Halfway to Dumbledores office Hermione slowed her pace down to a walk. Her mind was whirling with all she had learnt that evening. She was torn and worse than usual. Normally, when faced with the choice of how to behave it was far easier to ignore her inner Slytherin voice and act, as she ought to as a Gryffindor, with honour and unquestioning loyalty. But this, this was creating such a rift between the person she was, and the person she tried so hard to be.
Snape's not to be trusted, he's just admitted being a spy for Voldemort! I should report him immediately.
Is that wise? What if he's telling the truth, I'd have turned him over to the people who have treated me so badly for the past few weeks.
But it's the right thing to do, and for all I know, they all had a perfectly good reason to treat me that way, it must have been for my own good.
For my own good, pah, listen to me. I can work out what's best for myself surely. I sound so pathetic.
Hermione stopped arguing with herself and sat down in an alcove in the shadows to think. Snape had taken her though his version of the truth step by step, and she had agreed with him before reacting to the mention of Voldemort. He had been patient and had offered her evidence, even pensieve memories, which falsehoods or manipulated memories could easily be traced in. If she went to Dumbledore and demanded the truth, and he did not offer her an explanation and evidence her mind would be clearer and she could make a decision. Conversely, if Snape was lying to her, she would feel no hesitation in handing him over to the authorities.
Standing, she rubbed away the tear tracks drying on her face, ashamed of her hysterical crying. She strode up the corridor towards Dumbledores office and spoke to the statue that guarded it.
"I apologise for the lateness of the hour, but I would like to request an audience with the Headmaster."
The statue nodded, and moments later the staircase began to move, and Hermione followed them up into Dumbledores office with trepidation. Inside, Dumbledore was sat in a large purple dressing gown, with a ridiculous looking matching bed hat on his head. His half-moon spectacles covered tired looking eyes, but the steady gaze he fixed her with betrayed his appearance, and Hermione doubted that he had been to bed at all.
"What can I do for you at this hour Miss Granger?"
"I have some questions for you regarding the witch burnings of the 16th century sir."
Dumbledore didn't move, but his eyes narrowed. When he spoke, it was with concealed anger. "But both you and Professor Snape have assured us that you are no longer doing your project on those burnings. Why has this changed?"
Hermione marked the anger, and replied calmly. "No sir, Professor Snape will be helping me with a potions based project only. I'm here to ease my own mind. When shopping in Diagon Alley for ingredients today, it became necessary to buy a few rare items in knockturn alley. I insisted on not being left behind so Snape was required to take me with him. One of the items we needed was a rare text, so we entered a bookshop. While Snape was searching I browsed the history books and found one on the subject of the burnings. You know I am a quick study sir, and the book was not that long."
"What is you learnt from that book then?"
"I learnt that it was real wizards and witches burnt alive on those stakes, and that those people were condemned for trying to protect the equilibrium between our world and the muggle world by embracing dark magic. And I learnt that it was our side, the light side, which did the condemning. Is it true?"
"Of course it isn't. That book was obviously planted by a death eater."
"Ok then, if it's such an easily dismissible piece of propaganda, why did you all go through such great lengths for me not to come across it?"
"Miss Granger, we were merely concerned that you would not do a project suited best to your high ability we'd be loathe to see go to waste."
"I see. Well seeing as how what I found out today is a blatant falsehood, could you fill me in on the reality?"
"The reality is what you read in your first year, that most witches burnt simply enjoyed the experience. However a few fugitives from justice were condemned to their execution at the stake that much is true. Dark magic did originate in that period so its fair to assume they were condemned for the heinous crime of bringing darkness into the world of magic. There was and is no valid excuse for use of dark magic, except when attacked with it first by someone else of course. Generally speaking we think it's too distressing for students to learn."
"I beg your pardon sir, but it's far less distressing than some of the details we've come across in other conflicts in our history of magic lessons."
Dumbledore smiled. "But they were generally between humans and magical sub-species, so it's no more distressing than transfiguring a mouse wrongly with Professor McGongall."
Hermione attempted to smile back, but it came out as a grimace. "Well the treatment of 'sub-species' is something of an issue to me as well professor."
"Ah yes, your little house elf club."
"Indeed." Hermione refused to let him change the subject however.
"So, the evidence I recovered today is just death eater propaganda?"
"That's right, I'm glad to have put your mind at rest. These wizards of the dark will manipulate the smallest piece of history to their own ends. Whatever you may have heard, from whatever source is not going to be true. I'm sure Voldemort would love the brightest witch of our age to believe dark magic originated from a sound moral perspective. You would undoubtedly be a great asset to their side before they disposed of you in some horrific manner."
Hermione smiled and smoothed the frown on her face, acting relieved and reassured. "Thank you sir and I suppose now that I know the whole truth you won't mind me reading about the subject more. I'd love to read the evidence you have to backup your assertions. It may provide some insight into Voldemorts mind. Are they in a private library somewhere? I'm sure you'll indulge me in this, I promise it would distract me from my studies."
