A/N: Thank you to my reviewers. I hope to have more reviews soon.
Chapter Four: Why Didn't You Tell Me Hell Had Frozen Over?
The next day was a Hogsmead visit and with Christmas drawing near the students were less preoccupied with study and were concentrating more on what they were going to buy people.
"I bought Hermione this," Ron said holding up a silver locket with an H engraved on it.
"Wow, that's really nice, must have cost a mint," Harry said wrapping the aftershave bought for Sirius.
"Yeah, but she's seemed pretty down recently so I thought," Ron left the rest unsaid. Harry smiled at his friend. Many thought him insensitive but sometimes he made such nice gestures. You had to really know Ron to fully appreciate him.
They were sitting in an old, disused classroom, so no one could see them wrapping their presents. Ron was sitting on one of the desks with wrapping paper and sellotape, sprawled out in front of him. Harry was sitting on a chair with all his wrapping paper and things neatly piled up on the desk in front.
They were chatting about their presents when they saw someone come to stand in the doorway. They looked up to see a blonde haired boy standing there. He looked sort of nervous but Harry and Ron didn't care.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron snapped pulling a piece of sellotape out of his red hair.
"I came to talk to you and Potter," he said carefully. He looked paler than usual which, coupled with his extremely blonde hair, made him look dead.
"Well?" Harry asked putting down his scissors, feeling that the temptation to throw them at him would become too much.
"I, erm," he stumbled and began to walk towards them. Harry made sure his wand was in reach not trusting Malfoy as far as he could throw him. "I wanted to apologise," he said quickly leaving Ron and Harry stunned.
"Sorry? For a moment there I thought you apologised," Harry said laughing at how ridiculous it sounded.
"I did, I've been a real dick-head over the years. I've done some thinking, and I've decided that I owe you an apology, take it or leave it," he finished then stood silent awaiting an answer.
"Can we get back to you on that one?" Harry asked and Malfoy nodded and left the room. Harry and Ron just sat there still in a state of shock.
Hermione was sitting in the library working on her Transfiguration homework. The sun was streaming through the window and across the table. Suddenly the light was blocked by something and Hermione looked up. It was Snape.
"Professor, what can I do for you?" She asked trying not to smile at him. Smiling at Snape was the first sign of madness.
"I've come to give you that detention you got out of yesterday," he said simply, a sparkle of humour showing through his black eyes.
"You're feeling better?" Hermione said showing a small smile this time, unable to contain it.
"For today," he said a hint of sadness in the usually cruel, harsh voice.
Harry and Ron came bursting in and rushed over to her table.
"Hermione," Harry said before noticing their Professor. "Oh, sorry Professor." Snape sneered at him then turned to Hermione.
"Eight o'clock, Miss Granger." He turned and left the library.
"What was that about?" Ron asked.
"Oh, I got caught out after curfew but he was too busy to give me a detention yesterday, so I got one today." The two boys looked at each and shrugged, but then remembered what they came in for.
They told Hermione what had happened with Malfoy, and when they had finished they asked Hermione what she thought.
"It does sound a bit suspicious, what do you suppose he wants?"
"I don't know, do you really think he's changed?" Harry asked sitting on the desk, shifting Hermione's Transfiguration books over.
"Well he hasn't said anything horrible to us so far. The other day he just walked straight past us," Hermione said putting her books into her bag.
"Yeah, I'm still not sure, it could be a trick," Ron said, "I wouldn't put it past him."
"You two have real big conspiracy theories going on," Hermione said standing up to go. "I'm curious to see what he wants though, I'd play along, but be careful."
Hermione left the two boys to think as she went to her room to collect her books for the next lesson.
At the end of the day Harry and Ron went in search of Malfoy. They found him coming out if the great hall after dinner.
"Malfoy," Harry said walking over to him, noticing that, for once, Crabbe and Goyle, his bodyguards did not flank him. "We've decided to forgive you for everything, and to put it all behind us."
"Nice one Potter," he said offering his hand as a peace offering, which Harry and Ron shook in turn.
"See you whenever then," Harry said, not really knowing how to be polite to Malfoy.
