Challenges
Chapter 1 - An Unusual Conversation
Albus Dumbledore was sitting behind his giant antique desk, spectacles halfway down his nose and his arms folded in front of him. He eyed his guest with an amused curiosity, he had always expected great things from this particular ex-student, and this… this project she explained to him might finally shift the balance in the ongoing battle between light and darkness in their favour. No, she had not let him down.
"So Hermione, if I understand this well, you came here to talk about my Potions Master?" Dumbledore said, with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
Hermione swallowed, *Now! * She thought.
"Yes Sir, what I wanted to know is… I mean… Is professor Snape still…"
*Damn Hermione! You're not exactly 16 anymore, just say it for Gods sake* the little voice inside her head said.
"Is Snape still our double agent, and are you absolutely positive that he is trustworthy?" she blurted out.
*There, I said it, now that wasn't too hard was it? * Hermione thought.
Prof. Dumbledore looked at her with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Hermione…" he started.
"I'm sorry, I have to ask this professor, but you have to understand that it is of the utmost importance for my project. If Snape turns out to be untrustworthy, our only chance in almost 12 years to defeat Voldemort is as good as gone" she stated, clenching her jaw in stubborn determination.
Dumbledore sighed; he wasn't sure exactly how much he could tell Hermione without invading his old friend's privacy.
"My dear child, let me tell you a little bit about Professor Snape, since it has been a very long time since you stood in his classroom. Attempting to brew glory, bottle fame and stopper death, as he so modestly puts it in his welcome speech for our new students every single year, for as long as I know him". Dumbledore said with a warm smile around his mouth.
Hermione regretted her insensitive enunciation, as she suddenly realised that Dumbledore felt quite amicable towards professor Snape, but hell, she was a scientist, known for her cleverness, her unorthodox thinking, and her formidable brain, but never ever for her sensitivity and gentleness with words.
"To answer your first question my dear: No, Professor Snape is no longer our spy in Voldemorts circle of followers, he was caught in the act so to speak and is very lucky to be able to tell the tale. However, he has made sure that the couple following him up had a proper training, and know what to expect, he is still active as their contact point and confidant whenever they feel the need to talk about all the things they have to participate in and have to witness". Dumbledore said while he was slowly walking towards Fawkes to give him some shelled peanuts.
"I'm sorry professor but I cannot imagine professor Snape as a confidant to anyone, perhaps with a few exceptions in Slytherin. I must say you managed to awaken my curiosity but I take it you are not willing to share who those two secret agents are". Hermione said.
Fawkes made a soft content sound when Dumbledore scratched his head, the headmaster himself seemed to be lost in thoughts.
"Professor?…" Hermione asked hesitantly.
Dumbledore sighed, he decided he could not tell her everything for the reason it would be going too far into Severus's private life, if she wanted to know she would have to ask the man himself.
"There are lots of things you don't know about the professor Hermione" Dumbledore continued, "But that is his story, and perhaps in due time he will tell you. Then again, perhaps not, but trust me, there are reasons why he is the way he is…" the headmaster said softly.
"And personality is not the least of them". He added with a small grin, which was rewarded with a sour look from Hermione. She remembered very well exactly how the personality of her former Potions Professor was constructed. If she closed her eyes she could still see him walking down the corridors, billowing cloaks and all, sneer forever plastered on his face, shouting; "Ten points from Gryffindor!"
Strange enough the image made her laugh out loud, though fifteen years ago, Snape and actually taking away points from Gryffindor because of her "disobedience" had made her cry on more than one occasion.
"I see you haven't forgotten your Gryffindor days here at Hogwarts yet" Dumbledore said with a grin.
"I remembered how Professor Snape always found a reason to deduct points from Gryffindor, it was one of our main concerns in those days. Sometimes when I think back I can't help but wonder why the world had to go on, I could have stayed in these halls forever. Never worrying about anything else than my grades, having a great time with Harry and Ron and staying out of the way of professor Snape, though not always entirely successful…" She said dreamily.
"In that case we have succeeded, We tried to give you youngsters a safe haven, It was a hard world outside these castle walls, when Voldemort came back…well… you've experienced it yourself the day your parents…"
"Prof. Dumbledore, we did not come here to discuss my past but my future, our future…, the future of the wizarding world if you like" She interrupted him
*Ah, as I thought, there are still wounds that require healing under that stern exterior, would they realise they have more in common than they think?* Dumbledore thought.
