Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They belong to JKR. However, Neville's evilness is all mine.

A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews.

Power in All its Glory

Chapter 9: No Turning Back

"I cannot allow that, Severus."

Professor Dumbledore was seated at his desk, his fingers pressed together in a steeple. He glanced up at the dark professor and continued grimly. "As I am sure you are aware."

"Headmaster," Snape growled as he leaned over the older man's desk. His dark hair fell like a curtain in front of his pale face. "This is a waste of time. I could end this in a matter of hours." He waved his right hand emphatically in the air. "Then you would have your culprit, and I could get back to the peace and quiet of my dungeons."

The old wizard looked knowingly at the younger man.

"I understand how you feel, Severus. Nevertheless, my answer is final. I cannot allow you to use Legilimency on the staff. It is, after all, a violation of their rights." His steel blue eyes gazed intently at Snape, waiting for his reaction.

Severus Snape returned the headmaster's stare. He knew this would be Dumbledore's answer. In fact, he was counting on it. He had no desire to look into the minds of the Hogwart's staff. He could imagine what Black's thoughts would be like, or Trelawney's emotions.

He inwardly shuddered. No. He did not want to use Legilimency on them. However, Dumbledore would expect him to suggest it. He would also expect Snape's next request.

"Then allow me the use of Veritaserum," he countered as he stood to his full height and crossed his arms across his chest. "It is not as invasive, and you can control what questions are asked." Snape calmly waited for the expected reply.

"I cannot allow that either, Severus." Dumbledore stood up and walked around to the front of his desk, facing the scowling professor. "If you have a suspect in mind and have evidence against him or her then I may allow it. Until then, you may not. I do not want the staff to even know what they are being questioned about."

"Then how do you expect me to interrogate them?" Snape asked the question he already knew the answer to instead of commenting on this obvious contradiction of the staff's rights.

"Do not toy with me, Severus." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed over the top of his half-moon glasses. "We both know you have ways of getting information." He added smiling wryly, "Your spying skills come in very handy."

As Snape started to argue, Professor Dumbledore held up his hand.

"Enough, Severus. I actually called you in here for another reason." As he reached into the pocket of his robes he continued, "The picture we found is becoming clearer."

Snape looked up startled. His face immediately returned to its usual mask as Dumbledore glanced from the picture to his Potions master.

"Alas, the picture is still unrecognizable, but at least we can now tell it is a male and a female. Even their ages are not yet apparent. It is still mostly streaks and swirls," he paused stroking his beard, "as if the picture were in a fast forward motion."

"Headmaster, if you just let me work on the picture."

"Now, Severus, We discussed this. Charms was not your best subject." He again deflected the professor's impending interruption. "Not, I am sure, because you didn't have the aptitude." He paused. "Perhaps instead, it was because of a lack of interest in foolish wand waving, and silly incantations." The sparkle was once again in Dumbledore's eyes.

Snape ignored this comment as he silently took the picture out of Dumbledore's hand and examined it. He could tell the gender of the participants but nothing else. The picture was not clear but somehow he knew what it wanted him to know. It was after all a magical picture.

"Do not worry, Severus, I have someone trustworthy and very competent working on it. I do not think it will take long to break the charm. How are you progressing?"

"Slowly." Snape sounded bored. "I have received all the files on the staff and students. I am sifting through it. Will you be preparing the faculty for my interrogations? Some of them, no doubt, will be hesitant to agree to it."

The headmaster looked at him sharply at his choice of words.

"I will take care of the staff." Professor Dumbledore then walked toward the door indicating the meeting was over. "Please let me know if you find anything. I am depending on you, Severus."

He glanced at the younger man with a mixture of warmth and trepidation.

"Yes, sir," Snape answered. "I will not let you down."

As Professor Snape left the headmaster's office, he thought about the irony of the situation. Dumbledore had put his trust in him. However, if Snape gave Dumbledore the information he sought, it would implicate Hermione and him. The result would be that Dumbledore would no longer trust him and would be forced to dismiss him. If Snape did not find the answers Dumbledore needed, then Snape would have failed and again the headmaster would no longer trust him.