"See you," Malfoy replied, clearly having the same problem as Harry.
At eight o'clock Hermione went down to the dungeons for her detention. When she arrive Snape got her organising order forms for supplies. Hermione didn't miss the fact that this punishment was very lenient, for any teacher let alone Snape.
After about fifteen minutes of her detention, she thought that she might mention Malfoy's odd behaviour. After all who better to tell than his Head of House.
"Sir," she said and he looked up from his marking, "um, I thought I should let you know that Draco Malfoy apologised to Harry and Ron today."
He raised one black eyebrow in response, and said,
"What do suppose I should do about it?" He asked.
"Well, I don't know," she said, "but I thought you ought to know, being his Head of House and fellow Harry Potter hater."
He chuckled lightly at this, the third time this week she'd heard that sound. She was feeling very privileged.
"I never said hated him," Snape argued.
"You don't have to, if looks could kill Harry would've died at the sorting feast seven years ago." Hermione smiled, not quite believing that she was having a decent, almost amusing conversation with Snape.
"Yeah well if looks could kill I'm sure potter could give me a run for my money. Did you see the look he gave me when he thought I was the one after the Philosophers Stone," he chuckled again, "that is the only time a student has tried to play me at my own game." His smile had not faded. "You must admit the kid's got balls, even if he is an irritating little shit."
Hermione raised her eyebrows at his expletive, and the obvious praise he had given Harry.
"I don't like him," he continued, "but I never said I hated him. If you've finished you may go." He got back to work again, and Hermione walked to the door. "oh and Miss Granger," she turned, "detention same time tomorrow, for misinterpreting my behaviour."
Hermione should have been outraged, but the edge of humour in her Professor's tone made her smile, and say,
"Yes Professor."
Hermione bounced out of the room, too happy to look like she'd just had a detention with Professor Snape.
Snape leaned back in his chair and watched his student virtually skip down the corridor. Why had he asked her to come back tomorrow? What was that all about?
He had been thinking about Miss Granger all day, ever since he decided to take her into his confidence, not something he did lightly. He wanted to tell Albus, because he hated lying to the old man, but he would just worry and that would get them nowhere.
So why Granger? He had found it easier to tell her because she didn't care. He was horrible to her and had made her cry, so why should she care if he was going to live or die? He also didn't care what she thought of him. To her, perfect Granger, best friend to the Boy Who Lived, he was worthless, but he had no time for the celebrated hero's of this world, although if he was honest he wouldn't mind a little bit of recognition. With the pain he had to put up with, it was the least the Ministry could do. But no, they can't be seen to support Death Eaters whether they're still active or not.
Yet Granger did seem to care. She had been almost happy to see him looking so well this morning. Little did she know that he was still suffering a great deal.
For a moment his vision went a bit blurry and his head felt like it was floating. He knew how to deal with it though, he'd had this trouble long enough to recognise the signs.
He pulled his over tired body out of the chair and stumbled into his storeroom, where he reached for a bottle on the highest shelf, where no one like Longbottom could reach it.
It was a sedative, enough to knock him out until the pain subsided. He downed the thick syrupy contents of the bottle and placed it on a lower shelf so he would remember to refill it.
He had got out of his office when he realised that he would not make it to his bed before the potion took effect. He fell into the chair as the potion took hold of him. He folded his arms on his desk to cushion his head as he fell into a heavy drug induced sleep.
When he woke up the next morning his back and neck where stiff from the position he'd been in all night. He stretched to try and relieve the stiffness and at the same time realised that the pain had subsided.
He rubbed his eyes and stood up feeling his spine click as it straightened. A knock came at the door and he told them to come in. Draco Malfoy walked in.
"Mr Malfoy," he said with the nasty, sly smile that he reserved for Malfoy Jr. "What can I do for you?"
"I've, erm," he mumbled moving further into the room, "I, well my father wants me to be friends with Harry Potter." While the words soaked in to the Professors sleep addled brain a silence fell, an eerie sort of silence that Draco felt was suffocating him.
"Why?" Was the simple question that Snape asked once he'd got over the initial shock of Malfoy's statement.
