Disciple A/N: Sorry it took so long to update this. I shared in some of the ideas for this scene, I think... but SOTM wrote it. Collaboration returns next chapter

SOTM- I'm making things more complicated with this than it has to be... but for the sake of what we plan to be a damn good story, the show must go on.

We dont get paid, but reviews keep us going.


Hermione had been sent through the floo first, after Harry's very insisting 'Ladies first' comments. In truth, he was afraid of being turned into an hourglass for wasting the Headmistress' time. Upon arrival they were greeted by a familiar spectacle covered scowl.

"Hello Professor," Hermione greeted first.

Harry stepped by her side, "Ma'am."

"It's been sometime since you two were under my charge. You may call me, Minerva." She corrected.

He shook his head, "No offence, but I went through too many years of your teaching to not call you Ma'am."

Her stone expression finally cracked, "Very good, Mr. Potter. Have a biscuit." She waved her hand and a small covered platter appeared at the corner of her desk.

He smiled and stood up a bit straighter as he stepped forward, "Thank you."

Once his hand was in the small box of cookies the lid suddenly slammed shut on his fingers, trapping it in the box. Aged slender fingers keeping the force down to keep him there. Harry looked up to the familiar face of lost house points past.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter…." Her voice was calm. "Why you want to disturb the dead." Her tone changed, the Scottish temper appearing, "Let alone that of the most deserving of peace!"

Hermione spoke up first, "Professor, the Ministry has reason to believe-"

"Don't speak for Mr. Potter," she snapped.

"Snape's alive!" He choked out in panic as he finally pulled his hand out. "At least that's what Scab-"

"We can't discuss all the details of the case." Hemione cut in with a harsh look towards her partner. "But yes, there are claims that Professor Snape is alive."

She set the box of bait cookies back on the tray, "Pray tell who would claim such a thing?"

"A Death Eater named Scabior." He shrugged off Hermione's swat to the arm, "It's McGonagall. Besides, she won't give us access to the grave unless we give her good enough reason, you know that."

"All of this for a low ranked Death Eater who's been on the run since the final battle? I would hope both of you were wiser than that." She tusked.

Hermione's head shot back with the verbal blow to her ego, "Ma'am?"

She clasped both hands in front of her and looked down at both sternly, "Have you not considered this Scabior is perhaps someone who would gain favor from the papers?"

Harry came around first, "You're saying another Lockhart."

Hermione ignored him, she was offended, "Of course I considered it! I considered it the whole three months I worked the case, the five weeks I spent tracking him through Germany in the wettest months, and as I dueled him against the slew of unforgivables cast at me during his arrest. During his interrogation, he was of no right mind to speak even in first person. I assure you, Scabior is not looking to make a few Knutss off publicity to add to his books in Azkaban."

Harry's eyes widened and he slowly shuffled his feet to where he wasn't standing between the two women, "I don't think that's what she meant…"

"If he's someone trying to lure the Golden Trio away from the Ministry to leave it unprotected?" McGonagall shot back.

"When isn't someone?" he realized his smart tone in error, "Ma'am."

Her lips pursed tightly before speaking, "Miss Granger, I had hoped that you had at least considered the timing of such claims."

Her face dropped, eyes widening and a pink tint on her cheeks, "I…"

"Timing?" Harry asked, looking to Hermione.

"She's talking about the elections." She cleared her throat.

"Has the Minister considered the uproar and slander this would cause?" she asked.

Harry rubbed his forehead out of habit, "That's why he was so upset…"

Hermione squared her shoulders and took in a deep breath, "The Minister has considered it, with upmost care. The same questions were posed, until new ones arose during review of the evidence."

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the letter and gave it to her. The woman they held in such high regard, who had taken four stunners to the chest and lived, rallied the troops at the final battel and kept the Order together suddenly reached for her desk to steady herself.

"Where did you get this?"

Harry reached out to help her, walking her around to the large wingback chair behind her desk, "Scabior had it on him, said the Legal Assassin told him to deliver it to him. We understand Mad- I mean, Moody died July of '97 and Snape just five months before the date on this letter."

"Confirmed?" she meant the dates. He hummed and nodded. "The letter, may I?" She asked and flipped it over.

Hermione cleared her throat, "That's the thing, Professor. We can't open it. There's an enchantment on it, confirmed by Bill and Fleur Weasley. We were researching it when you called us. Scabior stated that he got two other objects from Professor Snape's grave, neither of which were buried with him."

Harry pulled the wand and the mask from his inner robes, placing them both on the desk before her, "These were on his persons, the wand matches Ministry records. The mask we still need to confirm."

"I can confirm that for you, Mr. Potter. I've held gaze to that unsightly monstrosity many times." she replied sadly. "Well then…" she looked down at the writing with the familiar names, "Apologies, Miss Granger. It seems the Minister has fully considered what publicity follows from these actions. Considering the two men on this letter, I understand the rising concerns of false idols."

Hermione noted what she said but didn't comment. Letting the other woman finish her thoughts. Harry remained silent, knowing better than to interrupt her during a lecture.

"After the war, I hoped to hear these two brave men made it out alive… but I hoped to never hear of the names on this letter again." she sighed heavily.

"So, you'll help us?" Hermione asked softly.

"I know as Aurors and the Ministry's best detectives you have to do your investigation, I shall not stand in your way."

"Thank you, Professor."

"I will assist you not only with the grave, but with your letter. On one condition. If in fact Severus Snape is alive, and I hope he is but not under these circumstances, leave him be." She sat up straight, "There has never been a man more deserving of peace."

"I know, I've seen the memories. My mother…" Harry cleared his throat awkwardly.

She gave him a sad look and shook her head, "Please understand that these names," she held up the letter, "these men are not the same men you know. They are completely different people."

Harry tilted his head slightly, "I'm sorry, I thought Son of the Morning was Professor Snape's other name…"

"She's saying they are different personas. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Hermione explained.

Harry raised his brows, "I've read that one. It's more like Mr. Hyde and Mr. Hyde's bigger meaner brother."

McGonagall cleared her throat. "Understood," Harry said solemnly, understanding the pressures and undercover work that he had to do in the war.

She shook her head again, "I truly hope you do, Mr. Potter."

"So, the grave," Hermione pressed.

"Yes, here we are." She moved over to a stack of papers on her desk, signing it quickly and sealing the approval for their required grave digging. She waved her hand and the door to her office opened, "Hagrid will be escorting you; Professor Flitwick will be joining me in looking over these items."

Hagrid and Professor Flitwick entered the room awkwardly at the same time, both trying not to crush or get crushed by the other in the small doorframe.

"Who better than to assist with an enchanted item of the unknown than our own Charms Professor?" she stood as she greeted.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, such a pleasure to see you again. It has been some time hasn't it?" he smiled warmly

"Filius, they are here on Ministry business that we could use your assistance with." She began to explain and motioned to the objects on the desk before her, "In regard to the late Professor Snape."

"I see," Flitwick's eyes went wide briefly, giving her a solemn nod, "It would be my pleasure to assist in any means regarding our missed Lord Prince."

"'Arry, Mione how you lot doin'?" Hagrid greeted, "Hear you came to see about some grave business?"

"Hello Hagrid, how are the pumpkins coming along?" Hermione smiled at him, giving him the queue to leave.