* Disclaimer and all that in part one *
A/N Sorry for such a delay on this story. RL has gotten in the way of more important things
: )
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Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore's Office:
6:00 AM
(12:00 AM EST)
The mischievous headmaster of Britain's esteemed school made his way over to his ornate fireplace still attired in his bedclothes. Taking a pinch of flo powder, he tossed it into the blazing fireplace and happily called out 'Severus Snape.'
Seconds later his head appeared in the American chambers of Hogwart's esteemed potions master. "Morning has bro-ken!" he began singing joyfully, yet hopelessly off key, it wasn't long before Severus responded.
"Did you really have to do that? Honestly, even Voldermont never took so much glee from awakening us in the middle of the night." Severus spat moodily.
Albus simply chuckled, and magiced a few lamps into shining dim light.
"Nice boxers Severus, did you pick them out all by yourself?" he asked with feigned seriousness.
Snape simply crossed his arms across his chest and glared hard at his headmaster. "I assume you came here for more than commenting on the state of my underwear. I beg of you to just come out and say it!" he said loosing some of his composure.
"All joking aside Severus, we've been most fortunate to stumble across an informant from Hagletonia."
"Someone was foolish enough to turn spy against that group?" Snape asked unable to hide his surprise.
"Yes, it's rather similar to a young man a few years ago who turned from the ranks or Voldermont. Now, what was his name again?"
Snape turned suspiciously red in the face, but it must have just been a trick of the dim light. "We have reason to believe she will try to contact Rogue for either two purposes. To warn against the coming danger, or too perhaps take the girl and attempt to be brought back into the fold."
"I thought you said she turned spy, Albus."
"True enough, but the haglets have no real loyalties, except to themselves. They will go to any lengths to greater their own personal power."
"In any case, we must up our guard. Have Hermione watch over Rogue more closely than ever. It will be a strainful few weeks I am afraid."
"Very well, I shall inform her at once. And Potter, Weasly?"
"Oh, I suspect they have enough of a job to perform what with earning detentions from you so often." he chuckled lightheartedly.
"Yes, true enough I suppose. If you'll excuse me Albus I have work to do, seeing as I have eight hours before classes begin and now that I'm awake" he stated a bit hotly, "I may as well make use of the time."
"Carry on then, there seems to be a young Creevy at the door whose antics demand my attention" Dumbledore finished warmly.
He ducked his head out of the fire and left Snape to face the new day.
Severus intended to get up and begin researching a potion he was intending to make in case the haglets succeeded breaking into the school. He wanted to ensure that Cerebro would fail to work as they planned it. However, an alliance between the muggle world and the magical one was always difficult, especially in technological aspects. The likelihood of a success was 50/50 in his opinion. But working on a solution was easier than dwelling on the memories he didn't want.
Still, Albus' comment about the similarity between himself and the haglet spy rang in his head. Why had he ever joined Voldermont's minions? For the power, for the glory and most of all to rid the world of 'dirty, filthy mudbloods.' Looking back, nearly 20 years later he was still disgusted at himself with the choice he'd made at 17. Youth was a poor excuse, as was claiming it was a family tradition. He'd been angry and resentful of those around him, and he'd liked having power over people. The power to choose whether someone died quickly or slowly. It was an intoxicating idea; the reality of it had been terrifying and sickening.
He'd quickly come to the conclusion that nobody had the right to decide who lived or died. Even if they were of lower stature, as he'd thought Muggle-borns were, they deserved to live. He owed Dumbledore his life, a debt he couldn't repay. Spying for him was the least he could do. Severus shook his head and snapped back to reality. There was so much to do today. He quickly dressed and made his way into the laboratory.
20 minutes into his calculations or runes and trigonometry he realized that he the measurement for watts and volts had completely slipped his mind. He figured that this being a school, with many of the student's powers involved in electricity he would be able to find at least one reference book on the muggle subject in the library. Cursing softly at the mental block, he rose and strode towards the sizeable library of the mansion. He arrived to find it already occupied.
"Why am I not surprised to see you in here Ms. Granger?"
