Once again the disclaimer: I bow in awe of J.K. Rowling genius. All characters and things in the Harry Potter world are hers. Please do not sue me. I make no money and you would undoubted piss readers off if you delay in continuing the saga as we anxiously await your next book. I have cited other fan fiction articles which have inspired me to incorporate their ideas in this story as well. I encourage you to read them. Please read and review. Thanks~ Leyna
Chapter 20: Anticipation
Hermione had an ordinary week. Ordinary meaning how things should have been all along. The office of the Ministry of Magic was pleased to have her keeping regular office hours, such micromanagers the lot of them. She kept her head low, but only a bit. Fighting off Malfoy successfully gave her more confidence when dealing with Grumple's goons. She felt eyes follow her from time to time, but tried hard not to modify her behavior too much. Doing that just gave him more power. She gave far too much away in secluding herself for seven years.
She popped in on Arthur Weasley in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office and ran into Ron. Ron, quite the authority on portkeys, consequently worked in the Department of Magical Transport: Portkey Office. Ron looked very happy making his own destiny as the individual he was instead of being referred to as Arthur's son or Harry's friend et cetera. Hermione decided she would invite Ron to her apartment, a step in the right direction, long overdue.
For the first time in three years at the MOM, she didn't have to lurk around corners or work in her lab at home. She could keep work at work and home became a place for refuge and solitude.
She actually made an appointment to have coffee with Jake in the middle of the day on Tuesday where he profusely apologized for setting her up with Stuart and he picked up the tab. He noticed her grinning overly much and inquired if any new suitors had entered the picture. She smiled a little smile and avoided the topic entirely. Jake wasn't about to let it go. But she could at least postpone that discussion until after his trip.
She met Stuart for lunch later in the week for lunch and they had a good chat. To her surprise, he turned out be a geneticist, and now she had a newfound friend and colleague. She was unsure as how to best skirt the discussion of magic, but she'd manage.
*********
Professor Snape stayed at Hogwarts planning his lessons and addressing other duties, while he periodically disappeared to the flat to check on Hermione. He was glad to see her sleeping so well and decided to leave her be until she contacted him.
Dumbledore, the nosy, seemingly all knowing Headmaster called Snape to his office on Monday morning. He had saved Severus from a life in prison and from servitude of the Dark Lord without purpose. Each day he was grateful for it.
As per usual, the password was the name of a sweet. "Snickerdoodle." And the stone gargoyle turned with a grating noise to reveal the staircase up to the Headmaster's office.
"Ah, Severus. Lemon drop?"
The same ritual every time you entered. He always offered a lemon drop. There could be a full scale war and he would offer a sweet. It annoyed the hell out of Snape. "No. Thank you, Headmaster. You wanted to speak with me?"
"It has come to my attention that Hermione Granger was involved in an altercation with Lucius Malfoy over the weekend. Harry Potter visited me earlier today and discussed the matter with me. I thought perhaps you might be able to elaborate?" His eyes twinkled but not with an accompanying smile. He was very serious.
"Actually, I thought this was Hermione's story to tell. She has had a lot of… repressed anger against Lucius for what he did to Rose."
"And to our Hermione as well, I imagine. The daily nightmares that accosted our young pupil did not escape my attention, Severus. I wished we had gotten her to Poppy sooner. It was only a matter of time before she confronted him." Dumbledore shook his head slightly with a sorrowful expression.
"She planned it for years. When she took meditation from me, I thought it was to help her with control of her visions. I felt I had failed her miserably when she wound up in Poppy's office. It was like Harry's Occlumency lessons allover again. Then after Christmas, she had an epiphany."
"I remember. She blocked you out entirely. Were you…disappointed?"
"That's a strange question. Of course I wanted her to succeed. And she did."
"But you could see so much about her before she could shut her mind off. Surely you must have felt like you knew her better than you did before?" Albus probed.
"Yes, I suppose. She is terribly bright, and I confess I took her far more seriously than I had before the classes began. She has a sharp mind. A keen understanding of how to pull together common threads from maddening chaos. I was… impressed." He talked freely. Dumbledore has a way of doing that to people who sat in this office. He loosened the lips and compelled people to speak truth, or at the very least make them feel guilty when lying.
