22. [ Minerva's Burden ]
When the world faded back into view after travelling through the floo network the first thing Hermione became aware of was that she had never seen such an environment. She herself had been raised in a muggle household and the only wizarding homes apart from Hogwarts she had ever seen were Grimauld Place in London and the Burrow. The room she looked into now was nothing like she had ever laid eyes on and judging from the other's open mouths they hadn't either.
The whole room was large with a wooden ceiling and it was made completely out of dark marble which gave the room a mausoleum look and the many chandeliers and torches in the walls only intensified this crypt impression. From what she could see in the semi-darkness the furniture was exquisite; the large sitting area by the fire place was made out of green velvet with golden threats shimmering in the soft material. The small table was made out of a very dark ebony wood and the patterns that were carved into the legs were very complicated and began to remind her of the one she had seen on her bracelet.
On the floor were many beautiful carpets all very dark and occasionally some green made its way into the complicated patterns. From where Hermione looked it appeared almost as if the frantic patterns were moving and circling which after a second made her quite sick. Averting her gaze she saw that while Severus had left the room without another word Ron had moved to a huge chess board on the other side of the room. Stepping closer herself Hermione saw that it was carved out of marble, one set completely black and the other a creamy white, and even now they were moving slightly. What made this chess set so special was that the pieces wore Hogwarts robes with the crests of Slytherin and Gryffindor.
"This is the most amazing wizard's chess board I have ever seen," Ron stated still staring at it. "Dad told me that those existed but there are only very few left."
"Actually there are only two left to be precise," Snape stated from the door. "This one and the other one is owned by Albus Dumbledore. And as far as I know he keeps it in his private chambers."
Ron gulped and colour had returned into his face, apparently he had at least partly recovered from the shock of the attack.
"It's brilliant, honestly. I wish I could one day play with such a board." His voice conveyed how much that would mean to him.
Snape raised one brow. "Well, then it might be good for you to hear that you can play against me tomorrow- if I have time," he added after a second.
Before Ron could say something else a loud bang was heard from the other side of the room where Neville and Ginny had been standing at a huge painting that covered almost the whole length of this side of the room. Apparently Neville had tried to touch the painting and now he seemed to have stepped into the picture and stared out of the wooden frame with big eyes.
Snape sighed and raised his wand. A soft yellow light beam came out of it and then the painting glowed for a second.
"Step out Mr Longbottom!" he commanded.
Carefully Neville did as instructed and the beam faded into nothing. Ginny gently took the trembling boys arm and looked at him compassionately.
Snape shook his head with a sneer. "Of course it would you who got trapped in a painting Mr Longbottom. I advice you to stay away from all the paintings in this house since quite a lot are enchanted to do just that."
"Why?" Hermione asked staring at the painting in confusion.
Snape smiled thinly. "It's a protection against thieves. Only the house elves can touch them because they have to clean them."
In this moment a strange kind of shriek was heard behind them and a small greenish shape hurried through the room and sank to the floor next to the potions Master's feet gripping the black pants tightly. Wailing pitifully it began to kiss the black shoes.
"Oh Master is back, finally after all these months Master is back and he brings company! Guests, we not had guests here for years! Oh Master Snape is so good to his servants, good to Slinky, bringing those guests…. Oh oh oh." he squeaked obviously very pleased with this but tears were streaming down his face.
Snape looked sour all in a sudden.
"Get up, Slinky!" He pushed the shivering house elf away with his leg. "And let go of my legs, instantly!"
After a particular hard shove the elf flew across the room into a nearby grandfather's clock. The noise of his head hitting the wood and rattling the chimes could be heard loudly in the now quiet room.
Hermione gasped and quickly moved over to the crumpled figure of the small creature. Gently she put his head into her lap and looked up with a reproachful face.
"Severus, you can't kick him around like this! He was only trying to show how pleased he was for you to be back. House elves have feelings too you know!"
Snape stared at her like she had grown another head.
"He is a house elf Hermione," he stated incredulously. Obviously that seemed to explain everything for him.
The girl scowled. "Oh right, I forgot the kind of attitude you purebloods have on your faithful servants," she said sarcasm but also hurt ringing in her voice.
Ron sighed. "Not again, Mione. Please."
Neville seemed to have recovered from his experience.
"Oh yes, she was the one who founded S.P.E.W right?" he posed.
"S.P.E.W.?" Snape seemed completely lost. "What is that?"
