Beggars Can't Be Choosers
by Verity
Chapter Two September 2, 1997It was a nice, brisk night, the sort of night that signals the return of Autumn in all her glory (clad in fall colours, of course, and equipped with a satchel of schoolbooks.)
Hermione Granger was calmly enjoying her dinner, and talking with Ginny Weasley – the only Weasley who had not retreated to the safety of Egypt that year, mainly because she felt her abilities would be better utilized in the fight against Voldemort that lay ahead than in exile.
Ginny brushed a strand of vibrant, wavy, and certainly unruly red hair behind one ear as she poured gravy over her turkey. "I miss them already," she said in a solemn tone.
"No pub crawls, Ginny, you're not legal 'til next November," Hermione replied, patting her friend's arm. "Besides, everyone's agreed to send you loads of letters and goodies in the post. The end of the year will be here before you know it."
"I've never been away from any of them so long!" Ginny sniffled.
"Harry's here," Hermione pointed out optimistically, praying that her last resort tactic would cheer up her friend, at least until she herself finished the last chapter of Theory: An Arithmancic Romance.
"Yes!" Ginny brightened, then turned to her boyfriend and began an animated Quidditch discussion with him. Hermione just shook her head. Her friend's attention span was just as short as her heart was brave.
After a most enjoyable dinner, she headed back to her room and made quick work of her homework, before retreating to the ledge. The heat was not quite so stifling or unbearable as it had been the previous day, but she was still notably refreshed by the cooler temperature of the air outside her room.
She closed her eyes, assumed her meditation position, and waited.
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The mother turns away from the starry vision outside the window, takes a seat on the windowsill. She looks to the child. Come sit beside me, Sibyll.
Yes, mother. The child sits herself next to the mother, leans her head on the mother's shoulder. The mother smiles.
Oh, you are ready, my little Sibyll. I had my doubts, but- she shrugs, What do they mean in times such as yours? You are as ready as my last two could make you, and that says a great deal for them. Few others have been so prepared. Are you willing?
I am, the child says earnestly.
You know what this entails?
I have been vowed since the day I was born, says the child, looking remarkably wise for her age. I know this is my destiny.
Destiny is choices, the mother reminds her.
Yes, says the child. Yours for me.
With a laugh, the mother stokes the child's hair. You are the wisest I have known in many a turn of the sun. The rites are yours, my child. Tell my last, and give him my love.
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"A cup of tea, Severus?" inquired the Headmaster amiably from his seat behind his desk as the man he addressed entered his office. "Do come in."
"I'm only stopping by for a moment, I just have a question-" Severus Snape said. "Why did you put Miss Granger in the room next to mine?"
Albus Dumbledore smiled. It was the sort of pleasant smile that did not, as Severus thought, bode well for any imminent changing of lodgings. "Ah, so she did use the ledge? I had hoped she would enjoy the nice breeze that comes across there. I did, when I was Head Boy."
Severus did a double take. "That's – the Head Boy's room? But…" he trailed off. "Didn't they redesign the castle fifty years ago so all the rooms were within their own houses' areas?"
Albus gave him another charming smile, which had the effect of making him feel like a not-particularly-bright first year that has just been patted on the head. It was most disconcerting. "Yes, Professor Dippet did, oh – fifty-five years ago, I believe. Just after the Chamber of Secrets fuss. But I felt it important Miss Granger have that room this year. It promises to be an eventful one, you know."
Both were silent, and Severus remembered a night two years before, a summer night thick with heat and fire.
Wait, the Dark Lord had said. They will wait, even the most vigilant among them will believe they are safe from harm, and then we will strike. We will lie, supposedly dormant, but we will cull our newest recruits from the crowd that will still dwell in Hogwarts' hallowed halls two years from now. Then we will rise up from the Darkness – and we will be the victors!
So caught up in the frantic cheering and rejoicing that followed this statement, none of the true Death Eaters had heard Voldemort's final statement – almost a whisper, merely a few words muttered to himself.
Yes… I will be victor.
The Potions master was abruptly roused from his reverie by the sound of a silver spoon clinking against delicate porcelain. Apparently the Headmaster had decided not to forgo his tea. "Severus, could you pass the sugar? It's right at the edge of the table… Thank you. Winky was most distressed to find you so inattentive," the Headmaster alternately queried, thanked, and informed him.
"Sometimes," said Severus wearily, "I rather wish I were a Muggle." Never mind that they were lower-class beggars…
Albus's blue eyes twinkled. "No, you don't. You think they're rather plebeian, which is really most uncharitable of you."
"Sometimes," said Severus fervently, "I rather wish you would quit repeating my thoughts aloud."
"But, more to the point, you wish that I would move Miss Granger, which I absolutely cannot do. She needs to be isolated, and I am in the rather difficult position of making sure that someone also watches over her. If she ever comes to you, Severus, and tells you something, you must listen to what she says, and take her seriously."
Severus sighed. "Very well, Albus. Just… why?"
"I'm afraid that is something only Miss Granger can choose to tell you," said Albus Dumbledore, his expression growing serious. "Be assured that I would not entrust this task to you were it not a matter of life – or death."
Just then, a creak came from the door, and both Severus and the Headmaster turned toward the area of its origin. Miss Granger stood in the doorway.
"Headmaster," she said, "I need to speak with you."
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Thanks to all who've reviewed, and also to my trusty beta, Liss!
– Verity.