Hermione startled and dropped the book. Snape waltzed over and picked it up. "Little Women?" he asked, clearly amused.
She colored a bit. "I used to read it whenever something was bothering me. It always made me feel better."
"Well, what's bothering you now?" Snape said in an uncharacteristic show of interest in another person.
Perhaps it was the shock of him addressing her in a manner that wasn't scathing that made her pour out her problems. "The way the people treat Rogue for one. Except for that Logan fellow, they mostly steer clear of her. It's perfectly stupid! So what she can kill with a touch. If she's covered there's no bloody harm!" she burst out angrily. "And this food, and just everything is so bloody different!"
It was impossible to tell who was more surprised. Snape at Hermione's impassioned outburst, or Hermione at telling Snape everything that was on her mind. The two of them sat in silence for a long time. Eventually Severus broke the silence with somewhat comforting words. " You can't change how people think Hermione, but actions certainly have influence."
She looked at him, as if to say something and they closed her mouth again and they sat looking at each other. "Right. Thanks professor she said quietly," I think I'll go to bed now."
"Hermione wait. There's something I was supposed to tell you, orders from Dumbledore," he said as she sat back down.
"Something doesn't make sense though," she stated, brow wrinkled.
"Why on earth would one of them choose to become a spy three weeks before the big attack?"
"That was my concern as well. But as it's after one o'clock already, I suggest we resume the puzzle tomorrow. "
Hermione simply nodded and headed back to bed. Snape eventually found the book he came for and returned too his work.
Breakfast at Tiffany's…..
(almost)
"Good morning Rogue." Hermione said brightly, despite the fact she'd only slept for about six hours.
"Morning" Rogue muttered into her toast. She looked as if she hadn't slept well at all. Her shoulders were slumped and she had the beginnings of bags under her eyes.
"All right there?" Hermione asked her concerned.
Before Rogue answered, Logan crossed the room and sat in a chair between the two girls. He eyed Hermione carefully before turning to Rogue. "The usual?"
"Yeah" she admitted quietly.
Logan clamped a comforting arm around her shoulder. Hermione suddenly felt like an intruder. She knew two things about Rogue, one was that she was a rather private person, and the other was that only Logan and herself now seemed comfortable around her. She figured Rogue must really enjoy her time with Logan, and she gracefully left the table calling 'see you in class' over her shoulder. Logan and Rogue were deep in talk by now, and Hermione smiled in satisfaction. She just had a good feeling about it, and it was nice to see someone get close enough to touch the girl.
History Moans……..
Ron and Harry had established themselves well within the fabric of the senior class already and got along with everybody. They took a cue from Hermione and sat by her and Rogue today at one of the clusters of desks. Professor Snape was lecturing on the latter part of the 19th century and giving instructions for the group's decades. Ron and Harry however were busy trying to get into detention.
"Care to explain why you feel you needn't bother paying attention in class Redding and Scarsdale?"
"Well sir. It's history, it happened like a million years ago, why do we need to know about the Industrial Rampage and the Constipation Proclamation?" Harry asked.
"Detention Scarsdale, for failure to pay attention in class yet again. And I expect you and Mr. Redding here to do an extra report on why in fact the Emancipation Proclamation is so important." Snape bit out.
"That's not fair!" Ron blurted out.
"Life's not fair. You'll figure that out when you're an adult."
"But I don't want to be a dolt" Ron said cheekily.
"Get out of my classroom. And you've"-
"Got detention, yeah. Catch ya then!" Ron scrambled out of the room.
Snape was actually amused by Ron Weasley's wit, but instead acted ill tempered and ended up snapping at Rogue and Hermioe for talking about frivolous things like 'nail polish and Cosmopolitan' which they hadn't been discussing. But that really wasn't the point. Hermione took this as her cue and childishly stuck her tongue out at his back.
"I see I'll be babysitting you as well Miss Sensible. Don't forget to bring your pacifier." Snape said as he whirled around and caught her in the act.
Mercifully the bell rang, and the students made a beeline for Chemistry with Jean.
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Next up:
I Spy, Girl talk, and more fun with the X-folk.