A/N: Well, it looks like you all hate Indira, which means I accomplished my goal. ^_^ And yes, as a matter of fact, there IS a back story... right now, it's a little over three chapters long, and it'll go up after I finish 'Obsessions'. Also, I didn't really 'try' to make the last chapter funny; it just sort of turned out that way. This chapter's pretty funny, too. Enjoy!
~~~
"Okay, witches, are you ready?" Hermione asked Lisa Turpin, Lavender Brown, and Tracey Davis at rehearsal the next afternoon in the Potions classroom. "Act One, Scene Three. Lisa, you're up."
"Where hast thou been, sister?" Lisa read.
"Killing swine," Lavender said.
"Sister, where thou?" asked Tracey.
While Lisa launched into her short speech, Snape leaned over and whispered to Hermione, "What are we going to do about making them disappear?"
She thought for a moment, then said, "Good question. Could we work something out with Floo powder?"
"I don't think so," he said. "They wouldn't be able to say where they wanted to go, and there's no telling where they could end up."
Hermione nodded. "You're right. Let's give it some time. I'm sure we'll think of something."
"The weird sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land, thus do go about, about: thrice to thine and thrice to mine and thrice again to make up nine. Peace! the charm's wound up," the three girls read in unison.
"And along come Macbeth and Banquo," Snape said. "Good job, ladies. What's your next scene?"
"Act Three, Scene Five," Hermione answered, "but the only ones that speak in there are the first witch and Hecate; mostly Hecate. Let's skip that for now and jump ahead to Act Four, Scene One."
"Woo hoo, more singing," Lavender said, and she, Lisa, and Tracey laughed.
Hermione smiled, and she thought she saw Snape smile a little bit, too. "Okay," she said. "This scene has a lot of potential, but it has to be airtight and done with a lot of energy. We believe in you. First witch, go!"
"Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd," said Lisa.
"Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined," read Lavender.
"Harpier cries 'Tis time, 'tis time," said Tracey.
"Round about the cauldron go; in the poison'd entrails throw," said Lisa. "Toad, that under cold stone days and nights has thirty-one swelter'd venom sleeping got, boil thou first i' the charmed pot."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble," the three chorused.
Lavender's speech was next. "Fillet of a fenny snake, in the cauldron boil and bake; eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog, adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, lizard's leg and owlet's wing, for a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
After the unison line, Tracey launched into her speech. "Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, witches' mummy, maw and gulf of the ravin'd salt-sea shark, root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark, liver of blaspheming Jew, gall of goat, and slips of yew silver'd in the moon's eclipse, nose of Turk and Tartar's lips, finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-deliver'd by a drab, make the gruel thick and slab: add thereto a tiger's chaudron, for the ingredients of our cauldron."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
"Cool it with a baboon's blood," Lavender read, "then the charm is firm and good."
"Excellent," Hermione said. "Nice volume and energy. When we get off-book, we'll throw in some dancing." She noticed that Tracey looked a little uneasy. "Trace, you all right?"
Tracey pointed at her script and said, "Some of this stuff is really gruesome. I mean, that 'finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-deliver'd by a drab' line? Yikes."
"And baboon blood?" Lisa added. "Professor Snape, do you know of any potions that actually use these ingredients?"
"Well, dragon scales are a fairly common ingredient," Snape said, "and most of the things the second witch lists are used quite often. Wolfsbane Potion uses crushed tooth of wolf, but I've never run across anything that would need, say, 'liver of blaspheming Jew'."
"And don't forget, you're more or less singing this," Hermione reminded them. "One of the reasons you three got these parts is all of you can sing."
Lavender held up her hands. "Macbeth: The Musical!" she exclaimed, and all of them burst into laughter, even Snape.
"Maybe next time," Hermione said after the laughter died down. "We need Hecate, Macbeth, and the Apparitions to do the rest of this scene in any way that makes sense, so I guess we're done for today. Good job, you three. Study your lines. I want to be off-book in two weeks. Sing them on the way to class or something."
Tracey chuckled. "I'm sure that would be an interesting sight."
"Hey, whatever works," said Hermione. "Anyway, like I said, good job, and we'll see you next time."
The girls left singing their lines. Hermione smiled and shook her head. When they were gone, she looked at Snape and said, "Do you think they'll actually do it?"
"I wouldn't be surprised." He thought for a moment, then said, "I wonder what kind of potion that would make?"
Hermione laughed. "Only you would consider trying out potions in Shakespeare, Professor Snape."
