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Hermione sat there munching her biscuit, overviewing the valley. Minerva's voice broke through her reverie 'He is talking to you while he refuses to communicate with anyone else' she said.
yes I know...
'I don't think he realises that as bluntly as you put it' she replied turning around. She had been awake since five in the morning, to talk with a pissed of Mark, that had lost his excursion to hogsmeade and then she attended Minerva's call in order to talk about Professor Snape. The Headmistress was trying to overload her with the responsibility of communicating with the Professor, but not as Hermione was doing it right now, out of pure concern. Minerva was talking about official transactions and Hermione was not willing to take over that task. They had been going back and forth this whole time and her head was growing a heavy headache. She had to remember to pass from the laboratories in order pick up some potion for her head.
And check on him..she thought.
She left him yesterday at two in the morning at his apartments and he was very tired. She assumed that upon waking up he went to the laboratories again in order to check on his potion.
'It doesn't really matter what he realises. What matters is that there someone able to communicate with him' Minerva pointed out.
'Yes, but on a very basic level' she replied turning around.
'That's all we need for now' the old witch said.
'You are not asking me to talk to him about his potions, or food nor rest. You are want me to talk to him about his exile and his unwanted return to society. Things that he doesn't want to talk about. You want me to raise painful conversations that involve the war, something that he has been clearly trying to avoid for seven years. You are asking me to bring forth his nemesis and for me to become his enemy. I don't want to do that' Hermione rubbed on her forehead.
'Someone has to make the attempt to discuss with him what matters most. There is a line of people waiting to talk to him and another much bigger line of journalists outside the doors waiting to see him. He cannot escape his fame nor his name. He is here now and he has to face us. Someone has to remind him of it. Do you think I am mistaken to remind him of reality?' Minerva asked.
Hermione raised her eyes to the Headmistress 'Considering his past and the fact that he lived exposed for more than seventeen years to mortal danger. Considering that he spent seven more years of hiding and that he preferred to be dead instead of being found, I think he would deeply appreciate an offer of obscurity for the time being' she replied solemnly.
Minerva looked towards the ceiling.
'She is right' a heavier tone said from behind the desk.
Hermione looked up. It was the portrait of the Headmaster.
'Albus, you are of the same opinion then? That we shouldn't bother him?' Minerva asked.
The Headmaster looked at them above the brim of his glasses 'When Severus came to me, a scared youth, and begged me to save Lily, I didn't really believe him. When I finally did, I just took him for granted, but I never really offered him safety' he said.
'How can you say that Albus, he had been living inside the castle all these years' Minerva intervened.
'No real safety. He was torn between two worlds, moving information secretly from one to another. Hidden in the shadows he was the everlasting ghost. Always in danger of having his cover blown over, which automatically meant death for him. He was never truly appreciated in either of these worlds, which is kind off ironic. In one he was greatly feared and in our world he was never filly trusted. He was always the first to blame, the first to be scowled at. Severus learned to live this way, torn between worlds, never truly belonging. He was either isolated or feared and he turned towards himself for comfort. He became a hermit inside a world brimming with life and he continued to live this way all these years. You cannot expect a man that has sculpted his personality so roughly to be easily approached and ready for conversation Minerva. You know all this better than I do' the old wizard said.
When he finished silence covered the room. Hermione drew a deep breath and her eyes blinked. That's when she realised with growing discomfort that they were damp 'How can we expect a man that has lived through this hell and has known no other kind of life be open to any of us?' she murmured.
'What do you want me to do Albus? I am cornered on one side by the Ministry which is getting thin on it's patience and on the other hand my school is under siege. You cannot even go for a coffee in Hogsmeade without been rallied over by the reporters. How about the children and their parents. See all this?' she asked and pointed towards a pile that reached well above her head 'These are all letters from concerned parents that demand to know the truth about our guest. Parents that are considering not sending their children next year due to the publicity this thing has taken. What would you advise me to do? He needs to come forth at one point. He cannot hide forever. Not now that we know that he is alive, don't you see?' Minerva replied exasperated.
'He is far from ready to undertake such a task Minerva. You are asking too much from him. He remains here only in the hope of healing, which on one hand is positive, but doesn't establish us as invaluable to him. He is using us, in order to make a vanishing act again' Albus said thoughtfully.
'Are you suggesting that we do nothing then?' Minerva asked.
'For the time being I think that would be most advisable' Albus nodded.
'I agree' Hermione rejoined happy in the knowledge that at least one more person inside this school shared her point of view.
'And then what? let him leave, is that it?' Minerva enquired looking from one to the other.
