A/N:
1. Some of the dialogue from this chapter is taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33: The Prince's Tale.
2. This chapter is shorter, but it felt like a natural stopping point. The next chapter is almost finished, so it should be up within the next day.
Chapter Eleven – Dumbledore's Plan
Hermione spiraled into Severus' memory and landed on her feet. She was shocked to find herself in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was slumped in his chair, looking close to death as Severus attended to his blackened hand. Severus was speaking to Dumbledore, and Hermione moved closer to them so she could hear their conversation.
"I have trapped the curse in one hand for the time being…" Severus' voice was worried; much more worried than Hermione had ever heard him before.
Dumbledore regarded his hand curiously. "You have done very well, Severus. How long do you think I have?"
There was a long pause. "I cannot tell. Maybe a year," Severus said hesitantly. "There is no halting such a spell forever. It will spread eventually; it is the sort of curse that strengthens over time."
Dumbledore smiled. "I am fortunate, extremely fortunate, that I have you, Severus."
"If you had only summoned me a little earlier, I might have been able to do more, buy you more time!" Severus looked angrily at an item on Dumbledore's desk. "Did you think that breaking the ring would break the curse?"
Hermione stepped closer to inspect the object he was referring to. A cracked ring lay on the desk. This was the ring Harry referred to. It was a Horcrux. The ring cursed Dumbledore.
"Something like that… I was delirious, no doubt…" He sat upright in his chair. "Well, really, this makes matters much more straightforward."
Severus looked at him in confusion. "I refer to the plan Lord Voldemort is revolving around me," Dumbledore said with a smile. "His plan to have the poor Malfoy boy murder me." Hermione was incredulous. Dumbledore knew?
Severus sunk down into a chair. He looks so tired, Hermione realized. So terribly tired. "The Dark Lord does not expect Draco to succeed," Severus said with a scowl. "This is merely punishment for Lucius's recent failures. Slow torture for Draco's parents, while they watch him fail and pay the price." There was so much remorse in Severus' voice that Hermione's heart ached. He does care for Draco, she realized.
"In short, the boy has had a death sentence pronounced upon him as surely as I have," said Dumbledore. "Now, I should have thought the natural successor to the job, once Draco fails, is yourself?" What?
Severus was silent for a moment. "That, I think, is the Dark Lord's plan."
"Lord Voldemort foresees a moment in the near future when he will not need a spy at Hogwarts?"
"He believes the school will soon be in his grasp, yes."
"And if it does fall into his grasp," said Dumbledore, "I have your word that you will do all in your power to protect the students of Hogwarts?"
Severus nodded. Hermione's mind spun. This was Dumbledore's plan?
"Good. Now then," Dumbledore said, "your first priority will be to discover what Draco is up to. A frightened teenage boy is a danger to others as well as himself. Offer him help and guidance, he ought to accept, he likes you - "
"Much less since his father has lost favor. Draco blames me, he thinks I have usurped Lucius's position."
"All the same, try. I am concerned less for myself than for the accidental victims of whatever schemes might occur to the boy. Ultimately, of course, there is only one thing to be done if we are to save him from Lord Voldemort's wrath."
"Are you intending to let him kill you?" Severus said sardonically.
"Certainly not," Dumbledore answered. "You must kill me."
No! No. That is too much. He cannot ask that. Hermione stepped toward Severus. She knew that it was just a memory, and he could not see or feel her, but she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. Poor Severus. It was Dumbledore's plan all along. And I – Oh Merlin, I said he wasn't remorseful. Oh Severus, I'm so sorry.
After a long silence, Severus spoke. "Would you like me to do it now?" he asked sarcastically. "Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?"
Dumbledore smiled easily. "Oh, not quite yet. I daresay the moment will present itself in due course. Given what has happened tonight," he said, lifting his blackened hand, "we can be sure that it will happen within a year."
"If you don't mind dying, why not let Draco do it?" Severus voice was rough, and Hermione squeezed his shoulder lightly.
"That boy's soul is not yet so damaged," Dumbledore said. "I would not have it ripped apart on my account."
"And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?" The pain in Severus' voice broke her heart.
"You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation," said Dumbledore. "I ask this one great favor of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved – I hear Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it." Hermione shuddered at his words. It makes sense: so much sense. Of course Dumbledore asked him to do it.
