11. Clarity
"Tempest-tossed," spoke Severus softly and watched as the grey bricks disappeared, revealing a handsome mahogany door. He twisted the silver handle and pushed it open.
Draco followed him in, his blue eyes flickering about the room, from the dark grain-patterned floorboards to the sparse ceiling. Severus didn't fail to notice the thin smirk that spread slowly across his features.
"Nothing's changed, just as I expected."
"I find I like to retain some degree of constant normalcy in my life."
The elder Slytherin gestured to the two leather-backed chairs that were placed before the hearth. "Something to drink?"
"If you wouldn't mind," answered the blonde, before settling himself into one of the chairs and putting his godfather under further scrutiny. "What do you have?"
Severus opened the small cabinet next to his bookcase, pushing a bottle of expensive Cabernet to the back. "Gillywater?" he asked, holding up the slim, green bottle.
Draco snorted in amusement. "Only McGonagall drinks that stuff, Severus. Give me a bit of respect and pull out your Christmas leftover Firewhiskey."
"May I enquire as to how you knew I hadn't finished the bottle?" asked Severus, arching an eyebrow, as he reluctantly fished it out and poured them both a glass.
"Remember our Quidditch victory parties? I don't think you've ever brought yourself to finish a bottle in the holiday season. Always came in handy if we could get into your office."
"Ah, yes. I think I recall an intoxicated Millicent Bulstrode insisting that I was her best friend all the way to the Infirmary."
"She didn't come to Potions for a week after that."
Severus allowed himself a slight chuckle. "How have you been, Draco? The last time I saw you was at the Ministry, back in August, wasn't it." He took a long sip of his drink, feeling its warmth resonate at the back of his throat.
"It was," replied Draco, ignoring his first question. "But I haven't the time to exchange pleasantries, I'm afraid."
"You haven't the time? What's the rush?"
The younger man sighed. "I want to get straight to the point, Severus."
"Then please do so."
Draco regarded him impatiently. "You know why I am here."
"Do I?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "Don't play the fool with me."
Severus held up his hands, barely concealing a forged grin. "Please tell me what it is I'm supposed to have done, for I'm sure I don't know."
"Severus, things will be much easier if you can just own up and let me sort everything out. The Minister's gunning to get you done for something."
"And what does he want to get me 'done' for?"
"Harbouring a known and dangerous criminal."
Severus feigned amusement and began to speak, but his godson cut him off. "Do you have any idea how frustrating this is? I know you have her. You are hiding Hermione Granger in this castle, Severus, and I intend to find her."
Expressionless, Severus replied. "Indeed. And then what?"
"Pay myself back something she's owed me for a long time now. My life. I might have survived, Severus, but it doesn't feel like it. I've been following her for years now, picking up every scrap of evidence that she's left behind, tracking her to place after place. She's the only thing that stops me from being alive again, Severus. Until she's dead, I can't rest. I've eliminated every fragment of what obscured my life before, but she's slipped from my grasp yet again. And you…you are the one to assist her."
"You are correct on one count, Draco. I am hiding Hermione Granger within these walls."
Draco inclined forwards, his eyes keenly trained on the man before him. Severus noticed his pale fingers gripping the soft, malleable arms of the chair.
"But you are incorrect on another. Miss Granger is in this castle, Draco, but she is not, and never was, a servant of the Dark Lord."
After surveying his godfather through tightening eyes, Draco rose steadily from his chair. Not willing to lose control of the situation, Severus also stood up, ensuring his eyes never retracted from his godson's unwavering gaze. The two Slytherins stood in silence until Draco began to laugh. There was no mirth in his blue eyes; the resonance was hollow and empty.
"You always favoured her above all others, didn't you? I knew it…no matter how many times you ridiculed her cruelly or put her and her House down…you wanted her to better everyone else. Every insult, every cutting remark…it was only to push her into proving you wrong."
"I believe you were making a point, Draco?" Severus answered, neither affirming nor denying the accusation.
"You're blind, Uncle Severus. There was a time you didn't trust a soul…not even Dumbledore. But she turns up on your doorstep and you bring her to Hogwarts for protection," Draco snarled.