A long pause ensued. Hermione decided to take the step forth 'Well...' she murmured. Both Headmasters looked at her. She raised her brow 'Well, why not?' she finally said.
Minerva rolled her eyes 'I cannot do that! The Ministry will have me for lunch. They will know it was me that opened the gates to him!' she exclaimed.
'Well, he could have simply blown them up like he did last time' Hermione added with a flick of her wrist. From the corner of her eyes she saw Albus smiling at her.
'I don't find any of this the least amusing I assure you...' she turned to the portrait 'Albus!' she snapped.
'I am being very serious Minerva. The boy needs to heal and he also needs to rest after almost twenty years of running. He must feel very confused at this new ability to stop. What we should do is let him have his breather, out of respect alone. I for one don't intend to impose myself to him again' Albus said shaking his head.
'Yes well, he made it quite clear that he didn't like you around him. The dark soot is still lingering there from when he burned your portrait and no one has been able to break that charm. Poppy is cursing the day she accepted to place your portrait next to his bed' Minerva said leaning back and closing her eyes.
'Yes and I learned my lesson. Maybe you should to. He has already blown up your front door' Albus retorted.
Hermione snickered and covered her mouth with her hand. Albus looked at her and smiled 'If he would just give me a chance to speak to him. I have a lot to tell him' Minerva said with closed eyes.
'Like what?' Albus asked.
Minerva opened her eyes and looked towards the void 'I am sorry?' she said with simplicity.
Hermione sobered up very quickly.
'We all have to say we are sorry' Albus said.
'But he is not ready to accept it yet' Hermione said trying to keep her voice even.
'What was that?' Minerva asked looking at her as if she had forgotten her presence.
'I said, he is not ready to accept our apology yet' she rejoined.
'How can you know?' Minerva asked.
Albus thrust his chin forth and scrutinised her.
'Because I offered it to him' she murmured.
'When?' that was Minerva.
'Does it matter?... could have been yesterday' she replied.
'How did the opportunity arose?' the old witch enquired walking slowly towards her.
'I really don't remember. One of our talks took the right turn and I said it' she replied.
'And of course he denied it, what did you expect him Minerva?' Albus said.
Minerva passed her hands from her hair 'I suppose you are right' she said.
'He has been betrayed by all of us near his death. When he died no one went to look for him. He is justified to deny us forgiveness indefinitely' Albus said solemnly.
That is when a loud noise caught their attentions. The door opened heavily and in came an uncalled Potter. Fuming smoke from his ears and Hermione could have sworn his nostrils.
'Mr. Potter!' Minerva straightened 'What are you doing here and without knocking upon my door!' she bellowed pointing towards the aforementioned item.
'I am here as an official Ministry representative Headmistress' he said pausing in front of the desk. Not even noticing his best friend was looking at him wide eyed.
'No official business of the Ministry except WAR justifies you coming in my offices without knocking or even coming in this school without forewarning Mr. Potter!' Minerva said haughtily.
She could see Harry fuming, but to do him justice when Minerva took the offensive he did try to change the flow of the river. He buttoned up and became official. Too official for Hermione's tastes.
'Forgive me Headmistress McGonagall. My reaction a few moments ago was not very well thought, but I have reasons for doing so' he said.
Minerva weighed him with cold eyes for a couple of seconds. After a long pause she finally spoke 'To hell with your reasons Mr. Potter. You are rude. Rude I say!'
Harry suddenly broke. His shoulders slouched and his frame seemed to come undone. He passed his hand from his unkempt hair and watered his lips 'I am truly sorry Headmistress. I didn't think very clearly before attempting to see you' he said.
That is when the door opened behind him and Mr. Filch the caretaker barged in. When he saw all the attendants he stopped and took of his hat 'I am sorry Headmistress but I was trying to catch up with him...he was unstoppable' he said in a regretful tone and looked towards the ground.
'Yes thank you Mr. Filch. We shall discuss the wards later, for the time being you are excused' she said with clear dismissal and it was obvious that the squib was going to hear a lot later. Hermione would have taken a moment to feel sorry for him, if it weren't for the fact that Harry was glaring at her.
what the hell is he up to?...she thought and kept her eyes at him also.
She could feel the distress he was in and she knew why he was so, she just hoped that he would be wise enough not to discuss it right there with Minerva present. She kept her eyes on him trying to stop him from saying something unwise, but it was pointless.