She watched Severus' face as he stared at the Headmaster. Dumbledore returned his stare with those piercing blue eyes. In that moment, Hermione felt her anger rise again; this time, however, it was directed toward Dumbledore. He asked too much. No one should ask another person for this: a 'great favor' indeed.
Finally, Severus nodded. Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you, Severus."
Severus rose from his chair. "If that is all, Headmaster?" Dumbledore nodded and Severus started toward the door.
"Might I ask one other thing of you, Severus?" Dumbledore called.
He turned slowly to face the Headmaster. "Perhaps," Severus said carefully.
"Your first priority is, of course, to keep an eye on young Draco," Dumbledore began. "However, I do think it prudent, though, for you to also keep on eye on Miss Granger."
Me? Why me? "Miss Granger? Whatever for?" Severus voice was incredulous.
"Miss Granger is a Muggle-born and the brightest witch of her age. She undermines every pureblood prejudice Voldemort has ever spouted. I fear that she will soon be in great danger."
Severus shifted uncomfortably. "I hardly think it appropriate -"
"I think we have far greater things to focus on than appearances of propriety," Dumbledore interrupted. "You can protect her, Severus. The Dark Lord may seek to repay a certain debt to you; you may be able to protect her in ways you were unable to protect -"
"Do not even suggest such a thing," Severus hissed dangerously.
"The girl is extraordinarily intelligent, Severus. Even you must have noticed that. But she's much more than that. She is kind and compassionate and always fights for those who cannot fight for themselves. In many ways, she reminds me of - "
"Don't say her name!" Severus face was twisted in such pain that it took Hermione's breath away.
Dumbledore stared at Severus sadly as he continued. "If the time comes when Miss Granger's life is in peril, I expect that you would… convince Voldemort of her value to you."
After a long pause, Severus nodded curtly and stalked out of the room.
The memory dissolved and Hermione found herself standing back in the sunny study. I have to find Severus. I have to apologize. Oh Merlin, will he ever forgive me?
"Norris!" she cried loudly.
The elf appeared with a pop. "How can Norris be of assistance, madam?" he asked, bowing deeply.
"Where is Master Snape? It is imperative I speak with him immediately!" Her voice was frantic.
Norris grimaced. "I'm afraid Master Snape was called away suddenly. He did not wish to disturb Madam Snape."
"Called away?" Hermione asked. "By whom?"
"By the Dark Lord, madam," Norris said uncomfortably. "He instructed me to serve dinner to you promptly at seven o'clock, in the Banquet Hall. Master Snape feared he might not be back in time to join you."
Hermione sank into the chair behind the desk. "Thank you, Norris," she said weakly. "That is all." The elf disappeared as Hermione walked slowly into the library to wait.
Seven o'clock came and went without Severus returning. Hermione dressed dutifully for dinner and dined alone. She felt so small and solitary in the massive hall. She picked at her dinner, feeling much too nervous to eat. Finally, she pushed herself away from the table and left the hall. Returning to the library seemed pointless, as she found she could barely focus on the words in front of her. Her harsh words from their argument that day replayed on a continuous loop in her mind, making her stomach churn with guilt and regret. I was so cruel to him; I had no idea what Dumbledore asked of him. He is a good man. He protected me because Dumbledore asked him to. Oh Merlin, please let him forgive me. Despite her remorse, countless questions ran through her mind. Why does the Dark Lord owe him a debt? Who did he fail to protect?
Hermione was restless and determined to wait to Severus to return. I must speak to him tonight. She was pacing back and forth down the long portrait gallery. The portrait inhabitants regarded at her curiously as she stalked back and forth impatiently. Sighing, she slipped out one of the grand French doors that lined the wall opposite the portrait gallery. Huge curved arches sitting atop great stone pillars framed the expansive balcony. The balcony looked out over the park beyond the house. The world was lighted by the brightness of a waxing gibbous moon. Hermione was mesmerized by how peaceful the world looked by the gentle light of the moon. She sat in one of the many cushioned wicker chairs that ran the length of the balcony and drew her knees up to her chest, hugging them tightly. She gazed out the tranquil scene for several long minutes.
"Enjoying the moonlight?" Hermione jumped up, startled by the voice beside her. Severus was leaning against one of the French doors, regarding her curiously.
"Severus!" Hermione cried as she flew to him. She threw her arms around him and held onto him tightly. His body tensed in surprise, but after a few moments he drew her into his arms. As she held him and smelled his familiar scent, her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm sorry, Severus, I'm so sorry," she said thickly. "What I said to you today was horrible and I had no right. Please forgive me," she sobbed against his chest.
