Outside, the rain had turned to snow. The Whomping Willow shook its branches in seeming delight at the light flakes that danced in the first rays of dawn like sleepy snidgets. Rubeus Hagrid inhaled deeply all the smells of the cold wintry morning and a wide smile spread across his rosy face. The half-giant stretched his hefty arms over his head and let out a long winded breath, his eyes searching the white sky for lingering signs of the storm.
"Looks clear…smells clear"
Fang clumsily pushed his head past Hagrid's hand and undecidedly sniffed the air.
"A'right thar Fang?" The boarhound cocked his head and whimpered a little in response, cowering back into the warm cottage.
"Suit yerself then, you great coward…but thar's a nice cut of meat init fer ya" Fang raised his eyes to meet his master's and licked his chops energetically before bounding out into the snow.
"Thar now" the giant of a man grinned. "It's a fine day fer it!" He beamed as the two set out into the forest in search of the perfect Christmas trees.
"It won't do, Albus"
"Severus, my dear boy- I assure you he will be just fine."
Severus Snape had spent hours interrogating the Headmaster about Thomas Crowe's newfound "position" amongst the remaining Death Eaters.
"Why wasn't I told?"
"You asked me that already and I will tell you exactly as I told you before…" The old wizard smiled warmly and popped another lemon drop in his mouth. "There couldn't be any connection between you and the boy…it would have been far too obvious."
Severus folded his arms across his chest with a scowl. The old man was right and he knew it; all the same, he didn't like being excluded from "Order" business.
"Who else knows?"
"No one."
The dark wizard's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Have you gone mad?!"
"Not completely" Albus chuckled.
"Have you any idea what kind of risk you've placed him in?"
"Severus- that's the idea!"
The potion's master pinched the bridge of his stately nose and sat down across from the doddering old wizard. It was bad enough that half of the Order had no idea that the Dark Lord had returned, but now…
"My boy, Thomas Crowe is no ordinary young man. Not only is the boy an animagus but he has an absolute knack for occlumency. He has a spark, Severus…he has…"
"a bone to pick with Lucius Malfoy?"
At this, Dumbledore's expression grew quite dismal.
"What do you know of the matter?"
"I know that Thomas Crowe has told Malfoy it was muggles who violated his mother's body and mind." The black eyed wizard drew in a deep breath, "I also know that it was in fact Lucius that killed Phinneus Crowe and reduced Isabeaura to her…current state." His eyes wandered the room for a moment. "I never could find a motive for Lucius' actions in the matter of Mrs. Crowe…It always disturbed me until…"
Dumbledore raised one gray eyebrow in expectation.
"Until last night"
"What has happened Severus?"
At this, the potion's master stood very cautiously and crossed the room to a nearby window. So much of the past had never made sense to him. Katrina's sudden disappearance, Isabeaura's madness and Katrina's apparent "suicide" had never sat well with him and after all this time he finally knew why. "Has he gained any new information?"
Dumbledore sighed and sat back in his chair. "Nothing terribly useful. Though he does report that Voldemort has an urgent interest in Miss Granger, excuse me- Miss Malfoy. I've been keeping close watch on the matter and Thomas has been shadowing her over this last month." The old wizard sighed. "I do fear it is only a matter of time before we must alert the younger Order members, as well as the ministry members, that he has indeed returned… I still can think of no reason why our Head Girl should be of any interest to him though."
Severus Snape turned to face Albus. His eyes were steady and held an inescapable sadness as he reached into his pocket and pulled the folded up postcard from the black fabric. He warily handed it to the Headmaster before standing and crossing to the window to stare at the motionless morning sky.
"What is it, boy?"
In the Great Hall, first years rushed through breakfast and readied themselves for the various "cram" sessions that always seemed to fall on Sundays. Harry Potter's green eyes scanned the table for Ginny's familiar smile but to no avail. The young witch had purposely not come down to breakfast and was in fact still in her pajamas, wiping away at her tears and regretting everything she had revealed the previous night. Harry sighed inwardly and tried to appear interested as Ron and Seamus discussed the latest in turbo brooms and the upcoming Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
"I think it's pretty clear the game's a lock, Hufflepuff's a sure win" Ron beamed as he tore into a plate of stuffed French toast.
