Chapter 21: Knowledge is Power

*"The Prophet's got it right," said Harry, looking up at them both with a great effort: Hermione seemed frightened and Ron amazed.

"That glass ball that smashed wasn't the only record of the prophecy. I heard the whole thing in Dumbledore's office, he was the one the prophecy was made to, so he could tell me. From what it said," Harry took a deep breath,

"it looks like I'm the one who's got to finish off Voldemort. ... At least, it said neither of us could live while the other survives."

The three of them gazed at one another in silence for a moment.*

Hermione shivered as the wind picked up, winding a few loose strands of hair around her face and neck. Spring always seemed a long time coming up in Scotland. She had followed Snape down, outside of the Hogwarts gates and grounds for this evenings lesson. The sky was already getting dim and she really wished she had more than her standard uniform and cloak to protect her from the elements. A muggle ski-suit perhaps…

'You've learned how to apparate?' he asked, interrupting her thoughts of warmer clothes and hot butter beer.

She nodded. She had gotten quite used to apparating into the hoop and back out during their lessons.

'I'll apparate to a few locations and you will follow me. Quickly, and as quietly as possible. You need to be able to apparate safely at a moments notice.'

Hermione did not yet possess a license, but they were so close to Hogwarts, she knew nobody would trace the apparition to her. Besides, the extra practice couldn't hurt. Snape apparated a few feet away and gestured towards her, all she heard was a very faint pop. She quickly followed, but hers made a larger, almost banging sound and she stumbled slightly as she landed near him. He looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

'Well, at least you managed not to splinche yourself.' He drawled.

Before she could respond, he had apparated a few feet away and gestured to her. She tried again. And again. And again.

A few moments later, he held up his hand to signify a pause. She was breathing hard, but she had gotten better. She still made a loud bang, but her landings were getting smoother and she was responding faster.

'You are improving a bit.' He said, looking down at her. They were standing close, a result of her last apparition, enough that she had to tilt her head back to see him.

'How do I make it quiet, like yours?' She asked.

'The sound is made due to the air, it rapidly moves to fill in the space you were formerly occupying. When you disapparate you create a sort of vacuum.' He said, his voice falling into a rhythm she was familiar with from his usual classroom lectures.

'Most wizards will naturally start to compensate for that as they become familiar with apparition. If the air nearest you is in motion, it will more easily move into the space you leave.'

'In motion? How –' She started to ask, imagining herself calling up a great gust of wind.

'Not a lot of motion, just some slight movement.' He said, anticipating her question. 'Its performed wandlessly – you imagine the air swirling, just a little in front of you to start. There is an incantation you can think – although it would be best to train yourself to do it without the incantation, to perform the spell automatically when you apparate.' He stepped up next to her, and said 'movere caeli' outloud. She felt the slightest bit of breeze against her face.

'Now, try to use the incantation but do not speak it.' He instructed. Having mastered the skill in her Defense classes, she was able to call up the spell wordlessly. He nodded once before popping away again.

The next time Hermione apparated to him there was a crack, not nearly as loud as the bang she had created before. She wasn't quite as subtle about the spell to move the air around, though, taking an extra moment to implement the spell before spinning into her apparition. It was another 30 minutes before she was satisfied with the quiet pop that her apparition made. She landed near him, looked up and beamed.

'I did it! That was much quieter!' He nodded once in response.

'Acceptable. Keep in mind, Miss Granger, a loud report is expected when someone has just learned to apparate. There is no need to be quiet or subtle in front of an audience for your practice lessons, or when you obtain your license. It may even benefit you if people assume that you cannot apparate quietly and with stealth.'

She nodded in understanding, feeling somewhat bewildered at his forward thinking. She would never have considered trying to hide her new ability. It was a good idea, but she did feel a slight pang of disappointment – knowing she wouldn't be able to show off her new ability when they practiced in Hogsmeade. Everyone would have been so surprised and impressed that she could do it so quietly.

'You have improved but you are still taking too much time to think about it before you apparate. The faster you can perform this skill the safer you will be. It will be advantageous to make a swift escape when necessary –in times when your attention will be divided, or you are under great stress.' Hermione nodded. She would need to keep practicing when she could. They would be allowed to try for their licenses soon and then she could practice whenever she wanted.