'Now Mr. Potter. You are totally inexcusable and I could summon Minister Shacklebolt right this minute to call you back and give you an unforgettable punishment, but I will reluctantly withdraw my claws from you. If for nothing else, just to honour the years you have been my student, but do not count on my lenience for long Mr. Potter. Tell me quickly why you have so rudely interrupted my appointment with Miss Granger and then be on your merry merry way out of my school' the Headmistress said composing herself.
'Merry...yes...' Harry snarled '...Headmistress, Miss Granger and her new acquaintances is the reason why I am here' he said.
Oh no you bloody idiot...Hermione felt anger seething inside her. Harry had just stepped from her side and had come head to head with her. She was neither ready nor willing to give him what he wanted, not this way. Her brows knitted and soon a very deep scowl covered her forehead. Harry seemed not to notice...
'Acquaintances? What do you mean?' Minerva asked looking briefly at Hermione.
'I had politely required to be informed the moment that Professor Snape was able to communicate' Harry said.
'And you had been informed' Minerva nodded.
'Yes, but you told me he was unwilling to communicate with anyone' Harry said 'and therefore unwilling to speak to me'
'And he is' Minerva nodded again not really understanding where this was going.
'Then how may I ask he went from unwilling to speak, to speaking with Miss Granger more than once?' Harry asked.
Minerva raised her brows and leaned back 'That's not my place to say. That's between them' she said with simplicity.
Hermione almost smiled at that but Harry stopped her 'Very well, as I find it impossible to communicate with anyone in here I need you to order Miss Granger to conduct me herself in the presence of the Professor' he said.
what?
Minerva played with her glasses 'In what suit will you order me to do that Mr. Potter?' she asked loftily.
'As an Auror' he replied.
'Does Miss Granger's communication with the Professor cause an issue of safety within the magical world?' she asked
'He is a former Death Eater' Harry said.
Minerva leaned to her desk and shook her head 'You are stirring up known facts Mr. Potter. As of now is he accused of anything by the Ministry?' she asked.
Harry buttoned up 'No' he said half heartedly.
'Mr. Potter, had you been more sincere in your ways I might have even considered playing the middle woman in all this. As you are acting now I leaning on throwing you out of the door and locking it behind you. What kind of attitude is this and who do you think you are?' she asked
'Headmistress...' Harry begun his voice obviously much less demanding now that he had come face to face with the iron fist of this illustrious witch.
'Mr. Potter save it. Your role as an Auror is not required in this case. Does the Ministry even know that you have come here to order us around?' she asked.
'Minister Shacklebolt is very impatient to talk to the Professor himself, yes' Harry said gaining some of his composure back.
'Does he approve of your ways of approaching us?' Minerva insisted.
Harry winced visibly and didn't speak.
Hermione decided to step in, barely able to control her current temper that was barely controlled under a cold exterior 'Harry may I speak to you in person?' she said
He looked at her 'Mr. Potter?!' Minerva commanded.
He turned to the Headmistress 'No the Minister doesn't know what I have done today' he finally said.
Minerva rose and her brows knitted ominously 'Then get the hell out of my office, don't dare come in again without knocking and consider yourself lucky that I am not reporting you to the Ministry right now, or that I am not going to renew the wards to keep you out of this place. I will count on your fairness as a former Gryffindor and on Professor Granger's logic to put you back in shape, and I leave it at that' she said in a commanding tone.
Harry remained looking at her. Hermione chimed in again much louder 'Harry, outside now' she said and grabbed his arm. She started moving towards the door. He resisted at first, but soon followed.
When they exited the winding staircase and the eagle closed up the doorway behind them, Hermione felt her temper flaring up so badly that she barely contained herself from striking him full across the face.
'What the fuck do you think you are doing ordering me around inside my domain?!' she demanded placing her hands upon her waist.
Harry closed his eyes and placed his hands upon his forehead 'Hermione, you don't understand' he murmured not looking at her.
'Like hell I don't. Whatever your reasons Harry your attitude is inexcusable. Does Ginny know that you are here wasting our time and missing on time with your children?' she asked, her voice barely contained.
'This man, this man you are so casually talking to Hermione upon bridges about Thestrals is a man that carries valuable information about my mother. He carries valuable information about all of our past. Don't you understand that I need to talk to him' Harry said.
Hermione's eyes widened and she felt multiple shivers passing down her spine.
have you been following me around?...she bared her teeth to him and hissed 'How do you know all this?'
Harry stopped and looked at her suddenly realising that he had probably made a very serious mistake 'Hermione look...' he started attempting to touch her arm.
She slapped him hard on the hand 'Keep your filthy hands away from me. What are you doing Harry following me around? What the hell are you doing?' she asked.
'Hermione I need to speak to him...' Harry said tiredly rubbing his hand. He looked hurt, but she didn't care.
