Chapter Six: A Meeting of the Minds
Disclaimer: See chapter one
"Oh for fuck sake," Hermione swore as she tripped for the ump teenth time on her walk up from Hogsmeade. She had spent the morning at the Ministry running tests on a mysterious virus that was showing up in some of the Aurors sent to work in various parts of Eastern Europe. Thus far it had killed five, and left about twenty in the hospital waiting for the cure. It caused the Aurors to have hallucinations; they would then loose their memories for a period of time, how long depended on the individual, after which they would appear to be completely normal before they would just stop breathing. What made it so very special was that it was only affecting the Aurors, for now at least, and it had absolutely no affect on the Muggle population in the area What's more it did not seem to be magical in origin. The virus, which Hermione was now affectionately calling the Auror's Darwin, seemed to be a mutant strand of something, but she had yet to discover what that something was. She had been asked to look at the chemical components of the virus because of her Muggle background, and because she had dealt with this type of thing before. Well, not some strange killer virus, but she had broken down various potions to their basic elements through the use of Muggle Chemistry.
This morning had been more frustrating then normal. Hermione had thought that she was close to a break though only to find that the strand had once again mutated, something that it did periodically. She had also had an oh so pleasant visit from her boss informing her that she had another two weeks to make something of the Formidilosus Virus (it had been less then affectionately dubbed that by the Ministry), or they would give it to some one else. "They need answers, Hermione, this virus has cause quite the scare" Mr. Cass had said, looking at her neat notes through his bifocals. "I don't want to pull you from the team –" as always there was a group of anonymous Ministry personnel working on the project "–love, but if your work doesn't show some results, and soon…we just can't afford to spare the people if they're not making progress." Hermione had been quite put out by this little announcement. True, her heart, and more importantly her brain, were not completely focused on finding something useful, but she'd never been pulled from a project before, and she didn't want to start now.
So the last thing that she wanted to do was take the long hot walk up to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade. She understood the need for extra safety at Hogwarts, and in most cases she would agree with it, but right now, she would have given anything to Apparate right into the school, or at least on to the grounds. Hermione sighed loudly as she approached the now overly familiar side door that she used on all her visits to the school. Whispering the password (Salmon USA), she entered the dark cool corridor that would take her directly to Dumbledore's private study, where all the Resistance meetings were held. Although in casual conversation it was called the Headmaster's office, in truth it was far too risky to meet in there. Even though the school was all but disserted. Hermione still did not disarm her invisibility spell, nor did she take off the charm concealing her footsteps until she was safely in Dumbledore's study. As Severus was always saying, 'Stealth is key,' or some such thing. The point was that no one could ever know that Hermione was at Hogwarts, and she was, as always, taking every precaution to ensure that.
Hermione opened the door (It was keyed to certain individual's entry) at the end of the long passageway, and stepped, thankful, into the small, bright office, where Dumbledore, Severus, Sirius, and Remus were waiting for her. The office itself was far more…reserved the Headmasters "public face". It had cherry wood paneled walls, a large desk, and various, comfortable, chairs scattered about the room. The perfect size fireplace was located across from the large bay window. It was a homey space that Hermione enjoyed very much. "Hello," she said, disarming the invisibility charms, as she took a set in her customary chair by the window. "Nice to see you all again," She couldn't quite keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
Severus examined her closely from across the room, "Long day?"
"Something like that," She replied acidly, and won her self a sharp look from Sirius.
"Is everything okay?" Sirius asked, he too looking at her closely, only his expression held more concern then Severus'.
Hermione smiled, and tried to calm herself, "Sorry," She said, "I had a long morning at the Ministry. The project that I'm working on isn't going so well, and I was told I had to come up with something soon, or they are going to pull me."
"Lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked gesturing to one of the candy dishes on his desk.
Again she smiled, "No, no thank you."
"What is the project, Hermione?" Remus asked softly.
"Oh, I'm working on isolating various components of the Formidilosus Virus."
Severus looked at her sharply, "Why did you not mention this before?"
"I got the assignment after our last meeting." Hermione replied defensively, "I didn't think that it was that important, and so I didn't make any effort to contact any of you."
"How far have you gotten with your work?" Severus' voice was very sharp.
"Obviously not very." Hermione met his tone, "If I'd made any progress they wouldn't want to pull me form the project. Why the third degree about it?"
"Because, the virus is suspected to have links to the Death Eaters," Dumbledore explained calmly, "And if Lucius or Voldemort were to find out you were working on it, it could, of course, do one of two things, jeopardize your position, or jeopardize any progress made to find a cure."
Hermione tilted her head to the side in resignation, "Oh, I suppose I should have thought of that."
"Probably," Severus commented, and earned himself a glare from the Headmaster.
"Hermione, I know this isn't what you want to hear," Dumbledore said sadly, "But, by the look of things, it will be necessary for you to withdraw from your project."