"Certain actions commit a trust in me and from me, Draco. I ask you not to follow my past misgivings. That was when I was blinded."
"You-"
"I wasn't finished," cut in Severus smoothly. "You are the one who is blinded now. From anger that you won't let rest. Anger that is undeserved upon Miss Granger. But nobody who matters holds you in contempt, Draco- only yourself. So I ask you to sit down and listen."
A firm, but heavy hand on Draco's shoulder silenced the man's heated attempts to speak.
"I said sit down." Severus's tone indicated no room for refusal. Under duress, Draco sank back down.
"Good. I only ask you to remain silent until I have finished. You may say or do whatever you wish, but only when I am done. Understood?"
Defiantly, Draco stared back at the man who had been his mentor. This wasn't supposed to be happening. Six years past and the Head of Slytherin's voice still commanded him in a way no-one else's had. He doubted many would repudiate his orders after they were delivered in such a quiet but dangerous voice. Least of all, though he hated to admit it, him.
Severus walked the length of the room, pausing to gaze out of the small window that gave a view of the murky depths of the lake. With his back turned, he began to speak.
"You have not been the only person to search in vain for Miss Granger, though you were the one with most luck. Under the effects of an adapted Unplottable Charm, she managed to escape the eyes of the Order and, most strangely, Albus Dumbledore. You, however, managed to track her down before her trail was impossible to uncover.
"When Miss Granger arrived on the doorstep of Snape Manor…surprised is hardly the word I would use to describe my reaction. Undoubtedly she never meant to call upon me. If she'd had her chance, I assume she would have Apparated away, or ran, if her legs could carry her. She simply didn't have the strength."
"So you brought a runaway Death-Eater back to Hogwarts, believing some sob story of innocence?" broke in Draco, scathingly. "How Gryffindor of you Uncle Severus."
"I'd rather proceed in telling you just how misinformed you are without the constant interruptions. Cast your mind back to the night the Dark Lord was slain. A new Death-Eater arose that day in the Ministry's eyes, and if she had not, his reign wouldn't have been ended. What servant of the Dark Lord would perform such a task?"
Severus turned from the wall to face Draco. "Perhaps not a servant at all? Perhaps a foolishly self-sacrificial Muggle-born who acted on impulse as a means to an end?"
Draco shook his head, a slight smirk on his face. "You seem to have procured a talent for weaving lies, Uncle."
"Lies? Would you agree that memories are truths?"
"If not tampered by feelings, yes."
"Then allow me to show you what you did not see." Severus crossed over to his desk and opened a cupboard. He pulled out a small Pensieve.
In his stomach, Draco could feel a worm of insecurity squirming slowly. He shifted slightly. The firm resolution on the Head of Slytherin's face unnerved him- the look Snape had always worn when he'd tested one of Longbottom's potions to create embarrassment. The look of utmost certitude.
A silvery mist floated dreamily within the bowl. Severus placed it on the desk and nodded to Draco. "I, along with others, have perused this memory countless times. I invite you to do the same."
For one of the rare moments of his life, Draco hesitated. Something told him that this was going to change everything. Then he realised, he'd rather live by the truth, no matter what it was, than be blinded. As he walked to the desk and bent his head towards the Pensieve, a tiny shred of his being desperately wanted this to prove nothing, prove that the only truth he'd known for six years was real, but he was won over by the need to leave everything else behind.
Severus watched as his godson gradually pulled his head from the Pensieve and decline from meeting his eyes. Draco stood stone still for a few moments, never facing him. Then he spoke softly.
"Where is she?"
As he said the words, Draco could feel the impact of what he'd just seen, sinking into him. What she'd done…what she'd sacrificed…what he'd have done if he'd found her first. As he stared unmoving at the wall, he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. At once, he shrugged it off, wanting no part of his godfather's company. As he glanced fleetingly at the hand which had touched him, he froze. The hand was not Severus's; large, pale and calloused, but petite and feminine. His breathing suddenly shallow, he turned.
"Hello Draco."
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. I apologise for the long lack of updates but I have huge technical problems, such as being hit by a Blaster worm, getting a new OS and only being able to access the computer for 20 minutes every hour. I hope this makes up for it.