He shrugged. "And why not? It doesn't sound any more difficult than Wolfsbane."
"I thought Wolfsbane was extremely difficult."
"It is," he replied. "After Wolfsbane, no potion is a challenge." A twinkle appeared in his eye. "Would you like to learn how to make it?"
"Wolfsbane?" she said in disbelief.
He nodded. "There's a full moon in two weeks. I could use an extra pair of hands, and nothing else I come up with seems to challenge you."
"I'd love to," she said, blown away by the fact that he was asking her to help with something as difficult as Wolfsbane Potion.
"Excellent. And if you come up with any ideas as to how we're going to make the witches disappear, let me know at once. I don't care if it's the middle of the night, just tell me."
She nodded. "You got it."
~~~
Hermione was still pondering the problem of how to make the witches vanish two hours later in the Gryffindor common room, where she was trying to do some Arithmancy homework. It wasn't too difficult, and she found herself focusing more on the play than the work. She glanced around the room at her peers, hoping for some inspiration. In one corner, Neville and Ginny were reading what sounded like Act Two, Scene Two. A smile worked its way across her lips. It was good to know they were so dedicated. In the middle of the room, Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and the Creevey boys were sitting in a circle talking about random things. A few first-years were doing Transfiguration homework at a table. Parvati and Lavender were playing chess. All in all, it was a pleasant sight, but not particularly inspirational. She gave up and went back to her homework.
Dean stole a glance at Hermione out of the corner of his eye, then said to the rest of the boys, "Is she working on the play again?"
"No," Colin answered. "Arithmancy."
"Arithmancy," Harry said, and shrugged. "Fun."
"Actually, it's not that bad," Seamus said. He started taking Arithmancy during their sixth year and rather enjoyed it. "Better than Divination."
"Anything's better than Divination, even Potions," grumbled Dennis, and the rest of them agreed. The only students in the entire school that actually liked Divination were Parvati and Lavender.
Suddenly, Ron snapped his fingers. "Oh, did I tell you guys that Percy and Penny are finally getting married?"
"No, you didn't," said Harry. "Wow. I figured they would someday, but still... wow."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Ron said. Then he chuckled. "Mum's giving Bill and Charlie a horrible time since both of them are still single. They haven't set a date yet, but it'll probably be sometime next summer. Get this: they want to get married in Canada."
"Canada?" Dean asked.
Ron nodded. "That was my reaction. Percy had to go to Toronto for a few weeks last year, and I guess they just liked it there."
"Wouldn't it be hard to get there?" Colin asked.
"I don't think so," Ron said. "I'm sure Dad could arrange for the use of a Portkey, and if not, there's always-"
"PORTKEY!!!" Hermione suddenly yelled. She jumped up and slammed her Arithmancy book shut. "That's it!"
All activity in the room stopped, and everyone looked at her. "What's it?" asked Ginny.
"Portkey!" Hermione said. "That's what we can use to make the witches vanish!"
Lavender was the only one in the room who knew what she was talking about. "Hey, that's good!" she said.
Hermione nodded and made a dash for the exit. "I know. Thanks, Ron!"
Ron watched her go, then blinked. "Uh... you're welcome."
~~~
Hermione decided that the best place to start her search for Snape would be the Potions classroom, and she sprinted through the school in that direction. On the way, she passed Draco Malfoy, who was walking toward the entrance to the Slytherin tower, and she skidded to a halt. "Draco!" she said. "You seen Snape?"
Draco shook his head. "Not since Potions this afternoon. Why?"
"You're going to Slytherin, right?"
He nodded.
"If Snape's there, will you tell him to meet me at the Potions classroom?" she asked. "It's really important."
He was a little surprised, but agreed.
She smiled, thanked him, and took off running again. Draco shrugged and continued on his way, wondering what could possibly be on that crazy Gryffindor's mind this time.
~~~
It didn't take Hermione long to get to the Potions classroom. It was kind of funny, the way one never realized how fast one could run until one was full of adrenaline. She couldn't wait to tell Snape about the Portkey idea. Now, if only he was in the room.
She knocked on the door, a little louder than she intended. "Enter," came Snape's voice.
She smiled and opened the door. "Professor Snape, I jus-" She stopped when she saw who was in the room with him: Armando Dippet. The two of them were sitting at a table in the front row. "You!" she exclaimed, and looked around nervously. "Where is she?"
"Indira," Snape explained to Dippet.