'Who cares what you need Harry? Why does everything have to revolve around you, tell me that? Other people's feelings and needs matter too! Don't wrongly assume that we all go around doing things with you in mind, get over yourself!' she shouted. Unable anymore to contain her anger.
'Listen please, I never...' Harry begun.
'Do us all a favour Harry Potter and fuck off! Get the hell out of here before I hex you to hell, but not back! I am really mad at you right now and you'd better be clever and shut your fucking mouth in front of me...and oh, don't you dare look at me like that!. After what you did today you are lucky I am still willing to debate the possibility to keep you as a friend in the near future' she barked and turned around. Not waiting for him to leave she left on her own.
'Hermione!' she heard the pained exclamation, but she was too hurt and too angry to bother.
How dare he? How dare he be the third person upon a personal conversation. How dare he intervene with his rude presence during her conversation with the Professor upon the covered bridge.
'Ugh!' she grumbled and walked quickly towards the castle kitchens. The more she thought about what he did, the madder she got with him. She wanted to talk to Minerva now to make sure she changed the wards in order to keep him out of the castle, but she rather doubted that he'd try approaching again after the belting he got from her just now.
And I was lenient...
She finally reached the kitchens and opened the doors forcefully, bringing with her an air of menace that passed to the Elves. Everyone stopped working and all turned to look at her.
'I need two steaks' she snapped.
Elsie her own Elf run to the fridge opened it up and started searching inside it. Hermione crossed her arms in front of her chest and started walking up and down the corridor speaking to herself in low tones.
'Oh, I am going to make him regret it. How dare he...how dare he? Who does he think he is? Mighty Potter my ass...' she moved quickly towards the kitchen fireplace whilst Elsie was digging to get her order.
She turned to the mantelpiece and took a handful of powder. She threw it to the fire 'Infirmary' she said and immediately the head of Poppy appeared in the fire.
'What is it Hermione? Everything all right?' the Mediwitch asked.
'Can I give Professor Snape a steak?' she asked quickly.
'A steak?! Why hell Hermione the man suffers from a very serious heart condition' Poppy replied in clear shock.
'Which was not caused by blocked arteries Poppy, nor was it caused by a medical heart malfunction. It was caused by poison, which got removed' she replied in a hurry.
Poppy seemed thoughtful for a moment 'Yes that is true, but his heart is still weak and such a meal is going to burden it a lot' she said with caution.
'What if I grill it, not fry it and I use mashed potatoes with olive oil instead of french fries on the side?' she asked.
'Well, I could consider it if you magic all the fat out of it' Poppy replied.
Hermione nodded. That was all she needed 'I will, so do I get a green light?' she asked.
'Severus asked you for a steak? I don't know what I find more intimidating. That he wants to eat steak, or that he actually communicated what he needed with you' Poppy laughed lightly.
'It doesn't matter, now do I have a go?' she asked.
'Very cautiously I say yes, but tell the elves to cook it with care as I told you' Poppy instructed.
'I am going to cook it myself' Hermione rejoined.
Poppy opened her mouth as if to say something and then decided against it.
Better that way...Hermione didn't think she could handle any inappropriate jokes about her and cooking. Mark was making enough of them already and she was not in a good mood to begin with.
'Alright thank you Poppy' she said with a forced smile. She was really not in the mood to smile at anyone.
'See you' Poppy replied and her image softly melted over the fire. Hermione looked above the mantlepiece and stroke her hand upon it 'Right!' she said and turned around only to see Elsie standing there with a large plate that had two T bone steaks on it.
'Thank you' she said and she quickly made it out of the kitchen.
All her anger got a point of relief as she had a purpose now. She was going to feed the Professor and she was not going to rest unless she made it happen. All that stressful morning she had with Minerva trying to talk her into becoming the middle-woman had overburdened her. Moreover her best friend ordering her and following her around was almost loathsome. She left the offices of Minerva in great need to strike someone, with the slightest of causes. Now walking quickly towards her rooms she had a purpose and all that negative energy found a sharp focusing point.
When she closed the doors of her rooms she was still pissed off, but not mad as hell. She huffed indignantly at her chambers and kicked off her shoes. One landed on the couch. She shed off her teaching robes and walked barefoot to the kitchen. She turned around and opened the oven. Then she looked at the stakes with a small drop of guilt as she magicked all the fat out of them.
Then she took them to the sink and cleaned them thoroughly, before placing them in the oven with a dripping pan underneath. She closed the oven door and turned around 'And now for the potatoes' she murmured.
