Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. A/N at end.
Some Scars Never Fade
WendyNat
Chapter 16
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"It does appear to be Polyjuice," Hestia said, holding one of the flasks up to the light and peering at it, brows furrowed. Ron and Tonks had just joined the others in Fudge's office. As Hestia inspected the two flasks filled with the suspected Polyjuice, Neville was quietly studying the other two flasks.
"Then let's test it," Ron said enthusiastically, stepping forward from where he had been leaning against the wall. "I want to see whose hair this is."
"If you learned nothing else during your seven long, torturous years under my tutelage, Mr. Weasley, you should at least have absorbed that in potions, as in many things, appearances can be deceiving," Severus' voice was low, but it was unmistakably what Hermione referred to as his "Potions Master" voice. Ron flushed slightly, but didn't respond. Hermione noted with amusement that Neville was smirking at Ron's discomfiture. He must enjoy someone else being dressed down by the Potions Master, she thought, catching Neville's eye and sharing a quick grin.
Oblivious to the silent exchanges, Hestia nodded absently, now peering at the other flask of sludgy liquid. "Yes… we'll need to verify that it's really Polyjuice before allowing anyone to ingest it, of course."
The Minister cleared his throat and cast Kingsley a glance. "That's all very good. Let me know what you come up with. So, on to more urgent matters – what about this threat?" he asked, holding the parchment up and waving it in the air.
Kingsley frowned at the Minister before clearing his face with an effort. "Minister – I believe both issues are connected."
Hermione spoke up then. "Minister, please don't worry yourself overmuch. We've already used the Scindo technique to ascertain the individual ingredients in the plant potion – it contains puffer fish eyes, which - as any Potions Master worth his or her title knows – cannot stand up to Apparition or Portkeys." Fudge looked blankly at her, obviously not seeing the significance of that fact. Withholding an irritated breath, Hermione explained, "Mr. Fudge, this means that there can be no wide scale attack using this potion. It has a short shelf life in addition to being unsuitable for common magical means of transportation."
"Oh, I see," Fudge said, sitting back and smiling, obviously relieved. "So, this is nothing to worry about then."
"I wouldn't say that, Minister. The fact that it is being attempted at all is very disturbing. Add to that the question of the Polyjuice potion in Renovo Moreau's office…" Kingsley said.
Severus sat forward. "This has the feel of the Barty Crouch situation from years ago. Owled instructions, Polyjuice…"
Fudge sat back, looking slightly irritated that his casual attempt at minimizing the threat was ignored. "You have always been the paranoid type, Professor Snape. I see that hasn't changed."
"Paranoia," Severus echoed in a dispassionate voice, his lips thin and white. A surge of outrage overcame Hermione, and for a moment she found herself speechless.
"It is entirely due to Professor Snape's paranoia that we were able to defeat Voldemort, Minister," Kingsley said in his deep voice, a severe look on his face. Hermione was glad that Kingsley had spoken up… her own anger at Fudge's unfair words was far too volatile to risk an outburst.
"Listen, people," Fudge said, sitting forward. "I don't think you understand what's at stake here. My position is up for re-election early next year. I can't afford any sort of panic in the wizarding community! Now, I called you here to draft a response to calm the populace, and I believe we can do that quite easily with this fish-eye information."
Severus looked down his prominent nose at the Minister, and drew in a breath to speak. Hermione winced silently, anticipating the tirade to come. To her surprise, he subsided when Kingsley put a hand on his arm and caught his eye.
"Minister – perhaps we should allow these people to return to their research. They can look into the potions that Weasley and Tonks brought back, and that will hopefully give us some clues as to the perpetrator of the threat and the attacks," Kingsley said reasonably. Fudge sat back and nodded.
"Very well, then. I think I have the pertinent information to give the press right now – no real threat, fish eyes and shelf life problems," Fudge said. The three Potions Masters shared looks of exasperation while Kingsley covered his expression with one of his large hands. Hestia stood, facing Fudge.