Dippet smiled knowingly. "I figured as much. She's with Professor Lupin. They've been discussing their subject."
She was unable to conceal her relief. "That's good to hear," she replied, then realized that probably wasn't the best thing to say. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Dippet said. "Just give it time. You two might even end up liking each other."
"With all due respect, sir, don't count on it."
"What was it you wanted to tell me?" Snape asked.
"Oh!" Hermione said, remembering her reason for going there in the first place. "I know how we can make the witches vanish!"
Snape leapt to his feet. "You do? How?"
"The cauldron," she said. "We can turn it into a Portkey that will transport them backstage."
Snape's eyes grew wide. "Hermione Granger, if you weren't a student and I wasn't a teacher, I swear I would kiss you." He paused, unable to believe he just said that. Recovering his senses, he said, "Sorry; that just slipped out. Anyway, that idea is brilliant. It really is."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you."
Dippet looked impressed. "Your ideas never cease to amaze me," he said. "This is going to be good."
She nodded. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Professor Dippet."
Dippet turned his attention to Snape and said, "Well, Severus, if that's all, then I guess I should be going. We will see you on New Year's Eve." He smiled at Hermione. "Good luck, Miss Granger. It was nice to meet you."
"It was nice to meet you, too, sir," Hermione returned.
They shook hands, and Dippet excused himself. When he was gone, Hermione turned to Snape and said, "All right, I have to know. How did someone as nice as him end up with Indira Nay?"
"Believe it or not, we were actually discussing that before you came in," Snape said. "I'm really not at liberty to disclose any details, but I can tell you that the chance that her scars will ever fully heal is slim to none."
"So it's not just because of the recent deaths?"
He shook his head. "No, although that hasn't helped. We must not judge her too harshly. She's been through more than we can imagine."
Hermione glanced back at the door briefly. "Are they leaving?"
"Yes. First thing in the morning."
"Do they love each other?"
"Very much."
She wanted to learn more about them as well as find out about Indira's past, but this was neither the time nor the place. "I should probably go," she said. "That Arithmancy homework really needs to get done."
"All right. Thank you for telling me about that Portkey idea. Like I said, it's brilliant."
"Thank you," Hermione said, and walked over to the door. "Good night, Professor Snape."
"Good night, Miss Granger," he returned. When she was gone, he let out a long sigh, propped his elbow up on the table, and rested his forehead in his palm. Accident or not, he still couldn't believe that he said he would kiss her.
~~~
"Okay, witches, are you ready?" Hermione asked Lisa Turpin, Lavender Brown, and Tracey Davis at rehearsal the next afternoon in the Potions classroom. "Act One, Scene Three. Lisa, you're up."
"Where hast thou been, sister?" Lisa read.
"Killing swine," Lavender said.
"Sister, where thou?" asked Tracey.
While Lisa launched into her short speech, Snape leaned over and whispered to Hermione, "What are we going to do about making them disappear?"
She thought for a moment, then said, "Good question. Could we work something out with Floo powder?"
"I don't think so," he said. "They wouldn't be able to say where they wanted to go, and there's no telling where they could end up."
Hermione nodded. "You're right. Let's give it some time. I'm sure we'll think of something."
"The weird sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land, thus do go about, about: thrice to thine and thrice to mine and thrice again to make up nine. Peace! the charm's wound up," the three girls read in unison.
"And along come Macbeth and Banquo," Snape said. "Good job, ladies. What's your next scene?"
"Act Three, Scene Five," Hermione answered, "but the only ones that speak in there are the first witch and Hecate; mostly Hecate. Let's skip that for now and jump ahead to Act Four, Scene One."
"Woo hoo, more singing," Lavender said, and she, Lisa, and Tracey laughed.
Hermione smiled, and she thought she saw Snape smile a little bit, too. "Okay," she said. "This scene has a lot of potential, but it has to be airtight and done with a lot of energy. We believe in you. First witch, go!"
"Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd," said Lisa.
"Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined," read Lavender.
"Harpier cries 'Tis time, 'tis time," said Tracey.
"Round about the cauldron go; in the poison'd entrails throw," said Lisa. "Toad, that under cold stone days and nights has thirty-one swelter'd venom sleeping got, boil thou first i' the charmed pot."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble," the three chorused.
