Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling; I own none of it. The titles of the chapters are from I'm A Believer see previous disclaimers for info on that. Atilla, on the other hand is mine, you can't have her, and probably wouldn't want her. Any likeness to the movie You've Got Mail is strictly accidental, there is no guarantee that this story will continue to look like the movie in fact, I will do everything possible to take it away from that plot line.
a/n: Okay, I am sorry to any of you who were expecting my update yesterday, unfortunately, school comes first as I wish to graduate in this spring. I hope you like how the story is heading now, if you don't I'm sorry, go read something else. Those of you with constructive criticism, or critiques, or just comments on the story in general, please REVIEW!! Flames are okay too, as they will be shipped to places like Eastern WA, where it is absolutely freezing cold. I would lastly like to send out a HUGE Thank You to all my Betas, you are all so much help.
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Hermione stared at the journal. She didn't know what to answer. This certainly wasn't a question she was expecting.
What are your thoughts on the Death Eater Trial of Marcus Flint?
It was so hard. She new Marcus Flint, he had been at Hogwarts with her. He'd finally graduated in her 3rd year, after having to take his NEWTs all over again, having failed them the first time around. He'd been horrible in school, a leader in the Slytherin crowd; always making trouble. And once he graduated, he had been worse. She knew he had joined up with the underground Death Eaters, and when the Dark Lord came back, he had been right in the thick of Voldemort's crowd. How many people had he killed? How many women had he raped? Yet, did he deserve the Dementor's Kiss? That was what he had gotten.
Hades, your first question is an intense one. I knew Marcus Flint, not well, but I knew him.
As did I.
He did so many horrible things; torture, rape, murder. Yet, does anyone deserve the fate he got? Today's Daily Prophet says he was given the Dementor's Kiss last night.
Didn't he deserve it? Think of all the people whose lives ended too soon because of him; the women that will always bear the shame of his touch. Do those things not mean he deserves a fate worse than death?
I find it hard to believe that anyone deserves such a fate, with 2 exceptions. I think that He should have been imprisoned for life, or even, dare I say it, killed for what he did, but I do not believe that he should have been given the kiss. I don't like the idea of him being killed either. What if there was a chance of helping him see the wrong he did, what if he saw the error of his ways? Repented, tried to fix or at least make up for, all the wrongs he did?
I knew him, there was no way he would have seen what he did as bad; he enjoyed it, laughed when he took a life. He was evil. He would never change; doesn't that mean he deserved the Dementor's Kiss?
You are testing me. How is the Dementor's Kiss a good thing? It creates a new Dementor, in essence. Someone as lifeless and cold as they are. A wondering soulless being that creates as much fear and loathing as the Dementors themselves. They assist the Dementors; help them feed off of warm, living people. The Dementors need no help, they are perfectly capable of finding their own food, they do it quite well. We do not need more Dementors, better that Marcus Flint had been kept in Azkaban forever than to become an entity worse than what he was before.
Severus looked at the entry she had just written. Here was someone who hated and feared the Demetors, loathed all that they stood for. He looked back at her earlier writing, how she believed that maybe some of the Death Eaters could be made to see the error of their ways. Severus wondered what she would say if she knew that she was talking to a reformed Death Eater. What would she say if he told her that it is impossible to make up for all the evil he did in his past, no matter how much he did, or how long he lived; Severus would never be able to make up for the lives he took, the people his potions poisoned, the evil he did.
I notice you seem to think that some of the Death Eaters might renounce their ways, and try to atone for them. What makes you think that such evil people would ever feel bad about what they have done, and try to fix things?
I believe this because a man I respect and admire used to be a Death Eater, yet he saw what he was doing wrong, and turned himself in. Instead of handing him over to the law, the wisest man I know helped this man become a spy against Voldemort.
Severus blinked. He looked at what she had written. Maybe Cassandra wouldn't care that he was a Death Eater in the past. In fact, the man she talked about sounded a lot like him. It couldn't be though, there were other spies in the Death Eaters, she must be talking of someone else. Especially as he knew that there was no one out there who respected and admired him.
You bring up some very interesting points, if a bit sentimental. I think I will have to think about them a bit. I think we should call it a night, as the time is late, and I would like to think. The next time we talk, it will be your turn to ask a question.
You are right, it is getting late, and I too have much to think on. Until next time.
Good Night.