"High praise from you, Severus."
"He attempted to assault her. And failed. She's quite talented in self-defense, and has a collection or blades which surprised me. She called it, a 'hobby.' She knocked him unconscious and is forcing him to relive the memories of Rose's assault as if he were the victim."
"Is forcing him?" The Headmaster's color faded and his expression grave.
"My impression is that she wanted him to not relive it one time but many times, as she did."
"I see." His hands were steepled together in concern. "She may regret her choices, Severus, and for this reason I am glad that Lucius Malfoy survived. I don't think Hermione would be able to live with herself if she knew she was responsible for his death. It would irrevocably change her."
Severus nodded. Hermione was a beautiful woman, and he had always thought of her as trusting, innocent, and at times somewhat naïve. A true Gryffindor. Loyal to her friends and holding a set of personal values that anyone would admire.
"I'm glad you are helping her. Have you been able to talk with her recently about the lycanthropy cure?"
"Yes, she has been surprisingly open with her personal lab. I've moved the project there."
"Excellent. It sounds like good news is on the horizon." Severus wasn't sure if he was still talking about the Wolfsbane project or not.
"One more thing. Professor Trelawney had a prediction that you would need a few days to yourself next week. So I will locate a substitute to teach your potions classes for you Thursday through next week."
"A whole week? Gods, what else did she say?" Ordinarily, Professor Snape would dismiss Professor Trelawney's predictions, but that had changed radically since Hermione managed to unlock her extremely powerful Seeing gifts, which had been buried almost 20 years ago by Lily Potter. Sibyll was pretty well dead accurate now. No arguing that.
"If you must know, she said it was none of our businesses and requested for her memory to be modified so I did."
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
Severus snorted. "Sounds like she took a page out of Hermione's diary."
"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore blinked.
"Hermione told me that she used to have Harry modify her memory from time to time. Her skills had advanced beyond premonitions to mind-reading. She undoubtedly heard many of our most private thoughts and likely a multitude of mundane ones as well."
"My goodness. That explains quite a bit. Well, let's not let Miss Granger's ears burn to badly. I'm sure when she has more to share, she will." He smiled a wise smile that completely unnerved most guests. Severus simply understood it as a close to their discussion.
****
The weekend was fast approaching, and Hermione Granger found herself dreaming more often of Severus, longing to see his face each night. She looked forward to their dinner plans, and decided she had plans of her own. She had waited so long. She had honored her vision for years, trusting her heritage, keeping her secret, telling no one.
Her birthday was Friday. And Saturday... Saturday she'd share everything with him.
She used to sing in a nightclub. Ironically, it was a place that attracted a regular crowd who liked to dress well for the occasion even though they probably were not considered to be big spenders. The atmosphere was relaxed and always welcoming. The crowd there were likely still the ones who heard her debut. She still vocalized often at home, and decided to give Jerry a call to book her.
"Hermione love, how are ya dear?"
"Great Jerry, never better." And she meant it. "I'm sorry I haven't seen you in such a long while."
"Oh we'd love to have you come by sometime, you're old enough to drink at the bar now, I'd wager?"
"Jerry, I wondered if I could ask you a favor…"
When she hung up the phone, it was all worked out.
She searched the wardrobe for the black dress. Her fingers danced over the ripples in the delicate beadwork. Such a garment would knock any man to the ground. The first time she saw it she trembled just to touch it and refrained from wearing it after first trying it on. When she sang she became like a different person, a free spirit, the true woman she knew herself to be, open to possibilities.
******
It had been quite a while since Severus had been visited by the brown owl, and to his shock it dropped not a gift or box, potion or book, but a scroll, bearing the familiar metallic seal.
An invitation.
Your presence is requested at eight-o'clock, on Saturday, the twentieth of September.
The Fat Cat Lounge
12211Langham Drive
I look forward to meeting you.
It was signed with the rune, 'Uruz'—Strength, the earth sign. The rune at the tail of the snake. What did it mean? He would surely have some answers to his questions Saturday. He was intrigued, but not as before. Hermione was far too distracting for him at the moment to have his attention diverted at this point. One issue at a time.
