Usual disclaimer applies…Harry Potter is the property of J. K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. Been studying like mad for finals, ,which will be over by next week! Enjoy the chapter…read and review! Thank you so much to all the reviews I have already…I love you all for reviewing! Thank you!!
The Secret
Chapter Thirteen; Not What She Seems
Someone was snuggled against his side, and he could feel something moving back and forth across his chest. Stirring slightly, he felt the something stop moving and tighten around him.
Opening his eyes ever so slightly, a small smile tugged on his mouth as he realized it was an arm, an arm that belonged to the beautiful, naked witch that was currently draped over his side. Remembering all that had happened between himself and this beautiful woman made Severus smile broadly.
Seeing that he was awake, Rose smiled in return and leaned up to kiss Severus's nose.
"Hi," she said, almost shyly.
"Hi yourself," Severus replied, deep voice silky and husky.
"I've missed you."
He nodded, and kissed her forehead. Stirring again, they shifted into sitting positions, backs against the couch. Noticing their lack of attire, Severus transfigured his outer robes into a blanket, which he wrapped them both in.
"Wonder what time it is," Rose said, amusement apparent in her voice.
"I have a feeling that lunch is definitely over. In fact, it might be after dinner," he answered, smiling down at her.
"Well we did have a lot to catch up on, you and I," she said coyly.
"Yes, that we did," he said softly, capturing her lips once more with his own.
Finally breaking apart in order to breathe, Rose leaned back into his chest and stated, "Maybe we should let the other professors have their room back. We could take this to your rooms."
"Why Mrs. Snape, I never thought you'd ask," Severus said, poking her in the ribs and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Laughing, Rose started poking him back, which led to a full blown tickle war. A few minutes later, breathless from the tickling and some more snogging, the two lay back against the couch.
"We really should move, you know," Rose said, smiling up at Severus.
"Yes, we really should," he answered.
Rose started giggling when they hadn't moved for a couple of minutes.
"We could just Floo there…not let anyone see us, go straight to your rooms," she said, once she had stopped laughing.
"I'm sure that whether anyone sees us or not will not make a difference. After our little display this afternoon, we will most definitely be the topic of conversation for many days to come. Especially after they discover that you were my wife and will be once again," he said, taking her hand and kissing the finger that held his ring.
She blushed slightly at this, and said, "Don't you think we should tell you parents first? And the family, and Albus…and then the students?"
Severus over-exaggerated a sigh, saying, "Yes, I suppose we should do that."
He suddenly jumped up, dragging her along with him towards the fireplace.
"Sev, what are you doing?" she asked, managing to grab their wands on their way past the table. She shrieked when he suddenly swept her off her feet and into his arms.
"We, my dear, are going to my quarters, where we are going to Floo my parents and then yours. And then, my love, I am going to shag you senseless!"
She pretended to consider this for a second before breaking into a grin. "Well, I guess that's alright," she joked as they reached the fireplace. She summoned all their clothes (that had somehow managed to be draped oddly throughout the room) to her just before they stepped into the flames.
* * * *
Hermione quickly made her way out of the Great Hall after her little outburst at the dinner table. Once she was outside, she started walking aimlessly around the castle, vaguely heading towards the Divination Tower.
I know that they can't know about Uncle Sev, but its going to be really hard not blasting their ears off every time they make fun of him. And I'm going to have to do it too, or else it'll seem weird and everyone will get suspicious. Why does it have to be so complicated?!? she asked herself angrily, stomping her feet as she walked.
After about ten more minutes of stomping and huffing to herself, Hermione found herself at the bottom of the trap door that led to the Divination classroom.
Looking grimly at the steps leading upwards, Hermione sighed and thought to herself, Well, the sooner I go up there, the sooner I come back down. She better not predict my death, or I'll do some predicting of my own!
With a snort, Hermione straightened her back and purposefully walked up the steps and into the classroom.
The first thing that Hermione noticed was that while there was a lot of incense and perfume in the air, it was nowhere near as powerful or overwhelming as it had been the last time she was in the room.
Well that's a change, she thought to herself gratefully.
Looking around the room and not finding the Professor, Hermione decided to sit down in one of the chairs and wait. Peering into the crystal ball that was in the center of the low table, Hermione snorted once more to herself.
"Stupid things," she muttered.