"Minister, I'll go to my office now and prepare a detailed report on the puffer fish eyes and shelf life for you to supply the press. We wouldn't want any… incorrect details to be provided." Hestia's eyes glinted in amusement, carefully suppressed. "After all, it might make you look bad. And you can't risk that this close to an election, can you?" Fudge agreed eagerly and they all left the office.
"Please tell me, Mr. Weasley, that your father will be running for Minister in the coming election?" Severus asked in a low voice as soon as they were out of earshot. Ron's eyes twinkled as he nodded to everyone's relief.
* * * * * *
An hour later, Hermione was in the potions lab connected to her office, absorbed in the initial stages of testing the suspected Polyjuice. Finally, she reached the point where she could do nothing else – other than wait. She stalled for a moment, stirring the cauldron a few more times as she tried to get her thoughts in order. With sudden resolve, she withdrew the stirring rod and turned to the woman seated on a stool next to her.
Tonks.
When they had left the Minister's office earlier, they had quickly found Remus and Susan and discussed the next steps. It had been decided that Hermione would analyze the Polyjuice potion while Hestia prepared the written explanation of the plant potion's weaknesses. Severus had had to return to Hogwarts to add the next ingredients to the lycanthropy batches. He had been less than pleased at the idea of leaving Hermione alone, but had acquiesced after assurances from Kingsley and Tonks that they would follow her to Hogwarts when she completed the testing. His decision was also helped by the fact that, as Hermione pointed out, all of the prepared cauldron space at Hogwarts was currently being used for the lycanthropy batches.
Hermione didn't argue over the added protection – and not only due to the pleading expression that Severus had given her… well, pleading for him, she acknowledged with a small smile. The perpetrators obviously thought the shelf life of the potion was the only barrier to their success, and the fact that they'd given the Minister four weeks to release Draco and the Goyles illustrated that… she couldn't dismiss the fact that four weeks was exactly what the Daily Prophet had quoted as the amount of time needed to adjust the Manere for complex potions. She knew the criminals must be working on adjusting the Manere. And as Hestia had pointed out, they were unlikely to be successful – they obviously weren't Potions Masters, or even high-level Potions Makers, to judge by the use of puffer fish eyes. And until the Daily Prophet printed the new information, the criminals would likely continue to assume that the Manere was the key to their success. Therefore, it was very likely that she and Hestia were both prime targets.
She was brave, but not stupid.
Although, she did wish that someone other than Tonks had been assigned to stay with her. But… Remus was staying with Hestia, Kingsley and Ron were working on something to do with Renovo… and more to the point, Severus had seemed more accepting of Tonks being her 'protector' (her initial thought was her 'babysitter,' but she firmly stamped that down) than anyone else. It made sense – Tonks had already risked much to keep them both safe.
And I've never even thanked her for it… Hermione thought. The last few occasions that she had run into Tonks had been so harried that she hadn't had time to dwell on their strange connections. But sitting here, in the potions lab, alone with nothing else to distract them… she had to say something, the tension was palpable. Taking a deep breath, she caught the other woman's gaze.
"Tonks… I… I've never thanked you for what you did… I mean, of course I didn't know what had really happened when Harry told me back then, and-" Hermione looked down at her hands. This was much harder than she had thought it would be. I should have planned something out before opening my big mouth, she thought wryly. Out loud, she continued, "I appreciate what you did, and… and it was a good idea, or plan… and I… what I really want to say is, thank you for protecting Severus."
Tonks also looked rather awkward at the conversation. "It was nothing… I mean, it was my pleasure…" Suddenly her eyes widened, and she hastily added, "That didn't come out right, it wasn't… what I mean is… I was glad to help, any way that I could." By the end of Tonks' speech, both women were glowing bright red.
Suddenly, Hermione broke the silence by laughing. After a short moment, Tonks joined her. Gasping for air, Hermione said, "If this isn't the most awkward… Gods, how the hell are you supposed to have a… a conversation with a woman who had sex with your lover to save your life and is now seeing your ex-husband?"