Hermione looked down at her knees, "I see," She said quietly, "Well that shouldn't be too difficult. Cass has already given me a way out, I suppose."
"That's a girl," Sirius said, "Way to see the silver lining."
Severus chuckled harshly, "As always, Black, you manage to reduce things to there simplest form."
In response Sirius glared, and was about to say something, when Hermione interjected dryly, "As much as I enjoy your ever present witty banter, I believe that there are more important issues to discuss."
"Hermione's right," Remus agreed calmly, "She can't spend too much time here, so we should try to get this meeting completed as quickly as possible." The other two men glared, in a startlingly similar manner, but said nothing.
"How did everything go last night, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked, and the rest of the room turned their attentions to her.
She thought for a moment, "Has Lucius contacted you, Severus?" She was stalling, although she didn't know why.
"No, but that's normal."
"Perhaps not," Hermione answered vaguely, as she paused for a moment. "Last night was…productive. As expected, Lucius did not reveal any of the Dark Lords secrets to me. I think, well really, I know Draco is suspicious of me, and my motives. He knows me far better then his father, and he knows how the Gryffindor trio used to be. But we expected that reaction from him. Lucius is…is well Lucius," Here Hermione paused for a moment trying to decide how best to explain what had happened. She eventual settled on, "When I arrived, I was escorted to his private study, the one just off the library," She looked to Severus for confirmation, who nodded, indicating for her to continue. "Anyway…" She went on to explain what had happened, from her initial conversation with Lucius to the dinner. She was fairly thorough, retelling it almost exactly as she remembered it. She told them about the initial conversation, the room, the wardrobe, and about Celina Cypress, and Tommy McClure. "Actually," She finished, "I was wondering about him. He was pretty docile, even when I was talking about Voldemort. One would think that that would have gotten something out of him."
Severus thought for a moment, "With McClure it's kind of hard to tell." After a pause he elaborated, "He's been a follower of Voldemort for as long as Lucius and myself. Although," He admitted, "I'm surprised he's that close to Voldemort."
"Well, I'm glade I could be of some help."
"Hermione," Dumbledore said gently, "You being in the Manor is more then we could have hoped for. Don't ever think that you, of all people, are not being enough help."
Hermione smiled at him, "Well, with any luck," She said briskly, attempting to brush off the complement, "Lucius will find reason to trust me before long, so that him and I can dispense with the initiation games."
"Tired of them already?" Severus asked teasingly.
Hermione missed the gentle tone, "No, I wouldn't say that. I just don't like not knowing where I stand. It's a comfort thing, I think. And I really hate walking on eggshells. Which reminds me," She added hurriedly, "After I told the dinner party about their Lord, Lucius' reaction was relatively minor. I would have thought that he would have been a little more upset."
"It depends," Severus responded neutrally, "He was either not that upset, or he saw it as a genuine opportunity to present you to Voldemort."
"Or he knows the game," Remus remarked, in an uncharacteristically realistic comment.
Hermione looked at him sharply. "I'd rather not think that."
"I'm with you on that one," Sirius muttered. "I would rather not think that this was–is all in vain."
"It remains, however," Dumbledore said, "That Lucius could very well know what you're doing, and be playing you, so to speak, while you play him."
"Of course the good news –and by "good news" I mean a stretch to make it seem a little better–" Remus picked up for Dumbledore, "Is that neither one of you will get anywhere, and while nothing will be gained, nothing will be lost."
Hermione smile held little mirth, "Ya, umm, as much as I appreciate the attempt, I can't really say I find that at all comforting. Look," She added after she saw the hurt flash in Remus' eyes, "I appreciate what you're trying to do, and I didn't mean to snap, its just been a…long day."
The room was silent for several moments as everyone fished for something constructive to add. Surprisingly it turned out to be Severus, "Now about your meeting with Voldemort," Hermione looked up, "You will get the summons within the next two weeks. Expect Lucius to make a big production out of it. He'll escort you to the meeting. There will be other Death Eaters, and other business to attend to when you get there. You'll know if you've been accepted if you're allowed to stay. I'll do my best to attended, but I can't guarantee anything." He paused for moment, "Our next meeting should be sometime after that. I wouldn't suggest right away, but fairly close."
Hermione nodded, digesting what had been said, "Should I expect Vertiaserum then?"
"I would imagine, but after our practice, I'm sure you'll do fine." Severus replied.
"There's a skill I never thought I'd have to have," Hermione muttered dryly to herself.
"We've all acquired skills that we should never have needed," Sirius said comfortingly. This time Hermione just smiled, and said nothing, although the idea was still bothering her.
"Here's what I'm wondering about," Remus said after a moment, "I'm a little concerned about Draco. I mean we expected him to be suspicious, but I got the impression that he was a bit more sexual then absolutely necessary."