Dumbledore stood and opened the door down to the corridor for her. " If there was any such evidence I wouldn't hesitate to give it to you Miss Granger, but on the other hand this obsession with the past is detracting from your studies despite your assurances. I look forward to seeing how your project develops, but I must now wish you goodnight. It's late."
Hermione stood and made her way down the stone steps. "Very well, thank you for your time sir, and goodnight."
As she left his rooms she strained her ears to hear what he did next. When she heard him call Professor McGonagall she figured he was speaking via the floo network about her. With a sigh she proceeded to her rooms.
The next morning Hermione woke early, despite having suffered a restless, disturbed sleep. She laid back on her pillows watching the dawn light grow across her ceiling, the light warming her face. The previous evenings events had played on her mind all night, and today was no different. Dumbledore had not satisfied her questions to the degree she had hoped, but she was still unsure of the authenticity of Snapes claims. It was clear to her that both sides were eager to secure her allegiance, but at the moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to grant it to either of them.
This war isn't fun anymore, it used to be a mystery to unravel, a mini-adventure each year within the safety of the school grounds, but its so all-pervading now. Harry lives and breathes this war and Ron would if he could. I'm fed up of the intrigue and I have had it with being used. Ron and Harry would probably be dead by now if it wasn't for me, and if they'd been lucky in their adventures they wouldn't have passed their exams so easily. And the only thanks I get is to be treated like a child, unable to take any form of truth.
Hermione rolled out of bed, and padded over to her wardrobe. Weekends were always harder than weekdays, as she had to choose an outfit. Mature enough to suit a head girl but flattering to remind the boys she was in fact as Ron had recently discovered, a girl. Suddenly the anger at her situation bubbled over. Why should she care about acting the perfect head girl? All the mature adult choices in predictable Gryffindor colours. Why, she'd teased Snape for favouring an ice cream in green, was she acting any different in conforming to reds?
Head girl I may be, that's no reason for them dictate my life down to the very clothes I wear. With a smirk unknowingly similar to Snapes she began to empty her wardrobe. I've had it with this war, and I've had it with Miss perfectly Gryffindor Know-it-all Granger.
Snape was sat at the teachers table trying to enjoy a quiet breakfast. His talk with Hermione had gone fairly well, and it had surprised but pleased him how ready she'd been to hex him. She'd be no good for him if she took everything at face value. Snape became aware of sudden dip in the chatter from the students tables, and looked up to check his authority wasn't in need. What he saw took his breath away, just as it had done the rest of the hall. It can't be, that's never Hermione! She's stunning.
Before his eyes was a young woman striding down between the tables full of confidence and radiating power. Gone were her sensible t-shirts and jeans, she had transfigured her outfit differently this morning. Her hair was falling around her face in dark brown curls rather than her usual chestnut hue, and was definitely not her usual frizzy mess. Her top was a dark purple corset with horizontal black stripes; it had sleeves to her elbow that became artfully distressed tatters at the ends. She was wearing black tight fitting jeans that flared out towards the bottom rather than her usual baggy blue figure obscuring style. Snape managed a coherent thought at that. Her ass is simply spankable.
She wore purple leather boots on her feet and a necklace on her chest, and Snape swallowed as he saw that the pendant on the end was dropping down into her cleavage, partially hiding it from view.
With a frown, he saw that the rest of the male populace of the castle was also gawking, so he tried to seem supremely disinterested whilst watching her from out of the corner of his eye, entranced.
Hermione sat down next to Ron with a sigh. "Pass the Pumpkin Juice would you Ginny?" In her mind though she was grinning with glee. No one could have not noticed how she had been stared at as she entered the hall, and she was relishing the attention and confused looks from her peers. Looks like the new Hermione is considerably hotter than the old one.
Ginny wordlessly handed her the juice, and as Hermione took it she spoke up loudly, knowing that most people were still watching her quietly. "So Ginny, that rumour you spread about my sexual predilections for Slytherins finally got back to me. I haven't cheated on my boyfriend, but does McLaggen know about you and Goyle?"
Ginny went white, and Hermione smirked. Ginny had been shagging McLaggen she was sure, but as she was also officially seeing a boy from Ravenclaw there was no harm in adding a third to the mix. Hermione watched as the boyfriend and McLaggen both angrily got to their feet. "Oh, did neither of them know about Goyle? Oopsy."
Hermione tucked into her cereal as Ginny ran after the three boys who were making their way outside, Goyle looking more confused than usual.
"Mione, what the bloody hell was that about?"
Hermione turned to Ron who was sat with his mouth open displaying his bacon to the world. "Good morning Ronald, I'm afraid I'm still pissed at you darling, so do be a dear and shut up won't you."
