Chapter 15
Hermione was quite irritated and annoyed by her best friend's behaviour. Not that Harry was in her way, or constantly by her side, or, like Ron did, asking her again and again why she helped Snape. What irritated her was that he was constantly watching her, as if asking himself what she had on her mind. And Hermione didn't like that at all, for it meant she had almost never a moment to her own. She even didn't dare to think about her discovery of the Essence, because her excitement may have shown on her face, or she might think a bit aloud or mumble to herself, and if anyone caught that... She was relieved every evening when she went to the infirmary and was able to slam the door shut into the world's face. At least with Severus she didn't need to guard her thoughts or behaviour. And to her it was a great annoyance that Harry insisted of bringing her, waiting for her and returning with her from the infirmary. At least he didn't try to press her for information, or scolded her, like another good friend she had.
She had left Severus today after two hours filled with talk and try-outs in their slowly developing pidgin. Severus tried to remember some irregular English verbs and phrases as examples, and Hermione had tried to get a system into the various types of Finnish verbs and nouns. Although Severus still mixed up some vowels within the irregulars, he had become quite understandable. Hermione wished that she could say that from herself in Finnish, too. She desperately wished for some reference books, or at least for a list of the Finnish verbs and the grammatical cases they required...
She stepped out of the hospital wing with the beginning of a thunderous headache. She had not yet made five steps out of the door when she saw Harry stepping out of his waiting-corner. She honestly wondered if he really stayed there the whole two hours which she was with Severus every evening.
She noticed Harry's concealed glance at her, his eyes and expression carefully kept blank. "Well, at least his Occlumency lessons have taught him abilities to guard himself better, and to keep his thoughts out of his face. Would be happy if I could do that..." Hermione sighed and decided to put an end to this hideous hide-and-seek with a straight forward inquiry.
"Ok, Harry, just one thing: Why?"
Harry raised his eyebrows and tried his best innocent, charming smile. It didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Hmm? Why what?"
"Why do you keep tailing me? You know where I am, how long I'll stay there, with whom and for which purpose. SO just why do you watch me? And don't come me with Malfoy or some other stupid excuse like that."
Harry's expression was back to a controlled and calm blankness that didn't give anything away. He drew closer to Hermione, as if preventing that someone next to them would hear him.
"Actually, I do wonder about Malfoy. Because he is not bullying or threatening you."
Hermione grew cold. Had their agreement been blown up? Again she wished she could hide her thoughts away from her face, because obviously some of her shock had shown itself on her face, and Harry could easily read it.
"You see, I just can't imagine that someone like Draco Malfoy lets the fate of someone so close and dear to him in the hands of a person he loathes, especially in yours; don't get me wrong. I'm simply wondering why he keeps quiet about the whole thing. Even if he separated from Snape because of him being a spy against Voldemort, why isn't he boasting about "how the Dark Lord treats unfaithful servants"? Why isn't he trying to get in your way in order to get your current position for himself, for the one or other purpose? And I'm watching and following you because I have this little idea that you would know some answers to the riddles in Malfoy's behaviour..."
Hermione could only stare at Harry. She had the impression that she had missed some point of his explanations. At the same time, her thoughts humbled along his train of thought, or tried to do so, and she desperately tried to think through the last three weeks, if all this had really been so obvious... But Harry distracted her again.
"That is not all. I'm also worried that Malfoy – senior this time – might plan something to harm or kill Snape while there is still the possibility. He is not under the full protection of the Order as long as he is in the hospital, you know that. And I'm quite certain that Malfoy senior would not give a single thought about it if he would also get you killed together with Snape, just because you are there at the moment. On the contrary. So, maybe you could put your pieces together again and explain me what is going on here."
Harry looked so serious and calm than Hermione had ever seen him before. He had spoken in an even, emotionless voice that was close to creeping her out. His green eyes were fixed on her now, and held her gaze in a nearly steely way. She knew that there was no way of putting him off.
"Ok. I can't tell you everything in detail, but the general reasons and activities I think I can tell you."
Harry nodded without smiling, looking at her expectantly. Hermione briefly wondered how much exactly he had learned, not only from Snape's Occlumency, but from his every encounter with Voldemort. It must have been a lot, and something she had not been aware until now; for she felt exactly that he had not need to ask her. He could have forced her to tell him everything. He had only asked because he was still himself – without corruption from the Dark Arts or the horrible experiences he had had. Before she started, however, she dragged him into Myrtle's bathroom and made the pale girl-ghost standing guard for eavesdroppers. They settled down on the cold stone floor.
