowledge. Severus Snape is innocent of any wrong-doing.

Before the start of your Sixth Year, he was approached at his home by a distraught Narcissa Malfoy. She believed the Dark Lord had plans for her son, and in her fear for Draco, she begged Severus to look out for him. Due to the presence of her sister, Severus was forced to make an Unbreakable Vow.

He came to me immediately afterwards, fearing, as Narcissa had, that Draco's task would be to kill me. Because of his Vow, Severus would be forced to end my life in Draco's stead. He informed me of his choice to break the Vow and die himself instead of performing such an act. Much to his consternation, I forbade it. You see, when he came to me years ago, he took another oath…the Vow of Fealty. For nearly twenty years, Severus has been obligated to do whatever I asked of him.

I am sure at this point everyone is convinced of his guilt. I feel that in your quest for knowledge, you have kept a somewhat more open mind. Harry has no doubt described the events from his perspective, where I begged for my life and Severus killed me in cold blood, then fled.

What he did not know was that my death was an act of mercy. You see, Miss Granger, I was already dying, and had been for some time. Severus was one of the very few who knew this. The entire encounter in the tower on the night of my death was completely orchestrated. My death would strengthen Harry's resolve, secure Severus' position as a 'loyal Death Eater', and make Tom overconfident. But it would also put an end to my suffering. Help Severus if you can…I worry for him.

Now then, down to business. It is my belief that it will not be long before Alastor Moody seizes control of the Order, if he has not done so already. He will be threatened by you, and by your influence on Harry, so will do everything in his power to exclude you from Order business and separate the two of you.

You would never have heard me say this while I was alive, but I fear that Harry's efforts will fail, particularly with the group currently advising him. Therefore, I must place a heavy burden upon you, my child. You alone possess the determination and intelligence to do what needs to be done. Within you dwells the courage of a Gryffindor, the intelligence of a Ravenclaw, the loyalty of a Hufflepuff, and the cunning of a Slytherin. It is because of this that the fate of the Wizarding world falls to you. In the end, I have complete faith that you will succeed.

I have left you my Penseive. In it, you will find everything, even my very last memories, thanks to a special charm designed to transfer the entirety of my knowledge and experience to the Penseive upon my death. It should provide you with much of the information you seek. The portraits, both within the school and at Grimmauld Place, have agreed to help; you will find a small empty frame in the top left drawer that any portrait can enter. Simply call out what information you desire, and the portrait with the answer will come to you.

In addition, the sizable content of my Gringotts account has been moved to one of the anonymous vaults the Goblins have available…the key is yours, and the transaction was untraceable. The key to my home, which also serves as the portkey, I leave you as well. Finally, I have asked Fawkes to remain in your care. He has been a true and loyal companion for many years, and agreed to stay by your side as I could not.

An object already in your possession will further aid you, as will your courage and tenacity. I know you will do everything within your formidable power to pursue the right course of action.

Message complete, the letter re-folded itself and sank back into Hermione's lap.

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A/N: Yaaay! Another chapter posted. Hopefully things are starting to become clearer. Everyone enjoying so far? Hit the little button and review if you are!!