Lavender's speech was next. "Fillet of a fenny snake, in the cauldron boil and bake; eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog, adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, lizard's leg and owlet's wing, for a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
After the unison line, Tracey launched into her speech. "Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, witches' mummy, maw and gulf of the ravin'd salt-sea shark, root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark, liver of blaspheming Jew, gall of goat, and slips of yew silver'd in the moon's eclipse, nose of Turk and Tartar's lips, finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-deliver'd by a drab, make the gruel thick and slab: add thereto a tiger's chaudron, for the ingredients of our cauldron."
"Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
"Cool it with a baboon's blood," Lavender read, "then the charm is firm and good."
"Excellent," Hermione said. "Nice volume and energy. When we get off-book, we'll throw in some dancing." She noticed that Tracey looked a little uneasy. "Trace, you all right?"
Tracey pointed at her script and said, "Some of this stuff is really gruesome. I mean, that 'finger of birth-strangled babe ditch-deliver'd by a drab' line? Yikes."
"And baboon blood?" Lisa added. "Professor Snape, do you know of any potions that actually use these ingredients?"
"Well, dragon scales are a fairly common ingredient," Snape said, "and most of the things the second witch lists are used quite often. Wolfsbane Potion uses crushed tooth of wolf, but I've never run across anything that would need, say, 'liver of blaspheming Jew'."
"And don't forget, you're more or less singing this," Hermione reminded them. "One of the reasons you three got these parts is all of you can sing."
Lavender held up her hands. "Macbeth: The Musical!" she exclaimed, and all of them burst into laughter, even Snape.
"Maybe next time," Hermione said after the laughter died down. "We need Hecate, Macbeth, and the Apparitions to do the rest of this scene in any way that makes sense, so I guess we're done for today. Good job, you three. Study your lines. I want to be off-book in two weeks. Sing them on the way to class or something."
Tracey chuckled. "I'm sure that would be an interesting sight."
"Hey, whatever works," said Hermione. "Anyway, like I said, good job, and we'll see you next time."
The girls left singing their lines. Hermione smiled and shook her head. When they were gone, she looked at Snape and said, "Do you think they'll actually do it?"
"I wouldn't be surprised." He thought for a moment, then said, "I wonder what kind of potion that would make?"
Hermione laughed. "Only you would consider trying out potions in Shakespeare, Professor Snape."
He shrugged. "And why not? It doesn't sound any more difficult than Wolfsbane."
"I thought Wolfsbane was extremely difficult."
"It is," he replied. "After Wolfsbane, no potion is a challenge." A twinkle appeared in his eye. "Would you like to learn how to make it?"
"Wolfsbane?" she said in disbelief.
He nodded. "There's a full moon in two weeks. I could use an extra pair of hands, and nothing else I come up with seems to challenge you."
"I'd love to," she said, blown away by the fact that he was asking her to help with something as difficult as Wolfsbane Potion.
"Excellent. And if you come up with any ideas as to how we're going to make the witches disappear, let me know at once. I don't care if it's the middle of the night, just tell me."
She nodded. "You got it."
~~~
Hermione was still pondering the problem of how to make the witches vanish two hours later in the Gryffindor common room, where she was trying to do some Arithmancy homework. It wasn't too difficult, and she found herself focusing more on the play than the work. She glanced around the room at her peers, hoping for some inspiration. In one corner, Neville and Ginny were reading what sounded like Act Two, Scene Two. A smile worked its way across her lips. It was good to know they were so dedicated. In the middle of the room, Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and the Creevey boys were sitting in a circle talking about random things. A few first-years were doing Transfiguration homework at a table. Parvati and Lavender were playing chess. All in all, it was a pleasant sight, but not particularly inspirational. She gave up and went back to her homework.
Dean stole a glance at Hermione out of the corner of his eye, then said to the rest of the boys, "Is she working on the play again?"
"No," Colin answered. "Arithmancy."
"Arithmancy," Harry said, and shrugged. "Fun."
"Actually, it's not that bad," Seamus said. He started taking Arithmancy during their sixth year and rather enjoyed it. "Better than Divination."
"Anything's better than Divination, even Potions," grumbled Dennis, and the rest of them agreed. The only students in the entire school that actually liked Divination were Parvati and Lavender.
Suddenly, Ron snapped his fingers. "Oh, did I tell you guys that Percy and Penny are finally getting married?"
"No, you didn't," said Harry. "Wow. I figured they would someday, but still... wow."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Ron said. Then he chuckled. "Mum's giving Bill and Charlie a horrible time since both of them are still single. They haven't set a date yet, but it'll probably be sometime next summer. Get this: they want to get married in Canada."
"Canada?" Dean asked.