"Oi- you're just sayin' that cause of that chesty beater- what's her name again? Sarah McMummers –right?"
"She's not chesty…she's…"
At that moment, said Hufflepuff, strode by with an uncharacteristically serious looking Luna Lovegood in tow.
"Hi Ronald" The chestnut haired girl giggled.
Ron, flustered as he was, swallowed his un-chewed food in one gulp. "Hi Sarah".
The two exchanged an awkward glance before she retreated to her house table. Seamus slapped Ron's back with a laugh and the boys continued their breakfast. Harry noticed Neville Longbottom sitting alone at the end of the table. He thought about what Neville had said- how he had seemed so "grown up" in his moment of defending Luna.
"Remember that Harry?" Ron snorted.
"I'm sorry- what?"
"Remember that play the other day?" Ron urged "Gryffindor utterly pounded Slytherin!"
"Oh…right" he mumbled, half-listening. "Excuse me for a minute" He rose from the table and approached Neville, a little unsure of why he felt compelled to do so. The boys hardly noticed him leave and went right back to their mindless Quidditch talk. "Alright there Neville?"
The stoic faced boy looked up at the Boy-who-lived and looked as though he'd been through a war. Sitting across from him, Harry watched Neville's eyes dart from his cold oatmeal to the back of Luna's blonde head.
"I'm…I'm just very tired…didn't sleep much"
Harry was silent for a minute, racking his brain for what to say. Hermione was always the voice of reason when it came to emotional matters. What would she have said? Harry looked around the room- where was she anyway? In fact, it dawned on Harry that he hadn't seen Hermione in what seemed like days.
"Harry?"
His attention was immediately brought back to the broken young man in front of him. "Yes Neville?"
"Harry- I'm going to be a father."
For a minute, Harry was very calm as if he had finally been told the meaning of life. Then the horror struck him like a mad Hippogriff. His green eyes flashed at Luna and then back at Neville. It all made sense now.
"Neville…wow…I mean…I'm sorry- I mean, I'm sorry for what Ron and Ginny…I had no idea…what…I mean…wow."
"I know" The tall wizard's voice was feeble and low.
"Is Luna alright?" Harry attempted to gain control of his obvious shock.
"I think so…it's just- she's so…she seems so sad- what if she doesn't want her"
"Hang on…her?"
"Her name's Angelica…you know- for Angelica Sylvestris…itsin the family of Apiaceae…it's used for…"
"You've picked a name?" Harry watched Luna stand as she walked over to the Hufflepuff table to visit with Sarah McMummers some more. "Surely you don't know for sure- I mean, Luna doesn't even look…you know…"
"Pregnant?" Neville stared at his oatmeal.
"Yes…yes, that. I mean, you can't possibly know if it's a girl yet…can you?"
Neville sighed. "Maybe one day you'll understand Harry…I can't explain it really…I just know things about the two of them now…It's like…like…"
"Magic?" A small, light voice bounced off Neville's ear and he lifted his eyes to meet the luminescent face of none other than Luna Lovegood.
Harry stared at the couple, wide-eyed and with a newfound admiration and maybe, just a hint of confusion.
"Luna…I…I was just talking to Harry about…about…"
"Quidditch" Harry quickly spat out.
"I don't mind if Harry knows. Babies are kind of like knotgrass gnomes after all."
And with that, Luna kissed the top of Neville's head and slowly skipped out of the Great Hall- leaving everyone at Gryffindor table quite stunned by the outward display of affection towards gangly, clumsy Neville Longbottom.
"Are you sure of this Severus?"
"I'm nearly positive…what else could be assumed Headmaster?"
Albus sat at his desk, fingers trailing through his snow-white beard in deep contemplation. The implications of this mysterious postcard to Katrina Malfoy, Hermione's true mother, were certainly disturbing though not complete proof of what his most trusted Order member had suggested. Albus had to be sure.