Ginny grinned slightly. "Hermione founded this organisation in her fourth year to free house elves from their enslavement."
Snape gasped. "But why?"
Hermione growled. "Because nobody asks them if they want to be enslaved or pays them any wages for their work."
"Wages?" Snape stared at her a second. "Why would I do that? They are our family elves for centuries."
Before anybody could add another word obviously Slinky had awoken.
"Oh, Miss has to let Slinky go. Slinky has to see that the guest rooms are prepared for the guests."
Hermione looked at him concerned. "Are you okay, Slinky?"
He stared at her with an open mouth. "W-w-why?"
"Because you were kicked across the room from my husband."
He looked back at the dark figure of his master and then to Hermione's gentle face.
"Oh, Master has married. Oh OOOH!" He got up instantly and began to kiss Hermione's knees since he couldn't reach her feet in the position she was kneeling.
"Mistress, you can tell Slinky to do anything and I will. This a good day for me, best day for Slinky in his whole life." He bowed down so deep that his forehead hit the floor several times and the skull cracked slightly on the dark marble.
Hermione stopped him instantly and covered his mouth to stop his excited shrieks.
"Slinky, please call me Hermione okay?"
He stopped immediately and stared at the young girl in shock and then began to wail. Returning to Snape in an instant he gripped his feet and began to moan slightly.
"Oh Master, please Slinky never calls Mistress like that. Oh Master please punish Slinky for that."
Snape's face wasn't moving other than one muscle next to his mouth twitching and after a second he sighed. "Slinky, prepare the guest rooms now. We will need four rooms and the master bedroom. And prepare the kitchen- we might need to stay for a couple of days, maybe longer."
Slinky got up quickly and left the room slapping his own face several times, muttering over and over again: "Bad Slinky, Slinky is a bad house elf."
Snape turned around and ignoring Hermione's scowl he addressed the others.
"You can go upstairs in a second. There are four prepared rooms, however I understand it if you want company. You can share rooms if you like. I am going to wake you up tomorrow as soon as I am back from the school."
"You are going back?" Hermione sounded very concerned.
"I highly doubt the Death Eaters are still there. Albus was casting powerful magic and either they left quickly or they are captured by hundreds of Aurors that are no doubt already there." He moved to the fireplace. "I have to see what can be done about the injured students and I have to help put up the wards again."
With that he stepped into the fireplace, threw the powder and shouted: "Dumbledore's Office!"
In a green cloud he was gone and left five puzzled students behind.
**************************************************************************
Minerva stared into the empty office where only a small candle was illuminating the circular room and the greenish shimmer from the fireplace bathed every detail into a surreal light. Her thoughts were moving in circles right now, always coming back to that one fateful night so many years ago and she tried to suppress the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes.
Tonight the impossible had happened, the wards around the school had fallen down and the school had been attacked by Voldemort's forces. Right now over fifty students were being treated at the hospital wing and so far twelve bodies had been discovered. From her own house, Gryffindor, two students were dead Seamus Finnegan and Peter McMillan, a second-year and several were missing. A small sob broke free and she covered her face in the hollow of her arm trying to gain control back over her emotions.
A gentle touch at her shoulder made her look up and she saw her colleague Severus Snape standing next to her, grim lines set around his eyes.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Minerva?" His voice sounded soft, all traces of venom and sarcasm absent for the time being.
She shook her head and managed a short smile. Then a thought struck her.
"Some children are missing, Severus! Mr Potter and two of the Weasleys and Hermione…-"
"They are at Snape Manor, Minerva," he interrupted and sank down into a scarlet arm chair.
"Who exactly is at your Manor?" she inquired softly obviously still worried. Some strands of her grey hair covered her face and the lines in her face appeared deeper than ever.
"Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Hermione," he replied and saw her face relax a bit.
"Then the student body is complete."
"How many casualties, Minerva?" Snape inquired.
"Twelve." She closed her eyes for a moment as if to collect herself. "Two from Gryffindor, five from Hufflepuff, three from Ravenclaw and two from Slytherin."
He nodded. "Who from my house?"
"Goyle and Parkinson. We have no idea why they were killed as we found Goyle's father in your chamber. Did you kill him?"
Snape nodded. "They barged in as I was leaving with Hermione. Who else has been killed?"
Minerva got up. "Only seven other Death Eaters. They disappeared right after you left the school and we were able to put up the wards shortly after. One of the killed Death Eaters is Lucius Malfoy, Severus."