Slowly Hermione shut the journal. She could feel adrenaline pumping through her body, she always felt like that after a good debate. It was a nice feeling; she hadn't debated with anyone in a long time. Looking at the clock on the bookcase she yawned, it read 10:30. Hermione uncurled from her position on the couch, stretching as she did so. "I'm not quite tired enough to go to bed yet Atilla, let's go for a walk." Atilla blinked and meowed her agreement.
Slipping on a jacket and pocketing her wand Hermione opened the door. After letting herself and Atilla out she rest the wards, and walked down the stairs from her flat to the street. Hermione smiled as she breathed in the cool night air, she loved taking walks in the evening, everything was so quite and still. Atilla padded along silently next to her as they walked toward the park down the street. The street lights were sending soft circles of light at regular intervals and between them Hermione could look up and see the stars.
When they reached the park Hermione wondered around a bit then settled on a bench facing the central fountain. Leaning back she smiled, "I really think I am going to enjoy using this journal, if nothing else, I will have some real discussion for a change." Atilla wasn't listening; she was batting at fallen leaves in front of the bench. Hermione smiled.
Suddenly Atilla stopped, she turned and faced the trees behind the bench Hermione was sitting on, the fur on her back was standing up and her tail was fluffed out. She was hissing quietly, and backing away from the bench. "What is it girl? Is something out there?" Hermione reached for her wand, standing up at the same time. Turning to face the trees, she called out. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
She heard a laughing voice say quietly, "Oh I don't think so, not today. Someday you will see me though, and then; then we will see just how much of a Gryffindor you are." Hermione shivered the voice, so cruel, and icy, she swore she had heard it before, but where.
A hand settled on her shoulder. Hermione jumped, and turned around, her wand out.
"Sorry to frighten you miss, but I was just walking my rounds and saw you looking at those trees like they was going to jump out and bite you. Are you okay? Can I help you with anything?"
"I'm fine thank you," she told the police officer, "only do you think you could check those trees, I thought I heard someone back there."
"Of course miss." Clearly he thought she was a bit insane, she tucked her wand away quickly, hoping he hadn't seen it. The cop was coming back, shaking his head. "Nothing there miss, probably you heard a stray dog, there's been reports of one. You should probably be heading home now miss, it is late and it really isn't safe to be walking around on your own you know. Will you be needing an escort to your house?"
No, thank you, I will be fine, and thank you for your help. Have a good evening."
"You too miss." The bobby headed off to finish his rounds and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around for Atilla she found her sitting calmly near the fountain. "Is everything safe now girl? Is he gone?" Atilla nodded. "Okay, then lets head home."
Arriving back at her flat Hermione was very glad that she had remembered to put the wards up as she left, she felt much safer now that she was back in her comfortable and well known surroundings.
There was a tapping at her kitchen window and Hermione jumped a bit, her heart racing again. Turning quickly she saw it was only an owl with a letter, she moved to let him in. Dropping the letter on the counter in front of her he turned and flew back out the window. Hermione latched it again before picking up the letter and moving to sit on a stool at the breakfast nook. "I really don't think I can take much more of this exciting night, I think my heart hasn't stopped beating double time since the park." Atilla meowed and jumped up on her lap, curling into a little ball and purring. "Thanks." Hermione smiled petting her.
"Now, let's see what's in this letter." Turning it over she saw that the letter had the official seal of Hogwarts stamped in wax on the back. 'I wonder what Hogwarts wants' she thought as she opened the envelope. The letter was brief and written in Professor Dumbledore's loopy handwriting.
Dear Hermione,
I hope that you are well, and happy. It has been a long time since we here at Hogwarts have enjoyed your presence; hopefully we will not have to wait long to see you again. I understand that you are currently employed at the Ministry as their Potions Mistress, and a very good one at that. However, we are in need of a new professor at Hogwarts and your name is at the top of a list of possible people for the position. If you will recall dear old Professor Binns, he has finally decided to retire. Though we will miss him, and his exciting way of teaching history, (Hermione snorted in an unconvinced way) we are hoping that you would be interested in taking over his position. Please do not feel that you need to reply to us immediately as this is only the beginning of the summer holiday. If you could let us know by the end of July, what your decision will be.