He dreamed of her, finding himself hopeful again for a life that included the possibility of an intimate relationship. It was a selfish desire that he hadn't permitted himself to have in his adult years since his life had turned to serve greater purpose against the Darkness. So beautiful, intelligent, full of mystery. She had survived so much more than he had known and yet she was not as fragile as he had created her to be in his mind. She had screamed his name, perhaps she was dreaming of him often as well? Awful to consider what had been such a nightmare in a vain attempt to turn it into something else. Had she dreamed his death? She looked terrified. I don't know how to help you… he remembered her pained words.
Snape sat up in bed as the mark on his left arm burned, calling to him. The snake burned hot on his skin. He flew out the dungeons. His Master did not reward tardiness.
Hermione woke up Wednesday night in a cold sweat. She breathed heavily and the family heirloom was burning a warning into her skin.
She panicked. The dream. She had had it for several years now and she was still unable to meditate on it and anticipate what use she could be to Severus. She ran to the lab and grabbed a half a dozen potions and herbs. She threw on her cloak over a black shirt and pants. She closed her eyes and searched for the clarity she possessed that night in front of Malfoy Manor. She willed herself to the Dark Forest.
When she opened her eyes, she felt leaves crunching under foot. In the distance, she saw his figure misshapen in the dirt. The remnants of Crucio, and his fighting in a battle for which side she had no idea. She ran to him and crouching low her eyes studied the details of her dream made real— torn and cut robes, blood on his chest and face…he was barely alive. A tear streamed down her cheek. To move him now could injure him further. She remembered her mother's words in the volume which had trained her in the gifts of her people. She took a dagger from her cloak and pricked her finger. She leaned over him feeling the wave of energy push out from her solar plexus and out from her. The yearnings were more powerful than before and her eyes began to tear as she hoped her blood would offer the healing that the diary promised. She held her finger to his parted lips and let a few drops trickle into his mouth. After waiting a moment, she took her wand and muttered an incantation which rendered him motionless and stiff. He didn't appear to have responded at all. She frowned. She transported him the back route to the dungeons and pushed the doors of his office and bedchambers open with a wave. The wards didn't acknowledge her presence and let her pass.
Hermione lit a few candles and set straight to work on the unconscious man. She poured potions between his lips helping him to swallow by stimulating his throat. His color improved. She tended his cuts and scrapes which were likely minor in comparison to what pain lay underneath his skin. She noted the pendant and smiled. He wore it. She sighed in relief, knowing that it had offered him some additional protection.
He could feel her, touching him. A contact so gentle and caring, but he couldn't wake. He heard humming. She was singing to him. She stroked his forehead and wiped his brow with a hot cloth. He couldn't open his eyes yet. He was deep in sleep and healing, but he was faintly aware of her. The necklace warmed his chest, the heat spreading throughout his limbs.
She pulled out a round piece of wax and left it in his right hand. Brewing a new and special blend of tea for him, she left it on his nightstand before she took her leave. She watched him a few moments more and disappeared straight from his rooms and back to her flat.
He felt the smooth wax between his fingertips, and woke raising it to his eyes. The gold seal. She saved me. She…he thought.
Hermione was the only one he cared for now. No room in his life for two. He was grateful to the stranger for saving him but he could only thank her on Saturday for her years of kindness. He could not return any affection she may have for him. Severus was possessed by thoughts of Hermione. Snape calmed and stilled as he thought of her face, of holding her, of her wit, and trust. He slept.
She satin contemplative silence on her leather couch, cradling a mug of hot coffee in her hands, letting the heat from the cup warm her. In concentration, she remained tied to him as if she had never left the dungeons; she saw him clearly, far better than when her eyes looked upon his crumpled figure at the edge of the dark forest. She connected her thought to him, focusing on touching his face, stroking his hair, and humming. She wished she was still there, soothing him. Severus brushed the side of his face as he felt something touch him. Probably wishful thinking. No one was there. He was resting comfortably now, and after another thirty minutes or so, she cleaned up and retired to bed.