Somehow, Snape needed to find a way out of this mess with out being sacked and without getting Hermione expelled. He knew the key was to find the person who had masterminded this whole scheme.

What he did not know was how he was going to accomplish it.

********

Draco Malfoy followed his Divination teacher into her chambers. It was very late and he had taken a chance by sneaking out after curfew. He looked around, for the first time noticing his surroundings. The other night he had been in shock, and had hurried through the rooms as fast as he could.

Now as he glanced around he was surprised to see that there were neither scarves nor beads hanging from the ceiling and furniture. Instead, Professor Trelawney had several pieces of art on the walls and sculptures decoratively placed around the room. It still was not something he would choose, obviously, but it wasn't what he expected either.

He also realized at that moment that the air was clear and cool. Malfoy was relieved since he wasn't sure how long he could take the perfumed, overwhelming warmth that permeated her classroom.

"Have a seat Mr. Malfoy." Sibyll Trelawney gestured toward the cream-colored couch in the sitting room they currently occupied.

As he sat down, he wondered what was different about her. She was dressed in a long night robe, obviously preparing to go to bed. Her long brown hair was calmer than usual. The loose curls framed her thin face.

"Would you like some tea?"

He graciously accepted and waited patiently while she used her wand to prepare the refreshment.

Inside he was not as patient. He wanted to shake her and scream at her until she told him what had happened. However, Malfoy had learned some things from his Death Eater father. He knew he had to tread carefully.

Professor Trelawney handed him his tea as she gazed wistfully at him. She wasn't sure what he remembered about that night but she knew she was glad to see him again.

Draco Malfoy stirred uncomfortably.

"I think," he began weakly and then cleared his throat. "I think we need to talk about what happened." His voice was stronger the second time, and he gained the confidence to continue. "I am sure you would agree that the other night was," he searched for an appropriate word, "unexpected."

Trelawney sat down on the couch next to him.

"Actually," she told him airily. "I could see this coming." She smiled at him and continued in a hushed voice. "That is the curse of having the Inner Eye."

Draco managed to avoid rolling his eyes but just barely. He inwardly groaned. He had almost forgotten how flakey she was.

"Right, well," he said aloud. "That will definitely come in handy while we figure out what to do next."

He thought if he could keep her talking, she might give him some hints about what happened that night.

Although he wanted answers, he hesitated to let on that he didn't remember. His father had taught him not to lay all his cards down at once. He cringed at that painful memory. He had heard somewhere that pain helped increase your memory. His father definitely subscribed to that philosophy.

Professor Trelawney stared intently into Draco's blue eyes.

"Everything happens for a reason, Mr. Malfoy," she mumbled. "We cannot change what the fates have deigned for us."

Draco had had enough. He needed to shock her out of her complacent shell. He leaned forward, his face within inches of hers.

"I am not sure the headmaster would see it that way, Professor."

"What do you mean?" Her voice was breathless, her blue eyes wide. He realized what was different. She was not wearing her thick glasses.

"There is an investigation," Draco informed her. "They are looking into rumors that a professor and student are …" he let his voice trail off as he raised his eyebrows expectantly. He could tell by the look on her face she understood his meaning.

"Oh, my!" Professor Trelawney arose and flitted around the room excitedly. "So that is why."

"Why what?" Draco questioned her.

"The headmaster told the staff that Professor Snape would be discussing something with each of us." She shuddered at the thought of having to talk to Snape.

"He did not tell us what it was about." She looked at the younger man. "What else did you hear?"

"Just that the professor involved would likely be sacked and the student possibly expelled." He inwardly smiled at the gasp she let out. Now he had her attention.

"Then you have taken a great risk just by being here." She looked around the room as if expecting Professor Snape to suddenly appear. "You must go."

"But we need to talk."