"I think he wants someone to get inside information, for erm, well I think you know who for."
"So why have you told me?" Snape asked cautiously not sure of Malfoy's motives.
"Because I want out," he said plainly. "The other day my fathers friend came around to our house and they were chattingo about 'old times.' About how many people had died for their cause and how many people would die soon. They were talking about how they got information out of people, the tortures they used, and to be honest it made me feel sick." When Malfoy was finished Snape almost felt sorry for the boy. Almost.
"Again I have to ask, why are you telling me?" Snape asked, needing to be absolutely sure about what the young boy knew.
"Because you got out, I know you're working for Dumbledore.." Malfoy was cut of as his professor stood up suddenly.
"Does your father know?" He demanded, not missing the look of fear on Malfoy's pale face.
"No, of course he doesn't. He just thinks your being cautious." Snape relaxed at this. "I know about you," he continued, "because I live here, I see it, I see the trust Dumbledore has in you. The man might be a bit daft but he's not a complete fool, he wouldn't trust you if he didn't have merit."
"Sit down Mr Malfoy." Snape gestured to the chair opposite his desk and he sat down too.
"When I was younger, when Voldemort wasn't around anymore," Malfoy started, "it used to be great, me my father and my mother, but when I was in my first year here and it became obvious that Voldemort was trying to come back everything went wrong. Father doesn't speak to my mother and I unless he has to. I was so pleased when he took me to get my school supplies when I was in my second year, you know it was something we were doing together, but it turned out that he only wanted to do that so he could give the diary to Potter. Voldemort's work again. He keeps telling me that I will join him at Voldemort's side and tells me of all the things that he did when he was my age. I can't do any of that, I may act like I'm brave around everyone but I'm not, I'm shit scared of most dark magic. Some Slytherin I make."
When Malfoy had finished Snape just stared at him. He never thought he'd see the day when a Malfoy came to him asking for help. He wanted to help the boy. He didn't want him to make the same mistake as he did at his age, to have him end up in Azkaban or in the same state as he was in.
"Father wants me to make friends with Potter, act like I've had a change of mind about Voldemort and then keep him updated on Potter's whereabouts."
"So what do you propose we do?" Snape asked leaning back in his chair.
"I want to go on pretending I'm doing what my father wants, I'll feed him false information, in this place he'll never know, at the same time I'll give you information about Voldemort and the rest of them."
"I see, you want to play at being a spy?" Malfoy nodded.
"I realise it could be dangerous, and as I've said I'm a complete coward so I can't promise I'll be much good at it, but I'd like to try."
"Alright, I'll speak with Dumbledore and then we'll have to arrange a meeting with Potter and his friends, they need to be told."
With that agreed Malfoy went off to breakfast leaving Snape to talk this over with Dumbledore.
Later that morning Snape sat in Dumbledore's office and told him Malfoy's story. The Headmaster made tea while he was listening and remained silent while the younger man told him the news and his personal opinion. When he had finished the Headmaster handed him his tea and sat in a chair opposite his friend.
"And you believe him?" Dumbledore said not really needing to here the answer.
"Yes, of course we will need to test him with veritiserum before he can carry this out, but he knows about my defection and he hasn't told his father, that in itself speaks volumes." Snape drank his tea, feeling the liquid warm him, he hadn't realised he was so cold.
"Yes I agree. I will tell Harry and his friends about this and what they need to do. The Slytherins will think Malfoy is working for Voldemort so they won't ask too many questions, and hopefully the Gryffindor's and most of the others will trust Harry's judgement."
Snape sneered at this but the Headmaster just smiled. Snape noticed this and felt compelled to ask a question that had been plaguing him since Potter's arrival at school.
"Why do you let me behave as I do towards Potter, and eeryone else for that matter?" The Headmaster smiled even more.
"For many reasons. One, not everyone in this world will be as nice to them as I am, the younger they are when they learn that the better. Two, because it would be all too easy for Harry to forget that he is just an ordinary child with faults. There is a danger that he would be swept away by his own publicity, sometimes he needs to be put in his place."