In the morning she rose with a mission, a new inspiration about the cure which she could not leave unexplored. She grabbed her mother's diary and flipped through the familiar text to the passage:
A mating is often a battle of wills, the vampire does not expect such power in the blood of a virgin. Even in hearing the secrets of the Clisha he does not yet believe his lover. This is his exploitable weakness. Vampires are vulnerable, they even believe some of their own myths, created by us of course, to hide our existence.
The fictitious Leanhaum-shee, known as powerful seductive temptresses, have often dominated the fantasies of vampires. It is the ancient blood of our people that lures them to their doom, and the blood that saves a chosen mate from his immortality, exchanging it for a lifetime of love and service. The dark creature is delivered from a existence of horror and death of his own making, just as the Clisha is finally freed of her bonds of celibacy. She able to reveal the premonition to him which foretells their rebirth.
In her blood is the key, the magical link that removes the curse binding dark creatures. It possesses the power both to heal and destroy.
My own footnote, writes Leyna, I am the first of my line to foresee that I shall not take such a mate to my bed. However it permitted me the opportunity to free one dark creature of my choosing, so that he may use the knowledge of his experience to redeem himself and serve as he ought to have lo those many years. I choose to free Liam.
Hermione gasped as she read that sentence for the first time. It had only revealed itself to her now. This diary had a mind of it's own. She could free one person.
Remus.
She was still committed to locate a cure, pondering the elements of her blood and how it had healed Severus. Her hair was a wiry mess from sleep, a possessed tribute to Einstein. She raced around the lab, erasing the board and furiously writing all manner of chemical and arithmeic equations. She quickly ran out of space and after a few well placed charms began writing on the very air.
An owl pecked at her door. When she opened it, it dropped a letter gruffly. She broke the red seal, her heart fell. Her presence was requested to come to the Ministry for an inquiry about the assault on Lucius Malfoy. Holy God. He had some nerve. She was unshakable now. If she could face seven years of running from that bastard she could certainly face the likes of Cornelius Fudge. The trial. Thought it would be about the potions. Hermione was starting to seriously question her abilities as a seer.
She quickly got dressed in business attire and threw on some makeup. A couple of well placed charms relaxed her hair and she braided it back to the nape of her neck in as professional manner. She put on an ordinary cloak, not wanting to seem too alarmed. Act natural. She was going to need her Occlumency skills today.
At the Ministry, she was escorted outside the courtroom where she sat patiently waiting on a hard wooden bench. When she walked in she was surprised to seethe Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, Harry Potter (acting in his role as an Auror), Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, and Professor Snape (looking much better she noted to her relief).
She avoided eye contact with Severus, not wanting to show any hint of relationship there. Why is he here?
"Mr. Fudge. How may I be of help to you today?" She asked innocently, braving to be the first to speak.
"I will ask the questions Miss Granger," Fudge barked authoritatively. He liked to puff up. She let him.
"What do you know of Lucius Malfoy's recent assault?" He got straight to the point, and she put on a look of shock.
"I knew he was in the hospital, but assaulted? That's awful."
"Recent facts have been brought to light which implicate you, Miss Granger. Placing you at the scene."
"At what scene? What facts?" She asked, truly not knowing to what he referred.
"Tut, tut, you know all too well. Your blood was found in Malfoy Manor where he was assaulted." He clearly had already presumed her guilt. What was the point? No attorneys, no rights, no due process. Now why did witches and wizards hate Salem witch trials so? These seemed of little difference.
"You cannot possibly mean I am capable of such a thing. He's huge. Look at me. I'm a scientist not a assassin." But don't cross me.
"The guilt is written all over your face."
No it's not, she thought.
"We have already interviewed the other witnesses."
Really, witnesses. Now he's just reaching.
Hermione was beginning to lose her cool. They could banter all day. Harry looked uneasy. She let out a sigh as if he was interrupting her day. "Mr. Minister, please enlighten me. You clearly are already convinced of my guilt, and I have no idea what you're talking about. Why are we bothering with pleasantries? I will tell you whatever I know." The court was shocked. She knew he would try and use Veritaserum, she might as well set him up to offer it to her.