She was searching to find them when she heard Mark speak 'Whom are you talking to?' he asked.
She yelped and straightened up quickly.
'What are you doing here?' she asked.
'I live here, remember?' he replied with a sly smile.
She forced a similar smile and resumed her search for potatoes 'I know that, I meant what are you doing in the castle instead of Hogsmeade?' she asked. Having found the wanted root she took five out and brought them to the sink to peel them.
'Nick had some business to attend to, but I will be meet him there in two hours or so' he replied looking at his pocket watch.
'Good' she murmured absentmindedly as she started peeling the potatoes carefully. That is when she felt a hand snaking around her waist. His lips landed upon her throat as the other hand moved towards her breast.
'I ate a hefty breakfast and I will eat supper with Nick in Hogsmeade, you don't have to cook anything for us' he said.
Hell...she froze in place.
There were two steak in the oven. Naturally Mark assumed that she was cooking for them. She watered her lips and slowed up on the potatoes.
'Uhm, well I forgot you were going to eat out and I unfroze them, I might as well cook them and you can eat yours tomorrow' she replied carefully.
His hand moved on her nipple and the sock registered so negatively that she slapped his hand 'Not now! I am holding a bloody knife. What do you want me to do? Cut myself?' she chastised.
'So put the knife down and lets have a nice time. I still have a couple of hours to spare' he said trying to grope her again. She pushed him back and resumed her work on the potatoes again.
'Not now! I am really not in the mood' she said becoming serious. If nothing else could have bothered her current mood then sexual groping when she was pissed did the trick. She needed an ear to listen to her, not someone to pinch her damn nipple...
No hope of finding compassion by anyone this evening...she thought bitterly.
'Oh come on, just a quickie. We haven't had sex for more than a week' he murmured near her ear.
She pushed him back again feeling her nerves tattering at the edges. She was just one step from turning around and yelling at him to keep away from her and she was also holding a freaking knife...
haha...she inwardly rejoiced in that childish reaction.
She turned around and placed the pot upon the fire and she let the potatoes boil.
'I told you, I am not in the mood' she said again and moved towards the bedroom. She needed to take a shower and also a breather until those potatoes finished.
'What happened?' he asked.
She turned around in surprise. What was that? Was he going to forget all about sex and offer her the listening ear she so wanted?
'I had a difficult morning with Minerva and also Harry made another surprise appearance in her office' she said shedding her clothes and magicking the tub full of hot bubbly water and stepped into it...
'Why what happened?' he asked.
She looked at him ...maybe he does want to listen to my problems...she thought.
She closed her eyes and abandoning herself to the hot water, she started narrating her morning to him. She could also feel him washing her arms and back softly as she spoke. The more she described it the more she got pissed again. As she rambled on about Minerva and her friend Harry, Mark did two things that totally enraged her.
The first one was that he spoke 'Why did you get mad at Minerva?' he said and at the same time he started caressing her breasts.
She got out of the bath abruptly and splashed a lot of water on him 'HEY!' he exclaimed looking at his wet clothes.
She walked quickly into the bedroom and magicked the water and soap off of her. There went to waste a perfectly good opportunity to relax after a very stressful morning. She took out her clothes and started dressing nervously.
'What the hell happened to you?' he asked following her into the bedroom.
'There I was telling you why I have a headache right now and all you want to do is grope me. THAT'S what's the matter with me!' she was trembling from anger.
'And what do you want me to tell you? That is what I believe' Mark replied.
'That I should become the middle-woman in all this?' she asked.
'Maybe you should' he replied.
'Argh...I am not making myself clear to anyone I think today. So please let's leave it at that' she rejoined and move towards the living room.
'All right Hermione I will not try to grope you again. Do you want to talk about it?' he said sitting at the couch and inviting her next to him.
She looked at him briefly and then move to the kitchen to check on the potatoes. They were almost ready and so was the meat. All she wanted was to get a move on to the laboratories. She was sure she was going to find him there.
And Mark needs to get a move on to Hogsmeade she thought. She pointed towards the clock on the wall 'You told me that in two hours you had a meeting with your friend. One hour has passed already' she said.
He looked up and immediately got serious 'Oh, I really do need to go. And I need to change my clothes. Look what you did to me' he murmured more to himself than to her as he went to the bedroom to change.
She winced as she placed the boiled potatoes on a deep bowl and started stirring them up with olive oil, salt and freshly cut onion. The only thought in her mind at that moment was to fix the plates nicely so the Professor would accept to eat better. So she hardly heard Mark's insistent chatter as he cursed about his wet clothes, which was actually for the best.
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