"Do not criticize or put-down that which you do not understand," came a obscure voice, laced slightly with scorn, from behind her. Hermione jumped and whirled around to see Sibyl Trelawney occupying the rocking chair in front of the fire.
Hermione had to suppress a snort as she reacquainted herself with her former Professor's gauzy shawl, numerous bangles and necklaces, and the eye-glasses that likened her to a glittering insect.
"Hello Professor," she said formally after calming herself.
"Miss Granger," Professor Trelawney answered with a nod.
There was a pause as each regarded the other, neither wanting to break the silence.
"If I am to understand correctly, I am to instruct you with lessons in Divination. Is that correct?" Sibyl asked Hermione in a tight voice, finally breaking the silence.
Hermione nodded unhappily, muttering softly, "Of course, if you actually have 'The Eye', you would already know that."
"What was that Miss Granger?" asked Sibyl, getting the gist of what Hermione was mumbling.
Hermione looked up in surprise when she heard her former Professor start laughing quietly.
Hermione looked at her tutor for a while before asking hesitantly, "Professor, are you alright?"
This was apparently funny, for Sibyl just started laughing harder.
Hermione huffed, and sat in silence until the laughter had abated.
"I am sorry, please forgive my outburst," Sibyl said kindly, shocking Hermione once again as all the mistiness and haziness left her voice.
Hermione nodded, and they sat in silence once more.
"May I ask you a question, Professor?" Hermione asked, finally unable to bear the silence any longer as her curiosity grew.
Sibyl smiled warmly at Hermione, who was surprised by this reaction, before answering.
"Hermione, while we are having these lessons, and since you are not actually a student in any of my classes, call me Sibyl," she said kindly.
Shocked, Hermione merely nodded and shut her mouth, which had fallen open.
"Now, to answer your question. I was laughing, for I had remembered the day you left here in your second year. That was quite a scene you and I made, I must say," she said with a smile. "And, just to answer another question that I know you have, no there is no significance between 'The Eye' and incense and perfume and jewelry and such nonsense."
Amazed once again, Hermione managed to croak out, "How…how did you know…?" before once more staring mutely at her former Professor.
Chuckling softly to herself, Sibyl answered Hermione with a smile. "Did you really think Albus would hire someone so incompetent for a Professor? Hogwarts is known for its high standards, both in students and Professors. It is merely a guise to keep people from guessing that a powerful Seer resides at Hogwarts. Who would truly believe that the 'old bat Trelawney' who predicts someone's death every year, is actually a Seer for the Order?"
"But, I thought Dumbledore said you've only had one or two true prophecies in your life? I remember Harry told us that when you had a prophecy our third year. And what about all the other Professors making comments during Christmas and everything about how Divination isn't real and all?"
"Ah yes. By your second year, most of the staff were aware that what was said to one of the Trio, was heard by all, and then passed onto Gryffindor, and then the other houses, and so on. What better way to keep up appearances than by planting doubt and, as much as I hate it, lies in the minds of students? And with the other Professors' looking down on Divination as well, it just added something more to complete the picture."
Hermione nodded, thinking over Sibyl's words for a minute. "It makes sense," she finally said. "So you really do have 'The Eye' then?"
Sibyl smiled and answered, "It is not so much an 'Eye', but, yes, I do have the Sight. I, too, have prophetic dreams, but I make predictions during trances and such every so often, something that you will begin to experience as your powers develop. There are many Seers who also have some telepathic abilities, but I am not one of them. I am sure, however, that given the nature and extent of your powers, you will have a number of abilities that others will not possess," she finished.
Hermione shook her head, saying softly, "Oh goody…more abilities I don't know of."
Sibyl patted Hermione on the shoulder and cleared her throat.
"Now, I think we should get started, seeing as we have a lot to cover in a short period of time. First, I am going to be teaching you relaxation techniques and trance-like states that will aid you during your predictions. These will also be helpful in stressful times, something I think you might need in the future," she said with a smile.
Hermione answered with a snort, "You think?"
Sibyl smiled, and continued. "Alright then. First, we're going to be sitting on the floor, like this…"
* * * *
An hour later, a much more relaxed Hermione said goodbye to her new friend and made her way to the Gryffindor Tower, lost in thought the whole trip.
That was certainly different, she thought to herself, smiling. No one would ever believe me if I told them that the Divinations Professor is not only not a fake, but actually really nice to be around. They'd think I went bonkers! If anyone had told me second year that I would be saying this about her, I would have laughed at them. Well, that just goes to show that people are definitely not what they always seem to be.