"Alright. First, about Malfoy: We made a deal. I don't know why he was willing to do so, but he offered it to me first hand. The deal is that I try all I can to help Snape recover, and in return he is watching our back for his father, who, as you thought, wants to kill Snape. I have no idea how Draco does it, and actually I don't want to know what exactly he tells his father."
Harry nodded slowly, thinking to himself. But Hermione had an own question, it had just occurred to her what it was she thought odd in Harry's explanations...
"You said that Snape is very close and dear to Draco; why? I know Snape has favoured him above all in our classes and outside, but I never thought it more than a "political" draw on Snape's side; nor had I the impression that their likings were mutual."
Harry smiled slyly.
"Yes, you're right with the political draw, but you are mistaken for the direction: It is aimed, of course, at Lucius Malfoy, for not giving him any weapon against Snape in his position at Hogwarts. Furthermore, it is aimed at us, that is, the rest of the school. Snape is known for favouring his own house; Malfoy appears to dig on it, and, especially, to play out Snaoe to his own likings, and taking advantage of him. In that way, they both appear in a quite stereotypical light, once you notice it: Snape as unfair teacher, with a weak "political" spot for Malfoy, quite bound to his likings; and Draco as pupil who can wrap his teacher around his finger, without fearing any consequences. You see? They appear both bound to political reasons, without any emotions involved. This is the ideal role-play they have developed to cover their real affections."
"And their real affections are...? And why the hell do you know all this?!"
Harry laughed.
"One step after another! Ok, I know that Snape and Draco are quite like father and son. And Snape is, thank god, not a father like Malfoy senior. And I know all this from my Occlumency lessons... You see, I have to prevent Snape from rummaging in my memories for things I would most likely not remember, and the best way to fight him I found was to counteract him in the same way. I let him in a bit, then push him with all might back the way he came, for that way can be used in both directions. And because he removes all his bad memories and all the top-secret knowledge from the Order before we practice, I come to see what is left of his memories – his good ones. And most of those memories feature Draco, while Snape is playing with him when he was younger, or discussing almost everything in the world in recent times, and so on. And you know what? In all the memories Draco calls Snape "dad". I'm quite certain that Draco has a very special interest in Snape's well-being."
They fell silent for some time. Hermione was stunned, and she had to concentrate hard to sort through the information Harry had given he, comparing them with her own knowledge and musings.
Harry, however, recalled thoughtfully the peculiar lesson when he had succeeded in pushing Snape back into his own memories, and for quite a long time, too. He had seen scenes from Draco's childhood in the large backyard of Malfoy Manor, where he and Snape had played, child games at first, later mostly Quidditch. He had seen how Snape told the five years old Draco how to mount his small kids-broom; he had seen the neck-breaking dive Snape had flown when Draco, out of stubbornness, had flown into a storm and was blown of his broom; Snape had caught him barely ten feet above the ground, and had crashed into some holly-bushes afterwards. Harry grinned; in that lesson Snape had rubbed the back of his neck without awareness for the rest of the time.
Harry had also seen Draco's first steps as a baby, had witnessed through Snape's eyes his first bit of magic (a Freezing charm, when a part of his potions-kit exploded and his robe caught fire), and some evening conversations they had shared over dinner in more recent times, clearly held at Hogwarts in Snape's rooms during the holidays. And Harry knew the happiest memory Snape confounded on when casting a Patronus: A four years old Draco running at top speed and with bright eyes towards Snape, hugging him tightly around the neck and saying "Thank you, dad!" into his ear.
Harry had no idea what that scene was about, and Snape was no one to be asked about it. Furthermore, they had both agreed at the beginning of Harry's sixth year, when he had asked Snape about continuing the lessons, that everything they would get to know about each other would remain a matter between them and would not leave Snape's office. From that time on, Harry was far from liking Snap, but he had to admit that they kept a quite civilised tongue with each other, and the lessons became less insulting.
Somehow, with regard to Snape's work for the Order, Harry had gained a kind of grudging trust to Snape. He wouldn't talk through his private life with him, to be sure, but he knew that he could go to Snape for advice and support in matters concerning Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Something stupid like forgetting to consult Snape like at the end of his fifth year would never happen again to him.
Harry came gradually out of his thoughts when he noticed Hermione grinning at him.
"Well? What about your other burning questions, Harry?"
