Chapter 7 – Duplicities Revealed and Nearly Revealed
As the end of the evening neared, Draco decided that Hermione really wasn't so bad. In fact, he'd asked if she might be interested in the very same position that he'd offered to Severus a week previous.
Severus supposed he couldn't blame him. After all, he'd been a bit vague about whether he was even considering it, and Hermione was certainly an excellent choice. The truth was that he felt working with perfume, even Malfoy perfume, to be beneath him. Furthermore, he felt it was beneath Hermione. Her talents would be much better suited to anti-venoms and counter-poisons: things that mattered.
As a result, he'd been a right crank ever since Draco had made his offer. Thankfully Hermione, like Severus before her, had only said that she would consider it. Of course, she said it much more plainly, and with a great deal more grace. Draco had not spoken to him since that conversation, and he was pleased. Honestly he wasn't sure what he would say to him, and besides, Harry had become very entertaining after his third drink:
"So then a few nights later I hear him thrashing about in his bed again, right? And I figure it's another nightmare about spiders, and that was hilarious the first time, so I charmed my wand to record what he was saying. But when I got up in the morning all that recorded was moaning. It was awful, but it was great blackmail leverage, since it was…someone's name that he kept repeating. I don't know if she was really there or not, but he certainly thought so at the time." Harry's speech was a bit slurred, but his loyalty to Ron was still enough intact to keep that name secret. Severus ordered him another drink.
Ginny was shaking her head in disbelief. She would never get over the fact that her adored husband was drinking buddies with the Terror of the Hogwarts Dungeons. Harry's behavior wasn't so strange, really. It was Snape who was acting oddly.
"And what exactly did you use that leverage for? Something good I hope," Severus offered. He sincerely doubted that Harry had the necessary cunning to make full use of such a treasure. Blackmail info on the son of the man slated to be Minister of Magic in a few years was a rare gift indeed.
"Well, I made him keep a cover over Pig's cage every night," Harry began, looking rather shifty. His mind was reacting slowly, but he seemed to recall that he didn't want Severus to know just how crafty he could be. "And it did force him to talk to me sixth year when he was so stubborn." Severus was rolling his eyes, and Harry decided to stop there. It appeared that those were lame enough to convince him that Harry was harmless.
"I, for one, will never bother worrying if you manage to get blackmail material on me," he said dryly. Harry was just congratulating himself on yet another wool robe pulled over Severus' eyes when his beautiful wife added her two cents.
"He also made Ron dance naked through the common room one evening at a Quidditch victory celebration, and got him to use his OWN blackmail info on me to force me to go out with him that first time, AND had him fetching food from the kitchens for three solid weeks, and…"
"Right, Gin, er- thanks," Harry said, cutting her off belatedly. "I forgot about all those."
"Did you also forget the time you made him help you sneak back into the De-"
"That's enough, Gin!" Harry knew at once that he was in trouble as Severus sat up. All the alcohol-induced fogginess fell from his eyes as he stared hard at Ginny. The table had gone silent.
Draco was looking from Hermione's horrified expression to Severus' angry one. Several of his employees took this opportunity to join the dancing, and left hurriedly. Severus' temper was well known, even here.
"Explain to me why you went back to the Department of Mysteries, Harry," Severus demanded quietly. He didn't have any time to marvel at the details he'd gleaned from Ginny's mind. He'd obviously underestimated Harry's Slytherin tendencies. He would have to keep a closer eye on him in the future.
Harry was about to answer when Severus was distracted by Hermione's hand on his arm. He turned his gaze away to look at her. "This isn't the place for this discussion," she offered. She, too, kept her voice quiet, but she was not timid in her suggestion.
"And where were you while this foolish venture was taking place?" he asked swiftly. He saw the wisdom in changing the subject, particularly as they were all partially intoxicated.
"In detention with you," she answered dryly.
An evil smirk was her reward, and in response she laughed a bit, then cast a glance toward the dance floor. "Harry, I'm sure Ginny has been waiting all evening for you to ask her to dance," she said sweetly. Harry glared at her, but stood from the table anyway. He'd been maneuvered to safety by her machinations once again. He was just drunk enough to be unappreciative. Nevertheless, he and Ginny departed for the dance floor a moment later, and Hermione breathed the proverbial sigh of relief. A drunk Harry, crying over Remus and Sirius, whom he'd gone to the Department of Mysteries to mourn, would surely infuriate Draco and make the papers, embarrassing them all.