"And I'm the one to do that?" He asked.
"Yes, you and Malfoy do that job quite adequately between the both of you. I do reprimand you if you get too out of order though."
They carried on talking about anything and everything, like they had done a hundred times over the years. When they had finished Snape went to leave, but Dumbledore called him back for a moment. When he turned back he noticed the serious look on the older Wizard's face.
"How are you feeling?" The old man asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Headmaster," Snape lied slightly, he felt fine today.
"Are you sure? You would tell me if anything was wrong?" The younger man nodded, not able to bring himself to speak the lie. "I will see you at the staff meeting then."
Snape turned and left feeling guilty for lying to Dumbledore.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were called into Dumbledore's office and he filled them in on the plan with Draco Malfoy.
"He will be tested with Veritserum, but I am of the firm belief that he is telling the truth," he said to the trio.
"So we'll have to pretend to be friends with him?" Ron asked, a look of disgust etched onto his face.
"I'm sure that you can do it, Mr Weasley, I'm sure all of you will."
"What about all the things he said to Hermione, he was really horrible," Ron protested further.
"It is time to put the past behind you, all of you, Mr Malfoy included." Dumbledore eyed them carefully as they all nodded their ascent. "Good, the staff will be informed of the change but the rest of the story is between the four of us, Mr Malfoy and Professor Snape."
"Snape?" Ron exclaimed in horror.
"Naturally, it was he who brought Mr Malfoy to my attention, and it's Professor Snape to you." Ron went as red as his hair and shuffled his feet nervously, mumbling an apology.
Outside Dumbledore's office the two boys began talking about the plan.
"And he said it was Snape's idea, if he is the one leaking the information to Voldemort like we thought then he's making Malfoy get information on you or something," Ron said whispering dramatically.
"I suppose," Harry said still deep in thought.
"Oh will you shut up!" Hermione shouted, the two boys looked around at her in shock. "Of course he's not the one leaking the information, Dumbledore trust him, isn't that enough?"
She walked off. She was unsure what had made her go off on one like that. Maybe it was because despite of everything they were still blaming Snape for every little thing.
She would apologise afterwards but she'd leave them to feel guilty about making her angry for a while.
The only subject at the staff meeting was the change in Malfoy's behaviour. All the staff were told was that Malfoy would be spending more time with Harry Potter and his friends and that there was a good reason, apart from that though they were kept in the dark. They reluctantly agreed not to ask questions.
After this serious meeting Professor Carla Moore went on to chastise Snape for his unfair behaviour towards any student who weren't in Slytherin. This lightened the mood of the staff meeting. Snape had always considered Minerva McGonagall to be a good sparring partner but she had nothing over Carla. She was sharp and quick-witted and Snape found he was rather fond of her.
"You know," she said her voice with only a slight African lilt, "you have some serious emotional issues." Snape nodded in agreement. "You need to see a psychiatrist."
"Perhaps you could give me the address of yours," Snape said in reply.
"I don't go to one." Snape turned his head to look at her and raised one eyebrow.
"Evidently," he said, his voice at it's lowest and silkiest.
She huffed and feigned annoyance just before her face broke out in a smile.
"Okay, you win this time."
Snape checked his watch, and stood up.
"As much as I'd love to sit here and chat with you," he paused to give Professor Moore a fake sneer, "people, but I have a detention to over see in a few minutes. Good day." He bowed politely and left.
Professors McGonagall and Moore looked at each other, rolled their eyes and then burst out laughing.
For her detention Hermione had to make a potion for healing small cuts and scratches. It was simple and rather boring. Usually when in detention with Snape you kept your mouth shut, in case you aggravated further, but Hermione found it hard to keep her mouth shut.
"How did the staff take the news about Malfoy?" She asked while stirring the thick grey solution with a wooden spoon.
"They weren't told everything, and they were surprised to say the least. No one likes being kept in the dark, especially these days," he said not taking his eyes off his marking.
"I can't believe it. Guess I'm going to have to try and be nice to Malfoy, that's weird." Snape put down his quill and looked at Hermione.
