Chapter 14: Snickerdoodles

*"Harry! Ginny!"

Hermione was hurrying toward them, very pink-faced and wearing a cloak, hat, and gloves.

"I got back a couple of hours ago, I've just been down to visit Hagrid and Buck-I mean Witherwings," she said breathlessly. "Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yeah," said Ron at once, "pretty eventful, Rufus Scrim -"

"I've got something for you, Harry," said Hermione, neither looking at Ron nor giving any sign that she had heard him. "Oh, hang on-password. Abstinence."

"Precisely," said the Fat Lady in a feeble voice, and swung forward to reveal the portrait hole.*

Severus looked down into his teacup as he waited for a response from the headmaster. He had told Dumbledore about Miss Grangers' arithmantic findings and was curious as to how the headmaster would react. After what seemed like several long moments, the headmaster cleared his throat.

'Yes, I am aware of this.' He said in a mild voice.

'You know about the convergence?'

'Ah, yes, well Septima does keep me informed. I'm surprised Miss Granger felt it was important to discuss it with you.'

'Headmaster, she was asking for more information. She wants to figure out what it means… the fact that she found the convergence at all… she could discover your plan.'

'She must not.'

'I know that… but she is not one to be dissuaded.'

'You cannot tell her anything more, Severus. It's important that nobody knows what will happen.'

'She will continue to ask.' He said quietly.

'So she will, but I repeat, you cannot tell her anything.'

'What of the other person? She said someone else will also be involved.'

'Yes, that was surprising… I have my suspicions.'

'And you don't feel that you should let me know what they are?' He asked in a frustrated voice. He had the childish desire to slam his fist on the headmaster's desk.

'No. It won't change anything. You will continue on as we have planned.'

Dumbledore silently summoned Severus' cup and re-filled it.

'Now, how have your holidays been – are you looking forward to Christmas?'

Severus snorted at the headmasters attempt at small talk.

'There is another matter we must discuss Headmaster.' He said, after taking a sip of his tea.

'Oh?' Dumbledore's face was one of innocent curiosity, a look which Severus found irritating.

The headmaster continued to play the kindly old man. He knew how much Snape hated the act and seemed to derive enjoyment out of it whenever he could. Severus quickly told him what Miss Granger had told him after Slughorn's party. He then went into detail about his conversation with Draco.

'Draco is implacable on this. I can no longer get through to him… you know he blames me for his father's fate.'

'Well, keep trying Severus. That boy continues to be a danger to all… his attempts have so far proven to be reckless and not well thought out.'

'Headmaster, what are you going to do about Potter? And what must I tell Miss Granger?'

'Oh yes, Harry and his cloak… he is …precocious… although I admit it isn't good form to listen in at keyholes.'

Severus snorted at this.

'I expect nothing less from the son of Potter… arrogant little dunderhead.' He muttered.

'So, young Harry has heard of the vow and Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are sure to be told as well.

This bears considering. I suggest you tell Miss Granger that you were simply pretending to help Mr. Malfoy in hopes that he would trust you and reveal his plan.'

'That should be simple enough, it's exactly what I was doing. What of the vow, and Mr. Potter?

'I will tell Harry to trust me in this and not question it. Perhaps Miss Granger could also help to convince him that your motives are pure. Don't tell her the specifics but tell her you made a vow on my orders, so that you would be more trustworthy among the deatheaters. She seems to trust you Severus, I think that will satisfy her curiosity.'

'It might satisfy hers, but I have doubts about Mr. Potter. Do you really believe your word will be enough? You know how he feels about me.'

'Yes, he does seem to be eager to blame you for all manner of ills… nevertheless, Harry knows he can trust me!' He said in a cheerful tone. Severus snorted again, sometimes he couldn't be sure if Dumbledore really was this naïve or if it was all part of his act.

'As you say, headmaster.' He replied, finishing his tea and setting the cup and saucer on the desk with a click, he was ready to seek the solitude of his own quarters.

