Note: First thing is: I will be editing this story after I finish it AND the two after it.
Second: You have to remember that Albus Dumbledore and Everond Snape are the same person, because in a lost of this chapter I refer to him as Everond.
CHAPTER 13: Charms To the Deceivers, and Traitor For Consequences
"We're transparent," Severus observed, feeling oddly detached from his body. He looked back and saw his own body frozen just behind the glowing doorway. Next to him stood Hermione, also appearing statue-like. Severus could not, however, see Athena's body anywhere. Yet there she was ahead, looking just transparent as he and Hermione did.
"But why?" he asked.
"Shh!" Hermione hissed suddenly. The sound of footsteps reached Severus's ears. He looked down the corridor.
"We have to hide," He said automatically after all his years as a spy. "We can't be seen."
"Relax," Athena said quietly, not turning back to face t hem. "No one can see or hear us by any earthly means. Perhaps if we were to run into a daemon or immortal there'd be trouble, but I highly doubt we will."
"A daemon?" Hermione said blankly. It sounded familiar, but in this transparent state her mind was slightly hazy and she could not remember why.
A kind of demons, of shadows," Severus supplied, looking hard at Athena. He didn't know there was still daemons on earth, he had been sure that they had been banished to a realm of shadows eons before. So he wanted to know what the chance was of running into a daemon exactly, and he wanted to know where one could be found: perhaps Voldemort was in contact one, which would be unspeakably bad. They had no way to defeat a daemon; they would be lucky just to defeat Voldemort and his death eaters.
The footsteps grew louder and a man strode down the corridor with a slightly dazed look upon his face. The questions were driven out of Severus's mind when her heard Hermione gasp, "Professor Dumbledore!" He looked closely and saw that was indeed who it was.
"Where are we?" Severus asked Athena. "And what's going on?"
"You don't recognize this place?" Athena inquired. With feeling, perhaps she would have sounded surprised. "But this is your home." Severus looked around and it hit him.
"Of course," he murmured sheepishly. "Hogwarts. Where else?" Severus felt that, if nothing else, the freakishly laughing suits of armor should have been a dead give away.
"What's happening?" Athena said after allowing Severus a moment to feeling foolish. "Well, right after what that girl Selina showed you-" Severus fought of the urge to snap at her way of referring to his daughter, even if she wasn't actually born in his time yet- "Everond had the 7th year N.E.W.T.s class and they threw him a little party. Afterwards, when they were the only two left, Minerva kissed him and ran off. He's now done with all his classes and is returning the book bat that she left behind in her rush. Follow him." The abrupt command put Hermione and Severus off for a moment. Then they ran off after Dumbledore with Athena now trailing behind, rather than hurrying ahead.
Apparently Minerva was head-girl, and as such she had a small set of quarters to herself, just east of the Gryffindor tower. Severus smirked, thinking of how that worked to Dumbledore's advantage. After all, from what he could guess, Severus didn't think Dumbledore wanted anyone but Minerva to hear what he had to say, or know he was going to say anything to her at all. Of course Dumbledore might want to do more thank talk; he was beginning to seem much more Slytherin than before. Deceiving the entire wizarding community? The only person who came close to doing the something like that was Voldemort. The smirk dropped off his face and he swallowed uneasily. Perhaps Dumbledore and the dark lord had more in common than anyone realized or wanted to realize.
Dumbledore was just standing there, the charms flickering on and off.
"Why is that happening?" Hermione asked curiously. "Charms aren't supposed to work that way. Either they're on or they're off, not flickering from one to the other."
"Heightened emotional stress," surprising came from Athena. "You witches and wizards think that your charms and other works of magic can only be stopped by a more powerful person. Not one of you bothers to think that unconsciously you could defeat yourself, after all, your magic is tied to your emotions, to your very soul. It stands to reason that some spells will or won't work according to how you feel. Charms, curses, and protective spells especially need the castor to feel a certain emotion, even if it is without the witch or wizard knowing or trying.