"Well…it would certainly explain his interest in her"
Severus said nothing. He was replaying the events in his mind which had led him thus far. If he was right, he would never be able to look at little know-it-all Hermione Granger the same again. He suddenly remembered her lips against his skin; recalling to memory the soft fragrance of orchid and fresh mint that emitted from her soft curls. The listless look in his eyes did not go unnoticed by the Headmaster and he immediately turned his attention to the languid expression which was all but plastered to the Potion Master's normally obstinate face.
"Tell me, Severus…how did you say you came to be in possession of this postcard again?" He eyed the postcard and the raised his twinkling eyes above the rim of his round spectacles. The dark wizard's relaxed face suddenly tightened as he narrowed his coal black eyes in annoyance.
"I told you already- Miss Granger practically shoved it in my face!"
"I see" He paused, giving a knowing nod to Fawkes. "And why was Miss Malfoy in your rooms again?"
"I wish you would stop calling her that" Severus folded his arms and turned away from the older wizard. "And for your information, that insufferable little billywig was in my rooms because she barged in completely uninvited; demanding answers to her questions regarding Katrina's wand!"
"I see…" he smiled warmly and played with the dog-eared corners of the little postcard.
Severus began to grind his teeth. "Miss Granger is playing a very dangerous game Albus and I demand to know what you intend to do to…ensure the safety…of the students."
"I see"
"Stop saying that!"
Fawkes cocked his head in deep speculation, mimicking his master's every move.
"Severus," he quietly stood from his desk and crossed the room to face the distraught professor, "I am sure the…students" he chuckled, "will be just fine…as for Miss Granger, I'm afraid the task falls on you." He patted Severus on the shoulder and turned to leave.
"Me?!!!" He practically shouted.
"Naturally"
Severus inhaled to voice his protest. "Katrina wanted you to be her guardian- and if you're thoughts are right regarding her father, I hope that you will seriously consider it" He bowed his head to make his exit but stopped suddenly. "Incidentally Severus- and please, forgive my old age- but- what exactly are the effects of the billywig's sting again?"
Professor Snape was so drained and shocked by the turn of events, that he absentmindedly answered with a flat textbook answer that rivaled Hermione Granger herself! "Billywig stingers often cause giddiness and levitation. Dried they can be used to enhance.. love potions"
"I see."
Hagrid lugged the last of twelve large Christmas trees through the large oak doors and into the Main Hall of the castle. Fang followed closely behind, nipping at stray pine needles as they fell to the floor.
"Thar now…that's the last of em"
"Hello there Hagrid"
"Ron, Harry" The half-giant gently bowed.
"These look great!" Ron's face lit up like a five year old.
"Wheres our Hermione then?"
"Haven't seen her all day- probably in the library." Ron rolled his eyes and gave Fang a firm pat on the head.
"Jus like er mother" he sighed quietly, lost in memories of a Hogwarts gone by.
"What did you say?" Harry's eyes bore into the massive man's flushed face.
"I shouldn't hav sed that"
"You knew?!"
"Well…"
"Hagrid…what else do you know?"
"Well…I can't really say fer sure…I knew her mum" he chortled "sweet girl, her brother though- right nasty bit o' wizard"
"What?!"
"I shouldn't hav sed that"
Harry and Ron exchanged a bewildered glance. Brother? They had to find out more- if not for Hermione's sake- to quench their own growing curiosity with their best friend's unfolding inheritance.
"Hagrid- what was her last name?"
"It was…well…I really don't think the Headmaster would want me ter be sayin'-" He whispered low as a group of Slytherins slinked by.
"Hagrid- we have to find out"
"Yeah- it's driving Hermione bats!" Ron added with a concerned smirk.
"Ask the lake snake Harry" The giant winked and bent down to lift one of the trees. "If he trusts ya- he might tell ya"
"The lake snake? No way! Remember what happened when you told us to follow the spiders?!" Ron squealed.
"Well" Hagrid began walking toward the Great Hall "Two of yeh could always ask Professor Snape"
Harry and Ron gulped in unison.
"I think we'll take our chances with the Lake Snake, thanks."