When she turned her attention back to the two remaining men at the table, they were both eyeing her with identical looks of grudging respect. "Nicely done, Miss Granger," Severus whispered, finishing off his drink.
"Yes, well I've had quite a lot of practice."
Severus was pleased by the turn the conversation had taken. Here, finally, was an opportunity to flaunt his knowledge of her deception so many years ago. "Indeed, it seems you are always responsible for my continued dealings with that man."
Hermione's eyes widened, and he could see her swallow hard. But at that moment, Draco touched her shoulder carefully. "Hermione, would you care to dance?" he asked, throwing a challenging look at his old Professor. Severus scowled when Hermione, grateful for an escape route from the impending conversation, accepted with a smile.
But as she danced the last dance of the evening, she could feel Severus' eyes on her. She thought it odd that he seemed so annoyed when she glanced his way. Of course, it was rather rude that they'd left him alone at the table, but honestly, he'd brought it on himself. If he'd not brought it up, she would certainly have sat there with them both for the next half an hour, wouldn't she have? She shifted her body very carefully to put a bit more distance between Draco and herself and wondered about her own motivations.
Severus noted her movements smugly. Apparently she was not quite as enamored with Draco as the egotistical young man seemed to think. He had an eye on Harry and Ginny as well, though it appeared there would be no more revelations from that quarter. With a long-suffering sigh, he stood, having determined that someone needed to see Harry home before he embarrassed Draco and gave him yet another reason not to like him. He approached them just as the song ended.
"Harry, perhaps I should accompany you home," he suggested delicately. "I believe I leant you several books, one of which I need for research tomorrow."
Harry blinked at him stupidly. Four drinks had apparently been too many. It was Ginny who answered. "We're fine, Professor, thank you. Could we owl you the book in the morning?"
Severus thought back and realized that Ginny had had nothing at all to drink. She would be able to handle it. "No need. I will stop by in the morning. I believe there will be a potion I can bring along to make for a more pleasant visit." He smirked as Ginny rolled her eyes in the direction of her husband.
"I think that would be much appreciated," she said quietly. "Oh, but could you see that Hermione gets home alright? I hate to leave her with – " She stopped, glancing across to the table where Hermione appeared to be gathering her things, Draco at her elbow. Severus could tell at once that she looked uncomfortable. It seemed Ginny noticed as well. "Oh no, I was afraid that might happen."
"I shall take care of it," he promised. Neither of them saw the stupid smile that plastered itself across Harry's face. Severus set off immediately in Hermione's direction with a stiff, "Goodnight." Ginny, upon returning her attention to Harry, asked him what he was so happy about. She got no response.
"Alright then, keep your secrets for now. I'll have it out of you later," she threatened good-naturedly. Then they headed for the Apparation point and home, waving goodbye to the room at large.
As he walked, Severus thought quickly about all the ways by which he might extract Hermione from the situation she was so obviously in. She'd spent the entire evening with a known playboy only to be surprised when said playboy expected her to go home with him. There was really only one option, and he was sure it would infuriate Draco. However, since he wasn't particularly pleased with him for offering Hermione his job, that didn't seem like much of a deterrent.
"Miss Granger?" he questioned as he approached. He watched as Draco's hand fell from her shoulder. She turned. "I wonder if you might be willing to assist me with one of the experiments we discussed last week?"
Draco narrowed his eyes. It was unheard of that Severus should ask anyone for help with anything. "Certainly, Professor. Which one did you have in mind?"
"I intend to begin preparing several cauldrons full of the base for an invisibility potion tonight, and doing the trials in the morning." He answered carefully, not wanting to give Draco any reason to think that there was more to it than that.
"Oh. Well, most of what I'm qualified for you'll be doing tonight, then," she answered at once. "I suppose I should come along with you. Though, I think I'd like to stop at home and change into something I can work in."
"That will be acceptable," he intoned, doing a fair impersonation of 'bored.' As she leaned down to pick her purse up from the floor, he couldn't help but return the smirk Draco had given him earlier. As predicted, the Head of the Malfoy House was incensed. His chiseled jaw was set at an odd angle and his eyes were narrowed to fine slits.
"Goodnight, Draco. I had a lovely time," Hermione said. She was trying valiantly to keep the relief out of her voice, but it was a difficult thing. She'd never quite been propositioned in such a high handed manner as he'd attempted tonight. There had been little logical reason to say no, and it would have certainly caused hurt feelings if she'd been forced to do so.
