Shattered
By Adriana
trixielou60@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: This probably isn't a revelation, but I don't own the Harry Potter Universe, I just play in it. The plot is mine.

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Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow

~ From the poem, "The Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot

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Chapter 4: Shadow

Hermione slowly made her way to the Potions Lab, her notebook tightly clutched to her chest. She felt a vague anticipation at seeing Snape, but that was quickly stuffed down and instead she thought about the events of recent days. Dumbledore had set up her cover by announcing to the school that she was to be Madam Pomfrey's replacement and Hermione had tendered her resignation from St. Aloysius Hospital in London. She had assured the University that she was going to continue her research at Hogwarts, as it was equipped with a state-of-the art Potions Lab and the Library would be able to keep her well-stocked with needed reference books.

The door of the Potions Lab was closed and knowing Snape's obsession with privacy, she thought it best to knock.

"Enter!" Snape's voice was impatient.

He was seated at his desk, his dark features scrunched into a typical scowl as he poured over the parchment he was reading.

As he looked up, his face immediately changed and Hermione was surprised at the look of total relaxation on his face. Really! How did he do that?

"You're staring at me, Dr. Granger. Have I suddenly grown another nose?"

"No", thought Hermione. "It's just that I've never noticed that you're actually not a bad looking man, when you're not scowling.

Instead she said, "Mmmp."

"How articulate," Snape said dryly. "Well, don't just stand there, girl! Let's see what you've written!"

Hermione bristled. "In case you hadn't noticed, I am not a girl anymore," she huffed.

"So I see. Now that we've established that fact, perhaps we could look at your notes?"

They sat in silence, while Snape quickly read the first few pages of parchment.

"Let me see if I have this correct. The Soul Gathering Potion starts by identifying the emotional body of the soul. It build receptors in the brain for those emotions identified as Anger, Hatred, Love, Fear, Joy and an illusive little emotion called, 'Peace'. He chuckled softly. "I wouldn't know 'Peace' if it reached up to bite me on the arse."

For a moment he looked appalled at this personal revelation, but Hermione said smoothly, "Don't worry about it. We can make you a 'Peace' potion when this is all over. Who knows? Maybe you won't even need it."

"Unlikely. In any event, I see you've worked out the arithmancy on how to do this first step. Very impressive. Unfortunately, for our purposes, it's backwards."

Hermione began to talk excitedly. "But you see Professor, in doing the arithmancy, I've already worked out the magical structure of each emotion. Each emotion has an essence, a vibration, if you will, which I've identified in the hopes of designing a potion to build the brain receptors. But we can use that information to tell us what kind of energy is needed to shatter the magical properties of those emotions. For instance, there are a series of potion ingredients that induce the soul to love, be it platonic, romantic, or divine unconditional love. Each ingredient has a corresponding antidote. Do you remember how you used to drill us on potion ingredients and their antidotes? I must have memorized reams of parchment on that subject. I believe we can use what we know to identify those ingredients that will counteract the magical energies of Voldemort's emotions, love for instance. This isn't the same thing as building a potion to induce hate, am I right? I believe we can mix the ingredients in an unstable base material which will enhance its ability to shatter those emotions. It's going to take a lot of work because we'll have to make sure that the antidotes don't produce side-effects when they're mixed."

"We could probably dispense with the ingredients for love, I doubt that Voldemort has ever had an inkling of love for anyone or anything."

Hermione was stunned. To her utter astonishment, Snape gave her a crooked grin.

"Oh! Oh, you're kidding. Of course you are," she murmured.

"It may come as a shock to you, but I am capable of a joke. I just don't indulge in them very often." Snape continued thoughtfully, "Actually, we must be sure to include everything. We can't take anything for granted. If we miss a step or miss an ingredient, the potion will not work."

They were discussing some of the properties of various well-known potions when a loud crackle was heard in the fireplace. Hermione and Snape looked up to see Albus' head floating in the fire. It never failed to frighten Hermione for just a few seconds, seeing a disembodied head talking to you as if it wasn't as weird as it really was.

"Good evening, you two!" The Headmaster seemed to be in high spirits. Snape grunted a greeting at him.

"If I may borrow Dr. Granger, I have need of her in the Hospital Wing. Don't worry, Hermione. It's not an injured student. It will probably come as no surprise to you that the number of accidents and traumas seemed to decrease upon the departure of a certain well-known trio. I believe you three hold the record for the number of visits to the infirmary?"

Hermione smiled. "You're probably right. If it's not an injured student, then why do you need me, if I may ask?"