Severus Snape sat very still in his room. The sun had gone down hours ago and a fire blazed before him much in the way that a fire had been lit within him. The spark to ignite him? Hermione Malfoy. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He couldn't allow these thoughts to penetrate his cold fortress of hate and apathy that he had agonizingly built around his heart long ago. And yet, somehow SHE had done it. SHE had made him care for her. He glanced at the broken frame on the table next to him.
"You can't care about anything, can you. You can't
because you're wicked! You're cruel and self-absorbed.
You're nothing but a great coward!"
Her words continued to sting him. Why should he care for such a vicious little witch? Why should he care whether or not that little know-it-all was safe? He ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled deeply. He hoped, as much as he knew how to hope, that he was dead wrong about the girl's father. But in the deep of his soul, he knew he was right and he knew that one way or another, the little pure blood with the golden eyes would be his undoing.
Hermione yawned as she sat up from the Gryffindor common room sofa, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. No sooner had she awoken, she heard someone enter the room behind her but was somehow unable to turn her body.
"Miss Granger?" The voice caressed her body like a silken shawl. She shuddered a little and continued attempting to turn around to put a face to the voice. She felt two hands descend upon her from behind; long spindly fingers wrapping around her shoulders, turning her finally to the black gaze of "Professor Snape!" She gasped.
Hermione practically leapt from the sofa. Little beads of sweat lined her hairline and her golden eyes flashed across the room, but there was no one there. She let out a sigh of relief and exhaustion and lazily collapsed back down onto the lumpy sofa. This was not the first nightmare she'd had which involved her Potions Master- but it was the first time she hadn't wanted to wake up. At this thought, Hermione shot straight up again and shook her head. Why was he affecting her this way? It suddenly donned on the young witch that she had in fact kissed said Potions Master. That part of last night hadn't been a dream; of that she was sure. She slid her mother's wand out of her sleeve and examined the rubbed wood closely. If what Professor Snape had told her was the truth, then she was in possession of a very unique wand indeed. She wondered what sort of rare snake the venom could have come from. She would most certainly be checking out every book on rare snakes the library had to offer.
She glanced at the enchanted clock in the far corner; it was nearly 5:00 in the evening! How could she have slept her Sunday away?! Hermione groaned and flopped once again back onto the sofa. She knew it was only a matter of time before she would be interrogated by Ron and Harry about her disappearing act, and of course she still had Dumbledore to inform about Draco's "extra-curricular" activities involving Death Eaters and there would most certainly be detention to deal with eventually for her "misconduct" with Professor Snape. She forced herself to stand and grudgingly made her way up the stairs to her room. She still had exams to study for and a paper to write for Flitwick! As she entered the room, Crookshanks hurried over to her and nuzzled his head against her legs for some attention.
"Oh Crooks…" she sighed heavily and picked up the orange ball of fluff, hugging him to her heart. "I'm so confused." She crossed her room and plopped Crookshanks down on her bed, reaching her hands behind her head to unclasp her necklace. The portly feline studied her every move and when he was satisfied that she had settled in for the night, he curled up in a tight ball and drifted off to sleep amongst his mistress' pillows. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Men" she huffed and was about to enter her bathroom when something caught her eye by the fireplace. She approached the object slowly and a single tear slid down her tired face. Sitting on the mantle was the broken frame. Young Snape peered out from behind the cracked glass while Katrina playfully teased him. Hermione felt her breath hitch a little as she stared back at him.
"Excuse me? Madame?" An orderly knocked furiously on the heavy hospital door. "Madame- my supervisor needs to identify you at once- you have no authorization to be in this wing at St. Mungo's" There was no answer from the room. When Narcissa Malfoy had originally entered the hospital, she had used the false name of Priscilla Dibbs. She knew it would take at least 24 hours for them to realize her ruse and by then, she had planned to be as far from St. Mungo's as possible.
"Madame- we will be forced to take extreme measure if you do not identify your purpose for visiting patient 1113."
There was again, silence. After another minute of coaxing, the orderly set his wand to the door. "Confringo!"
The door was blasted away, revealing an empty room.
Isabeaura Serpentsoot was gone.