'Come, its late and we have lost the light, you must return to your common room.' He said, striding off in the direction of the castle.

Severus didn't see Miss Granger again until the following week. She arrived, promptly as ever, but as she came and sat before him he could see a familiar look of determination in her eyes and a stubborn set to her chin. It usually meant he needed to either brace himself for a multitude of questions or that she had something she was particularly excited to discuss with him. He waited a beat and just looked at her.

'You have something to say.'

'Sir?'

'You clearly have something you need to discuss, you may as well get on with it.' He said, raising his eyebrow at her.

'Its about Harry.' She said. Looking down at her feet for a minute.

I should have known. He thought bitterly - Its always about Mr. Potter.

'What about him?' He asked, he wasn't completely successful in keeping the emotion out of his voice.

'Well, as I predicted, he hasn't let this Malfoy thing go. And it's becoming a problem, because now he has proof as to what Malfoy is doing. I can't say anything to dissuade him, sir!' This was released in a rush, as if she had been holding the information in for too long.

'Proof? You had better start at the beginning, Miss Granger. What do you mean he has proof?'

'Harry had some house-elves follow Malfoy around. They figured out that he has been going into the Room of Requirement… er, do you know-?'

'Yes, yes, where your friend staged his unfortunate little club last year,' He said. Gesturing for her to continue.

Her eyes widened at his response, but she just nodded.

'Yes, well, Malfoy is going there for long periods of time. We think he has Crabbe and Goyle using Polyjuice potion and standing guard. The other day we walked by and a little girl, a firstie, dropped some scales. I just repaired them and we kept walking, but once we talked to Dobby and Kreacher, we figured out that was probably a signal to Malfoy and that girl was probably one of his friends using Polyjuice.'

He thought for a moment. So that was where Draco was going. There was no way he could get in the room to see it, he knew enough about how that room worked, but perhaps he could use this knowledge to his advantage with Draco… to trick him into telling him more about his work.

'You're sure about the Polyjuice?'

'Well there was a cauldron full of it that we all had access to- it would have been easy enough for them to nick some.'

He nodded. 'I see. '

'Sir, the thing is, Harry is obsessed!' Her voice had gone up and octave – signaling her frustration at this.

'Harry won't let it go. He is supposed to be doing other things- more important things for Dumbledore- but he just spends all of his time trying to get into that room so he can see what Draco is doing.'

Severus looked at her for a moment, wondering how much she would be willing to share.

What was Potter supposed to be doing for Dumbledore? What did they do during his lessons?

Granger probably knew. Potter would tell his two closest friends, wouldn't he? He wondered if he could manipulate her into revealing more to him.

'The magic of that room won't allow Mr. Potter to gain entrance,' he said.

'Yes, I've tried to tell Harry. Draco would have set it up so that it would remain a secret… I don't think Harry will be able to make the room work for him in that way.'

'So, he spends all of his time in the hallway- in front of that door?' He was stalling, asking her obvious questions as he tried to think about how he could direct the conversation.

'Yes, sir… he was late to class today because I think he was up in that hallway trying again. I know that you and Dumbledore want me to dissuade him. I really wish he would concentrate on the memory, rather than whatever it is that Malfoy is up to, but he won't listen to me.'

He tried to keep his face impassive. Memory? What memory? Despite his attempt, she must have seen something in his face.

'Professor…' She started, her face was screwed up in confusion, as she leaned forward. 'Has Dumbledore told you about his lessons with Harry?'

His whole body tensed up as he struggled not to reveal his emotions.

'Not… as such, Miss Granger.' He felt cold. He hated to admit to her that Dumbledore didn't trust him with this information. He wondered if her perception of him would change if she realized that Dumbledore kept things from him, that Dumbledore was selective in the information imparted. Would she see him as the other members of the order saw him, as a traitor and a pariah?

'Why wouldn't he tell you?' She said in a low voice, one that vibrated with intensity. 'He doesn't trust you, is that it? After all you've done and what he is asking of you?'

She stood up abruptly, and paced the length of the room a couple of times before sitting down again.

For a brief moment he wanted to smile or perhaps even laugh at her actions. She was muttering to herself and gesturing with her arms as she walked back and forth rapidly in front of him. When she was seated again, he composed his face into a glare in her direction.