"Draco," Severus said, nodding his goodbye as well. They shook hands and Severus smirked again at the level of restraint it must have taken him to not squeeze.
"Are you really beginning the experiment tonight, or are you just my own personal angel of mercy for the evening?" Hermione asked when they arrived in Hogsmeade.
"Regardless of my answer, you are NOT permitted to call me Gabriel," he responded dryly, earning another chuckle. It seemed that Miss Granger, like Harry, could appreciate his sense of humor when he was not actually making fun of her. But when she fell silent there was, once again, that uncomfortable moment when neither knew quite how to continue the conversation. That, he was sure, had never occurred between himself and Harry.
Hermione felt that the silence was a clear dismissal, and was surprised at the disappointment that welled up inside her. Could it be that she had hoped Professor Snape would let her help with one of his research projects? She nearly snorted at the absurdity of it. What self-respecting Gryffindor would ever willingly spend time with the man?
As quickly as her mind posed the question, it supplied the answer. Harry. And if Harry saw someone worth befriending in Severus Snape, well, then so did she. She geared up her courage and responded carefully. "I won't press my luck with Gabriel, but Severus will do nicely."
If he was startled by her presumption, he didn't show it. "Touché, Miss Granger," he said, a shadow of a smile beginning to form on his lips. "I will not begin preparations until 10 am tomorrow, after I've taken a hangover potion to the Potter residence," he added dryly.
He was pleased with this turn of events. It had never been his goal to 'make friends' with anyone. From his early childhood he had been taught that each person you cared about was just one more liability. Yet the years of struggling against Voldemort alongside a host of Gryffindors had taught him that each friend could also be a boon, if one chose his friends carefully enough. So he had observed, and waited. It had been after nearly 8 years of trust-worthy behavior that he'd begun to see the Headmaster as a friend. His friendship with Harry had taken only two years to develop, even in spite of the previous 5 years of bad history between them. He had come to respect Harry a great deal in those two short years.
And so he was pleased that he was to be given the opportunity to get to know Miss Granger. It wasn't that he found her particularly admirable. All the Gryffindors had done their part in the war – even Brown and Patil, as girlishly as they usually behaved, had drawn their wands and fought beside the rest. It was only the knowledge that Harry saw something in her worth caring for. And to the best of his knowledge, Harry had only been wrong once, when it came to choosing friends.
After his little speech, Hermione found herself unsure once again. Did he mean that she should return to Hogwarts tomorrow at 10, or was he simply answering her question? She quickly decided that he never said anything without a reason. "Maybe you should leave me some instructions in case you're late. Ginny won't let you leave until you've eaten. She's much more stubborn about that than Mrs. Weasley ever was."
"I am never late," he retorted at once. He enjoyed the surprise in her eyes, and the look of panic as she wondered if he was offended. Gryffindors had always been good sport for him, even before he'd begun to see them as easy prey, and especially SINCE he'd stopped seeing them that way. "However, an ingredient list will be on the desk in case I am unable to escape," he allowed after a moment.
Hermione laughed again, as much out of nervousness as because it was funny. "Alright then. I suppose I'll see you in the morning," she said, shaking her head in disbelief as she prepared to Disapparate. Severus Snape had a sense of humor. Who would have guessed it?
"A moment. I promised our esteemed Mrs. Potter that I would see you home."
"Really, that's not necessary. The Apparation point is less than a two minute walk from my flat."
"Nevertheless," he said arrogantly. He offered her his elbow as if he was going to lead her somewhere, though it was she who would direct their Apparation. With a bemused grin, she linked her arm with his.
On the way to her flat, they spoke of the next day's experiment. But their talk was abruptly cut off just outside her door. It was obvious that a great deal of activity was taking place inside. And no one was bothering to keep quiet.
Without so much as an exchanged glance, they both drew their wands. Rather than turn the key in the lock, which would make noise and possibly attract attention, Hermione whispered, "Alohamora."
The door swung noiselessly open to reveal a beehive of activity. Several men and women in official-looking uniforms were bustling around the place, obviously quite perturbed. The center of activity was a shoulder and arm, one butt cheek, and a foot, each in the usual positions (and thankfully clothed), but not attached to anything. Severus watched as an annoyed look crept over Hermione's face. She waved her wand in a complicated series of motions, and the last of her Wards dropped abruptly, allowing the splinched man to appear.