He stood up and walked toward her. He grabbed both her arms and looked down at her. Sibyll noticed he had grown up nicely in the seven years he had been at Hogwarts.

"Professor." He spoke softly but firmly to her. "This is very serious. We need a plan."

Malfoy gazed intently at her trying to decide if she really was as spacey as she appeared to be.

"I agree we need a plan, Mr. Malfoy." Her voice was calm, and he realized she was again living in reality.

Unfortunately, it did not last long.

"You need to gather as much information as possible," she continued. "I will meditate and consult with the Inner Eye to find a solution to our predicament."

Malfoy stared at the woman before him.

He was confused. At times, she was lucid and at other times, she was worse than Loony Luna. He also realized that without her thick glasses and wild hair, she was actually quite pretty.

He shook his head. Now who was going loony? He realized she was waiting for an answer.

"Right, you do that."

What else could he say?

"Do not come here again until I contact you." She leaned in close to him as she spoke. "It is dangerous."

She placed her hands on either side of his face and continued softly, "Please be careful, Draco."

******

Hermione stepped into the old wizarding bookstore, her heart beating wildly. She tried to calm herself down but it was no use. She was there to meet Severus Snape. She couldn't help but imagine it was a clandestine meeting in which he would profess his love for her.

Okay, Hermione, that was not going to happen. She was lucky he could stand to be in the same room with her.

Well, she had to admit the only reason he wanted to be alone with her at all was so they could discuss their current situation.

She smiled to herself. Still, she had the perfect plan. When he heard what she had to say, he would be impressed with her. Even if he didn't show it, of course.

She walked around the bookstore pretending to look for a book. She had been in this particular store many times, and no one suspected anything amiss. Snape had not told her a specific place in the store to meet so she wandered around; sure that he would make his presence known when he was ready.

She did not have long to wait.

Hermione was at the end of the row of bookshelves when an arm pulled her into a dark corner. She immediately felt the now familiar tug at her navel as the room swirled around her. She clung to the figure beside her hoping it was Professor Snape. The familiar feeling overcame her, and she fought to keep her wits as well as her lunch. Suddenly it stopped and as the dizziness cleared, she found herself in a small room clinging to her surly professor.

"Miss Granger, do you mind?" he pried her fingers from around his arm and led her to a chair. "Sit down," he commanded.

Hermione did as she was told. She still felt a little off from the port key.

"Where are we?" she asked looking around the small but cozy room.

There was a bed, a table and several chairs in the room. She was in one of the chairs that stood next to a small fireplace. Snape lit the fire with his wand and sat down in the other chair.

He looked at her solemnly, debating whether to answer her question. Finally, he said in a low voice, "This is my sanctuary."

She gave him a puzzled look, and he explained.

"This is a sort of halfway house. A place where I am neither a Death Eater nor a spy for the Order. Here I can be myself. No one knows about this place, not even Dumbledore."

She looked at him in wonder.

"And yet you brought me here."

"Only out of necessity. Do not forget that Miss Granger," he told her gruffly.

"Of course, sir."

Still, he could not fool her. She knew he had to trust her a great deal if he brought her to this place.

Snape went on impatiently.

"We have many things to discuss and not a lot of time. First there is the matter of …"

"Professor?" He glared at her, annoyed at the interruption.

"I am sorry to interrupt but I have a plan. I think it is a very good plan. It is so simple and yet it covers everything." Hermione looked at him expectantly.

Snape sighed in resignation. "Very well let's hear your brilliant plan."

Hermione stood up, walking around the small room as she talked.

"As I said it is very simple. Professor Dumbledore would be satisfied. You would be cleared. I would not be expelled. That Bastard's plan would be thwarted …"

"Miss Granger!" Snape exclaimed in exasperation. "Just get on with it." He stood as well and positioned himself behind the chair he had just vacated. He peered into the fire, preparing for the worse. He had a feeling he knew what she was going to say. If so than this would be more difficult than he had originally thought.