Thank you, and have a wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Hermione set the letter down on the countertop, she wasn't quite certain whether she wanted to take the job or not. It wasn't that she loved her job at the Ministry, it was more that she didn't want to give up her ability to play around with potions. Besides, she may enjoy History of Magic, but not many other people did, and she wasn't quite sure she would be able to teach if no one liked her classes. She'd have to think about it for a bit, she had time. Maybe a little bit of sleep would help, her heart had finally stopped racing, and she was suddenly very tired; she would think about the letter from Professor Dumbledore tomorrow. Right now, she was going to bed. Scooping up Atilla she walked to her bedroom, and after setting extra wards around her bedroom, just to help her feel safer, she got into bed. Sleep came surprisingly quickly.
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"Master, where were you? We could not find you anywhere."
"I was out visiting a friend, someone my son knew from school."
"Oh. Master what plans do you have for this friend?"
"I will tell you in good time, for now, just know that I have plans for… Hermione Granger."
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Severus couldn't sleep. It was 2am, and he had been laying in bed thinking for the past 2 hours. Growling he got out of bed, 'I might as well take a walk around the castle maybe that will help.' Throwing on a robe, he left his room, locking it after himself with a wave of his wand. He stalked through the halls, up various staircases, and down long corridors. Finally he found himself in the Astronomy Tower; he stood looking over the parapet at the dark grounds below.
"Ah Severus, how are you, up a bit late I see." It took all of Snape's Death Eater control not to jump at the Professor's words. 'How on earth does he walk so quietly, I'm surprised he hasn't given anyone a heart attack yet.'
"I just can't sleep Albus, too quiet without the annoying brats around wandering the halls after hours."
Dumbledore chuckled, "I knew you missed the students Severus."
Severus glared.
"Not to change the subject, but doubtless you've heard that Professor Binns has finally decided to retire."
"Yes Headmaster I did."
"We had a number of people on the list of possible replacements; I have just sent a letter to our number one choice."
"Oh, and who was that? Please tell me it wasn't Lockhart, I don't think I could handle working with him again."
"No, not Lockhart, though I am glad to hear that he has made a complete recovery from his memory problems."
"Who then, Albus?"
"I have sent a letter to Hermione Granger; I am hoping she will accept the position."
"Miss Granger? Surely there are other people more suited to teaching than she is."
"I believe that she will be just the person for the History of Magic position, and I very much hope she will accept. If she does, I expect you to be civil to her Severus."
"I am always civil to staff members Professor."
"I know that Severus, and I thank you. On a happier note, how is your journaling coming along?"
Severus was sure he noted a twinkle in the Headmaster's eye, and a slight grin on his mouth. Sneering he replied, "The woman I am currently talking to hasn't slammed the book shut on me yet, if that is what you mean. We are not friends Albus, probably barely even acquaintances, but we can carry on a written conversation and debate. I do not believe however, that I will contact this woman after the month has passed."
"I am glad to hear that you are doing so well Severus; do keep me informed as to your progress."
"You seem to be waiting for an event that is not going to occur Professor, please don't hold your breath for exciting news."
"We'll see Severus, we'll see. Good night Severus, sleep well." With that the Headmaster turned and head back down the tower stairs.
Turning again to face the parapet Severus wondered what the old man thought he knew. The headmaster was right about one thing though, he finally felt like he would be able to get some sleep that night. He could think about Death Eaters and Cassandra's answers later in the morning, after a little bit of sleep to help with the thought process. Turning he started to climb back down to the dungeons and his bed.
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-Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! To all my reviewers, you are wonderful! I don't know what I would do without you.
-Willow: I liked the idea of Ron and Parvati being together. She may not have gotten on with him in the past, but teenage boys grow up, I see no reason why Ron shouldn't. Besides, her name is fun to write. : -)
-And don't worry if you think that their little debate is a bit too short, there will be more to it, yes, there will be more.
-A little note to all of you who wish me to send Hermione to Hogwarts, you will just have to wait and see, I have the plot worked out already. Remember not to make any assumptions just based on what you have read so far, I love little plot twists.
-For those of you waiting for smut, I'm sorry, I doubt that the smut level in this book will get worse than a pg-13 rating, I just can't write that. The R rating is there because I want to stay on the safe side.
-If you are having problems viewing the chapters, please email me, they should be working okay, but if not I will be happy to email you those chapters.
-I have had a couple of people asking what a Beta is; basically a beta is a second reader. Someone who reads your work after you have written it but before you post, that gives you ideas, and checks your grammar that sort of stuff.