'If you are quite done with these theatrics?' He said as curtly as he could manage after watching her display.

'Prof…Sir…I'd like to tell you some stuff. C-could we have some tea?' she asked in a small but determined voice.

Severus regarded the girl in front of him. She wanted to tell him something… perhaps several somethings. He should turn her down. Tell her to go back to her common room. She shouldn't be talking to him about this – he was a death eater and possibly a traitor.

He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a precipice. Knowledge was power -especially for a spy and double agent -but it could also be his downfall. He stood abruptly- she was still watching him warily.

'Come, this discussion might be better conducted in my quarters.'

I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

Hermione didn't bother to hide her surprise when her professor invited her into his quarters. She had never seen anything beyond his office. She followed him through the door into a small living room. It was comfortable and almost cozy, more so than she would have expected. He gestured towards the overstuffed couch that was situated in front of the fireplace before calling his elf for tea.

Hermione's head felt as if it was on a swivel as she tried to quickly take in her surroundings. She saw a large desk in the corner, multiple bookshelves, lined almost every wall -she itched to get a closer look- and a fluffy rug was situated in middle of the room. Snape laid a tea tray on the coffee table and chose a chair that was at angles with the couch.

Hermione stayed quiet as he poured their tea and handed her a cup. This was definitely the point of no return for her. She had already been feeding information to Vector for the matrix… she felt, though, that she could find a reasonable excuse for everything she was saying. If she started talking to Snape tonight, she would blatantly be changing the script that Dumbledore was carefully laying out for them. She would no longer be filling the role of foot-soldier to Dumbledores' General. Even as she tried to talk herself out of it, Hermione knew she was going to do it.

'I decided something at Christmas.' She said.

'Something about information. Dumbledore keeps so much information from all of us. Have you ever considered what may have happened if we had been given more information? Every year it seems as if just being given a bit more information may have prevented some sort of disaster. First year with the sorcerers stone, third year with Professor Lupin and Sirius, and Merlin, last year at the department of mysteries!' She unconsciously reached up and rubbed the scar that stretched up to her collarbone.

Snape's face was blank and he remained quiet, calmly stirring his tea.

'Since Christmas time, when we discussed Harry's suspicions about Draco, I've been thinking its time to change things. We shouldn't be pawns in some game that Dumbledore is playing. He isn't planning on telling anyone about what you have to do, is he?'

Her professor slowly shook his head, just once. If she hadn't been watching him she would have missed it.

'You said you only know part of the prophecy. You also said you don't know what Dumbledore is talking to Harry about this year. I want to tell you.'

Snape glared at her and opened his mouth but she held up her hands- to ward off whatever he might have said.

'I've already started telling professor Vector stuff – its carefully edited, but it is information that was necessary to the matrix. I think we all could use a bit more communication. Dumbledore won't be here for long – why are we keeping his secrets for him?'

Snape set his tea on the coffee table and looked down at his lap. It was several minutes before he spoke. Hermione stirred some honey into her tea and had few bracing sips as she waited. When he did speak, his voice was low and gravelly.

'I think your suggestion… has merit.'

'However,' He continued in a curt voice, 'I will not tell you anything. This is not an exchange of information Miss Granger. I am simply letting you speak.'

Hermione couldn't help the slow smile that creeped across her face.

'I understand, sir, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to.' She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and took a deep breath.

'Let me start with the prophecy. I don't know the exact wording, but Harry told us that Dumbledore told him, and it basically says that Harry has to be the one to kill Vol- er… you know who.' Hermione said, looking at her lap as she tried to remember her conversation with the boys this summer.

'Neither can live while the other survives. That's what Harry said, I think he was quoting the prophecy when he said that part. Apparently Trelawny said it to Dumbledore a long time ago, when Harry was a baby and that set everything in motion…'

She looked up and stopped speaking abruptly. Snape looked stricken. His face was pale, more so than usual, and his eyes looked bleak and far-away. She honestly hadn't thought the prophecy was that big of a revelation – after all the stories in the prophet about Harry being the chosen one… she and Ron were pretty much expecting it… why was Snape reacting so emotionally to it?