Tonks grinned widely, still chuckling. "I have absolutely no idea."
Hermione sat back and let out a breath, the tension leaving her. "Well. Thank you again, it really… it really was a big deal. I appreciate it." Tonks simply nodded, a serious look on her face. "It's just… this is all rather weird for me."
Tonks fiddled with something on her right wrist before admitting, "It's rather weird for me, also. Not so much for the Severus thing – that was years ago, and it wasn't really… well, it was all business, if that makes sense." Hermione nodded slowly. "But… you and Viktor…"
Hermione smiled gently. "Are definitely through, Tonks. I'm happy for you both."
Tonks nodded. "I- thanks. I think… I think I knew that, but it's nice to hear you say it, anyway. And… I'm glad you and Severus…"
"Thanks."
Another silence, but this one wasn't as awkward. Hermione looked at the gently bubbling cauldron and then at the clock. "Well, we have another half and hour before the next step. Then someone can test it, if it turns out to be Polyjuice."
Tonks frowned slightly. "And if it isn't… is there some other way to tell whose hair it is? Does the Ministry keep a supply of Polyjuice on hand?"
Hermione shook her head. "No – it's of no real use to us here… since the war, it's mostly teenagers that use it, trying to get into adults-only locations."
"But Severus had a flask of it at Hogwarts, that he had Hestia smell…" Tonks said, looking confused.
Hermione smirked. "Severus has a supply of just about any potion you can think of on hand – those that have adequate shelf lives, of course. It's a normal fifth-year potions assignment… he usually has some left over at the end of the year. The base lasts indefinitely, it's just when you add the hair that it begins to denature."
"Oh."
Hermione looked at the other woman again with a small smile. "You know… I hated you for quite a while."
Tonks raised an eyebrow. "Really? Oh… because of what Harry…"
"Yeah. He made me look into a Pensieve, you know. I didn't want to believe him," Hermione said, averting her eyes and playing absentmindedly with the stirring rod sitting on the lab table. "I'm sorry for that."
"That you looked?"
"No… um, well, about that too I suppose. But- I- I'm sorry that I hated you. I should have asked someone, someone other than Big-Mouth Harry. He has always done things like this… take something out of context, not finding out the whole story, running with it," Hermione said, scowling slightly.
Tonks sat, staring at the cauldron. "Would it… would you…" Taking a deep breath, she looked directly at Hermione. "Had you known the truth, would you have married Viktor?" Her voice squeaked slightly on the last few words, but Hermione pretended not to notice.
"No." Hermione's voice was quiet, but absolute. She saw a flash of relief and then something like irritation cross the other woman's features, and she steeled herself for the recriminations.
"You know he was completely in love with you," Tonks said, her face coloring a little. Hermione nodded slowly. "I don't see how you could have… but he… he understood. I mean, he understands. I can tell… it's the truth. I think he knew, all along, that you didn't feel the same."
Hermione sighed. "I think you're right. And now…"
"He's over you. I think he is, at least. I hope," Tonks stopped, looking uncomfortable. Hermione smiled and leaned over, grasping her hand.
"He is. I'm sure of it... I could tell when I met him at the house. Tonks, he's a good person. He wouldn't… he wouldn't lead you on, especially after what happened with us… you realize that, don't you?" Hermione said earnestly. This has got to be the strangest conversation I have ever had, she thought.
"I think I do. I mean, I do. I know… but it's hard… hard to know how he feels about me, I guess," Tonks said in a rush. Suddenly she chuckled nervously. "I can't believe I'm having this sort of conversation with you. His ex-wife. Hestia's the only other person I've talked to about this…"
"Another good person," Hermione said. "She trusts you, you know."
Tonks nodded. "I know… and I know how unusual that is, for her. She's my best friend. She thinks a great deal of you, Hermione. Everyone does." Was that a tone of envy in her voice?
