Holly Meets Snape

Hana: Hey, here's the second chapter. I'm putting it up at the same time as the previous chapter. Enjoy!

As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the house championship. Although Harry was supposed to have been Gryffinder's "secret weapon" – everyone knew he was playing. To calm Harry, Hermione lent him Quidditch Through the Ages.

Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since the others had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it. The day before Harry's first Quidditch match the four of them were out in the freezing courtyard during beak, and she had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. They were standing with their backs to it, getting warm when Snape crossed the yard. Holly noticed at once that Snape was limping. Harry, Ron, Holly and Hermione moved closer together to block the fine from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, something about their guilty faces caught Snape's eye. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?"

It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," spat Ron bitterly. Holly winced.

The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, Holly, and Hermione sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking the boys' Charms homework for them. She would never let them copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway. Holly was working on her Transfiguration homework, nestled on the floor. She paused when Harry got up and told them he was going to try to get his book back from Snape. Holly shook her head slightly, as Ron and Hermione said together, "Better you than me." Harry still went. Holly turned back to her homework.

"Did you get it?" Ron asked, a few minutes later, as Harry joined them. "What's the matter?"

In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen; viz. Snape with a mangled and bloody left leg.

"You know what this means?" he finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him – he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"

Holly's eyes were wide and she glanced swiftly at Hermione, who spoke up.

"No – he wouldn't," Hermione interjected. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"

Holly needed to think – alone. She stood up.

"Well, I don't know what that dog's guarding," she said pleasantly, "but I do know I need to return this book to the library. I'll see you guys in a while."

Holly walked calmly to the library, although her mind was awhirl with thoughts. What did it mean? Was Snape in a lot of pain? What was he trying to do? Holly felt pretty sure that Snape hadn't let in that troll, but then who had? What was that dog guarding?

Holly returned her book to Madam Pince, who scrutinized it intently, checking to see if any damage had been done. She then browsed for a while, until she realized it was getting dark. As Holly exited the library, she heard a voice.

"Ah – Miss Smith. I was looking for you."

Holly turned. "Professor Dumbledore. What is it?"

"Please come with me, Miss Smith."

Shrugging, Holly followed Professor Dumbledore as they made their way down the spiral staircases, ending up in the dungeons. As they walked down the corridor, Professor Dumbledore spoke quietly.

"Do you remember, Miss Smith, what you told me on a dark night in front of Professor Snape's quarters?"

"Yes," Holly answered, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Well, I believe you may be of use, if you still wish to be. Ah – here we are."

They were in front of Snape's quarters. Dumbledore entered, Holly slipping into the room behind him. There wasn't much. There was a small fireplace set into one wall, while to the side there was a counter and a glass cabinet. The cabinet held a few glasses and a number of bottles of what – it seemed to Holly – was whiskey or brandy. In a corner was a bed with one pillow and a thin cover crumpled at the end. A door in one wall led to a suspected bathroom. Next to the bed was a small dresser which Holly imagined contained clothes. There were two chairs situated in front of the fire and a voice emerged from one of these.

"May I enquire as to why you brought Miss Smith, Headmaster?"

It was Snape. As they entered into the room and moved to view the armchairs, Holly saw him. Snape was sitting in one armchair, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand. It was mostly gone. His black hair partially hid his face, as the flames caused shadows to shift over him. He had been staring heavily into the fire, but now his eyes coolly flickered over Holly before looking at Dumbledore.

"You expressed a wish to me, I believe, Severus," Dumbledore replied calmly.

"I thought possibly magic. Not this." Snape said curtly.

"It is the best way, Severus. As a friend, Miss Smith will be at generally the same places and she is most reliable. She can be trusted to keep a secret and her tongue."

Snape's eyes flickered over to Holly again.

"How? You want I should tell everything?" Snape asked, and there was a flash of pain in his voice for a second.

"I don't think –" Dumbledore started, but Holly interrupted.

"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore," she said quietly, "but I would like to say something. Professor Snape, you don't need to tell me everything or even anything, really. Just tell me the basics I need to know in order to help you."

Snape looked at her in silence, and then spoke.

"Very well, Miss Smith. If you truly wish to – help – me, then I accept. I need you to promise though that one: you will not unduly pry into my affairs, and two: you will keep all of this a secret."

Holly looked seriously at Snape, her ivy-green eyes meeting Snape's ebony ones.

"I understand. As strange as the idea must sound, I do wish to help in any way I am able to help. I promise not to nose about, and I promise to keep all of this a secret."

After Holly finished, Dumbledore spoke up as Snape glanced at him.

"Very well. Miss Smith, this is the crux of your assignment – keep Mr. Potter safe."

"Ha –" Holly started to ask, but then quickly stopped and nodded.

"I understand that you can't always protect him, but as much as you are able, make sure to be there for Mr. Potter."

"Protect Harry. Got it."

"Also, Miss Smith, just for tonight, there is one more thing. Professor Snape has hurt his leg and your pre-test, as it is, is to bandage that leg."

Holly swallowed and nodded. She knew what the real "pre-test" was – mainly, if she could be trusted to carry out an assignment without allowing her emotions to interfere.

The robes were pulled up, bandages conjured and, with water, the wound cleaned. As Holly wrapped the leg in white bandage, she made sure to be extra-careful in order not to cause any extra pain. After she finished, she carefully lowered the robes over the leg and asked.

"Are you able to stand on it, Professor?"

Snape slowly stood up, his free hand using Holly's shoulder as a support while rising. He limped over to the other chair and sat back down, wincing slightly.

"It holds."

Holly exhaled in relief. "Oh, good."

She may have imagined it, but it seemed like Snape's eyes widened in surprise for a second. She faced Dumbledore.

"Is that all, Professor? Or is there anything else?"

Dumbledore smiled at her. "No, there is nothing else. You may return to your house. Good night, Miss Smith."

"Good night, sir." She turned to Snape and smiled softly. "Good night, Professor Snape."

After she left, Snape turned to Dumbledore.

"Why did you choose Miss Smith, Headmaster?" Why would she want to help a hated teacher like me?

"Miss Smith had a similar childhood as yours, Severus. She wasn't physically abused, but her parents have systematically ignored her as much as possible. She has had to mature quite quickly and has a heightened intelligence." She sees things others don't, and her nature allows for a unique kindness.

And Snape realized that there was something Holly had that others of her age didn't.

Hana: okay, I added in at the end a bit of Snape's POV. Mainly because I'm going to have to start using it quite a lot in the later books, so I might as well practice now. Hope you like it. Mainly the books are going to be in Holly's POV, though.