'One more thing before you go Severus.' Dumbledore said, holding up his hand in order to prevent the younger man from leaving.

'Do you expect you shall be summoned over the holidays? Have you learned of your masters plans?'

Snape shook his head. 'The dark lord will remain quiet over the holiday itself I think. He will most likely expect that I make myself available on the eve of the New Year. I will need to know what you would like me to report at that time. Something to distract him from my failure to help Draco. I can give him a few bits of innocuous ministry gossip that I picked up at Slughorn's party, but I will need more than that.'

'Ah,yes, I will think about it and let you know. I think we can come up with some suitable information about our young Mr. Potter before then.'

Severus nodded. 'I trust we have completed our business?' He asked before sweeping out of the room.

Hermione thought it was the most curious situation to be reliving memories from somebody else's perspective. For her legilimency lessons Snape was limiting her exposure to memories she already had lived. Some memories that involved herself. It was a singular experience.

She was watching herself as she stirred a potion while simultaneously whispering instructions to Neville who looked confused and overwhelmed as he attempted to copy her movements in his own cauldron.

She watched a third year version of herself walk dejectedly into the great hall, looking forlorn as he watched Harry and Ron ignore her, still angry about the firebolt incident.

She watched Harry as he summoned his broom and flew swiftly around an angry dragon blowing fire and bellowing at him.

She watched as imposter Moody bounced a white ferret up and down before McGonnagal rushed over the stop him.

Seeing herself from Snape's viewpoint and experiencing a shadow of his emotions and interpretations of these events was so strange. For the most part he managed to pick memories that he obviously felt dispassionate about, but every once in a while she could discern something about his feelings. A twinge of humor as he sees Draco-as-ferret being bounced, frustration as she assisted Neville with his potion, she even surprisingly detected a small shudder of fear as the dragon narrowly misses Harry. Legilimency was such an interesting concept and she felt both elated and a little apprehensive at the scope of power this skill allowed. There was a part of her that balked at the thought of it all. Nobody should be allowed to have such insight into another person; it was a terrible invasion of privacy. Another part of her relished the experience and the power that could be allowed and perhaps even gained by such knowledge.

Suddenly she felt as if she were being pushed out of a long tunnel. Everything became black and then the room around her came back into focus. She gasped at the strange sensation, blinking a few times to clear her eyes and mind. Snape was watching her with narrowed eyes.

'Now, Miss Granger, you see how it feels to view someone else's memories and impressions. I allowed you access and indeed even helped to pull you in that time. You must try it on your own now. He was sitting directly in front of her so that they could easily maintain eye contact and he gestured to her hand- still grasping her wand.

'When you are ready.'

Hermione took a deep breath before performing the spell. She felt as if she were entering the tunnel now but it was slow moving – she tried to push harder, staring directly into Snape's eyes and trying to penetrate the barrier they represented. His eyes slowly disappeared from her view as something else replaced them. It was hard to see – like a telly with too much static. She focused on that – trying to see it clearer…

she saw the great hall, lots of students, Dumbledore was speaking… it was a welcoming feast, this year in fact, she realized – noting where her professors sat at the head table. She watched as Dumbledore spoke to the students and gave his warning about Voldemort. "I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe." The primary emotion she felt coming through was boredom…and she felt something else she couldn't place… almost like cynicism.

Hermione was pushed out, she sat blinking at her professor as she reoriented to where she was.

'I did it!' she said, beaming with delight. She loved the feeling of accomplishing something she was working towards and clapped her hands a couple of times in excitement.

'It was adequate for a first try, but it took far too long. You will need much improvement before you can learn what you need for your parents.' Snape's voice was curt but he was almost smirking and his eyes were warm.

'Ha! I did it! I know I have work to do, but I'm focusing on the positive and basking in my triumph!'

'Yes, well perhaps we should take a short break.' He said, standing and moving back behind his desk.

