AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This story is going to be slow-burn, not just because of the way it's written, but because I'm struggling to find time to write! But I will update every month, promise!

I wanted to get this written for you guys even if it's not much while I'm working on the BIG chapters coming up!

As promised, here is an update! The first half of Chapter Eight. More to come! Please enjoy.

Much love!


REVIEWS:

DragonLady10: "Very good start! I could actually hear Dame Maggie Smith as I read McGonagall's words."

Dragonlady10: "Nicely done! I really enjoy how you've incorporated what we saw in the movies/read from the books into this chapter. And of course, Dumbledore would know exactly what was going on!"

Dragonlady10: "Very good! I can't decide if Dumbledore in this chapter is more like Harris' or Gambon's version. Either way, it's spot on!"

DragonLady10: "I always imagined there was more to Malfoy than meets the eye. Well done!"

DragonLady10: "Oh, I liked reading this from Snape's perspective! Well done!"

DragonLady10: "Oh, this is good! This is VERY good! I love the idea of Hermione being a Half-Blood. It actually makes more sense, considering that she has been called "the brightest witch" of her time. Well done!"

Dreamweaver88: "Love, Love, LOVE! Snape is still his sarcastic self. the Draco/Hermoine thing was awesome! Can't wait until you update!"

Thank you for all your reviews! It's so appreciated.

Enjoy!


CHAPTER EIGHT

Severus glided down the flights of stairs, robes billowing behind him in the usual fashion, as he contemplated just what he would to do the Granger girl if he caught her doing anything suspicious. Where would the Granger girl be at this hour? Well, there was only one place, of course. The library, thought Snape to himself with a sneer. He changed directions and walked faster. Soon, he arrived at the large oak doors, and pushed them open with a bang.

"Shhhh," hissed an irritable voice. "Who do you think you are, banging and clanging about in such a fashion? Be silent when you open the doors. For Merlin's sake, boy, this is a library, not Diagon Alley."

Snape winced, and deeply buried memories of that voice galvanized him to instinctively blurt out his next words. "Sorry, Madam Pince."

"Hmph," said the sharp-looking woman, looking up pointedly from her books. "As you should be."

"I—" he tried to speak, then swallowed and started again. "I am searching for the Granger girl."

"And that is an excuse for all the noise you just made?" said Pince. Her eyes glittered with amusement and she never broke contact with him. "Hm. Granger's in the back. Restricted Section. Mind that you don't disturb her — she's doing some rather good work, bless her."

He looked at Madam Pince oddly, then nodded and billowed past her. He conjured a lantern, held it high above his head, and entered the Restricted Section. And there she was. Bushy-haired, bent over the table and pouring over tome after ancient tome. The image was so typically Granger that, in spite of himself, Snape couldn't help but snort. She didn't hear him, of course — he was a spy, and when the need arose, he had learned how to make noise without being heard.

Snape leaned forward and peered more closely at what she was doing. Something glinted around the girl's neck — aaah, of course. A time turner. Well, that was unsurprising. He leaned forward more and could hear Granger muttering.

"Tales of Beedle the Bard," said the girl. "That sounds like a children's tale. I'll have to ask Ron about that. Then again, it sounds a bit outlandish. A bit silly, even. Maybe Luna knows more than Ron, she loves this sort of thing."

Snape sneered. The girl had gone mad. Talking to herself like this, one would think she was a distant relative of Sybill Trelawney's. Or not-so-distant. He watched as the girl went silent and flipped pages for several minutes.

"The Peverells came before the Gaunts… best to start there…," continued the Granger girl.

Snape frowned. Peverell? Gaunt? He stepped forward, trying to catch her muttered words. When that failed, he leaned back again and waited. Soon enough, the Granger girl let out a joyful whoop. He watched intently as she flicked through the pages of the books that lay strewn on the table. Some minutes later, she stretched and yawned. He watched as she closed the books, turned, and left.

When he was certain that she was gone, he took the three long strides that were necessary to reach the table, set down his lantern, and lifted up each book one by one. Pure of Blood: A New Genealogy…. Moste Vyle Curses… Seers Through the Ages: A Horrid History….. Purebloods and Hogwarts. What on Merlin's good Earth was the girl thinking of…? He paused when he spotted a marked off page. He shoved the book open, traced the words with a finger, and froze.

"Acting the hero, are we, Granger? How very Gryffindor of you….," sneered the Professor. "But not anymore."

With his wand he corralled the books into a line, and shrunk them. With another wave of his wand, all of the tiny books came together to form a small cube, which he took in his hand and put into his pocket. Then he picked up his lantern and exited the room. On his way out, he nodded to the pinched-looking librarian, and took extra care to be silent when he closed the doors.

To Be Continued... Soon!

Thank you so much for reading this story by S.H. Brookes!

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Aside from original scenes, plots and characters, everything belongs to JK Rowling.

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