"You're in a very talkative mood," he said and Hermione blushed slightly.
"Sorry, a lot had happened today, and I shouted at Harry and Ron today so I haven't really spoken to anyone in a while."
"I see, nothing to do with my charming an sociable manner then," he said and Hermione laughed quietly.
"Um, well," she stumbled and Snape gave her an evil grin.
"Don't worry I know I'm an unsociable bastard," Hermione was shocked to yet again hear him swear, it must have showed because he rolled his eyes and got back to his marking.
There was a knock on the door and without waiting to be asked Sirius Black strode in, surveying the surroundings with distaste.
"What do you want?" Snape said through gritted teeth throwing down his quill.
"Oh, pleased to see you too sunshine," Sirius said sarcastically approaching the desk. "Remus' potion, full moon tomorrow."
Snape stood up and disappeared into the stock cupboard. Sirius noticed Hermione and his face lit up.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" He asked giving her his most charming smile.
"Catching the Knight Bus, what does it look like?" She said pointing to the cauldron in front of her.
"What did you do this time?" He asked raising a thick black eyebrow.
"Not a lot," Hermione said smiling.
"Typical," Sirius said quietly but Hermione heard it.
Snape returned with the bottle and shoved it into Sirius' hands. He sat back down and got back to his marking not wanting to say anything further to his old enemy.
"What are you doing giving this beautiful young woman a detention?" He asked pointing at Hermione who was blushing at his complement.
"Students get detention for their misbehaviour," Snape said simply not looking up. "Even if they are very beautiful," he added quietly. Hermione blushed even more and tried to hide behind her hair so Sirius couldn't see her smile.
Once Snape realised that they had both heard what he said he stood and abruptly left the room through a door Hermione had not seen before. Sirius just smiled at as he watched Snape walk away.
He turned to Hermione, who had by now regained full control of her emotions.
"You will come and see me, the next time I'm around?" He asked.
"Of course," Hermione said turning off the flame under the cauldron.
"Great." And with that he left.
Snape had retreated to his office where he was mentally kicking himself for saying such a stupid thing. The girl wasn't beautiful, she had big bushy hair that was a boring mousy brown colour and, well, she was ordinary. Not unattractive by any means but not beautiful. She did have a beautiful mind though, even if she was a bit too eager.
He took a second to compose himself then he went back in, noticing to his relief that Black had gone.
Hermione was pouring the healing potion into bottles and labelling them.
"You can clear up and go now," he said as she finished.
She picked up her wand and muttered a cleaning charm, and watched as a small brush appeared and started scrubbing the black cauldron. Snape sat down and rubbed his tired eyes. Hermione noticed this and began to worry.
"Are you okay?" She asked carefully. He didn't look up.
"I'm just tired, you would be too if you'd had to teach both Creevey brothers in one day." Hermione laughed
"I know what you mean. You know I wasn't actually sorry when Colin was petrified that time. It was kind of a relief, no more bloody pictures."
"Trust me you weren't half as relieved as I was," Snape said packing away his quill and ink. "Pass me those bottles."
Hermione passed him one bottle at a time and he put them on the third shelf in the stock cupboard. As Hermione passed him the last bottle their hands touched and Hermione felt a crackle of electricity, not a jolt like with Neville but definitely something. He felt it too.
"What was that?" He asked his eyebrows knitted in confusion.
"Oh, sorry, I must be really susceptible to static electricity, that happens all the time," she said trying to laugh it off.
"You're bloody dangerous you are," Snape said brushing past her to leave but this time he felt no electricity.
"I'll see you tomorrow then," Hermione said and went to leave.
"Sleep well, Miss Granger," Snape said as she left.
Once outside the door Hermione thought about the events of that evening. He had not only said she was beautiful but very beautiful, and then that electricity, surely he wasn't and heir, was he?
She walked away thoroughly confused and oddly elated at his early compliment. Men didn't usually say she was beautiful.
So Malfoy was on their side, Neville was heir to one of the most powerful Wizards or Witches ever, Snape had called her beautiful and the scariest thing was, she had liked it. She began wondering just when hell had frozen over, and why no one had told her.