This chapter contains the scene in Dumbledore's office after the Headmaster has tried on the Horcrux ring. Snape has contained the curse and saved Dumbledore's life. I have taken actual quotes from "Chapter 33: The Prince's Tale" in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Rowling's words are indicated in italics.
I do not own anything in the world of Harry Potter. Many, many thanks for my amazing beta, Selek!
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Chapter 6
July 1996
The pounding of the pouring rain and crackling warmth of the fire filled Hermione with a deep drowsiness as she lolled about on the dusty, old sofa. Clutching the tattered book in her hands, she stretched and set the book on the floor. She really should get up and complete some of the work on the house at Spinner's End; instead she lay there savoring the day. She was spending the summer break at Spinner's End, helping her 'husband' of almost seven months restore the old home.
She grinned wildly at the thought of her 'husband' as a sudden, vivid image of her winter 'wedding' caused Hermione to laugh aloud. Neither Minerva nor Professor Snape had told her beforehand what they planned do to, which left her completely gobsmacked. They were afraid her acting abilities would not be on par with their own, which would give away the game, and after what she'd witnessed, she knew they were right. Both deserved BAFTA's for their performances that morning.
Minerva played the part of the overbearing granny so well, she had completely horrified the clerk, Mr. Colquhon. She took control of the entire procedure and forced the man to falsify documents and marry them on the spot.
Professor Snape was equally astounding. He presented the perfect image of the socially awkward scholar, who had been seduced by his young student. His entire demeanor had changed, and Minerva had unmercifully browbeaten him as well as the clerk.
Afterwards, they had lunched together at a local pub and laughed together until all three of them had tears streaming down their faces. Hermione had tried to thank him for agreeing to marry her and save her from the new law, but he refused to hear it. In fact, he pointed out that he planned to take shameless advantage of her in the coming summer by using her to help renovate his home at Spinner's End.
He'd then explained to her and Minerva what he had in mind. When Professor Snape had helped Hermione arrange the sale of her parent's house and dental practice, the realtor had mentioned that real estate in old mill towns such as Spinner's End was selling like hot cakes. Since he owned a home in just such a town, Severus had decided to sell, and the realtor, thrilled at such a money making prospect, had suggested that with a few improvements he could expect higher profits. Snape had immediately engaged the agent and had set aside the summer to do the needed work.
Hermione smiled as she remembered Severus' kindness to her. No, he wasn't going to turn into Prince Charming any time soon, but the man wasn't nearly as grouchy outside of school. In fact, he was rather amusing and agreeable when not utterly stressed out, and she was looking forward to tackling the kitchen with him later this afternoon when he returned from Hogwarts. The Headmaster had just called him away, which was why she was lounging away with a book.
A sudden knocking at the door jerked her from her thoughts, and she hurried to answer the door. A tall, beautiful woman with black and platinum blonde hair stood stock still as she opened the door. Hermione's shock was quickly followed by irritation when she recognized her. "Mrs. Malfoy, may I help you?" Hermione asked
The woman looked confused as the rain ran off her designer coat. "I'm sorry. Perhaps I'm at the wrong address. I wish to see Professor Snape," she said in a distinctly upper class accent.
"You have the correct address," Hermione said. She stepped back allowing the lovely woman to enter.
Mrs. Malfoy raised a finely arched brow as she stepped into the vestibule. "I was unaware that Severus kept a -" she paused as if searching for a polite term "- a companion."
Blood rushing to her cheeks, Hermione frowned. "I'm here to help him renovate the house. He's planning on selling it," she said sharply. "Professor Snape isn't here right now, but you're welcome to wait for him. May I take your coat?" she asked as politely as she could.
"My apologies, of course," Narcissa said in a tone that indicated she didn't believe Hermione in the least. She removed the nearly soaked garment, and absently handed it to the younger witch, who hung it by the door. Quickly Hermione vanished the puddle of water, and she took the initiative to dry the older woman's coat. Then she led her guest back into the library and offered her a chair near the fire.
A long, uncomfortable silence stretched between the two women. Hermione had never been a girly-girl, but she had spent enough time around Lavender and Parvati to recognize high fashion when she saw it. Draco's mum was dressed like a runway model, but with an aristocratic bearing that pronounced her a queen. Narcissa Malfoy, so polished and well-bred, was simply perfect.
Hermione frowned. Here she sat across from the Wizarding world's equivalent of Royalty looking like some drudge from the back end of a Dickens' work. Her hair, unlike Narcissa's regal coiffure, was dirty, dusty, and frizzed beyond all recognition as something that belonged on a human head. And while Lady Malfoy was dressed in expensive, designer clothing, she wore a pair of raggedy jeans, old trainers, and a T-shirt from Flamingo Land.
Narcissa didn't know exactly what the connection was between the girl and Severus, but as she watched the girl settle herself into the opposite chair, she knew one thing instinctively. The child was not happy about her arrival. Raising her chin to better study the girl, Mrs. Malfoy smiled knowingly, transforming her features from merely beautiful to simply stunning. Ah, the girl was jealous. Perhaps there was something here she could use in her upcoming discussion with Severus. Settling herself more comfortably in the chair, she folded her white hands gracefully in her lap, noticing that Hermione tucked her own rough and reddened hands beneath her thighs.
Finally breaking the silence, Mrs. Malfoy asked bluntly, "When do you expect Severus back?" Her hands, still lovely, shook ever so slightly until she clasped them together tightly in her lap.