Sibyl had discarded her various necklaces and bracelets and her shawl. After her glasses were shrunk to fit her face nicely, she looked rather normal, and was much younger than anyone would have guessed. Hermione had had a very pleasant lesson with her, and continued her pleasant musing until she reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. After giving her the password (Snibberty-Gibbert), Hermione made her way into the Common Room, and was immediately greeted by a redhead.
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed, rushing out of her seat, followed by Ron and Harry.
"Where were you?" asked Ron.
"Yea! We were starting to get kind of worried when you didn't come back. Especially because you didn't really stay for all of dinner," finished Harry
"I'm fine guys, really. Thanks though. I just needed to walk around for a while, and then I had that tutor thing, remember?"
"Already?" Ron asked incredulously, "It's only the first day of classes for Merlin's sake! You started already?"
"Yes, I did," Hermione answered somewhat hotly and was happy to see Ginny elbow her brother in the ribs.
"How did it go?" asked Harry.
"It was alright. Very interesting but I guess you guys don't really want to hear about that, do you?" Seeing the sheepish looks she was getting from her friends, she smiled and reassured them that it was ok.
After chatting for about half an hour with them, she started yawning. Noticing that the others were also tired, the four decided to head to their respective dorms and go to sleep.
* * * *
Hermione found herself in a clearing. It looked as if it was cold, and Hermione could actually feel a slight chill. The torches were flickering dangerously in the chilly breeze of the night. The air practically hummed from the power of the protective wards surrounding the small group of masked figures.
All had their hoods down, except for a small cloaked figure standing at the very back of the gathering, unnoticed by all except a few.
As a small, barely visible shudder ran down the back of the hooded figure, the cloak was pulled closer and the hood pulled down slightly further.
Hermione made her way over to the smaller figure, and tried to see who it was, but the hood was too far down. The only thing she was able to notice was that this figure was not wearing the white mask that signified Death Eaters.
The gathering was fairly small, only about twelve or fifteen people in all, all standing facing the empty space in front of them.
A collective, involuntary jump ensued as a 'Pop' warned them of their Masters' arrival. As the tall, foreboding human-like figure appeared, the group quickly swept to their knees, no one daring to face their Master without permission.
Hermione gasped as she realized she was staring at Lord Voldemort himself, most feared wizard in this day and age, and the 'man' she was destined to kill. He was extremely tall, and very thin and pale. Yet, Hermione could practically see the strength, steel and power emanating from the being.
"My children," a dangerous hiss reached the ears of all in the small clearing. "Rise." With that single word, every figure reacted immediately, rising from their crouched positions.
Waving a pale, thin hand, a dark and grotesque throne-like chair appeared behind the man, who gracefully sank into it. Once comfortable, his red glare glided over the figures in front of him, before he began to speak.
"It is good to see you all here tonight. There are many who should be here but are not, unfortunately," the last word rolled off his tongue dangerously.
He continued after a pause, "We have a traitor amongst us, my friends. I was unsure of this until now, for only recently has he shown his disloyalty. He has spent the summer and most of this year attesting his loyalty to me, and it was not until lately that I have become aware of the fact that he is indeed a traitor."
He paused, allowing his gaze to roam once more over his followers.
"I have been conducting several…tests…to try and find the traitor in our midst. This last raid against the Knotworths' was the proof needed to confirm that he betrayed us. He is not yet aware that I know of his treachery, but he shall be duly punished. I want it known, that no harm shall come to this man until he his summoned by me, is that clear?" he finished, hissing angrily.
A collective, "Yes, my Lord," was heard, and the man nodded.
"Good. He will see the errors of his ways, I will make sure of it. And then he will die because of them," he said softly, then laughed his high cackling laugh.
Hermione shivered, unseen by all. She wondered fearfully if the traitor Voldemort had mentioned was her uncle, ,and felt in her heart that it probably was.
The figures in the clearing didn't dare move while their Master laughed insanely to himself. All cowered when the high-pitched cackle came to an abrupt halt, dreading what was coming next.
"Lucius…" Voldemort said softly, his voice dangerously silky.
A tall figure from the very front on the group strode hastily forward, sinking to his knees in front of Voldemort.
"Yes My Lord?"
"What is happening in the Ministry? Have you succeeded in getting rid of them?"
