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Chapter Twelve: The Rules Of Engagement

The copy of the Daily Prophet, lay folded in half on the small table. The pages had been turned so a particular article was visible to the passing eye. But at the moment it stayed were it was, untouched yet waiting for the correct person to see.

Tired from the night's festivities, the tall figure slowly walked back to his rooms. His loyal assistant walked ahead. Loyal he thought trying to stifle a laugh his loyalty is to cowardice alone. He allowed himself to be lead, walking finally through the doorway, towards his favourite chair that would ease his weary form. A hearth leapt into life with a small fire to keep the summer chill at bay.

Voldermort spotted the copy of Daily Prophet that was so deliberately placed. Leaning over he scanned the half of the page, noticing by chance the small obituary.

To anyone else, they would not have realised the Dark Lord was smiling.

Nagini slithered her way into her Masters rooms, heading toward the fire she curled up to enjoy the warmth she so frequently missed.

"Wormtail!" Voldermort bellowed.

The doors opened quickly and Wormtail moved quickly to stand in the shadow of his master's chair.

"Yes My lord."

Voldermort pointed to the newspaper. "Who left this here?"

"I believe Lord Malfoy was here earlier," Wormtail mentioned as if in passing.

"YOU BELIEVE!" the dark lord bellowed. "You are my servant Wormtail, if you cannot tell me who left this here. I am SORELY disappointed… Maybe it is time that you are replaced. I am sure there are many who would enjoy your duties much better than their own."

"Master, forgive me please. I meant no disrespect," Wormtail whimpered. "Lord Malfoy was the last person to enter these rooms," speaking with slightly more assurance.

"Good now we have that settled…Wormtail would you send my thanks to him," a smile seeped on to his face. 'Everything is now coming to together' he thought, 'so much better that I expected.'

Hermione poured over her books, to check and recheck her new life. In a way it was fortunate that the Kensington line of witches died out over 10 years ago, leaving no one to question about her lineage. Her new mother had passed away a few years ago, leaving Elizabeth with a tidy fortune, which would have been considered her dowry.

Hermione smiled this new persona was going to be an interesting one. She sighed realising it would need a lot of work to pull off.

"Everything will need to change," she muttered.

Not expecting a response, Hermione nearly hit the ceiling when a voice replied.

"Indeed it will Miss Olwyn," came the voice that sent shivers down her spine.

Composing herself she replied, "Professor Snape I was not expecting you."

"You must have been Miss Olwyn, or you would not have left you door wide open," Severus started to walk towards her, relishing the discomfort he could cause with simple words.

'Albus Dumbledore, you deliberately left my door open,' she fumed.

"Well now that you are here Professor Snape, what can I do for you?"

Severus had to rein in his thoughts before he answered. "I take it that you have been studying your new background?"

Closing the books on her sofa and putting them back on the shelf. "Yes I have,"

"Miss Olwyn when were you born? What was the colour of your late mothers eyes?" Professor Snape fired the questions quickly, to catch her off guard.

Hermione stared at her examiner. "December the 31st 1980, my mother's eyes were brown."

"Miss Olwyn you may know the answers to your background. But your demeanour, your stance, is all too…Hermione Granger," taking slightly longer than needed to draw out the last few words.

"What do you mean?" a rising anger in her tone.

Closing the distance between them by a few strides. "Elizabeth Olwyn is a refined Pureblood witch. Although brought up separated from her family, would at least have developed some manners…"

Hermione looked like she was going to pounce, but he cut her off before she could reply. "You're a 24 year old woman, not an 18 year old student who was rushed through her NEWTS so she could carry off this charade. Your appearance is altered I grant you, but your character is so transparent it would do nothing to hide who you truly are. Your friends would spot you immediately…" Severus could tell she was furious.

"How would you suggest I change Professor Snape?" Hermione spoke scathingly.

"First thing tomorrow we are going to meet an old acquaintance of mine. You will be left in her care while I find you a new wand."

"Why would I need a new wand?"

"Because your old one could be recognised, so I will collect a new wand on your behalf," the Professor walked to the door. "You will need to be dressed in your finest day robes and meet me at the main entrance by 9 o'clock."

Hermione nodded, "Professor can I ask how the meeting with the order went,"

Snape stopped in his tracks, "Miss Granger you could ask, but I doubt you would want to know the details of your own death."

No sound came from the other end of the room, 'as I expected' he thought, entering the stairwell too early to hear Hermione respond.

The word of thanks died on her lips, 'I am truly dead.'

On his way back to his rooms, Professor Snape mentally went through his conversation with Hermione; remembering the words that caused discomfort and those that caused anguish. Part of him still longed to be with her, but the snide teacher in him buried that. 'My life is what it is and nothing will ever change that,' he said trying to convince himself. As Severus entered his private chambers, he felt the weight of the world leave his shoulders. Cocooned in his rooms Severus opened a bottle of Firewiskey and poured a large drink.

Although Severus was familiar with her condition, it was only a matter of time before the suffering began.

Hermione was dressed and waiting at the main entrance with five minutes to spare. She stood in the doorway watching the morning sun. Distracted she failed to notice someone approach the school until the figure was almost upon her.

"Good morning,"

"Good Morning,"

"I have an appointment to see Miss Elizabeth Olwyn,"

Elizabeth smiled a little too much.