Hermione tilted her head slightly. "As they do of you, Tonks. Even Severus – and I'll have you know, if you didn't realize this already – he's a very difficult person to impress. Hestia, also."
Tonks nodded and ran a hand through her short hair. A glint on her right wrist caught Hermione's gaze. "May I?" Hermione wondered at Tonks' blush as she held out her wrist. "That's beautiful, Tonks."
"Thanks," Tonks muttered, avoiding her gaze. The pieces slid together in Hermione's mind.
"Ah. And it appears Viktor thinks quite highly of you, too," Hermione said, smiling widely in hopes of relaxing the other woman. Tonks raised her eyes to meet Hermione's and gave a tentative grin in return.
"I hope so," Tonks said. "He… um… he charmed it – the same spells he used on your wedding rings, I think."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, surprised. She remembered how much effort it had taken Viktor to place the communication and locator charms on their rings… he must truly be interested in Tonks. "Tonks – do you have any idea how much energy those charms take? I think… strike that, I know… that you don't need to hope that he thinks highly of you. He does. Trust me."
Tonks smiled, staring at the bracelet. Hermione followed her gaze. It really was a lovely piece - elegant, understated, expensive. The fact that Viktor – possibly the most frugal person she had ever met – had not only spent the energy to charm it, but had also spent the money to buy it… that really meant a lot." Tonks' voice pulled her attention back to the present. "I think it's just because he's worried. Because of my job, and everything that's going on right now…"
Hermione chuckled. "Tonks, trust me… he didn't buy you that just because he's worried. He was worried about Harry and Ron during the war, too - and he never gave them charmed jewelry."
Tonks' eyes glinted mischievously. "That's a relief."
"Isn't it, though?" Hermione asked, and they locked eyes for a split second before their laughter overtook them.
* * * * * *
"You'll scare him to death, Ron!" Hermione hissed. Ron just grinned in response.
"Where's your sense of fun, 'Mione? Dating that overgrown bat sucked it out of you already? He'll realize who it is once the initial shock wears off," Ron insisted, his eyes innocent in the unfamiliar face. After a few hours of testing, Hermione determined that the potion in two of the flasks was definitely Polyjuice. Tonks and Hermione had rushed to Kingsley's office to track down Ron, who enthusiastically volunteered to be the guinea pig. Since none but Neville had ever seen Renovo in person, Kingsley had requested that they visit his office.
"Ron!" Hermione hissed again, but it was too late. Ron flung open the door to Neville's office and jumped in…
…and immediately fell to the ground, petrified. Hermione and Tonks bent over double, laughing. They stepped over Ron's body and into the room as Neville circled the desk, his wand out. "What- oh. I suppose the potion was Polyjuice, and the hairs were Renovo's, eh?" Neville asked, returning his wand to the wrist sheath.
Hermione took a moment to get her laughter under control, and then said, "Apparently so. So this does look like Renovo, then?" Neville nodded. "We wanted to be absolutely sure. He sure looks a lot like Draco, doesn't he?"
Neville nodded again. "Quite a bit. I'm not sure why I never realized it before…"
Tonks snorted. "Why would you think about it? A squib in France – what possible connection could your brain have come up with to think of Draco? Yeah, he's a pale blond with gray eyes. There are plenty of them around. Don't beat yourself up over it."
Neville nodded again. "Why didn't you warn him not to sneak in on me like that? He's lucky all I did was petrify him," he asked, irritated, as he pulled his wand out again and muttered, "Finite Incantatum."
"I tried to warn him, but he didn't listen," Hermione said as Ron groaned and sat up, awkward in the shorter body. "Did you, Ron?"
Rubbing his head, Ron looked at her with Renovo's gray eyes. "No, I didn't. I should have, obviously. When did you get to be so fast on the draw, Neville?" Neville didn't answer, and Ron wisely let it drop. Tonks held out a hand and hauled him to his feet.
"Well. I think it's definite – the hairs in the bag belong to Renovo Moreau," Tonks said, her face serious once again.