"Everond does not like to place these charms upon himself, even though he feels he must, and realizing how deeply he cared for, loved Minerva has put him off balance. He wants her to see the real him. But," she continued so quietly that Hermione and Severus could barely make it out, "I can assure you he is not the only one keeping secrets."
Severus walked right over to Dumbledore. HE studied the look on his supposed father's face. While he couldn't relate to the love-struck, nervous, dazed look, Severus supposed at the moment Dumbledore was exactly the way one imagine a love-struck fool to appear. I'm not sure why anyone wastes their time falling in love, he thought disgustedly. Especially if it's inevitable you'll look like such an ass. I do believe I shall never fall in love, thank God.
* Liar * his conscience rang true. * If you love no one, pray tell what you are feeling toward Hermione? You can't lie to me and say you have a platonic student/teacher relationship. I'm you after all, no hiding secrets from me. * Severus hated his conscience. It was his job, his life, to hide and lie to people, that was why he was still alive. But he could do neither to himself and he hated that. However, Severus didn't need to examine his feelings and admit how he really felt right then, rather he could just watch Dumbledore who had finally given the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, who really was a witch, the password. Smiling, the painting swung open and Albus stepped in. Severus and the other two hurried in after him, Hermione barely making it in. Athena did not.
"What should we do?" Hermione asked, a little worried.
"We should continue to follow- Albus- like she told us to, she will come in and find us eventually," Severus didn't know why suddenly finding out Albus was his father had made him uncomfortable calling Dumbledore by his first name, after all he had been earlier. So he decided that's what he was going to do for the moment.
"All right," Hermione said in agreement, trusting Severus, which surprised him a bit. "Let's go." Severus nodded and they went on.
* * * * * * * * *
"Leave them here for now?" Athena said, apparently to the ceiling.
"YES," came the booming reply.
"Who am I to pick up now?" Athena questioned.
"THE TRAITOR."
"As you wish, elders," Athena said, bowing low.
"GO." She teleported back to the small room where a lone figure stood, waiting coolly.
* * * * * * * * *
Severus could hear running water coming from inside Minerva's chambers.
"Apparently Dumbledore has less than perfect timing," Hermiond commented a smile tugging at her lips. There, in the main room, sat Dumbledore. Actually it was Snape, the charms off. Severus wondered if he realized it. Everond looked slightly dejected, the book bag lying next to the couch. Behind the couch was a gigantic widow, currently the shades drawn. To the left was the door that led to the bedroom, on the right the door that led to the bathroom. Just below the window was a fireplace and turned the opposite was of the couch, facing the fireplace, was a large chair, a blanket and pillow lying upon it. The shower abruptly turned off and Severus could hear Minerva stepping out.
"Do you have any idea what's so important that they sent up back as shadows to see?" Hermione asked to break the silence that was occurring.
"If I already knew I would be here, would I?" Severus snapped. Hermione looked hurt at his violent reply. Unwillingly he felt bad.
"I'm sorry," he said, staring hard at Everond. Hermione didn't reply, but Severus felt her smile and that was enough.
The bathroom door opened and Everond stood up. Hermione looked over…and Minerva screamed. Oh, not without reason. After all, she had come out of the bathroom and seen a strange man standing there, herself naked. She rushed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. When she opened it again she had on a robe and held out her wand.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "And what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean?" Everond said, confusion painted upon his features. "I just came to bring your bag back. Min, don't you recognize me? Are you all right? I- oh God. Min, can I see a mirror?"
"How do you know my name?" Minerva asked suspiciously.
"Just give me a damn mirror!" Everond yelled. Afraid of the power radiating from him she went back into the bathroom once more and came out with a hand held mirror. Timidly she offered it to him. He snatched it away and looked into it.
"Oh shit," Everond said. He dropped the mirror. It hit the ground, shattering, all the pieces flying over the floor. Everond stepped back and fell upon the couch.