'Sir?' No response, he didn't seem to be hearing her.

'Professor, are you ok?'

Snape blinked and once again his face was back to its usual impassive mask, the stricken look could have just been something she imagined.

'Are you ok, sir?'

'Yes, quite.' He was quiet for a moment longer before speaking.

'So, the prophecy is the reason Dumbledore is so concerned with Potters survival. He will be the one to destroy the dark lord.'

'I suppose you could say the Daily Prophet got something right for once… all those articles this summer about how he is the chosen one weren't too far off.'

'And Dumbledore's lessons this year are to that end?'

Hermione nodded.

'We thought he was going to teach Harry defense when we heard about the lessons. You know, really advanced stuff, like hexes and shields and stuff like that. But they aren't doing that at all. They are looking at memories mostly. Stuff about you-know-who's past, even stuff about his family before he was born. Dumbledore told Harry that he thought it was really important that Harry know all this if he is to defeat… er… fulfill the prophecy.'

Snape raised one eyebrow. This was unexpected. He didn't know what he had thought Dumbeldore was discussing with Potter, but The Dark Lord's family and past? He wondered at its significance.

Hermione started at the beginning and told Snape everything she could remember from what Harry had told her. All the memories Harry had viewed and what he had told her about them. Snape had listened quietly and she wondered if he had known about Tom Riddles humble beginnings.

'The last one that Harry saw had been tampered with.' She said, as she finished her tale.

'Dumbledore obtained it from Slughorn and Harry said it was pretty obvious that something was wrong with the memory, it was foggy somehow. Dumbledore has tasked Harry with getting the real memory from Slughorn. That's what Harry should be working on, I think. He asked Slughorn once, but it was a pretty clumsy effort and now it will be even harder to get. Slughorn has been wary since then.'

'What was the memory about?'

'Well, apparently you-know-who was one of Slughorns students here at Hogwarts, he was part of his club. In this memory, he asks Slughorn about horcruxes.'

Snape sat up straighter in alarm.

'Are you sure?'

'Yes, do you know what they are? I can't find anything in the library!'

'Start from the beginning, tell me everything that Potter told you.'

So Hermione did so, Harry wasn't great on recounting details so she couldn't tell him much more, to be honest, but she also talked about her fruitless search in the library, and the one sole reference she was able to find.

'There wouldn't be any information available in the Hogwarts library, Miss Granger. A Horcrux is an abomination and it really is born of true evil.'

Hermione looked at him wide-eyed. Harry must get that memory! She thought to herself, she would redouble her efforts to convince him.

Snape stood abruptly.

'I think its time you go back to your common room, it is past curfew – I will walk you back.' He said, heading towards the door.

Hermione hastily put her teacup down and scrambled to follow him. She didn't know what to expect but it wasn't this. He hadn't really acknowledged much of what she had told him. He hadn't answered her question about Horcruxes. What were they? How did he feel about the information she had just given him? She knew he had listened carefully but she had no indication as to how he felt about it all.

He was silent as she followed him up to the Gryffindor common room, he walked quickly and she had to trot every few steps just to keep up. He stopped abruptly before they reached the portrait and looked down at her with an intent expression.

'Sir?'

'I must consider everything, Miss Granger.'

'Of course, I understand.' She nodded, looking up at his face, trying to get a sense of his thoughts or emotions.

'I… it was useful to hear…' He stopped and she was surprised to see him at a loss for words. He stood for a moment longer looking down at her as she returned his gaze. He reached over and touched her hand, just lightly, a few fingers barely brushing against hers. She felt the soft touch with every nerve-ending in her arm.

'I think you made the right decision.' He said finally, before turning on his heel and walking away.

She stood in the hall and watched him retreat, feeling a small bubble of happiness at his words.

She had done the right thing!

AN: I thought this chapter would include our upcoming Easter Holidays but it just didnt work out. There was too much going on and that will have to be in our next chapter. As a Holiday gift, i did give you an extra long chapter that is just full of interaction between our two heroes. I'll tell you there were two points that would have served as stopping points but I didn't want to leave you with a Holiday cliffhanger! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you celebrate, I'll wish you a wonderful holiday or at least I wish that you are enjoying a long weekend or a day off or two.