He looked up surprised. "I was under the impression that he was dead already." He frowned.
"Obviously not. The others are Dolohov, MacNair, Avery, Flint, Azul, and two unknowns, we think they are not English. Maybe you can identify them later. We did do considerable damage, the Aurors have put an alert and are at St. Mungos and healers have been notified."
Snape nodded again and got up. "I see if maybe I can help Albus and the others with putting up the rest of the wards."
Minerva got up and stood in his way. "No. I have to tell you something Severus. Something that you and Hermione should have been told long ago." She stared into his dark eyes and held his gaze. "Severus, you know about this prophecy about you and Hermione. But we never told you or her about what exactly it is about. I regret this today and I wish I could undo it. But the least I can do is explain things now."
He sank down into the arm chair, his face turning pale all in a sudden. "Tell me!" was all he said and Minerva did as the night so long ago surfaced in front of her inner eyes so very clearly.
*****************
The Leaky Cauldron was almost deserted that one rainy fateful night when Minerva McGonagall would serve her part in deciding the destiny of the wizarding world without even being aware of it.
Minerva looked at Snape with a mournful expression as she recounted her tale.
"It was late November, 1956 and a severe thunderstorm had raged for two solid days over the southern parts of Scotland bringing more rain in barely 48 hours than in most of the year thus turning most of the streets into rivers and causing severe flooding in many areas throughout the country around Hogwarts. Rapidly dropping temperatures where adding to the severity of the problem, and loss of life was expected to increase. Headmaster Amando Dippet had ordered all teachers to take a short break from school and assist the Ministry's liaisons to the muggle government in dealing with the damage caused to people and property.
I had not yet started teaching at Hogwarts and was therefore at the moment still in London preparing for my arrival at the school to start teaching Charms classes. I was replacing Atonius Weaver who had died a fortnight ago during an afternoon nap and given Dippet's dire need for a replacement Albus Dumbledore, the transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor House had contacted me, his former student and asked me to take over the position until a qualified replacement was found. Of course I had granted this favour even if it meant giving up that research position at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic for what was supposed to be a short while. Many people owed Albus Dumbledore favours, and the Ministry had regretfully but eagerly released me to his service.
At the time I had spoken to Albus an hour ago and he had expressed his concern that at the moment it would be wise to arrive at Hogwarts as soon as possible to support the other teachers' attempts to help the muggles with the flooding. So I delayed my previous plans to stay a while in London. I had gathered my things to travel to Hogwarts immediately after dinner and paying the bill. It was after seven o'clock already when I got up to leave the tavern to apparate to the castle's grounds with my luggage. I'll never forget that it was in that moment a tall woman with long raven hair that partly hid her alabaster white face from view stepped in my path and gently placing her cold well manicured hand on my grey woollen sleeve. She had such a distinctive voice, Severus," and Minerva continued on with her story watching it unfold in her mind.
"May I beg your pardon, are you not the highland child, Minerva McGonagall?" she asked her voice slightly husky and accented in a way which indicated that she lived in the southern parts of England.
Surprised the teacher looked up into her penetrating emerald eyes and raised one fine shaped brow in confusion.
"Aye, I am Minerva McGonagall. Do you we know each other, Miss-?"
"Snape." She smiled thinly and shook her head with a short movement as if it pained her. "No, unfortunately not but I have some matters to talk about with you, matters involving you and the future."
"I was on my way to an urgent appointment, Miss Snape. I am afraid I have no time, lives are a stake right now and I must go help."
She tightened her grip on the sleeve of Minerva's grey travelling robes and her voice darkening a nuance and imparting great authority. "I am aware of what concerns you my child, as I am aware of where you are heading but still I have to insist. It will take but a moment of time and what is time to the universe my child."
For a moment the young Scottish woman was undecided but hesitatingly she nodded feeling a sense of foreboding and mustering her Gryffindor courage in an effort to handle what may be coming. She sat down again, looking up at her insistent acquaintance.
"If you insist but I have to ask you to hurry. What can I help you with?" She tried to sound friendly and matter-of-fact when in reality this woman made shivers run down her spine with her troubled eyes and her expressionless face. Of course Minerva knew the family name of Snape; the Snapes were an old wealthy wizarding family that had been in Slytherin for generations. However, she had never paid much attention to them as in all her time at Hogwarts because when she was a student no member of that family had been sorted into any of the houses.