* * * * * *
Later that evening, Hermione and Severus were relaxing in their chambers at Hogwarts. "So. It was Renovo's hair," Severus stated. Hermione nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Ron tested it," she said, stifling a yawn.
"I'm grateful that Tonks brought you back rather than Weasley," Severus said, scowling. "He is far too reckless for my tastes."
She made a noise of disagreement. "He's a good Auror, Severus. You should give him a chance."
Severus shifted slightly on the couch, pulling her into a more comfortable position against his shoulder. "There are many things I'm willing to sacrifice for you, my dear, but assuming a friendship with Ronal Weasley is not one of them." He sighed, closing his eyes, enjoying the silence and relative peace. "Neville is… a pleasant companion. He has had the good sense to mature over the last seven years. Weasley, on the other hand…"
"I know, Severus. Don't worry – I'm not expecting you two to be best buddies anytime soon. Just – give him a chance, all right? He really is good at what he does."
Severus grunted noncommittally. "I'll admit that his method of purloining those flasks was a very… Slytherin tactic."
Hermione chuckled. "I know that's a compliment, coming from you… but I can only imagine Ron's reaction to hearing you say that." She wrapped her arm around his chest and snuggled closer to him.
Severus smiled slightly. "I can imagine," he murmured into her hair. "Still – I'm glad he is partnered with Tonks. She is a good mentor for him."
"I agree with you there. I… I had never really had a chance to talk to her before today. I'm glad I had the chance. She's… she's a good person," Hermione said. "I'm glad she and Viktor are getting along so well."
"Are they, then?"
"Well, he bought her a bracelet… and used the communicator charms on it," she said, yawning. "He's worried about her."
Severus nodded slowly. "That's not a bad idea. It is a very dangerous job that she has."
"Seems to me that right now Potions Master is a pretty dangerous job," Hermione observed wryly, playing with one of the buttons on his shirt.
"Indeed," he replied in a distracted tone. It's not a bad idea…His thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on the door. "Who…"
"Severus! Hermione! You've got to take a look at this!" Remus' voice was barely audible from outside the door. Hermione sighed deeply and reluctantly pulled away from him, allowing him to stand and get the door.
"What is it, Lupin?" Severus asked, annoyed.
"Look!" Remus said, shoving the evening copy of the Daily Prophet under his nose. "You won't believe it." Hermione walked up beside him to see what the fuss was about.
Severus muttered as he read. "Fudge assures populace… no danger… no Apparition… obviously not Potions Masters… oh, Merlin!" Hermione had caught up to where he was reading and gasped.
"Fudge assures this reporter that the perpetrators do not have the skills necessary to create a potion capable of a widespread attack. "The only Potions experts I know that could even consider such a feat are one hundred percent not interested in having these men come out of Azkaban, I can assure you of that. Severus Snape and Hermione Granger fought on the side of the Light during the War," Fudge is quoted to have said.
While this reporter is glad that the Minister is so sure of his facts, the question remains: Who is trying to get Draco Malfoy and the infamous Goyle father-and-son team out of Azkaban? And will they really stop over some puffer-fish eyes?
More in tomorrow morning's edition."
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A/N: Sorry this chapter is so late – the holidays set me back a bit, not to mention catching up on some truly excellent stories that have recently been updated – such as Kaz2's Falling Further In. If you haven't read it yet – go!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and as always, please review!
The great and masterful Yoda – Thanks for the review. Glad you liked the way Ron handled stealing the evidence!
Keket Amunet – Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate your comments on the pacing… I do see what you mean in that particular scene. Also, the Tonks thing I had planned to have their confrontation when they had a chance to be alone… I think with everything else going on that it was pushed to the back of their minds in previous chapters… although once you mentioned it in your review I think it would have been much better had I written in a couple of uncomfortable stares in previous encounters. Thanks again for reviewing!
Louise Luvgood – Thanks! Glad that you liked the house-men discussion. I'm also really glad that you like Hestia… she's a very fun personality to write.