At first Hermione was annoyed at Mrs. Malfoy's nerve at suggesting that Severus would get involved with a student, but as they continued to sit wordlessly together, that changed. Hermione could see the tiny but tell-tale signs of fear, the deeply etched worry lines on the woman's face, and her irritation slowly drained. She put on a polite smile. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure when Professor Snape will return. He's gone to Hogwarts," she replied softly. "If you'd like, I could call for him." She paused and added, "Perhaps we could have tea while we wait?"
"Please," Narcissa assented.
"Grazey," Hermione called out, "I hate trouble you, but do you think you could bring some tea and biscuits?"
The elf, a huge smile on her face, popped into the room with a bounce. "Grazey loves to help. Grazey be very much busy today, but Grazey like busy-ness. Missy 'Mione should be knowing that. Besides, Missy has no business in kitchen." She shook her head.
"Thank you, Grazey."
As Grazey bounded towards the kitchen, the two women heard muttered comments to the effect that Hermione would probably accidentally poison them if she tried so much as to boil water.
Hermione felt the heat rise in her checks, and she smiled apologetically at Narcissa. "I'm not much of a cook," she told the other woman.
Narcissa smiled graciously. "Neither am I."
Within seconds of Grazey returning with the tea, Hermione said, "Grazey, I hate to bother you again -" She broke off as she noted the look of pity in the elf's eyes.
"Poor Missy," Grazey remarked. She shook her head sadly, and her ears hung low. "Is Grazey's joy to help! Oh, just let me. Let Grazey help."
"Um, could you find Professor McGonagall? Please ask her to see if Professor Snape can return home. Mrs. Malfoy is awaiting him."
The grey-eyed elf nodded her head in jubilation. "Grazey will find." With a snap of her long fingers, the elf was gone.
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Dumbledore seemed satisfied.
"Thank you, Severus . . . "
Severus left the Headmaster's office in a fine, high temper. "Damn him," he muttered fiercely as he stormed through the corridor past the staffroom. "Damn him, damn him, damn him," he shouted at the walls. The words reverberated against the cold, stone walls and echoed in time to the pounding of his boots on the floor.
"Goodness gracious!" cried Poppy Pomfrey as she and Minerva McGonagall burst from the staffroom. The school's matron reached out and snagged the Potions Master by the arm, abruptly halting him. "Severus Snape," she asked as she stepped in front of him, "what in the world is wrong?"
Had it been anyone else, Snape would have simply snatched free, but Poppy held a special place with him. When he had first encountered the school's Matron, he was a neglected, friendless, and underfed boy. Her heart had gone out to him, and she'd been instrumental in stopping the worst of the beatings he received from his dear old father.
Although neither of them ever breathed a word of it, they both knew that she had unofficially adopted him. During the school year, she had tended to his wounds at least those that he couldn't take care of on his own. Her constant encouragement and motherly love had lasted well into his days as Dumbledore's spy, and she had spent many long hours putting him back together after he'd been on the receiving end of the Dark Lord's displeasure. She was one of the few people Severus Snape truly cared for.
He ground his back teeth as he counted to ten. Then, closing his eyes, he exhaled long and loudly, trying to let go of his anger. "The Headmaster," through gritted teeth, he told the woman acidly, "is a complete and utter jackass."
Minerva McGonagall snorted with amusement. "I could have told you that."
Snape's glare did nothing to quell the Transfiguration professor's humor. Over the years, Minerva had become more than a professional colleague to him. She was a friend. "Go ask the Headmaster what he's just done," he told her in a low, grating voice.
Poppy's eyes narrowed. She alone of all the people in the world could see the bright, unshed tears in the boy's sloe black eyes. Albus had apparently crossed the line. "I think I shall, my boy," she told him coolly. She released his arm and marched away with a determined step.
Minerva knew that something had passed between her two colleagues, and it made her intensely curious, but she had other concerns. Reminding herself to check on that great idiot Albus later, she took hold of Severus' sleeve and gently escorted him back to his dungeon lab. In a low voice, she whispered, "Severus, we need to talk about your wife."
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"How do you take your tea?" Hermione asked as she began to pour.
For a time, the two women sipped their tea in silence. Despite herself, Hermione asked, "Forgive me, Mrs. Malfoy, but I can tell you're troubled. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Narcissa shook her head, set down her empty teacup down with a clink. "No, thank you," she whispered in clipped tones. She smiled coolly.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said softly, pushing the issue, "I'm not so ignorant of what's going on. I know that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named must be punishing you somehow for Mr. Malfoy's failure to get the Prophecy."
Shock and fear coursed through the woman. She sat up stiffly and gripped the armrests of the chair. "How?" she gasped. "How could you know this?
Hermione smiled grimly. "I was at the Ministry that night." Then she blurted out, "Seriously, how can you follow that monster?"
"I do not follow him," she responded in a curt manner, "Lucius and Bella chose to follow -"
"And look where it got them!" argued Hermione. "Your husband is in jail, and your sister is dead. I saw that, that thing step over your sister's body like she was nothing!"
"If they followed the wrong leader, then they got what they deserved," Narcissa replied hotly. "Don't get me wrong," she said, holding up her hand to forestall the torrent of the younger woman's words, "I love both my husband and sister, but it was their choice, their beliefs, their fight - not mine."
"And where do you stand?" Hermione demanded. "Which side will you fight for?"
Narcissa eyed the young woman carefully and decided to tell the truth. She pitched her voice low. "I would prefer that your side prevail in the coming fight, but my concern, my only concern is for the safety of my son."
Hermione sat back, fuming. "There is a Muggle saying that 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' "
Narcissa wilted. "Yes," she answered softly, "perhaps you are right. I cannot help either Lucius or Bella, but I will -" her eyes hardened to steel, and her voice deepened with determination, "- I will save my son."