"It is a delicate matter of balance and I have your assurance that you will treat this with utmost confidentiality. I have to know that you won't tell a soul but Dumbledore of Gryffindor about what I am to reveal to you." She folded her hands neatly on the table and stared into Minerva's amber eyes again looking into the heart of her soul.
Minerva nodded after a short moment of hesitation and averted her eyes a second to get her emotions under control again.
"You have my word, Miss Snape."
Snape nodded and then her eyes darkened and her voice dropped to an eerie whisper.
"What am I about to tell you is a foretelling concerning the fate of the wizarding world, it will lay out our destiny as a people, what path we will choose and the choices we will make along the way. It's about something that no human knows so far, it's a prophecy that isn't known to your Ministry of Magic and it is not stored in the prophecy room."
Minerva raised her brows again. "Why is that? As far as I know all prophecies ever made are stored there without exception."
The woman smiled, and patted Minerva gently on the hand. "Oh my child, the reason is because it is not meant to be known. Its purpose can only be served if it remains secret and only those involved know about it." She raised her hands as if to avert any discussion, "My time here is very short my child. I can not and will not explain this any further. This prophecy has been done over 900 years ago by a powerful witch with all four founders of Hogwarts present."
"The founders?" Minerva furrowed her forehead. "But who made it?"
"Me."
Minerva paused in surprise. "That's not possible, you couldn't be alive after over 900 years."
She shook her head in silent amusement. "Who says I am alive?"
"You are a ghost?" Doubt rang in the Scott's voice.
Bloodwen sighed and studied the witch in front of her intensely. "Minerva of the highlands, I have no proof of that but, when you arrive at Hogwarts you may ask Dumbledore about me. My name is Bloodwen Snape and I died 950 years ago. I lived at the time when Hogwarts was founded and I made this prophecy about Severus Snape and Hermione Granger."
"Who are those two?" Minerva demanded but she got no response. Her companion started to fade away very slowly. With a voice that sounded like it was drifting away on air, the ghost of Bloodwen Snape recanted the ancient prophecy of long ago.
"Listeneth me myn highland childe
O' thistles wylde
For ye and ye alone moste hearest
Prophecy al falle it foule or faire.
Joinst betwixed o' perilous fates coerced
Swich unknown deepest unfelt ardor
Spawned the ancient magic spell
Forging bondage of soul-metal and heart stone.
The souls are wedden for life eternal or death unsung.
A leader of Sytherin's heirs, the end of pureblood line
Highest of powerful wizard-alchemists
of unfathomable bitter life and evil marked
Light shall rule the darkness within.
This knowledge only few will possess.
The pureblood binds to Earthborn-blooded flower,
A Gryffindor maid who wields the puissant Power
To bring to dark destruction dire
And burn to naught in eldritch fire
Her own, her people! Else, to raise
Them to the highest seat of praise!
Behold the maid! She shall decide
If Magic shall let fall its pride
And cast its prejudice aside
To join with those of Muggle birth
And bring new fruitfulness on Earth.
Or shall they part and ever strive
Until the last one left alive
Shall die alone, by sorrow driven
And peace and harmony are riven?
The choice demands a sacrifice,
But who will pay the awful price?
What lives to take, provide what purse
To appease a hungry Universe?
A dreadful tourney shall be fought
With spells and curses in open court;
Between the truest Gryffindor kin
And the purest-blooded Slytherin!
Duel to the death with wounds agape,
The gauntlet's thrown! I, Bloodwen Snape
Shall see thee under death's dark drape,
Dumbledore O' Gryffindor! Dost accept it?
Take my challenge or regret it!
May the Fates decide the rest.
this is the Rede! Beware, attend,
The Maid shall set the tourney's end!
Which shall she choose? To join, to rend?
O Wizards! Muggles! The Prophecy
Shall soon be heard!
So Mote It Be!"
Minerva McGonagall sat speechless staring into the air where a ghost once was, feeling like she was handed a heavy anvil, a burden to carry for two strangers she never met A strange feeling permeated her being as the words imprinted themselves in her soul with intense pain. Closing her eyes she put her hands to the bridge of her nose rubbing her forehead until the migraine subsided leaving nothing but questions and confusion. Opening her eyes she looked in the mirror across the tavern and noticed some of her hair had turned grey that night, now matching her travelling robes…
It was endless minutes after Minerva had ended her story of the events of that night when Snape looked up and had an expression on his face that was so unusual for him that she couldn't place it for a moment. But then she realized with a start that he was scared, horrified by what he had just heard.
