Murder In The Ministry – Part Two

~~~~~

As Hermione made her way across the dance floor to the drinks table she absent-mindedly elbowed someone beside her, who, in turn, let out an agitated groan,

"Look what you've done!"

Hermione turned to face the angry voice and was met with the stare of a young man. She threw her hand to her mouth in embarrassment,

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I was in such a rush I didn't see you!"

The man sighed and wiped at his robes with a napkin, trying not to let any more of his drink drip onto them,

"It doesn't matter. That's the good thing about black – no stains ever show," the man relaxed a little and smiled, "Do I know you? You look familiar…are you a Hogwart's student?"

"Yes. I'm in my 7th year."

"Ah. I thought I recognised your face – you're the only one in the school who knows that a thing called the 'library' exists," The man let out a short laugh at his own joke, "I'm Marc. I'm the assistant librarian at your school. Though I spend so much time in the back rooms sorting out administration you've probably never seen me."

Hermione smiled,

"No, I think I've seen you once or twice. My name's Hermione."

Marc smiled and shook her hand gently,

"Pleasure to finally talk with you. I would ask you to dance… but I was planning on leaving now. I have rather a lot of work to get through tonight," he let out another laugh, "It's tough work being a librarian."

Hermione laughed as Marc sighed jokingly. Then he walked away, only to get lost in the crowds. 

~~~~~

As she stood in the queue for the punch, Hermione felt a soft tapping on her shoulder that made her turn round in a slight fright. Dumbledore was standing there with a twinkle in his eye. Hermione had come to learn that whenever Dumbledore looked at somebody like that it was because he was about to ask them to do something, or tell them something, that they didn't want to hear. Smiling she greeted him,

"Professor Dumbledore! I wasn't sure if you were going to come or not."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. But how did you come across a ticket?"

"Since Molly couldn't come, Ron came via her ticket instead and he didn't want to be alone. So Arthur, I mean Mr. Weasley, got Harry and myself a ticket."

"I should've guessed," Dumbledore laughed, and then continued, "Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to do me a little favour?"

"Probably…" Hermione gave Dumbledore a worried look.

"As I'm sure you noticed, Professor Snape managed to get himself into a little…scene…a few minutes ago. It would probably help his reputation in the eyes of the people who saw him if he were to dance with someone..." Whatever Dumbledore had planned to say to Hermione next was lost as Snape walked over. With an icy smile he looked at Dumbledore and said levelly,

"If you are suggesting that I dance with Miss Granger here Albus, I have to say I would rather not. Personally I don't want the word 'paedophile' to be added to the list of names the people in this room already have for me."

Dumbledore sighed,

"I don't think anybody would think that Severus. I believe it would help you a great deal if you were seen to be dancing, rather than sitting in a corner and scowling all night. And I also believe that it would be good if you were to dance with the Head Girl." Dumbledore gave Snape a smile. At that point in time Snape knew he had lost and grudgingly bowed to Hermione, and lead her out to the dance floor.

~~~~~

Snape stared over Hermione's shoulder without saying a word, as they moved slowly around the dance floor. The crowds around him noticed the couple and began to mutter. Brilliant, thought Snape, I told Dumbledore that this would be a bad idea.

"Professor?"

Snape looked down into Hermione's face suddenly, as if he had just noticed that she was there. Without even a trace of a smile he asked,

"Yes?"

"There's a woman waving over to us a few feet behind you. I think she might be trying to get your attention."

Snape's eyebrows furrowed in thought, then he twirled himself and Hermione round so he could see who it was that Hermione was talking about. Across the floor, waving and wearing hideously bright red robes with over the top gaudy gold jewellery was Cheryl Maxwell.

"Damn." Snape mumbled as Cheryl made her way over to him.

"Severus darling!" Cheryl beamed and held her hand out to him. Snape let go of Hermione and bowed to Cheryl,

"Ms. Maxwell. What a surprise to see you here…"

Cheryl let out a giggle and blushed,

"Oh now Severus! You know you can call me Cheryl – no need to act so refined around little old me."

Hermione let out a muffled laugh, trying hard to imagine Cheryl as anywhere near 'little' – the woman was one of the plumpest ladies Hermione had ever set her eyes on. Snape shot Hermione an irritated look, but she wasn't in the least bit worried about because with Cheryl around it was highly unlikely he would be shout at her. Snape gave her a controlled smile and said,

"Miss Granger… why don't you run along and find your friends?"

Hermione gave Snape a sarcastic smile then walked away to find Ron and Harry. Snape waited until she was out of sight before he turned his attentions back to Cheryl.

"Severus, I must ask…" Cheryl whispered, staring into his eyes as she took one of his hands. Snape paled and pulled away from her quickly, then before Cheryl had a chance to finish her sentence he said,

"I'm sorry Cheryl, I'm not feeling too good. I think I may go outside for a bit of fresh air - alcohol goes straight to my head," Then Snape turned abruptly on his heels and left the hall with speed.

Snape ran out into the darkness, where the rain was still pounding the ground. The night had steadily grown worse for him with each new minute that passed, and now that Cheryl had turned up it was doomed to become even worse. Snape sat down on one of the front steps and pushed his hair out of his eyes, glad to have gotten away from her before she tried to trick him into going on some sort of date "for old time's sake"- for he hated the woman. Snape had dated Cheryl for around three months when he had been in his seventh year at Hogwarts, and the whole affair had ended in a particularly nasty way. She had had the nerve to come back to him two weeks after he had broken up with her claiming that she was pregnant with his child. The ignorant woman had even gone to the authorities over it, thought Snape as he sighed, claiming that the pregnancy had been the result of rape. Luckily the case had been dismissed pretty quickly, for there was no evidence that Snape had done anything to her. And because she had a reputation within the school for making up stories just to get attention, Snape added sourly.  

Snape dragged himself out of his memories of his time with Cheryl and went back to thinking about what was happening at the moment. He was glad that he had had the chance to tell Fudge his feelings in front of as many people as he did. He knew that Dumbledore would be angry once they arrived back at Hogwarts – but Snape didn't mind. Now that he had said to Fudge about rejecting Dumbledore's help in front of others, he was bound to have to take some action. Whether this meant joining Dumbledore or splitting away from him, thought Snape, we'll figure out where he stands.

After a few more minutes reflective thinking, Snape stood up slowly and stretched muttering,

"Back to the cynical masses…" He then turned and walked up the steps leading to the front doors of the building.

As Snape drew closer to the open doors, he could hear shouting coming from inside. Upon entering, he could see several of the Ministry's elite group of guards closing the doors to the dance hall. Snape's face crinkled up in confusion and he quickened his pace, curious to find out what was going on. Walking up behind a man in dark blue robes, Snape excused himself and asked what was going on,

"Pardon me, but why has the hall been closed off?"

The man Snape was talking to spun around and when it registered that it was Snape who had talked to him he let out a cry of,

"Over here! He's over here!"

Before Snape had any idea as to what was going on, he felt his arms being grabbed roughly from behind him, and saw several people running towards him with angered expressions on their faces. A gruff voice from beside him made Snape turn round,

"Severus Snape?"

"What is the meaning of this?" Snape hissed furiously, glaring at the stocky man who had just spoken. The man ignored him and asked,

"Are you Severus Snape?"

"Yes of course I am you fool!" Snape tried to wriggle free from the men that were holding him, but was unable to. The man continued,

"Severus Snape, I am arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Cornelius Fudge. You have the right to remain silent but anything that you do say…"

Snape couldn't believe what he was hearing and looked up at the man in shock, for once at a loss for words.  

~~~~~