"Hum," Severus mused, "I think he may prove to be more dangerous then originally anticipated."
"What would you suggest I do?" Hermione asked. Severus raised his eyebrow indicating that she should be the one to figure it out. "Okay," She said slowing rising to the challenge, "I could continue doing what I'm doing now; convince him that I am there for the reasons that I'm saying. Or I could go along with the sexual advances. Or I could, and this is probably the answer that you're looking for, do a cross between the two. Keep Draco pushed far enough away while still keeping him interested in me."
"You seem to know me too well," Severus replied dryly. 'Better then we'd both like, I'm sure,' Hermione thought in a moment of viciousness.
Shaking her head she nodded. "Alright, I can't find too much wrong with that. It won't be to difficult to be convincing."
"Wonderful," Dumbledore said, "I have a slight problem with the wardrobe Lucius gave you, however. It is obvious that he wants to set you apart."
"I can't say I'm too concerned about that. You're right, he is trying to emphasize the difference, but it's not too difficult to use it to my advantage. And besides," She added lightly, "Burgundy and gold suit me quite well."
"And I thought Gryffindor's where suppose to be modest," Severus said darkly
"Oh, don't worry Professor, I ceased being a Gryffindor a long time ago." He smiled at her then, and Hermione couldn't help smiling back, although she felt that everyone had missed what she had said, they had once again missed the point.
Hermione left the office no more then ten minutes later, with instruction to send an owl when she was summoned. Walking to Hogsmeade, gave her an unwanted opportunity for reflection, and she found her mind wondering back to when she had learned how, exactly, to lie while under the truth serum. It hadn't been easy, as she recalled. Severus had forced her to take it so that she could familiarize herself with its 'symptomes', the tell tale sings that you where under the influence. There weren't many.
The serum itself had no taste, and no odour. It didn't have any noticeable effect on the individual, except the obvious, and that worked much like Imperius. While you knew you were telling the truth, you had no way of stopping yourself. Repeated exposure helped to develop a resistance to it, but the best resistance was to prevent it from becoming fully affected. So it was all back to recognizing the signs. Vertiaserum neutralized certain neuron pathways that allowed you to choose to divulge information or not. After about the fifth or sixth exposure, Hermione had been able to tell, or sense, when she was losing the ability to choose. After about 20 exposures, she had began to put up barriers, and it wasn't long before she could almost manipulate it.
After that, Severus would slip the occasional bit into her drinks, or her meal. That was when she became apt at controlling it. Once you could control your own brain, your own response to the potion, it was just a matter of deciding when it was best to tell the truth, and when to lie. How much of the truth did the individual asking the question expect to hear? What was 'good' information to give, and what was 'bad' information to give? It all came down to a sense of timing, and understanding one's opponent. Hermione had learned that the quicker you responded the better. She'd have to predict possible question Voldemort could ask her. She also found that if she divulged something that she wouldn't otherwise mention it always added creditability. Although it was better if it was true, a lie was sometimes acceptable.
Hermione sighed deeply; she had become far too comfortable manipulating the truth lately. She laughed harshly, 'Call it what it is, God damn it. Lying. I lie to everyone. I lie to myself, I lie to the people in that room, and I lie to everyone that I ever cared about.' Hermione kicked at the rock in front of her, and winced at the pained it caused her toes.
'One day when this is all over…' She made to vow, but vow what? She didn't know what she believed anymore. She was beginning to have trouble separating the 'old' Hermione from this 'new' and improved version.
And that frightened her.
Now that she was living with Lucius, everything was about the game, about the mission. At least with her work… She stopped abruptly, 'So that's what's bothering me.' This project had never before had any impacted on what she did for the Ministry. She'd always had a part of her life that was her own. Sure she had to isolate herself from her colleagues, but she never like most of them anyway. But she had always had a project, a purpose that was hers and hers alone. Now all she had was…well…giving Lucius Malfoy blowjobs, it appeared. There where worse things, she supposed, 'Although not much!'
She chuckled at that, feeling a little better. At least she knew what was bothering her, and if she knew what the problem was she could endeavor to fix it. So she couldn't work on Auror's Darwin, she could always ask for a simpler project, something that didn't require her usual commitment level, and something that could, in no way connect with the Death Eaters.
That resolved, Hermione made to Disapparate, and concentrating arrived, again on the landing pad of Malfoy Manor. This time as she looked up the steps, she did the smart thing, she Apparated to the top. As she turned the gold handle, she couldn't help but feel, despite her rather quick solution, that a part of her was indeed lost.
A/N: I hope the characterization of Lupin and Black wasn't too far off. I did my best.
Formidilosus: is a Latin word for causing dread and anxiety.
A special thank you to my Beta's Stephani and Alex a.k.a Toadie.