"The fight's already started, hasn't it?" he croaked his throat suddenly dry.
Minerva nodded and averted her eyes because she couldn't bear the lost look in his.
"Yes, the night you and Hermione were married Bloodwen appeared here in Hogwarts and challenged Albus again. He accepted after she told him that if he didn't Voldemort would win. All that has happened so far, Hermione going off to that hidden chamber, the primoris spell Albus cast on your two was part of that battle."
Severus got up and nodded curtly. "I thank you Minerva for telling me. I will return to Snape Manor immediately. Unfortunately I have made my alliances clear tonight and am therefore of no use for the Order any longer. Tell the headmaster that he will receive my notice tomorrow; I am leaving Hogwarts."
Minerva averted her eyes and nodded mutely. With that the potions Master stepped into the fireplace and looked back at the deputy headmistress.
"If the ministry wants to question me, they know where I am. Good bye Minerva."
With that he disappeared in a swirl of green flames.
************************************************************************
Finding the master bedroom proved to be difficult since all the paintings that framed the hallway told her where to go and some even snickered while they made comments on what to expect this night. She found that Snape Manor had many hidden secrets soon enough when she got up another staircase and wondered how this house could have so many floors and why the hell the paintings she passed were laughing and taunting her.
After a second she slowed her gait and addressed an old painting with a serene looking woman who was seated on a huge arm chair. She reminded her a bit of Bloodwen but had blue eyes and was almost bony.
"Excuse me?"
The woman raised one brow and her voice sounded throaty when she answered.
"A mudblood? How come you are here in Snape Manor?" the painting ask stiffly.
Hermione gulped once and then her eyes began to sparkle with anger. No stupid painting would call her a mudblood!
"Listen, I am Hermione Snape, wife of your owner and I would not recommend calling me names okay?" she spat furiously.
The woman paled a little. "This excuse for a Snape married a mudblood? What a disgrace to our family, what a disgrace to our cause!" And with that she left the painting leaving a stunned Hermione behind.
The other people in various painting looked at her with obvious disdain on their faces and some even turned their backs to the now shivering girl. The atmosphere in the house had suddenly turned hostile.
With a plop Slinky appeared and Hermione inhaled deeply.
"Mistress have lost the way?" he squeaked.
Hermione nodded. "I think the paintings have led me the wrong way." She sniffed softly. "I think they hate me."
Slinky inhaled. "Slinky takes them all down tomorrow. Master has other pretty paintings without any people in it, or at least not Snape members."
"These are all family members?" Hermione was surprised.
Slinky nodded and led her down another corridor. "Yes, they don't like anybody much, not even Master when he is so good to us."
Hermione raised a brow remembering vividly the way he had treated the elf in the living room. Slinky slowed down and his face became sad.
"I have been in this family for many decades now and I have served many masters but none has been as gracious with us house elves as our current master." He took a bit of the cloth he wore and sniffed heartily. "He gives us enough food and we are allowed to go into the garden." He looked as if this was really something unusual. "And he knows Slinky's biggest mistake."
"What?" Hermione asked.
He looked sheepish all in a sudden. "Slinky like to read. And since Master caught me one day in the library as Slinky looked through a book he allowed me to read books now and then. Master even teach Slinky things like how to make a pain killing potion or pepper up potion. My former lord would have killed me for that but Master told Slinky he was a smart elf. He is very good to us all."
Hermione was stunned by this. She had never thought that Severus would be so kind to house elves, not when he was so cruel to some of his students. But she began to understand why he was that way, it was the way he had learned from his father, the only way he knew how to teach.
Slinky opened a door and led Hermione into a large bedroom with a huge bed covered by a dark green blanket and some silver embroidered pillows. Another pop and he was gone leaving Hermione to herself.
***************************************************************************
The three boys and Ginny had decided to all stay in one room since it was easily big enough and as soon as they had made that decision all felt better. The events in Hogwarts had shocked them all and so they silently took turns using the bathroom and then crawled into the huge four poster bed that was almost three times as big as the ones in the school.