Silence followed Voldemort's question for several seconds before Lucius answered, "My Lord, I have succeeded in ridding the Ministry of Harden and McMullen. However…"
"Crucio!" whispered Voldemort angrily, sending Lucius to writhe on the ground in pain, his limbs contorting abnormally.
Releasing the thrashing man from the curse, Voldemort asked in a dangerously quiet voice, "Why is it that you have failed me once again? How hard is it to complete one, simple mission?"
Trembling, Lucius was only able to grovel with fear, mumbling, "I am sorry, My Lord."
"I have heard your apologies on this matter for far too long. If you are unable to execute this simple deed, then maybe you are not fit to be here," he threatened. Pausing thoughtfully, Voldemort continued, "I will give you until New Years, Lucius. If Fudge, Weasley and Brocklehurst are not deceased by then, you will be duly punished. Am I understood?"
Prostrating himself at his Master's feet, Lucius replied, "Yes, My Lord. Thank you Master."
* * * *
Hermione woke with a start, still feeling the disgust she had felt in her dream, watching the usually pompous man groveling on the floor in front of his Master, and then the fear at what she had heard about her best friend's father.
Going over what she had seen in her dream, she hurriedly reached for the little journal that sat on her bedside table. During her lesson with Sibyl, the older witch had advised Hermione to keep track of all her dreams, and to write them down as soon as she woke, in case she should forget them by morning.
After writing everything down, Hermione slipped out of bed and put on a robe and her slippers. Slipping quietly out of the room she still shared with Parvati and Lavender, she made her way quietly down the stairs into the Common Room and through the portrait.
Quickly navigating the halls, of Hogwarts, careful to keep silent in case of a passing teacher, Hermione made her way to the Headmaster's office.
Standing in front of the gargoyle, Hermione ran through a list of candies till the gargoyle jumped open at the correct password (Fizzing Whizbees).
After making her way up the moving staircase, Hermione knocked on the door of the Headmaster's office.
A few minutes later, the door opened to reveal a pajama-clad Headmaster.
Hermione blushed as she realized that it must be quite late and that she had woken the Headmaster. Stammering an apology while Albus beckoned her into his office, he kindly put her out of her misery.
"Nonsense, Hermione. Obviously it must have been important if you are out wandering at this time of night. And do not worry about my sleep, I am a very light sleeper and don't need as much as I used to. Now then, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"I had another dream, sir. I just thought that you might want to know," she answered. She then quickly recounted the dream for him. While he thought over the dream, Hermione spoke up.
"I just wanted to ask you something. If I See something in a dream, is it what will actually happen, or what could happen if I do not do anything to alter the events?"
"Interesting question, my dear," Albus answered, thoughtfully stroking his beard. "I believe that it is a possible future, and nothing more. For already, you have changed the future, just by explaining to me your dream. As much as I hate to say this, when, and if, Severus receives the word to destroy the Knotworth's, he must go ahead and do so, and not alert the Aurors. Otherwise, his cover as a spy will be blown. Furthermore, we know that once an attack on the family occurs, the Weasley's, the Brocklehurst's and the Fudge's must be protected. This will not only save their families, but it might help us with tearing Voldemort's ranks apart from the inside."
"Of course! For if Malfoy continues to not be able to do anything to these three wizards, Voldemort will get suspicious of him!" cut in Hermione.
"Exactly. We know that we have until New Year's for these families, as well as the two families that Lucius was able to kill in your dream. We also know that Severus will have to allow the Knotworth's to die if he is to save his own life. Thank you for telling me your dream, Hermione."
"You're welcome sir. Although, I still am sorry for waking you up."
"Nonsense. However, if it bothers you, why don't you just show me the journal of your dream the morning after you have one, instead of coming all the way down here right after waking up?"
"Alright. Thank you sir."
"If that is all…"
"Um…actually…I was wondering if you knew how Uncle Sev was doing. I was kind of worried about him all day."
Hermione saw Albus's eyes start twinkling as the elder wizard tried to suppress a smile before answering.
"I think he is doing fine, Hermione. I have actually not seen him since lunch time myself, but I do know that no harm has come to him," he answered, no longer hiding his smile.
Hermione blushed and nodded, "Alright. Thank you, sir. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Hermione."
With a smile, Hermione left Albus's office and made her way back to her room and sat down on her bed. Placing a locking charm on her journal and then placing it in the little drawer on her dresser, she got into bed and eventually fell into a dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.