Devil's Haircut

AN: This is a sequel to 'Paper and Ink'. It is set about three months later. It's the first day of the Christmas Break. After a few weeks of 'recovery', Snape and Hermione worked together and became something like friends. But of course, what happened three months ago has to come back and haunt them. Oh, and there will be more darkness. Last time was too fluffy, despite the Draco parts.

Disclaimer: As usual, nothing is mine, but J.K. Rowling's. Except for the title, which is a song from Beck (I think some other guys sung it, too, but I know only the one from Beck).

Rating: It will be R again, just to be safe (although the first few chapters are pretty harmless, in my opinion).

Thank yous: First of all, I want to thank all the readers (especially those who reviewed). It encouraged me to continue the story. And I want to thank all my friends who wanted me to post it here. And who threaten me regularly to continue writing…

Chapter One – A New Beginning

Hermione sat in the Great Hall, reading a book and waiting for her friends to arrive. As it was the first day of the Christmas Holiday, no one was up early. Well, except for her… and Professor Snape who just entered the room with a cloak in his hand.

He scanned the Great Hall and glanced over to where she sat at the Gryffindor table. Apparently, whoever removed the house tables to replace them with one large table during these holidays hadn't had the chance to do so yet. Snape went over to her and a faint smile crossed his face. It disappeared seconds later, of course, but she knew it was still there, only not on the surface. Professor Snape always hid his emotions and especially those that concerned his happiness. It almost seemed as if he only let her see this side of him because she already knew.

"Miss Granger, I was hoping to see you," Snape said. His voice was always a little softer when they were alone. "I'm leaving for Diagon Alley in half an hour to purchase some rare potion ingredients I had the fortune to come across at the Apothecary." His face seemed to be expressionless, like always, but Hermione noticed the excited glimmer in his eyes. 'He's like a child when it comes to potions,' she thought. 'Well, an exacting and accurate child, that is, but a child nonetheless.'

"Luckily I know the owner quite well," Snape continued, "so he took the ingredients out of the regular sale and put them aside for me." He paused and frowned. Hermione waited patiently. If she did or said something now, of if she asked anything and showed her impatience, he would only tell her to forget it and go away.

"Unfortunately, I'm working on a potion right now that has to be taken care for."

'So that's it,' she thought. 'I get to work on one of his special project while he's not there. That explains the nervous tone in his voice.'

"It needs to be stirred regularly and two more ingredients have to be added in the course of the day. Can I trust you with this?" he asked.

"Of course you can, Professor," Hermione answered, feeling a little hurt. After all he knew perfectly well that she was able to handle a potion more complicated and complex as good as or even better than most of those who called themselves 'Potion Masters'.

"I'm sorry, Miss Granger, of course you can. You will find everything you need in my office. I left the instructions on my desk," he said and pulled on his cloak, getting ready to leave. "Is there anything you need from London?" he asked, more out of courtesy and not really expecting an answer. But, as so often, Hermione surprised him.

"Yes, actually," she said and took out a piece of parchment and a quill. Quickly, she wrote something down and handed him the note, which he put in one of his pockets. "Could you buy this book at Flourish & Blotts when you go there? But I'm not sure how much it costs so--"

"We can sort this out later. I have to go," Snape interrupted her. He took out a scarf and gloves and prepared to leave. She nodded and stood up to see him out. He surely would Apparate from outside Hogwarts' gates.

He offered her his arm – which she took – and asked about her studying while they made their way towards the main entrance.

They didn't know that they were being watched.

+~*#

Albus Dumbledore took his time to get up and walk to the Great Hall for breakfast. After all, it was nearly Christmas and there would be only few students around for the holidays.

When he passed the portrait of Sir Almaric, he stopped and greeted the painted man. After a short but intense conversation about lemon drops, Dumbledore went on, stopping here and there to talk to one of the painting or the ghosts and to take in the silence that settles usually over Hogwarts when all the students have left.

He entered the Great Hall through one of the side doors and found it almost empty. Of course, it was holidays, after all. He hadn't expected any of the students to be up early, but of course Miss Granger was an exception. He supposed she'd aimed for a long day in the library with some of her favourite books. And even now – before breakfast – she was already reading in an old-and-dusty-looking book. Just as he was about to approach her, Severus entered the room through the main doors and headed straight for Miss Granger.

"Miss Granger, I was hoping to see you."

'Was this just my imagination, or has Severus actually smiled for a second,' Dumbledore wondered.

"I'm leaving for Diagon Alley in half an hour to purchase some rare potion ingredients I had the fortune to come across at the Apothecary."

Although Severus and Miss Granger were almost at the other end of the Great Hall, Dumbledore could hear every word clearly. The Hall was empty and with no blaring and chatting students and without the noise of hundreds of forks and knives the silence was almost palpable, cut only by the not-so-harsh voice of Severus.

"Luckily I know the owner quite well so he took the ingredients out of the regular sale and put them aside for me."