***************************************************************************
The bedroom didn't offer much to explore and quite honestly the attack on Hogwarts had scared Hermione more than she wanted to admit. She found a dark red silken pyjama in her size on the bed and after she had put it on she crawled under the heavy woollen covers trying to pretend that Severus was here with her and not in a school that had proved that it was no longer safe.
In all honesty these attacks had scared Hermione on many levels. One was of course the fact that the illusion of safety in Hogwarts was shattered. The wards that she thought so powerful were down and now the threat of being attacked again in an unprepared moment hung over all their heads until Voldemort was defeated. The second reason was that she had seen the massive amount of green light which always indicated a killing curse. She felt very sad and hurt knowing some of her fellow students were killed tonight or severely wounded. She wondered who would not be able to graduate this year for the simply fact that a crazed Death Eater had killed him or her.
The third was very different since it had shaken her foundation. She had never seen Severus killing anybody. Not the actual act, in that vision she had knew he had killed that poor man, but in the study she had seen him cast the Killing Curse. She had felt the cold hatred in her being and the toll such a curse took on Severus. The thought that her loving husband who had saved her friends and cat was capable of feeling these amounts of negative emotions was threatening and numbing.
Crookshanks? Where was he by the way? She had placed him on the living room floor downstairs but then she had totally forgotten about him.
"Crooks?" she whispered and heard an answering meow from the side of the large bed. After a second he jumped onto her chest and curled up there purring softly. Sighing Hermione caressed him shortly and then drifted into a restless sleep.
**************************************************************************
Albus sat in the now empty great hall on one of the chairs that weren't destroyed in tonight's attack and stared at the litter of destroyed decorations spread all over the place, tables were splintered and the orange remains of the pumpkins smeared all over the walls. Bending down to the floor he picked up a pink piece of pink fabric and for some reason this drove home what had happened here tonight.
Sighing he leaned back against the wooden chair and closing his eyes he tried to understand and truly grasp what had happened tonight, that some of his students died while under his protection. The thought caused a bitter piercing pain through his being and he pressed the gaudy pink piece of taffeta against his chest.
Hearing footsteps and hoping it would be Severus he opened his eyes but found the lean figure of Remus Lupin crossing the hall with a dead serious expression on his face that seemed to have erased his gentle smile forever. Another victim, Albus thought wearily.
"Albus, I just talked with Tonks. Obviously the wards were taken down from inside the castle." More lines seemed to have etched themselves into his face.
The headmaster sighed already feeling a headache approaching.
"I see."
"Do you think it might have been Bloodwen Snape?" Remus asked softly.
"She wouldn't be strong enough to do something like that alone, Remus" Albus whispered.
Lupin's eyes widened shortly. "You think…"
"Yes," Albus stated calmly, "No doubt only somebody as powerful as Salazar Slytherin would able to make the wards fall and prevent me from realizing it soon enough."
"He sacrificed our students for his foolish pureblood-faith?" Remus seemed incredulous.
"Another mistake that has been due to me, no doubt." Albus got up slowly. "I always thought that the rules were clear in this war but alas it seems I was terribly mistaken."
The two men stepped down the hall past the ghosts who were still huddled in one of the corners of the room talking softly.
"Have you talked with Severus already?" Remus wondered.
"Not yet. I hope that he returns soon so that I can explain the situation in time."
Remus looked at his headmaster with a concerned gaze. "In time?"
Another sigh could be heard. "In time, yes. He has a burning temper under all this calm demeanour and he won't take it lightly that I placed him and Hermione in danger for so long without telling them."
***************************************************************************
The next morning found Hermione still alone in the big bed and even Crookshanks had deserted her by now. Yawning she got up and after some searching found dark robe which appeared a bit large for her but she put it on nevertheless. Carefully she opened the door and stepped outside into a surprisingly warm hallway where obviously Slinky had already changed the paintings. Now beautiful landscapes filled the walls framed with richly carved wood.
Carefully Hermione listened outside one of the other rooms where she knew Ginny had been sleeping but no noise could be heard. Either they were already downstairs or judging from the semi-darkness outside were still sleeping. Not wanting to wake them up she descended the stairs and to her delight the house didn't play anymore tricks on her as she reached the main entrance hall that she had been through yesterday.
Hesitating where to go from her she was surprised to find Harry coming out of one of the rooms still clad in a dark silken pyjama. He grinned awkwardly when he saw her and pointed at the steaming cup he held in his hand.
"Want some coffee, Hermione?"