"Ah, well. I neglected to tell you that before Madam Pomfrey died, she'd secured the services of an apprentice mediwitch by the name of Taryn Butler. Miss Butler is presently waiting for you in the infirmary. I thought it best to keep her as an assistant as you will no doubt be very busy with your research here in the Potions Lab."

"Tell Miss Butler that I will be up shortly."

When Albus disappeared, Hermione turned to Snape. "We can continue this tomorrow. For now, I think it's best if you read my materials. You've a lot of catching up to do."

Snape already had his nose buried in her parchments. He gave her a distracted nod.

As Hermione left the Lab, she felt a cold shadow of apprehension clutching at her heart. "No, this will work," she said to herself.

It had to.

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Hermione made her way to the infirmary and was greeted by the Headmaster and a very pretty Taryn Butler. Miss Butler was tall, blond and had twinkling blue eyes the colour of the morning sky. Hermione immediately felt dowdy next to her.

"Dr. Granger, this is Taryn Butler, your new assistant. Miss Bulter studied at St. Aloysius Hospital. I'm surprised you didn't run into each other."

"Well," said Taryn, "I saw Dr. Granger around, but she was way out of my league. I'm just a simple mediwitch, but Dr. Granger belongs t the Order of Chiron. I wish I had the brains to get accepted at such an exclusive program." She turned to Hermione. "I heard that you finished your mediwitch instructions after just eight months. You must be brilliant."

Hermione blushed. "Not really," she said modestly. "I'm just an obsessive student. I don't think it's healthy, really."

Taryn smiled. "Brilliant and humble!" She added, "I hope my work will please you, Dr. Granger. I expect I'm going to learn a lot."

Hermione felt immediately at ease. Albus gave them his leave and Hermione suggested a tour of the infirmary. As they were walking around, Taryn told her that she'd gone to Hogwarts, but that she'd been several years behind Hermione. She was a Ravenclaw.

"I thought you looked a little familiar," said Hermione. "I guess we didn't have occasion to run into each other at school."

Taryn laughed. "No, you were too busy with Harry Potter, fighting the forces of evil. I guess you could say that I ran with a different crowd. By the way, is Snape still here at Hogwarts?"

"Oh yes," Hermione sighed. "I hope that won't be a problem for you. You'll probably run into him sometimes because he supplies some of the more complex potions for the infirmary. I know he can be an unpleasant git sometimes."

"Oh, it's quite alright," countered Taryn. "Actually that's another thing I was looking forward to. I always thought he was rather dishy, didn't you?

Hermione stared at her in disbelief. "Are we talking about the same man?"

Taryn laughed again. "Oh come on, Dr. Granger! All that dark mystery? I always thought he was gorgeous, especially when he was demonstrating the preparation of his potions. I'd love to be the object of all that concentrated energy."

"If you say so, Miss Butler. That reminds me . . . why don't you call me Hermione?"

"Alright, Hermione. Please call me Taryn."

Hermione steered her towards the storeroom. "I have lots of things to show you in here, Taryn."

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Draco Malfoy was relaxing in the vast gardens of his father's estate, swirling a snifter of brandy. His thoughts drifted back to the first time his father had taken him to one of his infamous "shake-downs". Draco had been eight years old when he watched Lucius beat the shit out of a wizard who didn't have enough money to pay off a large gambling debt. His father loved to gamble on Quidditch, which was rife was corruption, but such "shake-downs" had been small potatoes compared to what he got in shady business deals and outright thievery. It hadn't bothered Draco much until he had seen those shake-down skills applied to his mother. She hadn't gotten out of bed for weeks. That had been the beginning of the end for Draco, although he still loved the power that being on the Dark Side gave him. He wondered if he would ever be completely free of it. One thing was for certain, Draco needed to look out for number one and he had every intention of doing that.

He felt a wave of nausea as his Dark Mark began to burn. Crap! Not now!

Draco found himself prostrate before Voldemort before he could even blink. Confused, he looked around, his spy instincts telling him to gather as much information as he could as to his whereabouts.

"Draco, my boy," said a high-pitched voice.

"My Lord." He bent to kiss Voldemort's ring, trying not to gag.

"Do you find me unpleasant, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes I do, but you're the most powerful wizard on Earth and I admire that. It sort of cancels out your unpleasantness."

For a moment, Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "I've gone too far," Draco thought in fear.

As if sensing his discomfort, Voldemort let out a booming laugh. "You're honesty is refreshing, Mr. Malfoy. I hope for your sake that you're always as honest with me."