"All we need to do is have Professor Dumbledore give me Veritaserum. We have not actually done anything wrong and …"

"Absolutely not, Miss Granger." This time he interrupted her before she could really get started.

"But sir, if you will just listen. This would solve everything." Hermione began again.

"I said. Absolutely not. I trust there is nothing wrong with your hearing, Miss Granger."

Snape spoke calmly, but his eyes bored into hers with an intensity that brooked no disobedience.

Although the dangerous tone in his voice registered with Hermione, she ignored it. How dare he. She was tired of being used. Tired of being pushed around. There was nothing wrong with her plan. He was just angry because he hadn't thought of it.

"No, sir. There is nothing wrong with my hearing or with my reasoning. I want to know why my plan will not work." She faced him defiantly.

"Miss Granger, you do not need to know everything. You will not go to Dumbledore, and that is final." He prayed she would just drop it.

However, Hermione was just getting started.

"I have been humiliated, used, left in a compromising situation in only my underwear, and pushed around by everyone involved. I am DONE! Do you hear me, Severus Snape?"

She paused, her eyes flashing and her chest heaving. She was very angry.

"I trust there is nothing wrong with your hearing, Professor. Unless you can give me a very good reason, I am going to Professor Dumbledore." She challenged him to disagree with her.

"Think about the consequences of your actions, you silly little girl," he sneered. "If you tell Dumbledore your story he will then want to question me under the influence of the truth serum."

"So what?" Hermione countered angrily. "You have done nothing wrong. I am the one who will be punished. But at least I won't be expelled. Plenty of girls have crushes on their professors. Dumbledore will assume it was harmless. And I am not" her voice rose a silly little girl!"

"Will you for once, Miss Granger, just do as you are told! Do not question it. Just realize others know better than you!"

Snape was furious. He towered over her. His hands clenched into fists, fighting the urge to throttle her.

Hermione stared at her professor. His black eyes were dark with fury. She had never seen him so angry. She didn't care. This was her life, too. She calmed down but didn't lose her resolve.

"I am waiting for a good reason. So far you have not given me one." Her chin raised in determination.

Even though he was furious, Snape had to admit he admired her spirit. He had started to wonder where all her Gryffindor courage had gone. He could not, however, let her go to Dumbledore, and he could not tell her why.

"You will do as I say," Snape told the defiant girl, "and you will not question me further. You forget who you are dealing with, Miss Granger." Snape's voice was now also calm but deadly.

However, Hermione had come this far and she was not about to back down now.

"What if I don't? What are you going to do to me? Take away house points? Go ahead. If you take away too many it will look suspicious." Hermione continued to stare at the surly professor.

"Maybe you should give me detention, Professor." She smirked at him. "Oh yeah that's right. You can't do that either."

Snape continued to look at her. His admiration for her was growing. However, she was going to force his hand. He could see it coming. He didn't reply to her taunt. Instead, he looked almost bored as if what she was saying was of no consequence.

This infuriated her more.

"So you see Professor Snape, there is nothing you can do to stop me. Unless you plan on physically restraining me."

"I would not get overconfident, Miss Granger." He moved closer to her. "I have not ruled anything out at this point."

He was inches away from her, and Hermione could feel the power radiating from him. She realized she may have been a little hasty. After all, she did not know what he was capable of. Then again, she thought, he may be just trying to intimidate her. No matter. She could not back down now.

"You do not scare me, Professor," Hermione stated bravely.

Okay that was a lie, and they both knew it.

"There is nothing you can do to stop me from doing this."

"Oh really, Miss Granger?" His voice was low and for some reason this scared her more than when he yelled at her. "There are several things you have apparently forgotten. One is that I was a Death Eater." He paused and leaned in closer to her. He was so close Hermione could smell his masculine scent and feel his breath on her face. She was shaking but she wasn't sure if it was from fear or something else.

"The other thing you have forgotten, Miss Granger." Her pulse quickened as he whispered in her ear, "is that I know your weakness."