She nodded and followed into a room that looked like it was a large kitchen but with strangely little equipment. Only some cupboards were there and an old stove which looked ancient. Instead of trying to make the coffee himself Harry stepped to the large stove and opened a little door.
"One coffee please."
And to Hermione's surprise a big pot of steaming liquid appeared on the top of the stove.
"Snape explained this to me before he left this morning," Harry elaborated.
Getting her cup and following Harry outside Hermione asked: "Have you seen him? When?"
"At around six when I came down." He looked a bit sheepish. "I had trouble sleeping and decided to not bother the others. But he had to leave soon after I came down."
"Where to?"
"He wouldn't say," Harry said shrugging his shoulders. "Maybe back to Hogwarts. He didn't look too good anyway. Like he hasn't slept at all. Didn't say much either, just sat in the living room staring into space."
They had reached the living room in this moment and Hermione sat down in the green arm chair curling up into a ball and Harry made himself comfortable on one of the couches. He looked paler than usual and his hair stood wildly in all directions.
"You okay, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"As okay as I can be," he replied.
Hermione leaned back into the soft material and closed her eyes. "I hope everything is alright in Hogwarts."
Harry nodded. "Snape said that the wards were up again and he told me that there were some students had been hurt quite badly. Didn't want to say anything more."
The bushy-haired girl opened her eyes with a sharp look. "I saw that they used the killing curse, Harry." She sounded almost scared.
"I know, I saw it myself." The boy gripped the arm rests. "I think that students are dead."
Hermione gulped and closed her eyes again. There was nothing to say but the thought of maybe Padma or Lavender killed was almost unbearable. They weren't best friends but still it hurt on a level she couldn't explain to herself.
In this moment they heard angry voices from the hallway and in the next moment Snape entered the room followed by Remus Lupin.
"… didn't think it was necessary to inform me at all and now he wants to talk with me after OUR LAST DISCUSSION?!" Snape barked as he stepped into the room his face scrunched into a mask of fury.
When they saw the two students sitting in the sitting area they stopped dead.
"Good morning," Remus stated calmly and even managed a short smile. "Maybe you should ask Hermione what she thinks about this, Severus. It's as much her business as yours. You have no right to make a decision without her consent." He stared into the angry eyes of his colleague.
"Don't try to make her a part of this talk, Remus," Snape hissed.
Hermione frowned and got up placing her cup carefully on the table. Stepping closer to the two men she gently placed on hand on Severus' arm.
"What are you arguing about, Severus?" she requested calmly.
He sighed and turned to her gazing into her amber eyes. "There is so much you don't know Hermione. So much nobody cared to tell us." He sounded more hurt than anything else. "I know Albus never told you what this prophecy was about. He never told me either."
Hermione shortly gazed into Lupin's pleading eyes and was astounded to find understanding there as well.
"But he told you now, right?" she enquired.
Severus laughed bitterly. "Oh no, Minerva couldn't bear it any longer and decided to tell me about this damn prophecy. Of course Albus couldn't be bothered to tell me when last night your life was in severe danger because of that stupid prophecy."
Hermione inhaled sharply. "So, the Death Eaters attacked because of me?"
Lupin decided it was time to intervene. He wasn't pleased with Albus' decision but had accepted it.
"Not really Hermione and so far we haven't had the chance to find out what happened exactly. But Severus can't resign because of that, Hogwarts and the Order need him now more than ever."
"You have resigned?" she asked clearly shocked.
He turned around and crossed his arms. "I can't forgive him this Hermione…and my loyalties were exposed last night. I am afraid I am no longer safe at the school."
She frowned, and gripped his arms are more tightly. "But what is the prophecy about really?"
Lupin looked dead serious. "We are not really clear about that as well since most of these prophecies are done in a way to conceal their true meaning. But Bloodwen Snape and Salazar Slytherin challenged Professor Dumbledore to decide once and for all what the relationship between muggles and the magical world should be like. If muggle-borns should be a part of our world or not. Your relationship to Severus should be able to decide this but what exactly that meant and how you would decide was never clear."
The dark haired girl chewed on her lip and then looked up.
"I can't say I am happy with Professor Dumbledore's decision of not telling us but-" she turned to her husband staring into his eyes unwavering. "I can understand it. I am sure he had his reasons for not telling us."
Remus smiled slightly; it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I am glad you find it in you to not harbour any grudges like him," he said gazing at the still sulking potions Master.