Dumbledore, not wanting to interrupt them in any way, silently cast an Invisibility Charm and moved a little closer.

"Unfortunately, I'm working on a potion right now that has to be taken care for."

'Ah, yes,' Dumbledore thought and smiled to himself. 'Always working, never resting… Severus, you overexert yourself, and it's doing you nothing good.' He was tempted to sigh, but refrained from that in order to hear the rest of the conversation.

"It needs to be stirred regularly and two more ingredients have to be added in the course of the day. Can I trust you with this?"

"Of course you can, Professor."

Dumbledore saw the way Miss Granger looked up to Severus. Almost knowing… and definitely caring. 'Yes, Miss Granger may have more insight to that man than any of us,' Dumbledore thought, a little sad. He'd always tried to get through to Severus, but all his efforts had been in vain. Luckily, he'd never thought of giving up on him.

"I'm sorry, Miss Granger, of course you can. You will find everything you need in my office. I left the instructions on my desk. Is there anything you need from London?" Severus interrupted his thoughts and brought him back to the situation at hand. Only a year ago, Severus wouldn't have let anyone alone into his office while he wasn't even in the castle, maybe except for Dumbledore himself, and now he trusted a student – and not just any student but the one he'd complained about for six years, and a Gryffindor at that – with taking care of one of his potions. 'Yes, the change is evident,' Dumbledore nodded, 'but only to those who want to see it.'

"Yes, actually," Miss Granger answered. She obviously took Severus by surprise, but of course he didn't say a word.

Dumbledore watched Miss Granger take out parchment and quill and write something down before handing the piece of paper to Severus who read it and then put it in one of his pockets. 

"Could you buy this book at Flourish & Blotts when you go there?"

'A book,' Dumbledore mused. 'Why am I not surprised?'

"But I'm not sure how much it costs so--"

"We can sort this out later. I have to go."

'Oh, yes, Severus. Still impatient with others, but in a lot friendlier way, I see.' Dumbledore watched Severus put on his cloak, scarf and gloves, of course, everything in black. When Miss Granger rose to accompany him to the door, he offered her his arm and together they left the Great Hall, talking about books she's read and potions she wanted to brew.

Dumbledore stood there for a few minutes, looking after them and thinking about the influence Miss Granger had and still has on Severus. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice the dark figure leaving the Great Hall and heading towards the dungeons.

+~*#

"Go back inside," Snape insisted. When he saw that Hermione was about to say something, he added, "And yes, I can manage to walk from Hagrid's cabin to the gates by myself." His voice was mocking, amusement clearly showing in the tone. "I'm capable of Apparating to Diagon Alley and back – remember, I did it before – and I'll be back before dinner. Satisfied?"

"Yes", Hermione replied. "But I want you to be careful. Just because Voldemort is no longer around, it doesn't mean there are no dangers in the world. There are still a couple of Death Eaters who'd love to see you dead," she added seriously.

"Yes, being a traitor to the Dark Lord didn't earn me their sympathy or respect. But I've lived as a spy for Dumbledore for decades. 'Constant vigilance', as Alastor Moody would say, is my middle name. Don't worry." He gently grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around to face the castle instead of him. "Now, go back inside," he said with determination in his voice. "It's freezing."

Hermione nodded. What else could she do? Besides, it really was freezing, after all, it was late December. She wouldn't be surprised if it started to snow again, judging by the colour of the sky, a pale white with splotches of grey.

"Bye," she said and started to walk back towards the Main Entrance. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself and walked a little faster. She hadn't even noticed just how cold it was until now. She only wore a pair of jeans and a sweater under her robe. Not even her winter cloak, but just her ordinary school robes.

Glad to reach the huge wooden doors, she pushed them open and stepped inside. But before going back inside the Great Hall, she turned around and searched for Severus' dark form. She spotted him next to the gates, where he stood and watched her to make sure she was safe inside.

She rolled her eyes and waved her hand.

He nodded – only visible at that distance because his black hair flew slightly around his head – and opened the gates of Hogwarts. Another step and he disappeared from sight.

Hermione shuddered again and hurried to close the heavy door. Still cold, she went back into the Great Hall to find Harry and Ron already sitting next to her still-open book.

She smiled and took her seat.

+~*#

A figure in a black cloak came into the Owlery, the sudden appearance causing many owls to jump off their perches and fly up to the higher breeding grounds. Ignoring the owls' angry noises, the figure obviously found the owl she was looking for and attached a note to its leg.

It read:

He will leave for Diagon Alley this morning. You will find him at the Apothecary and the bookstore, Flourish & Blotts – probably at Gringotts.

I await your orders concerning the girl.

The dark figure took the owl over to one of the open windows – glad she'd decided to wear the winter cloak, it was freezing up here in the cold wind – and let go.

"I hope you know where to find him", the figure whispered after the owl. "And fast, for that matter."

Turning around abruptly, again causing many owls to jump, the dark figure left the Owlery, hoping for an early answer.