Severus kissed the top of her head gently. "It's alright, Hermione. I did not mean what I said to you today. I would never… I would never intentionally harm you. I hope you know that by now." His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
She gripped him tighter. "Of course, I know that. I know you are a good person, Severus." Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself back from him and wiped her cheeks. "Severus," she began slowly, "I have to tell you something else, and I'm afraid you are going to be really angry." She grimaced slightly as she continued. "I went to look for you today, after our row. I looked for you in your study but you weren't there and I found… I found your Pensieve."
Severus crossed his arms across his chest. His features, which had looked so gentle moments before, hardened back into his usual expression of contempt. "Go on," he said icily.
"I – I saw your memory, Severus. Of you and Professor Dumbledore in his office when he asked you to… oh Merlin, Severus, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. What he asked you to do was too much."
He crossed to the edge of the balcony and stared out across the park. "I do not want your pity, madam. You should not have seen that." At least he doesn't seem that angry, she thought to herself.
Severus ran his hands through his hair. He looks exhausted, Hermione realized. His voice was weary when he spoke again. "Have you considered, madam, that there are things that I keep from you for your protection? Can you even begin to fathom the torturous fate that awaits us both should your Occlumency shields fail? I assure you, the Dark Lord would find that particular scene you witnessed more than traitorous. I shudder to think what would happen to us both."
"I'm not afraid, Severus," Hermione said earnestly as she crossed the balcony to stand beside him. "I don't want there to be secrets between us. I can help you; I can be there for you. You don't have to do this all alone, Severus. Please," she begged. "Please trust me. You asked me to trust you; please extend the same courtesy to me."
Severus shook his head in exasperation. "You cannot even begin to comprehend the magnitude of all the things that you cannot know. Things you cannot know for your own protection. You are so blinded by curiosity and your thirst for knowledge that you cannot see the consequences that wait should you continue. Please, for Merlin's sake, trust me when I tell you there are things you cannot know."
"Please, Severus, don't treat me like a child! You, of all people, know how adult I truly am."
"You don't understand," he said, running his hands over his face. "If I am found to be a traitor, I die. You will live, at least long enough for other plans to be put into effect. You can be spared if you are ignorant of my crimes, but if the Dark Lord finds proof of my guilt in your mind, we both die."
"I'm not afraid of death," she said softly. "I was ready to die when I walked out of the Malfoy dungeons."
"And what of our child, Hermione? Would you leave our child orphaned? Or, Merlin forbid, if you are with child when your complicity is discovered? Would you condemn your child, our child, to die for my sins? I need you to live, Hermione," he said in such a desperate voice that she felt her heart twinge. "Please. Allow me to protect you."
Dumbledore's voice rang in her ears. "You can protect her, Severus." Sighing, she wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned against his arm. "Alright, Severus. I promise to stop prying."
He turned and drew her against his chest. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "You know more about me than anyone in the world, Hermione. That is a very dangerous thing."
She looked up at him with wide brown eyes. "I will endeavor to be a good steward of that knowledge," she said solemnly. "I was heartbroken today, when I saw what he asked of you. It was unfair. He asked too much."
"Perhaps," Severus said, "but it is done."
"Why did he ask you to protect me?"
"He thought you needed protecting. Dumbledore exploited much of my guilt for many years. He would have made a fine Slytherin," Severus answered cryptically.
"What guilt?" Hermione pressed.
Severus was quiet for several moments before he answered. "When I was young," he said finally, "I loved a Muggle-born girl. Dumbledore hoped to exploit any lingering feelings I had for her in order to elicit my promise to protect you."
"Oh." I never thought of Severus in love with anyone. "Was she killed by the Dark Lord?"
"Yes." His face was expressionless once more.
Hermione held him closely. "Oh Severus." Her heart ached for this man, her husband. What a tragic life. It explains so much. Suddenly, Hermione understood his almost-obsessive need to protect her. It would be too much, she realized, to lose so many to evil.
She looked up at him to find his eyes were closed. "You're exhausted, Severus. Come to bed," she said softly. He nodded once and took her hand as she led them through the gallery and up the stairs. Hermione did not hesitate as she entered his bedroom and led him inside. They each undressed slowly and climbed into bed. Her arms curled around him and he placed a soft kiss on top of her head. "Sleep," she commanded. Hermione waited until she felt the steady rise and fall of his chest before she closed her own eyes and drifted off to sleep.