"Ronald Weasley!" she exclaimed angrily. Everyone in the flat stopped moving abruptly and turned toward Hermione. The silence was far louder than the hurried conversations of the moment before.
"Now just a minute, Hermione, I can explain," he began sheepishly.
"No, you can't. Get out, and take all of these people with you!" Hermione had rarely been this annoyed with her best mate. Nevertheless, the pathetic, pleading look on his face was already softening her resolve, so she turned to the other eight uninvited guests instead. "You heard me, go! All of you. I'm obviously no Muggle, so you aren't needed."
"All the Wards are down?" one brave soul ventured to ask. Hermione shot him a withering look.
"Yes, obviously I've taken them down," she said, gesturing toward Ron.
Equipment and notes were gathered in a flurry of activity, and several long moments later Ron stood facing Hermione in her silent living room. He had not yet noticed Severus, who'd gone to lean against the wall by the door to watch the drama unfold, as was his wont.
Hermione, being the fair-minded Gryffindor she was, gave Ron all of ten seconds to begin. When he remained silent too long, however, she went ahead and voiced her annoyance.
"Wasn't it you who INSISTED I erect Anti-Apparation Wards because you and Harry weren't around to protect me from all the – how did you put it? – over-eager, smarmy bachelors who'd try to follow me home?"
"Yes," Ron sputtered, "but I didn't mean ME!"
At this, Severus chortled a bit, drawing Ron's attention. "I do not know anyone for whom that is a more apt description," he commented.
Before Ron had time to respond at all, Hermione's face had taken on a look of deep skepticism. She turned back to the pale man at the door. "Except maybe Draco?" she asked sweetly.
"With that possible exception," he allowed, giving her a tight smile, which she returned.
There was a beat of silence during which Ron looked, disbelievingly between the Professor he detested and his childhood friend. "Not you, too," he grumbled. Naturally Severus heard him, and he suspected Hermione had as well, though she ignored the comment.
"Why don't you sit down, Ron, and tell me what, exactly, was so important that you Apparated to my flat on New Year's Eve just after midnight to tell me about it?"
Ron inched his way slowly toward Hermione's soft, Muggle furniture, trying not to wince. Splinching was a painful proposition, but he knew better than to think he'd get any sympathy from Hermione. He HAD arrived uninvited, after all. "Do you two want anything to drink?" she asked, already on her way to the kitchen.
"Yes!" Ron called after her, just as Severus said, "Thank you, no."
The men looked at one another briefly. Severus raised an eyebrow, and after a moment Ron looked away. "I will not be staying. I believe that you, unlike most of your contemporaries, are perfectly safe with Weasley."
"Just what do you mean by that?" Ron asked at once, keeping his voice low. He wasn't feeling at all up to a fight with Snape, but he couldn't let the implied insult pass.
"I mean that you seem to have a penchant for unburdening young women of their virginity. In spite of your own attachment to young Miss Delacour, if I recall." Severus spoke softly as well, unwilling to actually share with Hermione the meaning of his previous comment. She could assume he'd been referring to Weasley's unparalleled ability to get everyone around him into trouble for all he cared.
Ron looked dumbstruck for a moment. "How – " he broke off his question as Hermione came back into the room, carrying a glass of wine and a bottle of butterbeer.
Severus was surprised to detect the bouquet of a wine he recognized. Fast on the heels of that recognition came the hope that she wasn't going to waste it on Weasley, whom he was sure would not appreciate it.
He tried not to look relieved as she handed Ron his customary butterbeer. "Sure you won't stay, Severus?" she asked, more for the sake of hearing Ron choke than for any other reason. She was beginning to understand why Harry still baited Ron this way. It was actually quite fun.
Tempting as it was to Severus to stay and enjoy a glass of wine and make Weasley uncomfortable, he was aware that he'd had his share of alcohol for the evening. "I think not," he responded, eyeing Ron coldly. Truthfully, he had no desire to spend any unnecessary time with him. Hermione nodded and walked him to the door.
"Until tomorrow, then," she said. She kept her voice down, as she didn't think Ron qualified for 'need to know' clearance on this one.
"Indeed," Severus responded. An instant later he was gone, having Disapparated from the hallway after a quick look to either side. Hermione shook her head as she closed the door. So much for the safe Apparation point.
"Now," she demanded, falling into the chair nearest the door and kicking off her shoes. "What's all this about?"