Hermione sighed. "I understand Severus as well, Professor Lupin. But I also know one thing: We have to return to Hogwarts."
"And I have no say in it?" Severus asked clearly not happy.
"Of course you have." She smiled gently. "But he is right you know-" she said pointing at Lupin. "Especially the Hogwarts students need you now. Nobody knows so much about the Dark Arts as you and Professor Lupin. If you don't return because of your headmaster, you have to return to protect the students."
He stared into the slowly brightening room and then uncrossed his arms.
"You always were a terrible know-it-all, Hermione."
She smiled tentatively and nodded curtly.
"And as usual you are right." He turned to Lupin sighing deeply. "Tell Albus I return under the condition that this time we have a say in this battle."
Lupin nodded and smiled gratefully. "I have absolutely no doubt that you will have. Now that you know about the prophecy we have to see how everything proceeds."
"When will classes continue, Remus?" Snape asked.
"I would say no sooner than a week or two. We had some casualties and the Aurors want to search the school grounds again. Why?"
"It would be best for Hermione and her friends if they stayed here until Hogwarts is completely safe again. Snape Manor is protected with Dark Magic and I highly doubt that any Death Eaters dares to enter as things are right now." Snape grinned maliciously.
Lupin nodded. "That sounds like a reasonable suggestion; I ask Albus and return here later." With that he flashed a much happier smile at Hermione and Harry and disapparated.
Snapes gazed at Harry and grinned in a way that made the boy quite uneasy. It wasn't as if he had any inclination to think that the Slytherin hated him less than before he married his best friend.
"If I remember correctly Hermione mentioned that you wanted to take chess lessons with me?" he enquired in a silken voice.
Harry nodded mutely glancing at his best friend who had already stepped to one of the book-filled shelves.
So no help from her, he thought with despair.
Snape pointed to the large chess board invitingly. "Well, we can start now Potter if you feel up to it." It was clearly a challenge in his voice.
Harry glared at the potions Master with barely disguised anger.
"I don't need anybody else to show off while defeating me. Thank you, I get that once a week in the common room," he hissed.
Snape did something he had never done before- he smiled honestly amused.
"Don't worry, I promise you, you will learn much in this class, Potter." He walked over to the board and sitting down in one of the arm chairs, he motioned for Harry to do the same. After a short moment of hesitation he followed Snape and sat down across from him.
With a flick of his wand Snape cleared the board and placed his hand on the now empty chess board. "Place your hand on your side of the board, Potter!"
Again he glanced at Hermione and found her standing next to the board nodding at him with an encouraging smile. He did as instructed and suddenly the board felt warm under his skin. Looking up at Snape he saw that he had placed his wand on the table.
To his surprise a soft tickling sensation spread through Harry's body and he saw a white king appear on the board who wore a Gryffindor robe. He saluted to the boy and went over to shake hands with a black king wearing Slytherin robes. In the next moment both Harry's and Snape's hands flew away from the board. One moment later the chess board was filled with the queens, the tower, the pawns and all the other chessmen who took their positions on the now glowing board.
Snape took off his black robes and leaned back in his chair with Hermione sitting on his arm rest leaning against him. She watched the board with an amused flicker over her face.
The black king looked up into Snapes direction as if asking for permission to begin.
"Chessmen, move and begin!" Snape said and the board seemed to glow even brighter for a moment until the kings had took their starting place.
"White makes the first move, Potter." Snape raised a brow. "But chose wisely because every time you lose a piece to me, you will feel the consequences."
Before Harry had time to ask what those consequences exactly were his own king turned towards him and scowled.
"Come on, we haven't got all day!"
The boy nodded and praying to whomever might listen to not make the biggest mistake of his life, he made his first move.
I want to thank some wonderful people at WIKTT who helped my beta Carrie with the prophecy: Dame Niamh, who wrote half of the prophecy text and Crooked Cat who gave Carrie a Chaucer reference. Thank you guys and this chapter is dedicated to you.
Of course as always special credit goes to Carrie who did the prophecy herself and what an amazing job she did with it. Thank you my girl.
I had already written the next chapter but I changed things again and now this chapter has a different ending. The last part has not been beta'd so please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes.
I hope you like Snape Manor, Slinky and the chess board as much as I do. BTW I play chess myself so I am aware of the game's rules. More from Bloodwen, Salazar and Hogwarts next chapter. Please review if you like. Remember, the comments make me write faster.