Snape snorted, he had still been watching the interchange with interest, looks like her chat with Dumbledore didn't go so well, she's certainly rebelling against how the order would like her to be. He finished his toast and stood, walking down from the dais towards the Gryffindor table. This was an event in itself, and the students turned from Hermione to watch him. Snape smirked at the thought of how he must look, black robes flapping around him as he strode. When he bore down on Hermiones position, she rolled her eyes and stood to face him, Deciding to put on a real show for those watching, just for kicks. Snape stopped in front of her his defences up, her eyes were twinkling, what was she up to…
"Severus, how can I be of assistance?"
Snape nearly lost his cool at the use of his first name. What was she doing? Didn't she know the whole room was watching them?
"Miss Granger, you will refer to me as Professor or Sir is that understood?"
To his horror she pouted.
"That's not what you said last night Professor…" The Professor rolling silkily of her tongue. Snape suppressed a shiver at the tone of her voice and kept control, he wasn't a highly successful spy without learning how to control himself.
"That's is enough, come with me please, we have something to discuss."
Hermione chuckled throatily, "I'm sure we do Professor, but so early in the day? My my." Then she winked and turned, walking out of the hall swaying her hips suggestively. Snape stayed glued to the spot for a moment, as his and Rons faces both dropped open simultaneously. As he came to back to himself and stalked out after her he was aware of the excited whispering going on behind and scowled. That woman would be the death of him if she kept this up…
Hermione and Snape walked side by side towards the dungeons. Hermiones resolve did not falter. I'm not going to give him an easier ride than Dumbledore, even if he the sexiest git in the castle.
Snape however was pondering how to approach her, bawling her out for her actions in the great hall were probably not the best way to go, as he had to tread carefully. Hermione was now one of two people in the castle who knew his true allegiance and could use it against him. Perhaps once again honesty would be the best policy. He opened the door to his classroom, but instead of stopping continued to walk on towards the secret study. He beckoned her with a significant look and she nodded in acquiescence. As soon as she was through the doorway it disappeared leaving the two of them alone in the small room. He sat down on one of the desks, and motioned for Hermione to do the same. She sat directly across from him, their legs nearly touching. She raised an eyebrow daring him to comment, and was pleased when he made no protest.
"If you're planning to take points off for my behaviour Severus, I'd think carefully before you did so. I would hate to accidentally run my mouth off to any of my peers."
He made no reaction to the blatant blackmail, but shook his head. "I had no intention of doing so Miss Granger, although I was taken by surprise by it. I asked you here to inquire as to how your meeting with our esteemed headmaster went last night." He watched the flicker of anger that passed over her face at the mention of Dumbledore.
"He's no different, denying what you told me and dismissing it as death eater propaganda."
"Do you believe him?"
"Not one iota, not that it matters anymore."
Snape lent forward. "Does this mean you believe me?"
"More than I believe him, you offered me evidence." Now she lent forward, so their faces became close enough to feel the breath of each other. "But as I said it doesn't matter."
Snapes eyes flickered for an instant with confusion. "How so?"
Hermione slipped off the desk languidly and stood between Snapes legs, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Because Severus, I am a conscientious objector. It doesn't matter which side I believe, because my 'brilliant' mind will be assisting neither." Her voice was strong, but a slight waver betrayed her nervousness. Have I pushed him too far? Oh Merlin, he smells so good…uhoh compromising position.
She started to move backwards, but Snape was faster gripping her arm with one hand and her chin with the other, forcing her head round to look at him.
"Is this some kind of joke Miss Granger? You cannot opt out of a war of this kind." She struggled against his grip, her eyes darkening. "Let go of me."
Snape sneered at her. "That's let go of me sir young woman. And I will not until you answer me." She struggled again, bringing her hands up to push him away. Snape drew her to him, pinning her against him by circling her waist with his legs, locking her in place. Now not only could she not get away, but she was also tucked into an embrace of sorts, her hands splayed against his chest as he held her close. Her breathing quickened in response, and she struggled to keep a hold of her anger.
"Fine, I'll tell you Severus. I am being used, against my will and without the full knowledge everyone else seems to enjoy and I have had it. I've had it with the war, with my friends and with bloody Gryffindor Miss Granger. The order don't appreciate me, they have taken me for granted for years, and I would bet Voldemort would too if I went with you." Hermione flushed as she realised the innuendo in her words, and looked down away from his eyes. Unfortunately, with him holding her chin she could only look down as far as his mouth, which continued to speak.
"Rest assured, if you were to 'go with me' you would be more appreciated than you are at present with the order. I believe even your relationship with the Weasley boy is breaking down due to their secret keeping and manipulations." Hermione looked up from his lips in anger, and wished she hadn't. His eyes were darker than she'd ever seen them, and although she wanted to pass it off as anger, she knew what it was despite never seeing it to this degree in Ron. It was lust.Oh crap….