'telly.' He called out, causing an elf to appear at his side.

'Please bring us some tea and biscuits… so we may have sustenance for basking.' He said, raising an eyebrow and meeting Hermione's eyes.

Hermione giggled as the elf looked confused for a moment before apparating away to fetch their tea.

Snape grumbled to himself as he sat at his desk drinking his coffee as quickly as the hot drink would allow. He hated early mornings and resented having to be up earlier than usual during the holidays. Just as expected at 8:00am on the dot he heard a knock on his door and gave clearance to enter.

Hermione Granger appeared to skip into the room, carrying a small totebag, and to settle into her usual seat with a cheerful grin.

'Good morning professor!' She said. She clearly did not share his aversion to early mornings.

He didn't bother returning her greeting, but rather continued to glare as he finished his cuppa.

'I'm so glad you have offered to take me to my parents. I haven't been home for the holidays for while, it will be nice to have a normal muggle Christmas for once.'

She appeared to be unperturbed by his silence and continued to smile.

'Before you take me home I have something…' she said, pulling open her bag and looking in. She reached her hand in and he was surprised to see her reach deep into the bag- far past the outer dimensions of the bag – he heard some clanking and clanging as she sorted through what seemed to be the entire contents of her dorm room.

She then proceeded to take out a couple of books and a few unidentifiable items of clothing before she drew out a small plastic box, setting it on his desk in front of him. She put all of her items back in her bag and looked up with a smile.

'I've been experimenting with extension charms. I'm still working on it though- this bag is still too heavy and its disorganized, but I was able to get everything I need inside.'

'Obviously.' Snape replied, before raising his eyebrow and gesturing to the box on his desk. It was an unusual box, plastic with a lid and it was almost clear – he could tell the box was filled but couldn't determine its contents. He assumed the box was a muggle invention.

She reached over and peeled the lid back – releasing a warm cinnamon aroma. He instinctively took a deep breath, smelling cinnamon and sugar and baking powder. It was a scent he was familiar with.

'I made these for you.' She said, pushing the box closer to him.

'The house elves are still leery of me, but they let me use the kitchen if I promise not to give them clothes.'

Snape furrowed his eyebrow and looked inside. Biscuits. She had made him biscuits?

'I hope you like snickerdoodles. I'm not much of a cook, but these are a specialty of mine. Happy Christmas Professor.' She said with a smile.

Severus was speechless. She had made him a gift! He couldn't recall that anyone had ever done something like this for him. He always received the usual boring gifts from his colleagues, of course, but this was different. He remained silent because he truly didn't know how to act or what to say. It was a kind gesture and one she had spent time on. He looked up at her, feeling a bit helpless.

She had bit her lip and was watching him nervously.

'I didn't know what to get you, but I wanted to give you something. Just to, er, say thank you for the last year, I guess…I've enjoyed our lessons and you let me sit in here with you… they might be good with coffee or tea or something.'

Severus cleared his throat, now he was making her nervous. He had noticed that whenever she felt nervous she tended to babble.

'Thank You.' He said, his voice sounded rough. He was rewarded by watching her face light up in a smile.

'I do like them. Snickerdoodles.' He said. Because she seemed to still be waiting for something he pulled one out of the box and bit down. He did, in fact, enjoy the baking soda and cinnamon flavor. He bit into one, enjoying the sweet flavors that complimented the bitter acidity of the coffee that still lingered on his tongue.

'They are quite good.' He inwardly berated himself. The girl had baked him cookies and that is all he can say? They are quite good?

'You shouldn't have gone through the trouble.'

'It's no trouble at all, sir. I was happy to do something for you! I've put a stasis charm on them and that box is air-tight so it will keep them fresh for a while.'

He finished his biscuit and stood swiftly, brushing a few stray crumbs off the front of his robes. He would rather avoid further conversation when he was struggling to think of what to say.

'I suppose it's time we left.' He said summoning a warm cloak and stepping out from his desk.