Draco let out a relieved breath. "Certainly my Lord. How may I serve you?"

"What news do you have of Dr. Granger? My Watchers tell me that you've been seen with her at Hogwarts and out in public, as well. How goes things?"

"Well if your Watchers were thorough, they'd also be telling you that Dr. Granger can't keep her hands off me. It seems that she's all tied up in lustful knots."

The Dark Lord looked pleased. "I take it she believes that you fancy her?"

Draco inwardly shuddered at the Dark Lord's use of the word, 'fancy'. "I've completely swept her off her feet. In fact, we've made plans."

"Plans?"

"I'm taking her on holiday to Paris. Dr. Granger and I will spend the whole weekend in bed, if I have anything to say about it."

"And she's agreed?"

"Oh yes," Draco lied. "Why wouldn't she?"

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Hermione was contemplating Taryn's assessment of Snape's charms when Albus intercepted her in the hallway. "Something has come up suddenly, and it seems that our plans are going to change. Please meet me in my office."

Hermione was struggling with the Headmaster's latest password when she heard a sardonic voice behind her say, "Caramel Apples." Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation. "This obsession with sweets is going to be the ruin of him. It's a wonder his teeth haven't all rotted out."

Albus gave them a warm greeting and when they were seated he said, "A copy of the Soul Gathering Spell has been found."

Snape started. "Where?" he croaked.

"Belize."

"Did you just say Belize? As in Central America?" Hermione couldn't believe she'd heard him right.

"The very one. It's located on the Yucatan Peninsula, just south of the southern tip of Mexico. It seems that a copy of the spell is guarded at the ruins outside of Settee Point. I have contacted the tribe's healer, a man by the name of Cristobel. He's expecting you both."

"But I don't understand," said Hermione. "There are no known copies of the spell. All that has been written has been that which was passed on in the oral tradition. In fact, I've only been able to gather bits and pieces."

"Ah, well. I did a little digging on my own. It helps to know obscure people in obscure places. Your comment about the spell being used by natives in the Americas got me to thinking about my old friend, Cristobel. He couldn't believe I was making an inquiry about The Soul Gathering Spell. It hasn't been used in centuries. It was too unpredictable and often resulted in the death of the person they were trying to help."

"I suspect it's because they didn't use the corresponding potion," said Hermione.

"If I may interrupt, Headmaster, but perhaps you've forgotten. I can't leave Hogwarts as I am the subject of intense interest by Voldemort and I doubt if my absence here would go unnoticed." Snape's voice was carefully neutral.

Albus allowed himself an annoying twinkle of the eyes. "I've taken care of everything. Actually, I've had some help in the planning."

"By whom?" Hermione was still reluctant to accept this.

"By me."

Oh, Hermione knew that voice anywhere. "Can't I get away from you for one day, Malfoy?"

Draco entered the room with an air of triumph.

"Actually, you're in luck. You're going to be away from me for several days, however, only the four of us in this room will know about it. Actually, there is one other person who will know-- a hand-picked Auror, who is going to wear a particularly clever glamour. Nobody will know it's not actually you, Hermione. And then she and I are going to take a whirlwind holiday to Paris. It's a pity that you won't be joining me, Paris is the City of Romance, you know. I do hope she's nicer to me than you are. Maybe she'll even put out for me and I can pretend it's you."

"Blegh," was Hermione's response to Draco's crudeness. "You're taking my double to Paris?"

Draco gave her an evil leer.

"As amusing as this all is, how are you going to explain my absence?" Snape sounded doubtful.

"You will be confining yourself to your quarters over the weekend," said Albus. "For those who inquire, I will tell them that you are indisposed. No offense Severus, but most of the students and staff know that you're predisposed to periods of deep melancholy. It won't surprise anybody that you want to be alone. The only creatures who would be attending to you would be the House Elves and they're loyal to a fault. They won't tell a soul that you're not actually in your rooms."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you, Headmaster?" Snape said dryly. He turned his attention to Hermione. "Well Dr. Granger, it appears that we are going to Belize. Don't forget your sunscreen potion, I hear that the UV rays can be merciless there."

Hermione sat in her chair, pressing her hands to her face. Her mind was racing.

Two days in Belize. Two days alone with Severus Snape.

TBC

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Author's Note:  To those who have inquired:  No, I'm not changing the plot of the story, just a few minor details and descriptions.  Plus, I'm editing all my original spelling and grammar mistakes . . . 

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