"You will tell me everything, Miss Granger," and he gestured for a somewhat reluctant Professor Snape to come forward. "I can't trust the Ministry's stores as you are likely the brewer of the Veritaserum we possess. I guess we will need to test that as well." And there it was. Giving him an out. Maybe Grumple did have a hand in this hearing. One inquiry and suddenly my integrity in every aspect of my career is being called into question. She'd long since replaced their Veritaserum with the real thing. "Professor Snape has been kind enough to bring his for the purposes of this interrogation. He will test it in front of the court." He spoke as if the full Wizengamot was present but really Fudge was judge and jury today.
Snape tested the Veritaserum proving it pure and placed three drops in a glass of water which he offered to Hermione.
"Double the dose." The Minster ordered.
Snape spun around to regard the Minister. "This isn't lemon juice," he admonished.
"Double the dose, I want to make sure she can't resist." It was stupid really, no one could resist the power of Veritaserum.
Snape obeyed and Hermione met his gaze, attempting to reassure him. Three more drops fell into the water.
And handed it to her. She drank it as she watched the minister continuously with a rebellious glare. There, see? I drank it. Watch and learn. She concentrated, struggling with her Occlumency training as the potion crept into her veins dizzying her a bit. I can teach you to bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses…no kidding. She prayed she wouldn't open up her lips and spit out what she actually thought about Cornelius Fudge to his face. She had dreamed of that often. Grumple and his likely payoff. Bastard Fudge putting lives at risk, ignoring her warnings about the integrity of the ingredients she'd been given. Hermione doubted she could even fight off a decent 'Legilimens' but then regained her composure.
"What is your name for the court please?"
"Hermione Granger."
"And where are you employed?"
"The Ministry of Magic, Department of Controlled Magical Substances. I work in Potions."
"And where were you last Saturday evening?"
"I went to a club with a close friend."
"And can he testify as to your whereabouts?"
"No Sir. He is a Muggle." Murmurs from the Malfoys behind her. Fudge looked also as if he disapproved.
"How convenient. How late did you stay at the club?"
"Until maybe ten thirty. After that I went home." Technically it was the truth. But she skipped the middle part.
"Then how did your blood get at the home of Mr. Malfoy?" He was brusque now.
She got smart with him. "I was held at knifepoint at my car after leaving the club. My neck was nicked here." She pointed. "I didn't report it to the police of course. I suspect if any of my blood were to come into Mr. Malfoy's possession, that's it how it could have happened and no other way. Incidentally," she added for good measure, "I could not view my assailant as he was well concealed, however I did manage to stab him with a dagger I keep on me." And she fished it from her robes, handing it to Harry, acting as a bailiff. "Can you test it for Mr. Malfoy's blood?" It was mostly true, mostly.
"No, no…" Fudge backpedaled, knowing full well what the result would be. "We don't have something to test it against…"
"You could test it against Draco's blood. They are related closely enough to establish the result." Hermione presented the obvious scientific solution.
Fudge blanched. Professor Snape was astonished at how Hermione Granger managed to lie so well under the powerful serum he had administered in twice the normal dose.
"We will. Thank you for your candor Miss Granger. You are free to go. We are adjourned until tomorrow morning, unless Mrs. Malfoy, in light of this new evidence are you willing to drop these charges?" Cornelius strained not to stammer, but he was flustered and the words spilled out in a rush.
Her skin was paler than usual, she nodded. "Yes, Mr. Fudge. I am," she managed reluctantly. She regarded Hermione with a sneer of disbelief and exited the courtroom stiffly on her arm of her son.
Hermione got up properly from her chair and left without saying a word to either Harry or Severus. After all she wasn't supposed to be on speaking terms with either of them as far as the Ministry was concerned. It amused her that they were the ones Fudge chose to participate in that farce of a trial.
She took the long way home. She could transport anywhere by thought now, even wards preventing apparition could not hold her. She strolled down toward Diagon Alley and perused the items available in the stores. She remembered the lovely ring that Liam had worn during their meeting and knew it had been a gift from her mother. She thought of Remus Lupin, and decided she should choose such a gift for him.
She walked into the jeweler and the vendor approached her helpfully. "What can I show you today Miss?"
"I'd like to see some moonstones please." And she began to prepare.
After her selection was made and the stone set, she took it home to charm it and wrap it as only a true Clisha could.
Author's Notes:
Please read and review. Well, there had to be some consequences for attacking Malfoy.