Ron nodded. "That was my reaction. Percy had to go to Toronto for a few weeks last year, and I guess they just liked it there."
"Wouldn't it be hard to get there?" Colin asked.
"I don't think so," Ron said. "I'm sure Dad could arrange for the use of a Portkey, and if not, there's always-"
"PORTKEY!!!" Hermione suddenly yelled. She jumped up and slammed her Arithmancy book shut. "That's it!"
All activity in the room stopped, and everyone looked at her. "What's it?" asked Ginny.
"Portkey!" Hermione said. "That's what we can use to make the witches vanish!"
Lavender was the only one in the room who knew what she was talking about. "Hey, that's good!" she said.
Hermione nodded and made a dash for the exit. "I know. Thanks, Ron!"
Ron watched her go, then blinked. "Uh... you're welcome."
~~~
Hermione decided that the best place to start her search for Snape would be the Potions classroom, and she sprinted through the school in that direction. On the way, she passed Draco Malfoy, who was walking toward the entrance to the Slytherin tower, and she skidded to a halt. "Draco!" she said. "You seen Snape?"
Draco shook his head. "Not since Potions this afternoon. Why?"
"You're going to Slytherin, right?"
He nodded.
"If Snape's there, will you tell him to meet me at the Potions classroom?" she asked. "It's really important."
He was a little surprised, but agreed.
She smiled, thanked him, and took off running again. Draco shrugged and continued on his way, wondering what could possibly be on that crazy Gryffindor's mind this time.
~~~
It didn't take Hermione long to get to the Potions classroom. It was kind of funny, the way one never realized how fast one could run until one was full of adrenaline. She couldn't wait to tell Snape about the Portkey idea. Now, if only he was in the room.
She knocked on the door, a little louder than she intended. "Enter," came Snape's voice.
She smiled and opened the door. "Professor Snape, I jus-" She stopped when she saw who was in the room with him: Armando Dippet. The two of them were sitting at a table in the front row. "You!" she exclaimed, and looked around nervously. "Where is she?"
"Indira," Snape explained to Dippet.
Dippet smiled knowingly. "I figured as much. She's with Professor Lupin. They've been discussing their subject."
She was unable to conceal her relief. "That's good to hear," she replied, then realized that probably wasn't the best thing to say. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Dippet said. "Just give it time. You two might even end up liking each other."
"With all due respect, sir, don't count on it."
"What was it you wanted to tell me?" Snape asked.
"Oh!" Hermione said, remembering her reason for going there in the first place. "I know how we can make the witches vanish!"
Snape leapt to his feet. "You do? How?"
"The cauldron," she said. "We can turn it into a Portkey that will transport them backstage."
Snape's eyes grew wide. "Hermione Granger, if you weren't a student and I wasn't a teacher, I swear I would kiss you." He paused, unable to believe he just said that. Recovering his senses, he said, "Sorry; that just slipped out. Anyway, that idea is brilliant. It really is."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you."
Dippet looked impressed. "Your ideas never cease to amaze me," he said. "This is going to be good."
She nodded. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Professor Dippet."
Dippet turned his attention to Snape and said, "Well, Severus, if that's all, then I guess I should be going. We will see you on New Year's Eve." He smiled at Hermione. "Good luck, Miss Granger. It was nice to meet you."
"It was nice to meet you, too, sir," Hermione returned.
They shook hands, and Dippet excused himself. When he was gone, Hermione turned to Snape and said, "All right, I have to know. How did someone as nice as him end up with Indira Nay?"
"Believe it or not, we were actually discussing that before you came in," Snape said. "I'm really not at liberty to disclose any details, but I can tell you that the chance that her scars will ever fully heal is slim to none."
"So it's not just because of the recent deaths?"
He shook his head. "No, although that hasn't helped. We must not judge her too harshly. She's been through more than we can imagine."
Hermione glanced back at the door briefly. "Are they leaving?"
"Yes. First thing in the morning."
"Do they love each other?"
"Very much."
She wanted to learn more about them as well as find out about Indira's past, but this was neither the time nor the place. "I should probably go," she said. "That Arithmancy homework really needs to get done."
"All right. Thank you for telling me about that Portkey idea. Like I said, it's brilliant."
"Thank you," Hermione said, and walked over to the door. "Good night, Professor Snape."
"Good night, Miss Granger," he returned. When she was gone, he let out a long sigh, propped his elbow up on the table, and rested his forehead in his palm. Accident or not, he still couldn't believe that he said he would kiss her.