"That would be me,"

"Good. I am Mistress Oakleigh,"

Mistress Oakleigh was slightly shorter than Elizabeth, as she lent over her walking stick.

"Shall we go inside?"

Hermione walked slightly ahead of her guest through the maze of corridors, leading the portly woman to her chambers. Hermione felt uncomfortable, something inside her stirred, but she was unable to put her finger on it.

Mistress Oakleigh studied her charge. Well the girl certainly had some airs and graces, but that in no way made up for her stance. The way she walks through the corridors, gave Mistress Oakleigh a brief glimpse of what was ahead. Professor Snape was an old friend; who had asked this as a favour, although Mistress Oakleigh had her suspicions. 'The same as before' he had asked.

Hermione paused at the door to her class to mutter a few spells. If it's one thing that Professor Snape had drummed into Hermione was security was paramount. The door opened and Hermione gestured for Mistress Oakleigh to enter. They both silently wandered upstairs. Hermione's uneasiness continued, allowing a stranger into her private chambers for the first time added to the pressure.

Remember you are Elizabeth Olwyn.

Mistress Oakleigh took in her surroundings with a mere glance, placing her bag on the large scrubbed table.

"So this is where you live?"

Hermione feeling lost in her room, stood by the sofa and plumped some cushions.

"Yes, it is."

"Well you are obviously a woman who is married to her work,"

Hermione felt her face flush, the cushion that was in her hands slipped.

"Or at least that is what it appears to be."

Realising that she could not put her host to much more torment, Mistress Oakleigh quickly found the kitchen and made some tea. Placing everything on a tray, she carried it to the table, making enough noise as she went to distract the girl.

"I thought tea would be an ice breaker. Shall I be mother?"

"Let me," Hermione insisted.

Mistress Oakleigh hobbled over to the sofa, while Elizabeth poured the tea. With something to concentrate on Hermione felt much more relaxed, remembering what her mother had taught her when she had been a little girl. Timidly Hermione walked over with the two cups of tea, handing her guest the first cup; while she settled on another part of the sofa. Both of them sipped their tea in silence.

"Miss Olwyn. You understand that Professor Snape requested my presence, or at least my expertise."

Elizabeth sipped her tea with what little grace she could muster.

"I do not pretend to understand your circumstance Elizabeth. Only that I am here to sort out the mess of your future."

The young Professor glanced up from her tea.

"I understand."

"I had no doubt that you would not…Can I ask you a question?"

She nodded.

"Look at me, Elizabeth."

Hermione felt her eyes rise.

"What do you see when you look at me?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth in her normal Hermione eagerness.

Mistress Oakleigh motioned her to stop.

"Before you say an old woman, really look at me."

The silence between them lasted a lifetime as Hermione did what she had been asked.

"I see a woman. Mature in years and wiser beyond them."

"What else?"

"You are steadfast in your opinions, making you an excellent judge of character. The services that you offer come at a high price, which I dare not ask how much."

Mistress Oakleigh hid her smile behind the cup. This girl is quick, but lacks the spark.

"Good. But you had to be prompted not to say the obvious…Shall I tell you what I see."

The timid Professor awaited the tirade.

"As I said earlier, I do not presume to understand your circumstance. But this I have noted in just a mere ten minutes of your company. You may be a Professor of Potions. But you lack the conformation as if it was thrust upon you. Because of that you are holding something back."

Hermione's posture eased slightly.

"I have no idea what to do," she muttered.

Mistress Oakleigh laughed. "That has to be the first truly honest statement I have heard in years. Come on girl I am not here to berate you, only to offer my guidance. And there are some things a man cannot teach you."

Hermione burst out laughing, at the same time she felt all the tension ease from her body. Thoughts and feeling jumped out at her from her guest. I like this woman.

"Let me understand one thing, in teaching you know more than enough to keep the class occupied. But everything else you are lost on."

Hermione's face beamed. "Yes."

"Well let's start at the beginning. Do you know the rules of engagement or to give it it's proper title the Pureblood Rules of Etiquette and Standing."

"I have not heard of it."

Mistress Oakleigh uttered a few words and a thick and weighty tome appeared. She blew off the dust and handed it to Elizabeth."

"That should be some light reading for you."

"Thank you. So this will help me understand."

"Well it will be a lot to take in as most pureblood children have this drummed into them from a very young age, you seem to have been one of the lucky ones."

"My mother left her pureblood family to be with her beloved."

"Ah that would explain a few things. The lack of confidence for one, now don't take this personally. But when this school opens its doors you will be thrown to the lions as it were. And children are the best at putting others under pressure and working out their weaknesses."

"Professor Snape told me that is why he does not give them any ground."

"Well in a way so should you. Not so long ago us women were the weaker sex, over time we overcame this issue. Now you have to teach lots of classes and succeed in making them believe that you are in charge. "Only give them as much parchment as to write their confession on" as my mother use to say. Do you understand?"

"I think so," Hermione responded timidly

"Don't give me that, you are a confidant pureblood witch, with many talents to your name and lots of money for a dowry. Men will clamber over themselves to meet you and charm you. You are the one that will have to turn them down. Now do you understand?"

"Yes I do," her voice more confidant than before.

"Good, now lets start at the beginning. Would you mind walking to the other end of the room and then walking back toward me?"