"This isn't how I wanted to tell you," he said slowly, closing his eyes. "I just- Min, after you kissed me I- I knew I had to tell you who I really was- show you who I was. But now…"
"P-professor Dumbledore?" Minerva said incredulously. He nodded miserably. "Oh my God."
* * * * * * * * *
"So," he said in a casual manor. "You are to guide me? Who have you abandoned for this noble quest?"
"I've not abandoned them," Athena replied in the same tone. "Though if you suddenly find yourself in a dimension of hell, don't act too surprised for my benefit."
"Don't worry," he said amiably. "I wouldn't dream of it. So Hermione and Severus are here then? Do your elders really think it will help?"
"Clearly, or you wouldn't be her either," Athena remarked politely.
"Ah yes," he said, a cold glint in his eyes. "What pray tell am I to see this time?"
"The consequences of your foolish actions," she answered with a shrug. "Nothing more."
"Then let's get on with it," he said cheerfully. "This should be interesting."
"Indeed," Athena said, almost dryly, as she pushed open the door labeled 'Future.'
* * * * * * * * *
"Yes. I-I'm sorry Min," Everond said brokenly. "My real name is Everond Snape and I'm twenty-nine. I used time travel to fool everyone along with the charms to make myself look old. I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner."
"No, reparo-" the mirror flew back together. Minerva sighed as he walked over to the couch and sat down next to Everond. "I already knew all that."
"What?" Everond gasped, as did Hermione and Severus but Minerva couldn't hear them.
"I'm psychic, one of those very rare people who shouldn't exist, but do and can read a person's mind as long as their will to keep personal information secret is not up to a near god-like strength," her shoulders sagged and she let out a long ragged breath. She looked up into Everond's face and managed a weak smile. "But I'm also afraid that's not all I've been hiding. You see while you really area a Snape, not a Dumbledore, I'm still a McGonagall. But my name, I'm afraid, is not Minerva. It's Stacy."
* * * * * * * * *
"Do you realize how much trouble that Selina girl caused here?" Athena asked the man. "The elders were upset with your time as it was, but it hadn't seemed unchangeable. Now the present is dragged into this, however, and if things go your way, there won't be a present to fix the future with, so there won't be a real future."
"My, my," the man remarked. "You sound almost upset. I thought you didn't feel, Athena. Don't tell me I was wrong, that would be so disappointing."
"You needn't worry yourself like that," Athena said, sickening sweet. "I don't feel, not for you humans, bloody mortals, anyway. But if you do manage to destroy the present and future then what do you expect me to play with?"
"I know very well there are other planets for you to screw around with," replied the man, his tone clipped. "Don't give me that."
"But the other immortals are so mean," Athena said, as close to whining as she could get. "They absolutely hate to share with me."
"Deal with it," he retorted.
"Fine," she almost snapped. "We're here." She swung the door open. It was labeled 'Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Voldemort.' Though it didn't say on that door, the date was July 21st, 2036.
* * * * * * * * *
Thank you so much for all the reviews, I can't believe I have 60! I hope this chapter is long enough for you, I did mean for it to be longer, but oh well. Hey, I was wondering if you might possibly make it so I have 70 reviews before I post up the next chapter, which I'll be posting next weekend. Next Chapter: Now I bet I've got you even more confused. Wasn't Stacy Melissa brought back from the dead in a new body? Then why is Minerva suddenly Stacy? Hmm, think about that for a while. Anyone who wants to guess it welcome to. Anyway, next chapter you'll find out why they're both Stacy.
So how do you like the whole Hermione/Severus relationship thing so far? I'm not sure if I'm doing quite right, too fast, too slow? Would you tell me? And who wants to guess who the traitor is? Everyone who guesses right will get a virtual hug from me and their name (penname, whatever) mentioned in the chapter he's revealed.
Normal comments: A girl for Harry, any questions you have, still apply. ~ Remo