'Oh. Yes, of course.' His student said, drawing her own cloak out of her bag. They would need to walk past the gates outside in order to apparate away.

Hermione had instructed her professor to apparate into the back garden. It was walled and they could arrive safely away from the sight of her muggle neighbors. She smiled, as no sooner had they arrived that her parents opened the back door and rushed over to hug her. They must have been watching for her.

'Mum, Dad - this is Professor Snape, he's been giving me extra lessons during the break.' She had already written them, detailing why she would only be coming home for a few days. Her parents were well aware of their daughter's thirst for knowledge, accepting her reasons for limiting their time together.

'Professor, we are so pleased to meet one of Hermione's teachers! The last one we met was when she was eleven and she received her letter. Professor McGonagall, I believe it was. Please come in. You must have tea with us.'

Hermione's mother said all of this while simultaneously ushering them all back into the house. Hermione smiled. Her mom tended to steamroll over any objections and her professor looked rather dumbfounded, he hadn't said a word, but was seated on the couch with a teacup in hand rather quickly. Her mom had made quick work of getting them all seated around the coffee table and pouring out tea for them.

'Er… thank you, but I shouldn't take up any more of your time.' He said.

'Nonsense, Professor, we are so pleased to have you here. Now I'm trying to remember, but do you teach chemistry? I believe Hermione has mentioned you in her letters before.'

'I used to teach potions, which I suppose could be somewhat related to your chemistry. However, this year I have taken the position in Defense against the Dark Arts.'

'That is interesting, to think you have the ability to specialize in more than one subject. Is that common in your world? I know in the muggle world it's almost unheard of. I believe the Defense subject is one that Hermione has had some troubles with in the past. Is that why you are giving her extra lessons?'

'Dear, give the professor a break – let the man drink his tea without you badgering him so much.' Hermione's dad broke in, accustomed to his wives eager conversation.

Hermione decided to help him out, explaining to her mom about his abilities in both DADA as well as potions.

'It is rather rare, mum, but he is very good at both – it's a relief to have a competent DADA professor for once…important too, given all that's going on.'

Her parents subscribed to the daily prophet so she had always felt it was best to keep the as informed as possible about her world and what was happening.

'Oh yes, of course, all of this nonsense with your dark lord who must not be named. Hogwarts is safe, isn't it professor? I mean, I worry about Hermione being there but we know we couldn't keep her away… and with Harry being the chosen one and all…'

'I assure you that Hogwarts is the most secure place in the wizarding world.' He said, putting his almost empty teacup on the table. Hermione was glad he chose not to comment on Harry and his chosen status.

'I really must be getting back.'

'Oh, so soon, but-'

'Let the man leave, darling, he has other responsibilities at the school, I'm sure.'

Hermione's dad, stood and held out his hand.

'It was a pleasure to meet you, professor. We want to thank you for bringing Hermione home for the Holiday.'

'It was no trouble' He said in pulling out his wand and making his way towards the back door.

'Thank you professor Snape, I hope you have a very happy Christmas.' Hermione managed as he strode out of the house. Her family followed him out to the porch.

'Miss Granger, I will return in two days time to bring you back.'

Hermione nodded, 'Yes, Thank you professor, and I hope you have a good holiday.'

He apparated away to repeated choruses of Happy Christmas from her parents.

AN: Sorry about the wait- RL in the summer is busy for me... It's also hard to write about the Holidays during a heat wave! Thanks for the reviews - they encourage me to keep going everytime I see a new one!...I am finishing this fic, so don't lose heart! I usuallly have time to write more during the fall/winter and hope to be updating more frequently.

AN: words with a * are taken straight for JKs brain - from the Half Blood Prince in this chapters case, and are not mine.

AN: if there are any formatting issues making this chapter hard to read, i apologize - fanfic was not being friendly as I uploaded this and it took me a few tries to not just publish a jumble of words...