"Yes, well…back to your question about trust, I do not know another person of whom I would not hesitate to put my life and the lives of all living and working in this school in his hands. I trust him completely, forgive me that I cannot go any deeper than that into the matter, but it must be enough for you to know that I do not only consider him as trustworthy, but also as one of my best friends. Plus he's an excellent chess player and likes peppermint balls…, he is on our side Hermione, 498% certain."
He said, his eyes twinkling.
Hermione nodded her head, feeling a bit ashamed because she should have known that Dumbledore would not work with someone for almost 25 years if he did not trust the man.
"As for the identity of our spies, I don't think it is a good idea to tell you until we are sure that the potion really works. Because that is the stage when we have to involve them in our project: they will have to get Voldemort to drink it…" He said softly.
"Very well professor, I trust your judgement, actually I am ashamed I did not trust your judgement right away…But will you talk to professor Snape for me?" Hermione said.
"I will certainly talk to Severus, but the question whether or not he wants to work with you and on what basis is entirely up to him. I suggest you go back to Hogsmeade and prepare for a healthy discussion. He will not give in to your conditions and arguments easily, that is, if he gives in at all… Expect your answer this evening and send my regards to Harry and Belinda, the Weasly gang and Ginny and Draco" Dumbledore said.
"I will headmaster, and thank you for your time" Hermione said while giving him a hug.
"No, thank you my dear, for giving an old man hope that this war will end one day".
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"And remember that time when Harry threw 3 dungbombs in Draco's cauldron!?" Ron shouted, tears of laughter streaming over his face.
"Only too well" Draco smirked, "As you said it was my cauldron, and my potion, I was glowing in the dark for an entire week"
"Which was rather unfortunate, because of your rather,… eeehrm… striking appearance, you couldn't see Ginny for the whole week. Afraid you got caught" Harry added with a wicked grin plastered on his face.
"Yes well, I was in no mood to be beaten up by 6 Weasly brothers…" Draco said laughing.
""Don't forget my mum" said Ginny, happiness was written on her forehead, which was only natural as she and Draco would get married next year. It would be a small wedding since Lucius Malfoy had disowned his oldest son as soon as he had found out that Draco was seriously dating a Weasly.
"My Love, your mother is more dangerous than all your brothers together, pray that she never insists on swatting my behind with a broomstick again"
"You deserved it ferret boy" Hermione said amicably
"Introducing yourself as "Hello my name is Draco Malfoy, I'm here for Virginia Weasly, can you tell mistress Weasly and Virginia that I have arrived?" George drawled in his best Draco imitation, after which he joined the rest collectively collapsing on the floor howling with laughter.
"Hey, I had a lot to learn ok? I was bloody nervous and I expected Ginny's mum to be a redhead, just like the rest of you Weasly lot! He said.
"That and the fact that you seriously expect to find several maids, butlers and housekeepers to obey your every whim" Hermione stated dryly.
"Expected" corrected Harry, still lying on the floor holding his stomach.
"They have been living together for 4 years now, and Draco I must say, you have passed your exams on how to be a human being". He added with a grin.
"Well, Thank you Potty, you are quite all right too, for someone who got caught dressing up like a girl" Draco smirked.
"Hey that was for the Carnival, it's a muggle thing, besides, Petunia's old clothes were all I got from the Dursleys, and it sounded as a good idea at the time…" Harry said.
"Yeah, whatever" Draco grinned, looking at the shocked faces of the Weasly twins.
"Girls…." Hermione started laughing, but was interrupted by a loud bang on the window, which suddenly flew open allowing a black raven to fly in, bringing about half a gallon of rainwater with him.
"It's for you Hermione" said George as he took the letter of the ravens outstretched claw, while giving him some crunchies.
"From who is it?" asked Ginny curiously.
"I don't know, said Hermione, but for some reason she couldn't explain she felt her heart thundering in her throat.
She unfolded the letter:
Miss Granger,
It seems we need to discuss some things
I expect you at 09.00 PM in The Three Broomsticks tonight.
As my time is precious, I trust you will not be late.
S.S.
"It's from Snape…" she said softly