Anam Cara

Lost and Found

"She's at Hogwarts?"

"Most definitely, Minister. I fear my godfather has been sadly misguided and believes he is keeping her safe by sending her to Dumbledore."

The Minister paused. "Why would she call upon him there anyway? And that raises a further question; why was he there?"

"Don't you remember it? The Snape family winter getaway? My father," Draco's voice hardened slightly. "Used to tell me about it. Isolated from the prying eyes of Muggles, perfect for large gatherings, celebrations or…otherwise. Severus most likely spends some of Christmas there."

"Alone?"

"My godfather prizes peace and solitariness over all. Given his past, it's to be expected. Who knows? Perhaps he carries out some of his work there?"

"Perhaps," repeated Fudge slowly. Then he straightened up. "Thank you for the information Draco. I believe we've finally overcome one of our largest obstacles if you are correct."

Draco nodded. "I hope this proves, once and for all, that I have no intention of following in my father's footsteps." He grimaced. "No loyal Death Eater should be left standing."

Fudge watched him carefully. "You have no reason to feel guilt, Draco. You were acquitted of the charges under the proof that you were simply acting in defence, long ago."

The man facing him sighed. His blonde hair, once neat and firmly combed back, grew past his ears now, the ends somewhat straggling. Draco's thin, even pointed, features were still intact though and became even more pinched as he replied.

"I don't feel guilty, Minister. Just a firm sense of…retribution, that's all I have." He was silent for a few moments. "When do you suppose you will be investigating up at the school? Before Christmas break is over, I suppose."

"Oh, yes, certainly. No sense in putting the students in danger when we have this sort of information at our dispense, is there? No…I believe I will owl Dumbledore tonight. Tell him that I simply paying a friendly visit to the school tomorrow. If I tell him who I am looking for, he will most certainly hide Miss Granger and do whatever he can to protect her. Wise man, the Headmaster, but most fiercely resolved, even in matters he does not understand."

Draco was not entirely sure he agreed with Fudge on most counts, but he knew what he meant. Dumbledore had a way of defending things, people and telling him beforehand would hand him more ammunition in shielding Hermione, mistakenly believing she was innocent.

"Good decision, Minister."

Fudge smiled. "I will be expecting you to accompany me, of course."

"Of course."

Though she had been sitting up since dawn, Hermione felt no tiredness. Restless and unable to sleep, she had padded along through the darkness to her small living room, which was well endowed with various books. For three hours she had curled up in the large, red armchair with Hogwarts, A History: Revised and revelled in reading a book that she hadn't had the pleasure of for a long time.

Placing the leather bookmark she had found in the middle of the heavy book, she stood up and stretched.

The window, she found this particular luxury an oddity, as it was set into a wall of the dungeons, was now letting a little light shine through, reflecting the polished wood surfaces in the room, alerting her to the fact that it was getting later.

The book was placed lovingly back onto the shelves and Hermione went back into her bedroom.

A tall armoire stood in the corner, bearing the Hogwarts crest. She ran her fingers over it for a moment, thinking, before pulling the doors open. She raised her eyebrows at the veritable mass of robes inside. There were all sorts, from casual to dressy in various shades and materials. She pulled out a set of dark green ones and examined it critically. Just right, she thought.

It fitted perfectly and she felt herself smiling. It was a while since she'd had something 'new' to wear. It felt soft and smooth, no signs of weariness or ragged hems.

Hermione sat down on the bed she'd barely slept in, and felt it sink slightly at her weight. She breathed out slowly. This 'trip' to Hogwarts still felt strange, even wrong. It was odd that just a few days ago, she'd been relying on pure luck and her wand to get her by, and she'd stumbled, somewhat, into this almost perfect world where there seemed to be nothing to worry about.

How long will it last, she thought, standing up and walking over to the dresser. On top stood a large, round mirror. Taking a chance, she peered rather fearfully into it. The real fright was that the girl looking back at her didn't show any shock, as she stared back at her own reflection. Hermione's hair was much longer than it had once been, in a rather straggly mess from not drying it the night before. Her eyes had lost their usual warmth and sparkle, and watched her examination bleakly, and were drawn and grey. Hermione's skin looked pale and tight, no more freckles or a tinge of redness in her cheeks.