+~*#

"Yes, I understand that", Ron said. "But whyever do you have to spend the whole day down in the dungeons?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, I've told you before." Hermione changed her voice. It sounded as if she was speaking with a stubborn and sulky child. "I work on special research projects with Professor Snape. Therefore, he lets me use his laboratory sometimes. He is at Diagon Alley today, so I asked him if I could brew a potion and he said yes. Ergo, I will spend the rest of the day 'down in the dungeons', as you say it." Angrily, she took a bite of her sandwich. She nearly choked. It felt as if her stomach was trying to get rid of its contents. Not feeling very well, she put the sandwich back. Maybe the pumpkin juice she'd had earlier hadn't been good anymore. She didn't even hear Ron's reply. She thought that maybe a cup of tea would settle her stomach. But even the smell of the tea made her sick again.

"Hey, 'Mione, are you okay? You are quite pale", Ginny said, a worried look on her face.

Instead of answering the question, Hermione slapped her hands over her mouth and ran from the Great Hall.

Ron, who was still droning about Hermione spending the day in the dungeons, stopped talking. "Where did Hermione go?"

Ginny just stared after her friend, the worried frown deepening even more.

+~*#

Coming out of the girls' bathroom, Hermione considered what to do.

She didn't want to go back into the Great Hall. Partly because she didn't want to face her friends and see their worried faces and hear all their questions. She just didn't feel up to it right now. She wanted to be alone.

And partly because she didn't want to be sick again. She didn't know how her stomach would react to plates filled with sandwiches and bacon and tomatoes and all kinds of fruit. And she didn't feel like testing it today.

So she turned right and went for the dungeons. On her way she passed the Slytherin Common Room entrance and accelerated her steps a bit. She didn't want to run into one of the few Slytherin students who were staying over Christmas. There were some younger students, but also Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini and – what was worst – Draco Malfoy of all people. Only because he hadn't supported Voldemort he wasn't one of the good guys. He wasn't pleasant company, especially for her – a mudblood. She couldn't count the times he'd called her that.

Shaking her head, she tried to clear her mind. 'Draco Malfoy is still at breakfast,' she reminded herself. 'No worry, you won't run into him.'

She wasn't afraid of Draco Malfoy anymore, and she wasn't afraid of his holier-than-thou crap. He could think she was worthless and beneath him. But every time they met, she was afraid he would remember. She was afraid that somehow, Severus' charm wouldn't work any longer and his memories would come back. Memories of his Head of House and the Gryffindor student in a… compromising situation.

He surely wouldn't wait to blackmail her – and harass her every moment until the end of her last year, which was in about six months, thank Merlin.

Looking straight ahead, Hermione passed the portrait of Bravado the Beast – which was guarding the entrance to Severus' rooms – and ignored the insinuating grin coming from the man in the picture.

'Why did Severus have to pick a pervert to guard his entrance?,' she asked herself and sighed. Every time she passed this picture, Bravado made a comment or a gesture that was… obscene and embarrassing. Fortunately, he only did it when she was alone.

Reaching the entrance to the Potions classroom, Hermione stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Despite herself, she had to smile. 'Oh, yes, happy memories', she thought, still smiling. 'Oh, if Ginny knew… She wouldn't be able to keep a straight face in this classroom – ever again.'

In a few moments, she'd crossed the room and – after saying the password ("Lady Madonna") to the wall – entered Severus' office. Her gaze drifted towards his desk and the stack of papers on top of everything else. Despite his usual neat  appearance, Severus' private desk was a mess. Every time he was working on his research or some complicated potions, he took down notes about the different stages of the potions; he wrote down his thoughts and calculations, his changes in brewing and the results of that. He would sit at his desk until late at night to see through his notes and sort out everything important to write it down properly. Obviously, he hadn't done much the last few days. 'He probably left all the work for the holidays,' Hermione thought and approached the desk.

She found Severus' notes and read over the instructions. She nodded and turned around to the wall behind Severus' desk. She said the password ("Eleanor Rigby") and the wall disappeared to reveal a spacious laboratory. Several cauldrons and all kinds of ingredients in ceiling-high shelves lined the walls. When she'd seen it for the first time, she had been overwhelmed – and still was every time she saw it. His laboratory held everything one could desire for potion-making. And the best part was: she could use it whenever she wanted to.

Stepping over the threshold, the wall reappeared and Hermione walked over to one of the tables. A huge brass cauldron was seated over a blue flame. Its contents were a pale grey-white, not unlike the sky outside. But unlike the sky, the liquid was in an uproar, boiling violently.

Checking the notes, Hermione saw that it was supposed to do so, at least for another twenty minutes. Then she would have to add three ounces of powdered hellebore and change the flame to a tiny red one, so that the potion could simmer for exactly four hours and thirty-one minutes.

Forgetting all about the still queasy feeling in her stomach, Hermione went to prepare the hellebore.

A/N: You can go straight to Chapter Two… And after reading that, too, tell me what you think (review! review!)