Hermione was interrupted rudely from her reflection by an insistent knocking on the door. Startled, she turned from the mirror and quickly left the room, heading to the door.

"Blood Pop," she cried as the knocks became louder. The bricks moved aside and she met the face of an impatient Severus Snape.

"At last. I rather thought you were still lying abed," he said, glaring at her.

Not in the least apologetic, Hermione glared right back. "I'm confident you weren't awake at the crack of dawn, as I was, Professor Snape, so please don't insinuate that I am lazy."

Not bothering to register her reply, he continued. "The Headmaster wishes to see you. I believe it's a matter of some urgency." Severus's eyes flicked over her appearance critically. "And your lack of sleep is quite visible, I do assure you Miss Granger."

Scowling at him, Hermione answered, "Tell him I'll be there in five minutes. I need to do something first."

"Tell him yourself." Severus turned and walked down the corridor.

Muttering the password, Hermione went back to the bedroom, glowering. "Bloody man…I'll give him 'lack of sleep'…."

Nothing had changed about her sneering Potions Master, obviously. He was still the irritating professor who deserved to be dunked headfirst into one of his own Shrinking Solutions.

Searching amongst the few belongings she'd brought with her, Hermione found a hair tie and scraped her tresses harshly back, hoping to tame them. Making sure her robes were straight, she left her quarters and headed down the dungeon corridor, in the direction Snape had gone.

"Ah, Miss Granger. I trust you slept well?" The old Headmaster turned from his conversation with McGonagall.

Hermione nodded quietly as she closed the office door behind her, choosing to not acknowledge the surly Potions Master who watched her entrance.

"I hope so, since I have a surprise for you that might take up quite a bit of your energy." Dumbledore gestured behind her, a tiny smile lighting up his face.

Questioning, Hermione turned around. Her gasp was clear.

When she had come in, her eyes had not come across the sofa near to the door. Sitting on it were two young men she barely recognised. Ron Weasley was grinning broadly now; the hint of doubt that had been there initially had completely disappeared. He was even taller she noticed, but now it was flattering but his hair was as flaming red as ever.

With a smaller smile, but looking just as happy, was Harry Potter. He got to his feet, no longer the pale, tense man she remembered from the last time she'd seen him, but slightly tanned and relaxed.

Hermione's observations were shoved aside as not one, but two pairs of arms were thrown around her. When she was at last given room to breathe, Ron started to shake his head in disbelief.

"I can't believe you're actually here…it's so…" He paused, studying her closely. "Why didn't you come back?" he asked softly, meeting her eyes so that she could not pull away from the question. Harry was also watching for her answer.

Dumbledore, sensing Hermione's discomfort, stepped forward. "Your questions will be answered later, I am sure, Mr Weasley…they will have to be, he added, his tone lower and more serious. "But I think breakfast is more in order now and then, a much more pressing matter," he glanced over at Severus who nodded briefly and went to leave.

Harry was watching them. "What's going on?" he asked frowning.

"You will be told in due course, Harry. Now, Miss Granger- tea?"

Hermione was in no mood for breakfast. She stood up slowly. "Professor Snape?" she said, halting the Slytherin from leaving. "What do you have in your hand?"

Immediately, all attention was directed to the piece of parchment in Severus's clenched hand.

Severus looked to the Headmaster, who sighed heavily. "We might as well get to it, then…even if it means cutting this reunion a little shorter than I'd hoped. If you could pass me that, Severus?" he asked, holding out his hand for the parchment.

Severus gave it to him.

"I received an…interesting owl from the Minister of Magic today. It seems as if he wishes to pay a visit to the school tomorrow, whilst 'the students are not around'."

Hermione listened, her apprehension growing. "Fudge…he's coming…here?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I would think nothing of it, except he seems far more jovial than usual and he is insistent on visiting as soon as possible. Cornelius rarely visits the school unless it is urgent."

He looked at Hermione. "I believe he has uncovered a matter of some urgency for the Ministry."

A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews, and I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. One word- exams. Lots of nasty ones with tricky questions that I was forced to endure. Anyway, it's the holidays now, and I'm ready to get back on it, and I know where it is going, surprisingly.

Two chapters of my Sakura back-story have been written and beta-d, so if you're interested in reading that, I'll be putting put a note in one of my updates.